Raigo Pajula/Getty Images(TALLINN, Estonia) -- Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence arrived in Estonia Sunday afternoon, kicking off a three-country visit of Eastern Europe. The Pences, who left from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland Saturday night, were greeted at the Tallinn airport by U.S. Ambassador to Estonia James Melville and Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser. The group shook hands and spoke briefly before the vice president's motorcade headed to the Pences' hotel. Pence tweeted upon his arrival. On behalf of @POTUS, arrived in Tallinn, Estonia with @SecondLady to meet w/ leaders of Baltic States on security & prosperity #VPinEurope pic.twitter.com/YmKsiBQyvK Vice President Pence (@VP) July 30, 2017 Pence also tweeted Saturday night, along with a photo of himself boarding Air Force Two. On my way to Estonia, Georgia and Montenegro to meet with leaders in the region on behalf of @POTUS. Keep up with #VPinEurope. pic.twitter.com/6gJTy3WRv6 Vice President Pence (@VP) July 30, 2017 In explaining the purpose of the trip, a senior Trump administration official told reporters last week, "This builds upon the administrations engagement. The secretary of defense had been there recently, and it builds upon the vice presidents trip when we addressed some of these leaders at the Munich Security Conference when he met with the three Baltic presidents then. And he has since hosted the prime minister of Georgia here at the White House, as did the president. And then on Montenegros accession into NATO, we also hosted leadership here in the White House." The office of Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas said in a press release Saturday that Ratas and Pence will meet at 5:30 p.m. local time to "discuss cooperation in defense, digital issues and cyberdefense, as well as cooperation between the U.S. and the EU in connection with the Estonia presidency of the Council of the European Union." Ratas said in a statement, "The contribution of the U.S. to the security of the Baltic states and also the whole of Europe is vital, and I certainly wish to thank the vice president for that. Besides that, we plan to speak about the Estonian digital solutions that are of interest to the U.S. and developing cooperation in cyberdefense at our meeting. Another important topic that will be on the table is the cooperation between the EU and the U.S." Prime Minister Ratas meets with Vice President Pence today https://t.co/z3KEX6KNpE pic.twitter.com/TYx3rtZ2jW Estonian Government (@EstonianGovt) July 30, 2017 A senior White House administration official told reporters last week that while in Estonia, Pence will "highlight our strong bilateral ties, including by trade and investment. And, particularly with Estonia, successes in the cyber realm and their current partnership on cyber issues, and their leading not only in that region, but globally." On Thursday, Karen Pence expressed her enthusiasm for the trip on Twitter. Looking forward to our visit to Eastern Europe where I will highlight my initiative, art therapy. What an honor! pic.twitter.com/1nwZlk2IKe Karen Pence (@SecondLady) July 27, 2017 According to the second lady's office, she will tour a medical center in Tallinn and participate in a roundtable discussion with art therapists. In Georgia, the vice president will "highlight our commitment to the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership and our strong support for Georgias sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the senior administration official. The officials said Pence will also note "its internationally recognized borders and our support for Georgia and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations." While in Georgia, Karen Pence will visit with patients of an art therapy program in Tbilisi. On Wednesday, Pence will attend the Adriatic Charter Summit in Podgorica, Montenegro, to highlight the U.S. commitment to the Western Balkans and underscore the importance of good governance, political reforms and rule of law. Also expected to attend are the leaders of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia. In Podgorica, Montenegro, the second lady will tour a honey farm, where she will learn about a local family's beekeeping business. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. 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. Shriya Saran, who spent quite sometime shooting in Portugal for Paisa Vasool, has fallen in love with the European country. Although she had travelled quite a bit in Europe, this was her first ever outing to Portugal and the countrys scenic locales, beaches and food have struck a chord with Shriya. In a recent interview, Shriya said, I travelled extensively across that European country . I am absolutely besotted with the Portuguese bridges and ports. The beaches are spotless, quiet and heavenly . I also got to witness a colourful festival in its capital, Lisbon, where thousands of people took to the streets. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I treated myself to the famed green wine that the Portuguese have popularised, and binged on the delicious local cuisine. Not just that, apparently, the whole experience reminded her of Goa. After wrapping up her shoot in Portugal, the actress went on a road trip to Barcelona and she had a great time in the whole process. Articles that might interest you: Actor Vishnu Manchu, who has been shooting for Achari America Yatra in Malaysia, is reportedly injured while performing a bike stunt. Vishnu was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital and his condition is said to be fine. Even though media reports claim that Vishnu sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment in ICU, sources close to Vishnu trashed the reports. Vishnu will soon be heading to the US for his wife Viranicas delivery. Articles that might interest you: Jul 30, 2017 | By Julia Vancouver-based artist Shawn Hunt has collaborated with Microsofts local maker space The Garage to develop an experiential sculpture at the crossroads of 3D printing, robotics, and holographs. Drawing on Indigenous imagery, Transformation Mask functions both as a personal artistic expression of Hunts identity, and an exciting new showcase of whats possible with Microsofts wearable augmented reality device, the Hololens. Its a win-win for both parties, but as Hunt notes, it wasnt always an easy path. I have never felt like I really belonged to any one particular movement, culture, category, or clique, says Hunt, whos heritage combines Scottish, French, and Indigenous Heiltsuk roots. As an artist this has given me an incredible amount of freedom. I dont feel that my work is conceptual, traditional, artefact or craft. It is neither ancient nor modern. Instead, I feel as though my work has elements of all of these categories. This is a freedom that allows me to distort, subvert, hijack and remix these categories in order to offer new points of view, explains Hunt. The Canadian artist wishes to challenge viewers preconceptions, he says. He believes his art is at its most powerful when it poses questions, as opposed to giving the viewer all the answers. My goal is to make the viewer think, he adds. This subversion is precisely what inspired Hunt to begin incorporating cutting edge technologies into his creative process, a move that quickly caught the eye of Microsofts Vancouver headquarters. It wasnt long before Hunt was collaborating with a team of Microsofts finest, collectively exploring how Robotics, 3D printing and Mixed Reality could tell stories through artwork. According to Hunt, the starting point was the raven figure in Heiltsuk mythology. Seen as the ultimate trickster, the ravens fluid identity was both an explorative standpoint and an overarching symbol in the final piece. After a considerable amount of experimentation, the team came up with Transformation Mask. The interactive installation features a bird mask akin to traditional Indigenous design, but with decidedly cyborgian elements, thanks to robotic mechanics and elements of Mixed Reality. Beginning with a paper prototype, Hunt and his team gradually built up the technology, moving from hand sketches and foam core to a digital prototype and aluminum skeleton. True to its traditional Indigenous form, no straight lines are featured on the raven. Complex compound curves and procedurally generated hex patterns were used instead, making the 3D modelling that much more impressive. In total, the mask required almost 300 hours of 3D printing time. The finished mask is comprised of over 20 3D printed PLA and acrylic resin components, each individually printed, and measures over a metre in length. The components were assembled on open beam aluminum rails with interlocking elements between the 3D printed pieces. An array of sensors, processors, electronics, and other mechanical bits guides the masks behaviour. Theres even an ultrasonic range finder for detecting users and triggering the experience autonomously. Several linear sensors attached to the metal skeleton instigate the initial phases of motion, while microcontrollers work uniformly to control LEDs and behaviour, as seen through two Windows phones (one for each raven eye). The Hololens oversees and coordinates all of these separate pieces via a bluetooth connection. When the user peers into the mask, he or she is taken through an experience of metamorphosis and an onslaught 3D content. The work presents a new trajectory for engagement and exploration of First Nations practice; one that points towards technology and innovation as aspects that expand traditional practices and opens new avenues for interpretation, says Hunt. The holographic experience itself is nothing short of extraordinary: animated volumetric drawings emerge in conjunction with particle simulations and spatial sounds. Hunt says the overall sound was an important focus for him: the custom sonic design was implemented first, in fact, and then used to inspire the timing and tone of the visuals, rather than the other way around. The result is Transformation Mask, a powerful innovation that builds on pre-existing technologies and symbols, but combines them in an entirely unseen way. I like the idea of art being like a catalyst, or a flash point, Hunt says. And with the creation of an experience that crosses boundaries of sound and image, art and technology, and old and new, Transformation Mask is about as catalyzing as it gets. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Sudip Bose in American Scholar: When Ludwig van Beethoven arrived in the Bohemian spa town of Teplitz in July 1812, he was ill, heartbroken, anxious about his finances, and growing deafer by the daythe dismal weather that greeted him, cold and sopping wet, could not have lifted his spirits all that much. He had been to Teplitz before, indeed, the previous summer, when his doctor had similarly ordered him to take a restorative cure. The town was renowned not only for its hot springs but also for its sylvan setting, the deep forests and pristine lake offering the sick and weary the promise of recuperation. Royals and other noble types frequented the spa, and during the summer of 1812, that glittering crowd would have been abuzz with news of Napoleons recently commenced invasion of Russia. Beethoven, the consummate anti-aristocrat, had no wish to hobnob with such a crowd. Yet there was one illustrious man, a regular at Teplitz, whom the composer was desperate to meet: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Beethoven revered Goethe, having composed incidental music to the 1788 drama Egmont as well as several songs set to Goethes verse. The two artists had already made initial contact in the spring of 1812, Beethoven writing to Goethe a letter brimming with effusive praise and Goethe responding in warm, encouraging terms. As Jan Swafford notes in his recent biography of Beethoven, the period of the early 1800s was the Goethezeit, the age of Goethe, and following the death of Immanuel Kant, Goethe and Beethoven stood alone as the two colossi of German culture. That they should not only meet, but perhaps become friends, even collaborate on an opera, as Beethoven desired, seemed inevitable. And yet, it was not to be. They did meet in Teplitz. For most of one week, they took walks together, talking constantly. Beethoven played the piano for the writer and brought up the idea of an opera libretto. Goethe seemed amenable, but once the two men returned homeBeethoven to Vienna, Goethe to Weimar, where he was an official of the courtnothing came of these tentative plans. More than likely, the artists never met again. More here. 9AA: Wall tops Parkston for first state football title in 28 years Genres : Drama, History, War Starring : Gregory Peck, Ivan Bonar, Ward Costello, Nicolas Coster, Marj Dusay, Ed Flanders Director : Joseph Sargent Plot Synopsis The story of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander during World War II and United Nations Commander for the Korean War. "MacArthur" begins in 1942, following the fall of Philippines, and covers the remarkable career of this military legend up through and including the Korean War and into MacArthur's days of forced retirement after being dismissed from his post by President Truman. CARLSBAD, Calif. and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Verdezyne Inc., a synthetic biology company producing biobased chemicals, announced today that a groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 30th for its VerdePalm plant, Verdezyne's first commercial-scale renewable chemicals manufacturing facility, at the Bio-XCell premier biotechnology and ecosystem park in Nusajaya, Iskandar, in southern Malaysia. The new facility is designed to produce biobased long chain diacids via fermentation of Verdezyne's proprietary yeast, which has been engineered to use non-food biomass to produce high value chemicals. The first product produced at VerdePalm will be dodecanedioic acid (DDDA), a 12-carbon diacid that is a component of many consumer products currently made from petroleum. DDDA is a main building block of FerroShieldTM, Verdezyne's nitrate-free dibasic acid mixture used in a variety of corrosion inhibitor applications. The groundbreaking ceremony for the VerdePalm plant was co-hosted by Chad Waite, Chairman of the Verdezyne Board of Directors, and YBhg. Tan Sri Dato' Abdul Ghani Othman, Chairman of the Board of Sime Darby Berhad, the largest investor in Verdezyne Inc. Attendees included Malaysian dignitaries and representatives from Verdezyne's partners, Bio-XCell Malaysia and the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation. The Guest of Honor, YAB Dato' Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Chief Minister of Johor, presented the Officiating Speech. The VerdePalm plant is expected to be completed in 12-18 months. VerdePalm will be the world's first biobased plant for DDDA production. "Importantly, the starting yeast will be made from the spent biomass that results from palm oil processing," Waite stated. "Crude palm oil and palm byproducts, as well as other plant-based raw materials, will be used to produce approximately 6,000 metric tons of industrial grade DDDA each year. Verdezyne's technology will enable a very low-value by-product of palm oil processing to become a high-value "green" product that reduces the use of petroleum." "We are excited that a product made by Verdezyne and our Malaysian partners will be shipped around the world to be used as an alternative to the typical petroleum-derived intermediate chemicals," said E. William Radany, Ph.D., President and CEO of Verdezyne. "The VerdePalm plant is part of our comprehensive strategy of expansion into Asia, and represents a major step toward our goal of replacing petroleum-derived chemicals with renewable drop-in replacements," he noted. "Malaysia is proud to host Verdezyne's first commercial manufacturing plant, which is located at the Malaysin Bio-XCell park. I believe the eco-system provided by the park will be an excellent fit for the VerdePalm facility. Malaysia will continue to commit to the ongoing advancement of biotechnology in the country. The groundbreaking ceremony signifies Verdezyne's readiness to work with Malaysia and marks another milestone in our quest to add value to the palm industry using biotechnology as a catalyst," said Zainal Azman B. Abu Kasim, Senior Vice President of BioIndustrials, Bioeconomy Corporation in Malaysia. DDDA is a key component of FerroShield, which can be used in numerous corrosion inhibitor applications including metalworking fluids, engine coolants, metal cleaners, die cast release agents, and aqueous hydraulic fluids. "Marketing of FerroShield was launched in February of this year," Dr. Radany added. "The rust inhibition industry is in need of a high-performing dibasic acid mixture that can be easily incorporated into existing customer formulas. We foresee strong demand for FerroShield in a number of countries in Asia and Europe, as well as in the U.S. and Canada." About Verdezyne Verdezyne is a synthetic biology company offering biobased chemicals manufactured via fermentation of its proprietary yeast cells. The company has two commercial products, BIOLON DDDA (dodecanedioic acid) and FerroShield dibasic acid mixture. Current investors in Verdezyne include BP Ventures, DSM Venturing B.V., OVP Venture Partners, Monitor Ventures, and Sime Darby. For more information, visit www.verdezyne.com or connect with the company on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. For samples, orders or more information about Verdezyne's FerroShield, please contact: The U.S.: kwilkinson@aceto.com Asia : ddda@wecocbc.com : ddda@wecocbc.com Europe : ferroshield@will-co.nl Verdezyne Media Contact: Jenna Ngian Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing JNgian@Verdezyne.com 760-707-5288 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verdezyne-groundbreaking-ceremony-in-malaysia-commemorates-initiation-of-the-worlds-first-biobased-ddda-plant-300496369.html SOURCE Verdezyne By Amira El Masaiti King Mohammed VI delivered the much-anticipated Royal speech tonight at 9 p.m. Dealing out criticism of government policy and exhortations to change mentalities, the King did not shy away from addressing governmental corruption, which he said puts the country at risk. While the relationship between the government and the people should be built on trust, the king recognized that many of the ties between the state to its citizens are fragile, particularly when the government goes out of its way to keep the public in the dark. If the King of Morocco is not convinced of the way political activity is conducted and if he does not trust a number of politicians, what are the citizens left with? asked the King. The lack of public access to the evolution witnessed in Morocco in the political domain and in the area of development has not, according to the king, led to the kind of positive reaction you would expect from political parties, leaders and government officials when dealing with the real aspirations and concerns of Moroccans. King Mohammed VI asserted that the governments tactics in playing the role of the victim, hiding behind the monarchs power once they mismanage a task, is no longer tolerable. When matters do not turn out the way they should, they hide behind the Royal Palace and ascribe everything to it, while when results are positive, political parties, politicians and officials vie for the spotlight to derive benefits from the achievements made, both politically and in terms of media exposure. Despite the fact that Moroccos development policy choices remain sound, wiping out corruption has not yet been achieved, considering that mentalities that have not evolved as well as with the inability to implement projects and to innovate. As a result, citizens complain to the King about government services or officials that take too long to respond to their queries or process their cases, asking him to intercede on their behalf, said the King, implying that government policies and public service must be revised. The King reiterated to government officials what is expected of them in serving the public. Citizens are entitled to convincing answers within reasonable timeframes to their queries and complaints, including the explanation or justification of negative decisions. He continued, requests and queries should not be turned down without a valid legal reason; they should be rejected only when they are inconsistent with the law, or when the citizen concerned has not completed the relevant procedures or met the requirements. Opportunities for the youth to engage in governance and participate in political and decision-making has been dis-incentivized by governmental actors corrupt behavior and insufficient communication with the public. The practices of some elected officials induce a number of citizens, especially young people, to shun political life and take no part in elections. Put simply, they do not trust politicians; indeed, some stakeholders have perverted politics, diverting it away from its lofty objectives, said the King. In a speech on Saturday on the occasion of the Throne Day, King Mohammed VI lashed out at the political elite, telling them they must take their responsibilities seriously or quit public office. The Kings speech heavily criticized politicians and officials, who he said have neither followed up with development policies and projects in the kingdom nor properly done their duties. The evolution witnessed in Morocco in the political domain and in the area of development has not led to the kind of positive reaction you would expect from political parties, leaders, and government officials when dealing with the real aspirations and concerns of Moroccans, the king said. The monarch drew attention to the mentalities that have not evolved to go along with this evolution. What is more deplorable in the eyes of the king is the attitude of the political elite and officials, who are more concerned with their public image than serving the nation and peoples interests. When results are positive, political parties, politicians and officials vie for the spotlight to derive benefits from the achievements made, both politically and in terms of media exposure, says the King. Vying for media exposure and political wins has led parties and politicians to forget their primary mission in serving the public, the king explained. Instead, the kingdom has witnessed intense competition between political actors, even in the midst of serious crises such as the one in Al Hoceima, during which elected officials and political parties from the government and opposition have kept exchanging accusations over who is to blame. The king expressed his disappointment at the growing intensity of party rivalries. Running public affairs should have nothing to do with personal or partisan interests, said the monarch. I have noted that most stakeholders have opted for a win-lose rationale to preserve or expand their political capital at the expense of the homeland, even if that means making the situation worse. The desire to seek the limelight is contrasted with a completely different behavior when things go wrong. In this case, officials and politicians hide behind the Royal Palace and ascribe everything to it. As a result, citizens turn to the monarchy because politicians cannot get things done nor respond to peoples demands. The critical tone of the speech is unprecedented, although the King rebuked officials on previous occasions. This time, however, the King gave those in positions of power two choices: either they do their jobs properly or concede their positions to others willing to take their responsibilities more seriously. To all those concerned I say: Enough is enough! Fear God in what you are perpetrating against your homeland, says King Mohammed VI. Either discharge your obligations fully or withdraw from public life. There are plenty of honest men and women in Morocco. Not assuming ones responsibility before God, the homeland, and the King is treason, said the royal speech. Facing the situation, the King stated that people can no longer derelict their duties and get away with it. The monarch insisted that Article 1 of the constitution, linking responsibility with accountability, should be rigorously applied. The King has granted a royal pardon to 1,178 prisoners, which include Rif protesters and PJD youth members. The royal pardon benefits a number of the Rif activists who have been detained following eight-month protests in the Al Hoceima region. On the eve of the Throne Day, which will be celebrated on Sunday in Tangier, Morocco Ministry of the Royal Household announced that the Moroccan monarch has decided to grant his royal pardon to Rif protesters, as well as PJD youth members. It is unclear, however, whether Nasser zafzafi, leader of the protest movement, has also benefited from the royal pardon. Prior to his much anticipated royal speech, King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to 1,178 prisoners, including some Rif protesters and PJD youth members, said a statement by the Maghreb Arab Press. The king has given royal pardon to four inmates over their remaining prison term, while 811 inmates had their prison terms reduced. One convicts death penalty was commuted to life imprisonment, while 25 inmates benefited from life sentences commutation to fixed prison terms. The same sourced added that 58 inmates have benefited from the pardon over imprisonment term or remaining prison term, 22 others had both their prison sentences and fines dropped. Sentences for Seven prisoners were pardoned while fine were kept. 180 inmates benefited from pardon over their prison terms and fines King Mohammed VI addressed, on Saturday, a speech to the nation on the occasion of the eighteenth anniversary of Throne Day. The speech is as follows: Praise be to God, May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin Dear Citizens, Today, we are celebrating the eighteenth anniversary of my accession to the throne, in a national environment characterized by achievements as well as challenges. This yearly celebration is an opportunity to renew the mutual bonds of the Beia uniting us and to take stock, together, of the state of the nation. The development projects and the political and institutional reforms carried out target a single goal: to serve citizens, wherever they may be. There is no difference between north and south, east and west, urban and rural areas. It is true that Moroccos resources are limited. It is also a fact that many regions need more basic social services. However, Morocco has been constantly developing, by the grace of the Almighty. Progress is clear and real; it is recognized across the board and in all sectors. Today, however, we are witnessing glaring paradoxes that are hard to understand or accept. On the one hand, Morocco enjoys indisputable credibility at continental and international levels, the esteem and consideration of our partners and the confidence of major investors, such as the Boeing, Renault and Peugeot groups. But on the other hand, we are shocked by the end results, the facts on the ground and the modest achievements made in certain social sectors, so much so that it is shameful to admit we are actually talking about present-day Morocco. While it is true that our action, through a number of sectoral plans like those relating to agriculture, industry and renewable energy has been successful, human and local development programs, which have a positive impact on citizens living conditions, do us no credit, nor do they match our ambitions. In many sectors, this is mostly due to the inadequacy of joint action, the lack of a national, strategic dimension, inconsistency instead of harmony, disparagement and procrastination instead of entrepreneurship and concrete action. These paradoxes are even more acute when we compare the private sector which is efficient and competitive, and which is built on a governance model that has incentives, as well as follow-up and monitoring mechanisms to the public sector, particularly our civil service, which is suffering from poor governance and weak performance. The private sector is attracting the best human resources that are trained in our country. They are involved in the management of major international groups in Morocco as well as small and medium-sized Moroccan enterprises. As for civil servants, many of them do not have the skills, qualifications or ambition required; moreover, they are not always guided by a sense of responsibility. Some of them report to work for only short periods of time, preferring to settle for modest but guaranteed pay, instead of working hard to improve their social conditions. One of the problems which impede Moroccos progress is the weakness of the civil service, be it in terms of governance, efficiency or the quality of the services provided to citizens. For instance, the regional investment centers with the exception of one or two are a problem. They impede the act of investing instead of serving as a mechanism that provides incentives and resolves the problems of investors at the regional level, without their having to go to central government departments. This has an adverse impact on regions that are suffering from insufficient sometimes inexistent private investment and from the public sectors weak performance. This, in turn, affects citizens living conditions. The challenge is even more daunting in regions with the biggest shortage of health, education and cultural services, not to mention the lack of jobs. Greater cooperative efforts are required to close gaps and help these regions catch up with the others. Conversely, regions with a vibrant private sector, like Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and Tangier, are enjoying strong economic dynamism which creates wealth as well as jobs. To put an end to this situation, governors, caids, directors, staff members, local officials, etc. should work hard, just like staff in the private sector or even harder. They should show a sense of responsibility that does credit to the civil service and yields concrete results since these officials are entrusted with serving citizens interests. Dear Citizens, All in all, our development policy choices remain sound. The problem lies with mentalities that have not evolved as well as with the inability to implement projects and to innovate. The evolution witnessed in Morocco in the political domain and in the area of development has not led to the kind of positive reaction you would expect from political parties, leaders and government officials when dealing with the real aspirations and concerns of Moroccans. When results are positive, political parties, politicians and officials vie for the spotlight to derive benefits from the achievements made, both politically and in terms of media exposure. However, when matters do not turn out the way they should, they hide behind the Royal Palace and ascribe everything to it. As a result, citizens complain to the King about government services or officials that take too long to respond to their queries or process their cases, asking him to intercede on their behalf. Citizens are entitled to convincing answers within reasonable timeframes to their queries and complaints, including the explanation or justification of negative decisions. Requests and queries should not be turned down without a valid legal reason; they should be rejected only when they are inconsistent with the law, or when the citizen concerned has not completed the relevant procedures or met the requirements. Given this situation, citizens are entitled to ask themselves: What is the use of having institutions, holding elections, forming governments and appointing ministers, walis, governors, ambassadors and consuls if they live on one planet, and the people and their concerns are on another one? The practices of some elected officials induce a number of citizens, especially young people, to shun political life and take no part in elections. Put simply, they do not trust politicians; indeed, some stakeholders have perverted politics, diverting it away from its lofty objectives. If the King of Morocco is not convinced of the way political activity is conducted and if he does not trust a number of politicians, what are the citizens left with? To all those concerned I say: Enough is enough! Fear God in what you are perpetrating against your homeland. Either discharge your obligations fully or withdraw from public life. There are plenty of honest men and women in Morocco. This situation can no longer be tolerated because the homelands interests and those of the citizens are at stake. I am choosing my words carefully here, and I know what I am saying because it comes after deep reflection. Dear Citizens, The responsibility and the privilege of serving citizens call for action that goes from responding to their basic demands to implementing projects big and small. As I always point out, there is no difference between small and large projects. All projects are meant to meet peoples needs. Whether a project concerns a district, a hamlet, a city, a region or the entire country, it still has the same objective, which is to serve citizens. In the eyes of citizens, digging a well or building a dam, for instance, are equally important. What is the meaning of responsibility if the official concerned loses sight of one of the most basic requirements of that responsibility, which is to listen to citizens concerns? I fail to understand how officials who do not fulfill their duties can leave home, drive their cars, stop at traffic lights and brazenly and shamelessly look people in the face, knowing that they are aware of their unscrupulous conduct. Are these people who took the oath before God, the homeland and the King, and who fail to perform their duties, not ashamed of themselves? Should not any official who is guilty of dereliction of duty be held to account and dismissed? I must insist, in this respect, on the need to apply rigorously the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 1 of the Constitution, which links public office with accountability. It is high time this principle were implemented in full. Just as the law applies equally to all citizens, it must be applied, first and foremost, to all officials, without distinction or discrimination, and in all of the Kingdoms regions. This is the dawn of a new era in which there is no difference between officials and citizens as far as civic rights and obligations are concerned; nor is there room for shirking responsibility or avoiding sanctions. Dear Citizens, I insist on the need to implement the provisions of the Constitution fully and rigorously. This is a collective responsibility which lies with all stakeholders, each in their respective area of competence the government, parliament, political parties and all the institutions concerned. When an official obstructs or delays the implementation of a development project or a social program, this is not simply a case of dereliction of duty; it amounts to treason because that official is harming the interests of citizens and preventing them from enjoying their legitimate rights. Strangely enough, there are some officials who fail in their duty and still consider that they deserve a higher position. It is attitudes and inconsistencies such as these that give substance to the widely-held belief among most Moroccans that the reason behind vying for positions is to benefit from rent-seeking and to wield power and influence to serve ones own interests. And since examples of such practices exist in everyday life, people unfortunately tend to give credence to this belief. But, thank God, not all politicians and senior civil servants are like that. There are trustworthy people who genuinely love their homeland and who are known for their integrity, uprightness and commitment to serving the public good. Dear Citizens, The events taking place in some parts of the country have regrettably revealed an unprecedented lack of the sense of responsibility. Instead of each party fulfilling its national and professional obligations; instead of resorting to cooperation and collaborative efforts to resolve citizens problems, the parties concerned have been laying the blame at one anothers door, and narrow politicking has been allowed to take precedence over the homeland. As a result, citizens interests have been ignored. Some political parties believe that all they have to do is hold their general meetings, those of their political and executive committees and get involved in election campaigns. But when it comes to engaging the citizens and solving their problems, they do nothing and are non-existent. This is unacceptable on the part of institutions whose role is to guide and represent the citizens and to serve their interests. I never expected partisan bickering and political score-settling to go as far as to jeopardize the interests of citizens. Running public affairs should have nothing to do with personal or partisan interests, populist discourse, or the use of strange expressions that undermine political action. I have noted that most stakeholders have opted for a win-lose rationale to preserve or expand their political capital at the expense of the homeland, even if that means making the situation worse. The fact that political parties and their representatives refrain from performing their mission sometimes deliberately, and sometimes out of a lack of credibility or patriotism has further compounded the situation. Given this regrettable and dangerous vacuum, law enforcement services have found themselves face to face with the citizens. They have bravely and patiently fulfilled their duty, showing restraint and commitment to the rule of law as they maintained security and stability. I am referring to Al Hoceima, but what happened there could actually occur in any other region. This refutes what some have referred to as the security approach, as if Morocco were sitting on top of a volcano, or as if each household and each citizen were being watched over by a policeman. Some even say there is a radical wing and a moderate one, adding that they disagree on how to tackle these events. Nothing could be further from the truth! In reality, there is only one policy and a single, unwavering commitment, which is to enforce the law, respect the institutions, ensure the security of citizens and safeguard their property. Moroccans know that the people behind the afore-mentioned anachronous theory are using it as a business undertaking; they also realize that what these people say is not credible. They act as if law-enforcement services are the ones who run the country and control the government and senior officials. It is probably these services that set prices, etc. By contrast, law enforcement officers are making major sacrifices, working day and night in difficult conditions to fulfil their duty, maintain the internal and external security and stability of the homeland, and safeguard the security, serenity and tranquility of citizens. Moroccans have every right and ought, in fact, to be proud of their law-enforcement authorities. I say this loud and clear, without any inferiority complex: if certain nihilists do not want to admit this, or refuse to tell the truth, it is their problem and theirs alone. Dear Citizens, The Moroccan institutional model is an advanced political system. Nevertheless, for the most part, it is not properly applied. The problem concerns actual implementation on the ground. Having said that, I am particularly keen to respect the prerogatives of institutions as well as the separation of powers. However, if officials fail to discharge their duties, and the interests of the homeland and of citizens are jeopardized, it is incumbent upon me, as per the Constitution, to ensure the countrys security and stability and to safeguard peoples interests as well as their rights and freedoms. At the same time, I will not accept any backtracking on democratic achievements, nor will I tolerate any obstruction as far as the work of institutions is concerned. Both the Constitution and the law are quite clear, and powers need no explanation. Officials must exercise their prerogatives without waiting for someones permission. And instead of repeating the same excuse namely I am being prevented from doing my job it is better for them to offer their resignation, which nobody would reject. Morocco must come first: before political parties, before elections and before senior positions. Dear Citizens, Until my very last breath, I will always take pride in serving you, for I was brought up to love our motherland and to serve its sons and daughters. I solemnly promise, before God, to keep up my earnest endeavors and seek to meet your expectations so that your aspirations may be fulfilled. Allow me, Dear citizens, to speak my mind and tell you exactly how I feel, eighteen years after assuming the sacred mission of leading the nation. I cannot hide certain matters from you. You know them quite well. It is my duty to tell you the truth. Otherwise, I will let you down. You will notice, Dear Citizens, that I have not talked about our territorial integrity, Africa, or any other foreign policy issue. Needless to say, the question of the Moroccan Sahara is not open for discussion, and, of course, it remains a top priority. What I am seeking to achieve today, in all regions of the Kingdom, is a new massira, or march a march for the achievement of human and social development; a march for equality and social justice for all Moroccans, because such a major endeavor cannot be carried out in one region and not in the others. One may come up with the most efficient development model and the best plans and strategies but: without a change in mentality; without having the best civil servants; without the political parties choosing the best elites that are qualified to run public affairs; without a sense of responsibility and national commitment; one would not be able to offer all Moroccans the free, dignified life one wants them to have. I do not want you, Dear Citizens, to think, after listening to this address, that I am being pessimistic. Far from it! You know that I am a realist. I tell the truth, painful though it may be. Pessimism is the lack of will, the absence of a forward-looking vision and the inability to see things as they are. Thank God, our resolve is both firm and sincere, and we also have a clear, long-term vision. We know who we are and where we are heading. Throughout the centuries, and by the Grace of the Almighty, Morocco has managed to survive countless hardships, thanks to the close, symbiotic relationship between the Throne and the people. And here we are today, forging ahead and making progress, together, in various sectors. We confidently and resolutely look forward to making more achievements. Almighty God says: Allah does command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; and when you judge between man and man, that you judge with justice. True is the Word of God. Wassalmu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. By Mohammed Loulichki Source ( OCP Policy Center) The decision of the South African High Court on June 15, 2017, ordering to seize the Moroccan phosphate cargo destined for New Zealand and to take the case to trial, has been considered by OCP and the Moroccan Government as an indignation and a law instrumentalization for political purposes. In less than three weeks, two shipments of phosphates extracted from the subsoil of the Sahara region and exported by the company Phosboucraa were seized in Panama and South Africa respectively and were the subject of two verdicts of varying scope. On May 1, 2017, following a request by the Polisario, the South African port authorities took advantage of the entry of the vessel Cherry Blossom into Port Elizabeth to seize the cargo of 55,000 tons of phosphates it was transporting to New Zealand and confiscate the ships documents, pending a judgment. On May 17, 2017, a Danish vessel Ulta Innovation carrying 50,000 tons of phosphates on behalf of Agruim, a Canadian company, was the subject of an order by the Panamanian Maritime Court during its transit through the Panama Canal, bound for Vancouver. In its decision of June 5, 2017, the Panamanian court declared itself not competent to rule on this case as it concerns a political issue of international dimension, and dismissed the Polisario for failing to prove that it was the owner of the cargo. Contrary to Panamas court decision, on June 15, the South African court stated that: The Polisario represents most of the populations of the Sahara and that the exploitation of phosphates in the subsoil of this region does not benefit this population. In its forthcoming deliberations, the South African judge will need to determine the identity of the Cherry Blossom cargos owner and whether or not the immunity from jurisdiction invoked by the Moroccan lawyers to divest itself of this matter is applicable. This decision provoked strong reactions in Morocco and criticism even within South Africa. Indeed, in a comment made the day after the South African courts decision, the think-tank, Institute for Security Studies (ISS), based in Pretoria, rightly noted the involvement of the Ministry of South African Foreign Affairs as a stakeholder in this case and interpreted the decision as a reaction to the success of Morocco within Africa. The initial South African courts decision is contrary to the decision handed down by the Panamanian court two weeks prior. It comes in a context characterized by tension in the relations between Rabat and Pretoria, the most recent of which were the positions adopted by South Africa when Morocco applied to join the African Union last January. Pending the considerations and basis of the next decision by the South African court, it is already possible to note a few observations and to make some comments on the arguments put forward by the Court of Port Elizabeth to justify seizing the Danish ships cargo and documents. This analysis will be based on the concepts used, the approach followed, the establishment of the Courts jurisdiction, and the content of its decision. 1. At the conceptual level, the court departs from United Nations terminology or makes qualifications that are legally inaccurate. This is the case with the term occupation (paragraph 38, paragraph 40), which neither the General Assembly nor the United Nations Security Council uses in the context of efforts to find a political solution to the dispute over Moroccos recovery of its Sahara. Moreover, the Court mentions a tripartite agreement allegedly signed between Morocco, the UN and the Polisario (paragraph 6), which would thus have constituted a de jure mutual recognition of the two parties when, in fact, it concerns proposals of August 1988 submitted by the Secretary General of the United Nations, accepted separately by the same parties, and incorporated into a document called a resolution plan. The Security Council adopted this same document in its resolution 658 (1990) dated June 27, 1990. 2. As far as the approach is concerned, the Court seems to retain only the factual and historical evidence that corroborates South Africas official position in all its concordance with the positions of Algeria and the Polisario. As an example, neither the negotiation process under way since 2007 nor Moroccos development efforts in the region are found in the Courts reference system. The same is true of the requirement to conduct a census of the Tindouf camp populations, requested for the past six years by the Security Council and not adhered to by Algeria and the Polisario. Another example is that the Court blamed Morocco for having rejected the referendum provided for in the resolution plan, whereas it was the United Nations that established this finding in 2000 because of the impossibility to conduct the identification process. Lastly, the court, instead of relying on objective evidence or on legal reasoning in order to construct its arguments, limited itself to unrelated statements, such as the first paragraph, which reads: It is said that the Territory of Western Sahara is the only African territory that continues to be subject to the colonial regime. 3. Concerning jurisdiction, South Africa is neither the customer nor the carrier nor the owner of the vessel in order to be entitled to an interest in bringing forth proceedings. Similarly, regardless of whether it is conventional law, customary law, or even South African law, the vessel Cherry Blossom has not committed any infraction of South African rules or international rules that could justify its detention and seizure of its cargo and its documents. Its entry into the Port of Elizabeth for supply was a routine act carried out in good faith, with no apprehension or doubt about the future behavior of the South African authorities. In addition, Morocco has not taken any action against South Africa that would be detrimental to the interests of that country, which could have justified reprisals on its part. The vessel did not commit any violation within the waters under South African jurisdiction that would have triggered its responsibility in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It was not accountable for any claim that would have justified its detention, in accordance with the Brussels Convention of 1952 on the Unification of Certain Rules on the Arrest of Sea-going Ships. In the absence of a treaty basis to justify its jurisdiction, the Court of Port Elizabeth relied on the South African Law called Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court dated July 12, 2002, which provides for universal jurisdiction. It is well known that this jurisdiction cannot be invoked for a commercial dispute and remains explicitly and exclusively reserved for crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide and torture. 4. Concerning the verdicts content, we note three fundamental points which seem to merit special attention: the representation of the populations of the Sahara, the status of Morocco vis-a-vis the Sahara region, and the legality of Moroccos exploitation of the regions natural resources. a. Representation of the populations of the Sahara: Throughout the judgment, the South African Court refers to the Polisario as a national liberation movement representing the people of Western Sahara and recognized as such by the United Nations (paragraphs 5 and 6). However, the United Nations, the African Organization nor the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) have never recognized it as such. On the African level, the granting of the status of Liberation Movement has always been the exclusive jurisdiction of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Liberation Committee. Thus, for example, the South West Africa Peoples Organization (SWAPO) and the African Nation Congress (ANC) were given recognition of this status, which provided them with the status of observer representation in the OAU and in the United Nations. During the Committees existence, between 1963, the date of the creation of the OAU, and 1995, the date of the end of the Committee, the Polisario was never granted the status of a liberation movement, presumably due to the existence of other movements which were Unionists and the lack of support within the OAU for the granting of this status. At the UN level, the Polisario is not considered as a liberation movement nor as a sole and legitimate representative but only as a petitioner in the Fourth Committee and the Committee of 24. For the purposes of the current negotiating process leading to a political solution, the Polisario is considered as a simple interlocutor, with an ad hoc and functional status, with no legal implications, which enables it to be involved in the negotiations without being able to address itself, in any capacity whatsoever, to the Security Council, the General Assembly or its five other main committees. This conclusion on the non-representativeness of the Polisario was also enshrined by the European Union Court of Justice in determining the territorial scope of the Fisheries Agreement between Morocco and the EU. In this respect, one is justified in questioning the reasons that prompted the Polisario to submit its application to the South African court on its behalf and on behalf of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), whereas the one presented to the European court was only in the name of the Polisario. The latitude thus given to the South African judge to play on the two statutes in order to guide his reasoning and decision could explain this alternative. Another inaccuracy lies in the proportion of the Sahara populations located to the east of the wall and in the Tindouf camps in Algeria. The South African court asserts that it constitutes the majority of the total population originating from the Sahara region. A factual and neutral reading of the history of the conflict could have informed the South African judge that the majority of the Sahara regions population lives in Morocco, as has long been attested by the United Nations Identification Commission. This population cannot, therefore, accept to see its right to representation confiscated by the Polisario. b. Moroccos status vis-a-vis the Sahara region: In its judgment, the South African court considers that Morocco has recovered the region of the Sahara, through the use of force (paragraph 19), that the populations of this region are distinct (paragraph 18) from the population of the rest of Morocco and that at most, Morocco can be considered as a de facto administering power for the purposes of the courts deliberations. By invoking the general principle of international law on the illegality of the acquisition of territories by force, the South African court asserts that Morocco occupied the Sahara Region by force and that Spain offered/gave (paragraph 19 and paragraph 41) the territory to Morocco. Such assertions are far from reality and do not stand up to proven facts duly reflected in international legal instruments. The reality is that Morocco has recovered its Sahara by exclusively peaceful means, without recourse at any time to armed force and that the Royal Armed Forces entered this region under an agreement negotiated with the former colonizer, registered with the United Nations and endorsed by a General Assembly resolution. Is it necessary to note that the Green March, a peaceful and civilized means to pressure Spain to negotiate with Morocco for the surrender of the Sahara, did not give rise to any armed confrontation nor one of a military nature. It is also necessary to recall that Moroccos decolonization process is a sui generis case, because while the occupation of the Moroccan territory has taken place in stages, the recovery of the entire territory of Morocco has also taken place gradually and is awaiting completion. What has in fact been a constant feature of Moroccos approach is its determination to achieve its full territorial integrity through negotiation and in harmony with international law. Finally, it must be remembered that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recognized allegiance bonds between Sahrawi tribes and Moroccan Sultans, and that the Green March led to the negotiation of the Madrid Agreement in November 14, 1975. This was followed by the final return of the ex-Spanish Sahara to the mother country, in conformity with international law and the United Nations Charter. The same agreement was registered on December 9, 1976 with the United Nations Secretariat in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter and endorsed by the General Assembly in resolution 3458 (B) dated December 10, 1979. On these developments, the South African court decided to exclude the foregoing and went so far as to claim that the population of the Sahara is distinct from that of Morocco and that Hassania is closer to Mauritania than to Morocco (paragraph 18). Such an assertion completely ignores the history, sociology and demography of the entire Moroccan South, including the Sahara region, and particularly the degree of integration of the southern tribes into Moroccan society. c. Exploitation of the Saharas Natural Resources : Since Morocco presented its autonomy initiative in April 2007, Algeria and the Polisario have undertaken actions to neutralize the dynamics created by the autonomy proposal. There has been an attempt over these past eight years to include the human rights dimension in MINURSOs mandate. Then, faced with the failure of this process, the Polisario turned to the question of the natural resources in the Sahara, making its exploitation contingent upon consulting the Tindouf camps populations or using the resulting income to exclusively benefit these same populations. In reality, the Polisarios objective is quite different: Faced with the growing challenge of the humanitarian condition of the Tindouf camps populations, the Polisarios objective is a race to the bottom, depriving populations in the Sahara region of benefitting from the exploitation of local natural resources in order to put them in the same precarious situation as the Tindouf camps populations. Indeed, thanks to family visits between the Sahara region and the Tindouf camps, visitors have been able to see for themselves the unprecedented development recorded over the last years within the region, which contrasts with the humanitarian situation they experience in the camps. By adopting Polisarios thesis on the Tindouf camps population size, the Court asserts that those who can benefit from the extraction of phosphates are not the populations of the territory but more likely the Moroccan settlers (Paragraph 48), and that the ownership of the cargo belongs to the Polisario (paragraph 49). In doing so, the South African judicial body relies essentially on the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the opinion of its Legal Counsel to try to challenge the legality of Moroccos exploitation of the natural resources in the Sahara. In this sense, it should be noted that the context in which these resolutions were adopted was characterized by the will of third world countries, supported by the socialist bloc, to regain their full sovereignty, including the means of ensuring their political independence and socio-economic development. This process resulted in a series of resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly from 1952 to the end of the 1970s. The quintessence of these instruments can be synthesized into three parameters: Non-discrimination between the populations of the region, The development of the well-being of these populations and the promotion of the viability of their environment, The non-exploitation of the resources of the region in contempt or to the detriment of the interests of its population. The insistence on these principles is explained by the historical context of decolonization characterized by the excessive exploitation of natural resources by the ex-colonial powers in their overseas territories, for the exclusive benefit of these same powers regardless of the interests of indigenous peoples or concern that the newly independent countries avoid any external influence. As for the opinion of UN Legal Counsel Hans Corell in 2002, the UN official said: An analysis of the dispositions of the United Nations Charter, the resolutions of the General Assembly, the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice and State practices indicates that exploitation is illegal only if it is conducted in disregard of the needs and interests of the population of the territory in question. By applying the 3 principles to the situation of the Sahara populations, it enables the following observations to be made: The development that the Sahara region has been able to experience does indeed show discrimination. However, this discrimination is rather positive in favor of local populations. It has been dictated by the need to compensate for the deficit accumulated since 1975 in all development sectors. Below is indicative data: The Sahara region currently has over 3,379 km road, compared to 850 km in 1975, an electrification rate of 92% while the national average is 71%, 74 educational establishments compared with 6 in 1975, 50 health facilities compared to 10, the Human Development Index (HDI) increased from 0.408 in 1975 to 0.729 currently (while the national index is 0.672). A study undertaken by the well-known consulting firm KPMG in July 2015, focusing in particular on the role and impact of the company Phosboucraa in the socio-economic development of the Sahara region, revealed the following: Phosboucraa is the largest employer in the region with 2,200 employees, and the 50 subcontracting companies in the region have created 627 jobs Payroll is equivalent to $177 million The percentage of employees from the region increased from 4% in 1975 to 76% in 2017. In 2016, the 500 people recruited were 100% locals In 2017, the companys top management has 20 senior employees from the region compared to one in 2003 In terms of investment, all of Phosboucraas profits are fully reinvested locally OCP plans to invest $250 million between 2013 and 2022 in developing the region This demonstrates that not only is the phosphate extracted from the subsoil of the Sahara region and not exported in contempt or to the detriment of the local population, but that to a great extent it benefits these same population. Moreover, the State has allocated additional resources, for Moroccos duty of solidarity with respect to its Saharawi component, which go well beyond the phosphate and fishery revenues because each dollar of revenue generated from the region corresponds to seven dollars invested by the Moroccan public and private sectors. To better understand the scope of the South African courts findings, it is important to link it to the context, which is characterized by the following determinants: Moroccos return to the African Union and the role it could play in boosting the Organizations structures and improving its capacities Moroccos place on a continental level and its concrete initiatives of co-development centered inter alia in phosphate-related activities The prospect of an upcoming resumption of the process to seek a realistic political solution under a new leadership by the United Nations The adverse bilateral relations between Rabat and Pretoria precisely because of the Sahara question. It is undoubtedly these elements that the South Africa court considered when it repeatedly referred in its judgment to the complexity and novelty of the case before it. However, unlike the Panama Maritime Court, which for the same reasons declared the Polisarios application inadmissible, the South African court decided to render a final judgment on the case of Cherry Blossom. This next step will give the South African court the opportunity to overcome the misstep dated June 15 and correct the damage done to relations between Morocco and South Africa. It will also be an opportunity to measure the degree of independence of this countrys justice system and its impermeability to external pressures and influences. That said, and beyond this case, the real stakes far exceed the seizure of 50,000 tons of phosphates. The real challenge facing the international community as a whole is the negative impact of such actions on trust between States, respect for the sovereignty of States, including immunity from jurisdiction and enforcement, and the imperative international cooperation, which guarantees the fluidity of commercial transactions and the safety of maritime routes. What is at stake is the security and predictability that are always attached to any rule of law and, a fortiori, to the rules of international law whose purpose is to regulate relations between sovereign States, and avoid arbitrariness, unilateralism and political manipulation. It is to be hoped that the rule of law, the sense of responsibility, and common sense will prevail. About the author Mr. Loulichki OCP Policy Center Senior Fellow Mr. Loulichki has an extensive experience of 40 years in diplomacy and legal affairs. He assumed inter alia the functions of Head of the Department of Legal Affairs and Treaties in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was also Ambassador of Morocco in Hungary, Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia (1995-1999), Ambassador Coordinator of the Government of Morocco with MINURSO (1999 2001), Ambassador of Morocco to the United Nations in Geneva (2006-2008) and New York (2001-2003 and 2008-2014), as well as President of the Security Council (December 2014). Mr. Loulichki was appointed President of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Security Council (2013), President of the working Group on Peace Keeping Operations (2012), Vice-President of the Human Rights Council (2006), Facilitator of the Universal Periodic Review of the said Council (2006 and 2010) and President of the National Committee in charge of the follow up on nuclear matters (2003-2006). Shoji Matsumoto Professor of African Law systems Sapporo Gakuin University South Africa is a third State in the Western Sahara Conflict. In the UN, the conflicting parties are only Morocco and the Polisario That State should remain to be a third State. Any State organs, including the courts, of South Africa are not entitled to decide the territory of a foreign State like Morocco. Agreements on the territory and boundary have been called dispositive treaties. And they have been held valid erga omnes, opposable to third parties, and effective permanently. Real rights in international law had been defined as those which were attached to territory and which were in essence valid erga omnes.( UN, Yearbook of International Law Commission 1972 i, 1974, 250.). In 1998, Eritrea-Yemen Arbitral Tribunal has rendered an award as below: Boundary and territorial treaties between two parties are res inter alios acta vis-a-vis third parties. But this special category of treaties also represents a legal reality which necessarily impinges upon third states. If State A has title to territory and passes it to State B, then it is legally without purpose for State C to invoke the principle of res inter alios acta, unless its title is better than that of A (rather than of B).( Eritrea v Yemen (Phase one), 1998, Report of International Arbitral Award (RIAA), 1998 xxii, para.153.) The International Law Commission (ILC) states that the issues of territorial status have frequently been addressed in erga omnes terms, referring to their opposability to all States. Thus, boundary and territorial treaties have been stated to represent a legal reality which necessarily impinges upon third States, citing the above-cited award. ( ILC, Conclusion of the Work of the Study Group on the Fragmentation of International Law, UN Doc A/61/10, 2006, para.251.) The concept of effective erga omnes is confirmed by the principle of respect for the territorial integrity of a State, and further supported by more general entitlements of non-injured third States to invoke the responsibility of a State for an internationally wrongful act under the Draft Articles on Responsibility of States.( ILC, Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, with Commentaries 2001, UN Publications, 2008, art.48.) A dispositive treaty has a permanent character. Case Concerning the Territorial Dispute (Libya/Chad) (Merits) is illustrative. One of its main issues was the permanence of the legal effect of the Treaty of Friendship and Good-Neighbourliness between France and Libya. The ICJ observes as follows: A boundary established by treaty thus achieves a permanence which the treaty itself does not necessarily enjoy. The treaty can cease to be in force without in any way affecting the continuance of the boundary. In this instance the Parties have not exercised their option to terminate the Treaty, but whether or not the option be exercised, the boundary remains. This is not to say that two States may not by mutual agreement vary the border between them; such a result can of course be achieved by mutual consent, but when a boundary has been the subject of agreement, the continued existence of that boundary is not dependent upon the continuing life of the treaty under which the boundary is agreed. (ICJ Rep 1994, paras.72-73.) As such agreements are effective erga omnes, so non-agreement on territory or border is also valid erga omnes. Any third States are not entitled to delimit the territory or boundary of other States frivolously. Thus, the State organs of South Africa should refrain from deciding on the attribution of the Territory. The Doklam stand-off between India and China going on for over a month has added another chapter in the unending differences between India and China with respect to border. The involvement of Bhutan in this matter has only increased the complexity of the matter. This stand-off has been explained from various angles. Chinas expansion plan, refusal of India and Bhutan to join the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project and diversion from the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that India objected due to violation of its territorial sovereignty are said to be behind the Doklam stand-off. While Indias border disputes with China and Pakistan are old and still unresolved, these new developments hardly indicate reduction of complexities for India. Conventional wisdom dictates that co-operation, engagement and dialogue are the ways to resolve any issue. While these options should be pursued, it is necessary to consider and implement other options. These other options, if not alternative to dialogue, should at least be parallel to it. It implies considering the broader policy perspective rather than resolution of an isolated issue. This would require India respond in a quick and decisive manner to the developments that have going on and also the developments likely to arise in the future. The parallel option calls for a widened focus on strategic matters in conduct of foreign relations. The border issue with China need not be approached only through the limited prism of land border. Chinas expansion plans run through land as well as sea. India too needs to focus more on maritime security than just territorial security. Two themes Continental Mindset and Sea Blindness in Indias foreign policy need to be overcome for addressing any strategic situation. Indias geography (peninsular location with a long sea line) makes for a compelling case to have maritime strategy as an important part of the foreign policy. However adequate attention was not paid to the maritime domain as compared to territorial boundaries. The potential of Indias maritime location is yet to be exploited to the full in terms of security and connectivity. It is important that the relative neglect of the maritime domain must be overcome. There have been positive indications in this direction in recent years. The focus on maritime domain has been increasing in both defence as well as economic areas. Modernization and strengthening of Indian Navy as well as development of maritime infrastructure and port development has been receiving thrust. Speaking at the Maritime India Summit in 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, This is the right time to come to India, it is even better to come through the sea. Keeping the option of dialogue and engagement with China open, India should look forward to extend the engagement with the neighbouring countries (like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives), Southeast Asian countries and Indian Ocean Littoral States. The focus should be on engagement in the area of maritime security and co-operation. Joint naval exercises like Malabar Exercise should benefit India as well as other participating countries. Increasing maritime engagement with various countries should result in regular and increased naval exercises. Activating strategic arm of the foreign policy with a thrust on maritime domain would not only forward Indias overall interests but it may also aid India at the time of resolution of border disputes. It would mean that as far as China is concerned, such a policy of India would act as a competition as well as deterrence. The border dispute with China is an old issue. It is true that this one irritant has not affected the relations of India and China in other sectors especially the economic sector. This is an indication of matured diplomacy between the two countries. India on its part has always advocated of peaceful solutions to all the outstanding issues. However India also needs to guard itself against the expansion plans of China which are detrimental to the formers interests. A strategically inclined foreign policy which would serve Indias geopolitical interests in a comprehensive manner should be adopted. Making maritime security and naval diplomacy as instruments of foreign policy would act as leverage for India to assert its dominance in the region. (The Author is an Independent Researcher based in Vadodara and can be reached at niranjanmarjani@gmail.com) Niranjan Marjani Genres : Action Starring : Elizabeth Rodriguez, Shirley Rumierk, David Zayas, Mike Carlsen Victor Almanzar Director : Ben Snyder Ari Issler Plot Synopsis After being involved in the fatal shooting of a local drug dealer, U.S. Marine Nelson Sanchez (Victor Almanzar) returns to the neighborhood he fled years ago. Amid the fanfare and celebration on his homecoming from Afghanistan, the brother of the deceased learns of Nelson's return and vows revenge. When word reaches Nelson that his would-be killer is due on the 11:55 bus, he decides to protect himself and his family and make a stand. Nelson seeks out assistance from a fellow Marine vet, (John Leguizamo) and asks his drug-dealing godfather (David Zayas) to broker peace. As the clock ticks down, Nelson charts an unlikely path to break the cycle of the violence that has defined his life. 11:55 also stars Elizabeth Rodriguez, Julia Stiles, & Shirley Rumierk. Natalie Portman, 35, is the face of Dior. The Oscar winner looked breathtaking in her latest Miss Dior fragrance campaign, which was released on July 29. Natalie decided to go braless and she really did pull it off. Natalie was in the most neutral makeup and let her narttural beauty make everyone fall for her. Natalie with this photo made the brand look even more elegant than usual in an ad campaign where she flaunts her amazing figure. Natalie shares a deep love for Christian Dior and have partnered with them for the last five years. Ive been working with Dior for so long and they have been so incredibly supportive of me and my career, Natalie told British Vogue in 2016. I have also been lucky enough to travel to some pretty incredibly places with them, giving me time in foreign countries I may not otherwise get to experience. I feel very lucky to have them in my life. A gunman opened fire at a nightclub in southern Germany early Sunday, killing one and wounding four before being shot by police, officials said in a statement. The 34-year-old attacker was critically injured in a shootout with police officers as he left the disco, and later succumbed to his wounds in hospital, police said in a statement. The motives of the man, who probably acted alone, are not known yet, they said. Officers began receiving emergency calls from terrified clubbers at around 4:30 am (0230 GMT) after the man began shooting in the nightclub in an industrial zone in the city of Constance, killing one person on the spot and leaving three other people seriously wounded. Shortly after he left the building, he was shot by police. One officer was also injured in the exchange of fire. Terrified nightclubbers had either fled the building or found a place to hide, police said, adding that the danger was now over. Helicopters were circling overhead and special forces were also deployed to secure the site. Local broadcaster SWR reported witnesses saying that the gunman was armed with an automatic pistol. A bouncer at the site had sought to stop the attacker, but was himself injured by the man, SWR said. The shooting came just two days after Germany was shaken by a knife attack in the northern port city of Hamburg. A 26-year-old Palestinian had killed one and injured six in an assault at a supermarket. He was a known Islamist with psychological problems, and investigators say his motives remain unclear. Germany has been on high alert about the threat of a jihadist attack, especially since last Decembers truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market that claimed 12 lives. But it has also been hit by other assaults unrelated to the jihadist threat. Among the deadliest in recent years is a Munich shopping mall rampage by 18-year-old German-Iranian man which left 10 people dead including the gunman himself. U.S. President Donald Trump once again blasted China for its inaction against North Korea following Pyongyangs latest missile launch. He said in a series of tweets, I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem! (sic). The Pentagon confirmed that North Korea on Friday launched its second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. The launch came a 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. Earlier this month on July 4, Pyongyang had also conducted its first successful test of a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14, which it said was a gift to American b******s on their Independence Day. The US President has repeatedly called on China to step up the pressure on its rogue ally, Pyongyang, and to do more to halt its nuclear program. His comments are a contrast to what he said in April this year as he praised Chinese efforts to rein in North Korea. Trump told a news conference at the time that he was confident Chinese President Xi Jinping would try very hard to pressure Beijings ally and neighbor North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. High near 75F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Genres : Action, Science Fiction, Thriller Starring : Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Dan Stevens, Austin Stowell, Tim Blake Nelson, Rukiya Bernard Director : Nacho Vigalondo Plot Synopsis Gloria (Anne Hathaway) is an out-of-work party girl who, after getting kicked out of her apartment by her boyfriend (Dan Stevens), is forced to leave her life in New York and move back to her hometown where she's reunited with her childhood friend (Jason Sudeikis). When news reports surface that a giant creature is destroying Seoul, South Korea, Gloria gradually comes to the realization that she is somehow connected to this far-off phenomenon. As events begin to spin out of control, Gloria must determine why her seemingly insignificant existence has such a colossal effect on the fate of the world. Experience the wildly original film critics are calling, "a great deal of fun" (New York Times). July 28, 2017 CAIRO July 16 marked the fourth month since Nahed Lashin, the first female mayor in Egypts Sharqiyah governorate, disappeared under mysterious circumstances, raising many questions about whether her disappearance or abduction was related to her being a female mayor and whether such a hypothesis would prevent women from running for positions of power. Lashin became mayor of Hanout village in Sharqiyah governorate in September 2014, thus becoming the first Egyptian woman to win the post of mayor after the January 25 and June 30 revolutions, despite the heavy participation of women in both events. Lashin is the second woman in the history of Egypt to win the post of mayor, after Eva Habil, who became mayor of the village of Kamboha in Assiut in 2009. Mayors in Egypt are appointed by the security directorate of their village, which chooses them based on their reputation, the opinion of the residents and the plans they provide to maintain security and take care of the interests of the citizens in the village. Lashins disappearance has led to many rumors about her fate. On July 26, some newspapers reported that her body was found, while others reported that she had returned home. Salah Lashin, the mayors brother, denied the two rumors on the same day in press statements. Most Egyptians associate the position of mayor with men, although neither the Mayors and Sheikhs Law No. 58 of 1978 nor its amendments in 1994, 2004 and 2015 prevent women from running for office. Only customs and traditions have gotten in the way of women holding such positions. The mayors functions differ according to the executive regulations of the Mayors and Sheikhs Law of each governorate, but they usually include establishing security in villages that are located far from police stations. Albeit with limited capabilities, mayors coordinate with the security services on major issues, and they cooperate with governors on problems relating to agriculture, transportation and population issues. Mayors amicably resolve local disputes before they develop into revenge or land seizure operations, which are common crimes in Egypts rural areas and in Upper Egypt. They also attest marriage contracts of girls who do not have official papers. Because mayors usually know all of the village families and residents, they can tell whether a girl has reached the legal age to get married. Azza Kamel, a journalist focusing on womens affairs, wrote in an article in the Egyptian daily Al-Masry Al-Youm on May 22, The security director of Sharqiyah said he had found a message on Nahed's husbands cell phone wherein she tells him she was not returning home and asks him for a khula. If Lashin wanted to abandon her husband, then why did she disappear? A khula doesnt require such a disappearance and is openly done. She has been missing for two months and a week. How come the security forces are so sure that her disappearance is linked to marital disputes? A khula is when a wife tells the court she wants a divorce and the court executes her demand after all reconciliation efforts end in failure. Also, the wife commits to repay the financial dues paid in the marriage contract and waives her future benefits. Al-Monitor tried to contact Lashins husband to no avail. Kamel criticized the security forces that are investigating the disappearance of Lashin and said, Wouldnt it have been better to deal with her disappearance as though it was related to criminal grounds pending a proof of the contrary? The fact that she fought with her husband and went to stay at her sisters doesnt mean that her disappearance is strictly linked to a marital dispute that can happen in every house. The mayors brother posted on Facebook on July 25 a photo caption calling on the people of the Hanout village to organize a silent protest on July 30 in front of the Sharqiyah governorate building in solidarity with Lashins family and to condemn the security forces neglect in dealing with the mystery of her disappearance. A security source in the Security Directorate of Sharqiyah told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, The security forces did not rule out other reasons. We have conducted several investigations, raided some hideouts and interrogated people known for their kidnapping operations in the village of Hanout and the neighboring villages, in vain. We cannot rule out the possibility that she might have willingly run away, especially considering that her family has not been asked for ransom, nor can we deal with her disappearance as a murder case because there is no evidence thereof. We have not found any body or weapon, and there was no threat of any kind. Kamel also noted the suspicious circumstances of Lashin's disappearance: Her husband did not report her disappearance until April 26, meaning 40 days after her disappearance, and he did not explain why he waited so long before reporting. And since it is a woman, rumor has it that she was under a certain spell and that she was visiting sheikhs to break this spell. Al-Monitor contacted residents of the Sharqiyah governorate to ask them their opinions. Mustafa Khalaf, a student at Cairo University who hails from Sharqiyah, said, The social interaction with the incident is normal as many rural residents, especially uneducated ones, believe that magic is behind many incidents of the kind. And her husband's delay in reporting the incident is also understandable because several families refuse to report such cases, even in Cairo, out of fear that the kidnappers would harm the kidnapped in the event they learn that the police were informed. He added, I dont think that Lashin was kidnapped because she is a female mayor. She is not the first person to be kidnapped in Egypt. She has been in office since 2014, but of course, many people in the countryside and in Upper Egypt are against women holding such positions. But I don't think this would lead anyone to kidnap or murder her, at least not nowadays. An agricultural engineer from Sharqiyah told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, I think Lashins disappearance is related to her position, even if she has been occupying it for a while now. Some religious or social fanatics may have been angered by decisions she has made. Also, there may have been attempts to overthrow her for some time now, but the conditions had not been ripe yet. There are rural families who refuse female participation in rural areas, and they continue to impose their influence through crimes and threats, albeit to a lesser extent, and the state should deal with these. Huda Badran, the head of the Egyptian Feminist Union, told Al-Monitor, Women are discriminated against in all parts of Egypt and throughout the world, and the state is making efforts to empower them by giving them leading positions and appointing them as ministers or governors. But such efforts are not enough because citizens' cooperation is a must. She said, The success of Lashin or other women in any position and their lack of exposure to harassment operations depends on how citizens deal and cooperate with these women, and there are certainly many who are against her holding of the position. It is also certain that the incident will prevent many women from running for such positions. Therefore, the state should make efforts to raise awareness of women's issues all the while going beyond the female quota in parliament as well as some female appointments. July 28, 2017 It is no secret that there is a considerable rift between the Donald Trump administration and the European Union. Trump fulfilled his election promises of an America First policy, objecting to globalization, regionalization, the European Union, free trade deals and climate change. He vehemently objects European immigration and refugee absorption policies. He does not hide his dislike of Europes strong women, namely German Chancellor Angela Merkel. On Syria he cooperates mainly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the Israeli-Palestinian issue, he largely works solo, in cooperation mainly with Egypt and the Arab Gulf states. He has developed a better personal relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron, mainly in order to have a European partner on anti-terror issues. Brussels has witnessed a major shift in the EU-US relationship in the respective outlooks on economic and security policies. A senior EU official close to Federica Mogherini, the European Union high commissioner for foreign affairs and security policy, told Al-Monitor that given the internal and external situation, Brussels is compelled to develop a more independent foreign policy, including on Middle Eastern issues. Following the Brexit, the EU is headed today mainly by a German-French alliance Merkel and Macron. With the economic might and influence of the EU in the international arena, Brussels, Berlin and Paris are determined to run an effective and more independent foreign policy. The senior EU official told Al-Monitor that Brussels is particularly concerned with the Israel-Palestinian issue on the backdrop of recent violence outbreaks in the aftermath of the July 14 terror attack near the Temple Mount. Mogherini has been consulting lately on this issue with the German, French and Italian leaderships. They are all concerned that violence will spiral out of control, turning into an armed intifada. Mogherini is also in constant contact with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, but the US administration does not involve the EU in the ongoing efforts of its envoy Jason Greenblatt, except for periodic updates. The way the EU sees the current situation, there is a real danger to the stability of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas regime. Abbas is coming under considerable fire from Hamas in Gaza, from allies of his Fatah rival, Mohammed Dahlan, and from radical Fatah members in the West Bank. The pragmatic Arab countries offered Abbas only rhetoric support in these difficult times. Brussels foresees a prolonged crisis; not only in relation to the imminent events around Al-Aqsa Mosque, but also, and more so, concerning the general stalemate in the peace process. Adding to the developing crisis is the growing rift between Fatah and Hamas. In an attempt to support Abbas, the EU will enhance its economic assistance to the Palestinian Authority and keep an ongoing dialogue with the president. Abbas met with Macron on July 5. Macron stuck to the traditional French position in favor of a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines with Jerusalem as a shared capital. With that, the EU official claimed that until the 2017 UN General Assembly meeting in September, Europe will not take any concrete initiative so it wont be seen as disrupting the US efforts. Also, no joint European foreign policy decision will be made until after the Sept. 24 German elections. According to the official, one can assume that if the United States does not launch a regionally-backed two-state solution process, Merkel (assuming she wins as expected in the upcoming elections) and Macron, together with EU headquarters, will launch a European initiative on the terms of reference for a two-state solution and a peace conference to be convened in Brussels. We are committed not to let this year pass without a serious effort in favor of a two-state solution, said the EU official. He added that the alternative is a grave deterioration into greater violence by the more radical and fundamentalist elements in Gaza and the West Bank, which could indeed endanger Abbas regime. Brussels is holding constant dialogues on these issues with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Arab League. According to a senior Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is certain that Trump will block such a European initiative. Speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, he stated, We see Europe as hostile to Israeli interests and pro-Palestinian. The European leadership is probably frustrated to have been marginalized by the Trump administration. On the other hand, a senior PLO official told Al-Monitor that Abbas will welcome such a European initiative and that the issue indeed came up in the meeting with Macron. The Palestinian leadership believes that the EU should never be underestimated, he argued. Be that as it may, such a European initiative may be too little too late. July 29, 2017 On a typical Sunday in July at Sailors Cafe in the Aegean resort of Alacati, three young couples are loudly debating whether they should just stay on in the Aegean for good rather than return to the rat race in Istanbul. An older customer turns to us with a smirk, displaying the full signs of a laid-back Aegeans disdain of the tense, competitive and loud Istanbulians. They all say the same thing, he whispers. So many Istanbul residents dream of settling in Izmir or one of the pretty Aegean towns around the city. Except it is no longer just a dream. According to figures by the Turkish Institute of Statistics (TUIK), 16,000 people moved from Istanbul to Izmir in 2016. This is a major change in terms of the migration patterns between Istanbul and Izmir, Ulas Sunata, an associate professor of sociology at Bahcesehir University, told Al-Monitor in a phone interview. Throughout the Turkish Republics history, people from all over the country moved to Istanbul, with the slogan Istanbuls streets are paved with gold. The migration between Izmir and Istanbul was always in Istanbuls favor; Izmirians moved to Istanbul for education or employment and they just stayed. Then they went back to Izmir after retirement. Izmirs reputation as the Chicest Retirement Home in Turkey is not unfounded. Turkeys former Chief of Staff Hilmi Ozkok lives in the quiet town of Urla, 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Izmir, away from the controversies that surround retired top brass. Turkeys former ambassador to Washington, Nabi Sensoy, who left diplomatic life after a conflict with then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2009, settled in downtown Izmir. According to Sunata, however, the present wave is not the migration of the retired or the semi-retired. On the contrary, the new people settling in Izmir are middle- to high-level businesspeople or blossoming entrepreneurs in their late 30s and early 40s. They are highly skilled professional people in mid-careers. Papers have long been reporting on the brain drain from Turkey to the European countries and the United States. Those who do not go abroad try to find a job in Izmir, said Sunata. Aykut Hocaoglu, the deputy director of Teknopark Izmir, told Al-Monitor that Izmirs attraction goes beyond Istanbul, as Turks who returned from abroad also chose to settle in Izmir. The technology park, established in 2002, hosts 145 domestic and foreign research and development companies, including AirTies, a company established by former Silicon Valley executive Bulent Celebi to provide wireless solutions for small businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Six of the companies that are based in Teknopark Izmir have either been established in or operated abroad for some time before settling in Izmir, Hocaoglu told Al-Monitor, referring to it as a brain drain in reverse. In 2017, half of the new members came from outside Izmir, he said. Earlier this year, insurance giant Allianz announced that it will move its operations center to Izmir, creating 1,100 jobs. But Izmirs business opportunities are still meager compared to Istanbuls, leading Sunata to conclude that the new wave of migration is more about a better life than better business. According to Sunata, the move to Izmir is a lifestyle migration a term that refers to the perception of Izmir as a modern city that allows a liberal lifestyle while conservatism spreads in Turkey. Numbers from TUIKs Izmir office show that Izmirs demography is indeed different from the Turkish average: men and women marry later in Izmir (the average age of marriage for women is 25.6 for Turkey and 27.7 for Izmir); the infant mortality rate and unemployment are low; and the education level is high, thanks to the citys six universities. Once Izmir's mayor joked that if Izmir could apply to the European Union, it would have gained membership easily, while Turkey, the eternal candidate, would stay outside. The citys politicians and business circles bank on the modern image. Aziz Kocaoglu, the citys popular mayor from the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), told Al-Monitor that more and more non-Izmirians settled in the city in search of freedom, tolerance and multiculturalism. Being an Izmirian is a frame of mind, he quipped, referring to the easygoing, multicultural residents of the city known for its Levantine, Jewish and Greek heritage. Thus, it is no surprise that the Infidel Izmir, as it was called in the Ottoman era due to its non-Muslim majority, remains staunchly anti-Justice and Development Party (AKP) and unforgiving against Erdogan, who once referred to the city as infidel in a speech. The citys unofficial anthem, the Izmir March, a song that praises the victory of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the War of Independence, has become the song of the naysayers of the Turkish constitutional referendum last April, which gave extended powers to the presidency. Traditionally a center-right city but consistently voting for the CHP since 2002, Izmirians hardly miss an opportunity to snub the AKP. Erdogan experienced a rare moment of public humiliation in one of his Izmir meetings in 2014 when a woman made a rude hand gesture as he passed by. She got 11 months in prison, but her gesture went viral. In 2016, when then-Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu paid a visit to Izmir on the occasion of Womens Day, one of the municipalities in the city decorated the streets with Womens Day posters that mocked the AKP statements on women, including AKP heavyweight Bulent Arincs remarks that decent women did not laugh in public. People come to Izmir for a better quality of life, said Nilgun Gurkaynak, an associate professor of marketing at the Izmir University of Economics. Originally from Izmir, she pursued a fast-paced corporate career in Istanbul, but resettled in Izmir at the age of 40. I got a job and put my daughter in a better school than I would have done in Istanbul, she told Al-Monitor. Izmir has less opportunities than Istanbul, but accessibility is higher. Istanbul, with its traffic jams, crowds and tense work life, drains your energy. You may have dozens of cinemas, exhibitions and concerts in a city, but they have little practical use when you have neither the time nor the energy to go to any of them. After 10 years, she confessed that she is getting slightly restless with Izmirs slow pace and has started teaching part-time at a university in Istanbul. "I need that stimulus that the metropolis offers," she said. Admittedly, laid-back Izmir has its own difficulties, such as the slowness of the service sector, the difficulties of penetrating business circles that have known each other for generations the old Izmirians network and a relaxed work ethic that includes a three-day weekend in summer and a resistance to early-morning meetings in winter. Despite the claims of Izmir residents that theirs is a land of tolerance, the treatment of Syrian refugees, whose number is around 118,000, has been far from exemplary, with employers beating up workers or abusing small children. For some, the Aegean dream does turn sour. Vural, who asked Al-Monitor not to use his real name, invested his savings from 14 years of corporate life to buy a boutique hotel in Alacati in 2011. After six years of the quiet life, combined with a decline in tourism, he sent his resume to a headhunter in Istanbul. Now I just need to find another Istanbulian with an Aegean dream so I can sell him the hotel, he told Al-Monitor. July 29, 2017 In a July 19 statement, Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani said that holding a referendum is a natural right of the people of Kurdistan that they will not back down from. According to the spokesperson for the Independent High Electoral and Referendum Commission (IHERC) in Kurdistan, around 6 million people in the Kurdistan Region and the disputed territories such as the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, Sinjar, Makhmour and Khanaqin have the right to vote in the referendum. Forty-eight percent of the Kurdistan Regions land is still disputed between Baghdad and Erbil and some 2.7 million people live in the disputed territories. According to Article 140 of the constitution, the territorial disputes between Baghdad and Erbil was set to be settled by the end of 2007, but the Iraqi government never implemented this article. For Barzani, the nonimplementation of the Iraqi Constitution is one of the main reasons he wants to hold a referendum Sept. 25 in the Kurdistan Region and the contested areas. However, there are many challenges that may eventually keep the referendum from happening on the scheduled date, especially in the disputed territories. Barzanis referendum decision was preceded by a vote of the Kirkuk Provincial Council (KPC) April 4 to hold a referendum to decide the future administration of the province. However, many of the Arab and Turkmen members of the KPC boycotted the vote altogether. The KPCs vote came after a call March 14 by Kirkuk Gov. Najmiddin Karim to raise the Kurdistan flag over the government buildings in Kirkuk province. But the Iraqi Turkmen Front opposed this move and filed a case against the acting head of the KPC, Rebwar Talabani, in Baghdad. By the same token, the Arabs and Turkmens of the disputed territories are expected to boycott the upcoming referendum and ask Iraqs supreme court to declare that holding a unilateral referendum in the disputed territories is illegal. If these measures fail, they may eventually resort to violence. Nationally, Baghdad is not happy about the planned referendum either. Apart from Baghdads discontent and the opposition of the local Arabs and Turkmens to the planned referendum, there are regional and international challenges. Regionally, the influence of neighboring powers such as Turkey and Iran can affect the trend of the referendum. Iran can influence the Kurdistan Region not only because it is bordering the region, but also through its allies from the central government and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). The PMU contains different groups, but the most powerful factions are those that maintain strong links with Tehran. In April 2016, the PMU clashed with the peshmerga in Tuz Khormato. If the PMU and local Sunni fighters agree only on one thing, it is against the presence of the peshmerga in the disputed territories. Moreover, in a move that coincided with preparing for the referendum, Iran cut water flow from the Little Zab River to Kurdistan. Iranian officials have recently told a high-ranking Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) delegation, If you hold a referendum, do not expect anything good from us. More recently, the Iranian defense minister has threatened that the separatist movements in Iraq will not be tolerated. In short, Iran is unequivocally against the Kurdish referendum and will try to prevent it from taking place. Turkey has also been an influential actor that has presented itself as a guardian of the Turkmen community in Kirkuk and other disputed territories. Turkish influence comes from the countrys strategic position for the Kurdish oil and gas and as a kin-state for the Turkmens in Iraq. Like Iran, Turkey did not mince words when it came to the referendum issue. It has already warned that holding a referendum by Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region would be a "grave mistake." Despite the thaw in relations between Iraqi Kurds and Turkey for the last decade, Kirkuk is where the Kurdish aspiration for independence and Turkish support for Turkmen collide. As the referendum in the disputed territories has the potential for further instability, it attracted international objections as well. For example, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq already released a statement in which it explained that "it has no intention to be engaged in any way or form as concerns the referendum, to be held on 25 September." The United States and most of the Western countries oppose the referendum, too. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert already told reporters that the United States supports "a unified, stable, democratic and a federal Iraq." The Kurdish internal discord cannot be overlooked either. The rivalry between the PUK that has dominated Kirkuk the epicenter of the disputed territories politically and the KDP that has controlled a lot of Kirkuk's oil infrastructure can affect the timing and the possibility of holding a referendum in general and in those areas in particular. Despite the above internal and external challenges, there are also technical obstacles over the vote. For example, the head of the Kirkuk commission has already said that "no preparations have been made for the referendum as there were no instructions from Baghdad to do so." In other words, instead of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), IHERC in Kurdistan will oversee and conduct the referendum, including voter registration. Unlike the Kurdistan Region, where data from previous elections is available, there is no reliable data on the disputed areas that IHERC can readily rely on for the voter registration. Therefore, given the time constraint and the difficulty of determining voter eligibility, it is unlikely that IHERC will be able to hold a referendum Sept. 25 in the disputed territories. In the past, due to the difficulty of determining who will be eligible to vote, neither census nor referendum (two crucial stages of Article 140) was implemented. In other words, due to the history of forced displacement from Kirkuk under the Arabization process and returning a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) since 2003, defining a voter registry was particularly challenging. Further complicating the matter, since the emergence of the Islamic State in the last three years, a new group of IDPs has emerged in Kirkuk province. Not only because IHERC doesn't have enough time to figure out this complex matter, but also the commission is sharply divided over Barzanis call for the referendum. One of the nine members of IHERC resigned on July 24, claiming that there is no serious intent by the commission to hold parliamentary and presidential elections in the Kurdistan Region as well as the upcoming referendum. Amid all of these practical and technical challenges, holding a referendum on Sept. 25 will be difficult if not impossible. These challenges can prevent the referendum from taking place in the first place or they might oblige Barzani to postpone the referendum, particularly in the disputed territories. July 30, 2017 Turkeys Idlib quagmire Fehim Tastekin reports how both the CIAs decision to end a covert program to fund Syrian armed groups and the Gulf-Qatar crisis may force an eventual showdown with al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Idlib. This column wrote back in March, While the United States is consumed with planning for unseating the Islamic State (IS) in Raqqa, Idlib may prove a comparable or perhaps even more explosive fault line because of the blurred lines among anti-Western Salafi groups such as Ahrar al-Sham, which is backed by Turkey, and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham [which is linked to al-Qaeda]." Tastekin provides unusual detail on Turkeys options in Idlib. US, Turkish and Saudi intelligence officials in the joint operations centers had taken some steps to improve the field situation after al-Qaeda fighters gained strength in Idlib, Tastekin writes. In February, US, Saudi and Turkish intelligence services called in leaders of local groups and told them that unless they could form a workable joint front, the joint operations center would cut off assistance, which included fighters' salaries, light weapons, ammunition and anti-tank missiles. Faced with this ultimatum, 17 organizations declared they had united under the Northern Front Operations Room. He adds, In parallel efforts, Turkey conducted a series of meetings in Ankara with Syrian militia leaders to set up armies called Jaish al-Watan and Jaish al-Tahrir to extend Operation Euphrates Shield to Idlib, but the effort failed. Cutting off assistance to these groups will make them even less relevant. Tastekin explains, Western- and Gulf-supported groups may come under more pressure to join the peace talks at Astana, Kazakhstan. Currently on the Idlib front, HTS is consolidating its hold over the area. Now Turkey has had to send 150 fighters it had 'borrowed' from Ahrar al-Sham back to Idlib to help out." Mat Nashed writes, While the cease-fire holds for now, activists and analysts say that armed groups are undermining the role of civil society. Rather than fully sabotaging relief services, HTS has tried to win support by establishing its own civil department to oversee provisions. Ahrar al-Sham, a rival ultraconservative militia that wields considerable power in Idlib, has adopted the same strategy. Tastekin adds, The CIAs withdrawal might also affect Ankara's operational plans regarding Idlib. Ankara was relying on Ahrar al-Sham to end the HTS domination there, but Turkeys hopes were misplaced. The Gulf-Qatar crisis is also affecting the balance of forces in Idlib. Qatar, like Turkey, has been a major backer of Ahrar al-Sham, and it is unclear as yet whether that support will continue. Saudi Arabia, Tastekin writes, upset with Turkey for its support of Qatar, is not expected to cooperate more with Turkey in northern Syria. We have to remember that the conquests of Aleppo and Idlib in 2015 were made possible mostly by generous support from the Saudis. Those criticizing Trumps decision say that, in the absence of the CIA, Turkey and the Gulf countries might begin supplying the radical groups with advanced anti-aircraft weapons, especially MANPADS (shoulder-fired missiles). This column has argued for years that the al-Qaeda-linked groups and Ahrar al-Sham are brothers in arms and ideology, committed, if under different banners, to Sharia rule and ending the Syrian peoples tradition of secularism and tolerance toward minorities and other religions. It was not so long ago that Ahrar al-Sham and al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra (as it was known then) rallied together under the Jaish al-Fatah Army of Conquest banner. Although the groups were thankfully run out of Aleppo, many of their surviving members managed to escape to Idlib, where they terrorize the local population. With regard to Turkey, there is perhaps a bit of what goes around, comes around. Amberin Zaman wrote earlier this month about a Turkish Interior Ministry report that details the government's battle against the Islamic State. To be sure, Zaman explains, Turkey is the country that has suffered most from IS, the report notes. The group has conducted 14 attacks against Turkey, including 10 suicide bomb attacks and three shooting attacks. Some 304 people have lost their lives and 1,338 as a result of IS actions. Zaman continues, Some experts say Turkey largely has itself to blame for this outcome. Turkey has long been accused of leniency if not outright collusion with IS, which grew stronger as a direct result of its lax border policies that let armed rebels of all stripes to go in and out of neighboring Syria in the hope that they would overthrow the countrys President Bashar al-Assad. Zaman adds, The jihadis have targeted the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG). The deadliest IS operations inside the country targeted pro-PKK Kurds, and the official reaction was a deafening silence. The lack of response fed accusations that Turkey was egging IS on against the Kurds, most notably when the group laid siege to the Syrian Kurdish border town of Kobani in 2014." Al-Monitor columnists have for years covered and lamented the two-way jihadist highway and the porous border between Turkey and Syria, which fueled the transit of foreign fighters and supplies to both IS and Jabhat al-Nusra, the al-Qaeda affiliate, as well as Ahrar al-Sham and other Salafi groups. Turkeys quagmire in Idlib is complicated by the United States mostly staying out of the action there, and ceding ground, until now, to Russia and Turkey. Moscow understands the threat of Idlib as a rats nest of jihadi and Salafi hold outs, but is wary of an escalation, at least for now, especially given the uncertainty over Turkeys intentions and capabilities. Bruce Riedel explains that al-Qaeda has also begun to increase the ideological challenge to Saudi Arabia. Al-Qaeda will no doubt test the new security team in Riyadh, Riedel writes. 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. Circus trial of 'Cumhuriyet 17' Amberin Zaman reports on the circus trial of 17 journalists, including Al-Monitor columnist Kadri Gursel, on alleged collusion and support for terrorist organizations in Turkey. Human Rights Watch writes that the trial is part of a "vicious crackdown on independent voices. The group notes that there appears to be nothing that would indicate any kind of criminal wrongdoing, much less helping terrorism. Zaman writes, At the last count at least 150,000 people had been sacked from government jobs and academia and 50,000 or more jailed over their alleged collusion. With over 150 journalists currently behind bars, Turkey remains the worlds biggest jailer of journalists. Yet in a recent interview with the BBC, Erdogan claimed only two of them were real journalists. The rest, he insisted in a recent public address, consist of murderers, fraudsters, thieves and child molesters. The bulk of jailed media workers were employed by now shuttered Gulen-affiliated titles, a crime in and of itself regardless of what they reported or the opinions they aired. Victims who fall under this category include Sahin Alpay, a septuagenarian intellectual who is in ailing health, as well as respected liberal economist Mehmet Altan. Their plight has attracted far less sympathy among Turkeys urban secularists, partly because many believe that not only was Gulen mired in the coup but that he helped propel Erdogan to power in the first place. Many others have been imprisoned over their affiliation with pro-Kurdish outlets. International scrutiny of Turkeys record on media freedom and solidary for its embattled journalists has never been more important, Human Rights Watch concludes. July 28, 2017 Ankara faces a major quandary now that al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has seized Syrias Idlib area abutting Turkeys Hatay province. HTS captured more than 30 locations in the clashes of July 18-24, decimating Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sham and its allies, who were forced to retreat from Idlib south to rural Hama. HTS gained control of areas with border crossings to Turkey. Only the Bab al-Hawa border crossing opposite Turkeys Cilvegozu was handed over to a neutral civilian administration after the adversaries reached an agreement July 21. What course will Turkey take now that the field situation at Idlib has shifted in al-Qaedas favor? What problems might Turkey have to deal with? So as not to disrupt the humanitarian and military assistance coming through the Turkish border, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra), the key force of the HTS coalition, had stayed away from the border crossings since Idlib was captured in March, although Bab al-Hawa and the unofficial crossing of Khirbet al-Jouz were the main sources of revenue for Ahrar al-Sham. Ahrar al-Sham lost control of Bab al-Hawa and Khirbet al-Jouz when clashes resumed after the July 21 cease-fire. HTS, aware of the vital importance of keeping the border crossings open, agreed to allow Bab al-Hawa to be managed by a neutral civilian administration. Turkey can't stop humanitarian relief from crossing into Syria, but it might decide to use the border crossings as leverage to force HTS to cooperate with Ahrar al-Sham. Turkey might also provoke civil society bodies of the Syrian National Coalition that are not comfortable with the presence of HTS. Some civil society groups already have demonstrated against HTS. But HTS, which is determined to block Turkey's moves to extend Operation Euphrates Shield to Idlib, probably won't agree to coexist with Ahrar al-Sham. These changes in the field's power configuration are likely to alter Turkeys plans for Idlib and Afrin. Until July 27, Ankaras plan for the border was to mobilize its local Euphrates Shield forces based in the Azaz/al-Bab pocket to expel the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) from Tel Rifaat and Menagh and then open a corridor between Azaz and Idlib. Next would have been to push away the HTS forces north of Idlib and put that area under the control of opposition forces sponsored by Turkey. Finally, Idlib would be declared a deconfliction zone as per the accord reached with Russia at Astana, Kazakhstan. What Turkey really wanted was to lay a tight siege on Kurdish-controlled Afrin, which today is mostly surrounded from the northeast by Turkish-backed forces. Nevertheless, the people of Afrin can still reach Aleppo and Manbij via Tel Rifaat. These were all plans Ankara wanted to implement with its ally Ahrar al-Sham and related groups. But now Ankara has realized that Ahrar al-Sham can't be the linchpin of a strategy against HTS. The Ahrar al-Sham collapse at Idlib left Turkey with two difficult choices for the future of the area. Either Turkey will enter into a direct confrontation with HTS or will agree to have Russia and Syria carry out operations in the same area. The first option means those living in Idlib would flee to areas under regime control; the second option means they would have to escape to Turkey and Ankara doesnt want even one more single refugee. Turkeys military intervention at Idlib could well lead to reactions different than the ones it dealt with when its adversary was on the Jarablus/al-Bab front. Turkey, through coalition intelligence operations rooms at Antakya and Gaziantep, has for a long time supported both Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham. To declare HTS, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham's umbrella group, an enemy could turn the guns on Turkey. Many opposition groups, despite their internal squabbling, might declare Turkey an occupation force. Kurdish and Turkish news media talk of scenarios without having adequate background information. According to theories in Kurdish media, Turkey has realized the Syrian Democratic Forces, affiliated with the YPG, will turn toward Idlib after liberating Raqqa. So, the theory goes, Turkey has decided to eliminate its own ally, Ahrar al-Sham, as a power on the ground so that Turkey itself can occupy the Idlib region. Turkey could enter the area with the pretext of cleansing it of al-Qaeda. Interestingly, this theory gets support from the Turkmen front. Turkmen National Movement Party Vice President Tarik Sulo Cevizci thinks Turkey will not allow al-Qaeda to dominate the Idlib region and will intervene with its own army. "Turkey wants to enter and stay in that area. Ongoing clashes in Idlib may provide Turkey with circumstances that could justify intervention, he said. Turkey sees itself as a game maker at Astana. But it was Ahrar al-Shams initial field superiority that provided Turkey with strong cards to play. Ahrar al-Sham relinquished most of his field leverage when it lost control of the area and some of its allied groups. Although the Nureddin Zengi Brigade, which the United States supplied with TOW anti-tank missiles, has declared it is splitting from HTS and will remain neutral, 19 other groups (some of them miniscule) joined HTS July 18-24. Local security sources say the Qatar crisis has also weakened Ahrar al-Sham and its allies. These sources claim it was Ahrar al-Sham joining the Astana cease-fire process and its affiliation with Turkeys Operation Euphrates Shield that actually empowered HTS and allowed it to impose its control over the area. On May 12, HTS had arranged sermons in mosques denouncing Turkey. Soon after that, it began attacking Ahrar al-Sham. Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, which recently was forced to agree to a cease-fire in its clashes with Hezbollah and the Lebanese army in Lebanon's Arsal border area, is now expected to transfer those 1,500 fighters to Idlib. That means an experienced combat detachment will reinforce HTS. Idlib has emerged as the place where Syrias war is likely to be decided. Fighters evacuated from different parts of Syria have been relocated to Idlib. But that war is not imminent, not yet. The Syrian army is still focusing on Raqqa and the energy-rich areas of Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Palmyra. Such a widespread front makes a concentrated operation at Idlib beyond reach for the time being. With Idlib as the last act in the approaching conflagration, the worst burn victim of those flames could well be Turkey. Jennifer R. Statham For AL.com Curiosity is what Wesley Crunkleton credits for his beginnings in real estate, and his eventual establishment of Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate Group. Crunkleton said he learned early on that, in business, successful people aren't afraid to take risks, even ones leading to unfamiliar territory. Now, more than a decade after its beginning, Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate Group is a major player in property management and development in Alabama. The company is responsible for several high-profile projects in Huntsville, including helping redevelop downtown with The Garage at Clinton Row and other projects including properties on Holmes Avenue, Jefferson Street, Church Street and Pratt Avenue. Crunkleton is also bringing a new retail center to the former Huntsville Times site on South Memorial Parkway. Crunkleton, 38, grew up in Montgomery and went to college at Berry College in Rose, Georgia., earning a degree in finance. "After graduating in 2001, I decided I did not want to chase my initial aspirations of becoming an investment banker and always had an interest, (call it curiosity), in commercial real estate," Crunkleton said in an interview via email. "So, I spent two days at my aunt and uncle's house in Birmingham, (that is where I decided I wanted to move after college), going down the list of commercial real estate firms in the yellow pages and making cold calls to try and get an interview. Out of 40-plus cold calls, I was able to get two interviews. Lucky for me, one of them worked out and my commercial real estate career began in Birmingham, Ala., in June 2001." Setting a foundation In 2005, Crunkleton rented a single office in Huntsville, having come to the Rocket City for one particular property management assignment, Valley Bend at Jones Farm. He said he has been fortunate to have built the life and business he has in Huntsville. He is married 11 years to Meggan Crunkleton, CEO of Roosevelt & Company, and they have three boys. He is the principal at Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate Group, based in Huntsville. There he works with his team of real estate whizzes, and his father, Richard Crunkleton. Contrary to public perception, Wesley and his father Richard, aside from being the founding members of Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate Group, have two very separate careers, and they count this as a strong suit, he said. Richard Crunkleton, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, moved to Huntsville in 2001. He has more than three decades experience in commercial real estate and is a licensed broker in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. According to the Crunkleton Associates website, he originally got started in commercial real estate by "buying valued added properties, renovating them, adding tenants and then selling the properties for a profit." Prior to founding the real estate group with his father, Wesley was a senior property manager with EGS Commercial Real Estate in Birmingham. "I came to Huntsville to take on one particular task and my father was already here working on his business. As a matter of fact, it just dawned on us not too long ago that between the commercial properties that he and I own, we actually do not own anything together. This is not on purpose, of course, it just goes to show you that everyone in this industry values commercial real estate in different ways and an investment opportunity that he may find attractive, I may not and vice versa," Crunkleton said. When he first moved to Huntsville, he did the bookkeeping, all property management duties along with trying to build a leasing and brokerage business. "Meggan was extremely supportive during these first few years as it was very long hours and many of the night she would come up to the office to assist me in work that needed to get done. Today, I spend most of my time working on growth strategies for our company and working on development opportunities. I am still active with leasing and brokerage, but not to the degree I was years ago," Crunkleton said. "We have a wonderful team of highly energetic and talented brokers that do the majority of the heavy lifting in this category. As for property management, I still participate with our management team. But just like our brokers, we have a wonderful management team that does the bulk of the heavy lifting." Building future Huntsville Risk tolerance is a major advantage in the real-estate world. Mixing risks with a passionate vision has lead Crunkleton to some of his favorite projects, he said. "No two projects are the same and it seems like every project slides off the tracks at some point in time and it is our job to get it back on track. It takes the experience of losing deals, saving deals, etc... to shape your skills in the business," Crunkleton said. "It is incredibly fascinating to me. "Right now, I am really passionate about downtown redevelopment. While it is certainly not our largest project, transforming the bottom half of the Clinton Parking Garage into retail space and a specialty coffee shop is probably one of my favorite projects to date." Wesley Crunkleton and his wife, Meggan, cut the ribbon at The Garage at Clinton Row. Construction and renovation began in the spring of 2016 to repurpose the first level of the Clinton Avenue parking deck, installing six retail spaces. The grand opening of The Garage at Clinton Row was held in November. Located at The Garage are clothing retailers Elitaire Boutique, Roosevelt & Company, as well as eateries Frios Gourmet Pops and Honest Coffee Roasters. Following The Garage at Clinton Row, Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate Group began to renovate an 11,000-square-foot historical building built in 1915 at 104 Jefferson Street in Downtown Huntsville. 104 Jefferson will consist of office spaces with a "Modern Industrial" design. Other recent projects include Cornerstone in Madison, Winchester Commons, Twickenham Square, and The Avenue, where Crunkleton is handling leasing for developers Charlie and Sasha Sealy. It is a challenge that Huntsville is a "smaller city" and many new-to-market retailers and restaurants lean towards opening in larger markets such as Birmingham, Atlanta, and Nashville, however, the Huntsville-area is gaining recognition, Crunkleton said. "When we are able to get a new retailer interested in Alabama they seem to always want to try Birmingham first. That trend is starting to change though," he said. "We have several (projects) in the pipeline that we hope to announce soon." Goodyear announced this evening that it and the United Steelworkers have reached tentative agreement on a new five-year master labor contract covering nearly 7,000 workers at five plants in the U.S., including the Gadsden plant. The agreement came shortly before the four-year contract was due to expire at midnight. "We believe we have crafted a new labor agreement that positions both Goodyear and the United Steelworkers for success in the future," Jim Allen, Goodyear's vice president of Global Labor Relations said in a statement. The tentative agreement is subject to a ratification vote by USW members at the five plants covered by the contract, including plants in Kansas, North Carolina, Virginia and Ohio. The local unions are expected to schedule ratification votes within the next few weeks. The talks began June 15. Goodyear-Gadsden manufactures radial light truck and passenger tires and employs approximately 1,550 associates. Goodyear has operated in Gadsden since 1929. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has issued a missing child alert. The Macon County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in finding a 9-year-old girl who was last seen today about 4 p.m. Neisha Howard, who is black, may be with her non-custodial mother, Jerlean Octavia Scott and an unknown white female, the sheriff's department said. They may be traveling in a red SUV, make, model and Florida tag unknown, the sheriff's department said. They may be going to the Clear Water, Fla., area. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Neisha Howard, please call the Macon County Sheriff's Department at 334-727-2500. Genres : Drama, Classic Starring : Barbara Stanwyck, Nils Asther, Walter Connolly, Gavin Gordon, Lucien Littlefield, Richard Loo Director : Frank Capra Plot Synopsis Set in war-torn Shanghai, this visually stunning melodrama opens as Megan, the fiancee of a missionary, arrives in China for their marriage. Their plans are interrupted by civil war and Megan finds herself caught in a riot after visiting an orphanage. General Yen, a ruthless Chinese warlord, rescues and whisks her away to safety in his palace. Megan soon suspects she is not his guest but his prisoner yet she begins to feel a strange attraction to her captor. The once controversial topic of interracial romance between a Caucasian woman and a Chinese man earned this film some notoriety upon its release but Capra considered it a "strangely poetic romance" which was a risky art film for its era. A federal appeals court says a judge was right in tossing out a lawsuit filed by a Bessemer attorney against the five U.S. Supreme Court justices who made up the majority opinion legalizing gay marriage nationwide. The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday stated in an opinion that lawyer Austin Burdick did not demonstrate actual or imminent concrete injury to himself. "And even if Burdick had a legally protected interest in winning his constitutional arguments -- and plainly he did not -- the district court did not err in concluding that Burdick's allegations are "vague," "abstract assertion[s]" that were insufficient to establish a concrete injury," according to the opinion issued by a three-judge panel of the appeals court - Circuit Judges Tjoflat, Stanley Marcus, and William Pryor. "Burdick's complaint identifies no specific legal argument he has lost or will imminently lose as a result of Obergefell (the same-sex marriage ruling)," the court's opinion states. "Nor does it identify any factual basis for his allegation that Obergefell will cause him to lose income. Burdick's abstract allegations simply do not demonstrate any actual or imminent concrete injury." U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Haikala on Oct. 26, 2016 also tossed out the lawsuit based on judicial immunity. The 11th Circuit did not address the immunity issue since it had declared the lawsuit should have been tossed out on the other issues. Burdick filed the lawsuit in February 2016 against the five U.S. Supreme Court justices - Anthony M. Kennedy, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kegan - who made up the 5-4 majority in Obergefell. In his lawsuit, Burdick had argued that in their decision in the Obergefell case declaring same-sex marriage legal that the justices went "beyond a manipulation, twist, strain, or unique perspective on the text and crosses over in to an abandonment of the Constitution." The lawsuit cited the five justices for violations of the 5th Amendment, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and sought damages exceeding $6 million. Two years after settlers killed a Palestinian baby and his parents, the Dawabsheh familys pain lives on. Duma, occupied West Bank On a scrap of land in the Palestinian village of Duma, thorns and wild daisies bloom between rough pebbles and three breeze-block graves. To the left is the smallest grave, containing the remains of 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh. Propped behind it is a sign reading: Here lie the bodies of the martyrs of the dawn burning, who rose to the heavens after the sinful assault by a group of settlers on their home on Friday, July 31, 2015. Ali, along with his parents, Saad and Reham Dawabsheh, fell victim to an arson attack by Israeli settlers that night. Ali died immediately, while Saad, 32, passed away after a week in hospital, and Reham, 26, after six weeks. Ahmed, Alis older brother, now 7, was the only survivor. Nearly two years later, their friends and relatives are still struggling to deal with the tragedy. I am trying to bring my life back to normal, Alis uncle, Nasser Dawabsheh, told Al Jazeera from his family home in Duma, a 15-minute walk from the gravesite. But that takes time. Maybe it will take years. Their grief is compounded by the dead ends they have encountered while trying to obtain an admission of responsibility from the Israeli government. In April, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the young boy would not quality for compensation as a terror victim. Under Israeli law, the state must compensate victims of terrorism but the law does not apply to Palestinians, such as Ahmed, who live in the occupied West Bank and are not Israeli citizens or residents. The Dawabsheh family has now filed a lawsuit against Israel, demanding that the state accept responsibility for the attack and pay $4.4m in damages. Financial compensation, Nasser said, is less important than a full admission of responsibility from Israel: Our goal is not money, because money will not bring back what we have lost, he said, noting that the family has rejected previous offers of compensation from the state. READ MORE: Israeli wedding party celebrates Dawabsheh killings Back in 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Dawabsheh case as a terror attack in every respect. In January 2016, settler Amiram Ben Oleal was charged with murder on the basis of a hate crime in relation to the firebombing. A minor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with being an accessory to committing a racially motivated murder. For the Dawabsheh family, it was not enough: [The state must] accept responsibility for the attacks and the terrorism from the settlers, who live in the outposts built on our lands with the protection and help from the occupation army, Nasser said. The Israeli Defence Ministry did not respond to a request for comment. It has previously said that the Dawabshehs could apply for compensation from a special committee for victims of supposed nationalistic attacks. But Hassan al-Khatib, a lawyer representing the Dawabsheh family, said that more than 90 percent of Palestinian compensation claims lodged with the special committee are refused. Israeli human rights group BTselem told Al Jazeera that the state encouraged settler attacks by maintaining loose to nonexistent enforcement of the law, noting in a statement: This is but one example of Israels refusal to pay compensation to Palestinians when it clearly should and can do so, according to any moral and legal standard. Q&A: For Israel Palestinian blood is very cheap Whatever the outcome, the Dawabsheh family lives alongside terrible reminders of the attack in Duma, an unassuming village 25km southeast of Nablus. In Saad and Rehams former home, one smoke-stained wall bears the words: They burned the infant. Among the charred, twisted knots of the familys belongings is a melted, black-and-orange childs buggy. Sooty blankets, dust and shards of broken glass are scattered across the floor. The house has remained this way since the night of the firebombing, nearly two years ago. Nasser says it will not change; the family hopes to turn it into a museum. Every time he sees the house, I feel like the attack happens again, Nasser said. When people leave, I stay inside the house and cry for more than an hour. In the past, the place was full and active, but now it is dark. A mural drawn inside the house since the attack shows a tiny boy wrapped in a Palestinian flag, his wide mouth open in silent terror. Skulls hang from the arms of a mobile toy hanging above his playpen, itself set alight by a hand bearing the Star of David. The Dawabsheh family blames Israels settlement policies for the fate of their loved ones. Settlements in the occupied West Bank have continued to expand, even though they are considered illegal under international law, and Palestinians continue to face violence and intimidation from settlers. Between 2013 and 2016, just eight percent of completed cases of ideologically motivated attacks against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank led to indictments, according to human rights group Yesh Din, which cited a trend of protracted failure in the investigations. READ MORE: Israeli army among worlds child rights violators Meanwhile, as the physical burns that Ahmed sustained are healing, the broader recovery process will go on for some time. He knows everything that happened, Nasser said. He remembers how they [the settlers] attacked his parents, and sometimes he explains how he escaped. He always asks: Why did they attack us? Why did my dad not stop them? He thinks that his dad was a brave man and should have stopped them. Rehab Zaid Dawabsheh, Saads mother, says she cannot face the sight of the familys torched home. I left the part of the village where the house was burned, because I am not able to face that place, or see it, or cross its door again, she told Al Jazeera, sitting in her bright white reception room. Just days earlier, Rehab had lost her husband, now buried next to Saad, Reham and Ali. Back at the gravesite, warm morning sun radiates across the breeze blocks. The cemetery is empty of mourners, but Rehabs words hang in the air. Day by day, my sadness is increasing, even though the attack happened two years ago, she said. The sadness has not stopped. An Uzbek woman who was trafficked to Thailand and forced to sell sex shares the story of her escape. Its nearly 10pm and Umida* is cooking dinner a simple meal of rice and meat for the 11 members of her household who have been stuck inside the house all day due to Uzbekistans intense summer heat. Since emerging as an independent nation in 1991, after nearly 200 years of Russian and then Soviet rule, Uzbekistan has slowly seen some economic progress. But poverty and unemployment remain high and many Uzbeks travel abroad for work. This leaves the men, women and children vulnerable to forced labour and sex trafficking. My older sister works in a hospital in Moscow, so I look after her children, Umida says. Shes the only one who understands what happened to me in Bangkok, I have told nobody else. Born into a large, impoverished family, the 36-year-old says life was difficult growing up. Her mother died in 2000, leaving her father, a builder, to care for his four children. It was hard without my mother, she recalls, the families in my town with two parents had more money. When she was 28 years old, Umida says she met a local Uzbek woman who promised her profitable work in Thailand. Umida doesnt say whether she knew the specific nature of this work, but explains that with the hope of providing for her son who was then six years old, she agreed to travel to the Thai capital, Bangkok. But, when she arrived in Thailand, she realised that she had been deceived. The woman who had made the arrangements destroyed all of her documents. She was a very bad lady. She gave me no food, no money. I could only go outside to work every day, Umida says quietly. The woman forced her to work as a prostitute on the streets of Bangkok. Trafficked for sex Many downtown Bangkok streets are lined with women, shifting from one foot to the other, whispering to passers-by, hoping to attract their next customer. Statistics from the Thai Ministry of Public Health and from NGOs indicate that there are more than 120,000 people working in the Thai sex industry. Some of these women are engaged in sex work because they have no other way to make money, others have been forced into the industry, and many are trafficked to Thailand from other countries. Annie Dieselberg, CEO and founder of Nightlight International, an organisation committed to helping victims of sex trafficking and exploitation, says that the authorities do not always take the situation seriously. Often, authorities dont recognise the complexities of sex trafficking that it isnt as simple as underage women in a brothel, Dieselberg says. It may be an adult woman, walking the streets of Bangkok, being forced against her will to work for sex. Angkhana Neelapaichit, one of the seven National Human Rights Commissioners appointed by the Thai king to examine and report acts which violate human rights or do not comply with obligations under international treaties to which Thailand is a party, concurs. Essentially, I can say that dealing with trafficking among sex workers, in the long run, is still challenging for Thailand and it is hard for authorities to find the real perpetrators, she says. After a few months, Umida attempted to escape her trafficker, anxious to return home to her son. She managed to convince one of her clients, who sympathised with her, to give her money for a return flight home. He gave me a lot of money, so I bought some things for my son and a plane ticket home, Umida says. She went to the Uzbek consulate in secret and was issued with a certificate to return to Uzbekistan. When she arrived at the airport, however, a woman with a face veil approached her. She revealed herself as the trafficker. She was angry and threatening Umida felt powerless before her. She caught me. I didnt know what to do. She took my passport and I had to go back to work. She worked for a further five months, receiving little to no money. She was made to stay in an apartment with no shower and no food, she recalls. I was hungry. It was only when I had a customer that I could have a meal. We would go out and drink and eat, she says of the meetings with clients. Then we would end up in a hotel or an apartment. Escaping the clutches of her trafficker Umida saw another chance for escape when she met Emily Chalke, cofounder of Ellas Home, an NGO helping women exiting trafficking and exploitation. Chalke, working at Nightlight International at the time, met Umida at a Bangkok hotel known for hosting exchanges between sex workers and their customers. Chalke explains that she met Umida after another Uzbek woman told her that Umidas passport had been taken away. Everyone at the hotel knew her as the girl who was in trouble, Chalke says. Umida told Chalke that she wanted to escape. They agreed to meet at another hotel so she could pretend that she was going to see a client and from there they took a taxi to a safe house. She was angry when I met her, so angry that so much had been taken from her, Chalke says. She only had the clothes on her back and a small notebook where she had written the amounts paid to her trafficker, more than $10,000 by that time. Nightlight International made the arrangements for her return home and reported the case to the police. The trafficker was arrested, Chalke says. It was the first arrest police had made of an Uzbek trafficker in four years. But this required Umida to make a statement. She was terrified. I had to go to court once. I was so scared to see the bad lady, she says, adding: [But] the people around me helped me and I was able to do it. Her trafficker, however, was freed after paying bail and disappeared, never to be prosecuted. Read a related article on the victims of modern day slavery trafficking in the UK Prosecuting traffickers in Thailand The trial on July 19 in which Bangkoks Criminal Court Division for Human Trafficking convicted 62 people on charges of human trafficking, including an army general, was Thailands largest human trafficking trial and an unprecedented achievement for the Thai military government. Dieselberg says the current government is accomplishing more than its elected predecessors. When we began helping victims of sex trafficking in 2010, justice honestly seemed out of reach. Still, she thinks that more needs to be done. Though the military is absolutely doing more to address trafficking, it is primarily addressing labour trafficking, the seafood industry, and minors. In many cases, the sex trafficking rings are small, comprising one to five women, whereas labour traffickers often exploit more victims at one time. Many large anti-trafficking organisations lack the financial and human resources to focus on smaller cases, so there is a greater value in targeting a greater number of people in one place, Dieselberg explains. Neelapaichit, the Human Rights commissioner, agrees. [Dealing with sex trafficking] is very challenging for Thailand. Thailand tries to show they have policies to fight against trafficking, but there are still many traffickers that are free and have no criminal offences. There can also be improvements in providing safety and services for the victims, Dieselberg feels. At the moment, it is still not considered beneficial to a victim to identify the trafficker and take them to court she would rather return home and be safe. Out of the approximately 100 victims of sex trafficking her organisation has helped, only three initially agreed to testify. This led to two court cases but neither resulted in a prosecution. Dieselberg says she hopes the immediate effect of the high-profile case will be a warning to traffickers, but adds that they always look for other ways to continue their trade. It sends a message, but a law only makes a difference if it is enforced continuously. Neelapaichit agrees, Thailand must continue to show that it really wants to fight human trafficking and will not allow perpetrators to walk freely, even if the traffickers are from Thailand or are officers or security forces. It took three months for the police to gather the information they required in Umidas case and for her to receive her travel documents, but she finally returned to Uzbekistan and to her son on October 20, 2009. Her son is now 14 years old. I am home with him and he goes to school every day, she says proudly. She helps her younger sister bake bread and care for the family. She is determined to express how much her life has improved since Bangkok. After I returned to my son, I found us a place to live. I dont want to remember the bad times. I dont think about them. I only remember the kind people that helped me and the friends I made. Life is so good for me now, now I am happy. *Name changed to protect identity Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web The family of a Palestinian citizen of Israel killed by Israeli police in Jaffa are demanding justice. The family of a young Palestinian man fatally shot by Israeli police in Jaffa are demanding justice for what they believe was a cold-blooded killing. Mahdi al-Saadi, a 22-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel, was shot in the chest and killed in the early hours of Saturday morning. Israeli police also shot another young man at the same scene, Sleiman Abu Taleb, who was taken to hospital in critical condition. I was travelling, and I got a phone call from my wife telling me that they killed our boy. The police did not get in touch with us or tell us what happened. He was killed for no reason in cold blood. They killed him because he was an Arab, Jamal, Mahdis father, told Al Jazeera. Israeli police say the young men were suspects in a shooting at a store in Jaffa around 4am (01:00 GMT) on Saturday. A number of suspects opened fire and fired shots in Jaffa. They fled the area on a motorbike. The police unit chased the suspects. What we know after that is that the two suspects were taken to a hospital. One of them passed away from their wounds and the other one was wounded moderately. The case is being examined, Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld told Al Jazeera. The family does not believe the police narrative. The owner of the store that theyre claiming my son fired shots at is my friend, and hes with me here at the funeral. Whether it happened or not, my son didnt do it, Jamal said. READ MORE: Has Israels security apparatus failed? Umm Musab, Mahdis aunt, said, this would have never happened if they were Jewish. The occupation narrates the story as it likes whichever way it works for them. Even if they were involved in any crime, it should not have led to the killing and wounding of anyone, she told Al Jazeera. Were not going to be quiet about this. Were going to stop the world to find out who killed him and make sure that he gets punished. Their job is not to kill our boys. Their job is to secure our safety, but they do the exact opposite. There are some 1.8 million Palestinian citizens of Israel, the descendants of Palestinians who remained on their land when Israel was established in 1948 in a violent process of ethnic cleansing that led to the expulsion of some 750,000 Palestinians from historical Palestine. They face discrimination in almost all fields of life in a state that defines itself as Jewish, making inequality a reality. There are over 50 laws that discriminate against Palestinian citizens of the state. We are in utter shock. That night, Mahdi was calling his dad and telling him that he wanted to get married, that he was ready for marriage, said Umm Musab, noting that the heavy deployment of Israeli police in Palestinian neighbourhoods constantly stirs tensions. They want our boys to fall into a trap and to arrest them and shoot at them. They stole our land; we dont want them to take our souls as well, she continued. Enough is enough. READ MORE: The Nakba did not start or end in 1948 In response to the latest killing, Palestinian youth in Jaffa on Saturday took to the streets in anger and blocked the main road, spurring confrontations with Israeli police, who arrested an estimated eight Palestinian citizens of Israel. AbdulQader Abu Shehadeh, an activist who was among those who were violently detained, said he went out to see what was going on before police arrested him for no reason. I had to wait 10 hours for interrogation. They accused me of being at an unlawful protest. I was at the police station until about 2am yesterday, Abu Shehadeh told Al Jazeera. There is an unbelievable amount of police and border police in Jaffa today, closing the main road, and theyre still arresting people. People are very nervous. Abu Shehadeh said that Palestinians in Israel have a serious problem with the police, who treat Palestinians as enemies. The police, in general, regularly assault young men in a very savage way [they are] very politicised and the political parties do not have the power to protect us, even from the problems within our community, he said. They treat us as enemies, and we dont know how to deal with this. According to Adalah, Israels Police Investigation Unit (Mahash), which operates under the Ministry of Justice, disregards the majority of complaints filed against Israeli police. In a 2014 report, Adalah found that between 2011 and 2013, the Mahash closed 93 percent of complaints without laying charges. Whether or not an illegal act had been committed prior to the Israeli police shooting and killing of Mahdi al-Saadi in Jaffa is immaterial to the issue at hand. The only question in this context is whether he posed any danger to the officers. According to reports, the police shot at the motorcycle in order to get it to stop and make an arrest. This constitutes a violation of the Israel polices own open-fire regulations, which were made public in 2016 as a result of freedom of information petition submitted by Adalah, Adalah lawyer Fady Khoury told Al Jazeera. The regulations state that in the case of a vehicular pursuit for the purpose of making an arrest, firearms should be used only as a last resort Shooting to kill has become the policy exercised by Israeli police officers in the field when they deal with Palestinian citizens, Khoury added. At least 50 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been killed by police since 2000. Mahdis death comes after two weeks of increased violence and tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied territories of East Jerusalem and the West Bank. On July 14, an attack by three Palestinian citizens of Israel near occupied East Jerusalems al-Aqsa Mosque compound killed two Israeli guards, leading Israeli authorities to enforce more measures of control on the compound in the form of cameras and metal detectors. READ MORE: Israeli measures at al-Aqsa will increase resistance The new measures enraged Palestinians, spurring two weeks of civil disobedience and protests until the cameras and metal detectors were removed. During the events, Israeli forces shot dead at least six Palestinians and injured more than 1,300, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Samy Abu Shehadeh, another activist in Jaffa who was present during the recent confrontations, believes that Mahdis killing came as an act of revenge for the past two weeks. Why did they have to shoot him? Why didnt they just shoot at the motorcycle? Why dont we hear about Jewish citizens being killed by police? Its obvious they do not have any problem with using violence and even killing because no one will get punished, he told Al Jazeera. There was so much violence in the way that they were arresting people in Jaffa. It was obvious that their retreat from everything they did in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa hurt the ego of the security apparatus. It seemed like they were coming to take revenge. After months of protests, millions are called upon to choose representatives of an assembly to redraft the constitution. After months of protests and clashes, with more than 100 people killed, Venezuelans were called on to choose the members of a new National Constituent Assembly that will be tasked with drafting a new constitution. Sundays vote marked the second time Venezuela had a Constituent Assembly. In 1999, the then newly elected President Hugo Chavez and voters supported the initiative. The difference this time is that Sundays election was ordered by decree, with no referendum indicating that a majority wanted a change. Venezuelans answered one question: Who should represent you in the assembly? Results were announced on Sunday, when The National Electoral Council said that more than eight million people voted. The turnout was more than double the estimated of both the governments political opponents and independent experts. We have a Constituent Assembly, Maduro said in a speech to hundreds of supporters in central Caracas after the electoral authority put the voter turnout at 41.5 percent. So what does this process entail? Below, we answer key questions: 1. What is a National Constituent Assembly? An elected temporary parliament that has the mandate to draft or reform the Constitution. President Maduro invoked article 347 of the Venezuelan Constitution, which reads as follows: The Venezuelan people are the depositary of the original constituent power. In the exercise of that power, it can convene a National Constituent Assembly with the purpose of transforming the state, creating a new legal system and drafting a new Constitution. The president has the power to do so, although he will not be able to object to the constitution that results from it. In terms of changes, it is not clear yet what is coming. Maduro has talked about the Constituent Assembly as an initiative that will resolve political and economic challenges, but it is unclear what the reforms will be. Critics fear that the Constituent Assembly will try to override the National Assembly, the only government sector not controlled by Maduros party. READ MORE: Venezuela has reached the zero hour Whats next? 2. Why did Maduro call this vote? President Maduro called for the Assembly on May 1 amid a political crisis marked by a month of almost daily demonstrations. The president announced his decision saying it was the only road to restore peace. In a speech, he said that he aimed to let the sovereign people impose peace, harmony and true national dialogue. Maduro assured that the new constitution will be an improvement of the revolutionary plan of Chavez. 3. Who can elect and be elected? There will be 545 elected delegates to the assembly, from more than 6,000 candidates. From those, 364 will be chosen by local polls. The other 181 members will be elected by members of seven social sectors, including indigenous groups, poor farmers, students, and pensioners. Those sectors have always shown strong support to Chavez and Maduro. The opposition is boycotting the election, so from the 6,000 people that are running for seats, they do not have any representation. Critics say the process has been distorted, because the president chose who could be listed in the constituent. That decision was not open to the public. READ MORE: Venezuelas worst economic crisis What went wrong? 4. What do supporters say? This has not been an imposed process. I support it. It is an instrument of the state, something imposed is not submitted to a vote by Rossana Melendez They say they are willing to participate and hope the vote brings stability. We will participate in a process that the majority, accept, receive and are willing to participate in. On July 30, we will see the true support to the Bolivarian Revolution, and President Nicolas Maduro, General Gabriel Oviedo, a candidate to the Constituent, told Al Jazeera. The Constituent will continue, and with it the mechanisms will come so that each one responds to its illegal acts, its time to have justice, and to defend the motherland, he added. Cilia Flores, Maduros wife and a candidate for the assembly, believes the move will bring peace and stability. The National Assembly went crazy, and they thought they could overthrow President Maduro the people want peace, and this stability will be given to us by the Constituent, she told local media. This has not been an imposed process. I support it. It is an instrument of the state, something imposed is not submitted to a vote, Rossana Melendez, an environmental manager, told Al Jazeera. 5. What does the opposition say? What by Jose the state that we have, the constitutional base that we have] The opposition rejected the move from the start. A Supreme Tribunal magistrate, Luisa Ortega Diaz, said the assembly was not the solution to the crisis and called on Maduro to think carefully to avoid more bloodshed. Jose Haro, a constitutional lawyer, said: What happens if this Constituent Assembly is imposed, without having consulted the people, is that it [risks dismantling] the state that we have, the constitutional base that we have. It gives way to a situation of high voltage political conflict, which can lead to even greater confrontation. The day that Maduro summoned the Constituent Assembly, the number of killed in demonstrations was no more than 29. After he made the announcement, the number has tripled If this goes ahead, Venezuela will enter a dark period. The opposition is demanding elections to remove Maduro from power. They blame him for an economic crisis that has caused shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies. 6. How long could the process take? Last time this happened, the process began on February 2, 1999, and finished with the publication of the Constitution in March 2000. The Constituent Assembly could last more than a year because referendums and elections must be convened to determine the constituents, who are likely to discuss for months the issues concerning the new constitution. This would allow the president to stay in power during the process, and could lead to a delay of the 2018 presidential election. 7. What was achieved the first time this was done? The Constituent Assembly of 1999 made significant changes, including increasing the presidential term from five to six years; unifying the two chambers of the National Congress into a National Assembly, and changing the name of the country to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. 8. What happens next? Pressure from the opposition is expected to grow. Maduro has warned that his government is ready for any scenario. According to its decree, the National Constituent Assembly will be installed within 72 hours after the proclamation of the constituents. President Maduro promised that before the new constitution is implemented, it would also be the subject of a referendum. During the 1999 Constituent Assembly, Congress was shut down. This time, the Congress has said it will not cooperate. 9. International reactions Cuba, Bolivia, and Nicaragua, congratulated the government for the outcome. And governments such as Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Panama, and Spain, did not recognise the results. The US condemned the election and threatened to impose new strong and swift sanctions. Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, on Sunday called the election a sham and step towards dictatorship, adding that the US will not accept illegitimate government. Hamas should not trade the rights and hopes of the Palestinian people for its own survival by making a deal with Dahlan. We have made mutual efforts with our brothers in Hamas to restore hope for Gazas heroic people, Mohammed Dahlan told Palestinian legislators gathering in Gaza on Thursday, July 27. He spoke via satellite from his current exile in the United Arab Emirates. The audience clapped. True, Gaza has been pushed to the brink of humiliation so that its truly heroic people may lose hope. But the fact that it was Dahlan that uttered these words appeared odd. More bizarre is the fact that his audience included top members of Hamas. Dahlan, who had once been praised by George W Bush and was chosen by neoconservatives to lead a coup against the elected Hamas government in Gaza in 2007, seems to have finally managed to sneak his way back to Palestinian politics. Outrageously, however, Dahlans ominous return is facilitated by no other group than his archenemy, Hamas. It is convenient to blame such dramatic changes of attitude on the nature of politics, ever selfish, pragmatic and often brutal. But it is far more complex, and tragic than such a truism. Gaza has been under siege for over a decade. The Israeli siege began in 2006 when Hamas won parliamentary elections in a decisive victory, leaving Fatah, the leading faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in the opposition for the first time since its inception the 1960s. Proving incapable of understanding or accepting the democratic process, Fatah lashed out at its Hamas rival and worked hard to undermine its rise to power. READ MORE: Dahlan reveals controversial Hamas deal on Gaza But it was mostly Israel, backed by the United States that vehemently rejected the choice of the Palestinian majority. Within months, Israel imposed a siege on Gaza, the centre of Hamas popular support, while the US withheld financial assistance to the Palestinians, urging its allies to do the same. Hamas was left with no other option but to form a government alone. To protect its political institutions, the movement also established its own interior ministry police force. Then, alarm bells rang even louder. Hand-picked by the neocons to overthrow Hamas It was Gaza-based Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan who was selected to lead the mission of overthrowing Hamas. The choice was made by W Bushs own National Security Council Middle East adviser, Elliot Abrams. Then, the neocons were leading a campaign to construct a New Middle East, which was the culmination of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rices aggressive diplomacy in the region. The situation for Hamas and Gaza is dire. But there can be no moral justification to swap the rights, hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people with the arrogant ambitions of a self-obsessive warlord and his wealthy Arab benefactors. by The US government was eager to show that its violent military adventures in the Middle East would eventually lead to political stability through a US-sponsored democracy initiative. Hamas election victory was a devastating blow to the Bush administrations efforts. The Islamic group that championed armed resistance and rejected the Washington-consensus and its pro-Israeli vision in the Middle East presented Washington with an unprecedented dilemma. The man to thwart Palestinian democracy was Dahlan. It was the obvious choice, since Dahlan, a warlord by any standards, had good ties with Israel, a strong position within Fatah and was deeply connected to various Arab intelligence agencies. He also commanded 10 security branches in Gaza, dedicated mostly to cracking down on dissent. Many of those imprisoned and tortured by Dahlans forces, funded and trained under a programme managed by US Lieutenant General Keith Dayton, targeted Hamas fighters, political leaders and supporters. The plan was a massive failure. In the matter of a few days in the summer of 2007, Hamas routed Dahlans forces, and, until this day, single-handedly controlled Gaza. Dahlan first sought sanctuary in the West Bank, yet soon had a falling-out with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He fled Ramallah in 2010, after being accused by his own party of corruption and a coup attempt. For the last seven years, Dahlan has lived in the United Arab Emirates and become very close to the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammad bin Zayed. Although Dahlan began amassing wealth in Gaza before his exile in 2006, his fortune in the UAE grew exuberantly. READ MORE: Will Mohammed Dahlan return to lead Gaza? When interviewing him for the New York Times last November, Peter Baker couldnt help but marvel at Dahlans wealth from the very first paragraph of his report titled In Muhammad Dahlans ascent, a proxy battle for legitimacy. His spacious home here in Abu Dhabi features plush sofas, vaulted ceilings and chandeliers. The infinity pool in the back seems to spill into the glistening waterway beyond, Baker wrote. At that time, and still until this day, tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza remained homeless following the Israeli war on the Strip in 2014. A few months earlier, the United Nations had described Gaza as unlivable. None of this seemed to matter to Dahlan, who used Arab funds to further divide already divided Palestinian ranks and to eventually exploit Hamas need to survive as Israel and Egypt worked to bring it to its knees. An alliance with the weakened Hamas In a move, engineered with the help and support of several Arab governments including Egypt, Dahlan managed to exploit the rift between Hamas and Fatah while presenting himself as the saviour of the dying Gaza Strip. With no room for him among the top Fatah leadership, he resolved to impose himself back on the Palestinians through an alliance with the weakened Hamas. The resistance movement managed to withstand Israeli wars, but an Israeli-Egyptian siege proved nearly impossible to overcome. Two million Palestinians in Gaza suffered from life-threatening cuts of electricity, food, clean water, medicine and fuel, not to mention are denied freedom of movement. Last May, the PA in Ramallah significantly reduced salaries of its employees in the Strip and withheld payments to the Israeli company that supplied Gaza with its limited supply of electricity. With Israel, Arabs and the Palestinian leadership all involved in breaking the will of Gaza, Dahlan arrived on the scene, with a massive Arab-sponsored largess, offering charity, electricity and supplies. Of course, he sought a political price in return: a power-sharing agreement. In June, a Hamas delegation visited Cairo to meet Dahlan under Egyptian supervision. The Hamas delegation was led by Hamas newly elected leader Yahya Sinwar, who spent 20 years in Israeli jails and led the movements military wings resistance against Israel. Sinwar agreed with Dahlan on an understanding that would give the exiled warlord a leadership position in Gaza in exchange for an Egyptian decision to open the Rafah border that connects the Gaza Strip to the Sinai desert. READ MORE: Gazas Game of Thrones A fight to defeat resistance Expectedly, the Gaza power-sharing deal is angering the Abbas leadership, which is betting on Hamas and Dahlans inability to generate enough funds to sustain the impoverished Strip. But considering the support of wealthy Arabs and the full involvement of Egypt, the agreement has a reasonable degree of success in the short run. The Rafah border is reportedly due to open next month, and an electric power plant on the Egyptian side of the border will soon to be constructed. Once completed in 18 months, Gazas 22-hour long blackouts could be significantly reduced. However, conflict will likely arise in the future. Reviving an old formula Confident in its strong support base in Gaza, Hamas thinks it is still able to out-manoeuvre Dahlan and his plans to end, or at least silence, the resistance in Gaza. A glance at the history of Fatah suggests otherwise. Indeed, the Oslo Accords in 1993 was the culmination of years of pressure, financial manipulation and intimidation of Yasser Arafat and his supporters. In the final analysis, the Palestinian people gained nothing, and all that remains of Fatah today are empty slogans. Having been browbeaten and weakened by Israel and the Arabs, Hamas is now walking the same path. A few analysts are suggesting that the current political game is aimed at reviving an old formula that envisaged a Palestinian state in Gaza and parts of the Sinai desert, where many Palestinian refugees would be permanently settled. Although the Palestinian leadership and people rejected such plots in the past, Israel and its Arab allies might be hoping that Gaza is too weak and Palestinians are far too divided to reject such deals. However, it is likely that such a calculation will also backfire. Dahlan has failed repeatedly in the past, in subduing Gaza, in controlling the PA, in deposing an aging Abbas and in other plots. Why should this new gamble be any different? Moreover, in their weakest moments, the Palestinian people proved strong enough to defeat any initiative that would compromise on their rights, including their Right of Return. As for Hamas, it must not copy the failed Fatah experience. Palestine is bigger and more valuable than both movements, their political ambitions and calculations. True, the situation for Hamas and Gaza is dire. But there can be no moral justification to swap the rights, hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people with the arrogant ambitions of a self-obsessive warlord and his wealthy Arab benefactors. Ramzy Baroud has been writing about the Middle East for over 20 years. He is an internationally-syndicated columnist, a media consultant, an author of several books and the founder of PalestineChronicle.com. His books include Searching Jenin, The Second Palestinian Intifada and his latest My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gazas Untold Story. His website is www.ramzybaroud.net. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Countries want Syrian refugees to go back, but have they done anything to stop the Assad regime creating more refugees? It is indescribably devastating to watch as the international community intensifies its push to normalise the occupied, murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad. Major players in Syria are using Syrian lives as leverage and to signal theyve had enough of Syrians and their crisis. Recently, the UNHCR made an odd, somewhat troubling, statement. Based on figures from aid agencies, their spokesman said that 440,000 internally displaced Syrians meaning Syrians already in Syria have supposedly returned to their homes since the start of 2017 and that this was a notable trend. He then went on to say that despite this, the agency wouldnt recommend or sponsor refugee returns given multiple risks that remain, and that Syrians seeking asylum in other nations needed to be given safe havens. There are two levels of frustration that come with such statements: first, that 440,000 IDPs are being presented as a notable trend in the context of over six million Syrians displaced internally and over five million living as refugees in other countries; and second, such statements carry very little weight with an international community that has shown not only is it content with letting Assad and his allies continue creating refugees, but is also willing to join the war on terror perpetuated by Assad and his allies. When Syrians go back When the UNHCR says conditions are not ideal for return, it means that Syrians, refugees or not, face risks with any movements they attempt to make, starting from the moment they stand in line at any given border to re-enter their country. Syrians Ive spoken to tell me about abuse and corruption at the borders of neighbouring countries. One told me they had to pay bribes to border officials in Jordan to ensure safe passage back to Syria. Several have told me their passports were confiscated in Jordan and they were told to check in with Syrian intelligence branches upon their return to their hometowns. Others returning to Syria through Lebanon have waited for hours to be let back into Syria, fearing the worst as Lebanese and Syrian regime officials humiliated and berated them. Thats aside from the money theyve had taken from them at the borders, which is particularly painful given that most of these Syrians are already suffering financially. Then, there are those whose sons over 18 are immediately whisked off to forced conscription with the regimes army. This problem of forced conscription, faced mainly by young men, is a major risk not only at the borders, but also in areas under the control of the regime and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The Assad regimes ministry of defence has recently imposed new laws for punishing any men who attempt to evade mandatory service in the regimes army. Once Syrians make it back into Syria, they have to pass through checkpoints, risking detention at the hands of the regime or various armed militias. Syrians, both refugees and IDPs, tell stories of being questioned for hours by the regimes militias and seeing fellow countrymen killed at these checkpoints. OPINION: Xenophobia will not solve Lebanons refugee crisis In liberated areas, IDPs also face incidents of harassment and extortion and fall victim to infighting between armed groups. That is beside the continuing air strikes by the Syrian regime, Russia and the US-led international coalition that have killed, maimed and displaced thousands of innocent civilians. Refugee dodge ball On World Refugee Day last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a speech in which he spoke about Turkeys generosity to refugees, telling the international community Turkey could help advise on how to permanently solve the Syrian refugee crisis. Earlier this year, Turkey and Russia, despite backing opposing sides in Syria, agreed to work together (with Iran) to establish de-escalation zones across Syria a plan that never really worked. In one way or another, all of these major players have contributed to Assad and his allies clinging to power and have obstructed the Syrian revolution. Yet, they now have the audacity to resent the presence of Syrian refugees within their borders. by And despite the fact Turkey is host to the most Syrian refugees, it has sealed off its Syrian border with a massive wall built for security purposes and to stem the refugee flow. There has also been a growing number of incidents of Turkish border guards shooting at Syrian refugees trying to cross the border. NGOs operating in Turkey some working with Syrian refugees are also facing a crackdown by the Turkish government. As isolated incidents, these occurrences wouldnt mean much. But examined as a whole, it is clear refugees are paying the price as Turkey deals with its own internal affairs and attempts to clear out anyone it deems a threat. In Lebanon, three refugee camps were destroyed in a matter of days, two of them destroyed by fires and one of them raided by Lebanese authorities. Dozens of Syrian refugees were arrested in the Arsal camp raid in the name of fighting terrorism, and at least five of them were returned as bodies, tortured to death in custody. In the days after these incidents, Lebanons prime minister, Saad Hariri, published a series of tweets, including in them a call to put pressure on the Assad regime to allow the UN to build camps on the Syrian side of the shared border as a means to better protect Lebanese interests. Hezbollah, a backer of the Assad regime and abuser of the Syrian people, is now brokering deals with various actors in Syria to force refugees back over the border from Arsal. Tension in Lebanon is at all-time highs, as is anti-Syrian refugee sentiment. And it is not just Syrias neighbours. In the West, the United States and France have been the loudest about their willingness to acquiesce to Russian demands in Syria. Furthermore, the US has already reached the 50,000 refugee resettlement cap set by the Trump administration, meaning that not only is it allowing abuses to be committed on its behalf in Syria, it is also actively blocking victims of its crimes in Syria from seeking refuge in the US. Syria is also one of the six countries included in Trumps travel ban, which is now being battled in the courts. In one way or another, all of these major players have contributed to Assad and his allies clinging to power and have obstructed the Syrian revolution. Yet, they now have the audacity to resent the presence of Syrian refugees within their borders. Malak Chabkoun is an independent Middle East researcher and writer based in the US. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Official in Lower Shebelle region of Somalia confirms 24 soldiers dead but al-Shabab fighters claim 39 troops killed. At least 23 African Union peacekeeping troops and a Somali soldier have been killed in an ambush carried out by armed group al-Shabab in the countrys south, according to a senior regional official. The fighting broke out when the al-Shabaab fighters attacked the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops early on Sunday in the Bulamareer district of the Lower Shabelle region, about 140km southwest of the capital, Mogadishu. We have carried 23 dead AMISOM soldiers and a dead Somali soldier from the scene where al Shabaab ambushed AMISOM today by Ali Nur, the deputy governor of Lower Shabelle region We have carried 23 dead AMISOM soldiers and a dead Somali soldier from the scene where al-Shabaab ambushed AMISOM today, Ali Nur, the deputy governor of Lower Shabelle region, told Reuters news agency. The armed group, which has been fighting the Western-backed government in Somalia, claimed they had killed 39 African Union troops. The claim by the al-Qaeda-linked fighters, made by the groups spokesman on an affiliated radio station, could not be immediately verified. Earlier on Sunday, Colonel Hassan Mohamed confirmed that an AMISOM convoy came under attack. Local residents confirmed to AFP news agency that the fighting had taken place in the Lower Shebelle region, a hotly contested area where al-Shababs spokesman said they had staged their ambush. The mujahedeen fighters stood over the dead bodies of 39 soldiers, among them senior commanders, Abdiaziz Abu Muzab told Andalus radio. READ MORE: Farmajo calls for arms embargo end to defeat al-Shabab The African Union has a 22,000 strong force in the country dedicated to fighting al-Shabab and supporting the internationally backed government in Mogadishu. Residents said the troops were ambushed in the village of Golweyn as they escorted supplies along the road that connects Mogadishu to Lower Shebelle. Fighting broke out and continued for more than one hour, said Ali Osman, a witness to the battle. In April, a minibus travelling through Golweyn hit a landmine, killing at least 14 people. That attack was also blamed on al-Shabab, which has fought successive governments in Mogadishu and also carried out attacks in Kenya and Uganda. Company says it will remove apps that do not comply with Chinese laws seeking to ban VPNs not approved by regulators. Apple Inc has announced that it is removing virtual private network (VPN) services from its app store in China, drawing criticism from VPN service providers, who accuse the US tech giant of bowing to pressure from Beijing. VPNs allow users to bypass Chinas so-called Great Firewall aimed at restricting access to overseas sites. In January, Beijing passed laws seeking to ban all VPNs that are not approved by state regulators. Approved VPNs must use state network infrastructure. Apple has done much good for privacy and security in recent years, but actively assisting censorship crosses the red line of human rights. https://t.co/gzhRPqs5g9 Edward Snowden (@Snowden) July 29, 2017 This is very dangerous precedent which can lead to same moves in countries like UAE etc. where government control access to internet. Star VPN (@star_vpn) July 29, 2017 In a statement on Sunday, an Apple spokeswoman confirmed it will remove apps that do not comply with the law from its China App Store, including services based outside the country. Beijing has shut down dozens of China-based providers and it has been targeting overseas services as it bids to tighten its control over the internet, especially in advance of the Communist Party congress in August. While personal VPN providers have been the subject of state-led attacks in the past, this marks the first time Apple has complied with requests to scrub overseas providers from its store, a move that VPN providers say is unnecessarily supportive of Chinas heightened censorship. Apple has done much good for privacy and security in recent years, but actively assisting censorship crosses the red line of human rights, Edward Snowden, the American whistle-blower now residing in Russia, said in a tweet. Apple sends notices to providers VPN provider ExpressVPN said on Saturday that it had received a notice from Apple that its software would be removed from the China App Store because it includes content that is illegal in China. Were disappointed in this development, as it represents the most drastic measure the Chinese government has taken to block the use of VPNs to date, and we are troubled to see Apple aiding Chinas censorship efforts, ExpressVPN said in a statement. Other major providers, including VyprVPN and StarVPN, confirmed they also received the notice on Saturday from Apple. We view access to internet in China as a human rights issue and I would expect Apple to value human rights over profit, Sunday Yokubaitis, president of Golden Frog, which oversees VyprVPN told the Reuters news agency on Sunday. Yokubaitis said Golden Frog will file an appeal to Apple over the ban. China users with billing addresses in other countries will still be able to access VPN apps from other branches of the App Store. A number of VPN apps were still accessible on the China App store on Saturday, according to Reuters. At least nine killed as opposition protests against election for new legislative body turn violent. At least nine people, including an election candidate, have been killed in the past 24 hours in Venezuela as the country voted for an all-powerful new legislative body tasked with reforming the countrys constitution. Countrys opposition parties boycotted Sundays polls, which they say is aimed at consolidating President Nicolas Maduros power. Counting of ballots across Venezuela began on Sunday night after the voting was extended by an hour. Preliminary results were expected before the end of the day. Shootings at protests killed a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old in the western state of Tachira. A soldier was also shot dead there. The death toll also included a 30-year-old regional leader of a youth opposition party in the northeast town of Cumana and two protesters in the western state of Merida. Anti-Maduro activists wearing hoods or masks erected barricades on roads and scuffles broke out with security forces who moved in quickly to disperse the demonstrators. The president, elected in 2013, has faced months of protests for presiding over a debilitating economic crisis that has seen high inflation rate and shortages of food and other basic amenities. He has pressed ahead with the vote to create the all-powerful constituent assembly or temporary parliament despite US sanctions and months of violence which has claimed the lives of around 120 people. The US has condemned the violence, urging governments in the region and around the world to take strong action to hold accountable those who undermine democracy, deny human rights. READ MORE: All you need to know about todays vote in Venezuela Al Jazeeras Lucia Newman, reporting from the capital Caracas, said that it was a sad and bloody day in Venezuela. She said that half a dozen protesters with bullet wounds were rushed to neighbouring Colombia for treatment. Maduro has accused right-wing governments of trying to sabotage 21st-century socialism created by his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez. Several regional governments, including the United States, have voiced opposition to the controversial election. The US envoy to the UN, Nikki Halley, on Sunday called the election a sham and step toward dictatorship, adding that the US wont accept illegitimate government. The emperor Donald Trump wanted to halt the Venezuelan peoples right to vote, said Maduro, as he voted at 6am in a low-income area of Caracas. A new era of combat will begin. Were going all out with this Constituent Assembly. Supporters of Chavismo, the movement founded by Chavez, said they wanted to halt the unrest. The [opposition] wants deaths and roadblocks and the government wants peace, said Olga Blanco, 50, voting for candidates to the assembly at a school in Caracas. Maduro is gambling his four-year rule on the 545-member citizens Constituent Assembly empowered to dissolve the opposition-controlled congress and change laws as it reforms the nations constitution. The voting started at 6am local time with almost 20 million Venezuelans registered to cast their ballots, according to Telesur, a pro-government pan-Latin American media network. The opposition called for new protests on Monday and Wednesday against the inauguration of the powerful Constituent Assembly (CA). We do not recognise this fraudulent process, senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles said on Sunday at the close of the controversial election, which was marred by violence. Capriles spoke of a black day and blamed what he termed President Maduros sick ambition. To show the massive scale of public anger, the opposition earlier this month organised an unofficial referendum over Maduros plan. More than seven million voters overwhelmingly rejected the constituent assembly and voted in favour of early elections. The oppositions bid last year to hold a recall referendum against Maduro was rejected, regional elections have been postponed and the president has repeatedly ignored the opposition-controlled congress. READ MORE: All you need to know about todays controversial vote Turnout will be key to determining the legitimacy of the election. But that will be difficult to ascertain. I am at a polling station in Caracas and there is nobody here. There were a lot more people in the morning, but since then thereve been just a few people dropping by, Al Jazeeras Newman said. The Al Jazeera correspondent said that it was very difficult to get the exact figures on polling percentage. The opposition claims only 15 percent went out to vote while the government is claiming it to be a major success, she said. President of the ruling Socialist party said it was historic and the biggest turnout ever, but the opposition members are not even showing at the polling centres. Javier Farje, a Latin America political analyst, said that Maduro government is not going to rewrite the Constitution but they are going to introduce nine reforms in the current constitution. I believe the only solution is to restart the dialogue that was suspended in December 2016 when the opposition abandoned the dialogue because they disagreed with the government, he told Al Jazeera. They have to go back to negotiating table. Constituent Assembly should not be seen as an obstacle for that. It is not going to replace the current National Assembly, lets make it clear. The National Assemby can still do its job. Flight of bombers follows Pyongyangs missile tests and comes as Trump derides Chinas response to apparent threat. The United States has flown two bomber jets over the Korean Peninsula in a show of force after recent North Korean missile tests, according to a US Air Force statement. Saturdays move came after North Korea said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday that proved its ability to strike the US mainland, drawing a sharp warning from US President Donald Trump. The flight of B-1B bomber jets was in direct response to the missile test and the previous July 3 launch of the Hwansong-14 rocket, the US statement said. The bombers took off from a US airbase in Guam, and were joined by Japanese and South Korean fighter jets during the exercise, according to the statement. READ MORE: Second North Korea ICBM test proves US in strike range North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability, Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence J OShaughnessy said. If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing. In the past, the US has used similar flights as a show of force in response to North Korean missile or nuclear tests. Pyongyang: Entire US in range The Korean Central News Agency said on Saturday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed great satisfaction after the Hwasong-14 reached a maximum height of 3,725 kilometres and travelled 998 kilometres, before accurately landing in waters off Japan. The agency quoted Kim as saying that the launch reaffirmed the reliability of the countrys ICBM system and ability to fire at random regions and locations at random times, with the entire US mainland now within range. Analysts estimate that the Norths first ICBM in early July could have reached Alaska, and said that the latest missile appeared to extend that range significantly. Trump condemned the test as a threat to the world, and rejected North Koreas claim that nuclear power ensures its security. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said he held telephone talks with US Secretary of State Rex 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 [UN Security Council] resolution, including severe measures, and working on China and Russia, Kishida told reporters. China, the Norths main ally, said that it opposed North Koreas missile launches, which it said violate UN Security Council resolutions designed to curb Pyongyangs banned nuclear and missile programmes. At the same time, China hopes all parties act with caution, to prevent tensions from continuing to escalate, Chinas foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. However, Trump said he was very disappointed in China. In messages on Twitter, he wrote: Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem! Kiyul Chung, professor at Chinas Tsinghua University, said China has few options and is doing all it can. Chinese participation in UN sanctions against [North Korea] has been [significant], he told Al Jazeera. What Trump says doesnt mean much. He explained that besides pressuring China, the US has few options. I dont think China will do more, because there is nothing more it can do, he said. Growing concern Washington and its allies have watched with growing concern as Pyongyang has progressed towards its goal of having all of the US within range of its missiles to counter what it labels as US 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 Kim has developed North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes, despite several rounds of UN Security Council sanctions that have squeezed the impoverished countrys economy. North Korea is not believed to have yet developed the technology to miniaturise a nuclear weapon to fit in a missiles warhead. Court stood by decision to sentence demoted soldier Elor Azaria to 18 months in prison for killing wounded Palestinian. An Israeli military court on Sunday upheld the 18-month sentence of a soldier convicted of fatally shooting a Palestinian attacker who lay on the ground wounded after stabbing and wounding another soldier, in a case that has divided the country where military service is mandatory. Sgt. Elor Azaria, an army combat medic, was recorded on a mobile phone video as he fatally shot a badly wounded Palestinian who had allegedly attacked a soldier with a knife beforehand, wounding him. The Palestinian, Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, was lying on the ground unarmed when Azaria shot him in the head. The 2016 incident occurred in the volatile city of Hebron in the West Bank. Israels top generals pushed for the prosecution of the soldier they say violated the militarys code of ethics they hold dear. Large segments of the public, including politicians on Israels nationalist right, sided with Azaria. Some called him a hero who was being wrongly persecuted. READ MORE: They killed him because he was an Arab Speaking from outside the military court in Tel Aviv, Al Jazeeras Imran Khan said that this case had polarised Israeli society. The army says that Azaria was in violation of rules of engagement, while the left-wing say this is simply about the dehumanization of Palestinians, or a symptom of a much wider national psyche here, Khan said. In Israel, military service is compulsory for most Jewish men, and soldiers enjoy widespread sympathy and support. Israels Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman issued a statement urging the soldiers family not to continue appealing. Its a difficult day, he said adding the ruling must be respected. He said the militarys Chief of Staff should be asked to pardon him. I have no doubt he will take into consideration the difficult circumstances, he said. Other ministers also called for the soldier to be pardoned. Leah Tsemel, an Israeli lawyer, said that Azarias sentencing is a very light one. Under these circumstances, I would say that any Palestinian youngster in Issawiyeh who throws stones at Israeli soldiers would be very happy to get this year and a half in prison, she told Al Jazeera, referring to a town in occupied East Jerusalem. However, she said that the message behind the courts decision was still important. The message that comes out of the military court says there should be some sanity in the attitude of the army towards Palestinians, she said. We are not in the Wild West. READ MORE: Azaria exposed the reality of Israels colonial project Human Rights Watch welcomed the court decision. Upholding the conviction of a soldier convicted of fatally shooting a man who posed no threat sends an important message about restrictions on lethal use of force, said Sari Bashi, the Israel and Palestine advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. Israel has been coping with Palestinian attacks that erupted in 2015 which at times were a daily occurrence. Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 256 Palestinians; Israel has said that most of them were attackers, others died in clashes. During that same period, Palestinians have killed 48 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist in stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks targeting civilians and soldiers. 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 the attacks stem from anger and frustration at decades of Israeli occupation. Opposition decries election to decide upon body tasked with reforming constitution as a power grab by President Maduro. Venezuela is voting on Sunday to elect a legislative body tasked with reforming the Constitution, in a poll which has triggered international alarm and deadly street protests against President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro predicted a big victory in the election of the 545-member citizens Constituent Assembly empowered to dissolve the opposition-controlled parliament and rewrite the Constitution. The opposition has urged a boycott, saying the vote marks a move towards dictatorship by an unpopular president desperate to cling to power with the backing of a loyal military. Al Jazeeras John Holman, reporting from Caracas, said that the opposition feels that the vote is stacked against them in favour of government supporters. A leading newspaper here summed up this vote when it said, The government is choosing its representatives, as no opposition candidates are taking part in it. The United States, European Union and Latin American powers, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, have come out against the election, saying it would destroy Venezuelan democracy. READ MORE: All you need to know about todays controversial vote Four months of street protests against Maduro have left more than 100 people dead, and exposed deep political divisions in this oil-rich nation reduced to economic calamity. Demonstrations tapered off just before Sundays vote after Maduro decreed a ban threatening prison terms of up to 10 years for protesters. But fear of violence worsening has rippled across the region, and beyond. Several foreign airlines, including Air France, Delta, Avianca and Iberia have suspended flights to the country. Families of US diplomats have been ordered to leave following the imposition of American sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan officials. Maduro who described the Constituent Assembly as a card that will win this game on Saturday said the vote was the most important election held in Venezuelas political system. Authorities on the eve of the vote said all was ready for the nationwide balloting, although the head of the electoral council acknowledged some voting machines had been burned in attacks on polling stations. Freddy Guevara, an opposition politician, said further demonstrations would take place on Sunday. There will not be calm as long as the people dont have peace, he said. Colombia and Panama refuges for tens of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing the chaos at home have said they will not recognise the results of Sundays election in Venezuela. At an overnight protest in Villa del Rosario, a Colombian town on the Venezuelan border, hundreds of Venezuelans taking shelter there decried the election. We dont know whats going to happen in this situation created by this president, said one of them, Bella Buitrago, 48. Were all extremely nervous. We dont want Mr Maduro he should leave the country, said another, Sindry Borges. Some in Maduros administration have broken ranks with him, most prominently his attorney general. Two diplomats resigned this week in dissent: one at the UN and another at the embassy in Panama. The Venezuelan leader has blamed the mounting unrest against him and his policies on the US, working hand-in-hand with the Venezuelan opposition to wage an economic war. Pence visiting Estonia, Georgia and Montenegro to signal support and draw line under perceived aggression from Moscow. US Vice President Mike Pence is visiting Estonia to reassure the three Baltic NATO members, concerned over neighbouring Russias military activity, before continuing on to Georgia and Montenegro with the same mission. Pence will meet Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas on Sunday regarding the possibility of installing American anti-aircraft defence systems in the small country of 1.3 million people. Relations between Moscow and Tallinn have been fraught since Estonia broke free from the Soviet Union in 1991, joining both the European Union and NATO in 2004. READ MORE: Donald Trump ready to sign Russia sanctions bill More recently, Estonia and fellow Baltic states Latvia and Lithuania have been spooked by Russias frequent military exercises near the region and its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Local analysts expect Pence to offer Estonians what they want to hear, that the US is a good loyal ally and that they appreciate Baltic sacrifices including their two percent of GDP spending on defence and their participation in military operations in Afghanistan, according to Tallinn University international relations specialist Matthew Crandall, as quoted by public television ERR. Russias Zapad exercises have caused concern in Lithuania, since they will take place relatively close to the Suwalki gap, a land corridor crossing southeastern Poland which is critical to the security of the Baltic states. The 80-kilometre stretch of border with Lithuania is sandwiched between the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad to the west and Moscow-friendly Belarus to the east. This corridor of land is considered the potential Achilles heel of NATOs eastern flank, because a hypothetical Russian offensive there could easily isolate the three Baltic countries to the north. Lithuanian authorities have said that up to 100,000 Russian and Belarussian troops could take part in the exercises. READ MORE: Is Russia really a threat to the Baltic states? But Belarus Defence Minister Andrei Ravkov told the Russian TASS news agency that the soldiers will only number around 13,000. Montenegro joined NATO in June in the face of bitter opposition from Moscow, which says NATOs steady expansion into the former communist states of Eastern Europe threatens its own security and cannot go unchallenged. The US Senate passed a sanctions bill Thursday which includes a provision preventing the president from removing sanctions without congressional approval. Only Trumps signature is still needed to turn it into law. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called the bill a very serious step towards destroying the prospects for normalising relations. The monarch pardoned 1,178 detainees, including a number who had joined protests in the troubled northern Rif region. King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Saturday pardoned more than a thousand people who were under arrest for taking part in protests in the troubled northern Rif region, the justice ministry announced. The monarch pardoned a total of 1,178 detainees, including a number who had joined demonstrations in the northern port city of al-Hoceima and surrounding area, the ministry said in a statement, issued shortly before King Mohammed made a televised speech to mark 18 years on the throne. The justice ministry said pardons were granted to those who have not committed crimes and who are not implicated in serious acts bearing in mind their family and humanitarian conditions. IN PHOTOS: Social unrest boils over in Moroccos al-Hoceima The Rif, a predominantly Berber region where al-Hoceima is located, has been gripped by months of unrest. Protests erupted last October after a fishmonger was crushed to death in a rubbish truck as he tried to retrieve a swordfish confiscated for being caught out of season. Demands for justice later snowballed into a wider social movement named Al-Hirak al-Shaabi, calling for jobs, development and an end to corruption. Abdessadek Al-Bouchtaoui, a lawyer for detained protesters, described the mass pardon as a positive step but it does not go far enough, because we are calling for the release of everyone held. According to the latest official figures, 176 were being held, including the movements leader, Nasser Zefzafi. The government has promised to make major investments in the region, sent ministers to the area and withdrawn police from prominent sites in a bid to defuse the situation. A brief lull ended on July 21 with clashes over a banned demonstration which also drew in supporters from among the large Moroccan diaspora. Seventy-two police officers were wounded by stones and 11 protesters were injured by tear gas used to break up the rally, the official news agency MAP reported, citing authorities in al-Hoceima. Ruling PML-N party, which holds parliament majority, nominates disgraced leaders brother as next prime minister. Pakistans parliament will meet on Tuesday to elect a new prime minister after the disqualification of three-time leader Nawaz Sharif. Mamnoon Hussain, Pakistans president, called the special parliamentary session late on Saturday after Sharif put forward Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim leader and his brother, Shahbaz Sharif, as the long-term successor. Shahbaz, currently the chief minister of Punjab province Pakistans most populous region and the Sharifs political heartland will have to resign from his post and run for a by-election to join Parliament before he is elected as prime minister. Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party has a strong majority in parliament and is expected to succeed in installing Abbasi for the interim 45-day period. The opposition is expected to name a candidate to challenge Abbasi in the parliament vote, but the former petroleum minister looks set to win. Sharifs party holds 188 of 342 seats in parliaments lower house and, with additional votes from its allies, is expected to obtain 214 votes. To win the top slot, Abbasi needs 172 votes. READ MORE: Pakistans democracy reels from Nawaz Sharifs removal The ruling PML-N party has vowed a smooth transfer of power after Sharifs removal. The quick handover looks to ease political upheaval sparked by the Supreme Courts decision on Friday to disqualify Sharif for concealing his assets. Sharif has lashed out against the courts decision and his opponents who used the Supreme Court to topple him. But he has vowed his party would continue to focus on economic development, touting a faster-growing economy as proof of his success. The wheel of development is moving and may God keep it rolling, and may it never stop, he told members of PML-N on Saturday night. Opposition leader Imran Khan, who pushed for Sharifs investigation, called Shahbazs selection a form of monarchy. They are family parties, he said. They are basically families run the parties In monarchy, its hereditary, its through blood. We are still stuck into it. Panama papers The probe against Sharif began after his children were named in the so-called Panama Papers leak for owning off-shore accounts and properties. Sharifs party has resolved to file a review petition in the Supreme Court to reverse the judges decision. The court also ordered criminal investigations for him and his family. READ MORE: Whats next for Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif? The three-term prime minister has a history of rocky relations with Pakistans powerful military and has been removed from office three times. Al Jazeeras Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said: What the people dont want is selective accountability. Most of the reaction coming out of the country has been positive. The Pakistani people want all the politicians, bureaucrats, judges, generals and everybody across the board to be accountable, so there has been no violent reaction on the streets. No civilian government has ever completed its term in Pakistan. Pakistan has been ruled by military generals for more than half of its 70-year history. Ozamiz city mayor was among list of officials publicly shamed last year by President Duterte of being linked to drugs. Phillippine police have killed a city mayor, his wife and 10 others during a series of pre-dawn anti-drug raids in the south, officials said. Reynaldo Parojinog, mayor of Ozamiz city, is the latest official to be killed since President Rodrigo Duterte launched a drug war. Officers were to serve warrants for the arrest of Parojinog, his daughter, and four other officials of Ozamiz city when they allegedly opened fire on Sunday. READ MORE: Philippine police dumping bodies of drug war victims The officers were met with volleys of fire from [the mayors] security, prompting the Philippine National Police personnel to retaliate, Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said in a statement. Parojinog was among the more than 160 officials Duterte publicly linked to drugs in August last year as part of a shame campaign. Parojinogs wife, a provincial board member who was also a relative, and four security guards of the family were among those also killed, Pacleb said. Parojinogs daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested. Officers recovered grenades and ammunition, as well as illegal drugs, in the raid, according to police provincial chief Jaysen De Guzman. Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He becomes the third mayor to be killed in Dutertes bloody crackdown on drugs, which has left more than 3,000 dead since June 2016 and drawn wide criticism by human rights groups. In November 2016, police officers killed Rolando Espinosa, the mayor of Albuera town, shooting him inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte. A week before that, Samsudin Dimaukom, the mayor of the southern town of Saudi Ampatuan, was killed in a gun battle at a police checkpoint on suspicion he and his security personnel were transporting illegal drugs, authorities said. Qatar says reports that Saudi-led group would allow Qatari planes to use air corridors in emergencies are false. Qatar has denied Saudi media reports that Arab states would allow Qatari planes to use air corridors in emergencies, saying they were spreading false information. Qatars transport and communications ministry and its aviation authority on Sunday denied claims that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain had taken such a decision, the state news agency QNA reported. Saudi state news agency SPA on Sunday cited a statement from the Saudi aviation authority (GACA) as saying they had already agreed on emergency air corridors, which were identified under ICAO supervision, and that they would be open from August 1. Nine corridors have been identified including one in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea that will be monitored by the Egyptian authorities, SPA said. Qatar called on the countries to not leak false information before the ICAO meeting in Montreal on Monday. ICAO was not immediately available for comment. ICAOs 36-state governing council could act to settle the dispute presented by Qatar, but such interventions are rare and time-consuming because the UN agency usually negotiates disputes through consensus. 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. President Vladimir Putin orders reduction in staff and vows for additional measures in retaliation to new US sanctions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will expel 755 US diplomatic staff and could consider imposing additional measures against the United States as a response to new US sanctions. Putin said in an interview televised on state television on Sunday that he ordered the move because he thought it was the time to show that were not going to leave that without an answer. He, however, ruled out any immediate measure against the US. I am against it as of today, Putin said in an interview with Vesti TV. Moscow ordered the US on Friday to cut hundreds of diplomatic staff and said it would seize two US diplomatic properties after the US House of Representatives and the Senate approved new sanctions on Russia. Russia said the US had until September 1 to reduce its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people, matching the number of Russian diplomats left in the US after Washington expelled 35 Russians in December. New US sanctions were in part a response to conclusions by US intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 US presidential election, and to further punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea in 2014. OPINION: Wag the bear Worsening relations The Russian president reiterated that the US sanctions were a step to worsening relations between the two countries. We were waiting for quite a long time that maybe something would change for the better, were holding out hope that the situation would change somehow. But it appears that even if it changes someday, it will not change soon, Putin said. However, he said Moscow and Washington were achieving results on cooperation even in this quite difficult situation. The creation of the Southern de-escalation zone in Syria showed a concrete result of the joint work between the two countries, he said. Earlier in the day, a top Russian diplomat warned of retaliation by Moscow. Speaking on ABCs This Week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov referred to a bill passed by Congress on Thursday to sanction his country as weird and unacceptable, and said it was the last straw. If the US side decides to move further towards deterioration, we will answer. We will respond in kind. We will retaliate, he said. The US-Russia relationship has become increasingly strained in the wake of US intelligence agencies conclusion that the Kremlin interfered in the US election to discredit Hillary Clinton and help President Donald Trump win the election. Russia has denied meddling in the US election. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, the former director of the FBI, is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race and whether or not Trumps campaign may have colluded with Russia an allegation that Trump and his associates have staunchly denied. Top officials from main countries boycotting Qatar meet in Bahrain to reiterate demand that Doha stops funding terror. Four Arab countries boycotting Qatar will only enter dialogue to ease the dispute if Doha agrees to certain demands, and fights terror, the group said on Sunday as they met in Manama. High-level officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt reiterated their positions on the Gulf crisis, condemning Qatar for what they perceive as Dohas support for armed groups. Qatar has repeatedly denied those allegations. The four countries are ready for dialogue with Qatar with the condition that it announces its sincere willingness to stop funding terrorism and extremism and its commitment to not interfere in other countries foreign affairs and respond to the 13 demands, Bahrains Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa said after meeting his counterparts. The televised news conference in Manama came more than one month after the Saudi-led bloc cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed a land, sea and air blockade on the country. As part of the boycott, the four countries also expelled Qatari expatriates. The group on Sunday acknowledged that Qatari citizens had suffered as a result of their siege. Refusing to negotiate However, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir refused to negotiate on a list of 13 demands on Doha that was received by Qatar more than two weeks after the crisis broke out. Scaling down relations with Iran, closing down Al Jazeera and shutting a Turkish military base, which is currently under construction, were included in that list of demands. [Qataris] speak of every issue except how to put an end to their support of terrorism, said Jubeir, accusing Qatar of not being genuine. These demands are not negotiable. We cannot shrink [the list] down, he said. Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani dismissed Sundays statement from the four countries and said sanctions were violating international laws. There isnt a clear vision (from Manamas meeting), there is only a stubborn policy from the blockading countries and refusal to admit that these are illegal actions, Sheikh Mohammed told Al Jazeera. Its a continuation of a policy of intransigence. READ MORE: Qatar-GCC crisis All the latest updates The group also hit back at Qatars claims that the bloc was politicising the Hajj pilgrimage by restricting the journey to some Qataris. The bloc is only allowing Qatari pilgrims to fly to Saudis Mecca from an airport in Doha, making the journey challenging for those who live or work abroad, such as students. I think this press conference confirms that we are at the first day of the crisis. We have not moved for the last 50-plus days, we havent moved anywhere, Mahjoob Zweiri, professor at Qatar University, told Al Jazeera. It seems they are not convinced and are insisting on the list of demands. They are singing a different song. The international community has a very positive impression about Qatar in fighting terrorism, but the four countries are not sharing the same impression as the international community. Zweiri explained that the status quo is likely to prevail for now. We should expect reaction from Washington, Germany and the UK tonight or tomorrow. I think Tillerson will be upset after what he heard today, he said, referring to Rex Tillerson, the US state secretary, who has previously voiced support for Qatar. John Yearwood, the chairman of the International Press Institute, said that the latest information was deeply disappointing. We condemn it in the strongest terms possible the new demand that Al Jazeera [Media] Network be shut down. Throughout the world Al Jazeera plays a very important role in getting information unbiased to citizens of the region. And any attempt to shut down Al Jazeera goes against free flow of information, he said. The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, spoke in June 2013 of prejudice and discrimination in his country. Britain was suffering, he remarked, from "an apparent rise" in anti-Semitism, along with "other poisonous and debilitating forms of intolerance." He must be perplexed in the extreme that the "apparent" has become a dramatic increase in that intolerance in 2017. According to a survey in July 2017 by the British Community Service Trust, there is now an unprecedented increase in this disease. There were 767 anti-Semitic hate incidents recorded in the first six months, January to June, of 2017, the highest level ever recorded and a 30% increase from the 589 incidents in 2016. In London, there was a 10% rise to 425, and in Greater Manchester an 85% rise to 145. The incidents involved damage to Jewish property; physical assaults on individuals; direct threats; verbal abuse; and graffiti on Jewish institutions, synagogues, schools, and cemeteries. They were noticeable in coordinated campaigns using social media, in the general media, and in political rhetoric. About a quarter, 142, came from social media, 10% were violent, 80 were physical attacks, 51 damaged or desecrated Jewish property, and 29% were politically motivated or used political language. The largest number comprised "abusive behavior." Disappointingly, some of the anti-Semitism came from public figures. No one specific, single factor can explain the increase, except perhaps that there was more reporting focused on the misdeeds of members of the Labor Party and more informed reporting of incidents. Thus, the explanation can be based only on long-term factors. It has been clear for some time, and a cause for dismay especially by Jews who traditionally viewed the Labor Party as their political home, that an increasing amount of British anti-Semitism has come from the political left. As a consequence, the Labor Party and its present leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who has done little to discipline expressions of anti-Semitism by party members, have lost the trust of many Jews. There are a number of particularly flagrant examples of anti-Semitism. One concerns the case of Ken Livingstone, former Labor mayor of London who is notorious for his remarks that Adolf Hitler acted in support of Zionism and who compared a critical Jewish journalist to a concentration camp guard. Livingstone has a loud mouth and a tin ear; he believes that Jews were too rich to vote for him. The Labor party did try to discipline him but ultimately failed. Another, perhaps more shocking, example is the case of Lord Nazir Ahmed, appointed to the House of Lords in 1998 and one of the first Muslim peers. He had been convicted and imprisoned after he killed another motorist when sending a series of text messages while driving his Jaguar X in December 2007. He served only six weeks in prison. He blamed his imprisonment on a Jewish conspiracy, the result of pressure applied on the court by Jews who "own newspapers and TV channels." He was suspended from the party and finally left it. A third is Jackie Walker, a leader of the far-left Momentum group, who holds that Jews were the chief financiers of the African slave trade. Even worse, on April 11, 2017, 145 members of the Labor Party wrote to Chairman Corbyn saying "I am Jackie Walker" and asserting that Israel is a "racist state." Dave Rich in his book The Left's Jewish Problem has pointed out that until the1980s, the British left was broadly pro-Israeli, a country with a strong social democratic component. This attitude changed, partly because of the emergence of more right- wing Israeli governments and because of the results of the 1967 Six-Day War but mainly because of the well organized pro-Palestinian and Islamic campaigns, originally assisted by the Soviet Union, against Israel, which accused the State of Israel of being a colonial, oppressive, and "apartheid" country. A considerable number of Labor Party officials and councilors openly expressed anti-Semitic sentiments, and many were not reprimanded in any serious way. In the 2017 parliamentary election, Jewish candidates of the Labor Party were deselected in a number of constituencies. The result has been a disaffiliation and a political swing of a considerable number of Jews away from the Labor Party. Though there is not yet full or accurate analysis of the way Jews voted in 2017, nor is there a distinctive "Jewish vote" especially among younger Jews. However, pre-election polls suggested that only 13% of Jews would vote for the Labor Party, while 77% would vote for Prime Minister Theresa May and the Conservative Party. One token is the result in four crucial constituencies in north London, which have a significant number of Jewish inhabitants, the so-called "Bagel Belt." In these four, there was no swing to Labor as there was in the rest of London, though not to Conservatives, but rather to the Liberal Democrats. The "apparent" rise in anti-Semitism is real, and it is the outcome of prejudice. It is a wake-up call. A public opinion survey in 2015 held that about one third of British citizens thought that at least one anti-Semitic view is definitely or probably true. Beliefs are prevalent regarding the 260,000 Jews in the country, 0.4% of the total population, who are criticized in the usual prejudiced way as dishonest in business, disloyal, overly focused on the Holocaust. These prejudices are of course sometimes related to actions of the State of Israel, but increasingly they have a life of their own, unrelated to any alleged Israeli actions. A notorious example was the decision in August 2014 by a branch in London of Sainsbury's, the large supermarket chain, to remove all kosher products from its shelves after the store was picketed by pro-Palestinian protesters. The irony in this case is that none of the removed kosher products came from Israel. The moral is obvious: a need for informed objective knowledge and political and social courage. The British left should learn the lesson. Its members should get medical help to end the disease of anti-Semitism. In truth, the Russians colluded through GPS Fusion to harm, not help, Trump and the evidence of that is coming out. Its time to repeal the Special Counsel law which has now been used twice to hamstring two Republican Presidents, has dubious constitutional authority, and will never result in the indictment of a prominent Democratic politician. Under the Constitution there are three ways to deal with official corruption: the ballot box, impeachment, or criminal prosecution. Instead, in recent years we have tried two different means: the Independent Counsel law, now lapsed, and the Special Counsel law. Pepperdine Law Professor Douglas M. Kmiec explains the difference and argues that the features of the independent counsel, which the Supreme Court held constitutional, and the special counsel law that has not been challenged, are different, notably that the absence of outside supervision of the prosecutor and failure in both instances of the application of the Special Counsel act -- the Plame case, and the Russian interference case now under Mueller -- lack what the Court called a necessary predicate for such an investigation: a finding by the attorney general that there is reason to believe that a crime has occurred. That did not occur in the collusion investigation. In the Plame case, as I show, the major figures all knew there was no crime before they began the investigation. In the case of the Independent Counsel investigation of Whitewater, you may recall the prosecutor said that they had reason to believe Hillary Clinton had committed perjury before the grand jury, but as prosecutors should not indict unless they believe a conviction is likely and the case would be brought before an Arkansas jury who would never convict Bill Clintons wife, no indictment would be sought. Absent a dramatic shift in D.C. demography and political sentiment, you can be sure this would be the case should any special prosecutor find criminal wrongdoing by a prominent Democrat, especially Hillary Clinton. She has a ticket to ride (as she did when Comey absolved her of gross misuse of classified information). In contrast, any prominent Republican tried here already has a strike against him. My online friend Ignatz Ratzykywatzky now describes what we have: So Comey intentionally leaked his memo to cause Mueller to be appointed to investigate a plan by Putin to generate a fake scandal to fool dopes like Comey. Top. Men. But for the addition of a new player, GPS-Fusion, this case is remarkably similar in evolution and cast of characters to the Plame case. The genesis of the Mueller investigation was the recusal of Attorney General Sessions on the ground that he was too close to the subject of the investigation. It was on the same ground that former Attorney General John Ashcroft recused himself in the Plame leak case. In both cases the media incited recusal. On October 31, 2016 David Corn (who worked for the Nation during the Plame case and now for Mother Jones), wrote in Mother Jones A veteran spy [David Steele of GPS Fusion] has given the FBI information alleging a Russian operation to cultivate Donald Trump. GPS-Fusion is a smear-for-hire operation. Among the smears created by this outfit of which we are now aware were a number against Mitt Romney, including the tape of his remarks about Obama supporters secretly made at a donors meeting; the false claim that the videos of Planned Parenthood negotiating for the sale of fetus body parts was fake, and attacks on the credibility of Venezuelan dissidents who had charged Venezuelan officials with graft and money laundering. In addition, they were working to get Russian sanctions via the Magnitsky Act lifted, having been hired to do so by Natalia Veselnitskaya, the woman who tried to entrap Donald J. Trump. Prior to David Corns article, GPS met with a Mother Jones journalist according to Steele himself. And that journalist was most certainly the Democrats water bearer, David Corn. Steeles group had shopped the story around and on January 19, 2017 BuzzFeed published the GPS dossier. After BuzzFeed published Steeles dossier, individuals mentioned in the dossier sued Steele and Orbis Business Intelligence for defamation. In his defense, Steele blamed Fusion GPS for circulating his dossier among reporters without his permission. However, he admitted off-the-record briefings to a small number of journalists about the pre-election memoranda in late summer/autumn 2016. Steeles defense contended that in October 2016, Fusion GPS instructed him to brief a journalist from Mother Jones, as Daily Caller reporter Chuck Ross summarized. Despite Steele admitting that his dossier was never verified, and despite specific allegations in the dossier being disproven, Corn has continued to promote the dossiers thesis, recently publishing an article claiming that Donald Trump Jr.s Emails Sound Like the Steele Dossier. In his recent piece, Corn argued that Donald Trump Jrs meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya vindicates Steeles dossier: Trump and his supporters have denounced the Steele memos as unsubstantiated trash, with some Trump backers concocting various conspiracy theories about them. Indeed, key pieces of the information within the memos have been challenged. But the memos were meant to be working documents produced by Steele -- full of investigative leads and tips to follow -- not finished reports, vetted and confirmed. [snip] But that media firestorm, based on nothing but unverified information -- probably fed to GPS by the Russians -- from a smear for pay outfit caused Sessions to recuse himself. In the previous special counsel case Plame -- both Mueller, then head of the FBI, and Comey, then acting attorney general upon Ashcrofts recusal, were informed even before Patrick Fitzgerald was appointed that no one had deliberately outed her to punish her husband; that the information Novak published came from Richard Armitage, a Colin Powell underling and that it was absolutely inadvertent. And yet they used that to hamstring GW Bush and his administration and to convict Lewis Libby. That conviction is proving to be, as I argued at the time, a prosecution without a crime. Last year, Libby sought and received a reinstatement of his law license and an investigation was held, with counsel confirming his innocence: In the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Disciplinary Counsel's Report readmitting Libby, the Counsel noted that Libby had continued to assert his innocence. As a result, the Counsel had to "undertake a more complex evaluation of a Petition for reinstatement" than when a petitioner admits guilt. But the Counsel found that "Libby has presented credible evidence in support of his version of events and it appears that one key prosecution witnesses [sic], Judith Miller, has changed her recollection of the events in question." The reference to Judith Miller, a former New York Times reporter, involved her memoir, The Story, A Reporter's Journey. In the book, Miller said she read Plame's memoir and discovered that Plame's cover was at the State Department, a fact Miller said the prosecution had withheld from her. In rereading what she called her "elliptical" notes (meaning hard to decipher), she realized they were about Plame's cover, not her job at the CIA. She concluded that her testimony that Libby had told her Plame worked at the CIA was wrong. "Had I helped convict an innocent man?" she asked. Miller went on to note that John Rizzo, a former CIA general counsel, had said in his memoir that there was no evidence that the outing of Plame had caused any damage to CIA operations or agents, including Plame. That statement rebuts the prosecution's closing argument that as a result of the disclosure of Plame's identity, a CIA operative could be "arrested, tortured, or killed." Who paid for the GPS-Fusion smear job which was used to persuade Sessions to recuse himself and which led to the appointment of Mueller as special counsel? Well, thats a mystery the Democrats are doing everything to hide. Kimberley Strassel reports: What if, all this time, Washington and the media have had the Russia collusion story backward? What if it wasnt the Trump campaign playing footsie with the Vladimir Putin regime, but Democrats? The more we learn about Fusion, the more this seems a possibility. [snip] We know that at the exact time Fusion was working with the Russians, the firm had also hired a former British spy, Christopher Steele, to dig up dirt on Mr. Trump. Mr. Steele compiled his material, according to his memos, based on allegations from unnamed Kremlin insiders and other Russians. Many of the claims sound eerily similar to the sort of oppo Mr. Akhmetshin peddled. We know that Mr. [Glenn] Simpson is tight with Democrats. His current attorney, Joshua Levy, used to work in Congress as counsel to no less than Chuck Schumer. We know from a Grassley letter that Fusion has in the past sheltered its clients true identities by filtering money through law firms or shell companies (Bean LLC and Kernel LLC). Word is Mr. Simpson has made clear he will appear for a voluntary committee interview only if he is not specifically asked who hired him to dig dirt on Mr. Trump. Democrats are going to the mat for him over that demand. Those on the Judiciary Committee pointedly did not sign letters in which Mr. Grassley demanded that Fusion reveal who hired it. Heres a thought: What if it was the Democratic National Committee or Hillary Clintons campaign? What if that money flowed from a political entity on the left, to a private law firm, to Fusion, to a British spook, and then to Russian sources? Moreover, what if those Kremlin-tied sources already knew about this dirt-digging, tipped off by Mr. Akhmetshin? What if they specifically made up claims to dupe Mr. Steele, to trick him into writing this dossier? [snip] If the Russian intention was to sow chaos in the American political system, few things could have been more effective than that dossier, which ramped up an FBI investigation and sparked congressional probes and a special counsel, deeply wounding the president. This is all to Mr. Putins benefit, and the question is whether Russia engineered it. While the press has been promoting a ridiculous and ass backwards Russian collusion story, it has been sitting on a far bigger story: The likelihood that the Congressional Democrats financed and enabled the largest espionage ring in U.S. history. This story has been percolating on the internet for weeks with no mainstream media coverage. It got a tiny, misleading smattering of coverage this week when the FBI arrested Imran Awan, Debbie Wasserman-Schultzs internet employee, for trying to flee the country after transferring almost $300,000 dollars to Pakistan. Ignatz sums up the media U Turn: 1. The wsj, nyt and wapo now all agree what wasn't a crime didn't occur. 2. Because they all know what was a series of crimes by the Dems, did occur, so now it's time to move on to more important things... like not seeing Dems in handcuffs. The most detailed coverage of how the Awan brothers were hired, overpaid, and had access to all the Democrats communications and how Schultz protected Imran and kept him on her payroll even after the Capitol Police denied him and his three brothers further access to the Democrats computers was on the Daily Caller: Should the press decide its past time to sit around promoting GPS Fusion smears and do some work? 1. Who coordinated the hiring of the Awan brothers by dozens of Democratic Congressman? 2. Why were they so grossly overcompensated (millions of dollars) for no work? 3. Were they kicking back money to the Democrats, doing dirty work for them, or blackmailing them? 4. Why did Wasserman-Schultz keep the Capitol Police from searching her laptop they had confiscated from Imran Awan? 5. Why did Wasserman-Schultz keep him on her payroll after the Capitol Police further barred him and his brothers from accessing Congressional computers? 6. Why did the Iraqi fugitive and Hezb'allah supporter Dr. Ali-al Attar lend them $100,000? 7. Who is paying Chris Gowan, a Clinton insider, to represent Imran Awan? 8. Why did the Awan brothers continue to have security clearances when they had declared several bankruptcies and were engaged in financial misdealing? 9. Why were the Awans broke when they were making so much money and living so modestly? 10. Why did eight members of the House Permanent Select committee on Intelligence issue a letter demanding the Awans be granted access to Top Secret information? 11.Were the Awans working for Pakistani intelligence and the Moslem Brotherhood? 12. To whom were the Awans sending data to on an offsite server? Buckle your seatbelts. Draining the swamp is going to create a lot of waves. There was a report from Bloomberg of "audible gasps on the Senate floor" as John McCain voted NO on the Obama Care skinny repeal bill. Gasps, really? I would've gasped had he done anything different. McCain was simply, predictably, being McCain. This is the same McCain who continually tries to sabotage Donald Trump. This is the same McCain he's been for at least 25 years. McCain and friend, 2013 Consider a little history for context sake: The Arizona Senator and I first crossed paths during the 1992 Campaign between incumbent George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. McCain was emerging as a media darling during this time, putting his days in the Keating Five Savings and Loan Scandal behind him. The Keating Five? Oh, McCain and four Democrats, of course. Some things never change. Certainly not McCain. Meanwhile, Clinton's team of James Carville and George Stephanopoulos had put North Carolina squarely in the cross hairs as a must-win state in 92, and a series of odd events had landed me as Communications Director of NC Bush Quayle. Thus, as a small government pro-liberty Reagan conservative, I was in the service of a mushy moderate President who was determined to distance himself from Reagan, along with his rhetorically challenged VP. It was a root canal experience, let me tell you. Team Bush was struggling because they couldn't, or wouldn't, run clearly to the right of Clinton and expose the differences. When Ross Perot entered the race, he further muddied the waters because his agenda agreed with the conservative agenda about 75% of the time, yet he clearly despised Bush more than he wanted to defeat Clinton. Whatever Perot's motivations were, the result was that the 92 election was an ideological mess, and Bush was not a man who even understood that, let alone overcame it. To make things worse, enter John McCain, who was riding his war hero story, and a questionable passion for the pro-life position, into stardom on the right during this time. A big part of McCain's self-serving strategy was to ingratiate himself to the liberal media by trashing other Republicans, which he did often. So, paradoxically, he gained credibility on the right, by trashing the right, because he became the only man (ostensibly) on the right that the media liked, and we were desperate on the right to be liked by anyone in the media. Consider: talk radio was new and small, CNN was the only cable channel, and Andrew Breitbart was just starting to emerge from his "hippy dippy" liberal youth (his words). The Mainstream Media still ruled the roost, and McCain's message to them was that Bush "must stop being so extreme," as in so extremely conservative. The exact opposite was true. Bush wasn't nearly conservative enough, nor capable of articulating those views on which he was conservative. Clearly McCain knew this, wanted Bush to lose, and to climb the ladder in the vacuum a Bush loss would create. And the media was all too happy to help. I was forced to try and use whatever media influence in North Carolina I could muster to overcome McCain's message, which is why I remember it like yesterday. And yes, I fully understand that now, everybody on the planet is onto McCain's schtick. Most of that didn't really happen until at least 2000, and into 2008 and beyond. In 92 however, I was on a lonely planet. I even got into a heated dispute with the host on the G. Gordon Liddy Radio Show in early 1993 about this. Gordon was still drinking the McCain Kool Aid, as were all of his listeners. Now back to the future: everyone knows what's in the Kool Aid now. So here we are, with McCain shaking off the effects of cancer to cast a vote that ensures we probably wont get the same treatment he did. The John McCain who sabotaged the so called 'skinny repeal' vote over Obama Care, and who fought openly with Donald Trump months ago, is exactly the same John McCain he has always been. He not only trashes conservatives at every opportunity, he then takes credit for being this courageous "maverick," even as everybody knows that trashing conservatives to the media is the easiest, most gutless thing a person can do. Almost everything about McCain's carefully crafted image is a lie. It always has been. And now, in a somewhat cruel irony, McCain has access to massive amounts of Obama Care-exempted health care, while voting to make sure you and I remain trapped under this failed disaster. In other words, McCain is just being McCain. This is who he's always been. He "reached across the aisle" in the 1980's to enrich himself while the Savings and Loan scandal was bankrupting average Americans. He reached across the aisle in the 90's to help Bill Clinton. He reached across the aisle in 2005 and 06 in the name of comprehensive immigration reform. He reached across the aisle to help foist the corrupt Dodd-Frank bill on us. And on and on it goes. Now he's reaching across the aisle in service of a corrupt, lobbyist contrived and bureaucrat enforced abomination called ObamaCare. Of course he is. This is who John McCain is, and always has been. Edmund Wright is a contributor to Breitbart, American Thinker, Newsmax TV, and author of 2013 Amazon Best Selling Elections book, WTF? How Karl Rove and the Establishment LostAgain. We can understand when a socialist dictatorship like Venezuela disintegrates into chaos, but it is not much different than the ongoing coup against the constitutionally elected President Trump and his administration by political operatives of former President Barack Hussein Obama. Despite multiple investigations of alleged Russian collusion dating back to Trumps, shocking to liberals and progressives, election, the only crimes we know have been committed have been the leaking of classified information by Trump opponents, starting with the illegal unmasking of former National Security Adviser Gen. Michael Flynn. Flynn was an outspoken critic of President Obamas Middle East policy which included the betrayal of Iraq and the American lives lost there, which precipitated the rise of ISIS, whose rise Obama willfully ignored. Now we are learning the unprecedented scope of the illegal unmasking in intelligence reports of Team Trump members by unqualified members of the Obama administration for the political purpose of first derailing the election of President Trump and then the undermining of his administration. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes revealed in a letter to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats his concerns the Obama operatives had used national intelligence information for political purposes. As Fox News Politics and Catherine Herridge reports: House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., has questioned whether Obama officials improperly sought the names of Trump transition members in this way -- and, in the letter obtained by Fox News, Nunes provided new details about what his investigators have found. [T]his Committee has learned that one official, whose position has no apparent intelligence-related function, made hundreds of unmasking requests during the final year of the Obama Administration, he wrote to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats. Only one request, Nunes wrote, offered a justification that was not boilerplate and articulated why the identity was needed for official duties. Three of the nations intelligence agencies received subpoenas in May explicitly naming three top Obama administration officials: Former CIA director John Brennan, former national security adviser Susan Rice, and former U.N. ambassador Samantha Power. This is nothing less than an attempted coup, sedition against the government of the United States by official sworn to uphold the Constitution. The sheer volume of unmasking requests by people such as Samantha Power who have no legitimate reason to make such requests speaks volumes of their political purpose. As Nunes made clear in his letter, the political agenda behind these unmasking requests was quite clear: Explaining his concerns, Nunes said in the letter that Obama-era officials sought the identities of Trump transition officials within intelligence reports without offering any meaningful explanation as to why they needed or how they would use the information. The committee, Nunes wrote, is left with the impression that these officials may have used this information for improper purposes, including the possibility of leaking. He noted that some of the requests were followed by anonymous leaks of those names to the media. Sen. Tim Kaine has carelessly thrown out the word treason regarding charges of Team Trump collusion with the Russians, whom he and others claim is trying to subvert our democracy. It is clear that it was not the Russians, but Team Obama that was and still is trying to subvert our democracy. The breathtaking subversion and criminal activity that is involved here is only now becoming apparent: Herridge delivers the false patriotic denials of the ringleaders of the unmasking operation, with a Power spokesperson saying, Any actions she took were in the context of her National Security Council position advising president Obama and Power has been unambiguous about the need for Congressional Russia investigations. Not investigations into her own or her cabals connections, just the phony ones theyre trying to pin on the President. Herridge quotes a spokesliar for Rice who said, Unmasking was done for intelligence, not political purposes and noted that there was no immediate response from Brennan. Brennan called for a coup against President Trump earlier this week from the stage of a conference of globalist, deep state, anti-Trump establishment types in Aspen. It would appear the coup has been underway for quite awhile. Team Obamas protests that these unmasking were for national security purposes rings as hollow as many other claims from the Obama administration. Former U.N. ambassador and Obama National Security adviser Susan Rice, arguably the leader of the serial unmaskers, has made a career of lying for the Obama administration in covering up both its incompetence and its motives, starting with Benghazi. Obstruction of justice? How about President Obama secreting away in his presidential library for five years records regarding Susan Rices involvement in unmasking the names of Team Trump officials in intelligence reports? From Breitbart News: The National Security Council cannot hand over records relating to former National Security Adviser Susan Rices surveillance of Americans, because they have been moved to the Obama presidential library and may be sealed for as many as five years, conservative watchdog Judicial Watch announced Monday. The NSC informed Judicial Watch in a letter dated May 23 that materials related to Rices requests to know the identities of Americans swept up in surveillance of foreign targets, including any Trump campaign or transition officials, have been moved to the library. The NSCs Director of Access Management John Powers said in the letter: Documents from the Obama administration have been transferred to the Barack Obama Presidential Library. You may send your request to the Obama Library. However, you should be aware that under the Presidential Records Act, Presidential records remain closed to the public for five years after an administration has left office. Judicial Watch earlier this year filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for those documents, including of communications between Rice and any intelligence community member or agency regarding any Russian involvement in the 2016 elections, the hacking of Democratic National Committee computers, or any suspected communications between Russia and Trump officials. As much as Flynn has taken fire as being an architect of unspecified collusion with the Russians, Susan Rice has been like the iceberg that sank the Titanic -- barely visible above water but dangerous enough maybe to sink the Trump administrations ship of state. As reported by Circa News, Rice, while serving as Obamas National Security Adviser, requested the unmasking of the names of Team Trump officials mentioned in the so-called incidental surveillance of the Trump transition team: Computer logs that former President Obamas team left behind in the White House indicate his national security adviser Susan Rice accessed numerous intelligence reports during Obama's last seven months in office that contained National Security Agency intercepts involving Donald Trump and his associates, Circa has learned. Intelligence sources said the logs discovered by National Security Council staff suggested Rices interest in the NSA materials, some of which included unmasked Americans' identities, appeared to begin last July around the time Trump secured the GOP nomination and accelerated after Trumps election in November launched a transition that continued through January. The intelligence reports included some intercepts of Americans talking to foreigners and many more involving foreign leaders talking about the future president, his campaign associates or his transition, the sources said. Most if not all had nothing to do with the Russian election interference scandal, the sources said, speaking only on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the materials. Ordinarily, such references to Americans would be redacted or minimized by the NSA before being shared with outside intelligence sources, but in these cases names were sometimes unmasked at the request of Rice or the intelligence reports were specific enough that the Americans identity was easily ascertained, the sources said. Well, isnt that special? While Trumps pick for this sensitive post was under scrutiny Obamas adviser was doing opposition research which involved data mining classified intelligence reports. Rice requested the unmasking of names, something only three people, according to Circa, were authorized to do: Dozens of times in 2016, those intelligence reports identified Americans who were directly intercepted talking to foreign sources or were the subject of conversations between two or more monitored foreign figures. Sometimes the Americans names were officially unmasked; other times they were so specifically described in the reports that their identities were readily discernible. Among those cleared to request and consume unmasked NSA-based intelligence reports about U.S. citizens were Obamas national security adviser Susan Rice, his CIA Director John Brennan and then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch. If Susan Rice had worked for Richard Nixon, she could have been one of his Watergate plumbers, perhaps retiring as plumber emeritus. We are all familiar with Susan Rices tour of the Sunday talk shows after the Benghazi terrorist attack. That was no accident, but a calculated part of the Obama administrations disinformation campaign to protect President Obamas reelection chances and Secretary of State Hillary Clintons chances to be Obamas successor in the White House. But Susan Rice is only the poster child for the criminal Team Obama leakers. They are numerous as cockroaches. Now we find that not only did FBI Director James Comey leak classified information to the media, but so too, allegedly did the FBIs General Counsel, James A. Baker. As Circa News reports: FBI General Counsel James A. Baker is purportedly under a Department of Justice criminal investigation for allegedly leaking classified national security information to the media, according to multiple government officials close to the probe who spoke with Circa on the condition of anonymity Baker is a close confidant of former FBI Director James Comey, and recent media reports suggested he was reportedly advising the then-FBI director on legal matters following private meetings the former director had in February with President Trump in the Oval Office. Forget Watergate, Democrats. Compared to your own criminal enterprise, Watergate was indeed a third-rate burglary. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, you have a lot of work to do and a lot of people to prosecute for their crimes against the government and people of the United States. Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications. "You think that if you don't fight back then maybe they'll like you, stop picking on you, calling you a freak. Well, here's what it is. They don't like you. They don't dislike you. They're afraid of you. You're different. Sooner or later different scares people. Victim or not; make a decision." The Accountant, 2016 The above words are from the film, The Accountant, spoken by the father of the main character, a brilliant man who as a child was diagnosed with Asperger's, a high-functioning form of autism. The father is a career military man, a Colonel who, rather than treat the boy as disabled, trains him to confront his social demons and to deal with the world as it is. The boy is bullied at school, of course, and the quote launches a flashback to when the boy is about twelve. The father takes him and his younger brother to a meet where a group of other boys are planning to beat him, and gives the little speech at top before his son gets out of the car to confront the bullies. But the boy is prepared. His father has trained him well; the training has been brutal and effective. The fathers admonition perfectly describes President Trump's place in the DC establishment since winning the election. They don't like him. They are afraid of him. He's different and different scares them. He does not think like them, operate like them, or play by their rules. So they want to take him out. They are the bullies, our beltway politicos and the media. Trump is not afraid of bullies. The quote is also a prescription for and an explanation of how Trump is dealing with his place in that world. Somewhere along the way he learned, or someone trained him, to never be a victim. For many months, the Democrats have insisted Trump colluded with Russia to win the election. Everyone, including the Democrats, knows very well this is not true, that it was a tall tale invented by the Clinton campaign the night she lost the election. But because the Democrats and their handmaidens in the media assume the public is stupid, they thought they could pull it off. They have learned their lessons from Goebbels and Alinsky; it's all about selling the big lie. No one has been more dogged to that end than California congressman Adam Schiff. He continues to make a fool of himself slogging this false narrative. And now it is blowing up in the faces of the Democrat/media connivance to bring down a President they abhor. As the truth begins to break through the media blockade, the fact that it has been the Democrats all along who were colluding with the Russians is becoming quite clear to a wider public. The Democratic Party, the Clinton campaign, the FBI, our intelligence agencies under Obama, have all colluded to undermine and sabotage the new President. (Russia tries to intervene in elections all over the world to sow chaos.) They will not succeed as Trump long ago learned who to ignore and who to engage. He knows how not to be a casualty of orchestrated smear campaigns: fight back hard. When he fights back like the left, the left is stunned. How dare he behave as they do! As long as people like Charles Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Patty Murray, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, Keith Ellison, Luis Gutierrez, Al Franken, John McCain, Susan Collins, etc. keep getting elected, the country will continue to be drawn into the vortex of Marxist socialism and all that it entails (think Venezuela) and the scourge of single-payer health care which, of course, is not health care at all. It is ironic that the left keeps harping about Russia. For decades progressives revered and hoped to emulate the former USSR. Such is the blatant hypocrisy of the left. They, of course, would never submit to the indignities of anything less than concierge care, let alone Medicaid; they want to throw money at the middle class and the poor and not be bothered by their petty problems like the fact that they do not have access to actual care. The elitists in Congress only want to feel good about themselves. They rarely follow through and discover that their lobbyist-launched votes for or against any policy have been disastrous for "the people" for whom they care not at all. With the possible exception of Joe Manchin, it is impossible to name a single Democrat with an actual conscience regarding "the people." There are several Republicans: Mike Lee, Tom Cotton, Ted Cruz, Chuck Grassley, Louie Gohmert, and Trey Gowdy who are honest brokers, men who are of the actual world, not the pretend, insulated version of it. There are a few more but not nearly enough to buck the rest of them, the capitulators. The Founders would be ashamed. The loss of reverence for individual liberty and overall freedom and the left's love of statism are a betrayal of all they had achieved by 1789. The Democrats' disdain for the Constitution is heartbreaking. The vicious retribution of John McCain's tanking even the slightest, almost meaningless repeal of Obamacare is a personal revenge victory for him and a blight upon the nation. McCain revealed that his own character yields to his personal demons, not the country or the people who elected him. The very fictional life of The Accountants character is the stuff of all violent action films and has nothing whatever to do with Trump beyond the reaction to his presence in the midst of a closed community, Washington, DC. His own family was intact and he was trained to be a warrior in business, a survivor, not a virtual machine for physical self-defense. But the words of the film's warrior father ring true: The DC establishment, Democrat and Republican, does not like Trump. They are afraid of him because he is different and different scares them. President Trump's tweets announcing that he will order the military to reimpose a ban on so-called transsexual service members may please his political base, and also further galvanize political opposition on the left, but as a matter of policy, it is a muddle he might have best left alone. The problem is not that President Obama's lifting of the ban was a good thing, or that reimposing the ban is necessarily wrong. It's that transsexuals are hardly a serious problem for the military today, and legally, the situation regarding sex and sexual identity in the military is a morass. Good evidence of this was the ambivalent-sounding response to Trump's tweets by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announcing "no modifications to the current policy" pending further guidance from the secretary of defense. For his part, Defense Secretary James Mattis said much the same thing through a spokesperson, citing pending guidance from the White House, with some reports saying he was "appalled" by Trump's action. In other words, they will ignore the tweets for the time being, unless or until something concrete is delivered from the White House. The military has enough on its plate now without having to further embroil itself in another social controversy. It is true that Obama's action on transsexuals was playing politics with the military in the worst way, but he did, and in doing so, he encouraged some people to "come out," thus potentially exposing themselves to separation under Trump's new policy. Separating these people, if that's what it comes down to, will not go over well with many in the military, who prize loyalty, consistency, and honesty. Having told these people you are okay to come out, it will be hard to punish them, and the military likely will strive for some kind of amnesty. As far as allowing transgendered people to sign up, that policy had yet to be implemented, Mattis having wisely put it on hold. So a solution may be some form of amnesty for transsexuals already in uniform, with the ban applying to any recruitment of acknowledged transsexual service members. But a larger question is whether a transsexual recruitment ban can hold legal water, given the military's policies in other areas and by this, not just the lifting of the ban on service members sexually interested in members of the same sex, but the gender integration of the military in general. Whether one agreed with Obama's lifting of the ban on homosexual service members or not, the move was inevitable, and it would have been forced on the military through legal action eventually, despite executive prerogatives. The reason is that the underlying grounds for keeping out homosexual service members simply evaporated over the last few decades, so retaining the ban was in effect purely arbitrary. First, the risk of blackmail, traditionally a reasonable policy to bar homosexuals when homosexuality was a social and professional black mark, was long gone. But more to the point, the gender integration of the military removed arguments that physical attraction and sex in the military environment were intolerable. In fact, heterosexual relationships in the military have become a far greater headache for the command than homosexuality ever was. As a JAG officer thirty years ago, I participated in the administrative separation of a number of homosexual soldiers. All of the separated soldiers were competent, but one way or another, they ran afoul of the ban. Usually, it was through some indiscretion that revealed the soldier's orientation, followed by an admission, and then separation. In one case, a soldier propositioned a new lieutenant, a violation of rules against fraternization in addition to revealing homosexual orientation, but that was the worst of it. Compare this to the situation in today's military, where sex is fairly rampant at all levels, from private soldiers to generals, with scandals regularly roiling the services and that's just what we see on the surface. Add to this the problem of pregnancies. Homosexual trysts, especially those between men, tend to be relatively transactional and drama-free. That tends not to be the case with women involved, and especially not when you have multiple males competing for a lesser number of females. And homosexual encounters do not result in pregnancies. As of 2015, 16 percent of female sailors were reassigned from ship to shore duty, a remarkable attrition rate that costs the Navy over $100 million per year (and growing), at roughly the cost of $30,000 per deployed pregnant sailor (not counting the added cost of losing that sailor with all the expenses of her training should she decide to leave the service due to her condition). And this is just relationships that result in pregnancy. It doesn't take into account the friction of multiple sexual relationships aboard ship, or the secondary impacts of the pregnancies on the fathers (or putative fathers) left aboard ship, and so forth. By comparison, an old sea salt might long for the days when a few male sailors occasionally stole some time together in the boiler room. This leaves another big question hanging. The Obama administration also removed the last restrictions on women in direct ground combat, expanding to the utmost limits the possible interactions of men and women in the most critical, difficult, and sensitive of areas. But the Trump administration has done nothing about this and seems unwilling to take action. The first two female Navy special forces candidates, at least one of whom is going for the SEALs, are now in training. Given all this, potentially quite effective legal challenges to the transgender ban are in the offing. After all, at least as I understand things, a transgender person is extremely unlikely to get pregnant. A male presenting himself as a female will never be able to do it, and a female presenting herself as a male will essentially sterilize herself. Their probable statistical deployability is likely to exceed that of the average female service member when the overall risk of pregnancy is taken into account. On top of all this, the services are all pushing harder than ever to attract female recruits. It can be hard nowadays for a basically average white male (average ASVAB scores, high school record, and physical fitness) to get into the military. On the other hand, a potential female recruit with the same qualifications, especially a minority female candidate who demonstrates the least bit of interest in a military career, will have to swat away hovering recruiters as they compete for her enlistment contract. Expect the services to slow-walk Trump's tweets to bureaucratic oblivion, and any recruitment ban on transgender recruits to eventually fail a legal test. Bob Jagers is quite a celebrity in our area and member of our parish. He is a very nice man and wonderful storyteller. He visits the local schools, and you can hear a pin drop when he speaks to youngsters learning about D-Day in their history classes. The kids love him and call him back over and over. To say the least, Mr. Jagers has quite a story to tell. This weekend, Beatriz and I spent an evening celebrating Bob's 95th birthday. It's always a treat to celebrate anyone's 90-plus birthday, especially a man who can speak personally about the gunfire and sounds of D-Day 1944. Bob was not among those who landed, but he did spend time at sea supporting the invasion. A few years ago, Bob published his story in a book called Whales of World War II: I was born in 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, and later moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. I graduated high school in Grand Rapids. I went to two years of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids before entering the war. I enlisted in the Navy in April of 1942. But they permitted me to finish my term. In June of 1942 I was sent to Great Lakes naval training center, for my boot camp. After boot camp, I went to quatermaster signaling school . Upon completion, we were asked what kind of ship we wanted to be on, and I said I wanted to be on a submarine. They interviewed me and gave me some exhaustive tests for submarine duty, and they said I was number 21. The next complement of sub sailors needed was of 20. If any of the previous 20 were rejected, or refused to go for some reason, then I would be selected. Looking back 50 years, I was quite fortunate in that all 20 of them were selected. The next thing I knew I was on a train for amphibious training at Solomons Maryland. I spent several months there, went aboard a training vessel, a LST training vessel on the Chesapeake Bay. While aboard this training vessel, we had some cases of spinal meningitis. Since we were out in the bay, and spinal meningitis is very contagious, they sent one man that was ill ashore in what we called a small boat or a LCBD. As we were out in the bay, they discovered a second sailor that was ill, so they put him in a second LCBD and took him to the hospital. Well on the small boat, it required an officer, a signalman, plus the small boat crew. So we went aboard and I was the signalman. This is wartime so there were no lights, you have to feel your way and it was midnight or dark. And our officer said, "well I wanna take a shortcut". Instead of heading along the shore and going back to Solomons, he took a shortcut, but we got lost. We ended up into a tributary of the Patuxen, at a farmer's dock, and we went to the farmer' house, and we found that we were close to the Patuxen naval air base. So they called the air base and they sent an ambulance and the sick patient plus the officer went in the ambulance. The boat crew and ourselves had the ship for ourselves. Well we followed the river up to the naval base. We spent the night at the naval base, had breakfast, and returned to our ship. Aboard this training vessel, we had some powdered milk, and the powdered milk was about the size of a coffee can. Later on, when we received our own ship, we had to sail to New York, and we were given a list of things of things we had to order, and on this list was ten cans of powdered milk. The storekeeper thought that ten cans of powdered milk would not be enough, so he changed the manifest to read one hundred cans. When the cans came they were huge, like a thousand pounds instead of ten pounds. So two years later when we decommissioned that ship, we still had some of that original powdered milk. We put that powdered milk in every available place we could find. It was down in the engine room, it was down in the flag locker which was part of my responsibility, that was rather an unusual story. We sailed from New York to Bermuda, where we gathered a convoy to sail towards North Africa. It took us 36 days to go from New York to Bermuda to North Africa. An LST is the slowest ship in the convoy. It travels maybe four or five knots, about six miles an hour. Not only do you travel from Bermuda to North Africa, but you have to zig zag. So I'm sure that the destroyers and destroyer escorts that were accompanying us really didn't like to see the LST's come along because the convoy moved very slowly. We went to the straits of Gibraltar, landed at the naval base of Oran. Australian counterterrorism authorities raided five properties outside of Sydney and arrested 4 men in connection with a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane. The foiled plot was a significant departure from previous counterterrorism arrests in Australia, all of which involved low tech, "lone wolf" attacks. Sydney Morning Herald: In a significant departure from the low-tech lone actor attacks that Islamic State has inspired in Australia, the group of mostly middle-aged men were allegedly working on an "elaborate" plot to build an improvised explosive device that could take down a plane. Bomb squad officers were among dozens of police who raided five properties across Sydney on Saturday evening, smashing their way through glass doors and brick walls and arresting four men. Fairfax Media understands a homemade bomb was allegedly found in a Surry Hills terrace, possibly to be planted on a commercial flight to the Middle East. The operation has forced authorities to implement emergency security arrangements at all major Australian airports. In Sydney, enhanced security was enacted on Thursday when police received an indication of a possible threat. The measures, including extra screening and additional checks of cabin and checked baggage, are expected to lead to longer queues and check-in times at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, Gold Coast and Hobart airports. "We have taken this threat very seriously," Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said on Sunday. "You should infer we think this was credible and there was an intention and quite possibly a capability as well." Khaled Merhi, Abdul Merhi, Khaled Khayat and Mahmoud Khayat were arrested at a terrace in Surry Hills and units in Renown Avenue and Victoria Road, Punchbowl, and Sproule Street, Lakemba, respectively. They have family links to each other and links to previous plots and established networks. Investigators believe that, based on the degree of sophistication of the plot, the group may have had some overseas direction. Police successfully applied in court on Sunday to extend their interrogation for 24 hours. There are few terrorist groups capable of "overseas direction" and that includes ISIS. This should come as no surprise to Australian authorities as ISIS presence has been growing in Asia and the Pacific for the last year. Several attacks have taken place in the Philippines and Indonesia in recent months and Australian authorities fear that some of the more than 100 Islamists who fought for ISIS in the Middle East could return to wreak havoc. The men arrested yesterday were known to authorities. Unlike the French and some other countries, the Australian government appears to have kept close tabs on them, moving in after receiving intel that a plot was imminent. It's understood an operation was being planned last week but police were forced to bring it forward drastically following information from an overseas agency. "[We] agreed last night was the right time to go," NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said. "The reality with terrorism is that you can't wait. You can't wait till you put the whole puzzle together... In this case, we risk assess regularly, hourly sometimes, around the clock." From the way authorities are describing the plot, we can expect more arrests - possibly airport employees and certainly other confederates who assisted in getting bomb parts and finance. This was no fly by night operation. And others in the neighborhood may be implicated. Neighbours at three of the five homes said they had seen men in religious robes coming and going in recent weeks. A Surry Hills resident, Debbie, said she saw a group of men loitering in the street at 6am recently. They came out of Redfern Mosque and walked into the Cleveland Street home that was raided. On Sproule Street, a resident said he had often see people in religious gear coming and going from the unit. One night recently he saw about 10 men arrive at the unit. A wake up call for the Australian government and people. They have a far more serious Islamist problem than they previously thought. The virus of racial hate-mongering has spread to London, as rioters carrying black lives matter placards created chaos following the death of a suspect held in custody by the police. The BBC reports: Fireworks and bottles were hurled at riot police as a protest following the death of a black man turned violent. Rashan Charles, 20, died after being apprehended by police in Dalston, east London, on 22 July. Earlier, a peaceful protest took place at Stoke Newington police station which Scotland Yard said was separate. Angry clashes broke out on Friday evening after protesters blocked part of Kingsland Road and set mattresses alight. Some of the protestors carried Black Lives Matter placards. (snip) At one point protesters, some wearing masks, jumped on to a lorry and clung to the wing mirrors as it drove through the barricade. Breitbart linked to a tweet with video of this terror-like (Nice, Berlin Christmas Market) attack: A lorry drove through a barricade made by protesters angry at the death of Rashan Charles amid violent scenes in east London pic.twitter.com/OR9QtP92XY Press Association (@PA) July 29, 2017 There was even more violence. with police tweeting, "Officers have been subjected to abuse and violence. Whatever the frustrations, this is patently not what the family of Rashan Charles wanted." This is the scene on Kingsland Road where gangs of masked youth are attacking the police with bottles pic.twitter.com/g5caH4zQDM Spectrum SINO Radio (@SINOinUK) July 28, 2017 Right now in Dalston pic.twitter.com/SKbCeCOSXO Max Lee (@m8xyl) July 28, 2017 The enemies of Western democracy long ago discovered that aggravating racial tensions is one of the best ways of hobbling the performance of economies and societies based on personal autonomy and achievement. Policing offers opportunities on a regular basis to claim systematic oppression wherever demographic segments of the population differ in their level of adaptation to the demands of a free economy. In earlier ages, disease traveled from continent to continent on ships. Then came airplanes, and the spread of diseases like chicken flu into global epidemics. With electronic mass media, however, the virus of hate can be transmitted instantaneously. But somebody went to the trouble of printing up Black Lives Matter placards: I wonder who? Whatever his personal faults, New York Senator Charles Schumer is not stupid. He used to post his diploma from Harvard University on his US Senate website, until I mocked him on these pages and it went into the memory hole. His entire manner of speaking is premised on the assumption that he knows more than the listener, and has flavor notes of a sneer in the finish. So when the distinguished senior senator from the State of New York lectures on the founders and the Constitution they bequeathed us, you might expect that he brings at least some facts to his presentation. You would be wrong. In a speech on the floor of The Worlds Greatest Deliberative Body, Schumer claimed that Our Founding Fathers Intended for Congress to Improve Our Healthcare System. This is nonsense on a stick. Our Republic was founded on the notion of limited government. There is nothing in the Constitution, nothing in The Federalist Papers, and nothing in the historical record of the Constitutional debate indicating that the federal government was contemplated as having a role in improving health care. He who controls the past also controls the future. Making crap up on the floor of the Senate will fool the Democrat products of public education, but it is a naked propaganda lie. Hidden in all the late-breaking political hoopla Friday afternoon, when the media was in another Trump feeding frenzy over White House musical chairs, was an announcement by the F-35 Joint Program Office that a $3.69-billion contract for the F-35 Lightning had officially been awarded to Lockheed-Martin for its 5th-generation fighter. Interestingly, around two thirds of that order went to foreign buyers: Most of the money, $2.2 billion, goes to buy one British F-35B, one ItalianF-35A, eight Australian F-35As, eight Dutch F-35As, four Turkish F-35As, six Norwegian F-35As aircraft, and 22 F-35As for Foreign Military Sales customers. I say interestingly, because when I wrote a piece a few weeks ago about how my own assessment of this aircraft was changing after reading how awed pilots are who actually have flown the plane in simulated air combat against ground anti-aircraft defenses and aggressor air forces, a few obviously knowledgeable commenters expressed some doubt that the foreign buyers would come through on their agreed upon acquisitions. Those purchases, they correctly noted, were going to be needed to drive down the overall unit cost of the F-35, which, in excess of $100 million per copy, has been the primary criticism of the aircraft. If the numbers published by Breaking Defense are correct, then it looks as if the foreign purchasers are getting their birds for less than $50 million a copy. Of course, that $2.2 billion could represent partial payment. It also includes no Israeli aircraft, and that country has said it alone will purchase fifty F-35s in their various iterations, with other countries saying they'll order almost twice that number if the price comes down. Whatever. It's a good sign for the American taxpayer that plenty of foreign governments are buying in on the Lightning. For a complete account on planned total purchases by country, go here: Look Who's Buying Lockheed Martin's F-35 Now. Fusion GPS, the political opposition research group at the center of the media's Trump-colluded-with-the-Russians "narrative" has been abnormally cozy with the mainstream media organs it's used in its disinformation and smear operations. Now, they're protecting them. Daily Caller reports that these very same press creatures who worked with Fusion GPS to spread the false stories about Trump, have gotten curiously silent about the firm's role in the widening web of scandal about the firm's actual role in colluding with the Russians. They include CNN, the Washington Post and the New York Times, none of which have reported a word about the new revelations showing that Fusion GPS took money from the Russians to undercut President Trump. Fusion GPS apparently took money from anyone. They not only cooked up the infamous phony "golden showers" dossier about President Trump, not a word of which was true, though some media outlets reported it that way, they also engineered the Russian meetings with President Trump's son, Donald Trump, Jr., and two other associates inside the Trump Tower, as a means of making it appear that Trump was in bed with the Russians all along. In testimony last Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committe, hedge fund manager William Browder said they were up to their eyeballs working with the most nefarious elements of the Russian government/oligarchy. Daily Caller writes: At the same time that Fusion GPS was crafting the dossier allegedly exposing the Trump campaigns collusion with the Russian government, they were also working to advance Russian interests, according to Browders testimony. Browder told the committee that Natalia Veselnitskaya, the same Russian lawyer who met with Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort at Trump Tower during the campaign, hired Glenn Simpson of the firm Fusion GPS to conduct a smear campaign against me and Sergei Magnitsky in advance of congressional hearings on the Global Magnitsky Act. The law is named for Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who represented Browder before Russian authorities jailed and killed him after he exposed a massive fraud scheme. Who among the mainstream media organs has been more persistently, consistently, insistently anti-Trump than the New York Times, the Washington Post and CNN? they are praising themselves like crazy as hard-hitting reporters who are finally doing 'real journalism' with the advent of the Trump administration, given their sorry past as media lapdogs during the previous one. But it doesn't hold water with these revelations. Apparently, they were just string puppets for Fusion GPS and its media manipulators. They got their fake scoops, they ran with them, they did what Fusion GPS wanted, and Fusion GPS took its payments from its clients. Is this media corruption or what? What's the deal with all the silence from the mainstream press, these colluding outfits in particular, now that the truth is coming out? Hackers competing in a contest at a Las Vegas convention breached the security of several voting machines, pointing to glaring deficiencies in the security of US elections. The Hill: Tech minds at the annual "DEF CON" in Las Vegas were given physical voting machines and remote access, with the instructions of gaining access to the software. According to a Register report, within minutes, hackers exposed glaring physical and software vulnerabilities across multiple U.S. voting machine companies' products. Some devices were found to have physical ports that could be used to attach devices containing malicious software. Others had insecure Wi-Fi connections, or were running outdated software with security vulnerabilities like Windows XP. The Register reported that the challenge was designed by Jake Braun, the Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Global Advisors and Managing Director of Cambridge Global Capital. Without question, our voting systems are weak and susceptible. Thanks to the contributions of the hacker community today, we've uncovered even more about exactly how, Braun said. The scary thing is we also know that our foreign adversaries including Russia, North Korea, Iran possess the capabilities to hack them too, in the process undermining principles of democracy and threatening our national security. The machines were bought on Ebay, and were manufactured by major U.S. voting machine companies such as Diebold Nixorf, Sequoia Voting Systems, and Winvote. Was this a true test of voting machine security? Unknown. "Remote access" could mean several things and may not faithfully represent the kind of cyber security used by states to safeguard voting machines. Also, this is not news to people who have been warning about the security of our voting machines for years. But no hacker has yet demonstrated they can access actual machines being used to tabulate real votes. That's still not totally comforting considering what's at stake. During the 2016 election, Homeland Security offered their help to states to secure their networks. Most states took them up on it. At that time, it was believed that several voter registration lists had been hacked, not the machines themselves. But the apparent ease with which hackers broke into the machines should be a wake up call to states to better secure the vote. An illegal alien accused of raping two women in Oregon was deported at least 13 times since 2008 according to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. ICE also says that the alien was the subject of a detainer when he was arrested last December on unrelated charges. Since Oregpmn authorities follow sanctuary policies, he was released before ICE could take custody of him. Daily Caller: Sergio Jose Martinez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, had been deported at least 13 times since 2008, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson Virginia Kice confirmed to Portlands KATU2. Martinez, 31, was also the subject of an ICE detainer request placed Dec. 7, 2016 with the Multnomah County Jail, where he was being held on local charges. Because Oregon law prohibits police from using agency resources to enforce immigration law, jail officials released Martinez the following day without notifying ICE. ICE last encountered Mr. Martinez Dec. 7, 2016, at the Multnomah County Jail and lodged an immigration detainer against him at that time requesting that the agency be notified prior to his release, Kice said in a statement. However, despite the detainer, local authorities released Mr. Martinez back into the community the following day without providing any notification to ICE. Martinez is accused of two separate attacks against women in Portland on Monday, reports local CBS affiliate KOIN. Police say Martinez first broke into the apartment of a 65-year-old woman, bound her hands and feet with scarves, and proceeded to sexually assault her. Later that day, he confronted a woman in a parking garage with a knife and threatened to kill her. Police suspect that Martinez was attempting to kidnap the woman as she left work. As KOIN reports, Martinez has a lengthy criminal history in Oregon and California. He has been arrested at least 20 times for offenses ranging from burglary and drug possession to auto theft and hit and run, according to police records. Along with local charges, Martinez has been deported back to Mexico on several occasions, most recently on Nov. 2, 2016. Oregon has for many years been one of the nations most restrictive states when it comes to allowing local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. A 1986 law prevents police from using any resources to arrest or detain people whose only violation of law is that they are persons of foreign citizenship present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. The Oregon legislature passed a law in late June that expands that prohibition to all public bodies within the state. Do Oregon residents realize their political leaders have made them sitting ducks? This is another brutal crime that didn't have to happen and is a direct result of policies that put politics above public safety. More to the point, the crimes committed by this illegal alien need not have happened if there was a law that covered people who repeatedly violate American soveriegnty and cross the border illegally. At what point do we jail illegals for this kind of serial law breaking? The Trump administration is at war with these sanctuary cities and states, looking to cut off some funding to punish them for their defiance. It's an issue that will almost certainly end up before the Supreme Court. Until that happens, innocent people will suffer and die unnecessarily because some politicians see an advantage to pandering to the Hispanic community. Their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities is not about money, or "compassion." It's about politics. And it's time for the practice to come to an end. Charles Krauthammer has been going after President Trump consistently of late, almost as if it were back in the days of the primary contests of 2016 when Trump cant win. The following excerpt is from his Sessions Lessons op-ed in the Washington Post, and seems to indicate that the good doctor must be living in a cave: "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." The Obama Administration and FBI started an investigation and started spying on Trump in July 2016 either based on nothing or a fake dossier. The Obama administration illegally unmasked a large number of people, none of whom seemed to be Democrats. The Obama administration illegally spied for years. Democrats and a special counsel are threatening to impeach Trump for no actual crime. The Justice Department and Democrat Attorneys General throughout the U.S have threatened to jail adversaries on climate change for no actual crimes. Obama clearly had IRS target political opponents to shut them up And now Dr. Krauthammer acts like Obama never criminalized politics and Trump did, because he said negative things about Sessions. Where has Trump threatened criminal action for someone who just disagrees with him? I would ask Dr. K: Where did Trump threaten to criminalize anything Sessions did? In Saint Charles County, Missouri, near Weldon Spring, adjacent to Highway 40, lies an enormous mound of rocks, rising out of the ground like an ancient burial tomb. Underneath it lies tons of hazardous waste produced by a chemical plant that once stood in its place. Today, Weldon Spring draws thousands of curious visitors each year. They climb to the top of the 75-foot tall dome to read the placards that tell the story of the sad history of communities that disappeared in 1940 to make way for the worlds largest explosives factory. Between 1940 and 1941, the US Army purchased over 17,000 acres of land in Saint Charles County, just outside of St. Louis On those land happened to sit three pretty towns with rolling wooded hills - Hamburg, Howell, and Toonerville. They were immediately evacuated. Hundreds of homes, businesses, churches, schools and any other buildings in the area were either demolished or burned and within a few months the three towns ceased to exist. A massive factory was erected to manufacture TNT and DNT in order to supply Allied troops in the Word War II. The Weldon Spring Ordnance Works, operated by Atlas Powder Company, employed more than 5,000 people and contained more than 1,000 buildings. By the time the plant ceased production on Aug. 15, 1945, the day the Japanese surrendered, it had produced more than 700 million pounds of TNT. Photo credit After the war the Army began selling off pieces of the land. The State of Missouri acquired 7,000 acres, while the University of Missouri bought another 8,000 acres, which was later sold to the Conservation Department. These pieces of property are today the Busch Memorial Conservation Area and the Weldon Spring Conservation Area. A small patch of land about 2,000 acres - was retained by the United States Atomic Energy Commission. It was there the Commission built a uranium ore processing plant in 1955. The Weldon Spring Uranium Feed Mill Plant, operated by Mallinckrodt Chemical Works of St. Louis, processed raw uranium ore into yellow cake, or concentrated ore which was shipped to other sites. The processing plant operated until 1966. During the Vietnam War the Army planned to use part of the old uranium processing facilities to produce Agent Orange, a herbicide used to defoliate jungle during the war. The Army later abandoned the plan without ever producing the chemical at Weldon Spring. The site sat abandoned for more than 20 years, but still contained contaminated equipment and hazardous chemicals. Waste lagoons were filled with thousands of gallons of water contaminated with radioactive wastes and heavy industrial metals. Beginning in the 1980's, the U.S. Department of Energy began extensive decontamination of the area, eventually building a gigantic waste disposal cell to entomb the waste materials. The official name of this site is the Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project (WSSRAP). Completed in 2001, the mountainous structure covers 45 acres and stores 1.5 million cubic yards of hazardous material. Stairs lead up to the top of the cell where there is a viewing platform and plaques that provide information about the local area, the history of the site, and the construction of the waste disposal cell. Visitors can also visit the 9,000-square-foot interpretive center housed in a building at the base of the cell that was once used to check workers for radioactivity. Incidentally, the top of the Weldon Spring waste disposal cell is the highest point in St. Charles County. There is a similar nuclear waste dome in on Enewetak Atoll Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Photo credit Satellite view of Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project (WSSRAP) Sources: Ruralmissouri, Vice, Wikipedia MOSCOW - President Xi Jinping said he hopes the Chinese army to deepen exchanges with armies of other countries to advance global military cooperation and further contribute to world peace. International military cooperation boosts strategic mutual trust as well as global and regional peace and stability, Xi said in a congratulatory video sent to the Russia-initiated International Army Games 2017 as it convenes here Saturday. Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), sent his greetings to attendees on behalf of the Chinese government and the CMC in the video. The International Army Games 2017, which runs through August 12th, comprises of 28 events held in Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Entertainment / Celebrity by Staff reporter After spending over a decade south of the Limpopo trying to carve out an acting career, former Studio 263 leading lady Anne Nhira has finally returned home.Local audiences who have been starved of the sight of a talent that was at one point thought to be the brightest on the Zimbabwean small screen, will have a chance to catch another glimpse of Nhira who returned from her South African base to lend her star power to a local production.Nhira will star in Cook Off, a film that has been in production for the last few weeks.News of the film's production will be music to the ears of fans of popular television series Battle of the Chefs, as the man at the helm of the production is that show's director, Thomas Brickhill.The film will also mark a breakthrough for Joe Njagu, the man who also contributed to last year's blockbuster film Escape.This will be the young filmmakers' debut as a frontline producer.While many will be happy to see such a powerful team behind the scenes, it is Nhira's return to local screens that will excite Zimbabwean film lovers."So I have been quietly shooting a movie called Cook Off in Harare, Zimbabwe for the past couple of weeks. A cool role as one of the judges, very mean judge so to say .I enjoyed every playing the role definitely," she posted on Facebook this week.Besides running her own business, Ann Studios International, and a role as a quality assurance and risk manager with one of the top SA wellness companies, she has also featured in a number of South African productions among them The Rapist in 2012 while in 2014 she also had a role in Zabalaza.She also recently featured in a TV drama called Mutual Friends. Entertainment / Music by Simbarashe Sithole Shungers talent promotion concert, headlined by prominent Zim Dance hall artists Crystal and Silent killer in a bid to promote upcoming artists in Mvurwi Mashonaland Central on Saturday night, was marred by hooliganism.Drunk people stormed the stage as Crystal was performing on stage. People began exchanging blows and throwing empty cans, forcing Crystal to stop playing. The music promoter, (Shungers) also known as Shingi Run'anga, together with his musicians also decided to leave.Local artists included the youngest Zim Dancehall star Ras Jarinhi (9), King Naplton Lady Dee and Whistler.According to the Master of Ceremony, John Ndaele (Jalontso) said that Silent Killer, aka Mikairi Ngirozi Yehondo, did not perform due to the violence.He said: "Silent Killer could not perform because of the mayhem though he took drugs but you know these guys perform better when they are taken high."Bulawayo24.com was informed that he was scheduled to perform before Crystal. News / National by Richard Chidza Former Cabinet minister Christopher Mutsvangwa has dismissed charges by President Robert Mugabe that he is being sent by securocrats to campaign for his ouster as cracks between the ageing ruler and his once trusted generals continues to widen.Mugabe last Thursday told a Zanu-PF women's league rally that some military commanders were now in a hurry to see him exit State House, in what was seen as a direct attack on Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Constantino Chiwenga.Chiwenga has of late been entangling himself in Zanu-PF succession wars, fighting in the corner of a faction linked to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa against another one known as G40.Mugabe complained that the meddling by the military could be tantamount to a coup. He singled out Mutsvangwa, who is also the Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association chairman, as a proxy for those trying to push him out of power.Last year war veterans fell out with Mugabe spectacularly after the former fighters told the 93-year-old ruler that it was time he handed over the baton to Mnangagwa.Mutsvangwa was fired from his Cabinet post and was suspended from Zanu-PF.His group of former fighters continues to take pot shots at Mugabe, but the former war veterans minister insisted in an interview that he was his own man."That accusation [that he is being sent by Mnangagwa backers] has no basis in neither fiction nor fact," he said."If I could be my own man just after second year at the University of Rhodesia's law faculty lecture room in 1975 to go and join Chimurenga, I can still be my own man today."If I could withstand battlefield combat against Rhodesia's standard army and all other hardships, it means I have my own resolve of mind and body."That accusation from a revered revolutionary icon should instead be directed at [Higher Education minister] Jonathan Moyo, a wartime deserter turned traitor, turned spy and lately thief of Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund [Zimdef] funds."In 1994 President Mugabe fired me as ZBC chief executive officer."In 2007 I flatly declined his ambassador post to Germany and in 2015 I asked him for the privilege to fire me as minister, all to show that I am my own man".Chiwenga recently launched a scathing attack on Moyo, saying the minister had become a security threat for criticising the command agriculture programme that is being spearheaded by Mnangagwa.At a rally in Masvingo, Mugabe expressed surprise at the army commander's remarks but the Thursday salvo at the generals was more direct and analysts said it showed the president's frustration over the securocrats' deep involvement in Zanu-PF infighting.Besides Moyo, other government ministers have also been publicly expressing fears of an army takeover.Harare Metropolitan province minister Mirriam Chikukwa told Zanu-PF supporters that Mugabe "was installed by God and nobody can remove him. Not even a gun."Zanu women's league secretary for external affairs, Tabitha Kanengoni-Malinga chanted "down with the spirit of a coup" during the Thursday meeting addressed by Mugabe.University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer Eldred Masunungure said Mugabe's utterances showed that he feared he was losing control of his own succession, with securocrats now openly on Mnangagwa's side."He is concerned that the faction he prefers, in this case the G40 group, is losing out because of lack of support from the military," he said."Over the years Mugabe has allowed the securocrats to make pronouncements that were patently partisan as long as they supported his position."He has always been selfish and now realises that the army is supporting a rival faction and for selfish vested interests wants them off the succession debate."Masunungure said Mugabe's charge that "the gun must not lead politics" was insincere since he has relied on the military to hang on to power."In Zanu-PF, the gun and politics have always been equal partners and depending on the configuration of the time, one props up the other," he said."It is a different ball-game now and Mugabe is being opportunistic as always."The military is no longer doing his bidding and Mugabe is crying foul."Maxwell Saungweme, a political analyst, concurred, saying Mugabe should admit that he has been beaten at his own game."He is just making noise. He is no longer in charge but the military is in control," he said."He forgets that in 2008 he lost to [MDC-T leader Morgan] Tsvangirai and the military did what they did to keep him in power."His rantings are driven by people such as his wife [Grace] who are taking advantage of his advanced age for their political gains. Those rantings are a clear outcome of him being arm-twisted by his wife."Given the embeddedness of the military in our politics, his rantings can trigger adverse action against the country's peace and stability and drive us close to a civil war as Zanu-PF rips itself apart."Respected academic Ibbo Mandaza said Chiwenga must be worried about Mugabe's outburst, which could mean his days in the army were numbered."He has had enough of the military and Chiwenga in particular should be scared," he said. "He has been making a lot of political pronouncements; if I were him, I would watch it and take Mugabe's rantings seriously."It cannot be business as usual. Mugabe is making his position clear."Meanwhile, former Finance minister Tendai Biti said the statements were an indication that Mugabe had decided on his preferred successor and now wanted to clear the path for a smooth transfer of power."He is trying to provoke a certain section of the security services that supports him," the opposition People's Democratic Party leader said."Mugabe and his wife have chosen a successor in the confines of their bedroom but now the military is opposing it."They are aware that the military has been kow-towing with Mnangagwa."Biti said Mugabe has created a monster by rejecting calls by the opposition to introduce security sector reforms that could have forced soldiers to confine themselves to the barracks."This is a militarised state and Mugabe is just the civilian lipstick of a securocratic regime," he added."Mugabe has resisted calls for reform but we will continue (with the calls). The Constitution says the army should be apolitical and remain in the barracks only to work for the security of all citizens and defence of the country."This military, however, is captured, it is politicised and Mugabe must learn to live with his creature."MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said Mugabe's fears of a coup were real because the military had become embedded in Zanu-PF politics."Mugabe is damn worried about the prospect of a military coup against his regime," he said."He realises that the military is now deeply involved in the Zanu-PF factional fights and he appreciates that this could be a recipe for a deadly civil war."But then, it is Mugabe himself who is responsible for politicising the military."The chickens are coming home to roost. It's his skunk. He must skin it."Political analyst Shakesphere Humauswa said there was nothing new about what the generals were doing as everything in Zimbabwe had become militarised.Ahead of the controversial 2008 presidential election run-off election, generals declared that they would not salute Tsvangirai if he beat Mugabe in the polls.Securocrats have made a number of political pronouncements since then and the president has never, until now, censured them. If youre considering a subscription to the Disney Plus streaming service, you may be wondering how much it costs. The service is available on both News / National by Stephan Jakes A Zanu PF activist in President Robert Mugabe's area Zvimba West Ward 9 is reportedly intimidating and threatening villagers with violence and ordering them to repent and join the ruling party as soon as possible.Heal Zimbabwe reported that on Wednesday 19 July 2017, Councillor John Chinake and Ward Chairman Reason Alfas, both from Zanu-PF, intimidated community members ordering them to "repent" and join Zanu PF or risk being beaten in the upcoming elections."Chinake went further to threaten that all known opposition supporters will be evicted from the area before the voter registration process begins. This took place during a Zanu PF restructuring meeting conducted at Chirau Hall in the ward," HZT said. Derek Whitener, whose brain was damaged in the savage January beating in the parking lot of a Dallas Target, couldnt move or speak or recognize anyone. But, he says, his brain was busy thinking about how to direct certain parts of Pippen, which opened last week. As he struggled to heal enough to leave the hospital, he thought about Pippins troubled journey as he searches for meaning and purpose. News / National by Stephan Jakes Bulawayo Vendors Trust have expressed discontentment with the proposal of 150% customs duty to be imposed on imported vehicles made by speaker of the national house of assembly Jacob Mudednda questioning as to who will benefit from such a move."Jacob Mudenda (Speaker of the National Assembly) has recommended that Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) should charge 150% customs duty on second hand car vehicles.He also stipulated that like Rwanda, the informal sector must be incorporated into the mainstream economy as he suspects that it possesses $5 Billion.This will greatly affect the informal business sector which is ran by Small or Medium enterprises (still growing and finding balance in the industry), which gain little or no income at all," the trust said through a statement."Questions like, who will benefit? Who will lose then arise. Who will benefit largely from this 150% customs duty imposed on informal traders? Is it the economy, the Government or the informal sector itself? The government is trying to promote the local market. However, question is, are the vehicles sold in Zimbabwe affordable to everyone, both the elite and those from the grass root level, taking into consideration the price at which the cars are sold?"The trust also said the government should ensure that the demand and supply of goods is adequate to accommodate everyone so as to avoid having people importing second hand cars from outside the country."One measure that can be practiced in Zimbabwe is to that which is effectively used in South Africa. South Africa possesses no ex-Japanese cars because of the terms and conditions that are offered by companies that assembly cars. High taxes cannot be charged to an exorbitant economy, such high taxes should be charged or used in countries which have a flourishing industry," said the trust."Mudenda talks from a privilege position, he gets free fuel, free cars, that are imported from other countries at a minimum of $400,000. He only thinks about getting tax from the informal sector not putting in place laws that enable it to growIndeed, this is a sign of greed." The cops now suspect that Appunni too had a role in the conspiracy. Kochi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the actor abduction case issued a notice to Sunil Raj aka Appunni asking him to be present before it at Aluva Police club for interrogation on Monday. The direction comes amid reports that the personal manager of actor Dileep who had gone into hiding after the actors arrest is already in police custody outside the state. The notice was issued to the address of Appunnis house at Eloor. The cops now suspect that Appunni too had a role in the conspiracy. According to sources, the SIT plans to question Appunni and Dileep together to elicit more details about the conspiracy. Meanwhile, the SIT on Saturday interrogated Edavela Babu, actor and general secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA). Officials said during the questioning session that lasted over an hour, he was asked mainly about the rehearsal camp of a stage show organised by AMMA in 2013, during which actor Dileep had allegedly developed a grudge against the victim over some personal issues. Meanwhile, Pulsar Suni, main accused in the case, told cops he worked as driver of Kavya Madhavan, Dileeps wife, for two months. The actor had stated to the police that she didnt even know Suni. The cops are in the attempt to collect details about Sunis presence at the shooting location of a movie in which Dileep and Kavya acted together. Yet, when the police killed Anandpal Singh in an encounter last month, there was public outcry for a CBI inquiry. Jaipur: With 37 cases of murder, kidnapping and extortion against him, Anandpal Singh was undoubtedly Rajasthans most feared criminal in the recent past. Such was his terror that he was always escorted by a hundred policemen before his filmy style escape one and a half years ago. Yet, when the police killed him in an encounter last month, there was public outcry for a CBI inquiry. Under pressure from Rajput community its core votebank Vasundhara Raje government finally obliged. This was 10th case handed over to CBI in last eight years. Of these, the CBI has rejected two cases while another was accepted after four times rejection. Even in remaining seven cases, the CBI has not been able to make much headway. Former Congress minister Babulal Nagar was acquitted in a rape case against him. In another high-profile Bhanwari Devi murder case, involving senior Congress leaders Mahipal Maderna and Malkhan Singh, witnesses turned hostile, while rest are pending in courts or under investigation. In fact, in last one decade, on court directives, the CBI has investigated two dozen cases related to Rajasthan although the government has no update. Even though, there has been no let up in demand for the CBI inquiry. A senior police officer attributed this to distrust in the local police. People trust it because they believe it is relatively difficult to influence the CBI, he said. However, more often than not the demand is also driven by political interests either to settle political score or under compulsion of vote bank politics. BJP leader and former Jaipur mayor Pankaj Joshi filed a corruption case against Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot and the matter was instantly handed over to the CBI. Now, the Congress wants CBI inquiry in Delta Meghwals rape and murder case because the accused is believed to affiliated to the Sangh. If Rajput community pressurised the Raje government in Anandpals case, the Jats demanded CBI inquiry in Dara Singhs encounter. Interestingly, the CBI which investigated the case on Supreme Courts directives was left in lurch after Dara Singhs wife Sushila Devi turned hostile midway. The chief minister also appealed to all parties to collectively find a solution to the problems of Jammu & Kashmir. Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow the closure of cross-LoC trade and pushed for nominating members to the Assembly from the other side of the LoC for joint meetings. The PDP will not allow the closure of cross-Line-of-Control (LoC) trade and continue to work towards opening more routes across the de facto border with Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), she said at a rally to mark her partys 18th foundation day. Seeking a joint legislature with political participation of PoK residents, she said, There are (25) seats reserved in our Assembly for that Kashmir. We should decide together to make nominations for those seats. We should decide that this Assembly meets once in this Kashmir and once in that Kashmir every year so that we can talk about tourism, travel and opening of Sharda Peeth (temple in PoK). Sharda Peeth is a revered place of Kashmiri pandits and is located about 150 km from Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK. Assuring continuation of cross-LoC trade, which is under the scanner for alleged terror funding and movement of narcotics, she said, There are many difficulties through the Wagah border (in Punjab), charas and ganja comes from there but no one talks about closing it. Just because a mistake happens on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, we should not talk about closing it. We will not allow that to happen, she said. We are in favour of opening more routes. There should be facilities like banking there (at crossing points). There should be (full) body scanners (for trucks) so that we know what is coming in and what is going out from here, she said. The chief minister also appealed to all parties to collectively find a solution to the problems of Jammu & Kashmir. On July 21, the Jammu & Kashmir police seized on LoC 66.5 kg of narcotics, including heroine and brown sugar, worth Rs 300 crore from a truck coming from (PoK) in Baramulla district. Following a complaint from India, Pakistani authorities earlier this week asked for suspending the trade between the two sides. According to media reports, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recommended the closure of cross-LoC trade after gathering evidence that it is being misused to fund terrorists. The cross-LoC trade, which takes place twice a week, was restored by launching of truck services simultaneously on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote routes on October 21, 2008, ending a 61-year-long embargo. Justice CS Karnan earlier also made a representation before President Ram Nath Kovind seeking remission of his jail term. Justice Karnan had earlier moved the apex court seeking his release and cancellation or suspension of the jail sentence in the contempt of court case. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The advocates for Justice CS Karnan, guilty of contempt of court, on Saturday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking an expeditious and favourable consideration of the memorandum which Justice Karnan had sent to President Ram Nath Kovind. The Home Minister was also pleased to give a patient hearing and assured Karnan that the representation will be considered expeditiously. Karnan earlier made a representation before President Kovind seeking remission of his jail term. The said representation was handed over to the President by hand, by post and by electronic means. Karnan also sought an audience from President Kovind and Rajnath Singh. Earlier, the said memorandum had been represented before the additional private secretary of former president Pranab Mukherjee also. On July 3, the Supreme Court rejected a plea for a hearing on the bail of Justice Karnan. Justice Karnan had moved the apex court seeking his release and cancellation or suspension of the jail sentence in the contempt of court case. Justice Karnan was arrested by the Kolkata Police in Coimbatore. On June 7 as well, the apex court refused to grant relief to Justice Karnan in the contempt of court case where he was sentenced to six-month imprisonment. The apex court earlier on May 19 rejected Justice Karnan's plea for recall of the six-month jail term for contempt of court, stating that the petition was "not maintainable" in the court. The top court had taken suo motu cognizance of numerous letters written by him against judges of the Madras High Court and the apex court and restrained him from exercising administrative and judicial powers from February 8. Karnan is the first ever sitting judge of a higher court in judicial history to be sentenced to jail term. The Congress on July 28 flew 44 of its MLAs to Bengaluru to stop more of them from switching over to the BJP. Bengaluru: The Congress Party on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of buying and threatening their MLAs in Gujarat for Rs 15 crore and paraded its 44 MLAs who are camping in Bengaluru. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, senior Congress MLA from Gujarat Shaktisinh Gohil said, "Ask these MLAs the way they are threatened, they chose to stand by party even when offered Rs 15 crore." He said BJP is doing horse-trading and we are trying to protect the democracy. "BJP is hitting below the belt; we are fighting to protect democracy. We have required numbers. There is no need for us to stay here (Bengaluru) for even a minute if they (BJP) say, they won't threaten," Gohil said. Hitting back at the BJP, the Congress leader further said, "When there was flood in Banaskantha, my MLAs were there with people but no BJP minister, leader or chief minister was there." Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had accused the Congress of being insensitive and irresponsible, and said that they have sent their 44 MLAs to stay in a 5-star hotel in Bengaluru, while Gujarat is facing floods. Gohil, however, defended the party's decision to keep the Gujarat MLAs in Bengaluru and said, Theres no need for us to stay here (Bengaluru) for even a minute if they say they won't threaten. Gohil further said that they have also managed to establish contact with seven Congress MLAs, who were reportedly inaccessible. "Seven MLAs (Member of Legislative Assembly) are in our contact, their conscience is awakening. We have requested them not to come in people's tricky ways, stick to the party," Gohil said. Earlier, the Congress had said that BJP is using "money, muscle and state power" to engineer defections, after at least six of its MLAs (Member of Legislative Assembly) had resigned from the party to join the BJP. The party on July 28 flew 44 of its MLAs to Bengaluru to stop more of them from switching over to the BJP. The chief minister kept the portfolios of home affairs, general administration and vigilance. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar along with Union Minister Ram Vilash Paswan and MP Chirag Paswan during swearing-in ceremony of Ministers in Bihar cabinet at Raj Bhawan in Patna. (Photo: PTI) Patna: A day after winning the trust vote, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar expanded his Cabinet with the induction of 27 ministers who took oath on Saturday. Of the 27 ministers, 14 are from Mr Kumars JD(U), 12 are from the BJP and one is from Union minister Ram Vilas Paswans Lok Janshakti Party. Mr Kumar inducted Mr Paswans younger brother Pashupati Nath Paras, who is not a member of the Assembly. Sources said he is likely to be nominated to the Legislative Council soon. In the 243-member House, a maximum of 37 ministers are allowed. The chief minister kept the portfolios of home affairs, general administration and vigilance. The chief minister handed over portfolios of finance, commercial taxes, forest and IT to deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi of the BJP. One member of the new Cabinet, Mangal Pandey, former state BJP president and the organisational in-charge for Himachal Pradesh, couldnt turn up for the oath ceremony as his flight was delayed. The chief minister refused to offer a Cabinet berth to NDA allies Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) of Jitan Ram Manji. Mr Modi earlier handed over a list to the chief minister of 12 members from the BJP to be inducted into the Cabinet and also discussed the distribution of portfolios, sources said. The Prime Ministers announcement came after Opposition political parties started accusing him of ignoring the devastating floods of Assam. Guwahati: Putting an end to all the consistent attacks from the Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday decided to visit Assam to inspect and assess the situation in flood-hit areas of the state on August 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to visit Assam on August 1, tweeted Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Though details of Prime Ministers day-long tour programme is yet to be known, the security sources stated that he would go for an aerial survey of the worst flood-hit districts of Dhemaji, Majuli and North Lakhimpur districts. The Prime Ministers announcement came after Opposition political parties started accusing him of ignoring the devastating floods of Assam and the northeast while giving priority to his home state, Gujarat, for which he announced an interim relief of Rs 500 crore. The Congress, while attacking the Prime Minister for not announcing any interim relief package for Assam, said, Prime Minister remembers Assam only during the elections. However, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly countered the allegation. Some people are trying to spark a controversy that Mr Modi has visited Gujarat and not Assam. Are we showpiece that some one will come to see us? said Mr Sarma. He clarified that the central government had extended all necessary help to the state during the floods and even an inter-ministerial team had been appointed in the state to assess the damage caused by the floods. It is significant that about 11,000 people are still reeling under floods in Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Golaghat and Karimganj, with a little over 2,000 people currently lodged in 10 relief camps, the daily report read. The floods have devastated over 2.10 lakh-hectare of crop area in Assam of which about 40,000-hectare of paddy fields have been rendered unusable due to heavy silt deposit ranging from two to 10 feet. The identities, group affiliation of slain militants was not known immediately as search operation was still in progress, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Tahab area of Pulwama district on Saturday night following information about presence of militants in the area, a police official said. (Photo: File/Representational) Srinagar: Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces on Sunday in Pulwama district of Kashmir, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Tahab area of Pulwama district on Saturday night following information about presence of militants in the area, a police official said. He said a gunfight broke out between the two sides early on Sunday, in which two ultras were killed. The identity and group affiliation of the slain militants was not known immediately as the search operation was still in progress, the official said. News / National by Staff reporter Former War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa has rubbished President Robert Mugabe's "revisionist account" that he went to war earlier than him, claiming the 93-year-old was now forgetting what happened.Addressing members of the Zanu-PF women's league in Harare on Thursday, Mugabe slammed party bigwigs and affiliate organisations that are calling for him to step aside and make way for a successor including Mutsvangwa, whom the nonagenarian claimed he had received in Mozambique when he joined the liberation struggle."Where are these clandestine manoeuvres that are being done by some little-known organisations and some people who were with us during the war coming from when these people are not the ones who chose me?"People like Mutsvangwa, whom we received at Chimoio as they were coming from university along with other guys, today they now say I must go', it's painful but they are not alone, it's not Mutsvangwa per se, they are being sent," Mugabe said.The leader of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) came out guns blazing yesterday accusing Mugabe of distorting history.The ZNLWVA has previously threatened bloodshed if their preferred choice of Mugabe's successor Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is blocked.Mutsvangwa, who was fired from both his government and party positions, told the Daily News Mugabe's "recollection on Chimoio Zhunda Camp is just plainly false.""His legendary memory can only now be failing him as advanced age is wont to do. The truth is that I am the one who received ...Mugabe at Chimoio Zhunda Camp; and not the other way round as now claimed by the comrade who became the first President of the Republic of Zimbabwe," Mutsvangwa said."His version is patently a revisionist account. Only G40 Jonathan Moyo could have penned it for him to regurgitate."Comrade President, true revolutionaries have that attribute of historical integrity as a cardinal virtue. Let us be true and honest to the Chimurenga II Revolution as it happened. Such integrity is greatest tribute to so many of the fallen heroes of that epochal generation," he added.The garrulous former Norton legislator said the correct position is that he arrived at the camp in early July 1975, "soon after Mozambique's independence day on June 25, 1975 together with Willard Zororo Duri, John Mayowe, Sobusa Gula-Ndebele, Masimba Mwazha from the then University of Rhodesia.""...Mugabe only got to Chimoio Zhunda Camp in September 1975... well after my earlier arrival. He came together with Edgar Tekere, Nisbert Makotsi and a Dengwani."He added that Mugabe and Tekere came to the front along with about 150-200 other comrades who would form Company D when Nyadzonia was opened as the refugee holding camp.Mutsvangwa said Mugabe had crossed the border in April soon after the assassination of Zanu chairman Herbert Chitepo.Upon his arrival in Mozambique, Mutsvangwa claimed, Mugabe was resisted by the occupants of Zhunda Chimoio Camp who argued that he was not their political leader as they had been recruited under the auspices of Bishop Muzorewa's United African National Congress.In resisting Mugabe, Mutsvangwa said the camp occupants agitated for his denial of food."As university students, the five of us took the lead in diffusing the smouldering confrontation as Mugabe was only backed by the handful 200 comrades he had recruited from Highfield."I remember Duri roping me to clandestinely arrange for Oppah Muchinguri(-Kashiri) to cook for Mugabe as the two (Duri and Muchinguri-Kashiri) knew each other from their shared home in Manica Bridge, Watsomba."Concurrently, we set to work for his acceptance. We used our gravitas as university students to persuade the more numerous refugee occupants of Zhunda Camp to be accommodating of the estranged Mugabe and his group of 150-200 recruits."According to Mutsvangwa, Mugabe was only taken from the refugee camp "to go to teaching exile in far north Quelimane." Behl is also a member of the legal cell of the separatist amalgam led by Geelani and a 'close associate' of the Hurriyat hawk. A spokesman for NIA said the office and residence of Devinder Singh Behl, who is linked to hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani were searched in Jammu. (Photo: Representational/AFP) Jammu/New Delhi: Widening its probe in the terror funding case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday interrogated Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Social Peace Forum (JKSPF) Devinder Singh Behl at his resident here, on suspicion of routing funds to separatists from their Pakistan-based handlers. A spokesman for NIA said the office and residence of Devinder Singh Behl, who is linked to hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani were searched in Jammu. Behl is also a member of the legal cell of the separatist amalgam led by Geelani and a "close associate" of the Hurriyat hawk. Behl, the anti-terror probe agency said, also regularly attends the funeral processions of militants. "The NIA is investigating his role as a courier as he is suspected to be involved in routing funds to separatist leaders from Pakistan-based handlers," the spokesman said. He claimed several incriminating documents, four mobile phones, a tablet computer and a few other articles were seized during the searches, and Behl was being questioned. In a related development, the NIA also issued summons to Naseem, the younger son of Geelani, asking him to appear before it on Wednesday. Geelani's elder son, Nayeem, who was asked to present himself at the agency's headquarters in New Delhi on Monday, has been admitted to a hospital in Srinagar after he complained of chest pain, members of the Hurriyat faction said. Nayeem, a surgeon, had returned from Pakistan in 2010 after spending 11 years and is considered Geelani's heir apparently. Nayeem was to be questioned in connection with the terror funding case which has named Hafiz Saeed, leader of Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa and banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, as an accused. The NIA has also named separatist organisations like the two factions led by Geelani and moderate leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and all-woman outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat in its FIR. Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh has already been arrested by the NIA and was being interrogated. Besides him, Geelani's close aides Ayaz Akbar, spokesman for Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, and Peer Saifullah were arrested from the Valley last week. Shahid-ul-Islam, spokesman for the moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Nayeem Khan (of the Hurriyat's Geelani faction) and Farooq Ahmed Dar alias 'Bitta Karate' have also been arrested. All of them have been remanded in 10 days NIA custody. The NIA had registered the case on May 30, accusing separatist and secessionist leaders of being in cahoots with terrorist groups. The case was registered over raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including through hawala channels, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in the state and for causing disruption in the Valley by pelting security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India. The NIA conducted searches in several places in the state besides Haryana and the national capital. Electronic devices and valuables worth crores of rupees were impounded. It is for the first time since the rise of militancy in the early 1990s that a central probe agency has conducted raids in connection with the funding of terrorist and separatist groups. The BJP has allegedly blamed Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers behind the incident. This comes after the CPM and the BJP in Kerala declared war on each other on the night of July 27th, as both sides went on an attacking spree on each other's party offices, resulting in major property damage. (Photo: File) Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police on Sunday detained eight people in connection with the murder of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker in the state capital on Sunday. The accused have been sent to the police custody. The State Police Chief said, the Police forces have been instructed to strictly deal with any attempt to create violence and adequate force have been deployed in all sensitive spots. He also appealed to social media users to restrain themselves from spreading rumours and provocative messages, which would attract legal action. Earlier on Saturday, a RSS worker was murdered in Thiruvananthapuram's Sreekaryam. Police said 34-year-old Rajesh's left hand was chopped off in the attack which took place around at 9 pm on Saturday night. An investigation has been launched and search is on for assailants, they said. Read: Rajnath Singh calls Kerala CM to take action against murderers of RSS worker The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) workers behind it. On July 11, an RSS office at Payyannur in Kannur was attacked allegedly by CPI (M) workers. No one was inside the office at the time of the incident. Rahul Gandhi indicated that priority would be given to youths in the ticket distribution by Congress in coming elections. Bhopal: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said many states in the country plunged into unrest after NDA came to power at the Centre. Winding up his two-day visit to Bastar in Chhattisgarh, Mr Gandhi said, Today there is crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. There is resentment in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim and north-eastern states. During the UPA regime, peace used to rule in all these states. He was addressing party workers in Bastar. Expressing concern over deepening crisis in J&K, he said the state has been witnessing growing militant attacks and increasing number of ceasefire violations from Pakistan over last one year. Till 2014, terrorism in J&K was over. Tourism had received a boost in the region and 45-50 flights used to land in Srinagar daily, he said. Mr Gandhi indicated that priority would be given to youths in the ticket distribution by Congress in coming elections. He exhorted the youth Congress leaders to be prepared for taking the plunge into electoral battle in coming days. He, however, said winning prospect of a candidate would be the key criteria during ticket distribution by the party. Mr Gandhi made it clear that the party would go to Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh in 2018 under the joint leadership of PCC president Bhupesh Baghel and Congress legislature party leader T.S. Singhdeo. He exuded confidence that the party would retain its base in Bastar in the coming Assembly elections. Of the 12 Assembly seats in Bastar, Congress had won nine in the 2013 assembly elections. The party had lost the 2013 Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh by a whisker by winning 39 out of total 90 seats. The ruling BJP had won 49 seats to form the government in Chhattisgarh for third time in a row. Though, the BJP has described it a courtesy call, the development has already surcharged the political atmosphere of the frontier state. The growth of saffron party in the northeastern states has created a furore in the ruling Congress in Meghalaya where a large number of its leaders may desert the party. (Photo: PTI/File) Guwahati: In what may prove to a major setback for the Congress Party, more than seven legislators from ruling alliance in Meghalaya have sought an audience with BJPs national president Amit Shah during his visit next month. Though, the BJP has described it a courtesy call, the development has already surcharged the political atmosphere of the frontier state, which is schedule to go for Assembly elections in 2018. Meghalaya BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh told this newspaper, At least seven legislators from Congress, United Democratic Party and National Peoples party have approached me for an audience with our national president. He, however, quickly added that it would be too early to say that they want to join BJP. You can say this is a request for a courtesy calls. They just want to meet our party president, said Lyngdoh, who admitted that people are inclined to join the BJP in the Christian-dominated frontier state. The BJP doesnt have any representative in the present 60-member Meghalaya Assembly, although BJP had succeeded in opening its account in previous assemblies of Meghalaya. The growth of saffron party in the northeastern states has created a furore in the ruling Congress in Meghalaya where a large number of its leaders may desert the party. Fearing for an anti-incumbency setback in the forthcoming assembly elections, many Congress leaders are also said to have been looking for ticket from regional political parties. The political observers felt that Meghalaya has been a very strong Congress bastion but chief minister Mukul Sangma has failed to keep the moral of the party workers. The speculations in local newspapers about Sangma, who has won from Ampati in Garo Hills for several terms, now searching for second constituency for himself has contributed to nervousness in the ruling party. Meanwhile, the BJP is down playing Mr Shahs visit to the frontier state saying he is visiting all the states in the country to understand the ground situation. The BJP president was scheduled to visit Meghalaya on July 12 but it was cancelled due to his other engagements. His visit has been rescheduled for August, but the exact date has not been fixed so far. Talking to this correspondent, Mr Garg said that fighting for justice is in his nature. New Delhi: Lawyer-cum-social activist Vivek Garg is one of the few Right to Information (RTI) advocates in Delhi who have been on the forefront in culling information from official files and sharing it with the people to show them whether the system is working for their welfare. Talking to this correspondent, Mr Garg said that fighting for justice is in his nature. His area of focus is to keep a tab on bureaucrats and politicians, whom he believes are the roots of corruption. After getting information from government departments, he brings it to the public domain through the media. He also approaches the Anti Corruption Branch of the Delhi government, CBI, and courts for the prosecution of those people against whom he gathers strong evidence in his RTI replies. Mr.Garg said that he has filed around 15,000 RTI applications the past decade. He was successfully been able to expose several scams such as the sugar scam, onion scam, CNG fitness scam etc through his RTI activism. Asked about what hurdles he faces in getting his information, Mr. Garg said that it is very difficult to get complete and factual information from the government on all RTI applications, especially from the Delhi government. These agencies, he added, try to shield information on contentious issues. But whatever information we get, we fight with the resources and manpower we have and it is our priority to distribute information so that it reaches the masses. He said taxpayers have the right to know where their money is going and whether it is being utilised or misused by the officers. Officials said strict action was necessitated as the existing laws failed to deter lawbreakers. New Delhi: Think twice before littering or throwing garbage in the open as it may land you behind bars. The municipal corporation has decided to impose criminal charges against violators. The chief law officer of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has also issued an order in this regard. For different offences there are provisions of imprisonment of minimum one month to a maximum of two years and fine or both. Sources said that the other two corporations may also follow the EDMC decision to make the city clean. A senior official told this newspaper that if municipal health officers find mosquito breeding in houses, the owners may be charged for endangering public safety as this may lead to an outbreak of vector-borne disease like dengue or chikungunya. The culprits may be booked under section 270 of IPC with a provision of two years of imprisonment. According to a senior civic official, the existing penalty on violating sanitation bylaws is too weak and hence it decided to slap criminal charges against violators. The imprisonment would vary from one to six months depending on severity of the violation. To keep Delhi free of littering and insanitary conditions, various provisions of the IPC/CrPC, the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act, prevention and control of various pollution regulations and the NGT direction issued from time to time may be invoked against the violators to check and control of insanitation in Delhi. Departments may proceed accordingly, said an order issued by the chief law officer of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation. The civic body has identified 14 provisions under the IPC to deal with sanitation woes. Any pollution that may cause fouling of drinking water has also been put in the category of criminal offences. Officials said the strict action was necessitated as the existing laws failed to deter the lawbreakers. Its repeated attempts to amend the sanitation bylaws for higher penalty also failed to yield results. The draft of the amendment in sanitation bylaws is pending with the Delhi government for the last seven years but the same could not be notified. The order comes following instructions from the Delhi high court to maintain proper sanitation in the national capital. The high court had recently pulled up the three civic bodies as it had also said that even citizens should take responsibility of keeping their surroundings clean. The incident unfolded at around 7.30pm, when Taslima landed at Aurangabad. Mumbai: Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, who landed at Aurangabads Chikalthana airport on Saturday evening for a three-day visit to the city from Mumbai, was sent back after supporters of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) protested against her visit, shouting slogans of Taslima Go Back. A mob of around 500 persons had gathered outside the hotel where she was to stay and later they thronged the airport shouting slogans against the exiled Bangladeshi writer. Police stopped her from stepping out of the airport. After she was told about the situation, Taslima returned to Mumbai, officials said. The incident unfolded at around 7.30pm, when Taslima landed at Aurangabad. The protests, led by AIMIM leader Imtiyaz Jaleel, had been going on outside the airport since around 6.30pm, according to the cops. Deputy police commissioner, (zone II), Aurangabad, Rahul Shrirame told The Asian Age, Information about her scheduled visit was conveyed to us around 4.30pm, following which we put in place a team for her protection and to secure the hotel where she was to stay. But the protestors got to know about her visit and they assembled at both locations. Amid the protests, the police met Taslima inside the airport terminal and told her that the visit could trigger a law and order situation in the city as people opposing her presence had already learnt about it and were sloganeering at the airport. She then decided to return to Mumbai and cancelled her three-day visit to Aurangabad. However, no complaint has been lodged with the police. The Mumbai police also confirmed that no complaint had been lodged by the author with them. However, they unwilling to disclose if Taslima was in Mumbai or had left the city for some other location. Last month, the union home ministry had extended her visa for a year, with effect from July 23, 2017. She is a Swedish citizen now and has been getting Indian visa on a continuous basis since 2004. The author is living in exile since she left Bangladesh in 1994, because of threats from fundamentalist elements. He was remanded in police custody till Tuesday by a city court on Sunday. Mumbai: The Parksite police, which is probing the death of 17 persons who died in the Siddhi Saidarshan building collapse in Ghatkopar, on Saturday night arrested a key accused, Anil Mandal. He was remanded in police custody till Tuesday by a city court on Sunday. The police is questioning Mandal over his alleged involvement in the planning and execution of the interior work of the nursing home located on the buildings ground floor. The police want to ascertain his and others roles in unauthorised alterations, include breaking of load-bearing pillars at the nursing home, which allegedly led to the crash. A police officer said, Mandal, who is 28 years old, had been working with the main accused Sunil Shitap for the past few years. Shitap said during the investigation that he was not around when the renovation work was going on and he had appointed Mandal as a supervisor for the project. The officer said, Whatever renovation went on during the two days of construction was overseen by Mandal. We are interrogating him to get the exact details about what had happened. He added, During investigation Shitap told police that Mandal was the one who oversaw the workers and appointed the architect. He made all plans and then Shitap came into the picture. Shitap is now playing a blame game. The police has also identified five more people, including the contractor, interior designer and labourers, who were hired by Shitap to carry out the renovation work. In the process, they are said to have disturbed some pillars, weakening the base of the building and rendering it unstable. The police had asked for the blueprints of the ill-fated building three days ago, but is still awaiting a reply from the civic body. Some Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials, however, said that they dont have any idea about the blueprints. Police officers said they need blueprints to get the exact details of the buildings structure and which pillar the labourers had removed. The chaos in the assessment of papers and the delay in announcing results has negatively impacted the BJPs profile, said sources. A file photo of teachers and students holding a protest in the Fort Campus of University of Mumbai to raise their concern at the unprecedented crisis which has thrown the future of lakhs of students into uncertainty. Mumbai: Under fire from the Opposition due to the delay in announcing the Mumbai University (MU) final year results, vice-chancellor (V-C) Sanjay Deshmukh is unlikely to be able to hold on to his post for long. The buzz in the corridors of power has been that Dr Deshmukh, who hails from Vidarbha, enjoyed the support of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had endeavoured to bring in young and dynamic faces to lead reputed educational institutions in the state. According to sources, which are close to both, the relation between the two has soured in the last few months. The CM has been made aware about the complaints against Dr Deshmukhs style of working, said a source. As a result, Mr Fadnavis is said to be disappointed and unlikely to intervene on Dr Deshmukhs behalf. Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray and former V-C, Bhalchandra Mungekar have called for his dismissal. Student organisations have also been pressing for his dismissal. But the state government has said it would first ensure that the results are cleared and only then take any action. Sources indicate that Dr Deshmukh may not be sacked, but will be given the option to resign on moral grounds. The chaos in the assessment of papers and the delay in announcing results has negatively impacted the BJPs profile, said sources. Since it came to power in the state, the BJP inducted many new faces in educational institutions, who were expected to be role models in administration. Dr Deshmukh had earlier been attached with Rambhau Mhalagi Prabodhini, Uttan, Thane, which is seen as think tank for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, for a few assignments. He has also worked with railway minister Suresh Prabhu, when he was environment minister in NDA-1 government. Students irate, frustrated Complaints from students waiting for their results continue to flood all social media platforms. Post-Graduation colleges that are affiliated to Mumbai University are waiting for the results to come out before they start with their classes. However, other universities like the Pune University, the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, or those that are abroad, are out of reach for MU students. We spoke to some students for their reactions to how this three-month-long waiting period for results has impacted them. Neelima hanged herself when her husband and daughter were not at home. Neelima Goyal hanged herself from a ceiling fan in the flat in Kandivali (east). (Representational picture) Mumbai: Television actor Manoj Goyals wife, Neelima Goyal (40), allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her residence in Kandivalis (east) Lokhandwala area on Saturday at around at 3.15 pm. The police, which has registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in the case, said she left a suicide note in which she mentioned that no one should be held responsible for her act. Neelima hanged herself when her husband and daughter were not at home. She was depressed for past few weeks, according to the police. According to the police, Neelima is the wife of actor Manoj who has starred in SAB TV channel comedies like Golmaal Hai Bhai Sab Golmaal Hai and Tu Mere Agal Bagal Hai. The official also said that during the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that Neelima, who was a housewife, was depressed since the past few weeks and was staying aloof. Dilip Yadav, a senior police inspector of Samata Nagar police station said, Prima facie it is a suicide as we have also found a suicide note at the spot, but the investigation is underway. The incident took place on Saturday, but an ADR was registered early on Sunday. The official also said that it was mentioned in the note that she took the extreme step because she was depressed. The incident came to light when her eight-year-old daughter returned from tuitions and found the door locked from inside. As no one was responding to her repeated calls, the minor opened the door with spare keys and found the bedroom door locked from inside. The girl alerted her neighbours who then called the police. Neelima Goyals body was sent for post-mortem on Saturday, and no foul play was found. The deceaseds husband said she was depressed for the last few days. The suicide note also said she is taking the extreme step because she is depressed, said the police officer. The Samata Nagar police station on Sunday registered a suicide case. The police has initiated an inquiry and will record statements of Neelimas family memer. As of now, the Samata Nagar police has not found anything suspicious. News / National by Staff reporter President Robert Mugabe has declared that he is not prepared to step down despite his old age, and growing concern over his health.Mugabe told thousands of his ruling Zanu-PF supporters at a rally held at Chinhoyi University of Technology that he was still fit to continue as president of the southern African country.The veteran leader, whose party was battling internal fissures caused by his failure to groom a successor in his 37 years in power, said he would remain in office because his party was sharply divided and he did not have faith that any other member of his party would be able to square off with former premier Morgan Tsvangirai of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change party in an election."Some people would want to be president of this country. Some are saying the president is going but I am not going anywhere. Some are saying I'm dying but I am not dying," said Mugabe.Mugabe, 93, said he feared that at the present time any person who wanted to succeed him would be trounced by Tsvangirai in an election.Zimbabweans were set to go for polls in 2018.'My organs are still very strong'Zanu-PF was currently divided into two distinct factions that were battling to take over from Mugabe when he eventually left office. One faction was reportedly led by Mugabe's deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, while another faction made up of Young Turks was pushing First Lady Grace Mugabe to torpedo Mnangagwa's presidential ambitions by having her succeed her ageing husband."Anyone who wants to take over will need time to be accepted by the people. There is no unity in the party at the moment and the MDC will have a field day if someone new is to contest against Tsvangirai," said the nonagenarian.The nonagenarian's declaration that he was not ready to leave office was made only a few days after his wife Grace urged him to name his successor.Mugabe's remarks came at a time when Tsvangirai and other pro-democracy groups in the southern African country had called on the Zimbabwean strongman to relinquish power for failing to run the affairs of the impoverished nation.Spokesperson of the Tajamuka pressure group, Promise Mkwananzi, said that Mugabe was no longer fit for purpose and should step aside for new blood to take over."He [Mugabe] is old and frail and he must therefore resign because he is incapacitated to lead the country," said Mkwananzi.However, Mugabe - who has made numerous trips to Singapore for medical attention - said he still had the energy to continue as president of Zimbabwe."My doctors have told me that my organs are still very strong. They were surprised that my bones are still very strong and I pray that God will continue to give me the gift of life," said the veteran leader. Seven years after its introduction, Google has dropped Instant Search. Google has taken down its landmark Instant Search feature. Instant Search, which was first introduced in 2010, automatically populated search results as the user typed in a query. Introduced under the guidance of Marissa Mayer, the then vice-president of the company, the feature played a major role in changing how users obtained information on the Internet, while cutting back on the time it took to do so. Google had estimated that it would collectively help save millions of seconds per hour by surfacing results as fast as possible. Today, the intention behind killing the Instant Search feature is to make it more mobile device friendly. The company observed that over half of the searches on Google are coming from mobiles these days. The number of searches coming from desktops is decreasing at a fast rate. Moreover, since fingers and virtual buttons are used while interacting with the software, Instant Search does not make much sense. In a statement given to a popular online tech magazine, a Google spokesperson explained the change. We launched Google Instant back in 2010 with the goal to provide users with the information they need as quickly as possible, even as they typed their searches on desktop devices. Since then, many more of our searches happen on mobile, with very different input and interaction and screen constraints. With this in mind, we have decided to remove Google Instant, so we can focus on ways to make search even faster and more fluid on all devices, the spokesperson says. Now, as the users type in a query, they will only see search suggestions and can click on those suggestions to see the results. The search will not load any result pages without clicking on a search suggestion or clicking enter. Pakistan lawyers appear confused after Sharif sentencing/ Islamabad: Is Nawaz Sharif disqualified for life, or is there a possibility of him staging a comeback? A day after the Supreme Court disqualified Sharif from holding public office, legal experts and political observers appear equally confused, as are ordinary Pakistani citizens. When asked about the duration of Mr Sharifs ouster from Pakistans active politics was put to seasoned lawyers, most seemed confused. Some said the question needed to be addressed since it has remain unanswered for far too long, Dawn reported. A five-member bench disqualified Mr Sharif under articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, which state that a member of the Parliament should be truthful and righteous. Tariq Mehmood, former president of the Supreme Court bar association, told the newspaper that a larger bench of the Supreme Court was seized with a number of cases, including those of Samina Khawar Hayat and Mohammad Haneef, in which the moot point was to determine whether disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution was perpetual or not. Former chief justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, hearing one of such cases, had wondered how anyone could be disqualified from participating in elections forever on the basis of articles 62 and 63, saying people could reform themselves to be qualified under the provisions at some point of time. Senior lawyer Raheel Kamran Sheikh recalled that former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was disqualified on June 19, 2012, from parliament for committing contempt of court under Article 63, which specified disqualification for five years. Unfortunately under Article 62(1)(f) no period of disqualification has been specified, he said, but endorsed what Mehmood observed. Sheikh said some cases were pending to determine should the application of Article 62(1)(f) be restricted to the current election or to all times to come. He said the Supreme Court was in a catch-22 situation, since by citing the reasons for disqualification of Sharif, it lowered the threshold for ineligibility of elected members to such an extent that too many heads might roll in future. Through the Panama Papers judgement, he feared, the balance of power had been tilted in favour of the Supreme Court and the qualification of lawmakers had been threatened. He said if the judgement was implemented across the board, the parliamentarians, feeling threatened, might react by getting together for a constitutional amendment aimed at curtailing or restricting the scope of powers under Article 62 of the Constitution. One the other hand, vice chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council Ahsan Bhoon said the disqualification of Sharif was forever. To support his observation, he cited the 2013 Abdul Ghafoor Lehri case in which former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had held that under Article 63, there were certain disqualifications which were of temporary nature and a person disqualified under Article 63 could become qualified after the lapse of a certain period, whereas the disqualification under Article 62 was permanent. Thus, Article 62 did not provide any period after which a person, who had been disqualified under the provision, could be eligible to contest elections of parliament, he said. Former additional attorney general Tariq Khokhar also said that Sharif had been disqualified for life since ineligibility for not being sadiq and ameen was forever. Nawaz Sharifs brother Shehbaz, the 65-year-old Punjab CM, cannot immediately replace take over as Prime Minister as he is not an MP. Islamabad: Pakistans ruling PML-N party on Saturday named former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim Prime Minister until ousted premier Nawaz Sharifs younger brother and Punjab chief minister Shehbaz is elected as a member of Parliament to be his eventual successor till the 2018 polls. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Nawaz Sharif and attended by the partys top leaders who rallied behind the Sharifs, the countrys most powerful political family. Nawaz Sharif proposed the two names for partys formal approval. The parliamentary board approved the nomination by Sharif as mark of trust in him, a party leader told PTI. But Shehbaz, the 65-year-old chief minister of Punjab, cannot immediately replace his brother as he is not an MP. Abbasi, the 58-year-old loyalist of Nawaz Sharif, is expected to serve for 45 days and will resign to let Shehbaz succeed as permanent premier, party sources said. Shehbaz will contest the election from NA-120, a constituency in Lahore which has fallen vacant due to the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif. The Supreme Court on Friday disqualified 67-year-old 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 out of office. The courts ruling abruptly ended Nawaz Sharifs third tenure as Prime Minister and forced the partys top leadership to find his successor. The five-judge bench also ruled to send references against Nawaz Sharif, his children Maryam Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Hasan Nawaz, son-in-law Mohammed Safdar and former finance minister Ishaq Dar to an accountability court. At the Saturday meeting, PML-N also decided to challenge Nawaz Sharifs disqualification through a review petition in the apex court. Nawaz Sharif was accorded a tremendous welcome when he arrived to chair the meeting. The participants chanted the partys slogan: Dekho dekho kaun aaya, sher aaya sher aaya. (Look who has come, lion has come.) Lion is PML-Ns election symbol. Shahid Abbasi was appointed oil minister when Nawaz Sharif won his third election in 2013. Islamabad: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who is set to become Pakistans interim Prime Minister, is the former federal minister for petroleum and natural resources, and a businessman who launched the countrys most successful private airline. Considered highly intelligent and a long-time loyalist of Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister who was ousted by the Supreme Court on Friday, the 58-year-old Abbasi will act as a placeholder for the Sharif dynasty. He is due to be rubber stamped by in a parliamentary vote as Prime Minister until Sharifs younger brother Shahbaz, a provincial minister, can be elected to the national assembly and take over the leadership. Mr Abbasi was appointed oil minister when Nawaz Sharif won his third election in 2013. Educated in the US at George Washington University, he was born in Karachi but is a member of the National Assembly from Murree. Mr Abbasi has been elected six times as a member of the National Assembly. In 2003, he setup a private airline Air Blue, the countrys most successful private airline and challenger to PIA. The four Arab states cut ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of backing terrorist groups and cozying up to their arch-foe Iran. Qatar has denied allegations that it has been backing terror groups. (Photo: AP) Dubai: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain are expected to discuss imposing new economic sanctions on Qatar when they meet in the Bahraini capital Manama on Sunday, the pan-Arab al-Hayat newspaper reported. The four Arab states cut ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of backing terrorist groups and cozying up to their arch-foe Iran, allegations Doha denies. Foreign ministers of the four countries "are expected to impose sanctions that will gradually affect the Qatari economy", al-Hayat newspaper said, citing unidentified Gulf sources, without giving any further details. Bahrain's state news agency BNA said on Saturday that King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa had hailed cooperation between the four countries in fighting terrorism. Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and involving the United States and Turkey have failed to end the row, which has affected travel and communications between Qatar and the four countries and led to harsh verbal exchanges in the media. Saudi Arabia has closed its land border with Qatar while all four countries have cut air and sea links with Doha, demanding the gas exporting country take several measures to show it was changing its policies. Turkey and Iran have stepped in to provide fresh produce, poultry and dairy products to Qatar instead of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Oman providing alternative ports to those in the UAE. The four Arab countries added 18 more groups and individuals they say are linked to Qatar to their terrorist lists last week. In the meantime, the PML-N which enjoys a majority in parliament, has nominated ex-oil minister Shahid Abbasi as interim prime minister. The ruling party named Sharif's younger brother Shahbaz as his successor over the weekend, but he must first enter parliament by contesting the seat left vacant by Sharif. (Photo: Representational/AFP) Islamabad: Pakistan's parliament will meet on Tuesday to elect a new prime minister after the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif following an investigation into corruption allegations against his family. The ruling party named Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz as his successor over the weekend, but he must first enter parliament by contesting the seat left vacant by Sharif. In the meantime the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which enjoys a majority in parliament, has nominated ex-oil minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim prime minister. Read: Pakistan's deposed PM Sharif names brother Shehbaz as successor The top court ousted Sharif on Friday after an investigation into corruption allegations against him and his family, bringing his historic third term in power to an unceremonious end. "The nomination papers --- shall be delivered to the Secretary, National Assembly by 2.00 pm, on Monday," said a notification by the National Assembly Secretariat and seen by AFP. It said the assembly would meet at 3:30 pm IST on Tuesday for the "election of the Prime Minister". The younger Sharif -- who is chief minister of the country's most populous province of Punjab -- has so far been unscathed by the corruption allegations engulfing his brother's family. Read: Shahid Abbasi to be interim Pak PM till Sharif's brother Shehbaz takes over However he only holds only a provincial seat and therefore must be elected to the national assembly before becoming prime minister. On Saturday the Election Commission said fresh elections would be held in Nawaz Sharif's former constituency, in the family's power base in Punjab, in a process that could take up to 45 days. Abbasi is set to be rubber-stamped as placeholder in the parliamentary vote. The opposition could also field a candidate but has little chance of securing enough votes in the 342-seat house. Pope Francis has Hail Mary recited at the Angelus to support the victims of trafficking and convert the hearts of traffickers. The world seems to be getting used to this "aberrant plague", which is ugly, cruel, criminal!" The pontiff mentioned the parables of the treasure and precious pearl. The quest "is the essential condition for finding". The discovery of the treasure and the pearl entails "sacrifice, detachment and renunciation. The joy of the farmer and merchant in the parable "is the joy of each of us when we discover the closeness and consoling presence of Jesus in our lives." Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis issued a strong appeal against human trafficking, a form of "modern slavery". At the end of Angelus's prayer with pilgrims in St Peter's Square, the pontiff said that today is World Day against Trafficking in Persons promoted by the United Nations". "Every year, thousands of men, women and children are innocent victims of labour and sexual exploitation and organ trafficking, he said. It seems that we are so accustomed to it that we consider it a normal thing. This is ugly, cruel, criminal! I would like to call on everyone to counter this aberrant plague, a form of modern slavery. Let us pray together to the Virgin Mary to support the victims of trafficking and convert the hearts of traffickers. Let us pray together to Our Lady: Hail Mary . . .". Earlier, Francis spoke about todays gospel (17th Sunday, Year A, Matthew 13:44-52), in particular the two parables about the treasure hidden in the field and the precious pearl, for which the farmer "decides to put at risk all of his possessions in order not to miss a very exceptional opportunity," and the merchant who "decides to bet everything on that pearl, to the point of selling everything" else he has. "These similarities point to two characteristics concerning the possession of the Kingdom of God: quest and sacrifice. The Kingdom of God is offered to everyone, but it is not made available on a silver plate; it requires dynamism: it is about seeking, walking, doing. The attitude of quest is the essential condition for finding. It is necessary that the heart burn from the desire to attain the precious good, that is, the Kingdom of God that is present in the person of Jesus. He is the hidden treasure, he is the pearl of great value. He is the fundamental discovery, which can become a turning point in our lives, filling it with meaning." "Estimating the irreplaceable value of the treasure leads to decisions that also involves sacrifice, detachment and renunciation, Francis explained. When the treasure and the pearl are discovered, when we find the Lord, we must not let this discovery become sterile; we instead must sacrifice everything else to it. It is not a question of despising the rest, but of subordinating it to Jesus, placing Him in first place, placing grace in first place. Christs disciple is not the one who deprived himself of something essential; it is the one who has found much more: he found the full joy that only the Lord can give. It is the evangelical joy of the healed patient, the forgiven sinner, the thief to whom the door of paradise has been opened." "The joy of the Gospel fills the heart and the whole life of those who encounter Jesus. Those who let themselves be saved by Him are freed from sin, sadness, inner void, and isolation. With Jesus Christ, joy is always born and reborn (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, No. 1). Today we are exhorted to contemplate the joy of the farmer and merchant in the parable. It is the joy of each of us when we discover the proximity and consoling presence of Jesus in our lives. This presence transforms the heart and opens us to the needs and the acceptance of our fellow human brings, especially the weaker ones. Let us pray, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so that each of us may know, with daily words and deeds, the joy of finding the treasure of the Kingdom of God, that is, the love that the Father has given us through Jesus. Contact Californian columnist Lois Henry at 661-395-7373 or lhenry@bakersfield.com. Her work appears on Sundays and Wednesdays; the views expressed are her own. Opinion / Columnist March towards the complete emancipation of the African continent Ensure that African development goals are predicated on unity for equal levels of development Make it known that the fate of African countries are and peoples are intertwined Unite African nations through sound regional bodies Ensure collective self reliance Oppose external economic and political involvement of the continent Guarantee power consolidation in Africa Re-allocate global resources as well as unleashing fiercer psychological energy and political assertion that would unsettle social and political (power) structures in the Americas. Act and compete on the world stage as do other large entities, such as the European Union and the United States. Make sure that there is an end to racialism and segregation Conserve the African culture or rather the African way of doing things. Ensure independence from the Europeans Be proud of being African and also the African languages Further integration whether political, social or economic. Today I am going to look briefly at Pan Africanism ideology. This ideology has its roots from the time of slave trade and colonization of the peoples of Africa. However, the need to extricate African states from the yoke of bondage imposed onto them by the white men made most African states to stand in unity and solidarity with utmost sagacity and tenacity against a common enemy and with a common goal of liberation from these ruthless imperialists.Pan Africanism as an ideology seeks to integrate Africans in all spheres whether political, social, economic and religious. Some of its advocates are inclusive of Malcom X, Ahmed Sekou Toure, Julius Nyerere, Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah and academics such as W. E. D. Dubois among others.It is crucial to note at this juncture that pan Africanism as an intellectual movement extends beyond continental Africans. The movement has a substantial support base among the African Diaspora in the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States of America. "African people both on the continent and in the Diaspora share not merely a common history but a common destiny''.The African cause inspired convergence of African leaders and the first conference to discuss African issues was convened by Henry Sylvester - William in 1900 in London. The success of this symposium painstakingly revealed and made plain that the African people can unite for the achievement of prescribed goals. Delegates of this remarkable conference conversed on the need to create a movement that would campaign for the rights of the African. Fundamentally, the conference created "oneness in experience".Series of pan - African Congresses spearheaded by DuBois were held between 1919 - 1945 and these were successful. Ostensibly, the 1945 Congress marked a watershed for the eventual decolonization of the African continent through the declarations to end colonial rule and racial discrimination.The 1945 Declarations did not only perpetuate visions and hopes of a United Africa but also injected a dosage of militancy which nourished the struggle for national independence. The 26 delegates included Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Obajemi Awolowo of Nigeria, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya and Hastings Banda.The liberation of Ghana in March 1957 paved way for other African countries to come up with sound courses of action towards their much needed independence. Kwame Nkrumah became the icon of Pan - Africanism and he acknowledged the efforts of American and West Indians of African origin in the development of Africanism; the likes of Marcus Garvey.To safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established in 1963. The same organization would further promote the global relations within the framework of the United Nations. A United State of Africa was what Gaddafi really wanted after he took leadership from Nkrumah in 1972.The Pan - African ideology seeks among a multiplicity of considerations to:The contemporary politics has revealed that the relevance of Pan Africanism as an ideology is now questionable.Unity or integration in today's political sphere is limited. The current political dispensation is more like a "One man For Himself and God for Us All" situation as argued by Lord Castlereagh. Therefore, the fate of African countries is not intertwined as it was meant to be. Africans collaborated for the sake of extricating themselves from the shackles of imperialism and soon after that it proved that collaboration was getting weak.We cannot talk of homogeneity in terms of economic development. South Africa, for example, has proved to be economically progressive than the rest of African countries due to a plethora of reasons. Its development levels cannot be compared to that of Somalia for instance.Regional Economic Integration is limited among Africans. Some states within Africa prefer integration with other bodies outside the African continent. This to me reveals that local regional bodies aren't progressive and are existential for formality sake or mere talk shows otherwise they aren't beneficial to the member states.Therefore, divided attention means that some member states will therefore show their allegiance where their interests are best served. South Africa, for instance, is a member of BRICS (Britain, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). South Africa is therefore better served by this regional bloc as it enhanced her development plan other than Regional and Economic Bodies in Africa.The pan African ideology is in a quagmire as there is no religious commitment to the notion of disengagement from the West. The current Look East Policy which most African States have endorsed has become more dogmatic for the majority of African countries.It is quite unimpressive and paradoxical that in as much as the Africans lament of the Look East Policy, they are actually looking directly West from a very close point of view. Therefore, external influence is still existential and neo - colonialism is so rampant.Most Africans are suffering from schizophrenia and this already underscores the notion of African identity. Empowerment among Africans is still limited as of now.Arise Oh Africa!Stand your Ground!Defend the African Cause!No to Neo Colonialism!We Need Sound and Effective Regional Bodies!Let us BE Proud Africans!Let US be Conscious Africans, LET US EXERCISE OUR HARD EARNED FREEDOM!!!LET US WORK TO DEVELOP OUR CONTINENT!TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT!ARISE AFRICA, ARISE! LET US ARISE TO DEFEND THE AFRICAN CAUSE, YES WE CAN!Written by Patricia Masiyakurima, A 3RD Year Student in the Department of Politics and Public Management, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. Opinion / Columnist 'One thing I would like to urge progressive Zimbabweans is never to allow your attention on critical issues in this country to be diverted by Grace Mugabe's venom which she usually spit every time she gets an opportunity to hold the mic. People must focus on Rita (Rita Makarau, the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) because as we all put our focus on the Lacoste and G40 fight I suspect Rita is busy helping the regime to steal the coming 2018 polls as usual whilst they try to divert our attention with their cheap intra party fights just like the Baba Jukwa debacle of 2013'If ZANU PF is being torn apart by the internal fights over the succession issue 'regai dzitungane dzomudanga' that has nothing to do with the pro-democracy movement let them deal with their burning house. People are over rating Grace Mugabe giving her unnecessary attention whereas the most important person who deserves all our eyes and attention (this reminds me of Tupac's All Eyes On Me) is Rita Makarau the Head of ZEC because whatever she is doing and brewing behind scenes is critical and very important as it determines whether the coming polls will be free and fair or not. The internal fights within ZANU PF that's their own baby to feed and none of our business and there is nothing for the opposition to celebrate as this does not guarantee them victory either. After following the Chiwundura by-election recently I realized that the rigging machination in this country is very serious and well advanced that having a free poll on this land is still a long way to go. The pro-democracy movement must put all it's energy on demanding an even ground in 2018 and before allowing yourselves to have your attention diverted by the Lacoste and G40 tug of war ask yourselves the following questions;Is Zimbabwe ready for a free and fair poll in the coming 2018?Why is ZEC delaying BVR as if it does not have political will to implement it?Even if BVR is done does that guarantee us a free poll is the data not gonna be tempered with or used to intimidate people?The issue of proof residence on registering to vote is it not gonna disadvantage the youths out there who are the majority of the electorate?If Mugabe appoints the third Vice President is it going to end in ZANU PF structures or this VP will also be appointed in government burdening taxpayers?We are now a few months before the polls why is that only ZANU PF is given coverage on the national TV when will they start to give all contesting parties equal media coverage?There are a lot of critical issues which deserves our attention not Grace's venom it's neither here nor there let her bark herself out you and I must keep focused on demanding conditions which will enable a free and a fair poll in 2018 which will respect the will of the people of Zimbabwe in 2018. Don't forget how millions of Zimbabweans were fooled by Baba Jukwa in 2013 and every morning many people (myself included) could wake up and check updates on Baba Jukwa's page and spend the whole day debating about it yet they were busy stealing elections behind scenes. To date no one knows how 2013 polls were stolen because we were all busy following Baba Jukwa's dramma.Are were not falling into the same trap this time again following those interface rallies and debating about how Grace spits venom on people like George Charamba who for his whole life used all his brains, bones and marrow to build and defend Robert Mugabe? Once again let me repeat myself, that's their own baby to feed and let them (ZANU PF) deal with their burning house, that's none of my business. But all our eyes must be on Rita she deserves our attention more than Grace. Food for thought.Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo, Snr is a human rights defender and democracy activist based in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. He writes in his personal capacity and he is reachable on his Whatsapp +32485850059 Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Related: Xi attends parade in Inner Mongolia as PLA marks birthday President Xi Jinping ordered the country's military to further improve its combativeness and stay loyal to the Party after he observed a massive military parade in the field for the first time on Sunday. China showcased its real combat capabilities at a training base in Inner Mongolia autonomous region to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Xi, also the chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the troops on Sunday morning at the Zhurihe Combined Tactics Training Base, about 400 kilometers northwest of Beijing. "I firmly believe that today we are closer than any time in history to achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and we need more than any time in history to build strong people's military," Xi said after the parade. "The Party and the Chinese people are proud to have such heroic military," he said. Xi also urged all soldiers and officers to enhance political awareness, resolutely obey orders from the central leadership and improve combat readiness through reforms and innovations, thus to build the PLA into a world-class force. "I firmly believe that our heroic military has the confidence and ability to defeat any incoming enemies," Xi said. This is the first military parade held at the PLA's most advanced training camp, which is also the biggest in Asia. It is also the first time China has held a parade to celebrate the founding of the PLA. The spectacle involved more than 12,000 troops, 600 pieces of military hardware and more than 100 aircraft of various types, representing the Chinese military's most cutting-edge technology. All officers and soldiers in the parade are from actual combat units, from cyber warfare to Rocket Force. More than 40 percent of the equipment displayed at the event was showcased for the first time at a parade. Zhurihe base facts The Zhurihe base replicates realistic battle conditions in a variety of terrain, such as grasslands, hills and deserts. The training base covers an area of 1,066 square kilometers, almost the same as the land area of Hong Kong, and has its own hospitals and logistic facilities. Zhurihe has been hosting realistic combat exercises since 2007. Drills, typically involving battles between red and blue units, are designed to get soldiers used to fighting more skillful and better equipped foes. In 2014, Zhurihe hosted a six-day joint anti-terror drill with forces from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan teaming up with PLA personnel. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. RENATE MORALES, on behalf of herself and all other persons similarly situated, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. PROVIDENCE HEALTH SYSTEM - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Erroneously Sued As Providence Health and Services, Inc., Defendant-Appellee. No. 16-55072 Decided: July 28, 2017 Before: BEA and HURWITZ, Circuit Judges, and MOTZ,** District Judge. MEMORANDUM* After a fall, Renate Morales received twenty physical therapy sessions at a Providence Health System Southern California (Providence) facility. Medicare made conditional payments for the first twelve sessions, subject to any recovery from an alleged tortfeasor. Instead of billing Medicare for the remaining eight sessions, Providence placed a lien on Morales' tort claim. In this putative class action, Morales claims that Providence's failure to bill Medicare constitutes breach of contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, violation of the California Unfair Competition Law and Consumer Legal Remedies Act, and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The district court dismissed Morales' first amended complaint without prejudice for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. We affirm. 1. Providence argues that this court does not have jurisdiction over this appeal because the district court dismissal was without prejudice. But, if a district court terminates an action for a claimant's failure to exhaust administrative remedies, we will treat the matter as final unless the claimant could begin anew or continue the administrative process. Barboza v. Cal. Ass'n of Prof'l Firefighters, 651 F.3d 1073, 1076 (9th Cir. 2011). No administrative remedies remain for Morales. The time to appeal administratively any denial of benefits has run. See 42 U.S.C. 1395ff(b)(1)(A); 42 C.F.R. 405.924(b)(12)(ii), 405.980(b)(1)-(2) (setting a time limit on reopening of an initial determination). The dispute resolution process in 42 U.S.C. 1395y(b)(2)(B)(vii)(IV), which the district court cited, applies only to conditional Medicare reimbursements, not to the failure of a Medicare provider to submit a payment in the first place. See id. 1395y(b)(2)(B)(i)-(ii). We therefore have jurisdiction over this appeal. 2. The Medicare Act's exhaustion requirement, 42 U.S.C. 405(h), applies to judicial review of claims arising under the Act. Uhm v. Humana, Inc., 620 F.3d 1134, 1140 (9th Cir. 2010) (quoting Heckler v. Ringer, 466 U.S. 602, 614-15 (1984)); see 405(h) (No findings of fact or decision of the [Secretary] shall be reviewed by any person, tribunal, or governmental agency except as herein provided.); 405(g) (providing that review may be sought in district court only after any final decision of the [Secretary] made after a hearing). A claim arises under the Act (1) where the standing and the substantive basis for the presentation of the claims' is the Medicare Act and (2) where the claims are inextricably intertwined with a claim for Medicare benefits. Uhm, 620 F.3d at 1140 (quoting Heckler, 466 U.S. at 614-15). Each of Morales' claims is at bottom complaining about the denial of Medicare benefits and therefore is subject to the exhaustion requirement. Id. at 1142-43. 3. Morales concedes she did not exhaust administrative remedies, but argues that 405 does not apply because she is not seeking review of any decision of the Secretary and is not suing the United States, the Secretary, or any officer or employee thereof. But, Uhm was also a suit by a Medicare beneficiary against a private entity and the Secretary was not a party. Id. at 1145. Morales also argues that she could not be required to exhaust administrative remedies because none existed. But, as the district court noted, [t]o the extent Plaintiff is claiming that [Defendants are] running afoul of the Medicare Act by collecting reimbursement from her in an amount greater than what is permitted under that Act she is making a claim for benefits. The administrative appeals process under 42 U.S.C. 1395ff governs benefits determinations. Alternatively, Morales could have submitted the relevant claims directly to Medicare. See 42 C.F.R. 405.904; see also 20 C.F.R. 422.510(b) (prescribing the use of Form SSA-1490 for patients to request payment). AFFIRMED. FOOTNOTES . We deny both Morales' and Providence's motions for judicial notice. Dkt. 16, 21. Oregon Heatwave: Inland Possibly 106, Coast May or May Not be a Relief Published 07/29/2017 at 6:43 PM PDT - Updated 07/29/2017 at 6:53 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Manzanita, Oregon) An excessive heat watch has been issued by the Portland office of the National Weather Service (NWS) for the inland valleys and the Oregon coast range, in effect from Tuesday through Friday evening. It is somewhat likely records will be broken, with Portland and the Willamette Valley reaching over 100 degrees on Wednesday through Friday, and quite possible parts of Oregon may see close to their hottest day ever at around 106 degrees on Wednesday or Thursday. Meanwhile, the Oregon coast looks more likely than not to be cooler, but maybe not by much. The north coast area (as in Cannon Beach, Seaside, Pacific City) could be in the 90s, while the central coast (such as Newport or Yachats) should be in the 70s. So far, most predictions have the beaches in the 70s those days, however. Record high temperatures are likely inland climbing to around 100 Tuesday, heating up to 103 to 108 Wednesday and Thursday with heat possibly continuing into Friday, the NWS said. Low temperatures are expected to remain warm dropping only into the mid 60s to lower 70s. The timing on all this: temps will keep warming up each day, with Tuesday reaching into the 90s and then higher the next two, three days. The NWS said these record-setting temps will be exasperated by poor nighttime recovery, with lows still near 70 degrees. There is uncertainty about Friday which could be another record setting heat day, the NWS said. The Oregon coast, however, is being predicted with some confusing signals on the NWS website. The excessive heat watch notes that higher temps there in the 80s or 90s are possible, especially further north, but the actual forecasts are showing temps in the mid to late week as being in the 70s. This starts to get explained in the Forecast Discussion section of the NWS' website. A thermal trough is the sticking point for predictors, as it's uncertain right now what it will do to the beaches. It may bring more offshore flow in or it may not, which would mean higher temps there. We may need to extend the Heat Watch to the coast tomorrow if the models continue to show any significant offshore flow, the NWS said. If onshore flow to the coast stops, temperatures - especially along the north coast - can shoot up into the upper 90s. Thursday this is likely to be the hottest day inland and we will probably begin seeing a bit of onshore flow Thursday at the coast with lower temperatures. However, for the inland portion of the state, confidence is quite firm that the heatwave will push conditions well over 100 degrees, but how much over 100 is still well, up in the air. Meteorologists there also offered some warnings about the accuracy of some weather apps. This event could be one of the strongest since 2009 when Portland reached 106 on July 28th and 29th, the NWS said. We have tempered some of the extreme numbers coming out of the raw model guidance and people would be wise to be wary of some of the numbers being shown by various automated routines. See full Oregon Coast Weather here. Oregon Coast Hotels for this - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy will begin the new school year Thursday by hosting a week of special activities and celebrations, designed to spark excitement and establish high expectations as the CGLA community returns to the classroom. First week activities begin on Thursday and continue through Wednesday, Aug. 9. The first week of school is a brief yet critical period for both teachers and students, says Dr Elaine Swafford, CGLA executive director. Acknowledging that students need time to adapt and recalibrate from the relaxing days of summer to the structured educational environment sets a positive tone for the launch of a new school year. By offering a week of transitional programming, faculty and students have the opportunity to interact and connect. They are able to build relationships that nurture academic success. Dr. Swafford continues by referencing research about school attendance. Studies confirm that students who attend school on the first day are more enthusiastic about their education and more hopeful about their futures. Without question, the programming during first week of school is foundational for improving attendance and achieving high academic performance. Working throughout the summer, the CGLA faculty coordinated transitional programming to helpstudents start the school year strong and prepared. According to Maryo Beck, CGLA principal, teachers planned activities to elevate the schools commitment to educational excellence. Our schedule encourages exchanges between faculty and students, notes Mr. Beck. For example, students and faculty will engage in open discussions about topics such as bullying, college readiness, community service, careers, financial management, health and wellness, and technology. Activities include a cookout with games, followed by sessions when faculty and students explore their shared extracurricular interests. Students and faculty will also spend a day traveling together to visit local colleges, learning about emerging STEM careers. The week concludes with faculty and students participating a variety of team and relationship building exercises, says Dr. Swafford. We want the last day of the first week of school to be the positive beginning for the next 36 weeks of the school year. We want the 2017-2018 school year to be defined by a concept of community and teamwork that instills confidence and cooperation and recognizes the potential of every individual. For more information about the beginning of the CGLA school year, contact Donna Coleman, director of development, at 618-5362 or donnacoleman@cglaonline.com. For more information about CGLA, visit the schools website at CGLAonline.com. Hollywood star Nicole Kidman has told how she would love to take on more television roles as she praised the rise of women in the industry. The Oscar-winning actress, 50, also added that she would like to turn her attention to comedy as she spoke at the Television Critics Association press conference on Saturday. She took to the stage to talk about her role in Sundance TVs Top Of The Lake: China Girl, alongside Elisabeth Moss, after attending the same event earlier this year for her part in similarly female-led HBO series Big Little Lies. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference According to the Hollywood Reporter magazine, she told the audience at the Beverly Hills event: Would I love to do more TV? Absolutely. I love that for the two series that Ive done on TV, Im sitting with women up here and that means that the roles are here, the roles are in television and thats really exciting. As an actor you go where the great roles are. Expand Close Kidman (right) joins co-stars Gwendoline Christie, Elisabeth Moss and Alice Englert on the panel (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kidman (right) joins co-stars Gwendoline Christie, Elisabeth Moss and Alice Englert on the panel (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Best known for her roles in more hard-hitting dramas and films, which last year included portraying Australian mother Sue Brierley in emotional epic Lion, she said she would like to show her lighter side. They always say Im not funny, she told reporters. I would love to be able to do a comedy, I never get offered them. Im willing to fall on my face, Im willing to get back up again. I want to keep trying. The city centre complex has been bought by investment firm Wirefox The CastleCourt shopping centre in Belfast has been purchased for 125 million. Investment firm Wirefox has bought the city centre complex from Hermes Investment Management in one of the largest commercial property deals in Northern Ireland in recent times. Wirefox, which is based in Holywood, Co Down, said it plans significant capital expenditure in the 365,000 sq ft centre. The firm is headed by BJ Eastwood, the grandson of well-known bookmaker Barney Eastwood. Acquisition agents Savills will manage the property. Ben Turtle, from Savills, said: "Despite the shock of Brexit and ongoing political uncertainty, the retail sector in Northern Ireland continues to perform strongly, with positive retailer performances and robust letting activity. "With consumer confidence at its highest level since the third quarter of 2015, and the economy expected to grow at a faster rate than previously predicted, we expect Wirefox to reap the benefits of this high-profile acquisition." Uniformed police officers are to take part in Belfast's gay pride parade for the first time. Serving Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers will take their place in the colourful annual parade through the city centre next Saturday. A PSNI spokeswoman said: "Police officers and staff from the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been involved in the Pride parade for many years. However, this is the first time they will have taken part in the parade in uniform." "There will be a number of senior police representatives at the Pride event." Belfast Pride comes amid heightened scrutiny throughout the UK on LGBT issues in Northern Ireland after the Democratic Unionists' parliamentary deal with the Conservative Party. The region's continued ban on same-sex marriage is one of the issues preventing the restoration of a powersharing government in Belfast. Sinn Fein has said it will only agree to re-enter a coalition administration if the DUP stops blocking a law change. The DUP has used a controversial Stormont voting mechanism - the petition of concern - to prevent a law change, despite a majority of MLAs supporting the move at the last vote. The party rejects any suggestion it is homophobic, insisting it is instead protecting the "traditional" definition of marriage. An estimated 20,000 people marched through Belfast earlier this month calling for the introduction of gay marriage. Following March's snap Assembly election, the DUP no longer has the electoral strength to deploy a petition of concern in its own right, though it could still potentially combine with other socially conservative MLAs to do so. That will only be tested once, and if a devolved Assembly can be re-established out of the current political crisis in Belfast. If the region's politicians fail to establish a new executive, direct rule from Westminster could be re-imposed. If that were to happen, the responsibility for legislating on the region's marriage laws would be handed to the London government. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland will not help Britain design an economic border for Brexiteers The Irish Government's latest intervention on Brexit is motivated by politicking for domestic purposes, the DUP claimed. Nigel Dodds insisted Dublin was positioning for a general election after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland will not help Britain design an economic border for Brexiteers. The southern administration is unconvinced by the UK's plans to use technology to maintain the invisible land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. The DUP deputy leader said: "All of this can hardly be put down to inexperience. Rather, it seems to be deliberate positioning by the new team at the helm in Dublin in preparation and positioning for a coming general election. "Dressed up as grand ideas, what's going on is pure politicking for their own domestic market. Let no one pretend otherwise. "It's simply taking things backwards at a time when common sense co-operation between our two countries and between the Republic and Northern Ireland is what's needed." Mr Dodds said there was already an economic border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. "For instance, does he (Mr Varadkar) not realise that every time you cross the border, you need to change currency? "Or that each jurisdiction is subject to entirely different taxation and financial regimes? "Since Enda Kenny and Charlie Flanagan departed the scene, confusion seems to be the order of the day." Mr Varadkar also said he would try to find solutions that would "minimise the damage" to relations between Britain and Ireland, to the peace process and to trading links. The Times newspaper prompted the exchange after suggesting the Republic's preferred option for a post-Brexit frontier was for customs and immigration checks to be located at ports and airports instead of on land. 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." Sinn Fein has said the restoration of an Executive is only possible if "rights are implemented and agreements honoured" ahead of a meeting with the Secretary of State. Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy will tell James Brokenshire on Monday that when talks resume, they should be "short, focused and rigorously impartial". The Newry and Armagh MLA said: "Sinn Fein is entirely committed to a restoration of the power-sharing institutions but that will only be possible if the British Government get serious about their responsibilities to uphold citizens rights. "It simply isn't tenable that language rights, marriage equality and the right to coroners inquests are protected everywhere else on these islands except here. I don't think anyone would seriously want an Executive on that basis, where some citizens are denied the right to equal treatment. "It is entirely reasonable to expect equality of treatment and it is entirely reasonable to expect that previous agreements are honoured. If everyone can sign up to that when the talks resume, the institutions can be restored in a very short space of time." Last week Mr Brokenshire confirmed that the stalled talks on resolving the devolution crisis will resume next month, earlier than originally expected. On his visit to the United States, the Secretary of State said he wanted to "press ahead" with renewed negotiations towards the end of August. The five main Assembly parties - DUP, Sinn Fein, SDLP, UUP and Alliance - had not anticipated serious meetings would restart until September. Mr Murphy added that negotiations should be "short and focused on an early resolution". "It is certainly Sinn Fein's view that the negotiations should be short and focused on an early resolution". More than 60 people were forced to spend the night in temporary accommodation after a crane collapsed. Some have been told they can return to their homes after the 35-metre crane, with a 60-metre jib, was stabilised, having come to rest against the former Primark store in West Street, Reading. But Thames Valley Police (TVP) warned it could take days to remove the machine from the scene as expert engineers from the Netherlands assess the damage. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Emergency services were called to the scene at around 2pm on Saturday and 60 residential properties were evacuated. A total of 62 residents were re-homed by Reading Borough Council overnight, with others preferring to arrange to stay with friends and family. Superintendent Robert France said firefighters worked with others to stabilise the machine. The crane has now been stabilised and the fire service has left the scene, however TVP and Reading Borough Council remain at the scene, he said. Although the crane has been stabilised, the jib of the crane is damaged, therefore expert engineers from the Netherlands are travelling to the UK today to assess the damage. It is possible that it may take a number of days to repair the jib and remove the crane from the scene. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Residents of Cheapside, Oxford Road and West Street south of Primark have been told they can return to their homes, as well as those who access their properties from Friar Street. But those who live in Friar Street, with access from West Street, and some West Street residents are still not able to return home. West Street remains closed, but all other road closures have been lifted. Supt France said: We apologise for any inconvenience to residents, however our main priority is your safety. Thankfully, no one has been injured during the incident. For those residents that are unable to return to your properties at this time, if you need access to essential items inside your homes such as medicines or baby food, please present yourself to the police cordon and officers will attempt to assist you. He added that the Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the incident. Searching the Scriptures is a commendable work. Acts 17:11 praises the Bereans, Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. (NASU) We need to remember that there is a right way and a wrong way to search the Scriptures. The Bible is a book like no other. Rather than one book, it is a library of books. Each book stands alone as a complete literary work on its own. However, each book fits together marvelously to form a unified work. Remove any one of the books and what is left is an incomplete picture of God and His redemptive work. It is easy to fall into legalism, looking for some rules to follow that we think will earn Gods approval. It is also easy to think we can find a formula for a better earthly life. These miss the point. Jesus gave a clear word on the right way and the wrong way to search the Scriptures in John 5:39-47, You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" (NASU) This is a portion of a lengthy response that Jesus gave to religious leaders who were seeking to kill Him because He was, in their opinion, breaking the Sabbath and also equating Himself with deity. Jesus point goes right to the heart of the issue. It is possible for us to do exactly as the Pharisees did, going over the Scripture with a fine toothed comb, diligently looking for rules to keep, believing that this would make us righteous. Rather, Jesus calls on us to search the Scriptures looking for Him, because it is Him that all of the Scripture points to. Remember that Jesus is speaking specifically about the Old Testament. Certainly the New Testament speaks directly of Jesus, but the Old Testament also does so even if sometimes in shadowy types and pictures. The Old Testament historical narratives, laws, sacrifices, genealogies, poetic wisdom literature, and prophecy all testify about Jesus. If we read the Old Testament looking for anything other than the promised Messiah we will miss the main thing. Jesus went on to say that the eternal life the Pharisees thought they could find in legalism could never be found there. Eternal life can only be found in coming in faith to the One the Scriptures testify about. The Pharisees thought that they believed Moses but they did not because they did not understand (or perhaps they did not want to understand) what Moses and others had written about in the Old Testament. The Bible is first and last a record of the Creative and Redemptive work of God. Please do not search it in vain. Met Police said Chambers admitted possessing a firearm, possessing ammunition without a certificate and having class A drugs with intent to supply (Kirsty O'Connor/PA) A gangster who hid a gun linked to two murders and stashed hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine has been jailed for a decade, Scotland Yard said. Andre Chambers, 34, of Woolwich in south-east London, had evaded detectives for three years before his capture, and admitted the charges at Croydon Crown Court on Friday July 28, according to the Met. Chambers, of Harlinger Street, had earlier pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, possessing ammunition without a certificate and two counts of having class A drugs with intent to supply. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference In September 2013, officers found a hidden 9mm Glock handgun, eight bullets and hundreds of grams of high-purity cocaine at a property in Southwark that Chambers was living in. Forensic analysis found it was used to murder 24-year-old Errol Davis at a nightclub near London Bridge in 2008. It was also linked to the murder of 25-year-old Larry Safie in East Dulwich in 2009. It was further found to have been used in two attempted murders in both 2007 and 2009. Scotland Yard said Chambers did not commit the killings, but was holding the gun for other gang members. A man was arrested and charged over the murders of Safie and Davis but was acquitted following a trial. Inquiries continue in both investigations, the Met said. Chambers was caught in a minicab near Woolwich Ferry in October last year, more than a year-and-a-half after a 20,000 reward was offered for information on his location. Acting Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe said a dangerous man was off the streets following the three-year hunt. He added: Chambers did everything he could to evade capture and no doubt got complacent and thought he had got away with the offences committed in 2013. I hope his sentence serves as a warning to those intent on concealing weapons and dealing drugs, we will continue to pursue you no matter the length of time. The search for a missing five-year-old girl believed to be with her father, who is wanted by police, has moved to the Republic of Ireland. Molly Owens is thought to be with Brian Owens, 26, who has a warrant out for his arrest. Owens failed to turn up at Caernarfon Magistrates Court in North Wales on Friday for sentencing. North Wales Police have not said what offences he had committed. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Police now say they believe father and daughter are in Ireland with 31-year-old Elaine Doutch. Superintendent Jane Banham of North Wales Police said: Our investigation is ongoing and we are still appealing for information from anybody who may have been in contact with Brian Owens to get in touch with us. From our inquiries we believe they are in the Republic of Ireland with a woman by the name of Elaine Doutch, and we are in close contact with our colleagues at the Garda who are assisting us. We just want to ensure that Molly is safe and well and are issuing a direct appeal for her to be returned home. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Molly is described as having collar-length blonde hair and blue eyes. She sometimes wears pink glasses. It is now known that she was last seen wearing a dark blue T-shirt with a light pattern on the front, blue jeans and trainers. She is also believed to have been carrying a toy similar to a teddy bear. Brian Owens is described as being 5ft 9in and of slim build. He has short brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a white top, dark trousers and trainers and was carrying a blue jacket. Ms Doutch was seen wearing a black top, grey cardigan, dark trousers and white trainers. Anyone with information is asked to contact North Wales Police quoting reference number V113559. Police have thwarted a terrorist plot to bring down a plane, arresting four men in raids on homes in Sydney's suburbs. Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said security had been increased at Sydney Airport since Thursday because of the plot. The measures were extended to all major international and domestic terminals around Australia overnight. "I can report that there has been a major joint counter-terrorism operation to disrupt a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane," Mr Turnbull said. "The operation is continuing." Australian Federal Police commissioner Andrew Colivn said details were scant on the specifics of the attack, the location and timing. "In recent days, law enforcement has been become aware of information that suggested some people in Sydney were planning to commit a terrorist attack using an improvised devise," he said. "We are investigating information indicating the aviation industry was potentially a target of that attack." Mr Turnbull advised travellers in Australia to arrive at airports earlier than usual - two hours before departure - to allow for extra security screening, and minimise carry-on baggage. Justice minister Michael Keenan said the plot was the 13th significant threat disrupted by police since Australia's terror threat level was elevated in 2014. Five plots have been executed. "The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors, but the events overnight remind us that there is still the ability for people to have sophisticated plots and sophisticated attacks still remain a real threat," Mr Keenan said. "In light of this information, it's very important that everyone in Australia remains vigilant." The operation was carried out by the Australian Federal Police, New South Wales state police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the country's main domestic spy agency. The investigation could continue for days, Mr Colvin said. Seven Network television said 40 riot squad officers wearing gas masks stormed an inner-Sydney house before an explosives team found a suspicious device. A woman led from a raid by police with her head covered told Nine Network Television: "I love Australia." AP Deakin University security expert Greg Barton said the first plot to target aircraft in Australia, the highest aspiration of many extremists, was a "pretty big threshold moment". The plotters were apparently making a peroxide-based explosive device rather than using nitrate-based chemicals that can be detected by airport security swab tests, he said. Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi used such a peroxide-based explosive, triacetone triperoxide, better known as TATP, to kill 22 concert-goers in Britain on May 22. "TATP's called Mother of Satan because it often kills the bomb maker because it's very unstable as it's mixed," Mr Barton said. "But if it's mixed well, it can be very potent and a small amount can be enough to bring an aircraft down if it's done very, very expertly." He said the plan most likely was to take the explosive on board in carry-on luggage unless there was a baggage handler involved who could ensure that a stowed bomb exploded near the fuselage where it would be most damaging. "The speculation is that the bombers would like to put it in carry-on luggage so they can be sure of getting it placed near the fuselage skin," Mr Barton said, adding however that putting something in a suitcase was "a lottery whether it ends up near the outside of the luggage hold or packed near the middle". There was no evidence that airport security had been compromised, Mr Colvin said. "We believe it's Islamic-inspired terrorism," he said, when asked if the Islamic State terror group was behind the plot. AP Men are rounded up during a drug raid at a community in Manila, July 20, 2017. A mayor, his wife and at least 13 others were killed Sunday when Philippine police launched predawn raids at the homes of local politicians accused by President Rodrigo Duterte of being drug traffickers. Among those killed was Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog of southern Ozamiz city, his wife, Susan, and brother, Octavio, who was a town official. A daughter, Nova Princess, who is the mayors deputy, was arrested. The raids occurred less than a week after Duterte vowed to continue with his anti-narcotics war amid criticism from rights groups. Several kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride and high powered firearms were seized from six homes owned by the Parojinogs, according to officials. Police said the raiding team were met with a volley of fire from the mayors private militia, triggering a gun battle that lasted about two hours. One policeman was hurt but was said to be out of danger. There was gunfire coming from the security of the Parojinogs, forcing the policemen to retaliate, local police spokesman Supt. Lemuel Gonda said. Private militia members employed by the mayor were killed in the gun battle, according to officials. Ozamiz police chief Jovie Espenido said 15 were killed in the raids, the Associated Press reported. A separate raid at the home of another of the mayors brothers, village councilor Ricardo Parojinog, yielded several weapons and drugs, but he escaped and is the subject of a manhunt, police said. War on drugs The Parojinogs were among those named last year by President Duterte as among about 150 local officials and politicians involved in drugs. The family denied the accusation. At least two other mayors allegedly linked to drugs were killed in 2016. In November, Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was killed in his jail cell during a shootout with police after being arrested on drug charges in October. Also in October, another mayor, Samsudin Dimaukom, was gunned down by police officers near the southern region of Maguindanao after he allegedly rammed through a checkpoint and fired at them. Sundays raid came less than a week after Duterte vowed in Congress he would carry on with his drugs war that has left thousands dead since he took office last year, despite widespread condemnation from rights group. In his state of the union speech on Monday, Duterte asked critics, including the United States, the European Union as well as the United Nations, to instead educate the public on the scourge rather than condemning him. I do not intend to loosen the leash in the campaign or lose the fight against illegal drugs. Neither do I intend to preside over the destruction of the Filipino youth by being timid and tentative in my decisions and actions, Duterte said. The fight will be unremitting as it will be unrelenting. Despite international and local pressures, the fight will not stop until those who deal in it understand that they have to cease. Police said at least 2,700 alleged drug addicts and drug peddlers have been killed since Duterte became president last year. About 5,700 drug-related deaths were under investigation including those blamed on vigilantes. The government has denied having a hand in the killings and said they could be part of a purge by warring drug gangs amid the governments large-scale drug war. Pole sitter David Brannon of Elora, Tn., survived a flurry of mid-race cautions to win the 10th annual Firecracker 50 Saturday night/early Sunday morning at Fort Payne Motor Speedway. Brannon, in his Longhorn Chassis powered by a Clements Race Engine and sponsored by Elora Gin and Brannon Cotton Farms, led all 50 laps to collect a $3,000 payday, winning by seven-tenths of a second ahead of a bunch of "Bama-Brigade" racers. The event was finally put in the books on the third attempt, due to continuous interruptions from Mother-Nature back during the previous weeks. At the conclusion 12 cars finished the race, with 10 completing all 50 circuits. Brannon's qualifying mark of 13.496 seconds set a new track record of the 27 total Super Late Model entrants. Defending race champion Josh Putnam of Florence, Ala., ran second early before slipping to sixth. Local racers Robert Gant and current SLM track points leader JT Seawright finished closely behind Brannon at the checkers. Picking up 13 spots, Daniel Miller of Lynchburg, Tn., finished eighth after starting 21st. Heath Hindman of Signal Mtn. Tn won the B-Main, while Darrell Hayes and Teddy Snow used track points provisionals to make up the 24 car starting field. Fans were treated to a second straight "Fan Appreciation Night" at the track with a Fireworks Show and a discounted $12 general admission ticket. Phenix City, Ala., Richie Stephens and Pelham, Georgia's Jason Price split the twin UCRA 602/Sportsman features, both of whom race in the Phenix City (AL) area on a regular basis and had never been to Fort Payne before Saturday . Stephens has now won four out of the last five races in the 602/Sportsman UCRA Mini Series between Fort Payne and his East Alabama Motor Speedway home track and takes over the points lead from Jesse Hughes. Regular racing in all FPMS classes resumes next Saturday, Aug. 5 . More details can be obtained online at Regular racing in all FPMS classes resumes next. More details can be obtained online at www.FortPayneMotorSpeedway .com or on the tracks Facebook page. Official Results: FireCracker 50 1. David Brannon 2. Robert Gant 3. JT Seawright 4. Aaron Ridley 5. Lucas Burns 6. Josh Putnam 7. Kasey Hall 8. Daniel Miller 9. Luke Riddle 10. Heath Hindman 11. Darrell Hayes 12. Kip Fossett 13. Dusty Carver 14. Tod Hernandez 15. Teddy Snow 16. Shay Miller 17. DJ Hayes 18. Colby Kilgore 19. Clay Joseph 20. Richard Smith 21. Tom Maddox 22. Sam Seawright 23. Casey Turman 24. Bryan Grider Ya Qiaoli has been waiting eagerly for her university admission letter, at her home in a mountainous village in south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, ever since she was told that she has been admitted to Guangxi University of Nationalities. For her, the letter is crucial. It means she can spend the next four years in Nanning, the regional capital, studying finance. Ya scored 549 points out of 750 points in June's national college entrance exam, better known as the gaokao. The points guarantee university acceptance, yet they are not enough for her to apply for a good major. "I was able to choose either a good university or a good major only after I got the bonus points for ethnic minorities," Ya said. As a Zhuang ethnic student, Ya got 10 bonus points, according to a national policy that allows ethnic minority students to gain as many as 20 bonus gaokao points. The policy helps ethnic minority students, many from remote and impoverished areas with poor educational standards, to reduce their disadvantage in the exam. Ya studies in the only high school in Fengshan county, her hometown. Located in Hechi city, it is a national-level poverty-stricken county. Among a total of 1,133 students who took gaokao this year, about 60 percent were ethnic minority students, mainly from the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups. According to the policy, Zhuang students can get 10 bonus points and Yao students can get 20. When the recruitment was finished, 97.7 percent of students were admitted to universities or junior colleges. "The figures increased obviously compared with 10 years ago, as a result of both improved education quality and favorable policies," said Luo Yingyang, deputy principal of Fengshan County High School. In Leye county, a national-level poverty-stricken county in Baise city of Guangxi, more than 20 percent of all 789 students taking the gaokao this year were admitted to universities, with most of the rest admitted to vocational colleges. Huang Bingzhong, principal of Leye County High School, said that for many students whose families are poor, university entrance could guarantee that they would be lifted out of poverty. "Sending a child to university or college is the best way for a family to get out of the mountains," Huang said. China sees education as a key method in its poverty alleviation efforts, so it has launched favorable gaokao policies for students from rural and poor areas. In April, the Ministry of Education announced that top-level universities would enroll 63,000 students from a number of underdeveloped regions in 2017, about 3,000 more than in 2016. Recruiting of poor students into provincial-level colleges is expected to grow by 10 percent this year. Under these requirement, in Guangxi, a total of 2,507 students have been recruited by 154 universities, 300 more than in 2016. Guangxi has the most number of ethnic minority people in China, and it is also one of the least developed regions, with 28 national-level poverty-stricken counties, in which 11 are ethnic minority autonomous counties. With the number of school-age children growing, many poor counties face a shortage of competent teachers, funds and schools. Principal Luo said the school was designed to accommodate a maximum of 2,200 students, but currently there are nearly 3,500 students. The school lacks not only classrooms but new facilities. Low salaries also makes it hard for teachers to stay. "Every year, several teachers resign, and it is very difficult for us to hire new ones," he said. Leye County High School has cooperated with other higher qualified schools so that students can have lessons given by teachers of these schools online. Yet more methods are hoped to be launched. More funding is needed to improve the educational conditions such as buildings and facilities in poor areas, said Ya Qiming, an official of education in Donglan county, another national-level poverty-stricken county in Hechi. "Teachers' salaries and welfare should also be improved so that they would like to stay in these areas," he said. Chinas first X-ray space telescope [File photo] The other day, reading a headline in the China Daily, Data of Chinas first X-ray space telescope to be open to global scientists, I was both surprised and somewhat concerned. Surprised, because it is international best practice in science to share data with anyone, no matter what their institutional affiliation, nationality or geographical location. I had therefore expected no less than an open and transparent data policy from the team running the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), nicknamed Insight. Concerned, because the headline implied that scientific policy makers apparently thought such openness was novel. It is not; open data sharing has been the international norm in the field of space science since the first scientific missions supported by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Of course, commercial and national security interests can preclude some open data-sharing, but an X-ray satellite designed to explore distant celestial objects to better understand their nature including that of the massive black holes at the centers of many nearby galaxies hardly pose a threat to national security. This policy of openness both in terms of data availability and data acquisition has been enormously beneficial to both NASA and ESA. Their joint project, the Hubble Space Telescope, is arguably the most productive scientific instrument ever built. Its productivity is due largely to the way it offers unrestricted access to anyone with a great idea the competition is fierce, with oversubscription rates by factors of eight or more; however, if your idea is ground-breaking, it doesnt matter where you are based. The students and junior researchers in my team at Peking University routinely use Hubble observations that have languished in its Data Archive for years, perhaps never explored or used for other purposes. The age of observational data in astrophysics doesnt matter; the novelty of the results does and by using years-old Hubble data, we have managed to publish a number of ground-breaking discoveries in prestigious journals like Nature. Of course, we get the academic credit for those discoveries, but both space agencies also get what they hoped for: more publicity and a confirmation of their cutting-edge status. Such are indeed the prospects for the X-ray observations the Insight module will obtain as well. No matter who publishes their scientific results, the eventual kudos go to the Chinese team responsible for the satellites development and operation. By international norms, the scientists involved understand their data, as well as that obtained for any other scientist whose proposal is accepted, will be theirs for just a year, the proprietary period. For so-called survey facilities, like ESAs current flagship mission Gaia (which will revolutionize studies and understanding of our own Milky Way galaxy), the timeline is somewhat different. Their data will still be made publicly available, but through annual data releases; the first Gaia release happened just recently. So, my concern when reading the newspaper headline was that it might indicate an underlying reluctance by the scientific policymakers responsible for Chinese space missions to truly embrace a spirit of international openness. This would send a poor message about the scientific community on which I consider myself an integral and active member. Fortunately, upon reading the full article, I was reassured that Chinese space scientists indeed want to contribute their novel achievements in high technology to the international community. Perhaps it was just the headline writer who didnt quite understand the potentially negative implication of his words. By joining forces with the greatest minds, scientific progress becomes ever more promising. Richard de Grijs is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/RicharddeGrijs.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a bill that imposes additional sanctions on Russia and intends to sign it, the White House said Friday. The U.S. president "read early drafts of the bill and negotiated regarding critical elements of it," the White House said in a statement. "He has now reviewed the final version and, based on its responsiveness to his negotiations, approves the bill and intends to sign it," it added. Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill that will slap tougher sanctions on Russia, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The bill will also grant U.S. Congress the power to block Trump from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Russia. This bill came although Trump administration officials had called on lawmakers to grant "flexibility" to the White House in dealing with Russia. Trump's approval of the bill came after Russia announced that it would 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. Russian President Vladimir Putin has personally authorized the Foreign Ministry statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday. "We have received the Russian government notification. Ambassador (John) Tefft expressed his strong disappointment and protest. We have passed the notification back to Washington for review," the U.S. Embassy in Russia said in a statement. Russia will respond to U.S. sanctions while still willing to normalize bilateral relations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson by phone on Friday. These moves were caused by a series of hostile actions by Washington, including "unlawful" sanctions and "slanderous" accusations against Russia, said Lavrov, according to a statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry. In December 2016, 35 Russian diplomats were expelled and two retreats in New York and Maryland used by Russian diplomats for recreation and receptions were closed by the administration of outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama over accusations of alleged Russian hacking during the presidential election. "The Russian decision to reduce U.S. diplomatic staff appears linked directly to the new Congressional sanctions bill," Steven Pifer, senior fellow of Brookings Institution, told Xinhua. "Neither action will help the U.S.-Russia relationship, which was already at a difficult level," said Pifer. Meanwhile, the security expert said plenty of work is needed to improve the frayed relations. "It is going to take patient, hard diplomacy to move the relationship to a better point," Pifer added. Flash The U.S. government is seeking to create hazardous conditions for Iran by imposing fresh sanctions, Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said here on Saturday, state IRIB TV reported. "They (the U.S. adminstration) have the intention of introducing Iran as the violator of the (2015) nuclear deal and to create a consensus against Tehran in international arena," Jahangiri said. Also, they want to picture Iran as "insecure and risky" country for foreign investments, he was quoted as saying. Iran will never stay silent in the face of U.S. threatening measures, and will respond appropriately, he said. Jahangiri's remarks followed U.S. new sanctions against the Islamic republic over the latter's missile program. 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. 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 U.S. statement. Iran's Foreign Ministry, however, slammed Washington's threats and pressures pertaining to Tehran's recent successful launch of a satellite carrier, saying that the launch of satellite carrier is "Iran's inalienable right" and in compliance with its international obligations. Flash A rare, solid gold replica of the 1969 Lunar Excursion Module that landed on the moon has been stolen from a museum in the U.S. state of Ohio, local police said Saturday. Police in Wapakoneta, Ohio, said in a press release that it received a call of burglary alarm at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum just before midnight Friday. The police found that the gold replica, which measures about five inches (12.7 cm) high and roughly 4.5 inches square (29 cm square), has been stolen, according to the release. "This piece is very rare as it was presented to Neil Armstrong in Paris, France shortly after the moon landing," the press release said. "This piece is one of only three to exist. One was made for each of the three astronauts that completed this mission." The replica was made by Cartier in Paris and police said its value cannot be determined. In a statement posted on Facebook, the museum said: "Theft from a museum is a theft from all of us ... For every day that an item is missing, we are all robbed of an opportunity to enjoy it and our history." Armstrong, born in Wapakoneta in 1930, was the first man to walk on the moon in a 1969 mission that also included Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. Armstrong died in 2012 at the age of 82. Kurdish Authorities Say Assyrian Professor Killed By Family Member The public prosecution in the Cezire canton of Rojava-Northern Syria said in a statement that neither the Asayish police nor the YPG had any involvement in the killing of Dr. Elias Ishaq, an Assyrian professor whose body was found in Hasakah. The Rojava authorities said that one of Ishaq's relatives was responsible for the murder. Dr. Elias Ishaq's body was found on 21 July in al-Hasakah province near the village of Umm al-Malah, 5 kilometers west of Hasakah city, with a bullet in his head. According to the public prosecution services in the Hasakah province (Cezire canton), Nazir Georgianan, the son of Ishaq's sister was responsible for the death. Dr. Ishaq was the dean of the faculty for agricultural engineering at the Furat University in Hasakah. After his death, groups opposed to the Asayish and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) accused them of killing the Assyrian professor. However, the prosecution denied this. "We deny this accusation and we affirm that we are still the party responsible to protect the security and safety of citizens in the Al-Jazira [Hasakah] province," the organization said. According the Commission of Inquiry and Prosecution in Cezire canton, after the victim's body was examined and evidence was collected, the investigation confirmed that the murderer was Nazir Georgianan, a relative of the professor. While he initially surrendered to the Syrian regime in the security square in Hasakah, Georgianan later surrendered to the Kurdish security forces and will be prosecuted. The commission accused Nazir Georgianan of trying to kill his father and grandfather due to conflict over money. The head of Luxembourg's financial lobby group has accused Irish politicians of making "false accusations" against the Duchy as the battle to snare London-based firms looking for a new home after Brexit intensifies. Nicolas Mackel denied suggestions the Duchy is allowing so-called "brass plate" operations that would give firms token access to the single market. He was responding to comments made by former finance minister Eoghan Murphy earlier this year which were interpreted as a thinly veiled criticism of Luxembourg. The chief executive of Luxembourg for Finance told the Press Association: "As long as we can get those sorts of false accusations out of the debate, I think all the other competitive elements are just a normal occurrence of business." "We make it a point never to talk negatively about our competitors, unlike some of them. I think it's just like in politics - you resort to that sort of communication if you really don't have anything to say about yourself and your strength." Mr Mackel believes the inflammatory remarks made by Mr Murphy in a Reuters interview - complaining that other European cities were being "very aggressive" and taking part in "creeping regulatory arbitrage", referring to lax rules - were made for "internal political needs". He added: "Since then, the circumstances in Ireland have changed with a new government and they themselves having been able to make some announcements on companies (choosing Dublin after Brexit). "So there will be no more need to resort to this sort of communication." A spokesperson for the Department of Finance said the comment by Mr Murphy "was not a criticism of Luxembourg or any other member state". They added Mr Murphy had raised a number of issues during a scheduled meeting with European Commission VP Valdis Dombrovskis earlier this including "ensuring there is consistency across EU member states" in applying regulatory standards for financial services. Mr Mackel acknowledged there was competition to draw business among rival EU financial centres, including Frankfurt and Dublin "to a certain degree", but said Luxembourg felt no pressure to offer special terms and firms were weighing a raft of criteria when choosing their post-Brexit hubs. In recent months Barclays, Legal & General and Bank of America have revealed plans to base EU-focused operations in Dublin, while the Duchy has gained commitments from the likes of US giant AIG, Northern Trust and insurers RSA and Hiscox. The Luxembourg for Finance chief said having a dedicated insurance regulator has been a draw for the sector, while most asset managers have boosted activity in the country without fanfare in preparation for Britain's divorce from the EU. He expects the city to attract approximately 2,000 jobs in the next one to two years as a result. Mr Mackel said Luxembourg made a conscious decision to hold back from running international roadshows in a bid to win business, eschewing a tactic employed by the likes of Paris and Frankfurt. He added: "We felt we would not necessarily need to and I think we were actually right. "Many of the asset management companies that operate out of London have a Luxembourg platform, and were going to very naturally use that Luxembourg platform to consolidate their activities on the European continent. "The same goes for banks." However while Luxembourg was gaining business, Mr Mackel said Brexit is still being viewed as a "lose-lose proposition overall". Update 2.30pm: Mayo Mountain Rescue is carrying out its usual operation on Croagh Patrick for the annual pilgrimage. Six casualties have been treated and taken off the mountain so far today. A man in his 70s suffered a heart attack earlier today, he was resuscitated and airlifted by Coast Guard helicopter 118 to Galway University Hospital. A number of others received varying injuries. Earlier: Do not let the weather fool you if you are climbing Croagh Patrick today. Today is the annual Reek Sunday when pilgrims attempt to climb the mountain in honour of Saint Patrick. Hundreds of rescue volunteers from mountain rescue teams across the country will be on hand for the mountain's busiest day of the year - along with 120 volunteers from the Order of Malta. The Unit's spokesperson Aoife Clarke says you have got to be well prepared for the climb. "What people need to remember is this is a mountain. It's not a hill, it's a mountain, so the weather conditions when you start climbing by the time you get to the top it could be completely different," she said. "It's really important that people come prepared for every sort of weather eventuality. We'd ask people when they start to climb that they have good footwear on, good comfortable clothes, lots of layers, layers they can take off and layers that they put on, and make sure they have raingear." A monitoring operation has continued overnight following severe gorse fires near Kilternan in South County Dublin yesterday. Dublin Fire Brigade are urging the public not to dispose of rubbish in the hills and only light camp-fires in designated areas. Units from Dunloghaire, Tallaght and Phibsboro, including a water tanker, were all called to assist in the operation. It involved cutting down a 110-thousand-volt electricity pole, and bringing in a drone to oversee the direction of the fire. A five-year-old girl has been reported missing in the UK - and is believed to be with her father who is wanted after skipping court. Molly Owens is thought to be with Brian Owens, 26, who has a warrant out for his arrest and is thought to have travelled to Ireland. Owens failed to turn up at Caernarfon Magistrates'Court in North Wales on Friday for sentencing. North Wales Police have not said what offences he had committed. Molly is described as having collar-length blonde hair and blue eyes. She sometimes wears pink glasses. It is not known what she is wearing at the time she disappeared. Brian Owens is 5ft 9in and slim, with short brown hair and blue eyes. Superintendent Jane Banham of North Wales Police said: "Our investigation is ongoing and we are still appealing for information from anybody who may have been in contact with Brian Owens to get in touch with us. "From our inquiries we believe they are in the Republic of Ireland with a woman by the name of Elaine Doutch and we are in close contact with our colleagues at the Garda who are assisting us. "We just want to ensure that Molly is safe and well and are issuing a direct appeal for her to be returned home." Anybody with information is asked to contact North Wales Police, quoting reference number V113559. Temple Bar in Dublin is set to get a revamp. The city council is planning to give the popular tourist area a de-clutter to improve accessibility. Plans include removing the podium in the square and getting rid of bins and sandwich boards. Martin Harte from the Temple Bar Company thinks it is a good idea. "It'll make it a more useable space, which currently it isn't." he said. "It's hard to run cultural events there at the moment because there's a lack of space. It's a bit of a mess, there's a lot of clutter. "This will free it up and make it more of an amenity for the citizens of Dublin." Iraqi intelligence officials have foiled an attempt by Islamic State to attack revered Shiite shrines and the sect's spiritual leader. The IS plan was to launch a series of suicide attacks in Karbala and Najaf that house the shrines as well as the home of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Travellers flying from Canberra Airport are being warned to arrive early and expect additional screening as security is boosted at terminals around Australia on Sunday. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and law enforcement agencies announced screening at all major airports had been ramped up overnight following the discovery of an alleged terror plot to bring down a plane with a bomb. Around Australia passengers on domestic flights are being told to arrive at the airport two hours before takeoff but Canberra Airport is seeing business as usual without additional delays on Sunday. Some airlines are contacting passengers nationally via text messages on Sunday to alert them to "additional aviation security measures". On April 27, the game was up. Gary Helou stood down. Credit:Jason South So too was Bradley Hingle, the company's chief financial officer. Both men, alongside the company itself, are now the subjects of ACCC prosecution. By August 2015, the price for whole milk powder had fallen from $US2500 a tonne to $US2050 a tonne. Credit:Penny Stephens Helou's spray at his Chinese team is just one of the extraordinary revelations in the regulator's detailed statement of claim lodged this week in the federal court. The document gives an unprecedented insight into the unravelling of one of the Australia's biggest agricultural companies and a collapse that sent reverberations through both the investment community and dairy towns around southern Australia. Dairy farmer Kate Lamb described Murray Goulburn's milk price cut as ''a kick in the guts''. Credit:Jason South He shouldn't come back until he has put in place BIG and IMMEDIATE DEALS!!! Former CEO Gary Helou. For its part the company says it will not comment on matters before the court and will respond to the allegations in the ACCC documents when its defence is filed at the end of August. Riffing over spilt milk It's called the "RIF" inside Murray Goulburn. Every month the Revised Income Forecast is prepared to help track the company's performance, especially the all-important "final milk price". lllustration: Matt Golding. At the start of every financial year, Murray Goulburn would provide two prices to its supplying farmers the opening and final milk price. The opening price, usually, is about 90 per cent of the final price at the end of the year. In every year of its life, bar a hiccup during the global financial crisis, Murray Goulburn had followed this pattern. In the unpredictable world of farming, this is a way of trying to introduce some certainty. The production of the RIF is a key focus of the ACCC in its pursuit of the executives and company it claims misled farmers about what they might expect. There was a RIF in the background when on May 1, 2015, Helou wrote to farmers saying the company forecast a final price of $6.05 per kilogram of milk solids. It was built on assumptions about the volume of whole and skim milk powders, butter and cheese Murray Goulburn could sell and the prices it would get. Murray Goulburn was betting on increases right through the coming financial year. Yet court documents reveal that the prices Murray Goulburn was accepting were already dropping sharply by the end of May. By August, the price for whole milk powder had fallen from $US2500 a tonne to $US2050 a tonne, skim milk from $US2100 a tonne to $US1720 a tonne, and butter from $US3500 to $US3000 a tonne. Budget 'very aggressive' From the get go, there was nervousness in the ranks. Aditya Swarup, executive general manager of strategy, wrote to Hingle on the same day the letters went to farmers, saying the budget for the dairy part of the operation was "already very aggressive". Despite some wobbly signs in the markets, the company doubled down in June, even as respected forecaster Rabobank sliced its expectations for prices by roughly 20 per cent. At a board meeting on June 24, Helou and Hingle recommended the board set an opening price of $5.60 per kilogram of milk solids after working backwards from their final price promise of $6.05 a kilogram. That day, the company announced the price to the market and farmers. "While commodity dairy markets remain subdued and exchange rates unpredictable, we are confident that demand growth for dairy foods will remain strong over the medium to long term," Helou said in the release. The ACCC says that by this point, Murray Goulburn already knew that markets were moving against it and should not have made the representations it did without appropriate qualification. By July, the sales division was running numbers that came up short of the budget from May. In fact, they felt that every quarter would miss its target and the gross profit for the division would be $200 million south of where it needed to be. Enter the RIF. The message was bleak. The "low" case was a final price of $5.06 per kilogram milk solids and the "high" case was $5.33 well shy of the $6.05 promised to the world. There was talk that seizing "opportunities" could lift the top case to $5.66. Alarm bells By the end of the month, Helou was acknowledging internally there was a "gap". The ACCC alleges this was another clear moment to come clean. It wasn't taken. Alarm bells were ringing though as prices in August were hitting record lows. The response? Management came up with a series of "stretch targets". In effect, this meant massive increases in production and sales goals. For example, the new targets would require the sale of 49 per cent more 1 kilogram milk powder packets, known internally as sachets, in the financial year. A RIF was prepared using the stretch targets and, sure enough, the result was a top-case scenario at $6.05. The company's head of group finance, had seen enough. "These forecast/prices do not look like they are based on reality rather purely a goal to seek to achieve a certain outcome," he wrote in an email to Hingle. "Not putting realistic forecasts to the business/board, including high opportunity targets, does not serve any purpose in actually getting a realistic picture on the true prospects currently around the milk price." Fonterra calls out prices It was at about this time that Murray Goulburn's arch rival, Fonterra, had called out prices in Australia as being too high in the middle of a global dairy rout. Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings warned a conversation with farmers needed to be had about paying a more sustainable milk price. Credit:Pat Scala Nevertheless, the RIF was taken to the board a couple of days later on August 28 and subsequently Helou presented the company's results to investors. "We think the market has bottomed," he optimistically predicted. The company did suggest there was a chance prices might slide but maintained confidence it would hit the $6.05 benchmark. Investors lapped it up and the share price jumped 5.8 per cent in a day. In the ACCC's eyes, it was all digging a deeper hole. Murray Goulburn held meetings with farmers around Victoria and South Australia who were looking for good news amid unusually dry conditions that had seen some culling stock. Throughout, the script was retained. By now it was RIF time again and the September edition told management that the stretch targets weren't being hit and the most likely price was $5.67. The public result was the same. No change. The dose was repeated in October when the RIF predicted a recovery in global prices that would secure the $6.05 as a "high" case but that $5.73 was most likely. The ACCC says those number were based on both unrealistic commodity prices and the stretch targets. Another public examination was on the horizon in the shape of the company's annual general meeting. There Helou stuck to the $6.05 pledge but warned that could slide to about $5.60 if things did not go to plan. New plan hatched Within weeks, another big rival, Warrnambool Butter & Cheese, was publicly complaining that the prices being paid to farmers couldn't be maintained when global prices had halved. By November, some of the stretch targets were being ditched and a new plan was put to the board to go after the Chinese infant powder market. This underpinned a slightly new-look RIF aimed at filling a building profit hole despite as the ACCC puts it there being "no contracts or firm commitments for the sales". For the record, the RIF's best guess on the final price was $5.69. The baby formula plan didn't last a month. It was ditched just before Christmas and a new plan hatched. Murray Goulburn would try to sell 58,000 tonnes of sachets at a price that would produce $150 million in gross profit. This second stretch target would help produce a final price of $6.04. (Murray Goulburn had sold just 11,872 tonnes of sachets between July and November of that year. Its previous annual record was 15,000 tonnes.) "Murray Goulburn did not know whether it would be capable of producing enough sachets to meet the second sachet target," the ACCC says. 'Clear, simple and bold' Executives were nervous. There was talk of logistical problems reaching the targets. The December RIF tipped the most likely price as $5.68. Helou was not about to start the new year without a plan. He wrote to senior executives saying he had targets that were "clear, simple and bold". The company, which had only once before produced more than 4000 tonnes of sachets in a month, would count on producing almost double that to churn out 42,000 tonnes over the first six months of 2016. Not only that but, starting in February, it would produce 200 tonnes a month of infant formula. Babies were back on board. Yet again there were no contracts in place to buy the additional product. The board by now was showing signs of scepticism. Ken Jones, a director, sent an email to the board, Helou and Hingle "stating that he was extremely concerned about Murray Goulburn's half-yearly accounts and future prospects for profits getting anywhere near the PDS advice and suppliers' expectations". Difficult questions Executives too were asking difficult questions. Confronted with a February RIF that forecast a final price of $5.61, some clearly felt things had gone too far. Executives met with Hingle where one told him "he did not understand how that forecast could be achieved from what he was seeing within the business". February sales were well short of the RIF and both the "sachet volume and price are at risk" according to an internal message. Treasurer Scott Morrison has described Labor's $17 billion plan to close family trust tax loopholes as a "direct assault" on small business and has challenged Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to release the full details of his policy. Describing Mr Shorten as a "till raider", Mr Morrison said the Labor plan was yet another negative policy "dripping with envy and higher taxes" that would do nothing to get Australians into jobs. "This is another direct assault on small businesses by Labor. Bill Shorten is whacking small business families with a double tax," Mr Morrison told Fairfax Media. "He is using small businesses as an ATM, putting his hand in their till. If your family runs a small business and you have a family trust, Bill Shorten thinks you're the problem, that you're dodgy." Mr Shorten confirmed the crackdown on Sunday, telling Labor's NSW conference he will introduce an across-the-board minimum 30 per cent tax rate on discretionary trust distributions to people over the age of 18 if he wins power. The Turnbull government has announced plans for a national independent review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan in a bid to restore confidence in the system in the wake of water theft allegations. Water Minister Barnaby Joyce will write to his state counterparts this week seeking their agreement for the Murray Darling Basin Authority to carry out a basin-wide compliance probe of the state-based regulations that govern water use. The Murray and Darling rivers meet at Wentworth in NSW. Credit:Justin McManus Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said while the basin plan had delivered significant milestones the claims aired last week by the ABC's Four Corners that some irrigators had stolen billions of litres of water in the Barwon-Darling region of northern NSW warranted investigation. "While the government is confident about COAG's implementation plan it is important that basin communities and all Australians have confidence that the rules that underpin fair and lawful water use throughout the basin are being followed," he said in a statement on Sunday. The House of Representatives and the Senate should run two parallel inquiries into MPs' citizenship, say the Greens, to end the uncertainty over whether all federal MPs are eligible to sit in Parliament. Greens leader Richard Di Natale said that when Parliament resumed in August, there needed to be an independent audit of all MPs' citizenship status, to confirm there were no more dual citizens. "Every member of Parliament should be treated the same," he said. A 2016 survey conducted by the Coalition for Women's Refuges found only 61 per cent reported being always able to take women without residency, with one in five reporting they had no ability to take women in such circumstances. According to Anna Kerr, co-chair of the Women and Girl's Rights Subcommittee of the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights advocacy group, "women's refuges are frequently unable or unwilling to accept women who do not have a visa status that qualifies them for Centrelink payments". Some of the most vulnerable women and children are being left with nowhere to turn if they need to escape domestic violence. Credit:Stocksy A decrease in the number of free beds in shelters following the NSW government's ' 'Going Home, Staying Home" funding reform disproportionately affects migrant women who are unable to receive Centrelink payments. Women's domestic violence shelters in NSW are being forced to turn away women without residency or citizenship, a problem that will only be exacerbated with the proposed changes to the citizenship test , advocates have warned. The coalition is a group of refuge owners who oppose the 2014 reform, which saw a number of shelters closed or merged into general homelessness programs run by religious charities. Its survey attracted participation from 62 of the 76 women's refuges in operation in NSW last year. Of the participating refuges, only four said the reforms had not affected their ability to deliver services. Kerr says the result is that refuges find themselves forced to take the pragmatic approach of turning away women who do not have residency, as someone receiving Centrelink payments or otherwise able to pay contributions could potentially fill their bed. "While freeing up more beds, this has the result of leaving some of the most vulnerable women and children in our community with nowhere to go if they need to escape domestic violence," says co-chair Rita Shackel. "These are often women who have the additional disadvantage of limited English language skills." Extending the waiting time and tightening the English language test for citizenship will decrease the number of migrant women able to receive Centrelink payments, impeding their access to refuges, the legal advocacy group says. A NSW Department of Family and Community Services spokesperson told Fairfax Media "any" women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless because of domestic violence are entitled to support from the "specialist homelessness services" they fund (which includes services which admit men and people suffering from other forms of homelessness), citing that $61.6 million will be allocated to such services over the 201718 financial year. A new bid to improve diversity in the Australian Defence Force will target potential recruits from the country's Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Indigenous communities. Defence Minister Marise Payne and Defence Personnel Minister Dan Tehan launched the latest diversity push as part of efforts to ensure the ADF reflects the wider Australian community. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Defence Minister Marise Payne. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen A new The ADF Surprised Us recruitment campaign seeks to widen the potential talent pool for Defence recruitment and features culturally diverse serving members share their stories, including about service in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related roles. It includes case studies of serving members from diverse backgrounds who have become Australian citizens, answers frequently asked questions about life after enlisting and seeks to dispel misperceptions about life in the ADF. Police raid a home in Lakemba on July 30 over an alleged plot to bring down a plane. Credit:Michele Mossop "These and further measures have been extended to all major airports around the country overnight," he said. "Some of the measures will be obvious to the public, some will not be. Travellers should be prepared for additional scrutiny at screening points." Mr Turnbull has cautioned travellers to arrive early. Credit:Luis Ascui He said domestic travellers should be prepared to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flights. "They should limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage so far as possible, as this will help to ensure that security screening is efficient," he said. A man arrested at a home in Surry Hills remained in hospital with head injuries. Credit:Channel Nine News The national terrorism threat level remains at "probable", unchanged since 2014. "Our number one priority is to keep you safe," Mr Turnbull said. 'Additional burden on screening system' At Melbourne Airport, Qantas staff told passengers the queue had been long during the Sunday morning rush, but it had cleared by mid-morning. Passengers could be seen having their bags checked by airline staff before heading to security, but there were no reports of major delays at security screening points at either domestic or international departures. There was no visible sign of an increased security presence either. Airport officials declined to reveal what the increased security measures were, beyond urging passengers to arrive two hours before their flights in case of delays. "As the measures place an additional burden on the screening system, it may take a little longer than usual to get through the process," the airport said in a statement. Passengers seemed to be untroubled by the tightened security. Tameka Bullen, 33, said she was confident police and security staff were on top of things as she arrived to check in for a flight to Adelaide. "I know there is a threat, but I'm not really concerned about it, to be honest," she said. "I travel to Bali a lot and I think they do three bag checks there now. They do what they can do." Monique Vandervleut and Tiffany Siciliano, both 22, were also unconcerned as they headed home from a five-day trip to Melbourne. "It's a good thing they're doing it, but I'm not concerned," Ms Vandervleut said. Forensic teams collect evidence Police expect to be at a unit in Sproule Street, Lakemba, for several days. On Sunday, forensic teams removed bags of evidence and searched the second-floor home belonging to an older couple and some adult children. One neighbour captured dramatic footage of a man in his 30s with just a towel around his waist being taken away in handcuffs. The neighbour said he'd often seen people in religious gear coming and going from the unit. One night recently he saw five men in robes all arrive at the house. Another neighbour, who wanted only to be identified as Sami, said several homes in the street were evacuated as officers smashed their way through a glass entrance and donned gas masks and oxygen tanks while they searched the unit. A woman who lives above the family said the older man painted her unit a year ago and was "so nice, completely lovely". At the same briefing as Mr Turnbull, Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the plot was the 13th "significant disruption" in Australia and 70 people have been charged as a result of 31 counter-terrorism operations around the country since 2014. "The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors," he said. "There is still the ability for people to have sophisticated plots and sophisticated attacks still remain a real threat." Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said early investigations suggest the plot involved the use of an improvised explosive devise to attack the aviation industry. "Searches are ongoing. This is the start of a very long and protracted investigation," he said. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller urged Sydney residents to go about their business as normal today but to be prepared for disruptions. "Come into the city, take your trains, go to the shops, you shouldn't be concerned in relation to this," he said. "There is not specific information that means you should sit at home." How the raids unfolded About 1pm on Saturday, the Australian Federal Police conducted a number of terrorist raids across Sydney over a suspected bomb plot to bring down a plane. The raids took place in Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl and were not planned but were a rapid response to information about the plot received by police. The bomb squad attended the scene of the Surry Hills raid on Cleveland Street, which was closed for several hours. The family who lived in the raided house on Cleveland Street have been described as "perfectly nice and normal people" by a neighbour whose property backs onto theirs. "We knew them to say hello to and they seemed nice," the woman in her early 30s, who didn't want to be identified, told AAP. An elderly couple lived in the home, the neighbour said, and they had adult children. The neighbour came home while the raid was under way and said there were "heaps" of police at the scene. A tiny plot of land by the beach in Cronulla is the source of a big battle between the community and the Sutherland Shire Council which wants to knock down a much-loved public amenity. The Women's Rest Centre, locals point out, is more than just a toilet block. Staffed 363 days a year by attendants, it is a community hub where families have gathered for more than five decades, serving an estimated 100,000 locals and visitors annually. Renee Watson with her children Jack, 6, and Georgia, 4, at the rest centre at Cronulla. Credit:John Veage "It's the heart of the village," said Annette Hogan, who is running a community campaign to save the centre. "That's what makes it so special." Newspaper clippings show the community in Sydney's south was agitating for suitable public amenities in Cronulla's commercial district as early as 1938, decrying the serious lack of "ladies' retiring rooms and baby creches". The winter weather record has tumbled as Sydney experienced its warmest July day on record with the temperature topping 26 degrees at Observatory Hill. Scarves were traded for shorts as the mercury rose throughout the day, reaching 26.5 degrees at 2:10pm, creeping above the previous record of 25.9 degrees set on July 24, 1990. Coogee Beach visitors enjoy the hot weather on Sunday. Credit:Katherine Griffiths With the temperature reaching 18 degrees at Observatory Hill by 9am, many people headed to the beach where the water temperature was 18.7 degrees. By noon, the temperature had hit 21.7 degrees before climbing to 25.9 degrees at 1:20pm, data from the Bureau of Meteorology shows. Indigenous activist Sam Watson is pleased an attempt to erase an important part of Indigenous history has been taken off the table. In 2016 an online petition called for the inner-city Boundary streets to be renamed as they were outdated and related to the oppression of Indigenous people. Sam Watson wants Indigenous history preserved, not erased. Credit:Michelle Smith It is understood the petition was put together after the street names has been changed, by what appeared to be a sticker, to read "Boundless Street". The petition attracted 1062 supporters and the Brisbane City Council and the state government considered supporting the change if public consultation proved the change was wanted by the community. Victorian prisoners will be able to ask a magistrate to wipe all outstanding infringement fines under a contentious scheme introduced this month by the Department of Justice. The scheme gives magistrates the authority to expunge fines for traffic offences, public transport violations and unpaid toll fees, and is aimed at improving the rehabilitation prosects of inmates. Santos Bonacci was threatened with a three-year jail sentence for refusing to pay 483 fines in 2014. Credit:Facebook However, the new powers under the "Time Served Scheme" are expected to rankle low-paid Victorians who do not commit criminal offences, but are still required to pay fines. The scheme, which came into effect on July 1, could also cost the state government millions of dollars in lost revenue with more than 90 per cent of prisoners owing fines, according to a 2014 report. Two people are fighting for their lives after a serious car crash in Bedford on Sunday morning. Police were called to the incident on Grand Promenade, near Catherine Street at around 8.50am. The Bedford crash. Credit:Perth WA Revenue Raisers Alert It is understood a white BMW was being driven south on Grand Promenade, and a gold Holden Astra was being driven north on Grand Promenade. The two directions of traffic are separated by a median island. Bangkok: When Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was running for election, he vowed that under his rule fish in Manila Bay would grow fat from the bodies of drugs users and addicts. Many observers saw his remarks as shock tactics from a foul-mouthed former provincial mayor who revels in making outlandish statements, such as declaring recently he could be 50 times more brutal than any Islamist extremist who staged beheadings. "Give me salt and vinegar and I'll eat his liver," he said. But 12 months after taking office, fishermen say they have been dumping bodies of dozens of drugs suspects in Manila Bay on the orders of police, who human rights groups accuse of carrying out thousands of extra-judicial killings. Digital online lender Prospa has secured a $20m debt facility from the Australian arm of a US-based commercial finance provider, Partners for Growth (PFG).Headquartered in Silicon Valley, PFG specialises in lending to growing technology companies and has recently made headlines in Australia by providing funds to Sydney fashion retail start-up GlamCorner.Ed Bigazzi, CFO of Prospa, was instrumental in the firms fundraising strategy. PFGs funding follows the strategic approach that the fintech has taken since its launch back in 2011.Like our small business customers, Prospa requires funding to grow. PFG plays an important role in the market by filling the gap left by the traditional banking industry," said Bigazzi.Like us, they take a partnership approach and really took the time to understand our business. They share many of our philosophies about how to build long-term competitive advantages and long-term stakeholder value.PFG and Prospa approach finance by filling gaps left in the market by the traditional banks.In 2015, Prospa became the first small business lender in Australia to develop its own securitisation warehouse structure and gain access to greater volumes of capital than a typical corporate lending facility. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Friday was a normal day for my friend Barbie Levin, an occupational therapist. She went to the modest home of a brand new patient, a baby whod had a stroke in utero, was now 1-year-old and still not crawling because one leg was too weak. As the mom watched, Barbie got down on the floor and placed the baby into crawling position. Then she asked the mom to go get the babys favorite food a veggie stick (The kind thats like a Cheeto, not a piece of celery). As the baby tried to propel herself forward but couldnt, Barbie propped the weak leg up and the baby managed a tiny scoot. Then Barbie had the mom get on the floor, take her place, and do the same re-propping. The baby took her first three steps ever. She reached the treat and, said Barbie, smiling broadly, ate it with relish. As she left, the mother stunned with joy, Barbie felt pretty good. And also pretty bad. Like that baby, Barbie was born with a medical problem, too: something wrong with her urinary tract that affected her kidneys. As a little kid in the 1950s and 60s, she was in and out of the hospital in an era when people were a lot less sensitive to what that feels like for a child. The nurses would practice catheterizing on me, Barbie, 61, recalls. Each stay at the hospital lasted about a week, and she never knew when another one was coming. My mom would wake me up and say, Its a hospital week! and Barbie would be overwhelmed with terror. Probes and pain and loneliness loomed, as did the humiliation of having interns, mostly men, coming in to examine her urinary tract and discuss it as if she wasnt there. Thank god for the arts and crafts lady who made her daily rounds. Barbie made a set of tiny dolls. She kept them for 40 years. By then, Barbie was a real mom, a single mom by choice. I spent all those years working with and falling in love with other peoples children, she says. It was time to have my own. But her kidneys, damaged since childhood, were starting to fail. A few years ago the doctors told her shed probably need a transplant terrible words to hear in New York. The wait for the kidney from a deceased donor in our state is seven to nine years, one of the longest waits in the country. (That, by the way, is why we should have people opting out if they dont want their organs donated upon death, rather than having to opt in by checking a box on our driver licenses. In Spain, everyone is automatically registered for after-death organ donation, unless they choose to check the No box. The average wait for a kidney there is eight months). Since the wait here is so long, and since a kidney donated by a living person tends to last up two twice as long as a cadaver kidney, as Barbies condition worsened, she started a blog, Barbi esKid neyQu est.wordp ress.com . How do you explain to someone who you are, and why they might want to consider giving you a kidney? Barbies now college-age daughter Yona took a stab at it. She and her mom have one of those relationships, she wrote, maybe because it has always been just the two of them, where they sing together in the kitchen. They watch a lot of murder mysteries on television, the British ones. They live in Stuyvesant Town where Yona grew up watching her mom check in on elderly neighbors (there are plenty!) and bring them soup. As Barbies friend, I watch and marvel, too. She loves learning things like carpentry and cocktail making. She invented a grated ginger cocktail in 2012 that is still the talk of our circle. She made her own guitar, and couch, and just did a glassblowing class with her daughter. Even as a child at Jewish sleep-away camp, where one of the offerings was Yiddish class, she signed up. I was the only one. She loved it. Like many of her friends, I did a little research and found out that giving a kidney does not shorten the donors life or compromise their health. So I got tested to see if Im a match. Im not. None of us are. Turns out I couldnt do a swap either, where Id give my kidney to a patient I matched, and their donor, a match for Barbie, would give her theirs. So instead, I am introducing you to her. A childhood spent at the hospital. An adulthood spent making ailing kids better, and parents weep for joy. Endless curiosity. Deep friendships. And a loving daughter she loves back, more than the moon and the stars. A life worth saving. Barbie. Read Lenore Skenazys column every Sunday morning on Brook lynPa per.com 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 latest news October 31, 2022 Buddy TV In November, there are hundreds of new and returning TV showsit can be overwhelming to try and choose what to watch. That's why we've selected some of the best options... With more women's sports on TV, more fans are tuning in As 15 entities including Reliance file their expressions of interest for Future Retail, here's all you need to know about the company and ... Korean auto major Hyundai, the second-largest car maker in India, is looking to enter the domestic commercial vehicle market. Seoul-headquartered Company (HMC) is evaluating the prospects of the Indian small and heavy commercial vehicle market. Co-Chairman Ravi Venkatesan on Sunday said that the company could be 10 times as large as it is today if it could execute well to harness advances in digital and machine learning. The Supreme Court (SC) has directed Panther Fincap and Management Services, owned by former stockbroker Ketan Parekh, to deposit Rs 50 crore by September 11 or else, face detention in civil prison. The government is looking to leverage Air Indias assets to lighten the debt burden of the company to make it attractive to potential buyers. However, the new owner of Air India may need to absorb around Rs 6,000 crore of the working capital debt, internal calculations have shown. The Kerala unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a statewide shutdown on Sunday in protest against the killing of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist allegedly by Communist Party of India (CPI-M) loyalists. The 34-year-old RSS worker, who was hacked on Saturday night in the state capital, breathed his last at a private hospital. The deceased has been identified as E. Rajesh, who was a "Karyavahak" attached to the RSS unit at Sreekariyam near here. State BJP President Kummanem Rajasekheran, who visited the hospital, told reporters that this was a result of state-sponsored violence. "The CPI-M led government has become a mute witness to the violence going on in the state capital district. Even our state party headquarters was attacked. But we exercised restraint. "But now, we are left with no other option but to call for a statewide shutdown tomorrow (Sunday) to protest the killing (of Rajesh). The state government has not even called for a peace talk to resolve issues," Rajasekheran said. According to the BJP, Rajesh was hacked by four suspected youth wing activists of the CPI-M people, who came on two motorcycles. He suffered serious injuries in his face, hands and legs, and according to the BJP, his left hand was severed and thrown away. The killing comes a day after a group of CPI-M workers led by local Councillor I.P. Binu smashed six vehicles parked in the state committee office of the BJP. After the attack at the BJP headquarters, the residence of the son of CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was stoned. For the past two weeks, an uneasy calm has been prevailing in the capital district, with the activists of the BJP and the CPI-M attacking each other every now and then. Thiruvananthapuram district CPI-M Secretary Anavoor Nagappan in a statement issued here on Saturday night said that the CPI-M had no role in this incident. "There were some local issues in the area and in this incident, the CPI-M has no role," Nagappan's statement read. (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.) Amid reports of an extension of the last date to file for Income Tax returns, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Saturday while denying the same said no such proposal was made. The last date of filing returns, the chamber clarified, would remain July 31, while urging taxpayers to ensure complete adherence to norms and timely completion of the procedure. Earlier this month, to render better services to taxpayers and reduce grievances, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched the taxpayers service module and mobile app 'Aaykar Setu'. "This is an important step forward by the CBDT for several reasons, out of which the principal reason being technology. This app is designed to help discharge any queries of the citizens without any external help," said Jaitley while addressing the reporters at the launch in New Delhi. Adding to this, he said that the app reduces the interface between the department, which is the assessing officer and the assessee in terms of the physical interface. Available in android version and desktop version, the new app is a new step by the Income Tax Department (ITD) to directly communicate with the taxpayers, on a range of multiple informative and useful tax services aimed at providing tax information at their fingertips. "It will help to improve the image of the department," added Jaitley while saying that the app will have many positive consequences. The module compiles various tax tools, live chat facility, dynamic updates, and important links to various processes within the Income Tax Department in a single module. The tax payers will also be able to receive regular updates regarding important tax dates, forms, and notifications on mobile numbers registered with the ITD. All taxpayers who wish to receive such SMS alerts are advised to register their mobile numbers in the Aaykar Setu module. Political uncertainty in Pakistan triggered by the ouster of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be advantageous to its military which may now back terrorism against India more aggressively, foreign policy experts said on Sunday. They also felt that the prospect of Indo-Pak engagement became very dim as the Pakistani military would not like to see any improvement in ties with India. "Political uncertainty and instability in Pakistan will be to the advantage of the military in that country," said G Parthasarathy, who was Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan from 1998 to 2000. Meera Shankar, who was India's Ambassador to the US between 2009 and 2011, echoed similar views, saying internal instability will further consolidate the military's hold over the country. Lalit Mansingh, who was the foreign secretary from 1999-2000, too said political instability in Pakistan will further embolden the Army and in such a scenario, it will more aggressively push terror activities against India. He said India's standoff with China in the Dokalam area has further encouraged Pakistan to step up cross border terrorism against India and an internal political structure in Islamabad will be conducive for Pakistani military to pursue its goal. Parthasarathy, too, said the military's domination will mean continuation of the policy to back terror groups against India. Sharif was disqualified from holding public office by Pakistan Supreme Court over undeclared assets relating to Panama Papers scandal. Ruling PML-N has named former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim prime minister until Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz is elected as a member of parliament to succeed him as his eventual successor. Both Parthasarathy and Mansingh said they do not expect any movement in engagement between India and Pakistan after Sharif's resignation. Ties between India and Pakistan nosedived after Pakistani terrorists attacked India's Pathankot air force base in January last year. Following the attack, India had said talks with Pakistan cannot take place unless it stops cross border terror. "In Nawaz Sharif, at least you had a politician who wanted to improve relations with India," said Parthasarathy, adding the prospect of Indo-Pak engagement was dim under a weak government in Islamabad. Mansingh said any kind of dialogue between the two countries was unlikely, adding Pakistani military giving full access to China including to its military personnel in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir was a matter of concern. "I see the state of freeze between India and China continuing until the forseeable future and we might even expect surge in cross border terror activities," said Mansingh, who was also India's envoy to Washington. Shankar said the military was calling the shots even under Sharif's leadership and it used corruption charges against him to pull him down. "It will be interesting to see whether the Army will allow Shehbaz Sharif to take over as the Prime Minister. The judiciary in Pakistan is playing an active role as some people are saying it was a constitutional coup," she said. T C A Rangachari, India's former envoy to France and Germany, said Pakistan's policy towards India has been same irrespective of having internal stability or instability. Rangachari, who had served in Islamabad as Deputy High Commissioner, said Pakistan's approach towards India has been guided by the armed forces and it does not change even though there is any change in the country's political complexion. He also said there was political stability in Pakistan during the the 1965 war. "We will have to wait and watch, how things unfold there. We should not make quick judgement," he said. Mansingh said Sharif was advocating better economic ties between the two countries but the next government in Islamabad is highly unlikely to follow the line. Shankar said though Sharif was for better relations with India, his views did not find space as the Army was influencing foreign policy decisions. (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.) Two militants were killed on Sunday by the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, a defence official said here. Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said: "Two militants were killed in an ongoing security operation in Tahab village." According to the police sources, the two victims were identified as Irfan Sheikh and Abid. Residents of Gantholi village held a demonstration in front of the Goverdhan Police Station on Saturday demanding that a four-year-old girl, who was allegedly kidnapped on Saturday, be rescued quickly. The demonstration was called off after the police assured that they will rescue the girl within two days, former RLD district president Deepak Chaudhary said. "The villagers have been assured that the girl will be traced and rescued within two days," SHO Kamlesh Singh said. The demonstrators alleged that the police had taken no efforts to trace the girl, who was kidnapped on July 26 afternoon, from the Gantholi. The police, however, refuted the allegation. In a move to sort out the procedural mess that exports have got stuck into after the roll-out of the goods and services tax (GST), the Customs department has notified that currency exchange rates for drawback purposes would be announced on a fortnightly basis, as was the case earlier. Its a repeat of demonetisation for Surat-based diamond polisher Arjanbhai Ambaliya, who has hardly seen any orders since the roll-out of the goods and services tax (GST) on July 1. The expanded tax base following the Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration along with the removal of double taxation and other benefits under the new tax reform would help the country in terms of having more resources, said the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday. At least six PAK-FA prototypes are already participating in flight-testing and flying displays, such as at the recent Paris Air Show The decks are clear for the ministry of defence (MoD) to sanction the long-delayed Indo-Russian project to jointly develop a cutting-edge Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an international event of military music performance undertaken by the Armed Forces. In fact, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is the largest tattoo performed in the world in the majestic, sprawling stretch of Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, Scotland. . . The invitation to the Indian Navy Band to participate and perform in this prestigious event scheduled from 01 to 26 Aug 17 is indeed a matter of pride and befitting recognition of the professional prowess of the Naval band. The participation of the Naval Band would further cement the ties between the two countries, more so, when the Govt of India and UK have announced 2017 as the India-UK Year of Culture to celebrate cultural ties and the 70th year of Indian independence. . . The Indian Navy Band has been practicing hard in the last few months to further hone their skills to capture the hearts and minds of the music enthusiasts in this international event. The band comprising of 01 officer and 65 musician sailors would perform under the leadership of Commander Vijay Charles DCruz, Director of Music (Navy) who would be the Principal Conductor during the event. The Indian Navy band is scheduled to depart for London from Mumbai on 30 Jul 17. . . The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is well renowned event with over 50 bands participating, and nearly 8500 visitors attending the daily performances. A total audience of nearly 2.5 lakh attends the event over the period of 26 days. Apart from India, bands from countries like Australia, France, Germany, Japan, etc, would also be performing at the tattoo this year. . . A terrorist plot to "bring down" a plane was foiled late on Saturday, as authorities raided four properties across Sydney, with four men in custody. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addressed the media on Sunday, and said that the arrests were centred around a plan to detonate a bomb involving an aeroplane, Xinhua news agency reported. Turnbull said the investigation was underway and that security has been ramped up at all major airports across the nation as a result of the heightened terror threat. "Every day, every hour, we are focused on ensuring that our defences against terrorism are stronger than ever," Turnbull said. "That our co-operation is tighter than ever. That our co-ordination is swifter than ever before. Now, we have strong transport, security systems in place in Australia, to prevent acts of terrorism." The Prime Minister said that travellers should be aware that the measures imposed at airports may cause delays, but that safety of passengers was the number one priority. "Some of the measures will be obvious to the public, some will not be. Travellers should be prepared for additional scrutiny at screening points, and while it is important that Australians are aware of the increased threat - be assured we have the finest security and intelligence services in the world and they are working, as is my government, and all our governments around Australia, night and day, to keep Australians safe," Turnbull was quoted as saying. Travellers have been urged to arrive at airports at least two hours before their flights, and to limit how much baggage they bring. The four men in custody after the raids have not yet been charged. Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, on Sunday, vacated the Prime Minister's House and departed for Punjab province's Murree town along with his family members. Geo News quoted sources as saying that Sharif decided to reside in Murree rather than his Raiwind estate in Lahore till the election of the new prime minister slated for Tuesday. According to reports, Sharif personally met all the staff members of the PM House before leaving. Sharif along with his wife Kulsum Nawaz, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and his son-in-law Captain Safdar vacated the PM House two days after a five-member bench of the Supreme Court unanimously disqualified him for failing to disclose his 'unwithdrawn' salary as chairman of a United Arab Emirates (UAE) based firm at the time of filing his nomination. Sharif had resigned from the Prime Minister's office following disqualification from the Supreme Court in the Panamagate verdict. According to reports, the legal basis for disqualifying Sharif is explained in the page 23 and 24 of the verdict. It says: "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 unwithdrawn 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, where after he shall cease to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan." The apex court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file a reference against the accused in an accountability court in six weeks, directing for the trial to be concluded within six months. 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 President Asif Ali Zardari. Also, no Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year elected term. Most tenures have been cut short by military coups. While serving as the country's Prime Minister in 1993, Sharif was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup. Following the apex court's verdict, the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) announced Punjab Chief Minister and Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. (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.) American forces successfully tried out on Sunday a missile interception system the United Stataes (US) hopes to set up on the Korean peninsula, military officials said following a trial just days after North Korea's second test of an ICBM (Intercontinental ballistic missile). US President once again blasted China for its inaction against North Korea following Pyongyang's latest missile launch. He said in a series of tweets, "I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017 ...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017 The Pentagon confirmed that North Korea on Friday launched its second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. The launch came a 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. Earlier this month on July 4, Pyongyang had also conducted its first successful test of a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14, which it said was a "gift" to "American b******s" on their Independence Day. The US President has repeatedly called on China to step up the pressure on its rogue ally, Pyongyang, and to do more to halt its nuclear program. His comments are a contrast to what he said in April this year as he praised Chinese efforts to rein in North Korea. Trump told a news conference at the time that he was confident Chinese President Xi Jinping would "try very hard" to pressure Beijing's ally and neighbour North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs. (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.) Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. President Xi Jinping said China needs to speed up the modernisation of its military to fend off threats in increasingly dangerous times. Attention women, if you are trying to conceive a baby naturally, then a study has found that artificial insemination may increase the chance of successful pregnancy by 22 percent. The study also indicated that artificial insemination, also known as intrauterine insemination (IUI), raises a couple's likelihood of have a successful pregnancy from nine to 31 percent, if they have been trying to conceive for three months. The researchers stated that when combined with female fertility drugs, IUI can be more cost effective and less invasive than IVF. 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 from Homerton University Hospital in London argues that skipping IUI and proceeding directly to IVF is "like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut". Researchers from the University of Auckland analysed 201 women, who had spent three months trying to conceive naturally. Each woman was asked to have three rounds of IUI alongside taking a drug that boosts ovulation. The results suggested that IUI can increase a woman's chance of having a live birth from nine percent to 31 percent, a rise of 22 percent. 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. 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." The researchers noted that women are required to have healthy Fallopian tubes in order to be eligible for such treatment. The 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. The findings are presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology meeting in Geneva. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday visited Jaya Memorial in Chennai and paid tributes. Arun Jaitley was in Chennai to attend GST Conclave in Chennai. The Union Minister was accompanied by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Finance Nirmala Seetharaman. Both of them were received by the state Finance Minister Jayakumar at the Marina Coast and were later taken to Jaya memorial where they paid tribute by garlanding former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha's statue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australian authorities have arrested four men as they foiled an Islamist-inspired terrorist plot to bring down an airplane. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed the development at a news conference here on Sunday, reports the ABC news. The arrest was made yesterday after the authorities seized material that could be used to make an improvised bomb, which the perpetrators intending to smuggle onto a plane in order to blow it up. Police said it was an Islamist-inspired plot, but they did not link the plan to a specific terrorist group. Meanwhile, Turnbull said the "major counter-terrorism operation" was ongoing. The Prime Minister said extra security measures have been in place at Sydney Airport since Thursday and have since been put in place at the country's other major airports. Transport security officials advised travelers to get to their airports two hours before their scheduled flight departures. Last month, ISIS claimed responsibility for an attack at a suburban Melbourne apartment building where one man was killed and three police officers were wounded. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned the killing of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker in Kerala who was murdered on Saturday night and blamed Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) for the attack. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that the ruling party (CPI-M) is definitely behind the death of the RSS worker. "They (CPI-M) celebrate after killing RSS people. They are mad people sitting in power and doing things like these." He further demanded that the Central government should dismiss this government. Speaking to ANI on the same matter, BJP member Sudesh Verma added that this is not the first incident of political violence in Kerala, where a RSS or BJP worker has been killed. "Hundreds of workers have been killed, we have been raising these issues but the so called- liberal and progressive forces in this country don't condone this because it is happening against our members," Verma said. He also questioned the "award wapsi brigade'. "Every killing needs to be condemned and action needs to be taken. We expect that Kerala government should act on this," he added. However, CPI-M state secretary Kodiyery Balakrishnan has maintained that his party members were not responsible for the murder and castigated the BJP for creating law and order problems in the state. "The probe shows the attack against RSS worker is not a political killing. The main accused Manikandan is not a CPI-M member. His father is an INTUC worker. Those who are in custody are from various political outfits, one is from BMS also," Balakrishnan said in a press conference. A 34-year-old RSS leader was murdered in Kozhikode on Saturday night. The police has so far detained eight people in connection with this case. The BJP has blamed the CPI-M for carrying out the attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurugram, in association with Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR), Ministry of Defence, has been conducting six-month course for retired armed forces officers. This specialised course assists and guides the participants in various fields of corporate sector including sales and marketing, operations, information technology, supply chain management, human resource, finance, retail, telecom, strategy management, education and so on. Since defense personnel come from a background where they are well-trained and crafted in handling crisis situations, quality management training with great leadership exposure can further enhance them in becoming the most sought human resource in no time. MDI has designed the specialised program to make officers well equipped in managerial competencies for the corporate world. The program can be opted by both retired as well as by short service commissioned officers. An added advantage of this course is that the military MBA aspirants can impart useful and effective leadership experiences to their civilian counterparts. Parul Gupta, Course Director, said: "The program consists of 3 semesters with 50-60 participants in the batch. She also said the course is sponsored by DGR (Directorate General of Resettlement), Government of India, as it provides 60 % of the course fee which is Rs 2.2 lakh per participant and the rest 40 % has to be paid by the applicant. This course is in great demand as it has been very effective and the participants have gained lots of practical exposure related to management." Squadron Leader Praveen Singh with the Indian Air Force from the short service commission, who opted for this programme after serving 10 years for armed forces, said, "This initiative of DGR and MDI is commendable for ex-servicemen to find a firm footing in the corporate world." Squadron leader Smriti Dixit, who joined the course, retired in 2015 after serving the Air Force for over 11 years, shared her experience and hailed the structure of the program. She even went on to say that there is no institute that can enrich and cover the larger syllabus at such a short span of time, which MDI is doing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A youth was detained after three (7.62 mm) live rounds were detected in his bag at Kailash Colony Metro Station on Sunday during security check. The incident took place at 12:25 p.m. when a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at the screening duty detected something suspicious in the bag of a passenger at the metro station. The official asked the passenger to show the bag's content, following which three live rounds were found. Later, the passenger identified as Jitendra Kumar, aged 18 years, was handed over to Delhi Police for further probe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least two were killed and three other injured in a shooting in a German nightclub in Konstanz, police said. The 34-year-old suspect suffered life-threatening injuries in a gunfight with police officers outside the venue, near the Swiss border, reported the Independent. The suspect later died in hospital. The motive behind the shooting remains to be unclear. One police officer was reportedly injured in the exchange of fire with the suspect. Local media reports suggest that the other person killed was a guest at the disco, and the police and prosecutors stated, the officer's wounds were not life-threatening. Police said that special commando forces have been deployed in the city, as it was not clear, whether, the suspect had accomplices. (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.) An accused has been arrested for molesting and trying to kidnap a girl in Delhi's Vasant Kunj area. In her complaint, the victim said while she was going back home from her work on Saturday evening, then a man molested and tried to kidnap her. Police have arrested the accused, 22-year old Rohit Choudhary in this regard and further investigation is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After losing all hopes of help from the officials, senior-citizens of Cantonment area in Hyderabad have taken the responsibility to fix the pothole-ridden roads onto their shoulders. They have been working continuously for the second week, as the roads are in poor condition and some of them need expansion. "The road is in a very bad state. This road needs expansion and for a safer journey I request the government to repair the roads," a senior citizen, Avtar Singh told ANI. Despite assurances on several occasions from the officials, no action has been taken yet and the road is supposed to be dangerous, especially for the people, who ride two-wheeler. Chandrashekar, a young man, who has joined the cause seeing elderly people repairing the roads said, "This is for the second week we are here. This is a twelve feet road and it needs to be widened. Cantonment officials are least bothered. A major accident took place here yesterday and the person injured in that accident is in a serious condition." Seeing the elderly work, many kids and young people have also joined them to repair the roads. The road repair work is continuing, solely by the civilians and senior citizens. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday interrogated Devinder Singh Behl at his resident here, over his suspected connections with Separatist elements. The NIA is also conducting raids at various premises of Behl, who was supposedly connected to Hurriyat before 2008. Earlier on Wednesday, Separatist leader and Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman Shabir Shah, was sent to a seven-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in connection with a terror-funding case. Shah was under house detention for a very long time, in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar. The reason for his arrest is yet unknown as he was already under house arrest since many months. On July 24, the NIA arrested seven separatists over money laundering charges, for funding terror in the Kashmir Valley. All seven separatist leaders - Altaf Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehraj Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Naeem Khan and Bitta Karate - were later sent to 10-day NIA custody. The accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Six of them were arrested from Srinagar, while Bitta Karate was arrested from New Delhi. 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 sleuths specifically questioned separatist leaders Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate and Gazi Javed Baba at that time. The NIA is said to be probing all aspects of funding to separatist leaders and how they reportedly used these funds to fuel unrest in the Kashmir Valley. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday called for a statewide strike over the murder of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker in Thiruvananthapuram's Sreekaryam yesterday. The BJP has alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) workers behind it. Meanwhile, the Police have started an investigation. This comes after the CPM and the BJP in Kerala declared war on each other on the night of July 27th, as both sides went on an attacking spree on each other's party offices, resulting in major property damage. The clashes between the workers belonging to the two political outfits have erupted regularly in the past years, claiming an almost equal number of people from both sides. A number of violent incidents were reported between BJP and CPM workers on Thursday night in Thiruvananthapuram, including attacks on residences of cadres. On July 11, an RSS office at Payyannur in Kannur was attacked allegedly by CPI (M) workers. No one was inside the office at the time of the incident. However, the Trivandrum Police declared Section 79 of the Kerala Police Act in Thiruvananthapuram to prevent demonstrations, protect marches and meetings till July 30. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the backdrop of a spree of violence between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) members in Kerala spurred by the death of an RSS activist, the Kerala unit of the Congress Party on Sunday staged a protest demanding peace in the state. Many Congress leaders including party's state president MM Hassan and Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Ramesh Chennithala are on a hunger strike in Kozhikode. A 34-year-old RSS leader was murdered in Kozhikode on Saturday night. The police has so far detained eight people in connection with this case. The BJP has blamed the CPM for carrying out the attack. However, CPM state secretary Kodiyery Balakrishnan has maintained that his party members were not responsible for the murder and castigated the BJP for creating law and order problems in the state. "The probe shows the attack against RSS worker is not a political killing. The main accused Manikandan is not a CPM member. His father is an INTUC worker. Those who are in custody are from various political outfits, one is from BMS also," Balakrishnan said in a press conference. "Within last two weeks two cases were registered against the victim and the main accused for personal rivalry. BJP is trying to create law and order problems in the state," he added. According to police, Rajesh's left hand was chopped off in the attack, which took place around 9 pm on Saturday. Earlier, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh dialed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressing concern over the prevailing law and order situation in the state. He called on the Kerala Chief Minister to nab the perpetrators and bring them to justice expeditiously. Rajnath took to his twitter handle to inform about the same and wrote that 'political violence is unacceptable in a democracy'. "Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state," he tweeted. The State Police Chief said, the Police forces have been instructed to strictly deal with any attempt to create violence and adequate force have been deployed in all sensitive spots. On July 11, an RSS office at Payyannur in Kannur was attacked allegedly by CPI (M) workers. No one sustained injuries in the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kerala Police on Sunday detained five more people in connection with the murder of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker here on Saturday. Earlier in the day, three people were taken into police custody in connection with the case. The State Police Chief said, the Police forces have been instructed to strictly deal with any attempt to create violence and adequate force have been deployed in all sensitive spots. He also appealed to social media users to restrain themselves from spreading rumours and provocative messages, which would attract legal action. Earlier on Saturday, a RSS worker was murdered in Thiruvananthapuram's Sreekaryam. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) workers behind it. On July 11, an RSS office at Payyannur in Kannur was attacked allegedly by CPI (M) workers. No one was inside the office at the time of the incident. (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.) Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's appeal to the Centre to not block trade routes with Pakistan has not gone down well with many, as experts have pointed out that Separatists are the only beneficiaries from such a trade. Defence Expert, P.K. Sehgal, while speaking to ANI criticized the use of cross-border trade in the valley and said that only the separatists are the beneficiaries from such a trade. "Money is created for separatists and it's used for anti-India motives. It's used for narco-terrorism, ammunition etc," he said, adding that vote bank politics continue to get the better of Mufti and that she is pursuing with the cross-border trade because her constituency is mainly occupied by separatists. He also said that in order for the cross-border trade to continue, a number of checks and balances need to be kept in place so that nothing works in favor of the separatists. Speaking on the same, senior journalist Rahul Jalali pointed to the civil unrest in the valley ever since Mehbooba Mufti took office. He also criticized her for not commenting on any of the issues in the valley before the arrest of the separatist leaders. He spoke of a Coordination committee which was present during her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's regime and said that she should have revived the committee and held talks within her ambit. Speaking on her cross-border trade comment, he said, "She speaks beyond her jurisdiction. These are international matters with another country and she could have taken this up in the agenda of alliance through the coordination committee." The flurry of criticism comes after Mufti on Saturday appealed to the Centre to revive the Lahore Declaration for restoring peace in the Valley, and not block trade routes with Pakistan. The Lahore Declaration is a bilateral agreement and governance treaty between India and Pakistan which was signed in 1999 before the Kargil war. Her statement came a day after she had warned the Central Government against diluting Article 370, which grants special status to the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Expressing concern over the prevailing law and order situation in Kerala after the killing of another Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday called on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to nab the perpetrators and bring them to justice expeditiously. Rajnath took to his twitter handle to inform about the same and wrote that 'political violence is unacceptable in a democracy'. "Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state," he tweeted. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state. 1/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 "I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy," he added. I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy. 2/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 He even requested the Chief Minister to curb the political violence in the state. "I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously," he tweeted. I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously. 3/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 Earlier in the day, the Kerala Police detained eight people in connection with the murder of a RSS worker which took place yesterday. Three were nabbed early on Sunday, followed by five other accused being detained soon. The State Police Chief said, the Police forces have been instructed to strictly deal with any attempt to create violence and adequate force have been deployed in all sensitive spots. He also appealed to social media users to restrain themselves from spreading rumours and provocative messages, which would attract legal action. Earlier on Saturday, a RSS worker was murdered in Thiruvananthapuram's Sreekaryam. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) workers behind it. On July 11, an RSS office at Payyannur in Kannur was attacked allegedly by CPI (M) workers. No one was inside the office at the time of the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Isha Sharma New Delhi [India], July 30 (ANI) : Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra today revealed that his upcoming Bollywood flick, 'Mere Pyaare Prime Minister,' which is based on the story of a mother-son relationship, teaches about hope and taking charge of a situation. While talking to ANI, the 54-year-old said that it's story of a single mother, whose eight-year-old son wants to make a toilet for her. "He is really concerned about her and her safety when she goes out to defecate in the middle of the night, every night like lakhs of women do in India [sic]." "For the solution to this problem, he writes a letter to the Prime Minister of India and comes to Delhi with his two friends to deliver him the letter and get the toilet made. It's a story of hope, inspiration. It's a story about doing something about the situation that is around us and not simply talking about it. It's a story about taking responsibility onto yourself rather than looking at the government for answers every time and pointing a figure at them," he added. The 'Delhi 6' director stated that the children living in slums are much happier as they go through a lot of difficulties and struggles but their best part is that they don't give up, they are full of hope. While giving details about movie's lead actress, the ace director said that national award winner Marathi actress Anjali pathak is absolutely stunning and very talented. She is a very fast growing name in world cinema. The 'Rang De Basabti' director said, "The mother-son love story is set in the slums of Bombay to be exact in Ghatkopar east in slum colony called Gandhi Nagar, which is a fictitious name for the neighbourhood Amrut Nagar." Toilet is a very big issue and this is an endless topic of discussion, the 'Mirzya' director concluded. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian President Vladimir V Putin announced on Sunday that 755 American diplomats would be expelled from Moscow by September 1. The expulsions were ordered on Friday when Russia ordered the United States to reduce the number of their diplomats in the country as a mark of retaliation for new sanctions against Moscow passed last week by the US Congress. Putin, while speaking in a television interview on the Rossiya 1 network, said that "Russia's patience in waiting for improved relations with the United States had worn out." "We waited for quite some time that maybe something will change for the better, had such hope that the situation will somehow change, but, judging by everything, if it changes, it will not be soon," Putin said, according to the Interfax news agency. The Russian Foreign Ministry had earlier issued a statement saying the number of American diplomats in the US Embassy in Moscow and its four consulates across the country should be reduced to 455 by September 1, which is the same as the number of Russian diplomats currently serving in the US It also said it would seize two US diplomatic properties, including cottages just outside Moscow's city center and a warehouse facility in Moscow. The embassy properties must be handed over by August 1. Russia's move came a day after the US Senate passed a bill expanding economic sanctions on Russia, as well as North Korea and Iran. The massive vote margins reflected growing bipartisan anxiety over Trump's two meetings with Putin in Hamburg, Germany, this month. Following the orders, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov threatened further retaliation against the US "If the US side decides to move further towards further deterioration, we will answer, we will respond in kind," CNN reported Ryabkov, as saying to ABC's "This Week." "We will mirror this. We will retaliate. ... But my whole point is, don't do this, it is to the detriment of the interests of the US" The deputy foreign minister did not specify what Russia's plans for retaliation are, but said that the country has "a very rich toolbox at our disposal." Earlier, Putin, speaking at a news conference in Finland, accused the US lawmakers of "insolence." "We are behaving in a very restrained and patient way, but at some moment we will need to respond," Putin told reporters. "It's impossible to endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence toward our country. This practice is unacceptable. It destroys relations and law," he added. The sanctions bill would slap new sanctions on Russia, and would set into law penalties former president Barack Obama's administration imposed on Moscow in December, for its meddling in the US election last year and for its aggression in Ukraine. The bill also would give Congress veto power to block any easing of those sanctions. The growing tensions between Russia and the US over the sanctions bill come in the wake of the congressional investigations into Russian hacking into the 2016 election, which the US intelligence services have said was an effort to influence the election in Trump's favour. Villagers who have been displaced due to closure of Sardar Sarovar Dam have demanded rehabilitation here, on Sunday. The villagers have protested by covering themselves with shrouds over the government's "fake promises" when they were displaced. Speaking to ANI, a resident at the protest said that they are protesting because they have not been provided with any services that they were promised with, which includes a home, proper roads, electricity and water. Devram one of the head protestor said, "You yourself go and see that the construction of roads is still going on. This is should have been completed by May 8, but till now they are working." Adding further he said that they don't have any additional needs, and are just asking the authorities to complete the work that was promised to the villagers. "We are doing this protest because the government is not listening to us," another resident at the protest said. Earlier in June the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada River, was closed shut, fifty-six years after its foundation. The Gujarat Government got permission to "shut the gates" of the dam, marking the "completion" of the project, due to which many villagers were displaced from their homes. Of the total 23,614 families affected by the SSP, 9242 families were rehabilitated in Madhya Pradesh, while 5,551 families were migrated to Gujarat, accepting the rehabilitation packages. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With six Congress MLAs having quit in Gujarat, Congress have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of corrupt practices to lure members from their party. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Arjun Modwadia, said that a new chapter has been opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah and that they are managing to expand this plan beyond Gujarat. "Even though they don't have the majority, they manage to form the government through like they did in Gujarat and Manipur", he said, further accusing them of forming unethical alliances like they did in Bihar or the PDP in Kashmir, which he termed to be anti-national. He also said that the Gujarat Model is spreading beyond Gujarat because of Modi. "They roam around with money to bribe people but the ones who have been loyal to the party will continue to be loyal to them and won't fall in their trap," he added. Earlier, the BJP on Sunday said that the grand old party is now a sinking ship as their cadres are losing faith in the party leadership. "People are now aware that the Congress Party is now a sinking ship. And is not a trustworthy party anymore," Shahnawaz Hussain told ANI. They said that 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. The developments come after at least six Congress MLAs in Gujarat resigned from the party to join the BJP. (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.) In response to North Korea's latest missile launch, the U.S. Air Force flew two B-1B bombers accompanied by South Korean and Japanese jet fighters over the Korean Peninsula on Saturday. The U.S. Pacific Command said the mission was in "direct response" to North Korea's "escalatory launch" of intercontinental ballistic missiles July 3 and July 28, reports VOA News. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, U.S. Pacific Air Forces commander. "Diplomacy remains the lead; however, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worse-case scenario. If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing," he added. Meanwhile, President U.S. Donald Trump blasted China for its inaction against North Korea following Pyongyang's latest missile launch. He said in a series of tweets, "I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!(sic)." The Pentagon confirmed that North Korea on Friday launched its second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. The launch came a 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. Earlier this month on July 4, Pyongyang had also conducted its first successful test of a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14, which it said was a "gift" to "American b******s" on their Independence Day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 13 persons were killed and several others injured on Sunday in a truck and a passenger van collision at Abbottabad Chowk on Hassan Abdaal road in Pakistan's Punjab province. The van which was travelling from Rawalpindi to Peshawar crashed with a truck coming from the opposite direction at Abbottabad Chowk and caught fire after hitting a gas pipeline following collision with the truck, Dunya News reported. The injured persons were admitted to nearby hospitals. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over loss of lives in the incident and directed the concerned authorities to submit a report on the accident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Venezuela's beleaguered government is set to go ahead with a vote on Sunday that will elect a 545-member constituent assembly with the power to rewrite the constitution and dissolve state institutions.The assembly could give Maduro new powers and dissolve state institutions. Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro have stepped up their protests against the controversial vote and critics at home and abroad have warned will seal the demise of the oil-rich nation's democracy. Maduro's regime has forbidden protests through Tuesday, saying violators will face prison terms of five to 10 years. It says it has dispatched more than 370,000 troops across the country to secure Sunday's vote. Violent clashes with the government have killed 113 since April, according to the Venezuelan Attorney General's Office, as the country faces economic and political crises with falling crude oil prices that funds most of the government's socialist agenda. The newly elected body would rewrite the 1999 constitution, the cornerstone of former President Hugo Chavez's "Bolivarian Revolution," which extended presidential term limits and allowed for indefinite re-elections. Opposition leaders won a majority of seats in Venezuela's National Assembly in midterm elections in December 2015 because of the economic crisis the country has been facing and the results were a blow to the oil-rich country's socialist government that has held the congress for 16 years. The political upheaval started in late March when the Venezuelan Supreme Court dissolved Parliament and transferred all legislative powers to itself, which is stacked with government loyalists. The opposition claimed Maduro was creating a dictatorship as impeachment attempts were blocked by the Court. International pressure against Venezuela's election has been increasing as the United States, Mexico and Colombia said they're freezing assets and imposing other restrictions on certain current and former Venezuelan government officials. The U.S. Treasury Department slapped sanctions against 13 Venezuelan government officials. The sanctions come ahead of the planned July 30, 2017, election orchestrated by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of a National Constituent Assembly that will have the power to rewrite the Venezuelan constitution and dissolve all government institutions. "As President Trump has made clear, the United States will not ignore the Maduro regime's ongoing efforts to undermine democracy, freedom and the rule of law," Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about 'Quit India' movement in 'Mann Ki Baat', the Congress Party on Sunday questioned the former that where were the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) or other connected organisations in that struggle for India's freedom. "Prime Minister Modi talks about 'Quit India', India's struggle for independence, where was RSS or other connected organizations in that struggle for India's freedom? What was the contribution of India's right wing in India's independence struggle?" Congress party leader Manish Tewari told ANI. Meanwhile, another leader Renuka Chaudhary advised the Prime Minister to do more and talk less as "people are dying every day in the name of caste, cow and communalism". "The very fundamental of this country is to remove casteism, it is known as secular credentials. You have to do more, than what you talk. People are dying every day in the name of caste, cow and communalism," she said. Earlier in the day, while addressing his 34th edition of his monthly radio broadcast of ' Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Modi said that the nation have to take pledge to quit un-cleanliness, poverty, terrorism, casteism and communalism from India. "This year we are celebrating 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement. We should celebrate 15th August 2017 as the Sankalp Parva or the Day of Resolve. We have to take pledge to quit un-cleanliness, poverty, terrorism, casteism and communalism from India," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In one of the largest single haul of narcotics, over 1,500 kg of heroin, valued at Rs 3,500 crore in the international market, was seized from a ship off the Gujarat coast, the Coast Guard said on Sunday. The crew members of the merchant vessel have been arrested and are being interrogated, said Coast Guard officials. The ship has been seized. Based on intelligence, the vessel was intercepted by Coast Guard ships Samudra Pavak and Ankit around noon on Saturday. The heroin was concealed in a horizontal pipe on the top deck, an official statement said. "This is the largest single haul of narcotics substances till date," the statement said. "The search operation for the suspect vessel at sea was commenced by the ships and aircraft of the Coast Guard on July 27," it said, adding a vast area of the sea was kept under continuous surveillance. "The movements of all ships in the area including the suspect vessel were minutely observed throughout till its apprehension along with eight crew members by Indian Coast Guard ships on July 29," it said. The ship was brought to Gujarat's Porbandar port on Sunday morning for further investigation. A joint investigation by the Coast Guard, Intelligence Bureau, police, Customs, Navy and other agencies was on, the officials said. --IANS desai/vd/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 11 militants were killed when the Afghan police repelled a Taliban attack in Paktika province, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday. According to a ministry statement, the insurgents were killed and 17 others injured when Taliban militants attacked police checkpoints in Sarobi district on Saturday evening, Xinhua news agency reported. No police official was injured in the operation, the statement said. The Taliban have yet to make any comment. --IANS py/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 13 persons were killed on Sunday morning when a van caught fire after hitting a gas pipeline in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, officials said. The passenger van travelling from Rawalpindi to Peshawar collided with a truck at Abbottabad chowk and then hit a gas pipeline in the area, Dawn online reported. The vehicle caught fire, engulfing all 13 passengers aboard, the official said. The official said the bodies of the victims have been severely burnt and identification through DNA testing may not be possible. --IANS py/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 22,000 people have been evacuated from a Spanish festival in the city of after a massive fire on Saturday night, local emergency services said. Pictures posted on social media showed festival goers running away from a stage engulfed by flames, Xinhua news agency quoted Sky News as saying. The Director General of Civil Protection in Catalunya posted on Twitter that no injuries had yet been reported. Pyrotechnics on the stage have been blamed, British newspaper Daily Mirror quoted Spanish media as reporting. A video shared on social media shows how the blaze erupted in a matter of seconds as the speaker system was engulfed in fire, triggering music fans to run for safety. The emergency evacuation procedure flashed on the stage screen as the flames erupted, according to Daily Mirror. (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.) In a crackdown on Internet services by the Chinese government, Apple has removed all major VPN apps from the App Store in China. VPN service providers in China on Saturday received a notification from Apple that their applications would be removed from the App Store "because it includes content that is illegal in China". The notification was first shared by ExpressVPN, a VPN provider based out of British Virgin Islands which also operates in China. "We are disappointed as it represents the most drastic measure the Chinese government has taken to block the use of VPNs to date and we are troubled to see Apple aiding China's censorship efforts," said ExpressVPN in a blog post. However, users who access the apps from a different territory's App Store by indicating their billing address to be outside of China are not impacted. The move is in line with the Chinese government's effort to censor open Internet. --IANS sau/amit/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In July, the legislative committee of Dunn County approved a referendum question that is unprecedented in rural America. The question asked Congress and the U.S. president to nationalize health care. Its chances of success looked good ahead of the Nov. 8 referendum. Results of this referendum could make waves in Wisconsin. Showing exemplary courage, a young beautician foiled an abduction bid on Saturday evening when she jumped out from a car into which she had been dragged by two men in Vasant Kunj area of south Delhi. Seema, 22, was heading back to her home from work around 8 p.m. when she was dragged into a car, with a Haryana number plate, by two men. But their attempt to kidnap her was thwarted as she jumped out from the car window, a senior police official told IANS. She later raised an alarm, which made the two kidnappers flee from the scene. The assailants remain unidentified. The police are examining the CCTV footage to trace them. --IANS sp-vn/amit/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A dawn-to-dusk shutdown called by the BJP following the murder of an RSS activist derailed normal life across Kerala on Sunday, residents and officials said. Shops and markets were closed almost everywhere, reports reaching here said. All public vehicles went off the roads, leaving hundreds stranded at railway stations and bus terminals. The Bharatiya Janata Party called the protest after suspected activists of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) hacked to death E. Rajesh, 34, a member of the RSS, here on Saturday night. He died a few hours later. Those who ventured out in their own vehicles on Sunday were stopped by angry BJP and RSS workers on the main roads. A family which travelled from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi, a distance of 250 km, said it underwent a nightmare. "At several places supporters of RSS and BJP stopped us and spoke to us as if we were criminals. Finally, after undergoing a lot of trouble, we reached Kochi," businessman Ajith Kumar told IANS. At several places, BJP and RSS workers reportedly expressed their ire on those who had to travel. "A funeral that was to take place has been postponed for tomorrow (Monday) as many people who wished to come could not make it," K. Thomas, who hails from Puthupally in Kottayam district, told IANS. The only saving grace was that since today was a Sunday and a public holiday, government offices were anyway shut. Hundreds who arrived at railway stations found themselves stranded as they could not get any vehicles to reach their destinations. The shutdown officially ends at 6 p.m. --IANS sg/mr/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China topped in pledging Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nepal during the 2016-17 fiscal that ended in mid-July, Nepal's Department of Industry (DoI) has said. China has been topping in investment commitments to Nepal in the last few years, Xinhua news agency cited the DoI data as showing. China pledged 8.35 billion Nepali rupees ($81 million) followed by India with 1.99 billion Nepali rupees, and South Korea pledging 1.88 billion Nepali rupees. Chinese investors pledged more than half of the total FDI commitments Nepal received during the year as the Himalayan country received a total FDI commitments of 15 billion Nepali rupees. Nepali industrialists said the increased investment in Nepal should not be taken as a surprise given that China has been investing heavily across the world. "Chinese investors are seeing a lot of investment opportunities in Nepal and they are coming here," Bhola Nath Pathak, project coordinator of Hongshi Shivam Cement, a Nepal-China joint venture industrial unit, told Xinhua. During the Nepal Investment Summit organised by the Nepal government here in March, Chinese investors pledged the highest amount compared to investors from other countries. The Chinese delegation committed FDI of $8.2 billion against total investment pledges of $13.52 billion from seven countries. Entrepreneurs, however, say the realisation of pledged FDI commitments has remained sluggish. "The investors still have to encounter many bureaucratic hurdles," said Pashupati Murarka, former President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). "The government should clear the bureaucratic hurdles quickly for those investors who have received the licence to develop the industry." Nepali government officials said they were making efforts to ease investors in Nepal. "We initiated the process of legal and institutional reforms and simplified procedures for registering industries," DoI Director General Shankar Aryal said. Nepal has introduced new Industrial Enterprises Act, Special Economic Zone Act and new Foreign Investment Policy lately offering more facilities to investors and easing the process of investing in Nepal. --IANS py/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha has nothing to do with Omung Kumar's "Bhoomi", but he is enraged by claims that the first poster of the Sanjay Dutt-starrer is copied from a Hollywood film. He says he is not in favour of "some bizarre, out of work, useless pests" who put people's hard work down. Sanjay shared the poster on his 58th birthday on Saturday, and it shows a close-up with him in a grim mood with his face covered with dust and blood. Some people highlighted the resemblance of the "Bhoomi" poster with Liam Neeson's film "Grey". To prove his point, Sinha took to his Facebook page and cited examples of several other projects that used close-up shots for their poster. The lengthy post that came with a disclaimer 'Warning - abusive language alert', read: "Bollywood is so full of some bizarre, out of work, useless pests. Can't put a movie together themselves and they start running down other people's work the moment a movie gets off the ground." He went on to explain what bothered him, and also cleared that he is not speaking up because he has some vested interest attached to the project -- which is directed by Omung Kumar, and backed by Bhushan Kumar and Sandeep Singh. Sinha added: "This afternoon saw a fantastic poster of 'Bhoomi' (I have nothing to do with the film but for the fact that I love Sanju). Minutes later, another Liam Neeson poster of a movie called 'Grey' started circulating as the one 'Bhoomi' copied. F*ck you guys!" The "Tum Bin" maker continued: "It is a bloody close-up and I attach here quite a few such posters that for sure did not copy each other. These are posters made of a close-up. I think the 'Bhoomi' poster is fantastic and that's it." Sinha feels "movies are about magic that a large team puts together over years. Blood, sweat and money goes behind it. If you start talking shit about movies from the point they get off the ground you will ruin the magic. "And you mother-f***ing losers, remember if Bollywood does well, chances are you will also get to make a film someday. Sorry about my abusive language. But I am angry, very angry! So if you can't put a movie together, shut the f**k up." Touched by the post, Omung also took to Twitter to thank Sinha. He posted: "It is encouraging that while on one side we have people who are on the move to kill the zeal of passionate filmmakers, on the other side, we have people who are empathetic. Thanks for putting it in words Anubhav, what it takes to put together and release it. As long as we have people like you to support and encourage us, the show will go on." "Bhoomi" marks Sanjay's comeback after he was released from the Yerwada Central Jail in Pune in 2016. It is an emotional and sensitive revenge drama that explores the relationship between a father and daughter. It also stars Shekhar Kapur and Aditi Rao Hydari. --IANS sug/rb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three more flood-related deaths were reported in West Bengal, taking the toll to 31, even as Indian Air Force helicopters dropped food and medicines in marooned areas and rescued nine people in West Midnapore district. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the situation had improved but could worsen again if more water was released from the dams. "Three more persons have died in the last 24 hours. The toll since July 21 (when the heavy rains started) is 31," a state government official said but did not give the details as to where and how the fatalities occurred. Around 2,067 relief camps were opened in the 11 flood-hit districts where 165 villages spread across 104 blocks had been inundated due to heavy monsoon rains and release of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) dams since last weekend. "The (flood) situation has got better but the problem will again rise if more water is released. The quantum of water released was more than the amount during the 1978 floods," Banerjee said while leaving the state secretariat Nabanna. Asked about the stranded people in Pratappur village of West Midnapore district's Ghatal block, she said: "Many persons were rescued from Ghatal and we are trying." A Defence Ministry spokesperson said nine people, including three women and five children, were rescued from the area by air force helicopters that took off from the Barrackpore air base. "Nine persons were winched up and food and medicines dropped," the spokesperson said. The state government official said the situation had improved in the affected districts due to the rainfall receding and the DVC releasing less water. Meanwhile, the DVC withdrew the yellow flood warning message for Panchet dam in neighbouring Jharkhand. -- IANS bdc/ssp/nir/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unable to afford an apartment in Silicon Valley, a contractor working for is being forced to live out of her car. According to a report in Daily Mail, Parsha, who has earned a sobriquet 'Pinky' for her pink hair, pink car and pink dog, is already burdened with student loans and medical bills. "I tell people all the time, stop looking at what somebody got and what you see on the outside," 'Pinky' Parsha was quoted as saying. According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, the average asking rent for a one-bedroom apartment in northern California neighbourhood is over $2,300 a month -- which Parsha, who has two children, cannot afford. So she lives in a car and has not yet divulged to her co-workers about her condition, fearing she may be looked down upon at her workplace. "They would be shocked that I'm going through that because they would be like 'I see you smiling at work, you appear to be happy. You look normal, you look clean'," Parsha said. But now she plans to make her living condition public, hoping to stir a debate about the high rents in the Bay area neighbourhood. Here's a video of a Black #Facebook employee in Silicon Valley telling her story. She's currently homeless. pic.twitter.com/NAPeJpwNlh Crystal Johnson (@Crystal1Johnson) July 29, 2017 "I think that companies need to look at the salaries, are we paying employees enough to survive?" According to Facebook, the company "understands and recognises the burdens a higher cost of living has on the less prosperous part of the community". " is committed to being active and responsible neighbours by supporting the communities near Menlo Park headquarters," a spokesperson was quoted as saying. According to the report, Facebook claims to have invested an initial $20 million contribution to community groups, philanthropies and companies in an effort over the next few months and years to grow their regional impact. When asked about Parsha's living conditions, Facebook said that Parsha was not a direct employee, but worked for a third-party contractor affiliated with the social media company. But the company's representative added that Facebook strives to create a fair and equitable work environment for all of its employees, including contractors. "The minimum salary at Facebook is $15 an hour (which includes third party contractors), and the company has instituted better conditions for contractors, including 15 days' off, paid vacation and a new child care benefit of $4,000," the report noted. But Parsha said she has been working with Facebook for just two months and has already begun looking for a second job in order to help pay the bills. She also runs a non-profit organisation called "Love n Me" that aims at empowering women and girls to pursue a successful life. Parsha had undergone abuse and depression in past but she bounced back and pursued higher education and completed her Master's degree in Counselling. National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran's Majlis (parliament) on Saturday passed the general outlines of a motion to reciprocate the US sanctions on the country. The motion, if ratified in the Majlis open meeting, will "counter the terrorist and adventurous measures of the US in the region," Xinhua quoted Press TV as saying. It also envisages measures to support the Iranian armed and security forces as well as those Iranians who would be affected by the US actions, Iranian Deputy Foreign Ministers Abbas Araqchi, who had attended the meeting of the commission, was quoted as saying. Araqchi described the motion as an appropriate measure in response to the "hostile and malicious" policies of the US. The US sanction measures would have adverse effects on the implementation of the landmark nuclear agreement, also known as JCPOA, which was signed between Iran and six world powers in July 2015, he said. The US 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 US Treasury Department. 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 US statement. --IANS sku/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Iraqi intelligence service has thwarted a plot by the Islamic State group to carry out attacks against Shia shrines and the house of the most revered Shia leader, the media reported on Sunday. "The terrorist Daesh (IS) was prepared for three separate operations from outside Iraq to attack the shrines of Shia Imams in Karbala, Najaf and Samarra provinces, and the residence of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani," Xinhua news agency reported. The group also aimed at attacking a mosque in the town of Kufa and some crowded areas in the oil-hub city of Basra in southern Iraq, with the objective of igniting sectarian strife between the Shia and Sunni Muslims. "The attacks were designed to be carried out by car bombers and dozens of suicide bombers of different nationalities," an intelligence official said. The intelligence information was presented to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of Iraqi forces, and to Interior Minister Qassim al-Aaraji to get orders to carry out pre-emptive airstrikes against terrorists. The Iraqi warplanes destroyed seven IS posts, where dozens of IS militants and their booby-trapped vehicles were gathering, in the IS-held areas of Mayadeen inside Syria and the Iraqi town of al-Qaim near the border with Syria, leaving dozens of IS militants killed, according to the official. The holy Shia city of Karbala, about 110 km from Baghdad, is home to a shrine that includes Imams Hussein and Abbas, while Najaf, about 160 km from Baghdad, is home to the shrine of Imam Ali, as well as the house of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Samarra, about 120 km from Baghdad, is home to a shrine that includes the two Imams of Ali al-Hadi and Hassan al-Askari. "The scheme is the most dangerous in the history of Iraq which, if succeeded, would drag Iraq into an unknown dark tunnel and a spiral of violence and blood," the official added. --IANS py/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The IRDAI's latest order against private life insurer Sahara India Life Insurance Company Ltd., which in effect shuts down the company's business, has raised many questions for which there are not many answers, say senior industry officials and experts. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in its July 28 order has said: "The promoters of the company (Sahara India Life) are no more fit and proper; a sum of Rs.78 crore has already been siphoned off in name of the security deposits; the shareholders and Board of Directors are not keen in recovery plan; the company is mainly surviving on the release of reserves. However the situation may not continue for long as the new premium of the company has come down significantly." On the insurance regulator's serious charge that Rs 78 crore has been siphoned off, industry officials ask what action have the IRDAI or the administrator appointed by it in June 2017 taken in that regard. "It is not clear who has siphoned off the money. If it is fraudulent diversion of funds, it is a criminal act that will have to be taken cognizance of by the police and criminal court. It is not clear if IRDAI has lodged a criminal complaint," K.K. Srinivasan, former member of the IRDAI, told IANS. "If it (IRDAI) has not done so far, it is perhaps duty bound to lodge a criminal complaint without further delay," Srinivasan added. The IRDAI's July 28 order is silent on how and by whom Rs 78 crore were siphoned off. However, information gleaned from the IRDAI order dated June 12 shows that Sahara India Life had paid a little less than Rs 80 crore as rental deposits towards opening of 646 pan-India branches to a group company. Curiously, the IRDAI has not permitted Sahara India Life to expand its branch network. According to the IRDAI, its July 28 order is based on the June 22 report by the administrator appointed by it. The insurance regulator has not made the administrator's report public. "The siphoning charge also brings into picture the role of professionals like auditors -- external and internal -- appointed actuary. Did not the statutory auditors detect siphoning of funds?" a senior industry official asked. He also said the appointed actuary is a representative of the insurance regulator and he/she submits two major reports about the company detailing the financial position and the actuarial reserves. The company also submits several returns to the regulator. Srinivasan said as per the IRDA Act, the regulator is vested with the responsibility to protect policy holder's interests and ensure orderly growth of the industry. "Hence the decision of IRDAI to transfer the assets and policy holder's liabilities of Sahara Life to ICICI Prudential Insurance under Section 52 B (2) of the Insurance Act seems appropriate," Srinivasan added. Another industry expert not wanting to be named told IANS that the IRDAI has not explained in detail the reasons for appointing an administrator to run the affairs of Sahara India Life and then ordering the transfer of all its polices to ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. "If IRDAI's decision is to protect the interests of policyholders, there were no major complaints against Sahara India Life of not settling valid claims. Further, there were no questions of the insurer falling back in its solvency margin. The company's solvency margin is much higher than others," the industry expert said. Officials said there are insurers who have earned several crore of rupees of undue income from policyholders but the regulator has not taken such a punitive action against them as he has done in the case of Sahara India Life. Industry officials also question the IRDAI's move to appoint its General Manager R.K. Sharma as the administrator of Sahara India Life. "Earlier, the power to appoint an administrator was with the central government and the regulator had only a recommendatory power. After the amendment of insurance laws a couple years ago, the power to appoint the administrator was given to the insurance regulator," an official said. "Normally, the government will not appoint its own official as an administrator or liquidator of a company. It would appoint a retired official or a professional. But in the case of Sahara India Life, an employee of IRDAI has been appointed as an administrator," the official said. Industry officials told IANS that the IRDAI should look at the larger picture while regulating the industry than getting bogged down with minor aspects like filing of returns by the insurers. "The regulator should give the comfort of confidentiality to the whistle-blowers. But that comfort is not there now," a senior industry official told IANS. Several attempts to contact IRDAI officials by IANS for clarifications did not succeed. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in) --IANS vj/tsb/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) James Bond will battle a blind super-villain in Croatia in the upcoming 25th instalment, tentatively titled "Shatterhand", reports say. The next film in the long-running franchise, which will see actor Daniel Craig fighting a blind antagonist, is based on the 1999 thriller "Never Dream Of Dying" by author Raymond Benson, who also wrote Bond books "Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day" and "The World is Not Enough", reports mirror.co.uk. The novel opens with a police raid on a French movie studio that goes badly wrong, while an actress with a sordid past leads Bond to his final target. "Bond scriptwriters feel it could be the perfect follow-up to 'Spectre'. They are hoping to film in Croatia next year," said a source. The source added that the producers were furious when a local mayor revealed that they had been scouting for locations in the coastal tourist hotspot of Dubrovnik. Craig, who has been playing the famous spy since the 2006 film "Casino Royale", has not yet been announced as being back as the British Secret Service agent. But there are reports that the 49-year-old star is set to return for his fifth stint in the series despite declaring he would rather "slash his wrists than play the secret agent again". The 25th James Bond film will hit cinemas in November 2019. --IANS sug/rb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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. CADOTT Several dozen trucks, a race track filled with mud and a cheering audience were the ingredients for a successful Nabor Days celebration in Cadotts Riverview Park on Saturday. The celebration began Friday and ended Sunday, one day shorter than previous years Nabor Days. The annual Mud Bogg drew the largest crowds. Several hundred people filtered into the field throughout Saturday afternoon to watch trucks and tractors struggle through a race track of mud to pop out on the other side. Many attendees found cold beer and dart games across the street from the Mud Bogg. A short stroll down to the shores of the Cadott Flowage brought crafting tents, bounce houses and bingo games. Although the villages Chamber of Commerce disbanded in February this year, Nabor Days was organized by the Cadott Community Association, a band of community members and local business owners. Ashley Anderson of Cook and Anderson Chiropractic in Cadott is an active member of the Cadott Community Association. She said it was formed specifically to keep producing Nabor Days, which is the village of Cadotts only community summer festival. Its just people from the community who have stepped up, she said in a Thursday interview. No carnival rides were seen at this years Nabor Days, but Anderson is optimistic about rides for next year. It is (the Associations) plan to keep doing this, she said. Kenyan police on Saturday said they have intensified the search for an intruder who stormed the rural home of Deputy President William Ruto and later shot and injured a paramilitary officer guarding the residence. Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett said the armed suspect had approached Ruto's outer gate at around midday and hit an officer on duty several times with a machete and managed to enter the farm complex. "Other police officers were quickly mobilised and the intruder was forced to hide at a building that is still under construction," Xinhua news agency quoted Boinett as saying. He said the Deputy President was not at the residence and the house is secure. Ruto had left for a political campaign in neighbouring county. "The injured officer is undergoing treatment and is in stable condition. Specialist officers have been deployed to deal with the intruder," Boinett said. The sources claim that three suspects were killed in a shootout with security officers while the fourth was fatally injured as the attackers stormed the large compound. --IANS sku/ (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 allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a moving train at Kolkatas Mahatma Gandhi Road metro station on Sunday evening, causing the service to be partially disrupted, an official said. "A person jumped on the down line in Mahatma Gandhi Road metro station while the train was entering the platform at 5.24 p.m. on Sunday," Chief Public Relations Officer of Kolkata Metro Railway Indrani Banerjee told IANS. Banerjee said train service was partially disrupted following the incident as the metro officials were trying to retrieve the victim's body. "We did a power block in the line to take out the body. We have taken some extra time to see whether the person is alive or not. Meanwhile, we are running services between Maidan and Kavi Subhash metro station in both directions," she added. --IANS mgr/vgu/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Mayor of a southern Philippine city and seven others were killed in an anti-drug operation on Sunday, authorities said. Several weapons and a large volume of crystal meth were seized following the operation against Ozamis Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Xinhua news agency reported. An official said Parojinog's daughter Nova Princess, the city's Vice Mayor, was arrested at the family's estate in San Roque Lawis village. Parojinog's wife Susan and Octavio Parojinog Jr, a member of the provincial legislative board, were among those killed. The Parojinogs were among powerful warlord clans whom President Rodrigo Duterte has named as biggest narco-politicians in violence-plagued Philippines. Duterte had publicly named and threatened the family for their alleged involvement in drugs trade, kidnapping and other crimes. The family was also tagged as the founder of Kuratong Baleleng, a gang of former military men who were into kidnapping and bank robberies in the 1980s. --IANS py/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Though discussions on shifting the financial year to January-December instead of April-March are still on within the government, the change will not happen next year, according to Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar. In order to start the next financial year from January 2018, the government needs to present the Union Budget some time in November, which does not seem to be possible as the process is time-consuming and has to be kicked-off well ahead, the minister said. "These are points of discussion in the government. For now, consider March as the end of this fiscal year," Gangwar told IANS in an interview. After Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the current parliament session said the government is considering changing the financial year to January-December, speculation has been rife about the switchover in 2018. However, there was no official confirmation either way on this and the government continued its stance of "discussions are on". Experts were of the opinion that the mammoth change was not likely to happen so soon after implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1, as the shift involves a lot of operational issues, including cutting short the year to three quarters, changes in government's balance sheet, new assessment year for income taxpayers and bringing forward of the Union Budget. The Narendra Modi government had already advanced the Union Budget by a month to February 1 from 2017 in order to complete all the legislative processes and approvals for annual spending before the start of the financial year from April 1. So far, Madhya Pradesh is the only state to adopt a January-December financial year. On May 2, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the state would be shifting to the new fiscal from 2018 and complete all its budgetary proceedings by the close of 2017. Chouhan has also issued instructions to clearly chalk out the state government programmes to be completed in quarterly, half-yearly and annual fashion. The April-March financial year was adopted in India in 1867 to align it with that of the British government. Prior to that, the Indian financial year used to begin from May 1 and end on April 30. Meanwhile, with the GST Council meeting scheduled for August 5, Gangwar said the various issues that have cropped up since the roll-out of the new indirect tax regime would be discussed. The minister said that the tax rates on textiles, hybrid cars and gold could also be discussed. "We have decided that on August 5 whatever changes are necessary will be brought about. The problems being faced by people... Council will discuss on those lines and whether any change is needed," he said. "Since the time GST has been implemented, people are putting forth representations on tax rates from all states. We will consider (them)," he added. The minister, however, noted that the July 1 roll-out has been smoother than expected and the government was ready for more challenges. "The glitches and problems experienced have been less than expected," Gangwar said. (Meghna Mittal can be reached at meghna.m@ians.in) --IANS mm/ag/hs/ky (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Popular Telugu actor and Jana Sena party chief Pawan Kalyan on Sunday said he would continue his efforts till finding a permanent solution to the problem of high prevalence of kidney-related diseases in Uddanam region in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district. He met a team of doctors, including a professor from Harvard Institute of Medicine, which visited the region to study the problem and was briefed about its findings. The actor-politician along with the medical team will meet Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday to submit the recommendations. Naidu is expected to make key announcements to address the issue. Interacting with the medical team, which visited the region at the instance of Jana Sena, Pawan said his efforts would succeed only after a permanent solution to the problem was found. "Any big effort begins with first small step. We have taken the first step," he said. The actor clarified that his effort was aimed at solving people's problem and it was not for . He said if necessary he would take the help of opposition YSR Congress Party to address the issue. In January, Pawan had visited Uddanam and after meeting some kidney patients, he had urged the state government to address the problem in a time-bound manner. Noting successive government failed to address the issue despite large number of people dying of kidney-related ailments in one region, he warned that if the government and public representatives failed to respond, the Jana Sena will launch a public movement on the issue. Stating that setting up dialysis centres is not a solution, he said efforts should be made to find out the causes and prevent the disease. Pawan had also tweeted that that over 20,000 people of all age groups have died of chronic kidney diseases in the region during the last two decades. "Currently lakhs are affected with this chronic kidney disease known as 'Uddanam Nephropathy'. Successive governments and honourable legislative members of the last two decades could not address this issue effectively," he had said. The party's media team documented sufferings of the people. According to the World Health Organisation, Uddanam is one of the three regions in the world with the highest concentration of chronic kidney diseases. --IANS ms/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday urged Kerala Chief Minister Pinrayi Vijayan to curb political violence in the state, a day after an RSS activist was hacked to death in Thiruvananthapuram. "Spoke to Kerala CM regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state," tweeted Singh. "I have expressed my concern about the law and order situation in the state. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy. I expect the political violence in Kerala is curbed and the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously." On Saturday night, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist, E. Rajesh, 34, was murdered in the Kerala capital. Suspected members of the Communist Party of India-Marxist have been taken into custody in connection with the murder. --IANS rup/him/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A leading Pakistani newspaper on Sunday accused the Supreme Court of ousting Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister on "troublingly narrow legal grounds" and called for a review of the judgement. "Out of necessary respect for the Supreme Court and abundant caution in a matter where a hasty or premature assessment could trigger controversy, the initial response by sensible and responsible quarters to the Panama Papers judgement was to emphasise the need for immediate political and legal acceptance of the court's orders," the Dawn said in an editorial. "Now that the short but final judgement has been analysed by the legal community, the political class and the citizenry in detail, the implications of it for politics in Pakistan need to be forthrightly addressed," it said. "The consensus in expert and independent circles is two-fold and clear: Nawaz Sharif has been stripped of the Prime Ministership on troublingly narrow legal grounds and the judgement has the undesirable potential to upend the democratic process in the country. "In the circumstances, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar ought to consider, following an appropriate petition, convening the full court to review the five-member bench's final judgement in the Panama Papers case." The Dawn said that if Pakistan's democratic project was to be sustained and strengthened, "the rules of the system must be clear, fair and transparent". "It had been hoped that the Supreme Court would deliver a well-argued and well-reasoned judgement that would create a desirable and easily implementable legal precedent. "Instead, the one that now holds sway in the application of disqualification criteria for elected officials is staggeringly wide and could become the source of chaos in the parliamentary realm," it said. Dawn said: "Sharif, both as a citizen and as the legitimately elected Prime Minister, had a justifiable expectation of fair and proportionate justice. "That does not appear to be the case in the five-member bench's final judgement and it has profound consequences for the future of the office of the Prime Minister and of Parliament itself." On Friday, the Supreme Court disqualified Sharif from holding the post of Prime Minister, saying he had been dishonest to the judiciary and Parliament about financial details of his family as revealed by the Panama Papers. Sharif is expected to be succeeded by his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. --IANS mr/py/ahm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US-based company has created a medical device that can monitor heart rhythm of cardiovascular patients and transmit electrocardiogram (ECG) to doctors through their smartphone. The wireless "Kardia Mobile" device, manufactured by US-based company AliveCor, links to patient's smartphones through an app available for Apple and android devices which immediately transmits "one-lead" or "30-second" ECGs to doctors, Peoria Journal Star reported on Sunday. The device will be offered to thousands of patients of Illinois-based cardiology group Prairie Cardiovascular, where it will be used to monitor patients for early detection of "atrial fibrillation" and other heart-rhythm problems. The goal is to give doctors the opportunity to add or adjust medicines and take necessary steps in time to help patients avoid strokes, heart attacks and other heart-related events. "Early diagnosis is important," said Ziad Issa, cardiologist at St. John's Hospital's Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois. Prairie Cardiovascular becomes one of the few other health-care centres in the US to adopt the technology which has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is available in stores and online without prescription. "The health-care system is not designed for consumers. This [device] enables patients to be more engaged and participate in their care," said Doug Biehn, Chief Operating Officer of AliveCor. However, some doctors have raised concerns over the possiblility that the device may produce unnecessary doctor visits, testing, false alarms, which could worry patients. The doctors noted that the device will be helpful if confined to genuinely high-risk group who are already experiencing frequent symptoms and receiving multiple visits and ECGs. --IANS sau/ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Filmmaker Mani Ratnam is eagerly looking forward to the release of upcoming Malayalam-Tamil bilingual drama "Solo", directed by his erstwhile assistant Bejoy Nambiar. "Going by the first glimpse of the film, it looks very promising. I'm looking forward to the film," Ratnam told IANS. "Solo", starring Dulquer Salmaan in the lead, is an anthology of four stories with a mythical touch. "It's a collection of four different stories on earth, water, fire and wind. I can't divulge more about the plot at this moment," Nambiar had told IANS, reiterating the film is a genuine bilingual. "We have shot every scene twice. Once in Tamil and the second time in Malayalam. It was like shooting two films at the cost and time of making one film," he added. "Solo", gearing up for September release, also stars Arthi Venkatesh, Dhansikaa, Dino Morea, Neha Sharma and Sruthi Hariharan. The film is jointly produced by Getaway Films and Abaam Films. --IANS hp/ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday urged Muslims worldwide to take a stand against the US and Israel's "villainy" during the imminent annual Hajj ceremonies. One of the topics related to the Islamic world is "the issue of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Aqsa Mosque, which is in focus today," Xinhua news agency quoted Khamenei as saying. "There is no better place than the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, to voice Muslims' opinion and stance in support of Palestine and Aqsa Mosque," he said. He said the US interference in the affairs of Muslim countries and its creation of terrorist groups is another important reason for the Muslims to take stand against these countries during the Hajj ceremonies to be held in late August in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. "The US government is more villain and malicious than the terrorist groups. Muslims should be cognisant about the divisive plots hatched by the enemies," he stressed. Iran decided to withdraw from sending pilgrims to Hajj ceremony last year, with concerns over the safety of the pilgrims after the deadly stampede in Hajj of 2015, in which more than 450 Iranians died. After resolving the issues between Tehran and Riyadh, Iran decided to send as many as 86,500 pilgrims to the annual Hajj ceremony this year. --IANS vgu/dg (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.) 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 grandfathers 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. Foxconn, best known for making iPhones and other Apple products in China, announced plans Wednesday to build its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Wisconsin a decision cheered for its potential to transform the states 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. 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 arent always easy to fill. For an indicator I would look at Michigan. Theres lots of workers in Michigan and theres 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 doesnt involve people because people create defects on the glass and thats expensive, so its 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 its a challenge that Foxconn couldve faced with any of the other states it was considering Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. But Wisconsin officials say the states higher education system is capable of producing enough employees by the time the plant opens in 2020. However, its a process that needs to start now. Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott 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. For something of this magnitude were 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. Were going to start doing programs specifically targeted towards getting the workforce theyre 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 Foxconns 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 Foxconns planned factory may still be too early measure, according to an economics expert at the UW-Milwaukee. Its 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 UWMs Center for Economic Development. 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 theres some question about the modus operandi of Foxconn on these sorts of things, Levine said. Training in "realistic conditions" by thousands of Chinese troops before Sunday's massive military parade marking the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Army is "not related to neighbourhood situation", a military spokesman said. The training of 12,000 troops participating in the parade was arranged in accordance with the armed forces' annual training plan, Xinhua news agency quoted Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defence, as saying. Ren did not elaborate on what he meant by "neighbourhood situation". The Chinese and Indian armies have been engaged in a stand-off since June at Doklam region, which China claims to be its. India and Bhutan call it Bhutanese territory. India said it entered Doklam in order to stop road construction by China. China has warned of dire consequences if India does not withdraw its troops from the region. The spokesperson on Sunday said the troops taking part in the parade were fresh from military training so that they could show their battle spirit. China held its first-ever Army Day parade at Zhurihe military training base in Mongolia region to commemorate the 90th birthday of the Army. Over 600 pieces of armaments and 100 aircraft were displayed, nearly half of which were paraded for the first time, according to Ren. He said the parade was a breakaway from the formalities of ceremonial parades. --IANS py/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US on Sunday deployed B-1B strategic bombers near the Korean peninsula in response to the latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by Pyongyang, the Japanese Defence Ministry announced. The exercises involved two US bombers along with Japan's Mitsubishi F-2 fighters, Defence Minister Fumio Kishida said at a press conference. This is not the first time the Pentagon has deployed these bombers, stationed at the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, in a show of its military might in response to what it considers provocations by North Korea, reports Efe news. The B-1B bombers were also deployed over the Korean peninsula after the Kim Jong-un regime conducted its first ICBM launch on July 4 and when it fired a short-range missile in May. Washington also deployed the bombers on June 20, following the announcement of the death of American student Otto Warmbier. Warmbier passed away after being returned to the US in a comatose state by North Korea, which had held him for 17 months. The latest deployment of the US bombers is aimed at responding to North Korea's second successful ICBM launch on Friday. The Hwasong-14 missile flew 998 km for about 47 minutes and reached a maximum altitude of 3,724.9 km before falling into the Sea of Japan. North Korea called the launch a success and asserted that it could strike any part of the US with the missile. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the country will not allow China to continue "doing nothing" to resolve the North Korean issue. "I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet," Trump tweeted. "...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" he said in another tweet. Following the North Korean launch on Friday, Trump said he will take all steps needed to protect the US and its allies in the region. North Korea's continued missile tests have escalated tensions in the Korean peninsula and led to tough rhetoric by the US, which has also hinted at the possibility of pre-emptive strikes against the country. --IANS ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four senior advisers of Islamic State (IS) have been killed following a US forces airstrike in Afghanistan's Kunar province, officials said on Sunday. "US Forces-Afghanistan has confirmed the death of four senior advisers of the IS in a strike that also killed Abu Sayid, a senior IS leader, in Kunar province on July 11 this year," Xinhua news agency cited a statement by US forces in Afghanistan as saying. The four eliminated IS elements were identified as Sheik Ziaullah, Mulawi Hubaib, Haji Shirullah and Assadullah, said the statement, adding that all of the four had played crucial role in Afghanistan. "We will be relentless in our campaign against IS, and there are no safe havens in Afghanistan," the statement quoted John Nicholson, commander of the US Forces-Afghanistan, as saying. Hundreds of IS militants including three top commanders have been killed during the Afghan and NATO forces operations over the past year. --IANS vgu/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US forces carried out a missile interception system test on Sunday, a military agency said. The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the US Army conducted a successful missile defence test, using the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, Xinhua quoted the MDA as saying. The MDA also said a C-17 military transport aircraft launched a medium-range target ballistic missile (MRBM) over the Pacific Ocean, which was "detected, tracked and intercepted" by the THAAD weapon system located at Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska in Kodiak, Alaska. The test was conducted to gather threat data from a THAAD interceptor in flight, it added. This was the 15th tests for the THAAD weapon system. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On his 42nd birthday on Sunday, actor Sonu Sood says he only wished he had achieved more success in his life earlier when his mother could see it happen. Asked if he had to change something in his life, what would it be, Sonu told IANS: "I wish if I could have achieved more success in my life earlier when my mom could see that happen, she could have seen those movies, could see the success rate that happened after I lost her." The "Dabangg" actor says the only regret that he always has in his life is "whatever I achieve, how much ever I achieve, my parents are not there with me". Is it going to be a working birthday for Sonu? "Yes, I will be travelling at the time of my birthday. I am planning a huge event in Abu Dhabi for a cause, so I believe it's a good day to start with doing something for others. That's how I will be celebrating my birthday this year." Sonu is not only appreciated for his acting skills, but also for his well-chiselled body. Is it a pressure to look a certain way at his age? "I don't think there is any pressure." "I feel motivated everyday by seeing people and listening to them when it comes to fitness. One needs to follow strict discipline in the life to streamline it, so it's not whether you are in this industry/ profession of an actor or an engineer or whatever you are doing it, but I think when you respect your body, when you take care of your body, I think everything falls in place," he said. --IANS dc/rb/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman member of an inter-state gang of gunrunners has been arrested and 14 semi-automatic pistols seized from her in east Delhi, police said on Sunday. Mobai was arrested on a tip-off on Wednesday evening when she went to the Shastri Park area to deliver the consignment to one of her contacts, the police said. Hailing from Umarti district in Madhya Pradesh, Mobai had entered the world of crime 15 years ago, according to the police. "The sophisticated pistols of 7.65 mm calibre had 'Made in England' and 'Made in USA' markings," Deputy Commissioner of Police P.S. Kushwah said. Fourteen magazines were also seized. Mobai told the police she collected these pistols from a manufacturer in Gandhwani district of Madhya Pradesh and supplied them to various contacts and criminals in Delhi, the National Capital Region (NCR) area and Uttar Pradesh. --IANS sp/tsb/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) members of Parliament (MP), particularly those from Kerala, can be seen scurrying for cover when approached by members of other Opposition parties, particularly the Congress. Kerala MPs of the CPI-M are being pilloried because the state unit voted against a proposal to re-elect party General Secretary to the Rajya Sabha. Yechury was set to be re-elected from West Bengal with the support of the Congress, but the party faction closer to former general secretary Prakash Karat opposed the move. Opposition leaders from the likes of former prime minister Manmohan Singh to former defence minister A K Antony and others have told CPI-M leaders how they were amazed at the Kerala units decision. Some others have openly expressed surprise that the personal rivalry the Karats (Prakash Karat and his wife Brinda) have with Yechury should have contributed to such an important decision at a time when the Opposition is struggling to fight the Narendra Modi juggernaut and needed the services of the CPI-M chief in Parliament. Come August 2, the six-member (MPC) will announce its verdict. This is the sixth meeting of the committee and much water has flown under the bridge since the MPC came into existence. The good thing is that the fledgling MPC may be just settling down, with the committee members delivering a spilt verdict in June. However, there are still some thorns in the flesh as far as the MPCs operations are concerned. The ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in Uttar Pradesh has decided to dilute the vote bank of its rival Samajwadi Party (SP) through its ongoing social outreach programme for the Yadav community in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a hartal in Kerala on Sunday to protest the killing of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker allegedly by a gang led by a history-sheeter near Thiruvananthapuram. Police said 34-year-old Rajesh's left hand was chopped off in the attack which took place around at 9 pm last night. An investigation has been launched and search is on for assailants, they said. BJP state president Kumanam Rajasekharan alleged that the Communist Party India-Marxist (CPI-M) was behind the attack, a charge denied by the district leadership of the Left party. The BJP has called for a state-wide hartal today, the state BJP chief said. Police are maintaining a strict vigil and have clamped prohibitory orders for three days from July 28 after BJP's Kerala unit office here was vandalised and the house of CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son Bineesh Kodiyeri was attacked. Earlier, 10 people, including four from the student and youth wing of the CPI-M, had been arrested in connection with the violence in the city. (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.) This domain was recently registered at Namecheap.com. Please check back later! Speculation is rife that the politically sensitive Rs 64 crore Bofors payoff case will come up for substantial hearing in the Supreme Court soon, amidst a fresh media report suggesting a financial quid pro quo for the Rs 1,437-crore Howitzer gun deal in 1986. BJP leader and advocate Ajay Kumar Agarwal, who had challenged the Delhi High Court's May 31, 2005 judgement quashing all charges against the Europe-based Hinduja brothers in the case, said the matter was listed in the weekly list earlier this month, but could not be taken up. He said the apex court may list the matter after its constitution bench completes hearing on the right to privacy matter and that he was also contemplating filing an application for an early hearing. The apex court had on October 18, 2005 admitted his petition which was filed after the CBI failed to approach the top court with the appeal within the 90-day deadline after the High Court verdict. The hearing will assume significance in the wake of the demand in Parliament by ruling BJP MPs for reopening of probe into the Bofors kick-back scandal after the media reports quoting Swedish chief investigator Sten Lindstrom's suggested payment of alleged bribery at the top level. Agarwal, who had contested the Rai Bareli Lok Sabha elections in 2014 against Congress President Sonia Gandhi, said he will also draw the attention of the apex court that he has written a letter to the Enforcement Directorate seeking investigation into the trail of the kickback money under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. In the July 28 letter to the ED, he claimed that the alleged crimes were committed continuously till the year 2006 when two London accounts held by Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrochi, who has been accused as one of the middlemen in the deal, were de-freezed. The BJP leader said he is writing a letter to the CBI asking it to file an affidavit about the facts and course of investigation into the case, as during the brief hearing on December 1, 2016, the agency had told the apex court that the authorities had not permitted it to file an appeal against the May 31, 2005 verdict. Agarwal said he will try to convince the apex court through his petition that the "High Court had quashed the charges against the accused persons on technical grounds and the order was totally perverse which is liable to be set aside." Justice R S Sodhi of the Delhi High Court, since retired, had on May 31, 2005 quashed all charges against the Hinduja brothers -- Srichand, Gopichand and Prakashchand -- and the Bofors company and castigated the CBI for its handling of the case saying it had cost the exchequer about Rs 250 crore. Before the 2005 verdict, another judge of the Delhi High Court, Justice J D Kapoor (since retired) on February 4, 2004, had exonerated the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the case and directed framing of charge of forgery under Section 465 of IPC against the Bofors company. The matter was last listed on February 28 this year when it was adjourned. The apex court had on October 18, 2005 allowed Agrawal to file an appeal against the high court verdict in the absence of any appeal by CBI. The December 1, 2016 hearing had taken place after a gap of almost six years since August 12, 2010. The Rs 1,437 crore deal between India and the Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155mm Howitzer guns for Indian Army was entered on March 24, 1986. The Swedish Radio on April 16, 1987 had claimed that the company had paid bribes to top Indian politicians and defence personnel. The CBI on January 22, 1990 had registered the FIR for the alleged offence of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery under the Indial Penal Code and other sections of Prevention of Corruption Act against Martin Ardbo, the then President of AB Bofors, alleged middleman Win Chadda and Hinduja brothers. The CBI had alleged that certain public servants and private persons in India and abroad had entered into a criminal conspiracy between 1982 and 1987 in pursuance of which the offences of bribery, corruption, cheating and forgery were committed to the extent of Rs 64 crore in the contracts for the supply of Bofors guns. The first charge sheet in the case was filed on October 22, 1999 against Chadda, Quattrocchi, then Defence Secretary S K Bhatnagar, Ardbo and the Bofors company. A supplementary charge sheet against Hinduja brothers was filed on October 9, 2000. A special CBI court in Delhi On March 4, 2011, had discharged Quattrocchi from the case saying the country cannot afford to spend hard-earned money on his extradition which has already cost Rs 250 crore. Quattrocchi, who fled from here on July 29-30, 1993, has never appeared before any court in India to face prosecution. He passed away on July 13, 2013. The other accused persons who have died are Bhatnagar, Chadda and Ardbo. (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.) Detection and reportage of suspicious transactions, fake currency notes and cross-border fund transfers in the country's economic channels doubled in the last fiscal year, leading to unearthing of over Rs 560 crore black money, a government report has said. The report of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the premier technical snoop wing under the Finance Ministry, said the financial year 2015-16 saw a "record increase" in the detection of such instances. All banks and financial intermediaries apprise the FIU of the detections as part of their obligation to comply with the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing measures. "The year 2015-16 ... Saw a record increase in the number of reports received, processed and disseminated by the FIU," the recent report, accessed by PTI, said. The number of cash transaction reports (CTRs) doubled from 80 lakh in 2014-15 to over 1.6 crore in 2015-16 and that of suspicious transaction reports (STRs) rose from 58,646 to 1,05,973 during the period, it said. "A similar growth was registered in counterfeit currency reports (CCRs) -- over 16 per cent, NTRs -- nearly 25 per cent, while there was an 850 per cent growth in the number of cross border wire transfer reports (CBWTRs) during the period," the report said. The central agency, tasked with analysing suspicious transactions in Indian banking and other financial channels, also issued a "record number" of 21 sanctions against the violating entities (banks and others) under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The report attributed the increase in number of the detections and their reportage to the FUI's "proactive outreach" to stakeholders to ensure that they increasingly detect such instances. However, a senior finance ministry official said it was due to the "increasing penetration" of technology and awareness against suspect fund movements at a time when the fight against black money is actively being pursued in the country and the world. "An increased awareness and the fight against black money is leading all the stakeholders, including the government and reporting entities such as banks and others, to be pro-active in detecting suspicious activities in their channels," the official said, requesting anonymity. "A sustained momentum in enforcement of the law and strict compliance of established norms is required to keep these numbers growing, which is an indicator that the regime against black money, tax evasion and money laundering is strong in India," he said. The report said that based on the STRs disseminated by the FIU, the CBDT detected unaccounted income of Rs 154.89 crore, the Enforcement Directorate nosed out proceeds of crime of Rs 107.47 crore and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) came across assets worth Rs 300 crore during 2015-16. The total value of money unearthed stands at Rs 562.36 crore. It said the black money detection figures in the last fiscal year are for "only 5 per cent of cases" flagged by the FIU to probe agencies. The FIU obtains reports from banks and other institutions and sends them for action to investigative and enforcement agencies that are mandated under the law to combat economic crimes. While over 3.53 lakh CCRs were received in 2014-15, their number rose by 16 per cent to over 4.10 lakh in 2015-16. Similarly, CBWT reports during 2015-16 increased to over 1.1 crore as against 34 lakh in the previous year. Cross-border wire transfer pertains to any transaction of more than Rs 5,00,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency where either the origin or destination of fund is in India. Likewise, CCR is defined as the usage of a forged or counterfeit currency note or bank note as genuine or where any forgery of a valuable security or a document has taken place during a cash transaction at a bank. An STR is a transaction that either indicates that it has been made in circumstances of unusual or unjustified complexity or appears to have no economic rationale or bona fide purpose. It is also applicable to the transactions that give rise to a reasonable ground of suspicion that it may involve financing of the activities relating to terrorism. An NPO Transaction Report (NTR) pertains to all transactions involving receipts by non-profit organisations of more than Rs 10 lakh or its equivalent in foreign currency. The FIU, established in 2004, provides financial intelligence to law enforcement agencies for safeguarding the economy from abuses of money laundering, terrorist financing and other offences. It disseminates this data to probe agencies to check economic crimes, ascertain the extent of fake Indian currency notes (FICN) in banking channels and undertake legal action under criminal laws to check money laundering and black money. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following are the top stories of the northern region at 2130 hrs: DES 3 DL-ZOO STAMP New Delhi: How about visiting the Delhi Zoo and getting clicked in front of your favourite animal's enclosure for a personalised postage stamp? DES 15 UP-TOILETS-SISTERS Amethi (UP): Brothers in this district have lined up a different gift for their sisters this Raksha Bandhan - a toilet. DES 28 PB-AMARINDER-MOTHER Patiala: A galaxy of leaders, including former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, were present at the 'bhog' ceremony of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's mother 'Rajmata' Mohinder Kaur, who passed away recently. DES 12 MANGOES-KARELA-NAMES Rataul (Uttar Pradesh): The Gadha is fodder for donkeys, the Haramzada good looking but bland in taste and the Langda, well, not lame but a little off balance. Mangoes all, but each distinctive in taste, look and etymology!By Manik Gupta DES 31 JK-DALAI LAMA-MEHBOOBA Leh (J&K): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomes Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who is currently on a visit to Leh in connection with an annual Buddhist function. DES 16 DL-HATECRIME RALLY New Delhi: Against the backdrop of a string of lynching incidents, a group of about 100 bikers left for Mewat region from Delhi to spread the message of communal harmony and raise voice against hatred-driven violence. DES 17 JK-CLASHES Srinagar: Six people are injured as protesters clash with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district after two militants were killed in an encounter. DES 25 JK-LANGUAGE-PROTEST Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to create 49 assistant professor posts for teaching Kashmiri in colleges of the Dogra-majority Jammu belt triggers a row with various Jammu-based organisations terming the order as an "assault on Dogra identity". DES 20 INDU New Delhi: Renowned filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar organises special screening of his latest movie 'Indu Sarkar' here, with some ministers and other politicians gracing the occasion and praising it. DES 33 HP-RAPE Chamba: An irate mob protesting against the alleged rape of a school girl went on rampage at Tissa in Chamba district setting ablaze a PWD rain shelter and two kiosks, say officials. DES 37 JK-HIZB-NAIKOO-FUNERAL Srinagar: Self-styled Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander Reyaz Naikoo appears at the funeral of slain militant Shariq Ahmad at Awantipora in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. DES 18 DL-DRUGS-AFRICANS New Delhi: In a major crackdown, three African women and a man are arrested by the NCB in the national capital for allegedly trying to smuggle out narcotic drugs worth Rs 70 lakh in the international market. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) APJ Abdul Kalam However, in latest development, leader of a local Hindu outfit objected to the placing of Quran and Bible near the statue on the ground that "no permission was taken" for the same. Hours later, officials manning the memorial, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27, kept the Bible and Quran in a glass box in the vicinity of the statue. Hindu Makkal Katchi leader K Prabhakaran filed a police complaint claiming that the two holy books (of Quran and Bible) were placed without permission from authorities. "I respect all these books. But keeping them (in the memorial) without permission is wrong. Steps should be taken to see that such things are not done again," he told reporters. Vaiko-led MDMK and the PMK have raised questions on the need for keeping the engraved 'Bhagavad Gita' alongside the wooden statue of Kalam playing the musical instrument 'veena' in the Rs 15 crore memorial, designed and built by the Defence Research and Development Agency with which Kalam was associated for a long time. Meanwhile, Kalam's relatives Sheik Dawood and Salim told PTI earlier today, "An unnecessary controversy was raised by some people. DRDO officials worked tirelessly for the memorial construction and had not sculpted the Bhagavad Gita near the statue with any (ill) intention. Now we have left two books -- Quran and Bible near the statue". They said they would also place a copy of Tamil treatise 'Thirukkural' near the statue soon. They said Kalam was a leader to all Indians and no one should seek to politicise the issue. An MDMK spokesperson said party founder Vaiko had already questioned the need for a Bhagavad Gita there, when Kalam used to refer only from 'Thirukkural'. A PMK leader, who did not wish to be named, also questioned the need for sculpting the wooden piece with the name of 'Bhagavad Gita', saying Kalam was common to all citizens of India. The memorial at Peikarambu, inaugurated on the second death anniversary of the popular scientist at his home town here, also has on display a replica of rockets and missiles on which the late scientist had worked. Besides, about 900 paintings and 200 rare photographs of Kalam, who held the office of president from 2002 to 2007, are on display at the memorial. The Janata Dal (United) will support the opposition vice presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi in the August 5 elections notwithstanding its joining hands with the BJP. A seniro party leader said that the commitment to support Gandhi was made by party president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar prior to joining hands with the BJP. "Nitish Kumar ji had made the commitment to support Gopalkrishna Gandhi prior to joining hands with the BJP and will fulfil it. There is no going back on it and we have not changed our stand," senior party leader K C Tyagi told PTI. The JD-U moved out of the 'grand alliance' with the RJD and the Congress and decided to join hands with its old-time ally the BJP to form the new government in Bihar. It had split from the NDA in 2013 after a 17-year-old alliance. Party leaders, however, say that it has to fulfil its promises made earlier. The decision of the JD-U will not alter the result of vice president's election as the ruling NDA nominee M Venkaiah Naidu has a big majority in his favour and is likely to sail through easily. On whether its lone MLA in Gujarat would support the BJP or the Congress in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, they said since he is opposed by the BJP, he is free to take his own decision. In the wake of its own legislators switching sides and resigning after Shankarsing Vaghela quit the party, Congress heavyweight Ahmed Patel needs the support of the NCP, the JD-U and other MLAs to win the third Rajya Sabha seat in Gujarat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Land acquisition for the 15 km long Agartala-Akhaura rail project to link Indian Railways with Bangladesh Railways, has started, officials said today. "We have served notices to 257 families to acquire 66 acres of land for the rail project and the land would be handed over to the railways by August end", West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Milind Ramteke told reporters. He said, the Central government has already released Rs 97.63 crore to acquire the land. The process of laying the 15 km long railway tracks to connect Agartala with Akhaura in Bangladesh will be completed in two and half years time after laying of tracks begin. Out of the 15 km track, 5 km would be on Indian side and the rest in Bangladesh. Ramteke said that the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is the nodal agency for implementation of the project in Indian side. Bangladesh government has also started acquiring around 70 acres of land for the project, NFR officials said. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu and his Bangladesh counterpart, Majibul Haque had jointly laid the foundation stone here on July 31 last year. A flyover of 3.7 km would be constructed on the Indian side to save cultivable lands and the entire project cost would be borne by the government, he said. New Delhi is keen to establish the rail link as it would connect West Bengal and Tripura through Bangladesh. During Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi, the two neighbours had agreed to lay the tracks between Akhaura and Agartala. The Agartala-Akhaura railway route would connect Indian Railways with Bangladesh Railways which would improve connectivity and boost trade between the two countries. The 1,700 km distance between Agartala and Kolkata which goes through the 'chicken's neck' in Siliguri would be reduced by 350 km if passengers could move through Bangladesh, officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government employee Bhim Singh has been visiting 'Parliament wale Sarkar' -- an over 300- year-old shrine right across the premises of Parliament House -- for last 20 years every Thursday drawn by, what he calls, its healing spirit. In his late 40s now, Singh, comes to the mazaar to perform prayers to thank the power that he believes pervades the shrine, which is watched over by a lavish neem tree like a guardian angel. "I had some kidney problems a few years ago. I consulted doctors but it did not help me. Someone then suggested me to seek help of 'Neem Wale Baba', and he mitigated my pain. Since then, my faith in him has only been reinforced," says Singh, as he wraps a starch-white handkerchief over his head before genuflecting in obeisance. Murshin Shah, the caretaker of the shrine says, most of those who have been "blessed by the baba" come back to him and either help in the maintenance of the mazaar or in funding its functions like the 'Urs' (anniversary). "One person, who felt beholden to Baba after benefiting from him, has financed the entire civil work, which got over a few days ago only," he told PTI, pointing to the new gleaming marble-and-granite surface of the shrine. The 21-year-old who had to take over the mantle rather early from his father (Khalid Shah), after he died at the age of 43 two years ago, recalls the legends and stories associated with the shrine, which he says, is visited "mostly by the Hindus". The shrine is located on the edge of the Red Cross Road and on the side of the Tuberculosis Association of India office building. The long and imposing fence of Parliament House complex runs on the other side, with the iconic circular building of the House visible from the place. "My father used to tell me the story of this shrine and two 'peer babas' interred here about 300 ago, which is considered holy by people. One is the master -- Hazrat Baba Abdullah Shah Madine Shah -- and the other his follower ('shagird') -- Hazrat Baba Ruhaddalle Shah Madine Shah. "Because of the presence of the neem tree, they began to call him 'Neem Wale Baba' as is written on the signboard hung on the tree. But, many people also call him 'Sarkar' or 'Parliament Wale Sarkar' because of the proximity to the building. In fact, when I go to Ajmer or other places, many people tell me -- 'You are caretaker of 'Parliament Wale Baba'," he said. Murshin, eldest among five brothers, says the place has been under the care of his family ever since the building of the Parliament was being constructed. The building was erected in 1920s. "During that period, once an engineer's young son was bitten by a snake, and he had fallen unconscious, and presumed dead, when he was brought to the shrine and by baba's blessings, he regained his life. That boy, who lives in south India, is now in his 80s and still comes to pay obeisance. That is his grace," he said. On weekdays, many government officers and staff can be seen bending their heads in obeisance at the edge of the 'chabutra' (raised platform) on which the shrine is situated. A lot of them are working youth, who can be seen either stopping by at the shrine to just offer a quick prayer or a coin in the designated donation box. 30-year-old Anand, a media professional, whose workplace is located nearby the shrine says, "the place reaffirms his faith in the divine." "I come from Jamshedpur and even while I was in Ranchi, i used to visit shrines. They give us peace and spread communal harmony. I had moved to Delhi on August 16 last year, I will be completing a year in the capital soon. Will go to 'Neem Wale Baba to seek his blessings that day," he says. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coin collectors and numismatists will have enough to celebrate this year as the Government Mint, Mumbai has kick-started sale of commemorative coins to mark the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa and the Komagata Maru incident. The coins have been made on the theme 'Centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's Return from South Africa' and will be available in denominations of Rs 100 and Rs 10. The Komagata Maru incident dates back to May 23, 1914 when the ship carrying 376 passengers, majority of whom were Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus -- was denied entry into Canada after an immigration dispute. Some of the passengers were killed in protests on their return to India. The government mint office in Mumbai has put up for sale these commemorative coins which can be booked from July 26 till September 26, both online and offline. 'Centenary of Komagata Maru Incident' themed coins are available in Rs 100 and Rs 5 denominations. The proof coins cost Rs 3,225 each while uncirculated coins (UNC) carry a tag of Rs 2,644 each which are all inclusive of the goods and services tax (GST), the India Government Mint, Mumbai said in an advertisement. "The coins will be delivered through India Post within six months from the date of closure of booking," it said. The coin on Gandhi's return from South Africa in 1915 bears two images of the Father of the Nation -- a young man in western attire and the other is the legendary thinly clad old man wearing round-shaped spectacles. The centenary completion year '2015' is engraved at the opposite corner to that of '1915'. The proof coin embossed letter M -- meaning printed at Mumbai -- have a frozen effect on the surface design with a mirror finish. The coin commemorating Komagata Maru incident depicts a big ship named 'Komagata Maru' sailing in the sea, with year 1914-2014 printed at the periphery of the coin. These types of coins commemorate events of historical and social importance as well celebrates achievements of public or private organisations. These high quality coins hold great value for collectors and those who study currencies, tokens, paper money and related articles -- the numismatics. The Mumbai mint, a unit of Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL), has been manufacturing these commemorative coins apart from circulation coins. The first commemorative coin was issued in 1964 in the memory of India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. In 2016, the mint had come up with only one commemorative coin themed on Centenary of Banaras Hindu University. Year 2015 saw issuance of three commemorative coins on International Yoga Day, 125th birth anniversary of B R Amdebkar and Golden Jubilee of Indo Pak War 1965. In 2014, coins were issued to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. While in 1972, coins were issued to mark the 25th year of India's independence. Also, 2010 was a dedication to '1000 Years Of Brihadeeswarar Temple' and birth centenary of C Sbramaniam as well as platinum jubilee of Reserve Bank of India. The mint office has been issuing commemorative coins all through the years since 1964 on various themes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NIA today conducted raids at two places belonging to a close aide of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in Jammu in connection with its probe in the terror funding case in the Kashmir Valley, officials said. In a related development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) also issued summon to Naseem, the second son of Geelani, who heads separatist conglomerate Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, to appear before the agency on Wednesday. His elder son Nayeem has been summoned at the NIA headquarters tomorrow. The NIA raided the office and residence of a lawyer this morning amid allegations about his close proximity with Geelani, said officials, who are familiar with the developments. His foreign trips have come under lens and he will be questioned soon, the officials said. This is the second raid in Jammu in connection with the case of terror funding. Earlier, the agency had raided a businessman. Earlier, the NIA had issued summons to Geelani's elder son Nayeem, asking him to appear before it for questioning tomorrow in connection with its probe in the terror funding case which names Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ul-Dawah, the front of another proscribed outfit Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT), Hafiz Saeed, as an accused. The NIA has also named separatist organisations such as the Hurriyat Conference (factions led by Geelani and Mirwaiz Farooq), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and all-woman outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat in its FIR. A surgeon by profession, Nayeem had returned from Pakistan in 2010 after spending 11 years there. He is tipped as the natural successor to the Geelani-led Tehrek-e-Hurriyat, a separatist conglomerate comprising hardline groups. Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh has already been arrested by the NIA and was being interrogated in the same case, they said. Besides him, Geelani's close aides Ayaz Akbar, who is also the spokesman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, and Peer Saifullah were arrested by the NIA from the Valley last week. Shahid-ul-Islam, spokesman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Nayeem Khan (of the Hurriyat's Geelani faction) and Farooq Ahmed Dar alias 'Bitta Karate' have also been arrested. All of them have been remanded to 10 days of NIA custody. The NIA had registered a case on May 30 against the separatist and secessionist leaders, including members of the Hurriyat Conference, who have been acting in connivance with active militants of the HM, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, LeT, other outfits and gangs. The case was registered for raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including hawala, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and for causing disruption in the Kashmir Valley by way of pelting security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India. In pursuance of this case, the NIA had conducted widespread searches on the suspected persons in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Haryana and incriminating documents, electronic devices, cash and other valuables worth crore of rupees were unearthed. For the the first time since the rise of militancy in Kashmir in the early 1990s, a central probe agency had carried out raids in connection with the funding of separatists and carried out arrests. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No steps have been taken for the introduction of Sharia-compliant mutual funds in India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said. Replying to an RTI application filed by a PTI correspondent, the central bank said the Government of India had sought its comments on the launch of Sharia-compliant mutual funds by State Bank of India in December 2014. The RBI submitted its reply the same month, it said. The Islamic or Sharia-compliant financial system is based on the principles of not charging an interest on deposits, as it is prohibited under Islam. "The Reserve Bank of India has not taken any step for introduction of Sharia-compliant mutual funds in India," the reply said. The RBI was asked to provide details on the introduction of Sharia-compliant mutual funds in the country. The SBI had in 2014 announced the launch of the same. However, it was deferred to make it a better and more attractive fund in the future, according to an official communication. H Abdur Raqeeb, General Secretary, Indian Centre for Islamic Finance -- an NGO trying to introduce members of the Muslim community to the Sharia-compliant banking system, said the initiation of such special mutual funds for a select group of people would be a much-desired and welcome step. "It is a misconception that Sharia-compliant mutual funds are beneficial to a particular community. These funds will benefit the economy and ensure financial inclusion of those who avoid such investment for religious reasons," he said. Raqeeb has been coordinating with various government and regulatory authorities for the introduction of the Sharia- complaint banking system in India. "When the launch of Sharia mutual fund was announced by SBI, some of the gulf countries were very enthusiastic for investment. It is high time the RBI and the finance ministry instructed SBI to relaunch the same," he said. SBI had rejected an RTI application seeking details on the relaunch of Sharia-compliant mutual funds, saying the "query is vague and not specific". The RBI had earlier proposed opening "Islamic window" in conventional banks for the gradual introduction of the Sharia- compliant banking. On the instructions of the RBI, an Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) has examined legal, technical and regulatory issues for starting interest-free banking in India and has submitted its report to the government. The RBI had in February last year sent a copy of the IDG report to the Finance Ministry. A committee on financial sector reforms, headed by former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, had in late 2008 stressed on the need for a closer look at the issue of interest-free banking in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) During his two-decade-long career with the Indian Railways, station master Anil Kumar Shukla has helped passengers in multiple ways. He has now added retrieving a gold chain from poop to his list of accomplishments. Shukla, currently posted at the Yeola station - about 35 kilometres from Shirdi and 260 kilometres northeast of Mumbai - got a call on July 16, informing him that a passenger had dropped a gold chain in the toilet of a train passing through his station. "It was an unusual call, no doubt about that," laughed Shukla when contacted by PTI. "I rushed out when a passenger stopped the train and said he had dropped his gold chain into the toilet and wanted us to find it," said Shukla. The gold chain weighed 50 grams, said its owner, Dr Chavan Patil, an orthopaedic surgeon, and was worth Rs 1.5 lakh. "It is a lot of money to flush down the drain," said Patil, who was travelling from Nonand to Manmad in Maharashtra by the Maharashtra Express on July 16 and dropped his chain while changing his shirt at the Yeola station, which falls on the Ahmednagar-Manmad rail route. The doctor sought help from the officials and his expectations weren't misplaced. The Railways, after all, had in recent times taken a slew of measures to meet passenger needs - from delivering medicines, wheelchairs, food and blankets to retrieving phones and laptops left behind. However, this time, the Railways' helping hand could literally stink from the effort. "After I pulled the chain to stop the train, the guard and station master came to help me out. However, they said they couldn't do much because the toilet was bio-tech and could be opened only by the cleaning crew at Kolhapur. They asked me to go to Kolhapur and make enquiries," Patil said. Patil, however, went home to Phaltan, around six hours from Yeola -- and then his tech-savy daughter took over. On July 18, she posted a tweet, urging Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu to intervene in the matter. The minister replied in 10 minutes. "I have given orders to concerned department to do the needful," he tweeted. In half an hour, Patil got a call from the Pune Railway station chief, asking him about the lost chain. "He asked me to go to Kolhapur the next day. I did, and learnt the toilet was not bio-tech but the usual one," he said. So, the chain, they realised, had fallen through the hole in the Indian style toilet at Yeola station. It was then that station master Shukla received his second "unusual call" in as many days. Informed that the chain was somewhere on the tracks of his station, Shukla, along with his staff, scoured an area of around two kilometres. To compound matters, it was also raining heavily that day. And then he spotted something jutting out of the pebbles. "We used a wire to pull it out. Yes, it was dirty and covered in filth, but nothing a good wash couldn't get rid of," he said. A heavy-duty wash under a tap at the station later, the chain finally made it to the hands of its very persistent owner, three days after it went down a black hole. It is, however, not clear if Patil wore the chain immediately on its return! But what's known is that the effort that went into locating the chain wasn't quite a waste. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has asked the Defence Ministry to trace and share with it all missing files related to the Bofors scandal, according to its two members. The six-member sub-committee on defence, headed by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, is looking into the long-pending non- compliance of certain aspects of the CAG report on the Bofors guns deal. The PAC strongly objected to the ministry's suggestion that certain paragraphs of the CAG report may be dropped as some files related to it are missing, according to the minutes of the parliamentary panel's meeting, a copy of which is with PTI. The meeting was held earlier this month. During the meeting, both PAC chairman Mahtab and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stressed on the need for top ministry officials to trace and share missing files and notings related to the deal. According to the minutes of the meeting, top defence ministry officials agreed that the ministry will share all the required details with the PAC. When contacted, two MPs who are members of the committee confirmed that the ministry has agreed to share the details with them. The Bofors scandal relating to alleged payment of kickbacks in procurement of howitzer artillery guns had triggered a massive political storm and led to the fall of the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1989. The CAG report on Bofors is the oldest "pending" report before the PAC, which examines audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India after these are tabled in Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A joint team of CRPF and police today arrested three naxalites from Bihar's Aurangabad district. Acting on a tip off that naxalites are pasting posters in different areas to terrorise people to make their proposed August 3 Bihar bandh a success, a joint team of CRPF and local police raided Sahajpur and Kalidi villages of the district and arrested three naxalites who had come to paste posters, Superintendent of Police, Satya Prakash said. The arrested naxalites have been identified as Ramlagan Singh Bhokta, Kamlesh Singh Bhokta and Mahesh Bhuiya, SP said adding that police are conducting raids to nab their accomplices on the basis of information received from them. These naxalites have been indulging in various naxal activities, he said and added that Kamlesh Singh Bhokta had been in jail for his involvement in naxal activities but at present he was on bail. These naxalites were trying to influence and motivate local youths to join naxal outfit, SP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A drunk police constable shot dead his senior colleague in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district early today and fled with the service riffle, police said. An alert has been sounded by police to arrest the accused constable Lusen A Sangma who fired six rounds from his weapon at havildar Litsingh Inghi killing him, they said. "We have issued a look out notice against 3rd MLP Battalion constable, Lusen A Sangma who has killed one of his colleagues," Superintendent of Police, R Muthu told PTI. He said the incident took place at around 1 am early today at the camp at Sahbsein, around 15 km from Jowai, the district headquarters. For unknown reasons, constable Lusen Sangma stormed into the top-floor room of havildar Litsingh Inghi and fired about six rounds from his weapon at the havildar who later succumbed to his injuries. The constable then rushed down main exit of the battalion building and fired another 15 rounds in the air to make good his escape with the weapon, the SP said. The SP said the motive behind the killing is yet to be ascertained but from preliminary investigation into the incident, we have learnt that the constable was in a drunken state. District Police chiefs in the entire state have been alerted for his arrest, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An assistant professor of Ravenshaw University was suspended on the charge of sexually harassing a student, university officials said today. The chemistry department professor was suspended yesterday after the alleged victim of the same department lodged a complaint with the authorities against him. The university's Sexual Harassment Committee was asked to probe the allegations levelled by the student and submit a report, the officials said. During the period of enquiry, the suspended teacher was asked not to enter his department and shall be attached to the office of the registrar. He was also asked not to leave the headquarters without prior permission, the officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It is only natural for the rich to take pride in the designer wears they don and flaunt. But not Sudha Murthy! One of India's richest women, the chairman of the Infosys Foundation decided to give up on shopping instead. The last saree she bought was 21 years ago, before she went to Kashi. What led to this change? "I was in Kashi to take the holy dip, and when you go to Kashi you have to give up something that you enjoy the most. I gave up shopping, particularly sarees, from thereon. I now only buy the essential items," Murthy told PTI. "I have to say I feel very happy and free," she added. But, one thing that Murthy and her industrialist husband Narayan Murthy continue to splurge on is -- books. The couple loves reading, and their massive collection of over 20,000 books neatly arranged in two libraries, stands testimony to it. But, the philanthropist confesses to detesting the idea of lending her books to anyone, even her husband who she thinks can easily afford to buy them. "I tell my husband, 'how could writers survive if everybody started borrowing their books?' We, the authors, want people to buy books. "That is the only way we can earn -- from our royality," she quipped. Murthy, who recently came out with a new book, "Three Thousand Stitches", has established over 60,000 libraries in Karnataka alone through the Infosys Foundation. Not many know that when the idea of Infosys germinated in 1981, it was Sudha who initially funded the company with her savings of Rs 10,000. She gave her husband three years to fulfill his dream. "At the time, I told him to bring bread on the table in those three years. And if he could buy a two-wheeler and a two-bed room house, that would be the ultimate for me," she said. And rest is history. According to Forbes, Narayana Murthy's net worth at present amounts to USD 1.92 billion. However, for Sudha, the wealth and fame came at the cost of a few dear friendships. "I lost many friendships because of my wealth. When my friends met me, they had an agenda in mind. Just because I had money, they expected one thing or the other from me, which they didn't before. "So yes I have lost some good friends, and this is what hurts me the most," she added. On the flip side, she also admits that the same money lets her do all the social work...Be it building 2,300 houses in flood affected areas or helping earthquake victims in Gujarat. "We come from a background that has a solid value system. That's the reason earning lot of money never got to our heads. But, yes it definitely provided us with the opportunity to help people in different ways," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With memories of a country ravaged by war and lives traumatised by lost husbands and families, four Afghan women have found solace in cooking authentic Afghani food in India which, they hope, will give them a new recipe for life. All single mothers, who first showcased their skills at a weekend food stall at the Dastkar bazaar in 2015, have now come together as a proud food catering group called Ilham, which means inspiration or positive. The four -- Haniya, Saaleha, Sadiya and Nafisa (their names have been changed because they do not wish to be identified) -- today organised a meet for food lovers of the city at Vasant Kunj in south Delhi, in association with Commeat, an online community of food enthusiasts. Ilham-e-Afghan, as the festival was called, featured many special Afghani dishes, including kebabs and pilafs. While "enjoying their profession" and managing families with their earnings, the Afghan women said they found India similar to their home, yet "substantially different" when it came to the lives of women. "Indian and Afghanistan cultures are quite similar. The substantial difference is that the people in Afghanistan did not want women to go out and work. But here we are earning our livelihood," said 60-year-old Sadiya, who lives with her eight children in an Afghan refugee community in Bhogal in south Delhi. Remembering the initial difficult days in the country, 28-year-old Haniya from Ghazni, who fled to India with her daughter to escape an abusive marriage, said she felt safe here, but hoped to overcome the language barrier. "We are not able to share our ideas with others as we can't speak Hindi fluently," Haniya, who is now attending Hindi classes at a UNHCR-run training centre, told PTI. The four, who started wielding ladles from an early age, today take pride in what they cook best. While Saaleha is known for her Shammi Kebabs, Nafisa makes finger-licking Kabuli Pulao, a special pilaf. Haniya can cook Mantu and Ashak (varieties of dumplings) like no one else, and Sadiya excels at making Chapli Kebabs and desserts such as the milk-and-rice based firni. The dishes figured at the Sunday event, which also offered the chicken dish Qormi-E-Murgh and Borani Banjan, eggplant in yoghurt sauce. With help from the livelihood support group Access Development Service and UNHCR, they offer takeaway and delivery services through a mobile application. They have since received catering orders from luxury hotels and an embassy and have put up food stalls at festivals such as Jashn-e-Rekhta. But the group stressed that while they did make money selling food, it wasn't enough to help them plan for the future. "Our current earning is not much, though we are getting money from the UNHCR. But it is not enough to manage our household expenses, and we are still facing problems in paying rents and our children's school fees," Saaleha said. A mother of four, Saaleha, 38, ran away when her husband was abducted and her in-laws wanted her to marry their son, who had a substance abuse problem. Nafisa, 27, from Mazarshareef, who lost her husband in the war with the Taliban, has only one wish - to ensure that her children get good education. "Our earnest desire is that we should send our children to private schools for quality education. We want to build their future. And these plans will come true only if we earn money. Otherwise they may remain a dream forever," she said. Aditi Sabbarwal of UNHCR, who started the Ilham group in 2016, said events such as today's food festival strengthened their hopes and made them feel they had a place in India. "We want them to realise that they are getting recognition here, they are even getting work here. So we are trying to motivate them with events such as these," she said. There was a time, she said, when the women had to take medication for trauma and insomnia. "Now with constant work they have their aims to look forward to," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Top stories from Southern region at 1730 hrs today. MDS2 KL-LD RSS Thiruvanathapuram: Five persons taken into custody in connection with the killing of an RSS worker here even as the BJP calls for a dawn-to-dusk state-wide hartal today to protest the incident. MDS3 TN-KALAM-MEMORIAL-GITA Rameswaram (TN): An engraved 'Bhagavad Gita' near the statue of late president A P J Abdul Kalam kicks up a row, with his family seeking to put in to rest by placing a copy of the Quran and Bible near it. MDS4 KA-GUJ-KARNA Bengaluru: Congress says it will parade its all legislators from Gujarat before the media this evening in an effort to put to rest all speculation, including internal bickering in the party, as charged by BJP. MDS5 TN-HAASAN-JAYAKUMAR Chennai: Ruling AIADMK (Amma) camp continues to target veteran actor Kamal Haasan, with Finance Minister D Jayakumar asking him not to "pretend" that he is going to enter politics but indeed take the plunge. BOM5 TL-DRUGS-PROBE Hyderabad: Telugu film actor Tanish Alladi likely to appear before the special investigation team (SIT) of Telangana's excise department as part of an ongoing probe into a high-end drug racket busted by it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Naeem Geelani, the elder son of Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was Sunday admitted to the SKIMS Hospital after he complained of chest pain. "Naeem has been kept in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit," a Hurriyat spokesman said. He said Naeem Geelani, who is under the NIA scanner for alleged terror funding, is a heart patient and had suffered a massive heart attack in 2009. Naeem Geelani was scheduled to visit New Delhi today for the NIA investigation and had also booked a flight ticket, the spokesman said. "He has been under regular medical care. Repeated psychological pressure may have had adverse effects on his health," he 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.) Post Graduate students of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR), Burla today launched an indefinite cease work against the institute director's way of functioning. In another development, residents of Burla called for a bandh tomorrow demanding the arrest of those who pelted stones at the residence of the institute's director, Aswini Pujahari, on Friday night. The medicos have also begun a dharna on the premises of VIMSAR over the issue. House surgeons and undergraduate students of the institute have also supported the agitation of PG students. Student representative of the institute Himansu Mishra said "We have resorted to cease work as the director has created a negative environment in the institute. We are not willing to work under him. The director is taking decisions without consulting anybody." "We also demand the director withdraw the case against students and create positive environment in the institute. We want him to stop humiliating students," he said adding, "We will continue our agitation till government representatives or the director meets us over the issue." The students, including 240 PG students, 150 house surgeons and 750 under graduate students of the institution have gone on a strike expressing resentment over functioning of the director. Students have also lodged a case against the director in Burla police station today. In their complaint, they alleged that the director instigated the public to attack UG and PG students yesterday. Director of VIMSAR, Aswini Pujahari offered a compromise formula to resolve the stand-off. He said the students should first apologise to the man who was thrashed, accept their mistake for hurling stones at his residence and give in writing to the police that they will maintain peace in the institute. Tension gripped VIMSAR after two PG students allegedly assaulted an attendant of a patient and then pelted stones at the residence of the director. The residents of Burla, Sambalpur and Hirakud gathered at Burla and gheroed the police station demanding the arrest of the students involved in it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 15 incidents of women's braids being mysteriously chopped off have been reported from the villages of the Mewat region in last two weeks, police said today. These bizzare happenings have left the villagers in panic. Most women report to have fallen unconscious when their braids were chopped off leading to the villagers blaming godmen, ghosts, witches and "cat-like" creatures. Police, however, dismissed these claims and said it was the handiwork of anti-social elements. Yesterday, one such incident was reported from Gurgaon. Sunita Devi, a resident of Ashok Vihar phase-III area, approached the police, claiming that on the night of July 28 she was attacked by a strange-looking man, in his 60s, when she was alone in her house. "While I was preparing dinner in the kitchen, I saw a thin man in a red and yellow outfit on the main entrance of my house. When I went to enquire, I saw he was carrying a trident. I told him to go away. He went away and disappeared only to reappear," she claimed. Sunita said before she could comprehend anything she fell unconscious. "When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying on the floor and my braid was chopped off," she claimed, adding her house, however, was not ransacked. Police said they have made a Daily Diary entry of the incident and launched a probe into the matter. Gurgaon Police PRO Ravinder Kumar said the perpetrator was yet to be identified and the woman has not complained of any external wounds. The woman was in extreme trauma and still terrified. She was admitted to a private hospital and discharged last evening, he said. Another incident was reported in Malhaka village. Aseena had fallen unconscious and when she woke up she found her hair had been chopped off. "I'm feeling scared," Aseena said. A police complaint has been made in the matter. To deal with the rising apprehension caused by these incidents, the village panchayats have asked women to tie their hair in buns instead of braids. Living under a shadow of fear, women are venturing outside to get water and fodder only in large groups and patrol parties have also been formed to nab those responsible. "We have assigned our male members or family heads to patrol on a daily basis in two shifts. They are to stay alert 24X7 in order to combat the gang, animal or ghost, whatever it may be, responsible," Ram Mehar Yadav, a resident of Punahana told PTI. DSP Ferozpur Jhirka Yadram said police has received complaints of 2,3 incidents in Ferozpur Jhirka's Santhwari and Satras villages. They have also been reported from Malhaka village, Punahana, Dallawas, Jharpuri, Hamka, Padhen, Shikarpur, Mohammad Pur Aheer. "Local villagers are saying that women's braids are being chopped off mysteriously. They say a cat-like animal appears and makes them unconscious. It then chops off their braids and disappears. They villagers claim that ghosts are behind it," Yadram said. It is suspected that a gang of anti-social elements was behind such incidents. They want to terrify villagers and violate law and order situation and harmony of the district, he said. No FIR has been registered in the cases as of now, Yadram said. While Mewat Superintendent of Police Nazneen Bhasin said, "An unknown gang is behind this chopping of women's braids in Mewat. We have earlier detained two persons from a group in Nagana at Barmer district but they were not involved." She, however, cautioned that some cases may have been rumours. Manisha of Haryana's Punahana also claims to have been targetted. She get her braid was cut off two days ago when she went to the jungle to get grass for cattle. "My mother and I had gone to the jungle to get fodder. She says she saw a person for a few moments and lost consciousness," she claimed. Mewat Deputy Commissioner Mani Ram Sharma said the cases would be solved soon. "There is nothing like ghosts...Some anti-social gang or group is trying to create panic in the region. Police and administration have beefed up vigil and security and have urged residents and villagers not to spread rumours," he said. This incident brings back memories of the 'Monkey Man' scare in 2001 in Delhi when there were reports of a strange monkey-like creature attacking people at night. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Infosys Co-Chairman Ravi Venkatesan today said that the company could be 10 times as large as it is today if it could execute well to harness advances in digital and machine learning. "There is a huge opportunity to use advances in digital and machine learning - and all these areas. Infosys should be ten times as large as we are if only we can execute well," he said. The opportunities ahead for the IT industry and Infosys, in particular, are phenomenal, Venkatesan told PTI. "You know what Bill Gates had said? Anybody who says best days are over, he or she is crazy, because the best days are yet to come," he added. "All changes should be positive. I think we are living in a very interesting time. It is not just a difficult time," he added. | BY Ricki Green | Today is National Orgasm Day, and to celebrate the online sex toy retailer Lovehoney has launched its popular Bunnies TVC via London agency Brave, into the Australian market. The spot first aired in the UK last year. The UK sex toy retailer is seeking to share its unique brand of sexual happiness to Australian shores, after seeing exponential growth here since setting up a warehouse in Brisbane, facilitating super-fast delivery. Lovehoney is one of the only sex toy retailers to advertise on mainstream television. In the last year, Lovehoney.com.au has clocked up hundreds of thousands of searches on the site, and by ranking consumer interest in terms of web traffic and population size, they have calculated that the following cities are technically the sexiest coming in at number one is Sydney, followed by Melbourne, then Brisbane. Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 8:38AM If you find yourself in Honolulu any time soon, make sure to not text while you cross the street. The Hawaiian city just passed a law that will fine people who are using their phone while crossing the street. Starting October 25th, Hawaiian authorities can fine first time offenders for looking at devices (even laptops and digital cameras) between US$15 and $35. It can go as high as US$99, depending on whether youre a repeat offender. The only exemption is if youre calling emergency services while crossing. The Distracted Walking Law is important for the city. According to Mayor Kirk Caldwell, the city has more crosswalk impacts than almost any other city in the US. Source: Engadget Investment in dwellings, an important sector of the economy, has traditionally contributed significantly to economic activity in the territory. Data from the ABS shows that from 2011-12 there was a significant drop in investment in dwellings (both houses and apartments). In seasonally adjusted terms, and calculated on the same basis as economic activity is reported in the Budget papers that is, through the year average dwelling investment dropped by 5.5 per cent in 2012-13, a further 5.8 per cent in 2013-14 and a further 14.1 per cent in 2014-15. Notably in each of the three preceding years prior to 2012 dwelling investment had increased. By the end of 2015-16, investment was 14.4 per cent less than in 2011-12. "Beginning as a migrant resource centre our organisation is underpinned by local cultural organisations and a community-based approach to settling refugees into the Canberra community. It was difficult to compete against tenders from national and international aid and settlement organisations tendering for multiple regions across Australia," she said. "I saw it online and thought this is exactly what I need in my life right now," she said. "I don't know many people but I know I need help in that journey." 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. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Sauber may have canceled its deal with Honda to run its engines in Formula One next season, but the Japanese manufacturer isnt giving up just yet. According to the latest from Autosport, Honda has been holding discussions with other teams in search of one that will use its power units. And the leading candidate appears to be Toro Rosso. The Italian team has been on the grid for over a decade now. It ran a Cosworth engine in its first season, but has since switched back and forth between Ferrari and Renault power. Its the latter that the team is running this year, albeit under its own brand (much as Red Bull is running the same Renault engines with TAG Heuer branding). Of the other teams on the grid, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault make their own powertrains. McLaren already runs Honda engines, while Sauber has ruled it out. That leaves Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Williams, Force India, and Haas. Given the superior performance demonstrated this season by the Ferrari and Mercedes power units, neither Williams, Force India, nor Haas are likely to switch to Honda power. That leaves Red Bull and Toro Rosso, and Red Bull isnt likely to switch from an underperforming powertrain to an even poorer one nor is McLaren likely to welcome the idea. That, in turn, leaves Toro Rosso as the most likely candidate, though the deal is anything but certain at this point. For its part, Honda apparently feels that the added data from running a second team would help it learn that much faster than it has based only on the information it gleans from its partnership with McLaren. But as Autosport points out, Toro Rossos arrival wouldnt necessarily mean McLaren staying. Woking has made no secret of its discontent with the Honda power units, but with Mercedes and Ferrari uninterested in powering their rival, and Renault fully loaded with four teams to motivate, the opening of a slot on the French manufacturers roster could leave McLaren switching places with Toro Rosso. Photo Gallery Photo: Getty Images What you need to know about other types of dementia Dementia is a common and growing problem worldwide. While 95 per cent of cases are attributable to Alzheimers disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia etc., little is known about the remaining five per cent of dementia cases. These types of dementia are extensive, and are known as rare and unusual dementias. In 2002, a European Union project on rarer forms of dementia estimated a prevalence of five cases per 10,000 people in the community (Alzheimers Europe 2002-2003). Rare and unusual dementias are classified into 4 groups: Degenerative Causes: Familial Alzheimers disease, progressive supranuclear palsy Vascular Causes: CADASIL, normal pressure hydrocephalus Infectious Causes: neurosyphilis, HIV and AIDS dementia complex Human Prion Disease: fatal familial insomnia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Degenerative Causes of Dementia Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Also called Steele-Richardson-Olszewsky syndrome Occurs around age 60 years Characterised by tauopathy (abnormal levels of tau protein) with nigral (eye movement, motor skills) and corticobasal (movement) degeneration which involves the cerebral cortex (outer layer of neural tissue of the cerebrum), plays a key role in memory, awareness, thought, language, attention and perception Classic symptoms: supranuclear gaze palsy (inability to look in a direction based on area of brain affected), backwards arching and rigidity of neck with gait problems and imbalance (tend to fall backwards) Cognitive symptoms: reduced verbal fluency, inattention and executive dysfunction (planning, abstract thinking, behavioural control) Disease progression is slow with initial retention of insight Vascular Causes of Dementia Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Pathophysiology is unclear, but there is a possible cerebrovascular role Easily mistaken for Alzheimers disease or Parkinsons disease A build up of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) in the brain ventricles (hollow fluid filled chambers) caused by an obstruction or absorption is impeded Can be secondary to other conditions e.g. brain hemorrhage, meningitis Alzheimer like symptoms occur because the enlarged brain ventricles press on and damage nearby brain structures that affect memory, walking and bladder control Signs and symptoms known as the classic triad: wet, wacky, wobbly urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence cognitive impairment, confusion, prominent memory loss, slowness of thought gait disturbance (like walking on a boat), weakness, short, shuffling, wide steps Diagnosis: CT Scan/MRI of head, presence of the classic triad, thorough case history Treatment: CSF drained by lumbar puncture and/or drain CSF from brain by a shunt Prognosis: if effective, gait will improve almost immediately, and the milder the dementia, the more likely it will improve. However, for those with moderate to advanced dementia, there is unlikely to be a significant improvement Infectious Causes of Dementia Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterial infection. It is treated with Penicillin. Syphilis has been increasing since the advent of the HIV epidemic. Since 1996, rates of syphilis have increased significantly amongst homosexual men and men/women 55 years and older. Neurosyphilis: Neurosyphilis develops in 25-40 per cent of untreated people (Mehrabian, et al., 2009) Usually presents more than 10-25 years after initial infection It is a slow, progressive destructive infection of the brain and spinal cord Changes in personality, cognition, mood, severe executive dysfunction, can present as a frontal lobe type dementia Psychiatric symptoms include mania, grandiose delusions, paranoia Neurological signs include ataxia (poor coordination), disturbed speech, abnormal pupils, nerve pain, pain in extremities, seizures, paralysis Diagnosis: blood tests rapid plasma regain (RPR) Treatment: IV Penicillin Prognosis: symptoms may be potentially reversed if person responds to treatment Human Prion Disease A prion is an infectious particle. When it enters the body, the prion begins folding into an abnormal almost 3D shape and triggers the existing normal forms of protein to change into the prion shape. In the brain, the prion protein affects the grey matter with subsequent nerve loss, gliosis (scarring) and characteristic spongiform change (small round empty spaces). There are four types of human prion disease that cause dementia: Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: Most common form (85 per cent) Occurs after age 50 years Early signs: headaches, weight gain, fatigue and depression Then rapidly progressing global dementia, myoclonus, ataxia, progressive pyramidal, extrapyramidal and cerebellar dysfunctions with gait, vision (leading to blindness) and speech problems Diagnosis: EEG (electroencephalograph) CSF analysis, MRI, tonsil biopsy is negative Medications may be given to reduce the severity of movement disorders and for comfort measures Prognosis: rapidly progressing disease where the person can neither move nor speak (akinetic mutism), death follows in six months to one year Iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: Caused by inadvertent transmission of CJD between humans mostly via medical procedures e.g. corneal graft, prion infected surgical instruments Symptoms, investigations, treatment as per sporadic CJD, progresses very rapidly Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: Also known as mad cow disease Caused by transmission of prion protein variants via food originating from cattle e.g. beef Psychiatric symptoms: depression, personality changes, irritability, aggression, fleeting delusionNeurological deficits: chorea, ataxia, myoclonus, dysaesthesias and dementia Diagnostic tests: MRI, tonsil biopsy for prion protein is positive Life expectancy usually 1214 months Familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: Also called human spongiform encephalopathy Accounts for 10-15 per cent of all CJD cases Age at onset can be as early as age 20, but more common ages 40-50 years Symptoms and treatment as per sporadic CJD As this if familial, genetic testing may identify carriers and early/late onset varieties of this disease, therefore genetic counselling is essential. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. Photo: BC Wildfire Service The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a fire near Naramata. UPDATE 2:50 p.m. The fire in Naramata is 100 per cent contained. The fire broke out on the Penticton-Naramata boundary earlier this afternoon, sending a plume of white smoke into the air. Stephanie Chambers, with the City of Penticton, said there was a tactical evacuation of Sutherland Road, but everyone has now been cleared to go back to their homes. While the BC Wildfire service initially reported the fire was northeast of Naramata, it appears it was southeast of Naramata, near the boundary with Penticton. The fire is holding at 100 per cent containment and crews are mopping up the last remnants of the fire. Naramata and Penticton fire crews were the first on site with air support from BC Wildfire. UPDATE 2:10 p.m. A fire is burning 1.5 kilometres northeast of Naramata Saturday afternoon, and is currently estimated at 0.2 hectares. BC Wildfire Fire Information Officer Rachel Witt said the fire is within the Naramata Fire Department's jurisdiction, but BC Wildfire Service crews are en route to assist. We do have ground crews going, as well we have three helicopters, said Witt. There are structures nearby, but none are threatened at this time. ORIGINAL Castanet is receiving reports of a fire in Naramata. Several readers have sent in pictures of smoke in a wooded area and have reported fire trucks racing to the scene. One woman said a helicopter and airplane are circling the fire. Castanet will have more information as soon as it becomes available. Photo: Facebook - Kara Martin Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stopped by Revelstoke Saturday. UPDATE: 4:15 p.m. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau encouraged people to donate to the Red Cross in Revelstoke's Grizzly Plaza Saturday afternoon. Every time the Red Cross is there to support families, to help people through difficult times, he said. The fact that we're all here today to be there for our friends and neighbours over a few mountain ranges and around us is really, really important. Trudeau spoke about the ways the federal government is helping those impacted by fires in B.C., including matching the $600 the Red Cross is giving to each evacuated home and mobilizing the Canadian Armed Forces to assist. During his speech, Trudeau gave a shout out to the NDP MP for the Kootenay-Columbia riding, Wayne Stetski, who was at the event. This is someone who shared an extraordinary moment with me a little over 15 years ago, Trudeau said of "ideologically misguided" Stetski. We worked together to build the Kokanee Glacier Cabin in memory of my little brother, but in memory of everyone who had been lost there. In 1998, Trudeau's brother Michel died in an avalanche at the age of 23 in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. Following Trudeau's remarks, Revelstoke's mayor Mark McKee gave Trudeau a picture of Nels Nelsen setting the ski jump world record in Revelstoke in 1925, along with a Revelstoke-made Trapper snowboard and a family season pass for Revelstoke Mountain Resort. "You better come to Revelstoke to use it," McKee said. I usually don't hug snowboarders, but I'll make an exception in this case. Trudeau was scheduled to board the CP Canada 150 Train in Revelstoke, bound for Calgary. ORIGINAL: 3:20 p.m. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stopping by Revelstoke Saturday to attend a fundraiser for those affected by wildfires. The Canadian Red Cross fundraiser is holding the fundraiser in Grizzly Plaza in downtown Revelstoke. Trudeau was set to arrive at 3 p.m., but is running late. He will also speak at the CP Canada 150 Train in the small community, before boarding it en route to Calgary. Newly elected MLA for the Columbia River-Revelstoke riding Doug Clovechok, Grand Chief Doug Kelly of the Sto:lo Tribal Council, Chief Wayne Christian of the Shuswap Nation and Councillor Alan Louis of the Okanagan Nation also spoke at the event. Tom Jackson, an Officer of the Order of Canada, provided music at the event. Those who couldn't make it to Revelstoke for the fundraiser but would like to support the Red Cross fire relief efforts can do so online here. Photo: Periscope - Jamie Rye Fire crews fought a grass fire in Kamloops Saturday afternoon. UPDATE: 5:45 p.m. Shuswap Road in Kamloops has now fully reopened, following a closure due to a grassfire Saturday afternoon. ORIGINAL: 4:45 p.m. As conditions across the province remain hot and dry, a grass fire was sparked in Kamloops Saturday. The blaze started just before 4 p.m. on the 700 block of Shuswap Road, and large flames quickly tore through the tall grass near the road. Kamloops Fire Rescue attended the scene and doused the grass fire. Staff Sgt. Edward Preto of the RCMP says Shuswap Road will be closed in both directions for several hours. Photo: G. Grimshire The Elephant Hill wildfire burning near Clinton, Saturday afternoon. UPDATE: 6:30 a.m. More wildfire evacuation orders and alerts were issued late Saturday night in the Cariboo Regional District. About midnight, the CRD issued an evacuation order for areas north of Green Lake, and RCMP began expediting residents from their homes. The order is in effect for the area east of Highway 97 to Porter Lake, including the north shore of Green Lake, Little Green Lake and all of Watch Lake and Little Horse Lake. The evacuation route is 83 Mile Road to Highway 97 and north to 100 Mile House; or Watch Lake Road to Highway 24 to Highway 97 and north to 100 Mile House. An evacuation alert was issued for areas south of Highway 24, from 93 Mile to Lac Des Roches. Elsewhere, the CRD expanded an evacuation order for the Clisbako area, and expanded an evacuation alert for the Blackwater River and Nazko area, about 100 kilometres west of Quesnel. The evacuation route is along the Baezaeko Road to Nazko Road into Quesnel. Photo: CRD Photo: CRD UPDATE: 11:10 p.m. The Elephant Hill wildfire continues to force people from their homes, with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District issuing yet another evacuation order for an area northeast of Clinton. The most recent evacuation is for all of 70 Mile House, along with properties south and east of Green Lake. Full details of properties affected can be found here. Evacuees must travel to Kamloops, north along Highway 97, east along Highway 24 and south on Highway 5. Strong, gusting winds have caused the Elephant Hill wildfire to grow "rapidly" Saturday evening. UPDATE: 8:50 p.m. The evacuation order near Clinton has been expanded once again, as the "rapidly moving" Elephant Hill wildfire continues to grow. Saturday night, the Thompson Nicola Regional District expanded the evacuation order to include the Highway 97 corridor, north and south of Clinton, including Chasm Road and Loon Lake Road. A full list of evacuated properties can be found on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Facebook page and a map of all evacuated properties can be found here. While the Village of Clinton Chasm Mill was initially excluded from the evacuation of Clinton earlier Saturday, it has since been evacuated as well. Additionally, homes in the Bonaparte Plateau have been put on evacuation alert. The BC Wildfire Service said strong winds have stirred up the Elephant Hill fire's behaviour Saturday. "Strong and gusty winds sent embers across containment lines and over the Bonaparte River in the northeast and northwest corners," a BC Wildfire Service press release state. "Due to extreme fire behaviour and gusty winds, the fire has moved upslope towards Clinton. All available suppression options (including airtankers, helicopters and structural protection units through the Office of the Fire Commissioner) are currently being used." UPDATE: 6:30 p.m. In addition to the evacuation of Clinton Saturday afternoon, the Cariboo Regional District issued an evacuation alert for the area north of Green Lake, northeast of 70 Mile House. The south shore of Green Lake, which falls under the Thompson-Nicola Regional District area, is already under an evacuation alert, due to the growing Elephant Hill wildfire. A detailed map of the new alert area can be found here. ORIGINAL: 5:10 p.m. The entire village of Clinton is being evacuated due to the encroaching Elephant Hill wildfire. Growth from the more than 70,000 hectare blaze prompted the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to issue the order Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. In addition to the entire village of Clinton, home to more than 600 people, 13 additional homes northeast of Clinton were also included in the order. A full list of the additional homes affected can be found here. A handful of properties northeast of Clinton were evacuated on Wednesday due to the fire as well. While Highway 97 has been closed north of Clinton at 70 Mile House and south of Clinton, those travelling southbound from Clinton will be allowed through. Evacuees must register in Kamloops at the Sandman Centre at 300 Lorne Street. Those who don't require any services can register with the Red Cross by phone at 1-800-863-6582 or on the Red Cross website. The BC Wildfire Service has 351 firefighters fighting the Elephant Hill blaze, along with 19 helicopters and 65 pieces of heavy equipment. The fire has already destroyed about 60 homes in Loon Lake and more than 40 homes in Boston Flats. Photo: Twitter - @HighAltitude101 Residents of 100 Mile House were welcomed back home on July 22. Officials fear high temperatures and a chance of lightning could bring an uptick in fire activity next week. The Cariboo Regional District announced Saturday that the evacuation alert for 100 Mile House and surrounding communities was rescinded, although officials warn that an alert or order forcing people from their homes again is still a possibility. While some communities settle in, the village of Clinton, about 120 kilometres northwest of Kamloops, received an evacuation order Saturday forcing hundreds of people from their homes. Environment Canada forecasts rising temperatures up to and above 30 degrees Celsius for the southern Interior in the coming week, and the BC Wildfire Service has said the forests are much more dry than normal. Chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek said there is no rain in the foreseeable future for the southern parts of the province and there's a chance a sub-tropic weather system could bring lightning later in the week. "To have that lightning arrive on Thursday, which is what the forecast is indicating right now, could make for a very dangerous situation out there in terms of new fires starting," he said. Chris Duffy with Emergency Management BC said that roughly 3,700 people remain displaced by the remaining 18 evacuation orders in the province, down significantly from the tens of thousands that were forced from their homes earlier this month. Crews are still responding to the 148 fires burning across the province, an effort Skrepnek said has become more challenging in some areas with people returning home. Issues include people using off road vehicles in areas that crews are working and some people are boating on lakes that helicopters and water skimming aircraft must access. "I don't think they're intentionally trying to impede operations, and I think what it could be in many situations is just ignorance of how large these fires are and how expansive our operations have become," he said, adding some fires are more than 1,000 square kilometres in size. Skrepnek said the wildfire service has the authority to close off areas near fire sites if these problems persist. Incidents of vandalism and stolen equipment such as water pumps and hoses have also been an issue and Skrepnek said the wildfire service is working with RCMP to resolve the problem. RCMP Staff Sgt. Annie Linteau said no arrests have been made for interfering with wildfire operations, although some fines have been issued to people caught breaking campfire bans and other restrictions. The province has seen 810 fires this season, costing the wildfire service $166.7 million since April 1. COLUMBUS Sherlock Service Dogs owner and trainer Rebecca Williams distracted Echo, a 2-year-old Australian shepherd, while his handler Olivia Kuehler hid down a hallway inside 30 Center Mall. Come find me, Kuehler commanded. Williams let the dog go and he sprinted down the hall, wagging his tail. For him, this is a game where he gets rewarded with treats and affection. Williams said thats intentional. The more life-saving techniques we can turn into a game, the more (the dogs) want to do it, said Williams, gesturing to Kuehler petting Echo. And it increases their bond. Kuehler has mastocytosis, a rare disorder that causes her body to spontaneously go into anaphylaxis. Without any training, Echo started alerting her when he could tell she was going to have an episode. Hell know before I know, she said. He starts licking me and becomes clingy. Williams said dogs are able to sense approaching medical episodes with their keen sense of smell and because they are hyper aware of body language. Their sense of smell tips them off to chemical or hormonal shifts too minute for humans to detect and they read changes in posture or facial expression that signal an episode is imminent. After their owner has a few episodes, the dog learns to recognize those changes. In 1993, Williams was diagnosed with Sjogren's, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and chronic fibromyalgia, all of which affected her mobility. Williams saw that helping impulse in her own dog, an Australian blue shepherd named Hadji she bought in 1995. I bought her just to be a good family dog, said Williams. I got involved in obedience training because I took her to obedience class, then ended up doing herding competitions. When Williams was having mobility problems, Hadji would try to help. Every time I would try to transfer from wheelchair to couch she was in the way, said Williams. It didnt take long to realize my dog was trying to help me. Hadji was then trained to be a service dog. With Hadji by her side, Williams went back to school in 1997 to get a degree in counseling. While she was in school, a student asked if Williams could train her dog to be a service dog. When she received her diploma at graduation, Hadji crossed the stage with her. In 2000, Hadji was getting old so Williams decided it was time for her to retire and find another service dog. She found a service dog company in Lincoln that ended up hiring her to write training manuals and conduct evaluations and assessments for clients. She was program director there for 14 years. Williams had a cerebral hemorrhage in 2002. As a result, if shes overly stimulated it could trigger a seizure. That really changed things a lot. I was no longer able to work a full-time job, she said. It made me focus directly on the dogs, because thats something I can do on my time and my schedule. At the Lincoln company, she noticed clients who also had seizure disorders struggled under the business' training schedule. When they were coming to these classes, the number of seizure flare-ups increased, she said. So I decided to turn things around and train them one on one." Originally from Georgia, Williams moved to Columbus in 2014 and started Sherlock Service Dogs, offering obedience and service dog training. One advantage of working one on one with her clients is shes able to evaluate her clients' needs and tailor the training to meet those needs. I have dogs that Ive trained to open the fridge and get a drink or to hit the handicap button, she said. But I dont want to spend time and money on something thatll just be used as a party trick, like, 'Look at what my dog can do. That can save clients time and money. Service dogs can cost anywhere from $16,000 to $35,000. Its not that agencies are making great big money, she said. Training, veterinary care, food, it all adds up. Also, shes able to work with family pets that meet the key criteria for their owner's needs, like Echo. Echo didn't have any effective obedience training before Williams started working with him, and he spent almost all his time at Kuehlers parents house, so he was fearful of new things. But Williams decided to work with him because he had two key features hed already naturally started alerting Kuehler and had the right disposition for training. Hes gentle, quickly forgiving and investigates things that initially startle him. One test Williams does is popping open an umbrella, which startles the dog. Then she waits to see if the animal comes back to investigate. When the dog is afraid and he doesnt come back and face his fears, theres just no way, she said. Williams will train Echo to consistently alert Kuehler when shes about to have an anaphylaxis episode and teach the dog how to keep her safe in that situation. Kuehler also has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, so Williams will teach Echo to help her with balance during activities such as climbing and coming down stairs. Williams has connections at a flight school in Colorado that allow her to take clients and their dogs on a Cessna so they can have their first flight experience in a small, controlled environment. Sherlock Service Dogs has clients across the country, from Orlando to Vermont and Nebraska to California. One case involved a young girl who needed an oxygen tank at all times but was too small to carry it. Williams trained a poodle named Izzy to carry the tank, giving the girl greater freedom. In another case, she trained a dog to alert and assist a 5-year-old boy with a seizure disorder. The look of joy on his face and the look of relief on the familys, she said. Thats why I love what I do. As someone who also lives with disabilities, Williams said she gets a lot of satisfaction from pairing someone up with a dog that will also help them live life on their terms. Seeing the look of a sense of security on their faces is why I keep doing what I do, she said. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Enjoy the first large-scale museum exhibition dedicated to tramp art since 1975. More than 150 examples of tramp art, concentrating on works from the United States, with additional international examples. For Immediate Release: October 24, 2016 (Santa Fe, NM) The Museum of International Folk Art presents No Idle Hands: The Myths & Meanings of Tramp Art, the first large-scale museum exhibition dedicated to tramp art since 1975. The exhibition will present more than 150 examples of tramp art, concentrating on works from the United States, with additional examples from France, Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Canada, Mexico and Brazil to demonstrate the far reach this art form has had. Additionally, the show will analyze and dismantle the myths and misperceptions about tramp art, particularly as they relate to assumptions related to class, quality, and the anonymity of the makers. Tramp art describes a particular type of chip-carved woodwork that was practiced in Europe and the United States between the 1870s and 1940s, making use of discarded cigar boxes or crates that were then notch-carved along the edges and layered. Objects made were primarily boxes and frames, but other household objects such as small private altars, crosses, medicine cabinets, wall pockets, clock cases, plant stands, and even furniture can be found. "Tramp art's place in art history has been troublesome. It has had detractorspeople who regard it as 'the ugly duckling' of folk artbut also numerous champions," said Laura Addison, Curator of North American & European Folk Art at the Museum of International Folk Art, and the show's curator. "This exhibition will erase any doubts about the quality and craftsmanship of the work and situate tramp art as a practice at the crossroads of cultural transformation at the turn of the 20th century," she said. Addison also pointed out that by juxtaposing historic pieces with those by contemporary artists working in the tramp art style, the exhibition frames this art form as an ongoing tradition that continues to capture the public's imaginationmyths and all. "The ingenious objects in the Tramp Art exhibition use recycled or repurposed wood, and highlight a moment in time a century ago when artisans, many of them immigrants to the US, created a new variety of folk art," said Khristaan D. Villela, Director of the Museum of International Folk Art. "They are a testament to the ability of untrained artists to produce objects of immense beauty and complexity," he said. For many years, tramp art was believed to have been made by itinerants and hobos, thus its name. It has been demonstrated, however, that this belief, first put in print by Frances Lichten in a 1959 Pennsylvania Folklife article, is erroneous. Nonetheless, the name "tramp art" has remained the only terminology used for this practice, and the paucity of scholarly studies to dispel the mistaken notions about tramp art have allowed the myths to persist. Whittling objects such as wood chains and ball-in-cage whimsies was a common pastime, including among railriding "hobos," and some examples of tramp art were likely by the hand of itinerant laborers or artisans. However, this style of carving was more commonly the practice of family men and blue-collar factory workers making functional domestic objects or gifts for the women in their lives. Efforts have been made in recent years to identify makers by name and unearth their biographies; these personal narratives illustrate a very different story of the makers of tramp art. As these makers and their stories come to light, it has become obvious that home and family are central to an understanding of the practice of tramp art. No Idle Hands will present tramp art objects according to four primary areas: Introduction/historical context, home & nation, frames & boxes and devotional objects. Works in the exhibition will come from the Museum of International Folk Art permanent collection as well as loans from a number of private and museum collections across the country. An exhibition publication will accompany the exhibition, with essays by Laura Addison, Curator of North American & European Folk Art, Museum of International Folk Art; Leslie Umberger, a curator in the area of folk art and self-taught art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum; and Eric Zafran, a retired curator of European art, most recently at the Wadsworth Atheneum. The Museum of International Folk Art Museum Shop is located in the museum at 706 Camino Lejo (Museum Hill just off Old Santa Fe Trail). 505-982-5186. MUSEUM OF INTERNATIONAL FOLK ART The Museum of International Folk Art is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. The Museum of International Folk Art's mission is "to enrich the human spirit by connecting people with the arts, traditions and cultures of the world." Founded in 1953 by Florence Dibell Bartlett, the museum holds the world's largest international folk art collection of more than 150,000 objects from six continents and over 150 nations. The museum's collections represent a broad range of global artists whose artistic expressions make Santa Fe an international crossroads of culture. For many visitors, fascination with folk art begins upon seeing the whimsical toys and traditional objects within the Girard Collection. For others, the international textiles, ceramics, carvings and other cultural treasures in the Neutrogena Collection provide the allure. The museum's historic and contemporary Latino and Hispano folk art collections, spanning the Spanish Colonial period to modern-day New Mexico, reflect how artists respond to their time and place in ways both delightful and sobering. In 2010, the museum opened the Mark Naylor and Dale Gunn Gallery of Conscience, where exhibitions encourage visitors to exchange ideas on complex issues of human rights and social justice. Over 90,000 national and international visitors visit the Museum International Folk Art every year. Through folk art, the museum encourages all to find a common ground upon which to craft better lives for all. Museum exhibitions and programs are supported by donors to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and its Director's Leadership Fund, Exhibitions Development Fund, and Fund for Museum Education, as well as by the International Folk Art Foundation, also established by museum founder Florence Dibell Bartlett. The Photographic Society of Chattanooga will present Tom and Pat Cory on Thursday, Aug. 17. The Corys have been working photographers and members of PSC for a number of years. They have lead workshops and tours throughout the world, and have been published in numerous mediums. Their most recent article Slovenia, A Photographic Journey is in the current Photographic Society of America Journal. Their program will be The Beauty of Water. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. at the St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. in Chattanooga. Visitors are welcome. For beginners or photographers that want to get their camera off of automatic, there will be a Boot Camp at 6 p.m. The discussion will be on, How to Critique Your Images." For more information, call 423-344-5643 or e-mail Richard Smith at president@chattanoogaphoto.org. A man who intervened in a traffic crash and allegedly fired shots at a crowd of people early Thursday, hitting the windshield of a Chicago fire engine responding to the South Side crash, has been charged, authorities said. Lavell Morris, 34, of the 7900 block of South Phillips Avenue, was charged with three felony counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm toward an occupied vehicle, according to Chicago police. Advertisement Morris appeared for a hearing Saturday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, where a judge set bail at $250,000. One of the three firefighters in the engine said he suffered a cut to his nose, apparently from flying glass. Advertisement The two-car crash happened in the 7900 block of South Yates Avenue just before 2:25 a.m., police said. One of the people involved in the crash called the man to the scene, and an argument ensued. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > As firefighters in Engine 126 pulled up, the man retreated to a light blue Ford Marauder he parked at a Subway shop and grabbed a handgun, according to preliminary information from law enforcement. The man fired from the edge of the parking lot, according to witnesses. A shell casing could be seen on the ground near his car. Two firefighters had gotten out of the engine and three were inside when he started shooting, said one of the firefighters. One firefighter said he heard three shots, one of them piercing the windshield. He appeared dazed as he stood inside the crime scene tape, hands on his hips, staring straight ahead. A firefighter with a bandage covering his nose said flying glass had cut his face. He said he was thankful the situation wasn't worse. Another sighed, saying this was the second time in his 12-year career that someone fired shots at him while on the job. Officers arrested a suspect and recovered a weapon, authorities said at the time. Shootings occurred in the Heart of Chicago, Austin, Marquette Park, Cabrini-Green, South Shore, Park Manor and other areas across Chicago from July 27 to July 30, 2017. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune) (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) More than 90 casings littered a Heart of Chicago block after two people were shot there early Sunday. As residents near the 2200 block of West 18th Place woke up to walk their dogs, officers placed more than 90 evidence markers at the crime scene. Many evidence markers were placed next to what appeared to be rifle casings, and a law enforcement source later confirmed at least some of the casings were from a rifle or rifles. Advertisement An officer placed evidence marker 93 next to a bottle of alcohol that had been left on the road. In addition, an officer guarded casings that were found on Western Avenue near 15th Street. Advertisement The attack happened about 3 a.m. while a 32-year-old man was standing with others outside in the 2200 block of West 18th Place, police said. The gunfire began from "an unknown source," and the man took himself to Stroger Hospital after he realized he had been shot in the mouth, police said. His condition was stabilized at Stroger. A 30-year-old man was grazed on his back while he was driving on the same block, police said. He was being treated at Mount Sinai Hospital, but police did not immediately have information about his condition. The men were among 10 people who were wounded in shootings during a 13-hour period from Saturday to Sunday in Chicago. The shooting happened on a residential street filled with apartment buildings and homes. A photo of the Virgen de Guadalupe was visible on a doorway of a home, feet away from where casings were littered at the intersection of 18th Place and Oakley Avenue. An older man looked out of a window of the building as officers worked the scene. Detectives also focused on a stretch of 18th Place just east of the intersection. Before the sun rose, a couple went to the edge of the crime scene to check if their car had been damaged by the gunfire. The man, who did not want to be identified, was in his living room when he heard the gunshots. He grabbed his dog and went into a room farther back in his home. "It sounded like it was next to me," he said. "It was bad." Advertisement They've lived in the neighborhood for about three years, but the violence seems to have escalated within the past year. The couple and other residents believe the recent death of a known gang member in the neighborhood could be contributing to some of the violence they are experiencing. The sidewalk across the street from Sunday's shooting was marked with a memorial for a person and included symbols associated with gangs. "We're going to try to break our lease," the man said. Another resident, a woman who also did not want to give her name for safety reasons, said she heard what sounded to her like an exchange of gunfire. "I've never heard a pop like that," she said. "It just doesn't end. God damn." She's lived in the neighborhood for most of her life, and she recalled when gun violence claimed the life of a 7-year-old girl. Advertisement The 2300 block of West 18th Place is named after Ana Mateo, who in 2003 was killed in front of her home by a stray bullet. The girl was playing with friends and siblings when the shooting happened. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > The woman said she doesn't allow her children to ride their bicycles outside and she doesn't feel safe spending time in her backyard. "This year has been the worst," she said. "It's been nothing but (expletive)." In February, the Tribune reported that gangs on the city's Southwest side increasingly are using rifles. At the time, there were more than 30 shootings believed to have been tied to semi-automatic rifles in the Back of the Yards and Brighton Park neighborhoods over the previous nine months. At least 46 people were shot in those attacks, 13 fatally. Police suspected the rifles were being passed around by members of four rival Hispanic gangs in the area La Raza, the Almighty Saints, Satan Disciples and Gangster Two-Six. Advertisement Since February, several more people have been shot by rifles in that area. Among them were two Chicago police officers shot and wounded in early May at 43rd Street and Ashland Avenue in Back of the Yards. In other shootings: About 5:25 a.m. Sunday, a 42-year-old man was near the 6200 block of South Indiana Avenue in the Washington Park neighborhood when someone approached him and shot him in the right elbow, police said. He took himself to St. Bernard Hospital, where he was in good condition. In the Washington Park neighborhood, a 31-year-old man was wounded in the buttocks in a drive-by shooting about 2:55 a.m. Sunday. He was in the 300 block of East 57th Street when someone inside a black SUV shot him. He took himself to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized. About 3:25 a.m. Sunday, a 20-year-old man was standing in the 1900 block of South Shelby Court in the Pilsen neighborhood when someone inside a passing silver car opened fire, striking him in the stomach. He took himself to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. Two men were shot about 11:25 p.m. Saturday in the Chatham neighborhood on the city's South Side. They were walking in the 100 block of East 80th Street when someone opened fire at them. A 21-year-old man was shot in the leg, and his condition was stabilized at Jackson Park Hospital. Another 21-year-old man was grazed on his left foot, and his condition was stabilized at the University of Chicago Medical Center. About 10:35 p.m. Saturday, someone inside a silver Jeep shot a 28-year-old man in the left hip, police said. The man was inside a double-parked car in the 2800 block of West 57th Street in the Gage Park neighborhood when the Jeep pulled up next to him and someone inside shot at him. He took himself to Holy Cross Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 21 A 21-year-old man was fatally shot on a porch in the 2400 block of North Meade Avenue on July 31, 2017, police said. (Elyssa Cherney / Chicago Tribune) A 10-year-old girl was reported missing from the Albany Park neighborhood, police said. (Provided by Chicago Police Department) A 10-year-old girl who disappeared Saturday evening from a playground in the Albany Park neighborhood has been found safe, police said. Rijah Williams had been last seen about 7:25 p.m. Saturday at the playground, which is located on the same block where she lives, according to a news release from Chicago police. Advertisement The girl was located safe and returned to her family, police said in an updated release late Sunday morning. Anyone with information about the girl's whereabouts had been asked to call detectives at 312-744-8266. A South Side man posted video on social media of himself in front of Chicago police headquarters threatening to shoot several police officers present, including an officer guarding the Bronzeville administrative offices, authorities said Saturday. Unfortunately for Lawrence Fuller, someone spotted the video and quickly reported it to Chicago police. Advertisement In the Snapchat video, reportedly shot around 4:30 a.m. Thursday outside the police headquarters in the 3500 block of South Michigan Avenue, Fuller was seen with a handgun, threatening to "shoot this b---h up" and saying "I'm gonna pop his a-- in the head," with police officers in clear view, according to police and Cook County prosecutors. After police were alerted, investigators spoke with the unnamed officer seen in the video, who said he spotted the same man trying to get inside the building with something in his hand, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Jillian Anselmo said. That officer never spoke to or confronted Fuller, 25. Advertisement Authorities tracked Fuller to a relative's home in the 3500 block of South Rhodes Avenue hours later and arrested him. Inside the home, police recovered a Daisy brand air gun, according to Fuller's arrest report. Fuller was later charged with threatening a public official, a Class 3 felony. On Saturday, Judge James Brown ordered Fuller held on home electronic monitoring in lieu of $75,000 bail. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Saturday that CPD's organized crime unit acted quickly to arrest Fuller. "Watching that video is a sobering reminder of the dangers police officers face every day, and the actions and statements of the offender are quite frankly reprehensible." wlee@chicagotribune.com Twitter @MidNoirCowboy An Indiana man shot and killed himself shortly after gunning down a doctor who refused to prescribe opioid medication to his wife, authorities said this week. The alleged murder and the suicide unfolded within just hours of each other Wednesday in Mishawaka in northern Indiana, a state that's been gripped by problems with opioid addiction over the past several years. St. Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter told reporters that Michael Jarvis confronted physician Todd Graham for not prescribing an opioid for his wife's chronic pain, but he cautioned that investigators are still determining whether drug addiction played a role in the killing. Cotter said during a news conference Thursday that Jarvis and his wife showed up at Graham's office for an appointment Wednesday morning. Jarvis became upset after Graham told them that he doesn't believe chronic pain requires opioid medication. The couple left, but Jarvis - armed with a gun - drove back to the doctor's office about two hours later, Cotter said. At that point, Graham was on his way to the St. Joseph Rehabilitation Institute a few miles from his office. Jarvis followed him to the institute's parking lot where the two argued, Cotter said. "There were two witnesses who were outside and in close proximity," Cotter told reporters. "Jarvis went to those two witnesses and told them to leave. They saw a gun." Jarvis shot Graham, then drove to a friend's home, where he "gave indication that he was no longer going to be around," Cotter said. The friend, concerned for Jarvis's safety, called 911, but Jarvis killed himself before police arrived. Cotter said Jarvis' wife did not know that he had driven back to the doctor's office and killed Graham. It also remains unclear whether both the husband and wife were addicted to opioid medications or whether Jarvis wanted the drugs for himself. "There's some indication that Jarvis may have also had his own issues. We're still investigating that," Cotter said. "We're talking about a man who made a choice to kill another person. We're not talking about the opioid problem. . . . Was that a contributing factor in his decision? We don't know that yet." Cotter said Jarvis was not a patient of Graham's and that investigators are looking at medical records to determine what drugs, if any, he and his wife had been prescribed previously. He did not say what type of opioid medication Jarvis and his wife were seeking when they went to Graham's office. The South Bend Tribune reported that both Jarvis and Graham were employed in some capacity by the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, just west of Mishawaka. Jarvis, 48, was a part-time parking attendant and groundskeeper, a university spokesman said in statement, according to the newspaper. Graham was a consulting physician at the university. "His brutal death is shocking to us all, we extend our condolences to his family and friends. Our prayers are with them," the statement said of Graham. Graham, 56, was also a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at South Bend Orthopaedics, where patients gave him a 4.3 out of 5 rating. Patients who wrote reviews on the clinic's website described Graham as a trustworthy doctor who took the time to answer their questions and explain their problems. One said he's the best doctor the clinic has. Another called him a "miracle worker." "Dr Graham is more than my dr to me. He has treated me like a friend and I owe him my life. I can never thank him enough for his kindness and caring through my journey of a tough diagnosis of cancer. He is a great and caring dr," one patient wrote in July 2016. Another patient wrote the same month: "Dr. Graham was awesome. He looked at my MRI results and immediately had a plan in place. I really appreciated the time and concern he put into getting me some relief for the pain that I've been in. Hopefully this works!" Graham studied at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago and did his residency at the university's rehabilitation institute. "He dedicated his life to taking care of people and that's the sad, sad part of this whole thing ... His personality was electric. He lit up a room anytime he walked into the room," physician A.J. Mencias, Graham's friend and business partner, told NBC affiliate WNDU. Mencias said Graham had three children. Cotter, the prosecutor, echoed those tributes at the news conference. "He did what we ask our doctors to do: Don't overprescribe opioid and, unfortunately, for whatever reason, Jarvis made that choice to take his life," he told reporters, adding later: "Every homicide is tragic, but this one in particular, I think, hits home to everyone. It hits home to all of our medical professionals. Their job is to try to help people, and that certainly what Dr. Graham was doing." That represents a fascinating bit of illogic, namely that if his staff or cabinet have done something stupid, whether they admit it or not, it's OK, because he'll pardon them. Admittedly there are forces at work, whether they are the media, adversaries such as Russia abroad, and even political factions at home, who don't like Donald Trump and want him out. However, that doesn't mean the president can act like a smug, spoiled brat. Instead he's got to figure how best to work with both sides of the aisle while at the same being more judicious in choosing his staff and Cabinet and passing his legislative agenda. It's clear that the president has gotten off on the wrong foot regarding his staff, Cabinet and closest advisers. No president in recent memory has made so many bad choices about those he wants to help him govern the nation. Of course, all of us could be wrong. In a month or a year or the end of his term in office, we might find he's smarter than we thought and done a fantastic job governing the nation. I think I'll check Las Vegas and see what the odds are that will happen. Dean Dranias, Plainfield Work is continuing at W.J. Murphy Elementary School in the wake of flooding that left the school's library a total loss, officials said. While other Round Lake School District 116 schools also took in water during the series of thunderstorms that swept Lake County two weeks ago, Murphy is the only building where opening in the fall might be an issue, spokeswoman Heather Bennett said. Advertisement The Round Lake Park school saw about six feet of water on its lower level, which houses the library, cafeteria, gym and some classrooms, she said. "Things are moving along very well here, but we aren't able to commit to a start date just yet," Bennett said in an email Thursday. Advertisement The district is still shooting to open the school on time on Aug. 21, but making that happen is dependent on successful air quality tests and the timely delivery and set-up of a six-classroom mobile unit, she said. The air tests are planned for this week and mobile classrooms will be used until repairs on the impacted areas are completely finished, Bennett said. A lot of work remains at Raymond Ellis Elementary School and Beach Elementary School, but they should be able to open for the first day of school, she said. As the Waukegan Police Department continues its investigation into the Waukegan District 60 superintendent's missing personnel file, one school board member has called for an independent investigation. Superintendent Theresa Plascencia's personnel file was discovered missing in late May, after the News-Sun requested Plascencia's resume and other application materials. The district was only able to provide the first page of her resume, but was subsequently able to provide all the requested documents after reaching out to the firm that had handled the district's 2015 search for a new superintendent. The missing personnel file continues to be a topic of conservation in Waukegan and on social media. "My phone's been going crazy," school board member Miguel Rivera said. "People want closure. We can't just let this go away. ... We can't just let it go, and I'm not going to let it go away. I hope the board is with me." Advertisement Rivera said he wanted an independent investigation to look into the matter. An internal investigation identified possible suspects but wasn't able to conclusively identify who took the file, said board members who were briefed on the matter. The Waukegan Police Department is also still actively investigating the issue, Cmdr. Joe Florip said. As long as the case remains unsolved, it will continue to remain open. A request by the News-Sun to see a copy of the police report was denied, and the News-Sun is challenging that denial with the Illinois Attorney General's Office. That challenge is pending. The school board shouldn't make any decision about an independent investigation as long as the Police Department is still investigating, board member Brandon Ewing said. He said he was also not happy with the results of the internal investigation but it was what he expected considering people come in and out of the Lincoln Center all day. Advertisement The file had been stored in a locked cabinet in the locked office of one of the deputy superintendents, school district attorney Thomas Morris said in an email. "I think bringing in an independent investigator would still be inconclusive," Ewing said. With Waukegan District 60's expansion of summer school to its preschool, elementary and middle schools, its food service department is seeing a corresponding jump in the number of meals its handing out, officials said. The district served about 16,250 meals last summer and is on track to serve about 41,000 meals this summer, spokesman Nick Alajakis said. About 1,300 students are enrolled in the new preschool to eighth-grade summer school programs and about 580 high school students take classes over the summer. Most of these meals are going to students enrolled in summer school, though some community groups and other summer programs do bring the kids in their programs over to the schools for lunch, he said. Carman-Buckner Elementary School is the only site where breakfast and lunch are offered but summer school isn't taking place, Alajakis said. Advertisement The district chose that site because the school sits in a high-need area, said Alicia Williams, the district's manager of child nutrition and transportation. Carman-Buckner averages about eight students per meal each day, but some days sees as many 24, Alajakis said. The cost to the district is virtually non-existent as the building would be open anyway, Williams said. Principals are at the buildings year-round and so are maintenance and other staff. Like during the school year, Waukegan District 60 has all its meals reimbursed by the federal Department of Agriculture's free and reduced-price lunch program that allows districts with high poverty rates to offer breakfast and lunch at no cost to all its students. District officials wish more people would take advantage of the program, but many parents don't think about utilizing the schools over the summer, Alajakis said. The district wants the community to "equate their building as a place in the community they can gather." The meals students get at school are also often the most nutritious they receive, Alajakis said. Advertisement Williams said she's heard from teachers and other staff that the meals help students concentrate in school. "Anytime you can feed a student whose hungry it's worth it," Alajakis said. emcoleman@tribpub.com Twitter @mekcoleman 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" Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for steadfast efforts to push overcapacity cuts after government inspections found that a number of steel mills were trying to resume production of inferior-quality steel bars. "We must stand firm in capacity-cutting efforts to prevent shutdowns in production from flaring up again," Li said in an instruction note on the findings of an inspection by the State Council. Those breaking government rules will be strictly punished, and authorities with weak supervision will be held accountable, the premier said. China's State Council requires all facilities producing inferior-quality steel bars to be dismantled across the country by the end of June, but the inspection found two mills in Tianjin were still in business while one company shutdown in Hunan Province was seeking to restart production. As excess capacity has weighed on China's overall economic performance, cutting overcapacity is high on the reform agenda. In 2016, China completed both its annual targets for coal and steel capacity reduction ahead of schedule. The government work report this year stated that China would continue to cut overcapacity in bloated sectors, with targets to slash steel production capacity by around 50 million tonnes and coal by at least 150 million tonnes this year. Hisense, a China-based home electronics manufacturer, first opened shop in South Africa in 1996. [File photo] A Chinese company in South Africa has successfully integrated itself into the local business culture by greatly contributing to local social economic development and creating hundreds of jobs. Hisense, a China-based home electronics manufacturer, first opened shop in South Africa in 1996. In the last two decades, the brand has expanded to South Africa's four major cities and is now found in over 3,500 retail stores nationwide as well as 10 neighboring countries. The brand is widely recognized as a cost-effective alternative in home electronics. In contrast to many other foreign investment companies, Hisense has opted to open its major manufacturing facility in South Africa in an attempt to create local job opportunities instead of importing products from overseas plants, said Claire Noyes-Smith, marketing manager at Hisense South Africa. She told Xinhua in a recent interview that the establishment of the facility has secured Hisense's footprint in Africa and given them the impetus needed to expand further on the continent. In 2013, in partnership with the China-Africa Development Fund, Hisense invested around 350 million rand (about 27 million U.S. dollars) in the Atlantis industrial area outside Cape Town, and established a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The 27,000-square-meter manufacturing development has come as a much-needed boost to the community of Atlantis, where poverty and social issues are part and parcel of everyday existence, Noyes-Smith said. The factory now employs over 500 people on a full-time basis, with training and social upliftment projects benefiting approximately 2,000 people in the community, the marketing manager said. Currently, Hisense is the only international electronics brand that locally manufactures its products on a large scale, as opposed to those that only have much smaller assembly lines. Noyes-Smith noted that Hisense made a conscious decision to create jobs for 500 previously unemployed locals. The area of Atlantis is beset with socio-economic challenges, including gangsterism, drugs, crime, and most notably a 55-percent unemployment rate. The establishment of the Atlantis factory has a wide-reaching positive impact on employees and their families, Noyes-Smith said. Besides, the workers are trained with specialized skills by experienced engineers sent from the Hisense headquarters. This is not only to uphold the quality and productivity of the brand, but also to ensure the transference of skills is duly achieved, Noyes-Smith said. Currently, Hisense has been endorsed by the "Proudly South African" campaign and is planning to upgrade the production technology used in the Atlantis facility. Hisense started a training program this year in order to upskill 1,000 technical engineers. They are partnering with National Rural Youth Service Corps and Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority to get this project off the ground, Noyes-Smith said. According to data released by GFK, a trusted source of relevant market and consumer information, Hisense occupies 24 percent of the market share for televisions in South Africa, ranking at number one and out-competing other major brands such as Sony, LG and Samsung. With consumer expectations rising in South Africa, Hisense is confident that there is still room for expansion in the local market, Noyes-Smith said. "We will also place a bit more emphasis on driving our mobile growth strategy, and also work towards expanding further into Sub-Saharan Africa,with South Africa being a solid African base," Noyes-Smith added. The first "Great Meeting Open to All" will be held at the Shaolin Temple from July 29 to Aug 4 in Dengfeng, Henan province. A kung fu practitioner smashes bricks using one hand in Luoyang, Henan province, early this Month. XU JUNWEN/CHINA DAILY 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. You are here: Home Chinese President Xi Jinping mounted a field jeep to inspect troops at Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Sunday morning. Han Weiguo, commander-in-chief of the parade and commander of the Central Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), reported to Xi that the troops are ready. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, ordered the inspection to begin. The parade is held in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the founding of PLA. Flash National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran's Majlis (parliament) on Saturday passed the general outlines of a motion to reciprocate the recent U.S. sanctions on the Islamic republic. The motion, if ratified in the Majlis open meeting, will "counter the terrorist and adventurous measures of the United States in the region," Press TV reported. It also envisages measures to support the Iranian armed and security forces as well as those Iranians who would be affected by the U.S. actions, Iranian Deputy Foreign Ministers Abbas Araqchi, who had attended the meeting of the commission, said. Araqchi described the motion as an appropriate measure in response to the "hostile and malicious" policies of the United States. The U.S. sanction measures would have adverse effects on the implementation of the landmark nuclear agreement, also known as JCPOA, which was signed between Iran and six world powers in July 2015, he said. 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. 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 U.S. statement. You are here: Home Flash The U.S. Navy's newest guided-missile destroyer (DDG), USS Rafael Peralta, was commissioned on Saturday in its homeport of San Diego, the U.S. state of California. USS Rafael Peralta at sea near Bath, Maine following acceptance trials, December, 2016. [U.S. Navy File photo] The newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, DDG 115, is named for U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta from San Diego, who was killed in 2004 in Iraq and posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism. Peralta smothered an enemy grenade with his body to absorb the majority of the lethal blast and shrapnel and saved the life of two U.S. soldiers with him in the battle of Fallujah. USS Rafael Peralta is the 65th Arleigh Burke class destroyer. It is equipped with the Aegis Baseline 9 Combat System which includes an Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability incorporating Ballistic Missile Defense 5.0 Capability Upgrade and Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air capability. The ship's IAMD radar will provide increased computing power and radar upgrades that improve detection and reaction capabilities against modern air warfare threats, according to the website of U.S. Navy. Flash New Zealand Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee on Saturday denounced the further testing of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday. "I'm deeply concerned that North Korea continues to flout its obligations to the international community by testing these missiles -- it's completely unacceptable," Brownlee said in a statement. "New Zealand would encourage North Korea to look at the plight of its people, who are living in less than advantaged circumstances, while the regime spends millions of dollars on its weaponisation program," Brownlee said. The DPRK test-fired an unidentified missile, which the country described as an ICBM called Hwasong-14, at 11:41 p.m. Friday (1441 GMT) from its northernmost province of Jagang. Flash Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan undertook the difficult task to regenerate both government and his ruling party ahead of the crucial 2019 elections, after having complained of a "fatigue" amongst his political entourage. Erdogan, who has been ruling Turkey since 2002, first as prime minister and then president, had a very narrow victory, 51 percent in the April constitutional referendum, which granted him extensive executive powers. Despite the victory, with the opposition claims of rigged results, the president expressed concerns that the state of things at his Justice and Development Party (AKP) was not as he expected. After regaining the leadership of the AKP in May following constitutional referendum, Erdogan refuses any defiance inside his "home" which vowed to rejuvenate the cabinet. He put up the first step of the rejuvenation with replacing and swapping 11 ministers on July 19, with a six-month "action plan" expected ahead of the 2019 presidential and parliamentary elections. This scheme will reportedly include new projects and reforms in several areas where the AKP already made significant improvements, such as transportation, energy, labor and health, winning votes for the party across the country in past elections. With key ministries such as the foreign affairs, interior and economy unchanged, Erdogan appointed one of his fervent and loyal supporters, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag, as deputy prime minister, and also the government spokesman. It is Bozdag that oversees the massive purge launched against the U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of having masterminded the failed coup attempt last summer, which resulted in arresting 50,000 people and dismissing more than 110,000 others from public service. Most of the constitutional changes will come into effect after the elections and Erdogan will only be able then to assume his new powers, which critics claim will drift this NATO country into even more authoritarian rule. "When a party has an exceptional longevity in politics, it is only natural that some people lose focus, get tired or simply don't have the necessary drive to do things the way it should be," said an AKP official, who preferred to remain anonymous. His comments came less than 24 hours after Erdogan convened an unannounced meeting of local bodies of AKP, where, according to the press, he called on to those "exhausted" to quit their duties for the sake of the 2019 elections. "The 2019 elections have a critical importance for us. We have to work hard in order to win the hearts of people. It is not easy to stay in power," said Erdogan, reported Hurriyet Daily News. "Erdogan is our leader as he is the one who knows the party better than anyone else," said the AKP source, adding that the faith will bring dynamism and enthusiasm to the party. Erdogan also made important changes in the party in recent days, replacing some of the high ranking officials with some young and ardent newcomers, or "fresh blood," as pointed out by the pro-government press. Other than economic and diplomatic hardships with her neighbors and European powers, Erdogan also has to deal with opposition leaders who plan to leave their mark on the political agenda. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition People's Republican Party, Turkey's oldest political institution, led a 450-km-long and publicized "Justice March" from Ankara to Istanbul to protest the government's crackdown against all opposition circles in the midst of the state of emergency, which was imposed after last year's coup attempt. The mild mannered and 68-year-old politician became a force to be reckoned rallying hundreds of thousands at the finishing line, and could be Erdogan's main rival for the next presidential election, said experts. Moreover, Meral Aksener, a former interior minister and ambitious nationalist, is also becoming a prominent figure in Turkish politics and a possible challenger to Erdogan. The Turkish "Iran lady" is reportedly planning to announce a new political party, which might draw attention from the religious and nationalist grass roots of AKP. The new presidential system approved by Turkish voters in April changed things for Erdogan, elected as head of state in 2014. In the past, when the parliamentary system was still valid, the charismatic crowd pleaser Erdogan had no real problem securing a government and a majority of seats with a vote of 40 percent. But under the new constitution, Erdogan has to obtain over 50 percent of votes. The AKP will celebrate in August its 16th anniversary. The party, which was founded in 2001 and has never lost any election since 2002, is now trying to remain in full strength for the 2019 election campaign, said the party's spokesman Mahir Unal. Meanwhile, some experts argue that the religious card will define AKP's policy in line with Erdogan' wishes to promote the mostly secular Turkey as a republic with Islamic ideals. It was the first time a large-scale parade had been staged as part of commemorations to mark the founding of the People's Liberation Army, which celebrates its 90th birthday on Tuesday. It was the first time a parade of such scale and importance has been held in the field. It was the first time President and PLA Commander-in-Chief Xi Jinping was seen in PLA fatigues on an occasion like this. It was the first time some of the PLA's new weapons made their media debut. All these firsts occurred on Sunday at Zhurihe in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, which is the PLA's largest and most sophisticated combined tactics training base. That the show was staged at the once mysterious Zhurihe, a training base devoted specifically to drills in simulated combat environments, where the PLA's latest weapons along with the latest tactics and methods of operation are tested, was not only further proof that the PLA is embracing greater transparency but also a sign of its greater self-confidence. China's past experience of being ravaged by foreign powers has cultivated in Xi an acute awareness of the nation's need for a strong, capable military. Although to some scrutinizing it from a different perspective it may have sent a divergent message, as Xi told the PLA troops on parade on Sunday, the country needs a strong military "more than ever" as the world is far from tranquil, and the country's peace needs to be guarded. And certainly, above all, Sunday's parade was a review of the military reform Xi has masterminded and presided over. Barely a year after he assumed leadership of the Communist Party of China in 2012, Xi incorporated national defense and military reform into the country's comprehensive reform plans. For the first time in history, national defense and military reform were written into the resolutions of a CPC plenum as an independent section. Two years later, Xi officially inaugurated the ongoing reforms amid a high-profile anti-corruption campaign within the PLA. An overall plan was announced in July, followed by a 300,000 cut in PLA troops in September and an implementation plan for command system reform in October. Since then, the PLA has realized a profound change in structure and strategic thinking. The formations at the Sunday parade were reportedly structured in combat groupings to reflect the PLA's new emphasis on joint operations, echoing Xi's idea that combat effectiveness is the fundamental gauge for the military, and demonstrating that the PLA is getting closer to what Xi envisions as a leaner, more capable, world-class modern military. Editor's note: After the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress in late 2012, far-reaching reforms have been carried out to make the People's Liberation Army leaner, stronger and more efficient. Here we take a look at how the PLA has become a lethal force. China's second aircraft carrier is transferred from dry dock into the water at a launch ceremony in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, April 26, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] First domestically developed aircraft carrier The nation officially launched its second -- and the first domestically developed -- aircraft carrier in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, on April 26. The ship is the largest and most sophisticated surface vessel the country has ever built. It will have a displacement of about 50,000 metric tons and a conventional propulsion system. It will carry domestically developed J-15 fighter jets and other ship-borne aircraft. The ship will also use ski jump-style takeoffs for fixed-wing aircraft, the same as the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier. Related story: China launches first domestically developed aircraft carrier NANNING - Ya Qiaoli has been waiting eagerly for her university admission letter, at her home in a mountainous village in south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, ever since she was told that she has been admitted to Guangxi University of Nationalities. For her, the letter is crucial. It means she can spend the next four years in Nanning, the regional capital, studying finance. Ya scored 549 points out of 750 points in June's national college entrance exam, better known as the gaokao. The points guarantee university acceptance, yet they are not enough for her to apply for a good major. "I was able to choose either a good university or a good major only after I got the bonus points for ethnic minorities," Ya said. As a Zhuang ethnic student, Ya got 10 bonus points, according to a national policy that allows ethnic minority students to gain as many as 20 bonus gaokao points. The policy helps ethnic minority students, many from remote and impoverished areas with poor educational standards, to reduce their disadvantage in the exam. Ya studies in the only high school in Fengshan county, her hometown. Located in Hechi city, it is a national-level poverty-stricken county. Among a total of 1,133 students who took gaokao this year, about 60 percent were ethnic minority students, mainly from the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups. According to the policy, Zhuang students can get 10 bonus points and Yao students can get 20. When the recruitment was finished, 97.7 percent of students were admitted to universities or junior colleges. "The figures increased obviously compared with 10 years ago, as a result of both improved education quality and favorable policies," said Luo Yingyang, deputy principal of Fengshan County High School. In Leye county, a national-level poverty-stricken county in Baise city of Guangxi, more than 20 percent of all 789 students taking the gaokao this year were admitted to universities, with most of the rest admitted to vocational colleges. Huang Bingzhong, principal of Leye County High School, said that for many students whose families are poor, university entrance could guarantee that they would be lifted out of poverty. "Sending a child to university or college is the best way for a family to get out of the mountains," Huang said. China sees education as a key method in its poverty alleviation efforts, so it has launched favorable gaokao policies for students from rural and poor areas. In April, the Ministry of Education announced that top-level universities would enroll 63,000 students from a number of underdeveloped regions in 2017, about 3,000 more than in 2016. Recruiting of poor students into provincial-level colleges is expected to grow by 10 percent this year. Under these requirement, in Guangxi, a total of 2,507 students have been recruited by 154 universities, 300 more than in 2016. Guangxi has the most number of ethnic minority people in China, and it is also one of the least developed regions, with 28 national-level poverty-stricken counties, in which 11 are ethnic minority autonomous counties. With the number of school-age children growing, many poor counties face a shortage of competent teachers, funds and schools. Principal Luo said the school was designed to accommodate a maximum of 2,200 students, but currently there are nearly 3,500 students. The school lacks not only classrooms but new facilities. Low salaries also makes it hard for teachers to stay. "Every year, several teachers resign, and it is very difficult for us to hire new ones," he said. Leye County High School has cooperated with other higher qualified schools so that students can have lessons given by teachers of these schools online. Yet more methods are hoped to be launched. More funding is needed to improve the educational conditions such as buildings and facilities in poor areas, said Ya Qiming, an official of education in Donglan county, another national-level poverty-stricken county in Hechi. "Teachers' salaries and welfare should also be improved so that they would like to stay in these areas," he said. BEIJING - More and more Chinese students are putting overseas study tours on their agenda this summer. Consisting of language courses, sightseeing and international communication, study tours meet the demands of Chinese parents and students for a long and fruitful holiday, despite high costs of around $4,000 to $6,000. This year saw the number of students going abroad for study tours increase by nearly 40 percent, with reservations for tours starting almost a year ago, according to English First, a Swedish-English education company in China. YOUNGER PARTICIPANTS A recent report published by a Chinese tourism booking website showed most study tour participants were teenagers in middle school. According to the report released by Tuniu.com in June, 73 percent of their participants in 2016 were middle school students, 11 percent primary school students and only 3 percent college students. Students of a younger age seem to be the upward trend. "The biggest growth of our clients in the past few years is among primary school students, over 50 percent," said Joe Chiu, Country Manager of China's EF International Language Center. Unlike study tour participants in other countries who are at least 13 or14 years old, Chinese parents seem to be more willing to let their children go on tours at a very young age, Chiu said, noting that the youngest Chinese participant on his program was only five years old. PURPOSES VARIES According to a blue book on global study tours released by New Oriental Education & Technology Group, expanding children's horizons was the major goal for parents, while improving language skills, experiencing independence and exploring cultural diversities were also popular. Zhan Fuman, a 14-year-old from Guangzhou, currently on a 15-day study tour in Australia with a price tag of 32,800 yuan (about 4,870 U.S. dollars), went to the United States for her first overseas study tour last winter. "She has been much more confident and independent since her first tour in the U.S. and learnt to use knowledge from books and real life communications," said Zhu Wanxia, Zhan's mother. Going on a study tour does not lead to going to a foreign university in the future, Zhu said, adding that they preferred their child to go to a top Chinese university instead. According to Chiu, only half of students in their study tour programs went abroad for higher education. "Some parents consider staying in China as a better choice for their children, and such overseas study tours are more about qualities beyond learning by the books," said Chen Jingjing, Joe's co-worker from English First. According to China's Ministry of Education (MOE), over 80 percent of Chinese students who studied abroad returned to China in 2016. HOHHOT - President Xi Jinping has called for closer cooperation on fighting desertification among countries and regions taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative. He made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the sixth Kubuqi International Desert Forum that kicked off Saturday in the Kubuqi Desert in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Desertification is a severe challenge facing the global community, Xi said, adding preventing and controlling desertification is a great cause that benefits both the current and future generations. He said China has always attached great importance to combating desertification and made remarkable achievements. Kubuqi is a good example of China's success in containing desertification and China offers its experience with the international community, Xi said. He noted that since its founding ten years ago the forum had become an important platform for nations to exchange experiences in combating desertification and achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As the theme of this year's forum is "Greening the Belt and Road, Sharing the desert eco-economy," Xi said it is of great significance to strengthen cooperation in the prevention and control of desertification among countries and regions along the Belt and Road routes. He urged delegates to the meeting to pool their wisdom and contribute to the building of a green Belt and Road and improvement of global ecological environment. Troops prepare for a military parade at Zhurihe training base in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, July 30, 2017. The parade was held to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/China Daily] China has showcased its real combat capabilities in a military parade at a training base in Inner Mongolia to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army. President Xi Jinping, who is also the chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the troops on Sunday morning at the Zhurihe Combined Tactics Training Base, about 400 kilometers northwest of Beijing. This is the first military parade held at the PLA's most advanced training camp, which is also the biggest in Asia. It is also the first time China has held a parade to celebrate the founding of the PLA. The spectacle involved more than 12,000 troops, 600 pieces of military hardware and more than 100 aircraft of various types, representing the Chinese military's most cutting-edge technology. All officers and soldiers in the parade are from actual combat units, from cyber warfare to rocket force. More than 40 percent of the presented equipment is debut first time for a parade. The flag raising ceremony during the military parade at Zhurihe training base in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region Sunday, July 30, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] President Xi Jinping urged the People's Liberation Army to spare no efforts to become a world-class military after inspecting troops in the Chinese military's first field parade in several decades. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the country was close to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and, therefore, a mighty military was much needed to safeguard the process. He told PLA's top commanders and officers and soldiers who just staged a parade in front of him on Sunday morning to stick to the Party's leadership, to continue serving the people, to further improve their combat capability and to deepen the reform and boost innovation. "I am convinced that our heroic armed forces are confident and capable of defeating enemies daring to provoke us, of safeguarding our sovereignty, security and development interests and of making new contributions to the China Dream and world peace," he said. The PLA carried out a field parade on Sunday morning at the Zhurihe Training Base in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region to mark its 90th anniversary that falls on Tuesday. Hundreds of large weapons and equipment, many of them never shown to the public before, and 12,000 troops took part in the grand parade. It's the first time the PLA have held a parade at an exercise field in nearly four decades. In 1981, a parade was performed at a training base in North China and witnessed by the late Party leader Deng Xiaoping. Three parades have been staged at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing since then in 1999, 2009 and 2015. Sunday's event was also the first parade specifically organized to celebrate a founding anniversary of the PLA. It represents the PLA's determination to become a top military in the world. NANJING - Novelty ringtones lose their fun when they announce your dirty secrets. A court in eastern China recently introduced a shaming ringtone to embarrass debtors and pressure them to pay the money they owe. The Guanyun County People's Court in Jiangsu Province teamed up with a local telecommunication operator to design a "special ringtone" for local "laolai" (those who avoid repaying their debts). The measure is aimed at shaming debtors who go missing after being ordered to repay debts, according to the court. If anyone calls the debtor, the ringtone tells the caller: "The subscriber you are calling has been put on a blacklist by the Guanyun County Court for failing to repay their debts. Please urge the person to fulfill his legal obligations. The Guanyun County People's Court appreciates your support. Thank you!" "The ringtone is designed to warn debtors and force them to repay their debts as soon as possible," said Pan Xingjun with the court. Pan said that the ringtone let laolai feel the pressure from friends and relatives. "The ringtone will disgrace debtors and force them out of their hideouts," Wang Yong, an employee with the court, told the Paper.cn. "The debtors' relatives and friends will be reminded of the debtor's lack of credibility and they can avoid being swindled." "They cannot cancel the ringtone by themselves unless they repay their debts, and all mobile phone numbers registered under their name will be covered by the ringtone," Pan said. China adopted a nationwide real-name registration policy for mobile phone number subscribers on Sept. 1, 2010. All new registers need to provide their ID cards to telecom operators to obtain new phone numbers. "The court will give proof to help cancel the ringtone once they repay the debts," according to Pan. So far, ten debtors have been put on the list by the Guanyun court. Most of the debtors are self-employed people who have hidden or transferred their assets to avoid repaying debts. "They have the ability to repay, but refuse to carry out their legal obligations," the court said. "Some of them fabricated proof to resist repaying debts." The court said it would work with more telecom operators to further enforce the measure. When the ringtone was launched on the morning of July 20, a laolai immediately called one of the judges in the afternoon to cancel it, promising to repay the 100,000 yuan (14,800 U.S. dollars) he owed in installments. Guanyun is not the only place to adopt the ringtone policy. The city of Huangshi in central China's Hubei Province and the city of Dengfeng in Henan Province recently introduced similar measures. Many laolai have tried a variety of ways to shun repayment. On Friday, a court in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, said that a 59-year-old woman had plastic surgery in an attempt to disguise herself to avoid repaying 25 million yuan of debt. BEIJING - China will hold a grand gathering at the Great Hall of the People at 10 a.m. Tuesday in celebration of the 90th birthday of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will attend the event and deliver an important speech. The event will be broadcast live by the China National Radio, China Central Television, China Radio International and several official websites. State Police have identified the two tractor-trailer drivers who were killed in a crash on Interstate 81 Friday evening. Police said Epitacio Noel Diaz-Morales, 34, of Florida City, Florida, and Cosmin Ganta, age unknown, from California, were both pronounced dead at the scene of the fiery crash on I-81 in Penn Township at 9:30 p.m. Friday. Police said Diaz-Morales was traveling in the right lane of I-81 south just north of the Kutz Road overpass when he abruptly swerved into the left lane and jackknifed. The vehicle slid over the Kutz Road bridge abutment, fell onto Kutz Road and caught fire, according to police. The trailer stayed on the interstate, blocking the entire left lane and most of the right lane. Ganta was traveling behind Diaz-Morales' tractor-trailer and took evasive action to avoid striking the trailer. However, his tractor-trailer hit the concrete bridge abutment and became wedged between Diaz-Morales' tractor-trailer and the barrier, according to police. Ganta's tractor-trailer immediately caught fire, and police said he was unable to get out of the truck. Cumberland County Charley Hall pronounced both men dead at the scene. Hall hadn't been able to confirm their identifies earlier due to both drivers being burned beyond recognition. Police said they do not know why Diaz-Morales initially swerved his vehicle on the interstate. Posted from abc27 News earlier on Cumberlink: Two tractor-trailer drivers were burned beyond recognition after a fiery fatal crash, according to the Cumberland County coroner. The crash happened on I-81 near exit 37 (Route 233) around 9:30 Friday night. Cumberland County Coroner Charley Hall said in a release, both tractor-trailers were traveling southbound on I-81 when one of them struck the guardrail and then part of a bridge. The tractor trailer was then hit by the other rig and burst into flames. Hall said the drivers will need to be identified with dental records. State Police is investigating. Posted earlier on Cumberlink: NEWVILLE, Pa. A coroner was called to a scene on Interstate 81 where two trailer-trailers were fully engulfed in flames. According to PennDOT, the incident closed I-81 northbound and southbound between Exit 37 (Route 233) and Exit 44 (Route 465) in Penn Township. The incident was reported around 9:30 p.m. to be in the area of mile marker 38 in the area of Kutz Road, which was also closed. No other details were immediately provided by authorities. Reported earlier: A multivehicle accident has closed all lanes of Interstate 81 between Exit 44, Plainfield, and Exit 37, Route 233. The accident was reported about 9:45 p.m. No other details were available. A flag guard formation consisting of officers and soldiers from the army, air force, navy and rocket force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) attends a military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the PLA at Zhurihe training base in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, July 30, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua] The parade held this morning to mark the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers and incited lively discussions online. The live-streaming of the parade at Zhurihe Training Base in Inner Mongolia autonomous region by China Central Television (CCTV) has been viewed 28 million times on Sina Weibo, a Chinese micro blog. The topic hosted by the broadcaster now ranks first on the website in terms of popularity during the past 24 hours. It has garnered 250 million page views and some 230,000 netizens left comments. Weibo user bengdadenainiu wrote, "Thanks to such a mighty army, we can enjoy this life without fear or concern." "I have tears in my eyes watching this parade. The establishment that Chinese people have achieved is built on the blood and sacrifice of past generations. I can feel the country is growing stronger," stated weibo user Moushan. Data from Baidu, China's leading search engine, shows that the parade is currently the most searched term on the website with more than one million related results. The complete video of the 70-minute parade has been played 130 million times on Tencent's video service platform, v.qq.com. Entries related to the parade take up the top four places among the most viewed six videos. "I feel so proud to see the parade. In 90 years, the Chinese army started from nothing and achieved such impressive progress. I feel so proud to be a Chinese," a viewer commented on the website. The field parade kicked off in northern China at 9 am Sunday. The PLA's 90th anniversary falls on Tuesday. This was the first time in nearly four decades that the PLA held a parade at an exercise field. Hundreds of large weapons and equipment, many of them never shown to the public before, and 12,000 troops took part in the grand event. The People's Liberation Army's parade on Sunday reflected the Chinese military's latest efforts to strengthen its combat readiness and joint operation capability. The PLA also used the occasion to publicize its achievements in armament mod-ernization as nearly half of the weapons and equipment used in the event were presented for the first time in a parade, according to organizers. The military sent 12,000 troops, about 600 land and naval weapons, and nearly 130 aircraft to participate in the parade, the first in the PLA's history to celebrate its birthday, which falls on Tuesday. The event was organized by the PLA Central Theater Command on orders of the Central Military Commission. Field parade The event began at 9 am at a training field of the Zhurihe Training Base, Inner Mongolia, as President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, took a car to inspect troops from all military branches who were taking part in the event. After the president returned to a central stage built to review the parade, more than 200 soldiers, carried by assault vehicles, escorted flags of the Party, the People's Republic of China and the PLA and passed the central stage. Then 17 attack helicopters flew past the parade zone, forming the two Chinese characters of Aug 1, the birthday of the PLA. They were followed by another 24 helicopters that flew in a shape of the Arabic numerals of 90, which symbolized the 90-year history of the PLA. Next, 18 transport helicopters, guarded by eight attack helicopters hovering low in the air, landed and deployed hundreds of soldiers at a rough training ground in front of the stage. The demonstration of helicopters carrying troops to "penetrate enemy defense" was the first time the PLA has presented fighting maneuvers in a parade and also marked the public debut of the PLA Ground Force's airborne assault unit. Weapons used by the ground strike group were the Type-99A main battle tank, Type-08 and Type-04A infantry fighting vehicles, 122-milimeter and 155-mm self-propelled howitzers, 300-mm multiple rocket launcher as well as HJ-10 anti-tank missile carrier. All represent the best arms of Chinese land forces. Next in line was the information support group. It showed some of the nation's latest electronic warfare devices, such as electronic reconnaissance and electronic countermeasure vehicles, as well as anti-radar and communication-jamming drones, making public the PLA's information operation capacity for the first time. The third group represented the Chinese military's special warfare prowess, with hundreds of elite commandos riding on dozens of light-duty reconnaissance and armored assault vehicles. The fourth group air and missile defense featured early-warning radar, anti-aircraft missiles and anti-missile interceptors. The HQ-9B and HQ-22 missiles are new-generation weapons in China's air and missile defense systems. The next formation, the naval combat group, was composed of marine and naval missiles including the latest models HHQ-9B air defense missile and YJ-12A anti-ship cruise missile. Up in the sky, the bulk of the aerial combat group roared through the dust and exhaust produced by moving vehicles on the ground. The group comprising seven elements early-warning and control aircraft, bombers, transport planes, refueling tankers, aircraft carrier-borne and land-based fighter jets as well as a mechanized parachute unit. Aircraft taking to the sky included almost all of the PLA's most advanced types, such as the J-20 supersonic stealth jet, the world's third type of fifth-generation fighter jet, KJ-500 early-warning and control plane and Y-20 strategic transport jet. The next two groups were logistical support and counterterrorism forces. The last, perhaps also the most eye-catching, group was from the PLA Rocket Force. Five types of ballistic missiles including DF-16G, DF-21D and DF-26 were carried by wheeled launch vehicles. According to the Rocket Force, DF-16G carries conventional warhead and has high accuracy, strong destructive power and a short preparation time. The DF-21D land-based, anti-ship ballistic missile features a large coverage and good penetration and target-tracking capabilities. It is a milestone in the PLA's effort to implant strategic capacity into its conventional ballistic missiles. The DF-26, a new strategic deterrence weapon, is capable of conducting off-road launches of conventional and nuclear warheads in tough terrain. It can carry out a rapid nuclear counterattack and medium- to long-range precision strikes using a conventional warhead, the Rocket Force said. Closeness to combat Sergeant Major Ding Hui, a veteran tank driver who has taken part in four national-level parades in 1999, 2009, 2015 and on Sunday, said the public can see via the Zhurihe parade what his unit, a mechanized infantry division, has gained through its combat-ready training in the recent years. "You can see that we are well trained and equipped. Our training is now very close to actual battle. Our weapons keep improving the Type-99A is the most advanced tank I've operated," he said. "Compared with previous tanks, it is easier and more comfortable to use and can communicate with other units such as aircraft to call for reinforcement." Ding also said the tanks moved at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour in Sunday's parade, faster than that in previous parades, which was maintained at 10 km/h. He said the higher speed was meant to demonstrate the "fighting status" of tanks. Major General Tang Ning, deputy chief of staff of the Central Theater Command's ground force, said the PLA Ground Force has been seeing huge strides in terms of information capacity and diversification. Now, more combat units have air defense missiles and self-propelled guns in addition to their traditional weapons such as tanks and armored vehicles, Tang said. They have adapted to those new arms and modern joint operation, he said. Major Mao Lei, an Air Force staff member in charge of training the paratrooper unit in the parade, said the composition pattern of his unit revealed its sense of combat readiness. "During previous parades at Tian'anmen Square, we sent only one type of airborne tracked armored vehicle, but this time, our parade unit had not only the armored vehicle but also an airborne wheeled assault vehicle," he said. "This was because their combination, rather than merely one of them, is what we would use for a real battle. We showed today what we would be like in an actual war." He said the Chinese parachute force has become capable of making long-range deployment of heavy-duty weapons thanks to the intensified training and deliveries of new equipment during the past five years. "For instance, compared with the past, when we were capable of airdropping just one type of heavy-duty equipment in each operation, we are now able to deploy multiple types of such equipment in a single mission," he said. Lieutenant Colonel Qing Yingsong, an Air Force officer from the Central Theater Command who makes plans for bombers' training, said the bomber units that appeared in the parade engage in regular drills to confront anti-aircraft, radar and electronic-warfare forces to hone pilots' capabilities. He said the units also conduct long-range flight training over the high seas to test their strike capability. Qing's colleague, Colonel Fan Huiyu, an Air Force researcher in the command, said the headquarters for air units in the parade used command and communications vehicles instead of fixed facilities in previous parades. "This was because we treated this parade as an opportunity to verify our readiness for a real combat, which requires us to be mobile and to be able to respond quickly," he said. Contact the writer at zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. License for publishing multimedia online 0108263 Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 China shows off military strength in PLA parade 2017-07-30 10:15:53 chinadaily.com.cn Zhang Zhihao China has showcased its real combat capabilities in a military parade at a training base in Inner Mongolia to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army. China has showcased its real combat capabilities in a military parade at a training base in Inner Mongolia to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army. President Xi Jinping, who is also the chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the troops on Sunday morning at the Zhurihe Combined Tactics Training Base, about 400 kilometers northwest of Beijing. This is the first military parade held at the PLA's most advanced training camp, which is also the biggest in Asia. It is also the first time China has held a parade to celebrate the founding of the PLA. The spectacle involved more than 12,000 troops, 600 pieces of military hardware and more than 100 aircraft of various types, representing the Chinese military's most cutting-edge technology. All officers and soldiers in the parade are from actual combat units, from cyber warfare to rocket force. More than 40 percent of the presented equipment is debut first time for a parade. Zhurihe base facts: The Zhurihe base replicates realistic battle conditions in a variety of terrain, such as grasslands, hills and deserts. The training base covers an area of 1,066 square kilometers, almost the same as the land area of Hong Kong, and has its own hospitals and logistic facilities. Zhurihe has been hosting realistic combat exercises since 2007. Drills, typically involving battles between red and blue units, are designed to get soldiers used to fighting more skillful and better equipped foes. In 2014, Zhurihe hosted a six-day joint anti-terror drill with forces from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan teaming up with PLA personnel. A farmer stands near his combine during harvest near Sequim, Washington. [Photo/Agencies] Trade talks held in Washington earlier this month provided an open goal for headline writers. "China to import American rice", or some variant thereof, was how many of the US media outlets greeted the positive outcome of a wide-ranging bilateral economic dialogue. The concept of China, birthplace of rice cultivation and now its largest producer and consumer, shipping in supplies from the United States was newsworthy from the novelty aspect alone. In fact, China has been importing rice from other countries and regions for some time to meet the demands of a growing population and an increasingly industrialized economy. Purchases, principally from Asian neighbors, have already turned it into the world's biggest rice importer. The Washington rice deal is the culmination of a decade of negotiations. Shipments will go ahead once Chinese officials have inspected production facilities in the US. The agreement is important as much for its symbolic value as for the sums involved. Overall, the US exports 3 million to 4 million metric tons of rice a year, while China produces about 206 million tons. However, the deal underlines a positive shift in expectations for the future of the US-China economic relationship after the dire threats of a trade war that emerged during Donald Trump's successful "America First" presidential campaign last year. The Washington talksofficially termed the US-China Comprehensive Economic Dialoguewere the fruit of the first meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping in April. Meeting at Trump's Florida resort of Mar-a-Lago, the two leaders agreed to establish the dialogue to resolve differences on perhaps the most crucial area of bilateral relationstrade. Discussing a one-year action plan for future economic cooperation, the two sides agreed to address a trade imbalance that currently works in China's favor. Trump complained, during his campaign, of unfair competition from Chinese producers that he said had impoverished traditional US manufacturing states. China's stated policy, meanwhile, has been that trade relations should be established on a "win-win" basis that profits both sides. A statement from the US Department of Commerce said the Chinese team had "acknowledged our shared objective to reduce the trade deficit, which both sides will work cooperatively to achieve". According to the statement, the first 100 days since the Mar-a-Lago summit had seen progress on a number of important issues, including credit ratings, bond clearing, electronic payments, commercial banking and liquefied natural gas. It also noted that China was allowing imports of US beef for the first time since 2003. "The principles of balance, fairness and reciprocity on matters of trade will continue to guide the American position so we can give American workers and businesses an opportunity to compete on a level playing field," the Department of Commerce said. The Chinese side, for its part, said it looked forward to an expansion in the trade in services with the US. According to a statement from the Chinese delegation, expanding bilateral trade in services could help promote balanced trading relations between the two countries. The two sides also agreed to create a more open investment environment and to finalize an investment treaty that has support among US and Chinese businesses. The dialogue showed both sides recognize that current trade imbalances were unsustainably large and could damage the prospects for cooperation in other vital areas such as diplomacy and security. For China, "win-win cooperation" remains a fundamental foreign policy objective. In the overall context of the mammoth problems that Washington and Beijing have to resolve to put their economic ties on a new footing, the deal on rice might seem insignificant and even trivial. But it provides a handy symbol for the opening of a more balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade relationship. The author is a senior editorial consultant for China Daily. harveymorris@gmail.com Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, speaks at a symposium for provincial and ministerial level officials held on Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. MA ZHANCHENG / XINHUA The keynote speech made by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, at a high-profile workshop this week offers a glimpse into the themes of the upcoming CPC National Congress. The speech lays an important political, ideological and theoretical foundation for the success of the 19th CPC National Congress slated for later this year. It has been a routine practice for the Party's top leader to address high-level officials ahead of the CPC National Congress, held every five years, to unify Party members' thoughts and chart out the future course of development. The top leader's tone-setting speech, which summarized the achievements made in theories and practices since the 18th CPC National Congress in November 2012, was a mobilization call. In his speech, Xi hailed "the historic changes" in the development of the CPC and the nation over the past five years, saying China's development is standing at a new historical starting point, and socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new development stage. The major achievements made in socialism with Chinese characteristics mean the Chinese nation, which experienced tribulations and hardships in modern times, has made a historic leap from "standing up" to becoming better-off to getting stronger, Xi said. This also means that socialism with Chinese characteristics has expanded the pathway to modernization for developing countries, thus providing "Chinese wisdom" and "Chinese solutions" to problems facing humankind, Xi said. Xi's speech adeptly puts forward the vision for China's future development. He said China must accomplish the national goal of building a moderately prosperous society by 2020, and strive for the great victory of socialism with Chinese characteristics as well as the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. To achieve that end, he called for continuous efforts to promote economic, political, cultural, social and ecological progress, and urged the Party to enhance theoretical confidence and strategic focus, broaden its vision, and give a new summation of its theories. In terms of economic and social development, Xi emphasized commitment to the supply-side structural reform. Efforts should also be made to prevent and defuse major risks, alleviate poverty, and prevent and control pollution to push forward sustained and healthy economic and social development. "The strict governance of the Party will always be an ongoing process," Xi said, stressing that the future of a political party or government is ultimately determined by whether the people are for or against it. Presiding over the opening session of the workshop, Premier Li Keqiang called on senior Party officials to study Xi's speech, follow its spirit both in thought and action, and stay committed to the principles and values of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core. The CPC has convened seven national congresses since the reform and opening-up was initiated in the late 1970s. The authors are writers with Xinhua News Agency. Pakistan's Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi speaks during an interview with Reuters at his office in Islamabad November 8, 2013. [Photo/Agencies] ISLAMABAD Pakistan's parliament will meet Tuesday to elect a new prime minister after the disqualification of three-term prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party enjoys a comfortable majority in parliament. The party nominated Sharif's longtime loyalist Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for the top slot on Saturday. The opposition is expected to name a candidate to challenge Abassi in a vote in parliament. But the six-time lawmaker is expected to win. Sharif proposed Abbasi as interim prime minister until his brother Shahbaz Sharif, who is the chief minister of Punjab province, can contend in a by-election for the seat left vacant by his brother's disqualification. Pakistan's Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif from office on Friday for not being honest and concealing assets. AP BERLIN - A 34-year-old man opened fire in a nightclub in the southern German city of Konstanz on Sunday, killing one person and seriously injuring three others, police said. The suspect was fatally wounded in a gunfight with police officers outside the music venue after they had rushed to the scene shortly after the incident around 0230 GMT. He died later in hospital. The motive for the shooting is unclear. One police officer was also injured in the exchange of fire. Police said in a statement that special commando forces have been deployed in the city as it was not clear if the suspected had acted alone or had accomplices. On Friday, a failed asylum seeker killed one person and injured six others in the northern city of Hamburg. Officials said he was an Islamist known to security forces and he had was psychologically unstable. Reuters Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks as Australia's Minister for Justice Michael Keenan listens on during a media conference in Sydney, Australia, July 30, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] SYDNEY - Security has been tightened at Australian airports after police foiled "Islamic-inspired" plans for a bomb attack on an aircraft during counter-terrorism raids in which four men were arrested, the Australian Federal Police(AFP) said on Sunday. The increased security presence caused minor delays for some air transport operators on Sunday and authorities warned travellers to prepare for potentially more significant disruptions as traffic picked up during the week. "In recent days, law enforcement has become aware of information that suggested some people in Sydney were planning to commit a terrorist act using an improvised device," AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin said during a press conference with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday. "We do believe it is Islamic-inspired terrorism. Exactly what is behind this is something that we will need to investigate fully. "At this time we dont have a great deal of information on the specific attack, the location, date or time. However, we are investigating information indicating that the aviation industry was potentially a target." Five properties were searched on Saturday across the Sydney suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Punchbowl and Wiley Park. The commissioner said four of those searches may continue for days. An AFP spokesman told Reuters the four men, who were arrested on Saturday, had not been charged as of Sunday afternoon. Turnbull said advice from Australian security and intelligence agencies had led to increased security measures at Sydney airport on Thursday with tighter security implemented at the country's other domestic and international airports on Saturday. "Some of the measures will be obvious to the public, some will not be," Turnbull said. Colvin said travellers could expect an increased police and security agency presence at airports. "You can expect longer delays to make sure that more screening is being done on baggage, both hold luggage as well as hand luggage," adding that travelers should allow more time toget through security. Airlines Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia notified passengers via text messages, social media and emails to expect delays though disruptions at the nation's airports appeared to be minimal on Sunday. A spokesman for Adelaide Airport reported delays of about half an hour for some flights but said traffic was otherwise smooth. A spokesman for Melbourne Airport, Australia's second busiest, said it was preparing for delays during peak weekday periods. Australia, a close ally of the United States, has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown militants returning from fighting in the Middle East, or their supporters, since 2014. Authorities say they have thwarted a number of potential attacks since then but there have been several "lone wolf" assaults, including a cafe siege in Sydney that left two hostages and the gunman dead. About 100 people have left Australia for Syria to fight alongside organizations such as Islamic State, Australia's immigration minister said last month. Reuters Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro show his ballot as casts his vote at a polling station during the Constituent Assembly election in Caracas, Venezuela July 30, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] CARACAS, Venezuela Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asked for global acceptance on Sunday as he cast an unusual pre-dawn vote for an all-powerful constitutional assembly that his opponents fear he'll use to replace his country's democracy with a single-party authoritarian system. Accompanied by close advisers and state media, Maduro voted at 6:05 am local time, far earlier and less publicly than in previous elections. The run-up to Sunday's vote has been marked by months of clashes between protesters and the government, including the fatal shooting of a 61-year-old nurse by men accused of being pro-government paramilitaries during a protest at a church a few hundred feet from the school where Maduro voted. Maduro and his administration deny links to violent paramilitaries and say the political opposition is responsible for the violence that has left at least 113 dead and nearly 2000 wounded in four months of protests. "We've stoically withstood the terrorist, criminal violence," Maduro said. "Hopefully the world will respectfully extend its arms toward our country."The Trump administration has imposed successive rounds of sanctions on high-ranking members of Maduro's administration, with the support of countries including Mexico, Colombia and Panama. Vice President Mike Pence promised on Friday that the US would take "strong and swift economic actions" if the vote went ahead. He didn't say whether the US would sanction Venezuelan oil imports, a measure with the potential to undermine Maduro but cause an even deeper humanitarian crisis here. The special assembly being selected Sunday will have powers to rewrite the country's 1999 constitution but will also have powers above and beyond other state institutions, including the opposition-controlled congress. While opinion polls say a vast majority oppose him, Maduro made clear in a televised address Saturday evening that he intends to use the assembly to govern without limitation, describing the vote as "the election of a power that's above and beyond every other. It's the super power!"He said he wants the assembly to strip opposition legislators of their constitutional immunity from prosecution and jail at least one Freddy Guevara, a hard-line opposition leader and one the highest-profile organizers of four months of protests against the government. "This little Hitler has his cell guaranteed!" Maduro shouted, using his frequent nickname for Guevara. The opposition is boycotting Sunday's vote, contending the election has been structured to ensure Maduro's socialist party continues to dominate. So all 5,500 candidates for the 545 seats in the constituent assembly are his supporters. The vote's success will be measured by turnout, with the opposition urging Venezuelans to stay and the government encouraging participation with tactics that include threats to state workers' jobs and social benefits like subsidized food for the poor. Dear Abby: I am a Yale-trained pediatric nurse with a post-master's as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I respectfully ask that you retract your answer to "First-Time Mom in New Jersey" (June 21). I'm concerned your response will encourage other mothers to buy into the incorrect assumption that it's "impolite" to ask questions that ensure their child's safety. You should have encouraged and empowered "First-Time Mom" to politely ask about the presence of weapons in the other parents' homes, and if so, how they are stored. It's important information for her to have. If she has every playdate at her house and refuses to go to another home because she's afraid to ask about gun safety, eventually the other mothers will pick up on the fact that she doesn't trust their child-rearing capabilities, but won't know why. If these potential friends don't have unsecured firearms, or if they do and they are properly and safely stored, your advice will prevent healthy, honest friendships from developing, which will socially isolate her. How will she ever ensure a break for herself by allowing and encouraging her child to socialize at another trusted mother's home she knows to be safe? Your advice will only isolate "First-Time Mom" further and put her and her toddler at great risk. Colleen M. Sullivan Dear Colleen: Of course, you are right. The woman's question wasn't about etiquette. It was about child safety. A large number of readers besides you agreed my perspective was off. I have heard all of you loud and clear, and I apologize. I should have advised: "You are responsible for your child's welfare. Part of assuring her safety involves asking whether weapons are on the premises and, if so, what safety precautions have been taken. You also should ask if the children will be under parental supervision at all times. If anyone feels concern for your child's safety is presumptuous, do not allow your child to play there. Suggest instead that the children play at your house." Dear Abby: I am a pediatrician and a mother. Your advice to "First-Time Mom" about gun safety runs counter to the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as numerous gun violence protection groups. Research shows that guns are present in one in three homes, and that one in three of those guns is kept loaded and unlocked, posing a risk to children. This is why I routinely recommend that parents inquire about the presence of guns and storage methods at the homes their children visit. I also urge them to discuss with their child the importance of never touching a gun and immediately notifying an adult if they come across a gun or are shown one by another child. Jessica Mowry DearAbby.comDear AbbyP.O. Box 69440Los Angeles, CA 90069Andrews McMeel Syndication This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A suspected member of the brutal MS-13 gang wanted in connection with two area murders was apprehended early Saturday more than 1,400 miles from Houston, local law enforcement officials confirmed. Douglas Alexander Herrera-Hernandez, 20, also known as "Terror," was taken into custody near Alexandria, Virginia, by law enforcement authorities executing a search warrant, Houston Police Department spokeswoman Jodi Silva said. "I think we can all sleep better," Harris County Assistant District Attorney Lisa Collins said of the arrest. NATIONAL ATTENTION: Trump targets MS-13, "worst of the worst" says Houston top cop Herrera-Hernandez is a member of the brutal MS-13 gang out of El Salvador that Houston Police Chief has called "the worst of the worst." Now Playing: It may be that President Trumps crackdown on immigration has made of of Americas deadliest gangs even stronger. Josh King has the story (@abridgetoland). Video: Buzz 60 Officials in both Harris and Fort Bend counties are looking to extradite Herrerra-Hernandez to face two murder charges. 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 release from the Houston Police Department. The teen, Estuar Quinones, was found dead in June 2016 at Buffalo Run Park in Missouri City. Herrera-Hernandez 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. The apprehension of Herrerra-Hernandez represents a win for local law enforcement authorities who are focusing increased attention on gang violence. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo announced in June he planned to form a specialized unit to combat violent crime. He has called MS-13 "the worst of the worst." 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. In Houston, the gang is responsible racking for some of the area's most gruesome murders. For example, 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. This week, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions flew to El Salvador to meet with law enforcement officials there to discuss ways to combat MS-13, which has become the face of President Donald Trump's war on illegal immigration. Herrera-Hernandez is from El Salvador and has been in the U.S. without documentation, local police have said. This week, he landed on the Texas Department of Public Safety's list of most wanted fugitives, along with Carlos Alberto Gonzalez-Barahona, 26, also believed to be an MS-13 gang member. Gonzalez-Barahona is wanted on a murder charge in connection with the June 18 shooting death of his estranged girlfriend in northwest Houston, according to authorities. They said he is also wanted on an aggravated kidnapping charge after he kidnapped the driver of a pickup at gunpoint in Brazoria County. Staff writer Cindy George contributed to this report. Police are still on the hunt for a shooter after a July slaying outside a Houston nightclub - and now there's a $5,000 reward. On July 15, just before midnight, a brawl broke out in the parking lot of a bar in the 10200 block of Club Creek. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) The First Alternative Natural Foods Co-op is partnering with one of its vendors to send used bikes to West Africa for students to ride to school. The co-op collected used adult bikes and bike parts Saturday at the Corvallis Farmers' Market. The co-op will continue accepting donated bikes Sunday and Monday at both of its Corvallis locations and also is collecting bike seats, spare tires, helmets and donations for shipping costs. Joel Gustafson, brand manager for the co-op, said the bike drive is a local event that has global impact. Alaffia, a Washington-based fair trade body care company that uses indigenous African resources, will send the bikes to students in Togo. According to UNICEF, 90 percent of girls and 80 percent of boys in Togo drop out of school before secondary education. According to Alaffia, Togolese students must walk up to 10 miles a day to attend school. With no buses, the journey to school becomes time-consuming and students often drop out to help their families. The graduation rate for recipients of bikes from Alaffia is 95 percent, said Anne Gamab, communications liaison for Alaffia, who was collecting bikes at the farmers market. Gamab said students apply for the bikes through their schools and Alaffia assesses the students needs to determine who needs a bike the most. Alaffia has been holding bike drives in Washington and Oregon since 2004 and has sent more than 7,000 bicycles. When students receive bikes, local Alaffia employees offer them lessons on taking care of their bicycles, Gamab said. Alaffia mechanics also visit villages to repair bikes. Students who receive bikes are asked to sign a contract that says they will use the bike to go to school and that they will graduate from school, Gamab said. Girls must also promise not to become pregnant; the company says that pledge has contributed to a decrease in teen-pregnancy rates in rural villages in Togo. When students graduate from school, they are asked to pass along the bike to a younger student or sibling, Gamab said. The First Alternative Co-op sells Alaffias products and has been partnering with the company to hold bike drives since 2013. The co-op has collected about 300 bikes for Togolese students, said Jen Luck, a sales planner at Alaffia. Gustafson said he likes what Alaffia stands for in both the creation of its products and its philanthropic efforts. Collecting bikes and parts is a tangible way to help, he said. You know its going somewhere and will have results, Gustafson said. 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 policymaking. 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. First, they made up the name of a fake police agency. Then, they slapped together a website. Finally, they filled out a form nicely asking the U.S. Department of Defense for a few military-grade supplies and a week later they had a $1.2 million stash of night-vision goggles and pipe bomb trainers. Luckily, it wasn't MS-13, Tango Blast or any other gang of gun-crazy criminals behind this bold subterfuge. It was the Government Accountability Office. MILITARY LIFE: 13 signs you grew up in a military family The sting was part of an assessment designed to test internal controls in the DOD's excess property program, which allows the feds to hand over extra military equipment and supplies to local law enforcement agencies for free. Since 1991, the Law Enforcement Support Office program run by the DOD's Defense Logistics Agency has doled out more than $6 billion of property, including everything from mine-resistant vehicles and ammo to refrigerators and sofas. Houston Police have scored everything from motorized carts to trucks to night vision sniperscope - more than $2.7 million of goods just since 2014, according to data compiled by the University of Idaho's Steven Radil. League City police stocked up on piles of rifles, while Freeport, Pearland, Richmond and Alvin all got mine-resistant vehicles. Sometimes called the "1033 program" in reference to the section of law authorizing it, the federal hand-outs came under fire in 2014, when tear gas-tossing police in Ferguson showed up in armored vehicles in response to peaceful protests over the police shooting of Michael Brown. Two years later, the National Defense Authorization Act charged the GAO with assessing the program's controls and the results were damning, as outlined in a 76-page report released this month. GAO investigators found the DLA did not routinely verify ID when police or faux police pick up their supplies. And on top of that, the agency doled out extra supplies when the GAO showed up to get its order. "Furthermore," the report notes, "although we were approved to receive over 100 items and the transfer documentation reflects this amount, we were provided more items than we were approved for." While the order didn't appear to include mine-resistant vehicles or AR-15s, it did include some potentially dangerous items, like simulated rifles and simulated pipe bombs, which could potentially be lethal "if modified with commercially available items," the report notes. The assessment also looked at specific states' uses of equipment obtained through the program. In Texas, for example, police agencies in San Marcos and Hays County reported using mine-resistant vehicles to rescue more than 600 stranded people from rising floodwaters in 2015. The GAO report offered a series of recommendation for the program's improvement, including a fraud risk assessment and bolstered internal controls after the approval process. Although the shocking sting operation flew a bit under the radar in some quarters, the ACLU certainly took notice. The civil rights group, which has long been critical of the 1033 program, offered scathing commentary on the report's findings. "Honestly, you can't make this stuff up," wrote ACLU legislative counsel Kanya Bennett. "It appears all law enforcement even a 'fictitious federal agency' can get federally supplied weapons of war, with quite literally, no questions asked." An argument outside a nightclub in west Houston ended Sunday morning in a hail of gunfire that left one man in the hospital. The shooting happened around 4:30 a.m. in front of Allure Lounge, near Richmond and Ocee. The 10 to 15 shots fired left bullet holes in the nearby strip mall and shell casings littered across the ground outside. An armed, barricaded suspect drew police to the scene and sparked the second of two unrelated SWAT standoffs Sunday morning in southwest Houston. Just before 5:30 a.m., the Houston Police Department responded to a call for shots fired in the 9000 block of Fondren. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A shooter on the run after gunning down a man outside his family's apartment sparked a SWAT scene Sunday morning in southwest Houston. The violence broke out just before 1 a.m. at the Los Arcos Apartments on Fondren near Ludington. Houston police responded to a call for shots fired and arrived to find a man lying dead on the sidewalk. His family was home inside the apartment and heard the fatal gunfire. It's not clear exactly what sparked the multiple shots, but witnesses told police there was "some type of argument" before the slaying. The shooter had already fled on foot by the time police arrived, but a witness claimed to know the gunman's identity, and cooperated with police. Initially, Houston police said they hoped to ID the shooter and pursue charges, but within hours officers and hostage negotiators had surrounded a nearby location where the suspect was believed to be hiding. Police and a SWAT team fanned out into the neighborhood and posted up outside the suspect's home near Cambridge Glen and Sandpiper. "This is a murder suspect, we consider him dangerous," Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner told reporters. "If you kill somebody, you're suspected of killing somebody, you're considered dangerous." But when authorities finally got a warrant for the home, they burst in only to find gunman had already left. Police still believe he initially came to the home before fleeing. Authorities did not offer clues as to where the suspect might be hiding. The wanted man has a criminal history, police said, but they declined to name him. After years of promising to repeal Obamacare and an extended floor show in Washington that ended with the Affordable Care Act's survival, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said Saturday that it's time to move forward. She thanked people for pushing back on repeal efforts and called for Gov. Greg Abbott to expand Texas' Medicaid program at a news conference at a Third Ward community health center. "I come today for several reasons. First, to thank the Houston-Harris County community for marching, for coming to town hall meetings and listening to the facts," the congresswoman said. Since the Affordable Care Act - known as Obamacare - was enacted in 2010, 31 states and the District of Columbia expanded the eligibility for their Medicaid programs to include people with incomes above the federal poverty level. Millions have found health coverage in large-population states that expanded Medicaid, according to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. An additional 3 million people were insured in California and 2 million more in New York - which have Democratic governors. More than 600,000 people in both Ohio and Illinois, which have Republican governors, were covered. More than 1 million Texans were enrolled in Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance plans in 2016, according to Kaiser. Of them, more than 900,000 received advance premium tax credits that reduce monthly insurance payments, and nearly 650,000 benefited from "cost sharing reductions" or discounts on deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. Republican efforts, including calls from President Donald Trump, to "repeal and replace" Obamacare stalled in Congress with the demise of last week's "skinny repeal." That measure would have left 16 million Americans without health insurance over the next decade, according to the independent Congressional Budget Office. Jackson Lee said the impact of enacting Trumpcare or ending Obamacare would be devastating for hospitals. "Organize around a proposal to fix the Affordable Care Act," she said. "It can be fixed." Jackson Lee said she wants to meet with Houston-area health leaders to reach common ground on issues including a single-payer option; reducing premiums and deductibles; facilitating more competition and choice between health plans; and increasing transparency in health care pricing. State Rep. Ron Reynolds, a Democrat who represents parts of Fort Bend County, stood with Jackson Lee to advocate for a Medicaid expansion. "Texas leads the nation in the number of uninsured residents," he said. "Health care, it isn't a privilege that only the wealthy should have. It is a fundamental right that I believe that everybody should have. ... We will not give up until everybody in Texas has access to affordable health care." The news conference was held amid patients waiting for weekend appointments in the small lobby of the Central Care Integrated Health Services clinic on Delano. Christian Palmer, a 31-year-old Houston paralegal, has been out of work for about a month and is now uninsured. She attended the news conference because she favors a single-payer system. "As a person who has just lost their employer health care, I am especially paying attention," said Palmer, who is exploring her options for health insurance while she tries to piece together freelance work. "No one should have to go through all this nonsense and scrambling to secure such basic rights." AUSTIN -- While a majority of House Republicans have signed on to support many of Gov. Greg Abbott's must-pass bills during the special legislative session, as he had demanded, new tallies made public on Friday show that a number of the measures still lack widespread support from GOP members. Among those: school choice for children with special needs, a teacher-pay hike and prohibiting government agencies from collecting union dues. Property tax reforms and measures to curb mail-in ballot fraud and to extend the life a special state commission studying Texas' sky-high maternal mortality rates garnered the greatest support among GOP sponsors, with 98 members of the 150-member House already signed on to sponsor the latter, according to Abbott's list. The governor met with about 50 members of the House on Monday and told them he expected them to sign on as sponsors of his key bills by Friday -- to get as many as possible publicly committed. Several members quickly complained they were being strong-armed. Generally,the fewer House Republicans that support a bill increases the odds it would have trouble passing, with among numerous controversial items opposed by most Democrats in the GOP-majority House. A controversial bathroom bill, which House leaders have criticized and hinted may not pass, got support from 50 House GOPers, while a limited alternative that covers just schools got only 24 supporters. Abbott thanked supporters of both versions. While Abbott earlier had promised to make public the lists of lawmakers who supported and opposed his 20-issue agenda by Friday, the lists he released were only of supporters. Missing, though, were key House Republicans whose committees must first approve the bills before they can come up for a vote by the full House. Though the state Senate passed all but one of Abbott's 20-bill agenda in the first seven days of the special session, Republican House Speaker Joe Straus and several of his lieutenants have signaled that much of Abbott's agenda could be derailed for a lack of support. As a result, Abbott has ramped up the pressure on conservative House Republicans to sponsor all his bills as a signal of strong support. Straus' top committee chairmen refused to sign on to most or all of the bills by Friday, including Committee Chairman John Zerwas, Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty and Appropriations Subcommittee chairs Larry Gonzales and Sarah Davis. Other repeated absences include former House Speaker Tom Craddick and Education Committee member Ken King. The school-choice bill got just 20 of the House's 95 Republicans, meaning that 75 members of Abbott's own party were not willing to sign on. The list included not a single member of the House Public Education Committee that must approve the bill first. A bill prohibiting the collection of union dues for teachers, correctional officers and child-welfare workers got just 37 GOP sponsors. Police, fire and EMS workers' dues could still be collected, a move that opponents including some House members have said is an unfair exemption that should doom the bill. Abbott's proposal to increase teacher pay by $1,000 a year got 38 supporters -- 37 Republicans and one Democrat. Six Republicans on the 11-member House Public Education Committee did not sign on, an indication that bill could face trouble, as well. A proposal to block cities from enforcing limits on tree cutting drew support from 42 GOP House members, and bills that could require cities to expedite constructing permitting and preempt local ordinances against cell phone use in vehicles got 47 supporters each. Stronger support was registered for a bill to ban abortion insurance coverage (67 supporters), strengthen patient protections relating to do-not-resuscitate orders (63) and curb mail-in ballot fraud (60). A bill to limit the growth of state spending has 56 supporters, although 10 Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee that must approve it did not sign on. The creation of a commission to reform school finance laws garnered 55 sponsors. New annexation limits for Texas cities got 52 supporters, and property tax reform got 50 -- a signal that played out later in the day when the House Ways and Means Committee approved a bill that will limit property-tax increases by requiring an automatic rollback election if cities, counties and special districts raise taxes by more than 6 percent. State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, the committee chairman and author of the bill, said he thinks there is enough support in the House for the bill to pass. The Senate passed a similar bill last week. Legislative leaders had earlier speculated that if Abbott was successful in pressuring 50 Republicans to sign on as sponsors for any of his 20 issues, they probably stood a good chance of passage -- without specific opposition from Straus and other House leaders. Straus has said he thinks the Legislature should be spending its time revamping the state's complex and troubled school-finance system, rather than trying to restrict bathroom access based on the gender on a birth certificate, in a controversial proposal that business leaders have warned could cost Texas jobs and billions in revenues from the loss of major sporting events. While Abbott made public the lists of supporters bill by bill on Friday, and issued separate news releases throughout the day to call attention to the support, aides offered no comment on the lists after they were released. House Republicans deciding whether to publicly back the governor's preferred legislation attempted to cross three of his bills off their to-do list Friday, including one of three of Abbott's preferred abortion bills. House Bill 13 would require abortion providers to report details of patient complications from the pregnancy ending procedure within three days, a task opponents argue is onerous and time-consuming. Lawmakers also approved a bill that would curb costs for people who live in one of roughly 50 communities that charge plant mitigation fees when a private property owner cuts down trees in an effort zeroing in on local control. The governor vetoed a bill identical to House Bill 7 after the regular session and has told conservative Republicans he wants a different bill. The House also agreed to fund the second half of a bill that would allow the Texas Medical Board and four other agencies to continue operations. A couple years ago, I was driving out to City of Hope in Duarte and was able to listen to a whole segment on KPCC, an interview with in-coming Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. He spoke very eloquently and forcefully about environmental abuses and dangerous industrial and commercial pollution in working class residential communities. It was very inspiring and I immediately called-- all excited-- then-candidate for Congress Nanette Barragan. An environmental champion who, as a small town mayor had taken on Big Oil and won a battle to prevent offshore drilling, Nanette was running against the single most corrupt member of the state legislature, Isadore Hall, a guy notorious for taking money from Big Oil and voting for their interests in Sacramento. Nanette was the underdog in the race-- by far-- and I figured an influential figure like Rendon could give her campaign a much-needed boost. When I told her, excitedly, about Rendon's interview, she laughed. "He's backing Hall," she told me. I was gobsmacked. I had never heard a more persuasive argument for the premise of Nanette's entire campaign than what Rendon had just said. In recent days, all of California has learned that what Anthony Rendonand what Anthony Rendon does are entirely unrelated. Anthony Rendon-- at the behest of Jerry Brown, another hypocrite-- killed the Medicare-for-All bill that the state Senate had passed. Many voters are now leary of any promises from Democratic politicians . And they should be. Over the weekend, thenoted that enraged activists are doing what's necessary to recall Rendon . It can't happen fast enough-- not just to Rendon but to all political betrayers of their constituents everywhere in America. Reporter Melanie Mason: When Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) halted a measure to establish single-payer healthcare in California, the bill's most dedicated backers immediately called for him to be removed from office. Now, more than a month later, single-payer advocates have taken the first formal step to follow through on their threat, giving Rendon's office this week notice of intent to circulate a recall petition. Rendon's move to stop the single-payer bill-- which he called "woefully incomplete," noting it passed the state Senate without a method to pay for it-- was the catalyst for the outcry. "If we recall the Assembly speaker, maybe someone else [will be] willing to push this bill, to get it out of the rules committee and send it to the Assembly to get a vote on it," said Jessica Covarrubias, a proponent of the effort. "Maybe that will help everyone get healthcare." Covarrubias, a 27-year-old law student from South Gate, described the recall campaign as "literally a grassroots effort." She first learned of the recall campaign when single-payer activists, incensed by Rendon's action, launched a door-knocking drive to inform voters in his district. The notice, which proponents mailed on Tuesday and was received by Rendon's office Friday, was signed by 60 people; at least 40 signatures must be deemed valid, belonging to registered voters of his Southeast Los Angeles County district. It was filed by Stephen Elzie, an Irvine-based USC law professor who is acting as an attorney for the effort. ...The recall effort faces tough odds. As the powerful Assembly speaker, Rendon has been a robust fundraiser, ending 2016 with more than $1.2 million in the bank. Other labor groups, including unions representing construction workers and grocery clerks, publicly sided with the speaker's decision to shelve the single-payer bill and could serve as as a well-financed cavalry should Rendon face a heated campaign to oust him. Still, this week's step forward in the recall effort underscores how activist anger over Rendon's decision continues to simmer weeks after the measure, SB 562, was blocked. Last week, the California Nurses Assn., which sponsored the legislation, paid for two mailers to be sent in Rendon's district, assailing his move as "holding healthcare hostage" and "protecting politicians, not people's healthcare." Both mailers encouraged recipients to call or visit Rendon's office to voice their displeasure, although the flyers stopped short of calling for a recall. Michael Lighty, policy director for the nurses' group, said the union was not involved with the recall effort, focusing instead on pressuring Rendon to let the single-payer bill move forward. 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. This week over t240 years ago the English chemist Joseph Priestley discovered the atmospheric gas oxygen. Priestley called the new substance dephlogisticated air, which he made in the famous experiment by focusing the suns rays on a sample of red mercuric oxide, HgO. In his preliminary announcement of the discovery he said the evolution of the gas appeared to be completely new but he did not have an opportunity to pursue the matter because he was about to tour Europe. While in Paris, however, Priestley managed to replicate the experiment for the great French chemist Antoine Lavoisier. Not knowing exactly what the gas was, Priestley first tested it on mice, who surprised him by surviving quite a while entrapped with the air, and then on himself, writing that it was five or six times better than common air for the purpose of respiration. Later on in his paper Observations on Respiration and the Use of the Blood, Priestley was the first to suggest a connection between blood and air. As a side note Priestly immigrated to the United States in 1794 due to religious convictions and settled down on a large farm in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, eventually dying there at the age of 70 in 1804. Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen and helium. Interestingly, our Sun also has some oxygen present, about one percent, but that occurs as highly ionized atoms that have lost most of their electrons due to intense thermal energy. On Earth, oxygen is everywhere. At least half of the Earths crust contains oxide compounds such as silicates or carbonates. Our oceans contain vast amounts of oxygen, at least 88% by mass (the rest being hydrogen). Oxygen gas is the second most common component of the Earths atmosphere, taking up 20.8% of its volume and 23.1% of its mass. For some reason, Earth is unusual among the planets of the Solar System in having such a high concentration of oxygen gas in its atmosphere. There are only traces of the gas present on neighboring Mars and Venus. A good question then is why are we so lucky? Scientists say that originally when the Earth formed oxygen gas was almost nonexistent in the atmosphere. It took photosynthetic archaea and bacteria to produce the gas beginning about 3.5 billion years ago. From core sample measurements it can be shown that oxygen first appeared in significant quantities during the Proterozoic eon. Some of the early oxygen was absorbed by the iron in the oceans but when this was used free oxygen began to outgas from the oceans 32.7 billion years ago, reaching 10% of its present level around 1.7 billion years ago. Since the beginning of the Cambrian period (541 million years ago), atmospheric oxygen levels have fluctuated between 15% and 30% by volume, the peak occurring during the Carboniferous period, the age of swamps, about 300 million years ago, when atmospheric oxygen reached at least 35%. In modern times, oxygen is constantly being produced as a byproduct of photosynthesis, a light driven splitting of water reaction. According to some estimates the green algae present in marine environments provide about 70% of the free oxygen produced on Earth. But if we suddenly used up all of our oxygen and begged our terrestrial plants to generate an equal amount, that process would take over 2,000 years to restore what we have. Besides oxygen being needed for all present life forms, the gas is used extensively in industry. One large consumer deals with the reduction of iron ore into steel. Commonly called the Bessemer process, allows for the removal of sulfur and carbon impurities with the injection of high pressure gas into molten iron and consumes 55% of commercially produced oxygen. Another 25% of oxygen gas is used by the plastics industry. The polymer ethylene is reacted with oxygen to create ethylene oxide, which, in turn, is converted into ethylene glycol. This begins a whole host of products, including antifreeze and polyester polymers some of which find use in the fabric industry. Online sources show that the remaining 20% of commercially produced oxygen is used in medical applications, metal cutting and welding, and in water treatment. In the figure below a Hoffman apparatus is shown that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. CLEVELAND, Ohio - A 14-year-old girl who went missing from Brunswick last week was found safe early Sunday in Sacramento, California, police said. Sacramento police called Brunswick officials about 3:45 a.m. Sunday to report that Mia Rose Anderson was found safe. The teen was reported missing Monday, prompting local authorities to ask for the public's help on the department's Facebook page. Missing teenager Mia Anderson has been located in Sacramento, California. Brunswick Police (@BrunswickPolice) July 30, 2017 Mia's return to Ohio is still being coordinated, Brunswick police said. No further details about how Mia got to California, or who she was with in the state, have been released. If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. ELKO Thunderstorms swept through the area on Sunday afternoon, sparking four fires including one northwest of Wells that has burned 2,500 acres. The Pole Creek fire is about 20 miles north West of Wells and is 20 percent contained. Firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Division of Forestry have responded to the blaze. There are some structures near the perimeter of the north side of the fire but firefighters are expected to have the perimeter contained before those buildings are threatened. BLM Public Affairs Officer Greg Deimel said the weather system that produced lightning Sunday afternoon did not produce enough rain to stave off potential fires. There was lightning within five or six miles of Elko so that wasnt good, he said. Elko didnt get anything but there was rain all around in different spots. Firefighters are expected to have a perimeter around the fire within the next day but the terrain could make things difficult. It makes it harder to put in a fire line around a fire, Deimel said. When you get up to some of the upper slopes you get into the volcanic rock and you get some grass it just gets harder. Its hard to dig in rocks. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Buying school supplies is a rite of passage for millions of families. Retailers kicked off the back-to-school season in July, with promotions that seem to run earlier every year. Next weekend, Ohio will sweeten the sales pitch by offering a sales-tax break on clothing, school supplies and instructional materials. In its third year in a row, Ohio's "tax-free weekend" is one of 16 offered across the country. The exemption applies from Friday through Sunday, Aug. 6. and is limited to certain items: pieces of clothing priced at $75 or less and school supplies that cost a maximum of $20. There's no limit on the number of qualifying items a shopper can buy. Ed Jaroszewicz, marketing director at SouthPark Mall in Strongsville, views the tax holiday as a benefit for families. The prospect of one-time savings boosts traffic at the mall, he said, but he expects the weeks leading up to the first day of school to be even busier. "Back-to-school is our biggest summertime initiative," he said. Based on Cuyahoga County's 8 percent sales-tax rate, "a family spending $300 on school clothes can expect a savings of about $25," Jaroszewicz said. The back-to-school shopping season seems to start earlier every year, particularly at big-box stores such as Walmart and Target. National surveys contain mixed forecasts of how much families will spend leading up to the school year. The National Retail Federation said total spending, for primary and secondary school and college, could reach $83.6 billion this year, up from $75.8 billion last year and $68 billion in 2015. "Families are now in a state of mind where they feel a lot more confident about the economy," Matthew Shay, the federation's president and chief executive officer, said in a news release. "With stronger employment levels and a continued increase in wages, consumers are spending more, and we are optimistic that they will continue to do so throughout the rest of the year." Based on responses from 7,226 consumers, the trade group expects families with children in elementary school through high school to spend an average of $687.22 per student. For college students, average back-to-school spending is projected to be $969.88. But a survey released by the Deloitte accounting and consulting firm predicts more modest spending, of an average of $501 per student. That's essentially flat from last year. Mass merchants like Target and Walmart and off-price retailers, such as T.J. Maxx, are likely to get the bulk of that business. Their gains will come at the expense of traditional department stores and specialty clothing stores, Deloitte predicted. Walmart, the world's largest retailer, started displaying back-to-school merchandise in stores in early July. Eighty-one percent of people who responded to Deloitte's survey said they planned to shop at such mass retailers [?] a 24 percent increase from last year. Name-brand, discount stores also gained fans. Twenty-eight percent of people still expected to visit department stores, but that group fell significantly. Last year, 54 percent of respondents included department stores on their back-to-school shopping list. And only 8 percent of parents said they planned to visit specialty clothing stores, down from 25 percent in 2016. The survey's findings are yet another indicator of how much the retail businesses - and consumer preferences - have changed. Ohio's sales-tax breaks apply to items of clothing priced at $75 or less and to school supplies that cost a maximum of $20. There's no limit on the number of qualifying items a shopper can buy. For 20 years, some states have offered sales-tax holidays for many items on back-to-school shopping lists. State laws vary widely, as does the option for cities to participate or pass. Consumers generally can save 5 to 10 percent on purchases, depending on local tax rates. This year, retailers in Ohio, Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia are required to participate in tax holidays. In New Mexico, participation is optional. Missouri and Florida let retailers opt out if only a small share of their merchandise would qualify for the tax exemption. Depending on a family's size and needs, the savings can be minimal. But retailers enjoy the hype, since shoppers seeking deals on school supplies often spend money on other things. Kira Smith, 40, of Cleveland, said that the savings add up even with an only child. And tax-free weekend simplifies the math when she's shopping with her 14-year-old daughter. "When I took Kynnedy shopping last year on tax-free day, it was easy for her to budget for herself and spend money on her own," Smith said. "She knew that if she wanted a $12 shirt at Forever 21, it actually cost $12." Parents heavily favor mass-market retailers like Target when it comes to back-to-school shopping, according to a recent survey by Deloitte, an accounting and consulting firm. Stores tend to feel the back-to-school shopping bump in August. If you prefer to shop online, odds are good that you've already filled your basket. Last year, online shopping peaked on July 16, according to an analysis from the NPD Group, a market-research firm based in Port Washington, New York. NPD defined the back-to-school season as July 2 through Sept. 3. Bricks-and-mortar buying didn't spike until the first two weeks of August. Local tax-free shopping days do have a heavy influence on shopping patterns, the firm said. But the National Retail Federation expects parents to spend the bulk of their back-to-school budget on electronics, not clothing and traditional supplies including binders and backpacks. In Ohio, gadgets don't qualify for the sales-tax break, even though they're increasingly part of the curriculum. "Schools are changing their classroom experience to include more technology including laptops and tablets," said Pam Goodfellow, principal analyst at Prosper Insights & Analytics, a consumer-data company based in Worthington. "That is why many parents, specifically millennials, are spending more during back-to-school season and taking advantage of retailers' best deals to stretch their budgets." CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A 25-year-old man is dead after being shot Saturday morning, police say. The man suffered a gunshot wound to the chest during the shooting that happened shortly before noon on Spruce Court off West 25th Street, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said. The Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority police responded after a report of a man shot in a hallway, she said. Police found the man unresponsive. He was taken to MetroHealth where investigators later learned at 3 p.m. that he died, Ciaccia said. Preliminary information from police indicates the man visited a woman at a home on Spruce Court. Witnesses said they heard gunfire and saw two unidentified men run from the scene, police say. The men took the victim's car after one of them took a weapon from him, according to police. Police found the car unoccupied about 3:30 p.m.on Colgate Avenue Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact investigators at 216-623-5464. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Saturday's crime and courts comments section. AKRON, Ohio - Hundreds of yellow-shirted runners and walkers paid tribute to Devo, the influential band whose roots run more than 40 years to Northeast Ohio, with the first Devo 5K in downtown Akron. The race came on the same weekend as the two-day DEVOtional 2017 at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. Bassist Gerald Casale, an original member of the band, greeted the 5K participants from Lock 3 stage, took pictures with folks, and said he hopes the race continues as an annual event. Proceeds go to Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Runners and walkers cruised along Main and surrounding streets, winding up at Lock 3. It offered more than a typical 5K: A handful of participants wore energy domes, and booji-boy volunteers doled out water along the way, dressed like the band's homogenous-mascot-like character. Vertical placards, placed along the route, posted factoids about the band. Several participants brought dogs; even a whippet named Devo strolled the course. The slogan listed on the hefty medals each participant received says: "You can't run from de-evolution." Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, is in one of the most dangerous states in all of Mexico. (Illustration by Joel Downey / Cleveland.com) PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- A Painesville woman is scheduled to be deported Tuesday to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, despite the recent kidnapping of a Painesville man deported there and a U.S. State Department website warning US citizens to stay away. Elizabeth Ford, the Chardon attorney representing Beatriz Morelos Casillas, plans to file a motion Monday to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) asking them to stay the deportation or at least change the city Casillas will be deported to. "The government itself says it's dangerous," said Ford. "And just this week a Painesville man recovering from a severe head injury was kidnapped after he was deported there (and is being held for ransom). Why would our immigration people choose that city to send anyone to, especially a mother of four to?" ICE has not yet responded to Plain Dealer questions about the reasons for using the dangerous city as a deportation site. Nuevo Laredo is in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas bordering eastern Texas and is described on the U.S. Department of State website as dangerous and a place that should be avoided. "U.S. citizens should defer all non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas due to violent crime including homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, extortion and sexual assault," the travel warning says. "The number of reported kidnappings in Tamaulipas is among the highest in Mexico." The warning adds that law enforcement in the state is "limited to non-existent" and that the most violent activity occurs near the U.S. border. "Organized criminal groups may target public and private passenger buses traveling through Tamaulipas," the report says. "These groups sometimes take all passengers hostage and demand ransom payments...Nuevo Larado has experienced numerous gun battles and attacks with explosive devices in the past year." U.S. government employees are under a midnight to 6 a.m. curfew in the state, yet the Painesville man who was kidnapped was dropped off in Nuevo Laredo "in the middle of the night" according to Ford. While the attorney helps the victim's family work with the kidnappers for his release, she is also concerned about Casillas, 37, who is scheduled to be deported Tuesday. Casillas came to the United States illegally 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, at a rally Thursday. "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, 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. Immigration attorneys note 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. July 29, 2017 A gold model of an Apollo lunar module gifted to Neil Armstrong shortly after the first moon landing in 1969 has been stolen from the Ohio museum that bears the astronaut's name. Police responded to a burglary alarm at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio, shortly before midnight on Friday (July 28), where the 18 karat gold, five- inch-high (13 centimeter) miniature lunar lander was found missing. "Entry to the museum was discovered and taken was a solid gold replica of the 1969 Lunar Excursion Module that landed on the moon," Russel Hunlock, Wapakoneta police chief, stated in a release. "The piece is very rare as it was presented to Neil Armstrong in Paris, France shortly after the moon landing." Update for July 31: In addition to the lunar module replica, award medals/ribbons and presentation coins that were in the same display case as the gold model are also missing, according to the Wapakoneta Police Department. The gold lunar module was one of just three crafted by the jeweler Cartier and presented by the readers of the French newspaper Le Figaro to Apollo 11 astronauts Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins during their post-flight visit to Paris in October 1969. The models replicated many of the details on Eagle, the lunar module that Armstrong and Aldrin flew to a landing on July 20, 1969. One of three 18 karat gold Apollo lunar module models crafted by Cartier and presented to the Apollo 11 astronauts. (Cartier) The intricate models were gifted to the three astronauts in red leather pyramid cases and were inscribed on the lower or descent stage of the lunar module with their name and "Les lecteurs du journal Le Figaro" (in English, "Readers of the newspaper Le Figaro"). Each model also had a hidden microfilm roll secreted under the descent stage engine with the names of the newspaper's subscribers and supporters who underwrote the presentation of the three replicas. In 2003, the gold model presented to Apollo 11 command module pilot Michael Collins was auctioned for more than $50,000. It was either then or later reacquired by Cartier, which has publicly displayed the model in the years since at the American Museum of Natural History, The Forbes Galleries and in its own boutique in New York. Hunlock stated the value of Armstrong's model "cannot be determined." The Wapakoneta Police Department is being assisted in the case by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI. As of Saturday morning, the "scene was still being processed," according to Hunlock. The Armstrong Air and Space Museum was opened in July 1972 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. (Armstrong Air and Space Museum) The Armstrong Air and Space Museum remained closed to visitors on Saturday morning, according to the institution's Facebook page. "Theft from a museum is a theft from all of us," museum officials stated. "Three hundred people driving from across the country were robbed of their opportunity to experience the museum today. For every day that an item is missing, we are all robbed of an opportunity to enjoy it." The Armstrong museum is located in Wapakoneta, where its namesake was born. Opened in July 1972, the museum today displays the Gemini 8 spacecraft that Armstrong and crew mate David Scott flew in 1966, as well as spacesuits worn by Armstrong in flight and training, on loan from the Smithsonian. Armstrong, who died in 2012, was not associated with the museum's founding, but helped where he could. Neil Armstrong's Cartier-crafted 18 karat gold Apollo lunar module model, as gifted to him in Paris. (Armstrong Air and Space Museum) "I did try to support them," Armstrong told historian James Hansen for "First Man," his 2005 biography, "by presenting them with such materials as I had available, either gifting or loaning items." "The truth is that you can't steal from a museum," officials at the Armstrong museum wrote on Facebook. "Museums don't 'own' artifacts. We are simply vessels of the public trust. Museums care for and exhibit items on behalf of you, the public." The Wapakoneta Police Department is asking anyone with information about the lunar module model's theft to contact its office at 419-738-8802. The Gruesome Backstory: You have Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin to thank for those disclaimers. Well, not directly, seeing as how he was utterly, thoroughly, painstakingly dead by the time MGM released their 1932 film Rasputin And The Empress. Rather, the impetus came from Rasputin's head murderer, Prince Felix Yusupov. In the film, Rasputin is murdered by Prince Paul Chegodieff, but not before the mystic hypnotizes and rapes Chegodieff's wife, Natasha. Now, Prince Yusupov had been in no way secretive about his role in Rasputin's murder, so he reasonably posited that audiences would equate Prince Chegodieff with him, and by extension assume that Rasputin had his mystical dong all up in Yusupov's wife, Irina -- whom Rasputin had never even met. Russian Federation "His dying words were, 'I never fucked your wife, and while I have length, yours is clearly the more girthy and powerful dong.'" Continue Reading Below Advertisement The Yusupovs sued for defamation, and a jury agreed with their claim, awarding them $125,000 in today's money. If that seems somewhat paltry, we should note that the total court costs for MGM nearly equaled the film's entire production cost. As a direct result of the case, MGM and other studios began slapping the "Any Resemblance To Persons Living Or Dead" disclaimer on every last film they produced -- even those clearly based on actual persons living or dead. Earthworks on the Colorado River **Local Natives and production crew preparing to film an acoustic set in the Colorado River Delta. La Cronica de Chihuahua Julio de 2017, 22:02 pm Sonoraninstitute.org You know how they say, You cant love what you dont know? Well, this is why we need to reach out to people who dont know what the deal with the river is. Reaching out with the Local Natives is a fantastic way into thousands of peoples hearts, says Gaby Gonzalez, Environmental Education Coordinator at the Sonoran Institute. Shes part of the team that recently spent a long day together filming the newest episode of Earthworks from VICE Impact. The episode connects the Sonoran Institutes work in the Colorado River Delta with the L.A.-based band, Local Natives. It was shot on location in the Delta region, an expansive, sandy landscape near Mexicali, Mexico. Between a private acoustic set in the estuary and some incredible tacos the sixteen-hour shift was exceptional. Gaby says, My favorite part of the day was getting to hang out and explore the river with the band. It was way more intense than a regular media tour. First, because this was a large group, production, sound, etc.the whole packagewhile we usually host a couple reporters at a time. I loved seeing how they all worked together. VICE Impact describes Earthworks as Basically a Planet Earth with musicians. In each episode a musician, band, rapper, or R&B star travels to an amazing ecological location anywhere in the world to learn more about its needs, the dangers it faces and how we can help save it. Along the way, the musicians play beautiful music connecting with the natural setting, sometimes even using the sound nature provides them. Bringing environmental awareness to a young audience is important to the shows creators because Now, more than ever, its up to us, as young people, to take on this mantle of conservation, preservation and action to show people these beautiful, life giving places that will be lost to us if we dont do something about it. The Colorado River doesnt flow to the ocean anymore. A lot of people think the river ends at the US-Mexico border, so its usually very surprising to find out theres a river down here too and that theres super committed people working to restore it and to better the communities around it. said Gaby Gonzales, who lives this work every day. The day on set took on new challenges with things like lighting, sound, working out logistics and a fair amount of time spent having to wait. The director even lost a shoe in the mud, but he wasnt fazed one bit, according to Gaby. Overall, the time was spent immersed in the Delta, making sure the importance of the river was clear. Karen Schlatter, Adaptive Management Specialist at the Sonoran Institute also helped orient the band and production team to the river. Shes adept at showing those who arent familiar with all the issues surrounding the Colorado River the history and recent work in the Delta. She described to the band members how theyre directly connected by living in Los Angeles, a city that relies on the Colorado River for its drinking water supply. Before the shoot, they were not entirely aware of the huge impacts of human water use on the environment. Karen enjoyed the chance to show them the positive side of what is possible through restoration and community involvement. She made sure to highlight the fact that restoration of the Delta is a bi-national undertaking that involves collaboration on all levels, from water users in LA to US and Mexican governments, to local communities. Gaby and Karen showed Local Natives and the Earthworks team how resilient the Delta is. Despite decades of degradation and desiccation of habitat, there are many areas that still support native plant and animal species, including several endangered and endemic species. The audience for Earthworks is also resilient. Its reassuring to hear VICE Impact relate that their younger audience has an environmental awareness, and knows that their generation is open, conscious, perceptive, empathetic and primed to take this fight on and shift the tide of consciousness towards creating a real future for Mother Nature. Its the kind of mindset that makes for good collaboration. When asked why they saw the Sonoran Institute as the right organization to work with on this project, VICE Impacts director of advocacy, Nick Carter, professed The Sonoran Institute is doing incredible work to bring life back to the source that gives life to so many of us, the Colorado River. They are committed to one of the most noble causes anyone could commit themselves to and it was an honor for the band and the team to work with them. Plus, says Gaby, kayaking in the river and exploring the riparian forest along it. I loved watching the band play! The scenery was super special; I wonder if theyd ever played in a place like this before. What about another favorite moment? Sharing tacos with the bandnot your usual fan moment, chose Gaby. Those tacos were freaking amazing, according to Karen. Blog Post By: Corinne Matesich, Marketing Communications Coordinator At Def Cons hacker voting machine village, where 30 pieces of election equipment sat waiting, hackers were given a deliciously wicked goal. John Hopkins computer scientist Matt Blaze said, We encourage you to do stuff that if you did on election day they would probably arrest you. And they did. Most of the voting machines were purchased via eBay, but some did come from government auctions. Despite the various different manufacturers of the voting equipment boxes, there was a common themethey are horribly insecure. Granted, come election day, officials would likely notice if hackers were physically taking apart the machines. Tinkering with an external USB port on a computerized voting box and using it to upload malicious software may or may not get noticed. Yet those are not the only ways hackers could potentially influence votes and an elections outcome; theres the sneaky way of remotely accessing the machine from a laptop. Hacking WinVote machines As journalist Robert McMillan pointed out, it took less than two minutes for one participant to get remote access to a voting machine. He tweeted: Greetings from the Defcon voting village where it took 1:40 for Carsten Schurmann to get remote access to this WinVote machine. WINVote boxes have horrific security, according to Victor Gevers. The WINvote machines run Windows XP, have autorun enabled and include a hard-coded WEP Wi-Fi password. Can you imagine trying to vote and instead being rickrolled? Yes, hackers were able to load the infamous Rick Astley video onto a WINVote box. Thankfully, WINVote machines are no longer being used. That doesnt mean all vulnerable voting boxes have been put out to pasture, though. Hackers also penetrated the hardware and firmware of a kind of touch-screen voting machine used in hundreds of jurisdictions across the country, and could attack a simulated county voter registration network, like the networks in 21 states that were compromised by attackers last year," McMillan reported in a Wall Street Journal article. Preventing voting machine hacks All of these touch-screen machines are unauditable, said election technology security specialist Harri Hursti. You should have paper ballots, and there should be an audit process. Barbara Simons, president of Verified Voting, hopes the hacking village helps provide the momentum for repairing our broken voting systems. There is a solution, and its not rocket science. One of the things we want to drive home is that these things are ultimately software-based systems, and we know software-based systems have vulnerabilities. That just comes with the territory, Blaze told Forbes. We want to make the problems public, so they can be fixed, so the public will know what the problems are and will be able to demand their systems be improved. Jake Braun, one of the organizers of the event, told Reuters, Theres been a lot of claims that our election system is unhackable. Thats BS. Only a fool or liar would try to claim that their database or machine was unhackable. The scary thing, Braun told The Register, is we also know that our foreign adversariesincluding Russia, North Korea, Iranpossess the capabilities to hack them, too, in the process undermining principles of democracy and threatening our national security. Blaze pointed out, The stakeholders for voting machines are everyone in the country. So its important the problems get fixed. Connecticut is a sanctuary state in all but name, so perhaps its gauche to discuss social science showing immigrants, legal and illegal, take from the state more than they give back. They do, in fact, but not in ways you might expect, and certainly not in ways familiar to headline readers of Matt Drudge and Breitbart News. First, its important to establish that immigrants, even unauthorized ones, do pay taxes. If they work, they contribute to payroll and income taxes. If they rent or own a house, they pay property taxes. And, of course, they pay all manner of sales and excise tax. A recent study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that illegal immigrants alone, about 490,000 people, pay $125 million in state and local taxes. Theyd pay more if they had legal status. The issue becomes more complicated when it comes to federal taxes. The former chief actuary of the U.S. Social Security Administration found that 1.8 million unauthorized immigrants use fake or stolen Social Security numbers. Thats a crime, to be sure, but it means they put more into the old-age insurance program than they will ever get back. How much more? About 13 times more. In 2010, it was $13 billion in, $1 billion out. Given the number of people using fake or stolen ID numbers is expected to nearly double by 2040, we can also expect that ratio to widen. But that doesnt mean immigrants, legal or illegal, pay they own way. Not at first. Two recent studies by the Urban Institute and the National Academy of Sciences found that first-generation immigrants are costlier than native-born citizens: on average about $3,000 more per adult. This is mostly due to the cost of educating their kids in public schools. First-generation immigrants tend to have families twice as big as Americans do. About 22,000 kids in the Connecticut are born to non-citizens. The more children a group has relative to others, the costlier they are to educate. That appears to be a one-time investment. With successive generations, the fiscal burden on taxpayers get lighter and lighter. Indeed, over longer periods, state taxpayers enjoy a healthy rate of return, as it were. According to Governing magazine, the effects reverse. An author of the Urban Institute study told the publication: The people who contribute the most to society, even when you control for demographics, are these immigrant (kids). Thats important to public policy because of two things happening at the same time. Connecticut is getting grayer and its population is getting smaller. As baby boomers move into retirement, they will put more demand on services while contributing less in the form of taxes. Elected officials, especially in cities, have debated ways to recruit and retain people. But there is one area in which there is nearly total agreement: We need immigrants to maintain growth. For one thing, their spending power in Connecticut is $2.7 billion, according to one study. For another, immigrants are more likely to be entrepreneurs. This is something not currently taken as seriously as it should be in Hartford. The focus now is on bringing mammoth firms like Amazon to the state by offering them all kind of goodies. But as Scott Galloway, a professor of marketing at NYU, told Bloomberg TV last week, mammoth firms like Amazon are net job-killers. Furthermore, they dont contribute in the form of taxes to retrain people for available jobs. Entrepreneurs, however, do the opposite. They create whats called dynamism, a necessary force for business innovation and economic growth. Slowing down the impact immigrant entrepreneurs have on Connecticuts economy is President Trumps immigration policy. Instead of targeting bad hombres, as he promised, his administration is going after immigrants with no criminal records who have employment and own property. They even have native-born spouses and children. There are many factors putting a drag on the economy. One is surely the removal of these immigrants. But removing immigrants isnt the only thing putting a drag on the economy. So if the expense of taking responsibility of kids left behind after the federal agents deport their parents. Again, an estimated 22,000 residents are children of illegal immigrants. And the cost to society is compounded over time. Instead of flourishing as they typically do in the second and third generations, providing society a healthy return on its investment, these kids of immigrants are caught in the gears of foster homes and bureaucracy. Thats bad for them. Thats bad for business. John Stoehr is a fellow at the Yale Journalism Initiative. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Greenwich-based XPO Logistics billionaire chief executive Bradley Jacobs has founded and run several businesses from his longtime home of Greenwich, but his latest venture is proving to be the biggest. In late 2011, he took over Express-1 Expedited Solutions and renamed it XPO Logistics. Within six years with the help of numerous acquisitions, the global transportation logistics business has edged into Fortune 500s annual ranking of biggest companies by total annual revenue and been named the top third-party logistics provider in North America. After Fortune ranked XPO as the fastest-growing company last year, its climbed more than 160 spots and slotted itself between WestRock and Aramark to rank as the 191st largest company in 2017 with nearly $15 billion in revenue. Its collection of recent accolades includes the title of Fortunes fastest-growing transportation company, one of Forbes top 500 best American employers and most innovative growth companies. Those successes are the fruit of investing approximately $425 million annually in technology, Jacobs said. It is something the chief executive likes to tout as a crucial aspect of his companys continued success. Technological innovation. Thats what drives us, he said last week in an interview. XPOs growth extends beyond numbers on paper. The roughly 60 employees who occupy its Greenwich headquarters outgrew its former offices at Greenwich Office Park, Jacobs said, so he moved them to new offices located in Greenwich American Centre in February. They now work surrounded by more than 100 acres of woods on the outskirts of Greenwich, a minute drive from the Connecticut-New York border. Visitors drive over a bridge that puts a four-story structure housing Blue Sky Studios and financial groups on their right and a sloping green hill on their left before encountering a low-lying building that serves as XPO offices for Jacobs and some financial, human resources, marketing and legal staffing, according to Matthew Schmidt, XPOs director of public relations. The new location offers cheaper rent and is convenient commute for employees and easy access for global executives who convene there for quarterly leadership summits, according to Jacobs. Hungry for growth? During one such summit last week, around 20 XPO executives gathered along a pale wooden conference table to review its second-quarter results. Seated at the head, Jacobs and his chief operating officer, Troy Cooper, led the meeting , which followed XPOs recent announcement it will publicly offer 11 million shares of common stock, which sent its stock price swinging. The move forecasts a renewed acquisition appetite, according to Moodys. In the last few years, its been XPOs choice of acquisitions that spurred its growth and landed it amid the worlds biggest brands, Cooper said. Weve had 17 acquisitions in the period of six years, and they have all been leaders, he said. Then we do what we can to enhance what they do already. This strategy depicts XPOs adaptive and agile character, Cooper said of the company that, according to it latest numbers provided by Schmidt, employs 89,000 people around the world, including almost 400 in Connecticut. XPO may cover a lot of ground with its breadth of services, but Jacobs explains its central purpose simply. We help retailers and manufacturers move their goods through the supply chain as fast as possible, he said. From boats sailing with goods from China that are transferred to trains in Chicago and land on a truck in Kansas, we do all that, Jacobs said. When it comes to sending those goods back to where they came from, in instances like returning unwanted merchandise, were a leader in reverse logistics, he said. But where XPOs strengths are most evident, he said, are in its last-mile delivery of heavy goods. Were seven times the size of the next biggest player, he said. Creating a buzz Looking ahead, firms in the higher rankings of Fortunes list appear in reach for XPO, given Jacobs outlook on its growth opportunities. Were growing by the growth of e-commerce, he said, adding he plans to add customers as well as expand services through cross-selling. Were still relatively young in this space, Cooper said, and were creating a buzz in the industry. In the wake of Connecticut losing the likes of General Electric and Aetna to neighboring states, Jacobs said he doesnt have plans to abandon the Nutmeg State anytime soon. Citing Greenwichs suburban appeal combined with closeness to Wall Street investors and bustling Manhattan transportation, the Connecticut enclave retains its allure for Jacobs, he said. Plus, hes called Greenwich home since 1990. The taxes have gone up in Connecticut since I first started out here, he said. But you cant let taxes determine major decisions. Thats like the tail wagging the dog, right? Contact the writer at mbennett@greenwichtime. com; Twitter @Macaela_ This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Goldman Sachs doesnt like to wait, but it did for Owen West, while he took four leaves of absence. The first time was to try to climb the north face of Mount Everest, which the Greenwich resident was forced to abandon 700 tantalizing feet from the summit. Then twice after 9/11, West rejoined the Marines in a combat role, helping to train a battalion of Iraqi soldiers known as the snake eaters that he chronicled in a non-fiction book. The most badass banker on Wall Street, dubbed by Business Insider, was promoted to partner by Goldman. Now the third-generation Marine with the Harvard pedigree and Stanford MBA is facing a new crucible as a Pentagon nominee of Donald Trump. Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate, West will serve as assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low intensity conflict. If approved, he will report directly to Defense Secretary James Mattis and serve in a similar capacity as the secretaries of the Navy and Army, but for special operations forces. Having served under Secretary Mattis in Iraq, I knew hed assemble a high performing team at the Pentagon, and I was very eager to try out, West told Hearst Connecticut Media. West, 47, has developed an unlikely kinship with one of Trumps biggest detractors during the confirmation process, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who introduced his fellow Greenwich resident last month at a hearing of the Armed Services Committee. One of my colleagues referred to him as a renaissance man, Blumenthal said. Hes remarkably thoughtful and insightful and has a very practical real-world view of military and foreign policy. He has almost unique credentials for developing and shaping our special operations forces. Thats indeed high praise from a Democrat who has opposed many of the Trump administrations nominees. West said that as a neophyte to the political process, he appreciated Blumenthal being incredibly supportive and helpful, and Ill never forget it. Wests nomination could come up for a vote by the full Senate as early as this week. Blumenthal shares the same Ivy League pedigree as West and served in the Marine Corps Reserve during the Vietnam War, although not in Vietnam. In the 2010 Senate race, Blumenthal faced criticism about whether he conflated his service with seeing combat, which he did not. There are very few Harvard Marines, West said. We connected immediately because Dick is a Marine, his son is a Marine and another son is a Navy SEAL. West is poised to follow a similar career path as his father, Bing West, who was assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs during the Reagan administration. The younger West said he first introduced himself to Blumenthal this spring at a fundraiser for the Greenwich YMCA, where the senator is a regular and the Wests two sons, who attend Brunswick School, swim and play water polo. They then met at a local diner and in Washington, D.C. Special Operations are going to be at the tip of the spear for this nation and its future national defense, Blumenthal said. Well be relying on them to do the really hard work, safeguarding our national security around the world. Theyre a critical element in our national defense. Hes going to have a really key mission. Although he described himself as apolitical, West could be thrust into the middle of the upheaval of Trumps Washington in a number of policy areas, from the Pentagons dealings with Russia to a controversial new ban on transgender people in the military. The eligibility rules for military service are set by the different branches of the armed forces and are outside the purview of the special operations forces, West said. When asked about Russia, he referred to a questionnaire he filled out for the Armed Services Committee before his confirmation hearing. In Russia, an old adversary is creating global instability with hybrid tactics, West wrote. http://twitter.com/gettinviggy; nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT The only heat many people are worried about at this time of year is the temperature at the beach or pool. City and state officials, however, are trying to salvage a proposal several years in the making to pump industrial heat that would otherwise be wasted to downtown buildings, providing heating at a cheaper cost than natural gas. The bottom line is this project is far from dead, said state Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport. The Bridgeport thermal loop a wonky-sounding but, proponents argue, economically and environmentally vital proposal for Connecticuts largest city and potentially other municipalities was initiated under former Mayor Bill Finch, Bridgeports so-called green chief executive. It was eventually embraced by the man who defeated Finch in the 2015 Democratic primary, Mayor Joe Ganim. Developed by NuPower LLC, the loop would use a network of underground pipes to capture and use heat from the Wheelabrator waste-to-energy plant, a proposed United Illuminating fuel cell and other sources. The lower heating costs were supposed to be a lure for new downtown businesses, and there were tax benefits for the cash-strapped city from the project as well. But the UI fuel cell proposal, which would have helped to fund construction of the thermal loop, was rejected by state energy officials during a competitive process for new power sources. Regulators concluded the project would be too costly for utility ratepayers. So thermal loop supporters successfully pursued an alternative and had a bill passed during the recently concluded legislative session allowing the fuel cell to move forward. Then Gov. Dannel P. Malloy vetoed it, despite, as previously reported, some last-minute lobbying from Finch. Malloy called the bills goal commendable. But, he noted, the fuel cell and thermal loop lacked adequate consumer protections or regulatory oversight. There was some speculation about overturning Malloys decision during the special veto legislative session early last week. We decided not to ask our colleagues to try to override the veto as a show of our willingness to continue to work with and engage with the (Malloy) administration on getting this moving forward with their support and blessing, Stafstrom said. On Wednesday, representatives from both sides of the debate gathered at the governors office in Hartford to try to figure out a way forward: Stafstrom; state Rep. Joseph Gresko, D-Stratford, also a paid adviser to Ganim on green initiatives; state Rep. Jack Hennessy; the state House and Senate chairs of the legislatures energy committee; staff from Malloys office; the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection commissioner; the executive director from the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority; an executive from NuPower and their lobbyist, Kevin Reynolds, who is also Bridgeports lobbyist. It was everybody who had an interest in this, one way or the other, getting around the table, said Gresko. They took two hours of their time. So what was accomplished? The thermal loop is not dead. But ground will not be broken soon, either. Everyone involved in this discussion agreed to continue a full exploration of all avenues that could be pursued to move this project forward, said Dennis Schain, a DEEP spokesman. He added the agency is supportive of the concept of thermal loops and a draft 2017 state energy strategy recognizes their benefits. But, Schain added, DEEP still wants the related fuel cell project to be a competitively priced one to avoid burdening UIs ratepayers with excess costs. To that end, DEEP is encouraging NuPower and the city to pursue the fuel cell approval through a brand new process just signed into law by the governor. Harris said NuPower has agreed to do so, though he is skeptical of success because the fuel cell/thermal loop proposal is a different animal than just building a new fuel cell. That (approval) process is also designed to get fuel cell development in areas that dont have a lot of power generation, Harris said. The problem is Bridgeport has a ton of power generation. We dont really fit into that. That is why, Harris said, the thermal loop intended as a pilot project which could eventually be modeled in other cities and towns might still require a different route for approval. Were going to continue to work with the (Malloy) administration to refine legislation that everyone is fully supportive of, Stafstrom said. Harris said the governors office has committed to sending us a proposal. Bottom line, Harris said. This is really complex stuff. ... It is a new idea and one of those things thats not easy to accept within the framework of the current market and regulatory structure. But we appreciate how seriously (state officials) are taking it. Bringing an idea to life through event marketing can be a beneficial way to cut through the noise and build brand awareness. When executed correctly, the return can be priceless. Consumers are genuinely seeking more authentic connections to the products they buy, says Tabitha Rand, events manager for Low Res Studio, via email. We have become so over-exposed to brands through the internet and social media that it has the overwhelming ability to be perceived as disingenuous. Creating positive experiences through event marketing builds honest and lasting relationships almost immediately. Rand is one of the event marketing experts who breaks down the planning process, and shares lessons learned to make the experience not only positive, but profitable. Heres what they say works. 1. Approach event marketing as relationship building tool. As an online business, Jeana Anderson Cohen, founder of A Sweat Life, a fitness site that hosts three to four events a month, sought to create an opportunity for readers to connect with the brand in real life. The decision was based on getting to know the companys customers, rather than the events ability to pad the companys bottom line. For most brands it's not about sales, says Cohen in an email. It's about forming a deeper connection between your message and your consumer. Janice Yu-Moran, Complex Director of Public Relations for Conrad Chicago and Waldorf Astoria Chicago, echoes this sentiment. Through email Yu-Moran explains how experiential events are different from other marketing tactics. With event marketing, the goal is awareness, says Yu-Moran. That cant be measured through revenue generation. Instead we look to event attendance, media coverage, social media mentions and sales leads to measure success. Related: 4 Tips for Marketing Events That Will Transform Your Online Business 2. Collaboration leads to profits. If the primary purpose of an event is not to make money, it is important to find resources to offset the cost of production. One way to do so, says Rand, is by creating partnerships with local businesses. Through [local] relationships we are able to get amazing services on trade or even donated, she says. This helps to control our bottom-line while also building our B2B network. If events are being produced at a higher frequency, Cohen recommends pursuing corporate sponsorship. Nike, Gatorade and GM are all brands who have partnered with her in the past. She suggests having conversations with potential sponsors frequently and a minimum of five months in advance. Her other bit of advice, learned the hard way, is to avoid building something custom for a sponsor unless it is truly authentic to a companys mission. Invite sponsors to be a part of things youre creating, she says. Thats probably what attracted them to you in the first place. 3. Spend and invite strategically. When the Conrad Hotel in Chicago opened its doors, it made a splash with a Mad Men themed party estimated to have cost $40,000. While public relations and advertising helps with name recognition, Yu-Moran says. The hospitality and service of a hotel is best experienced and not just read about. She justifies the expense by explaining how with one activation, the company targeted traditional media, sales clients, local tourism organizations, investors and social media influencers in one night. With more than 300 people in attendance, the cost would have been too high to host individualized one-off events, she says. An opening is one of the rare opportunities a company has to attract a crowd. Yu-Moran leveraged the company milestone and targeted influential people in the hospitality industry to ensure word of mouth marketing happened long after the event had passed. Related: 4 Ways Technology Is Changing the Events Industry 4. Rookie mistakes to avoid. Begin with an event idea and date. From there event logistics begin to fall into place says Victoria Kent, founder of Victoria Kent PR, in an email. She suggests researching to see if there are any competing events that take away from a companys core audience. Once the date is set, securing a location is the next step. From there a timeline of what needs to get done by when, begins to unfold. Too many people get paralyzed by the idea of how much work an event can be that they never start, Kent says. Execute an event within the scope of what you offer, or around something that has personal meaning in order to stay authentic and true to your brand. Planning around something youre passionate about will keep you excited during the process. She also quickly to points out that creating off-brand events for the sake of hosting something, is a mistake. And the biggest misstep someone can make when it comes to event marketing? Not delivering on what is promised. Related: 4 Tips for Hosting an Unforgettable Marketing Event 4 Ways Technology Is Changing the Events Industry 4 Tips for Marketing Events That Will Transform Your Online Business Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com Between rising costs and stagnant salaries, Americans are saving less than ever. The 2008 economic crisis is often blamed, but Americans have been saving less for quite some time now. Consumer trends and alternative credit options have convinced people that there are other ways of generating value in the short term, distracting them from the necessary habit of putting away funds for the future. Add in the kinds of debt that people are willing to incur, and the U.S. has a major problem on its hands. NerdWallet reports that the average American household spends $1,300 on interest on credit card debt alone. Student loan debt has skyrocketed in recent years to a shocking $1.28 trillion and shows no signs of decreasing anytime soon. Related: Don't Let Student Debt Paired With Startup Debt Demolish Your Financial Security These issues were often discussed on the 2016 campaign trail, with a few candidates -- Trump, Clinton and Sanders -- offering their own solutions. Sanders argued for higher minimum wages coupled with free education for all students. Clinton advocated for income equality and better treatment at the workplace, while Trump argued for bringing jobs back to the U.S. Seldom did any of them discuss how to motivate Americans to make better financial decisions and prepare for a timely retirement. The good news is while politicians may have missed the mark last year, entrepreneurs have been hard at work thinking of new ways to help people plan ahead and do the tough work of saving. Eugeny Prudchyenko, CEO and founder of EvoShare, explains how he caught inspiration to help solve this problem. I spotted a Prudential billboard saying the best donation is donating to your retirement. This made me think, What if someone were to streamline popular cash back solutions to peoples retirement accounts? Which is how EvoShares cash-back service was born. Other entrepreneurs and innovators are catching the same spirit and developing unique approaches as well. Related: It's Shocking How Many Entrepreneurs Aren't Saving For Retirement 1. Increase savings through spending. Many companies realize that instead of pushing back on consumer spending habits, they can tap into them to help customers save. Companies like Target and GAP have done this to help encourage charitable donations by giving shoppers the option to allocate a portion of spending to charitable causes. Prudchyenko shares, If we dont want to have taxes and retirement age increased, migration of responsibility for peoples retirement from the private sector to public sector should be stopped. Utilizing new sources for retirement contributions can significantly impact this accomplishment. Solutions like these are great because they tap into real consumer trends rather than trying to alter them, creating alternative avenues to drive savings behavior. 2. Employee benefits alternatives. More and more companies are searching for alternative ways to help their employees contribute to retirement. While the traditional pension of the 20th century is rapidly disappearing, companies havent stopped caring about the later-in-life success of their employees. Thats why large companies have 401k matching plans and other vehicles for helping employees plan for the future. Prudchyenko shared that EvoShare is working with companies to help create cash back tools for their employees' retirement. This is a part of a growing movement comprised of business owners looking for creative ways to help employees without negatively impacting profitability. Related: What's Your Safe Money Plan for Retirement? 3. Banking alternatives making waves. Millennials are naturally skeptical of traditional financial institutions. They watched as their parents struggled through the recession due to decisions they made on the advice of many different kinds of financial professionals, and as a result, they tend to seek out alternative methods for managing their money. The result has been an onslaught of startups catering to alternative banking and investing. Companies like Simple, which creates a bank free debit option, and apps like Mint that track spending, help consumers transact and track their decisions outside of traditional banking. As the financial sector evolves to meet consumer demand, one thing is certain. Any business trying to help solve for the consumer stands to be the most successful. When entrepreneurs develop new approaches to old problems, the result is often a better market for everyone. Related: Americans Are Not Good Savers. These Entrepreneurs Are Helping Change That. 10 Ways to Travel the World Without Breaking the Bank Financial Snowballs: How to Grow Your Savings Every Day Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com Lets stroll back to the last time the numbers-crunching Kabuki dance dragged miserably through a summer in the State Capitol. It was 2009 and we barely knew the housing bubble was burying us in broken glass, twisted plumbing, roofing tiles and red ink. Then-Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who rose from lieutenant governor after John G. Rowland resigned on his disgraced path to a guilty plea and his first stint in federal prison, had been on the warpath all summer with majority Democrats. Finally, she decided to let a Democratic budget slide into law without signing it. Embarrassingly, she thought she retained line-item veto power and made a few pointed changes. Wrong! Maybe the financial struggle of 2017 will all go away next year when the Yahoo millionaires who thought the Twitter-in-Chief would cut their capital-gains taxes, finally cough up the hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue the state anticipated. But in the changed economy, the jobs that have not quite returned to pre-Recession employment levels are paying only a fraction of what they did before 2008. So Connecticuts in trouble. A full month into the next budget cycle and there is no new spending package, only a $5-billion hole and a stalemated General Assembly. Republicans smell blood. They have steadily gained seats to the point where its an 18-18 deadlock in the Senate highlighted by 14 tie-breaking votes this year by Democratic Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and a tiny 72-79 minority in the House. So why should they go against a winning political strategy and work with Democrats? Democratic leaders this year have faced major unity challenges in their shrinking caucuses. Liberal urban dwellers have different agendas than the rural and suburban lawmakers. The one thing they have in common is the desire to win re-election. Without the $40 billion or so authorized to fully fund state spending. social-service contractors, living with the governors executive order of minimal funding, have started furloughing employees on Wednesdays. The House last week staggered, with one defecting Democrat, into approving Gov. Malloys $1.5-billion concessions deal with state unions. Its fate in the Senate isnt assured, although without it, both the gestating Republican and Democratic budget proposals would be so out of whack that the annual flow of municipal aid and school funding usually released on Sept. 1, would be in serious jeopardy. The arguments, as usual, were best summed up by the leaders of the House of Representatives just before the 78-72 vote sent the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition deal, with a four-year no-layoff clause, a five-year contract extension to 2027 and a whole new, less-generous retirement plan for future employees, to the Senate. Traditionally, House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, of Derby, speaks first. She pushed the GOP alternatives. There are only four states that collectively bargain pensions, she said. Theres a reason for that, because it does not allow the states flexibility, particularly in these economic times, to do what they need to do to keep their states afloat. She said that the current budget struggle is dividing middle-class taxpayers: state employees and others, who she portrayed as losers that would be me and, possibly you while unionized public employees are winners with the contract deal. This will affect each and every one of you and each and every one of us. We cant do a darned thing about it, if this passes. She predicted that the $5-billion deficit will return in various forms. We have an option, Klarides said. Its not illegal, because there are many sections to our proposals. There are non-union health care changes. We know that starting in 2022 we can start making those statutory changes. There is a way to take care of state employees so they still have their health care, so they still have their pensions. So they dont go to their mailbox in Miami Beach, Florida, five years from now and get that letter that says sorry, out of money. You dont have pensions anymore, you dont have health care any more. House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said that in 2017, some of the major workplace improvements and labor struggles of the 1940s and 50s seem a long way off. Without noting the 20-year union deal perpetrated by Rowland (yes, he is in prison again) in 1997, Ritter mentioned that its coming back to bite. It was Democrats and Republicans, both legislators and governors, Ritter said. Were all bearing that debt now, those costs. I think the question, if youre listening at home, is how do you deal with it, and what kind of state are we? What surprised me the most about the proposal I saw from across the aisle, was the way in which you dealt with the problem. It was essentially taking away collective bargaining in the state of Connecticut. The reality is there has never more in our country been a stronger growing divide between the wealthiest and the poorest and the middle class is knocking on heavens door. Who knows when this years version of the Connecticut budget charade will end? But it will. Ken Dixon can be reached in the Capitol at 860-549-4670 or at kdixon@ctpost.com. See twitter.com/KenDixonCT. His Facebook address is kendixonct.hearst. ALCHEMIE is a full-time professional band proudly based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA that plays original and modern rock and pop. They have come a long way since their first public Albuquerque performance in October 2015. Their new CD dark was released in February 2017 and two songs on the album were nominated for New Mexico Music Awards: Blues II in the Blues category, and Highway 1 in the Adult Contemporary category. Their cover of It Was a Very Good Year, released as a single, was nominated in the Cover Songs category. These cuts can be heard on www.alchemielab.com. Listen!ABQ, Albuquerques official music portal, named ALCHEMIE Artist of the Month for March 2017. KOBTV4 taped an interview and performance of 4 songs from dark for the Good Day New Mexico program. KOB-TV will continue to air the live performances throughout 2017. Albuquerque the Magazine featured an interview and photos of the band in the May 2017 issue. ALCHEMIE is getting radio airplay on KUNM FM 89.9 (Ear to the Ground hosted by Matthew Finch and Overnight Freeform hosted by Bob Ottey, David Paytiamo, Dennis Andrus and others). KUNM is playing cuts from "dark" (including the New Mexico Music Awards-nominated "Blues II" in broadcasts that reach 100,000 New Mexicans. On May 1, ALCHEMIE was interviewed by Alpha-Omega KAZQ TV-32 for upcoming broadcasts. Please go to alchemielab.com to learn more about the band. Theresa Mays summer charm offensive of inviting rebellious Tory MPs and partners to drinks and canapes at Chequers, revealed by this paper last week, is straight out of the David Cameron playbook. Said one MP disloyally: Dave used events like this to praise our better halves for their patience in putting up with living with politicians. Theresall have to go a bit further shell have to thank us for having the patience to put up with her. Theresa Mays summer charm offensive of inviting rebellious Tory MPs and partners to drinks and canapes at Chequers is straight out of the David Cameron playbook Low-profile Cabinet Minister David Gauke is commendably modest about his chances of succeeding Theresa May. Im not even the favourite in my own household, he tells friends. Just as well. Online betting sites have the Work and Pensions Secretary as a rank 100-1 outsider. Plus they refer to him as Jeremy Gauke. A dark horse indeed, then. Helle will be having a heck of a laugh The wife Neil Kinnocks Labour MP son Stephen ex-Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt, below says his humour has helped their 20-year marriage. Weve had our problems, but we just really like each other. He doesnt take himself too seriously, she says. Now Helle is running a charity in Westminster, he can keep her amused at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even Jeremy Corbyn seems to accept theres a limit to his hero worship. Dog hears Jezza is worried some party activists at Labours party conference in Brighton in September wont want to hang around till the last day to hear him deliver his keynote speech. Hes agonising about shifting it back 24 hours to the traditional Tuesday afternoon slot so people can hear the Great Leader speak and then bugger off early. Anna's Foxy Flop... When mischievous Remain Tory MP Anna Soubry went to Nottingham races last week and saw horses called May Remain, Champagne Rules and Foxy Rebel on the card, she couldnt resist a punt on all three. The first two won but her hopes of going on a shopping spree were blown when Foxy Rebel limped home second last. I blame myself for backing a nag that reminded me of Liam Fox, she laughed. Few stood to lose more from the Tory Election disaster than the threatened hedgehog population after the defeat of their Commons guardian, ex-Plymouth Sutton MP Oliver Colvile. Colvile, who wants hedgehogs made a protected species, says Transport Secretary Chris Grayling is to take over the role. Grayling must first win over animal welfare Minister Michael Gove. Politicians dont come more prickly. Charming Education Secretary Justine Greening is highly amused by reports that she once dated notorious Tatler Tory Mark Clarke, thrown out of the party after appalling drunken and bullying antics on the Conservative campaign trail in 2015. We didnt even have coffee, says Justine. Just after the last crash, in November 2008, the Queen asked a roomful of academics and economists why they hadnt seen it coming. She wont have to do that next time. This week the klaxons started to sound. Another crash is on the way. And so if you wake up one morning and the cashpoint machines are empty, and there are long, angry queues outside famous high street banks, you, the Queen and the Government will have no excuse for being surprised. The warning came very clearly from Alex Brazier, a director of the Bank of England, in a speech in Liverpool that ought to have been on every front page and at the top of every broadcast news bulletin. Great fleets of such cars are pouring out of showrooms thanks to easy-money loans called Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) For if he is right, all the controversies, from the EU to Donald Trump, that fill the bulletins will shrivel into nothing pretty soon. Of course he did not put it quite like that. He has to be cautious. He said: Household debt like most things that are good in moderation can be dangerous in excess. Dangerous to borrowers, lenders and, most importantly from our perspective, everyone else in the economy. And then he noted that consumer credit has recently increased more than six times as fast as incomes. There is no real money to cover this. Its a gamble on the future being just like the present. It is very similar to the dangerous sub-prime mortgages that infected the Western financial system with impossible debt ten years ago. He warned of a spiral of complacency. As loans become easier to get, more money is lent on easier terms. The spiral continues, and borrowers rack up more and more debt. Lending standards can go from responsible to reckless very quickly. The sorry fact is that, as lenders think the risks they face are falling, the risks they and the wider economy face are actually growing. Its not just maxed-out credit cards, though debts of this kind are now huge. Theres a big new danger. If some of your neighbours have recently acquired shiny, big new cars, they may be part of the problem. Great fleets of such cars are pouring out of showrooms thanks to easy-money loans called Personal Contract Purchase (PCP). Almost four new cars in every five are now bought through these PCPs. Put simply, this postpones the main final balloon payment for as long as four years. If, at the end, the buyer cant pay, he can just hand the car back and walk away. Can you see how risky this is for the lender? The money comes from the finance arms of the car companies, not usually from banks themselves, but if used car prices fall, as is quite possible, the whole thing goes down the drain. And that might spread to the banks and the rest of the economy. Mr Brazier warned: The banks that are involved, as well as the shareholders of car companies, will want to think very carefully about the risks. Or will they? Experience suggests that lenders dont want to think about this at all. So if they wont, Chancellor Philip Hammond and the rest of the Cabinet should be thinking very hard indeed about what to do if it all comes crashing down one day, and farmers fields are full of used SUVs that nobody knows what to do with. Theyll say it came out of the blue, but it wont have done. Its about as predictable as next autumn, and may not be much further away. We have been warned, and if the Government isnt ready with a plan, then Im not sure what will save it from the wrath to come. The real mystery in the BBC's new drama Baffling and biased: Nicole Kidman and Alice Englert in Top Of The Lake: China Girl There are many odd or baffling things about the BBCs expletivestrewn new detective series, Top Of The Lake: China Girl. The first is Nicole Kidman, playing a latelife lesbian who has apparently had an accident with the Australian national grid which has turned her hair into a vast scouring pad. The second is the ultra-modish actress Elisabeth Moss, beloved by Left-wing critics despite the fact that she is a Scientologist (would they even write about her, let alone praise her, if she were an active Christian?). But above all, it is the portrayal of all men as weak, porncorrupted, slobbish and ignorant. This is not accidental. It is not balanced elsewhere on the BBC. Why is it not condemned as bias? Let's change the Tories' name - to Doris I suspect the whole Trans issue has been cooked up so that nobody can ever say anything about it (including here) without being somehow in the wrong, and open to attack by the Thought Police. Now that theres no more mileage in homosexuality, its the best way of making conservatives look like bigots. But those of you who have clung to the Tory Party through thick and thin must have wondered a bit last week when it endorsed the idea that anyone can be whatever sex, sorry gender, that they want to be. Heres the simple explanation. The Tory Party itself has changed sex, from Right to Left. It is a Trans party. Im puzzled that it has yet to change its name. How about Doris? And it now feels free to come out. Yet still you vote for it. Those of us who worry about the terrible state of our prisons fear all the time that there will be huge blazing riots like those of 1990. But could it be that what we face is one long riot, all across the system, never quite bad enough to be a major national scandal? More and more brave officers are badly injured. More and more prisoners are violently attacked, or kill themselves in despair. Add all these horrible events together, and it is much worse than the Strangeways outbreak of 1990 and the others that followed. If anyone in government is interested, I can explain whats wrong and how to fix it. But they wont like my prescription, so I expect they wont ask. Those of us who worry about the terrible state of our prisons fear all the time that there will be huge blazing riots like those of 1990. Pictured: Strangeways The BBCs Panorama programme was attacked last week by the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists for alleged scaremongering. Why? This gripping, tragic and carefully researched piece of work explored the mass murder of 12 people in a Colorado cinema, five years ago. It found that the killer previously a shy, peaceable and awkward student had undergone a huge personality change after being prescribed increasing doses of antidepressant pills. He suddenly became a gun enthusiast, his academic work went down the drain. He dyed his hair orange. He began making crude sexual remarks to women. Now, varying personality changes are not all that uncommon in people who are prescribed these pills, as any careful reader of the newspapers will know. Sometimes they are mild, sometimes they are large. But they do suggest a problem that needs addressing. The programme was careful not to say the pills caused the murders. How could we know? Proving that A caused B is, oddly enough, one of the most difficult tasks in science. But this is by no means the only case of a person taking antidepressants going very badly off the rails. Add to that the discovery a few years ago that the pill companies had (quite legally) suppressed their own research, showing their products were not as effective as claimed, and what do you have? You have a case for a thorough inquiry into the whole thing. It is not scaremongering to ask for one and Im very glad Panorama has brought this important subject right into the mainstream of debate. Others please copy. Vlogging is typically considered to be a youthful pursuit, with most well-known online stars still a long way from 30. But an unlikely YouTuber has emerged in the form of a 70-year-old grandmother from South Korea, who has brought a breath of fresh air to the world of social media. Park Makrye has earned herself celebrity status in her home country for her hilarious videos, documenting her day-to-day life as a fashion-forward pensioner who is fighting off the risk of dementia daily. Posting under the moniker Korea Grandma, she shares everything from her top make-up tips to her colourful adventures abroad. Park Makrye, 70, has become an unlikely YouTube star, with her hilarious videos documenting her day-to-day life as a stylish pensioner Makrye - who continues to run her own diner in Yongin, south of Seoul - says her life has been completely transformed since dipping her toes into the YouTube world. 'We used to think, "Since I'm over 70, my life is over". But as I started doing this, I realised life starts at 71 years old', she explained, adding an extra year onto her age in line with Korean custom. The idea for her own YouTube channel came about when her granddaughter Kim Yura, 27, treated her to a trip to Australia, after discovering her grandmother was at high risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. A video she posted online of the pair on holiday in Cairns in January - which included Makrye describing her first time diving in the ocean - quickly became a big hit among South Koreans. Encouraged by the popularity of her first video, Yura urged her grandmother to carry on making videos, in the hope that it might be a way to stave off dementia. Posting under the moniker Korea Grandma, she shares everything online from make-up tips to her adventures abroad Makrye (pictured right with her granddaughter) says her life has completely transformed since tipping her toes into the YouTube world Six months later, Makrye has posed for a women's magazine and hosted her own home shopping show, as well as appearing in a YouTube advert for Samsung. She has earned herself a large fan base in South Korean, amassing nearly 300,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, as well as more than 100,000 followers on her Instagram page. In fact, her fans are so devoted that they travel across the country to at at her diner, which is situated in a remote part of Yongin that has no easy public transport access. Explaining her love for the Korean grandmother, 31-year-old Lee Injae said: 'She's real. She's not fake. It's refreshing to see the world through the eyes of a grandmother.' Makrye still runs her own diner in Yongin, south of Seoul, with fans flocking there to get a taste of her food She said she used think her 'life was over' at the age of 70, but explains how YouTubing has now given her a new lease of life The idea for her own YouTube channel came about when her granddaughter Kim Yura, 27, treated her to a trip to Australia, after discovering her grandmother was at high risk of getting Alzheimer's disease Makrye's granddaughter Yura added: 'I learned then that my grandmother was just like us. She likes to travel, eat tasty food and take pretty photos. I'm her fan too. She is such a cool person.' However, life was very different for Makrye growing up. Her father refused to send her to school because she was a girl, instead forcing her to do work about the house - including cutting firewood in the mountains and walking hours to carry it home. A neighbour briefly gave her reading and writing lessons, but she still doesn't know how to spell most words. 'My mum and dad didn't teach me even though we were not poor because they wanted to put me to work,' she explained. 'As I do YouTube now, I feel sorry that I haven't been educated.' However, she is not deterred from writing messages to her fans online, even if her Instagram posts are almost illegible and need 'interpretation'. Since launching her YouTube channel six months ago, she has already amassed nearly 300,000 subscribers Fans say Makrye - who is seen testing out various beauty products in her YouTube videos - is 'refreshing' and 'real' Her fans have dubbed her unique way of expressing herself, with no spaces between words and respellings like 'shampangyi' for champagne, as the 'Makrye font.' Makrye later encountered other challenges in life, with her husband abandoning her and their three young children after running up debts. However, she began running her restaurant while raising her children single-handedly, eventually repaying the debts. All three children finished high school, and granddaughter Yura was the first in the family to attend college. Despite all her success on YouTube, Makrye said she would never give up running her diner - saying she will carry on working there 'Until I die'. Despite her success, Makrye has encountered a number of challenges in life. Her husband abandoned her and their three young children after running up debts However, she began running her restaurant while raising her children single-handedly, eventually repaying the debts Her father refused to send her to school because she was a girl, instead forcing her to do work about the house. Pictured is Makrye showing a picture of herself as a teenager Many women dream of designing their perfect wardrobe, but that dream has become an important reality for one plus-size fashion blogger who has put her own spin on the 'fatshion' industry. Bethany Rutter, 27, from London, has created a vibrant clothing collection with curvier women in mind, after becoming frustrated with the lack of options on the market. Bethany found most collections aimed at larger women were based on the assumption shoppers wanted to look 'ultra-feminine' and accentuate 'hourglass figures' - so has designed a line full of block colours and androgynous shapes in response. Bethany Rutter, from London, has teamed up with German-based brand navabi to design a grown-up collection with curvier women in mind Teaming up with the German brand navabi, she has designed a range that goes up to a size 28 - and will take women straight from the office to a dinner out with friends. Bethany wanted to create statement pieces that could be worn every day - with the use of bold, bright colours being an important part of that mission. Speaking to FEMAIL, Bethany explained how she designed the range with the gaps in her own wardrobe in mind. The blogger went to navabi's Germany office to work with the design team there, picking out the exact fabrics and colours she wanted for her garments. Describing her aim for the collection, she said: 'I wanted it to be stuff that you can wear every day, but not be super casual. I think that's what's missing from the plus-size market.' Bethany - who started her Arched Eyebrow blog back in 2011 and also works as a social media editor for navabi - says brands assume that curvier women want ultra-feminine clothing, when that's not always the case. Frustrated with the clothes on offer for larger ladies, she embarked on creating a range that would take women from the office to a dinner out with friends She wanted to create pieces that would make a statement but could still be worn everyday - with the use of bold colour being an important part of that mission 'It's assumed that we want to wear dresses that show off our waist and mimic an hour glass figure, even if we don't have one,' she explained. 'The thing I've learnt as a plus-size blogger is that we're not always given the same choice as slimmer women. 'Brands will say that plus-size women want this thing or want that thing, without really giving them a choice.' Speaking about the benefits of creating her own collection, she said: 'If you're plus size, there's a real chance that the item you're looking for doesn't exist and has never existed. Bethany, 27, explained how she designed the range with the gaps in her own wardrobe in mind She went to navabi's Germany office to work with the design team out there, picking out the exact fabrics and colours she wanted for her garments Bethany said her favourite piece from the collection are the green high-waisted trousers, explaining: 'Good trousers are really hard to find in a plus-size' 'I was able to magic up those items from my head.' Bethany said her favourite piece from the collection are the green high-waisted trousers, explaining: 'Good trousers are really hard to find in a plus-size, and I just think the colour is so perfect.' Other garments in the nine-piece collection include a cobalt blue duster coat, fuchsia midi skirt and a red shift dress. Prices range from 39.99 to 129.99, with all pieces available in sizes 14 to 28 from navabi.co.uk. Michelle Dewberry shot to fame as the UK's first female winner of The Apprentice in 2006. Michelle, 37, stood as a candidate for West Hull and Hessle in the last general election on a pro-Brexit platform, and currently hosts Sky's political show The Pledge. The passionate Brexiteer tells FEMAIL that people who want to 'turn to experience and bring back Tony Blair to sort out Brexit' are 'absolutely bonkers'... Scroll down for video The Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry writes for FEMAIL, arguing that people who want to bring Tony Blair back to negotiate Brexit are be 'absolutely bonkers' I've heard some ridiculous things in my time but last week on The Pledge, I was told that it was time for Theresa May to 'turn to experience and bring back Blair' to sort out Brexit. Supposedly he is the man who 'knows what he's talking about when it comes to Britain and Europe', and should be invited to join the official negotiating table on our behalf. I honestly fail to see the logic in involving a person dubbed 'yesterday's man' to negotiate our way out of a club that he a) wants to stay in and b) wants to be the boss of. He is also a man that a large amount of the British public want to see behind bars, for his involvement in war crimes. Michelle claims that the former PM (pictured at a Brexit meeting in May) is lining himself up to be President of the EU With this in mind, am I missing something? Why on earth are people suggesting that he's the man for this job? Make no mistake, Tony Blair is indeed determined, and a man on a mission, but I can't help but feel his latest attempt is not purely altruistic. He admits he wishes he had made a public bid for the original position of President of the EU, and now it may be that he's spotted a golden opportunity to position himself nicely, should that cushy role come up again. I listen to him over and over again, telling us what a mistake Brexit is, and how we only voted for it because we (particularly us Northerners) were basically too thick to understand it. Quite frankly, it's getting boring. Mr Blair, I hate to break it to you but if you truly think the 'general public' are idiots and couldn't possibly grasp Brexit, then it's time you took a look in the mirror. As a prominent Remainer, he and others had plenty of opportunity and an open stage to educate us on the benefits of the EU. To let us know why we should indeed stay in, and to convince us of how rosy the future could be if we remained. They didn't. Instead, they focused on fear-mongering, feeding us the negatives, and the doom and gloom of why we shouldn't leave and how we would be damned if we dare set foot outside of the bloated ball of bureaucracy that he wanted to lead. I voted to leave. And I did so for many reasons, including because I was absolutely fed up of the ridiculousness of the EU. Yes, it has it's good bits but then again, doesn't everything? I can't help but see it as a bureaucratic ego-train. Much like the train they insist on chartering every month between Brussels and Strasburg as they transport their entire parliament between the two places at eye-watering costs, because, wellbecause of nothing really, just because they can. Michelle stood as a candidate for West Hull and Hessle in the last general election on a pro-Brexit platform I also voted to leave because I don't believe that uncontrolled immigration is sustainable, nor wise. People are quick to dismiss any form of normal discussion around the 'I word' as racist or xenophobic, but it isn't. It's a conversation we needed to have a very long time ago and one that if we had, could have perhaps avoided the referendum all together. Cast your mind back to 2004, Blair made a decision not to apply any form of transitional controls when free movement expanded to Eastern Europe (even Germany had the foresight to do so!). It was a bad decision. And if that is the kind of 'experience' we are talking about when considering bringing back Tony Blair, I think we will do just fine without him. Michelle currently hosts Sky's political show The Pledge, where the topic of Tony Blair and Brexit was discussed (Pictured here while appearing on a panel on Question Time this year) As for those saying that Brexiteers have now changed our minds - we haven't. Even a poll commissioned last week by Blair's own institute showed that 75 per cent believe Britain's immigration policy is too open, as well as them being overwhelming in their support of us leaving the EU. Awkward! Let's please not make Brexit an extended job interview for the role of EU President. Leaving is an opportunity to create a new future for ourselves and a new relationship with the EU. To those saying 'bring back Blair to negotiate Brexit' I've got a message for you - you're absolutely bonkers! A high flying tech guru who struggled with loneliness after becoming a mother for the first time has launched an app to connect like-minded mums Michelle Kennedy, 34, from London, who is the former deputy CEO of Badoo and was also an integral part of the launch of Bumble, gave birth to her son Finlay in 2013 and despite feeling prepared for motherhood, found it a difficult 'adjustment'. 'I was lonely and that was a really difficult realisation. It felt like a dirty secret that I couldnt verbalise,' she told FEMAIL. 'I found the judgement flying around to be really intimidating. I was praying I would meet someone who also watched Love Island and drink red wine on a Monday night (gasp), but who also wanted to talk about an amazing new book, or political concerns that were worrying them. Just someone who would keep me in touch with 'Michelle pre-mom'. Michelle Kennedy, 34, said her loneliness felt like a 'dirty secret' when she had her son Finlay four years ago 'But I think to move to the next level of truly being friends can take a series of "dates", before you realise that you don't share the same values or outlook on life.' So she decided to put her skills to good use and launched an app that matches mothers with similar interests. Users can swipe up to give other mothers a 'wave' to spark a conversation and say hello and if they get a wave in return, the app highlights their shared interests. When another mother waves back, the app highlights their shared interests. Peanut says more than 10 million "waves" have been exchanged since February. Michelle readily admits that nothing could have prepared her for the reality of becoming a mother, despite feeling well organised ahead of the birth. 'Id bought everything on my list, Id read a few books, Id attended NCT, Id even attended an additional antenatal course, just to really make sure I had it covered,' she recalled. 'I felt professionally at the top of my game, I was running an extremely successful dating platform. I had great friends and a good family life, so motherhood seemed like just another step in my life. The mother-of-one had a highly successful career in tech, but found new motherhood more tricky to navigate Michelle's app Peanut matches women on their interests, so they can meet other like-minded mothers 'When Finlay arrived, I felt as if I had been naive. I hadnt appreciated how different everything would become. I was scared, I felt like everything was changing and it was out of my control. Id gone from working a million miles an hour, around people constantly and all of a sudden I was at home all day on my own with this little dude. It was a difficult adjustment. 'My husband would go to work every day and leave me at home, sounds ridiculous to phrase it like that, but thats how it felt at the time. 'I wasnt really sure who Michelle the Mother was. The strongest feeling was that Id really lost my identity. I wasn't really sure who I was anymore, and the very together me felt dangerously close to falling apart.' The obvious solution would be to connect with others who understood what she was going through, but Michelle quickly found that just because someone else is a mother it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to hit it off. Michelle admits she felt constantly judged as a new mother who was struggling to find her feet Michelle was desperate to reconnect with her pre-motherhood self but was was scared to talk about anything other than babies with the other women she met 'Not all women are the same. There are so many different types of women, who all have different interests, values, points of view,' she explained. 'Of course, not all mums are the same. That artificial coming together because "you're a mum, Im a mum, we need to hang out" can be awkward and forced, and make you feel lonely all over again. 'I was faking it, pretending to be someone I wasnt, just to be able to spend time with someone and not be on my own. What I really really needed was to find someone likeminded where I could be honest, and be myself, reclaim that part of my identity again. 'But I found no real way to communicate and meet with mothers who felt, well who I felt were on my wavelength. As a new mother, Michelle felt she was faking it and acting like a different person as she struggled to connect with other people in the same boat The turning point came for Michelle when her son was six-months-old and she returned to work and found two close friends who are mothers 'There was a lot of judgement and opinion flying around online and I became so terrified of being criticised, I felt the equivalent of tongue tied (with a keyboard). 'Even if I did get a rapport with someone responding to my questions - it happened once - it wasnt really the done thing to ask her about meeting up, that would just be awkward. 'Often, I would see groups of mothers, and I felt like I was back at school, constantly assessing the situation to see if I might "fit in". 'I felt it wasn't the done thing to talk about life outside of Fin, but I prayed for someone who would dare to interrupt breast feeding chat to discuss whether they also had weird pigmentation on their face, or they too felt that Scandal was just one series too much.' Michelle was reluctant to speak to her husband or friends about her loneliness as she felt it was a taboo to admit motherhood wasn't everything she thought it would be Naturally, Michelle also needed trusted friends to chat about her parenting questions with, but was scared of being judged. 'It can take a series of "dates" before you realise that you don't share the same values or outlook on life. 'For example, meeting up for a few coffees, before someone tells you that they cannot believe that X's daughter uses a dummy and you smile, and nod, but your own son uses a dummy at night, and you don't know how to broach it, because it's gone too far. 'Someone on your wavelength is someone who you can disagree with, but there is respect there, not judgement. I found the judgement flying around to be really intimidating. Michelle quickly realised that not all mothers are the same and that true friendships can't be built without respecting each other's differing points of view 'I became a bit of a chameleon at times, not wanting to offend, not wanting to be judged.' Although Michelle had the support of her husband and friends, she didn't feel it was 'socially acceptable' to admit how she was feeling. 'I would share snippets with my friends, or my husband, but I didnt really know how to articulate the feeling that I was lonely, and felt like I was faking it as a competent, together mother,' she said. 'Wherever I looked, I didnt see anyone who seemed to be feeling the same way as me.' The turning point came when was Fin was six-months-old and she started to regain her confidence. 'Ive heard people describe it as a fog lifting, and yes, it was. I returned to work and I felt a little more connected to the Michelle I understood,' she said. 'And, I had made two wonderful friends who were mothers.' The upside of Michelle's experience was that it inspired her to launch Peanut, which is about to launch on Android, for modern mothers to meet other like-minded people. 'I remember someone saying to me I am fed up of being treated like every other mum, not all mums are the same you know. 'I understood that so deeply, it was intuitive to build the antidote to that into the app. I really believe that amazing things happen when women come together and we just needed a product that helps us do that.' If you're off to the races or have a wedding to attend this summer, you might think finding the perfect dress is the most important part, but in fact tracking down the perfect hat can often prove the trickiest task. Statement millinery worthy of an elegant occasion isn't something most of us have casually hanging around in the wardrobe, so if you are going to invest your money, how can you be sure to get it right? London-based Milliner Rosie Norman - whose brand Rosie Olivia has crafted bespoke pieces for Pippa Middleton, Zara Tindall and Princess Beatrice to name a few - has shared her top tips with Femail to ensure that you turn heads for all the right reasons on that special occasion. And she says that, of all the royals, Sophie Countess of Wessex is the one to look to for inspiration. Royal milliner Rosie Norman has made hats for the likes of Princess Beatrice and Pippa Middleton and has shared her top tips for nailing the perfect wedding or race day hat According to Rosie, the Countess of Wessex always gets it right when it comes to her headwear 'In my view, Sophie always gets her hat and outfit spot on,' she said. 'I think she looks so chic and radiant and bang on trend,' said Rosie. 'The Duchess of Cambridge always looks sensational too and I would love to make a hat for either. 'They always seem to have their hair groomed and up, and I always tell my clients that if you put your hair up whilst wearing a hat it does make the hat stand out more and looks far more elegant.' If you're reluctant to go down the road of a very formal hat that looks like it belongs on a member of the royal family heading to Ascot, then the fedora if your friend. 'I wear them all the time especially when having a bad hair day,' Rosie explained. 'They are more casual but it does completely depend on the trimming that adorns the hat. 'I have created a trilby with a small crown and large brim which is to be worn on an angle as I was getting clients who loved the trilby look, but wanted to wear it with a smart dress. The new trilby shape works with this look.' Zara Tindall at a Service of Thanksgiving to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 90th Birthday in a bespoke hat by Rosie Olivia Princess Beatrice wearing one of Rosie Olivia's creations to church at Sandringham You should always wear your hair in an updo like the Duchess of Cambridge when you're donning a hat for that chic finishing touch, according to Rosie In additional to the classic trilby, Rosie has also had her fair share of eccentric requests for millinery. 'I've had to make hats for horses for a photoshoot. Making the hats was the easy part but getting them on the horses is another story. 'I had to make a bridal headwear with a video camera built in so that the bride and groom were able to film their wedding day from their view and most recently Ive made a giant crown to celebrate a new range of Ford Fiestas. 'I wanted to create a crown that bought to life the details and attributes of the new Ford Fiesta so I designed a 90kg crown with a quilted leather headband and 200 handpainted crystals and used an actual gear stick as the centre piece along with 800m of seat belt arches.' The milliner who runs the brand Rosie Olivia says that simple earrings, an updo and bold lip and eye make-up is the killer combo that will make any hat look great PICK THE RIGHT SHAPE FOR YOUR FACE Different hat styles suit different people and with a variety of shapes it is important to select the right one. Large brim hats suit taller ladies, whilst smaller hats and pill box hats suit round faces. For ladies with a fringe, it is best to cover the hair line so the fringe does not get squashed. EXPERIMENT WITH POSITION OF YOUR HAT Not all hats belong in the centre of our heads, some look best further forward or angled above the eyebrow. For a stylish look, I recommend placing hats at an angle to match the angle of a jaw line or wear a Jackie O style pill box that sits at the back of your head. The milliner is famed for her elaborate creations, but says that a fedora is the perfect style for anyone who is nervous about going too bold PERFECT YOUR COLOUR SCHEME A hat can make the perfect finishing touch choose a complimentary base colour and a trimming that works with your chosen colour palette and textures. I do love it when the hat is the same colour as the outfit or if the trimming on the hat reflects the detailing on the dress. ACCESSORISE TO COMPLIMENT YOUR HAT It is best to select subtle earrings if your hat has lots of detail. Dont over do it! Pair with diamond studs or something simple and classic like a pearl. When selecting makeup I recommend a strong eye and a good lippy! FEEL CONFIDENT A good hat should feel very comfortable to wear, look great and work with your outfit, but most importantly go for the hat that you feel confident wearing - this will be the right one. Australian transgender model, Gemma Cowling, has been named as the face of Toni&Guy's new campaign, 'You Define You'. The stunning blonde has featured in a number of candid images for the campaign, which is all about 'the desire to be whoever you want to be'. It is the first time Toni&Guy has recruited an Australian model to front the campaign, with the South Australian model proud to be announced as the face. 'There is nothing more important than expressing who you truly are and working with Toni&Guy on the You Define You campaign has been really empowering,' Gemma said. Australian transgender model, Gemma Cowling, has been named as the face of Toni&Guy's new campaign, 'You Define You' The stunning blonde has featured in a number of candid images for the campaign, which is all about 'the desire to be whoever you want to be' 'I think it's so impressive that they have embraced the diversity of modern women with the You Define You campaign. 'I hope everyone feels as confident as I did rocking these three looks.' Toni&Guy Marketing Manager, Anshika Grover, said Gemma was a natural choice. 'We believe nothing should get in the way of you defining yourself, your way. Gemma embodies that confidence and we are excited to be launching this campaign with a local Australian model to showcase the versatility of our products,' she said. It is the first time Toni&Guy has recruited an Australian model to front the campaign, with the South Australian model proud to be announced as the face 'There is nothing more important than expressing who you truly are and working with Toni&Guy on the You Define You campaign has been really empowering,' Gemma said The campaign sees Gemma embracing three different looks: The Chic You, a half up, half down style; The Slick You, with a sleek, dramatic centre parting; and The Glam You, a wavy faux undercut. Despite Gemma's growing success, she recently admitted she's not entirely comfortable being a role model for other up and coming models. 'It makes me so uncomfortable, just because I am a very messy person,' Gemma told Confidential. 'I feel like there are so many better influences but I guess people are going to find solace in whoever and if that is me, then sick. I am just trying to do my thing.' Despite Gemma's growing success, she recently admitted she's not entirely comfortable being a role model for other up and coming models 'I feel like there are so many better influences but I guess people are going to find solace in whoever and if that is me, then sick. I am just trying to do my thing,' she said She also spoke of being a transgender model in the industry. 'It is such a hot-button issue at the moment, people are definitely curious about it and also don't really know how to handle it in a respectful way,' she said. Gemma came out as a woman in late 2015. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia seven months on, she said it was not until transgender women became accessible in mainstream media and modern society that she was able to put her own identity in to words. 'It was at a time when Laverne Cox was on the cover of Time Magazine and people like Caitlyn Jenner were starting to be an accepted reality,' she said. The campaign sees Gemma embracing three different looks: The Chic You, a half up, half down style; The Slick You, with a sleek, dramatic centre parting; and The Glam You, a wavy faux undercut After finally coming out as a woman in November 2015, Gemma began her transition almost immediately 'They gave me a word, a name and an idea behind what was going on in my life. 'Before that it hadn't been something I'd heard of or interacted with in anything but a negative way.' After finally coming out as a woman in November 2015, Gemma began her transition almost immediately. The eloquent model, who was then 19, said she had been interested in fashion from an early age, and was planning to break in to the fashion industry before she was scouted. Since being discovered in 2016, Gemma's career has taken off She debuted on the runway that same year at the Adelaide Fashion Festival and after moving to Sydney, her career has continued to grow Since being discovered in 2016, Gemma's career has taken off. She debuted on the runway that same year at the Adelaide Fashion Festival and after moving to Sydney, her career has continued to grow. The move has seen Gemma walk at both VAMFF and MBFWA for some of Australia's most acclaimed designers including Christopher Esber. They are blessed with enviable good looks: razor-sharp cheekbones, smouldering eyes and bountiful waves of long, glossy hair. But as Kristen Stewart has found on the set of her latest movie, Underwater, the only way for any self-respecting thespian to be taken seriously these days is to adopt an altogether bolder and balder guise. She has joined a host of other leading actresses who have allowed the hairdresser to slice off all their beloved locks. For it seems that a buzz cut is now a must-have for any star seeking a grittier and potentially award-winning role. No action movie is complete without a close-cropped female note Mad Max, Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 and V For Vendetta. Those who have joined the clipper crew include Cara Delevingne, Cate Blanchett, Kate Hudson and Natalie Portman, whose characters include everything from trained killers to cancer patients. There is not a rom-com in sight. Some actresses report that their new do opens up surprising off-screen benefits. Miss Stewart, who plays an engineer in Underwater, said: I just want to head-bang all day. Certainly, the professional benefits are clear. Here, then, are the A-listers whose close shaves reveal hidden depths. Caras bald ambition British model and actress Cara Delevingne, 24, proves that her stubble is as razor-sharp as her cheekbones as she bravely takes on the role of cancer patient for Life In A Year, to be released in 2018. Cate makes the head lines Shes won plaudits galore for her serious acting endeavours. But Australian beauty Cate Blanchett, 48, pulled out the stops and most of her hair playing a widow dealing with the aftermath of her husbands death in the thriller Heaven. Charlizes choice cut Charlize Theron, 41, had no time for hair products as a kick-ass female soldier in Mad Max: Fury Road. She found the experience of removing her hair a liberating one, later saying: I highly recommend it. I think every woman should do it. Mane event for Karen Famed for her flame-coloured tresses, former Doctor Who companion Karen Gillan, 29, had a close encounter with a pair of clippers to play alien super-villain Nebula in Guardians Of The Galaxy 2. Beyond the fringe with Kristen Twilight actress Kristen Stewart took pale and interesting to a whole new level even for a former vampire with this ice-cool close crop. The 26-year-old took the plunge at the hairdresser as she prepared for her latest part as an engineer in Underwater. Sheridans cutting edge work British actress Sheridan Smith, 36, proved her hairline is as sharp as her acting in her role as journalist and cancer patient Lisa Lynch in the Bafta-nominated adaptation of Lynchs memoir The C-Word in 2015. Natalies good hair day Shes the Black Swan turned ugly duckling Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, 36, had her head shaved in one take for 2005 thriller V For Vendetta and picked up a Best Actress gong from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Film. Kate's on a new wavelength Blonde beach hair and a whimsical rom-com are her trademark, but A-lister Kate Hudson, 38, was unrecognisable while filming her new movie Sisters last week. Is she showing new depths? Locks of luck for Anne She shaved it all off to play Fantine in Les Miserables and the new do made Hollywood star Anne Hathaway, 34, completely miserable. An Oscar and a Golden Globe must have cheered her up considerably. PS: Stars who led the way with their shear style Selfie queen Karen Danczuk is set to tie the knot with her toyboy lover after he popped the question while on holiday in Spain. The former Labour councillor, 34, looked overwhelmed as Spanish waiter David, 26, went down on one knee during a romantic day out at the beach. Wearing a racy leopard print swimsuit, the mother-of-two clasped her hands to her mouth before throwing her arms around her handsome beau. Living up to her reputation, Karen made sure to document the romantic moment with selfies. It will be the second time down the aisle for Karen, whose four-year marriage to former Labour MP Simon Danczuk ended last year. She said yes! Karen Danczuk is set to marry toyboy David after he proposed in Spain Selfie queen: Living up to her name, Karen made sure to document the moment with a picture Passionate: The newly-engaged couple were spotted kissing on the Spanish shore Frolicking in the sea: Karen and David put on a very loved-up display after the proposal Karen and David met in Spain last year and now live together in Rochdale. It is not known where the wedding will take place. The couple were enjoying a romantic moment on the rocky shore when David seized the opportunity and went down on one knee to propose. He held out the ring before taking his girlfriend's hand to place it on her finger. The loved-up couple could not keep their hands off each other and embraced on the shore before sharing a passionate kiss. Romantic day out: David pointed out to sea while exploring the rocks with his girlfriend Seizing the moment: Holding out the ring to Karen, David asked her to marry him Overwhelmed: The shocked mother-of-two clasped her hands over her mouth Emotional: Karen appeared to wipe away a tear as David placed the ring on her finger Romantic moment: Karen quickly reached up to give her handsome beau a hug Celebration: The loved-up couple embraced as the waves lapped against the rocks Time for a selfie: Karen stopped to pose for a photo, although she covered her ring They later put on a very loved-up display as they frolicked on the sand and documented the moment with a selfie. At one point David, who was wearing a pair of bright pink swim trunks, picked up his bride-to-be and gave her a piggyback ride through the surf. Despite being a prolific social media user, Karen has yet to share a post about her upcoming nuptials. Sealed with a kiss: Karen went up on her tiptoes as she shared an intimate moment with David Racy: The mother-of-two showed off her figure in a daring leopard print swimsuit Fun in the sun: The couple were spotted enjoying a light-hearted moment in the surf Flirty: David grabbed his fiance's bottom as he lifted her into the air Affectionate: Karen wrapped her legs around David as they embraced There she goes! The former Labour councillor took a tumble and ended up in the sand Her relationship with David hasn't been all plain sailing as Karen became embroiled in a furious row with her ex-husband Simon during a post-divorce holiday to Alicante with their children in August last year. Earlier this year Karen announced she was toning down her image with a view to becoming the party candidate for Bury North in the General Election. 'I've overcome my demons and I'm living a new life,' she said. Exploring: Earlier the couple were seen combing through rock pools on the Spanish coast Look of love: His arm around Karen, David gazed into his lover's eyes as they walked Strolling in the sea: David and Karen looked relaxed as they walked along the beach Excitement: At one point Karen threw her arms into the air as David looked on Love is in the air: David nuzzled his fiance's neck as they took in the sea view together 'I'm a new person. I'm really quite camera shy now, it's quite strange. I've completely stopped taking selfies and everything. 'I thought to myself, if I don't run for Parliament now, I'll never do it. This is my chance to stand up for fairness.' But her bid failed and James Frith was chosen to take on Conservative David Nuttall who currently holds the seat. Cheeky squeeze: David could not keep his hands to himself as he kissed his fiancee It's understood to be something of a turbulent time in the Royal Household, after it emerged that the Queen's right-hand man is preparing to quit. Sir Christopher Geidt, Her Majesty's Private Secretary, is reported to be preparing to stand down amid a dramatic shake up of Royal staff that is also expected to see 'two, maybe three more' senior figures leave before Christmas. Despite the changes afoot the Queen, who is staying at Balmoral Castle for her annual Scottish summer break, did not veer from her holiday routine. She was seen arriving at Crathie Kirk to attend a church service today, just as she did this time last week. The Queen was seen dressed in green to attend the Sunday service at Crathie Kirk during her annual holiday at Balmoral Crathie Kirk, in Aberdeenshire, is the regular place of worship for the Royal Family when they are holidaying at nearby Balmoral Castle Immaculately turned out as ever in a vibrant green coat dress with a co-ordinating hat, the Queen, 91, who was with a female companion, was the picture of composure as her car pulled up at the small parish church. According to the Mail on Sunday Sir Christopher's unexpected departure is the first of a 'slew' of personnel changes set to take place within the Royal Household. It comes as the Queen and Prince Charles attempt to impose greater unity on the households of the younger Royals, at what has been described as a watershed moment for the monarchy. The Queen and Prince Philip, 96, are scaling back on official duties as they prepare to hand over responsibility to the younger generation. The Queen was also pictured arriving at Crathie Church a week ago on the first Sunday of her annual Scottish holiday The picturesque Crathie Kirk, where the Queen is a regular while in residence at Balmoral is a mere stone's throw from Balmoral Castle on Royal Deeside. This time last week the Queen was also at the service, that time in a white coat and matching hat with pink accents. The great-grandmother added a string of pearls to her outfit during her first Sunday of her summer break. The Duke of Edinburgh was noticeably absent from the service last week, and did not appear to have joined the monarch for today's service. Her Majesty was accompanied by a female companion as well as several staff members Her Majesty typically arrives in Scotland August after Balmoral castle is closed to visitors and full security checks are carried out on the grounds. However, according to the Balmoral visiting calendar, the building is still open to the public until Monday July 31. Balmoral (pictured), which was bought by Prince Albert for 32,000 in 1852, is said to be the Queen's favourite home In this case previously the Queen has stayed at Craigowan Lodge, about a mile away, until the castle doors are closed to the public. Craigowan Lodge has been well-used by the Royal Family in the past. Prince Charles stayed there with Diana after their 1981 wedding, as did Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson after their marriage. The Queen famously enjoys a more low-key existence while staying at the Scottish retreat - with her former royal protection officer Richard Griffin recently revealing that she had a conversation with unsuspecting American tourists visiting the estate while dressed in tweeds and a scarf. Balmoral, which was bought by Prince Albert for 32,000 in 1852, is said to be the Queen's favourite home. During her stay at the castle, she relaxes by going for walks on the Aberdeenshire estate, eating picnics and cooking barbecues. Princess Eugenie has previously said of Balmoral: Its the most beautiful place on earth. I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands. When Lucille Lewin applied for a Masters degree, her first thought was: Can I really do this? I hadnt actually done a BA before, she says. And the elephant in the room was my age. A 67-year-old mother of two grown-up sons (ones a doctor, ones a lawyer), shed be some 40 years older than many of the students. Its rare to relish starting a new career just as your contemporaries are winding down. And going to art college in your mid-60s is clearly a challenge from coping with the super-confident, young millennials, to completing mountains of coursework but the change is particularly shocking if, like Lucille, you once ran a legendary fashion empire. Lucille, now a tiny, vibrant 69-year-old, says she remains endlessly curious and in fact everything in her life has happened organically With her husband Richard, Lucille founded Whistles in 1976 and turned it into one of the High Streets biggest success stories. Her own designs for the brand were sized for real women, and many of us are still wearing her jewelled knits, embroidered jackets and tailored suits 20 years on. By the time the couple sold the business in 2002, to business partner Richard Caring, it had 40 stores across the country. The funny thing is, she admits, none of her twentysomething fellow students knew about her history. All the brownie points I got in fashion were worth absolutely nothing. It was a new world completely. Though, she adds, they did Google her half way through the course. Lucilles decision to completely reinvent herself eight years ago happened by chance. I walked into an evening class in Hackney, East London, by mistake. A good friend was going, and I wanted to talk to her, so I said: Ill drop you off. I wandered into this little basement studio, where there were a few potters potting, and the smell of the clay hit me. I connected with it at once . . . its a very earthy smell. She signed up for part-time evening classes, then decided to study ceramics full-time. Anyone thinking of retraining mid-life, after a career, might take inspiration from Lucille. Now a tiny, vibrant 69-year-old, she remains endlessly curious. In fact, she says everything in her life has happened organically. She married Richard on her 21st birthday and went to America after he got a place at Harvard Business School. In 1972, they moved to the UK. Richard had a job with menswear company Burtons and, to her amazement, she landed a job as an assistant to the merchandiser at Harvey Nichols. I only had ripped jeans to wear, so I went out and bought this fabulous suit and a pair of stacked heels for the interview. She was later promoted to buyer, but was eventually fired for being too outspoken. So, in 1976, she decided to open her own shop on George Street in Marylebone. I wanted to occupy the space between designer and High Street. She filled the tiny, 250 sq ft shop with black and white clothes and it sold out. She believes the sale of Whistles may have been a trigger for one of the most traumatic episodes in her life. In 2009, she was diagnosed with a non-cancerous brain tumour known as an acoustic neuroma. The takeover was a very difficult time for me, she admits. The company was very much my baby. It was a time of unbelievable, unrelenting shock and stress. I felt powerless, and that was one of the hardest things. Its art, yes, but also a business. You dont make ceramics just to sit looking pretty in your garage you do it to exhibit and sell the work - Lucille Lewin The tumour was removed during a 12-and-a-half hour operation at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. Afterwards, she felt very weak for three months. She says: I could not shop, cook or care for myself. I was so grateful I had my family around me. At first, smiling was impossible and eating was a challenge. Many people retreat because they cant cope with whats happened to their faces. You lose the ability to react, you lose your smile. Following an intensive rehabilitation programme, her condition is barely visible except in photographs. Having recovered, she was determined to have more pleasure in her life. She took a two-year part-time diploma in fine art and ceramics at Londons City Lit college (201214), after which tutors urged her to apply for a two-year postgraduate degree at the prestigious Royal College of Art. To her delight, she won a place. As a fashion guru, she had lectured at the Royal College. Now she was a mere student. Im quite a relaxed person, so I didnt worry about status, thank goodness, she laughs. Though she says wryly that young people master technology so much better, she made friends for life on the course. At a time when the number of part-time and mature students has dropped significantly, because people are worried about running up debt, shes keen to stress its not an indulgence. Its exciting. Ive got so many things I still want to say. And I think its just the start of this adventure - Lucille Lewin The course cost 9,000 a year, but by selling her work, she can recoup the cost. Its art, yes, but also a business. You dont make ceramics just to sit looking pretty in your garage you do it to exhibit and sell the work. In fact, Lewin has more than held her own alongside her classmates. In June, she won the 1,500 Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize, after completing her MA in ceramics and glass. The irony of being declared a young master at the age of 69 isnt lost on her. Since she won the prize, pretty much all of her exquisite white porcelain sculptures have sold. Now shes preparing for an exhibition in November. Husband Richard grumbles good-naturedly that they cant go on holiday. I dont blame him, I should be calming down a little bit, smiles Lucille. But its exciting. Ive got so many things I still want to say. And I think its just the start of this adventure. Lucilles work is on show at The Cynthia Corbett Gallery / Young Masters Art Prize at the Royal Overseas League until September 8, young-masters.co.uk, lucillelewin.com The moment I walk into the mellow Somerset farmhouse, it's clear this is no ordinary retreat. A morning run is out of bounds. Yoga and meditation are forbidden. And there's homemade cake and chocolate on offer. I am asked to surrender my phone and laptop. For five days, I will be completely unplugged. There must be no distractions. I won't even have a book to read. We've all heard of physical detoxing; we've swigged back the kale juice and wallowed in Epsom salt baths. But what about emotional detoxing? I am at The Bridge, an intensive retreat that aims to clear the backlog of unprocessed emotions from our systems. 'For 20 years of my life I thought I was suffering from depression, but really, I was suffering from unprocessed grief' says Jane Alexander One of its biggest fans is actress Thandie Newton: 'It might just be the best time, effort and money you will ever spend,' she gushes in its promotional blurb. But is emotional detoxing necessary? Apparently so. While scientists readily pour scorn on physical detoxing (our bodies can handle most toxins perfectly well by themselves), a broad range of research indicates we're not so adept at coping with our emotional debris. Unexpressed grief, unprocessed anger and repressed fears are implicated in a range of conditions from IBS and migraines, heart disease and certain forms of cancer, to anxiety and depression. I know all too well how suppressed emotion can have a direct effect on health. I was ten years old when my father died of lung cancer. It was the early Seventies and back then, grief was something you did in private. I didn't go to my father's funeral. Nobody even spoke about him it was as if he had never existed. Overnight I developed asthma and became depressed and withdrawn. Donna Lancaster, co-founder of The Bridge, has first-hand experience of this battlefield. 'For 20 years of my life I thought I was suffering from depression,' she says. 'But really, I was suffering from unprocessed grief. 'I grew up with a violent alcoholic father and an exhausted mother. I wasn't allowed to express my sadness, anger or fear. Instead I became 'depressed'. I had to grieve the loss of my childhood.' Following the split with her husband, the past few years have been tough on Jane's body as well as mind as she mourns her health, fitness and youth Donna spent her early career as a social worker, specialising in child protection. She then worked in schools, prisons and women's refuges before qualifying in the Hoffman Process, an emotional release therapy created in America in 1967. She started The Bridge more than two years ago and developed it with qualified counsellor Gabi Krueger and Frederique Bicker, a clinical psychologist who worked at London's Priory Hospital specialising in depression, anxiety, addiction and stress prevention. Donna smiles encouragingly as I join a group of people sitting in a circle in a meeting room. There are 14 of us, 12 women and two men, ranging in age from about 20 to 60. One by one, these strangers are invited to share an experience of loss with the group. People talk openly. One woman sobs as she relates how her mother abandoned her as a baby, another softly grieves her repeated miscarriages. It's heavy going, raw and emotionally draining, but that's exactly what it's meant to be. 'Loss is part of the human condition and some forms of it are more subtle than others,' says Donna. 'Loss of innocence is really common. Many people have had their childhoods robbed from them. You might have had to parent your mother or father, or maybe a parent treated you as a confidant instead of a child. You could have been abused, violated, hurt dragged into an adulthood you're not ready for.' I think about the other forms of loss in my life. My husband and I decided to separate in 2015 and our house was sold last year, so I think I'm still grieving the loss of marriage and home. Moving from Exmoor to Exeter meant I also lost my support network of close friends. To overcome depression before the retreat Jane had previously tried hypnotherapy, but her mind wouldn't go there, the therapist told her it isn't uncommon for a child to block negative experiences The past few years have been tough on my body, too. I'm probably mourning my health, my fitness, my youth. 'You won't process every single loss, but you will process many of them,' says Donna. The Bridge uses several different tools, but at its core is a combination of cognitive and cathartic work. It's not enough just to understand what happened to you you also have to feel it and release it deep in the body. Is this, I wonder, why so many people end up having years of therapy? 'Therapy is great, but you can become addicted to your story,' says Donna. 'It's what we call 'neck-up healing'.' In other words, if we only talk about our issues, as happens with most psychotherapy or counselling, they tend to stay stuck in our heads rather than being processed through the whole body. Each day of the retreat involves a mix of sessions, including written explorations into your feelings, group sharing, visualisations and body work. Everyone eats together and conversation is encouraged providing it's about the process or your own feelings (gossiping is off the menu). After lunch, you have around three hours to spend alone in silence. An hour is spent on written work and then you rest (napping is encouraged). Sessions run to 9.30pm or 10pm. As part of the writing exercise I sit and pen a letter to my father. It starts simply: 'Dear Dad, I miss you so much. I wish I could have told you how much I loved you.' Nothing earth-shattering, yet I feel the edge of a grief I haven't touched for most of my life. She finds herself wishing everyone could experience an emotional detox, but at 2,400, it isn't cheap Later that day, we split into smaller groups and I sit opposite a young woman. 'Imagine she's your father,' says Gabi Krueger. It's one hell of a stretch, but I read the letter to her. Suddenly, I feel like a small child my lip trembles and tears slide down my face. Gabi whispers in the woman's ear and she repeats the words: 'I am your father and you are my daughter. I am so sorry I left you.' I'm out of the bubble in an instant, back in my adult and somewhat cynical mind. It all feels too pat, too simple, and I wince and shake my head. Loud African music begins to pound. 'Shake your bodies,' Gabi shouts. 'Let it all out.' I feel self-conscious and I'm clearly not the only one. Yet as the music continues, I find myself letting go. It feels good to move after the sitting and sobbing. But it's not only about having a good bop, there's strong evidence that shaking can help release trauma from the body. I go to bed exhausted, yet I can't sleep. My mind is churning. I realise that while my feelings towards my father are straightforward (I loved him, I lost him too young), my feelings towards my mother are more complex. She died nine years ago after a period of psychosis and repeated suicide attempts. Her mind had turned rogue as the sexual abuse she'd suffered as a child came back to haunt her. I felt huge compassion for her but also disbelief and hurt. As a child, I'd often been made to share a room with my grandfather the man who had abused her when I'd stayed with my grandparents in the summer holidays. For some reason my nan slept alone while my grandfather and I shared the twin room. I can't remember him abusing me, but I do remember I hated going to bed. As an adult I tried hypnotherapy, but my mind wouldn't go there the therapist said it isn't uncommon for a child to block such experiences. I sit opposite Gabi, who looks like my mum slim and blonde with cool blue eyes. As I start reading the letter, I'm shocked at the venom that comes out. I don't really 'do' angry. And apparently I'm not the only one However, I realised that whether I was abused or not wasn't the issue it was that I had been put into a situation where I was in danger. As I toss and turn, my emotions smash into one another and my body follows. I feel nauseous, my bones ache, my throat is sore. It's like emotional flu. The next day, I write another letter, this time to my mother. It's long and complicated, a snarled up mix of love and bitterness, hurt and sadness. I sit opposite Gabi, who looks like my mum slim and blonde with cool blue eyes. As I start reading the letter, I'm shocked at the venom that comes out. I don't really 'do' angry. And apparently I'm not the only one. 'If we see anger as destructive and that people will get hurt, we swallow our rage and turn it inwards,' says Donna. 'We do depression or anxiety instead.' That makes sense; I've spent years of my life feeling depressed and I would get a gold star for anxiety. Maybe it's time to change the song. For the next activity we are split into groups of three. I'm standing on a mat in front of two people, shaking in anticipation because I haven't a clue what's going to come up. Music starts playing it's loud and aggressive, clearly chosen to stir up strong emotions. I look at the man and woman in front of me and they stare back, impassive, as instructed. This works. It's about trust and faith. Some parts might not touch you and that's fine but it's like a piece of art, it will get you one way or another Something inside me gives way. I feel furious for the little girl in me who was betrayed. 'How could you?' I snarl. 'How could you leave me with him when you knew what he had done to you? How could you?' I'm yelling at my dead mother. Logically it makes no sense emotionally, it feels totally real. I double up in pain. There's a solid block in my belly. As I shout and scream, it starts to loosen. It feels insane, but also a relief. I glance warily at my witnesses, ashamed at the poison I poured out. But they are looking back with nothing but compassion. I unravel a little further. When I look round the group, I find myself being seen, truly seen, without any judgment. It's terrifying, it's humbling, it's beautiful. I feel a rush of energy as if something deep inside me is coming back to life. 'When we shut down from unprocessed emotions, we suppress everything,' says Donna. 'You can't be selective. If you suppress fear, anger and grief, you also suppress passion, joy, peace. It's exhausting carrying a pain backpack. 'This works. It's about trust and faith. Some parts might not touch you and that's fine but it's like a piece of art, it will get you one way or another.' We're constantly being told we should love ourselves, but The Bridge teaches that it's nigh on impossible to feel good in yourself until you've processed your emotional baggage. By day five, my cynicism is gone. It sounds like a cliche, but I feel lighter. I have shed a burden of grief over my father and feel closer to resolution with my mother. My husband and I are good friends, and while I may not see as much of my old friends as I'd like, it's not the end of the world. I feel more accepting of myself. So why have I been beating myself up about my body, judging it against those of younger women? I have always known this rationally, but now I actually feel it in my body. When the time comes for the last ritual, I dance ecstatically, cheered on by the others, and I feel like a total goddess quite regardless of my age and shape. As I leave The Bridge, I find myself wishing everyone could experience this emotional detox. But at 2,400, it isn't cheap, something Donna is keen to change with a special bursary. It's important work. Nobody teaches us how to release blocked emotions at school. Bottom line, says Donna, it's about growing up. 'We're fed fairy stories, told that we need someone to fix us. But you don't need a prince or princess you can do it yourself.' thebridge.events The call came at 2am. I was deep in a happy French holiday sleep. Theres a fire. It was a neighbour. Were being evacuated. I struggled towards the surface. We have to go now. I went to the window. There was no smoke, no flames. The phone rang again: my daughter, out clubbing across the bay. Mum, theres a fire. Its behind you. I threw on clothes, woke the house and all five of us fled. From the safety of the beach in the South of France last week, we watched the flames roar around the landscape, destroying livelihoods, charging towards our house on the hillside. Gill Hornby picked Irene Nemirovsky's Suite Francaise and a Steinbeck American classic to distract herself in troubled times We consoled ourselves: at least we were all safe and together. Then, at dawn, the planes came and stopped the fire in its tracks. The village and our house were saved. We were so lucky and grateful. Fleeing from danger and abandoning your way of life has an elemental horror to it. The Joads in John Steinbecks The Grapes Of Wrath are a farming family in Oklahoma in the Thirties, so their lives are hard enough. But, hit by drought and the Great Depression, theyre forced to leave. Selling their possessions should pay for the journey. They expect at least $150; they get $18. Its devastating. And it turns out its not only their things, but also their past and terribly their dignity that are gone. In The Age Of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker, mankind is under threat. The rotation of the Earth is slowing and days are getting longer. Every week bestselling author Gill Hornby suggests key novels to help you through the trickier times in life Seth is sickening with the syndrome, caused by changes in radiation, and fleeing to Mexico is his one chance to feel better. Finally, Irene Nemirovsky brilliantly depicts the flight of citizens from Paris in 1940 in Suite Francaise. As people run from that gracious city, many values and standards are swiftly abandoned. So thank goodness for the example set by the noble Michauds: they, too, lose the trappings of their civilised existence, but their own civilised standards remain intact. Bloating is such a usual symptom for women that many take it for granted. But it is also the most common symptom of ovarian cancer, warns the ovarian cancer support charity Ovacome (ovacome.org.uk). Women often dismiss it as being something less sinister and dont go to their doctor, says Louise Bayne, CEO of Ovacome. The trouble is that even if women do consult their doctor, a recent survey of 324 patients for Ovacome suggested that a significant number are treated for irritable bowel disease or the menopause. Persistent bloating is an important indicator of ovarian cancer but GPs will typically see just one case of ovarian cancer every five years so they may not link it to the disease. Bloating is such a usual symptom for women that many take it for granted. But it is also the most common symptom of ovarian cancer Patients in the survey who had gone to their GP with bloating had waited an average of 22 weeks for a referral to a gynaecological specialist. If they complained of abdominal pain, the second most common symptom of ovarian cancer, they waited an average 17 weeks. Although ovarian cancer is the fifth most common gynaecological cancer in the UK, with 7,300 new cases every year, nearly 60 per cent of cases are not diagnosed until the disease has advanced to stage 3 or 4, where the cancer has spread and is difficult to treat effectively. Ovarian cancer needs to be ruled out early on, instead of wasting time, says Louise Baynes. OVACOME ADVISES Be vigilant if bloating a swollen tummy persists for three weeks with no explanation, such as a stomach bug. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, and/or eating less and feeling fuller more quickly; you may also have bladder problems and find sex painful. If symptoms do not improve, discuss tests with your GP. A CA125 blood test detects levels of a protein that may indicate ovarian cancer (or endometriosis or ovarian cysts). If this is high, the next step is a transvaginal ultrasound to look closely at the ovaries. If the CA125 level is normal but you continue to feel unwell, go back to your GP within a month with a list of symptoms. See Ovacomes online checker, beatonline.info, where you can input your symptoms and get advice. You can also rate ongoing symptoms, then show the printout to your GP. Tell the GP that you are concerned and remind them if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Advertisement A summer picnic is huge fun but it can also be a big cause of food poisoning as bacteria multiply in the heat. The Food Standards Agency (food.gov.uk) advises always putting perishable food in a cool box, with frozen gel packs distributed through the items not all at the bottom. Use a separate cool box for drinks. Pack food away once its served; food should not be out for longer than an hour when its hot. If dishes are not kept cool, food may be unsafe to eat so throw it away when you get home. A summer picnic is fun but it can also be a big cause of food poisoning as bacteria multiply in the heat Website of the Week GBSS.org.uk One in four pregnant women unknowingly carry the bacterium group B streptococcus (GBS), according to the charity Group B Strep Support. Usually harmless, GBS can cause life-threatening infection (meningitis, sepsis or pneumonia) in babies, usually newborns. This website offers information and support, plus details of Strepelle, an inexpensive test that is not routinely available on the NHS. (NB No test for any condition is 100 per cent accurate.) Benecos Natural Lip Balm Classic has been named overall winner in the FreeFrom Skincare Awards 2017. Awards coordinator Alex Gazzola says, This vegan product is free from fragrance, traces of nuts and all other food allergens and is also great value at 2.45 [from pravera.co.uk]. Testers agreed about its moisturising benefits far superior to other mainstream brands, said one, who found that cracked areas at the corners of her mouth disappeared almost immediately. For other prizewinners and information about skin problems, visit skinsmatter.com. Benecos Natural Lip Balm Classic has been named overall winner in the FreeFrom Skincare Awards 2017 Email your questions to sarah@sarahstacey.com My children are obsessed with these tacos, perhaps because theyve eaten so many of them with me at Wahaca. They cant believe that they are encouraged to get their hands dirty and make their own, any way they want. At home I use whatever fish looks good in the market: monkfish tails, cod fillets, haddock or gurnard have all worked well (as long as you pick the bones from the last). You will be amazed at how fast this food can go down; it works a treat when you have a gang of children over for lunch. FEEDS 4-6 DEPENDING ON AGE & APPETITE FOR THE TACOS 600g line-caught cod, monkfish or other firm fish 100g mayonnaise 100g creme fraiche 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 limes, for squeezing 8-12 corn or corn and flour tortillas (2-3 per child) 150g grated Cheddar fresh tomato salsa (for homemade see the book) shredded lettuce or the Apple Slaw from the book FOR THE GUACAMOLE red chilli, finely chopped, depending on your childrens taste red onion, very finely chopped 1 small garlic clove 1 tsp salt, or to taste 3 ripe Hass avocados juice of 1-2 limes, or to taste small handful of coriander leaves, chopped, or to taste 1 very ripe tomato, deseeded and chopped 1 First make the guacamole. Check the heat of the chilli by nibbling the tip furthest from the stem. Most generic supermarket chillies are quite mild but if it is hot, remove the seeds, or leave it out entirely if your children are totally heat-averse. 2 Put one-quarter of the onion, the garlic, the chilli and salt in a pestle and mortar and mash to a rough paste. Cut open the avocados, remove the stones and scoop the flesh into a large bowl, adding the onion, garlic and chilli paste. Roughly mash the flesh with a fork, adding half the lime juice as you go. When you have a rough guacamole, stir in the remaining lime juice and onion with the coriander and tomato. Season with plenty of black pepper. If it doesnt taste delicious at this stage, think whether it might need seasoning with more salt, lime juice or coriander. When you are happy put it in a bowl on the table. 3 Season the fish with salt and pepper. Mix the mayonnaise and creme fraiche together and put it in a bowl on the table. 4 Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the fish for a few minutes each side until cooked through. Season with a squeeze of lime juice. 5 Heat the tortillas in a microwave or a dry frying pan and put them on the table in a basket, wrapped in a tea towel to keep them warm. Place the grated cheese and salsa in separate bowls and add to the table with bowls of lettuce or Apple Slaw. Invite your children to fill their tortillas with whatever they want, then to roll them up into tacos and tuck in. KITCHEN NOTE If we are eating en famille we have exactly the same tacos but I put extra hot sauce on the table for us, homemade or shop-bought. They are also great with the Chipotle Mayo from the book. India 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 (240) to anonymous cyber crooks. Criminals demand money to delete morphed pictures of social media users (file pic) 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. 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. A preliminary investigation revealed that her photograph was copied from a social media site and was later distorted to extort money. 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. 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. It is feared that more innocent-minded family members do not understand Photoshop-like technology and might be easier to convince that the images are real. There is also an issue of such images being used to compromise marriage plans in India. A preliminary investigation revealed that her photograph was copied from a social media site and was later distorted to extort money (Picture for representation only) '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. '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. 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 '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 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 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. 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. Rolls-Royce's results this week will be watched closely by investors keen to know if the aerospace giant is on track to generate enough cash to meet its 71billion backlog of orders. The company aims to deliver more than 1billion in free cash flow by 2020 to help fund a massive expansion in its output. The firm is in the throes of doubling engine production from 300 to 600 a year, the biggest increase since the Second World War, in a transformation programme led by chief executive Warren East. He has led the company for two years after it issued a series of profit warnings. The firm is in the throes of doubling engine production from 300 to 600 a year When Rolls unveils results on Tuesday, it is expected to report underlying profit up at 193million against 104million last year, but free cash flow is likely to be slightly worse. A British toy maker has seen its annual profits soar 43 per cent after one of its cuddly animals appeared in photographs with Princess Charlotte. Jellycat has revealed it made 14.15m in 2016, up from 9.9m the previous year. Its successful year came after a photo of the giggling princess playing with the dog was released by her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, just before Christmas in 2015. Sell out: Jellycat's stock quickly sold out after this photo of giggling Princess Charlotte playing with the Fuddlewuddle Puppy Stocks quickly sold out after Jellycat co-founder William Gatacre revealed the toy had been made by his London-based firm, saying: Thats our Fuddlewuddle Puppy. The pictures look lovely. The Fuddlewuddle range is available as an elephant, dinosaur, donkey, lion, bunny and cat, and are available on the firms website. Jellycat was started by brothers William and Thomas Gatacre in 1999 after the pair gave up careers in the oil industry. Company chairman Thomas said it had seen revenues jump 34 per cent to almost 42m in 2016. This was driven by growth in the UK and rapid growth overseas no doubt helped by the intense international interest in the young royals. Other items in the picture, such as the princess clothes, also reportedly sold out, as has happened previously to items pictured with her brother Prince George. Fears: Scotch Whisky Association has warned against any reduction Fears have been raised that a post-Brexit trade deal with the US could see the UKs whisky standards watered down. The issue is expected to come up in talks after being included on a list of trade barriers drawn up by American officials. At present, European Union rules say products can be branded as whisky only if they have been aged for at least three years far longer than the 12-month period in the US. US officials have long urged the EU to loosen restrictions, arguing that the ageing requirement is unwarranted. The trade barriers document adds: Advances in barrel technology enable US micro-distillers to reduce the ageing time for whiskey. However the Scotch Whisky Association has warned against any reduction, which it argues could lead to cheaper American products flooding the UK market currently worth 4bn to the Scottish economy. A Nepalese student who could not convince a female Instagram 'friend' to attend Sydney's Vivid festival with him sent her a Facebook message threatening a terrorist act. Frustrated by the woman's refusal to join him at the Opera House one night, Sandesh Bk sent her numerous Instagram messages followed by a troubling Facebook friend request. 'May isis [sic] bomb the opera house if you don't accept the request,' Bk wrote. Student Sandesh Bk likes posting shirtless pictures of himself on his social media accounts Nepalese national Sandesh Bk arrived in Sydney in February to study business administration That message landed Bk in Downing Centre Local Court, where the 20-year-old from the south Sydney suburb of Rockdale, pleaded guilty to using a carriage device to menace, harass or offend. While the Australian Catholic University (ACU) student cast his message as an inappropriate online joke, Magistrate Susan McIntyre said Bk's words could have had terrible consequences if uttered in public. 'Make that comment in an airport and you would have been arrested,' Ms McIntyre said. 'You would have had a gun to your head.' The court heard Bk, who is in Australia on a student visa, met a fellow ACU student at the university's North Sydney campus sometime in May. He had approached the 21-year-old while she sat on the lawn with a friend. Having spoken to the woman for five to 10 minutes, Bk asked her for her Instagram ID, which she provided. Over the next few weeks Bk contacted the woman via Instagram and the pair exchanged a number of messages, according to a statement of facts. They did not meet in person. Nepalese student Sandesh Bk has been seeing the city since arriving in Sydney in February Sandesh Bk suggested ISIS would bomb the Opera House if a woman declined his request Instagram fan Sandesh Bk in transit on his way to live and study in Sydney in February this year On Saturday, May 27, Bk was near the Opera House for Sydney's annual Vivid festival - billed as a celebration of light, music and ideas. 'The accused exchanged a number of messages via Instagram with the victim, during which he attempted to persuade her into coming out and meeting him,' the statement of facts said. 'The accused also asked the victim for her mobile phone number so that he could talk to her. The victim refused.' At 9.57pm Bk sent the woman a Facebook friend request. Along with the request he sent the message: 'May isis [sic] bomb the opera house if you don't accept the request.' The woman did not see the message until midday the next day, when she reported Bk's behaviour at her local police station. 'Upon viewing the message the victim became fearful and had genuine concerns about what the accused said, especially in light of the fact she had only met him for about 10 minutes and did not really know the accused,' the statement of facts said. A picture taken of the Opera House on the night Sandesh Bk sent a threatening message A magistrate warned student Sandesh Bk he had been stupid to jeopardise his stay in Sydney The next day Bk attended Day Street police station in the city where he admitted sending the offending message from his mobile phone. 'The accused stated that the message was not intended to be serious and that he wanted to get the attention of the victim,' the statement of facts said. Bk, from Kathmandu, arrived in Australia in February on a student visa to study business administration at ACU. On Wednesday he admitted he did 'use a carriage service, namely Facebook via mobile phone, in such a way that reasonable persons would regard that sue as being menacing, harassing or offensive.' Downing Centre Local Court heard that Bk had intended his message as a joke, rather than a threat, but he admitted it was in poor taste. 'He has no affiliation with ISIS,' his solicitor said. 'In this political climate making such a joke is highly inappropriate.' Sandesh Bk at the ACU's North Sydney campus, where he met the young woman he frightened Sandesh Bk, who faced Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, posing at Bondi Beach Sandesh Bk's stupid message: 'May isis bomb the opera house if you don't accept the request' 'He is extremely remorseful for his actions. He did not intend to cause any fear. He is mindful not to joke about such a sensitive political issue in the future. 'He only made the comments as a joke. He did not intend for it to cause any fear.' Accepting Bk's guilty plea, Ms McIntyre said the student's actions highlighted the complications of internet relationships. Bk, she said, had clearly misunderstood the woman's interest in him. 'Ultimately, this was a refusal,' Ms McIntyre said of the woman declining to attend Vivid with Bk. 'A knock-back.' 'Instagram relationships can be misinterpreted. It's not real. She is real. She is not something at the end of the phone. 'It is she who has suffered as a result of being alarmed.' Ms McIntyre said Bk had an opportunity to further himself while studying in Australia. 'Why would you threaten it by saying such a stupid thing to this lady?' she asked. 'Don't do it again.' Ms McIntyre put Bk on a six month good behaviour bond without recording a conviction. Police say a rare gold replica of the lunar space module has been stolen from the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. An alarm at the museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio - the birthplace of Neil Armstrong - was triggered on Friday night, and police arrived to find the five-inch high solid-gold replica missing from the display. The replica is one of a handful that French jeweler Cartier crafted to the precise dimensions of the Apollo 11 lunar landing module and presented to the astronauts on the 1969 mission. On that mission, Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon. Police say this rare gold replica of the lunar space module was stolen from the Armstrong Air and Space Museum on Friday The stolen replica was presented to Neil Armstrong at a ceremony in Paris three months after the first moon landing, with the other replicas going to fellow astronauts, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. Police say the value of the replica cannot be determined. All three replicas are embedded with a hidden piece of microfilm from the French newspaper Le Figaro, according to a 2013 exhibition listing. The microfilm allegedly contains the names of donors who contributed money for the privilege of being included in the event. A Texas attorney and retired federal agent with NASA said whoever stole the replica likely intends to melt it down for the value of the gold instead of trying to sell what could be a collectible worth millions of dollars. Moon astronauts (left to right) Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins are seen at the October 1969 ceremony in Paris receiving the Cartier lunar landing module replica That's because there's also a massive moon rock in the museum that would be worth millions to a collector, but was untouched in the heist, Joseph Gutheinz Jr told the Associated Press. 'Either they didn't have easy access to the moon rock, or they weren't into collectibles,' Gutheinz said of the thief or thieves. 'They were into turning a quick buck.' It will be difficult to catch the thief if the replica is melted down, which Gutheinz said would be a 'damn shame.' It's unclear how much gold the replica contains. The FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are assisting Wapakoneta police in investigating the theft. Armstrong died in 2012 at the age of 82. An on-duty Washington, DC, police officer is under investigation for allegedly wearing a 'racist' T-shirt emblazoned with a white supremacy symbol while in court testifying in a criminal case. The officer was assigned to desk duty Friday and ordered to have no contact with the public, pending an investigation. In a photo, the officer is seen wearing a black shirt that shows the Grim Reaper holding a rifle under a District of Columbia flag. Above the image is the word 'Powershift' with a cross embedded in the letter 'o'. An on-duty Washington, DC, police officer is under investigation for wearing a T-shirt (pictured) that an advocacy group said beared the racist 'sun cross' symbol and other offensive images. Advocates identified the officer as Vincent Altiere That image is a 'sun cross' or Celtic cross, which advocates say white supremacist groups use in their logos and imagery. Though the officer was not identified by the Metropolitan Police Department, Stop Police Terror Project DC identified the officer as Vincent Altiere in an online petition. The group Law 4 Black Lives DC filed a complaint against the officer and posted the petition demanding his firing. Law 4 Black Lives DC officials wrote in the petition that there were three seperate occasions when Altiere allegedly wore the 'offensive, racist and threatening shirt'. The groups says he was 'seen in the DC community and at the DC Superior Court, where he was present to testify in a criminal case' wearing the shirt. According to the group, the shirt 'displays symbols of police harassment, hate, and death while prominently displaying the symbols and emblems of the Metropolitan Police Department'. THE SUN CROSS The sun cross is believed to be the white supremacist version of the Celtic Cross, which consists of a square cross interlocking with or surrounded by a circle The sun cross is believed to be the white supremacist version of the Celtic Cross, which consists of a square cross interlocking with or surrounded by a circle. It's one of the most commonly used white supremacist symbols dating back to the pre-Christian 'sun cross' or 'wheel cross' in ancient Europe. Norwegian Nazis used a version of the symbol in the 1930s and 1940s. After World War II, a variety of white supremacist groups and movements adopted the symbol. Today, this version of the Celtic Cross is used by neo-Nazis, racist skinheads along with the KKK and others. The largest white supremacist prison gang in Tennessee calls itself Aryan Nations. The gang borrowed its title from the older neo-Nazi group of the same name, though the two are separate groups with few connections. The 'gang' Aryan Nations is also far larger than the 'neo-Nazi' Aryan Nations. The main symbol for this racist prison gang consists of a rounded Celtic Cross image with different symbols in each of the quadrants formed by the circle and the cross. Source: Anti-Defamation League Advertisement The petition called for immediate disciplinary action against the officer and any other officers who have worn similar shirts. The sun cross is a 'well-known and notorious white supremacist symbol adopted by the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist hate group,' the petition states. In a tweet, D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham called the content on the shirt 'disgraceful'. The department also released a statement: 'The message conveyed on the T-shirt does not represent MPD's values. 'We understand the trust of the community is critical to our ongoing work and take seriously any incidents that may undermine the confidence the community has in our members,' the statement read. More than 800 children in England some as young as ten are being given controversial drugs to help them change gender. The NHS treatment, which halts the onset of adulthood, is aimed at young people who believe they are trapped in the wrong body. Powerful monthly hormone injections stop the development of sex organs, breasts and body hair, making it easier for doctors to carry out sex-swap surgery later. Until now it was thought that just a handful of children and teenagers were receiving the injections, known as puberty-blockers. Pictured: Llyr Jones, from Aberystwyth, who said she would have killed herself without drugs I had treatment last year and it saved my life Pictured: Llyr Jones aged five. Llyr, who was born male, started living as a girl when she was 15 years old Teenager Llyr Jones has been taking puberty-blocking drugs for the past six months. The 17-year-old told how she was desperate to be prescribed the injections to end the agony she was going through as her body began to change into that of an adult man. Llyr, from Aberystwyth in Mid-Wales, said if the physical transformations that came with puberty had been allowed to continue, she would have been pushed to take her own life. In all honesty, if I hadnt been allowed to be on the blockers and start my transition, Im sure I wouldnt be here now, she said. The worst thing was starting to grow body hair. It felt like something was happening that wasnt me I was so uncomfortable. Some days were worse than others when I would catch a glimpse of my body in the mirror and Id collapse on the bathroom floor for hours, frozen with distress. Llyr, who was born male, started living as a girl when she was 15 years old. Previously she had suppressed her desire to become female because of the bullying she endured for being different in the small Welsh farming community she grew up in. I didnt want to give my bullies yet another reason to go after me, she said. Llyr finally found relief in January last year when she was sent to Londons Tavistock gender identity clinic, which has seen a dramatic increase in referrals from 94 in 2009/10 to almost 2,000 last year. After being psychologically assessed and diagnosed with gender dysphoria, she was then sent in November for medical treatment at University College Hospital in London. There she underwent a series of health checks, including blood tests and bone scans, before doctors finally prescribed the puberty-blockers that Llyr now believes saved her life. I thought thank God, because I knew they were stopping the puberty, she said. Since starting the blockers, Llyr said she has become more confident and at ease with her body. The next stage, she says, will be surgery, which can happen legally from the age of 18. She thinks the operations are unlikely before she is 19 because of the current waiting lists. Dressed fashionably in a colourful crop top and shiny black trousers, a carefree Llyr declared: Im just in such a great place now because I know after everything Ive been through, Im on the right track. Pictured left and right: Llyr Jones by the sea. The next stage, she says, will be surgery, which can happen legally from the age of 18 Advertisement But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that more than 600 young people are undergoing treatment at the Gender Identity Development Service clinic at University College Hospital in London, and a further 200 at a clinic in Leeds. The MoS has been told that 230 of those 800 are under the age of 14. The huge growth in the number of youngsters being prescribed the drugs came after the NHS scrapped the age limit in 2014, which was previously 16. Now doctors can give the injections to children from the very early stages of puberty meaning that in some cases, ten-year-olds are receiving them. The MoS revelation comes a week after the Government announced plans to allow adults to legally change their sex without a medical diagnosis. In future, individuals who want to change gender are expected to simply make a statutory declaration that they intend to live in the sex they have transitioned to until death. Last night Mary Douglas, a spokeswoman for Grassroots Conservatives campaign group, said: Adolescence is the age when youre in a turmoil because youre trying to work out who you are and gender is a big part of that. Londons University College Hospital, above, is treating more than 600 children with puberty-blocking drugs So to introduce such powerful medication into that is unwise. This drastic notion that we should change our gender should be a last resort. Caution needs to be the watchword for everyone engaged in this, including doctors. Stephanie Davies-Arai, of Transgender Trend, a parent group concerned about the rise of children identifying as the opposite sex, added: These kids are not old enough to make life-changing decisions that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Its unethical to pursue this line of treatment with children who cannot possibly understand what theyre doing. Professor Gary Butler, the lead clinician for the gender identity service in London and Leeds, revealed how many youngsters are now taking puberty-blockers. He defended the use of the drugs and said critics did not appreciate the distress puberty can cause transgender young people or how much relief the blockers can give to these patients and their families. Pictured: Prof Gary Butler, who defended the use of the drugs and said critics did not appreciate the distress puberty can cause transgender young people However, other medical experts have questioned the safety of the treatment, warning that little is known about its long-term mental, psychological and physical effects. Last month three top US doctors, Professors Paul Hruz, Paul McHugh and Lawrence Mayer, published a highly critical report on the use of puberty-blockers to treat gender dysphoria. Writing in American academic journal The New Atlantis, they warned that the safety of this experimental treatment was unsupported by rigorous scientific evidence. They further argued that the use of such drugs may be driving children to persist in identifying as transgender. Research shows that the vast majority of under-16s who are troubled about their gender do not go on to take the drastic step of surgery. Meanwhile, the three professors point to another study from a Dutch clinic where all the adolescents prescribed puberty blockers had gone ahead with gender-reassignment surgery as evidence that the drugs can solidify patients feelings they were born the wrong biological sex. Pictured: How the Mail on Sunday has led the way in reporting this highly contentious issue Pictured: How the Mail on Sunday has led the way in reporting this highly contentious issue Concern has also been raised about the blockers long-term impact on bone health. But Prof Butler said the drugs have no permanent effects on the reproductive system or the body as a whole. When you stop the blocker, the puberty hormone process just starts up again within a couple of months. If youve gone through puberty already, you start where you left off, he said. You dont go back to the beginning again. If you havent gone through puberty, you would just complete the full puberty development process. You would go through it at the same rate as you would if you hadnt taken the blockers, but the timing will just have been delayed. He also insisted that the drugs were safe because they had already been used for decades to treat other conditions such as fertility problems in women and prostate cancer. Addressing fears about the effects the drugs can have on bone development, Prof Butler said there was no need to worry unduly. Our preliminary analysis suggests that the blocker just halts bone-calcium increases it doesnt weaken the bones directly, he added. Prof Butler said his gender identity clinic now routinely prescribes puberty-blockers to children diagnosed with life-long gender dysphoria the belief that a person is inhabiting the wrong sex. When the team feels the young person is genuinely transgender they welcome [the use of] puberty-blocking drugs right from the early stages, he said. His clinic has treated more than 600 under-18s with the blockers and Leeds Gender Identity Service has prescribed them to a further 200, he said. Of these, he said about 230 were 14 or under with the youngest being ten. His disclosure comes three years after The Mail on Sunday revealed how NHS doctors were set to give the puberty blockers to nine-year-olds causing outcry from critics who accused them of playing God with childrens lives. Explaining the process, Prof Butler said his patients were first carefully psychologically assessed by experts at the NHSs nearby Tavistock Clinic. We then do medical assessments to see if the young person has started puberty and how far they are into puberty, Prof Butler said. If suitable, both physically and psychologically, they then advise GPs to prescribe the blockers. He added: Were lucky in the UK that people dont miss out they will get this treatment. Experimental treatment endangers children, writes professor of psychiatry Paul McHugh Advocates of puberty-blockers argue that it represents a prudent and fully reversible way to give young people with gender dysphoria and their families time to sort out the difficult issues surrounding gender identity. Puberty-suppression as an intervention for gender dysphoria has been accepted so rapidly by much of the medical community, apparently without scientific scrutiny, that there is reason to be concerned about the welfare of children who are receiving it. There remains little evidence that puberty-suppression is reversible, safe, or effective for treating gender dysphoria. Psychologists do not understand what causes gender dysphoria in children and adolescents. They also cannot distinguish reliably between children who will only temporarily express feelings of being the opposite sex from children whose gender dysphoria will be more persistent. We frequently hear from neuroscientists that the adolescent brain is too immature to make reliably rational decisions. But we are supposed to expect emotionally troubled adolescents to make decisions about their gender identities and about serious medical treatments at the age of 12 or younger. For patients and doctors who are committed to the view that the young persons gender dysphoria represents a persistent and real problem that can best be solved by transitioning the patient to living as the opposite sex, puberty-suppression can seem like a desirable approach. But most children who identify as the opposite sex will eventually come to identify as their biological sex. Until much more is known about gender dysphoria, and until controlled clinical trials of puberty-suppression are carried out, this intervention should be considered experimental. Regardless of the good intentions of the physicians and parents, to expose young people to such treatments is to endanger them. The Queens top aide Sir Christopher Geidt is set to stand down from his key role at her side amid a dramatic shake-up of senior Royal staff. The Mail on Sunday understands that Sir Christophers surprise departure is the first of a slew of personnel changes at a senior level in the Royal Household. It comes as the Queen and her heir the Prince of Wales attempt to impose greater unity on the rival firms or households of the younger Royals. This is a watershed moment for the monarchy, as the Queen and Prince Philip step back from official duties and hand responsibility to the younger generation. Sir Christopher Geidt (pictured receiving an Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2014) His surprise departure is the first of a slew of personnel changes at a senior level in the Royal Household Sir Christopher, the Queens Private Secretary and a shrewd former Army intelligence officer, is a key figure in this transition, or operation handover as it is known. Sources within the Royal Household say his departure will be followed by two, maybe three more senior figures, who are set to leave before Christmas. Sir Christophers departure is just the beginning. Major changes are afoot. Yes, it is a shake-up, said a senior source. One of those who is understood to be considering his position is Prince Williams Private Secretary, Miguel Head. Another said to be weighing up his options is Prince Harrys Private Secretary Edward Lane Fox, a former captain in the Household Cavalry. Mr Head has served the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge loyally for a decade but has privately told friends he never intended be a palace lifer. The privately educated former Ministry of Defence press officer has confided that he feels his time is up. If he does walk away it would be a huge blow to William and Kate who have relied on his counsel for a decade, although Kensington Palace last night insisted he has not quit. It has been previously announced that Kates Private Secretary, newly married Rebecca Deacon, has already officially announced that she is leaving her job. With Sir Christopher going, the next most senior Private Secretary will be Clive Alderton the Prince of Waless top aide. The impending departures are seen as part of a shake-up as the Queen and Charles move to take control of disharmony among the different Royal Households. A senior source said: Sir Christophers departure is just the beginning. Major changes are afoot. Yes, it is a shake-up, said a senior source. One of those who is understood to be considering his position is Prince Williams Private Secretary, Miguel Head (pictured) It follows Sir Christophers forceful plea to all the households in May this year to come together on message. Cambridge-educated Sir Christopher, 55, will be a huge loss to Her Majesty as he has been her key adviser for a decade and a lynchpin at Buckingham Palace during the ongoing transition of the Crown. In 2014, Sir Christopher was awarded his second knighthood for a new approach to constitutional matters [And] the preparation for the transition to a change of reign and he has certainly earned it. For now, the Palace insists publicly that the Queen will carry on as if nothing has changed. It is expected that Sir Christopher will be replaced by his well-liked deputy Edward Young. Mr Youngs promotion to the top could mean an elevation too for the Queens favourite, long-serving Samantha Cohen, to Deputy Private Secretary. This, however has not been confirmed. Unifying the households of the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is something Sir Christopher has long championed, albeit with varying degrees of success. He tried to bring the press office now named Royal Communications under one director, former Daily Mail reporter Sally Osman. This has not really worked out as planned and has been marked by squabbles, rivalry and high- level departures. The Prince of Wales has preferred to maintain his autonomy and handle his own media affairs, led by his appointment of former BBC man Julian Payne. It is a bit of surprise that Sir Christopher is going now, said one official. We all thought he had his hand on the tiller and would see through the transition of the monarchy. But Sir Christopher has decided the time is right. He has bought a sheep farm in the Outer Hebrides and enjoys spending time there helping with the lambing. His family has strong links with the Isle of Lewis where he now owns a 365-acre farm in South Lochs. His grandfather, Kenneth Mackenzie, was a fish curer and coal merchant before he established a Harris Tweed plant in Stornoway and became provost of the Outer Hebridean capital. Some courtiers see his departure as a line being drawn the beginning of a new era that might yet see the Queen accept Prince Charles as regent. Sources say she would seriously consider this once she reaches 95. It is widely acknowledged Her Majesty will never abdicate and the succession is rarely, if ever, talked about in official terms. It is perhaps no coincidence that despite the upheaval at Buckingham Palace, there are no sudden changes at Clarence House, the Prince of Waless household. He is understood to feel a little bruised over the recent official Diana documentary Diana: Our Mother sponsored by his sons, William and Harry and Kensington Palace in which there was no mention of his considerable contribution to their upbringing. Add to that the forthcoming Channel 4 documentary Diana: In Her Own Words in which embarrassing and revelatory video tapes made by his late ex-wife ridicule him, and he is understandably upset. It would be reasonable to expect some action. It would not be unreasonable if heads should roll over this, said one senior figure. Significantly, when Sir Christopher called the must-attend meeting of royal courtiers to politely read the riot act, Charless Private Secretary Mr Alderton was not there. He was with the Prince out of town, and sent his apologies. A close source added: This is a fascinating time with regard to the monarchy. The Crown is in transition, with Prince Philip retiring next week, with the Queen at 91 looking to hand over a number of patronages. The Prince of Wales is ready to step up to support Her Majesty in whatever capacity she should see fit. He has served her as the longest heir to the throne and he will of course continue to do so, the source added. A Buckingham Palace spokesman made no comment about Sir Christophers impending departure or that of other senior members of the Royal Household. A senior source added: Any senior management changes or appointments across the institution are always notified in the appropriate way. Jason Knauf, communications secretary to William, Kate and Harry, said Mr Head had no plans to leave. He made no comment on Mr Lane Foxs planned departure. Passengers have been warned to expect lengthy delays at airports across Australia after a series of terror raids were uncovered and confirmed to be 'Islamic-inspired terrorism' plots in Sydney. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull advised travelers to arrive at the airport at least two hours earlier to allow for extra security measures. 'Travelers should be prepared for additional security at screening points while it's important Australians ... should be aware of an increased threat,' Mr Turnbull said. Passengers are being warned to arrive at airports across Australia at least two hours early (stock image) Extra security measures are in place at airports across country after police foiled a terrorist plot in Sydney Saturday night (pictured) Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned travelers to allow extra time for extra security measures at airports (stock image) Four men were arrested (one pictured centre) after police uncovered their plans to bomb a domestic plane Delays of at least two hours are expected at airports across the country after raids (pictured) Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the extra safety measures were taken overnight at domestic and international airports across the country. Virgin Australia released a statement saying the precautionary measures meant it may take 'a little longer' to get through the screening processes. Delays will be caused by the extra screening measures on baggage as well as hand luggage where there is a limit on carry on to make the process as quick as possible. Virgin Australia suggested passengers should arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and at least three hours before an international flight. Mr Colvin said the public needed to go about their business and give themselves more time at the airport. 'We've taken the threat very seriously ... sometimes the community will need to have patience with police,' Mr Colvin said. The AFP foiled an Islamist plot to bring down a domestic flight with an explosive device that was found at a Surry Hills property at Cleveland Street Saturday night. Four men were arrested overnight and the explosive device was deactivated by a bomb squad at the scene. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) said delays caused by extra luggage screening Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin (pictured) said the extra safety measures were taken overnight at domestic and international airports across the country It is believed a material used for an explosive device was found at the properties in Sydney It is believed the police found material suspected to be used for an improvised explosive device. 'There was a threat of a device and an aircraft,' an official told Daily Telegraph, but said they were yet to verify the credibility of the material. The Prime Minister released in a statement confirming the police raids involved AFP, ASIO and NSW Police. 'These operations are designed to disrupt and prevent plans to undertake terrorist attacks in Australia,' the statement said. 'The public should be reassured that our security and intelligence agencies are working tirelessly to keep us safe.' The Prime Minister said Australia's terrorist threat level remains at probable. A new rift between Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his deputy Tom Watson opened last night after an extraordinary intervention by Left-wing comedian Steve Coogan. Leading Corbynista Coogan said his daughter Clare Coogan Cole, who works for Watson, told him the deputy leaders team seemed to hate Corbyn and wanted him to fall flat on his face in the Election. TV star Coogan said Clare, 21, repeatedly rowed with Watsons team during the campaign over its lack of support for the Labour leader. When he did better than expected on polling day, West Bromwich East MP Watson apologised to politics student Clare. Comic Steve Coogan, with his daughter Clare and Jeremy Corbyn in a picture from her Facebook page In an interview with the New European journal, Coogan said: Clare was campaigning for Tom Watson in the Midlands and she kept ringing me to complain. She was upset because of the way people in the campaign were behaving. There were only two people who were pro-Corbyn in the whole campaign team. Others seemed to hate Jeremy, and they were saying scornful things like: Oh! Hes on TV tonight I hope he falls flat on his face. Ms Coogan told her father she was getting really fed up with it and having arguments with them. She rang me up and said, Im really upset and I dont want to do this anymore. Coogan said he advised her to stick at it and stay true to your principles. He added: As the Election results came in, she saw her loyalty and determination had paid off. They were expecting loads of seats to be lost, and then the exit poll came in and the faces of the anti-Corbyn brigade were the epitome of mixed feelings. The best part of the whole campaign for her was that Tom Watson was just about to go off to do his speech at his constituency count. In front of all the other campaigners, he turned and saw that Clare was smiling. He stopped. He made everyone listen and said: Clare, I just want to say, you were right and everyone else was wrong. Coogan said Corbyns crumpled wardrobe was key to his appeal. Twenty years ago, New Labour got in because they looked like a government, he said. They all wore smart suits and combed their hair. But while Corbyns critics derided him, saying look at him in his crumpled cotton jacket that was the very thing people liked. Coogan added: Like him or loathe him, you dont feel he is lying. Corbyn is not a brilliant speech maker. But thats probably a good thing... Hes just bashing it out its a bit uneven but thats the way most people talk. Coogans claims of the Watson camps hatred of Corbyn follow reports that he faces a challenge as deputy leader from key Corbyn supporter, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry. An ally of Mr Watson denied the claims. Get off your soap box and save jobs Britain is known for its common sense. We keep calm and carry on. But calm heads seem in short supply in Westminster. The referendum result was clear and Britain is leaving the EU. But membership of the single market wasnt on the ballot paper. And it could be the best way to get us the Brexit we need. Let me take you on a journey. A raw crankshaft is cast in France. It crosses the Channel to Warwickshire, where its milled into shape. Next stop Munich, where its fitted in an engine. Then back to Britain and the Mini assembly plant at Cowley in Oxfordshire, where my Dad once worked. Today, its a high-tech plant that provides jobs to skilled workers. And its excellent apprenticeship scheme gives young locals the chance of a secure future on good wages. Thats what Britain needs from Brexit. A secure future with decent jobs and wages. Workers spend those wages in other businesses, helping the economy grow. And the taxes they pay help all of us who rely on schools, hospitals, social care and state pensions. Now imagine every time the crankshaft crosses the Channel theres a tariff to pay. Every time an inspection. More forms to complete and check. Britain exports 240 billion of goods and services to other EU countries. How much of that would survive the red tape? How many of the three million UK jobs linked to those exports would be safe? Nobody loves the EU single market. But we should love the jobs it supports. If theres another way of getting a frictionless trade deal that protects jobs and rights at work, trade unions would love to know. But nobody has told us what the impact of crashing out of the single market would be or come up with a convincing alternative. We dont want our workers rights falling behind those on the Continent and EU leaders tell me theyre ready to agree a level playing field with the UK. Its time for Ministers to climb down from their soap boxes and focus on getting the best deal for Britain. A deal that protects our jobs and rights. Political activists in Kenya have demanded a halt to the grotesque waste of ten of millions of pounds of British foreign aid which is funding a general election it is feared will result in a bloodbath. Britain is helping to pay for the election through a 28.5 million programme known as Deepening Democracy. But even Britains Department for International Development (DFID) admits there has been no significant improvement in the fight against corruption in Kenya in recent years. Current President Uhuru Kenyatta son of Kenyas first president Jomo Kenyatta was accused by the International Criminal Court of inciting murderous riots between rival political supporters during 2007 elections, when he led the opposition. More than 1,000 people were killed. He protested his innocence but was never brought to trial due to the disappearance of key witnesses. He went on to become president in 2013. Current President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) was accused by the International Criminal Court of inciting murderous riots between rival political supporters during 2007 elections, when he led the opposition The lead-up to this years election on August 8, in which Kenyatta is standing, shows all the signs of another fatal outbreak of civil unrest. In January, UK High Commissioner Nic Hailey warned that, in a joint statement with 24 other heads of missions in Kenya: '...if these elections do not reflect the democratic choices of Kenyans, they could bring the country's progress to a halt or plunge it back into ethic conflict.' In that election, accusations of vote-rigging triggered vicious tribal clashes throughout the country. Police used tear gas and live bullets to disperse rioters. The Kenyan government is spending an astonishing 766.5 million of public money on this years poll in the face of fierce criticism from leaders of impoverished communities. Each of the ruling alliances 416 MPs has been given 80,000 towards campaigning costs. This has seen them using helicopters and four-wheel-drive vehicles to get them to far-flung constituencies. Respected political analyst Professor Barrack Muluka, of the University of Nairobi, called for Britain to stop its grotesque waste of public money that is being thrown into a bottomless pit. He told The Mail on Sunday: What possible good can come of a country like Britain using its peoples money to add to the chaos already going on here? You cannot rationalise that spending to your taxpayers. I wouldnt encourage anyone to contribute to the use of good money in the futile mission this election is turning out to be. We have politicians flying around the country in helicopters and motorcades, holding rallies where they dont address any issues of importance but use pure invective to stir up public sentiment. They are anyway preaching to the converted, going to their own heartlands to rabble-rouse in their predictable ways, whipping up hostility. Violence: Kenyan riot police hit a man during the 2007 election Total UK foreign aid to Kenya adds up to more than 131 million. Britain is committed to spending at least 0.7 per cent of GDP on overseas aid, an annual 12 billion. A Mail on Sunday campaign over the past two years has exposed a catalogue of foreign aid scandals. Last week we reported how 64 million a year is being pumped into Rwanda despite intense criticism of the countrys regime, ruled by ruthless dictator Paul Kagame. Among the many scandals in the country was an attempt to cover up the fact that mosquito nets provided at a cost of several million pounds were faulty, leading to a massive malaria outbreak which affected two million people. In December our investigation revealed that charity chiefs handed millions to fight poverty in poor nations were creaming off salaries of up to 618,000, plus hefty bonuses. We also revealed that Palestinian schools named after mass murderers and Islamist militants, and which openly promote terrorism, get funding from the aid budget. In January we reported how more than two-thirds of 25.4 million that was spent on an aid scheme to install water pumps and irrigation in some of Africas poorest areas had been soaked up by fat-cat consultants. A UK Government spokesman said: We support free, fair and peaceful elections in Kenya to help to maintain security and stability, which is in all our interests. The election support referred to was allocated in 2015 and is overseen by the Foreign Office in Kenya.' UK's foreign aid makes us safer... and richer Comment by Andrew Mitchell MP Whenever I am asked by my Sutton Coldfield constituents how on earth I can justify Britain spending so much on overseas aid, I always think of one of the most moving experiences of my life. I was in Rwanda when I met Beata, who had given birth to eight children, only four of whom were still alive. She had tears in her eyes because she had come to a newly opened family planning clinic paid for by British taxpayers and had been offered contraception for the first time. Next week I am returning to Rwanda with fellow Tories and volunteers who will join doctors, nurses and others as part of Project Umubano, the Conservative Partys social action project in Africa, now in its tenth year. We will be helping train 700 teachers and supporting others to develop business skills. Our trip comes at a time when our international development policy is facing unprecedented attacks. For instance, Rwandas President Paul Kagame is often criticised over human rights. But this is a country that just over 20 years ago suffered a genocide in which nearly one million people died in 90 days while the world looked the other way. Rwanda was rescued from unimaginable barbarity by Kagame. Under him, it has undergone an extraordinary transformation. In the past five years more than a million of citizens have been lifted out of poverty. I am proud it has done so with support from British aid. Of course progress needs to be made on political freedom and human rights. But before those steeped in centuries of Parliament denigrate an emerging democracy, they should show humility. Our own record in respect, for example, of Iraq is open to question. I understand voters anger when reports appear that suggest their taxes have been squandered or stolen by corrupt dictators. But those reports are not always true. It is an extraordinary irony that, while Britains aid programme is respected and praised around the world, it is viewed as controversial here. This does not mean taxpayer money spent on development should not face fierce scrutiny, with zero tolerance of waste or corruption. That is why in 2010, as International Development Secretary, I set up an independent watchdog. Every penny is spent in our national interest. Tackling conflict, misery and poverty makes Britain safer and more prosperous, too. Had taxpayers not dug deep to help refugees from Syria and surrounding countries, millions more of these desperate people would have placed themselves into the hands of the traffickers and headed our way. And the next time someone asks me what on earth am I doing wasting my time and money in God-forsaken Rwanda, I know I will be able to look them in the eye and tell them this Tory project has done a tiny bit of good in a country that has been to hell and back. Anthony Scaramucci appears to have a passion for film. The newly appointed White House Communications Director has invested in at least three films and for one of them, he told the director that he didn't want the money back. Neil Drumming wrote and directed an independent film, Big Words, which was released in 2013. Though Scaramucci didn't know Drumming well, he invested in the independent film and told Drumming he didn't need to pay him back. Instead, he told him to put it into his next film, which Scaramucci also offered to invest in, though Drumming wasn't able to match his funds. Newly appointed White House Director of Communications Anthony Scaramucci (pictured on Tuesday) has invested in at least three films Neil Drumming (pictured) wrote and directed an independent film, Big Words, which was released in 2013. Though Scaramucci didn't know Drumming well, he invested in the independent film and told Drumming he didn't need to pay him back Scaramucci, who is worth somewhere between $44.8million and $64.3million according to Fortune, also invested in George Tillman Jr's film, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, released in 2013, as well as an upcoming HBO film directed by Barry Levinson and starring Al Pacino, called Happy Valley. Drumming, who is now a producer at the public radio show, This American Life, posted Friday on Facebook about Scaramucci's investment, calling it 'one of those quirky, little twists of existence'. Drumming's film is about a hip-hop group in their 30s as they struggle with regret, disappointment and change on the night of the 2008 election He wrote: 'The White House Communications Director was a major investor in my film Big Words, probably to this day, the most rewarding achievement of my life. 'At first, I was just going to post this as a sort of, "Hey, isn't that weird?" But, then, the irony of it really hit me this morning. I'm not a particularly political person. 'And, if I have an agenda at all, it's near-perfectly embodied in Big Words; I wanted to see people like me represented as flawed, complicated, whole people.' The film is about a hip-hop group in their 30s as they struggle with regret, disappointment and change on the night of the 2008 election. In his post, Drumming continued: 'This is not at all intended as a defense of The Mooch. 'I've never been entirely sure of his intention when it came to investing in the film; we had some uncomfortable conversations around it. And, it certainly wasn't a lot of money to him. Instead, Scaramucci (pictured in 2012) told the writer-director to put the money he made back into his next film, which the financier also offered to invest in, though Drumming wasn't able to match his funds Drumming, who is now a producer at the public radio show, This American Life, posted Friday on Facebook about Scaramucci's investment, calling it 'one of those quirky, little twists of existence'. Pictured is a grab from the opening credits of Drumming's film, Big Words 'But, in the end, he gave me what I desperately needed - funds to finish the film... He did so on a handshake, having never met me before that day. 'Later, he said, if I ever made the money to pay him back, that I should, instead, roll it back into my next film. (He even offered to invest in that next film, but I couldn't match the funds.)' After Scaramucci's financial disclosure was released and reported on by Politico on Wednesday, it was revealed that he also has a stake in a new film, 'Crazy for Boys', valued at $500,000, according to Variety. Scaramucci has been embroiled in controversy since he was announced as the new White House Communications Director last Friday as former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned. Scaramucci has been embroiled in controversy since he was announced as the new White House Communications Director last Friday (pictured then) Scaramucci's wife Deidre (second from the left), filed for divorce on July 6, with some sources saying it was because of her husband's 'political ambition', though her lawyer denied those claims and said she was filing for divorce because of a 'private matter' The New York financier also made controversial statements in a phone interview on Wednesday night with a New Yorker reporter about former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, who later resigned Friday. He reportedly called Priebus a 'f****** paranoid schizophrenic'. To make the controversy worse, his wife Deidre filed for divorce on July 6, when she was eight months pregnant with their child, who was born premature on Monday. Some sources said she filed for divorce because of his 'political ambition', but her lawyer later denied that claim, saying her reasons for filing are a 'private matter'. Despite all the controversy surrounding Scaramucci, Drumming, who benefited from the financier's generosity back when he was trying to finish Big Words, said it just shows that Scaramucci is complicated. He said: 'Whatever's going on with him and the White House at the moment, I write all this to say - as I have always believed - that the interesting thing about people is that they are complicated.' An unvaccinated toddler may be the reason a mother-of-two died shortly after giving birth on the Gold Coast. Imogen Petrak was 36 weeks pregnant when she suffered an ear infection that caused catastrophic brain swelling earlier this month. Mrs Petrak, 35, had an emergency caesarean-section and gave birth to daughter Eleanor, four weeks premature, but didn't survive herself. Imogen Petrak (pictured left with her husband and young son) tragically passed away this month after being taken to hospital with an ear infection John Petrak has taken baby Eleanor home from Gold Coast University Hospital after the tragic loss of his wife Mrs Petrak's toddler, 17-months-old, was not vaccinated and was unwell in the days leading up to her death, and blood tests have confirmed she died of pneumococcal meningitis, the Daily Telegraph reports. The infection is covered by a vaccine that is on the National Immunisation Program Schedule and is recommended to be given to babies at two, four and six months. There was 154 deaths from pneumococcal disease in 2004 which is passed on by touching infected people. The numbers have decreased significantly after introducing the vaccination more than a decade ago. Husband and widower John Petrak took baby Eleanor home from Gold Coast University Hospital last week. The courageous father-of-two has opened up on his battle to come to terms with with his crushing loss. 'Imogen's biggest dream was to see our daughter and she didn't get to do that. We knew we were having a girl and she was just aching to see her. She had all her dresses picked out,' he told the Gold Coast Bulletin. Ms Petrak's ear infection had travelled to her brain, causing severe swelling and she later suffered catastrophic brain damage The courageous father-of-two has opened up on his battle to come to terms with with his crushing loss Mr Petrak shed light on the bittersweet emotions that came when he welcomed his daughter into the world, hours before farewelling his wife. 'The only way I can explain it was feeling every emotion at the same time. Worry, sadness, happiness, joy - everything all at once,' he said. Mr Petrak said he was grateful his eldest, 17-month-old JB, was too young to fully grasp the loss of his mother. 'He actually pointed at a photo of his mum with a happy smile yesterday but he doesn't know she's gone our first night home together it was just me and him and we just chased each other around the lounge (having fun). We've still got to live.' Mr Petrak thanked his friends and family who have helped him through the shattering period. A GoFundMe page set up by family friend Renee King to support the family has raised $110,000 Ms King paid a touching tribute to Ms Petrak on the page, telling of how she was loved by all who crossed her path. 'She had the biggest heart and sweetest loving spirit, an incredible selfless mother and cherished wife,' she said. You can donate to the family here. Allies of Brexit Secretary David Davis say Philip Hammond is trying to undermine Theresa May by announcing plans for a transition deal after leaving the EU while she is on holiday. Mr Daviss former deputy, Brexit Minister David Jones, accused the Chancellor of insulting the Prime Minister and said his three-year transition plan was deeply dangerous. But pro-EU Tories rallied to the defence of the Chancellor, who favours a soft Brexit, claiming he had ended a Cabinet pub brawl. The Conservative row flared after Mr Hammond said his plan would mean Britains relationship with Brussels would remain very similar for up to three years after formally leaving the EU in 2019. Allies of Brexit Secretary David Davis say Philip Hammond is trying to undermine Theresa May His intervention came days after Mrs May started a three-week summer holiday by Italys Lake Garda, leaving him in charge. Writing in todays Mail on Sunday, Mr Jones lambasts Europhile Mr Hammond for going on manoeuvres the moment Mrs May went on holiday. All this agitation by the Chancellor and his allies is hugely discourteous to her and undermines her authority, said Mr Jones, a confidant of Mr Davis. Mr Hammonds three-year Brexit transition plan was deeply dangerous and he was playing with fire by risking triggering another Election, which could put Jeremy Corbyn in No 10. Mr Jones demanded Mr Hammond was silenced, adding: He should remember we have made a contract with the British people to deliver Brexit. If we do not do so, but consign the country to a constitutional no-mans land, the party will never forgive us. Mr Jones , who insisted he had not spoken to Mr Davis about his remarks, was replaced as Brexit Minister after the Election by the even more hardline anti-Brussels MP Steve Baker. Government sources insist Mr Davis, hitherto one of the chief advocates of a hard Brexit, backs the transition proposal, though another Davis ally accused Mr Hammond of pulling a fast one. But leading pro-EU Tory Sir Nicholas Soames praised the Chancellors dignity and gravitas and praised him for winning agreement on a carefully thought-out Brexit transition period. He has restored discipline to the political infant class who want Brexit at any cost, said Sir Nicholas. Instead of mindlessly criticising him, they should thank him for putting a stop to what was in danger of becoming a pub brawl. No 10 stressed Mr Hammond had the full backing of Mrs May Sir Nicholas was echoed by fellow Conservative MP Anna Soubry who said: Three cheers to the Chancellor for winning the day in the Cabinet with a sane and statesmanlike approach over those who act as though wrecking the economy and jobs comes second to securing their blind ideological goal of Brexit. Downing Street played down the controversy, claiming Cabinet support for Mr Hammonds transition to stop the economy falling off a cliff in 2019 had been secured several weeks ago. And No 10 stressed Mr Hammond had the full backing of Mrs May. Since the Election, Mr Hammond has had repeated clashes with pro-Brexit Cabinet colleagues over how quickly or slowly the UK breaks away from Brussels. Prominent anti-EU Ministers like Michael Gove were said to want EU negotiations to come crushing to a halt to achieve a hard Brexit. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox claimed any transition deal could hinder his bid to win new trade deals and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was reportedly ready to walk away from talks without a deal. Mr Davis supporters said he was sceptical about a transition phase. However, Mr Hammond received strong support from pro-EU Ministers like Home Secretary Amber Rudd and First Secretary of State Damian Green, who is effectively Mrs Mays deputy. And in recent weeks, all four of the senior Cabinet Brexit cheerleaders appear to have changed their tone, marking what Mr Hammonds supporters are claiming is a significant victory for him. Meanwhile, Labour divisions over Brexit last night deepened after London Mayor Sadiq Khan suggested it could be halted all together. Mr Khan said it would be possible to trump the referendum if Labour stood on a General Election manifesto of not quitting the EU or a promise to hold a second referendum. The move caps a week of confusion within the party over Brexit, with Mr Corbyn saying the UK would leave the single market, only for Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell to say the issue was still open. He's undermining Mrs May's authority Comment by David Jones MP - Former Brexit Minister This is a classic case of when the cats away, the mice will play. No sooner is the Prime Minister on holiday and Parliament away for the summer, than europhile forces in Cabinet decide its a good time to go on manoeuvres. All this agitation by the Chancellor and his allies is hugely discourteous to Mrs May and undermines her authority. But just as importantly, talk of a three-year transition deal or longer by Philip Hammond is deeply dangerous. Dangerous because it makes the Government look disunited in the eyes of Brussels and so strengthens the EUs hands in already difficult negotiations. And dangerous because a three-year period of limbo after we formally leave the EU in 2019 would take us right up to the scheduled date of the next General Election. 'All this agitation by the Chancellor and his allies is hugely discourteous to Mrs May and undermines her authority' There would be no time to show voters how Britain can flourish free from the grip of Brussels for the simple reason we wouldnt properly have left. During that time, we would presumably still be subject to the European Court of Justice with all the restrictions and limitations on our sovereignty that entails. And unless Mr Hammond knows something he hasnt yet shared with us, we would still be unable to negotiate the raft of free trade deals with countries such as the United States and Australia that will be at the very heart of Brexit and of the advantages that await us once weve finally left the EU. Its also playing with fire to think that we can discount all possibility of an earlier, unscheduled Election. After all, weve just had one. What would happen, for example, if Labour by then was led by a Brussels-friendly leader? He or she could seek to stop Brexit in its tracks. It would be really helpful if Mr Hammond and other Ministers stopped debating in public about the UKs negotiating position. If ever there was a time to show a united front, its right now. These developments will undoubtedly incur the displeasure of the bulk of the Conservative party, who are keen to see the Brexit referendum verdict fulfilled. Mr Hammond should remember that we have made a contract with the British people to deliver Brexit. If we do not do so, but instead consign the country to a constitutional no-mans land, we will break faith with the British people. The party will never forgive us for that. No, Chancellor deserves thanks for stopping Brexit pub brawl Comment by Sir Nicholas Soames - Pro-Europe Conservative MP By speaking out so clearly, Philip Hammond demonstrates that he represents the Cabinets voice of common sense. We all know that, like me, he opposed Brexit. But like all patriotic Conservatives, he has accepted the referendum result and knows it is his duty to ensure it is carried out in a way that protects the national interest. 'By speaking out so clearly, Philip Hammond demonstrates that he represents the Cabinets voice of common sense' In bringing order where there was growing disorder, the Chancellor should be congratulated for his clear understanding that as we tackle the hugely complex task of leaving the EU, we must do so in a carefully thought-out way that protects the economy and jobs. In setting out calmly and cogently how a three-year transition is the best way to achieve that, he has restored discipline to the political infant class who seem to want Brexit at any cost. Instead of mindlessly criticising him, they should thank him for putting a stop to what was in danger of becoming a pub brawl. He has added dignity, gravitas and intelligence to what had become a totally self-indulgent and divisive debate at a moment when the country is at a great crossroads and must take the right course. An airport worker struck a young father holding his nine-month-old baby with 'one hell of a punch' following a grueling 12-hour delay, a shocked witness said today. A photograph appears to show the man, believed to be a special assistance provider at Nice Airport, attacking the easyJet passenger in the terminal on Saturday. Arabella Arkwright, 49, who was with her two children at the time, told MailOnline of the chaos that unfolded as families waited to board flight EZY2122 to London Luton. She was on holiday with her husband Johnnie, 64, her 16-year-old son Harry and 13-year-old daughter Violet. This photograph appears to show the man, believed to be a special assistance provider at Nice Airport, punching a passenger in the face Arabella Arkwright was at the airport and took the photograph of the man in the white polo shirt (pictured) appearing to punch the British passenger Mrs Arkwright, a businesswoman from Warwickshire, said passengers were becoming more frustrated after being told the 11am flight was delayed. Almost 12 hours later, a British father in his 'late 20s' was holding his baby and told an airport worker he had had a 'terrible day'. Mrs Arkwright, who got finally got home at 4am this morning, said: 'The man was British, it looked like he was in his late 20s and was telling the worker that he had had a terrible day. 'He was standing there holding his nine-month-old baby. He didn't want to have a fight. 'The worker just smirked at him and he was the other side of the glass barrier so he reached over to hit him. 'It was one hell of a punch. It was a loud whack and there was no provocation. 'Everyone was having the most appalling day and then, all of a sudden, the man holding a baby gets whacked. 'My 64-year-old husband pulled the worker back which was very brave and unlike him but he was so enraged by what had happened.' Mrs Arkwright said the man was holding his baby while his wife vented their frustration at the lack of baby food and seats to airport employees. She said the alleged attacker, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, repeatedly smiled at the family before lunging at the father. 'He said nothing, smirked, showed no interest or concern for the family,' she recalled. 'Everyone was appalled. The man had a great big mark on his left eye when he finally got on the plane and everyone applauded him.' EasyJet said passengers were given regular updates and refreshment vouchers but many claimed no one told them why their flight was delayed EasyJet passengers were forced to wait at Nice Airport in France (pictured) after their flight was delayed Police in Nice today confirmed that they had received a call about the incident, and that it was being investigated. A police source said: 'We have seen the photograph and will be examining video footage in the airport terminal.' Another passenger, called Carl, told MailOnline that the man was showing his concern regarding all of the people who were on the delayed flight. He said: 'The gentlemen that was physically assaulted was showing his concern regarding all passengers that were told they were about to board and forced to the end of a corridor which was not air conditioned and fairly confined with all the passengers, elderly, children and families. 'People were feeling sick and unwell being kept in such conditions, to which he approached the desk to complain. 'Obviously things got out of hand and the airport staff employee lashed out and struck the man who was holding a child. 'From what I could overhear, the staff member was showing no sympathy or concern for all of us that have been suffering for such a long period of time. 'The gentleman holding the baby was not arrested, but taken away for a private conversation.' An easyJet spokesperson said the airport employee does not work for the airline. He is believed to work for French company Samsic which is contracted by Nice Airport to provide employees who help disabled passengers, including those in wheelchairs. EasyJet said the flight was delayed due to a 'technical issue with the aircraft' and that a replacement jet and crew were being sent from London Gatwick. But Mrs Arkwright claims their day from hell began when the plane they were in pulled away while a piece of equipment was still attached. EasyJet said the flight was delayed due to a 'technical issue with the aircraft' and that a replacement jet and crew were being sent from London Gatwick (file photo of Nice Airport) She said the passengers were offered a four euro voucher for food before being taken back into the terminal where their wait began. Mrs Arkwright said: 'It was utter chaos at the terminal. There were bags all over the place, everyone was frustrated and we had no idea what was going on. 'Children were crying, they were exhausted, people were having to stand up for hours. I asked to speak to someone but they said no one was available.' An easyJet spokesperson said passengers were given regular updates and refreshment vouchers but Mrs Ark claimed no one told them why their flight was delayed - nor when they might be able to fly home. The airline's spokesperson said: 'EasyJet is very concerned to see this picture and can confirm the person in the photo is not an easyJet member of staff nor do they work for easyJet's ground handling agents in Nice. 'We are urgently taking this up with Nice Airport and their special assistance provider Samsic who we understand the person photographed works for. 'EasyJet is sorry that flight EZY2122 from Nice to London Luton on 29 July was delayed departing Nice. 'This was due to a technical issue with the aircraft and a replacement aircraft and crew were sent from London Gatwick to operate the flight. 'Passengers were provided with updates and refreshment vouchers during this time and the flight landed in London Luton on Saturday night. 'The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority. EasyJet sincerely apologises for the delay and thanks passengers for their patience.' Physics student Islam Mitat was a bright young woman with the world at her feet. Aged 20, the pretty, fashion-obsessed brunette had been married for three months when her British husband, Ahmed, told her that he had a surprise for her. He said he was applying for papers that would allow her to live in the UK. Mitat was overjoyed. She couldnt wait to start a new life with 25-year-old Ahmed, the polite, charming businessman shed met on a dating website and who had visited her home in Morocco to ask her parents for her hand in marriage. Islam Mitat, 23, has revealed the plight of teenage brides inside an ISIS 'Little Britain' First, her husband explained, they would have to move to Turkey, where he had a new job that would keep things ticking over while they waited for the documents to arrive. But what Mitat thought was her happy ever after turned out to be a journey into hell. Today, three years later, she is living in fear of her life. There was no job. Nor was there any plan for the young couple to come to Britain. It was all a lie. Instead, Ahmed Khalil, who grew up near London, forced Mitat to accompany him to Syria, to the centre of the so-called Isis caliphate a medieval-style religious state run by the terror group where he became a jihadist fighter. Terrified and cut off from her friends and family, Mitat had no choice but to set up home alongside other Isis brides, many of them British, including the notorious Terror Twins from Manchester, the White Widow from Kent, and the schoolgirl runaways from Bethnal Green, East London. When Ahmed was killed in battle, Mitat was forced to marry twice more, giving birth to two children in the jihadi heartland. Food was scarce; there was often no electricity or water; outside, shed see the mutilated bodies of traitors strung up in the town square. Miraculously, Mitat, whos now 23, managed to escape and is now caring for her children in a safe house in northern Syria. This week, she found the courage to speak to a Sunday Times reporter about what shes been through, in the hope of helping British intelligence officials and getting herself and her children to safety in the UK. Her first-hand stories of life under Isis make for chilling reading our first glimpse of the day-to-day reality of life in the terror state. From taking tea with the most wanted female terrorist in the world to brutal sex slavery in the family home, here is Mitats horrifying account Mitat's husband forcibly took his new wife to a so-called Isis 'caliphate' in Syria. Terror twins' Zahra (right) and Salma (left) Halane, from Manchester, were Islam Mitat's neighbours in Syria TRICKED INTO LEAVING HOME The daughter of a member of the Moroccan security services, Mitat grew up in Oujda in north-east Morocco. She dreamed of a career as a fashion designer and wanted to see the world, so went online to find a husband who would help her escape her drab existence. She met Ahmed Khalil, who was born in Afghanistan but was a British citizen living in London, on Muslima.com, a marriage website used by 4.5 million Muslims worldwide. After a few late-night Skype conversations, Ahmed, accompanied by a woman he claimed was his sister, travelled to Morocco to meet Mitats family. He even had with him bank statements to prove his intentions were serious. He was a normal person, Mitat told the Sunday Times. I liked him. He was nice. She said he seemed kind and wasnt strict like other Muslim men, even allowing her to continue wearing her trendy dresses, jeans and T-shirts (though this wasnt to last). In August 2014, he announced the plan to move to Turkey. He told me: I have a surprise for you, but I will give it to you in Turkey, she explains. On arrival in Istanbul, she was hustled onto another flight, to Gaziantep, on the border with Syria, and driven to a house filled with women and children. It was only there, by talking to the other women, that she learned Ahmeds real plans. I told him, all our time together is just lies, she says. I just wanted to have a normal life with my husband and my kids. But Ahmed told her: You are my wife and you have to obey me. She decided to ask a border officer for help, but that chance never came as Ahmed made her enter the country illegally. She found herself running as bullets fired by Turkish border guards whistled past her ears. Bethnal Green schoolgirls, Kadiza Sultana, Amira Base and Shamima Begum, were also regular visitors to their home LODGING WITH TERROR TWINS The couple settled in a guesthouse in the town of Jarablus in Syria, before moving into a house with Ahmeds brother, Walid, who was also a jihadi fighter, and his wife Salma, who spent much of her time with her sister, Zahra. Salma and Zahra Halane are better known in Britain as the Terror Twins academically-gifted sisters from Manchester who fled their family home in June 2014, aged just 16, having stolen 840 from their father. In December 2013, Salma had been caught watching Isis propaganda at their sixth-form college, including images of a suicide vest and a boy with a machine-gun. On the outside, though, they were ordinary teenagers. With 28 GCSEs between them, they had dreamed of becoming doctors, before being brainwashed online. THE 'TERROR TWINS' In 2015 16-year-old 'terror twins' Zahra and Salma Halane from Whalley Range in Manchester moved to Syria to become jihadi brides - reportedly recruited by Raphael Hostey, who grew up a mile away and was killed last year. It is unclear whether they are still alive. Since arriving, they sent threatening messages to their brothers in UK. The sisters were married to ISIS fighters but both men have died in battle. Advertisement The twins flew from Manchester to Turkey, where they posed with other runaways as a family on holiday, and later crossed the Syrian border. On arrival, one of them declared: I am 16 years old and among the warriors of Isis. To Mitat, though, they were strangers. Then I realised these are the famous people they are on the news, she said. Salma and Zahra taught Mitat who had now been forced by Ahmed to abandon her modern clothes and wear a black polyester face veil to speak English and helped her settle in. Mitat recalls how their mother, Somali-born Khadra Jama, came to the house in November 2014 to try to convince her daughters to return. She was arrested by Isis, who locked her in prison for 40 days, before sending her home. Mitat says the twins now hardened terrorists toting Kalashnikov rifles have no plans to leave. They dont look anything like the pictures you have of them, she says. Theyve changed too much. MY NEW LIFE IN LITTLE BRITAIN But the Halane sisters were far from the only British women living under Isis. Mitat says her daily life there was like a Little Britain, where UK-born fighters and jihadi brides would pop in for tea and exchange pleasantries, or share their delight in seeing their names and photographs in the news. Her next-door neighbours were London-born Muslim convert Grace Dare and her Swedish husband, known as Abu Bakr. Grace, who converted to Islam at the age of 18 and travelled to Syria in 2014, appeared in a Channel 4 documentary last year extolling the virtues of her newfound religion. Im not oppressed. Islam has made me free, she declared. Grace is the mother of four-year-old Isa nicknamed Jihadi Junior after he was seen detonating a car bomb, killing four people, in a video uploaded to the internet last year. Wearing military fatigues, he also featured in a chilling execution video, saying: We are going to kill the kaffir [non-believers] over there. Mitat recalls Isa playing in her living room. Kadiza, died in an airstrike last year at the age of 17. Aqsa Mahmood, a Scottish-Pakistani from Glasgow, lived in an apartment block adjacent Sally Jones, a former punk singer from Kent now known as the White Widow and one of the most wanted terrorists in the world would come round for cups of tea. Regular visitors, too, were the three straight A schoolgirls from Bethnal Green, in East London, who were photographed walking through Gatwick Airport in 2015, on their way to join Isis. One, Kadiza Sultana, whose wedding to a Swedish-Somali fighter Mitat attended, was killed in an air strike last year, aged just 17. In an adjacent apartment block was Aqsa Mahmood, a Scottish-Pakistani from Glasgow, along with two extended British families whod all given up their lives in the UK for a spartan and often perilous existence in the caliphate. They all knew each other, Mitat says. They all talked the whole time on their phones. As the region came under attack from anti-Isis forces, and the paradise many jihadi brides had envisaged began to crumble, the British-born women began to bicker arguing over who was the most devout, or fighting over clothes. I FEARED FOR THE SEX SLAVES The Isis fighters believe it is their right to have two or more wives. Mitat says Salma Halane, one of the Manchester twins, clashed with her husband over his desire for a second wife. Worse, she discovered that Yazidi women from a Kurdish religious minority who were rounded up by Isis in Iraq were being held as sex slaves and brutally raped by their captors. One day, I saw a Yazidi woman and her son being beaten by her owner in Salma and Zahras house, she explains. I went to her when he left and said: Why is your husband beating you? She told me: He is not my husband. Im a slave. I didnt even know what that meant. White Widow Sally Jones, a 49-year-old mother-of-two from Kent, was another regular visitor Mitat tried to help the woman, Waheida, whod been captured when Isis invaded her home town of Sinjar. The two of them became close friends. I tried to buy her, but her owner said she cost 3,800, Mitat says. I only had 1,500. He sold her to someone else. THE WHITE WIDOW Friends of Sally Jones, the Raqqa-based jihadi bride and terrorist recruitment officer, said is desperate to come home after her husband Junaid Hussain was killed in a drone strike. The Kent mother, 49, who took her son to Syria, was put on the Pentagon's kill list because the couple were responsible for planning a dozen terror plots. The failed punk rocker's extremist husband was a computer hacker from Birmingham. He was wiped out by an American drone strike in Raqqa in 2015. One foiled plot hatched by the pair involved kidnapping a former US soldier and beheading him on camera. Another plan was to be carried out by a teenager shooting at hundreds of people at a nightclub or concert. Jones, 45, who once played in a female punk band, ran away from her home in Chatham, Kent, to wage jihad with her toyboy husband in Raqqa, Syria, the terror group's de facto capital. It is believed that Jones recruited dozens of women to ISIS via social media before her accounts were shut down. Advertisement Up to 7,000 Yazidi women are thought to have been abducted by Isis. Before being sold into slavery, they were subjected to brutal physical examinations to see whether or not they were virgins, and women found to be pregnant were forced to abort their babies. They were sold via adverts on Facebook and WhatsApp, where buyers watch videos of the women before agreeing a price. Mitat says the wives hated the sex slaves, while the fighters thought they were a bit of fun to be played with and used. Nasser Muthana, a Cardiff medical student who fled to Syria in 2013, was known to own one. WIDOWED AND TERRIFIED Two months after arriving in Syria, in October 2014, Mitats husband was killed in battle. Six months later, she gave birth to Abdullah, their son. He was born by Caesarean section an extremely risky procedure in the basic hospitals run by Isis. It was only thanks to the kindness of a British nurse that Mitat regained her strength. Banned from talking to ordinary Syrians, she was forced to move in with Salma, her sister-in-law. Life was unimaginably tough as the town descended into a war zone. She saw mutilated bodies hung up in the town square. It was hard to see someone next to you killed. Blood and all of this it was terrible, Mitat says. It was certainly no place to bring up a child. Today, aged two, Abdullah is prone to panic attacks. When he hears a plane, he runs to the bathroom to hide, she says. Isis doesnt permit women to be unmarried, so Mitat was forced to wed a German-Afghan fighter who banned her from leaving the house. She managed to convince the authorities to let them divorce, but couldnt stay single for long. A CCTV image of British teenagers Amira Abase, Kadiza Sultana and Shamima Begum walking with luggage at Gatwick Airport Last year, she married again, this time to an Indian-Australian fighter, with whom she had a baby, Maria, now 10 months. Food was hard to come by and power cuts grew longer. Its like youre dead its not life, says Mitat. She says she was always scared, always hearing bombs. FINALLY, A DEATH DEFYING ESCAPE Mitats new husband was sent by Isis to defend a nearby town, and died during a battle. Finally, she saw a chance to escape. Keeping her husbands death a secret, she sold her possessions and bought a car. She began talking about leaving her home for another Isis stronghold further east a move that was being made by many foreigners who had flocked to Syria. In March this year, with the help of a few trusted neighbours, she fled along with her Yazidi friend Waheida. Disguised as members of her neighbours family, going to a wedding, the women and children took a taxi out of the city. Miraculously, they passed the Isis checkpoints without a second glance from the guards. After that came fields laced with mines: Mitat paid people-smugglers the remainder of her savings to escort them all across, knowing that any mistake could kill them. Finally, they reached the lines of the anti-Isis troops. BETHNAL GREEN SCHOOL GIRLS Kadiza was just 16 when she reached Syria in February 2015 after flying from Gatwick to Turkey with her 15-year-old friends Shamima Begum and Amira Abase. The pupils from Bethnal Green Academy in East London, who were radicalised by ISIS propaganda on the internet, initially embraced their new life and agreed to marry jihadi fighters. But Kadiza became disillusioned with life in the terror group's de-facto capital of Raqqa after her new husband died and told her family she was desperate to get back to Britain. Her sister Halima Khanom said Kadiza had been killed by a Russian airstrike in May last year. The three girls, who were all straight A students, were pictured by airport cameras before getting into a car in Turkey to cross the border into Syria. They were unprepared for the reality of life in a war zone and had little experience of living permanently veiled and under the strict regime. Little is known about Begum and Abase's wellbeing. Advertisement I was so happy, says Mitat. Imagine. For three years, it was dark, like in a cave. Now its light. She says shes been co-operating with British intelligence since her escape in the hope that her ex-husbands nationality may mean the family can get UK passports. Whatever happens next, she says, nothing will ever be the same because my life is destroyed. And while Mitat has escaped, in barbaric Little Britain, thousands more like her continue to fight for their lives. Pictured: Baroness Scotland. One of her close allies has been stripped of a second knighthood following a Mail on Sunday investigation Baroness Scotland was under renewed pressure last night after one of her close allies was stripped of a second knighthood following a Mail on Sunday investigation. Anthony Bailey, a PR adviser, received the honour from Antigua in November 2014 in a ceremony attended by the Baroness his dear friend and now the political head of the Commonwealth. But Bailey was told last week by the islands Governor-General, Sir Rodney Williams, that the honour had been annulled due to irregularities. At the time of the investiture, Lady Scotland was a prominent member of an obscure Catholic order led by Bailey, which promised the island 1.1 million in charitable donations. Members of the order later received Antiguan knighthoods. It was during this period that Lady Scotland was seeking support from Caribbean countries for her bid to become Commonwealth Secretary General. Our investigation found members of the religious order, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, made an astonishing 21 visits to the region in the months before Lady Scotland eventually took office. Not only did the orders members receive honours, but top politicians in at least five island nations, which all had a vote in Lady Scotlands election, were given knighthoods or medals from the order in return. It led to claims that Lady Scotland, a former Labour Attorney General, was using the Order in an opportunistic attempt to influence government leaders and earned her the nickname Baroness Brazen. One politician claimed she was involved in an utterly corrupt process. Lady Scotland categorically denied the allegations. The controversy surrounding her administration shows no sign of abating. Earlier this year she complained about a series of Mail on Sunday and Daily Mail articles accusing her of bypassing Commonwealth rules on hiring consultancy firms and excessive spending. But the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) ruled against her a decision that has led to speculation about her future. The resulting implications of her continuing in office for much longer are now of active interest in a growing number of Commonwealth capitals, reported the influential news website Caribbean News Now! The Mail on Sunday has learned that an unofficial group calling itself Friends Of The Commonwealth, whose members are said to include diplomats and ex-members of Lady Scotlands senior team, has asked the Commonwealth board of governors to call an extraordinary meeting to discuss her position. We would hope that swift measures are taken for the Commonwealth Secretariat to rid itself of the scam-tainted reputation that has befallen upon it in the last one year, said the group in an email to the boards executive committee. Those honoured by the Constantinian Order while Lady Scotland was a senior member included the Prime Minister and President of Dominica, who later officially nominated her as their countrys candidate for Secretary General. She has lived in Dominica, but only until she was two. Pictured: Sir Rodney WIlliams 'knights' Anthony Bailey at a ceremony attended by Baroness Scotland On her website, Lady Scotland claimed credit for introducing the Constantinian Order to Antigua but she has denied she was party to the granting of a knighthood to Anthony Bailey or anyone else. In a statement last year, Lady Scotlands spokesman said she was a member of the order for a decade but quit before she became Commonwealth Secretary General in April last year. Sir Rodney launched his review after The MoS revealed that Lady Scotland was entangled in a row over Bailey using his title to masquerade as a knight in the UK. The honour is not bestowed by the Queen and the Palace ordered him to desist. Baileys Antiguan knighthood has been revoked with immediate effect and he has been ordered to return his insignia. A knighthood given to Bailey by another Caribbean nation, Grenada, was revoked last year. One of those also honoured by Antigua was Bulgarian businessman Spas Roussev. His spokesman said he was approached and offered an Antiguan honour in exchange for supporting local charitable projects. However, Mr Roussev had questions about the arrangement from the start, believing it to be irregular. The Constantinian Order has influential and wealthy backers at home and abroad, including British MPs and the Archbishop of Westminster. Baroness Scotland was invested into the order in 2003. In June 2015, at the height of her campaign to become Secretary General, she was promoted to the rank of vice-delegate, before stepping down in April last year. Lady Scotland has insisted that she did not arrange for Bailey to meet Grenadas Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell, who knighted him. But last October Dr Mitchell insisted she did introduce them, and that she was at the meeting when honours were discussed. Last night Bailey said he was assured by the Governor-General that the decision to revoke his knighthood was due to an administrative and legal error on the part of the Antiguan government. A Commonwealth spokesman said: Secretary-General Scotland is focused on working to deliver her reform agenda on which she was voted in unanimously by the then 53 member states as a servant of the 2.4 billion citizens of the Commonwealth. Her achievements to date have won support and praise from Commonwealth leaders who have lauded them as innovative, progressive and game-changing. President Trump furiously tweeted that China could 'easily' solve problems with North Korea but the country does nothing to help the United States except 'talk'. Trump took to Twitter on Saturday night to call out 'foolish' past American leaders who he believes allowed China to make enormous profits in trade while not helping with North Korea. Trump added that China could 'easily' solve the growing problem with the country, but instead all China does is 'talk'. The tweets were a response to Kim Jong-Un's successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Friday, causing experts to warn leaders the country can now hit major American cities. Hours later, the U.S. then flew two B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force after the North Korean missile tests, the Air Force said in a statement on Sunday. Trump took to Twitter on Saturday night to call out 'foolish' past American leaders who he believes allowed China to make enormous profits in trade while they didn't help with the growing problem of North Korea Trump wrote that China could 'easily' solve the North Korea problem if past American leaders insisted on making them help and indicated he would no longer allow the behavior to continue North Korea launched a missile (pictured) that came 'threateningly' close to Japan on Friday night, which has prompted concern from US and Japan leaders North Korea's state television broadcast pictures of the missile test launch on Friday night, which was personally supervised by Kim. The missile launch was intended as a 'stern warning' that the United States would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. The test was also 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.' 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. The American B-1B flight, conducted on Saturday, was in direct response to the missile test and the previous July 3 launch of the 'Hwansong-14' rocket, the U.S. statement said. The bombers took off from a U.S. air base in Guam, and were joined by Japanese and South Korean fighter jets during the exercise, according to the statement. In response to the North Korea's ICBM launch, the U.S. then flew two B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force The bombers took off from a U.S. air base in Guam, and were joined by Japanese and South Korean fighter jets during the exercise 'If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing,' according to Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy The American B-1B flight was in direct response to the missile test on Friday and the previous July 3 launch of the 'Hwansong-14' rocket, the U.S. statement said 'North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability,' Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy said in the statement. 'If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing'. China, the North's main ally, said it opposed North Korea's 'launch activities that run counter to Security Council resolutions and the common wishes of the international community.' A foreign ministry statement added: 'At the same time, China hopes all parties act with caution, to prevent tensions from continuing to escalate, to jointly protect regional peace and stability.' Trump blasted China on Saturday night and tweeted: 'I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet...' '...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!' he said in a subsequent tweet. Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects troops at a parade on June 1. China has urged all countries to act with caution to 'prevent tensions from continuing to escalate' Trump, who railed against the huge U.S. trade imbalance with China throughout his 2016 election campaign, has been considering imposing broad tariffs on steel imports. These would be partly aimed at pushing China, considered the source of major global oversupply, to shutter excess steelmaking capacity. The launch comes less than a month after the North conducted its first ICBM test in defiance of years of efforts led by the United States, South Korea and Japan to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear weapons ambitions. Soldiers march during the parade on Sunday. Trump insists that China could 'easily' solve the growing problem with North Korea Trump's evening thoughts came hours after the bombshell news that his new communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, took five days to visit his newborn son at the hospital while going through a nasty divorce with his wife. Critics of the president have claimed that he uses Twitter as a distraction in order to bury bad news. In other tweets Saturday, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Republican senators and their failed effort to repeal and replace Barack Obama's health care law. He said that unless they are 'total quitters,' the effort isn't dead and concludes: 'Demand another vote before voting on any other bill!' Soldiers take part in a flag-raising ceremony. President Jinping inspected troops, armoured vehicles and conventional and nuclear missiles Trump labeled the Republican lawmakers as 'fools' for failing to pass the bill that would have repealed Obamacare. He tweeted: 'Republican Senate must get rid of 60 vote NOW! It is killing the [Republican] Party, allows 8 Dems to control country. 200 Bills sit in Senate. A JOKE!' Trump was referring to the 60-vote threshold that is needed in the Senate to override a filibuster whenever discussion came up for a bill. Its residents are renowned for their devotion to Great Britain, from painting union flags on the roofs of their houses to voting overwhelmingly to remain a UK overseas territory. But even the patriotic citizens of the Falkland Islands say they can see no possible benefits to Brexit. Rather than enjoying a proud independent future outside the European Union, its government says it will be left impoverished without its biggest markets for fish and wool as well of millions of euros in development money. Roger Edwards, who served with the SAS in the Falklands war and is now a member of the islands legislative council, told the House of Lords earlier this month: We could sell all our fish into the United States, but currently the price in the United States is about half of what it is in Europe, so it would make the whole shebang uneconomical. Even the patriotic citizens of the Falkland Islands say they can see no possible benefits to Brexit (file picture) We have even looked at China but we discovered that China, for our wool exports, has an import tariff that is something in the order of between 50 per cent and 80 per cent. Do we see any benefits of Brexit? Not really. At the moment, we have not been able to identify any benefits. In a detailed briefing for peers on the EU select committee, the Falklands government states that 80 per cent of its exports go to countries in the trading bloc, despite their distance from the South Atlantic. Fishing is its main industry and every year it exports 120m of fish to the EU, most to Spain, while 72 per cent of its wool goes to Italy, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. If tariffs were imposed, it would not only devastate the Falklands exports but also damage the governments tax revenue and so hit public services. The only realistic outcome for the sustainability of the Falkland Islands economy is a free trade agreement, the written submission states. Residents also enjoy visa-free travel to the continent, and fear it may cause issues for business if travellers had to wait for applications to be processed before they could visit the EU. And the Falklands even fear that Brexit may lead to Argentina gaining more support for its continuing claim over the islands, 35 years after its invasion. With the UK being a full member of the European Union and a signatory to the Treaty of Rome, all of the rest of Europe is obliged to recognise and accept that the UK OTs are a part of the UK, Mr Edwards told peers. Its government says it will be left impoverished without its biggest markets for fish (pictured) and wool as well of millions of euros in development money Once the UK is no longer a member state or a signatory to the Treaty of Rome, the same obligations do not apply. We may well lose the support of the rest of Europe, and may well see Spain and possibly other members of Europe give greater support to Argentina over its mistaken and illegal claim to the Falkland Islands. Other British overseas territories are concerned that they will be soon cut off from EU aid cash. The volcanic Caribbean island of Monserrat says it will be left with a 20m black hole in its budget over the next few years and as of 2019, we are unaware of who will fill that gap. Pitcairn, the tiny British colony famously settled by mutineers from HMS Bounty, also receives money from the EU and relies on agreements with France to access ports and hospitals in its overseas territories. Tristan da Cunha, the most remote settlement on the planet, fears it will lose tariff-free export of its lobsters to high-end restaurants in Paris and Berlin. The Turks and Caicos islands have benefited greatly over the years from EU funding, peers were told, including Euro 6 million to repair homes damaged by a devastating hurricane in 2008. We need to ascertain if, post Brexit, DFID will fill that gap, Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said. St Helena, the rocky South Atlantic outcrop that became notorious for a 285m UK taxpayer-funded airport that was deemed too windy for planes, told the House of Lords: St Helena Government recognizes that the consequences of the UKs decision to leave the EU are uncertain but wishes to maintain, as much as possible, the current benefits associated with the UKs membership of the EU. We wish to maintain economic and financial support. Where such support will no longer be available from the EU we would wish the UK to fill the void such that we will retain the benefits both in the transitional period and immediately thereafter, maintaining alignment with EU policy makers. The Rev Martyn Neale (pictured), 60, was found dead at his rectory in the village of Hawley, Hampshire A senior Church of England vicar who was being investigated by police has died after unconfirmed reports that he set fire to himself. The Rev Martyn Neale, 60, a member of the General Synod, was found dead at his rectory in the village of Hawley, Hampshire, on Tuesday. Friends described Father Neale, who was not married and lived alone, as a quietly-spoken but caring priest who had worked as the vicar for Hawley, in the Diocese of Guildford, for 20 years. The diocese said he had been suspended as a consequence of an ongoing police investigation. Father Neale became a member of the Churchs parliament, the General Synod, earlier this year and recently attended his first meeting in York. A prominent traditionalist, he was a council member of the pressure group Forward in Faith, which opposes women priests. Two weeks ago his congregation at Holy Trinity was told that he had been suspended pending the outcome of the police inquiry, but no details were given. He was made a canon of Guildford Cathedral in 2015. The diocese said yesterday: We were very sorry to be informed by police of the death of a man at the rectory in Hawley, believed to be Father Martyn Neale. Hampshire police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and a file was being prepared for the coroner. Record numbers of criminals had their jail terms increased last year after protests from their victims at soft sentences, the Government has disclosed. Nearly 150 offenders, including a murderer, were given harsher punishments under a scheme allowing the victims and public to challenge leniency from judges. After case reviews, some found guilty of crimes as serious as arson and child neglect were jailed after originally being given community sentences. Record numbers of criminals had their jail terms increased last year after protests from their victims at soft sentences, the Government has disclosed (file picture) Attorney General Jeremy Wright last night hailed the success of the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, claiming it was helping more crime victims and their families than ever before to get justice. He said: The scheme allows victims of crime, their families and the public to challenge sentences that they believe are too low, and last year we saw a record number of sentences increased. Mr Wright said that although in the vast majority of cases judges got sentences right, the scheme enabled him and Solicitor General Robert Buckland to independently review them. Where there may have been an error, they could then ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider the sentence. In 2016, they referred 190 cases to the court, leading to 141 sentences being toughened an increase of nearly 40 per cent on the previous years figure. A rapist and an attempted murder convict had their original punishments replaced with life sentences and can now only be released with permission from the Parole Board. Seventeen sex offenders who originally avoided jail terms are now behind bars. Other lenient jail terms extended last year after protests included 16 cases of robbery, 11 relating to firearms, three blackmail convictions and six kidnaps. The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme currently includes the most serious cases which go before crown courts in England and Wales such as murder, manslaughter and rape. Next month it is being extended to include a raft of terror-related offences including supporting extremist organisations, encouraging acts of terror or failing to disclose information about a terrorist attack. The move aims to give terror victims the right to seek redress if they feel perpetrators have been let off too lightly. The appeal scheme was introduced after the public outcry over the 1986 Ealing vicarage rape case where one of defendants received a longer sentence for burglary than two got for the sex attack. However, claims of the schemes success came days after it emerged that prisons were facing record levels of violence and assaults on guards and inmates. The performance of almost one in two prisons in England and Wales was considered of concern, or of serious concern, in the latest figures. There were 7,159 assaults on prison staff in the year to the end of March a rise of 32 per cent on last year, the Ministry of Justice said. The figures led to Justice Secretary David Lidington raising concerns that prisons were not safe and secure. A brawl has erupted with as many as 20 people after two young women got into a heated discussion on a busy street. Blood covered the footpath outside a Melbourne apartment block as police used pepper spray to subdue the fight early Sunday morning. A witness told the Herald Sun they believed the men, aged in their 20s or late teens, were fighting over a girl, with some men allegedly kicking a girl who was on the ground. 'I heard female voices screaming and panicking, using obscene language,' Dom Galante said. A brawl has erupted with as many as 20 people after two young women got into a heated discussion on a busy street Blood covered the footpath outside a Melbourne apartment block as police used pepper spray to subdue the fight early Sunday morning At least one man was handcuffed and taken away by police from the scene outside the Main Point apartments in Southbank. Three men in total have since been arrested. It is believed several other men fled the scene down Clarendon Street before they could be questioned. A woman was being treated by paramedics with large amounts of blood on her dress and pepper spray in her eyes, which was deployed by police to stop the altercation. Broken glasses and smashed bottles covered the area on City Road. Police are collecting witness statements and CCTV footage from surrounding businesses. Donald Trump is poised to order a military strike against North Korea within the next year after the communist state said it had successfully fired a ballistic missile capable of hitting the US mainland. Senior military sources in Washington DC told The Mail on Sunday that Pentagon officials have laid out plans to obliterate a nuclear weapons facility operating deep within a mountain in the rogue state. Donald Trump is poised to order a military strike against North Korea within the next year. The missile launched by North Korea could reach New York The move, which could spark retaliation attacks from dictator Kim Jong-Un, would be a major step towards all-out war to stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons. It comes after North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 6,500 miles on Friday night. The Pentagon said the missile flew about 2,300 miles almost straight up before plunging into the sea off Japan about 620 miles from its launch site. Experts in the US said the missile could have hit Chicago or even New York if it had been launched on a flatter trajectory. Kim Jong-Un claimed the whole of the US could be hit at any place and time. America responded with live firing exercises by US troops in South Korea yesterday. President Trump vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the US and its allies. A Queensland man was charged after he allegedly crashed into a parked car while drink driving at more than six times the legal alcohol limit during a mid-morning cruise. Police believe the 34-year-old man was driving his four-wheel-drive on Aegean Street, Waterford West, south of Brisbane, when he crashed into a parked car. The Ormeau man is believed to have continued driving along Hadlow Street before he crashed his car into a tree at an intersection at about 10am Saturday morning. A 34-year-old man was charged for driving more than six times over legal limit (stock photo) The man crashed into a parked car and tree in Brisbane's south before a stranger took his keys and will face Beenleigh Magistrates Court (pictured) August 18 Queensland Police Services said a member of the public saw the crashes and then took the keys from the man's car and waited for police. The 34-year-old man was charged with one count of driving under the influence after blowing a breath alcohol reading of .306 per cent. He is expected to appear at the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on August 18. Former Kerobokan inmate Shaun Davidson is now auctioning off his story to the highest bidder, taunting police with yet another Facebook post. The Bali prison escapee has reached out to the media for those interested in his 'first phone interview' since tunnelling out of the notorious jail. 'Ok Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts if you would like to be considered for my first telephone interview while on the run please email me at contact.sr1davidson@gmail.com with these details,' the post reads. '1. The amount your offering $$ (payment would be paid to a secondary party and will be a payment to facilitate the phonecall and not a payment for the interview) '2. Your name and the news company you are from. '3. A list of all questions that you may want to ask during the interview (As I will not answer anything that has not had prior approval) and if there is an offer i like or is close i will email you back with conditions or counter offer.' The Australian criminal, 33, tunnelled out of the prison with three other inmates in mid-June and has been on the run since. Shaun Davidson is now auctioning off his story to the highest bidder, taunting police with yet another Facebook post Davidson, 33, (pictured) climbed through sewage pipe mid June escaping overcrowded prison The Bali prison escapee has reached out to the media for those interested in his 'first phone interview' since tunnelling out of Kerobokan jail Davidson claims the payment will be to set up the interview rather than for his own benefit, but that is unlikely to matter to the Proceeds of Crime act and the Australian Federal Police. The act became active in 2003 and states it has the power to 'confiscate the proceeds of crime against foreign law or the proceeds of crime against State law.' 'The Act also provides a scheme that allows confiscated funds to be given back to the Australian community in an endeavour to prevent and reduce the harmful effects of crime in Australia.' The prison escapee has continued his taunt spree of law enforcement ages attempting to track him by posting mock wanted posters through his Facebook page. The wanted poster has a black and white photo of a shirtless Davidson and advertises a 'huge reward'. Prison escapee Shaun Edward Davidson posted his own wanted posters (pictured) online The Bali prison escapee has been on run for a month but teases police with posters (pictured) Since escaping, Davidson has been seen messaging police, cheekily asking them if they're close to finding him yet (pictured) A missing persons poster was posted to Facebook which has a photo of Davidson and says his last known location was Kerobokan Prison. His current possible location is 'not sure but we're close' - a reference to what Balinese authorities told media earlier this month. The Perth man also messaged Interpol, the world's largest police organisation, asking them if they were close to catching him. 'Hey hows [sic] it going just wondering when you say close how close are you really?' Davidson sent to Interpol. The escapee took to Facebook a week ago to display he had been a 'free man' for '30 full days'. 'I've left fans amazed police and governments dazed who wouldv thought I'd be ontop with my cheeky smarta** ways,' Davidson posted. Davidson, and three other men, escaped Kerobokan Prison through a tunnel (pictured) Two of the men were caught days later after escaping through the tunnel (pictured) but Davidson remains on the run The criminal used Facebook to check in to different locations, teasing police (pictured) Since escaping Kerobokan Prison (pictured) the escapee said wants to make light of his messy situation The criminal said he wasn't taunting police and was instead 'having some fun and a laugh' with his life. 'I'm living my life just trying to make the best out of a bad situation,' Davidson posted. Davidson escaped the Bali prison, the same jail Schapelle Corby spent nine years, through a 15 metre sewage tunnel which ended just outside the jail walls. 'I'm living my life just trying to make the best out of a bad situation,' Davidson posted Facebook Davidson (pictured) spent four hours digging his way out of jail in the pouring rain in Bali Davidson (top left, pictured with the three other escapees) had two months and 15 days left to serve of his sentence for immigration offences after using another man's passport The escapees spent four hours in heavy rain using a bucket to scoop water out of the tunnel before crawling out. Two of the escapees were caught days later in East Timor while Davidson remains on the run. Davidson had two months and 15 days left to serve of his sentence for immigration offences after he was arrested in April 2016 for using another man's passport. A homeless man was found dead after getting his head stuck in a donation box while trying to reach the items inside. The unknown man in his 30s was cut free from the charity donation box after people in a South Los Angeles neighborhood noticed his motionless body Friday morning. His head reportedly got caught in a small opening and paramedics tried to cut him out of the steel structure for 30 minutes, but it was too late by the time he was freed. Locals said they recognized the man who they had seen going to the box for clothing items and collecting bottles off the streets. An unknown homeless man in his 30s was found dead after getting his head stuck in this donation box in South Los Angeles on Friday morning Officials were alerted to the incident when a woman who lives near the donation box noticed a man motionless and stuck halfway inside the bin, reported NBC Los Angeles. Shirley Williams said to the news outlet: 'His head was caught in there with his legs out.' Another woman who didn't want to be identified said to ABC 7: 'He wasn't moving so I said, "Oh, wow. Maybe I better call 911." So that's what I did. 'So by the time paramedics came, they tried to revive and get him out, but it took like 30 minutes to get him out. 'So they had to go and get these electric saws to get him out.' By the time medics were able to get the man out of the box and tried to revive him, it was too late, according to reports. The man's head reportedly got caught in a small opening and paramedics tried to cut him out of the pictured structure for 30 minutes, but it was too late by the time he was freed Residents of the neighborhood near the box on Vermont and West Colden avenues said the box is illegally placed and want it removed. Local Jackie Love told ABC 7: 'Everywhere, clothes are pulled out of there, that could have happened to anyone, not just this man. 'I guess they were trying to help the community, but all they did was add more junk to the community.' This type of tragic accident has happened before. In February, a Pennsylvania woman had her arm caught in a clothing donation drop-off bin and was left dangling for more than six hours through the night. Judith Permar, 56, of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, was found dead when the step stool she was using collapsed underneath her. Pemar was fishing bags out of the bin, some of which were found littering the ground. A family of alleged Islamic extremists are accused of planning to bring down a passenger plane in an ISIS-inspired terror attack in Australia. Two Lebanese-Australian father and son duos are reportedly the four men arrested over the alleged plot after dramatic raids across Sydney on Saturday afternoon. While the full extent of the alleged conspiracy is not yet known, the men may have planned to detonate a homemade bomb on a flight from Sydney to the Middle East, possibly Dubai, Seven News reported. A kitchen mincer is believed to be among the everyday items the alleged attackers used to form a lethal device, according to the Herald Sun. The apparatus was reportedly 'ready to go' as counter-terrorism police stormed properties across the city's west and inner-east. There are also reports they had allegedly plotted to gas passengers aboard an aircraft in a plan orchestrated by ISIS militants in Syria, according to The Australian. The paper was told the four, who are all related by blood and marriage, allegedly made a 'non-traditional' device designed to kill passengers with a sulphur-based gas. Scroll down for video Two father and son duos are reportedly the four men accused of plotting to bring down a plane departing from Sydney with a homemade bomb. Pictured, one of the men is detained by police One of the accused is pictured with a bandaged head following his arrest on Saturday night Australian Federal Police at the check-in at Sydney Airport on Sunday as part of heightened security measures across the country Police standing by at Sydney Airport on Sunday following the dramatic raids on Saturday afternoon The accused, whose names are known to Daily Mail Australia but not yet confirmed by police, were arrested in the simultaneous raids. Australian Federal Police, ASIO and NSW Police jointly carried out the operation on Saturday in Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl. One of the men was reportedly dragged from his Lakemba home wearing only a towel, while his father was arrested at a property in neighbouring Punchbowl. The other father and son duo are understood to have been arrested in separate raids. Counter terrorism police (pictured) stormed four Sydney properties and arrested four men including one man (pictured) at Surry Hills after being alerted to an alleged plot to bring down an plane with a 'bomb' Police are seen continuing their investigations in the aftermath of the Sydney terror raids Long queues and waits were expected following a thwarted alleged terror threat on Saturday The counter-terror raid in Surry Hills (pictured) took place just metres from the Redfern Mosque (pictured) One man draped in a bed sheet with a heavily-bandaged head was seen being led into an ambulance outside a Surry Hills property. The man appeared to be distressed and bleeding from the head as he walked to a waiting ambulance, Nine News reported. He could be heard saying 'they bashed me.' When asked by who, he answered 'police.' When asked why he was being arrested, the man mumbled 'I don't know nothing.' Shocked neighbours have said the family living in the property were 'perfectly nice and normal people.' 'We knew them to say hello to and they seemed nice,' said one woman, who didn't want to be identified. The woman, who lives at the back of the property, said an elderly couple lived in the home and had adult children. AUSTRALIAN TERROR PLOT FOILED: THE ALLEGATIONS What was the plot? The group allegedly planned to use an improvised device to bring down an aeroplane in an Islamist-inspired conspiracy. Police say they have limited information so far about the date, location or specific strategy involved. What happened during the raids? NSW and Federal Police swooped on five properties in the Sydney suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl on Saturday afternoon and found a 'considerable' amount of material. But police won't say if they discovered an actual explosive device. Could it have happened? AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said they treated the plot as credible and there was an intention and 'quite possibly a capability' to carry it out. However, he also said there was no reason to believe security at Australian airports has been jeopardised. What happens now? The arrested men haven't yet been charged. Police say their searches at four of the properties are ongoing and could take 'many more days' as they gather enough evidence to support charges. What's changing at airports? Travellers have been told to arrive two hours earlier to make allowances for increased scrutiny. They may notice "intensified" security procedures, but some bolstered arrangements will happen behind the scenes. Travellers have also been asked to limit baggage to make things easier. Advertisement Forensic teams (pictured) and the bomb squad attended the scene during the Surry Hills raid Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has told the public not to panic and to inform police (pictured) of any suspicious activity Police said raids took place in the suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Punchbowl, and Wiley Park Residents living near the Surry Hills home, just metres from the Redfern Mosque, were evacuated while the bomb squad worked to remove the 'explosive device.' One neighbour of a man arrested in Wiley Park told The Daily Telegraph the accused would nurture stray cats in the area. 'He and his brother would feed about 15 cats and when we complained that they were bringing ticks and diseases into the block, they would walk off,' they said. Relatives of two of the accused spoke out following the arrests, saying they 'love Australia.' The four men arrested for their alleged role in the conspiracy can be detained for up to a week while investigators comb through evidence. A magistrate ruled police can hold the men for an 'additional period of detention' under the Crimes Act while investigations continue. 'This recognises that terrorism investigations are inherently complex and that there can be legitimate reasons for extended periods of detention for suspects in such matters,' an AFP statement said. Airports across Australia are experiencing long queues, with frustrated travellers vented their anger on social media Passengers waiting after long queues formed following heightened security at airports Police on the scene in the Lakemba area following the aftermath of the Sydney terror raids which resulted in four arrests A number of 'items of interest' were seized in the raids and searches continued on Sunday, with AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin suggesting they may take 'many more days'. The plan involved an improvised device and was Islamist-inspired, he added. 'We've taken this threat very seriously,' Mr Colvin said. 'You should infer that we think this was credible and there was an intention, and there was quite possibly a capability as well.' Airports across Australia are experiencing long queues after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned of heightened security measures across the nation. He said the raids were a 'major joint counter-terrorism operation' and reminded the Australian people 'the threat of terrorism is very real'. 'The office of transport security has advised security screening will take longer, and travellers should arrive at terminals at least two hours before flights to allow ample time for screening,' he said on Sunday. Travellers turned to social media posting photos of massive queues leading into customs at Sydney Airport and passengers tweeting to not underestimate the wait. 'Not sure I agree with the ''creation'' of a mass gathering ''before'' security screening -closed screening stations,' one traveller tweeted. Police officers continue their investigation in Lakemba following raids on Saturday afternoon Police found an 'explosive device' and part of Cleveland Street (pictured) in Surry Hills was cordoned off 'Long queues at Sydney Airport - paranoid security state in full regalia,' another wrote. Some passengers were warning others to add an extra 30 minute travel time onto the already extended period. 'T3 Sydney airport a mess. If you are flying come very early,' another social media user wrote. Prime Minister Turnbull reiterated the raids were aimed at stopping an alleged terror plot to 'bring down' a plane and said security screening will take longer over the coming days. 'Some of the measures will be obvious to the public, some will not be - those travelling should go about their business with confidence,' Mr Turnbull said. Police are pictured as they continue their investigations into the terror raids on Sunday Australian Federal Police are pictured on Sunday in the aftermath of the Sydney terror raids Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin (pictured) said details of the alleged terror plot are still emerging 'The office of transport security has advised security screening will take longer, and travellers should arrive at terminals at least two hours before flights to allow ample time for screening. 'They should limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage, as this will help to ensure that security screening is efficient.' Virgin Australia released a statement on the extra security. 'Passengers should arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow time for security screening,' the statement read. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) said for those travelling on planes to allow extra time for heightened security measures on Sunday Australian Federal Police are seen at a property in Lakemba in Sydney's west on Sunday Cleveland Street was cordoned off and shouting and screaming was heard as a man was led away by police 'Passengers should limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage they travel with as this will help to ensure security screening is efficient.' New South Wales Police confirmed that the four men in custody were yet to be charged. Australia's terror threat remains at probable. Prime Minister Turnbull released a statement on the raids, confirming the involvement of the Australian Federal Police, ASIO and NSW Police. Australian Federal Police on Sunday leaving a property after the dramatic terror raids Cleveland Street (pictured) was closed between Elizabeth St and Young St, and Goodlet Lane was also closed Residents living near the Surry Hills home were evacuated while the bomb squad worked to remove the 'explosive device' and forensics (pictured) examined the scene 'These operations are designed to disrupt and prevent plans to undertake terrorist attacks in Australia,' the statement said. 'My number one priority, and that of my government, is the safety and security of all Australians. 'The public should be reassured that our security and intelligence agencies are working tirelessly to keep us safe.' Mr Turnbull urged people to call the National Security Hotline on 1800 132 400 if they see or hear anything suspicious. Goodlet Lane in Surry Hills (pictured) was closed while police examined the scene of the raid Police involved in the raid were acting to prevent an alleged plot to bring down a plane with a 'bomb' An 'explosive device' was discovered at the Surry Hills (pictured) property and deactivated by a bomb squad that was called to the scene A fun-filled day at Cincinnati Zoo turned to bloodshed when a man was slashed in the throat after an altercation. The incident took place at about 4pm on a day where the zoo was expecting extremely large crowds because of the beautiful weather. Two men got into an altercation with another man who was stabbed in the throat as a result. A Cincinnati Police cruiser was parked outside the zoo Saturday after a man was stabbed in the throat Police combed the scene for clues after a man's throat was slashed at the Cincinnati Zoo Saturday Police say so many horrified zoo guests witnessed the slashing they were having a hard time getting an accurate description of the suspects. 'Right now there are too many... they are interviewing all the witnesses. It's going to take a brief period to get a good, accurate description, ' Cincinnati police Sgt. Eric Franz told WCPO. The incident happened near a gift shop. The Cincinnati Zoo remained open despite the two suspects at large The suspects fled the scene. The zoo remained open despite the violence, and the suspects at large. The stabbing victim has serious but non life threatening injuries, according to police. A third person has been charged over an ugly road rage incident that saw a man punch a woman in the face while stopped in traffic on the NSW Central Coast. Footage of the confrontation, captured by a nearby motorist, was uploaded to social media on Monday. It showed a 41-year-old man approach the 21-year-old woman, who was standing next to a silver ute, before punching her in the head. The young mother who was filmed being punched in the face by a burly man in a horrific road rage attack has been charged over her involvement in the incident Ms Sams (pictured left) uploaded two images showing a bruised and bloody upper lip (right) But the video didn't show the lead up to the violence, and police allege the woman had thrown objects at the man's car. The man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, while the woman was later charged with offences including malicious damage, being armed with intent to commit and indictable offence, and intentionally throwing objects at a vehicle. Police have now arrested a 23-year-old woman, alleged to be the driver of the silver ute. She was charged with driving in a manner dangerous to the public, malicious damage, not complying with 'P' licence and driving with an unrestrained passenger. She was granted conditional bail and is expected to appear at Wyong Local Court on August 16. The man is due to appear in Wyong Local Court on August 30. Ms Sams was charged with a string offences on Thursday, including malicious damage, being armed with intent and intentionally throwing an object at a vehicle The woman who was punched was also granted conditional bail, and is expected to appear at Wyong Local Court on September 6. Ms Sams, who previously boasted about 'taking the hit better than a man', claimed she had 'been through worse' and warned she 'don't back down to no one'. 'I don't back down to no one. I never have, never will... I've been through worse, so it is what it is,' she told Channel Nine's A Current Affair program. Bianca Lee Sams, 21, admitted to throwing nails at the man's car before he struck her in stopped traffic at Lake Macquarie, north of Sydney , on Monday 'I had to do what I had to do to protect me and my mate and her son... He's a b**** in my eyes if he can hit a female.' Ms Sams said she threw objects at the man's car because he tried to run her vechile off the road with a five-month-old baby inside. 'I just grabbed a set of nails from a nail gun, I started breaking them up and throwing them at his car, hoping he'd leave us alone. But he didn't, he just kept coming,' she said. Ms Sams said she launched nails and a chisel at the attacker's car before he got out of his ute at Lake Macquarie. Pictured, she displays a bruised lip 'I had to do what I had to do to protect me and my mate and her son... He's a b**** in my eyes if he can hit a female,' Ms Sams said The 21-year-old mother is seen in the video getting out of the passenger seat and crossing her arms as a man in a yellow shirt approaches. 'I wasn't going to do nothing to him. People think it's an aggressive manner. I always cross me arms, I always have, anyone that knows me knows what I'm like,' she said. 'I just get out and I'm just like ''what's your problem, mate? You're driving like a d***head'' and that was it. 'He then just smacks me in the jaw. It still hurts. It's hard to talk sometimes, hard to eat. 'But it is what it is, I've got to deal with it... I threw a few nails at your car, whoopee mate. You tried running us off the road with a baby in the car.' Police said the man (pictured) was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and granted conditional bail 'I smashed his window he should of hit me harder (sic),' Ms Sams wrote on Facebook She admitted to throwing nails at the man's car before the incident was caught on a dash cam On Tuesday, Ms Sams took to social media and shared a series of posts in response to the incident. 'Take a hit like that and then see if you're still standing I doubt it... I smashed his window he should of hit me harder,' she wrote. 'I don't give a f*** he hit me, don't put a babies (sic) life at risk. 'He tried running us off the road with a 5 month old baby in the car we tried getting away from (him but) he kept going so I got out and asked what his problem was.' The driver of the car, Ms Sams' good friend, also took to Facebook to tell her side of the story. 'I tried letting him around me but no he wanted to tail gate me being an a*****e, so my friend decided to throw things at him to get him off my tail,' she wrote. Ms Sams uploaded two images showing a bruised and bloody upper lip, and said she would be taking the matter to court. But she now faces her own day before a judge on September 6. A woman in Texas could face animal cruelty charges after she walked around with a baby deer on a leash. The woman had picked up the white-tailed fawn at the side of the road and put a red collar and leash on it while she was on her way to the Alamo. A Bexar County game warden was called by Alamo security and questioned the woman. A woman in Texas could face animal cruelty charges after she walked around with a baby deer (pictured) on a leash at the Alamo A Bexar County game warden was called by Alamo security and questioned the woman before the deer was taken away to a licensed rehabilitator with the Texas Parks and Wildlife She told the warden she saw the deer and wanted to take it with her to the Alamo for Fourth of July family photos. State law forbids the possession of game animals and the warden tried to explain that to the woman. Instead, she 'would not listen' and 'became very upset' according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife. The baby deer was then taken from the woman and brought to a licensed rehabilitator with the Texas Parks and Wildlife. Charges against the woman are pending. Texas Parks and Wildlife posted pictures of the deer on Facebook on Friday. One commenter pointed out that the actress Audrey Hepburn kept a pet fawn. Hepburn's fawn, which she met while shooting the 1959 film Green Mansions, was named Pippin. A pair of sisters capped off a night of drinking by stabbing each other in front of three children, police said. Jordan and Chelsea Pedro returned to Jordan's apartment in Albuquerque, New Mexico, early Friday morning and got into a knife fight, leaving the apartment and at least one kid covered in blood, KRQE reported. The sisters couldn't remember why the violent fight broke out once they sobered up, but the two appeared in court on Saturday morning to face child abuse charges. Jordan and Chelsea Pedro went out drinking and returned to Jordan's apartment in Albuquerque, New Mexico, early Friday morning and got into a knife fight The two had stabbed each other in front of three children in the home and were charged with child abuse as a result The two sisters had gone out drinking on Thursday, and continued downing alcohol once they returned home. By early Friday morning, one of the sisters called the police saying she had been stabbed, according to court documents. When police arrived at the home, the two sisters were intoxicated, and the apartment was covered in blood. Three children were in the apartment at the time, and one child ended up with his face covered in blood. They were not injured. The two sisters have been charged with child abuse, and the kids are now in state custody. A child has been rushed to hospital after being attacked by a kangaroo on a property in Victoria. Emergency services were called to the farm in Yering just before 8am on Sunday morning. The child was found with facial injuries and was treated by ambulance staff. The victim was taken to the Royal Childrens Hospital in a stable condition. More to come. A child has been rushed to hospital after being attacked by a kangaroo on a property in Victoria Emergency services were called to the farm in Yering just before 8am on Sunday morning A Florida man had a fright when he arrived home and discovered a massive sleeping black bear on his front doorstep. Warren Woodard came home, unaware of the bear, until his wife told him to come take a look at their snoozing guest in Longwood. 'I went around to the garage and my wife - we met at the garage door, and she said, "Come here a minute,"' Woodard told News4 on Friday. 'There's a bear laying at the door asleep,' his wife explained, but Woodard didn't believe her. The enormous black bear was sleeping on Warren Woodard's front doorstep At one point the bear even rolled over. It was sleeping so soundly Woodard was able to take a few great pictures The quiet residential street (pictured left) saw a heavy downpour of rain the night before, leading Woodard (right) to believe the bear was looking for a dry place to nap 'Sure enough, he was laying there, looked like he was asleep,' Woodard said. According to Woodard, their slumbering guest was around six-to-seven feet long. The bear seemed so comfortable that it had its big paw up in the air resting against their door at one point. There were heavy storms the night before and the homeowner believes it was trying to escape the rain. 'I think the bear had got caught up in it, and here's a nice dry place,' Woodard said to News4. 'I guess if the door wasn't there, he probably would have gone in the house.' The bear was sleeping so soundly that not only was Woodard able to take some pictures of it, but when a community officer came by, the bear wasn't roused by the officer's car either. 'A community police officer came first and that car wouldn't come in the driveway,' Woodard said. The sleeping beast seen through the Woodard's front door, which was not going to be opened for a closer look The homeowner describes the bear's size, which he estimates to be around six or seven feet tall It wasn't until back-up arrived in the form of a second police car that the sleeping beast got up. 'She (the officer) must have made some kind of noise, because at that point, the bear jumped up and took off,' Woodard said. He said he received a warning from the cop, who told him ''Look out!'' 'He ran right toward me. So I ran back around and into the garage,' Woodard said. He added: 'If I had walked around that corner, and the car was parked here and seen that bear laying there, it might have had me at the hospital.' Sydney has set a new temperature record for July as residents flock to the beach to enjoy the stunning heat usually reserved for late spring. The New South Wales capital registered 26 degrees celsius on Sunday, a temperature not reached until October in 2016. Thousands headed to the iconic Bondi Beach with surfers and swimmers shedding the wetsuits to soak up the sun. Sydney has set a new temperature record for July as residents flock to the beach to enjoy the stunning heat usually reserved for late spring Thousands headed to the iconic Bondi Beach with surfers and swimmers shedding the wetsuits to soak up the sun Family enjoy the balmy Winter weather at Bondi Beach The New South Wales capital registered 26 degrees celsius on Sunday, a temperature not reached until October in 2016 People flocked to Icebergs on Bondi Beach to enjoy the record heat The uncharacteristic weather is thanks to a warmer air mass that moved in on Thursday, combined with westerly winds pushing across the coast. It follows a notably cold and dry start to winter for many parts, except across the tropical north which has posted record warm temperatures. Brisbane saw a similarly Spring-like day, with clear skies and 25 degrees to finish the month of July. Darwin typically topped all major at a sweltering 32 degrees. Perth and Melbourne residents missed out on the stunning weather, with both cities experiencing minor rain. Central and south-eastern Western Australia had 10-20mm of rainfall with strong winds. Thousands flocked to Bondi Beach to enjoy weather normally saved for summer Surfers flocked into the surf to take advantage of the warm winds The warm temperatures clearly bringing out the creativity in people The uncharacteristic weather is thanks to a warmer air mass that moved in on Thursday, combined with westerly winds pushing across the coast Some people couldn't wait to hit the water as temperatures maxed out at 26 degrees in Sydney People shed their winter layers to soak up the 26 degree Sydney heat Forecasters warn that the balmy weather won't stay for long, with temperatures tipped to plummet six degrees to beneath 20C on Monday. Melbourne will get slightly cooler, with possible showers and cold temperatures for the next few days. Brisbane looks set to continue its steady run of balmy weather, with 25 degrees and sunshine predicted for next couple of days ahead. Hobart and Canberra are to shiver through the week with temperatures topping out at 12 degrees for most days. THREE DAY WEATHER FORECAST SYDNEY Monday: Max 20 and rain Tuesday: Max 18 and mostly sunny Wednesday: Max 18 and mostly sunny BRISBANE Monday: Max 25 and mostly sunny Tuesday: Max 25 and mostly sunny Wednesday: 23 and mostly sunny CANBERRA Monday: Max 12 and rain Tuesday: Max 15 and frost then sunny Wednesday: Max 12 and frost then sunny DARWIN Monday: Max 32 and mostly sunny Tuesday: Max 32 and sunny Wednesday: Max 32 and sunny MELBOURNE Monday: Max 15 and possible showers Tuesday: Max 15 and mostly sunny Wednesday: Max 15 and mostly sunny ADELAIDE Monday: Max 16 and showers Tuesday: Max 16 and possible shower Wednesday: Max 15 and possible shower PERTH Monday: Max 18 and clearing shower Tuesday: Max 17 and windy Wednesday: Max 17 and mostly sunny HOBART Monday: Max 12 and possible shower Tuesday: Max 12 and mostly sunny Wednesday: Max 12 and mostly sunny Source: Weatherzone Advertisement Beach chairs were empty as people flocked to the surf Some people chose to just sit and soak the record temperatures in Others lay in the shallows enjoying the sunshine at Bondi Beach Sydney sweltered through its hottest July day on record Sunday The uncharacteristic weather is thanks to a warmer air mass that moved in on Thursday, combined with westerly winds pushing across the coast A joy ride for five teenagers who stole a luxury Merecedes Benz and drove it more than 500km across the country has come to an end. A 16-year-old boy, two 15-year-old boys, a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl were arrested by New South Wales Police after the young children crashed the car and fled. Police suspect the black Merecedes Benz sedan was stolen from a home in Amaroo, Canberra on Friday and was driven by the 16-year-old boy. Five teenagers were charged after they stole a Merecedes (pictured) and crashed it Police suspect a 16-year-old boy drove the car (pictured) with four young passengers The teenagers drove 500km from Canberra to Dubbo and through NSW on Saturday At about 7am Saturday, the car was spotted at a service station at Molong where the teenagers filled up the car and fled, no paying for fuel. Police said they received a number of calls by people concerned about the driving manner of the luxury car which was driving faster than 150km/h along the Mitchelle Highway towards Dubbo. Using lights and sirens, police attempted to stop the car at Dubbo where Orana Local Area Command began a pursuit but the driver did not stop and the pursuit ended because of public safety concerns. Coonamble Police saw the car allegedly doing burnouts in the Coonamble township at about 1.30pm Saturday and tried to stop the Mercedes but it left at a high speed. One of the luxury car tyres had blown, causing the car to crash which police found at Tooroweenah Road. The five teenagers were taken to Coonamble Police Station where they were interviewed in the company of a support person. The teenagers ignored police pursuit and crashed the car when the tyres blew (pictured) The five teenagers were charged, refused bail and appeared in Children's Court Sunday The alleged driver, a 16-year-old boy, was charged with take/drive conveyance, two counts of police pursuit not stop, driving in a dangerous manner, driving unlicensed and two outstanding warrants. The four passengers were charged with being carried in conveyance. The teenagers were all refused bail and appeared at a Children's Court on Sunday. Labor leader Bill Shorten would push for a vote for Australia to become a republic in his first term if he were to become prime minister. The Opposition Leader was speaking at a Labor press conference in Townsville, in far north Queensland, and claimed Australia needed to acknowledge its rich history and values. Mr Shorten said Australians would still be able to binge watch The Crown on Netflix and adore the Royal family even if the country were to become a republic. Mr Shorten said Australians would still be able to binge watch The Crown on Netflix and adore the Royal family even if the country were to become a republic 'We can vote for an Australian head of state and still respect Queen Elizabeth. We can vote for an Australian head of state and still win gold medals at the Commonwealth Games,' he said. 'We can vote for an Australian head of state and recognise that Will and Kate have two seriously cute kids. 'We can vote for an Australia head of state and patriotically binge watch The Crown on Netflix.' The federal Labor leader has promised to take 'the first real steps' to make Australia a republic in his first term in government. That would include putting a straightforward 'yes or no' question to the Australian people. 'We must seize the day and become a republic,' Mr Shorten told the crowd at the Australian Republic Movement's gala dinner in Melbourne on Saturday night. 'We can vote for an Australian head of state and still respect Queen Elizabeth. We can vote for an Australian head of state and still win gold medals at the Commonwealth Games,' he said 'We must seize the day and become a republic,' Mr Shorten told the crowd at the Australian Republic Movement's gala dinner in Melbourne on Saturday night But cabinet minister Mathias Cormann said Mr Shorten was not proposing any way forward. He was merely trying to distract from his lack of a plan for the economy and jobs. 'The truth is that what Bill Shorten's proposing won't actually lead to any outcome,' he told Sky News on Sunday. 'Here he's talking about yet another topic that doesn't actually relate to how we can make our economy more successful in the future.' Senator Cormann said the more difficult question was not if the Australian people wanted a republic, but what system they wanted to change to. Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese dismissed suggestions there would be a need for two plebiscites - one to determine if Australians wanted a republic, then a second to approve a model - as well as a referendum to change the constitution. Senator Cormann said the more difficult question was not if the Australian people wanted a republic, but what system they wanted to change to A model would emerge by consensus during the debate to the first plebiscite about an Australian head of state, he said. 'It's a plan to achieve a republic by doing it in a two-stage process,' Mr Albanese told Sky News of the Labor proposal. Mr Shorten, in his speech on Saturday night, used the current debate about dual citizenship - which has forced two senators to quit parliament and another to resign from cabinet - to note that Australia's current head of state is a 'foreign power'. But government backbencher Eric Abetz said the fact a dual citizen can't serve in parliament debunked his argument. 'It shows beyond any doubt that Australia is a genuine stand alone nation with its own very rich heritage,' he told ABC TV on Sunday. Australia was one of the most stable democracies in the world and people that came here were not clamouring for a change to the system, he said. A sample question from a new critical thinking exam for high school students is stumping teenagers. Year 11 students in New South Wales will soon have the choice to sit a new online critical thinking exam. The test has been designed due to concerns current Higher School Certificate subjects are not preparing students for employment. The HSC is awarded to NSW students who successfully finish high school and results help determine university admissions. Year 11 students in New South Wales will soon have the choice to sit a new online critical thinking exam. Pictured above is one of the questions Students who choose to sit the new exam will need to answer 60 questions and will receive feedback on their performance, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The sample question shows three square cushion covers of the same size. Each light blue square is covered with dotted lines where ribbon is to be sewn. Test-takers are asked to select the cover which needs the most ribbon. There are four options to choose from but D is the correct answer - they all need the same amount. Family and friends of the 18 people killed in the Thredbo landslide say they are still confronted by the tragedy as they gathered in the alpine village to mark the 20th anniversary. Hundreds crammed into the Thredbo Chapel, in NSW's south-east, on Sunday for an emotional service to commemorate the victims two decades after a landslide crushed two ski lodges in the popular NSW ski resort. Mourners wept as Euan Diver, brother of sole survivor Stuart Diver, and other community members read the names of the victims, followed by a moving rendition of Amazing Grace. Scroll down for video A note a wreath remembers one of the Thredbo tragedy which claimed the lives of 18 people Mourners ties cards shape of hearts to a fence at a memorial service at Thredbo Ecumenical Chapel at the Thredbo Alpine Village on Sunday Heart shape cards appear tied up to the fence of the tragedy's memorial on its 20th anniversary A bell was tolled and a candle lit for each of the victims before mourners lay flowers and wreaths at the nearby Thredbo Memorial Community Centre. Annie Boward said emotions were still raw for those who lost loved ones in the tragedy. She recalled how she had planned to call her friend Wendy O'Donohue before discovering she was trapped in one of the collapsed ski lodges. 'I had a letter on my kitchen bench signed by Wendy just to call her and let her know when I was coming down next,' Ms Boward said. Annie Boward (pictured) said emotions were still raw for those who lost loved ones 20 years on A mourner Ms Boward (pictured) lays flowers at the 20th memorial service for the victims Mourners Donna Barlow (L) and Wendy Hukins (C) at the memorial service on Sunday 'I had it on the bench that morning ready to call - then I turned on the early news.' Ms Boward said healing was about bringing people back to Thredbo. But the loss always remained just under the surface, she said. 'I don't think it leaves you. It's always just there.' Donna Barlow worked in customer service at Thredbo when the landslide occurred. She returned this weekend to remember the friends and coworkers she lost in the tragedy. 'We're still a community and we support each other - it changed all of our lives,' she said. 'It's confronting how quickly 20 years goes by.' Mourners wait to lay wreaths at a memorial service at the Thredbo Ecumenical Chapel Mourners attending a church memorial service at the Thredho Ecumenical Chapel on Sunday Local businessman Ian Foster insisted the community was stronger than ever but the pain was still present. 'It's something that's always there. It's not hard to feel that emotion come up,' he said. Memorial services were held throughout the weekend in Thredbo, with a commemorative flare run on Saturday night led by Mr Diver, the tragedy's sole survivor. He was joined by 300 skiers and snowboarders who blazed down Thredbo's Supertrail with red flares in memory of the victims, including his wife Sally. The procession was followed by a pyrotechnics display featuring 18 separate fireworks - one for each victim. Stuart Diver joined 300 skiers and snowboarded for a flare run (pictured) to remember the victims of the 1997 Thredbo landslide Mr Diver, who lost his wife in the tragedy and was found trapped underneath concrete two days after the landslide, attended the memorial. He spent 65 hours under the rubble and after being rescued his famous first words were, 'That sky's fantastic!' The first face he saw was that of rescuer Warwick Kidd, a station officer with NSW Fire and Rescue and one of the first responders. 'I did apologise to him for that,' Superintendent Kidd said. Two decades later, and having since attended disasters around the world, Superintendent Kidd still remembers the moment rescuers were told there was a survivor. He managed to drill a hole big enough to lower a torch down to Mr Diver, enabling him to help rescuers find a way to get him out. 'I told him that we would get him out,' Superintendent Kidd recalls. Thredbo resort said the flare run memorial (pictured) was a fitting commemoration for a group of people who loved the mountains and Thredbo Members of the NSW Fire Service pay their respects at a memorial service for the victims The names of the victims of the road collapse are seen on the plaque at a memorial service 'We sort of made a promise to him that he'd be out before the sun set and we did, we got him out before the sun set.' Superintendent Kidd said rescuers had been hopeful they'd find more survivors within the crucial 100-hour period, but Mr Diver was the only one. Thredbo resort said the flare run memorial was a fitting commemoration for a group of people who loved the mountains and Thredbo. Friends and family of the victims will gather at Thredbo Chapel on Sunday for an ecumenical service followed by a wreath laying, ahead of a midnight vigil at the site of the landslide. Two people have died and three others are fighting for their lives after a man armed with a machine gun opened fire in a packed German nightclub, according to reports. Revellers fled from the Grey venue in the city of Konstanz near the Swiss border after the 34-year-old Iraqi attacker burst in and opened fire at 4.30am. Special forces and a police helicopter were sent to the scene with the gunman 'put out of action' in minutes. He is thought to have attempted to flee from the club after opening fire but he was tracked down by elite commando units. The gunman was shot by police and later died - with an officer thought to have been hit by a bullet during the gunfight. Two people have died and three others are fighting for their lives after a man armed with a machine gun opened fire in a packed German nightclub, according to reports. Police are pictured at the scene Revellers fled from the Grey venue, pictured, in the city of Konstanz near the Swiss border after the 34-year-old attacker burst in and opened fire at 4.30am The nightclub is thought to have been hosting a student night at the time of the incident. The gunman is thought to have attempted to flee from the club after opening fire but he was tracked down by elite commando units Police are pictured standing near the Grey club in Konstanz following the shooting The gunman was shot by police and later died - with an officer (not pictured) thought to have been hit by a bullet during the gunfight Witnesses described seeing victims covered in blood as they were taken to hospital where three people remain seriously injured. Police have said that the shooter's motive is not yet known and it is not clear if he acted alone or with accomplices. A spokesman added: 'There were casualties at the shooting. Visitors saved themselves by escaping into the open or hiding.' The nightclub is thought to have been hosting a student night at the time of the incident. A woman is comforted at the scene as police stand guard next to the Grey nightclub Police said the incident was being treated as a 'possible relationship dispute' and not a terror attack A police spokesman said: 'There were casualties at the shooting. Visitors saved themselves by escaping into the open or hiding' Police said the incident was being treated as a 'possible relationship dispute' and not a terror attack. They said the killer had been a long time resident of Konstanz. On Friday, a failed asylum seeker killed one person and injured six others in the northern city of Hamburg. Officials said he was an Islamist known to security forces and he had was psychologically unstable. A critically-injured pedestrian flown to hospital by Prince William on his final shift as an air ambulance pilot has died. The woman, in her 50s, had been reported missing when she was hit by a police van in Hethel, about eight miles south west of Norwich, and was left fighting for her life. Officers were responding to a 999 call "relating to concerns for the safety" of the woman, Norfolk Police said. William's 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. Prince William was spotted in a park in Hertfordshire during 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. The scene is pictured following the incident The woman was then taken by air ambulance to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Norfolk Police said the woman died on Saturday and the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. The Duke announced in January that he would be ending his career as an air ambulance pilot after clocking up more than two years flying medical crews to emergencies. He joined the service 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. William, who will now take up royal duties full time, flew the unnamed victim to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge 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. Earlier this week Prince William was 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 in a park in Royston at around 7.05pm after attending an emergency call out with the crew 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 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 will 'carry with them for life'. 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. 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 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. 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. 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 In an open letter, 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.' 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 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. 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 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.' Ebony Curtis fell pregnant at 15 and gave birth to her daughter Ruby aged 16 (pictured) At the age of 15, Tasmanian schoolgirl Ebony Curtis sat on the floor of her bedroom staring at a positive pregnancy test. The night before, it had been negative. The Year 9 student had been dating her boyfriend for just three months when she took a home pregnancy test in the dead of the night after missing her period. 'I had waited a minute, and was like, "oh thank God there's only one line", and went back to bed feeling relieved I wasn't pregnant,' she said. 'I was in shock - I obviously hadn't waited long enough.' Now 21, Ms Curtis is a law student who hold a distinction average at the University of Tasmania and a proud mother-of-two. She says teenage mothers are often painted with the same brush, but that many were finishing their education, working and thriving. She says there was a lot of pressure to abort her pregnancy so she could finish her education, but the teenager decided to have her child, and still managed to finish school with her class Halfway through year 12, Ms Curtis fell pregnant with her son Archer (pictured), and says while it was hard, she had wanted a sibling for her daughter 'People look at one teenage mother and everyone assumes we are all the same, but I think that's the same with a lot of things,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I think people need to be more informed about teenage parents. A lot of people's views are generalisations.' Ms Curtis was encouraged to abort her first pregnancy by some of those closest to her. She said some people at her school had told her they did not support sex outside of marriage or the termination of a pregnancy, which left her feeling isolated. Ms Curtis was also told by friends she would never be able to graduate Year 10 if she chose to have the baby. The teenager decided to take a year off in between finishing high school and starting university, and worked part time while raising her two children with her partner Her mother, who Ms Curtis says was in complete shock when she found out, took the schoolgirl to the doctor and demanded another pregnancy test. Despite the pressure to abort, she said it was 'never an option' for her - though Ms Curtis admitted it was a confronting situation. 'You don't expect this to happen [when you're] so young,' she said. The teenager stayed in full-time classes until she was 38 weeks pregnant with her daughter, Ruby. When Ruby was about eight weeks old, Ms Curtis returned to school full-time. 'I was still breastfeeding - it was very overwhelming and I had to drop back to three days a week, just doing the compulsory classes so I could graduate with my class,' she said. 'It was a good feeling to finish high school and get out of there.' Ebony says her children have been a big driving force in encouraging her to keep working towards her dreams The law student is working part time and maintaining a distinction average at University Ms Curtis finished Year 10 and moved out into her own home with her daughter, who was then eight months old. She attended Year 11 full time at a new school, using Government-funded daycare to help her finish her education without disadvantaging her daughter. Halfway through her final year of schooling, Ms Curtis fell pregnant again. The conception of her son Archer was not planned, she says, but she had been thinking about having another child. 'At that point I really wanted another baby. Being one out of five siblings it was important to me that Ruby didn't grow up as an only child,' she said. Ms Curtis married Archer's father Shane (pictured) on January 14 this year Ms Curtis graduated Year 12 just two marks short of what she needed to gain entry into the law course she had wanted to study. She applied for an Arts bridging course at the University instead, and deferred for a year to give birth to Archer. 'I started working part-time before I went to Uni, then I went back and did a year of Arts on the condition that if I kept up a distinction average I could transfer to law,' she said. 'It was super busy, and because I was also working a little bit [while I studied], it was hard.' Ms Curtis achieved the marks to transfer into her law course, and has maintained her distinction average. 'My children are a big driving factor,' she said. Despite their initial concerns over their daughter's decision, Ms Curtis says her parents (pictured on her wedding day) have been incredibly supportive Ms Curtis is now an ambassador for the Brave Foundation, which helps teenage parents care for their children and finish their education 'I don't want them to have an upbringing that everyone talks about teenage mums giving their children - where they're just sitting on the dole or not doing anything with their lives. 'I want to set an example and go to school - I wanted to show my children no matter what life throws at you, you can achieve anything you want to.' Ms Curtis married the father of her son this year, and has become an ambassador for the Brave Foundation, which works with teenage parents to ensure they can still complete their education and provide for their children properly. She says she doesn't regret choosing to become a teenage mother, and that anyone in her position should be allowed to make their own decision on the path they take. '[I would tell other girls to] make your own choices, don't do something you don't want to do,' she said. 'Your dreams can still be achieved, even if it takes longer, don't get Ms Curtis will feature on SBS' Insight, Tuesday at 8.30pm on SBS One. Advertisement Remarkable images from the First World War, showing soldiers laughing, smiling and taking time out from the horrors of warfare, have been restored into colour to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the First World War's bloodiest conflicts. The pictures show soldiers chatting to locals, washing clothes and smiling in the entrance of a German trench during the infamous battle, which claimed the lives of more than half a million men between July 31 and November 6, 1917. Soldiers from Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia are all shown in the images, which have been restored by professional photo colouriser Tom Marshall. At ease: The photographs, which have been transformed into colour for the first time, show a different side to the Battle of Passchendaele, which claimed the lives of more than 500,000 men and took place 100 years ago this week The simple life: This photograph of a young soldier chatting to a local girl belies the true horror faced by the Allied troops And Tom says he chose this particular set of shots as he wanted people to connect with the men in them. 'I decided to colourise these images as a tribute to the men pictured, because I believe that colour adds another dimension to historic images, and helps modern eyes connect with the subjects more than with a black-and-white photo,' he said. 'I have found that black and white images are too often sadly ignored, especially by younger generations, and by colourising the photos I hope that more people will stop to learn more about the subjects and what the men went through 100 years ago.' The Battle of Passchendaele became notorious not only for the sheer number of casualties, but also for the horrendous fighting conditions the men were forced to endure. British general Douglas Haig had long wanted the allies to launch an offensive on German positions in Flanders Fields. Smiling at the trenches: One soldier looks happy, in spite of the deadful conditions the troops were forced to experience A captured moment: Soldiers stand at the entrance of a trench and seem at ease ahead of one of history's bloodiest battles Time out: Troops take a moment to relax in the milder weather, a far cry from the mud-ridden conditions of the battlefield The allied troops, from Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia prepare for the notorious battle against the German forces Horrendous conditions: Passchendaele became infamous for the terrible fighting conditions of Flanders Fields, where the soft clay soil had transformed into impassable mud because of heavy shelling and adverse weather conditions His aim was to break through their lines and reach the Belgian coast, where the Germans had a significant base of submarines Haig hoped to immobilise. On July 31, after two weeks of sustained shelling which had seen more than 4.5 million shells dropped on German positions, the allies launched their infantry attack. But the plan was a disaster from the get-go. The only significant impact of the shelling offensive had been to destroy drainage systems and churn up the already soft clay soil, meaning the battlefield was susceptible to any adverse weather conditions. Within a few days of the launch of the infantry offensive, some of the heaviest rains for 30 years had turned the battlefield into a quagmire, trapping thousands of men and horses and making it impossible to effectively operate any military equipment. The attack resumed on August 16 but to little effect, with the inclement weather making any meaningful military manoeuvres nearly impossible. Deadly: There were an estimated 325,000 allied casualties and 260,000 German casualties during weeks of fighting Stalemate: The two sides remained locked in battle for weeks until an upturn in the weather helped Allies to eventual victory The two sides remained at a stalemate until September 20, when an upturn in the weather allowed allied forces to win three key battles at Menin Road Ridge, Polygon Wood and Broodseinde in the space of two weeks. These victories eventually led to British and Canadian forces taking what was left of the village of Passchendaele on November 6, but the capture came at a heavy price. There were an estimated 325,000 allied casualties during the Battle of Passchendaele, with a further 260,000 German casualties, making it one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. Victory at a price: The troops had to endure terrible trench conditions and heavy casualties before taking Passchendaele Most people agreed at the time it was launched that the offensive was a good idea, with the allies more able to sustain casualties than the Germans after America's entry into the war, but there was much controversy over General Haig's decision to continue the attack into November. A wild food fight saw furniture and leftovers broken out at a Mediterranean restaurant in the early hours of Sunday. Footage captured by restaurant patron Jason Raad shows close to 30 men throwing tables, chairs, cups and food leftovers at each other at the Le Rivage restaurant cafe at Sydney's Georges Hall. Mr Raad said children and adults were screaming when the brawl broke out, 7 News reported. Jason Raad (pictured) had filmed the brawl with his smartphone which occurred on Sunday About 30 men were involved in the early morning brawl believed to have started over a girl The fight was believed to have started over a girl, the television station reported. Mr Raad used his smartphone to record the brawl and described the situation as 'intense'. Two restaurant guards had to step in to break up the fight before the police arrived. One man needed stitches after his hand was sliced with a glass jug. By the time police arrived, all the brawlers had fled the scene. NSW police in a statement to Daily Mail Australia said police were investigating the incident. The brawl had taken place at the Le Rivage restaurant and cafe in the early hours of Sunday One man needed stitches after his hand was sliced with a glass jug the TV station reports 'About 12am (Sunday 30 July 2017), police were called to the restaurant on Carysfield Road, when an altercation took place between a group of 15-30 males,' the statement said. 'When police attended the fight had been broken up by security and those involved had left the premises. 'Officers from Bankstown Local Area Command are investigating the incident. 'There were no reports of injuries.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Le Rivage restaurant for comment. Liam Fox has insisted the Cabinet has not agreed a deal to allow free movement of labour for three years after Brexit in the latest sign of tensions within the government. The International Trade Secretary said unregulated free movement of labour after 2019 would 'not keep faith' with the referendum result. Philip Hammond has led a push that would mean Britain's relationship with Brussels would remain 'very similar' for up to three years after formally leaving the EU in 2019. It followed claims 10 days ago that he had won the support of every cabinet minster for his transition plan that would allow EU citizens free movement for a number of years after Brexit. Liam Fox has insisted there has been no Cabinet deal agreeing free movement after Brexit Theresa May was pictured at church this morning after jetting back to Britain for the weekend during her European walking holiday. She is set to attend a memorial service marking 100 years since the Battle of Passchendaele in Ypres, Belgium, later today However his comments put him at odds with Dr Fox, who has previously insisted Britain must be free to sign deals with non EU countries from day one after Brexit. He told The Sunday Times: 'We made it clear that control of our own borders was one of the elements we wanted in the referendum, and unregulated free movement would seem to me not to keep faith with that decision.' Amid the row, Theresa May was pictured at church this morning after jetting back to Britain for the weekend during her European walking holiday. She is set to attend a memorial service marking 100 years since the Battle of Passchendaele in Ypres, Belgium, later today. Dr Fox said he had not been involved in any Cabinet talks on extending free movement for up to three years after Brexit, stating: 'If there have been discussions on that I have not been party to them. I have not been involved in any discussions on that, nor have I signified my agreement to anything like that.' In remarks that are likely to be seen as directed at Chancellor Philip Hammond, Dr Fox said: 'I am very happy to discuss whatever transitional arrangements and whatever implementation agreement we might want, but that has to be an agreement by the Cabinet. 'It can't just be made by an individual or any group within the Cabinet.' Ministers have accused Mr Hammond of pursuing his agenda while Theresa May is away on holiday in Italy Mr Hammond said there would be a registration system in place for people coming to work in the UK after Brexit, during the transitional period. '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's coming and who's going,' he said. Tory tensions were also on show as former Brexit minister David Jones, the former deputy of Brexit secretary David Davis, branded Mr Hammond's transition initiative 'deeply dangerous' as he accused the Chancellor of 'going on manoeuvres' while Prime Minister Theresa May was abroad in Italy's Lake Garda. However Pro-EU Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames praised the Chancellor, saying: 'He has restored discipline to the political infant class who want Brexit at any cost. 'Instead of mindlessly criticising him, they should thank him for putting a stop to what was in danger of becoming a pub brawl.' The war of words came as an ally of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also criticised Mr Hammond's plans. Gerard Lyons, Mr Johnson's former chief economic adviser at City Hall, said the transition period must be no more than two years. He described concern about a 'cliff-edge' Brexit as 'alarmist talk' similar to the fear of the Y2K bug threat to computers at the turn of the millennium. Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, he said: 'Many of the "risks" being highlighted about Brexit are perceived risks, not real risks. And a two-year transition would alleviate many concerns.' He also criticised Mr Hammond for going public with his proposals when Mrs May was on a three-week vacation. He said: 'Enough is enough. The leader is away so those in senior other roles seems to think they can play.' He also raised fears that if a transition period is any longer than two years, it could allow those wanting a softer Brexit to win out. 'It has to be temporary, else the powerful elites who are sitting pretty will want it to be never ending', he said. His intervention will fuel speculation Mr Johnson disagrees with parts of Mr Hammond's Brexit plan. Gerard Lyons (pictured right), Mr Johnson's former chief economic adviser at City Hall, said the transition period must be no more than two years Meanwhile, divisions in Labour over Brexit also emerged as senior figures urged Jeremy Corbyn to commit to staying in the single market. The Observer reported that opponents of quitting the single market may provoke a showdown at the party's autumn conference by trying to force a vote on the issue. Former leader Lord Kinnock told the newspaper: 'The only way to mitigate the dreadful instability that will be costly for communities and industry is to try to ensure that, at least for a transitional period, we retain participation in the single market or the customs union, or both.' Ex-lord chancellor Lord Falconer also backed staying in the single market, and TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady insisted the UK should not quit. She said: 'If there's another way of getting a frictionless trade deal that protects jobs and rights at work, trade unions would love to know.' Mr Corbyn has said Britain would leave the single market on Brexit, while other leading party figures like shadow chancellor John McDonnell have said all options are on the table. A city mayor and at least 11 others were killed in the Phillipines on Sunday in one of the bloodiest anti-drug assaults so far under President Rodrigo Duterte's crackdown. Reynaldo Parojinog was the third mayor to be killed in the government's bloody war on illegal drugs. Parojinog, the mayor of Ozamiz city, was killed during a gun battle with police serving a search warrant at his farm home. Parojinog's brother and wife and nine others were killed during the raid when the group reportedly resisted arrest. Scroll down for video Philippine police fatally shot a city mayor who was among the politicians the president publicly linked to illegal drugs and at least 13 others in gunbattles that erupted Sunday in the south Duterte, a former mayor from the southern city of Davao, won presidential elections last May after pledging to slaughter tens of thousands of drug suspects Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He was the third mayor to be killed under President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody crackdown on narcotics. Several high-powered firearms and an unspecified amount of methamphetamines were recovered, Timoteo Pacleb, chief of police of Northern Mindanao, told reporters. He said: 'Police were met with a volley of fire...prompting police to retaliate.' Parojinog's daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested. 'The Parojinogs, if you would recall, are included in President Duterte's list of personalities involved in the illegal drug trade,' Ernesto Abella, the president's spokesperson, said in a statement. Commenting on Sunday's raid, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said: 'The administration vowed to intensify the drug campaign.' Aside from the mayor's residence, three other houses were raided in the port city in Misamis Occidental province and resulted in the arrests of five suspects. At least one police officer was wounded during the clashes, police said. A woman weeps near the scene where her husband was killed in Quezon city as Duterte's crackdown on narcotics in the country continues The drug killings have been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups that have called for an end to what they suspect were extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign Last year, police officers shot dead Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte. Another mayor suspected of involvement in illegal drugs in southern Mindanao and nine of his men were killed in a shootout at a police checkpoint in Cotabato in October. All three mayors were among more than 160 officials Duterte named publicly as being linked to illegal drugs in August last year as part of a shame campaign. Relatives carry the coffin of Nino Maruso, who was killed by police in what they say was a drug buy-bust operation Duterte won the presidency last year after promising to kill tens of thousands of criminals to prevent the Philippines from becoming a narco-state Duterte, a former mayor from the southern city of Davao, won presidential elections last May after pledging to slaughter tens of thousands of drug suspects. He has vowed not to stop until the last drug trafficker in the country has been eliminated. He has called on police and even civilians to kill drug users. Duterte said he would be 'happy to slaughter' three million drug addicts, and likened his campaign to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's efforts to exterminate Jews in Europe. He later apologised for his Hitler reference, but said he was 'emphatic' about wanting to kill drug users. Fisherman in the Philippines have said they have been dumping bodies of drug suspects on the orders of police, who human rights groups accuse of carrying out thousands of extra-judicial killings. According to human rights groups, Philippine security forces and 'unidentified gunmen' have killed almost 8,000 Filipino drugs suspects, the largest number of civilian deaths in South-east Asia since the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia in the 1970s. They have accused Duterte of 'unleashing a human rights calamity' in the Philippines. 'The extraordinary brutality of the Duterte drug war is undeniable,' it said in a statement released last week. 'Many of the victims are found in back alleys or street corners wrapped in packing tape, their bodies bullet-ridden or bearing stab wounds and other signs of torture.' Dramatic footage has emerged of a burglar who tried to smash his way through a queue of traffic in a stolen Mini in Birmingham before he was caught by police. The Mini driven by Martin Tolan is seen ramming into several cars at the city's Bristol Road traffic lights as he desperately tries to escape the fast-approaching officers. Police then swarm around the vehicle, smashing in each window with batons. The Mini driven by Martin Tolan is seen ramming into several cars in a failed getaway In the final moments of the CCTV footage, officers drag Tolan, 28, out through the broken windows of the Mini. The burglar, who targeted high-value cars at homes across the Midlands, was arrested for the theft of the Mini - along with two others - after the dramatic city centre police chase on April 12. Tolan has since been jailed for a total of nine years and 11 months The incident, in which eight stationary cars were ploughed into, sparked traffic chaos for road users across the city after Bristol Street and a number of other major roads were closed off. Three people sustained minor injuries in the chaos. Tolan, of Central Avenue, Northfield, was linked to a series of burglaries across Birmingham including the Solihull break-in in which the Mini was stolen from a driveway. While he was on bail to give police more time to collected evidence and receive DNA results, Tolan committed three more burglaries in which door locks were snapped off. Detectives recovered high-definition security camera footage from the home of a CCTV engineer in Northfield, showing Tolan breaking-in in the early hours of May 18, just half an hour after stealing a Nissan Qashqai from outside a Bartley Crescent home. A policeman holds up his Taser as Tolan draws to a halt among traffic Officers burst on the scene to smash open the stolen Mini's windows He was also part of a group who struck at an address in Cofton Park Drive, Rednal on May 23 while residents were sleeping. They made off in a Mercedes C-Class and an Audi A5. Tolan was arrested later that day after a wrench covered in his fingerprints was found on the sofa of a burgled home in Bromsgrove. He admitted multiple burglaries, dangerous driving, handling stolen goods and theft at Birmingham Crown Court. He was jailed for a total of nine years and 11 months. West Midlands Police Detective Sergeant Toni Holl, said: 'Residents can sleep more soundly knowing Tolan is behind bars. We have proved he was responsible for at least five burglaries but it's suspected he was linked to more. 'Several of his victims were woken to find him intruding in their homes while others only found their cars gone in the morning. 'No-one was injured but I'm glad the court has recognised the prolific nature of Tolan's offending, plus the psychological impact burglary can have on victims, and jailed him for a long time.' The sudden death of Princess Diana in 1997 sent shock waves around the world. And 20 years on, it appears she is just as beloved, as Australians shared their grief online while watching HBO documentary Diana, Our Mother. The Princess of Wales was celebrated by her sons in the intimate program, who discussed life with their mother and how they struggled to deal with her passing. Many had tears in their eyes as Prince Charles and Prince Harry discussed their childhood memories with their mother while flicking through a photo album. Scroll down for video Prince Harry and his brother have spoken out about their life with Princess Diana as a mother The Princess of Wales (pictured) was killed in a car crash during a trip to Paris in 1997 Prince William flicked through an old photo album with his brother for a HBO documentary 'I should have some tissues ready, as I think I'm going to need them,' Christine McDonald wrote. 'Five minutes in, already tearing up,' wrote Emma Louise. The men spoke of their mother's childlike nature and her dirty sense of humour, and told producers they felt 'incredibly loved' by their mother. Prince Harry explained it had taken the brothers so long to speak about Princess Diana as it had been 'too raw up until this point'. 'It's still raw,' he said. The men reminisced on their childhoods, including this picture of Princess Diana with Prince William while she was pregnant with Prince Harry Prince Harry explained to the filmmakers his mother's death had previously felt 'too raw' to discuss The brothers touched a nerve with viewers, who expressed their sympathy for the men as they discussed how it felt to find out their mother had died so suddenly. 'It's like an earthquake's just run through the house and through your life and everything,' Prince William said. 'It's just... It's... Your mind is completely split. And it took me a while to actually... For it to sink in.' Many hypothesised the Princess of Wales would have been 'so proud' of her sons as they watched the documentary, and others said they longed to be able to comfort the Princes. Australians watching the documentary on Channel 7 on Sunday said they were crying for the loss of Diana and the pain of the Princes 'I wish I could just reach into the TV and give William and Harry a big hug,' one woman wrote. 'So sad, feel for both of these young men,' Janet Goss said, who added: 'She'd be so proud of them.' Prince William said losing his mother at the age of 15 sent him into a complete spin. 'You don't quite know where you are, what you're doing, and what's going on,' he said. 'Family came together, as best we could about it - and Harry and I tried to talk, but being so small at that age, it's very difficult to communicate or understand your feelings. It's very complicated.' Princess Diana's death left Prince William feeling like 'an earthquake had run through his life' One Twitter user remarked on how proud The Princess of Wales would be of her sons, who have tried to continue her charitable works The raw conversation the brothers had with filmmakers wowed a lot of viewers, who applauded the men for being able to speak so frankly about losing their mother. 'Hats off to William and Harry for sharing this insight so publicly,' Mel Harris said. 'Such a tragic loss for these boys.' Queensland man Brent Davidson recalled the heartbreaking footage of the Princes walking behind their mother as she was laid to rest. 'Making 12 & 15 year old boys who'd just lost their mother walk behind her coffin in front of thousands of people was very cruel,' he wrote. Prince William revealed he tries to keep his mother involved in the lives of his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The family have photos of Diana around the house and the Prince tells the children stories about 'Granny Diana' at bedtime, he said. 'It's important they know who she was and that she existed.' Prince William revealed his house has many photos of his mother, and his children refer to her as 'Granny Diana', despite never meeting her Advertisement What better way to flaunt your eccentric taste in Gypsy style than by propping up a gigantic stiletto in your front room? Travellers from all over the UK literally had a field day when they flocked to Kenilworth Horse Fair in Warwickshire. The flashy fair was bursting with beautiful and bizarre items on display across the grounds of the annual event. As hundreds of visitors poured in, vendors displayed their collections of prized paraphernalia. Travellers from all over the UK literally had a field day when they flocked to Kenilworth Horse Fair in Warwickshire. Visitors poured into the grounds to browse the range of goods on sale A giant stiletto was just one article in a range of eccentric furnishings on display at the fair in Warwickshire. Perhaps most garish of all, though, was a gold bejewelled telephone Among the novelties was a shelving unit that resembled a giant stiletto, a range of diamante armchairs and flowers surrounded by 'blinged-up' vases. And perhaps the most ostentatious article of all a gold bejewelled telephone beamed atop a disco-ball themed stand. The familiar traditional Romany Gypsy bow-top caravans were also spread throughout the event grounds. And travellers zipped around the well attended annual event in in horse drawn carts. The flashy fair was bursting with beautiful and bizarre items on display across the annual event. Pictured is a very flamboyant armchair taking centre stage of one stall Some of the flashy vases on display. As hundreds of visitors poured in, vendors displayed their collections of prized paraphernalia Flowers are gorgeously arranged in vases at one of the stalls in front of a caravan. Groups of travellers had caused problems with communities around the area in the run-up to the fair. Two groups, which are believed to have been on their way to the Kenilworth Horse Fair in April, parked up on land in Coventry and Nuneaton. One caused the temporary closure of a leisure centre and the other meant a primary school had to close for three days. Another group pitched up on a green near Warwick on Wednesday (26/7) on their way to the fair. Visitors are pictured inspecting the goods on offer strewn around the grounds of Kenilworth Horse Fair in Warwickshire Travelling families zipped around the well-attended event in horse drawn carts. Visitors and came from all over the country for the popular fair The traditional Romany Gypsy bow-top caravans were also spread throughout the event grounds, as well as more modern caravans Two groups, which are believed to have been on their way to the Kenilworth Horse Fair in April, parked up on land in Coventry and Nuneaton Three young boys traverse the site horse. An organiser said: 'Its a good chance for meeting friends and family and getting together with everybody' They were moved on by Warwick District Council and a police traveller liaison officer. A man known as 'Jims Videos' who has been running the fair for eight years, told the Coventry Telegraph at the time: 'We never have any problems, we never seem to have anything major.' 'Its a good chance for meeting friends and family and getting together with everybody.' Cart horses taking a well-deserved break from pulling their owners around stand in a clearing while their keepers enjoy themselves elsewhere at the fair A man known as 'Jims Videos' who has been running the fair for eight years said: 'We never have any problems, we never seem to have anything major' Shocking footage has emerged of a Chinese restaurant owner armed with a meat cleaver charging into a neighbouring pizza shop and attacking employees. The pizza shop owner claims the man lost his temper over a table placed outside his restaurant in Taylors Hill, in north-west Melbourne. Two pizza shop workers suffered knife injuries in the alleged attack which happened at 9pm on Saturday. The owner of a Chinese restaurant (pictured, in white) ran into a pizza shop and attacked workers with a meat cleaver The violence erupted at Sevens Pizza Kitchen (pictured) in the Melbourne suburb of Taylors Hill on Saturday night Salvatore Rizzo, the owner of Sevens Pizza Kitchen, told Daily Mail Australia that he 'pried the cleaver from his [the attacker's] hand' during the struggle. Mr Rizzo said when the man was then told to leave the area in front of the pizza shop he asked asked for his cleaver to be returned. The pizza shop owner also said he feared the incident was going to escalate out of control, 7News reported. 'I honestly thought it was going to get worse, I don't know what would have happened if I didn't get the knife out of his hand,' he said. 'He could have killed my workers.' Video shows the man running into the pizza shop and scuffling with workers who eventually overpower him and chase him from the restaurant. The pizza shop owner's father (pictured) was cut on his face and hands during the shocking attack The man (pictured, left) brandishing a cleaver was angry over a table placed outside his restaurant Mr Rizzo (pictured, right) managed to seize the cleaver, but the Chinese restaurant owner returned later that night to ask for it back Mr Rizzo's father was wounded on the face and hands, and his sister was also cut on the hands. 'There was blood everywhere,' one of the staff members, John Habimana, said. Mr Rizzo claims the dispute started over table placement, with the Chinese restaurant owner unhappy about a table placed in front of his shop. This was the first time they had met the next-door restaurateur since moving in nine months ago. Salvatore Rizzo (pictured) says he feared for the worst if he had not been able to disarm the attacker During the scuffle (pictured) the pizza shop owner managed to take the cleaver out of the other man's (pictured) hand The pizza shop owner is now considering hiring security, rattled by the violence which erupted on Saturday night. 'I'm very nervous. I don't know what he is capable of. If he is capable of bringing in a cleaver, what is he capable of bringing in next?" he said. Mr Rizzo said the New Dragon Gourmet Chinese restaurant was closed on Sunday and they have not seen or heard from the owner. Daily Mail Australia attempted to contact the owner of New Dragon Gourmet Chinese for comment. Police said in a statement that two men are assisting them with their inquiries - a 49-year-old from Delahey, and a 48-year-old from Taylors Lakes. The Taylors Lakes man suffered arm injuries and was taken to hospital, while the Delahey man suffered cuts to his face. Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Advertisement The world's superpowers have flexed their muscles in massive parades to showcase their military strength. China put on an ostentatious show of military force in a parade to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army, overseen by President Xi Jinping. Troops, nuclear missile launchers and new stealth aircraft all featured in the parade at the remote Zhurihe training base in China's remote Inner Mongolia region. Zhurihe Training Base is Asia's largest military training centre and features life-size mockup targets, including Taiwan's presidential palace. Xi, wearing military clothing, told troops that the 'world isnt safe at this moment' adding that 'a strong army is needed now more than ever.' Among the terrifying display of weapons was China's Chengdu J-20 stealth jet fighter as well as its new DF-31AG intercontinental ballistic missile. The rocket is mounted on an all-terrain vehicle to make it harder to track. China's party-run media said about 12,000 troops, more than 100 types of aircraft and 600 pieces of military hardware were put on display at the sprawling desert camp A formation soldiers from the PLA's Rocket Force, which controls the nation's arsenal of nuclear and conventional ballistic missiles, shout pledges of loyalty during the parade, which are part of the celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Chinese Type 99 tanks parade, followed by elite airborne troops in helicopters above. The march took place at the remote Zhurihe training base in inner Mongolia, which is Asia's largest military training centre. The Chinese military said the parade had been planned for some time, and was not related to the current tensions in North Korea The PLA rolled out some of its latest weapons at the parade, including the DF-31AG ICBM (pictured). The nuclear-capable ballistic missile has a reported range of 6,000 miles. President Trump has sharply criticized China for not doing enough to stem the nuclear ambitions of North Korea Clad in military fatigues President Xi Jinping oversaw the massive show of force. He called on the PLA to transform itself into an elite fighting force and demanded that the troops pledge 'absolute loyalty' to the Communist Party. Xi's corruption purges have seen dozens of officers removed from the PLA Clad in military fatigues President Xi inspected the 12,000 troops, repeatedly shouting 'Hello comrades!' and 'Comrades, you are working hard!' into microphones fixed on top of a jeep. Troops shouted back: 'Serve the people!', 'Follow the Party!', 'Fight to win!' and 'Forge exemplary conduct!' In a live address Xi, who commands the People's Liberation Army, called on the Chinese military to transform itself into an elite fighting force to bolster the country's rise into a world power. He said the Chinese military had the capabilities to 'preserve national sovereignty, security and interests' and demanded the troops' show 'absolute loyalty' to the party The PLA has undergone an extensive modernisation programme with the strategic aim of competing with the US for regional dominance. Hundreds of thousands of troops have been cut, and an anti-corruption purge has removed dozens of officers, while also investing heavily in aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and stealth fighters. A trio of Chinese J-20 stealth fighters fly overhead during the parade. The newest generation fighter by the Chinese air force is the country's most advanced aircraft and designed to potentially rival the F-22 and the F-35 of the US Air Force Divisions on display: Up to 12,000 troops, 570 vehicles and 129 jets participated in the parade. State media reported that it was the first time that 40 per cent of the vehicles had been presented, which highlighted China's massive military spending Xi said the military must, 'Always listen to and follow the party's orders, and march to wherever the party points' and said that the world was not peaceful, however he did not specify any hot spots the Chinese military would intervene in China's military has undergone an extensive modernisation programme, cutting thousands of troops while investing heavily in modern technology, including drones, stealth fighters, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers Unlike previous parades seen in Beijing, the troops in Inner Mongolia were clad in full combat gear, to further emphasis their readiness. It was also the first time that President Xi had reviewed troops in such a way Missile launchers, self-propelled artillery and transport helicopters stand on display behind the formations of troops. Xi said the Chinese military had the capabilities to 'preserve national sovereignty, security and interests' It has been decades since China last fought a war and the country insists it has no hostile intent, and simply needs to defend itself. However it's increasingly assertive stance in the South China Sea has rattled its neighbours More than 100 planes flew overhead and almost 600 types of weaponry were on display for the occasion nearly half of which were making their debut in public, according to the Defence Ministry The Chinese flag is raised during a military parade at the Zhurihe training base in China's northern Inner Mongolia region Since coming to power in 2012, the president has trumpeted the need to build a stronger combat-ready military, while leading efforts to centralise the Communist Party's control over it Troops make preparation for a military parade 90th birthday celebration of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Elsewhere today, Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a pomp-filled display of Russia's naval might as the Kremlin paraded its sea power from the Baltic Sea to the shores of Syria. Some 50 warships and submarines were on show along the Neva River and in the Gulf of Finland off the country's second city of Saint Petersburg after Putin ordered the navy to hold its first ever parade on such a grand scale. Putin told servicemen: 'Today much is being done to develop and modernise the navy. The navy is not only dealing with its traditional tasks but also responding with merit to new challenges, making a significant contribution to the fight against terrorism and piracy.' The showcase event to mark Russia's annual Navy Day is the latest to be beefed up by Putin, with the Kremlin strongman also bolstering the traditional WWII victory parade in Moscow as he looks to flex the country's military muscles. Russia has ramped up its military manoeuvres as ties with the West have slumped over Moscow's meddling in Ukraine, unnerving NATO and its members in Eastern Europe. It came as Putin on Sunday said the United States would have to cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia and warned of a prolonged gridlock in its ties after the US Congress backed new sanctions against the Kremlin. Putin added bluntly that Russia was able to raise the stakes with America even further, although he hoped this would be unnecessary. A US State Department official denounced the move as a "regrettable and uncalled for act," adding that Washington was now weighing a potential response. Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a pomp-filled display of Russia's naval might as the Kremlin paraded its sea power from the Baltic Sea to the shores of Syria Russia staged its own show of force on Sunday with President Putin joining a naval display Russian warships sail during the Navy Day parade in Kronshtadt, a seaport town in the suburb of St. Petersburg A boat with Russian President Vladimir Putin onboard sails along the Neva river during the Navy Day parade Some 50 warships and submarines were on displayed in the Gulf of Finland and on the Neva river around St Petersburg Russia has ramped up its military maneuvers as ties with the West have slumped over Moscow's meddling in Ukraine, unnerving NATO and its members in Eastern Europe Russian news wire Interfax reported that six vessels, including the latest generation 'Krasnodar' diesel submarine, were taking part in the parade In response to Russia's display, Georgia and the United States launched their biggest ever joint military exercises today in the latest show of support for the tiny Caucasus nation that has squared off against Russia. The start of the drills comes a day ahead of a two-day visit to Tbilisi by US Vice President Mike Pence during which he is expected to reiterate Washington's backing for Georgia's wish to join NATO. Some 800 Georgian and 1600 US troops are taking part in the Noble Partner 2017 drills - the largest ever in the Caucasus nation since it fought a brief war with Russia in 2008. Georgia's Defence Minister Levan Izoria called the scale of exercises 'unprecedented', insisting they will 'make clear the support for Georgia by the NATO member states, especially the US.' The US has sent some of its M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks and M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles across the Black Sea for the drills, which will last until August 12. The exercises also included 400 servicemen from Armenia, Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. It comes a day after North Korea tested a ballistic missile that it claims can reach all of the United States, US President Donald Trump criticised China for not reining in Kim Jong Un and his missile program. 'I am very disappointed in China,' Trump wrote in a pair of Twitter posts. '...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!' North Korea's test Friday of an intercontinental ballistic missile was its second of the long-range weapon in a month. The first on July 4 showed the missile had the range to reach Alaska. Friday's test was designed to show the Hwasong-14 missile's maximum range with a 'large-sized heavy nuclear warhead,' a statement from Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency said. It said Washington should regard the launch as a 'grave warning.' British servicemen gather before the official opening ceremony of the joint multinational military exercise 'Noble Partner 2017' at the military base of Vaziani, outside Tbilisi, in Georgia Georgian servicemen line up during the official opening ceremony of the joint multinational military exercise The exercises included 400 servicemen from Armenia, Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom US servicemen sit on a M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank before the official opening ceremony Some 800 Georgian and 1600 US troops are taking part in the Noble Partner 2017 drills - the largest ever in the Caucasus nation since it fought a brief war with Russia in 2008 Advertisement A house that has been owned by the same family for nearly 100 years has finally gone under the hammer with two buyers willing to fork out more than $ 1 million for it. Delmege O'Shea listing agent and principal Lynda White said the property has received two separate offers on Saturday. 'We are currently in negotiations and expect to finalise things in the next 24 to 48 hours,' she told Daily Mail Australia. The Stanwell Street Melbourne home has been on the market since the start of July this year with two people showing interest The dilapidated house has caught the attention of two buyers willing to pay big bucks for it says its listing agent Lynda White The listing agent for the house expects to wrap the negotiations within the next 24 to 48 hours after its auction on Saturday The house in Richmond has been in the same family for nearly one hundred years with one lady owning the home all her life The home at Stanwell Street in Richmond, an inner-suburb in Melbourne, was owned by the late Ula McColl fondly known as Mrs Mac, 90, who had grown up and later lived in the same house all her life. She passed away in February this year. 'All her children are aged between 50s to 70s and have their own houses,' she said. Ms White said the family felt the best outcome for the home was to sell it. The late Ula McColl (pictured) also fondly known as Mrs Mac lived in the house all her life from a young girl till the day she died The house comes with two bedrooms and has many of its original features still intact and is close to public transportation 'I lived in the same street as this house when I was growing up and I went to school with one of her [Mrs Mac] daughters. 'She [Mrs Mac] was a lovely lady, down to earth and always had something nice to say about someone,' she said. The two-bedroom cottage comes with many original features including the original claw foot bath and cast iron stove, all placed on approximately 217 square metres of land. The property is also located nearby Bridge Road shops, Swan Street, Yarra River, and public transportation. The property is located nearby the Bridge Road shops, Swan Street and the Yarra River and is nearby Melbourne city centre President Trump put more pressure on Republicans to win the Senate healthcare vote on Sunday, tweeting that they should take the 'nuke option' to secure a majority because 'the world is watching'. In his early morning Twitter blast, Trump urged the GOP 'not to give up' on the stand-off despite a week of crushing congressional defeats. 'Don't give up Republican Senators, the World is watching: Repeal & Replace...and go to 51 votes (nuke option), get Cross State Lines & more,' he wrote shortly after 7.30am. Republicans failed to secure a majority on their 'skinny' version of a previously unsuccessful bill to repeal and replace Obamacare in a late-night vote on Thursday. Scroll down for video President Trump urged Republicans not to give up on the vote on healthcare in an early morning tweet on Sunday The president spent the weekend in Washington DC where he was pictured leaving his Trump International Hotel on Saturday night after dinner (above) Three Republican senators, including John McCain, sided with Democrats to reject the bill. The same three senators plus one other rejected the bill a day earlier. The stand-off appears to be testing the president's patience. At a speech in front of police officers in Long Island on Friday, he conceded: 'They should have approved health care last night. But you cant have everything boy, oh boy. Sen. John McCain is among three Republican senators who voted against the 'skinny' repeal late on Thursday night 'You know I said from the beginning, let Obamacare implode and then do it. I turned out to be right. Let Obamacare implode.' Reverting to his campaign rally rhetoric, Trump continued: ''Theyve been working on that one for seven years can you believe that? The swamp. But well get it done.' The speech immediately preceded the president's announcement bombshell announcement that he had replaced Chief of Staff Reince Priebus with the Secretary of Homeland Security, General John Kelly. On Saturday, eager to steer the nation's focus back to the legislative difficulties being faced in the Senate, Trump slammed Republican senators as 'fools' who were being 'laughed at'. In a flurry of somewhat repetitive complaints, he said: 'Republican Senate must get rid of 60 vote NOW! It is killing the R Party, allows 8 Dems to control country. 200 Bills sit in Senate. A JOKE!' 'The very outdated filibuster rule must go. Budget reconciliation is killing R's in Senate. Mitch M, go to 51 Votes NOW and WIN. IT'S TIME! 'Republicans in the Senate will NEVER win if they don't go to a 51 vote majority NOW. 'They look like fools and are just wasting time...8 Dems totally control the U.S. Senate. Many great Republican bills will never pass, like Kate's Law and complete Healthcare. Get smart!' Lisa Murkowski of Alaska (left) and Susan Collins of Maine (right) two other moderate Republicans, also voted against the bill Later, he threatened to end bailouts for insurance companies before finally tweeting: 'Unless the Republican Senators are total quitters, Repeal & Replace is not dead! Demand another vote before voting on any other bill!' Sen. McCain, who began chemotherapy at the weekend to treat an aggressive form of brain cancer he was diagnosed with earlier this month, stood by his no-vote after Thursday's failed session. '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,' he said in a statement. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, two other moderate Republicans, also voted against the bill. The president spent 20 minutes tweeting on the issue on Saturday, calling Republicans 'fools' for not being able to pass the bill The 'skinny' bill was presented after an earlier, more comprehensive plan to repeal and replace Obamacare failed to take flight. The lighter version of the bill seeks to remove three of the most unpopular components of Obacamare; the individual mandate that all Americans must have health insurance or face a fine, the employer mandate which forces companies with 50 employees or more to provide them with insurance, and the Cadillac tax which which applies an excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health plans. Trump's tweets on healthcare formed part of a weekend Twitter binge in which he also slammed China for doing 'nothing' to help America in its feud with North Korea. The president spent the weekend at the White House. He was spotted having dinner at his Trump International Hotel in Washington DC on Saturday night. During the week, the administration endured one of its most turbulent weeks since he took office. On Saturday, Trump took aim at China which he said he could 'easily' help in the US's feud with North Korea New communications director Anthony Scaramucci set a fiery and at times obscene tone in his first week in the role since replacing Sean Spicer. The New York businessman went on the offensive to lay down the party lines and pledge his allegiance to Trump and his agenda. He took part in several TV interviews before planting himself at the center of his first scandal on Wednesday. After having details of his financial disclosure form published in the media, the Mooch, as he has become known, automatically presumed he was the victim of a leak. He first appeared to point the finger at Reince Priebus, Trump's Chief of Staff, and also blamed him for leaking details of a dinner he attended with the president and first lady. In a profanity-laced interview with The New Yorker, Scaramucci called Priebus a 'f***ing paranoid schizophrenic' and a 'c**k blocker'. He later said he'd made a 'mistake' in trusting the journalist who wrote the piece. On Friday, Trump announced that he was replacing Priebus, the former chairman of the RNC, with General Kelly. CNN reported afterwards that Priebus tendered his resignation a day earlier. A 26-year-old woman in Oregon has pleaded guilty to killing and dismembering her 50-year-old boyfriend. Sheyanna Lisa Ray pleaded guilty to murder and abuse of a corpse on Friday in Klamath County Circuit Court in relation to the death of David Lowell White, 50. Ray told Judge Roxanne Osborne that she had an argument with White that led to them fighting in November of last year inside of the home they shared. Sheyanna Lisa Ray (above), 26, has pleaded guilty to killing and dismembering her 50-year-old boyfriend in Klamath County, Oregon Ray pleaded guilty to murder and abuse of a corpse on Friday in Klamath County Circuit Court in relation to the death of David Lowell White, 50 Ray told Judge Roxanne Osborne that she had an argument with White that led to them fighting in November of last year inside of the home they shared (scene above) She claims she woke up to find White standing over her with a cord in his hand and that he was going to choke her. 'We were fighting and he had a cord in his hand and was going to choke me. I got a cord and choked him with it,' Ray said. Ray cut up White's body and tried to burn it before fleeing to Redding, California where she was arrested on November 13. Her boyfriend's remains were found at his residence on November 12 after police received a tip that he may have been dead. Ray said: 'We were fighting and he had a cord in his hand and was going to choke me. I got a cord and choked him with it.' She then cut up his body and tried to burn it before fleeing to Redding, California where she was later arrested An autopsy confirmed that White died of 'homicidal violence'. Prosecutors allege that the 26-year-old tried to hide his remains and avoid prosecution. The victim's parents told the Herald and News that the pair had been living together for roughly three months before White's death. Ray will be sentenced on August 14 and she faces between 25 years and life in prison. Catherine Loquias (pictured) had been living with Jason Spencer, 44, for two years and two months before he died The de facto partner of a man who died in a plane crash in NSW has won the right to hold a funeral for him. Catherine Loquias had been living with Jason Spencer, 44, for two years and two months before he died when the plane he was piloting crashed near Bathurst, west of Sydney, on June 16. But the grieving woman was told she could not organise or even attend her partner's funeral by his family and has spent the past few weeks engaged in a court battle over the issue, The Courier-Mail reported. On July 12, a court order said Mr Spencer's family could not hold a funeral which excluded her on July 13. On July 20, Ms Loquias won the right to attend a service along with her late partner's family and to hold a private wake - which the family would not attend. Ms Loquias had been living in a townhouse owned by Mr Spencer, along with her nine-year-old daughter for more than two years, court documents submitted on her behalf claim. After the death of her partner, his family changed the locks on the premises and demanded she vacate the home in Brisbane's inner-city suburb of West End immediately. When Ms Loquias found she could not get in to the home, she called a locksmith so she could enter and get her belongings. Two days later, the family's lawyer contacted Ms Loquias' lawyer to say the woman could have 'no involvement whatsoever in the funeral'. 'Catherine is not welcome to attend the funeral,' the letter read. 'Catherine is to vacate the property at West End immediately.' Ms Loquias had been living in a townhouse owned by Mr Spencer (pictured), along with her nine-year-old daughter for more than two years, court documents said The July 12 court decision also reportedly stopped the Spencer family from interfering with Ms Loquias' living arrangements. Under a decision made by Justice Daubney on July 20, the mother-of-one will organise a funeral service and the Spencer family will bury the 44-year-old at Mt Gravatt Cemetery. All would be invited to the funeral service but the Spencer family would not attend the private wake, which would be organised and paid for by Ms Loquias. Mr Spencer did not leave a will, which has caused further contention between Ms Loquias and the Spencer family. The woman has applied to be the administrator of his estate and noted the pair were earlier in an on-off relationship for more than 10 years. In her application, she filed receipts for what she claimed were promise rings. Mr Spencer was found dead inside the wreckage of his plane near Bathurst in NSW's Central West on June 17. The US military has successfully tested its missile intercept system in Alaska amid rising tensions with North Korea. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) was able to intercept a ballistic missile launched over the Pacific Ocean by a U.S. Air Force C-17 plane in the 'successful' test - meant to simulate a real missile fired by Pyongyang. It comes after North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 6,500 miles on Friday night - far enough to reach major US cities. The US military has successfully tested its missile intercept system in Alaska amid rising tensions with North Korea (file photo) The exercise will help the U.S. 'to stay ahead of the evolving threat,' said MDA Director Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves in a statement. 'It's something we have confidence in,' added Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis of THAAD. The system is designed to intercept and destroy short, medium and intermediate range ballistic missiles during the final phase of their flight. It uses 'hit-to-kill' technology where kinetic energy from the interceptor missile destroys an incoming target. North Korea launched a missile (pictured) that came 'threateningly' close to Japan on Friday night, which has prompted concern from US and Japan leaders In response to the North Korea's ICBM launch, the U.S. then flew two B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force Though such exercises are planned months in advance, this one comes after North Korea test-fired the intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday. North Korea's state television broadcast pictures of the missile test launch on Friday night, which was personally supervised by Kim. The missile launch was intended as a 'stern warning' that the United States would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. The test was also 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.' 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. This graphic shows what the trajectory of the Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile would take, with some experts saying the North Korean rocket could reach Alaska A U.S. missile defense system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, is seen at a golf course in Seongju, South Korea, Tuesday, July 4 Hours later, the U.S. then flew two B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force after the North Korean missile tests, the Air Force said in a statement on Sunday. The launch comes less than a month after the North conducted its first ICBM test in defiance of years of efforts led by the United States, South Korea and Japan to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear weapons ambitions. Lockheed Martin Corp, contractor for the THAAD system, said it can intercept incoming missiles both inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. 'A medium-range target ballistic missile (MRBM) was air-launched by a U.S. Air Force C-17 over the Pacific Ocean. The THAAD weapon system located at Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska in Kodiak, Alaska, detected, tracked and intercepted the target,' Lockheed said in a statement. The US military this year began deploying THAAD to South Korea, a move that infuriated China, which has argued the deployment would further destabilize the situation on the Korean peninsula. Today's test came amid news Trump is poised to order a military strike against North Korea within the next year. The US intercept test comes after North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching parts of the United States. Pictured: Kim Jong-Un celebrating the first successful test launch on July 4 Trump wrote that China could 'easily' solve the North Korea problem if past American leaders insisted on making them help and indicated he would no longer allow the behavior to continue Trump wrote that China could 'easily' solve the North Korea problem if past American leaders insisted on making them help and indicated he would no longer allow the behavior to continue Trump took to Twitter on Saturday night to call out 'foolish' past American leaders who he believes allowed China to make enormous profits in trade while they didn't help with the growing problem of North Korea Senior military sources in Washington DC said that Pentagon officials have laid out plans to obliterate a nuclear weapons facility operating deep within a mountain in the rogue state. The move, which could spark retaliation attacks from Jong-Un, would be a major step towards all-out war to stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons. The president also turned on China, tweeting yesterday the country could 'easily' solve problems with North Korea but the country does nothing to help the United States except 'talk'. Trump took to Twitter on Saturday night to call out 'foolish' past American leaders who he believes allowed China to make enormous profits in trade while not helping with North Korea. Trump added that China could 'easily' solve the growing problem with the country, but instead all China does is 'talk'. Jong-un has previously warned Trump he was pushing his nation to the brink of nuclear war. A pet cemetery in Illinois is being accused of deceiving their clients and giving them random ashes after the remains of dozens of animals were discovered decomposing in a freezer. Investigators began looking into Katy's Pet Cemetery and Crematory in Tazewell County earlier this month after allegations emerged that they were giving away the ashes of animals that did not belong to their owners. Animal rescue volunteer Richie Rich said he made the discovery while he was searching for a lost dog in South Pekin. Animal rescue volunteer, Richie Rich (pictured), discovered a freezer filled with dead pets when he went searching for a missing dog Clients told authorities they received the ashes of their deceased pets from the pet cemetery as police ran microchip checks 'We were out there searching for a dog named Cosmo, a great dane,' Rich told local CBS broadcaster WMBD on Thursday. 'When we were making our rounds, close to a pumpkin field where she was last seen, and Kayla noticed some standing water of the cemetery.' Joe Abts (pictured), owner of the pet cemetery, committed suicide on Wednesday Rich, who works with the Trap and Animal Rescue of Peoria (TRAP) organization, said he began searching the cemetery because it would have likely provided the right conditions for a domesticated animal, including water and shelter. 'We pulled in to check for paw prints, didn't see anything, we're immediately met with the smell of what we thought at the time was roadkill... There was a chest freezer outside, along the side of the building that, the closer we got to it, the stronger the smell.' Tazewell County Chief Deputy Jeffrey Lower later told WMBD: 'There were three animals inside it that had been there for some time. One of those animals had a microchip in the animal. We were able to identify that animal and the owner had received ashes.' The animal was a cat that was supposedly cremated in 2013 at Katy's Pet Cemetery and Crematory. Lower said that another 15 were discovered, and '10 more in another freezer and we have 12 of them.' Police say they had discovered one pet that died in 2001, evidence that the cemetery had been deceiving clients for almost two decades (Pictured: Officer Jeffrey Lower) 'We only took possession of those that had the microchip in them and the rest of them there's just no way for us to identify,' Lower added. Lower said that they even found an animal from as far back as 2001. Lower said that the owner had not done anything illegal 'as far as the disposal process' was concerned. 'The only part that was illegal was representing ashes of an animal that was not truly that animal,' the law enforcement officer noted. Joe Abts, owner of the pet cemetery, committed suicide on Wednesday soon after authorities opened an investigation into the claims, hindering police from pressing charges. Pet owners affected by the alleged scheme still have the option to file a civil complaint against Katy's Pet Cemetery and Crematory. In remains unclear why the cemetery kept the animals in the freezer. According to their website, the pet cemetery was opened in 1984, offering pet cremation and burial, as well as online obituaries for deceased pets. An email seeking comment from Katy's Pet Cemetery and Crematory was not immediately answered. An answering machine for Katy's Pet Cemetery and Crematory said that the establishment was closed on Sunday's after a phone call was placed. A man accused of stalking Kate Beckinsale at Tampa Bay Comic Con is now facing a felony charge after appearing in front of a judge Sunday morning. Terry Lee Repp, 45, was first arrested on Saturday at the Tampa Convention Center on a misdemeanor charge of stalking. But due to his troubled history, a judge upgraded the charge to felony aggravated stalking. Repp, who is originally from Iowa, has allegedly been following the 44-year-old actress across the country for the past year and even threatened to stab her, TMZ reported. Close call: Kate Beckinsale was forced to postpone her appearance at Tampa Bay Comic Con after a man accused of stalking her was arrested Authorities in Florida had been warned to keep an eye open for him encase he showed up, and Repp did just that. He was found by police while awaiting a Q&A panel in the convention center. Beckinsale postponed her appearance at the event after the incident. According to TMZ, Repp allegedly made physical contact with her at an event in Salt Lake City in last year, touching her back before threatening to stab her. He was detained and kicked out of another event in Houston she appeared at later in 2016 as well. 'The defendant appears to have an irrational obsession with the victim and has traveled across the country in an effort to harass her,' the police report said. Authorities noted that Repp's actions have caused Beckinsale 'substantial emotional distress' and have caused her to fear for her safety. Although he didn't manage to make contact with her this time, she had to go to the police station to file a report. Obsessed: Terry Lee Repp, 45, has reportedly been following the actress across the country for the past year, and even threatened to stab her before Convention spokeswoman Jamie Kautzmann confirmed to the Tampa Bay Times there was an incident involving an 'overzealous fan.' 'We did have him escorted from the building, off the property, far away from here,' she said. The actress was scheduled top appear at 11.30am for a Q&A session. However, the panel was moved back to 6pm to allow her time to file the report with police. 'We were able to reconfigure things so people will still be able to see her,' Kautzmann added. Killer: The 44-year-old is most widely recognized for her turn in the Underworld series as the Death Dealer vampire Selene The star, who has appeared in sci-fi and fantasy favorites Total Recall and Van Helsing, is most widely recognized for her turn in the Underworld series as the Death Dealer vampire Selene. She was set to charge $80 - cash only - for autographs and photo ops. Charmed star Rose McGowan is also appearing and charging the same, while Khary Payton who plays King Ezekiel on The Walking Dead and Cyborg on Teen Titans Go can be nabbed for $60. Other celebs set to appear include Nichelle Nichols AKA Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek and Wallace Shawn who played Vizzini in The Princess Bride and Rex in Toy Story. A Florida woman was arrested after she brought her 10-year-old child along in the getaway vehicle she drove during an armed robbery. Police say that Christina Gaud, 30, was driving the car Friday night when her accomplice, 33-year-old Rodney Snow, robbed a convenience store in Ocala. Sheriff's deputies saw a masked man leave the shop at the intersection of State Road 200 and SW 80th Street, and run into a waiting car. The car then fled from deputies before crashing less than a mile down the road. Christina Gaud, 30 (pictured), was arrested on Friday night after she brought her 10-year-old child along in the getaway vehicle she drove during an armed robbery. She has been charged with robbery with a firearm, fleeing police and felony child neglect According to police, Snow ran from the vehicle and shot himself in a wooded area. He is currently in the hospital in critical condition, reported the Orlando Sentinel. It is currently unclear how Snow and Gaud are related. Deputies found the child, uninjured, inside the crashed car. Gaud, of Summerfield, is being held at Marion County Jail on charges of robbery with a firearm, fleeing police and felony child neglect. Sheriff's deputies saw a masked man leave the shop at the intersection of State Road 200 and SW 80th Street (pictured), and run into a waiting car. The car then fled from deputies before crashing less than a mile down the road. The child is now with state child protective services The child is with state child protective services while the Florida Department of Children and Families works to find safe placement. This is not the first time such a situation has occurred. Asia Griffin, 26, was charged with theft and child neglect after police say she left her child behind when she tried to steal almost $200 in groceries. When a store manager at a Publix in Tamarac, Florida, grabbed the shopping cart to stop Griffin and a friend from leaving, they ran off, leaving behind the groceries and the child. Advertisement Young people seeking justice for the death of Rashan Charles will fight police on the streets if they are ignored by the authorities, a campaigner has warned. A spokesman for the Charles family accused police officers of 'killing youths on the streets' and forcing them into gangs, during an impassioned speech at a vigil in the 20-year-old's memory, in east London, on Saturday evening. Young father Mr Charles died during a struggle with a police officer in Hackney last week. Protests followed with violence erupting in the area, as mobs of furious demonstrators set wheelie bins and mattresses on fire and attacked vehicles on Friday. Retribution: Young people seeking justice for the death of Rashan Charles will fight police on the streets if they are ignored by the authorities, a campaigner has warned (Pictured, a speaker addresses the crowd at a vigil for Mr Charles on Saturday evening) Speaking in front of a crowd of Mr Charles' loved ones and Black Lives Matter campaigners, the spokesman claimed police officers were discriminating against ethnic minorities. He fumed: 'If you are black, you are already a suspect. 'If you are black and you are standing on a street corner and there are already more than two or three of you, you are seen as a gang. 'The police at the moment are acting in a way that is going to divide communities. It will be an us versus them thing... they are acting like a gang, operating like a gang. 'Killing our youths on the streets, the way they are doing... the only way the young'uns know how to retaliate now is with the riots, that's because they can't articulate themselves to bring the police to justice. 'Once these kids start getting together, using their sense and going against the police, that makes sense. As long as they are taking ours, we'll take theirs - that's the way they see it. 'It's not the family advocating that, that's just the way they see it.' 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' Diane Abbott defended the 'understandable anger and upset' of the mob of rioters who lit bonfires and hurled petrol bombs at officers in Dalston, east London, on Friday night. But speaking at the vigil, the shadow home secretary urged protesters to heed the wishes of Mr Charles' family who have called for peace following his death. Standing alongside his 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 was 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 on Friday 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'. The family of a woman murdered 23 years ago hopes justice is around the corner with all evidence pointing to her husband of three months as the prime suspect. Anthea Bradshaw-Hall was strangled to death and her body stabbed repeatedly in July 1994 while she visited her husband - who has since come out as gay - in Brunei. The high school sweethearts had only been married for three months when Ms Bradshaw-Hall's body was found in a pool of blood in her husband's apartment. More than two decades after the slaying Ms Bradshaw-Hall's family are waiting for the Australian Federal Police to finish their investigation into her case, 60 Minutes reported. Scroll down for video Jeff Hall (pictured, left) has been named as the only suspect in the murder of his wife Anthea (pictured, right) in Brunei 23 years ago Hall (pictured) has been living in Toyko for the past 14 years and has never been charged over the death of his wife The Brunei coroner released a report four years after the killing which shocked the Bradshaw family who were still close to Jeff at the time. The report ruled out robbery and sexual assault, but named Mr Hall as the only suspect. Surprising revelations Ms Bradshaw-Hall's husband had come out as gay also rocked the family, who had known him since he was a school kid. Mother Ros Bradshaw says she just wants justice for her daughter. South Australian police believe that evidence (pictured) points to Jeff Hall and the state's Director of Public Prosecutions says he thinks there is enough evidence to prosecute 'We can't turn back the clock, I just want someone to pay. It's not really revenge, it's just fairness - you can't do things like that. Whoever did it, you just cannot do it,' she said. Police in South Australia have been looking into the case since 1994 and homicide detectives believe there is strong evidence against Mr Hall. Detective Brenton Rowney says microscopic traces of low-velocity blood splatter found on Mr Hall's shirt are consistent with the puncture wounds on Ms Bradshaw-Hall's body. 'In fact my belief is that he went to work that day wearing the same shirt, not knowing that he had the blood on it,' he said. South Australia's Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras agrees the evidence is strong, and says if the case was in his state he would have prosecuted. The AFP have been running their own investigation and Ms Bradshaw-Hall's family are eagerly awaiting their conclusions. Thanks to the Bradshaw Bill - named for Ms Bradshaw-Hall's case - Australian police can now investigate and prosecute those suspected of murdering Australians overseas. But they can only do so if local police do not investigate or do not investigate properly. Mr Hall has been living in Japan for the past 14 years where he works for Toshiba in Tokyo. He has not been in contact with the Bradshaw family since 2012. An Australian man who was left fighting for his life following a bungled operation in Bali is being flown back to Australia accompanied by his tearful family. Perth father-of-two Steven Didmon, 39, was admitted to Siloam Hospital on July 12 for a hernia operation, but went into cardiac arrest when doctors gave him epidural anaesthetic. Mr Didmon's Australian family raised $27,000 to have him released from hospital and flown back to Western Australia, 7 News reported. Perth father-of-two Steven Didmon pictured as he is prepared for a flight back to Perth following the bungled operation in Bali Emotional family pictured with Steven Didmon as he is prepared for a flight back to Perth on Sunday His family started a Gofundme page to help pay the medical bills, which they say reached to more than $50,000. Jeffrey Didmon said his son went in for a routine hernia operation when his lungs and kidneys stopped functioning. 'Unfortunately things turned bad when they administered the epidural anaesthetic and my son Steven went into cardiac arrest,' he said. 'We have huge medical expenses in Bali as Steve did not have insurance and we have organised a medical evacuation Company Medical Air to bring him back to Perth as soon as possible the cost for this is 47,500 AUD. 'My son's wife, Lovia, has negotiated with the hospital and we have received a discount of 30K AUD leaving us with a 50K AUD bill, the hospital wants full payment of the 50K bill before Steven can be released.' Mr Didmon has a three-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter- He had been living in Bali with his Indonesian wife when he became ill Family of the father-of-two overcome by emotion as he is transported back to Perth - still on life support Still hooked up to life support machines, Steven Didmon is pictured being prepared to fly back to Perth following the bungled hernia operation With funds raised to transport the father of two back to Australia, he was released from hospital and put on a flight back with Company Medical Air on Sunday. He was expected to arrive in Perth on Sunday night. Mr Didmon's sister Fiona Vojnovic told PerthNow her brother's ventilator tubes were removed but he remained weak and confused. Mr Didmon has a three-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. He had been living in Bali with his Indonesian wife when he became ill. Father of two- Steven Didmon, 39, was admitted to Siloam Hospital on July 12 for a hernia operation, but went into cardiac arrest when doctors gave him epidural anaesthetic Mr Didmon (pictured with his wife) was then placed on life support because his lungs and kidney stopped functioning Earlier this week Mark Dixie admitted to murdering 18-year-old aspiring model Sally Anne in 2005 The devastated mother of murdered Sally Anne Bowman has spoken of her heartbreak after her daughter's twisted killer revealed details of her death. Earlier this week Mark Dixie admitted to murdering 18-year-old aspiring model Sally Anne in 2005 Her mother, Linda Bowman have now been told sickening details of her daughter's death by police. Mark Dixie, 46, reeled off a string of reasons for murdering Sally Anne 12 years ago during three days of questioning. He blamed the teenager, saying he did not like how she had shouted at an ex-boyfriend. He added that he harboured anger towards women in general. Dixie stabbed Sally Anne to death before having sex with her and smoking a joint next to her body. He then went to a cafe where he sat for hours and watched as police descended on the crime scene. Dixie stabbed Sally Anne to death before having sex with her and smoking a joint adjacent to her body. The young victim is pictured on her 18th birthday in Kos with her former boyfriend Lewis Sprotson Mark Dixie raped and killed 18-year-old Sally Anne (left) and her mother Linda Bowman (right) has only just learnt the horrific details of her daughter's death Twisted Dixie also shared distressing details of how Sally Anne tried bravely to fight him off. The details Linda's daughter's death were provided to her and her family before Dixie gave his confession last week. 'We all cried. Just the thought of what he did to her little body having seen all her injuries. We could only imagine before,' distraught Linda told The Mirror. It comes after Dixie, a former pub chef, was jailed for life with a minimum of 34 years in 2008 for raping and stabbing model Sally Anne outside her home. He only admitted to sexually assaulting the teenager his lawyer claimed he had found Sally Anne dead or dying in the street. Dixie said he was 'already angry' after attacking a woman earlier that evening Years after her murder, police received notification that Dixie wanted to confess. Sally Anne's family were later visited by Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Cundy. 'He asked us if we wanted to hear the detail. My heart was pounding but we took a deep breath and said yes. We had to.' The family were told that Dixie said he heard Sally Anne and her ex-partner Lewis Sprotston arguing after a night out. The killer said he was 'already angry' after attacking a woman earlier that evening, and became disturbed when her screams drew a taxi driver's attention. Linda added: 'He said his adrenaline was still pumping. He could hear Lewis and Sally raising their voices, then Sally got out of the car. He said he attacked from behind, putting his left arm around her face.' The murderer said Sally Anne struggled and tried to scream at which point he began stabbing the teenager. Dixie then left the crime scene in Croydon, South London, before returning to collect a bloodied knife and a screwdriver he had left behind. Devastated Linda added that Dixie told police he was angry after having an argument with his ex-girlfriend and that he had been drinking and taking cocaine The family were told that Dixie said to police he had heard Sally Anne and Lewis Sprotston arguing after a night out Linda said that during his confession Dixie told police he had become aroused when returning to tidy up Sally Anne's clothing and having sex with her corpse, before smoking cannabis. The devastated mother added that Dixie told police he was angry after having an argument with his ex-girlfriend and that he had been drinking and taking cocaine. Linda said the family still suffered nightmares and that her daughter has to wake her to stop her screaming in her sleep. Despite writing to Dixie asking him to meet with her on so she can find out where her daughter's handbag, cardigan, underwear and phone are Linda has had no reply. It comes after Dixie last week pleaded guilty to rape, GBH with intent and indecent assault in connection with two vicious attacks in 1987 and 2002. Dixie, who Linda believes has murdered before, is to be sentenced in September. Police officers on motorbikes were hit by an explosion at a protest in Venezuela during a weekend of violence that has seen nine people, including two minors, shot dead. Officers have been reported injured after the dramatic incident, which was caught on camera as opposition supporters clashed with security forces in the capital city of Caracas. It is believed the explosion was the result of an improvised device detonated by anti-government activists. It comes amid fury over a controversial election called by the country's beleaguered president Nicolas Maduro, who is attempting to bolster his power by creating a new assembly which will tear up the constitution and effectively create a one-party state. Four months of protests against the leader have left more than 100 people dead amid fierce international criticism with soldiers firing on protesters. An explosion injured a group of police officers during a protest in Venezuela It is believed the explosion was the result of an improvised device detonated by anti-government activists Police officers reacts after anti-government activists detonated an improvised explosive device as they rode past during a protest against the elections for a Constituent Assembly The dramatic moment was captured on camera as opposition supporters clashed with security forces in the capital city of Caracas Police motorbikes are left burning on a main road after the explosion Election candidate who died from several gunshot wounds after assailants broke into his house in the southeastern city of Ciudad Bolivar. At least nine people were killed overnight and into Sunday, according to prosecutors. Among those killed was 39-year-old lawyer Jose Felix Pineda, who was a candidate to sit on the new assembly. He was shot by assailants in his home in the southeastern town of Ciudad Bolivar late on Saturday. Prosecutors said the motive of the slaying was unknown. Shootings at protests on Sunday killed a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old in the western state of Tachira. A soldier was also shot dead there. The death toll also included a 30-year-old regional leader of a youth opposition party in the northeast town of Cumana, two male protesters aged 28 and 39 in the western state of Merida, and a 43-year-old man in the western city of Barquisimeto. A 38-year-old man was killed in Merida on Saturday in another demonstration. Pineda was the second candidate to be murdered after the July 10 death of another, Jose Luis Rivas, as he was campaigning in the northern city of Maracay. In the west of Caracas, national guard troops fanning out to put down any disruption to the election used armoured vehicles and fired shots to disperse protesters blocking roads. Video posted on Twitter showed troops smashing down a metal gate and entering to the sounds of gunfire, and what appeared to be a flaming armoured vehicle. Six people, including election candidate Jose Felix Pineda, 39, and several protesters, have died over a weekend of violence across the country There have been months of protests against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, pictured right Four months of protests against Maduro have left more than 100 people dead amid fierce international criticism Opposition supporters run past a tear gas cloud as clashes broke out Opposition supporters stand near a barricade they have set up in the middle of a road Maduro decreed a ban on protests during and after the vote, threatening prison terms of up to 10 years for anyone violating the order The opposition has called for a boycott and mass demonstrations against the election A riot security forces member fires a tear gas grenade while clashing with demonstrators A member of the national guard fires his shotgun at protesters The opposition has called for a boycott and mass demonstrations against the election, which it calls a bid by Maduro to install a dictatorship with the backing of the military. Maduro kicked off voting by casting his ballot in a west Caracas polling station. 'I'm the first voter in the country. I ask God for his blessings so the people can freely exercise their democratic right to vote,' the president said. He was accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, who is a candidate to sit on the new assembly. Turnout will be key to determining the legitimacy of the election. But that will be difficult to ascertain as most voters will be able to vote twice, as candidates are drawn from social and industry sectors as well as geographically. Surveys by Datanalisis, a pro-opposition polling firm, show more than 70 percent of Venezuelans opposed the idea of the new assembly - and 80 percent reject Maduro's leadership. Fear of the violence worsening has rippled across the region and beyond Members of the media work covering clashes between demonstrators and riot security forces Maduro decreed a ban on protests during and after the vote, threatening prison terms of up to 10 years for anyone violating the order. Fear of the violence worsening has rippled across the region and beyond. The US, the EU and Latin American powers, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, have come out against the election, saying it would destroy Venezuelan democracy. A street in the Sydney suburb of Wiley Park once again came under scrutiny when police raided a two-bedroom unit where a man suspected of plotting a terror attack lived. The man and three others are accused of hatching a plot to bring down a plane with a homemade explosive device. It is not the first time the residents of Renown Avenue have seen heavily armed police descend on a home on their street. Renown Avenue in Wiley Park (pictured is a Google street view) has been the centre of dramatic anti-terror raids twice in 12 years. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any of the people who live in these homes are involved in any criminal activity ISIS fighter Khaled Sharrouf (pictured) lived on the street when he was arrested in 2005 Twelve years ago, Islamic State fighter Khaled Sharrouf was also arrested following a raid on a home in the quiet street. Sharrouf was arrested at his home in 2005 and convicted of conspiring to commit a terrorist act. Following his arrest, some of Sharrouf's neighbours received letters advising them to move 'if they want to live', The Daily Telegraph reported. The man arrested on Renown Avenue this week is yet to be charged as police continue to search their property as well as four more around Sydney. It is believed the four men arrested were part of a plot to detonate an explosive device on a flight from Sydney to Dubai. Sharrouf was arrested under Operation Pendennis more than a decade ago, which was investigating a conspiracy to blow up public spaces in Victoria and NSW. Arrested with him were Khaled Cheikho (left), who is serving a 27-year jail sentence, and his nephew Moustafa Cheikho (right), jailed for 26 years. After he was released from prison, Sharrouf fled to Syria with his wife and young children to join Islamic State Arrested with him were Khaled Cheikho and his nephew, Moustafa Cheikho, who were both sentenced to more than 20 years behind bars. Sharrouf was released early and fled to Syria to join Islamic State on his brother's passport. He sent shockwaves around the world when he shared a picture of his seven-year-old son to Twitter, holding a human head. The image was captioned 'that's my boy'. Amanda Jacobs, 20, who has lived in Renown Street all her life, said one of the men arrested in Saturday's raids was 'very quiet' and 'a good man.' Another neighbour previously told the Telegraph one of the men had been taking care of local stray cats. 'He and his brother would feed about 15 cats and when we complained that they were bringing ticks and diseases into the block, they would walk off,' the neighbour said. Police raided five properties across Sydney on Saturday. Pictured is Cleveland Street, Surry Hills Four men were detained, but are yet to be charged. They are accused of having a 'ready to go' explosive device which they allegedly planned to detonate on a plane. Pictured is a raid in Surry Hills The four men arrested on Saturday are yet to be publicly identified by police, and were arrested in simultaneous raids across Sydney's west and inner-east. Police allege the men used a number of everyday items to create a lethal device which was reportedly on Cleveland Street in Surry Hills and 'ready to go', reported News Corp. The raids were carried out in Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl by NSW Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO. Those arrested have not been charged, and police are still gathering evidence. Police have applied to the Federal Court in Sydney to extend the amount of time the men can be detained for, which could allow officers to hold the men for up to seven days. Tianna Rooney has already bought the poster board for the sign she'll wave when the 16-year-old refugee boy her family is taking in arrives in the United States. Rooney, a 39-year-old family therapist and mother of two from suburban Detroit, knows the exact words of welcome she'll write on it, in the teenager's native language from the African country of Eritrea. But Rooney's family is leaving the sign blank, for now. She and her husband, Todd, fear actually writing the words 'Welcome Home' could break her heart. The foster son they're waiting for is part of a small, three-decade-old US program for so-called unaccompanied refugee minors that has been halted by a series of new refugee bans and travel limits imposed by the Trump administration in the name of fighting terrorism. Tianna Rooney, a 39-year-old family therapist and mother of two from suburban Detroit, is hoping to foster a 16-year-old male who is fleeing violence in the African country of Eritrea One of the last refugee foster children to enter the US before the ban, a 16-year-old from Eritrea, is seen hugging sponsor Julie Rajagopal in San Francisco's Dolores Park By blocking the program, the US travel bans have stranded more than 100 refugee children who were already matched to waiting American foster families. Without parents or other adult relatives, those kids are living on their own in countries of temporary refuge, in limbo while their US foster parents hope for a court ruling that will allow the children to finish their journeys. Since the June day a refugee agency matched the Rooneys with their foster son, which turned out to be the same day of the first Supreme Court ruling barring him, 'we have experienced this very unexpected ride of grief in our family,' says Rooney. Meanwhile, the boy who fled his home country at 13 to avoid widespread forced military conscription of children continues to fend for himself on the streets in his temporary refuge in another African capital, with no phone or internet for the Rooneys to reach him to explain the delay. 'There's part of me that really hopes he knows a family wants him,' Tianna Rooney says. Since the 1980s, the program for unaccompanied refugee children has brought in more than 6,000 refugee children, including 203 last year. 'These are kids on their own, and struggling to survive,' said Elizabeth Foydel, policy counsel with the International Refugee Assistance Project, a Washington, DC, legal-aid group for refugees. 'How long do you feel comfortable with your child not having a caregiver?' Foydel says she asks other Americans. 'Trying to manage for themselves?' Sharon Martin is waiting to host a 17-year-old couple from Myanmar and the baby they had together, under an unaccompanied refugee minor program that has now been halted Martin, 64, has bought a crib for the young refugee family from Myanmar and says she looks forward to reading to their child, something she misses The program for unaccompanied refugee children from around the world is different from one started by the Obama administration in 2014 for Central American children fleeing a surge in violence there. In the program for unaccompanied refugee children, kids eking out a living by themselves in a refugee camp or elsewhere must first come to the attention of a UN agency, which may choose to refer them for the US foster program, especially if the children are deemed to be particularly vulnerable wherever they are now. The children must then pass US security screenings and other requirements, and win a match with an American foster family or group home. But a series of Trump administration orders, and court rulings interpreting them, are now barring refugees with no close family in the United States. That requirement shuts out the refugee children in the foster program, who have no relatives they can turn to in the US. The child refugees newly blocked from waiting American foster families include five Ethiopian sisters, ages 9 to 16. The girls lost both parents in 2009, and have faced abuse alone in the war zone of neighboring South Sudan and in Sudanese cities, said Jessica Jones, policy counsel for the Baltimore-based Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Along with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Lutherans are one of two U.S. groups running the program on behalf of the US State Department. Other waiting children include a 17-year-old couple and the baby they had together in a refugee camp, where they were fleeing attacks on their Rohingya religious minority in Myanmar. In her home in a Detroit suburb, Sharon Martin, 64, has bought a crib for the young refugee family from Myanmar. But the children's books she bought, Martin said, are really for her. 'If they come, I can finally read to a child again,' Martin says. Refugee workers say the family faces forced return to Myanmar if their US arrangements fall through. In San Francisco, meanwhile, web designer Julie Rajagopal and husband Mike Gougherty, a senior planner for a regional ferry system, are two of the lucky ones. The 16-year-old boy they are fostering also fled a lifetime of forced military service in Eritrea, at 13. When he landed in March, a slight youth coming off the plane in an ill-made tracksuit, he was among the last refugee foster children to make it into the US. Web designer Julie Rajagopal and husband Mike Gougherty, a senior planner for a regional ferry system, were among the last to welcome a refugee foster child before the ban Rajagopal, 35, often had stayed up through the night calling government workers and charity officials in the faraway African hub of Cairo to speed her new foster son's paperwork. On a clear day this summer, the teen strolled with the couple at a park overlooking San Francisco. In the city's hip Mission District, he wore a red sweater and shoes he carefully matched himself, and jeans he insisted on lovingly ironing with each wear. Meanwhile, in Brighton, the Rooneys and their 10- and 12-year-old sons stack new socks and T-shirts in the bedroom they've set aside for the boy they nicknamed 'Five,' meaning the eagerly awaited fifth member of their family. Tianna Rooney recently got out the poster board, thinking to work on the welcome sign. After a concerned look from her husband, she put it away. 'We want to think positive thoughts' that their foster son will come safely, Todd Rooney said. 'But without endangering ourselves. Without setting ourselves up for a heartache.' Frightening footage has emerged showing a near-miss where a driver travelling at a high speeds almost crashes head-on into another car. The footage from the driver's dashboard camera had been uploaded on Dash Cam Owners Australia Facebook page on Saturday. 'Everyone uninjured but I was in shock,' the person who shared the video said. Scroll down for video A lady driver almost misses a car from colliding into hers during a late night drive in Melbourne The sedan can be seen here mounting the median strip onto the other side of the road A near miss indeed, the lady driver screams for her life upon how close the other car is to hers 'No idea why the car was going so fast, didn't even think to ask I was beside myself.' To date, the footage has been viewed 102,000 times with social media users identifying the area as Kangan Drive in Berwick, in Melbourne's south-east. The clip shows the woman driver narrowly missing the vehicle from the other side of the road which ends up crashing into some trees. As the car crosses the median stripe onto the other side, a woman can be heard screaming out of shock. 'Oh my god. Oh my f***ing god,' she said. She quickly pulls over to the side of the road and gets out of the car possibly to investigate the well-being of the other driver. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they had not received any reports about the incident. The sedan than moves on at high speed and crashes to some trees on the other side of the road The U.S. State Department has slammed Russia's decision to expel hundreds of US diplomats, calling the dramatic move a 'regrettable and uncalled for act'. The government agency announced it was 'assessing the impact of such a limitation' and how it will respond, following Vladimir Putin's shock announcement on Sunday. Putin called for the ejection of 755 US diplomats by September 1, effectively cutting the US diplomatic mission of roughly 1,200 in Russia by more than half. The order from Moscow comes in response to a sanctions bill that passed in Congress on Thursday, which President Donald Trump has said he will sign into law. The Kremlin had on Friday seized two diplomatic properties and ordered the US to cut its mission to 445, the same size as Russia's in the US, but the new order from Putin is the first revelation of a headcount of expulsions. Earlier on Sunday, a top Russian diplomat lambasted the United States Congress for voting to sanction Russia, and warned of further retaliation by Moscow. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told ABC's 'This Week' that the US sanctions bill was 'weird and unacceptable'. Scroll down for video Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen at a naval parade on Sunday. Putin announced the ejection of 755 US diplomats in retaliation for a new US sanctions bill, which the US State Department labeled a 'regrettable and uncalled for act' later on Sunday President Donald Trump departs the White House on Sunday to travel to Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. Putin's response to a US sanctions bill cuts the US diplomatic mission by half Trump and Putin met for the first time at a G20 summit in Germany this month. Russia's hopes for warmer relations with the US under Trump appear to be souring with the massive expulsion Putin's move reduced the US diplomatic mission to Russia by over half. Pictured: US and Russian flags fly ahead of a May visit to Moscow by the US Secretary of State In response to Putin's announcement, a State Department official called the move a 'regrettable and uncalled for act'. The statement said: 'This is a regrettable and uncalled for act. We are assessing the impact of such a limitation and how we will respond to it. 'We have no further comment at this time.' However, Ryabkov didn't think the move was uncalled for. He added that if Trump signed the sanctions bill when it reaches his desk, it will be 'the last straw.' 'If the US side decides to move further towards further deterioration, we will answer. We will respond in kind. We will mirror this. We will retaliate,' Ryabkov said. The diplomat added that his 'whole point is don't do this. It's to the detriment of the interests of the US.' Ryabkov's comments came after Moscow ordered the United States on Friday to cut hundreds of diplomatic staff and said it would seize two US diplomatic properties. Those moves were a response to the new sanctions that were approved nearly unanimously by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Speaking on ABC's 'This Week' , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov referred to a bill passed by Congress on Thursday to sanction his country as 'weird and unacceptable' Ryabkov confirmed that the seizing of the properties was in response to the bill, but declined to say what other measures Russia is willing to take if the United States continues to apply pressure. 'We have a very rich toolbox at our disposal,' he said. 'It would be ridiculous on my part to start speculating on what may or may not happen. We are not gamblers. We are people who consider things very seriously and very responsibly,' said Ryabkov. 'But I can assure you that different options are on the table and consideration is being given to all sorts of things.' Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the ejection of 755 US diplomats in retaliation for a new US sanctions bill President Donald Trump waves to well wishers after dining at Trump International Hotel on Saturday night. Trump has said he will sign the sanctions legislation against Russia The United States-Russia relationship has become increasingly strained in the wake of the US presidential election. Several US intelligence agencies believe that the Kremlin interfered in the US election to discredit Hillary Clinton and help President Donald Trump win the election. Russia has denied meddling in the US election. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, the former director of the FBI, is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race. He is said to also be looking at whether or not Trump's campaign may have colluded with Russia - an allegation that Trump and his associates have staunchly denied. Raquan Green, 17, and two minors are charged in a crime spree 'targeting whites' The cops who responded to a call about a woman screaming for help in the middle of the road gave her an instant nickname after hearing her story of survival: 'James Bond'. College student Jordan Dinsmore, 20, has spoken out about the horrifying ordeal she went through early Wednesday, when three attackers abducted her at gunpoint in Columbia, South Carolina. The kidnapping was the culmination of an escalating crime spree specifically targeting whites for armed robbery and assault, said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. 'They made a statement that they did not like white people and they were only going to rob white people,' said Lott, according to WYFF. Arrested in the kidnapping and at least six other violent crimes over the month of July were 17-year-old Raquan Dejoure Green and two 15-year-old males who cannot be named because of their age. College student Jordan Dinsmore, 20, has spoken out about the horrifying ordeal she went through early Wednesday in Columbia, South Carolina Dinsmore is seen in a vacation photo. The student was abducted at gunpoint early Wednesday morning after she finished a work shift at Buffalo Wild Wings Dinsmore's ordeal began after her work shift ended at Buffalo Wild Wings around 12.30am on Wednesday morning. The Midlands Tech student, who is majoring in criminal justice, drove home and parked in her apartment complex when three males jumped out from behind nearby trees wielding a gun. The attackers forced her to the ground and took her purse and phone, threatening to shoot her if she screamed. They then forced her to unlock her car, and motioned for her to get in the back. 'I was pleading with them to just take my stuff and let me go, but they said that I had to come with them,' Dinsmore told The State. But the attackers were baffled by the manual transmission on her 2009 Scion, with none of them able to drive a stick shift. The attackers were baffled by the manual transmission on Dinsmore's 2009 Scion, and were unable to drive the stick-shift. They forced her to drive, giving her an opening to escape The attackers jumped out from behind the trees at Dinsmore's apartment complex (pictured) In frustration, one of the males ran away, while the other two forced Dinsmore to take the wheel and drive them to an ATM. There, she withdrew the maximum $300, hoping that her assailants would be placated. Instead, they told her to drive them to their 'auntie's' house, and said their friends were going to rape the young student. 'I thought back to my mom,' Dinsmore said later at a news conference, choking back tears as she recalled the ordeal. 'She was almost a victim of sexual assault when she was a college student. But she fought back and fought the man off. And I thought, "Im gonna be strong like my mom, and Im gonna get myself out of this."' Her mom's advice, which she'd drilled into Dinsmore as a teen: keep a cool head, don't let them get you out of a public space, and try to escape. 'If they get you out of the public eye, theyre going to do something worse to you and shoot you anyway,' Dinsmore recalls her mother saying. Dinsmore (left) said that her mom Beth Turner (right) had talked to her about how to handle a sexual assault: keep cool and try to escape before they get her out of a public space 'I was thinking somehow I have to get out of this,' Dinsmore told The State. 'Can I crash the car? No, because it might knock me out and not them. Can I pull over or something? I have to get away from them.' Dinsmore had unbuckled her seatbelt at the ATM and left it off, hoping the men wouldn't notice the alarm. As she drove toward the 'auntie's' house, Dinsmore feigned confusion and intentionally missed a turn that the abductors told her to take. As they shouted at her to pull over, she threw the car into neutral and jumped out at about 35mph. Dinsmore did a roll on the asphalt and jumped up, sprinting away from the car as the confused criminals struggled to figure out how to stop the vehicle. 'I just screamed: "Call 911! Call 911! Someone just kidnapped me and threatened to shoot me!"' said Dinsmore. Luckily the first car that passed was a woman who called police immediately and took Dinsmore to safety. 'The only reason I wasnt raped and most likely killed was because I kept my head and jumped out of my own moving vehicle on a busy street to get away,' Dinsmore said 'The only reason I wasnt raped and most likely killed was because I kept my head and jumped out of my own moving vehicle on a busy street to get away,' Dinsmore wrote in a Facebook post hours later. 'Thank you to the kind woman who heard my screaming and stopped her care for me and to Richland PD for responding instantly and giving me my new nickname, James Bond.' Dinsmore says that she hopes to finish her criminal justice degree and one day become an FBI agent. Sheriff Leon Lott said that the suspects in Dinsmore's abduction are also tied to a string of crimes in the area that he believes are racially motivated. 'This was a crime spree. They would not have stopped,' Lott said. The incidents began targeting food delivery drivers for robbery late at night, and escalated to carjackings and kidnappings, according to Lott. The sheriff said that one victim, who was African-American, told investigators she was released by the suspects when they found out she was not white A former soldier and kickboxer has admitted raping and bashing a teenager so violently she was left brain damaged and eating through a syringe. John Clayton Sims, 45, confessed to luring the 19-year-old victim outside a Parramatta nightclub, in Sydney's west, before attacking her in March 1996. The horrific assault left the young woman needing multiple surgeries for a broken nose, jaw, and eye socket, and a traumatic brain injury. John Clayton Sims (pictured, middle) confessed to raping and bashing the 19-year-old woman in 1996 The case was closed for almost 20 years until Sim's (pictured, middle) DNA was matched to blood found at the scene More than 20 years later Sims told police, 'I just lost it. I dont know what happened. I just turned into a devil or something', according to The Daily Telegraph. He met the victim on the dance floor of Kicks nightclub at Parramatta Leagues Club, and told her he played for the St George Dragons rugby league team. Claiming her boyfriend was cheating on her, the high-level kickboxer and probable steroid user led her outside into the carpark where he punched her in the face. Sims, who was an ADF driver at the time, then dragged her to a grassy area where he sexually assaulted her. Sims (pictured, right) punched the woman in the face in the nightclub carpark and sexually assaulted her Sims (pictured, middle) was arrested after DNA matched him to blood found in the victim's underwear and he was extradited to New South Wales The brutal March 1996 assault happened at Kicks nightclub which was located at Parramatta Leagues Club (pictured, stock image) A police officer on patrol found her hours later, bruised, covered with blood, and in a state of undress. According to court documents the brutal attack left the woman needing assistance to use the toilet and afraid to be on her own. 'She was unable to eat unassisted and was fed via a syringe, being unable to use a straw,' they stated. Despite the gathering of forensic evidence no breakthroughs were made on the case until November 2015. Sim's DNA was matched to a blood trail left on a leaf and twig where the assault took place and the case was reopened. Sims was then arrested and extradited to New South Wales after DNA testing matched him to blood found on the victim's underwear. A partner at a top Washington DC law firm was shot and wounded while vacationing in Turks and Caicos with his family. Michael Jones, 57, was injured when two gunmen broke into a rented beachfront property on Providenciales, the main island of Turks and Caicos, at about 10.00pm Friday, and opened fire. They managed to get past security by tying up one of the guards with shoelaces. Jones then confronted one of the suspects when they invaded the property, prompting them to start shooting. He was airlifted to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where rescuers transferred him to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. A spokesperson for the law firm Kirkland & Ellis confirmed to ABC News on Sunday that Jones is a partner. 'Mike Jones, a partner in our Washington, D.C., office, was shot during a burglary while on vacation with his family,' the firm said. Michael Jones, 57, was injured when gunmen broke into a rented beachfront property on Providenciales, the main island of Turks and Caicos, at around 10.00pm Friday 'Mike was treated successfully and is in stable condition and is expected to fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike and his family, and we look forward to welcoming him back after his recovery.' According to his profile he is an experienced trial attorney and has been named in America's Best Attorneys twice in the last two years. He is also an adjunct law professor at Georgetown University. 'The victim received a single gunshot wound to his upper body,' police Commissioner James Smith told local ABC affiliate WPLG. After shooting Jones, 'the suspects left the scene with possession of a laptop from the home, and nothing else,' the police commissioner noted. Michael Jones, 57, was airlifted to a Florida hospital after burglars invaded his rented home in the Turks and Caicos Islands (Pictured: Jones on a stretcher 7/28/2017) Two burglars tied up a security guard with his own shoe laces before shooting Jones in the home robbery Friday's robbery comes on the heels of another violent attack on an American tourist in the British overseas territory. On July 22, Kevin Newman, 38, of Smiths Station, Alabama was airlifted to a South Florida hospital after being shot in an armed robbery incident in the Turks and Caicos. 'I mean, it's not possible to completely link these,' said Smith. Kevin Newman, 38, was shot just days before Friday's incident during a robbery attempt on the Islands (Pictured: Kevin Newman, right) The US State Department has not issued a travel warning for the Turks and Caicos following the the robberies (Pictured: Kevin Newman right) The US State Department has not issued a travel warning for the Turks and Caicos, yet noted that crime in the Islands are 'low but increasing.' Authorities say that are investigating the incident, and the Ministry of Tourism and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association has offered to assist the families affected by the shootings. 'The Ministry of Tourism continues to work together with the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association to support persons who may have experienced criminal acts within our country,' the Turks and Caicos Ministry of Tourism said in a statement. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to all that were affected by the events of last evening. Turks and Caicos Islands is located near the Bahamas and is a British territory 'Rest assured,' the statement continues, 'that we are working together with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands' Police Force and the community to triumph over these heinous acts of crime. 'The Ministry of Tourism encourages all persons to exercise vigilance as we seek to restore the Turks and Caicos Islands that you have come to know and love,' the statement added. Turks and Caicos is an archipelago made up of 40 coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean, a British Overseas Territory located southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas. The population as of 2012 was numbered at 31,458, of whom 23,769 live on Providenciales in the Caicos Islands. The easyJet passenger who was punched by an airport worker appeared to push him in the face following a 13-hour delay at Nice Airport. A photograph appeared to show the man, believed to be a special assistance provider at the airport, attacking the easyJet passenger in the terminal on Saturday. But footage filmed by one the passengers shows the young father - who was holding his nine-month-old baby - push the French worker in the face, Sun Online reports. Just seconds before, the footage showed the worker try and knock a camera phone out of the British father's hand when he attempted to take a picture. New video footage shows the British man appear to push the worker in the face - before being punched This photograph appears to show the man, believed to be a special assistance provider at Nice Airport, punching a passenger in the face Police will now speak to both of the men in light of the new video and will analyse CCTV before taking action. A source close to the investigation into the alarming incident told MailOnline: 'Both men have been caught on CCTV fighting. 'The passengers appears to be responsible for the first physical contact, but the matter is still under investigation.' Neither of the men has been named, but they can be summoned at any time before an examining magistrate. It is thought that the British man, who slapped the airport worker while holding a baby, has now returned to the UK, He can be extradited if considered guilty of a crime, or he will also have the option of going back to France on his own accord. The incident followed a gruelling 12-hour delay at the airport as families waited to board flight EZY2122 to London Luton. Video released on the Internet shows him swearing loudly and complaining about the airport service as he clutches a baby in one hand. It is then alleged that he approached the airport worker who had been accused by other passengers of 'smiling' about their ordeal as he stood in a secure area and attempted to take a picture of him. Arabella Arkwright was at the airport and took the photograph of the man in the white polo shirt (pictured) appearing to punch the British passenger Mrs Arkwright (pictured) said the punch was unprovoked and happened after the British man told an airport worker he'd had a 'terrible day' This provoked the worker, who did not work for EasyJet, into knocking a smart phone out of the hand of the British man, who is in his 20s and wearing a baseball cap. There are strict laws against photographing officials at airports in France, and attempts to do so are always treated with the utmost severity. It is then that the British man slaps the worker around the head, apparently provoking him into punching back. Just before the assault, a woman can be heard on the video shouting at the airport worker: 'This is a disgrace. We have children, babies, screaming, no nappies, no food,' and then she asks the worker: 'What are you smiling at?' Despite the video evidence, another British passenger insisted that the punch by the Frenchman was unprovoked. Arabella Arkwright, 49, was with her 64-year-old husband and children waiting for a flight from the Riviera city to Luton. Ms Arkwright said: 'Everyone was having the most appalling day and then, all of a sudden, a man holding a baby gets whacked.' She continued: 'He said nothing, smirked, showed no interest or concern for the family. Then out of nowhere, he just whacked him. 'My husband, who's sixty-four, had to pull the man off him and hold him against a glass door. 'Everyone was appalled. The [British] man had a great big mark on his eye when he finally got on the plane and everyone applauded him.' Mrs Arkwright, a businesswoman from Warwickshire, said passengers were becoming more frustrated after being told the 11am flight was delayed. Almost 12 hours later, the British father was holding his baby and told an airport worker he had had a 'terrible day'. EasyJet said passengers were given regular updates and refreshment vouchers but many claimed no one told them why their flight was delayed Mrs Arkwright, who got finally got home at 4am this morning, said: 'The man was British, it looked like he was in his late 20s and was telling the worker that he had had a terrible day. 'He was standing there holding his nine-month-old baby. The worker smirked at him and he was the other side of the glass barrier so he reached over to hit him. 'It was one hell of a punch. Everyone was having the most appalling day and then, all of a sudden, the man holding a baby gets whacked. 'My 64-year-old husband pulled the worker back which was very brave and unlike him but he was so enraged by what had happened.' Mrs Arkwright said the man was holding his baby while his wife vented their frustration at the lack of baby food and seats to airport employees. She said the alleged attacker, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, repeatedly smiled at the family before lunging at the father. She added: 'He said nothing, smirked, showed no interest or concern for the family. 'Everyone was appalled. The man had a great big mark on his left eye when he finally got on the plane and everyone applauded him.' Police in Nice today confirmed that they had received a call about the incident, and that it was being investigated. But they said the version offered by Ms Arkwright was in dispute, and that both men faced criminal charges if found guilty of assault. It is thought that the Frenchman is claiming that he hit back in self defence after the British man slapped him around the head. EasyJet passengers were forced to wait at Nice Airport in France (pictured) after their flight was delayed Evidence also includes a single photograph apparently taken by Mrs Arkwright, which has been distributed widely online. 'We have seen the photograph and will be examining video footage in the airport terminal,' said another police source. Another passenger, called Carl, told MailOnline that the man was showing his concern regarding all of the people who were on the delayed flight. He said: 'The gentlemen that was physically assaulted was showing his concern regarding all passengers that were told they were about to board and forced to the end of a corridor which was not air conditioned and fairly confined with all the passengers, elderly, children and families. 'People were feeling sick and unwell being kept in such conditions, to which he approached the desk to complain. 'Obviously things got out of hand and the airport staff employee lashed out and struck the man who was holding a child. 'From what I could overhear, the staff member was showing no sympathy or concern for all of us that have been suffering for such a long period of time. 'The gentleman holding the baby was not arrested, but taken away for a private conversation.' An easyJet spokesperson said the airport employee does not work for the airline. He is believed to work for French company Samsic which is contracted by Nice Airport to provide employees who help disabled passengers, including those in wheelchairs. EasyJet said the flight was delayed due to a 'technical issue with the aircraft' and that a replacement jet and crew were being sent from London Gatwick. But Mrs Arkwright claims their day from hell began when the plane they were in pulled away while a piece of equipment was still attached. EasyJet said the flight was delayed due to a 'technical issue with the aircraft' and that a replacement jet and crew were being sent from London Gatwick (file photo of Nice Airport) She said the passengers were offered a four euro voucher for food before being taken back into the terminal where their wait began. Mrs Arkwright said: 'It was utter chaos at the terminal. There were bags all over the place, everyone was frustrated and we had no idea what was going on. 'Children were crying, they were exhausted, people were having to stand up for hours. I asked to speak to someone but they said no one was available.' An easyJet spokesperson said passengers were given regular updates and refreshment vouchers but Mrs Ark claimed no one told them why their flight was delayed - nor when they might be able to fly home. The airline's spokesperson said: 'easyJet was very concerned to hear about the incident in Nice between a passenger and an employee of a contractor of Nice Airport. 'The person is not an easyJet member of staff and also does not work for easyJet's ground handling agents in Nice. We took this matter up with Nice Airport and their special assistance provider Samsic and understand the airport has confirmed his suspension. 'We sincerely apologise for the delay in this flight departing Nice and thank passengers for their patience. 'The delay was due to a technical issue caused by a fueller at Nice Airport who drove away with part of the hose still connected once they had ceased fuelling the aircraft. 'This resulted in some damage and we had to source a replacement aircraft and crew. Whilst it was initially hoped a replacement aircraft and crew could position from Lyon to operate the flight this was not possible and a replacement aircraft and crew were sent from London Gatwick. 'We worked hard to arrange a replacement flight so passengers could travel to London Luton as soon as possible and appreciate how frustrating the delay would have been. 'easyJet's ground handling agents in Nice updated passengers with the information they had regarding the delay and our flight tracker app was updated seven times during the delay to keep passengers informed about the flight status. Our ground handling agents also provided refreshment vouchers to passengers. 'The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority.' A Nice Airport spokesman said: 'Nice Airport confirms the altercation between a passenger and an agent of a subcontracting company. 'The police was called immediately and took in charge both of them. Whatever the circumstances, the airport management firmly condemns this incident and has immediately asked that this staff member to be suspended. 'The images of the CCTV cameras were transmitted to the DDPAF which will determine after investigation the exact circumstances and the follow-up to this incident.' Angelina Jolie has hit back at critics who accused of her of using 'cruel' and 'exploitative' casting techniques for her upcoming Cambodian film First They Killed My Father. The Vanity Fair cover story, which ran earlier this week, described a 'game' that was 'rather disturbing in its realism' where children were presented with a pile of money and allowed to snatch it, before being 'caught' by a producer. They would then have to give a compelling reason why they needed the money. The girl who was ultimately chosen for the lead role of Loung Ung 'became overwhelmed with emotion' as she told the producers she needed the money for her grandfather's funeral. Many reacted to the interview with horror and fury, branding Jolie 'cruel' and saying her casting was 'shocking' on Twitter. But the Hollywood director insists there has been a misunderstanding and was 'upset' the audition scene had been taken out of context. Angelina Jolie told Vanity Fair that in order to cast child actors for her film First They Killed My Father she offered poor children money, then took it away again if they couldn't convincingly lie about why they wanted to keep it 'I am upset that a pretend exercise in an improvisation, from an actual scene in the film, has been written about as if it was a real scenario,' she told the Huffington Post. 'The suggestion that real money was taken from a child during an audition is false and upsetting. I would be outraged myself if this had happened.' Jolie, a UN ambassador for refuges, said that 'every care' had been taken for the welfare of the children, who had been cast from a diverse backgrounds including from 'orphanages, circuses and slum schools'. She added that the 'point of this film is to bring attention to the horrors children face in war, and to help fight to protect them.' First They Killed My Father producer, Rithy Panh, explained that the children auditioning, who were on set with their parents, carers and/ or non-governmental organization partners, were all informed about the premise of the improvised scene beforehand, and told to act out how they would feel if caught stealing. Jolie said she chose eventual lead actor Srey Moch (pictured here, to her left) because when she went to take the money back 'she became overwhelmed with emotion' 'We wanted to see how they would improvise when their character is found 'stealing' and how they would justify their action,' Panh said. 'The children were not tricked or entrapped, as some have suggested. They understood very well that this was acting, and make believe.' He added that the screen test related to a scene in the movie where Ung and her siblings were caught by the Khmer Rouge and accused of stealing. Jolie said, in the original Vanity Fair piece, that Srey Moch, the girl who landed the role as Ung, had stood out because she 'was the only child that stared at the money for a very, very long time. 'When she was forced to give it back, she became overwhelmed with emotion. All these different things came flooding back.' Through tears, Jolie added: 'When she was asked later what the money was for, she said her grandfather had died, and they didn't have enough money for a nice funeral.' First They Killed My Father is set in Cambodia, a country where Jolie has honorary citizenship and where she adopted one of her children from. Twitter users reacted furiously to the revelations, questioning Jolie's humanitarian credentials and her status as a UN special envoy Others branded the director 'crazy' and called her casting a 'cruel psychological game' It documents the horrors of the Khmer Rouge, the communist regime which ruled the country between 1975 and 1979. Leader Pol Pot mercilessly persecuted what he deemed to be 'enemy' elements of society, which included but was not limited to, anyone connected to the old government, professionals and intellectuals, Christians, Muslims and Buddhists. Experts believe that more than 2million people were killed as a result of the persecutions, around a third of Cambodia's population at the time. First They Killed My Father is based on the memoir of Loung Ung As a result virtually no family was unaffected by the slaughter, with whole households wiped from history and buried in the so-called Killing Fields. Panh said that because the memories of the genocide is still so 'raw' for many Cambodians, the production had a team of doctors and therapists on set. But certain scenes still appeared to bring back extremely painful memories for some on set. 'When the Khmer Rouge came over the bridge, we had a few people who really dropped to their knees and wailed. They were horrified to see them come back,' Jolie said. The Vanity Fair article said that there was a powerful atmosphere on the film set brought about by an 'authentic connection to pain'. Jolie told the journalist: 'There wasn't a person who was working on the movie who didn't have a personal connection. 'They weren't coming to do a job. They were walking in the exodus for the people whom they had lost in their family, and it was out of respect for them that they were going to re-create it. 'It completed something for them.' Advertisement One hundred years on from the Battle of Passchendaele, the tens of thousands of soldiers who lost their lives in one of the First World War's bloodiest campaigns are being remembered with a series of events. Prime Minister Theresa May, the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend services in Ypres, Belgium on Sunday. One of the more unique commemorative performances involves a band of living history actors,'Tommy's Sisters,' who have recreated the battle over the weekend. A set of stunning images has captured soldiers deep in the trenches and nurses patrolling the peripheries as viewers are transported back to a day in the bloody battle that took place from July 31 to November 6, 1917 in the West Flanders region of northern Belgium. An actor skips over the trenches on July 30, marking the centenary year of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele British troops sought to push back the Germans from a ridge, near the Belgian town of Ypres during the three-and-a half month campaign The Battle of Passchendaele was fought by the Allies and the German Empire, with the Allies looking to push back the Germans from occupied Belgium More than half a million troops - 325,000 Allied soldiers and 260,000 Germans - died in the battle, in the West Flanders region of northern Belgium in 1917. Among those to fight in the battle was the 'Last Tommy' Harry Patch, who died aged 111 in July 2009 Actors dressed in World War I nurse outfits during the re-enactment on Sunday. It was just one of the events to remember the battle and those who lost their lives there The event attracted a good crowd who could walk around the area to observe scenes. The British and Commonwealth attacks were fought near Ypres between July 31 and November 10 1917, in battlefields that turned to liquid mud and were summed up in poet Siegfried Sassoon's line 'I died in hell, they called it Passchendaele' An actor takes a photo of the scene. On Sunday, a ceremony will take place at the Menin Gate in Ypres, which is etched with the names of thousands of missing soldiers A camp for the soldiers and nurses. The battle was important as the Germans had reached the gates of Ypres in 1914 until heroic defence by British, Indian, Belgian and French troops held them back, keeping a slither of Belgium in allied hands An actor takes a phone call in the display. 'The Germans had captured nearly all the high ground, creating the infamous Ypres Salient. By 1917 the largely British troops holding the Salient were in awful, waterlogged trenches. On purely tactical grounds, the British should have abandoned the miserable place,' writes historian Dan Snow The long battle drew closer to its end by early November when Canadian troops seized the village of Passchendaele, about 10km from where the front line had been four months before The Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, Prime Minister Theresa May and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon will attend events in and around Ypres to commemorate the centenary of a battle which cost tens of thousands of British and Commonwealth lives President Donald Trump posed for pictures with fans while having dinner with several cabinet members at his Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Saturday night. The 71-year-old Republican was joined by his newly minted Chief of Staff Ret. Gen. John Kelly, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and his new wife, actress Louise Linton, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and his wife Hilary Geary. Guests at the hotel were able to snap some photos with the president, who arrived at the venue around 8pm. Throngs of people snapped photos of him on their cell phones and shared photos to social media. Scroll down for video President Donald Trump posed for pictures with fans while having dinner with several cabinet members at his Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Saturday night The 71-year-old Republican was joined by his newly minted Chief of Staff Ret. Gen. John Kelly, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and his new wife, actress Louise Linton, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (center next to Trump) and his wife Hilary Geary Guests at the hotel were able to snap some photos with the president, who arrived at the venue around 8pm Trump along with his guests sat in a banquette at the property's steakhouse, BLT Prime by David Burke. As the president departed, he waived and even shook some hands of the well-wishers around 10pm. His appearance at Trump Intentional Hotel on Saturday marks the 57th day he's spent at a Trump owned property since taking the oath of office as president in January. Trump's night out comes one day after the White House was engulfed in a huge staff shakeup which saw Reince Priebus being dismissed as Chief of Staff following his highly publicized feud with Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci. Trump wanted more discipline and structure in the West Wing, and expects to get that from the retired general taking over as the new chief of staff, a top White House official said Sunday. Throngs of people snapped photos of him on their cell phones and shared photos to social media. As the president departed, he waived and even shook some hands of the well-wishers around 10pm His appearance at Trump Intentional Hotel on Saturday (above) marks the 57th day he's spent at a Trump owned property since taking the oath as president in January. President Trump urged Republicans not to give up on the vote on healthcare in an early morning tweet on Sunday Kelly is among the military officers past and present, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford and national security adviser H.R. McMaster, with prominent roles in the administration. 'You know that he enjoys working with generals,' White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said. Kelly was announced Friday as Trump's second chief of staff and planned to begin work Monday, replacing Priebus, a former Republican Party chairman who held the job for six months. The moved ended months of speculation about Priebus' fate and came among infighting and turmoil in the early stages of the Trump White House. 'I think Reince was terribly effective, but was probably a little bit more laid-back and independent in the way he ran the office,' Mulvaney said. His appearnce Saturday comes as Reince Priebus (left) was replaced as the president's Chief of Staff on Friday. His departure from the administration coincided with the arrival of new Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci (right) 'And I think the president wants to go a different direction, wants a little bit more discipline, a little more structure in there. On Sunday, Trump put more pressure on Republicans to win the Senate healthcare vote by tweeting that they should take the 'nuke option' to secure a majority because 'the world is watching'. In his early morning Twitter blast, Trump urged the GOP 'not to give up' on the stand-off despite a week of crushing congressional defeats. 'Don't give up Republican Senators, the World is watching: Repeal & Replace...and go to 51 votes (nuke option), get Cross State Lines & more,' he wrote shortly after 7.30am. Republicans failed to secure a majority on their 'skinny' version of a previously unsuccessful bill to repeal and replace Obamacare in a late-night vote on Thursday. A Belgian scout was saved from drowning in a major rescue operation after getting trapped underwater when a trailer flipped into a river. The drama happened at Port Gaverne on the north Cornish coast on Saturday evening. A vehicle and trailer carrying Belgian Scouts flipped into a river leaving some trapped under water. A vehicle and trailer carrying Belgian Scouts (pictured) flipped into a river leaving some trapped under water Rescuers (pictured) sprinted down the cliffs before emerging from a river bed carrying one injured male on the back of a farmer's buggy Rescuers sprinted down the cliffs before emerging from a river bed carrying one injured male on the back of a farmer's buggy. It's believed he suffered broken ribs and he and a second casualty found nearby were airlifted to hospital. One eyewitness said: 'It was just starting to get dark and a group of Belgian scouts got in big trouble. 'A vehicle and a trailer overturned and someone was trapped underneath. 'The field was just full of emergency services and really was a full-scale operation. 'We thought there might have been 100 emergency service personnel there but maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. Firefighters, police, paramedics, coastguard and cliff rescue rushed to help. The injured boy is said to suffered broken ribs The drama happened at Port Gaverne on the north Cornish coast on Saturday evening (pictured) 'There were firefighters, police, paramedics, coastguard, cliff rescue - the lot. 'They went running down the cliffs and got him up on the farmer's buggy. 'We heard the boy had broken ribs but seemed to get off quite lightly.' South West Ambulance Service Trust said: 'We were called at 6.58pm to reports of two males trapped. 'There was an overturned vehicle and trailer. One male was in the river and another near the river. 'We took both patients to the emergency department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.' William Kenna, 39 (pictured) was arrested on Saturday for having sex with a 17-year-old girl. The two were found alone together in a room at 1.30am. They at first denied sexual contact before admitting to the relationship A Florida police officer has been arrested on charges of having sex with a 17-year-old girl. Winter Haven Police Officer William Kenna, 39, was taken into custody on Saturday after the department received a tip about the relationship. Authorities found Kenna and the girl alone in a room together at around 1.30am, after which the Polk County Sheriff's Office was called. Both the girl and Kenna denied any sexual contact. Eventually, the two admitted to the relationship. The victim told police that she and Kenna had become close over the past year-and-a-half. She said they would discuss personal problems they we having and ask the other for advice, reported the Tampa Bay Times. She later told detectives that she went to Kennas home in Winter Haven about four months ago and had consensual sex with him, according to the arrest affidavit. Kenna told deputies he and the victim only had sex once. Upon arrest, Kenna resigned from the force in lieu of termination, police say. He was hired by the Winter Haven department in 2012. Kenna is being held in Polk County Jail where he has been charged with one count of sexual activity with a victim 16 or 17. He is expected to make his first court appearance on Sunday. 'Our officers are expected to conduct themselves with honor and dignity and provide professional service to our citizens,' said Charlie Bird, Winter Haven police chief, in a statement. 'The decision Kenna made goes against everything the men and women of our agency stand for.' Advertisement Two US B-1B Lancer bombers flew towards the Korean Peninsula as relations with North Korea grew even more tense. The aircraft were escorted by South Korean and Japanese fighters in a show of united defiance against Kim Jong Un and his most recent nuclear threat. On Friday, the North Korean dictator relished in the successful launch of another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It spooked US defense experts who now fear the blast from such a weapon could hit major US cities. President Trump, bemoaning the apparent lack of support he is receiving from China on the subject, vowed to interfere in its trade deals with North Korea on Saturday. A US B-1 bomber (top) flies over the Korean Peninsula escorted by South Korean F-15 fighters on Sunday The two bombers are seen flying next to one another with a Japan Air Self Defense Force F-2 fighter escorting them 'I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. 'We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!' he tweeted. In a statement on Sunday after the bombers' flight, Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy said: 'North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability. 'If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing.' The bombers took off from a US Air Force base in Guam on Sunday morning. After North Korea's missile launch on Friday, the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists shared its fears that the country's latest weapon had the capacity to reach major US cities. When it launched the missile on Friday, North Korea aimed it on a high trajectory which allowed the weapon to crash in to the Sea of Japan. The ground range of the test was 6,500 miles, according to multiple agencies, and it had a flight time of around 47 minutes. The B-1B aircraft (left) took off from a US Air Force base in Guam on Sunday morning The monstrous aircraft can hold up to 75,000 lbs of weapons and has a top speed of more than 900mph. It is seen above on Sunday One of the bombers is pictured taking off from a US Air Force base in Guam accompanied by two South Korean fighters THE ROCKWELL LANCER B-1B BOMBER The B-1B bomber is manufactured by Boeing and has been used by the US Air Force since 1985. It is a long range, multi-mission bomber which has been constantly deployed in combat zones since 2001. Under the Obama administration, the aircraft landed in Guam last September as the US's fragile relationship with North Korea teetered on the edge. The B-1B can carry 75,000 lbs in its weapons hold, has a wingspan of 137ft and can hold 24 cruise missiles. It has a top speed of more than 900 mph (Mach 1.2). The bomber is 146 ft long, 34ft tall, weighs 190,000 lbs and is nicknamed 'The Bone'. It carries the largest payload of guided and unguided munitions in the entire Air Force. Its first combat use was in 1998 with Operation Desert Fox. As part of it, the bomber penetrated Iraqi air defenses to destroy Republican Guard bases. Six B-1Bs were used in Operation Allied Force in Kosovo in the late 1990s. The aircraft dropped 20 percent of the total tonnage in the conflict. Advertisement Had it been aimed on a flatter trajectory, it would have been within distance of Los Angeles (5,900 miles away), Denver (6,100 miles away) and Chicago (6,500 miles away). Previous missiles would have only reached Alaska. The missile launch was intended as a 'stern warning' that the United States would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. The test was also 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.' The launch comes less than a month after the North conducted its first ICBM test in defiance of years of efforts led by the United States, South Korea and Japan to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear weapons ambitions. On Sunday, US forces in Alaska performed a successful missile interception. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is designed to shoot down weapons that are fired from Pyongyang. The exercise had been planned for months but became all the more significant after North Korea's latest test. President Trump bemoaned China's lack of action on the matter in a string of tweets on Saturday afternoon North Korea launched an intercontinental missile on Friday (above) which US experts fear could reach major US cities including Los Angeles and Denver Trump's evening thoughts came hours after the bombshell news that his new communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, took five days to visit his newborn son at the hospital while going through a nasty divorce with his wife. Critics of the president have claimed that he uses Twitter as a distraction in order to bury bad news. In other tweets Saturday, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Republican senators and their failed effort to repeal and replace Barack Obama's health care law. He said that unless they are 'total quitters,' the effort isn't dead and concludes: 'Demand another vote before voting on any other bill!' Trump labeled the Republican lawmakers as 'fools' for failing to pass the bill that would have repealed Obamacare. He tweeted: 'Republican Senate must get rid of 60 vote NOW! It is killing the [Republican] Party, allows 8 Dems to control country. 200 Bills sit in Senate. A JOKE!' Trump was referring to the 60-vote threshold that is needed in the Senate to override a filibuster whenever discussion came up for a bill. Police have arrested a man for carrying a huge meat cleaver close to a London Underground Station. Around ten police vehicles were on the scene in minutes after responding to reports of man carrying a knife on Kensington High Street on Sunday afternoon. Shocking video by MailOnline from the scene shows the man being detained while another holds a large meat cleaver. A gloved police officers is pictured holding a large meat cleaver while the arrested man is detained by colleagues The incident happened just streets away from Kensington Palace, the official London residence of Prince William, his wife Kate and their children George and Charlotte A distressed woman can be heard shouting in the background as she is led away from the scene. The incident happened just streets away from Kensington Palace, the official London residence of Prince William, his wife Kate and their children George and Charlotte. A spokesman for the Met Police said in a statement following the incident that no one had been injured and that a man was taken into custody. The statement said: ' Police were called shortly after 15:00hrs on Sunday, 30 July to reports of a man in possession with a knife on Kensington High Street, W14. Police swooped on Kensington High Street today after receiving reports of a man carrying a large knife 'Officers attended. A man was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of an offensive weapon. 'He has been taken to a west London police station where he remains in custody. 'There were no reported injuries.' Police were seen putting the meat cleaver into a plastic container as they detained the man. Meanwhile, it was revealed last week that Prince William was quitting his ambulance job and moving his family to Kensington Palace - just down the road from the arrest - to focus full-time on his royal duties. While two officers detained the arrested man, another held a large meat cleaver while his colleague prepared to place the blade into an evidence container Piers Morgan is calling out J.K. Rowling after she hit out at President Donald Trump in a series of tweets where she blasted his apparent refusal to shake the hand of a disabled little boy. The 71-year-old Republican president had met with a group of 'victims of Obamacare' on July 24 before he gave a press conference about health care reform. The 'victims' stood behind the president on stage as he gave his speech. An edited video seemingly shows Trump taking the stage and avoiding shaking the hand of a a wheelchair-bound boy. That video has since been deleted from Twitter. That clip sent Rowling on a Twitter rant about the 'stunning moment' where she alleged that the president avoided the little boy. Scroll down for video Piers Morgan is calling out J.K. Rowling after she hit out at President Donald Trump in a series of tweets where she blasted the president after seeing an edited video that attempts to show Trump refusing to shake the hand of a disabled boy But in the real, unedited clip shared by the White House, Trump is scene greeting the little boy (above) before starting a press conference on Obamacare. That edited video clip sent Rowling on a Twitter rant where she alleged that the president avoided the little boy (pictured right) Rowling sent a series of tweets blasting Trump after sharing an edited video that seemingly shows Trump avoiding shaking the hand of a a wheelchair-bound boy at a press conference last week. The edited video has since been taken off of Twitter 'Trump imitated a disabled reporter,' she tweeted to her 11 million followers. 'Now he pretends not to see a child in a wheelchair, as though frightened he might catch his condition. '(Unless related to him by ties of blood, and therefore his creations) are tread with contempt, because they do not resemble Trump,' she continued. The 51-year-old stated that her mother used a wheelchair before adding: So yes, that clip of Trump looking deliberately over a disabled child's head, ignoring his outstretched hand, has touched me on the raw. 'That man occupies the most powerful office in the free world and his daily outrages against civilised (sic) norms are having a corrosive effect. Piers Morgan is now calling Rowling out for not apologizing or deleted her tweets, which are still on her account as of Sunday 1.30pm (EST) 'How stunning, and how horrible, that Trump cannot bring himself to shake the hand of a small boy who only wanted touch the President,' Rowling concluded. The footage Rowling retweeted appeared to show Trump ignoring the child, but Morgan found the actual, unedited video that shows Trump greeting the child first. The 52-year-old British journalist and host of Good Morning Britain took to Twitter to call Rowling out for failing to apologize for her tweets, which now seem to be based on incorrect information. 'So @JK_rowling's been back on Twitter but neither deleted, nor apologised (sic) for, this disgraceful lie. Her Trump-loathing knows no honesty,' Morgan tweeted. The 52-year-old British journalist and host of Good Morning Britain even tweeted Rowling the photos of Trump greeting the little boy. He asked, 'Why won't she delete & apologise (sic)?' He later tweeted that Rowling has been active on Twitter but 'neither deleted, nor apologised (sic) for this disgraceful lie. Her Trump-loathing knows no honesty' He added: 'JK Rowling, in eight tweets, raged that Trump snubbed a disabled boy. This is Trump greeting that boy. Why won't she delete and apologise(sic)?' Morgan also called out Chelsea Clinton on Twitter questioning why she hadn't undone her retweet of 'Rowling's lie'. 'Yes, good point. Why have you not undone your retweet of this lie, @chelseclinton?,' he tweeted along the a screen grab showing that she had retweeted Rowling. Clinton replied back to Morgan on Twitter and wrote: 'Hello Piers-I hadn't seen the full video until now. I removed the retweet. And, the President should have shaken the boy's hand at the end.' Morgan also called out Chelsea Clinton for retweeting Rowling's messages Clinton responded to Morgan and removed the retweet before stating: 'And the President should have shaken the boy's hand at the end.' Morgan fired back at Clinton with a screen grab of what the boy's mother thought of the situation He responded to her and wrote: 'Thank you, Chelsea. That is the right thing to do. Over to you, @jk_rowling...' Morgan added: 'As for your suggestion President Trump should have shaken the boy's hand in the 2nd clip, @chelseaclinton - Monty's mum says this:' He then shared a screen grab of a Facebook post where a woman, who claims to be the child's mother said: 'Uummmmm.....If someone can please get a message to JK Rowling: Trump didn't snub my son & Monty wasn't even trying to shake his hand (1. He's 3 and hand shaking is not his thing 2. he was showing off his newly acquired secret service patch). Thanks.' Morgan isn't the only one to call Rowling out over her tweets on Sunday. CNN's Brian Stelter tweeted her and said: 'Why hasn't @JK_rowling corrected her bogus tweets about this?' Advertisement The Duke of Cambridge last night led official commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. William spoke at the Menin Gate monument in Ypres, Belgium, as the daily Last Post was played ahead of today's centenary of the start of the bloody First World War British assault. Flanked by the Duchess of Cambridge and Philippe and Mathilde, the King and Queen of the Belgians, he said Britain and Belgium 'stand together' to remember those killed during weeks of heavy fighting in the summer and autumn of 1917. From left: Theresa May, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, King Philippe (third right) and Queen Mathilde (second right) watch as the poppies fall from the roof of the Menin Gate The British and Belgian royals chatted animatedly as they left the ceremony marking the centenary of the bloody battle William arrived looking smart in a royal blue suit, poppy and medals, with Kate looking resplendent in an ivory coat dress with matching hat and grey suede court shoes The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined the Belgian royal family to mark 100 years since Battle of Passchendaele Theresa May, who is currently enjoying a three week holiday, arrived at Menin Gate for the 100th Anniversary The King and Queen of the Belgians, Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde, arriving at the commemoration service Watched by some 200 descendants of those who fought, he said: 'Today, the Menin Gate records almost 54,000 names of the men who did not return home; the missing with no known grave. 'Members of our families; our regiments; our nations; all sacrificed everything for the lives we live today.' He added: 'During the First World War Britain and Belgium stood shoulder to shoulder. One hundred years on, we still stand together, gathering as so many do every night, in remembrance of that sacrifice.' The Duchess of Cambridge arrived wearing a white Alexander McQueen coat-dress, and wore a white hat by Lock & Co with her hair in a chignon bun. She accessorised with a pair of grey pumps and matching clutch bag, finishing the look with pearl earrings and a pearl brooch. She first debuted the McQueen coat-dress at Princess Charlotte's christening, while the Lock & Co hat is a reprisal from her Trooping the Colour appearance in 2015. The Duchess wore a similar outfit when she met the Belgian King and Queen in 2014. The Duchess of Cambridge arrived wearing a white Alexander McQueen coat-dress - which she first debuted at Princess Charlotte's christening in 2015 (right) People were treated to the stunning sight of Cloth Hall in Ypres lit up during the evening performances Testimony from Allied and German soldiers was also projected onto the side of the imposing Cloth Hall At a performance in the Market Square of Ypres, Dame Helen Mirren gave a poignant reading Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon arrived at Market Square in Ypres for the Cloth Hall Light Show Theresa May with Queen Mathilde of Belgium in Cloth Hall for the event which told the story of the four years of war on the Salient The Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Mathilde were talking animatedly as they left the Last Post ceremony (First row, from left) Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe of Belgium arrive at the Last Post ceremony William said Britain and Belgium 'stand together' to remember those killed during weeks of heavy fighting in the summer and autumn of 1917 The Duchess of Cambridge arrived wearing a white Alexander McQueen coat-dress, and wore a white hat by Locke with her hair in a chignon bun Queen Mathilde dazzled in a silk grey dress with a lace overlay, teamed with grey suede gloves and a stunning hat The Duchess of Cambridge and the Prime Minister beamed as they arrived before standing in solemn silence as they paid tribute to the tens of thousands killed in one of the First World War's bloodiest battles Watched by some 200 descendants of those who fought, William said: 'Members of our families; our regiments; our nations; all sacrificed everything for the lives we live today' Queen Mathilde of Belgium joined thousands of relatives of soldiers who fought at the Battle of Passchendaele A sombrely dressed Prime Minister Theresa May went to Belgium to start the two-day commemoration of the brutal battle The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pictured with Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence (right) The Duke of Cambridge placed an arm on his wife's back as they left the ceremony following his moving speech The congregation attend the Last Post ceremony, which has taken place every night since 1928 Some four thousand people listened to Sunday's poignant Last Post, the 30,752nd time it has been played since 1928 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde make their way out of the Last Post ceremony The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Theresa May and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon are to attend events in and around Ypres to commemorate the centenary of the 1917 battle The Prime Minister wore a speckled blue blazer, a feathered hat and a dash of makeup, her skin appeared to glow. She returns from her holidays on August 14 Prince William and King Philippe: The Royals also later attended a performance in the Market Square of Ypres with readings from stars including Dame Helen Mirren and War Horse author Michael Morpurgo Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence - a retired British naval officer and the second husband of Princess Anne, and Prince William, right, wore jackets emblazoned with their service medals Kate stood between William and a more somberly dressed Prime Minister Theresa May. They watched as thousands of paper poppy petals, one for every name on the Menin Gate, fluttered to earth from the roof above the gathered crowd. They included some 200 descendants of those who fought at Passchendaele. Four thousand people were chosen by a ballot to attend events in Ypres on Sunday and the larger event centres on nearby Tyne Cot military cemetery on Monday. Sunday's poignant Last Post was the 30,752nd time it has been played since 1928. The towering Menin Gate in the Belgian town is covered with the names of 54,391 British dead who have no known grave, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In just over three months of conflict there were more than half a million casualties - 325,000 Allied soldiers and 260,000 to 400,000 Germans - in the Belgian battlefields. It was fought between July 31 and November 10 1917 in battlefields that were summed up in poet Siegfried Sassoon's line 'I died in hell, they called it Passchendaele'. Those who fought there included Harry Patch, the 'Last Tommy' who died aged 111 in 2009. The Duke - wearing a poppy and his medals - told the crowd: With the sounding of this bugle call, the two hundred and fifty thousand British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed on the Ypres Salient during the First World War are remembered' The Duchess of Cambridge took the time to talk with descendants of those who fought in World War One King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium were a picture of elegance as they arrived in Cloth Hall Refreshed from her holiday, the PM she joined the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to mark the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium, and laid a wreath A short walk away from Menin Gate, Ypres' medieval Cloth Hall, which was rebuilt from ruins after the war, was illuminated Security personnel monitor the street below from a rooftop as the royal families made their way across the city There was excitement and quiet contemplation among members of the public as they joined in the event A specially written piece by War Horse author Michael Morpurgo told the story of the harrowing war, which cost the lives of tens of thousands The wreath placed by Prince William at the Menin Gate, in which he paid tribute to those who fought for their country The duchess also spoke to Scottish singer-songwriter Davy Holt, who found out 10 years ago that his great uncle John Kimm is remembered on the Menin Gate William and the king of Belgium laid wreaths at the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres which bears the names of more than 54,000 fallen soldiers aged between 15 and 60 who have no known grave The Duchess of Cambridge in her white Alexander McQueen coat-dress, and white hat by Locke with her hair in a chignon bun. She accessorised with a pair of grey pumps and matching clutch bag, finishing the look with pearl earrings and a pearl brooch A sniper sat atop of the Menin Gate as members of the royal family and dignitaries from around the world arrived Belgian Armed Forces are seen on the roof of the Menin Gate before the Last Post ceremony In all, 325,000 Allied soldiers and 260,000 Germans were killed or wounded in the battle, officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, in the West Flanders region of northern Belgium in 1917 The evening rounded off with performances in Ypres's Grote Markt square, which features Dame Helen Mirren and journalist Ian Hislop Performances and music were set to a backdrop of incredible light projections on the grand Cloth Hall The silhouettes of soldiers were beamed on to the hall, in remembrance of some 325,000 Allied troops who were killed As events centred around the hall, there was quiet contemplation from the thousands who had gathered to pay tribute The battle, fought near Ypres between July 31 and November 10, 1917, saw 325,000 Allied soldiers and 260,000 Germans killed or wounded Later in the evening there was an outdoor performance telling the story of four years of war and the lives lost in battle The royals and Mrs May later attended a brief reception at Ypres Cloth Hall, meeting relatives of those killed in the battle. The duchess spoke to Scottish singer-songwriter Davy Holt, who found out 10 years ago that his great uncle John Kimm is remembered on the Menin Gate. Mr Holt, from Inverness, who wrote a song about his relative called Hero Of Your Time, said: 'She asked me what his story had done for me. 'I couldn't really understand why my family has spent 90 years not talking about it. 'I decided I would talk about it, and do so by writing a song.' The evening rounded off with performances in Ypres's Grote Markt square, which features Dame Helen Mirren and journalist Ian Hislop, who introduced a sketch from his First World War play The Wipers Times. Testimony from Allied and German soldiers was also projected onto the side of the imposing Cloth Hall. Police have shot dead an elementary school teacher armed with a knife, and accidentally shot a fellow officer in the chaos. Brian J. Skinner's boyfriend had called the cops from the basement of their New York state home on Friday, to report a a 'domestic incident' involving a gun. When police arrived at the property in Pashley Road, Glenville they saw 'movement in the house' before Skinner suddenly 'emerged from the front door and charged officers with a weapon', Glenville Police Chief Stephen Janik said. The 32-year-old was gunned down and died at the scene. Cops later determined that weapon was a knife. In the chaos, officer Benjamin Ferretti was shot and injured by a fellow cop. He was airlifted to a hospital where he underwent surgery but is expected to recover, News 10 reports. In the chaos, officer Benjamin Ferretti (pictured) was shot and injured by a fellow cop Brian J. Skinner's boyfriend had called the cops from the basement of their New York state home (pictured) on Friday, saying that Skinner was walking around with a gun Emergency crews arrived at the scene after Skinner charged at police with a knife The State Police said no one else was found in the residence. It is unclear where Skinner's boyfriend was at the time. 'There were no other individuals located at the residence at the time of the incident and no evidence was discovered to indicate a domestic dispute had taken place,' the State Police said in the statement late Saturday. The 32-year-old was gunned down and died at the scene. Cops later determined that weapon was a knife Officer Benjamin Ferretti was shot and injured by a fellow cop. Pictured officers blocked off the road after the shootings Skinner, a fifth grade teacher at Orenda Elementary School, in the Shenendehowa School District. 'We are saddened to report that Orenda fifth-grade teacher Brian Skinner was killed last night in an engagement with law enforcement at his home,' the school said in a statement. 'The incident had nothing to do with his role as a teacher at Shenendehowa and is still under investigation by the Glenville Police Department.' Friends and neighbors of Skinner were still in shock over the news. 'I'm just shocked because the guy was very quiet and he didn't bother anybody,' said John Flower, who's lived in the home across the street from Skinner for decades. A man has taken slacklining to the extreme by performing a handstand between two cable cars. Samuel Volery, 33, performed the stunt at the annual Highline Extreme event in Moleson, a tourist mountain in his home country of Switzerland. Samuel, who attended the event with his friend Louise Lenoble, 25, a fellow slacklining enthusiast, said: 'It was always my dream to walk between cable cars, as it feels much more exposed than just walking normal highlines. Daredevil: Samuel Volery, 33 does a handstand between two cable cars on the mountain of Moleson in Switzerland. He said: 'It was the first handstand and the steepest highline ever walked. It was great fun!' Many people would have safety concerns about such a dangerous hobby but Samuel has no worries when it comes to stepping out on the line. Pictured: Samuel walking the slackline 'It is also an interesting challenge to deal with the additional movements of the cars. 'So once we got permission to do it I couldn't resist anymore. 'Louise didn't know anything about slacklining until a year ago, but from that moment on she knew that she wanted to walk in the skies.' Samuel is so passionate about his hobby that he set up Slacktivity, a company that produces slack lines. Samuel (pictured) said: 'It was always my dream to walk between cable cars, as it feels much more exposed than just walking normal highlines' Samuel said: 'Louise didn't know anything about slacklining until a year ago, but from that moment on she knew that she wanted to walk in the skies.' Pictured: Louise Lenoble, 25 walks a slackline between two cable cars Breathtaking: The stunning images were captured by Martin Knobel, a professional photographer from Switzerland. Pictured: Louise Lenoble walks the slackline Many people would have safety concerns about such a dangerous hobby but Samuel has no worries when it comes to stepping out on the line. He said: 'There hasn't been a serious accident in highlining in many years, so this sport is not considered to be very dangerous, as long as we are secured. 'It is much harder to walk that steep. I almost started sliding down at the end of the line. I have to be careful not to tumble backwards.' The stunning images were captured by Martin Knobel, a professional photographer from Switzerland. Seafood processed at Ngo Quyen Export JSC in Kien Giang for export to Australia. (Source: VNA) The ASEAN-Australia- New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), which took effect from January 1st, 2010, plays a key role in enhancing economic relations, trade and investment between ASEAN and Australia and New Zealand, Nam said. Within the agreement framework, ASEAN countries can enjoy 90 to 100 percent tariff reductions in Australian and New Zealand markets, and Vietnamese firms should take full advantage of this potential, he said. He noted that Australia and New Zealand were among the biggest importers in the world since both economies are largely dependent on imported products. Vietnams chief exports to these two markets include agricultural products, seafood, coffee beans, cashews, electronics parts, textiles, footwear and construction material. If the AANZFTA was utilized well, Vietnamese producers could enjoy all the privileges contained therein, boosting export turnover and earning handsome profits, Nam said. Statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade showed that trade between Vietnam and Australia hit USD5.26 billion in 2016, up 6.5 percent year-on-year. Particularly, Vietnam enjoyed trade surplus of USD480 million with Australia in the year. According to Phan Thi Dieu Linh, expert from the Department of Asia-Pacific Market, although Australian consumers are favoured of locals products, they are still open with imported ones, which have high quality, good looking and rational prices. This factor also facilitates Vietnamese exports, she underlined. Meanwhile, Trinh Thi Thu Hien from the Foreign Trade Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, stated that there is large room for Vietnamese shipments to Australia as export revenue is still humble, standing at 1.6 percent of total export values in Australia. Hien said that the AANZFTA is being carried out in the context of deeper regional and global integration which supports the development in Vietnam-Australia and New Zealand relations. Domestic businesses should apply international standards to meet increasing demands of foreign customers and become more competitive with foreign rivals, she highlighted./. This is the astonishing moment highway robbers risk their lives to board a moving lorry in a daring raid of the kind seen in the first Fast and Furious film. The Romanian gang used harnesses and chainsaws to force their way into the back of trucks after driving up to within inches of them and levering a daredevil acrobat onto the bonnet of their 4x4. Footage of their raids in the Madrid region of Spain, show them speeding up right behind a vehicle so the driver can't see them in his wing mirrors and getting to work as he motors unawares along a busy main road with constant passing traffic. Footage of their raids in the Madrid region of Spain, show them speeding up right behind a vehicle so the driver can't see them in his wing mirrors and getting to work as he motors unawares along a busy main road with constant passing traffic One of the men appears to hold the lead robber as he perches precariously on the bonnet of the assault vehicle and at one point in the video it gets so close to the truck in front, it appears to bump it from behind. The method they employed, calling 'surfing' by Spanish police, was the same one used by Vin Diesel's crew in the first Fast and Furious film starring late Hollywood star Paul Walker. Detectives arrested the gang, composed of ten Romanians, at a villa in Becerril de la Sierra near Madrid. Around 2,500 pounds, walkie-talkies and harnesses, slings, gloves, chainsaws and other material they used for their raids, were seized. One of the men appears to hold the lead robber as he perches precariously on the bonnet of the assault vehicle and at one point in the video it gets so close to the truck in front, it appears to bump it from behind More than 400 phones worth nearly 200,000 were taken in the first raid alone but later recovered by police. Pictured: CCTV footage shows the car approaching the truck The gang has been blamed for two raids, one in February and one earlier this month, in which hundreds of mobile phones worth hundreds of thousands of pounds were stolen. More than 400 phones worth nearly 200,000 were taken in the first raid alone but later recovered by police. The criminals are said to have used the rural property where they were detained as a temporary base and are thought to have been planning to return to Romania after their second raid to avoid being detected. A spokesman for Spain's National Police confirmed: 'We have arrested a gang specialising in robbing lorries using the so-called 'surfing' method. 'Ten people have been arrested in Becerril de la Sierra in the Madrid region. The vehicles targeted were transporting mobile phones and always covered the same route, police said. Pictured: A gang member leans over the bonnet of the car to break into the truck 'The vehicles targeted were transporting mobile phones and always covered the same route. 'The investigation began at the end of February when a lorry was targeted on a road in the Madrid region while it was moving. 'The driver didn't stop at any point and only realised his load had been stolen when he reached his destination and prepared to unload.' The other crime they have been accused of happened on July 22. The police spokesman added: 'The modus operandi used by these criminals consisted of raiding lorries while they were still moving. 'Three cars are necessary, one of which had to have a sunroof. 'With this method, this vehicle goes up right behind the back of the lorry and the raiders climb out via the sunroof with the aid of harnesses and slings. 'Once the truck security seals have been broken, the criminals climb into the back of the lorry and empty its load without the driver realising.' Three Tennessee deputies have been suspended for repeatedly tasering an 18-year-old suspect while he was restrained, according to the teen's lawsuit. Jordan Elias Norris, now 19, claims he suffered more than 40 pairs of taser burns after he was arrested and held at Cheatham County Jail for drugs and weapons offences last November. He has since filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court accusing the deputies of using excessive force, failure to protect and deprivation of civil rights. Shocking footage appears to show one of the officers repeatedly using a taser on Norris while he was bound to a chair. Scroll down for video Three deputies have been suspended for allegedly, repeatedly tasering an 18-year-old while he was restrained (pictured, one officer holds the taser to Jordan Elias Norris's chest while the sound of the stun gun being discharged in audible on the surveillance video ) The lawsuit states that Norris was repeatedly tasered while in bound to the restraining chair 'I'll keep on doing that until I run out of batteries,' the officer is heard telling Norris in the jail surveillance footage. The surveillance also shows the deputy telling him to 'stop resisting,' while stunning Norris, who automatically tenses in pain. The deputy went onto to stun Norris 'four times totaling approximately fifty seconds on his stomach and legs,' according to the suit, obtained by the Tennessean. The suit adds the deputy involved acted in a 'sadistic and malicious nature in repeatedly tasing Plaintiff Norris, such that the force was unreasonable.' Three Cheatham County Sheriff's deputies - the one using the taser and two who stood by and failed to act - have now been placed on administrative leave. None have been named. Cheatham County Sheriff Mike Breedlove says he is examining the office's Use of Force policy and has contacted the District Attorney General Ray Crouch Jr. to request an independent investigation. Norris, (in his mugshot) now 19, claims he suffered more than 40 pairs of taser burns after he was arrested and held at Cheatham County Jail for drugs and weapons offences last November 'I'll keep on doing that until I run out of batteries,' an officer is heard telling Norris in the jail surveillance footage 'As Sheriff, I want our citizens to know that any inappropriate behavior that may have violated an individual's rights will not be tolerated,' he said. 'I have placed the employees involved on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted. We will work closely and cooperatively with the TBI and District Attorney's Office to ensure all facts are provided and all angles of this incident are thoroughly investigated.' Norris was arrested November 3, 2016, for felony manufacturing/possession of marijuana for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft under $500 and five counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, vandalism of over $1,000 and simple assault. He was in jail for almost two weeks before he was bonded out on November 16. When he was released, he had around 40 pairs of taser burns throughout his body, according to the suit. Use of Force reports filed by deputies, report that Norris was first stunned while in booking. They claim he resisted efforts to cuff him, so he was stunned and taken to a restraint chair The suit adds the deputy involved acted in a 'sadistic and malicious nature in repeatedly tasing Plaintiff Norris, such that the force was unreasonable' 'Most of the taser burns sustained by Plaintiff Norris are not accounted for by the Use of Force Reports and video clips received from the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office, raising further questions and creating a reasonable belief that Plaintiff Norris was also repeatedly tased on other occasions without proper justification,' said the suit. Use of Force reports filed by deputies, report that Norris was stunned while in booking after they thought he might start a fight with another inmate. They claim he resisted efforts to cuff him, so he was stunned and taken to a restraint chair. The report reveals they stunned him again for resisting as he was put in the chair. Deputies say he was in the chair for three hours, during which time he was shouting he wanted to die, the Use of Force report reveals. A report reveals that officers stunned him multiple times that evening at 10.20pm, on November 5, for 'compliance' to transport him to a vehicle to take him to jail. He was stunned 15 minutes later, for 'one second on the calf' in another attempt to transfer him to the vehicle, another report reveals. The lawsuit, which is seeking unspecified damages, claims that these reports do not reflect the 'unreasonable, unnecessary, excessive' use of force used against a young suspect who was suffering a mental health episode. General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy called North Korea 'the most urgent threat' A top US general has called North Korea 'the most urgent threat to regional stability' following the rogue regime's second ICBM test. 'If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing,' General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, said Saturday. 'Diplomacy remains the lead. However, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario,' O'Shaughnessy said. The general's remarks came as the US flew two B-1 supersonic heavy bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un laughs as he reviews the results of a missile test earlier this year. The regime on Friday tested a missile apparently capable of reaching the US mainland The Friday launch of a Hwasong-14 is believed to be seen in this photo from the North Korean government. O'Shaughnessy said the US is 'planning for the worst-case scenario' The bombers were escorted by South Korean fighter jets as they performed a low-pass over an air base near the South Korean capital of Seoul before returning to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the US Pacific Air Forces said in a statement. It said the mission was a response to North Korea's two ICBM tests this month. North Korea on Friday tested a Hwasong-14 for the second time this month, reaching an altitude and distance in the test that defense experts believe indicate the missile could reach the continental United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago. That would leave North Korea only the technical challenge of miniaturizing a nuclear warhead that could withstand reentry in order to back leader Kim Jong Un's incessant nuclear threats against the US. A US Air Force B-1B Lancer is seen in a Friday show of force overflight of the Korean Peninsula US Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday during a visit to Estonia that the US and its allies plan to increase pressure on North Korea to end its nuclear program. 'The continued provocations by the rogue regime in North Korea are unacceptable and the United States of America is going to continue to marshal the support of nations across the region and across the world to further isolate North Korea economically and diplomatically,' Pence said. 'But the era of strategic patience is over.' 'The president of the United States is leading a coalition of nations to bring pressure to bear until that time that North Korea will permanently abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile program,' Pence said. British punk rocker-turned jihadi widow Sally Jones has desperately tried to flee Syria but has been stopped by her brainwashed 12-year-old son. Jones, 50, from Kent, is said to be keen to run away from Raqqa as coalition forces prepare an assault on the ISIS-held area. However, her son Jo-Jo has committed himself to the terrorists' cause and is refusing to leave. An unnamed friend told the Sun: 'Jo-Jo was just an ordinary kid when she took him away from his home in Kent. Punk rocked-turned jihadi widow Sally Jones has desperately tried to flee Syria but has been stopped by her brainwashed 12-year-old son Jo-Jo (pictured together) Jones, a 49-year-old mother-of-two from Kent, is considered to be a 'high priority' for assassination in Syria This young British boy was featured in the latest ISIS propaganda video believed to have been filmed in Raqqa which showed five children murder captured Kurdish fighters in cold blood The youngster, pictured, was captioned on the horrific video as Abu Abdullah al-Britani - son of Abudullah the Briton - and security services are currently trying to identify the youngster 'She ruined all of that by fleeing with him.' Jo-Jo is believed to be the blue-eyed British boy filmed murdering a captured Kurdish fighter last year. The nine-minute horror show shows youngsters, including a blue eyed British boy believed to be Jo-Jo, shoot the men in the back of the head. It was revealed earlier this month that Jones is desperate to come home after her husband Junaid Hussain was killed in a drone strike. The Kent mother was put on the Pentagon's kill list because the couple were responsible for planning a dozen terror plots. One foiled plot hatched by the pair involved kidnapping a former US soldier and beheading him on camera. Another plan was to be carried out by a teenager shooting at hundreds of people at a nightclub or concert. The mother-of-two, who lives on benefits while in the UK, was the lead guitarist in an all-girl rock band called Krunch during the early 1990s. The band played a series of gigs in the South East The failed punk rocker's extremist husband Junaid Hussain (pictured), a computer hacker from Birmingham, was wiped out by an American drone strike in Raqqa in 2015 Jones, 50, who once played in a female punk band, ran away from her home in Chatham, Kent, to wage jihad with her toyboy husband in Raqqa, Syria, the terror group's de facto capital. An ISIS video emerged of the mother-of-two leading members of the al-Khanssaa Brigade - the all-women army set up by ISIS - in a series of chants expressing the fighters' commitment to jihad. Sally Jones (pictured) has shot up the Pentagon's kill list The convert has previously hinted that she might fancy becoming a suicide bomber herself, writing earlier: 'I know what I'm doing. Paradise has a price and I hope this will be the price for Paradise'. It is believed that Jones recruited dozens of women to ISIS via social media before her accounts were shut down. She fled the UK with Jo-jo, who she now calls Hamza, while her 18-year-old son was left behind. Since then, Jones has posted a series of chilling threats on social networking sites. She also posed for photos with an AK-47, while dressed in black with her face veiled. After her husband's death, it is thought she received a monthly salary from ISIS of 520, plus a bonus of more than 200 every couple of months for being the widow of a 'shahid' or martyr. According to one activist she is yet to remarry because 'she is considered old and ISIS fighters prefer young girls.' The former lead guitarist - who spent a lifetime on state benefits while living in the UK - also ranted online about how she wanted to behead Christians with a 'blunt knife'. Using the pseudonym Umm Hussain al-Britani, she also abused Jews and praised Osama bin Laden. Her family has previously said they are deeply shocked by her conversion to radical Islam. She has previously posted a series of chilling threats on social networking sites and posed for photos with an AK-47, while dressed in black with her face veiled In charge: Sally Jones, 45, a former punk rocker who fled the UK to join ISIS militants, is believed to have been filmed leading an all-women brigade of terrorists in a hate-filled chanting session in Syria In the footage, a woman thought to be the former lead guitarist is seen leading the female militia as they march single-file along a dusty road, waving their AK-47s in the air In the early 1990s she was the lead guitarist in an all-girl rock band called Krunch who played a series of gigs in the South East. A clip of one of her performances posted online shows her with a shock of blonde hair and wearing a leather mini-skirt. Meanwhile, Jones's husband Hussain was the leader of a computer hacking group known as Team Poison. He fled Britain while on police bail suspected of violent disorder in Birmingham. He was also jailed for six months in 2012 for stealing sensitive information from an aide of Tony Blair and blocking a government anti-terrorist hotline with prank calls. He was eviscerated by a drone two years ago. Edward Hanania, 22, has been charged with animal cruelty after throwing two poodles off a fifth-floor parking garage A man who posed as the owner of two small dogs, paid a reward to the person who found them and then threw them off the top of a five-story parking garage has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges. Edward Hanania, 23, was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for felony aggravated animal cruelty in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn, Illinois. Hanania will serve a concurrent six year prison sentence for violating his probation on an unrelated drug conviction, Cook County State's Attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said. 'I would say that justice was served,' Oak Lawn police Chief Randy Palmer told the Daily Southtown in reaction to the verdict. Prosecutors said Hanania pretended he was the owner of two poodles who were found wandering the streets in Chicago, Illinois in May. Angel, the 14-month-old pooch survived as she fell on a grass patch but suffered a broken leg and bruised lungs Investigators believe Hanania threw the dogs off the fifth floor of Advocate Christ Medical Center (pictured) after the real owner came forward He claimed to be the dogs' owner after a Good Samartian posted pictures of the two poodles to say they had found them on a local Facebook page. The 'troubled' student gave the woman who found them a $20 reward and snatched the dogs - but hurled them off the fifth floor of a hospital parking garage a day later. Angel, the 14-month-old pooch survived as she fell on a grass patch but suffered a broken leg and bruised lungs. The traumatized dog had a pin put in his leg in two places during surgery on Tuesday and is said to be recovering well, KFOR reported. Her six-year-old father Garo sadly died after falling onto the concrete sidewalk. Investigators believe Hanania threw the dogs off the fifth floor after the real owner, an older man, turned up a shortly after with official documents to claim them. 'Troubled' student Hanania pretended to be the owner of Angel (pictured) and her father Garo and gave the woman who them a $20 reward The owner is now said to be heartbroken over what happened to his pets after they escaped from his home. Prosecutors said hospital surveillance video shows a man pulling to the top of the parking deck, climbing from his car, looking over the ledge before walking back to the vehicle before the animals were thrown to the ground. The case was closely followed by animal welfare advocates, who showed up to each of Hanania's court appearances and held a rally. 'I think our presence played a part in it, I really do,' said Peggy O'Leary, one of the activists. 'The state's attorney came out last time and talked to us and said the judge was aware we were here keeping tabs on this guy.' A family of alleged extremists are accused of planning an ISIS-inspired plot to bring down a commercial plane by gassing passengers before detonating a bomb made out of a meat mincer. Two Lebanese-Australian father and son teams were reportedly the four men arrested after dramatic raids across Sydney on Saturday afternoon. While the full extent of the alleged conspiracy is not yet known, the men may have planned to detonate a homemade bomb on a flight from Sydney to the Middle East, possibly Dubai, according to Seven News. They allegedly planned to gas passengers aboard an aircraft in a plan orchestrated by ISIS militants in Syria, The Australian reported. The paper was told the four, who are all related, allegedly made a 'non-traditional' device designed to kill passengers with a sulphur-based gas. A kitchen mincer is believed to be among the everyday items the alleged attackers used to form a lethal device, according to the Herald Sun. The apparatus was reportedly 'ready to go' as counter-terrorism police stormed properties across the city's west and inner-east. Scroll down for video Two father and son duos are reportedly the four men accused of plotting to bring down a plane departing from Sydney with a homemade bomb. Pictured: One of the men detained by police One of the accused is pictured with a bandaged head following his arrest on Saturday night Australian Federal Police at the check-in at Sydney Airport on Sunday as part of heightened security measures across the country Police standing by at Sydney Airport following the dramatic raids on Saturday afternoon The accused, whose names are known to Daily Mail Australia but not yet confirmed by police, were arrested in the simultaneous raids. Australian Federal Police, ASIO and NSW Police jointly carried out the operation on Saturday in Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl. One of the men was reportedly dragged from his Lakemba home wearing only a towel, while his father was arrested at a property in neighbouring Punchbowl. The other father and son duo are understood to have been arrested in separate raids. Counter terrorism police (pictured) stormed four Sydney properties and arrested four men including one man (pictured) at Surry Hills after being alerted to an alleged plot to bring down an plane with a 'bomb' Police are seen continuing their investigations in the aftermath of the Sydney terror raids Long queues and waits were expected following a thwarted alleged terror threat on Saturday The counter-terror raid in Surry Hills (pictured) took place just metres from the Redfern Mosque (pictured) One man draped in a bed sheet with a heavily-bandaged head was seen being led into an ambulance outside a Surry Hills property. The man appeared to be distressed and bleeding as he walked to a waiting ambulance, Nine News reported. He could be heard saying 'they bashed me.' When asked by who, he answered 'police'. When asked why he was being arrested, the man mumbled 'I don't know nothing'. Shocked neighbours have said the family living in the property were 'perfectly nice and normal people'. 'We knew them to say hello to and they seemed nice,' said one woman, who didn't want to be identified. The woman, who lives at the back of the property, said an elderly couple lived in the home and had adult children. AUSTRALIAN TERROR PLOT FOILED: THE ALLEGATIONS What was the plot? The group allegedly planned to use an improvised device to bring down a commercial plane in an Islamist-inspired conspiracy. Police say they have limited information so far about the date, location or specific strategy involved. What happened during the raids? NSW and Federal Police swooped on five properties in the Sydney suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl on Saturday afternoon and found a 'considerable' amount of material. But police won't say if they discovered an actual explosive device. Could it have happened? AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said they treated the plot as credible and there was an intention and 'quite possibly a capability' to carry it out. However, he also said there was no reason to believe security at Australian airports has been jeopardised. What happens now? The arrested men haven't yet been charged. Police say their searches at four of the properties are ongoing and could take 'many more days' as they gather enough evidence to support charges. What's changing at airports? Travellers have been told to arrive two hours earlier to make allowances for increased scrutiny. They may notice "intensified" security procedures, but some bolstered arrangements will happen behind the scenes. Travellers have also been asked to limit baggage to make things easier. Advertisement Forensic teams (pictured) and the bomb squad attended the scene during the Surry Hills raid Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has told the public not to panic and to inform police (pictured) of any suspicious activity Police said raids took place in the suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Punchbowl, and Wiley Park Residents living near the Surry Hills home, just metres from the Redfern Mosque, were evacuated while the bomb squad worked to remove the 'explosive device'. One neighbour of a man arrested in Wiley Park told The Daily Telegraph the accused would nurture stray cats in the area. 'He and his brother would feed about 15 cats and when we complained that they were bringing ticks and diseases into the block, they would walk off,' they said. Relatives of two of the accused spoke out following the arrests, saying they 'love Australia'. The four men arrested for their alleged role in the conspiracy can be detained for up to a week while investigators comb through evidence. A magistrate ruled police can hold the men for an 'additional period of detention' under the Crimes Act while investigations continue. 'This recognises that terrorism investigations are inherently complex and that there can be legitimate reasons for extended periods of detention for suspects in such matters,' an AFP statement said. Airports across Australia are experiencing long queues, with frustrated travellers vented their anger on social media Passengers waiting after long queues formed following heightened security at airports Police on the scene in the Lakemba area following the aftermath of the Sydney terror raids which resulted in four arrests A number of 'items of interest' were seized in the raids and searches continued on Sunday, with AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin suggesting they may take 'many more days'. The plan involved an improvised device and was Islamist-inspired, he added. 'We've taken this threat very seriously,' Mr Colvin said. 'You should infer that we think this was credible and there was an intention, and there was quite possibly a capability as well.' Airports across Australia are experiencing long queues after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned of heightened security measures across the nation. He said the raids were a 'major joint counter-terrorism operation' and reminded the Australian people 'the threat of terrorism is very real'. 'The office of transport security has advised security screening will take longer, and travellers should arrive at terminals at least two hours before flights to allow ample time for screening,' he said on Sunday. Travellers turned to social media posting photos of massive queues leading into customs at Sydney Airport and passengers tweeting to not underestimate the wait. 'Not sure I agree with the ''creation'' of a mass gathering ''before'' security screening -closed screening stations,' one traveller tweeted. Police officers continue their investigation in Lakemba following raids on Saturday afternoon Police found an 'explosive device' and part of Cleveland Street (pictured) in Surry Hills was cordoned off 'Long queues at Sydney Airport - paranoid security state in full regalia,' another wrote. Some passengers were warning others to add an extra 30 minute travel time onto the already extended period. 'T3 Sydney airport a mess. If you are flying come very early,' another social media user wrote. Prime Minister Turnbull reiterated the raids were aimed at stopping an alleged terror plot to 'bring down' a plane and said security screening will take longer over the coming days. 'Some of the measures will be obvious to the public, some will not be - those travelling should go about their business with confidence,' Mr Turnbull said. Police are pictured as they continue their investigations into the terror raids on Sunday Australian Federal Police are pictured on Sunday in the aftermath of the Sydney terror raids Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin (pictured) said details of the alleged terror plot are still emerging 'The office of transport security has advised security screening will take longer, and travellers should arrive at terminals at least two hours before flights to allow ample time for screening. 'They should limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage, as this will help to ensure that security screening is efficient.' Virgin Australia released a statement on the extra security. 'Passengers should arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow time for security screening,' the statement read. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) said for those travelling on planes to allow extra time for heightened security measures on Sunday Australian Federal Police are seen at a property in Lakemba in Sydney's west on Sunday Cleveland Street was cordoned off and shouting and screaming was heard as a man was led away by police 'Passengers should limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage they travel with as this will help to ensure security screening is efficient.' New South Wales Police confirmed that the four men in custody were yet to be charged. Australia's terror threat remains at probable. Prime Minister Turnbull released a statement on the raids, confirming the involvement of the Australian Federal Police, ASIO and NSW Police. Australian Federal Police on Sunday leaving a property after the dramatic terror raids Cleveland Street (pictured) was closed between Elizabeth St and Young St, and Goodlet Lane was also closed Residents living near the Surry Hills home were evacuated while the bomb squad worked to remove the 'explosive device' and forensics (pictured) examined the scene 'These operations are designed to disrupt and prevent plans to undertake terrorist attacks in Australia,' the statement said. 'My number one priority, and that of my government, is the safety and security of all Australians. 'The public should be reassured that our security and intelligence agencies are working tirelessly to keep us safe.' Mr Turnbull urged people to call the National Security Hotline on 1800 132 400 if they see or hear anything suspicious. Goodlet Lane in Surry Hills (pictured) was closed while police examined the scene of the raid Police involved in the raid were acting to prevent an alleged plot to bring down a plane with a 'bomb' An 'explosive device' was discovered at the Surry Hills (pictured) property and deactivated by a bomb squad that was called to the scene Yaphet Kotto, the actor who faced a grisly death in Ridley Scott's 1979 film Alien, claims that he has been abducted by extraterrestrials in real life The actor who faced a grisly death in Ridley Scott's film Alien claims that he has been abducted by extraterrestrials in real life. Yaphet Kotto, who played the role of Chief Engineer Parker in the 1979 film, now says that he believes aliens really exist and are not just fictional monsters portrayed in sci-fi thrillers. Kotto opened up in a VICE interview about his beliefs, his first sighting and his experiences. 'I've never talked to anyone about it, man, this is the first time,' said Kotto. 'I've only told my wife, my rabbi and a psychologist. This is the first time I'm talking about it.' The 77-year-old actor claims to have even been abducted by aliens and that it's been happening for decades. 'It started when I was about nine or ten years old,' Kotto said. 'I remember being told I couldn't go outside, so I would look out at the streets of my neighborhood in the Bronx, watching the kids play stickball. Kotto, who played the role of Chief Engineer Parker in the 1979 film pictured above), now says that he believes aliens really exist and are not just fictional monsters portrayed in sci-fi thrillers The 77-year-old actor claims to have even been abducted by aliens and that it's been happening for decades. Kotto (pictured above in Alien) said: 'It started when I was about nine or ten years old' 'When I turned around, a figure was behind me, it was at least five or six feet tall with an elongated head. It appeared, then jumped to the back of me and disappeared. 'From that moment on, it was one experience after another which culminated into my sighting in the Philippines and during the filming of Alien.' He added that some of those experiences also include seeing strange lights near his home. Kotto, who also starred in television series Homicide: Life on the Street, said that the strange sightings seemed to follow him too. 'Every time I moved into a house, above it at some point, there would be a circle of what looked like smoke,' Kotto said. 'I'd wonder where it came from because it sure as hell didn't look like clouds. 'Those sightings continued for a good 10 to 15 years. I've also had time loss. I have a big loss of time between some of these moments, and I'd often wonder if I was taken.' The New York native shared that things became stranger when he went to the Philippines. 'It was one evening in my office in the Philippines. I heard my wife and the waiters calling me to come outside in very anxious voices,' Kotto said. Kotto (pictured above in Alien) refutes claims that he's mentally ill. He said: 'Absolutely not. I have an IQ of 196. Might as well say that the hundreds of other peopleincluding Canada's previous defense ministerwho came to the same conclusions about alien life had mental health issues too.' 'So I went out and when I got there, I saw the same huge circle of smoke over the house. 'When I asked them what they saw, they said they saw a UFO as big as the Yankee Stadium turned upside down.' He continued, 'They were freaking out. Two or three nights later, I saw it. The thing blotted out the entire sky. 'The moon and everything, it was huge. I just remember saying, 'Jesus Christ.' I mean I got so nervous, man, because you don't see something like that without being vulnerable to becoming psychologically blown away. 'You get scared to put it quite frankly. That messed me up for a good three or four days.' Koto, who also played the iconic role of Dr. Kananga in James Bond classic Live and Let Die, noted that in order to believe they are real, aliens are something that must be seen. He refutes claims that he's mentally ill and said: 'Absolutely not. I have an IQ of 196. Might as well say that the hundreds of other peopleincluding Canada's previous defense ministerwho came to the same conclusions about alien life had mental health issues too.' Koto, who also played the iconic role of Dr. Kananga in the 1973 James Bond classic Live and Let Die (file above), noted that in order to believe they are real, aliens are something that must be seen For those who think he just wants his name back in the spotlight, Kotto said: 'I'm already famous so what possible purpose would I have to tell these stories except how it relates to the movie Alien?' He added: 'This is the reason why I never talked about it after that movie because of course they'd say, 'oooh, he's trying to promote his movie.' Well I'm not promoting anything now. 'I've written no book and I have no movie that's about to be released. 'This is the time to reveal this because no one can connect it to anything that's a financial gain or form of media exposure.' Kotto believes that he will soon be vindicated and that the aliens he has seen will reveal themselves to the rest of the world soon. He claims that it will happen, since humans are destroying the planet. 'We need to take a serious look at what we're doing and [the aliens are] going to help us do that,' Kotto said. 'We're not alone, we're not alone in the universe. If you totally westernize the idea look at it from a supremacy viewpoint, then you'll say, everyone's imagining them when it comes to these things,'the actor said. 'We can say that, but much of the world would reject that premise. We're not alone.' Sunrise host Natalie Barr fired up Justice Minister Michael Keenan after asking why Australian authorities reportedly had to be informed of an alleged terror plot by an overseas authority. Four Lebanese-Australian men were arrested when officers swooped on five properties across Sydney on Saturday afternoon. They are accused of plotting to bring down a plane with an 'improvised device' and the plot was 'Islamist-inspired,' police said. On Monday, the Daily Telegraph reported the alleged plot may have involved a crude bomb disguised as a kitchen meat grinder that was to be carried in hand luggage onto a flight bound from Sydney to an unconfirmed destination in the Middle East. Scroll down for video Sunrise host Natalie Barr fired up Justice Minister Michael Keenan after asking why Australian authorities reportedly had to be informed of an alleged terror plot by an overseas authority Other media reports suggested it could have been a 'non-traditional' device that would have distributed poisonous gas within the plane. In an interview on Sunrise, Mr Keenan refused to confirm those details due to the ongoing investigation but called it a 'sophisticated' plot that involved bringing down a plane. Nevertheless, he insisted it was safe for Australians to travel. He also refused to comment on reports that authorities in Australia were informed of the alleged plot by an overseas agency. 'Does it concern you that it doesn't sound like Australian authorities had any idea that these four men had any plans in place?' she asked. Mr Keenan refused to confirm those details due to the ongoing investigation but called it a 'sophisticated' plot that involved bringing down a plane 'We only got the tip-off, didn't we, last Wednesday, by some kind of overseas authority?' Mr Keenan replied: 'We have the best law enforcement and intelligence authorities in the world, and we have worked with them very diligently and very closely to change the way they can police this threat. 'The threats have changed significantly since 2014 and we have worked with them on what they need to address that.' He also noted that it was the 13th time authorities had thwarted a potential terror attack on Australian soil. 'This is the 13th time that our authorities have stopped something from happening in Australia,' he said. Police officers are seen at a crime scene in Surry Hills, Sydney, after four men were arrested 'They are very good at what they do. They are 100 per cent backed by the government and we have given them significant extra powers and resources for them to do their job.' But while Ms Barr said she had no intention of undermining the authorities, she noted that the arrested were 'right under our noses' but only taken into custody following the apparent tip-off. 'I know they are good and I don't want to undermine our authorities at, but we did not know about these guys, did we?' she said. 'How much of a concern is it that we had to have someone overseas tell us, and they were right under our noses.' Travellers are experiencing long delays at Australian airports after security was ramped up following a number of terror raids over the weekend Mr Keenan responded by saying he refused to comment or speculate on details that are based on media reports. He then doubled down on the assertion that authorities have been successful in keeping Australians safe. 'Those details are in media reporting and I'm not going to confirm or speculate on any of that. 'What I can tell you is that we are very good at stopping terrorist attacks happening in Australia and there is ample evidence of that,' he said. 'This is another in a long list of disruptions we have made. The police are very good at what they do. New South Wales Police officers arrive at a crime scene in Surry Hills, Sydney, on Monday 'They work with the Australian Federal Police and are working very closely with their counterparts in New South Wales, working very closely with ASIO and the rest of the Australian law enforcement and intelligent community. 'The public really needs to be assured that we really have put in place measures to deal with this threat, and those measures have been very successful in keeping the Australian public safe.' The four arrested are believed to be two groups of father and son who will remain in detention for up to a week while police comb through evidence. On Sunday, a magistrate granted Australian Federal Police an additional period of detention, which can last up to seven days, to hold the men while a complex investigation continues. The men were arrested when NSW and Australian Federal Police officers swooped on five properties in the Sydney suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl on Saturday afternoon. A number of items of interest were seized during the searches at four of the properties. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said airport security measures had been increased and reassured the public of their safety. Police are searching for a woman who went missing while she was reportedly skinny dipping with her boyfriend off the Jersey Shore. Zuzana Oravcova, 24, is believed to have been swept away from her boyfriend Thomas Kadlec, 23, after they took an early morning swim at Point Pleasant Beach. The couple from Slovakia had entered the strong waters without any clothes on around 2.30am on Sunday morning, according to the local New Jersey reports. After struggling in the high surf, Kadlec swam to shore alone and immediately told authorities that Oravcova was still out in the ocean, prompting the search. Zuzana Oravcova, 24, is missing after going 'skinny dipping' with boyfriend Thomas Kadlec Oravcova is a brunette student who worked at a nearby boardwalk, NBC New York reported. Upon his return to shore, Kadlec immediately notified a Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk employee that his girlfriend was still in the water. Witnesses said they saw Kadlec emerge from the water naked and there were several pieces of clothing left in a pile on the beach, according to ABC 7. A witness told the station: 'We called some help, we called the police and said there's still a girl in the water. 'It's really sad for this community. I think she was a local person.' Police, the US Coast Guard, dive teams and helicopters were thrown into action, searching the rough waters for Oravcova. Witnesses said they saw Kadlec emerge from the water naked and there were several pieces of clothing left in a pile on the beach Local New Jersey police, the US Coast Guard and dive teams searched all day on Sunday for the missing student from Slovakia A statement from the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department said on Sunday afternoon: 'At this time, the female is still missing and the search is continuing. 'She has been entered NCIC as a missing person. 'Anyone with any information, contact the Pt Pleasant Beach Police Department.' The National Weather Service issued a warning about strong rip currents along the Jersey Shore on Sunday morning. The warning remained in effect throughout the day. Rapping just became educational. Studytracks, created by award-winning British songwriter and producer George Hammond-Hagan, is a program and smartphone app that sets coursework and study materials to music. The program, which can be used by teachers in classrooms, or just by students trying to study for their courses, has become a huge hit in the UK and will be showing up in American classrooms this fall. Hammond-Hagan came up with the idea while his son Paris, who is now 18, was struggling to concentrate while he was studying for his end-of-year exams. As a music producer, Hammond-Hagan wondered what it would be like if there was music to help his son study. So he decided to write music using his son's physics book. After his son's next physics class, he remembered everything and had so much fun with the music, he showed it to his friends, too. They also loved it. 'It was a really natural thing to say well actually, if it can help my son, it can probably help a lot more kids as well,' Hammond-Hagan told DailyMail.com. Scroll down for video Studytracks, created by award-winning British songwriter and producer George Hammond-Hagan (pictured), is a program and smartphone app that sets coursework and study materials to music Hammond-Hagan came up with the idea while his son Paris (pictured), who is now 18, was struggling to concentrate while he was studying for his end-of-year exams in 2014 'You know, because I know my son isnt unique in not learning in a traditional manner, so that was the initial thing that made me pivot from just having this as something that was just for my son to something that could be a lot broader.' That was in 2014 and now Studytracks is an app that has had more than 150,000 downloads and covers subjects including biology, physics, chemistry, math, geography, history and literature. High school students who download the app can pick courses and listen to songs or playlists that focus on a specific topic. Teachers can also pick different songs or playlists to go along with their syllabus and even listen to those songs in the classroom. Hammond-Hagan works with teachers at ten British schools to make sure the information in his songs is accurate and points to the more important bits of the lesson. And because writing music comes so naturally to him, he writes almost all the songs and performs most of them. His son Paris has even stepped into the Studytracks game. He picks the tracks the lyrics will go to. And the music covers all genres. As a music producer, Hammond-Hagan wondered what it would be like if there was music to help his son study. So he decided to write music using his son's physics book After his Paris' next physics class, he remembered everything and had so much fun with the music, he showed it to his friends, too. They also loved it This fall, Studytracks is coming to the US. 'We always thought the bigger picture for study tracks is something that can help a lot of kids beyond just the UK,' he said. 'And it turned out that a lot of content around maths and science were very similar, so it was a really natural progression to then go into the US.' Hammond-Hagan has been working with two school districts in America and in September more than 20 American schools will be using the program on the West and East coasts, including Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, where the hip hop group NWA started. Though he does most of the writing and about half of the performances himself, Hammond-Hagan is handing over songwriting to a team of Americans. He said the nuances of American English are too important and as a British song-writer, he doesn't want to confuse American students. Though the American app has been available for a while now, Studytracks will more-fully launch in the fall, as school starts up again. What makes Hammond-Hagan most excited about the launch is that he knows he's doing something right. 'We get feedback from kids who will email us on our social pages or whatever and say "oh my god, I didn't realize DNA was so easy to understand", or "thank you so much, you saved my history exam". 'When you start getting feedback like that, you know, the hairs on the back of your neck are going and you just think "We're doing something really really good. Let's keep going".' Hammond-Hagan's son Paris (pictured) helps with Studytracks now that the program has become such a huge hit. While Hammond-Hagan writes almost all the lyrics for the UK program, his son picks the genre of music and track the song will go with Hammond-Hagan works with teachers at ten British schools to make sure his songs are accurate and points to the more important bits of the lesson. Studytracks isn't only just a school program, it is also an app that students can download and use to take practice tests Doan Thi Huong (blue) at the court in Sepang, Malaysia (Source: AFP/VNA) After the trial concluded, the embassys representatives and lawyers discussed with Huong about following litigation procedures. In the time ahead, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue close coordination with domestic agencies involved, the Vietnamese embassy in Malaysia and Malaysian lawyers to ensure Huong's legitimate rights and interests are protected. Doan Thi Huong, 28, is one of the two women suspects in the murder of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) man named Kim Chol at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13th. Malaysia said Kim Chol was poisoned, but the DPRK insisted that he died of a heart attack, plus high blood pressure and diabetes. At the court hearing on March 1st, the two women were charged with murder but they denied and said that they were cheated to take part in an innocuous prank. According to the Malaysian law, they would face the death penalty if found guilty./. A 49-year-old man has been charged with her murder and is before the courts The schoolgirl disappeared as she walked to school from her Granville home The search continues for the remains of murdered schoolgirl Quanne Diec (pictured) The search continues for the remains of a murdered schoolgirl who was abducted as she walked to school 19 years ago. On Monday morning police announced a new three-day search search for the remains of Quanne Diec, 12, in bushland off Appin Road at Cataract. Quanne was kidnapped a few hundred metres from her Granville home on the morning of July 27, 1998. In November 2016, a 49-year-old man charged with murdering the schoolgirl led police to an area of dense bush in Bulli Tops, near Wollongong, but her body was not found. Scroll down for video On Monday morning police announced a new three-day search search for the 12-year-old's remains in bushland off Appin Road at Cataract Quanne was last seen on her way to Strathfield Girls High School from her Granville home in July 1998. Her school assumed she was at home sick and her parents thought she was at school, so she was not reported missing until that evening. Police allege Quanne was lured off a street by the man, who planned to ransom her before killing her some time before 7.30pm the day she disappeared. The 49-year-old was arrested last year after he went to Surry Hills police station and allegedly made admissions about the schoolgirl's murder. He remains before the courts. 'Police remain focused on finding Quannes remains in hope of ending the Diec familys search for answers,' officers said in a release. 'This process has been an incredibly difficult experience for her family and we will continue to support them as the search continues.' A former NBC employee filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court claiming that she was contacted by a recruiter who told her NBC only wanted 'good-looking employees' and even asked to see her social media pictures before her interview. Stephanie Belanger, 25, alleges the recruiter asked her to 'show her Facebook/Instagram profile to NBC before she could be interviewed', according to the New York Post. Belanger, who applied for a job as an audio-visual coordinator, said her supervisor, John Carleo, even called her a 'whore' and bragged that he had the 'hottest coordinator in the office'. Fired NBC employee, Stephanie Belanger (pictured), 25, claims a recruiter said the network only wanted 'good-looking' employees and that she was a victim of sexual harassment and termination retaliation At one point, Carleo referred to himself as 'the boyfriend with no benefits', according to the suit. Carleo allegedly told Belanger he had to fire her or risk his girlfriend breaking up with him, the suit claims. Belanger's lawsuit alleges sexual harassment and termination in retaliation for her complaints that, she says, were overlooked by NBC bosses. But her suit also claims she was the victim of disability discrimination. According to the Post, Belanger is epileptic and suffered two seizures at work. And after the second time, she claims her bosses demoted her and cut her salary. Belanger's lawyer, Daniel Kaiser, told the Post that NBC's apparent desire for 'good-looking employees' created a toxic workplace. He also said NBC 'wasn't shy' about requesting Belanger's social media photos. Victims of the contaminated blood scandal will boycott the public inquiry into the disaster as long as the Department of Health is involved, they said yesterday. Families and survivors said it was simply impossible to proceed with the inquiry because of the central role of the department and its staff in the tragedy. In a letter to the head of the probe, Bishop James Jones, they said that nothing can proceed until Theresa May can assure them that the hearing will be independent. Prime Minister Theresa May, has announced an inquiry into the appalling tragedy that killed 2,400 people infected with hepatitis and HIV in the 1970s and 1980s . The Prime Minister has announced an inquiry into the appalling tragedy that killed 2,400 people infected with hepatitis and HIV in the 1970s and 1980s. Thousands of people were infected after they were given with contaminated stocks of the clotting agent Factor VIII, used to treat patients with haemophilia. The Daily Mail has uncovered evidence suggesting that patients were given the deadly substance for at least five years after health officials became aware of the threat. The Department of Health is working on determining the exact form of the Hillsborough-style inquiry, which will be led by a judge. But earlier this month, families and survivors refused to meet with the Department after it invited them to a meeting to determine the format and scope of the inquiry. And in their letter, seen by the Mail, campaign groups representing victims said they could not participate. It is now crystal clear that victims, families, MPs and others all agree that the Department of Health should not be involved in this Inquiry, with or without mediation, they wrote. It is simply impossible. Bishop James Jones (pictured) agrees with the families that the DoH should not be involved in establishing or setting the remit for the inquiry They also demanded that the inquiry be given the statutory power to compel witnesses to give evidence under oath and to order the release of documents. They accused health officials of being involved at every stage of the scandal, ignoring World Health Organisation warnings and using victims for unauthorised trials. Staff also destroyed evidence, refused to give evidence to investigations and attempted to withhold evidence, the victims groups added. The signatories include the Birchgrove Group, Contaminated Blood Public Inquiry, Factor 8 Campaign UK, Manor House Group, Positive Women, Tainted Blood, The Fatherless Generation and The Forgotten Few. The letter was sent in response to a teleconference that took place on Thursday last week and was designed to get the inquiry moving. Mrs May has said victims, relatives and campaign groups will be consulted about the form they wished the inquiry to take. But the groups representing victims say they will not participate unless responsibility for the inquiry is transferred to a different Government department. The letter also says that the Right Rev James Jones agrees with them that the Department of Health should not be involved in establishing or setting the remit for the inquiry. Our position is that we believe you could yet be of great service to our campaign and we very much welcome your help, they said. However we feel this is perhaps best placed in getting the message to Government now that nothing can proceed until the Inquiry is removed completely from any influence of the DoH and its staff. The row will come as a major blow to Mrs May, who personally ordered the inquiry after months of escalating pressure over the scandal. She will have hoped the announcement of the inquiry, just before Parliament rose for the summer recess, would reduce pressure on her to act over the summer. A Department of Health spokesman said: We are absolutely committed to a thorough and transparent inquiry. To establish the best format and remit, we want to hear as many opinions as possible. Our door is open for anyone who wants to discuss the Inquiry or raise any concerns. Empire: Property mogul James Tuttiett A property mogul has made millions of pounds through exploitative ground rent fees paid by up to 40,000 households, it has been revealed. James Tuttiett, 53, has built a massive property empire of controversial freeholds, allowing him to charge homeowners for the land their house is built on. Companies House records show he controls 85 companies that own the lucrative freeholds of huge developments in Newcastle, Birmingham, Leeds, Coventry and London. He is often the sole director or employee of the firms. Leaseholders must pay ground rents to his company E&J Estates. Some rents double every ten years, meaning they will reach thousands of pounds a year in decades to come. The fee has already left some homeowners unable to sell their properties. Last week the Government proposed a ban on new-build leaseholds, saying that ground rents should be restricted to as little as zero. Launching an eight-week consultation, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid described the process as unjust. Its clear that far too many new houses are being built and sold as leasehold, exploiting home buyers. Enough is enough. These practices are unjust, unnecessary and need to stop, he said. He added ground rent had been used as an unjustifiable way to print money. Mr Tuttietts companies also own freeholds of schools, health clubs and petrol stations. In 2016 one of his firms, SF Funding, recorded an 80million increase in the value of its ground rents from the year before to 267.4million, according to the Guardian. Andrew Henderson bought his house in Blackburn from builders Taylor Wimpey six years ago only to discover that the developer then sold his freehold to E&J. He said: We are currently paying around 145 every six months. This doubles every ten years, so in 45 years, while enjoying retirement, Ill be paying E&J 10,000 per year to live in my own home that will be fully bought and paid for. Linda Barnes, who also pays ground rent, said residents of a development in Heywood, Greater Manchester, are in sheer panic because they cannot sell their homes. E&J acquired the freeholds of the development soon after it was completed. In Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, Lindsay Lloyd said she was told that the freehold on her home would cost 2,635 to buy when the estate was first built. After it was sold to E&J, the cost rose to around 32,000. Taylor Wimpey has set up a 130million fund to help those trapped by spiralling ground rents that render their properties worthless. Justin Madders, Labour MP for Ellesmere Port, said: While the Governments announcement of a ban is welcome, we now need to step up the fight for justice for those who have already been signed up to these unconscionable leases. Little is known about Mr Tuttiett, who lives in a listed property surrounded by his own vineyard in Winchester. E&J Estates declined to comment. I first came to Mexico when I was 19 on a gap year. In my first week I was invited to a party and the food was incredible. I had absolutely no idea. I thought Mexicans all ate TexMex greasy, heavy food with cheese and beans. How wrong I was. The food was a revelation, and I ended up travelling all around Mexico eating everything I could see. I came back thinking I was going to eat tacos all the time and then realised there were none in the UK. Tucking in: Thomasina with local chef Alejandro Ruiz, who runs food market tours in Mexico's Oaxaca City Ten years later I was back. I visited Oaxaca City and have been going there regularly ever since. Its where the idea for Wahaca, my chain of Mexican restaurants, was born, and where I still come to research our menus. The Oaxaca region has its own distinct microclimate, which means it has amazing produce. Its best known as the Land of Seven Moles, special sauces which are made with all kinds of chillies. Its there that I met Alejandro Ruiz, a great chef whos revitalised the restaurant scene in Oaxaca City. His Casa Oaxaca Cafe does the best traditional Mexican breakfasts: huevos rancheros fried eggs with a Mexican herb called hoja santa panes de nata, which are clotted cream cakes, and Mexican hot chocolate, made with water instead of milk and a special blend of cacao, almonds, sugar and cinnamon. Round the corner is Itanoni Flor del Maiz, a corn restaurant. Whether you go for quesadillas, tacos or memelas, theyre all made from various varieties of corn sourced from a co-operative of different growers. Its a pretty spectacular place, where you can see everything made on the griddle in front of you. Alejandro is an amazing guide to the citys markets. You can book a tour with him of the main wholesale market in the city, the Central de Abastos, through his hotel, Casa Oaxaca and for 2,000 pesos (85) hell show you round the best places, such as Valentinas memela stand, then buy ingredients and give you a cooking class. All with wine, of course. Alternatively, you can explore the Benito Juarez Market by yourself. Its the oldest in the city and more touristy, but lovely. Find empanadas de mole mario, which is a variation on a taco, loaded with yellow mole, shreds of chicken, and white onion relish. She suggests wandering round Oaxaca's traditional food markets to sample their wares They go on sale at about 11am because the corn is freshly ground first thing in the morning to make the dough for the tortillas. You can also buy ingredients like chorizo and steak and take it to be cooked to eat with the different tortillas. Its a very democratic way of eating. Whether youre eating in a top restaurant or munching on street food, its impossible not to eat well The chefs here take inspiration from whats going on on the streets, and now cooks such as Rodolfo Castellanos, who left Oaxaca years ago to work in fine restaurants, are coming back and bringing fabulous dining to the city. The food at Rodolfos restaurant Origen is, I think, some of the best in the city. Thats what I fell in love with the laid-back style of eating and the freshness of the ingredients. Whether youre eating in a top restaurant or munching on street food, its impossible not to eat well. The average price of a home in the UK is currently 234,466. So how does yours stack up? A new online tool allows you find out exactly how much the value of your home compares to the average in your area as well as the rest of the UK. The average house in London's Clapham, for example, costs a whopping 881,671; whereas a house in Jaywick in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex - one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Britain, costs 142,697 on average. The tool, formulated by Web Blinds, also (somewhat depressingly) lets you compare your home's value to that of the most expensive properties in Europe and the rest of the world. The most costly street in Europe is Monaco's Avenue Princesse Grace, where the average home costs 27.8 million; and the world's most expensive street of all is Pollock's Path in Hong Kong, where a house will set you back a staggering 241.8 million. A new online tool allows you find out exactly how much the value of your home (left) compares to the average in your area (right) Compared to the average house price in the UK (left) a house in Jaywick in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex - one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Britain, costs 142,697 on average (right) The tool also (somewhat depressingly) lets you compare your home's value to that of the most expensive properties in London (pictured) and the world The UK's most expensive street is Westminster's Eaton Square, where houses cost 16.9 million on average - 72 times pricier than the UK average (left) The most costly street to live on in Europe is Monaco's Avenue Princesse Grace, where the average home costs 27.8 million Kara Ryan, 31, and her husband Beau, 32, welcomed the birth of their second child on Saturday, which also marked her birthday. The couple announced the birth of baby boy, Jesse Ryan, in a snap shared to Instagram on Sunday. 'Welcoming our beautiful Boy Jesse Ryan in to the world last night stealing our hearts and ...my birthday. We could not be happier @therealbeauryan,' the caption read. Scroll down for video Baby joy! Kara Ryan and her husband Beau welcomed the birth of their second child on Saturday, which also marked her birthday In the tender photo, little Jesse is pictured sleeping peacefully and wrapped in a baby blanket. Both their hands are affectionately placed on the bub and a black and white filter is used. In the comments, fans and famous friends of the couple shared congratulatory messages. Thrilled: The couple, who have been married for four years, already share a four-year-old daughter Remi 'Congratulations mate! Future Rooster right there,' wrote former Bachelorette star Sasha Mielczarek. Former NRL star Braith Anasta and actor Dan Ewing posted a series of heart symbols under the snap. The couple, who have been married for four years, already share a four-year-old daughter Remi. Wedded bliss! Speaking to Woman's Day recently, former rugby league player Beau said he and Kara are happier than ever in their marriage. The couple is pictured last week United: 'We're really happy at the moment, things are good,' he said Speaking to Woman's Day recently, former rugby league player Beau said he and Kara are happier than ever in their marriage. The Footy Show co-host, who competed in the hit Australian Ninja Warrior this week, said that the couple were 'all excited for the future.' 'We're really happy at the moment, things are good,' he said. Happy family: Beau and Kara are childhood sweethearts, who tied the knot in a lavish wedding in 2012. The couple are pictured with their daughter Remi Beau and Kara are childhood sweethearts, who tied the knot in a lavish wedding in 2012. Three years into their marriage, the pair were rocked by infidelity reports surrounding Beau and former Hi-5 entertainer Lauren Brant in 2015. Despite having neither confirmed nor denied the reports, the couple stuck together and their union is said to be stronger than ever. 'Having another baby has made our relationship stronger,' Beau said adding that he now spends a lot of time at home with his wife. Infidelity reports: Three years into their marriage, the pair were rocked by infidelity reports surrounding Beau and former Hi-5 entertainer Lauren Brant Jenny From The Block is taking on the Windy City. The diva, who just celebrated her 48th birthday, was in Chicago to accompany her boyfriend Alex Rodriguez for an autograph signing. Lopez shared a sultry shot of herself gazing into the camera in front of a sign for the city as she showed off her famous cleavage in a low-cut white tank top. Scroll down for video Not-so-shy-town: Jennifer Lopez shared this busty shot while making a stop in Chicago Saturday Rodriguez just celebrated his 42nd birthday on Thursday, the couple have had a series of lavish celebrations during their shared birthday week. Just as quickly as Jennifer announced her arrival in Chi-town, she uploaded a video of herself and her lover on the tarmac getting ready to jet out of the city. Jennifer donned a pair of large reflective aviator shades as she told her 68 million followers that they were getting ready to leave. In and out: The actress and singer, 48, announced she and boyfriend Alex Rodriguez, 42, were leaving on the same day they arrived Business trip: A-Rod was in town for an autograph signing, fans reported that Jennifer sat next to him and rested her head on his shoulder as he signed A-Rod was in town for an autograph signing, fans reported that Jennifer sat next to him and rested her head on his shoulder as he signed. The day before the promotional appearance, Lopez shared a photo of her bea posing with her nine-year-old twins Max and Emme, from her marriage to Marc Anthony, as well as his two daughters Ella and Natasha. The pair have been dating since at least March and have traveled with each other across the globe, hitting up Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, the Domincan Republic and Paris during their courtship. She's a writer, beauty expert and mother-of-two. And taking to Instagram at the weekend, the media personality shared sweet throwback photos of herself as a curly-haired schoolgirl. The star, now 37, shared three snaps to her Instagram story from her childhood and teenage years, looking barely recognisable. Scroll down for video You'll never guess who this is! The media personality and beauty expert looks unrecognisable as a fresh-faced school girl with blonde hair and a curly fringe. The snaps were shared to Instagram on Sunday The pictures are of Zoe Foster-Blake, the wife of comedian and radio star, Hamish Blake. In one shot, Zoe appears to be in kindergarten and has curly blonde hair, which is styled in pigtails. Zoe captioned the shot, saying her mother was showing her pictures from her childhood. 'Mum's visiting; brought all my school photos (This is Year 12 I think),' Zoe joked. Looking back: Zoe is pictured last week, showing off her post-baby body just days after giving birth to baby number two Just like his mummy! Pictured is her son, Sonny, three, as she wrote online about how quickly he's growing up. The tot bares a striking resemblance to his famous mum In another shot, she's in primary school and has a curly fringe, and jokingly captioned it: 'Who said curls and fringes can't be friends. (Everyone, with good reason).' In the final image, Zoe appears to be in high school and wears her long locks down and over one shoulder, wearing a crystal fish necklace. 'Homemade balayage,' Zoe captioned the shot, referring to her dark roots and lighter ends. 'Still waiting for the crystal fish trend to come back,' she added. 'Homemade balayage': In the final image, Zoe appears to be in high school and wears her long locks down and over one shoulder, wearing a crystal fish necklace Adding to their brood: Zoe has just welcomed her second child with her radio star husband, Hamish Blake, 35 On Friday, Zoe celebrated her 37th birthday. It was no doubt extra special for the personality, having just welcomed her second child with Hamish, 35. The pair welcomed their daughter Rudy Hazel almost two weeks ago, with Zoe writing online at the time that she's 'morphed her parents into gooey love monsters.' The pair - who have been married since December 2012 - are also parents to son Sonny Donald, three. Model Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) wed AFL star Lance 'Buddy' Franklin, 30, in a lavish ceremony in November 2016. And as she settles in to married life, the 25-year-old has revealed she and her sports star husband are bucking the trend when it comes to the stereotype of the first year of marriage being difficult. Speaking to Stellar on Sunday, the statuesque beauty revealed she's been living in bliss for the eight months following the couple's lavish nuptials. Scroll down for video 'This is fun. It feels really good. We are like a team.' Jesinta Franklin (left) told Stellar on Sunday that she's loving life with husband-of-eight-months Buddy (right) despite the old adage that the first year of marriage is the hardest 'Everyone says the first year of marriage is the toughest, but if this is the toughest, sweet!' she gushed. 'This is fun. It feels really good. We are like a team.' The former Miss Universe Australia added that their down-to-earth interests are part of the secret to their successful relationship. 'I would love to say we live a rock-star lifestyle, but we really are the most boring people on the plant,' Jesinta added. 'I think that's why we work so well together: we love nothing more than a home-cooked meal, sitting on the couch, usually in some daggy form of tracksuit, enjoying each other's company.' 'That's why we work so well together': Jesinta told the publication that she thought the key their relationship success was their down-to-earth interests and spending time together 'I remember that vividly': In an interview with Vogue Australia earlier this month Jesinta gushed about her first dance with her new husband Earlier this month, Jesinta shared intimate details about her big day in an interview with Vogue Australia. In the revealing interview, the brunette beauty spoke warmly of her first dance with the Sydney Swans star, explaining it was the moment she cherished most from that day. 'I remember that vividly. The song that played meant a lot to Bud and me and it felt like it was just us in the room. We didn't have dance lessons; we literally just held each other and swayed,' Jesinta gushed. 'Mr & Mrs Franklin': Jesinta and Buddy made the surprise announcement that they had tied the knot by posting a matching photo to their respective Instagram accounts in November 2016 The genetically blessed couple wed in a private ceremony with only 24 guests in attendance and made the surprise announcement of their union by taking to Instagram. 'Mr & Mrs Franklin,' Jesinta wrote alongside a picture of the newlyweds on their special day at Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains. Alongside the same photo, Buddy wrote on his Instagram page: 'My Love.' Former Spice Girl Mel B has reportedly 'spent thousands of pounds' on legal fees in a bid to gag her former nanny. The America's Got Talent host is said to have taken out five motions hoping to persuade a judge to dismiss the libel case against her, filed by Lorraine Gilles, according to the Mirror. Mel, 42, made the claims that 25-year-old Lorraine was one of the main reasons her marriage to film producer Stephen Belafonte broke down. Scroll down for video Former Spice Girl Mel B has spent thousands of pounds on legal fees in a desperate bid to gag her former nanny. She is being sued for libel She alleged that the pretty blonde from Germany had an affair with Stephen and terminated a pregnancy after their secret trysts. The nanny heavily denied the allegations and filed a lawsuit against Mel for libel. Mel's legal team now hope to convince Judge Dalila Lyons of Los Angeles Superior Court to rull the case null and void, saving her millions in fees. An LA legal source told the paper: 'Mel has spent thousands of pounds on lawyers to try and shut down the nanny. 'She knows a full-blown trial could cost her vast amounts in legal fees alone. If she loses it would be unthinkable for her financial status. 'Mel has told the judge her accusations about Lorraine were no smear campaign as she did not act in reckless disregard'. MailOnline has contacted a representative for Mel B for comment. Rumours: Mel B alleged that the pretty blonde from Germany had an affair with Stephen and terminated a pregnancy after their secret trysts Meanwhile the star is thought to want to return to Britain full-time once the legal drama has been put to bed to spend time with her family in Leeds. The America's Got Talent judge filed for divorce from Belafonte, the father of her youngest child, in March after 10 years of marriage. She successfully obtained a restraining order against him after alleging abuse. The spousal support hearing is slated for the end of this month. Debt: The Wannabe hitmaker is said to be battling debts having spent the 38million fortune she accumulated during her time in the Spice Girls It is reported that the furore around the divorce has cost Belafonte half a million dollars in contracts. He is said to be seeking $200,000 for his divorce lawyers. The Wannabe hitmaker is said to be battling debts having spent the 38million fortune she accumulated during her time in the Spice Girls. While he was granted access to Madison, Stephen lost his battle to regain contact with Mel's daughter Angel, who was born three months before the pair's wedding in 2007. Hometown girl: Deciding she wants to be nearer to her family in Leeds, particularly after her father's death this year, it is understood Mel wants clean start away from LA Following the hearing in late April, Mel's lawyer Larry Bakman immediately opposed giving Belafonte visitation rights, as he branded him a 'convicted domestic violence offender' with an 'extensive criminal history'. He went on to claim that Stephen had been 'involved in adult pornography' and the 'importation of women from other countries' to work in the industry as well as 'possible money laundering'. Melfiled for divorce on March 20 and said in court papers that she was the victim of 'multiple physical beatings' at the hands of her husband. She also claimed he threatened to 'destroy' her career by releasing sex tapes of her. Lawyers for Stephen have branded the allegations 'outrageous and unfounded', and 'nothing more than a smear campaign' She may have gained U.S. fame with her starring role in Quantico, but she was already a household name in India's Bollywood. And on Friday, Variety announced that Priyanka Chopra will executive produce a new comedy for ABC. The series is based on the experience of Madhuri Dixit, a former Bollywood actress who moved to America for a decade. In the works: On Friday, Variety announced that Priyanka Chopra, 35, will executive produce a new comedy for ABC. The star is pictured in Germany in May On Saturday, Priyanka confirmed the news via Instagram. 'One of the favorite parts of my job, is to be able to tell stories across genres, languages and to a varied audience,' she began. 'Today Im happy to share with you another step Ive taken on that creative journey, in my role as a producer. This particular story is one of a few Hollywood projects that I am currently developing.' The actress admitted that it was 'unchartered territory' for her, but was grateful for the team taking part in the projects, which included Quantico producers. 'One of the favorite parts of my job': On Saturday, Priyanka confirmed the news via Instagram In 1999, Madhuri, 50, married Dr. Shriram Madhav Nene, a Los Angeles surgeon. Following their union, the couple moved to Denver and became parents to two sons, Arin, 14 and Rayaan, 12. Eventually, the family of four returned to Madhuri's home of Mumbai. The show will follow their lives in the Colorado town. Madhuri, 50, also earn executive producer credit for the single-camera comedy. Plot: The series is based on the experience of Madhuri Dixit, 50, a former Bollywood actress who moved to America for a decade. She is pictured in Morocco in December 2015 Sri Rao, a Hollywood and Bollywood writer, will pen the script, and Quanticos' Mark Gordon and Nick Pepper will also act as executive producers. Adding to the lengthy EP list is Madhuri's husband. A release date for the project has yet to be set, as it is still in the early stages. She knows when it's time for a much-needed spa treatment. And after attending a friend's baptism, Eva Longoria was seen pampering herself at a salon in Beverly Hills on Saturday. The 42-year-old actress stunned in a form fitting blue dress as she enjoyed a manicure, pedicure, and neck massage. Babe in blue: Eva Longoria, 42, was pampered herself at a salon in Beverly Hills on Saturday The Desperate Housewife alum looked every inch the movie star as she stunned in the bright blue couture. Her svelte arms and flawless skin tone were on full display as the sleeveless gown hugged her body tightly. Daring to impress, the Texas-born beauty sparkled with neutral bronzer, light pink rouge, and a bright berry lip. She kept her trademark brunette tresses long and loose with a part down the middle allowing her youthful face to take center stage. Supportive friends: Eva and husband Jose Baston attended a friend's baptism to start the day Special service: The couple attended the religious ceremony in support of a friend who was sharing the day with loved ones Smiles: Eva got up close and personal with one of the children in attendance as they smiled and laughed together for the camera Eva began the day with a Snapchat video of herself and husband Jose Baston attending a baptism in North Hollywood, CA. The couple attended the religious ceremony in support of a friend who was sharing the day with loved ones. Eva got up close and personal with one of the children in attendance as they smiled and laughed together for the camera. Let it go: She was seen relaxing in a lounger as an one employee worked on her pedicure and the other worked on her neck muscles I know, girl: As a friendly assistant laughed, Eva joined in with a smile and pulled out cash to tip the hard-working salon attendants Afterwards, the Telenova star made her way to the salon to turn up the glamour meter by a tad. She was seen relaxing in a lounger as an one employee worked on her pedicure and the other worked on her neck muscles. As a friendly assistant laughed, Eva joined in with a smile and pulled out cash to tip the hard-working salon attendants. To end the busy weekend excursion, the stunner chose hilarious filters to make her face seem animated. He had his first taste of fame thanks to starring on the initial reboot of dating series Love Island on ITV2 in 2015. And shortly after being dumped from the show, Jordan Ring claims he enjoyed a night of passion with actress Sheridan Smith. The reality star, 34, recalled meeting Sheridan during a brief trip to London where he had spent the night with her at her flat, watching re-runs of his appearance on Love Island, before having sex. Scroll down for video 'I could tell she fancied me': Love Island star Jordan Ring, 34, has claimed he enjoyed a night of passion with Sheridan Smith following his exit from the show in 2015 Jordan was part of the original lineup of the first series of Love Island and fans watched on as the tattooed hunk found love with fellow contestant Zoe Basia Brown. He and Zoe - who bares a similar resemblance to Sheridan - were notoriously known for getting steamy away from the cameras in the bathroom of the hideaway, with Jordan appearing to seduce his ex-flame by boasting about a 'big blue spider' that he had wanted her to see. Speaking to The Sun about his tryst with Sheridan, Jordan claimed that the duo had watched scenes of him making a move on Zoe on the show, before retreating to The Moorside star's bedroom. 'That was when I made my move... I could tell she fancied me,' he insisted. Steamy: He claims Sheridan had contacted him following his Love Island dumping and the duo met a month later at her flat where their dalliance took place Remember him? Jordan found fame on Love Island's first series where he struck up a romance with model Zoe Basia Brown Jordan claims he first made contact with Sheridan in July 2015 after she contacted him through social media. He alleged they watched re-runs of his time on Love Island, and 'starstruck' Jordan had asked to watch a clip of Sheridan accepting her BAFTA in 2013 for her role in Mrs Biggs. He claimed he was 'fascinated' with the star and eventually ended up sleeping with Sheridan, adding: 'We started to kiss and undress each other - we had sex just the once. Notorious: He made a name for himself on the show after referring to his manhood as a 'big blue spider' to entice his ex-flame into an intimate moment in the bathroom 'I was just starstruck and a bit nervous talking to her as she's a big deal and I'm a fan.' Despite their dalliance, he admits that while he had enjoyed a handful of phone conversations with Sheridan after meeting, their paths had never crossed again. MailOnline have contacted a representative for Sheridan. 'I was starstruck': Jordan claims he and Sheridan ended up in bed together, after watching re-runs of Love Island and him asking to see a clip of her BAFTA acceptance speech from 2013 One night only: He admits he had been a 'big fan' of the actress and described their night together as 'surreal' - admitting they never crossed paths again After striking up a romance with model Zoe onscreen, Jordan had dated her for just five months following their time together on Love Island before going their separate ways. While she has stepped out of the limelight and removed her presence from social media, Jordan appears to have become a club promoter over in Marbella. Sheridan, meanwhile, has been starring in West End musical Funny Girl, with the theatre production currently touring across the UK. She appears as Fanny Brice in the show, but last month was forced to pull out of the hugely popular show as it landed in Bradford, following her mumps diagnosis. Sheridan previously pulled out of shows during its West End run at London's Savoy Theatre in May 2016, with 'stress' and exhaustion' cited as causes for her absence, but had returned to the stage two months later on July 8. The acting talent is next due to reprise her role in August at the Manchester Palace Theatre. Reprising her role: Jordan now appears to be a club promoter in Marbella, while Sheridan is currently touring with Funny Girl the musical across the UK as Fanny Brice She's hoping to crack Hollywood after leaving Neighbours. And this week, Olympia Valance revealed she has a crush on Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, 40, who she hopes to work with one day. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, the 24-year-old younger sister of Holly Candy gushed: 'I love him.' Scroll down for video 'I love him': Neighbours star Olympia Valance (pictured) reveals Ryan Reynolds is her ultimate Hollywood crush and admits she'd like to follow in Margot Robbie's footsteps 'In a dream world, I would be his sidekick in Deadpool 2. She continued: 'Stunts, explosions, action sequences, comedy plus one of the two hottest Ryans in the world who could ask for more?.' The brunette beauty also gushed about former Neighbours actress, Margot Robbie, 27, who's found success in Hollywood. her pick: 'In a dream world, I would be his sidekick in Deadpool 2,' Olympia said about Ryan (pictured) Following in her footsteps: The brunette beauty also gushed about former Neighbours actress, Margot Robbie, 27, (seen) who's found success in Hollywood After Olympia was called 'Australia's next Margot Robbie,' Olympia said she'd love to follow on in her career footsteps. 'What she is achieving is everything I could hope for and more,' Olympia said. Olympia currently appears on the long-running Australian soap, Neighbours, playing Paige Smith. Familiar face: Olympia currently appears on the long-running Australian soap, Neighbours, playing Paige Smith Family: Her sister Holly Candy (pictured) first started out on the soap, playing Felicity Scully Her sister Holly first started out on the soap, playing Felicity Scully, before finding success in the music industry, releasing hit single, Kiss Kiss. Olympia recently revealed to News Corp that she'll be heading to Hollywood soon, after signing a deal with LA-based agency ROAR, which represents Chris and Liam Hemsworth. Olympia - who is an ambassador for UK lingerie brand Gossard - has just enjoyed time in Mykonos. Success! Olympia recently revealed to News Corp that she'll be heading to Hollywood soon, after signing a deal with LA-based agency ROAR While there, the beauty was spotted partying with friends in a tiny bikini. At one point, she twerked and got very close with another bikini-clad woman at a beach bar. She is believed to be single, after splitting with Greg Cannell last year. She's happily loved up with husband Eddie Cibrian. So it's a mystery as to what the life changes LeAnn Rimes, 34, is referring to in her latest Instagram post. The How Do I Live songstress flaunted her new shorter locks on Friday - and made a curious reference to change coming. New hair do care: LeAnn Rimes flaunted her new shorter locks on Friday - and made a curious reference to change coming As it was: She was sporting much longer hair and a darker hue previously (pictured 10 July) She captioned: 'A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life - Coco Chanel 'Right on Coco! Loving the newness @mateo_sifuentes thank you! It was time to feel a bit lighter on the outside to match what I feel on the inside. #summertime #newhair #shorthairdontcare #lighter'' It's not unusual for someone to shake up their hairstyle when they have a love split, but LeAnne's relationship appears to be as intact as ever. She captioned: 'A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life - Coco Chanel' Her new tresses are a lighter hue as well as having several inches shorn from the length. She's wearing a plunging halterneck and minimal make-up. Her husband Eddie's ex-wife Brandi Glanville has been reportedly signed up to star in Celebrity Big Brother UK. New look: She had longer hair when she was with husband Eddie Cibrian on 23 July Rival: Eddie's ex Brandi Glanville is reported to be going onto Celebrity Big Brother UK - she is most famous for her furious relationship with LeAnn Rimes, after she alleged the country singer stole her husband (pictured 8 June) The 44-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum split with Eddie in 2009 after he had an on-set affair with his Northern Lights co-star, who was then married to Dean Sheremet. The Love is Love is Love songstress will resume her 14-date Remnants Tour on Sunday in Owatonna, Minneapolis, in support of her 16th studio album. Meanwhile, Eddie hasn't secured an acting gig since Fox canceled his police procedural Rosewood on May 9 after two seasons. Last week she enjoyed a sun-drenched vacation in Saint-Tropez. But on Saturday Nicky Hilton was back at home in New York City, which may have necessitated some retail therapy. The 33-year-old hotel heiress, who recently announced she was expecting a second child with husband James Rothschild, 32, mixed casual and chic for some shopping at Barney's. Retail therapy: Nicky Hilton, 33, who recently announced she was expecting a second child with husband James Rothschild, 32, mixed casual and chic for some shopping at Barney's in NYC on Saturday The famous socialite struck out in a blue and white striped number that featured spaghetti straps and off-the-shoulder sleeves. A swooping knee-length hemline and two side splits afforded a quick glance at her toned gams, while the overall bagginess of the garment hid her growing tummy. Some brown heels with numerous criss-cross straps secured with gold hardware added a few inches to her 5ft7in frame. She accessorized with a classic two-tone handbag and a pair of retro-style gold-framed shades. Chic chick: The famous socialite struck out in a blue and white striped number that featured spaghetti straps and off-the-shoulder sleeves Easy breezy: Her iconic blonde tresses were messily parted in the middle and fell down past her shoulders Her iconic blonde tresses were messily parted in the middle and fell down past her shoulders. It is understood that Nicky is around four months along with her pregnancy, and is still barely showing. She is already mother to daughter Lily-Grace, one, who just celebrated her first birthday on the 8th of July. Just a hint: It is understood that Nicky is around four months along with her pregnancy, and is still barely showing (couple pictured on July 23) Nicky and husband James were overheard telling close friends about their happy news as they attended Princess Olympia and Prince Pavlos' joint 21st recently. 'It was a Marie Antoinette costume themed party so she was wearing a corset so no one could tell,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively. The insider claimed Nicky and big sister Paris, 36, both love being close in age, so they are very excited at the news. The source revealed, '[James and Nicky] always wanted to give Lily-Grace a sibling close in age, like they both have.' Michael Sheen and Sarah Silverman took in a bit of retail therapy on Saturday. The couple were spotted on a casual shopping day together in New York. Sarah, 46, dressed down in Adidas trainers and jeans, with a retro New York Giants blue tee. Shopping trip: Michael Sheen and Sarah Silverman took in a bit of retail therapy on Saturday Sheen, 48, rocking a full beard, matched her laid back look also in jeans and trainers, with a striped T-shirt and navy jacket. The couple have been together since 2014. Last month, Sarah described their relationship to Jimmy Kimmel, who just happens to also be her ex boyfriend of seven years. 'Hes my on-again, off-again lover,' she said. 'I call him my on-again, off-again lover because were apart by oceans one ocean.' Chill: Sarah, 46, dressed down in Adidas trainers and jeans, with a retro New York Giants blue tee Silverman then explained that Sheen moved from Los Angeles to the U.K. after his daughter was accepted to college in New York. 'His daughter turned 18, he wanted to go home, she said. 'He was here to be near his daughter, now shes off, shes going to start her own life.' 'So hes there a lot, and then we just long for each other and we see each other and we love each other,' she added. She also insisted she has no problem with the long distance arrangement: 'You know me, Im a loner, so its okay,' she laughed. Sheen shares his daughter with Kate Beckinsale, his partner from 1995 to 2003. He's the eccentric billionaire who considers some of the world's biggest stars among his closest friends. And now, Sir Richard Branson has revealed that it was his idea to re-write Candle in the Wind in honour of his friend Princess Diana. Speaking on his smoothfm show on Saturday, the 67-year-old said he wanted to make something positive come out of her tragic death. Tribute: Sir Richard Branson has revealed that it was his idea to re-write Candle in the Wind in honour of his friend Princess Diana Close: The late Princess holidayed with Branson on his privately-owned Necker Island with her sons Princes William and Harry in 1990, during the getaway the pair became firm friends. The late Princess holidayed with Branson on Necker Island with her sons Princes William and Harry in 1990. During the getaway at his privately-owned Caribbean hideaway, the pair became firm friends. He said that following her death in 1997 he wanted to raise money for 'her good causes.' He decided to launch an album on his music label Virgin Records to 'raise millions and millions.' 'I rang Elton John and said how about re-writing Candle in the Wind' Richard recounted how the remake in honour of Princess Diana came about 'I rang Elton John and said how about re-writing Candle in the Wind and I'll try to get the Archbishop to accept it into the funeral service, which he did,' he admitted on the radio show. Hug hit: Candle in the Wind 1997, which Elton John performed at princess Diana's funeral, sold 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single since UK and US singles charts began in the 1950s 'The song was magical,' Branson said. Candle in the Wind 1997 sold 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single since UK and US singles charts began in the 1950s. Richard travelled around Australia with his wife of 26 years, Joan Templeman at the beginning of July. The British entrepreneur spent some of his time holidaying in Makepeace, his own private island in the Noosa River. Richard is currently guest hosting a show on smoothfm on Saturdays (4pm to 5pm). She was spotted giving him an affectionate kiss on the shoulder last week. And Bella Thorne headed to spend time with Blackbear again on Saturday. The 19-year-old was spotted en route to the rapper's Los Angeles home for a party with an entourage in tow. Scroll down for video Party: Bella Thorne headed to a party at rapper Blackbear's home on Friday The actress rocked white flat soles with black skinny jeans, held up by cannabis leaf suspenders. She flashed her toned midriff beneath a white cropped T-shirt that declared her 'anti social.' Despite the sweltering temperatures, she opted for a black CUNTIE beanie, which looked rather risque depending on what angle in was viewed from. The Blended star accessorized with a pair of red framed cat eye shades, and a bright yellow purse. Weed: The actress rocked white flat soles with black skinny jeans, held up by cannabis leaf suspenders Mates: The 19-year-old had a sizable entourage in tow Careful: Despite the sweltering temperatures, she opted for a black CUNTIE beanie, which looked rather risque depending on what angle in was viewed from One of her male companions showed his love for his gal pal, wearing a shirt that read 'Bella Donna.' Another meanwhile displayed his affection by slinging an arm around her shoulder as they walked together. Last week Bella arrived into LAX wearing an oversized hoodie with Blackbear's emblazoned on the front. Fit: She flashed her toned midriff beneath a white cropped T-shirt that declared her 'anti social.' Fan: Last week Bella arrived into LAX wearing an oversized hoodie with Blackbear's emblazoned on the front Close: One of her pals displayed his affection by slinging an arm around her shoulder as they walked together One day later, she was spotted with the rapper - whose real name is Matthew Musto - on a hotel balcony in LA, kissing his shoulder and caressing his arm. Bella has been recently linked to Scott Disick, going on a number of dates with him in New York the week before. That same week she told Sirius XM host Jenny McCarthy that she has 'never' been together 'sexually' with him. They've come to blows multiple times live on air during their Channel Seven breakfast show. And now, Sunrise's Natalie Barr, 49, has opened up about her fiery arguments with host David 'Kochie' Koch, 61. Speaking to this week's The Sun-Herald, the newsreader revealed her clashes with Kochie are 100 percent authentic - and sometimes don't even stop when the cameras aren't rolling. 'We argue all of the time': Natalie Barr (left) confirmed to The Sun-Herald her clashes with David 'Kochie' Koch (right) are 100 percent authentic 'We argue all of the time and we have differences of opinion every day of the week,' she told the publication. 'Sometimes when we disagree it will still be going into the ad break.' Natalie, who has been working alongside Kochie on the show since 2002, added that it was to be expected that not every moment shared between the two of them would be a barrel of laughs. 'We absolutely fight. Do you think we sit there and agree on everything? We are like a family and we argue like one too,' she explained. However, the brunette added that the pair always debrief after any heated discussion to ensure no-one had overstepped a mark. 'We absolutely fight': The newsreader also added that sometimes their disagreements spill over into the ad break when the cameras aren't rolling Last month, the two TV personalities went head to head as Natalie questioned the former accountant's expertise on the housing market during a Money Matters segment. An awkward moment arose after Nat remained unconvinced of Kochie's financial advice in which he encouraged people to rent while owning investment property to lease in less desirable areas. 'Trust me, Nat, I actually know a bit about this,' Kochie hit back at his colleague after she questioned him. 'I know about this, I've done all the calculations, you can throw all the hand grenades you like, but it works.' Close-knit colleagues: The pair have been working together on Sunrise since 2002 and Nat said it was only natural that they don't get along all the time (Pictured from left: Sunrise's David Koch, Samantha Armytage, Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta) But money wasn't the only subject matter that the duo disagreed over in June. When Natalie and Sunrise co-host Samantha Armytage joked about Amal Clooney's post-baby body and spoke about what they thought her parenting style would be, they were quickly scolded by Kochie. 'Now you girls. Give her a break,' he told them. 'You're being nasty. No, I think she'll be a lovely mother.' He won the heart of Georgia Love, 28, in the Network Ten show The Bachelorette. And it looks like Lee Elliott has developed a taste for reality television. According to TV Week on Friday, Channel Nine has confirmed the 36-year-old will be back on the small screen - this time as a plumber on The Block. Scroll down for video Getting his tools out! According to TV Week on Friday, Channel Nine has confirmed The Bachelorette's Lee Elliott (pictured) will appear on the new season of The Block It's a role that Lee should excel at: before embarking on his TV love quest in 2016, Lee was spending his days working as a mechanical plumber. He'll appear alongside the five new duos taking part in the renovation show: Melbourne's Josh and Elyse, Townsville's Hannah and Clint, NSW South Coast's Sticks and Wombat, Perth's Ronnie and Georgia and Melbourne's Jason and Sarah. Season 13 of The Block, which premieres Sunday night, will see the teams of two battling it out to transform to a rundown property into a profitable dwelling. Back for more! Season 13 of The Block will return to screens on Sunday night Host with the most: Scott Cam (pictured) will back to front the Channel Nine reality series The new season will also welcome back hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft. Judges Neale Whittaker, Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer, foreman Keith Schleiger and assistant Dan Reilly will also return. The gig on The Block is the first notable TV role Lee has scored since leaving The Bachelorette mansion last year. Too cute: Lee Elliott rose to prominence after winning the heart of Georgia Love on The Bachelorette last year Since meeting and falling in love on the second season of The Bachelorette, Lee and Georgia have been prolific in documenting their romance on social media. Taking to Instagram, the enamoured twosome have flooded their respective accounts with loved-up couple selfies. Meanwhile, Bachelorette Matthew 'Matty J' Johnson, whose heart was shattered by Georgia after being dumped in the finale, is currently appearing on The Bachelor with a bevy of beautiful women lusting over him. He's the 1980s American soul icon who was one of the early innovators of the new jack swing sound. And Keith Sweat, 56, has slammed modern R&B as sounding too much alike, admitting that most of today's artists sound like Chris Brown. Speaking to the Herald Sun in the middle of a whirlwind Australian tour, Keith admitted that he struggled to differentiate between today's soulful hitmakers. Cookie cutter: US Soul icon Keith Sweat, 56, has slammed modern R&B as sounding too much alike, admitting that most of today's artists sound like Chris Brown 'Most of today's artists sound alike to me,' he told the publication. 'It's hard for me to hear a difference.' The I Want Her hitmaker went on to suggest that the similarities were down to the fact that a lot of artists share the same producers. 'When I'm hearing a record, I'm like "Is that Chris [Brown] or someone else? They all sound similar and that's probably because they're using the same producers.' Who is this? 'When I'm hearing a record, I'm like "Is that Chris [Brown] (pictured) or someone else? They all sound similar and that's probably because they're using the same producers,' He told the Herald Sun Keith went on to decry the modern sound, admitting that he feared for the future of the genre as he felt there were no standouts that would stand the test of time. 'I'll never knock what someone else is doing, but I hate the fact that I don't hear the next Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, or Keith Sweat.' Keith first shot to super-stardom with his debut 1987 album Make It Last Forever which is widely considered a pioneer of the New Jack Swing sound. Bleak future? 'I'll never knock what someone else is doing, but I hate the fact that I don't hear the next Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, or Keith Sweat,' he added. New Jack swing is a fusion genre that incorporates elements of soul with hip-hop rhythms, samples and production techniques. Of the twelve albums Keith has released throughout his career, six have peaked at the top of the US R&B charts while all of them have attained slots in the top ten. Having already played a Melbourne show on Saturday, Keith will play Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney on August 3, 4 and 5 respectively. She's one of the 24 contestants set to debut on Sunday night's episode of Australian Survivor. And Joan Caballero, 29, revealed to News Corp on Saturday that she's relying on the strength gained from becoming a single mother at just 16 years, to get her through the competition. 'This seems like the most crazy and terrifying thing I can think of doing,' the personality, who is now a mother-of-three, told the publication. 'It's crazy and terrifying': Mother-of-three and Australian Survivor's Joan Caballero, 29, is relying on her inner strength to conquer reality series, according to a story published by News Corp on Saturday 'I guess through my life I've had some tarrying situations and I've come out of the other side,' Joan candidly told News Corp. 'This seems like the most crazy and terrifying thing I can think of doing,' the escape room owner said ahead of her debut in Australian Survivor on Sunday. However showing her survival instinct, Joan said that her experience of becoming a single mother at just 16 years of age, will spur her on. Reflection: 'I guess through my life I've had some tarrying situations and I've come out of the other side,' Joan candidly told News Corp Challenging: 'This seems like the most crazy and terrifying thing I can think of doing,' the escape room owner said ahead of her debut in Australian Survivor on Sunday 'It wasn't planned (the pregnancy), but I just had to deal with it and that's exactly what I did.' Joan, who is a proud mother to three children, son Jose, 13, and daughters Lily, eight, and Allegra, six, is set to debut on Sunday night's premiere episode of Australian Survivor. The New South Wales-based personality will compete against the likes of brunette model Sarah Tilleke, 22, journalism student Anneliese, 23, and photographer Jarrad Seng, 29. Brave: However showing her survival instinct, Joan said that her experience of becoming a single mother at just 16 years of age, will spur her on: 'It wasn't planned (the pregnancy), but I just had to deal with it and that's exactly what I did' Australian Survivor, set in Samoa, will see contestants pushed to their physical and mental limits, with limited supplies of food, water, fire and shelter. The contestants are to compete in physical challenges, until only one competitor is left remaining. In a hope to entice viewers, fans have already been treated to a glimpse of what they can expect this season. Premise: Australian Survivor, set in Samoa, will see contestants pushed to their physical and mental limits, with limited supplies of food, water, fire and shelter Rival: Joan will feature on the series alongside journalism student Anneliese Wilson (pictured), 23 According to Friday's The Daily Telegraph, contestants will face a brutal challenge before they even touch foot onto the Samoan Island that they will be calling home. 'The first challenge sees the 24 contestants on a barge, and then thrown into the elements straight away,' they said. Channel 10 network executives are hoping for repeat success when Survivor's second season kicks off on Sunday. It was recently reported that her beau got down on bended knee. And while excitement builds around them, Millie Mackintosh, 28, and Hugo Taylor, 31, looked a picture of relaxation as they took a break by their luxury resort's pool in Mykonos, Greece. The former Made In Chelsea star sizzled in an eye-catching bikini that showcased her gym-honed figure while she soaked up the sun by the water's edge with her other half in tow. Scroll down for video Relaxed: Millie Mackintosh, 28, and Hugo Taylor, 31, looked a picture of relaxation as they took a break by their luxury resort's pool in Mykonos, Greece Celebrating her birthday week in style, Millie's racy bikini bottoms featured racy slash detailing which accentuated her slender hips and perky posterior as she stood by her cabana. While her bardot bikini top showcased her golden glow with its slash detail nestled in the midst of her bust and her straps fell down her shoulders. The style icon completed her poolside ensemble with an oversized straw hat with she teamed with a pair of statement sunnies while she worked her glossy tresses into a chignon. Complementing his long-term love, Hugo donned vibrant-coloured floral swimshorts for the occasion, showcasing his many inkings during another of their many holidays abroad. At ease: The former Made In Chelsea star sizzled in an eye-catching bikini that showcased her gym-honed figure while she soaked up the sun by the water's edge with her other half in tow Wined and dined: Millie teased her fans by hiding her left hand as she dined during her envy-inducing trip The appearance comes after she stripped down to pose completely NUDE while enjoying a spa trip during her break in Mykonos. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the former E4 reality star set pulses racing with her sultry snap that left very little to the imagination. Making the most of her idyllic spa trip at luxury boutique hotel Kensho on the Greek island, Millie chose to ditch her bikini as she indulged in a spot of R&R. Risque! The appearance comes after she stripped down to pose completely NUDE while enjoying a spa trip during her break in Mykonos The starlet took a break from topping up her tan to kick back in one of the spa pools, but couldn't resist ridding herself of her swimwear to do so. She let her naked frame take centre stage, as she stood side on to protect her modesty and strategically placed her hands over her assets. Millie threw her head back while baring all and appeared to be sporting dampened tresses that fell down past her shoulders. She is currently holidaying overseas with her boyfriend Hugo to celebrate her birthday and proved exactly what her former MIC co-star sees in her - with him undoubtedly acting as photographer. Celebrating something? Millie's overtly revealing display comes while she and her boyfriend Hugo Taylor have found themselves at the centre of engagement speculation Daring to bare: Millie had previously posed topless on a yacht in Mykonos on Thursday after flaunting a huge diamond ring on her finger Choosing to playfully ignore her overtly revealing display, Millie simply captioned her photo: 'Spa time.' It didn't go unnoticed by her legions of fans, however, and the brunette beauty found herself garnering nearly 6000 likes just an hour after uploading her saucy shot. It's not the first time she has chosen to bare her naked frame on social media, as Millie was seen posing topless on board a plush yacht on Thursday. She showcased her golden Grecian tan and peachy posterior in red and white star-printed bikini bottom. What a dazzler! The fashion designer inadvertently offered fans a glimpse at her glittering new band when she was pictured applying sun cream during her yacht day The couple had been enjoying a lavish day out with L'O Yachting Mykonos and posted snaps of a sumptuous spread on board their private vessel, looking as though they were making the most of their sun-soaked day at sea. Millie's racy Instagram upload ensured all eyes were on her after finding herself at the centre of rumours she and beau Hugo are now engaged, as she was seen flaunting a huge diamond ring on her wedding finger. But, continuing to play coy on social media, Millie had hid her ring finger at any given opportunity after being spotted with the dazzling sparkle and teasingly declared she'd had the 'best birthday ever'. Sealed with a kiss: The couple certainly seemed to be celebrating as they enjoyed a lavish day out with L'O Yachting Mykonos 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 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 However, on board the yacht, Millie appeared to go make-up free and wore her light brunette locks scraped back from her face, ensuring her brand new prize possession was on full display as she applied sun cream. Millie accessorised her new bling with gold hoop earrings and gold body jewellery with star detail to match her bikini. 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. 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 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. 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. 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 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.' 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. 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 They went public at the BRIT Awards in February 2012, with Stephen proposing on holiday in Paris just over a year later in 2013. 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. 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 '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.' 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.' 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 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.' Her upcoming film That's Not Me is loosely based on a long-running friendly rivalry between herself and her old pal, Isabel Lucas. But now Alice Foulcher has revealed she has overcome feelings of jealously towards her Hollywood megastar friend, who also makes a cameo appearance in the film. Speaking with The Daily Telegraph, the 32-year-old said she wanted the movie, which she co-created with her husband, to be as realistic as possible. Road to success: Alice Foulcher, 32, revealed she no longer compared herself to long-time friend, Isabel Lucas Alice plays identical twins, Polly and Amy, with one becoming a breakout superstar and the other trying to ride the coattails of her sister's success. One of the twins, Amy, in many ways emulates the skyrocketing career success of Alice's real-life pal Isabel. After meeting while studying at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne ten years ago, Isabel went on to major Hollywood success following a stint on Australian soap, Home And Away. Friendship: One of the twins, Amy, emulates the skyrocketing career success of Alice's real-life pal Isabel Lucas, who has enjoyed major Hollywood success And much like Amy in the film, Isabel was rumoured to be dating American actor, Jared Leto. Alice admitted she had previously believed she 'wasn't pretty enough' to parallel Isabel's success. 'Isabel's a wonderful actress but she's also incredibly beautiful, so she had this double whammo package. Seeing her start to achieve such success, I thought: I just don't think I'm pretty enough to be an actress.' Helping a sister out: Alice called on Isabel to appear in her new film as LA-based actress, Zoe 'I don't necessarily think it's untrue now ... but for women in their 20s, a lot of it (acting) is based on what you look like,' she continued. But with her new film bringing a new-found confidence, Alice's perspective on the industry has changed. 'The older I've got, the more I've felt comfortable in my own skin, enough to say I don't think what you look like is your full currency.' That's Not Me is set to screen at Melbourne International Film Festival on August 4 and 19, and Brisbane International Film Festival on August 18, before opening on September 7. She has had breast enhancement surgery, full body liposuction and a bum lift. And Abigail Clarke flaunted her new body in a plunging black blouse and leggings as she partied in London on Saturday night. The Essex reality star, 25, teased her cleavage in a tight-fitting black top, which was drawn into a bow. Busty display: Abigail Clarke flaunted her surgically enhanced figure in a plunging black blouse and leggings as she partied in London on Saturday night The self-styled nutritionist flaunted her flat stomach in her flesh-flashing outfit, which she paired with strappy nude heels. Abi wore a pair of black leggings on her big night out, which she teamed with an embellished black handbag. She partied with a full face of makeup and let her chestnut brown hair tumble over her shoulders. The former TOWIE star walked hand-in-hand with her friend Junaid Ahmed. Showing off her body: The former TOWIE star teased her cleavage in a tight-fitting black top, which was drawn into a bow The personality, 22, wore a mustard T-shirt with holes ripped over his right shoulder and left hip. He paired his ripped shirt with skinny white jeans, which were distressed over his knees. Junaid, who is friends with Love Island star Malin Andersson, carried his iPhone as he partied late into the night with Abi. Having a blast: The self-styled nutritionist flaunted her flat stomach in her flesh-flashing outfit, which she paired with strappy nude heels Party girl: Abi wore a pair of black leggings on her big night out, which she teamed with an embellished black handbag Out with friends: The former TOWIE star walked hand-in-hand with her friend Junaid Ahmed. Abi, a self-styled nutritionist and an advocate of plastic surgery, travelled to Turkey in April for a full body liposuction procedure. She has previously lashed out against online trolls who took aim at her breasts - which she has also gone under the knife to supposedly improve. Not one to be shy about flaunting her busty cleavage, the ex-reality star previously spoke out about the hurt she felt after her breasts were called 'grotesque' and compared to 'a pair of grapefruits stuck on her chest' by social media users. Night on the tiles: The personality, 22, wore a mustard T-shirt with holes ripped over his right shoulder and left hip Surgical enhancements: Abi, a self-styled nutritionist and an advocate of plastic surgery, travelled to Turkey in April for a full body liposuction procedure She told Closer magazine: 'It was horrible to hear and really hard to take criticism about your looks - it's hurtful.' The former TV personality insisted she didn't realise her chest looked 'bigger than normal' or 'gappy', and doesn't understand why everyone attacked her for it. However, she has always said she doesn't regret her decision to have breast implants in 2012. Plastic surgery advocate: Abi has previously lashed out against online trolls who took aim at her breasts - which she has also gone under the knife to supposedly improve They have bonded over their love of fashion, so it's no surprise Eva Longoria and Victoria Beckham wore matching white ensembles for their evening together. The lovely ladies were sartorially in sync as they joined their husbands Jose Baston and David Beckham for a double dinner date at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California on Saturday evening. Desperate Housewives star Eva, 42, showcased her svelte figure in the ethereal white midi dress, cinched at the waist with a striped belt. Scroll down for video Dinner date: Eva Longoria showcased her svelte figure in a white midi dress as she enjoyed a double date with Victoria and David Beckham as well as her husband Jose Baston and David Beckham at Giorgio Baldi on Saturday It's ladies night: Victoria Beckham, 43, dressed to match her best friend in a white ensemble The Over Her Dead Body star looked effortlessly elegant as she strutted her stuff in nude skyscraper heels for their night at the Italian eatery. Pulling out all the stops with her attire, the American actress tucked a striped cream clutch bag under her arm. The Hollywood beauty swept her brunette tresses off her face into a half up-do hairstyle and accessorised with a simple necklace. Woman in white: The Over Her Dead Body star looked effortlessly elegant as she strutted her stuff in nude skyscraper heels for their night at the Italian eatery Perfect company: She brought David, 42, along to have dinner with Eva and her husband Jose Eva complemented her beautiful features with heavy make-up and a slick of scarlet lipstick. Victoria, 43, also opted for a white ensemble as she brought husband David, 42, along to the dinner date. The Beckhams - who celebrated their wedding anniversary in recent weeks - have been putting on a united front amid claims they are leading separate lives. Revealed: The Beckhams are putting on a united front amid claims they have been leading separate lives Rumours are swirling the showbiz power couple - who have been married since 1999 - have built separate 'his and her' wings into their 5 million converted farmhouse. A source told MailOnline last Sunday: 'There is a kids' barn and a grown up barn - no his and hers separate living accommodation. What a ridiculous suggestion.' Their Chipping Norton Oxfordshire home is said to have been designed with separate living quarters. Surprise: Their Chipping Norton Oxfordshire home is said to have been designed with separate living quarters A source told The Mail On Sunday: The planning permission was pretty restrictive and stated the three barns had to stay separate. It actually works out well for David, Victoria and the kids. If they are all driving each other mad, they can retreat into these wings like they are living in separate houses. 'It is handy for Soho Farmhouse, so David can escape for a party whenever he fancies it and that seems to be one reason he chose to buy that property. Trouble in paradise: Rumours are swirling the showbiz power couple - who have been married since 1999 - have built separate 'his and her' wings into their 5 million converted farmhouse Quality time: In the Beckhams are investing in quality time together as they spend the school holidays with children Brooklyn, 18, Romeo, 14, Cruz, 12, and Harper, six, in LA In the face of the reports, the Beckhams are investing in quality time together as they spend the school holidays with children Brooklyn, 18, Romeo, 14, Cruz, 12, and Harper, six, in LA. Victoria is also using her time in America to catch up with her best friend Eva. 'We have sleepovers with pajamas,' Eva explained on a TV appearance during Loose Women late last year. Meanwhile, Victoria has previously described her best pal as 'such a sweetheart' and 'good fun'. He's the Australian television icon who celebrated his 79th birthday last week. And, despite suffering recent health scares, Bert Newton looked the picture of health as he attended the Melbourne premiere of Jesus Christ Superstar on Saturday. Bert beamed as he arrived at the event, cuddling close to his wife of 43 years, Patti. Fighting fit: : Despite suffering recent health scares, Bert Newton looked the picture of health as he attended the Melbourne premiere of Jesus Christ Superstar on Saturday The former Good Morning Australia host cut a dapper figure for the premiere, turning out in a stylish purple jacket over a light mauve coloured shirt. He matched this with a pair of black pants and matching black leather shoes while adding an extra pop of colour with a patterned green scarf that hung loosely around his neck. Patti, meanwhile, looked just as stylish in a black overcoat, matching leggings and a pair of black boots. Debonair: The former Good Morning Australia host cut a dapper figure for the premiere, turning out in a stylish purple sports jacket over a light mauve collard shirt She also appeared to be wearing a leopard print-style blouse and accessorised with some subtle earrings. The pair looked overjoyed to be in each other's company as they waited with the throng of theatregoers outside Melbourne's State Theatre to see the iconic stage show. Patti took to Instagram on Saturday to document the couple's trip to the theatre, which had her fans gushing over the loved-up snap. Beloved: Patti took to Instagram on Saturday to document the couple's trip to the theatre, which had her fans gushing over the loved-up snap with the likes of: 'King and queen of oz.....luve to you both' 'King and queen of oz.....luve to you both,' one fan offered while another chimed in with a similar: 'Australia's favourite couple.looking good.' Bert was also in good spirits last Saturday when he was joined by family and friends to celebrate his 79th birthday at swanky Melbourne eatery Georges. Patti took to social media to document the auspicious occasion and the photos showed Bert, again, looking fighting fit as he was surrounded by loved ones including daughter Lauren, son-in-law Matt Welsh and grandchildren Sam, Eva, Lola and Monty. Many happy returns: Bert was also in good spirits last Saturday when he was joined by family and friends to celebrate his 79th birthday at swanky Melbourne eatery Georges The legendary personality has had somewhat of a tumultuous year health-wise with the icon finding himself in and out of hospital battling pneumonia. Patty was recently forced to slam claims by Woman's Day who suggested that Bert was on death's door and had been crying in a photo the magazine published on its cover. 'Who ever took this photo caught (Bert) having a sneeze, not tears!' Patti wrote on Instagram. 'He's not dying and it's sad he couldn't sneeze in peace.' They've been busy enjoying the throes of their new found fame since leaving the Love Island villa. And Montana Brown, Gabby Allen and Camilla all reunited for a girls' day out at Selfridges shopping centre in London on Saturday - with Montana even playing the public piano in the middle of the busy mall. Documenting the day on their social media accounts, the trio had fun, despite Montana calling Camilla 'draining' towards the end of the show. Scroll down for video Loving life: Montana Brown, Gabby Allen and Camilla all reunited for a girls' day out at Selfridges shopping centre in London on Saturday Montana had originally shocked viewers on Love Island when she appeared to turn against her best friend in the last week. The 21-year-old admitted she was 'losing her temper' with the Scottish bomb disposal expert, 28, in a secret chat with Georgia Harrison. Viewers branded her comments 'two-faced and nasty' - as they came just hours after Camilla tearfully admitted she didn't feel 'good enough' for her Calvin Klein model beau Jamie. Going hell for leather: Camilla looked sensational in racy leather trousers and boots as she was spotted outside a hotel in London on Sunday All together: Documenting the day on their social media accounts, the trio had fun, despite Montana calling Camilla 'draining' towards the end of the show Refined: Afterwards, the girls enjoyed a sophisticated evening of dinner and drinks During a night-time chat with Georgia, student Montana muttered: 'I'm losing my temper with Camilla, I'm finding it f*****g hard. 'Being close with her is quite draining, she's someone that needs picking up. She's very sensitive compared to the average person.' However, the girls had obviously put their differences aside for their outing, and were seen to film Montana as she gave a dramatic performance on the piano as bemused passers-by walked past. Intense: However, the girls had obviously put their differences aside for their outing, and were seen to film Montana as she gave a dramatic performance on the piano as bemused passers-by walked past Loved-up: Gabby was pictured leaving the hotel with boyfriend Marcel Somerville in a sexy floral two piece and flatform sandals Afterwards, the girls enjoyed a sophisticated evening of dinner and drinks. Camilla, who was famously close with Gabby and her boyfriend Marcel, also posted a hilarious snap of the three all in bed together captioning it 'Garcella'. Montana took to the Loose Women panel on Friday to discuss why she went on to the ITV2 dating show, and revealed that she did it to become famous. Montana explained: 'I just thought it could be a great platform do what I want to do, I dont know what yet. I thought it would open doors and opportunities, to be in the public eye and influence public in good way.' Advertisement She has been busy reprising her role of as army medic Georgie Lane filming for the upcoming third series of BBC drama Our Girl. And now Michelle Keegan, 30, continued to show her hard work on set in South Africa, clad in her army fatigues for her latest jaunt for the highly-anticipated show - which is set to air later in the year. The former Coronation Street appeared in high spirits on location as she was pictured laughing and joking with her cast and crew members along a dirt track road. Scroll down for video In character: Michelle Keegan, 30, continued to show her hard work on the Our Girl set in South Africa, clad in army fatigues for her latest jaunt for the highly-anticipated show - which is set to air later in the year Enjoying a quick nibble in between breaks, the Stockport beauty munched on a slice of bread to replenish her energy as she prepared to give it her all for the active scene. The actress - who is married to former TOWIE star Mark Wright - appeared laden down with bags and helmets for the shoot, while her trademark glossy locks were covered by her navy army beret. Interacting with children from the area they were filming in, Michelle smiled and waved at them as she enjoyed a well-deserved breather while they set up the next shot. In the depths: The beauty carried a gun while she filmed for the upcoming series Our girl: Enjoying a quick nibble in between breaks, the Stockport beauty munched on a slice of bread to replenish her energy as she prepared to give it her all for the active scene Having fun: The former Coronation Street appeared in high spirits on location as she was pictured laughing and joking with her cast and crew members along a dirt track road Michelle is currently abroad in South Africa filming for the hit BBC drama where she is reprising her role as army medic Corporal Lane. While Michelle is missing her husband Mark Wright back in the UK, she is said to be fully focused on filming: 'Michelle is incredibly focused and wants success; she doesn't want distractions on set. 'She obviously misses Mark but she knows that she has to give the part 100 percent,' the insider continued. What a giggle! The former soap actress couldn't contain her laughter as she relaxed between takes In character: The actress - who is married to former TOWIE star Mark Wright - appeared laden down with bags and helmets for the shoot, while her trademark glossy locks were covered by her navy army beret Having fun: Michelle couldn't help but smile as she was surrounded by the crew - who she has been filming with for the past few months Work it: She rubbed her eyes as she chatted away to her co-stars Her role in the drama means that the spouses have been forced to spend much of the year apart. Meanwhile, it was recently reported by The Mirror that Michelle's firm Rosia Promotions Limited has raked in 1.2 million after leaving Coronation Street. An insider told the publication: 'Michelle works incredibly hard and the rewards have come in for her.' The source added: 'It was a massive decision for her to leave Britains most popular show but she knew that she could make far more cash away from the Street and she has been proven right. Now she is free to plug what she wants and she is getting some good acting work, too.' On the job: While Michelle is missing her husband Mark Wright back in the UK, she is said to be fully focused on filming: 'Michelle is incredibly focused and wants success; she doesn't want distractions on set Missing: 'She obviously misses Mark but she knows that she has to give the part 100 percent,' the insider continued Apart: Her role in the drama means that the spouses have been forced to spend much of the year apart Bringing in the big bucks: Meanwhile, it was recently reported by The Mirror that Michelle's firm Rosia Promotions Limited has raked in 1.2 million after leaving Coronation Street The actress was initially forced to turn down deals because of the nature of the contract she signed which didn't allow her to advertise while working for Corrie. Michelle, however, has now reaped the financial rewards, hot on the heels of the decision to take her career in a different direction from her breakout role. The beauty, who hails from Stockport, is said to be paid up to 250,000-a-year only to be the face of Lipsy clothing range. She also makes 150,000 for Garnier's Ambre Solaire self-tanning promotions. In comparison, Michelle made a mere 60,000-a-year in her post as the troubled beauty on the cobbles. The star slipped into the role in 2008 but she made the decision to quit for good in 2014. Despite her move away from Corrie, she has landed a number of envy-inducing roles including her Our Girl part. Hard worker: An insider told the publication: 'Michelle works incredibly hard and the rewards have come in for her' Strength-to-strength: The actress was initially forced to turn down deals because of the nature of the contract she signed which didn't allow her to advertise while working for Corrie Different direction: Michelle, however, has now reaped the financial rewards, hot on the heels of the decision to take her career in a different direction from her breakout role She has also starred in three-part ITV drama Tina and Bobby as well as six-part series Ordinary Lies. Meanwhile, her appearance on set comes after it was reported that her bond with Our Girl co-star Luke Pasqualino's bond is reportedly closer than ever after spending weeks together in South Africa shooting scenes for the BBC One war drama. The pair have been posing for sweet snaps together as they celebrated finishing work on series three, expected to return to our screens later this year. A source told Now magazine: 'Their friendship off set just cements their ability to work so well together on screen. Luke rented a motorbike and he and Michelle have had some fun on rest days taking in the landscape.' Business: She also makes 150,000 for Garnier's Ambre Solaire self-tanning promotions. In comparison, Michelle made a mere 60,000-a-year in her post as the troubled beauty on the cobbles Savvy: The beauty, who hails from Stockport, is said to be paid up to 250,000-a-year only to be the face of Lipsy clothing range She shot to fame as a star of The Real Housewives of Melbourne. And now Pettifleur Berenger has been spotted mixing with Real Housewives Of New York star, Jill Zarin, after accepting an offer to attend her 'fifth annual luxury luncheon' in the Hamptons. The 52-year-old looked ravishing as she posed on the event's red carpet alongside Jill on Saturday. Scroll down for video Summer celebration: Pettifleur Berenger, 52, poses with Real Housewives Of New York star, Jill Zarin, on the red carpet of her fifth annual luxury luncheon in the Hamptons Pettifleur put on an elegant display in a white midi dress with mesh detailing on the top. Styling her blonde locks straight, she kept her look simple and classy with a pair of gold hooped earrings. She added an edgy element to her ensemble with her pointed-toe gold and peach stilettos. 'I'm one of the only lucky ones from Australia who has been invited!' Pettifleur said she was 'fortunate' to have been invited to attend the exclusive event The reality star looked to have already hit it off with Jill, with them both smiling happily for the cameras while embracing each other around the waist. Jill's floral number provided a colourful summery contrast to Pettifleur's outfit, with it featuring bright pastel colours and a high-low hemline. She opted for a set of nude platform wedged heals and also accessorised with a pair of hooped earrings. Despite Pettifleur announcing her departure from the Melbourne show earlier this year, she has willingly accepted an offer to take part in a 'mini-series' alongside a line-up of international stars from the franchise. New show: Pettifleur has willingly accepted an offer to take part in a 'mini-series' alongside a line-up of international stars from the franchise She revealed to The Morning Show earlier this month how she had been invited as one of the few Australian housewives to take part. 'There's talks about us going into a share house, with some of the Housewives from around the world,' she said. 'I was told I was very loved in the States, I have a massive fan base,' she continued. 'I'm very fortunate.' They are the unlikely couple who have shunned the media spotlight since confirming their relationship in May. But rocker Daniel Johns and former lingerie model Michelle Leslie put on a loved-up display at Sydney airport on Saturday, as the pair prepared to board a flight to Los Angeles. The couple, who looked happy to be in each other's company, packed on the PDA as they shared a kiss while waiting to board their flight. Scroll down for video Rocker Daniel Johns and former lingere model Michelle Leslie put on a loved-up display at Sydney airport on Saturday, as the pair prepared to board a flight to Los Angeles The pair, who looked happy to be in each other's company, put on a romantic PDA as they shared a kiss while waiting to board their flight Both Michelle and Daniel were visions in black with the rocker sporting an overcoat, simple T-shirt, loose fitting pants and a pair of chunky boots. Both Michelle and Daniel were decked out in black attire with the rocker sporting an overcoat, simple T-shirt, loose fitting pants and a pair of chunky boots. Daniel's blonde locks were slicked back for the occasion while his neck tattoo was on full display. Walking through the terminal sans luggage, Daniel also sported an oversized tan-coloured bag that he slung over his left shoulder. Tatts nice: Daniel's blonde locks were slicked back for the occasion while his neck tattoo was on full display Walking through the terminal sans luggage, Daniel also sported an oversized tan-coloured bag that he slung over his left shoulder Looking good: Michelle, meanwhile, wore a stylish black leather jacket over what appeared to be a grey T-shirt Michelle, meanwhile, wore a stylish black leather jacket over what appeared to be a grey T-shirt. The one time resident of Bali's Kerobokan Prison also wore a pair of three-quarter length pants and a pair of suede boots She accessorised with a fetching wide-brimmed Fedora and a black scarf which was wrapped around her neck and tucked into the jacket while her brunette locks flowed freely from underneath the hat. The one time resident of Bali's Kerobokan Prison also wore a pair of three-quarter length pants and a pair of suede boots Hat trick: Michelle accessorised with a fetching wide-brimmed Fedora and a black scarf which was wrapped around her neck and tucked into the jacket while her brunette locks flowed freely from underneath the hat Respite: Before stepping inside the terminal, Daniel and Michelle took time to share a cigarette together as Michelle's phone seemed to be taking up a lot of her attention Scrolling: Despite appearing to be glued to her phone, the pair seemed to be enjoying a conversation as they stood outside the terminal Before stepping inside the terminal, Daniel and Michelle took time to share a cigarette together as Michelle's phone seemed to be taking up a lot of her attention. Despite appearing to be glued to her phone, the pair seemed to be enjoying a conversation as they stood outside the terminal. Whatever Michelle was doing on her phone seemed to resonate with Daniel who smiled broadly with his new flame as he leant in to look at her screen. Let me see: Whatever Michelle was doing on her phone seemed to resonate with Daniel who smiled broadly with his new flame as he leant in to look at her screen Relaxing: The pair looked at ease in each other's company outside the terminal as Daniel casually blew plumes of smoke from his mouth Close couple: After finishing with her phone, Michelle engaged her new beau in the chat as they finished their cigarette The pair looked at ease in each other's company outside the terminal as Daniel casually blew plumes of smoke from his mouth. After finishing with her phone, Michelle engaged her new beau in the chat as they finished their cigarette. With their pre-flight smoke over, Daniel and Michelle headed back into the terminal to check in for their flight. All aboard: With their pre-flight 'smoko' over, Daniel and Michelle headed back into the terminal to check in for their flight Mobile fun: The pair were in good spirits as they waited in line to check in with the pair appearing to share another joke as Michelle once again diverted her gaze to her phone Can't wait: Clearly excited about her Stateside trip, Michelle also shared a laugh with airport staff as she reached the front of the line The duo were in good spirits as they waited in line appearing to share another joke as Michelle once again diverted her gaze to her phone. Clearly excited about her Stateside trip, Michelle also shared a laugh with airport staff as she reached the front of the line. The waiting seemed to take its toll on Daniel who couldn't help but yawn as he meandered his way through the line. Tired: The waiting seemed to take its toll on Daniel who couldn't help but yawn as he meandered his way through the line Stateside trouble: While the Sydney leg of the trip went off without a hitch, it wasn't all plain sailing for the pair as Michelle was detained when the pair reached Los Angeles Drama: When the pair landed at LAX Michelle experienced an issue at the automated passport kiosk, 7 News reported Slight hitch: Video surfaced on Sunday showing Leslie escorted away by an officer soon after While the Sydney leg of the trip went off without a hitch, it wasn't all plain sailing for the couple as Michelle was later detained when the duo reached Los Angeles. When they landed at LAX, Michelle experienced an issue at the automated passport kiosk,7 News reported. Video surfaced on Sunday showing Leslie escorted away by an officer soon after. In the dark: No information has surfaced about why she was detained at the major US airport Headline maker: Michelle was arrested in 2005 and jailed for possessing two ecstasy pills in Bali, Indonesia Notorious prison: She was imprisoned in the notorious Kerobokan Jail in Denpasar, Bali for three months No information has surfaced about why she was detained at the major US airport. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to representatives for comment. Michelle was arrested in 2005 and jailed for possessing two ecstasy pills in Bali, Indonesia. Happy snap: Michelle and Daniel appeared to confirm their relationship in May this year with a photo posted to Instagram Happy together: The former Silverchair rocker appeared ecstatic in the photo which showed him sitting with a guitar as Leslie laughed beside him She was imprisoned in the notorious Kerobokan Jail in Denpasar, Bali for three months. Michelle and Daniel appeared to confirm their relationship in May this year with a photo posted to Instagram. The former Silverchair rocker appeared ecstatic in the photo which showed him sitting with a guitar as Leslie laughed beside him. Daniel has also made headlines recently after he was pictured stumbling through the streets of affluent Sydney suburb Double Bay, seemingly worse for wear. The musician was pictured, shirtless with pink lipstick and black eyeliner smeared across his face. He collapsed on the street after leaving the trendy eastern suburbs bar Mrs Sippy. Concern: Daniel has also made headlines recently after he was pictured stumbling through the streets of affluent Sydney suburb Double Bay, seemingly worse for wear. Bad look? The musician was pictured, shirtless with pink lipstick and black eyeliner smeared across his face. She's no stranger to a bit of heated competition, having competed in the Olympics and represented Australia on multiple occasions for water polo. And now Australian Survivor contestant Nicola 'Ziggy' Zagame has divulged some of her tactics heading into Samoa for the 55-day-long challenge. Speaking with the Daily Telegraph this week, the 26-year-old said she was banking on her competitive spirit to help see her through to the end of the competition. Embracing the challenge: Olympian Nicola Zagame, 26, has revealed how she hopes her fierce competitive streak will benefit her in Australian Survivor Nicola also confessed to utilizing some rather interesting measures in an attempt to sustain her energy levels in the early stages of the contest. She said she had 'purposely tried to put on weight' before setting off to Samoa where contestants would have limited access to food. Having grown up in a highly competitive environment, she said she had begun training her mindset from an early age. Preparations: Nicola said she had 'purposely tried to put on weight' before setting off to Samoa 'When I was a kid, I would race my parents and brother eating,' she told the publication. Fighting spirit is clearly something that comes naturally to Nicola, and it's no surprise given that her parents are athletes in their own right. She is the daughter of an Australian triathlete champion and a former lifesaver and ironwoman. Strong competitor: She grew up in a highly competitive environment and began training her mindset from an early age Nicola previously revealed she didn't have a game plan going into the show. 'I think definitely have to suss out what the people are like before getting too much into a strategy,' she said. The Olympian is set to star alongside 23 other contestants with varied backgrounds including a female plumber, stunning model, professional poker player and a former special ops commander. They're on a whirlwind European vacation. And the fun continued on Saturday for Heidi Klum and her boyfriend Vito Schnabel. The 44-year-old supermodel and her beau, 31, enjoyed a romantic outing in Venice, Italy - including a boat ride around the city. Fancy: Heidi Klum and her boyfriend Vito Schnabel enjoyed a romantic outing in Venice, Italy - including a boat ride around the city Just days earlier, they enjoyed the sunshine near St. Tropez on a large yacht. The lovebirds, who have been together for almost four years, were caught lovingly gazing at each as they toured Venice. Heidi flashed a hint of her flat stomach in her trendy ripped boyfriend jeans and black tank top combination. The mother of four kept it casual, opting to tie a plaid shirt around her waist. Looks fun: The 44-year-old supermodel and her beau have been together for almost four years Vibes: Just days earlier, the lovebirds were enjoying the sunshine in St. Tropez on a large yacht Heidi stepped out in leopard print sandals with layers of jewelry, adding aviator sunglasses. The natural beauty, who began modeling at the age of 18, wore her long locks loose with no makeup on. Vito, an art dealer, kept it simple in a T-shirt and jeans; he celebrated turning 31 on his birthday, July 27. Sunshine: The natural beauty, who began modeling at the age of 18, wore her long locks loose with no makeup Taking it all in: Vito looked to be enjoying himself; he kept it simple in a T-shirt and jeans (pictured on the middle right together) Their trip to Italy comes after Vito allegedly kissed a mystery woman in London in early June. He told People magazine in a statement that there 'was nothing more to this than I was simply saying goodnight to a family friend.' Vito said that he and the woman 'went on our separate ways,' adding that the claims are a 'misinterpretation of an entirely innocent situation.' Heidi and Vito spent time together just days earlier on a yacht in the French Riviera. The stunning model flaunted her toned form in a swimsuit while rinsing off after a dip in the water; Vito later joined her in the outdoor shower on the yacht. French Riviera: The stunning model flaunted her toned form in a swimsuit post swim while rinsing off; pictured on July 28 Having fun: Vito later joined her during her outdoor shower; seen on July 28 Despite taking some much-deserved time off, however, Heidi did manage to lend her support to a worthy cause while on her sun-soaked romantic getaway. The supermodel took to Instagram on Saturday to share a gif that sees her sitting in a pile of stuffed tiger toys, which slowly disappear one by one, leaving Heidi, cross-legged, on a plain floor. America's Got Talent judge Heidi explained in the caption that she was sharing the post in support of #ProjectCAT, an initiative started by the WWF and Discovery to try and raise awareness about the speed at which tigers are disappearing from the planet. 'Less than 4000 wild tigers left on the planet,' Heidi captioned her gif, before adding: 'Lets not allow tigers to disappear on our watch!' Millie Mackintosh, 28, and Hugo Taylor, 31, are engaged, almost a year after rekindling their romance. The couple confirmed the news to MailOnline on Sunday, following speculation that surrounded Millie sporting a new rock on her engagement finger in Greece. The news comes 14 months after former Made In Chelsea star Millie's divorce was finalised with Professor Green, 33. Scroll down for video Celebrating something? Millie Mackintosh and boyfriend Hugo Taylor have confirmed their engagement A representative for Hugo Taylor told MailOnline: 'I can confirm that Hugo and Millie did get engaged whilst they were on holiday in Greece.' Despite being spotted wearing a huge new ring, Millie had deliberately hidden her ring finger at any given opportunity on Instagram and teasingly declared she'd had the 'best birthday ever'. 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. Fun in the sun: The former reality star has been enjoying the best birthday ever, after getting engaged during her 28th celebrations in Greece Sealed with a kiss: The couple certainly seemed to be celebrating as they enjoyed a lavish week away to mark the occasion What a dazzler! The fashion designer inadvertently offered fans a glimpse at her glittering new rock, when she was pictured applying sun cream during her yacht day this week Risque! Though she hid her ring finger, Millie , 28, bared everything else in a completely NUDE and titillating snap on Instagram on Saturday Daring to bare: Millie had previously posed topless on a yacht in Mykonos on Thursday after flaunting a huge diamond ring on her finger Rock on: Millie has been trying to hide the jewellery on her Instagram but holiday pictures shown by MailOnline capture the rock 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. 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.' 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 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 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. In the wake of the engagement news, thoughts seemed to turn to Millie's ex, when it was claimed that the marriage news was being treated as 'sensitive'. A source told The Sun on Sunday night: 'They're very happy together... but Millie only recently came out of her first marriage. 'It is still a sensitive subject and one she plans to handle delicately because she knows what some of the reaction is likely to be.' 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. 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 They went public at the BRIT Awards in February 2012, with Stephen proposing on holiday in Paris just over a year later in 2013. 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. 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 '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.' 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.' 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 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.' It's a flesh flashing look more suited to the hot climate back in Spain - but that did not stop Love Island beauty Georgia Harrison from wearing a skimpy get-up to the reunion special filming on Sunday. The 21-year-old blonde beauty wore a skimpy PVC crop top that showcased her impressive cleavage as she arrived at London's ITV studios, ahead of the special show. And to complete her sexy look she added the ultimate accessory - fellow islander and romantic interest Sam Gowland, 21. Lady in red: Georgia Harrison, 21, looked stunning as she arrived at ITV's London studio in a plunging crop top on Sunday The pair, who coupled up during their time on the show, arrived hand in hand at the bash, hinting that they are still very much together. To add to her wow-factor top, Georgia wore figure-hugging pinstriped red trousers and a black clutch handbag. Geordie boy Sam donned a tight-fitting short sleeved shirt which showed off his tattoes and ripped denim jeans. Double trouble: She arrived hand in hand with Sam Gowland, 21, who she coupled up with on the ITV2 series The couple placed sixth during their run on the ITV2 show which concluded on Monday. Although they have not revealed if they are officially boyfriend and girlfriend yet, they have been spending a lot of time together even though the cameras have stopped rolling. On Saturday, they both shared a series of social media videos revealing Sam had stayed the night at Georgia's Essex home and had got so drunk the night before she'd had to carry him home. Britney wannabe: Georgia's look was reminiscent of Britney Spears' PVC catsuit look from the noughties Showing her shape: The blonde bombshell was certainly capturing attention Sam kicked things off by confessing: 'I do not remember getting home last night.' Georgia swiftly interjected: 'I remember carrying him home. 'You were sick in a bucket all night while I rubbed your back. You were naked on the floor in my bathroom.' Tattooed hunk Sam gave a cheeky wink at the camera and tried to insist it was 'all lies' before they both burst out laughing. The telly star later scooped major brownie points as she presented her lover with a tasty-looking breakfast in bed before they took to the bathroom for some shower banter. They had sparked romance rumours following Jonny Mitchell's exit from the Love Island villa. But the dark-haired hunk and Chyna Ellis found themselves at loggerheads over their relationship live on air during the Love Island reunion show that aired on Sunday night on ITV2. Show host Caroline Flack quizzed the duo over the nature of their romance and when Jonny suggested the pair were 'keeping things open', his flame Chyna was left open-mouthed after what seemed like an on-air dumping. Scroll down for video 'What the hell?' Chyna Ellis was left open-mouthed during Love Island's live reunion show on Sunday night as Jonny Mitchell claimed their romance was being 'left open' much to her shock While the couple hadn't struck up a romance onscreen, sparks appeared to fly away from the cameras and Jonny and Chyna caused a stir on social media, after photos emerged of the duo kissing. Jonny had insisted on his exit that he would be 'waiting' for Tyla Carr on the outside, but appeared quick to go back on his word as he put on a flirty display with fellow islander Chyna instead. And things seemed to be heating up between them, as Jonny had whisked Chyna off to Budapest, where she claimed she'd had the 'best weekend'. Oops: The dark-haired hunk appeared to land himself in it as he played down his and Chyna's relationship status Hitting back: Chyna was quick to question her beau and pointed out that he had whisked her off to Budapest for the weekend Much to her surprise, however, Jonny was keen to play down their relationship and when quizzed over his relationship status, he told Caroline: 'We're keeping it open.' A visibly shocked Chyna was quick to repsond: 'Keeping it open? What the hell?' An awkward Jonny then stuttered in response: 'We're just very good friends... we're having a bit of fun.' Chyna then pointed out that Jonny's idea of having a 'bit of fun' involved taking her overseas, prompting Jonny's Love Island nemesis Theo Campbell to remark: 'Can I be a good friend?' With tensions clearly rising between Jonny and Chyna, Caroline was quick to move on from the showdown, quipping that things had suddenly got very 'awkward' in the studio. 'We're just very good friends': Jonny tried to reason, prompting host Caroline Flack to brand the exchange 'awkward' and just move on Ouch: Tensions were clearly rising between the duo, with Jonny's nemesis Theo joking that he too wanted to be a 'good friend' of Chyna's But it seems Chyna wasn't willing to let Jonny's slip up lie and took to Snapchat branding her beau a 'pr**k'. Adding three gun emojis across a photo of Jonny, she added in a second snap: 'Can't deal.' During the reunion show, that saw all 32 islanders come together to mark the end of the series, fans got to hear what the stars of Love Island's third series had been getting up to since their exits from the villa. Montana Brown and Alex Beattie yet again denied recent rumours that they have 'secretly split' and insisted the claims were 'definitely not true'. Alex hit back: 'We're just [living] at opposite ends of the country, but we're making it work.' Not happy: Chyna had hit out at Jonny via Snapchat during the show branding him a 'pr**k' He and Montana had made their romance official while starring on the dating show, but Alex was left red-faced when he had told his girlfriend he loved her and she hadn't reciprocated his feelings. Asked if Montana had dropped the L-word yet, a frustrated Alex quickly replied: 'No not yet,' through gritted teeth before bowing his head. Tyla and Mike Thalassitis confirmed that their brief romance has come to a complete halt, with Mike focusing on enjoying himself and 'doing bits' instead and Tyla insisting she was after a man that, like her, wants to actually settle down. The final four couples, meanwhile, revealed how their relationship were faring now they were back on home soil. More than friends: Jonny and the blonde beauty had looked pretty cosy during their trip to Budapest that they documented all over social media Romance: Jonny had hinted he and Chyna are now an item as he referred to her in a 'rocket' in his posts and quipped the duo were on a 'date night' 'Definitely not': Montana Brown and Alex Beattie made sure to hit back at rumours they have split once again, insisting they are very much together and making their romance work Marcel Somerville and Gabby Allen once again confirmed that, after abstaining while on camera, they have finally done the deed and had sex. Gabby revealed: 'It was the first time we had a night on our own... oh my god, yes. It was worth the wait!' Probed for the juicy details by Caroline, Marcel insisted a 'gentleman never tells', but was quick to confirm that he and Gabby had got hot and heavy with one another a 'few times' in just one night. They revealed that they are looking forward to having a 'real relationship' on the outside and while they had no current plans to move in together, they have discussed potentially setting up home in a 'few months' time. Olivia Attwood, meanwhile, was quick to leave her beau Chris Hughes red-faced, as she revealed that he had actually asked her for a key to his flat that morning. All over: Tyla and Mike Thalassitis confirmed that their brief romance has come to a complete halt, with Mike focusing on enjoying himself and 'doing bits' 'We want different things': Tyla insisted she was after a man that, like her and unlike Mike, wants to actually settle down 'It was worth it': While Gabby and Marcel confirmed yet again they have finally had sex Gabby revealed: 'It was the first time we had a night on our own... oh my god, yes. It was worth the wait!' Chris was quick to insist it 'never happened' and the playful pair continued to embarrass each other as they discussed their turbulent relationship in the villa. Making her boyfriend squirm, Olivia referred to her boyfriend's tendency to break down in tears and joked that he had cried since leaving Love Island - 'after sex'. Her banter-filled remark, however, backfired when Chris hit back: 'Legit if anyone was crying after sex it was her,' prompting Liv to share slightly too much information, as she added: 'Yeah it was me, the next day. I was waddling.' Much to fans delight, the duo were reunited with their faux son, baby Cash Hughes. Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt, meanwhile, parted ways with the sultry chat as they discussed their plans to visit a refugee camp together. Too much information? Chris and Olivia had been just as forthcoming about their bedroom antics, with Olivia joking her beau had cried after they'd slept together Backfired: Her joke came back to her bite her though as Chris hit back: 'Legit if anyone was crying after sex it was her' On Love Island, Jamie had told Camilla he wanted to whisk her away to Ibiza when filming came to an end, but the couple revealed their sun-drenched holiday has taken a back burner. Jamie confessed that his romance with the blonde beauty is 'better than ever' and while they are yet to put an official label on their relationship, he teased: 'We are very close.' Last but not least, Love Island winners Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies seemed just as besotted as each other and despite their tumultuous journey in the villa, they insisted they haven't had a 'bad day' since rekindling their romance after Kem's trip to Casa Amor with the boys. 'We're very close': Camilla and Jamie revealed they are on the way to becoming an official couple and explained their plans to visit a refugee camp together Sweet: Jamie confessed that his romance with the blonde beauty is 'better than ever' since leaving the Love Island villa and having met each other's family and friends The triumphant pair shed light on their plans to move to Essex together, but insisted they wouldn't be 'rushing' the move, as they hope to 'build on their relationship' before jumping into taking the next steps together - including marriage. Although, having previously spoken with one another about tying the knot, they seemed to disagree when it came to when they would finally wed. Kem joked he wouldn't marry until he was 30, prompting Amber to remark: '30? That's interesting. I thought we said before, five years and engagement.' Squirming a little in his seat, Kem reassured Amber: 'Yeah so we'll think about it in five years time,' although he did add that he wasn't planning on marriage 'anytime soon'. 'No time soon': Love Island winner Kem brushed off talk of marriage to girlfriend Amber Davies, admitting he wasn't planning on tying the knot until he is 30 Instead, it seems he is focusing on his career as a rapper, teasing that he and Stormzy have teamed up together on an exciting new project. Love Island Awards: The Muggys Most Romantic: Kem for his speeches to Amber Best Supporting Face: Jonny for his 'watching Theo jump in the pool face' Totes Awks: Stormzy for his tweet calling out Olivia - but recieved by Georgia for 'coupling up with Kem' Dry Your Eyes Mate: Tyla for 'crying over Jonny' Muggiest Moment of the Series: Mike for 'being muggy Mike' Advertisement Tweets had been exchanged between the 'Big For Your Boots' hit-maker and Kem hinting at a collaboration, with Kem confirming live on air on Love Island's reunion show: 'There's definitely something going on.' 'Everyone is going to see it,' he promised. 'Man like Stormzy is coming through.' While fans will have to eagerly wait for Kem's debut rapping track, they did find themselves witnessing a surprise performance from Blazing Squad. Marcel's former band surprised him on the show and gave an impromptu performance of their hit Flip Reverse, with the reality star jumping up to join them on stage, much to his girlfriend Gabby's delight. The show then wrapped up with its own award ceremony titled 'The Muggys', where Kem won a gong for his romantic speeches to girlfriend Amber and Mike won Muggiest Moment of the Series, as voted by fans, for simply being 'muggy Mike'. The Bachelor's Jen Hawke has revealed she underwent a boob job a few years ago. The busty brunette, who has been painted as the 'villain' on the show, opened up about undergoing the dramatic change in her physical appearance prior to signing up for the reality TV program. The 27-year-old, who has said she has a 'tendency to intimidate people', spoke with Woman's Day about her breast augmentation surgery. Scroll down for video Transformation: Jen Hawke has been open about undergoing a dramatic change in her physical appearance prior to signing up for The Bachelor 'I wasn't blessed with naturally great breasts, so I bought myself some three years ago,' she told the magazine. She also hit back at critics who pointed to her acting background as an indication she was hired by the show's producers to 'cause trouble'. 'I don't intend to stir the pot and didn't go on the show to do that - it just so happens to be who I am,' she explained. But in a recent interview with The Daily Telegraph, the Sydney-based reality star said she isn't afraid to be labelled the Bachie 'bad girl' and she relished the description. 'I absolutely love that I've been painted as a villainous character,' she declared. 'I wasn't blessed with naturally great breasts, so I bought myself some three years ago,' she described to the magazine 'I absolutely love that I've been painted as a villainous character,' she declared 'In my real life I have the tendency to intimidate people,' the marketing manager added. Her fellow contestant Florence Alexandra Sophia attracted criticism on social media when she said Jen looked like a 'Jewish banana' during a group date on the show. 'I'm not worried about Jennifer. Dude, you look horrible! I mean, she looks like a Jewish banana,' stated the Dutch model in a video confessional, to the ire of fans. 'I'm not worried about Jennifer. Dude, you look horrible! I mean, she looks like a Jewish banana,' stated the Dutch model in a video confessional, to the ire of fans A magazine report has claimed that Matthew Matty J Johnson may be an 'old flame' of Karl Stefanovic's girlfriend Jasmine Yarbrough. The New Idea magazine article, published Monday, alleges that Matty, 30, and Jasmine, 33, were 'really close' in the past after 'both attending private schools in Brisbane'. 'Nothing was ever definite, but let's just say they were very good friends back in the day,' a source reportedly told the publication. Former flame? A magazine report has claimed that Matthew Matty J Johnson may be an 'old flame' of Karl Stefanovic's girlfriend Jasmine Yarbrough Rumours: The New Idea magazine article, published Monday, alleges that Matty, 30, and Jasmine, 33, were 'really close' in the past after 'both attending private schools in Brisbane' The magazine also claims that Matty was in the past, and remains, good friends with Jasmine's brother Josh Taffs Yarbrough. Matty and Josh do appear to be in contact, with Josh making comments on Matty's Instagram images and the two men exchanging gags. One such comment, made by Josh in August 2015, jokes that Matty has 'sex eyes' in a smouldering image where the Bachelor hunk is seen aboard a boat. Matty also commented on an image of Josh posing alongside his other sister, Jade, with a heart eye emoji. The New Idea report goes on to claim that the revelation that Matty and Jasmine we once linked is, 'sure to knock Karl around a bit'. A Channel Ten spokesperson for Matty J told Daily Mail Australia in a statement: 'They are all friends. There is nothing to comment on'. 'Nothing was ever definite, but let's just say they were very good friends back in the day,' a source reportedly told the publication This month, the Today host finally broke his silence about his relationship with shoe designer Jasmine. 'We have a really lovely relationship but it's got to be slow for a number of reasons,' the former Logie Award winner revealed to Stellar magazine. The TV host also discussed his headline-making divorce from former ABC journalist Cassandra Thorburn in an interview with TV Week. Pals: The magazine also claims that Matty was in the past, and remains, good friends with Jasmine's brother Josh Taffs Yarbrough (pictured centre). Josh is pictured with his sisters Jasmine (L) and Jade (R) Comments: Matty and Josh do appear to be in contact, with Josh making comments on Matty's Instagram images and the two men exchanging gags Jokes: One such comment, made by Josh in August 2015, jokes that Matty has 'sex eyes' in a smouldering image where the Bachelor hunk is seen aboard a boat In contact: Matty also commented on an image of Josh (L) posing alongside his other sister, Jade (R) Cheeky: The Bachelor commented on the image of the siblings with a heart eye emoji 'Look, it's sad and it's difficult, but it's a very normal part of life for many people,' the 42-year-old said of his failed marriage. 'As long as my children aren't plastered across everything, it's something I alone have to deal with,' the father-of-three revealed. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Karl Stefanonic for comment. New White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, a millionaire New York financier, has arrived at the White House vowing to serve Trump's interest and right a badly faltering administration White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci has launched a searing foul-mouthed attack on his most senior colleagues, describing one as a "paranoid schizophrenic." In an eye-watering exchange with a New Yorker reporter late Wednesday, the fast-talking Scaramucci ranted about chief of staff Reince Priebus and chief White House strategist Steve Bannon. Scaramucci was quoted as describing Priebus as a "paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac" in an expletive-filled tirade in which he accused the chief of staff of damaging information leaks. "They're trying to resist me, but it's not going to work," he said, adding that Priebus would soon resign and using language that American television networks refused to repeat. Turning his sights on Trump's chief strategist, Scaramucci made it very clear he believes Bannon is working in the White House to serve his own interests, using particularly offensive language. "I'm here to serve the country," Scaramucci said, not "trying to build my own brand" on the back of the president. - 'Colorful language' - (From L) The White House advisor Steve Bannon; Anthony Scaramucci, named Donald Trump's new White House communications director; the White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus Scaramucci, a millionaire New York financier, has arrived at the White House vowing to serve Trump's interest and right a badly faltering administration. His appointment gives Trump not just a high-profile surrogate, but one cut from the same wheeling-dealing New York cloth as himself. Since taking on the role, Scaramucci has run to the cameras, firing up the charm and enthusiastically hawking the administration's wares, breathing new energy into Trump's faltering White House. The brash Long Island native also has vowed to root out the "leaks" that have infuriated Trump, threatened to fire anyone who fails to fall in line and signaled he is not afraid to mix it up with the big players in Trump's inner circle. Before the revelations made by The New Yorker, he had already seemed to publicly accuse Priebus of leaking information, although that tweeted allegation was later retracted and denied. But the revelations made by The New Yorker are likely to raise questions about how long Scaramucci -- a possible pretender to Priebus's throne -- can last in the West Wing. Scaramucci 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. Later on, he added: "I made a mistake in trusting in a reporter. It won't happen again." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Scaramucci "used some colorful language -- I don't think he will again." For Scaramucci, his similarities to Trump may yet be his downfall. In the billionaire president's White House, any misstep or slight -- real or imagined -- that irks the man in the Oval Office can be politically fatal. Police arrested four people after raiding homes across Sydney Saturday in a major counter-terrorism operation Australia has foiled an Islamist-inspired terrorist plot to bring down an aircraft with an improvised explosive device, authorities said Sunday, after four people were arrested in raids across Sydney. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the plot appeared to be "elaborate" rather than planned by a lone wolf, as security was strengthened at major domestic and international airports across the nation. "I can report last night that there has been a major joint counter-terrorism operation to disrupt a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane," Turnbull told reporters. "The threat of terrorism is very real. The disruption operation, the efforts overnight have been very effective but there's more work to do." Officials did not specify if the alleged plot involved a domestic or international flight, but Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported that a local route had been the objective. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin described the plot as "Islamic-inspired" and said four men had been arrested in a series of raids across Sydney on Saturday. "We do believe it is Islamic-inspired terrorism. Exactly what is behind this is something we need to investigate fully," he said. Colvin added that local authorities had received "credible information from partner agencies" about the claims but would not elaborate further or say if the men had been on any watch list. "In recent days, law enforcement has become aware of information that suggested some people in Sydney were planning to commit a terrorist attack using an IED (improvised explosive device)," he told reporters. He added that several items "of great interest to police" had been seized in the raids but police did not yet have a great deal of information on the specific attack, the location, date or time. He said the investigation was expected to be "very long and protracted". "However, we're investigating information indicating the aviation industry was potentially a target of that attack." Colvin would not provide further details, but the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said police found items that could be used to make a homemade bomb in one of the raided homes Saturday. Authorities believed they planned to smuggle the device onto a plane to blow it up, the ABC added. - Airport security boost - Airline passengers in Australia have been asked to arrive early for flights and to limit baggage after authorities said they foiled an Islamist-inspired "terrorist plot" Four men were arrested Saturday after armed police stormed homes in at least four neighbourhoods, though their names and ages have not been released and they have not been charged by police. A magistrate late Sunday gave police an additional seven days to detain the men without charge. The Seven Network reported 40 riot squad officers moved on a terraced house in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Surry Hills. TV footage showed a man with a bandage on his head being led away by authorities, draped in a blanket. Sections of surrounding roads remained cordoned off on Sunday as forensic officers and investigators wrapped up and removed items from the house. Airline passengers have meanwhile been asked to arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international routes, and to limit their baggage. "Australia has very strong safeguards in place at its airports; these changes are about making them even stronger," Australian carrier Qantas said. Airline Virgin Australia stressed that the additional airport security measures were just "precautionary" and passengers "should not be concerned". Turnbull said the national terror alert level, which was raised on September 2014 amid rising concerns over attacks by individuals inspired by organisations such as Islamic State, would remain at probable. Canberra has introduced new national security laws since then, while counter-terrorism police have also made a string of arrests. A total of 12 attacks, before the latest announcement, have been prevented in the past few years, while 70 people have been charged, Justice Minister Michael Keenan said. "The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors, but there's still the ability for people to have sophisticated plots and sophisticated attacks still remain a real threat," he told reporters Sunday. The prime minister added that the alleged plan appeared to be "more in that category of an elaborate plot". Several terror attacks have taken place in Australia in recent years, including a Sydney cafe siege in 2014 that saw two hostages killed. US Vice President Mike Pence, seen here shaking hands with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite and with (far left) Estonia's President Kersti Kaljulaid at a Munich Security Conference in February. Pence will visit the Baltic region next week. US Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday visits Estonia to reassure the three Baltic NATO members, concerned over neighbouring Russia's military activity, before continuing on to Georgia and Montenegro with the same mission. Pence will meet with Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas on Sunday regarding the possibility of installing American anti-aircraft defence systems in the small country of 1.3 million people. Relations between Moscow and Tallinn have been fraught since Estonia broke free from the crumbling Soviet Union in 1991, joining both the EU and NATO in 2004. More recently Estonia and fellow Baltic states Latvia and Lithuania have been spooked by Russia's frequent military exercises near the region and its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. On Monday, Pence will meet Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and her Lithuanian and Latvian counterparts, Dalia Grybauskaite and Rajmonds Vejonis. He will then visit troops from the Enhanced Forward Presence programme, under which NATO has deployed four battalions to the Baltic states and Poland to bolster the western defence alliance's eastern flank. - 'We are watching' - Local analysts expect Pence to offer Estonians what they want to hear, including that "the US is a good loyal ally and that they appreciate Baltic sacrifices including their 2 percent of GDP spending on defence and their participation in military operations in Afghanistan," according to Tallinn University international relations specialist Matthew Crandall, as quoted by public television ERR. Analyst Andres Kasekamp added on the same channel that "the timing, before Russia's Zapad exercises (in September in Belarus, near the Lithuanian border) shows that the US wants to say: 'We are watching what's happening here very closely and you can be certain of our support.'" The Zapad exercises have triggered concern in Lithuania, since they will take place relatively close to the Suwalki gap, a land corridor crossing southeastern Poland which is critical to the security of the Baltic states. The 80-kilometer (50-mile) stretch of border with Lithuania is sandwiched between the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad to the west and Moscow-friendly Belarus to the east. This corridor of land is considered the potential Achilles heel of NATO's eastern flank, because a hypothetical Russian offensive there could easily isolate the three Baltic countries to the north. Lithuanian authorities have said that up to 100,000 Russian and Belarussian troops could take part in the exercises. But Belarus Defence Minister Andrei Ravkov told the Russian TASS news agency that the soldiers will only number around 13,000. - Russo-Georgian war memories vivid - Pence is expected to make similar assurances in Tbilissi during talks with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Monday night and with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili on Tuesday. US backing of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity will also be well-received in the country, especially since it is not a NATO member and memories of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war remain vivid. To that end Pence will on Tuesday meet with US and Georgian troops who are taking part in the Noble Partner 2017 exercises. He will then continue on to Podgorica to meet with Montenegro's leaders on Tuesday night. The tiny former Yugoslav republic has a population of 660,000 and lies on the Adriatic sea. Montenegro joined NATO in June in the face of bitter opposition from Moscow, which says NATO's steady expansion into the former communist states of eastern Europe threatens its own security and cannot go unchallenged. On Wednesday, Pence will attend the Adriatic Charter summit, which in addition to the US and Montenegro will bring together four other countries in the region (Albania, Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia). Kosovo, Serbia and Slovenia have observer status and should also be represented at the meeting of the alliance, which was created in 2003 in order to facilitate the region's integration into NATO. So far Albania, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia have joined. Senegal is normally known for its peaceful democratic traditions Senegal voted in a tense general election Sunday, with ex-president Abdoulaye Wade accusing his successor of engineering problems with the ballot to thwart an opposition victory. The vote to elect a new parliament is seen as a test run for President Macky Sall ahead of a 2019 presidential election and follows a campaign marred by violence. There was an estimated turnout of almost 54 percent, said public broadcaster RTS citing official sources. The first results are due early Monday in the west African nation, where more than 6.2 million people are registered to vote. Some complained of being left off the electoral rolls, and there were delays to voting in several places. "I'm going home. I've checked at several polling stations and my name doesn't figure anywhere. However I normally vote here," complained Souleye Tine in Dakar's working-class Medina neighbourhood. Wade pointed the blame firmly at the president after a campaign that at times saw violent clashes in a country normally known for its peaceful democratic traditions. "Macky Sall arranged it -- he gave instructions so that in all the places where he thinks the opposition is going to win, there's no voting," Wade said. "An election in which one of the candidates cannot find his ballot papers in the polling stations cannot be called an election," Wade said in reference to delays due to the absence of ballot papers for several electoral lists. "I call on all voters who have voted to stay at their polling stations until the results are announced, to witness whether the results conform to reality." - Angry voters - At 91, Wade, who returned last month for the election campaign after two years abroad, is aiming to drum up support for his own list of candidates and his son Karim, who is not on the ballot but has ambitions for the presidency. Sall, in power since 2012, is seeking to bolster his parliamentary majority as he eyes a second term. Polling stations were due to close at 6:00 pm (1800 GMT) but in the central city of Touba the governor said people could vote until midnight after particularly long delays worsened by heavy overnight storms. A polling station in the city was vandalised by voters angry that ballot papers for Wade's coalition were unavailable, official news agency APS reported. A police statement said a total of 147 polling stations had been trashed and three people, all candidates on Wade's list, had been detained. Sall's other main opponent, Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall -- no relation of the president -- is in jail awaiting trial for what supporters say are politically motivated embezzlement charges. Former president Abdoulaye Wade is seeking to drum up support for his son, who has ambitions for the presidency The mayor had been seen as a key contender for 2019 and a potential threat to the president in parliament until he was charged in March with allegedly misappropriating 1.83 billion CFA francs ($2.85 million, 2.7 million euros) in city funds. Nevertheless early partial results and forecasts from the media put the mayor's electoral list significantly ahead in the capital and among Senegalese expats who for the first time have direct representation, with 15 of parliament's 165 seats set aside for them. - Calls for calm - Wade had accused the government during the campaign of seeking to prevent an opposition victory through selective delivery of the biometric ID cards needed to vote, with several hundred thousand failing to arrive on time. The constitutional council eventually moved to relax the rules so that people without the cards could use passports or other forms of identification to cast their ballots, along with proof they had applied for the IDs. The election has been complicated by the record 47 lists of candidates in the running, meaning 47 types of ballot paper needed to be available at polling stations. Wade has accused Sall of "destroying" Senegal, while the president's side say Wade did not do enough to develop the nation while in power, boasting of their achievements in building a new airport and other infrastructure projects. Revered by most Indians, cows are at the centre of political battles and 'lynch mob' attacks but are being abandoned in growing numbers Revered by most Indians, cows are at the centre of political battles and 'lynch mob' attacks, but they are being abandoned in growing numbers and turned away by shelters that cannot cope. The Sri Krishna Gaushala on the outskirts of New Delhi is typical of shelters for homeless cows across India -- struggling to keep up with demand. Authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana states are thinking of building cow shelters in prisons. At one Uttar Pradesh shelter, scores of cows are reported to have died from hunger in recent weeks. Sri Krishna is spread over 38 acres (15 hectares) and is home to nearly 8,000 cows, bulls and calves -- mostly ageing, ailing, and no longer producing milk. Rajendra Singh Shekhawat manages 110 bustling sheds where cows are fed, treated and even massaged after being rescued, bought from cash-strapped farmers, or donated. The shelter is close to its 7,800 capacity. "We have 7,700 right now. All the other cow shelters in Delhi are facing the same problem, they're all overcrowded," Shekhawat told AFP. Cows are worshipped as a mother figure by Hindus who make up more than 900 million of the country's 1.3 billion population. Some people consider cows a one-stop-shop for their dairy and medical needs. Many believe that drinking cow urine can cure everything from arthritis and asthma to cancer and diabetes. - Five million strays - Cows are worshipped as a mother figure by Hindus who make up more than 900 million of India's 1.3 billion population "The cow isn't an animal, it isn't an ordinary living thing. She is our mother and her place should be at a home," 55-year-old Shekhawat told AFP as a veterinarian hooked up intravenous drips to one ailing animal. But a 2012 livestock census found there were more than five million strays across India and more than 12,000 in Delhi. Cows hold up city traffic and graze on plastic bags, used sanitary napkins and corroded batteries on garbage dumps. One had to be rescued in Delhi last week after falling down a rain drain. Courts have repeatedly ordered authorities to take action because of the safety and public health risk. But since Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party stormed to power in 2014, cows have won a near-VIP status. Rumours of cows being taken for slaughter can spark murderous reprisals and religious riots. The government tried to impose a nationwide ban on the sale of cattle for slaughter, triggering an outcry among Muslims and other minorities who eat beef. The ban was suspended by the Supreme Court this month. Every month, some 600 cattle are rounded up in Delhi and relocated to five shelters. "Three of the five are packed. Currently we're deporting strays to the nearest less-crowded shelter," Jitendra Kumar Gaur, director of Delhi's animal husbandry department, told AFP. Gaur said improved technology and health measures like vaccinations and deworming have boosted cows' lifespan. But he also blames "the commercial mindset of farmers" who only keep cows while they provide milk. "This is the first time we are facing this 'overcrowding' problem and the menace is mainly created by those who abandon their cattle." - Overcrowding 'good news'? - In India some consider cows a one-stop-shop for their dairy and medical needs, with many believing that cow urine can cure everything from arthritis and asthma to cancer and diabetes Every day, the five shelters receive 40 rupees ($0.62) per animal from the government. Shekhawat says he spends more than 100 rupees ($1.55) for each cow. Supporters of the shelter donate thousands of dollars each year to keep it going. But space is also a problem. Shekhawat said he has asked the Delhi government for more land so he can "house an additional 5,000, 7,000 or even 10,000 cows here." Delhi does not have spare land, said Gaur, whose department wants to put a microchip in every bovine to help track and identify animals and their owners. "We have long-term solutions. We won't let this problem get out of hand," he vowed. Shekhawat maintains that the best way to lower the number of strays is for Indians to go back to their rural roots and "take care of cows at home". With stray numbers rising, it is tough for Delhi residents to look after a cow in a city where the population is shooting toward 20 million. And the problem is not limited to Delhi, according to animal rights activist Rima Anand, highlighting shelters bursting at the seams across India. "There is a change in attitude towards cows thanks to this government. It has prioritised cow welfare," Anand, of the Delhi-based Dhyan Foundation that rescues and protects animals, told AFP. "Shelters are full across the country," said Anand. But this, she maintained, was better than seeing the animals slaughtered illegally. "Ask me? Overcrowded cow shelters is good news." Palestinians celebrate as a truck removes the last of the new security barriers Israel installed at the entrances to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound on July 27, 2017 Though it was well past midnight, as news filtered through that Israeli police were removing the remaining new security barriers from the Al-Aqsa mosque compound hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets. When one youth started to taunt Israeli police warily watching the gathering crowds early on Thursday, others angrily remonstrated with him. This was a night for celebrating what the Palestinians saw as a rare victory. For Israelis, the situation grew out of a horrible attack on July 14 that killed two policemen. But many of them also viewed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the crisis as inadequate. While Palestinians' joy at the removal of the security measures was somewhat tarnished by clashes inside the mosque compound later Thursday, Palestinians that night chanted and hugged each other, as car horns sounded incessantly. A huge Palestinian flag was carried by young men onto one of the Old City's walls -- an extremely rare act in a city that Israel considers its undivided capital. "We feel joyous. I live quite far away but I walked here for Al-Aqsa," said Nisreen, a young woman in the crowd. "The Israelis think this is it. God willing this is just the beginning." - Two weeks of tension - The celebrations came nearly two weeks after the attack near the Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. Jerusalem Old City Two Israeli police were killed, while the three Arab Israeli attackers were shot dead. The site, which includes the revered Al-Aqsa mosque and the golden-topped Dome of the Rock, serves as a key unification point for Palestinians. It is located in east Jerusalem, seized by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews as the site of the first and second ancient temples. Israel responded to the attack by installing new security measures, particularly metal detectors and cameras. They argued such measures were standard at major religious sites but Palestinians saw it as Israel trying to take further control of the compound. The Waqf, the Islamic endowments authority that runs Al-Aqsa, refused to enter until the measures were removed. Days of street protests followed, with thousands praying outside the compound as part of a boycott. The situation came to the boil around the main weekly prayers on July 21. Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians erupted in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, leaving three Palestinians dead. Later that evening, a Palestinian broke into a home in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank and stabbed four Israelis, killing three of them. Warnings grew that the unrest could spiral out of control. A top aide to US President Donald Trump flew in for crisis talks, while King Abdullah II of Jordan, the official custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, urged Netanyahu to remove the security measures. Israeli security forces remove metal detectors they had installed at the Lions' Gate entrance to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound on July 24, 2017 Early on Tuesday, the metal detectors were removed but barriers and other new structures remained in place. The boycott continued. Two days later, police returned around 1:00 am to remove the rest, sparking the joyous scenes. A poll of Israeli Jews found 77 percent thought the move constituted "capitulation", while even the normally pro-Netanyahu newspaper Israel Hayom attacked his handling of the crisis. - 'Cut across all lines' - Netanyahu, who heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history, has since called for the death penalty for the Palestinian who stabbed the Israelis in what some analysts saw as a move to please his right-wing base. "There is a strong sense of humiliation, especially among the right wing," Ofer Zalzberg from the International Crisis Group think tank told AFP. "They are pushing the government to reverse this humiliation by giving them something else." The Palestinian movement was called to the streets by the Waqf but quickly took on a life of its own. "This cut across all lines -- religious, not so religious, Muslim, Christian, rich or poor," Diana Buttu, a former Palestinian official turned analyst, said. A Palestinian protester stands in front of a mural depicting Jerusalem's golden-topped Dome of the Rock during clashes with Israeli security forces outside the West Bank city of Nablus on July 28, 2017 According to Buttu and others, the Palestinian political leadership of all factions, including the internationally recognised leadership of the Palestinian Authority, had been mostly irrelevant, with the movement led largely by protesters. "Palestinians have been very encouraged by what for them is one success within a sea of defeats," Zalzberg said. He put the victory down to an "Israeli inability to stop the movement because of the sheer size and because it was around Al-Aqsa." Al-Aqsa is a rare unifying symbol for all Palestinians and there is a risk they could fall back into political infighting now that the immediate threat has been defeated, he added. But Zalzberg said the mostly young people who had taken part in the two weeks of protests will be keen to push their leaders. "The next time there is a major issue, will they not go back to the same religious authorities and tell them: 'You were successful with the metal detectors. Why don't we do something?'" The investment arm of the Rwandan Patriotic Front is the country's top private employer Rwanda's ruling party has tightly controlled the political sphere for over two decades, but it is also accused of monopolising the economy via its very own conglomerate: Crystal Ventures. The investment arm of the Rwandan Patriotic Front is the country's top private employer, with assets estimated at $500 million (426 million euros). It is present in almost every sector, from food processing to private security, building materials and real estate. The company, formerly named Tristar, was born in 1995, a year after the then rebel RPF seized Kigali and put an end to a 100-day genocide which left 800,000 people, mostly from the Tutsi minority, dead. With the country shattered and not a franc left in the treasury, the new authorities did not want to sit around and wait for a private sector to materialise and rebuild the nation. "We wanted to see a difference made in our country where nobody was coming to invest," President Paul Kagame told a summit on investment in Africa in March. The RPF delved into its war chest from the 1990-1994 civil war, built up with contributions from the Tutsi diaspora, to create the company and jump-start the private sector. The precise ownership of the company is not clear. On its website it says it chooses investments to "make a significant impact on the socioeconomic landscape". In 1998 Crystal Ventures partnered with South African telecoms giant MTN to put in place a mobile network in Rwanda. In 2015 the investment company sold its 20 percent stake in MTN Rwandacell, but observers remain concerned about the stranglehold Crystal Ventures has on the economy and whether this could scare away private investors. A western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the economy was "dominated by the party (RPF) and interests surrounding the party." He referred to another conglomerate attached to the defence ministry: Horizon. One of its branches is the country's leading construction company, building roads and focusing on infrastructure development. As Rwanda tries to draw in foreign investors "we are not sure that the private sector is as free and transparent as it should be," he told AFP, adding that in some sectors, such as dairy which is dominated by Crystal Ventures, there is no place for competition. Kagame insists there is no favourable treatment in awarding tenders. "I would challenge anybody to bring any fact ... there has been good competition," he said. Banjul has engaged in a charm offensive with Chinese businesses since President Adama Barrow took power in January The Gambia is courting Beijing's attention after re-establishing diplomatic relations last year, but villagers and activists say Chinese investment is a double-edged sword as they fight a firm accused of dumping waste. Chinese firms in Africa are frequently accused of polluting the environment to produce materials ready to export back home, in incidents recorded by experts across the mines of Guinea, oil fields of Chad and forests of the Congo basin. The government is nevertheless keen to kickstart direct Chinese investment to turn around the stuttering economy, though its environment agency has made clear it will tackle abuses of the delicate ecosystem in this largely undeveloped west African nation. The residents of Gunjur, a Gambian village an hour south of the capital Banjul had welcomed the opening of a Chinese fishmeal factory in September 2016, hoping it would bring new jobs to an area reliant on scant rewards from fishing and tourism. "When the factory came here, a lot of people were happy, including me," said Badara Bajo, the director of the Environment Protection and Development Group of Gunjur (EPDGG), a charity. "We felt that it would help create employment opportunities and perhaps sustainable income to local inhabitants," he explained, describing his impressions of the Chinese-run Golden Lead company. - Future partner? - Banjul recognised Beijing as the seat of China's government over former ally Taiwan in March 2016, but the Asian giant was already one of the diminutive African state's top trading partners, with the Chinese snapping up valuable rosewood timber exports. Illegal to export in neighbouring Senegal, the prized wood was smuggled over the border into The Gambia from the southern Senegalese region of Casamance, souring relations with Dakar. Since President Adama Barrow took power in January, Banjul has engaged in a charm offensive with Chinese businesses, seeking funding for the type of infrastructure and energy projects the government says were neglected under former leader Yahya Jammeh. Barrow praised Trade Minister Isatou Touray last week for signing an agreement for duty-free trade with China, which he said would "make our goods more competitive, and boost our export potential." Touray herself told Chinese media at a regional summit in Abuja in May that "quite a number of Chinese firms are currently engaging with the new administration and we are moving in the right direction." - Streams turn red - Within months of the factory opening in Gunjur, residents began to notice a bad smell, followed by local waterways turning red, and finally wave after wave of dead fish washing up on the shore. Swimmers in Gunjur's lagoon began to complain of skin problems. "The factory is very close to the lagoon. The lagoon is also close to the nature reserve which we have managed for 22 years now," Bajo said. Alerted to allegations of waste being piped directly into the sea and the destruction of some the area's mangroves, the National Environment Agency (NEA) filed a lawsuit against Golden Lead on June 14. Bajo and his colleagues also organised a protest in late May in the neighbouring village of Kartong, where another Chinese firm has its sights set on a factory. Lamin Jatta, a Kartong resident, said the community "would not allow the Chinese company to pollute our environment, as this will drive European tourists from our beaches." Cases like Gunjur's are test sites for the new government's willingness to tolerate what experts have described as Chinese firms' frequent disregard for the environment and the rule of law in other parts of Africa. In its charges against Golden Lead, the NEA alleged that the Chinese company was discharging waste water from their processing plant into the sea at Gunjur beach without permission. Golden Lead was also failing to keep records of its activities and waste management as required by Gambian law, it said. Nevertheless, both sides agreed an out-court-settlement, with the firm promising to clean up its act, said government spokeswoman Amie Bojang-Sissoho. "The company will remove its pipes from the sea and will make a comprehensive ecological assessment and restore the damage done to the ecology," she said, adding Golden Lead would "pay for testing of the water to know how and why it was affected." - 'The Chinese pay' - Bakary Darboe, the managing director of the Golden Lead Company, said he "rejected the charges" despite the legal agreement, and noted that the firm employed 64 people in the area to make animal feed to be exported back in China. After all, not everyone in Gunjur is incensed by the presence of Golden Lead. "Unlike the local fishmongers who buy fish on credit basis, the Chinese pay in cash and take the fish," said Alieu Saine, a Senegalese fisherman who said the firm paid up to $2 million dalasi ($43,401) each time they purchased stock. "The government should encourage the Chinese to set up more companies like this one as it will keep young people busy and discourage them from embarking on the risky 'back way' to Europe," Saine added, referring to a Gambian term for the cross-Sahara migrant route. The villagers, he added, would "get used to" the smell, as he had. A US Air Force B-1B Lancer prepares to take off for a 10-hour mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, into Japanese airspace and over the Korean Peninsula US strategic bombers flew over the Korean Peninsula in a pointed show of force in response to Pyongyang's latest intercontinental ballistic missile, American officials said Saturday. US B-1B bombers along with fighter jets from the South Korean and Japanese air forces participated in the 10-hour bilateral mission, practicing intercept and formation drills. The maneuver followed Pyongyang's second ICBM test this month late Friday, with Kim Jong-Un saying the move demonstrated the country's ability to strike any target in the United States. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, in a statement. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing." The announcement coincided with another tweet storm from US President Donald Trump, who lambasted Beijing on the social media outlet for failing to rein in their North Korean allies. "I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk," Trump wrote. "We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" Trump, who is at loggerheads with Beijing over how to handle Kim's regime, has repeatedly urged China to bridle its recalcitrant neighbor, but Beijing insists dialogue is the only practical way forward. 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. Weapons experts said the altitude and flight time of Friday's missile suggested it was significantly more powerful than the earlier July 4 test, with a theoretical range of around 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers) meaning it might be able to reach east coast US cities like New York, depending on the payload size. South Korea said the test prompted it to speed up deployment of a US missile defense system, despite consistent protests from China that the program would destabilize the region. China's President Xi Jinping says the People's Liberation Army must "unswervingly stick to... the (Communist) Party's absolute leadership" and "march to wherever the Party is pointing" Chinese President Xi Jinping touted the need to build a "world-class" army capable of "defeating all invading enemies" at a military parade held Sunday to mark the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Since coming to power in 2012, the president has trumpeted building a stronger, combat-ready army, while leading efforts to centralise the ruling Communist Party's control over the PLA, the world's largest standing military. Sunday's procession -- including 12,000 service personnel and about 700 aircrafts and pieces of ground equipment -- marked the first time Xi has observed a parade of this size staged in the field, according to the ministry of defence. "The world is not all at peace. Peace must be safeguarded," Xi, wearing a camouflage military suit, said in a speech at the expansive Zhurihe training base in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous region. "Today we are closer than ever before to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and -- more than any other time in history -- we need to build a strong people's military." Chinese President Xi Jinping has touted the need to build a "world-class" army capable of "defeating all invading enemies" Xi also ordered the PLA to "unswervingly stick to... the Party's absolute leadership," saying the military should "march to wherever the Party is pointing." Defense ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said in a statement that the parade was intended to create a "good atmosphere" ahead of an important party congress later this year when Xi is expected to further consolidate his grip on power. The president stood inside an open-top jeep that drove past lines of troops for his inspection. "Comrades, thanks for your hard work," he said, to which the troops responded: "Serve the people!" China said in March it would raise its defence spending by around seven percent this year, the slowest annual percentage increase since 1991. Beijing is engaged in a decades-long build-up and modernisation of its once-backward armed forces, as it seeks military clout commensurate with its economic might and increasingly asserts its disputed territorial claims in Asian waters. The PLA, originally called the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, was founded in 1927 when Communist soldiers seized the southern Jiangxi provincial town of Nanchang from Nationalist Party ("Kuomintang") armies in what is known today as the Nanchang uprising. Kenyan security forces have killed a man who attacked the home of Deputy President William Ruto (L), shown standing with President Uhuru Kenyatta in June 2017 Elite Kenyan security forces on Sunday killed a man at the home of Deputy President William Ruto, ending a 20-hour siege that began with an attack in which a policeman was injured, police said. Ruto and his family were not at the vast property in the northwest of the country during Saturday's attack, which came less than two weeks before the country votes in high-stakes elections. Kenya's police chief Joseph Boinnet said Sunday morning that the assailant had just been shot and killed and "the situation is under control". Further details and the motive for the attack remained unclear. Boinnet said one assailant armed with a machete attacked and badly injured a police officer who was part of Ruto's security team, seized his gun and then entered the compound. Police reinforcements arrived and the attacker fled into a building under construction near the entrance gate. But several security sources told AFP on Saturday that the assault was staged by several people using guns. "There are armed people who staged the attack and have shot the GSU officer and stolen his gun," one security official said, referring to the elite police General Security Unit deployed to guard Ruto's house. - Tensions mounting ahead of vote - Ruto had left the house shortly before the attack to attend rallies alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta, his running mate who faces a tight re-election contest on August 8 against longtime opposition leader Raila Odinga. The attack occurred despite the round-the-clock presence of GSU guards at the property, near the town of Eldoret, some 300 kilometres (200 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi. The Daily Nation newspaper Sunday said "questions remained on how such a daring attack could be allowed to happen" on one of the best protected residences in the country. Ruto's home sits in Kenya's western Rift Valley area, the flashpoint for an outbreak of election violence after the disputed 2007 polls that killed 1,100 people and tarnished Kenya's image as a regional beacon of safety and stability. According to opinion polls, this year's election will be close and tensions have been rising. Odinga has repeatedly claimed the government is scheming to steal the election, while Kenyatta has accused Odinga of trying to delay the polls. Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch said it had received reports of threats and voter intimidation in Naivasha, a flashpoint town in 2007 and one of the potential hotspots in this year's election. In the Rift Valley, hate speech flyers have been circulating and some local residents have already left their homes. The 2007 bloodshed haunted both Ruto and Kenyatta long after it ended, when the International Criminal Court put both on trial for orchestrating the violence. Those charges were later dropped, with ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda blaming a relentless campaign of victim intimidation for making a trial impossible. This file photo taken on July 6, 2017 in Qatar's capital Doha shows a wall bearing a portrait of Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which has become a symbol of Qatari resistance in the row between Doha and neighbouring countries Top officials of four Arab states boycotting Qatar are scheduled to meet in the Bahraini capital Sunday, as a political crisis that has split the Gulf enters its second month. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt will meet in Manama in a bid to persuade Qatar to "end its support for extremism and terrorism, stop meddling in the affairs of neighbouring countries and change its policies," read a statement on state news agency BNA. On June 5, the Saudi-led bloc cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar -- the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas -- over allegations the emirate supported Islamist extremism and had close ties to Shiite Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch-rival. The Saudi-led bloc recalled their ambassadors, ordered all Qataris to return home and banned Qatar from using their airspace. Qatar has denied the allegations and accuses the bloc of imposing a "blockade" on the tiny emirate. Qatar has also rejected the bloc's demands -- which include downgrading ties to Iran and closing both the Al-Jazeera news channel and a Turkish military base in the country -- as a violation of its sovereignty. Bahrain's King Hamad on Saturday called for "the solidarity of all Arab countries in fighting terrorism and cutting off its financing... for the defence of our homelands" ahead of the meeting, which comes after the Saudi-led bloc held talks in Cairo earlier this month. Kuwait is leading mediation efforts in the crisis, the worst to grip the region since the 1981 creation of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council. Kuwait and Oman -- GCC members along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar -- have not joined the Qatar boycott. Israeli soldier Elor Azaria is embraced by his mother Oshra at the start of a hearing in a military court in Tel Aviv on February 21, 2017 at which he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for shooting dead a wounded Palestinian assailant Judges were expected to rule Sunday on an appeal by an Israeli soldier convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison for shooting dead a prone Palestinian assailant, a case that has divided the country. Elor Azaria, a sergeant and military medic at the time of the incident, was convicted in January and sentenced the next month. He later appealed the verdict, while military prosecutors have asked for an increased sentence after having initially requested between three and five years. Azaria arrived at a military court in Tel Aviv on Sunday ahead of the hearing scheduled to begin around 1:00 pm (1000 GMT). The French-Israeli, who is 21, completed his mandatory three-year military service on July 20 and was moved from confinement to his base to house arrest. His imprisonment has been postponed pending his appeal. The March 2016 shooting in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron was caught on video by a rights group and spread widely online. It showed Abdul Fatah al-Sharif, 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot along with another Palestinian after stabbing and wounding a soldier, according to the army. Azaria then shot him in the head without any apparent provocation. He said he feared Sharif was wearing an explosive belt and could blow himself up, a claim judges rejected. "His motive for shooting was that he felt the terrorist deserved to die," Judge Colonel Maya Heller said when reading out the verdict in January. The trial captivated Israel and highlighted deep divisions in public opinion between those who decry the shooting and those who say he was justified. Military leaders have sharply condemned Azaria's actions. Right-wing leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have however called for him to be pardoned in an extraordinary public rift between politicians and the military. Amnesty International has said Azaria's sentence does "not reflect the gravity of the offence," while the UN human rights office said it was an "unacceptable" punishment for "an apparent extra-judicial killing". Chinese military helicopters fly in formation to make the number "90" during the parade Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need to build a world-class military, capable of "defeating all invading enemies" and loyal to the ruling Communist Party, at a major parade Sunday. The event -- featuring 12,000 service personnel and about 700 aircraft and pieces of ground equipment -- marked the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), now the world's largest military. It was the first time Xi has observed a parade of this size staged in the field, according to the defence ministry. Since coming to power in 2012, the president has trumpeted the need to build a stronger combat-ready military, while leading efforts to centralise the Communist Party's control over it. "The world is not all at peace. Peace must be safeguarded," Xi, wearing a camouflage military uniform, said in a speech at the expansive Zhurihe training base in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. "Today we are closer than ever before to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and -- more than any other time in history -- we need to build a strong people's military," he said. "I believe that our heroic army has the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies." Xi also ordered the PLA to "unswervingly stick to... the party's absolute leadership", saying the military should "march to wherever the party is pointing". Defence ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said in a statement that the parade was intended to create a "good atmosphere" before a crucial party congress later this year, at which Xi is expected to further consolidate his grip on power. At Zhurihe, a base extending more than 1,000 square kilometres (386 square miles), rows upon rows of soldiers marched in perfect unison and helicopters flew overhead in a "90" formation. The president stood in an open-top jeep that drove past ranks of troops for his inspection. "Comrades, thanks for your hard work!" he said, to which the troops responded: "Serve the people!" China announced in March it would raise its defence spending by around seven percent this year, the slowest annual percentage increase since 1991. Beijing is engaged in a decades-long build-up and modernisation of its once-backward armed forces, as it seeks military clout commensurate with its economic might and increasingly asserts its disputed territorial claims in Asian waters. Xi announced in 2015 that he would cut China's military by 300,000 -- though at its reduced size of around two million, it will still remain the world's largest military. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) also encompasses the navy and air force. Soldiers applaud Xi during the parade The PLA, originally called the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, was founded in 1927 when Communist soldiers seized the southern town of Nanchang from Nationalist Party ("Kuomintang") armies in what is known today as the Nanchang uprising. People gesture as coverage of an ICBM missile test is displayed on a screen in a public square in Pyongyang North Korea said Sunday its latest ICBM test was a "warning" targeting the US for its efforts to slap new sanctions on Pyongyang and threatened a counter-strike if provoked militarily by Washington. The North conducted its second intercontinental ballistic missile test late Friday, with leader Kim Jong-Un boasting of his country's ability to strike "all the US mainland". Technical details of Friday's launch suggested it was significantly more powerful than the first ICBM test on July 4, with a theoretical range long enough to reach the US east coast, according to experts. The North's first ICBM test set off global alarm over the nation's weapons capabilities and a push by the US to impose more UN and bilateral sanctions, with the US Senate passing new bipartisan sanctions on Pyongyang on Friday. But the US-led campaign only provided "further justification" for the North's resolve to maintain its weapons programmes, Pyongyang's foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run KCNA. "The... test-fire of ICBM ... this time is meant to send a stern warning to the U.S. making senseless remarks, being lost to reason in the frantic sanctions and pressure campaign against the DPRK," it said, using an acronym for the North's official name. The statement came hours after US President Donald Trump warned that he would not allow China -- the impoverished North's sole major ally and economic lifeline -- to "do nothing" about North Korea. Trump, who is at loggerheads with Beijing over how to handle Kim's regime, has repeatedly urged China to rein in its neighbour, but China insists dialogue is the only practical way forward. The US also on Sunday had two powerful strategic bombers fly over the Korean peninsula for a joint drill with Japanese and South Korean forces, in a pointed show of force against the North. But Pyongyang's foreign ministry urged the US to "wake up from the foolish dream of doing any harm to the DPRK." "If the Yankees... dares brandish the nuclear stick on this land again ...the DPRK will clearly teach them manners with the nuclear strategic force," it said. There remains 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 atmosphere. But since Kim came to power in 2011, 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. Iraqi merchants peddle their wares in the Gogjali market on the eastern edges of Mosul on July 28, 2017 Iraqi merchants and shoppers jostle in the lively open-air market of Gogjali on the eastern edges of Mosul, their voices often drowned out by the honking horns of cars. "Mosul will never be the same again," sighs Yunes Abdullah, a 60-year-old former soldier who set up a stall to repair televisions and other electrical appliances. Merchants and shoppers in Gogjali, one of the first areas to be retaken from the jihadists by Iraqi forces when they launched an offensive last October to recapture the country's second city, have mixed feelings about what the future holds. Some people blame the authorities for not doing enough to tackle the mammoth task of reconstructing the city, while others pray that the international community will be generous with funding. "The government isn't doing anything. It's the people who clean the streets. Nothing has been rebuilt, not roads and not buildings," says Abdullah. Iraqi merchants and shoppers jostle in the lively open-air market in Gogjali on the eastern outskirts of Mosul, on July 28, 2017 His business partner Amar Akram agrees. "My house was destroyed, and I don't have any money to rebuild it. I don't know who to turn to for help. Who should I speak to? There are thousands of people like me," he says. "They (the authorities) don't help us because in their eyes we are all Daesh," Akram adds, using an Arabic acronym for the jihadist Islamic State group. Similar accusations can be heard throughout the market. "They say we helped Daesh, but they know very well who allowed them to enter" the city, says a young tea-seller. In June 2014, IS seized Mosul and routed Iraqi forces from the area, after what a parliamentary inquiry later found was a gross mismanagement of the crisis by Iraqi officials, who ignored ample warnings of an impending attack on the city. Three years later, tens of thousands of members of the Iraqi forces backed by Western warplanes and other international assistance retook Mosul after months of fierce fighting. On July 10, victory was officially declared in the city, which is divided by the Tigris river into eastern and western parts. - 'God willing' - Iraqis gather at a market in Gogjali on the eastern edges of Mosul, on July 28, 2017 In a part of the Gogjali market where merchants sell mobile phones and spare parts for cars, Abdullah says he mistrusts the authorities and claims they "embezzle" government funds. But he does admit that "they are good at security". A client who overhears him jumps into the conversation with her own theory of how things should play out. "The Americans must stay. They can influence things. When they speak we listen to them, unlike the Arabs who don't respect each other," says the seamstress in her 40s. She says she had to "start back from zero" after fleeing the west side of Mosul, where Iraqi forces fought some of the fiercest battles before they could oust the jihadists. Several kilometres (miles) away, life has also returned to the covered Nabi Yunis market in the city's eastern side. A wide array of merchandise is available, from clothing to fruit and vegetables, cheap perfume, hair dyes and remedies for losing weight in packaging showing svelte female bodies. "There are more products and the prices have become reasonable," says one male shopper. "Under IS, things were three times more expensive." Iraqi women look at gold jewelry displayed at a market in east Mosul, on July 28, 2017 Behind mounds of grapes, apples and pomegranates, Mohammed Jassem says people must be patient. "The government has a lot to do, and time is needed to reorganise things and for life to return to normal," he says. "The priority should be to infrastructure: rebuilding hospitals, bridges and roads." Everyone around him, merchants and shoppers, uses the same phrase: "Inshallah" -- "God willing" in Arabic -- security and reconstruction will work hand in hand to woo back hundreds of thousands of residents who fled Mosul. "But financial aid from the international community will also be needed," says lingerie merchant Omar Hayani. "The government does nothing" and is "letting people fend for themselves", says the 32-year-old, who however adds that life has improved since the jihadists left. "I now feel free and happy," he says. Under the brutal rule of IS, Hayani was sentenced twice to being flogged because in his shop window he displayed "unauthorised" dummies, which he now proudly exhibits -- draped in sheer dresses. "We must hope," says Hayani. "If things don't change, the war will return and everyone will leave." A picture taken on an escorted tour by the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah movement shows a fighter planting the group's flag and the Lebanese national flag in the Lebanese border area of Jurud Arsal on July 26, 2017 Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and jihadist militants on Sunday started exchanging the bodies of fighters as part of a ceasefire deal for the restive Syria-Lebanon border. The truce, announced by the movement and confirmed by Lebanon's General Security agency on Thursday, ended six days of a Hezbollah-led assault on Al-Qaeda's former Syrian branch in the mountainous Jurud Arsal border region. Hezbollah's "War Media" outlet reported on Sunday that the "first phase of the deal" had begun. "The bodies of nine Al-Nusra fighters will be handed over to the Lebanese General Security in exchange for the remains of five Hezbollah fighters who died in the Jurud battles," the outlet said. It said the bodies of the Syrian militants had been transported to a hospital for medical examinations. Their remains are then expected to be transported to Syria's northwestern province of Idlib. Al-Nusra Front was Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria until mid-2016 when it broke off ties, before going on to found a new jihadist-led alliance called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which now controls large swathes of Idlib. Hezbollah launched its offensive on Jurud Arsal -- a barren border area used by militants as a hideout for several years -- on July 21. The group took media outlets on several guided tours of the territory it had secured, including an underground base allegedly used by militants. Military-style vests were piled in one corner near stacked sandbags. Papers were strewn all over the carpeted floor in one room, and crates of ammunition were stored in another. Hezbollah had cornered rival fighters in a small pocket of territory when it announced the truce. Head of Lebanon's General Security agency Major General Ibrahim Abbas later confirmed the deal, which he said would also see the transfer "within days" of Syrian fighters and refugees to Idlib province with the help of Lebanon's Red Cross. Tens of thousands of Syrian refugees live in the town of Arsal, adjacent to the border region, while an unknown number are also thought to have taken shelter in the surrounding mountains. More than one million Syrians are registered with the United Nations as refugees in Lebanon, a country of just four million people. A family walks through floodwater as Typhoon Nesat hits Pingtung county in southern Taiwan Taiwan was hit Sunday by its second major storm in two days after Typhoon Nesat battered the island, leaving at least 111 injured while causing flooding and widespread power outages. Much of the island came to a standstill on Saturday after Nesat made landfall in the eastern county of Yilan, whipping up massive waves of over 49 feet (15 metres) and dumping up to 23 inches (58 centimetres) of rain in the southern region of Pingtung. It moved away from Taiwan Sunday as Tropical Storm Haitang churned towards the south of the island and made landfall in Pingtung in late afternoon, said the Central Weather Bureau. It is the first time in 50 years that Taiwan has issued warnings for two such storms together. "Even though Haitang is gradually weakening, it is expected to bring heavy rain in central and southern Taiwan from tonight to tomorrow and we urge people to be on guard," said forecaster Lin Ting-i. The storm was 50 kilometres (31 miles) northwest of Eluanbi, the southernmost tip of the island, at 6 pm (1000 GMT). More than 12,000 people have been evacuated since Saturday, with nearly 9,000 soldiers deployed for disaster relief. Most train services were suspended and around 500 domestic and international flights cancelled or delayed during the weekend. At least 111 people were injured, mostly by falling objects or car accidents while some slipped in the bad weather, according to the central emergency operation centre. More than half a million households were without electricity as Nesat pounded the island with downpours and winds of up to 180 kilometres an hour. Pingtung suffered the worst flooding as of Saturday night, with some 200 residents stranded but later rescued. Images showed flooded homes and motorcyclists pushing their vehicles through water. Around 60,000 households were still without electricity on Sunday though rail services had mostly resumed. TV footage showed soldiers sending food to some homes in Pingtung, where streets remained flooded. Two naval vessels anchored in the northern port of Keelung were damaged when they were rammed by a cruise ship whose mooring cable snapped in strong winds. Although Nesat was Taiwan's first typhoon this year, the island was pounded by heavy rains last month. Nesat made landfall at Fuqing city in China's southeastern province of Fujian early Sunday, according to state media, with authorities issuing a red typhoon alert -- the highest in China's colour-coded warning system. Emergency response efforts have begun in neighbouring Zhejiang province, where more than 3,000 people have been evacuated, the China News Service reported. Another typhoon, dubbed "Begonia", is expected to make landfall in Fujian either Sunday evening or Monday morning. Deputy President William Ruto, left, with his running mate President Uhuru Kenyatta in June Elite Kenyan security forces on Sunday killed a man at the home of Deputy President William Ruto, ending a 20-hour siege that left one officer dead and another wounded, security officials said. Ruto and his family were not at the vast property in northwest Kenya when Saturday's attack began, less than two weeks before what are expected to be tightly-fought elections. Ruto condemned the violence at a campaign rally on Sunday. "Those who seek to frustrate our unity, undermine our progress or work towards destroying our nationhood will not succeed," he told supporters in the town of Murang'a. Kenya's police chief Joseph Boinnet said one attacker was shot and killed in the assault, while a police officer was found dead after being taken hostage by the assailant in an armoury where he holed up. "The situation is under control," Boinnet said, adding the attack began when an intruder stabbed a police officer guarding Ruto's house, wounding him and stealing his gun. Regional security coordinator Wanyama Musyambo said the assailant then fled into an armoury on the compound's grounds. "It was a very delicate operation because, being in the armoury, he was at an advantage and was firing various weapons, and this caused confusion because you would think there was more than one person firing," Musyambo said. While Boinnet said there was only one assailant, several security sources had earlier told AFP that the assault was staged by multiple people using guns, raising the possibility that some of the attackers remain at large. "There are armed people who staged the attack and have shot the GSU officer and stolen his gun," one security official said, referring to the elite police General Security Unit deployed to guard Ruto's house. - Tensions mounting ahead of vote - The deputy president had left the house shortly before the attack to attend rallies alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta, his running mate who faces a re-election contest on August 8 against longtime opposition leader Raila Odinga. Kenyatta did not address the attack during appearances at multiple rallies on Sunday. The weekend attack occurred despite the round-the-clock presence of GSU guards at the property, near the town of Eldoret, some 300 kilometres (200 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi. Moses Wetang'ula, leader of one of five opposition parties in the coalition backing Odinga, called the incident "unfortunate" in comments to The Standard newspaper, but questioned if it could be an attempt to heighten security fears ahead of the vote. "We hope it is not a ploy to play victim," Wetang'ula said. Ruto's home sits in Kenya's western Rift Valley area, the flashpoint for an outbreak of clashes after the violence that followed the disputed 2007 polls, leaving 1,100 people dead and tarnishing Kenya's image as a regional beacon of safety and stability. Opinion polls suggest this year's election will be close and tensions have been rising. Odinga has repeatedly claimed the government is scheming to steal the election, while Kenyatta has accused Odinga of trying to delay the polls. Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch said it had received reports of threats and voter intimidation in Naivasha, a hotspot town in 2007 and one of the potential trouble spots in this year's election. In the Rift Valley, hate speech flyers have been circulating and some local residents have already left their homes. The 2007 bloodshed haunted both Ruto and Kenyatta long after it ended, when the International Criminal Court put both on trial for orchestrating the violence. Those charges were later dropped, with ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda blaming a relentless campaign of victim intimidation for making a trial impossible. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Ezekiel Kondo Kumir Kuku take part in a ceremony installing Kuku as Sudan's first archbishop at Khartoum's All Saints Cathedral on July 30, 2017 Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby on Sunday declared Sudan the 39th province of the worldwide Anglican Communion, six years after the predominantly Christian south gained independence from the north. The Anglican church in Sudan, a majority Muslim country, has been administered from South Sudan since the 2011 split which followed a civil war that left more than two million people dead. Sunday's ceremony in Khartoum added Sudan to the 85 million-strong worldwide Anglican communion's 38 member churches -- known as provinces -- and six other branches known as extra provincials. Welby said that creating a 39th Anglican province with its own Khartoum-based archbishop was a "new beginning" for Christians in Sudan. Sudanese Christians at a ceremony led by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Khartoum's All Saints Cathedral on July 30, 2017 He installed Ezekiel Kondo Kumir Kuku as the country's first archbishop and primate at a ceremony in the capital's All Saints Cathedral attended by American, European and African diplomats as well as hundreds of worshippers. "We welcome the new primate with jubilation," Welby announced to a cheering crowd as he handed a cross to Kuku. - 'Autonomous church' - Welby, spiritual head of the Church of England and of the global Anglican Communion, said it was a rare opportunity for an archbishop to declare a new primate. "It is a responsibility for Christians to make this province work, and for those outside (Sudan) to support, to pray and to love this province," he said. "The church must learn to be sustainable financially, to develop the skills of its people, and to bless this country as the Christians here already do." The idea of a separate Anglican province in Sudan was first discussed in 2009 as it became clear that the south would secede. Previously, the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan administered the region, Reverend Francis Clement of All Saints Cathedral told AFP. "But after the split it was decided to have a separate, autonomous Episcopal Church of Sudan," he said. "Today, we inaugurated that. It will have its own autonomous adminstration to take its own decisions." There is no central Anglican authority such as a pope, with each member church making its own decision in its own ways guided by the Archbishop of Canterbury. - Persecution - Human rights and Christian campaign groups have regularly accused the Sudanese authorities of persecuting Christians and even destroying churches in the capital since the north-south split. About three years ago two South Sudanese pastors, Yat Michael and Peter Yen, were arrested in Sudan on charges including spying and crimes against the state. The two, arrested by agents of Sudan's powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), were released by a Khartoum court in August last year. Ezekiel Kondo Kumir Kuku, Sudan's newly appointed first archbishop, in Khartoum's All Saints Cathedral on July 30, 2017 Since the 1989 coup that brought Islamist backed President Omar al-Bashir to power, authorities in Khartoum have pursued Arabising and Islamising policies in a bid to unify the country. This has stirred resentment and helped trigger a devastating civil war that ended with the secession of the mainly Christian south. Later on Sunday, Welby met Bashir with whom he discussed issues concerning "protection" of Christians and churches in Sudan. "We talked of how in England we seek to help mosques in ensuring that they are able to function well and freely," Welby said. "In England, the Church of England often seeks to protect Muslims when they are under pressure," he said, indicating that he expected the same in Sudan when it came to protecting Christians. Christian communities in Sudan today are mostly found in the Nuba mountains of South Kordofan state. Experts say that between three and five percent of Sudan's about 25 million population are Christian. US President Donald Trump is to decide on October 12 whether to permanently lift sanctions imposed in 1997 over Khartoum's alleged backing for Islamist militant groups. Several campaign groups have urged Washington to maintain the sanctions or formulate new ones to address concerns over human rights violations, including alleged religious repression. Israeli soldier Elor Azaria is embraced by his mother Oshra at the start of a hearing in a military court in Tel Aviv on February 21, 2017 at which he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for shooting dead a wounded Palestinian assailant A military court on Sunday rejected an appeal by an Israeli soldier convicted of manslaughter and upheld his 18-month prison sentence for shooting dead a prone Palestinian assailant, Israeli media reports said. The reports said military judges also rejected an appeal by prosecutors to increase the 18-month sentence for Elor Azaria, a sergeant and military medic at the time of the incident. Azaria was convicted in January and sentenced the next month. The March 2016 shooting in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron was caught on video by a rights group and spread widely online. It showed Abdul Fatah al-Sharif, 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot along with another Palestinian after stabbing and wounding a soldier, according to the army. Azaria then shot him in the head without any apparent provocation. He said he feared Sharif was wearing an explosive belt and could blow himself up, a claim judges rejected. Israeli soldier Elor Azaria, who shot dead a wounded Palestinian assailant in March 2016, stands between his mother Oshra and father Charlie at a military court in Tel Aviv, on July 30, 2017 A military court on Sunday upheld a manslaughter conviction and 18-month prison sentence for an Israeli soldier who shot dead a prone Palestinian assailant in a case that deeply divided the country. In addition to upholding the conviction, military judges also rejected an appeal by prosecutors to increase the sentence for Elor Azaria, a sergeant and military medic at the time of the incident, according to of the ruling. "Soldiers should not settle their differences with the terrorists once they are no longer in danger -- that's up to the judiciary," the president of the military court, Major General Doron Piles, said. "The accused did not shoulder the responsibility of his actions and has not once expressed any doubt... The appeal was therefore rejected by all the judges," he said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately repeated his call for a pardon for Azaria, whose actions drew harsh criticism from the military's top brass. "My opinion has not changed when it comes to granting pardon to Elor Azaria and remains consistent to what I said after the verdict," Netanyahu said on Twitter. "When the subject is discussed concretely, I will give my recommendation to the competent authorities." The 21-year-old French-Israeli was convicted in January and sentenced in February. He later appealed the verdict, while military prosecutors asked for an increased sentence after having initially requested between three and five years. Azaria arrived at the military court in Tel Aviv on Sunday in a white V-neck shirt, smiling and hugging family members as he has done at previous hearings. He completed his mandatory three-year military service on July 20 and was moved from confinement to his base to house arrest. His imprisonment had been postponed pending his appeal. - Azaria to appeal - His lawyer Yoram Sheftel said Azaria has until August 9 to appeal the verdict and that he would be preparing to submit such a request to the supreme court "within 10 days". But Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman has argued against an appeal, which analysts said the top court would not examine. "This is not an easy day, but it is the verdict, and the court must be respected," Lieberman said. "I am asking the Azaria family not to continue the appeal process... and to bring an end to this matter as quickly as possible for the good of Elor, his family and the Israeli people." He said Azaria could request a pardon from the military chief of staff. The chief of staff, Gadi Eisenkot, said in a statement Sunday that he would "seriously" consider reducing the jail sentence "and taking into account all considerations" in the case. Azaria can also ask for a pardon from President Reuven Rivlin. A source close to Rivlin said that no such request had yet been filed. - Captured on video - The March 2016 shooting in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron was recorded on video by a rights group and spread widely online. The father of Palestinian Abdul Fatah al-Sharif, 21, who was shot dead by Israeli soldier Elor Azaria in March 2016 sits next to a portrait of his son on July 30 It showed Abdul Fatah al-Sharif, 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot along with another Palestinian after stabbing and wounding a soldier, according to the army. Azaria then shot him in the head without any apparent provocation. He said he feared Sharif was wearing an explosive belt and could blow himself up, a claim judges rejected. "His motive for shooting was that he felt the terrorist deserved to die," Judge Colonel Maya Heller said when reading the verdict in January. The trial captivated Israel and highlighted deep divisions in public opinion between those who decry the shooting and those who say it was justified. Military leaders strongly condemned Azaria's actions. However, right-wing leaders, including Netanyahu, have called for him to be pardoned in an extraordinary public rift between politicians and the military. Rights group Amnesty International has said Azaria's sentence does "not reflect the gravity of the offence", and the UN human rights office said it was an "unacceptable" punishment for "an apparent extra-judicial killing". Rhino poaching is rife in southern Africa Zambian authorities on Sunday said they had arrested three Chinese nationals and two locals found carrying pieces of rhino horn at the border with Mozambique. Parks and wildlife ministry spokesman Sakabilo Kalembwe said the five were arrested at the Chanida border post. They were held for "illegal possession of 25 rhino pieces weighing 32.2 kilograms (71 pounds)," Kalembwe said in a statement. The origins of the horns could not be immediately confirmed. On Wednesday a 24-year-old Chinese woman flying from Zambia with 20 kilograms of rhino horn was arrested at South Africa's main airport on her way to Hong Kong. But Kalembwe said no rhino has been reported poached in Zambia nor were any horns missing from its stockpiles in recent days. Four decades ago, Zambia boasted a healthy rhino population of around 12,000 but by 1998 the animal was declared extinct due to rampant poaching. A few dozen have now been reintroduced into the country. Rhino poaching is rife in southern Africa, especially in South African game reserves, fuelled by cross-border syndicates who are feeding an insatiable demand for their horn in Asia. Rhino horn is mistakenly believed to have medicinal powers including being anti-carcinogenic. Roughly a quarter of the world rhino population has been killed in South Africa, home to 80 percent of those remaining, in the last eight years. Mexican police patrol in Veracruz State, where scores of Central Americans being smuggled to the United States have been rescued from an abandoned truck Nearly 150 Central Americans being smuggled to the United States were rescued Saturday in Mexico after traveling tightly packed in a poorly ventilated truck. The rescue was initially described by authorities in eastern Veracruz state as a near-tragedy with chilling similarities to an incident last week in Texas in which 10 would-be migrants to the US perished. But Mexican federal authorities later clarified that these travelers were found not inside the truck but rather after they had been told to get out, and were then abandoned by the roadside, without food or water. Authorities said a total of 147 people were found in the town of Tantima in Mexico's Veracruz state. Originally the figure had been given as 178. The migrants were from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, and 48 were minors, 14 of them unaccompanied, the National Migration Institute said. The migrants were crowded into the back of a tractor trailer truck with poor ventilation. Eventually, the smugglers overseeing them told the travelers to get out and hide amid the brush beside the road until them came back for them. But the travelers were abandoned. After being found the Central Americans were taken to a migration center, where they were given medical assistance before authorities began the process of returning them home. Their rescue came less than a week after the horrific suffocation deaths of 10 migrants who were trapped in an 18 wheel truck and discovered last Sunday in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio, Texas. Authorities said as many as 200 migrants may have been crammed into the trailer. Many of them had to be hospitalized. Some survivors fled the parking lot in waiting cars, according to witness accounts. Officials in the United States say fewer migrants are making the perilous overland journey to America from Central American and Mexico in recent months, in large part because of harsh, anti-immigrant rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who came to power in January. Migrants from Central America and Mexico willing to make the dangerous trip risk being victimized by thieves, criminal gangs and unscrupulous traffickers who sometimes take their money and abandon them in desperate conditions on either side of the US border. Veracruz and the surrounding area has become one of the most dangerous regions for undocumented migrants making their way to the United States, according to rights groups, in part because of drug cartels like the notorious Zetas, which often charges a fee before allowing travelers safe passage. The African Union has a 22,000 strong force in Somalia dedicated to fighting Shabaab Shabaab militants in Somalia on Sunday claimed they had killed 39 African Union troops in an ambush in the country's south. The claim by the Al-Qaeda linked insurgents, made by the group's spokesman on an affiliated radio station, could not be immediately verified. Local residents did confirm to AFP that fighting had taken place Sunday in the Lower Shebelle region, a hotly contested area where Shabaab's spokesman said they had staged their ambush. "The mujahedeen fighters stood over the dead bodies of 39 soldiers, among them senior commanders", Abdiaziz Abu Muzab told Andalus radio. The African Union has a 22,000 strong force in the country dedicated to fighting Shabaab and backing up the internationally backed government in the capital Mogadishu. Residents said the AU troops were ambushed in the village of Golweyn some 120 kilometres (74 miles) as they escorted supplies along the road that connects Mogadishu to Lower Shebelle. "Fighting broke out and continued for more than one hour", said Ali Osman, a witness to the battle. In April, a minibus travelling through Golweyn hit a landmine, killing at least 14 people. That attack was also blamed on Shabaab, which has fought successive governments in Mogadishu and also carried out attacks in Kenya and Uganda. Local fire chief Time Card told the Chronicle Telegram firefighters used a pocket knife to cut the boa's head off, before disposing of its body in a garbage bin US authorities have released a recording of an emergency call in which a woman said this: "I've got a boa constrictor stuck to my face." The 45-year-old resident of Sheffield Lake in the Midwestern state of Ohio called authorities Thursday after the 5' 6" (1.67 meters) long snake she had rescued tightened its grip around her body and began biting her nose. "I've never heard of this before," an amazed phone operator says as the woman relates her predicament in a terrified voice. "He's got my nose and he's around my waste," the victim says as the reptile continues its attack, adding: "There's blood everywhere." The snake was one of two boa constrictors she "rescued" a day earlier, she explains, that joined her nine pythons. "Don't move ma'am," the operator says. "I can't," the woman replies. Emergency vehicles arrived four minutes later. Local fire chief Time Card told the Chronicle Telegram that firefighters used a pocket knife to cut the snake's head off, then disposed of the body in a garbage bin. The woman was hospitalized but out of danger, according to local news network Fox 8 Cleveland. England's Ben Stokes appeals unsuccesfully for the wicket of South Africa's Temba Bavuma on July 30, 2017 Ben Stokes took two wickets in two balls to leave England eyeing victory in the third Test against South Africa at The Oval on Sunday. South Africa were 117 for four at stumps on the fourth day, needing a further 375 runs to reach a colossal target of 492 -- the most made to win in the fourth innings of a Test is the West Indies' 418 for seven against Australia at St John's in 2003. One consolation for the Proteas was the fight shown by Dean Elgar (72 not out) and Temba Bavuma (16 not out), who kept England at bay after joining forces with their side in dire trouble at 52 for four. "(Hashim) Amla and (Quinton) de Kock are probably the two wickets we look at as being the main ones for us to try and get on a roll, so it's nice to see the back of those two already -- theyre in form and two really good players," Stokes told Sky Sports. "But weve got two fighters still at the wicket at the moment, in Elgar and Bavuma, so hopefully...we can get them out early on (Monday)," he added. - 'Intimidating' - England's Jonny Bairstow bats on the fourth day of the third Test match between England and South Africa at The Oval cricket ground in London on July 30, 2017 The 100th Test at The Oval is turning into a personal triumph for Stokes after he laid the platform for England's dominant position with 112 in a first-innings total of 353. "Today, he bowled as quickly as I've seen him bowl," said Stuart Broad of Stokes, with the England new ball-veteran comparing a return of two for 29 in eight overs to the kind of fiery display he used to witness at first-hand from Andrew Flintoff. "It felt like one of those intimidating spells that Flintoff used to bowl -- just heavy, and at the batsman," added Broad, who removed South Africa opener Heino Kuhn after England captain Joe Root declared his side's second innings on 313 for eight at tea. - 'Fight' - A draw on Monday -- which would ensure this see-saw four-match series remained level at 1-1 ahead of next week's finale at Old Trafford -- is not yet beyond South Africa, who thrashed England by 340 runs in the second Test at Trent Bridge. Elgar has a badly bruised finger but Proteas assistant coach Adrian Birrell insisted the left-handed opener would be fit to bat. South Africa's Dean Elgar bats on July 30, 2017 "It's not broken, and if it was broken it wouldn't make a difference," he said. Birrell added: "Were in a bit of a hole but we will fight...It's quite a buoyant change room -- it's not doom and gloom. There is hope." Earlier, Toby Roland-Jones's dream debut then continued when, for the second time this Test, he had star batsman Amla out in single figures. Amla had made just five when, trying to withdraw his bat, he saw the ball fly low off the face to Root at second slip. Replays confirmed the catch and Amla, caught behind off Roland-Jones for six as the Middlesex seamer took five for 57 in the Proteas' meagre first innings 175, was on his way. It was a far cry from five years ago at The Oval when Amla, now 34, struck South Africa's Test-record score of 311 not out. Dangerman de Kock only managed five before he was bowled by an excellent Stokes yorker. Next ball South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was out for a golden duck after he padded up to Stokes. South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket on July 30, 2017 Du Plessis, who'd fallen in similar fashion to James Anderson for just one in the first innings, reviewed but to no avail. Durham all-rounder Stokes was on a hat-trick at the start of his next over. Bavuma denied him that prize before Elgar completed a 77-ball fifty. The only thing missing for England on a great day was a wicket for birthday boy Anderson, their all-time most successful Test bowler, who turned 35 on Sunday. At the other end of the experience spectrum, England debutant number three Tom Westley made a maiden Test fifty after resuming on 28 not out. Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, with a run-a-ball fifty, then kept the runs coming against a tiring attack. Lee Mi-Hyang of South Korea, pictured on July 13, 2017, won the Scottish Open South Korean Lee Mi-Hyang birdied the final hole to grab a one-shot victory after a dramatic women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links on Sunday. The 24-year-old trailed Australia's Karrie Webb by one stroke with two holes to play, but a disastrous double-bogey on the 17th saw Webb slip out of the lead. The seven-time major champion hit back with a birdie at the par-five last, but it was too little, too late after Lee had matched that to claim the title with a six-under-par final round of 66, as Webb finished in a tie for second with Hur Mi-Jung. "It was really a surprise for me. My front nine was amazing, and then I think I got a good start from my first hole," Lee told ladieseuropeantour.com, after her second LPGA Tour title. "The first and second round, I hit it really good, but just I missed a lot of putts, so I tried to practice my putting with the wind." The world number 49 went into the day six shots adrift of pace-setters Webb and Kim Sei-Young on level par for the tournament. But birdies at the first two holes helped her creep up the leaderboard, and despite a bogey on the fourth, she reeled off four birdies in five holes to reach the turn in five-under 31. Solid pars from then on kept Lee in contention, as Webb led her and Hur going into the final stretch after chipping in for eagle on the 14th. With Hur in the clubhouse at -5 for the tournament, Webb dramatically collapsed. A three-putt at 16 saw the 42-year-old Webb's lead cut to one, before she found two bunkers en route to the costly six on the penultimate hole. "I absolutely knotted my 3-wood exactly how I wanted and my caddie said it kicked into the bunker. I have no idea how it did that," said the Aussie great. After Lee's birdie four on the 72nd green saw her post a target of six under par, Webb needed to hole another bunker shot for eagle to force a play-off, but had to settle for birdie and a closing effort of one-over 73. In-form Spaniard Carlota Ciganda and American Cristie Kerr also threatened at various stages, but finished in a tie for fourth place on four-under. French Defence Minister Florence Parly will tour three Sahel countries French Defence Minister Florence Parly arrived in Chad on Sunday, at the start of a tour of three Sahel countries, assuring that French troops in the region will have the means to carry out their mission against jihadist insurgents. "You can count on my determination that you will have the necessary means to carry out your mission," she told the head of Operation Barkhane -- a 4,000-man French mission to shore up fragile Sahel countries against jihadist bombings, shootings and kidnappings. "It's my fight, it's less risky than yours, of course," she added. Parly was beginning a two-day swing of the region, during which she will be joined by German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen in a joint show of support for the initiative. Parly "will reaffirm France's support for the emergence of a joint G5 Sahel force (...) tasked with playing a key role in fighting terrorism and trafficking which are contributing to instability in the region," the French defence ministry said in a statement ahead of her arrival. After meeting Chadian President Idriss Deby in Ndjamena, Parly will heald for talks in Niger with head of state Mahamadou Issoufou and with President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in Mali. The planned G5 Sahel anti-terror force would gather Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger in a 5,000-man joint unit. France is trying to muster international support for the estimated 423 million euros ($480 million) it will cost, as the participating countries rank among the poorest nations in the world. Newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron has won a commitment -- yet to be detailed -- from German Chancellor Angela Merkel to support the scheme. Von der Leyen will join Parly in Niger and Mali where they will "seize the opportunity to show their support for providing equipment and training for the G5 force, as well as their active efforts to mobilise European and international partners to support their action," the French defence ministry said. President Donald Trump provided assurances Monday that his administration will 'handle' North Korea following Kim Jong-un's latest act of aggression - an intercontinental ballistic missile launch last Friday. 'We'll handle North Korea. We're going to be able to handle them. It will be handled. We handle everything,' Trump said as he sat alongside Defense Secretary James Mattis during a cabinet meeting this morning. The time for talk on North Korea is 'over', the United States said Sunday, spurning a UN response to Pyongyang's latest ICBM launch in favor of bomber flights and missile defense system tests. Nikki Haley, the US envoy to the United Nations, said yesterday that there was 'no point' in holding a fruitless emergency Security Council session, warning that another weak council resolution would be 'worse than nothing' in light of the North's repeated violations. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO 'We'll handle North Korea. We're going to be able to handle them. It will be handled. We handle everything,' Trump said as he sat alongside his Defense secretary, James Mattis, during a cabinet meeting this morning This July 28, 2017 picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency shows North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 being launched at an undisclosed place in North Korea North Korean leader Kim boasted of his country's ability to strike any target in the US after an intercontinental ballistic missile test Friday which weapons experts said could even bring New York into range -- a major challenge to Trump. US strategic bombers on Saturday flew over the Korean peninsula in a direct response to the launch, and on Sunday American forces successfully tested a missile interception system which the US hopes will be installed on the Korean peninsula. Under Kim's leadership, North Korea has accelerated its drive toward a credible nuclear strike capability, in defiance of international condemnation and multiple sets of UN sanctions. The US Senate passed new bipartisan sanctions on Pyongyang on Friday. Haley urged China, Japan and South Korea to tighten the screws on Pyongyang after the missile launch. 'An additional Security Council resolution that does not significantly increase the international pressure on North Korea is of no value,' she said in a statement late Sunday. 'It sends the message to the North Korean dictator that the international community is unwilling to seriously challenge him. 'China must decide whether it is finally willing to take this vital step. The time for talk is over.' Nikki Haley, the US envoy to the United Nations, said yesterday that there was 'no point' in holding a fruitless emergency Security Council session. She's seen speaking to reporters last week at the UN Earlier, Trump warned that he would not allow China -- the impoverished North's sole major ally and economic lifeline -- to 'do nothing' about Pyongyang. In two tweets Trump linked trade strains with the Asian giant -- marked by a trade deficit of $309 billion last year -- to policy on North Korea, after South Korea indicated it could speed up the deployment of a US missile defense system that has infuriated China. 'I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk,' Trump wrote. 'We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!' Trump has repeatedly urged China to rein in its recalcitrant neighbor, but Beijing insists dialogue is the only practical way forward and rejects suggestions it has a special responsibility in the situation. 'The DPRK nuclear issue is not due to China, the settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue requires the concerted efforts of all parties and the parties should properly recognise this issue,' China's foreign ministry said in a statement, using the acronym for North Korea's official name. Timeline of nuclear and major missile tests in North Korea since January 2016 A US Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, prepares for a 10-hour mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, into Japanese airspace and over the Korean Peninsula North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reacts during the long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 (Mars-12) test launch in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 15, 2017 Beijing also rejected Trump's linkage of trade and the North, with commerce vice-minister Qian Keming saying at a briefing Monday the issues 'are not related, and should not be discussed together'. But Shinzo Abe, the prime minister of US treaty ally Japan, also urged Beijing to act -- along with Moscow -- after telephone talks with Trump on Monday Tokyo time. The North has 'trampled all over' efforts to seek a peaceful solution to the situation and 'unilaterally escalated' tensions, he said. 'The international community including China and Russia must take it seriously and step up pressure,' Abe told reporters. Russia's foreign ministry, however, said it was 'unjustified' for the US and other nations to try to blame Moscow and Beijing for the situation. Pyongyang lauded the developers of the missile at the weekend, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The US-led campaign only provided 'further justification' for the North's resolve to maintain its weapons programs, the foreign ministry said in a statement carried by KCNA. The ICBM test 'is meant to send a stern warning to the US making senseless remarks, being lost to reason in the frantic sanctions and pressure campaign against the DPRK,' it said. General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, said Saturday that the US is 'ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing' if it has to. 'Diplomacy remains the lead. However, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario,' O'Shaughnessy said. Analysts said the talking coming out of Washington, however, is evidence that the Trump administration has run out of patience with the diplomatic approach, and could consider military intervention. The latest ICBM test 'poses a seemingly tangible threat to the national security of the US', said Jeung Young-Tae, director of military studies at Dongyang University in South Korea. 'Now the US will see no point in negotiation, which only helps Pyongyang earn more time to develop its weapons programmes,' he said. 'Whether we want it or not, the risk of unilateral military action by the US cannot be ruled out at this point.' A young injured Syrian looks at United Nations and Syrian Arab Red Crescent convoy trucks arriving in the rebel-held town of Nashabiyah in eastern Ghouta on July 30, 2017 to deliver aid packages for the first time in five years A region besieged by the regime forces east of Syria's capital on Sunday received UN aid for the first time in five years, a UN source said. Al-Nashabiye is in the Eastern Ghouta region, a rebel-held area on the outskirts of Damascus that has been ravaged during the six-year conflict. On July 22, the government declared a ceasefire in parts of the enclave, one of four proposed "de-escalation zones" designated in a deal reached by its allies Iran and Russia and rebel backer Turkey in May. "This is the first time that a humanitarian convoy has entered Al-Nashabiye in five years," a source involved in the UN aid delivery said. The source said food and non-food aid was delivered to 7,200 needy people, days after further aid deliveries in Eastern Ghouta. Russia said on Tuesday it had delivered more than 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the Ghouta area. More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since its conflict broke out in March 2011 with anti-government protests. SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) - Attorney General Jeff Sessions is eager to use his aggressive work against the MS-13 street gang to help mend his tattered relationship with President Donald Trump. "I hope so," he said Friday, trying to turn the corner from a week of sour performance reviews from his boss. "It's one of many issues that we share deep commitments about," he told The Associated Press from a private room in the headquarters of El Salvador's national police force, where he had met law enforcement officials to talk about quashing the violent transnational gang. That common concern about MS-13 was on display Friday as Trump spoke about the gang in Long Island, where MS-13 violence has resurfaced with a vengeance, and as Sessions toured a gang stronghold, motoring around El Salvador's graffiti-laced streets alongside rifle-wielding police officers who had tried to clear the neighborhood of gangsters before he arrived. MS-13 has roots both in Central America and Los Angeles. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions boards his plane before his departure from San Salvador, El Salvador, Friday, July 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) But in his speech vowing to crush MS-13, Trump never mentioned Sessions. "These are animals," Trump told law enforcement officials and relatives of crime victims in Brentwood, in Suffolk County, New York, where MS-13 has been blamed for a string of gruesome murders, including the killing of four young men in April. The president battered Sessions for days with a series of tweets calling him weak and ineffective, his discontent centered on Sessions' decision months ago to recuse himself from the investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russia. Sessions said Thursday he won't resign unless Trump asks him to and spoke loyally of the president while saying he was right to take himself out of that investigation after acknowledging he had met the Russian ambassador during the campaign. Though thousands of miles apart, Trump and Sessions seemed aligned in their message against MS-13. The gang has become a focal point in the national immigration debate, although it is in some respects a homegrown organization and it is unclear how many of its members are in the U.S. illegally. "It is in a very expansive mode and we need to slam the door on that," Sessions said in the AP interview. "We need to stop them in their tracks and focus on this dangerous group." The intense focus on gang violence is a departure for a Justice Department that has viewed as more urgent the prevention of cyberattacks from foreign criminals, international bribery and the threat of homegrown violent extremism. But alarm about the gang has grown as it has preyed on largely suburban, immigrant communities. Several top officials in Sessions' office have experience prosecuting the gang in Baltimore, Alexandria, Virginia, and other cities. MS-13, or the Mara Salvatrucha, is believed by federal prosecutors to have more than 10,000 members in the U.S., a mix of immigrants from Central America and U.S.-born members. The gang originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s then entrenched itself in Central America when its leaders were deported. MS-13 and rival groups in El Salvador now control entire towns, rape girls and young women, kill competitors and massacre students, bus drivers and merchants who refuse to pay extortion. One purpose of Sessions' trip was to learn more about how the gang's activities in El Salvador affect crime in the U.S. Officials believe major gang leaders are using cellphones from Salvadoran prisons to instruct members who have crossed into the U.S. illegally to kill rivals and extort immigrants. Zach Terwilliger, who prosecuted gangs in the Eastern District of Virginia before taking a position in the deputy attorney general's office, found that to be true in some of his cases. "We have to coordinate our intelligence," Terwilliger said. "I don't think you can understand MS-13 violence and the way they conduct themselves in the U.S. unless you come down here." He and leaders of the department's criminal division traveled with Sessions. During his two-day trip, his first visit to El Salvador, the attorney general wandered through a crowded jail where members of rival gangs wearing white T-shirts sat side-by-side in large cells, their backs facing the curious onlookers. He met members of a transnational anti-gang task force and pledged his support for El Salvador's Attorney General Douglas Melendez, congratulating him on charges laid over the last two days against more than 700 gang members, many of them from MS-13. Sessions recalled early conversations he had with Trump about the gang. "He saw the violent murders in Islip, New York, and he's asked about it personally," Sessions said. Trump then crafted an executive order in the first weeks of his presidency, directing the Justice Department to go after transnational gangs, and Sessions was eager to make it a priority. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions listens to Howard Augusto Cotto Castaneda, Director General of the National Police as they look over the city from the roof during a visit to the National Police Headquarters in San Salvador, El Salvador, Friday, July 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) President Donald Trump pumps his fist after speaking to law enforcement officials on the street gang MS-13, Friday, July 28, 2017, in Brentwood, N.Y. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks during his interview with The Associated Press, Friday, July 28, 2017, at the National Police Headquarters in San Salvador, El Salvador. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, center, walks with Howard Augusto Cotto Castaneda, left, during a visit to the National Police Headquarters in San Salvador, El Salvador, Friday, July 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) BOSTON (AP) - A defrocked priest at the center of Boston's Roman Catholic clergy sex abuse scandal was released from prison on Friday and settled into an apartment across the street from a children's dance studio. Paul Shanley, who had been convicted of raping a boy in the 1980s, moved to the town of Ware, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) west of Boston, after being released from the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, where he completed a 12-year sentence. Shanley, 86, used a cane and was helped by a man as he arrived in Ware, followed by a group of reporters and photographers. His new home in a multiunit building is across from a recently opened dance studio that teaches children as young as 2. The studio's owner, Arielle Lask, said she plans to install "state-of-the-art" security systems and to make sure every child leaves the studio accompanied by an adult. This undated identification photo released via the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board website shows Paul Shanley, released Friday, July 28, 2017, from the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, Mass. Shanley, now 86, was a figure in the Boston Roman Catholic priest sex abuse scandal. He was released after completing a 12-year sentence for the rape of a boy in the 1980s. (Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board via AP) "It's awful that he's even on the streets of Ware," Lask told The Boston Globe. "Whether it's across the street or down the road, there are children everywhere." As a condition of Shanley's 10-year probation, he has been ordered to have no contact with children under age 16. Ware police Chief Shawn Crevier said Shanley has registered as a sex offender and posters will be displayed around town notifying the public that Shanley is living in the area, which is typical procedure for the police department. "We're going to do what we need to do to make sure the citizens are protected and his rights are also protected," Crevier said. Shanley will be at least the third sex offender living on his street, he said. Prosecutors sought to hold Shanley beyond his criminal sentence under a law that allows civil commitment of people deemed sexually dangerous. But two psychologists hired by the state found he did not meet the legal criteria to hold him. A lawyer who represented Shanley in his criminal appeal said he's confident Shanley will not harm anyone. But attorney Robert Shaw Jr. said he understands the reaction from those who opposed Shanley's release from prison. "I'm sure that law enforcement will ensure that the community feels safe, and I have every expectation that they are going to fulfill their obligation and be certain that Paul Shanley also remains safe," Shaw said. The state's sex offender registry designates Shanley as a Level 3 offender, considered the most likely to reoffend. But the two psychologists cited Shanley's advanced age and his health issues and concluded his likelihood to reoffend is low. Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who represented dozens of men who say they were abused by Shanley, said the evaluations were incomplete because the psychologists didn't interview Shanley. Instead, they reviewed police reports, prosecutors' files and Shanley's church personnel file containing numerous sexual abuse complaints against him. "Paul Shanley should be in a hospital being treated and not in the outside world where he can easily gain access to innocent children," Garabedian said. Both psychologists found Shanley meets the psychiatric criteria for pedophilic disorder. But they said research suggests recidivism rates for people of his age are extremely low. They also cited Shanley's health issues, which were blacked out from the reports, and the fact his last reported offense was in 1990. Shanley was a street priest who ministered to alienated youths in the 1960s and '70s. Dozens of men came forward decades later and said Shanley had molested or raped them. He was defrocked by the Vatican in 2004 and was convicted of raping a boy at a Newton parish in 2005. The archdiocese said this week it will not provide Shanley with financial support or benefits. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker said he will review the standards for civilly committing convicted sex offenders who have served their prison sentences. Reporting by the Globe's Spotlight team helped break open the priest sex abuse scandal in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2002. The reporting uncovered how dozens of priests in the archdiocese had molested and raped children for decades while church higher-ups covered it up and shuffled abusive priests from parish to parish. A movie about the Globe's reporting, called "Spotlight," won the 2016 Academy Award for best picture. ___ Associated Press writers Collin Binkley and Bob Salsberg contributed to this report. A Ware Police patrol car passes the yellow house on Pulaski Street Friday, July 28, 2017, in Ware, Mass., which will be home for Paul Shanley, a priest in the Boston Roman Catholic priest sex abuse scandal who was released from prison Friday morning. (Dave Roback/The Republican via AP) Robert M Hoatson and Ruth Moore protest the release of former priest Paul Shanley on Friday, July 28, 2017 at Massachusetts Old Colony Correctional Facility in Bridgewater, Mass. Shanley , anotorious figure in Boston's Roman Catholic priest sex abuse scandal was quietly released from the prison Friday morning after completing a 12-year sentence for the rape of a boy in the 1980s. (David L. Ryan /The Boston Globe via AP) UNITED NATIONS (AP) - President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka had a private lunch Friday with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the White House said the U.N. chief invited her to follow up on her launch of a fund to help women entrepreneurs access capital. U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq had no comment on the 90-minute meeting in Guterres' private offices. Ivanka, a senior adviser to her father, left U.N. headquarters without answering shouted questions on what was discussed. When she arrived, she smiled but also said nothing. A White House official said the two discussed areas of common interest after the launch of the World Bank's economic facility to advance women's entrepreneurship that Trump's daughter supported. Ivanka Trump walks with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres to a meeting in his office at United Nations headquarters, Friday, July 28, 2017. (UN Photo by Eskinder Debebe via AP) The official, who insisted on speaking anonymously, said Ivanka Trump coordinated her conversations with U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley. But Haley did not attend the lunch. Ivanka Trump joined World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim earlier this month on the sidelines of the Group of 20 world leaders' summit to launch the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative. Kim said at the time that the fund had raised more than $325 million so far for projects and programs to support women and women-led businesses by improving access to capital and markets, providing technical assistance, training and mentoring, and pushing public policy. The fund grew out of conversations between Ivanka Trump and Kim early in Trump's administration. The president announced a $50 million contribution from the United States at the launch. While women entrepreneurs were one focus of their meeting, Guterres was also likely to have brought up the significant cuts to the U.N. budget proposed by the president and U.S. opposition to the 2015 Paris climate change agreement, which the secretary-general strongly supports. Haley told CBS's "Face the Nation" earlier this month that she thinks Ivanka Trump considers herself "part of a public servant family" and wants to put forward "some effort to try and help the world." BELLPORT, N.Y. (AP) - Some immigrant high school students are being unfairly swept up in a growing hysteria over the brutal MS-13 street gang, civil rights lawyers said. At least nine students from Long Island's Suffolk County, east of New York City, have been sent to U.S. immigration detention facilities after being falsely labeled as gang members, the New York Civil Liberties Union said. None of the teens had ever faced criminal charges related to gangs, and in some cases their alleged gang activity was wearing a black T-shirt or making a hand gesture, the NYCLU said. "No child deserves to have his life upended or be ripped away from family based on flimsy allegations," NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said. "Children who in many cases came to America to flee gang violence are being disappeared to face deportation without adequate protections or investigation." The organization wrote Thursday to the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, which has jurisdiction over minors who enter the U.S. illegally unaccompanied by their parents, saying it believed the teens' detentions violated a federal court order and U.S. law. MS-13 violence on Long Island began to get attention last summer, when two students at Brentwood High School - best friends Nisa Mickens, 15, and Kayla Cuevas, 16 - were beaten and hacked to death in a suspected gang attack. They were among 17 people believed to have been killed by the gang on eastern Long Island since the start of 2016. Most of the people arrested in those killings were in the U.S. illegally, law enforcement officials have said. In a visit to Brentwood on Friday, President Donald Trump promised to use tough enforcement of immigration law to get gang members thrown out of the country. "They butchered those little girls," the Republican president said. "They kidnap. They extort. They rape, and they rob. ... They shouldn't be here." Immigration and civil rights lawyers, though, said a crackdown in some Suffolk County schools has gone too far. The NYCLU said one student was suspended for wearing a Chicago Bulls shirt, a possible gang symbol, to school and another for posting an El Salvadoran flag on a Facebook page. Attorney Peter Brill, who represents three students suspended from Bellport High School, said one was later detained by immigration officials. All three were from Central America and initially entered the U.S. illegally. "They all vehemently deny being involved in gangs," Brill said. "They all fled their countries to get away from gang violence. This doesn't make sense." Two students at Bellport High were among four people massacred in a park in Central Islip in April in a suspected MS-13 gang attack. Joseph Giani, superintendent of schools in the district that oversees Bellport High, stood by the students' suspensions and denied disclosing student information to police. Suffolk County police Commissioner Timothy Sini told The New York Times last month there were times when officers couldn't make criminal arrests so officers work with federal immigration officials to target known gang members "for violation of civil immigration laws, which is another way to remove dangerous individuals from our streets." Children who enter the U.S. illegally, unaccompanied by their parents, are treated differently under U.S. law. They aren't immediately deported if caught at the border, like adults, and can be placed with relatives in the U.S. while they undergo a lengthy vetting process. The NYCLU said a consent decree signed in 1997 and a federal law enacted in 2002 require juvenile detainees be placed in the least restrictive setting unless it's determined they pose a threat to themselves or others. Juveniles also must have the ability to contest the detainment. "This is causing us concern, where labeling someone as gang affiliated is not enough to make a criminal arrest," attorney Philip Desgranges said. "But it's causing kids to spiral into this system where they're whisked away. WASHINGTON (AP) - His White House in turmoil, President Donald Trump abruptly announced late Friday he was 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 Kelly's 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 remarkable and profane public rebuke by Trump's newly appointed White House communications director, Anthony Scaramucci. 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. Trump says Homeland Secretary John Kelly is his new White House chief of staff. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Priebus said he had offered his resignation on Thursday and the president accepted though those close to the president said the ouster had been in the works for weeks. "I think the president wanted to go a different direction," Priebus told CNN just hours after his exit was announced. He added that he agreed the White House might well benefit from "a reset," and he said, "I'm always going to be a Trump fan. I'm on Team Trump." Trump's announcement on Twitter 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." He also saluted Priebus, the chief of staff he had just pushed out. "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!" Kelly is a retired Marine four-star general though he has little experience in civilian government or the legislative process. Trump had focused on him in recent days, telling those close to him that he loved the general's 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 in-fighting rivals that populate Trump's 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, who hails from Wisconsin and has deep ties to House Speaker Paul Ryan, had grown increasingly isolated in the White House, as past Republican National Committee colleagues and other allies have left or been pushed out. Those who have departed include former deputy chief of staff Katie Walsh, former communications chief Mike Dubke, press secretary Sean Spicer and press aide Michael Short. Another early departure from the Trump White House was National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, and Trump ousted FBI Director James Comey early on. He has lobbed Twitter insults at Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently though Sessions is still in place. Ryan, in a statement, said Priebus "has left it all out on the field, for our party and our country." Ryan added that he looked forward to working with Kelly. Both Scaramucci and Priebus traveled to New York's Long Island with Trump on Friday for a speech in which the president highlighted efforts to crack down on the gang MS-13. The chief of staff took the return flight to Washington, his fate sealed in the tweets that were sent by the president just as Priebus stepped off the plane. Shortly before the president deplaned, Priebus' black SUV pulled away, leaving the rest of the motorcade, including the president's vehicle, in the distance. The president eventually emerged, umbrella in hand, and delivered a brief statement on the runway as driving rain poured. Rep. Peter King of New York sat across from the outgoing chief of staff on Air Force One's return flight to Washington and said Priebus "kept a poker face." Priebus' term ends in fewer than 200 days, the shortest tenure for any president's first White House chief of staff since the post was formally established in 1946. From day one, his power has been limited compared with past officials with his title. In a highly unusual arrangement, Trump said at the outset that Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon would serve as "equal partners" in implementing his agenda. Scaramucci was the latest top aide to be granted a direct line to Trump, and it became increasingly unclear who actually reported to Priebus. Though Priebus forged an uneasy truce with his former foe Bannon, powerful White House aides Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, were both supportive of Kelly's hire. Priebus was blamed by some within the White House for the failure of the Republican health care plan, with some Trump allies believing that Priebus' longtime relationships with Republicans on Capitol Hill should have ensured the bill's passage. Though Priebus had told allies he hoped to stay, many around Trump had been working on his departure for quite some time. The final go-ahead came during a meeting Thursday night in which Trump finalized that Kelly was his pick to replace Priebus, according to two people familiar with the discussion The president had considered others, including political operatives David Urban and Wayne Berman, for the job. But he decided on Kelly because he was impressed by the job he had done leading DHS and trusted him not to leak. Priebus, a political operative and attorney, is expected to look for a corporate job or possibly write a book about his experience in the center of the Trump storm. One of the final establishment Republicans in the White House, he was a frequent target of barbs from Trump over not being an early backer of the celebrity businessman's candidacy. As Homeland Security secretary, Kelly has taken 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. Those orders have been stripped down by courts pending a Supreme Court review this fall. People who know Kelly told The Associated Press that he was not aware of the details of those initial orders until around the time that Trump signed them. Yet, just days after taking office, Kelly had to lead the agency as it dealt with the chaos and confusion that ensued at airports in the U.S. and around the world. He defended the orders to reporters and lawmakers and insisted that he indeed had been part of the decision-making process. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a frequent Trump critic, welcomed Kelly as "one of the strongest and most natural leaders I've ever known." ___ Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey, Vivian Salama, Julie Pace, Steve Peoples and Laurie Kellman contributed reporting. ___ Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire and Colvin at http://twitter.com/@colvinj FILE - In this May 17, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump talks with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly during commencement exercises at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. Trump named Kelly as his new Chief of Staff on July 28, ousting Reince Priebus. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after firing Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and naming Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly as his new Chief of Staff, Friday, July 28, 2017, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) FILE - In this June 6, 2017, file photo, Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Donald Trump named Kelly as his new Chief of Staff on July 28, ousting Reince Priebus. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump replacing Reince Priebus as chief of staff (all times local): 7:25 p.m. Outgoing White House chief of staff Reince Priebus says that he formally resigned from his job after it became clear the president wanted to go in a different direction. 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. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Priebus tells CNN that he resigned on Thursday. President Donald Trump announced the staff shakeup in a Friday tweet. Trump has picked Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly as his new chief of staff. Priebus says he supports the president and that he's "doing great" personally. Priebus says he intends to continue working at the White House for a couple of weeks to ease the transition of his replacement. Priebus calls Kelly a "brilliant pick" and says he himself remains a Trump fan. ___ 7:05 p.m. Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary and new White House chief of staff John Kelly is thanking the staff at DHS for the opportunity to serve as their secretary. Kelly says in a statement that, when he left the Marines, he never thought he would find as committed, as professional, as patriotic a group of individuals. He says he was wrong. President Donald Trump has picked the retired Marine general to replace Reince Priebus as his chief of staff. Kelly says that he is "honored to be asked" to take the job. ___ 6:40 p.m. House Speaker Paul Ryan says Reince Priebus served President Donald Trump and the American people capably, passionately and with class. Trump tweeted Friday that he has replaced Priebus with retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, who is the secretary of homeland security. Kelly starts Monday. Ryan says Priebus "left it all out on the field" for the party and the country and he could not be more proud to call Priebus a "dear friend." Both are from Wisconsin and are longtime friends. Priebus was head of the Republican National Committee before joining the White House as chief of staff. Ryan offered his congratulations to Kelly and said he looks forward to working with him. ___ 5:30 p.m. President Donald Trump says the aide he's replacing as chief of staff, Reince Priebus, is a "good man." Trump made the comment to reporters after he tweeted the news that Priebus' successor as chief of staff is the secretary of homeland security, John Kelly. He added of the retired Marine general: "John Kelly will do a fantastic job." Priebus' hold on the White House job has long been in question, more so this week after Trump's new communications director badmouthed him to a reporter for the New Yorker. Trump hired Anthony Scaramucci over Priebus's objections and Scaramucci reports directly to the president. Trump is calling Kelly "a true star" of the administration. Trump also tweeted his thanks to Priebus. ___ 5:05 p.m. 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." Priebus traveled with Trump earlier in the day to an appearance in Brentwood, New York. Trump thanked him for his service and "dedication to his country." LOS BANOS, Calif. (AP) - 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. FILE - This July 22, 2017 file photo provided by the Merced County Sheriff, shows Obdulia Sanchez, in Merced, Calif. Prosecutors charged Sanchez, a teenage driver on Wednesday, July 26, with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and other counts after she lost control of her car while livestreaming on Instagram and recorded a crash that killed her younger sister. Sanchez was driving the car on Friday when it veered onto the shoulder of a road about 75 miles northwest of Fresno, authorities said. (Merced County Sheriff via AP, File) 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." Obdulia Sanchez, 18, middle, appears in a Los Banos, Calif., branch of the Merced County Superior Court on Monday, July 28, 2017, with her public defender, Ramnik Samrao. She's accused of causing a crash that killed her younger sister while livestreaming on Instagram. Sanchez will remain in jail after a California judge refused to lower bail. Woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Scott Smith) CHICAGO (AP) - Authorities say a 28-year-old woman was fatally shot and her 4-year-old son was wounded by gunfire in Chicago. Officials say the shooting happened Friday evening on the city's West Side. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office identified the woman as Nikia Betts. Officials say she was shot in the head and taken to a hospital, where she died less than an hour after the shooting. Police say the boy was shot in the arm and was in good condition at a hospital. A man who identified himself as Betts' cousin told the Chicago Tribune she was walking through an alley near her home when the shooting occurred. Ronnie Betts says he heard gunfire before the boy came running with a gunshot wound to his arm, saying "mom's been shot." CINCINNATI (AP) - Authorities say a man suffered serious injuries after being stabbed at the Cincinnati Zoo during a fight. Zoo spokeswoman Michelle Curley says that a fight involving three men happened around 4 p.m. Saturday. She says the two other men left the zoo afterward. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Police Sgt. Eric Franz tells WCPO-TV the man was cut on the throat. Franz says police are working on getting descriptions of the other two men. The zoo has remained open. Police say there's no danger to the public. NEW YORK (AP) - The Rev. Al Sharpton on Saturday accused President Donald Trump of "encouraging police violence" during a speech this week on Long Island to an audience of uniformed officers. The activist preacher tore into the Republican at the weekly gathering of his National Action Network in Harlem. A day earlier, the president spoke to law enforcement professionals at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood. Trump said violence and murder on U.S. soil by the MS-13 gang linked to El Salvador justify a strong police response. FILE - In this April 27, 2017 file photo, The Rev. Al Sharpton points to Omarosa Manigault, assistant to President Donald Trump & Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison, as he delivers his remarks during the Women's Power Luncheon of the 2017 National Action Network convention, in New York. Sharpton is accusing President Trump of "encouraging police violence" during a speech this week on Long Island to an audience of uniformed officers. The activist preacher tore into Trump on Saturday, July 29 at the weekly gathering of his National Action Network in Harlem. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) The president said his administration is removing gang members who've been terrorizing communities on Long Island and other parts of the country from the United States. He added, "Now, we're getting them out anyway, but we'd like to get them out a lot faster, and when you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough, I said, please don't be too nice." That means, for instance, shielding their heads from being bumped while getting into a police vehicle, Trump said. Sharpton responded on Instagram: "As if the reprehensible statement by President Donald Trump encouraging police violence wasn't enough, he used a slur against Irish regarding "Paddy Wagons." That expression was used in 19th century New York, referring to impoverished Irish immigrants when they were arrested and placed in police vans. Sharpton called Trump's comments "reprehensible." They were "a reckless disregard for the law, and set a tone that is dangerous and biased in this country." 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." James Burke, the department's former chief, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison last November for beating a handcuffed man in an interrogation room. ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP) - Police in the southern Philippines said they fatally shot 15 people Sunday, including a city mayor who was among the politicians President Rodrigo Duterte publicly linked to illegal drugs, in the bloodiest assault so far in Duterte's anti-drug crackdown. Officers were to serve warrants to Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. to search his houses for the suspected presence of unlicensed firearms when gunmen opened fire on the police, sparking clashes that killed the mayor and at least 14 other people, Ozamiz police chief Jovie Espenido said. "He's a high-value target on illegal drugs," Espenido, who oversaw the simultaneous, post-midnight raids on the mayor's residence and three other houses, said at a news conference. FILE - In this Monday, July 24, 2017, file photo, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses thousands of protesters following his state of the nation address outside the Lower House in Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. Philippine police fatally shot a city mayor who was among the politicians the president publicly linked to illegal drugs and many others in gunbattles that erupted Sunday, July 30, in the south, police said, in one of the bloodiest anti-drug assaults so far under his crackdown. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File) "We enforce the law to protect the people who want peace in this country," he said. "How can we enforce the law if ... we're scared of the drug lords? That cannot be, they should be afraid of people who do good for all." At least five people, including Parojinog's daughter, who serves as vice mayor of Ozamiz, a port city, were arrested during the raids. Policemen were approaching the mayor's house when his bodyguards opened fire and hit a police car and wounded a police officer, sparking a firefight amid a power outage, Espenido said. A grenade held by one of Parojinog's bodyguards exploded during the clash inside his house and it remains unclear if he and his wife were killed by the blast or police gunfire or both, Espenido said, adding that assault rifles, grenades, suspected methamphetamine and cash were seized in the raids. "The administration vowed to intensify the drug campaign," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in connection with Sunday's raids in Ozamiz. "The Parojinogs, if you would recall, are included in (Duterte's) list of personalities involved in the illegal drug trade." Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He was the third mayor to be killed under Duterte's bloody crackdown on drugs, which has left more than 3,000 dead in reported gunfights with police and thousands of other unexplained deaths of suspects. Parojinog's daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested and was to be flown to Manila for security reasons, regional police Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said. The drug killings have been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups that have called for an end to what they suspect were extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign. Last year, police officers shot dead Albuera town Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte, and a week before that, another mayor and his nine bodyguards were gunned down allegedly during a firefight on a road in the southern Philippines. Espenido was the Albuera police chief when the then-detained Espinosa was killed during a police raid in a jail in a nearby city in Leyte. Duterte has vowed to defend policemen who would face criminal and human rights charges while cracking down on illegal drugs. He recently ordered a police officer charged in connection with Espinosa's death to be reinstated after briefly being charged and suspended following the jail killing. All three mayors were among more than 160 officials Duterte named publicly as being linked to illegal drugs in August last year as part of a shame campaign. Duterte has vowed not to stop until the last drug dealer in the country has been eliminated. ___ Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. The U.S. also said it conducted a successful test of a missile defense system located in Alaska. The B-1 bombers were escorted by South Korean fighter jets as they performed a low-pass over an air base near the South Korean capital of Seoul before returning to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces said in a statement. It said the mission was a response to North Korea's two ICBM tests this month. Analysts say flight data from the North's second test, conducted Friday night, showed that a broader part of the mainland United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of Pyongyang's weapons. In this photo released by Japan Air Self Defense Force, U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, top, fly with a Japan Air Self Defense Force F-2 fighter jet over Japan's southern island of Kyushu, just south of the Korean Peninsula, during a Japan-U.S. joint exercise Sunday, July 30, 2017. Japan's Defense Ministry reported the U.S. supersonic bombers flown from the Anderson Air Force Base in Guam conducted a joint exercise with South Korean Air Force over the Korean Peninsula later in the day. The U.S. Pacific Air Forces said in a statement that the mission was a response to consecutive intercontinental ballistic missile tests by North Korea this month. (Japan Air Self Defense Force via AP) Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday during a visit to Estonia that the U.S. and its allies plan to increase pressure on North Korea to end its nuclear program. "The continued provocations by the rogue regime in North Korea are unacceptable and the United States of America is going to continue to marshal the support of nations across the region and across the world to further isolate North Korea economically and diplomatically," Pence said. "But the era of strategic patience is over. The president of the United States is leading a coalition of nations to bring pressure to bear until that time that North Korea will permanently abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile program." "The time for talk is over," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said in a statement. She denied reports that Washington would seek an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council, saying that new sanctions that fail to increase pressure would be "worse than nothing." Haley said a weak resolution would show North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that "the international community is unwilling to challenge him," and singled out China, the North's biggest trading partner, as a country that must change its approach. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he and President Donald Trump spoke by phone Monday morning Asia time and have agreed to take further action against North Korea. Abe said Trump pledged to "take all necessary measures to protect" Japan and that Abe praised his commitment to do so. Abe said Japan would pursue concrete steps to bolster defense system and capabilities under the firm solidarity with the U.S. and do utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people. Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, called North Korea "the most urgent threat to regional stability." "Diplomacy remains the lead. However, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario," O'Shaughnessy said. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing." Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, told CBS' "Face the Nation" that North Korea's latest test presents a clear and present danger to the United States. "I've spent time on the intelligence and at the briefings, and done as much reading as I possibly could," said Feinstein, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "And I'm convinced that North Korea has never moved at the speed that this leader has to develop an ICBM." Feinstein said the situation shows the danger of isolating a country. "I think the only solution is a diplomatic one," she said. "I'm very disappointed in China's response, that it has not been firmer or more helpful." The United States often sends powerful warplanes in times of heightened tensions with North Korea. B-1 bombers have been sent to South Korea for flyovers several times this year in response to the North's banned missile tests, and also following the death of a U.S. college student last month after he was released by North Korea in a coma. The Hwasong-14 ICBM, which the North first tested on July 4, is the highlight of several new weapons systems Pyongyang launched this year. They include an intermediate range missile that North Korea says is capable of hitting Alaska and Hawaii, and a solid-fuel midrange missile, which analysts say can be fired faster and more secretly than liquid-fuel missiles. Gen. Lori Robinson, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, responsible for homeland defense, said in a statement that the ICBM launched Friday "served as yet another reminder of North Korea's continued threat to the United States and our allies." She said the command "remains unwavering in our confidence that we can fully defend the United States against this ballistic missile threat." The U.S. Missile Defense Agency said a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system located in Kodiak, Alaska, was successfully tested on Saturday night, Alaska time. It said that a medium-range ballistic missile was air-launched over the Pacific, and that the THAAD system detected, tracked and intercepted the target. FILE - This combination of file photos shows Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, in Tokyo, on May 1, 2017, and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, on July 27, 2017. Abe says he and Trump have spoken by phone Monday morning Asia time, July 31, 2017 and agreed to take further action against North Korea following its latest missile launch. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, Evan Vucci, File) In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, a U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber, left, flies with a South Korean fighter jet F-15K over the Korean Peninsula, South Korea, Sunday, July 30, 2017. The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP) In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, a U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber, top, flies with South Korean fighter jets F-15K over Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Sunday, July 30, 2017. The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP) In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, a U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber, left, flies with South Korean F-15K fighter jets over Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Sunday, July 30, 2017. The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP) South Korean army soldiers prepare their military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Sunday, July 30, 2017. The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) PHOENIX (AP) - Authorities say a suspect in an arson that damaged a Phoenix LGBT youth center has been arrested. Phoenix police say 26-year-old Darren Beach Jr. was booked into jail Friday afternoon on suspicion of arson of an occupied structure. It's unclear if Beach has a lawyer yet. The Phoenix Fire Department on Wednesday released video showing a man pouring liquid on the floor of the one.n.ten center on July 12 and then stepping outside just before a room goes up in flames. Youth center officials say Beach was a participant in their program, but aged out of eligibility when he turned 25. The one.n.ten center serves lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth ages 14 to 24. It lost electronic equipment, food, camping equipment and other items in the fire. VIENNA (AP) - A disagreement in a German discotheque turned deadly Sunday after the disco operator's son-in-law left the club, returned with an assault rifle and started shooting, law enforcement officials said. A security guard was killed and four other people were wounded, three of them seriously, during the rampage that started at the Grey club discotheque in the southwestern town of Konstanz. The suspect was fatally shot by a police officer. Officials investigating the early-morning shooting identified the suspect as a 34-year-old who came to Germany from Iraq in 1991 as a child. They said they had no details of the dispute, but ruled out a terrorist motive. A coffin is carried in front of a discotheque in Constance, Germany, Sunday, July 30, 2017. A shooting in a German discotheque claimed two lives Sunday, including that of the gunman, and wounded four people, three of them seriously, police said. (Felix Kaestle/dpa via AP) Police said the man was the son-in-law of the club's operator and had a criminal record that included assault and drug-related convictions. The suspect was not named in keeping with German privacy laws. The dpa news agency cited police weapons expert Andreas Stenger as saying the weapon used was an M16 assault rifle of the kind used by U.S. armed forces. Other law enforcement officials said the gunman opened fire just inside the club's entrance, killing a security employee. Police officers subsequently exchanged gunfire with the suspect on a nearby street. An officer sustained non-life-threatening wounds and the gunman died later in a hospital. __ This story has been corrected to say that the police officer was wounded in an exchange of fire with the gunman. A coffin is carried in front of a discotheque in Constance, Germany, Sunday, July 30, 2017. A shooting in a German discotheque claimed two lives Sunday, including that of the gunman, and wounded four people, three of them seriously, police said. (Felix Kaestle/dpa via AP) Police guard in front of a discotheque in Constance, at Lake Constance, Germany, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Police say a shooting in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state has claimed two lives, including that of the gunman. They say the early-morning shooting Sunday at a discotheque in the town of Constance also left three guests seriously wounded. A tweet by Constance police says one person was killed by the shooter when he opened fire, also wounding the other victims. He then fled, was shot by police and died later in hospital. (Felix Kaestle/dpa via AP) A visitor, center, waits to be questioned by police near a discotheque in Constance, at Lake Constance, Germany, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Police say a shooting in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state has claimed two lives, including that of the gunman. They say the early-morning shooting Sunday at a discotheque in the town of Constance also left three guests seriously wounded. A tweet by Constance police says one person was killed by the shooter when he opened fire, also wounding the other victims. He then fled, was shot by police and died later in hospital. (Felix Kaestle/dpa via AP) Policemen guard in front of a discotheque in Constance , at Lake Constance, Germany, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Police say a shooting in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state has claimed two lives, including that of the gunman. They say the early-morning shooting Sunday at a discotheque in the town of Constance also left three guests seriously wounded. A tweet by Constance police says one person was killed by the shooter when he opened fire, also wounding the other victims. He then fled, was shot by police and died later in hospital. (Felix Kaestle/dpa via AP) Ambulances and police cars stand near a discotheque in Constance, at Lake Constance, Germany, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Police say a shooting in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state has claimed two lives, including that of the gunman. They say the early-morning shooting Sunday at a discotheque in the town of Constance also left three guests seriously wounded. A tweet by Constance police says one person was killed by the shooter when he opened fire, also wounding the other victims. He then fled, was shot by police and died later in hospital. (Felix Kaestle/dpa via AP) Police and witnesses wait in front of a discotheque in Constanc, at Lake Constance, Germany, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Police say a shooting in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state has claimed two lives, including that of the gunman. They say the early-morning shooting Sunday at a discotheque in the town of Constance also left three guests seriously wounded. A tweet by Constance police says one person was killed by the shooter when he opened fire, also wounding the other victims. He then fled, was shot by police and died later in hospital. (Felix Kaestle/dpa via AP) A policeman guards in front of a discotheque in Constance , at Lake Constance, Germany, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Police say a shooting in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state has claimed two lives, including that of the gunman. They say the early-morning shooting Sunday at a discotheque in the town of Constance also left three guests seriously wounded. A tweet by Constance police says one person was killed by the shooter when he opened fire, also wounding the other victims. He then fled, was shot by police and died later in hospital. (Felix Kaestle/dpa via AP) Policemen guard in front of a discotheque in Constance , at Lake Constance, Germany, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Police say a shooting in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state has claimed two lives, including that of the gunman. They say the early-morning shooting Sunday at a discotheque in the town of Constance also left three guests seriously wounded. A tweet by Constance police says one person was killed by the shooter when he opened fire, also wounding the other victims. He then fled, was shot by police and died later in hospital. (Felix Kaestle/dpa via AP) BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi intelligence officials said Sunday they foiled an attempt by the Islamic State group to attack revered Shiite shrines and the sect's spiritual leader. The IS plan was to launch a series of suicide attacks in Karbala and Najaf that house the shrines as well as the home of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, two officers told The Associated Press. The simultaneous airstrikes by Iraqi and Russian air forces two weeks ago hit gatherings of suicide bombers in the Iraqi town of Qaim and in Syria's Mayadeen area, both under IS control. They gave no details on casualties. Recent meetings with the Russians yielded increased intelligence sharing between the two nations, they said. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. Early this month, IS suffered a major blow as U.S.-backed Iraqi troops captured the northern city of Mosul after nine months of highly destructive warfare. The militants now control small towns mainly near the border with Syria. IS took over Iraq's second-largest city in in summer 2014 when it conquered much of northern and western Iraq. Along with territories in Syria, they declared a caliphate and governed according to a harsh and violent interpretation of Islamic law. JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli police say they have arrested five antiquities dealers from east Jerusalem for large-scale tax offenses. Police spokesman Luba Samri says luxury cars, some $200,000 in cash and various antiquities were confiscated Sunday in a raid on the suspects' homes and offices. The antiquities seized included ancient parchment pieces written in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin, as well as ancient weapons, sculptures from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, pottery and bronze, silver and gold coins. Samri said the raid followed a joint investigation with American law enforcement agencies who were informed about Israeli antiquity dealers who had issued fake receipts and invoices over the past seven years. That led to an undercover operation that exposed the scheme. The suspects were being brought before a court. SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) - America's top law enforcement officer wandered through a Salvadoran jail, sizing up the tattooed gang members who sat with their backs to him on the concrete floors of their cells. His soft voice was barely audible over the downpour pelting the tin roof as he spoke to the local police. In the midst of a week when his role - and future - in President Donald Trump's Cabinet was in serious doubt, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions could be found thousands of miles away from Washington, surrounded by concertina wire and soldiers with rifles. Belittled by his boss back home, he vowed not to loosen his grip on the job that he loves. For Sessions, leading the Justice Department is an opportunity to make tangible progress on issues he long championed, sometimes in isolation among fellow Republicans, during two decades in the U.S. Senate: hard-line immigration policies and aggressive prosecutions of gangs, drugs and gun crime. His priorities mark a departure for a department that, during the Obama administration, increasingly focused on preventing high-tech attacks from abroad, white-collar crime and the threat of homegrown violent extremism. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions stops to look at cell conditions during a tour of local police station and detention center in San Salvador, El Salvador, Thursday, July 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Yet Sessions' policy focus is often overshadowed by the expanding investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russia. Sessions, whose own campaign contacts with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. have been questioned, has stepped aside from the investigation. That unnerved Trump, who subjected his attorney general to almost daily public humiliation this past week. Sessions was trying to weather the storm in San Salvador, where on a balmy afternoon his attention turned to the notoriously brutal street gang MS-13, whose violence in the U.S. has become a focal point in the immigration debate. Here was the former Alabama senator, traveling El Salvador's streets in a motorcade alongside leaders of the Justice Department's criminal division, buoyed by reassurances from congressional Republicans in Washington after Trump's tirade. The trip was planned before the firestorm, but Sessions hoped his work on MS-13 would help mend his tattered relationship with Trump. "It hasn't been my best week for my relationship with the president," Sessions told The Associated Press. "But I believe with great confidence that I understand what's needed in the Department of Justice and what President Trump wants. I share his agenda." Sessions cut his teeth as a federal prosecutor in Mobile, Alabama, at the height of the drug war, an experience that has shaped his approach to running the Justice Department. Allegations of racially charged remarks cost him a federal judgeship, but he went onto become the state's attorney general. He was elected to the Senate in 1996 and developed a willingness to break with fellow Republicans in ways that sometimes left him on the sidelines. He fought against efforts to overhaul the criminal justice system last year, a rare area where conservatives and liberals had found unity. He also was a leading opponent of the 2013 bipartisan bill that sought to ease immigration restrictions. That issue drew him to Trump. Sessions was the first senator to endorse the businessman-turned-politician. Trump rewarded that support by naming Sessions as attorney general. It was, Sessions has said, a job that "goes beyond anything that I would have ever imagined for myself." "In the Senate, you get paid for your words. But in the Department of Justice, every now and then you can actually take action and set priorities and see it actually take effect," Sessions told AP in an interview from inside the headquarters of Policia Nacional Civil, El Salvador's police force, where he had gone to build rapport with the commissioner. "It's kind of a real adjustment. I was a federal prosecutor for 12, 14 years, really. This is coming home to the Department of Justice I so much loved and still do. You can make things happen in the Department of Justice." In moving quickly to put his own stamp on the Justice Department, Sessions continues to find himself at odds with both Democrats and members of his own party. His decision this month to revive a program that lets local American police seize cash and property with federal help prompted rebuke from conservative groups such as the Koch-backed Freedom Partners, which called it "unjust and unconstitutional." Sessions told federal prosecutors to pursue the toughest charges against most suspects, a move that critics assailed as a revival of costly drug-fighting policies. He wants a crackdown on marijuana as a growing number of states work to legalize it. His escalating threats to withhold money from cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities have made city leaders only more defiant. Timothy Heaphy, a former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia who served under President Barack Obama, said the fast pace of Sessions' changes is disturbing. "He came in clearly with an agenda to go back in time to a tough-on-crime and law-and-order approach," Heaphy said. "He's ignoring all the progress we made." During his final years in the Senate, Sessions began to gain greater notice from the far-right. He was a favorite of Breitbart, the website previously run by Steve Bannon, who now serves as Trump's senior adviser. Other Sessions' aides also serve in top administration posts, including Stephen Miller, the architect of several of Trump's immigration proposals. Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder of Tea Party Patriots, said Sessions has a "warrior spirit" and is working on behalf of people whose voices haven't always been heard in Congress. "He has had to take on battles before within his own party and against the opposition party, and he takes those on and he fights them," she said. Sessions believes he is making progress. "A number of things we've done are just beginning to ripen," he told the AP. "I'm pretty happy with the speed with which a lot of it is happening. Sometimes the American people may not know how effective that's been." U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions listens to Howard Augusto Cotto Castaneda, Director General of the National Police during a visit to the National Police Headquarters in San Salvador, El Salvador, Friday, July 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions gestures as he speaks during his interview with The Associated Press, Friday, July 28, 2017, at the National Police Headquarters in San Salvador, El Salvador. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions walks past a cell during a tour of local Police Station and Detention Center in San Salvador, El Salvador, Thursday, July 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) TALLINN, Estonia (AP) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has arrived in Estonia for meetings with the presidents of northern Europe's three Baltic nations. The vice president and his wife, Karen Pence, arrived in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, on Sunday to kick off a four-day European tour that also includes stops in Georgia and Montenegro. Pence is scheduled to meet with the leaders of the Baltics - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - on Monday. He is expected to pledge Washington's commitment to NATO's mutual defense, an important issue for the former Soviet republics that border Russia. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence wave as they arrive at the airport in Tallinn, Estonia, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Pence arrived in Tallinn for a two day visit where he will meet Baltic States leaders to discuss regional security issues as well as economic and political topics. (AP Photo/ Mindaugas Kulbis) On Sunday, he plans to hold talks with Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas. Issues include Estonia's current holding of the European Union presidency, trade, cybersecurity and the continuing tensions in the Baltic Sea region, where Russia and NATO have increased their military presence in recent years. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence arrive at the airport in Tallinn, Estonia, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Pence arrived in Tallinn for a two day visit where he will meet Baltic States leaders to discuss regional security issues as well as economic and political topics. (AP Photo/ Mindaugas Kulbis) U.S. Vice President Mike Pence waves as he arrives at the airport in Tallinn, Estonia, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Pence arrived in Tallinn for a two day visit where he will meet Baltic States leaders to discuss regional security issues as well as economic and political topics. (AP Photo/ Mindaugas Kulbis) U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence wave as they arrive at the airport in Tallinn, Estonia, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Pence arrived in Tallinn for a two day visit where he will meet Baltic States leaders to discuss regional security issues as well as economic and political topics. (AP Photo/ Mindaugas Kulbis) NEW DELHI (AP) - A government official says lightning has killed 11 people in eastern India, with most of the victims dying while working in rice paddies. Official Rajendra Panda says that one of those killed on Sunday was standing under a tree as a thunderstorm and monsoon rains lashed Orissa state. The Press Trust of India news agency cited Panda as saying eight other people suffered injuries and were hospitalized in Bhadrak, Balasore and Kendrapara districts in Orissa. Lightning strikes are common during India's monsoon season, which runs from June to September. Scores of people have been killed by massive flooding, electrocution and house collapses in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and other states since June. Tens of thousands of villagers have been evacuated to higher ground in those states. (File photo) BEIJING, July 29 (Xinhua) -- More and more Chinese students are putting overseas study tours on their agenda this summer. Consisting of language courses, sightseeing and international communication, study tours meet the demands of Chinese parents and students for a long and fruitful holiday, despite high costs of around 4,000 to 6,000 U.S. dollars. This year saw the number of students going abroad for study tours increase by nearly 40 percent, with reservations for tours starting almost a year ago, according to English First, a Swedish-English education company in China. YOUNGER PARTICIPANTS A recent report published by a Chinese tourism booking website showed most study tour participants were teenagers in middle school. According to the report released by Tuniu.com in June, 73 percent of their participants in 2016 were middle school students, 11 percent primary school students and only 3 percent college students. Students of a younger age seem to be the upward trend. "The biggest growth of our clients in the past few years is among primary school students, over 50 percent," said Joe Chiu, Country Manager of China's EF International Language Center. Unlike study tour participants in other countries who are at least 13 or14 years old, Chinese parents seem to be more willing to let their children go on tours at a very young age, Chiu said, noting that the youngest Chinese participant on his program was only five years old. PURPOSES VARIES According to a blue book on global study tours released by New Oriental Education & Technology Group, expanding children's horizons was the major goal for parents, while improving language skills, experiencing independence and exploring cultural diversities were also popular. Zhan Fuman, a 14-year-old from Guangzhou, currently on a 15-day study tour in Australia with a price tag of 32,800 yuan (about 4,870 U.S. dollars), went to the United States for her first overseas study tour last winter. "She has been much more confident and independent since her first tour in the U.S. and learnt to use knowledge from books and real life communications," said Zhu Wanxia, Zhan's mother. Going on a study tour does not lead to going to a foreign university in the future, Zhu said, adding that they preferred their child to go to a top Chinese university instead. According to Chiu, only half of students in their study tour programs went abroad for higher education. "Some parents consider staying in China as a better choice for their children, and such overseas study tours are more about qualities beyond learning by the books," said Chen Jingjing, Joe's co-worker from English First. According to China's Ministry of Education (MOE), over 80 percent of Chinese students who studied abroad returned to China in 2016. CHINA'S NEED OF TALENTS Being the world's second largest economy, China is hungry for talent in all aspects. According to the "Outline of China's National Plan for Medium and Long-Term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020)" issued by the MOE in July 2010, China called for more international communication and cooperation in order to give the country's young men and women international horizons, making them better understand international rules, and join the world's competition. The MOE also encourages primary and middle schools to put short study tours in student curricula. Other than sending Chinese students abroad, China also welcome overseas professionals to visit the country. In 2008, China launched a national recruitment program for top global talent, called the "Thousand Talent" program, as part of efforts to become an innovation-driven economy. The program encourages overseas Chinese and foreign professionals to work in China. BEIRUT (AP) - The Latest on the developments in the Syrian civil war (all times local): 8:15 p.m. A Syrian affiliate of al-Qaida says it has captured three fighters of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in the Arsal region along the Syrian-Lebanese border. The two sides exchanged the bodies of dead fighters on Sunday in the first stage of an agreement to restore order to the contested frontier zone. The al-Qaida-linked Fatah al-Sham Front is expected to leave the border region in the coming stages, following two weeks of battles with Hezbollah and the Syrian army. It is unclear how the new development will affect the agreement. The Fatah al-Sham Front was already holding five Hezbollah fighters prisoner. The al-Qaida-linked Ibaa news agency published a photo of the three fighters on Sunday. Hezbollah said Saturday a group of its fighters had gone missing. ___ 6:45 p.m. The Russian broadcaster Russia Today says one of its correspondents has been killed in Syria. The broadcaster says Khaled al-Khatib, 25, was killed Sunday covering battles between the Syrian army and the Islamic State group in the country's central desert. It said he was killed by an IS bullet. An accompanying photographer was also wounded. RT's editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan said in a statement that the journalist's death is "a very sad event for us all" and added that it was the first time that an RT contributor has died in a war zone. Al-Khatib was a student at the University of Damascus, said the broadcaster. RT is embedded with government forces in Syria, where President Bashar Assad is fighting a civil war against rebels and IS militants. ___ 12:20 p.m. Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV station is reporting that the militant group is exchanging the bodies of dead fighters with al-Qaida along the Lebanese-Syrian border in the first stage of a settlement that would restore order to the border region. Hezbollah says it is handing over the bodies of nine al-Qaida fighters in exchange for the bodies five of its own who were killed in two weeks of battles along the frontier. Al-Manar broadcast the report Sunday. The fighting ended with a cease-fire Thursday to allow negotiations to proceed to send the al-Qaida fighters and their families to Syria's northwest Idlib province, where an al-Qaida affiliate is in control. It would leave the Lebanese and Syrian states and Hezbollah in control of this contested stretch of the border. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Iraq's influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is on a rare visit to Saudi Arabia. Al-Sadr's office released a statement Sunday saying he'd been invited to the Sunni kingdom. Saudi Arabia is concerned about the influence of its rival Iran in Iraq, which backs Shiite militias fighting against the Islamic State group there. Al-Sadr is among those who've called for the militias to disband. Pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat posted a photo on its Twitter account of al-Sadr arriving in Saudi Arabia and being greeted by Thamer al-Sabhan, the kingdom's former ambassador to Iraq and its first to be assigned to Baghdad after a 25-year break. Al-Sabhan was renamed minister of state for the Gulf region after tensions with the Iraqi government. He'd claimed that Iranian-backed militias were plotting to assassinate him. IRVINE, Scotland (AP) - Mi Hyang Lee took advantage of Hall of Famer Karrie Webb's late double bogey to win the Ladies Scottish Open on Sunday for her second LPGA Tour title. "I didn't believe I got a win today," said Lee, six shots back entering the round. "It was a really surprise for me." A stroke ahead of Lee with two holes left at chilly Dundonald Links, Webb dropped a shot back with the double bogey on the par-5 17th after driving into a bunker and having to play out backward. "I bent down, picked my tee up - thought I hit a perfect drive there," Webb said. "When I stood up, I went to tell (my caddie) Jonny (Scott) that I absolutely knotted my 3-wood exactly how I wanted and he said it kicked into the bunker. I have no idea how it did that." Lee, playing in the group ahead of Webb, increased the margin to two with a birdie on the par-5 18th. Needing an eagle to force a playoff, Webb closed with a birdie to tie for second with Mi Jung Hur. Webb didn't know she was two strokes behind because of the lack of a leaderboard on the final hole in the tuneup event for the Ricoh Women's British Open next week at Kingsbarns. "It's pretty bad to not have a leaderboard on the last," Webb said. "That's the first time I've ever been (at a tour event) that hasn't had a leaderboard on 18. ... We didn't know if Mi Hyang had birdied or not, because there wasn't like a loud cheer like she had." The 42-year-old Australian reached the greenside bunker in two shots. "Well, my bunker shot, I said to Jonny, 'I don't know if I need to hole this or get it up-and-down,'" Webb said. "Imagine if you went for it and overplayed it and you only had to get it up-and-down. I was trying to make it but also not being overly aggressive." Lee shot a 6-under 66 to finish at 6-under 282. After playing the front nine in 5-under 31 with six birdies and a bogey, the South Korean player made eight straight pars before birdieing the last. She also was confused on 18 without a leaderboard, thinking she needed to an eagle to tie Webb. "I thought she's going to win, so just I want to make the eagle," Lee said. Webb, tied for the third-round lead with Sei Young Kim at 6 under, had a 73. She chipped in for eagle on the par-5 14th and bogeyed the par-4 16th before losing the lead on 17. "Very gutted," Webb said. "I was on a high, making the eagle, and then I had a very nice up-and-down on the next. Obviously, there were nerves there, but there was a good calmness there." She won the last of her 41 LPGA Tour titles in 2014 at the Founders Cup in Phoenix. The 24-year-old Lee also won the LPGA Tour's 2014 Mizuno Classic in Japan. Hur birdied the 18th for a 66. Carlota Ciganda (70) and Cristie Kerr (72) tied for fourth at 4 under. Kim (75) tied for sixth at 3 under with Sun Young Yoo (71). The LPGA Tour sanctioned the event for the first time, teaming with the Ladies European Tour. "It was really good practice for the British," Lee said. "I take a lot of confidence from this win." NEW DELHI (AP) - Indian coast guard authorities say they have seized a large amount of heroin from a ship off the country's western coast. The 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds) of narcotics was estimated to be worth millions of dollars, the agency said Sunday. The ship was seized on Saturday. In this Sunday, July 30, 2017 photo, Indian coast guard officials, in blue, stand next to a massive amount of heroin they claim to have seized from a ship off the country's western coast near Porbandar, India. The 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds) of narcotics was estimated to be worth millions of dollars, and the vessel was believed to be registered in Panama, the agency said. (AP Photo/Kamlesh Samani) Coast guard authorities said it was the country's biggest seizure of narcotics in recent years, the Press Trust of India reported. The vessel had eight crew members and was heading for Alang shipyard in Gujarat state, the agency said. The crew was detained for questioning. India lies on a lucrative drug-smuggling route because nearby Afghanistan is a major producer of opium, the main ingredient of heroin. Details on where the heroin originated and who was involved in the smuggling were not immediately available. A joint investigation by the Indian coast guard, intelligence agencies, police and navy was underway. YPRES, Belgium (AP) - Britain's Prince William and his wife, Kate, on Sunday joined Belgian royals and relatives of soldiers who fought in the Battle of Passchendaele to mark 100 years since the offensive that became a symbol of war's senselessness began. More than half a million Allied and German troops were killed or wounded in the World War I battle in western Belgium, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres. The Allied campaign, fought by British and Commonwealth forces from July to November 1917 in swampy, rain-pummeled battlefields that turned to liquid mud, ended up barely moving the front line against the Germans. William spoke at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, a monument etched with the names of tens of thousands of soldiers killed in the months-long battle whose remains were never recovered or did not receive proper burials. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, left, the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, 3rd left, King Philippe, third right, and Queen Mathilde, second right, of Belgium, watch as the poppies fall from the roof of the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium for the official commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, Sunday July 30, 2017. More than half a million Allied and German troops were killed or wounded in the World War I battle in western Belgium. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP) "Today, the Menin Gate records almost 54,000 names of the men who did not return home, the missing with no known grave," he said. "Members of our families; our regiments; our nations; all sacrificed everything for the lives we live today." The service ended with the Last Post, the mournful British Army bugle call that sounds at military funerals and ceremonies. The tune has been played at the Menin Gate almost every evening since 1928. William was joined at the ceremony by British Prime Minister Theresa May, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and some 200 descendants of those who fought at Passchendaele. FILE - In this file photo dated Saturday, June 14, 2014, red poppies bloom around the World War I Scottish monument on Frezenberg Ridge in Zonnebeke, Belgium, from where three Scottish Divisions marched into the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. Monday July 31, 2017, marks the centennial of the start of the World War I battle of Passchendaele which barely moved the frontline and thus became a metaphor for the folly of warfare. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, FILE) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Police searched Sunday for a man suspected of killing a financial adviser inside a Minnesota business after he allegedly robbed a woman at gunpoint inside a home and forced employees at a nearby senior center into a closet while he tried to escape. The Mendota Heights Police Department said on its Facebook page that investigators were working on several leads as they tried to find Lucifer Nguyen, 44. A news release said he is wanted for homicide and is considered armed and dangerous. He has not been charged. Police Chief Kelly McCarthy said the victim was identified by family members as Beverly Cory of Maplewood, Minnesota. McCarthy said Cory worked in the office building where she was found. Her LinkedIn profile says she is a financial adviser at Edward Jones. Several agencies were working on the search effort, and McCarthy said leads were "developing rapidly." McCarthy said police believe Nguyen entered a house in Mendota Heights, a suburb of St. Paul, at about 9 a.m. Saturday, brandished a gun and demanded cash from a female. Police responding to the report found Nguyen driving down a nearby road. He crashed his vehicle and ran into the White Pine Senior Living Center. "He then forced employees at gunpoint into a locked storage closet and we started receiving information that he had hostages," McCarthy said. Police and members of the SWAT team began operating under the assumption that it was a hostage situation - with the potential for a large number of victims - and they began methodically evacuating residents. McCarthy said authorities now don't believe it was an actual hostage situation but that "he forced those people into the closet and then just fled the building." She said police believe Nguyen went to a nearby business park and shot Cory, who was discovered hours later. Police say there is no known previous connection between Nguyen and Cory. McCarthy said she believes Nguyen was out of the area before police had set up a perimeter. No one in the senior center was injured. "I'm so thankful we didn't have further loss of life," she said. Recent court records list a New Hope address for Nguyen. In Minnesota, Nguyen has been convicted of misdemeanor theft and drunken driving. He's also been charged in Wisconsin. The Star Tribune reports he's due to appear in a Superior, Wisconsin, courtroom next month on felony battery and drug charges, and he recently pleaded no contest in a hit-and-run there involving an unattended vehicle. Charlie Gard has died just a week shy of his first birthday, with his heartbroken parents paying tribute to their beautiful little boy. The 11-month-old, who had a rare genetic condition, was at the centre of a legal battle between his parents and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) that attracted worldwide attention. In a statement following his death on Friday, his mother Connie Yates said: Our beautiful little boy has gone, were so proud of him. Pope Francis, who had shown his support for Ms Yates and Charlies father Chris Gard during their lengthy legal challenge, said he was praying for the family following the baby boys death. He tweeted: I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him. A court had ordered that Charlie be moved to a hospice, where his life support would be withdrawn. Connie Yates and Chris Gard with their son Charlie (Family handout/PA) The hospital where he spent most of his short life sent heartfelt condolences to the family, while Prime Minister Theresa May said she was deeply saddened by his death. A GOSH spokeswoman said: Everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital sends their heartfelt condolences to Charlies parents and loved ones at this very sad time. Mrs May said in a statement: I am deeply saddened by the death of Charlie Gard. My thoughts and prayers are with Charlies parents Chris and Connie at this difficult time. Chris Gard Ms Yates and Mr Gard wanted to take their severely ill son to the US for treatment. His plight saw hundreds of supporters called Charlies Army lending their voices and money for him to be given treatment, with 1.35 million raised on an online fundraising site. On Thursday Ms Yates claimed the couple were denied their final wish when a High Court judge approved a plan to see Charlie moved to a hospice and have his life support withdrawn soon after. Donald Trump His parents had pleaded to be allowed more time with him, after their earlier request to take him home to die also failed. Charlie, who was born on August 4 last year, had a form of mitochondrial disease, a condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage. Described as perfectly healthy when he was born, Charlie was admitted to hospital at eight weeks and his condition progressively deteriorated. Charlie Gard's parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates 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 couldnt save you. We had the chance but we werent allowed to give you that chance. Sweet dreams baby. Sleep tight our beautiful little boy. At the time Charlies parents added they believed their son might have been saved if experimental therapy had been tried sooner. Ms Yates said time had been wasted, adding had Charlie been given the treatment sooner he would have had had the potential to be a normal, healthy little boy. Doctors at GOSH did not agree, with lawyers representing the hospital saying the clinical picture six months ago had shown irreversible damage to Charlies brain. They said the unstoppable effects of Charlies rare illness had become plainer as weeks passed. A Palestinian man who allegedly stabbed one person to death and injured six others in Hamburg was known to German authorities as a suspected Islamic radical but was also psychologically unstable, officials said. The suspect, a 26-year-old who had no identity papers other than a birth certificate showing he was born in the United Arab Emirates, was quickly overwhelmed by passers-by and arrested after Fridays attack at a supermarket in Hamburgs Barmbek district. He was not named by authorities, in keeping with Germany privacy laws. An elderly woman is accompanied by a firefighter after the attack (Paul Weidenbaum/dpa via AP) The mans motive remained unclear on Saturday, but he is believed to have acted alone and there are no indications that he had links to any network, Hamburg state interior minister Andy Grote said. Police said the suspect grabbed a kitchen knife with an 8in (20cm) blade from a shelf at the supermarket on Friday afternoon and stabbed three men, one of them fatally. He then left the shop and injured another three people outside, not all of them with the knife. Passers-by then pursued and overwhelmed the suspect, who was arrested by police. Mr Grote said none of the wounded suffered injuries considered to be life-threatening, though some were seriously hurt. A woman places flowers at a shrine near the supermarket (Markus Scholz/dpa via AP) The man arrived in Germany in March 2015 after stops in Spain, Sweden and Norway. His request for asylum was rejected late last year and authorities were trying to secure new Palestinian papers to deport him a process in which they said he had co-operated. Officials said he was on their radar as a suspected Islamic radical, but not as a jihadist. A friend had tipped off authorities about changes in the mans behaviour, telling them he had stopped drinking alcohol and started talking about the Koran, said Torsten Voss, head of the Hamburg branch of the domestic intelligence agency. Officials interviewed the man and came away with the impression that he was a destabilised personality but not someone who posed an immediate danger, Mr Voss said. Police search a refugee shelter in Hamburg (Bodo Marks/AP) We evaluated him rather as someone who was psychologically unstable than had clear Islamic extremist motivations, he told a news conference. Authorities are not aware of any connections to Hamburgs Islamic extremist scene. A search of the mans room at a centre for asylum-seekers turned up no weapons or weapon-like objects, prosecutors said. The suspect has not yet talked about Fridays attack, prosecutor Joerg Froehlich said, though he has indicated that he acted alone. Mr Froehlich said authorities intend to ask that he be held in custody on suspicion of murder and five counts of attempted murder, but may seek to have him held at a psychiatric unit instead. Paris St Germain full-back Dani Alves has urged his fellow Brazilian Neymar to be brave when it comes to considering a potential world-record transfer to the Ligue 1 giants. Barcelona striker Neymar has been linked with a 222 million euro move to PSG, a deal which would see him become the most expensive player in the world, but neither club has spoken on the matter. Former Barca man Alves, who moved to Paris from Juventus earlier this month, scored in PSGs Trophee des Champions victory over Monaco on Saturday and afterwards he discussed Neymars situation. Quoted in Marca, he said: Its an important decision for him and its the kind of decision men have to make. Hes one of my best friends and Ill always want him by my side, but I can not interfere. I helped him come to Barcelona, I did not make the decision for him, but I told him what Barcelona was like and he decided to move there. Decisions are for the brave and I am the bravest of all. I just want my friend to be happy wherever he is, although obviously if he were here that would be much better. Its a decision you have to make carefully but you have to be selfish. If I could advise one thing it would be: be brave, the world belongs to the brave. Neymar, 25, was heavily involved in Barcas 3-2 friendly victory over LaLiga arch-rivals Real Madrid in Miami on Saturday but speculation over his future has continued to intensify in recent days. He was pictured storming out of training following an angry confrontation with new team-mate Nelson Semedo while another Brazilian playing for PSG, Thiago Silva, said details of a switch might emerge soon. Barca defender Gerard Pique, who last week posted a picture of himself with Neymar on Instagram with the caption se queda, meaning he stays has admitted he is unsure whether the forward will remain at Nou Camp heading into the 2017-18 season, claiming his online post was a gut thing. Following the Miami friendly at the Hard Rock Stadium new Barca boss Ernesto Valverde expressed his desire to keep Neymar on board as the Catalans look to reclaim their Spanish title from Real. I try to talk about what is happening right now, he said in quotes carried by Marca. Neymar is here with us, we count on him and we think that he should help us out this year. Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos joins the Neymar transfer debate pic.twitter.com/Qnu4zzITte B/R Football (@brfootball) July 30, 2017 Real captain Sergio Ramos hopes he has faced Neymar in a Barca shirt at least for the last time. I have a good relationship with him, the Spanish defender told Marca. We changed shirts at the end and I hope thats the last time I get a Barca one from him, that wouldnt be a problem for us at all! He didnt tell me anything. Everyone is free to decide their own future. I think he is a great player and a key man for Barcelona its up to him to decide his future. A disagreement at a German nightclub turned deadly after the disco operators son-in-law left the venue and returned with an assault rifle and started shooting, officials said. A security guard was killed and four other people were wounded, three of them seriously, during the rampage in the south-western town of Konstanz. The suspect was fatally shot by a police officer. Officials investigating the shooting identified the suspect as a 34-year-old who came to Germany from Iraq in 1991 as a child. They said they had no details of the dispute, but ruled out a terrorist motive. Police said the man was the son-in-law of the clubs operator and had a criminal record that included assault and drug-related convictions. The suspect was not named in keeping with German privacy laws. Police and witnesses outside the club (Felix Kaestle/AP) The dpa news agency cited police weapons expert Andreas Stenger as saying the weapon used was an M16 assault rifle of the kind used by US armed forces. Other law enforcement officials said the gunman opened fire just inside the clubs entrance, killing a security employee. A policeman subsequently exchanged gunfire with the suspect outside. The officer received non-life-threatening wounds and the gunman died later in a hospital. ZHURIHE, Inner Mongolia, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping mounted a field jeep to inspect troops at Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Sunday morning. Han Weiguo, commander-in-chief of the parade and commander of the Central Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), reported to Xi that the troops are ready. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, ordered the inspection to begin. The parade is held in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the founding of PLA. An explosive century from Alex Hales led Nottinghamshire to a thrilling victory over Yorkshire in their NatWest T20 Blast meeting at Trent Bridge. Hales scored 101, his first format hundred for the county, as Notts completed a record run-chase to defeat the Vikings by five wickets with five balls remaining. Yorkshire had posted 223 for five, with Adam Lyth scoring 59 after the visitors had been invited to bat first. Alex Hales WINNING MOMENT | From the first ball of the last over, Mullaney sends it straight back where it came from to secure a historic win #Outlawed pic.twitter.com/D9pf4zOvHa Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) July 30, 2017 Amidst the carnage Samit Patel maintained creditable figures of three for 29 but there was little joy for any of the other bowlers to celebrate as Yorkshire plundered 10 sixes in their 20 overs. A sensational debut innings from Adam Hose lifted Birmingham Bears to a five-wicket victory over Lancashire Lightning at Edgbaston. The Lightning amassed 174 for eight thanks mainly to Jos Buttler, whose unbeaten 80 (43 balls, six fours, two sixes) was the only contribution beyond 20. But then Hose, making his debut after moving from Somerset on a three-year deal last week, smashed a dazzling T20-best 76 from 43 balls with seven fours and five sixes to put his side on course for victory. After he perished, Grant Elliott saw his side over the line with just two balls to spare with an shrewd unbeaten 45. Veteran Paul Collingwood scored his maiden T20 century but was upstaged by a player nearly half his age in Joe Clarke as Worcestershire Rapids overpowered Durham Jets by eight wickets at New Road. Collingwood, 41, made the home side pay dearly for dropping him on four by reaching three figures off 57 balls with four sixes and nine fours in the final over of the Jets innings. His 108 not out surpassed his previous best T20 score of 79 for England against the West Indies at the Oval a decade ago in June 2007. But England Lions batsman Clarke gave another demonstration of his considerable potential as the Rapids chased down their target with 11 balls to spare. The 21-year-old reached his first T20 ton off only 45 balls with six sixes and 10 fours and sparked a standing ovation as he helped to lift the gloom of a difficult start to the campaign. He finished unbeaten on 124 from 53 balls. Corey Anderson propelled Somerset to a 32-run Duckworth-Lewis victory over Sussex in a rain-affected contest at Taunton. We are now up to 2nd in the @NatWestT20Blast table!#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/2YrGKNbHtE Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 30, 2017 Put in to bat in a match reduced to eight overs-a-side, Somerset posted a competitive 102 for three courtesy of New Zealander Andersons 41 from 17 balls. Required to chase down a revised target of 104 to win, Sussex failed to recover from the loss of early wickets and came up short on 71 for four, despite an unbeaten 42 from Stiaan van Zyl. New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry produced an impressive performance as Derbyshire secured a seven-wicket win over Leicestershire., taking three for 18 in his four overs as the Foxes were restricted to 104 for nine. The winning moment Well played lads! Matt Henry (3-18), Imran Tahir (2-20), @yozza18 (36*) and Wayne Madsen (49*).#DERvLEI pic.twitter.com/bt91ElvnKd Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) July 30, 2017 Wayne Madsen (49) and Alex Hughes (36) shared an unbroken stand to steer their side home with 37 balls to spare. Half-centuries by Jacques Rudolph and Aneurin Donald helped Glamorgan extend their lead in the NatWest T20 Blast South Group with an emphatic 25-run win over Kent. Romelu Lukaku scored as Manchester United beat Valerenga 3-0 in Oslo in the penultimate match of their summer tour. Marouane Fellaini gave United a first-half lead before substitutes Lukaku and Scott McTominay netted in the second half. Valerenga are deep into their domestic campaign and sit seventh in Norways top division but it was United who looked the sharper early on as Henrikh Mkhitaryan forced a blocking save and Paul Pogba saw an effort hit a post. Romelu Lukaku Jose Mourinho: I am satisfied. It was a good pitch and our opponents were well organised. Now, a little rest before the Sampdoria match." pic.twitter.com/HtUL11iBaF Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 30, 2017 Marcus Rashford was next to go close but it was not until a minute before half-time that United made the breakthrough. Reports of Nemanja Matics impending arrival could spell the end of Fellainis time at Old Trafford but the big Belgian served a reminder of what he is capable of by heading United in front from Mkhitaryans cross. Manager Jose Mourinho made nine changes at the break and two of the newcomers combined after 48 minutes as Lukaku headed home a Joel Pereira cross at the far post. Valerenga had a rare opportunity just after the hour mark but it was spurned by Ghayas Zahid, and shortly afterwards 20-year-old McTominay netted his first senior goal for United with a confidently-taken half-volley. Lukaku nearly added a fourth goal late on after displaying great upper body strength to hold off his marker but he dragged his shot just wide. United will head to Dublin next to play Serie A side Sampdoria before facing Real Madrid in the European Super Cup in Skopje on August 8. South Koreas Lee Mi-hyang staged a remarkable comeback to win the Ladies Scottish Open. Lee sat 39th and nine shots off the lead coming into the weekend but the 24-year-old posted rounds of 68 and 66 to finish six-under par at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire. Karrie Webb had looked on course for victory when she eagled the 14th for a two-stroke lead but the Australian bogeyed the 16th and double-bogeyed the 17th to allow Lee to snatch victory. Lee Mi-hyang When you realise you have won the @AberdeenLSO pic.twitter.com/xo5v1ns9mJ Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 30, 2017 Webb finished one shot back on five-under and joint second along with another South Korean, Hur Mi-jung. I didnt believe I got a win today, Lee said. It was really a surprise for me. My front nine was amazing, and then I think I got a good start from my first hole. The first and second round, I hit it really good, but just I missed a lot of putts, so I tried to practice my putting with the wind. Lee made seven birdies on the final day and watched from the clubhouse as Webb missed the eagle putt she needed to force a play-off on the 18th. Mi Hyang Lee rolls in a birdie on the last for a stunning final round 66 (-6) & to take the @AberdeenLSO lead on -6 pic.twitter.com/4N7MwSRAtv Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 30, 2017 Im very gutted, Webb said. I was on a high, making the eagle, and then I had a very nice up-and-down on the next. Obviously there were nerves there, but there was a good calmness there. Carly Booth was the highest Scottish finisher, finishing on five-over par after a final round of 73. Tens of thousands of Ahmadi Muslims gathered in southern England over the weekend to disavow all forms of terrorism. Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad who represents tens of millions of Ahmadis across the world led the assembled faithful of the minority sect in prayers at a farm in Hampshire. The gathering, known as the Jalsa Salana, began on Friday with a sermon and the raising of the communitys black-and-white flag alongside the Union Jack. Jalsa Salana Concluding on Sunday, the Caliph told some 30,000 adherents from more than 100 countries: It is up to Muslims to stand up and reject all forms of extremism and terrorism. It is the task of Ahmadi Muslims to show the true teachings of Islam which are of peace love, mercy and compassion. On Saturday, the Caliph awarded prizes to women for academic achievements and delivered a sermon on the rights of women. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1889 in India and is led by a spiritual caliphate, with tens of millions of adherents. Many Muslims consider them heretics, and they often suffer from persecution. The Duchess of Cambridge opted for understated elegance as she recycled her Alexander McQueen outfit at official commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. Kate next to the Prime Minister. (Andrew Matthews/PA) Kate sported the sophisticated cream coat-dress for a third public occasion, with a colour-matching hat and hair in a chignon. The hat matched the outfit. (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) She finished the look with oversized pearl earrings and brooch worn with a remembrance poppy. A brooch and poppy completed the look. (Chris Jackson/PA) Kate wore the same dress to her daughter Princess Charlottes christening, twinned with a Jane Taylor hat. At Charlotte's christening in 2015. ( Mary Turner/The Times/PA) At the Queens official birthday celebrations, the outfit was teamed with a striking pale pink hat with large floral decoration by Philip Treacy. ELDORET, Kenya, July 30 (Reuters) - A gunman and a police officer were killed in an attack on Deputy President William Ruto's residence in the western Kenyan town of Eldoret, a senior administrator said on Sunday, adding the security operation was over. Late on Saturday, police had initially said the attacker was armed with a machete and had injured one police officer. "From the exchange of fire we thought it was more than one attacker, because he used different firearms, but after we subdued him, we found only one man dead, plus our officer who he had killed," Wanyama Musiambo, Rift Valley Regional Coordinator, told reporters at the scene on Sunday. Ruto and his family were not at home during the attack, police said on Saturday. Ruto is the running mate of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is seeking a second and final term in office in the Aug. 8 elections. (Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Keith Weir) BEIRUT, July 30 (Reuters) - Nearly 90,000 Iranians are expected to attend the haj in Mecca this year, and were due to start arriving on Sunday, after Tehran boycotted the pilgrimage last year amid tensions with Saudi Arabia. Around 800 pilgrims were due to leave Iran on three flights to nearby Medina on Sunday, the director of the haj at Irans Haj and Pilgrimage Organization, Nasrollah Farahmand told state media. Approximately 86,500 Iranians are expected to attend the haj in total this year and 800 coordinators have travelled to Saudi Arabia to help Iranians during the pilgrimage, he said. Iran boycotted the haj last year after hundreds of people, many of them Iranians, died in a crush at the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in 2015, and following a diplomatic rift between the two countries who are vying for power and influence in the region. In a speech to haj organizers on Sunday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iranians would never forget the "catastrophic events" of 2015 and called on Saudi Arabia to ensure the security of all pilgrims. "The serious and constant issue for the Islamic Republic is the preservation of the security, dignity, welfare and comfort of all pilgrims, particularly Iranian pilgrims," Khamenei said, according to his official site. "The security of the haj is the responsibility of the country where the two noble shrines exist." Riyadh severed diplomatic relations last year after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran following the execution of a Shi'ite cleric in Saudi Arabia in January 2016. In February this year Iran, which is predominantly Shi'ite Muslim, sent a delegation to Saudi Arabia, which is mostly Sunni, that initiated the process of Iranian pilgrims returning for the haj. However, tensions between the two countries remain at an all-time high. Last month Iranian officials pointed a finger at Saudi Arabia after Islamic State carried out attacks on the Iranian parliament in Tehran and the shrine of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, that left at least 18 dead. Saudi Arabia denied any involvement. Khamenei in his speech on Sunday also called on all pilgrims to show their reaction to the recent unrest at the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and "Americas wicked presence in the region" at the haj, according to his official website. He did not specify what kind of reaction he expected pilgrims to show. (Reporting By Babak Dehghanpisheh; Editing by Susan Fenton) By James Pearson and Michelle Nichols SEOUL/NEW YORK, July 30 (Reuters) - The United States flew two supersonic B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force on Sunday and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said China, Japan and South Korea needed to do more after Pyongyang's latest missile tests. North Korea said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) on Friday that proved its ability to strike America's mainland, drawing a sharp warning from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump's ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Twitter on Sunday that the United States was "done talking" about North Korea, which was "not only a U.S. problem." "China is aware they must act," Haley said, urging Japan and South Korea to increase pressure and calling for an international solution. China, the North's main ally, said it opposed North Korea's missile launches, which it said violate UN Security Council resolutions designed to curb Pyongyang's banned nuclear and missile programmes. "At the same time, China hopes all parties act with caution, to prevent tensions from continuing to escalate," China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Early in his presidency, Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and had expressed hope Beijing would use its economic clout to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions. But on Saturday, Trump said on Twitter that he was "very disappointed in China" which he said profits from trade with the United States but does "NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue," he said. DIRECT RESPONSE North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the midnight test launch of the missile on Friday night and said it was a "stern warning" for the United States that it would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. North Korea's state television broadcast pictures of the launch, showing the missile lifting off in a fiery blast in darkness and Kim cheering with military aides. The missile test came a day after the U.S. Senate approved a package of sanctions against North Korea, Russia and Iran. The B-1B flight was a response to the missile test and the July 3 launch of the "Hwasong-14" rocket, the Pentagon said. The bombers took off from a U.S. air base in Guam, and were joined by Japanese and South Korean fighter jets during the exercise, according to the statement. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy said in a statement. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing." Also on Sunday, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency announced the United States had successfully shot down a medium-range missile in the latest test of its THAAD missile defense program which is designed to protect the country against potential threats from countries such as North Korea and Iran. The test was planned well before the rising tensions with North Korea and involved a medium-range missile, not the long-range types being tested by the North Koreans. FAR REACH The Hwasong-14, named after the Korean word for Mars, reached an altitude of 3,724.9 km (2,314.6 miles) and flew 998 km (620 miles)for 47 minutes and 12 seconds before landing in the waters off the Korean peninsula's east coast, KCNA said. Western experts said calculations based on that flight data and estimates from the U.S., Japanese and South Korean militaries showed the missile could have been capable of going as far into the United States as Denver and Chicago. David Wright of the U.S.-based Union of Concerned Scientists wrote in a blog post that if it had flown on a standard trajectory, the missile would have had a range of 10,400 km (6,500 miles). U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, a leading Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, said she saw the test as "a clear and present danger to the United States." "I think the only solution is a diplomatic one. I'm very disappointed in China's response, that it has not been firmer or more helpful," Feinstein told CBS television's "Face the Nation," urging the administration to begin talks with the North. U.S. intelligence officials assess that even if North Korea does develop a reliable, nuclear-capable ICBM, which some say it remains several steps short of doing, the weapon would be almost useless except to deter the conventional attacks that Kim fears. Intelligence experts have concluded that Kim will not abandon his pursuit of a deliverable nuclear weapon. "Kim is determined to secure international recognition of the North as a nuclear armed state, for the purposes of security, prestige, and political legitimacy," says the National Intelligence Councils January Global Trends report. (Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, Susan Cornwell, John Walcott and Roberta Rampton in Washington; Editing by Sam Holmes and Phil Berlowitz) By Ron Bousso LONDON, July 30 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell suspended loadings of oil products from its Pernis refinery in the Netherlands following a fire at the plant, the company said in a statement to traders on Sunday. Shell shut down most of its production at Pernis, Europe's largest refinery, after the fire at the 404,000 barrels per day plant late on Saturday caused a power outage. The company said that no casualties were reported in the incident and the fire was under control, but it expected loadings to be suspended on Monday as well. In a statement to traders in the region seen by Reuters, Shell said that "at this stage the extent of the damage is (being) investigated and we are unable to load product at the depot in Pernis." "For now we work on the assumption that FCA (free carrier) loadings at depot Pernis will be interrupted until and including tomorrow so please take your necessary precautions." The outage at the Rotterdam plant was likely to boost prices of oil products such as diesel, jet fuel and gasoline in northwest Europe, where refinery profits have risen in recent weeks due to other refinery issues in the region. (Reporting by Ron Bousso; Editing by Susan Fenton) Of being Prime Minister of the country four times Men of honour to their grand old party, the UNP It is few who have had the rare privilege of being Prime Minister of any country four times. In this beautiful land of ours, blessed with the timeless beauty of natures magnitude, it is just two people who have achieved this honour. Therefore it was fitting that one of them, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, gave the 17th annual oration this year in honour of the late Dudley Senanayake, who was the other, several decades ago. Temple Trees was home to both of them, at one time or another and this being the venue this year, made it yet another cherished event, leaving their footprints once again, in the sands of time of our countrys history. There has been an erosion of standards in many spheres of life including politics today. Both the late Dudley and Prime Minister Ranil stand out as men of honour, beacons of loyalty to their grand old party, the UNP. Even when Dudley withdrew from politics for a while, he never jumped a political fence to join another party, although invited to do so. Ranil Wickremesinghe too, despite the ups and downs which are invariably a part of a politicians life, has stayed loyal to his party through thick and thin. Both of them suffered countless insults, but took them in their stride, not deviating from their straight political walk. Both are known for their unwavering belief in a school of thought that transcends ethnicity, religion, race, language, class, caste, upcountry- low country divisions which have divided our country and hindered our progress. "Ranil entered Parliament in 1977, when the UNP won a landslide victory and was the youngest Minister in the then Cabinet" Dudley was a liberal democrat at heart, Ranils thinking too, is inclined in that direction. Both are respected for their respect for others, common sense, simplicity, integrity and belief in the rule of law and democracy. They also share a natural shyness, both lived in the homes their parents built, never made millions, never built vast luxurious mansions or squandered public funds to boost their images, preferring a simple lifestyle, unimpressed by the grandeur and pomp of power. As Prime Minister Ranil mentioned in his oration, the world and politics have changed immeasurably, since Dudleys time. He recalled that as a child and a student, he had been fortunate to meet and learn from our past Leaders, who were frequent visitors to his parental home. The late Dudley and J.R. being among them. He also had the privilege of attending debates in Parliament in the sixties,listening to those parliamentarians who were experts at wit and humour. They were in a class of their own in the style and language of debate. He also recalled that the late Dudley had been against the Presidential system. He recalled how Dudley led the party from outside Parliament, when he returned to politics at the invitation of UNP stalwarts in 1958 as he hadnt contested at the 1956 election. He and the late President J.R. Jayewardene who had lost his seat led the struggle from outside, and there were countless protests, fighting for the freedom of the press and other issues affecting the masses. The late Dudley led the party to victory in 1965, and was Prime Minister till 1970. He spoke of the open economy which was President Jayewardenes brainchild, begun after Dudleys time and the political thinking that prevailed during that period. Our country can be proud of both these leaders, Dudley Senanayake and Ranil Wickremesinghe. I believe these words of Gilbert Holland written in the late 19th century epitomize them both Ranil entered Parliament in 1977, when the UNP won a landslide victory and was the youngest Minister in the then Cabinet. At the oration, Prime Minister Ranil spoke without a note, taking us back down memory lane, right through Sri Lankas political journey. I was amazed as all listeners were, at his elephantine memory and his vast reservoir of knowledge. The late Dudleys secretary, Joe Karunaratne told me that the oration was one of the best he had heard and I commented that this was because of the vast experience Ranil had and the knowledge he had gained through his forty years in politics. He spoke of the absolute power of the executive Presidency which had been abused in unprecedented fashion by the Rajapaksa government. The country fell into deep debt as a result of misrule, extravagance and the use of State funds to enhance personal glory. The debt which the country has to repay has exceeded Rs 4 trillion. The Chief Justice was removed without going through an impeachment process, without a resolution brought in Parliament to do so. Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka was thrown into jail and treated like a criminal, after his courageous service to the country which enabled us to win the war. Today, it is obvious that people want a change in the Constitution, some have even suggested a return to the Soulbury Constitution, he said they are looking at many options and systems which have been adopted in other parts of the world like the US, New Zealand and other countries. The UNP has accepted and is committed to democratic socialism as the style of government they believe in. Our country can be proud of both these leaders, Dudley Senanayake and Ranil Wickremesinghe. I believe these words of Gilbert Holland written in the late 19th century epitomize them both. We need more of this calibre as future leaders. A time like this demands strong minds, true faith and ready hands! Men whom the lust of office does not kill, Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy, Men who possess opinions and a will, Men who love honour, men who cannot lie. (Photo/CGTN) Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the commemorations to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the Zhurihe military training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Sunday. It is the first time that Xi, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, observed such a massive parade staged in the field. The Convener of the students union attached to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ruhuna University had been remanded yesterday until August 11 by the Matara Magistrate. He was remanded over an incident of an attack on two Police Sergeants during a protest organised in front of the University premises on last Sunday (23). The Police said the suspect, Lahiru Weerasekara had allegedly assaulted the two Sergeants attached to the Crimes Investigation Unit of Matara and damaged their camera during the protest. He was nabbed while he was on a trip with other students. Police said the Sergeants Rajapaksa Pathirage (5244) and Indunil Padmakumara (55988), who videoed the protest who had been assaulted by the students were later admitted to the Matara General Hospital. Three Police teams, including the Matara Divisional Intelligence Unit are conducting investigation. (Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk) Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the United States Pacific Command presenting Ms. Cooray the Distinguished Public Service Award at the U.S. Pacific Command Headquarters Sri Lankas former honorary Consul in Hawaii, Kusuma Cooray, Professor Emerita was recently awarded the Distinguished Public Service Award. It is the highest award that a civilian could receive from the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) of the United States of America. The award was presented to her by the Commander of the Pacific Command Admiral Harry B. Harris on 24th March, 2017 at the Pacific Command Headquarters, Camp Smith, Hawaii. At the award ceremony Admiral Harry Harris said Kusuma during her 17 year tenure as honorary Consul of Sri Lanka has rendered service and assistance at considerable personal sacrifice motivated by patriotism, good citizenship and a sense of public responsibility. In both her books she pays tribute to Sri Lanka in general and her town Moratuwa in particular The following is the edited version of the citation accompanying the award: For the distinguished public service to the Department of Defence as the 2nd Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Hawaii, from February 2001 to January 2017, Consul Cooray diligently worked to strengthen solidarity between the United States military leadership stationed in Hawaii and all levels of the Sri Lankan Government. During her tenure she played a pivotal role in improving bilateral, multilateral cooperation in support of the United States Pacific Commands mission with the clear purpose of enhancing the United States-Sri Lanka partnership. Consul Cooray was instrumental in further normalizing bilateral relations between the forces of the United States Pacific Command and the Sri Lanka Defence Force. She played a critical role in arranging the Commander U.S. Pacific Commands participation in the November 2016 Galle Dialogue, which marked the first visit to Sri Lanka by a four-star Officer since 2003. Her distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of public service and reflect great credit upon herself and the Department of Defence. Kusuma is an exceptional diplomat and a celebrated chef. She worked for the University of Hawaiis Culinary Institute of the Pacific and retired as Professor Emerita. She has won many prestigious awards, the most recent is the La Chaine des Rotisseurs Gold Star of Excellence for mentoring young chefs. She is consulted frequently by many hotels and restaurants. Her illustrious career in the field of hospitality spans over 40 years, during which time she taught and mentored 3 generations of young people who today make the backbone of the Food and Hotel Industry in Hawaii. Kusuma generously volunteered to teach chefs in Sri Lanka as well. In 1998 she was the initiator and project director for the 2 year USAID funded Island Nation: Island State, a project in tourism development in Sri Lanka, a collaboration between the University of Hawaii, Kahala Hilton, Prince Hotels, Sheraton Waikiki and, Ceylon Hotel School, Chefs Guild of Sri Lanka and Ceylon Hotel Schools Graduates Association of Sri Lanka. In 1999 the Ceylon Hotel School Graduate Association Sri Lanka awarded her Honorary Membership in appreciation of the contributions made towards the upgrading of the Hotel and Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka. Kusuma is an author. Her first book titled Burst of Flavour The Fine Art of Cooking with Spices published by the University of Hawaii, was awarded the Hawaii Book Publishers Association PoOkela Award Excellence in Cook Books- Award of Excellence 2002. Her second book From Ocean to Plate - Cooking Fish with Hawaiis Kusuma Cooray also published by the University of Hawaii and awarded the PoOkela Award of Excellence in 2015. Her 3rd book will be launched in 2018. Kusuma is a product of Moratuwa, one of the populace towns in the country situated along the western seaboard that has produced men and women of stature, who left lasting impressions on the country. Moratuwa is well-known for its professionals, sportsmen, musicians, woodcraftsmen and the fisher-folkswho venture out to the sea to bring ashore their harvest of fish. In both her books she pays tribute to Sri Lanka in general and her town Moratuwa in particular. Kusuma left Sri Lanka in 1972 for culinary studies in Britain and thereafter left Britain in1975 for the United States where she met Ranjit Cooray and settled down in Hawaii. Ranjit a Fulbright Scholar from Sri Lanka was also from Moratuwa. He joined the University of Hawaii in 1971 where he completed a Masters degree in Botanical Sciences. He was attached to the University of Hawaii Lyon Arboretum when he passed away in January 2001. (Russell C.Chitty) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention to secure the release of 75 fishermen and 42 fishing boats under Sri Lankan custody but urged the PM to ensure the release of 107 more fishing boats still in Sri Lanka. After repeated efforts by the State government in India, Tamil fishermen and their boats detained in Sri Lanka will be released soon,Indian Express reported. The detention of men and equipment is gradually becoming a political issue as it threatens the livelihood of lakhs of people, and the CM has been taking it up with the Centre repeatedly. On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I thank you for your personal intervention and sincere efforts which have enabled the release of the fishermen and the boats, the CM said in his letter to Modi on Saturday. The State received communication from the external affairs ministry about the release of 42 boats even before Prime Minister returned after inaugurating former president APJ Abdul Kalams memorial on July 27, said Palaniswami. Now information reaching here said a court in Lanka ordered the release of 75 men, he added. Palaniswami urged Modi to instruct Lanka to secure the release of the remaining 107 boats, which are languishing in Lankan custody to ensure there was adequate reciprocity to various measures taken by the Centre and State governments to resolve the vexatious issue. Two Police Constables, attached to the Kopay Police Station had been hacked and assaulted by an unidentified sword gang in the Kopay area this afternoon, the Police said. It was reported that the gang of had come on four motorcycles, while the former were attending to inquire a complaint near Nanthavil Amman Kovil in Kondavil. The assailants, armed with swords and clubs, had fled the scene after committing the crime, the Police said. Constables Surendran (6946) and Dhammika (60581) had sustained injuries. Both the officers were admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Their condition was not known to be serious. The Kopay Police said that they had launched an inquiry and yet to identify the suspects in connection with the incident. (Thilanka Kanakarathna and Romesh Madushanka) Video by Gobi Ranjan ZHURIHE, Inner Mongolia, July 30 -- President Xi Jinping said Sunday China needs a strong army more than ever, urging the building of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) into a world-class military force. Speaking shortly after a grand military parade at the Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to mark the PLA's 90th anniversary, Xi said enjoying peace is a bliss for the people while protecting peace is the responsibility of the people's army. "The world is not all at peace, and peace must be safeguarded," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. "Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than any other time in history, and we need to build a strong people's military more than any other time in history," Xi said. He urged the PLA to fully implement the CPC's thoughts on building a strong military, follow the path of strengthening the army with Chinese characteristics, strive for the CPC's target on strengthening the PLA under the new circumstances, and build the heroic PLA into a world-class military. The story zipped across the Internet this month on a sensational two-part premise. A historic mansion-turned museum in New Jersey recently discovered 25 bottles of rare and valuable Madeira wine in its cellar, their labels boasting an import date of 1796. This much is true. The second part fits the category of what might be labeled fake wine news: the Madeira found at the Liberty Hall house, it was breathlessly reported, had been ordered to celebrate the election of America's second president, John Adams. "Some of the original Madeira stock was shipped to the second generation who lived at Liberty Hall, in anticipation of John Adams' presidency," read the NJ.com article on July 9. The story - which offered no evidence for the John Adams claim - nonetheless lit a fire under the media's viral click-makers. The New York Post followed with two articles about the Madeira-Adams connection, citing NJ.com. "Decant be serious!" read one Post headline, its piece saying that the wine "had been shipped to the Hall" for an Adams victory party. NPR, Town & Country magazine's website, and CNN's HLN network also aired or wrote versions of the story. "They say some of the wine cases were in anticipation of celebrating America's second president, John Adams! Whoahhhh!" the on-air HLN reporter said during her segment. But is that true? No, not likely, rare wine experts say. The mansion's longtime owners don't know how or when their ancestors acquired the 1796 Madeira. They have not yet found any receipts or letters detailing the reasons the valuable wine was purchased. The whole idea that their forebears got the wine to celebrate Adams's victory in late 1796? "That's a supposition," acknowledged John Kean, 87, a retired utility executive and president of the Liberty Hall Museum. Kean suspects that his widowed great-great-great-grandmother, Susan Livingston Kean Niemcewicz, bought the bottles in late 1796, following Adams's victory over Thomas Jefferson in the nation's first contested presidential election. Kean thinks that maybe the newly elected president was even Niemcewicz's guest of honor. After all, her late husband, also named John Kean, who died in 1795, was a member of the Second Continental Congress. President George Washington's appointed him to run the Bank of the United States. The couple likely knew Adams quite well. "Certainly a widow would not have ordered a whole bunch of wine for herself, unless she was a closet drunk, and I don't think that was the case," said Kean, laughing. "If [my great-great-great grandmother's] husband was still alive in 1796, maybe they would have drunk this together. But it's our [belief] she was going to entertain at her home in Philadelphia for Adams. President Adams was known as a Madeira drinker and she would have obviously ordered a lot of it for him. But for some reason, she eventually took the wine back to New Jersey, and that's how we ended up with it at Liberty Hall." But it's just his guess. To understand the history of the wine, you have to know the family's history at Liberty Hall. In 1800, Susan Kean married a Polish aristocrat, Julian Ursin Niemcewicz living in exile in America. But he returned to Europe nine years later, and never came back. In 1811, her son Peter Kean bought the property for her, and they became the first Keans to move into Liberty Hall, which was originally built by her uncle, William Livingston, New Jersey's first governor, according to the family's history on the Liberty Hall website. Niemcewicz outlived her son, who died in 1828, and remained in the house with his widow and her grandchildren. Even though her husband abandoned her, Niemcewicz actually renamed the estate in his honor: Ursino. When Niemcewicz passed away in 1833, her grandson, Col. John Kean, inherited the house. Under his stewardship, Ursino grew from a 14-room country house to a 50-room mansion. Plenty of room for his 11 children, two of whom went into national politics. The oldest - a third John Kean - became a member of the House of Representatives, and later the Senate. His younger brother Hamilton Kean also became a senator from New Jersey. By family custom, the property was always passed down to the firstborn son. But Sen. John Kean died without any children. So Sen. Hamilton Kean's son - a fourth John Kean! - inherited the house in 1932. His wife, Mary Alice Barney, eventually scrapped Ursino and restored the original name, Liberty Hall. The property was named a National Historic Landmark in 1974. When she died in 1995, her oldest son - the current Liberty Hall museum president, and fifth John Kean - inherited it. He'd grown up in the house before going off to boarding school, Harvard, and then the Marines. He ran a public utility in New Jersey until his retirement in 1995, and later set up a family foundation to run Liberty Hall as a museum, which officially opened in 2000. Kean's four children are scattered across the country and had no interest in modernizing their ancestral home and living there, he said. In 2007, the family finally sold the house and its 11 acres of land to Kean University, named for the Kean family and Robert Winthrop Kean, a Republican congressman in the mid-20th century. Though he'd owned the house for decades, John Kean said he never wandered down into the cellar to peruse his family's age-old collection of wine, liquor and ale. "I knew the wine cellar was there and used to watch my father go into the basement with a big key and open the door. But I never went in there by myself because it was scary place," he said. "It was dark and gloomy and filled with cobwebs and dust. It was always locked, and I am not sure anyone knew where the key was. But I knew because I remembered my father always getting it from the right-hand cabinet next to the fireplace in the dining room." Last year, amid ongoing renovations, the museum staff finally decided to open the cellar. The stone walls were falling apart. They began taking out each bottle and cataloging everything, eventually discovering 600 bottles and 40 demi-johns of wine. They came across some unlabeled wooden crates, opened them up, and picked through the straw, out of which peaked several bottles whose corks were covered in red wax seal. "LENOX MADEIRA," the label read. "Imported by the late Robert Lenox, Esq., via Philadelphia, in 1796. Bottled, Summer of 1798. Re-Bottled, June 1888." It didn't take long for one of the nation's foremost experts on Madeira wine to get wind of Liberty Hall's Madeira stash. Mannie Berk, president of the San Francisco-based Rare Wine Co., called up the museum and arranged to tour the cellar with a fellow Madeira connoisseur. Berk was bowled over. Liberty Hall's collection of 1796 Madeiras is a rare find. For one thing, it's hard to locate Madeira that had been imported to the U.S. in the 18th century, when Madeira reigned as the drink of choice for affluent Americans. Each bottle, Berk estimates, is worth a minimum of $10,000. And they're still drinkable. All anyone has to do open the bottles, and let the wine air out in a decanter for several weeks. The longer the wine breathes in the open air, the better it tastes, he said. But when Berk began reading the news stories this month about the bottles having been purchased for John Adams' election victory, the expert was dumbfounded. "I was scratching my head. Who came up with that?" he asked. "There's nothing to corroborate the John Adams story." Many of the clues to the wine's history are right there on the bottle itself and the label, Berk noted. The very first date on the label, 1796: That's the year the wine was imported from Madeira, south of Portugal and to the west of Morocco. The Madeira was likely shipped in a barrel, and imported by Robert Lenox, a prominent merchant in New York City who specialized in the brandy-fortified wine. The label's second date, Summer of 1798: That's when Lenox finally drew the wine out of the cask and bottled it for his personal collection, hence the custom-made seal, "R. Lenox," on the hand-blown bottle above the tattered label. "These types of bottles were made for the private use of owners," Berk explained. After Lenox died in 1839, the Madeiras were likely sold out of his estate, but it's not known when or to whom. A second merchant, probably. The label's third date, June 1888: That's the year the wine was removed from the bottles to air out and to rejuvenate its taste. The wine was then re-bottled in the original "R. Lenox" bottles, likely by the new merchant. Then, the merchant created labels in Lenox's honor, calling the wine "Lenox Madeira." Eventually, they were sold. It's not certain when the Keans obtained the Madeira bottles. According to Berk, the earliest the Keans would have acquired the bottles would have been the year of their re-bottling in 1888. Ninety-two years after Adams's victory. This week for the first time ever the Charlottesville Police Department will join thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country in celebrating National Night Out. From 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, the department will host block parties at Washington and Tonsler parks. National Night Out began in 1984 as a way for police officers to get to know the communities they serve. Close to 38 million people and 16,000 jurisdictions participate in the annual event nationwide. When he took the helm of the police department last year, one of the first things Chief Al Thomas wanted to put together was a National Night Out celebration. Last year, city police teamed up with the Albemarle County Police Department to put together a huge event in the Target parking lot, complete with a dunk tank. This year, however, Sgt. Robert Haney put together two separate celebrations in city parks to help officers get to know the people they serve in their own community. The events will feature food from Mission BBQ and Papa Johns Pizza, bouncy castles for children, K9 demonstrations and fire department equipment. The department chose Washington and Tonsler parks for the space they provide, but to also take them back from crime, Haney said. Historically, police have had issues with vagrancy, alcohol and drug usage in the parks. By holding the events there, police hope it will encourage people to take back their parks from criminal activity. Along with police and firefighters, the event will be a chance for the community to meet officials from different public service agencies, such as the citys parks and recreation department and Office of Human Rights, Region Ten Community Services Board and neighborhood businesses. Its a community-police department partnership and everyone is coming together, Haney said. This event really signifies unity for this community. Were super thrilled to be a part of this first annual National Night Out in Charlottesville, said Mindy Goodall, executive director of the Charlottesville Police Foundation. Its a really special event and people get to put a face with the badge and build personal relationships with the officers. And the officers get to know the community. Its good for everyone, she said. Emphasizing the importance of neighbors knowing neighbors, and communities knowing their police, Goodall said the event will help residents celebrate Charlottesville as they know it despite recent controversial events in the city, such as the July 8 Ku Klux Klan rally. Police are our public servants, but we sometimes forget theyre also individual people, she said. The reason they do their job is because they want to help people and keep the community safe. The Albemarle County Police Department also will host a National Night Out celebration, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Old Trail in Crozet. That event will feature live music, police equipment, K9 demonstrations and a silent auction to benefit Special Olympics Virginia. The Fluvanna County Sheriffs Office will host a National Night Out event from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pleasant Grove Park. Their event will feature police equipment, safety demonstrations and a bicycle rodeo. The Greene County Sheriffs Office will host their event from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in front of the courthouse in Stanardsville. The event will feature bouncy castles and free hotdogs and shaved ice. A number of elementary schools in Albemarle County have implemented multiage classrooms over the years, placing emphasis on student learning and what best fits the school. Woodbrook Elementary soon will be the latest school in the division to use this model. At the start of the 2017-18 school year, there will be one first grade and one second grade class combined, and all fourth and fifth grades combined. Theres one classroom that will be used for multiage that is completely empty after a wall was knocked down to create a larger learning space, and theres another section of Woodbrook that is under construction. The school is currently undergoing a $16.3 million expansion and modernization, thanks in part to a 2016 voter-approved bond referendum. The capital project will expand the buildings footprint, giving way to new instructional spaces that can be used for multiage. The entire project is expected to be completed in fall 2018 with work going on during the upcoming school year. The school divisions experience with multiage spaces in recent years is that it exposes students to more curricula, challenges some students to master higher-level academics at an earlier age and places an emphasis on social and emotional learning. It does promote social and emotional development in children in a very natural context because theyre in a classroom community together, and we focus on community and we want to emphasize the students responsibility within that community, said Michele Castner, director of elementary education and former principal of Agnor-Hurt Elementary. And really what happens in that natural context is students begin to naturally help one another, ask questions to one another. And for teachers, its given them more opportunities to work in teams and co-teach throughout the school day. Currently, Agnor-Hurt and Red Hill elementaries have multiage learning spaces. At Agnor-Hurt, a recent addition to the building allows for 100 students by parent permission and request to take part in a mixed-grade learning environment. Its broken down by kindergarten through second and third through fifth grades. Outside of the addition, second and third grade classes were combined last school year. And at the start of the next school year, fourth and fifth grades will be grouped in a multiage model. Red Hills multiage model is school-wide, and is divided by first and second grades, then third through fifth. Yancey Elementary, which the School Board closed in June, used a similar model. Even though multiage puts two or more traditional grade levels together, its mission is student-centered in a way that allows students and teachers to personalize learning and let the children explore their interests. Our aspiration is to differentiate, to know our students well enough or so well that I know what your interests are, I know what your academic achievement levels are, said Debbie Collins, assistant superintendent for student learning. I kind of know where your social, emotional needs are so when I start thinking about groups for you, Ive got those kinds of things over here and as I group and regroup students, Im going to put you in a situation where youre challenged academically, socially and emotionally and sometimes Im going to put you in a situation where youre going to develop leadership over here. The use of multiage classrooms has been growing nationwide in recent years. As reported in The Atlantic in May, multiage learning spaces are popular in the country now and were common in the 1990s. But with the passage of No Child Left Behind, the push to more standardized testing at the grade levels shifted classroom makeups back to traditional models. But moving to multiage does not exempt a school from the Standards of Learning tests administered each school year in Virginia. This model blends curricula from different grade levels but still aims to cover the standards, Castner said. The standards are being taught at every level and the instruction is being differentiated to meet the needs of the individual child, she said. I would have no fear saying to any parent that your child is going to receive the standards and actually accelerate in standards because theyre being exposed to a greater curriculum. School officials have drawn a parallel between elementary multiage spaces to the countys High School 2022 initiative, which is rethinking the high school structure and graduation requirements. For Lisa Molinaro, Woodbrooks principal, multiage at Woodbrook and other elementary schools seems like a logistical transition to the evolving high school models. Were building a school for the future and, most importantly, were building a school that will produce kids that will be going into our high schools of the future, she said. An attitude has grown up among some Americans that free speech is only for opinions we agree with. Gone is the once liberal view that although I disagree with what you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it. That attitude is now seen as folly, though it actually comes from confidence and strength. This new view of no free speech for fascists was expressed at a Charlottesville City Council meeting (Activists demand answers from city, The Daily Progress, July 18) when one of the protesters against Ku Klux Klan and alt-right demonstrations said, This brainless defense of free speech is killing us. If your speech is being used to promote that other human beings dont deserve rights, thats not a form of speech we have any obligation to defend or protect, at all. (The old view was that it is precisely the opinion that nobody likes that needs to be protected in order to protect everyones rights.) A liberal from the 1970s might wonder how this change in attitude came about, but Peter Breggin, back in 1979, put his finger on it when he suggested that the reason why the American Civil Liberties Union famously defended Nazis was because the Nazis had no power and were regarded as underdogs. If the ACLU had thought the Nazis had real power, he opined, they would not have defended them. By any objective analysis, the alt-right and KKK have no real power today. They are fringe groups that represent un-American ideologies. But they are not seen that way by self-identified resistance groups who fear an existential threat from people with different opinions. Even mildly different opinions are seen as threats through this lens of insecurity. This need to defend against threats both real and imagined has become justification for disorderly conduct or, in some cities, even violence. As the attitude becomes No free speech for fascists and well tell you who the fascists are, the danger is that it will be too late by the time people with this attitude look into the mirror and see their enemy looking back at them. Miles N. Fowler, Albemarle County ADS ADS In 2017, Chanel is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its watchmaking adventure, an anniversary that coincides with that of the watch that embodied this debut under the finest auspices. In three decades, the brand has engaged in all the crafts involved in Fine Watchmaking. This involves approaching horology as an object of pleasure, without making any compromises with regard to the technical and craftsmanship expertise required to create precious objects, ready to defy time. In October 1987, when Chanel introduced a watch, this launch was totally unexpected. It was named Premiere, a name with multiple meanings. It is the one that precedes others in time, space and rank. It is principal and superior. It is that which is made for the first time, that which takes top place. In the field of transport, it refers to the most comfortable class; and in Haute Couture, to the female director of the atelier. In watchmaking it is the Premiere watch exclusively created for women by Chanel. It echoes the shape of the N5 fragrance bottle stopper, as well as that of the Place Vendome. Contrary to everything that had been done before, this watch intended for women is not a miniature version of a mens watch. Renewal Personified by Ines de la Fressange, it is both an authentic timepiece and a fashion accessory. It is ready for everything and carries its name with aplomb and panache. The Premiere watch heralded the first chapter in the Maisons history with watchmaking. With it, Chanel literally gave pride of place to time, presenting it as a smooth, flat surface evoking every possibility. The watch thus became an authentic piece of jewelry, embodying the quintessence of femininity and far surpassing the pure functional aspect of its nature. Everything resides in this art of surprise and wonderment, in this inextinguishable desire to create. The icons of the Maison have inspired a wealth of timepieces: Pearls, Camellias, Comets, the Matelasse motif and the Ribbon have all encircled the wrist and contributed to the ceaseless renewal of feminine watchmaking codes. Right from the start, everything was designed, developed and produced in-house. No outsourcing, no licensing agreements. Chanel watchmaking is done by Chanel. Originality At Chanel, watchmaking techniques remain resolutely in tune with the Creative Studio, never the other way around. Everything is done with respect for Swiss traditions that adapt to the creative ambitions dreamed up in Paris. A Chanel watch is always entirely unexpected. It calibrates time, boldly giving new twists to design codes. In another vein, in 2012, to mark its 25th anniversary, the Premiere watch treated itself to a flying tourbillon. Chanel time took flight as the brand offered women the opportunity to enter a world of extreme mechanical complexity. Tourbillons of diamonds stylized in the form of a camellia or a comet, original horological complications With technology dedicated to serving creative momentum, Chanel literally knows no limits, expressed through a rapid-fire string of innovations. That year, the brand won its first prize, in the Ladies Watch category, at the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve, the prestigious annual awards for the finest creations and the most influential actors in the watch industry. Creativity 1987-2017. Just 30 years, and the same relentless desire to go further, higher. A Swiss Manufacture, a steady stream of patents and inventions. Watches that exalt time. For 30 years, Chanel has been expressing its own unique vision of watchmaking, fired by the same desire to create: at the end of the year, Chanel will launch a new design, an authentic token of recognition to be worn on the wrist. In 2017, Chanel Horlogerie has a bright future ahead of it, with watches interpreting the aesthetic of time, year after year. Since 2012, the rare models in the dreamy Mademoiselle Prive collection have been turning heads and time. Unbelievable dials, refined movements, revisited artisanal techniques such as gold thread embroidery, mother-of-pearl and diamond marquetry, glyptic techniques: nothing is impossible. Beneath the nimble fingers of the greatest enamellists, engravers and gemsetters, this collection is writing a whole new page in the creative history of Chanel watchmaking, and becoming a privileged field of expression for skills exercised with consistent excellence. The Mademoiselle Prive Camelia Brode watch, featuring a dial embroidered from colored silk threads using the needle painting technique, enabled Chanel to win its second Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve award in 2013, in the Artistic Crafts category. Rose windows In 2017, it was the stained-glass windows of Aubazine Abbey, a Cistercian monastery where Gabrielle Chanel spent part of her youth, that inspired the diamond-studded geometrical motif. Framed by a round white gold case, myriads of diamonds have been set, drawing all eyes towards the dial. Three models co-exist, featuring patterns every bit as complex as a gothic rose window. They are traced by black rhodium-plated white gold bands set with brilliant- baguette, rose- and triangle-cut diamonds. The eye follows them much as a pilgrim moves around a cloister. The rich symbolic Mademoiselle Prive universe pays tribute to absolute femininity, that of the curve, the counter-curve and the light that surges from darkness. It is an invitation to serene contemplation, like that extended by a stained-glass window. Endearing tweed In 2015, Chanel presented the Boy.Friend watch. This watch with its masculine look is entirely dedicated to women. Its octagonal shape recalls the emblematic and iconic Premiere watch, while setting itself apart at first glance. This creation is in keeping with the watchmaking vocabulary of the Maison, imbued with its understated sense of refined aesthetics. Its lines are powerful and its shape bears the unmistakable Chanel signature. The design is both contemporary and classic, while the angles are polished and satin-brushed. Everything is a matter of visual appeal, balance, proportions and details. When masculine touches reveal a feminine side Chanel embarks its first horological creation for women, the Premiere watch, on a journey to a territory of masculine codes, the better to divert them. The Boy.Friend watch embodies the art of giving a new twist to elements of the masculine wardrobe. Back in the day, this principle of reappropriation had marked the rise of an entirely new style, that of Gabrielle Chanel. Diversion The enigmatically named Boy.Friend overturns the classic design codes of feminine watchmaking, and yet it is clearly made with women in mind. It is not merely about size, since its broader versions adopt decidedly masculine dimensions. Its wristband comes as a classic alligator strap, as well as a metal bracelet coordinated with the case in steel or beige gold, and bearing the signature Chanel motif : tweed. The Boy.Friend Tweed models are fitted with metal bracelets featuring a stamped surface inevitably reminding one of the texture of Chanel skirt suits. Born of a distinctive steel mesh, this bracelet recalling the richness of a finely woven cloth represents a technical feat and this fabric naturally finds its place on the wrist. The standoff between the armies of India and China at the trijunction with Bhutan and the war of words unleashed by Beijing suggests to a long-term preparation in the making not just for this sector but across Chinas borders with other countries. The tussle at the tri-junction goes beyond the 89 square kilometres of territory to the larger leadership issues in Asia and beyond. Ever since President Xi Jinping took over the reins at the 18th Communist Party Congress in 2012, the leadership adopted policies different from the ones followed by Deng Xiaoping from 1978 onwards. Deng suggested, against the backdrop of the chaotic situation in the country following the Cultural Revolution and the Gang of Four that the country needs to emphasise on reform and opening up and enhance material capabilities. Thus was born the slogan of keeping a low profile [tao guang yang hui]. Thirty years of reform catapulted China to the second largest economy and wetted its sense of lebensraum. As China became the largest trading partner for over 130 countries, scholars like Yan Xuetong suggested that China revive the Middle Kingdom and its attendant dependencies such as vassal states. By 2012, Mr Jinping announced rejuvenation of the country with a road map to observe two centennials the first hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Communist Party in 2021 and that of the Peoples Republic in 2049. Thus began the revival of the strategic policy of the country from low profile to that of accomplishing something [fenfa youwei]. As a follow up, China began imposing its version of the Monroe Doctrine on its neighbouring countries even as it began preparations for Belt and Road Initiative of connecting regions in Asia, Europe and Africa. China began evicting the United States from the region with the USS Impeccable incident in 2009 when the American naval ship was nudged outside the South China Sea. At the same time, China began expanding its claims in East China Sea on Senkaku Islands with Japan and in South China Sea with Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries. China has also deployed all other skills in maximizing its outreach. Chinas charm offensive towards South-East Asian countries, specifically the Philippines, against the backdrop of The Hague tribunal verdict on the South China Sea islands is instructive in this regard. The Middle Kingdom of the yore considered the Korean Peninsula and South-East Asia as its primary area of influence with many states paying tributes. While China since joining the United Nations in 1971 suggests that it abides by the Westphalian world order of equality of nation-states in the UN and sanctity of the individual member-states, a new streak is visible in this recent revival of the Middle Kingdom. The Doklam issue as well represents this urge to impose the Middle Kingdom across the region. Clearly, China has been expanding the envelope in Asia and beyond and Doklam incident is another new normal of late. More such border probing missions and military roads or other forms of soft or hard infrastructure are expected across the Line of Actual Control with India in the near future. Likely areas of friction include Daulat Begh Oldi, Trig Heights, Pangongtso Lake, Chumar, Demchok, Samar-lungpa and other areas in the western sector of the border, while in eastern sector near Aruncahal Pradesh more Chinese probing missions are possible at Asaphila, Migyitun, Samdurongchu, Changtze and Fish Tails. Specific to Doklam, by selectively applying provisions of the 1890 treaty between British India and Qing dynasty, China began altering the status quo with probing missions and military road construction. The understanding with Bhutan in 1988 on maintenance of status quo were thrown away, as was the understanding with India in 2012. President Xi raised the bar in 2012 by suggesting that China should not sacrifice core interests (including perceived sovereignty claims) for the sake of developmental interests (that is trade, investments, etc). Today against the backdrop of the factional struggles before the 19th Communist Party Congress later this year, core interests have again become competitive propositions in garnering more seats in the Politburo. Any aspiring leader in the next Politburo will be seen as not defending enough recent Chinas positions at Doklam could be castigated as another Li Hongzhang, the Qing imperial commissioner who signed the treaty with Japan after Chinas defeat in 1895 and gave up the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan. Mr Xi alluded to guarding against such loss of territories as recently as in his meeting with Taiwanese opposition Kuomi-ntang leader Hong Hsiu-chiu in November 2016. The charged media coverage on Doklam has also spawned intense nationalist rhetoric in China. While Chinas ratcheting up on the disputed islands of Senkaku and South China Sea and missile defence deployment in South Korea had pitched the Chinese public against Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines and South Korea, a similar effort in the case of Doklam has fortunately not triggered street-side protests in China and against India or Indians, although such controlled activity cannot be ruled out in the near future. This may be partly because while Japan has over 80,000 companies investing in China compared to a paltry 200 Indian firms. Also, other economic inter-dependence indicators between India and China trade, investments, tourism and others are relatively low as compared with other regions. However, this scenario may not last long due to globalisation and so India may also have to be prepared on this front as well in the future. As Chinas ambitions have been tickled with its double digit growth rates (although declining of late) and is currently being exhibited in leadership tussle with other nations across Asia and beyond, a concert of these countries is necessary to restore peace and stability. Chinas imposition of any Middle Kingdom over Asia is anathema to the 21st century dynamics. India is well poised to take the initiative in restoring the much- needed balance in the region. (The writer is Chairman & Professor in Chinese Studies Centre for East Asian Studies) Shipments in the first quarter of 2017-18 rose by 10.57 per cent to USD 72.21 billion while imports surged 32.78 per cent to USD 112.2 billion. New Delhi: India's exports of engineering goods to China saw a whopping 123 per cent growth at USD 629 million during April-June this fiscal, driven by an upsurge in shipments of non-ferrous metals, according to trade body EEPC India. The country's shipments to China stood at USD 282 million in the April-June quarter of the previous fiscal. The rise assumes significance as India has a massive trade deficit with China, which mounted to USD 46.56 billion last year as Indian exports continued to decline while the bilateral trade marginally slowed down by 2.1 per cent to nearly USD 71 billion, data released earlier showed. India's overall exports grew by 4.39 per cent to USD 23.56 billion in June, according to commerce ministry data. Shipments in the first quarter of 2017-18 rose by 10.57 per cent to USD 72.21 billion while imports surged 32.78 per cent to USD 112.2 billion, leaving a trade deficit of USD 40 billion. Shipments of engineering goods from India to China aggregated USD 234 million in June, against USD 94 million in the same month last year. The sharp rise was on the back of a mammoth 971 per cent increase in the shipments of non-ferrous metals in June this year to USD 158 million from a mere USD 14.75 million in the same month last year, the analysis revealed. T S Bhasin, chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) of India, hopes that bilateral trade continues to flourish between the two neighbours. For the April-June period, non-ferrous metals exports to China saw an increase of 344 per cent from USD 80 million last year to USD 355 million in the first quarter of the current fiscal. "China is certainly a key trading partner for India. The two economies are among the fastest growing in the world and can complement each other. A pick up in the Chinese economy is also contributing to the rising consumption of the key metals," the EEPC India Chairman said. China and South Korea were the leading importers of non-ferrous metals from India during April-June with 17 per cent and 14.6 per cent share respectively, Bhasin said. Chennai: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ruled out rolling back the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He said this was launched in the nations interest after obtaining consensus from all the States and Union Territories in India. He admitted that the GST is not an easy reform to be implemented and that people will try to prevent this from taking place. The Union Minister averred that the GST was based on the principle of congruence and that the switch over (from the previous tax regime) is smooth and there was no taxation on taxation, besides which the process of filing returns has been simplified. This would help to instil among the people a sense of ownership of the country. The reform is in larger interest of the nation. So, we dont blink or pause. If you do, then you will go into reconsideration mode and people will not allow you to go into reform mode, Mr Jaitley said without naming anyone. Aiming to explain the rationale of implementing the GST, he said, Lets be honest. The country needs more revenue. Our armed forces guarding the borders need arms and ammunition. Can anyone say we dont have money for the army or police who protect us? Dont you use highways or roads? The sense of ownership of the country needs to come to us, Mr. Jaitley said addressing a GST Conclave here on Sunday evening. The Minister also assured that the GST Council would consider the representations made to him by the industry associations. The GST, he said, resulted in free flow of trucks across the country and 25 States and 7 UTs have dispensed with the system of Octroi check posts, thus saving time and spends on fuel. As to the net impact he said the tax regime was designed by the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi by creating an environment which is business friendly and investor friendly while ruling out any interference by the government. This will transform the country into a developing economy and improve the (quality) of lives of the people. the resource can be invested in slum development, infrastructure or health, he said and added that GST can transform the image of the country. New Delhi: The government is planning to facilitate the rollout of bike taxis on a bigger scale and is preparing to introduce an app that will also include the new and economical way of commuting, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari is confident that bike taxis will offer solutions not only for wading through severe traffic congestions in metropolises but can provide affordable transportation to people in far-flung rural areas. Bike taxis have been launched at a few places in the country, mostly initiated by private players. "We are planning to facilitate launch of bikes as taxis. We are going to introduce a cab aggregator platform where commuters could choose any mode of transportation that also includes a bike taxi," Gadkari said. He said a presentation for it has already been made by experts and policy planners were looking into the details and contours of it. "Lack of employment is a major problem for this country. Our government's priority is to provide jobs. Today, India faces shortage of 22 lakh drivers," Gadkari said and added "bikes as taxis" can not only provide affordable rides to people but can generate employment for lakhs of youths. "We are going to create an economy which is going to provide employment," he said and added that as many as 2,000 driver training institutes are on the anvil and local youths, after adequate training, would be encouraged to embrace bike taxi driving as profession. In rural areas, poor people face problems commuting, he said and added, "The idea is that the nearest bike can be booked through aggregator. There will be competition for offering good services." Elaborating, he said, suppose one has to travel short distances alone, one can easily book a bike taxi through app- based platform to be launched shortly by the government. "This platform will not only be restricted to aggregators like Ola and Uber. It will be for all. Government will be a facilitator," he said. Asked about lack of clarity on commercial bike taxi regulations, the minister said, "We are studying all aspects." Besides, he added that there would be a system to track the movement of these taxis through GPS. The minister last week had made it clear that driverless cars will not be allowed in India as it will lead to joblessness. He has said that instead, the government will focus on training drivers as adequate driving skills can provide employment to about 50 lakh people. He has also said that plans were afoot to transform public transportation in the country and replace 1.8 lakh buses across the states with luxury buses. "Talks are on with World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help India to replicate the London Transport Authority Model where all the public transportation buses would be replaced by luxury buses and a common man can travel in them by paying about 40 per cent less price as compared to current fares," Gadkari has said. Mumbai: Kajol is one such actress, who is known for not mincing her words and is brutally honest. She will not play with words, but keep it straight in front of you without any fabrication. For which, she also receives criticism, but the actress feels blessed because she thinks that despite being straight on ones face people forgive her, but husband Ajay doesnt spare her for this, as he has to face its repercussions at parties and events. She says, "Huge cost. Ajay (Devgn) blasts me every other day. I can't take diplomacy seriously even though it lands my husband in trouble with people in the industry. At parties, he chides me for saying things as is. But believe me, I say things in the nicest of ways with the best of intentions. Fortunately for me, people forgive me a lot. It's difficult to be diplomatic. I'll forget what you lied about." Speaking about actors, Kajol told a leading tabloid, "Actors have dehumanised themselves. We hold ourselves to these impossible standards because we've created them. Looking a certain way is an issue we've created. I wear regular stuff, clothes which are comfortable. It's not airport fashion. It's what normal people wear. I can't wear stilettos while travelling. Flats were created for a reason. What is size zero? I don't understand it. I can't allow critics to pressure me." When asked about that one thing she hates about Bollywood, she quickly replies, "I hate airport looks. It's idiotic. It's ridiculous to look perfect all the time. I am not walking in heels with perfect lipstick. After long flights, everyone looks like they survived a calamity. It's fine." Does the format of fashion police most often criticising her affects her? On this, this is what she has to say, "I don't take the fashion police seriously. People have accepted me for who I am. On screen, there are requirements, which I understand. But beyond that, we need to draw the line." Actor Bharath, who enjoys a good market as the lead hero in Tamil and given memorable movies like Kaadhal, Veyyil and Em Magan, surprised many, when he signed to play one of the hardcore antagonists in the Mahesh Babu-starrer Spyder, directed by AR Murugadoss. Though some of his Tamil movies were dubbed in Telugu and released, this is apparently the first time Bharath is acting in a straight Telugu film. The actor speaks to DC in an exclusive on the reason for essaying a negative role in his debut Telugu venture, on Mahesh Babu, the high octane stunts, Murugadoss quirky screenplay among others. I got roped into the film after 10 days of shoot. I got a call from ARM sir from Ahmedabad, who said they are looking out for a powerful villain for Mahesh Babu and he needs to be someone who is popular as well. Murugadoss sir completely explained the script and the character, leaving me thoroughly fascinated. And I thought it was the right opportunity to enter ARMs school! Moreover, people know me in Telugu through my dubbed films like Premisthe. Making a direct entry in Ttown with someone like Mahesh Babu will have a very big reach. Hence, I gave my nod instantly. Heaping laurels on Mahesh Babu, he said, Though I have met him a couple of times earlier, I have not gone up and close. Despite the stardom he enjoys, the kind of respect he gives to everyone is amazing. He neither overdoes or underplays his role. The actor says that Mahesh was patient enough when he was taking time for his Telugu lines. Since it is a bilingual in Tamil and Telugu, each scene had to be shot in both languages. While Mahesh is fluent in Tamil, I could not speak Telugu. There were huge dialogues for me in Telugu, but he waited patiently for me to complete the scenes and that really helped me perform better. On Murugadoss, he says, He knows exactly what he wants from each and everyone. He doesnt complicate things. And he is a master in screenplay narration. Though SJ Suryah plays a negative role, I also have a solid character and my scenes with Mahesh was shot for 25 days. Reminiscing about a quirky fight sequence shot in Vietnam, he says, It was a high octane stunt between me and Mahesh which was shot on a moving roller coaster for about 15 days. It appears at a crucial segment. All credit goes to Peter Hein and of course Santhosh Sivan sir who made it possible (shrugs). Finally, Bharath adds, Spyder will be one of the best action crime thrillers in Indian cinema and a big film in my career. If you ask me if I would continue to accept similar villain roles, my answer is no. I want to pursue my career as a hero only. Kochi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the actor abduction case issued a notice to Sunil Raj aka Appunni asking him to be present before it at Aluva Police club for interrogation on Monday. The direction comes amid reports that the personal manager of actor Dileep who had gone into hiding after the actors arrest is already in police custody outside the state. The notice was issued to the address of Appunnis house at Eloor. The cops now suspect that Appunni too had a role in the conspiracy. According to sources, the SIT plans to question Appunni and Dileep together to elicit more details about the conspiracy. Meanwhile, the SIT on Saturday interrogated Edavela Babu, actor and general secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA). Officials said during the questioning session that lasted over an hour, he was asked mainly about the rehearsal camp of a stage show organised by AMMA in 2013, during which actor Dileep had allegedly developed a grudge against the victim over some personal issues. Meanwhile, Pulsar Suni, main accused in the case, told cops he worked as driver of Kavya Madhavan, Dileeps wife, for two months. The actor had stated to the police that she didnt even know Suni. The cops are in the attempt to collect details about Sunis presence at the shooting location of a movie in which Dileep and Kavya acted together. Kolkata: A three-year-old girl, who was allegedly made a voodoo doll by a man practising black magic and had been inserted with seven needles in her body, died today at a state-run hospital here. The Purulia-based girl, who was admitted to the government-run SSKM hospital had undergone a surgery on Wednesday and doctors had extracted seven needles from her body. She died at around 2.40 AM today, hospital sources said. "The child had a successful surgery and was recuperating at the ICU. She was under observation for 48 hours. But, it seems the trauma was too much for her to bear," a senior doctor of the hospital said. The girl, he said, was suffering from severe trauma due to alleged sexual abuse and the torture by the man. An autopsy conducted on the body revealed, besides infection in both of her lungs, the girl died because of multi-organ failure which were infected primarily because of the insertion of non-sterilised needles inside her body. "It is quite surprising as to how the girl was surviving even after so many needles were inserted inside her body for so many days. It is confirmed that she died because of the infection caused from seven needles. We are also waiting for other reports which will take another three weeks to arrive," a senior doctor at the forensic department said adding, her body will be handed over to the district child welfare committee. Meanwhile, the police have detained the girl's mother on charges of her alleged involvement in assisting the man in killing her own daughter. "We suspect that the mother was having an illicit relationship with the man responsible for inserting the needles inside the body of the girl. We have to question her in connection with our probe into the matter," a senior officer of the district police said. Primary probe revealed that the man was a friend of the woman's husband, who had left her after discovering their illicit relationship, he said. The mother, who worked as a domestic help in the man's house, had initially taken the girl to Bankura Medical College and Hospital for treatment of cold and cough, but doctors after seeing the wounds on her body, informed the police. She was then brought to SSKM hospital, where doctors found seven needles inserted in her body in such a way that they had pierced her organs. Her tormentor, a former home guard, has been booked under POCSO Act and the police are on a look out for him, a senior police officer said. KOCHI: A unique programme named ConsultCardio service has been launched by a private hospital based in India and Maldives which enables general practitioners and doctors to seek expert advice when they come across patients with cardiac symptoms. The service essentially targets to support medical professionals in rural and semi urban areas. The service will be offered free through email, phone call or instant messaging, subject to free pre-registration. Meditrina Hospital, with branches in Kerala, Jharkand and Maldives, has introduced the service for doctors at primary care centres and smaller clinics/hospitals who can reach out to senior cardiologists at Meditrina Hospitals across the country for immediate consultation. Majority of patients with cardiac symptoms do not require surgical intervention, provided they are given necessary care under the supervision of a specialist, immediately after manifestation of symptoms. The consult cardio campaign helps doctors to reach out to the specialist for advisory and guidance for treatment. Our team of specialists with more than 25,000 interventional procedures to their credit will provide advisory free of charges to the doctor community practicing across the country. This will enable doctors to provide right care at the right moment and can save lives of patients, said Dr. N. Prathap Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director for Meditrina Hospitals. Cardiologists at Meditrina Hospitals and SIH Cardiac Centres at Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Jamshedpur, Maldives would be available for consultation at the first phase while specialists from SIH Cardiac Centres at Ambala Cantt., Panchkula, Faridabad and Gurgaon will join the consultation panel in the second phase. The statement by the president came shortly after a meeting of the National Defence Council, which was attended by the defence minister, the army chief of staff, and the heads of the navy and air force. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi hailed on Saturday the armed forces for their efforts in foiling several terrorist attacks targeting military locations. El-Sisi stressed in a statement the necessity of continued measures to preserve the security of Egypt, as well as the importance of maintaining a high level of training and readiness. The statement by the president came shortly after a meeting of the National Defence Council, which was attended by the defence minister, the army chief of staff, and the heads of the navy and air force. The meeting included a presentation of security measures undertaken by the military, especially in North Sinai, where El-Sisi was briefed on steps taken by the armed forces to purge Sinai of terrorist elements. Over the past week, Egypts army thwarted two major attacks by militants targeting forces in North Sinai and Alexandria. On Monday, an attack that could have killed 50-60 soldiers, according to the army spokesman, was foiled after a car laden with explosives was run over by an army tank before it could reach its target; an army checkpoint south of El-Arish in North Sinai. The car exploded shortly after being run over, killing seven civilians. On Thursday, army forces opened fire on a 4x4 vehicle loaded with over 1.5 tonnes of "highly explosive material" that was attempting to attack a military unit in the Northern Military Zone, located in Alexandria governorate. The car's driver, who was wearing an explosive belt, was killed. Egypt is battling an Islamist insurgency based in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, though militants have carried out attack in other parts of the country. Search Keywords: Short link: Cases of twins born with their critical body parts joined together have been reported and treated through complex procedures in the past few years, and in many cases children are also risk of death due to such conditions. As conjoined twins in Bangladesh are set to undergo surgery to separate the babies joined at their head, another similar case surfaced in Moscow. But while doctors were worried about carefully carrying out surgery to separate them, it turned out that it was only the skin that was connected. The doctors were initially concerned about separating the bone structure in the head, but were relieved when they found out that under the skin the bones were not connected. They were separated in just 30 minutes and now the girls are recovering swiftly. Other such cases have led to complicated procedures which can take up to 23 hours for safely separating twins joined at critical points in their anatomy. Chennai: India, with 14.4 million obese children, has witnessed an alarming rise in the obesity cases in children as per the recent figures published by World Obesity Federation. Likewise, diabetes cases are also taking a toll among children with around five per cent of youngsters in its grip in the country. A recent study at Okayama University in Japan reveals that these numbers could be eased if breastfeeding was practised till the age of two instead of formulas. The study reports that breastfeeding can help prevent children from developing diabetes and becoming obese later in life. Children, who were only breastfed were less likely to be overweight or obese at ages seven or eight compared to kids who drank formula and substitutes, say doctors. Though WHO and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that mothers breastfeed babies exclusively for at least six months in order to avoid diarrhoea and infectious diseases, the study says that breast milk helps to provide the energy that it can prevent from developing diabetes. Experts suggest that breastfeeding is ideal till the age of two to provide the new born with nutrients necessary to develop the immune system that is likely to be affected in young age. Changed lifestyle, consumption of junk food and reduced physical activity are reasons why children get prone to obesity and diabetes at a young age. Breastfeeding prevents that by avoiding early introduction of solids like cereal or dried baby food that increases the risk of obesity, said Dr Nithya Ramamurthy, head of Obstetrics at Fortis Malar Hospital. Supporting the observations of the study, a report published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics encouraged mothers to breastfeed in order to combat diabetes among their kids. Childhood obesity and diabetes are difficult for children to manage and have led children on the path to health problems that were once considered adult problems. Formula-fed children lack the nutrients they can get from breast milk, which can lead to different types of food allergies and if children lack physical activity, diabetes is sure to cause trouble, said senior diabetologist, Dr V Mohan. As per WHO reports, if every child was breastfed within an hour of birth, given only breast milk for their first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding up to the age of two years, about 8,00,000 child lives would be saved every year as it provide lifetime immunities. Breast milk provides your baby with food that is easy to digest and very nutritious. As the breast milk helps the child to develop healthy eating patterns, it reduces the risk of diabetes. Breastfed babies seem to be better able to regulate their food intake and are at lower risk for obesity, said Dr Janardan Dixit, a renowned paediatrician. The study also highlights the theme of sustaining breastfeeding together for the World Breastfeeding week starting on August 1, as it links the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother. Breastfeeding helps mothers lose the extra abdominal fat they gain during pregnancy. If women breastfeed after pregnancy they do not retain the fat in the body, which prevents health of mother from being affected, cites the study. Technologies to help manage diabetes Diabetologists provided insights into latest advances and guidelines in diabetes prevention and management at the fourth edition of Dr Mohans Diabetes Specialities Centres Update 2017 held on Sunday. The programme aimed at management of diabetes and its complications through newer drugs in diabetes, beta cell, artificial pancreas, newer insulin and trial methods. The ICMR-India Diabetes Study, the largest in the country to investigate diabetes in India, after sampling all the states was presented at the Update. Dr V Mohan, organising chairman of the Diabetes Update and chairman of Dr Mohans group of diabetes institutions said, Early diagnosis and strict management of diabetes have been shown to make a great impact in preventing and delaying complications of the disorder. Therefore, it is important for the medical and research fraternity to convene to discuss trends, best treatment standards and realistic means of prevention and alleviation of associated complications. The programme, inaugurated by Dr Alvin C. Powers, president, American Diabetes Association and Dr NamHan Cho, president-elect, International Diabetes Federation, was attended by more than 2,000 delegates who participated in the scientific programme. Going off to college can be a strange and exciting adventure in a young adults life. Like a baby you become curious about your new surroundings. However, some of these new encounters may leave you puzzled and yearning for answers. Thanks to Liberty Living, a student accommodation centre, the world gets to know what they've wanted to know after they posted it on its website. A report by the Metro revealed the strange and bizarre questions UK university students are searching for online. 1 Why does my lecturer stare at me? 2 Why do I fancy my lecturer? 3 Are law students hot? 4 Is Sports Science a Mickey Mouse degree? 5 Why are art students pretentious? 6 Is university like Fresh Meat? Do you love flaunting your new buys on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook? You might now need to be more wary of what you post, as a picture of your lovely vacation home, glitzy jewellery or expensive car could land you in trouble. Under the new Project Insight, the Modi government will keep a track of your wealth through your social media platforms, beginning next month. But how ethical is it to keep a track of someones wealth through social media? Designer Amit Talwar, who is a social media regular, opines, First of all, the question to the government should be have you actually cracked down on the real tax evaders? Huge corporations and billionaires, who are the real culprits, always escape the system. Vijay Mallya is a fine example of this and you can see his social media activity. And unlike him, there are many others who never made the headlines. What about these people? If someone buys a new car or has a property and they have worked for it, they have all the right to flaunt it. He adds, They should look after big names, but that will not happen, will it? I have, at times, worked three different jobs to make some extra money. So after all that hard work over twenty years, if I buy a car or a house, it should be none of their business. I have paid my taxes and to sneak into someones social media accounts is totally unethical. However, some believe that the government has already been tracking social media activity for sometime. Kartik, an avid Instagrammer, shares, To believe that this is a new policy is like pouring old wine into a new bottle. Of course the government is floating it around as a new decision, but the truth is all of our social media is already being monitored. So they could have used all the information without proclaiming it loud. The fact that they have said it out loud will in fact make people cautious. He believes that the purpose of this program is not as straightforward as the government is claiming it to be. This is something more than just related to tax-evasion. Documentary filmmaker Mohan Kumawat believes the same. If you buy something like a car or a house, you already have some sort of documents for the same. To believe that the government is in the dark about it is being foolishly ignorant. This move, in fact, has another motive. By going public with such scheme, no one can sue the government for invasion of privacy. The government has a tool to track anyones social media accounts and be open about it. It is a way to monitor what people are exactly saying about the government on various platforms. It is a way to keep track of a lot of other things that they cant admit in public. Project Insight, I believe, has a bigger agenda. This way the government gets the legal right to keep track of you. Belgium, Canada, Australia and UK are already using similar programs and these have also been successful to some extent. Could that be possible in India too? Lawyer Inayat Dhanda, who is an avid social media user, believes that this is a double-edged sword. Its a good move for a country whose politicians are honest and whose governments provide basic facilities like healthcare. I see this as another failed stunt like demonetisation just to keep the citizens busy and in fear, while the government easily messes up other important issues like foreign affairs. Mohan Kumawat too questions the intent behind Project Insight. He says, There are so many other ways to find out who is involved in tax evasion. Pan card and Aadhar card are the easiest ways to track anyones expenses. One can anyway not make cash payments of more than two lakh rupees now. All your bank accounts are now connected to your Aadhar number. So in the midst of all these regulations, what is the need for another project like this? New Delhi: Days after the National Investigative Agency (NIA) arrested seven separatists from the Valley in connection with a terror-funding case, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said the arrests were just an administrative measure and will not solve the real problem. "The NIA arrests do not solve any problems; they are just an administrative measure. An administrative measure can not help us to resolve the situation and cannot address the real problem of Kashmir. It is important to replace it with a better idea," she said at an event organised by the Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals titled 'Understanding Kashmir' here. She also warned that any change in Article 35(A) of the Constitution, which gives a special state provision to Jammu and Kashmir and is being debated in the Supreme Court, would not be in favour of the people living in the Valley and would invite repercussions. Article 35(A) of the Constitution empowers the state legislature to define permanent residents and accord special rights and privileges to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "Any tempering with Article 35(A) won't be acceptable. I won't hesitate in saying that nobody will even carry the corpse of the National Flag in Kashmir, if it happens. Let me make it very clear," she said. On Monday, the NIA arrested seven separatists over money laundering charges, for funding terror in the Kashmir Valley. Later, on Wednesday, another separatist leader and Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman Shabir Shah was also arrested. Altaf Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehraj Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Naeem Khan and Bitta Karate have been sent to 10-day NIA custody. Shabir Shah was produced in the Patiala House Court and was sent to a seven-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody. 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 is said to be probing all aspects of funding to separatist leaders and how they reportedly used these funds to fuel unrest in the Kashmir Valley. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said Congress MLAs from Banaskantha and other affected regions should have stayed with the people in this difficult time. (Photo: Facebook/Vijay Rupani ) Ahmedabad: Stepping up attack on Gujarat Congress for shifting its MLAs to Bengaluru amid flood-like situation in the state, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani alleged the decision was taken by party leader Ahmed Patel out of his "greed" to win the Rajya Sabha seat. Rupani alleged that just like Sonia Gandhi's affection for his son Rahul Gandhi sank the Congress in the country, Patel's "greed and desperation" to save his Rajya Sabha seat will eventually sink the party in Gujarat. "Sonia Gandhi's affection for her son has drowned the Congress in the entire country. Though the citizens rejected Rahul Gandhi's leadership, Sonia's 'putra moh' sank Congress. Similarly, Ahmed Patel's greed to save his Rajya Sabha seat here will sink Gujarat Congress," he said. The chief minister on Sunday reached the flood-affected Banaskantha district. After interacting with the locals in Kankrej taluka and other affected regions, Rupani decided to stay in Banaskantha and Patan for the next five days to oversee the relief operations, a government release said. According to Rupani, the Congress MLAs from Banaskantha and other affected regions should have stayed with the people in this difficult time. "Out of his greed to win the Rajya Sabha poll, he sent 40 Congress MLAs to Bengaluru. Some of them belonged to those districts which are badly hit by flood. Patel forced them to leave their constituencies, as he was only concerned about his Rajya Sabha seat," the chief minister alleged. "The people of Gujarat are watching this. I believe that the Gujarat Congress will sink only because of Ahmed Patel," he said. The Congress has re-nominated Patel, the political secretary to party chief Sonia Gandhi, to the Upper House of Parliament from Gujarat. Meanwhile, Ahmed Patel along with state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki and former party chief Siddharth Patel also visited the flood-hit areas in Banaskantha and interacted with the locals to understand their problems, a party release said. Talking to mediapersons in Palanpur, Patel refuted Rupani's allegation that leaving Gujarat and moving to Bengaluru shows the "insensitive approach" of the Congress MLAs, at a time when the state is facing flood-like situation. He alleged that Congress MLAs from Banaskantha and other flood-affected regions were forced to leave the state by the BJP-led state government. "The allegations against our MLAs are baseless. Before leaving, they started relief camps and also gave instructions to local workers. They are still keeping a close watch on the relief operations from Bengaluru. Our MLAs took all possible steps to help the people," Patel said. "Our MLAs were forced to leave Gujarat as they and their family members were being tortured by the state government," he alleged. "Even now, many Congress workers and leaders are actively involved in helping people. We are also here to help people," he said. Patel exuded confidence of winning the Rajya Sabha election, to be held on August 8. "I am totally confident of winning the poll. Not just those (who are in Bengaluru), some other MLAs are also in my support and I have full trust in them," he said. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel on Satruday said that at the time when people of north Gujarat are facing problems due to excessive rains, the entire Congress has gone to Bengaluru to enjoy. This comes after the CPM and the BJP in Kerala declared war on each other on the night of July 27th, as both sides went on an attacking spree on each other's party offices, resulting in major property damage. (Photo: File) Thiruvanathapuram: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a hartal in Kerala on Sunday to protest the killing of an RSS worker allegedly by a gang led by a history-sheeter near here. Police said 34-year-old Rajesh's left hand was chopped off in the attack which took place around at 9 PM last night. An investigation has been launched and search is on for assailants, they said. BJP state president Kumanam Rajasekharan alleged that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) was behind the attack, a charge denied by the district leadership of the Left party. The BJP has called for a state-wide hartal on Sunday, the state BJP chief said. Police are maintaining a strict vigil and have clamped prohibitory orders for three days from July 28 after BJP's Kerala unit office here was vandalised and the house of CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son Bineesh Kodiyeri was attacked. Earlier, 10 people, including four from the student and youth wing of the CPI-M, had been arrested in connection with the violence in the city. Many Congress leaders, including party's state president MM Hassan and Leader of Opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala, are on a hunger strike in Kozhikode. (Photo: ANI) Kozhikode: The Kerala unit of the Congress on Sunday staged a protest, demanding peace in the state following a spree of violence between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over the murder of an RSS activist. Many Congress leaders, including party's state president MM Hassan and Leader of Opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala, are on a hunger strike in Kozhikode. A 34-year-old RSS leader was murdered in Kozhikode on Saturday night. The BJP has blamed the CPM for carrying out the attack. However, CPM state secretary Kodiyery Balakrishnan has maintained that his party members were not responsible for the murder and castigated the BJP for creating law and order problems in the state. "The probe shows the attack against RSS worker is not a political killing. The main accused Manikandan is not a CPM member. His father is an INTUC worker. Those who are in custody are from various political outfits, one is from BMS also," Balakrishnan said in a press conference. "Within last two weeks two cases were registered against the victim and the main accused for personal rivalry. BJP is trying to create law and order problems in the state," he added. According to police, Rajesh's left hand was chopped off in the attack, which took place around 9 pm on Saturday. Earlier, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh dialed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressing concern over the prevailing law and order situation in the state. He called on the Kerala Chief Minister to nab the perpetrators and bring them to justice expeditiously. Rajnath took to his twitter handle to inform about the same and wrote that 'political violence is unacceptable in a democracy'. "Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state," he tweeted. The State Police Chief said, the Police forces have been instructed to strictly deal with any attempt to create violence and adequate force have been deployed in all sensitive spots. On July 11, an RSS office at Payyannur in Kannur was attacked allegedly by CPI (M) workers. No one sustained injuries in the incident. This comes after the CPM and the BJP in Kerala declared war on each other on the night of July 27th, as both sides went on an attacking spree on each other's party offices, resulting in major property damage. (Photo: File) Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police on Sunday detained eight people in connection with the murder of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker in the state capital on Sunday. The State Police Chief said, the Police forces have been instructed to strictly deal with any attempt to create violence and adequate force have been deployed in all sensitive spots. He also appealed to social media users to restrain themselves from spreading rumours and provocative messages, which would attract legal action. Earlier on Saturday, a RSS worker was murdered in Thiruvananthapuram's Sreekaryam. Police said 34-year-old Rajesh's left hand was chopped off in the attack which took place around at 9 PM last night. An investigation has been launched and search is on for assailants, they said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) workers behind it. On July 11, an RSS office at Payyannur in Kannur was attacked allegedly by CPI (M) workers. No one was inside the office at the time of the incident. A gang led by a history-sheeter had attacked the 34-year-old RSS 'karyavahak' Rajesh and hacked him to death. (File photo) Thiruvanathapuram: Five people have been taken into custody in connection with the killing of an RSS worker in Thiruvanathapuram even as the BJP called for a dawn-to-dusk state-wide hartal on Sunday to protest the incident. A day after the incident, Home Minister Rajnath Singh voiced concern over attacks on political workers in Kerala and said political violence was unacceptable in a democracy. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office in Thiruvanathapuram said Singh spoke to him on Sunday morning over phone. "The Chief Minister informed him that the state government would take action against the accused, whoever they may be. Rajnath Singh expressed satisfaction on this stand," the CMO said in a Facebook post. A gang led by a history-sheeter had attacked the 34-year-old RSS 'karyavahak' Rajesh and hacked him to death. His left arm was chopped off and there were several injuries all over his body. Police said the suspected main accused, a history-sheeter, was among those taken into custody from rural Kattakkada near Thiruvanathapuram this morning. City Police Commissioner G Sparjan Kumar said interrogation of the accused was going on. "Five persons are in police custody now. They were taken into custody from rural Kattakkada. A hunt is on for one more person. Only a detailed questioning will reveal the exact number of accused involved in the crime," he told PTI. State Police Chief Loknath Behera has appealed to the people to restrain from spreading rumours and provocative messages, statements, photos and videos. "Any such action would attract legal action," he said, adding that WhatsApp groups and Facebook posts are under the scanner of police. As part of precautionary measures, adequate police force has been deployed in all sensitive spots across the city, the official said. The dawn-to-dusk state-wide hartal called by the BJP on Sunday in protest against the incident was almost successful with state-run and private buses keeping away from roads, and shops and business establishments remaining closed. Sporadic incidents of stone pelting on vehicles were reported in some parts of the state. People, who reached railway stations unaware of the hartal, had difficulty in getting vehicles to reach homes. City police has extended prohibitory orders for three more days till August 2 and banned processions in the state capital. The ruling CPI(M) and the BJP traded charges against each other over the killing of the RSS functionary. While BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan alleged that the CPI(M) was behind the attack, the CPI(M) district leadership denied any role of the party in the attack. Opposition leader in the state Assembly Ramesh Chennithala and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president M M Hassan went on a fast in Kozhikode district to protest the "politics of violence". Describing the murder as brutal, Kummanam said this is "annihilation politics" aimed at wiping off the RSS and BJP. The BJP would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Home Minister and National Human Rights Commission, he said. The incident comes close on the heels of the attack on the BJP's Kerala unit office and stone pelting at the house of CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son Bineesh Kodiyeri Thiruvanathapuram. The outage at the airports vital Terminal 3 in the early hours of Friday morning caused flight delays for international and domestic planes as well as baggage delays Egypts top Prosecutor Nabil Sadek ordered on Saturday that investigations be opened into a power cut at Cairo International Airport that disrupted flight schedules and left a vital terminal in darkness for over an hour, state-run news agency MENA reported. The power cut took place at the airports vital Terminal 3 on Friday from 12:20am to 01:41am, and caused flight delays for international and domestic planes as well as baggage delays, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported. The backup generators failed to operate during the outage. Egypts civil aviation Minister Sherif Fathy formed a committee to investigate the causes the power cut. The committee recommended that a number of engineers and technicians be referred to the general prosecution for questioning. Cairo International Airport is the main airports in the country and serves as the main hub for the countrys airline carrier, EgyptAir. Search Keywords: Short link: New Delhi: Expressing concern over the prevailing law and order situation in Kerala after the killing of another Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday called on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to nab the perpetrators and bring them to justice expeditiously. Rajnath took to his twitter handle to inform about the same and wrote that 'political violence is unacceptable in a democracy'. "Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state," he tweeted. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state. 1/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 "I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy," he added. I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy. 2/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 He even requested the Chief Minister to curb the political violence in the state. "I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously," he tweeted. I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously. 3/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 Earlier in the day, the Kerala Police detained eight people in connection with the murder of a RSS worker which took place yesterday. Three were nabbed early on Sunday, followed by five other accused being detained soon. The State Police Chief said, the Police forces have been instructed to strictly deal with any attempt to create violence and adequate force have been deployed in all sensitive spots. He also appealed to social media users to restrain themselves from spreading rumours and provocative messages, which would attract legal action. Earlier on Saturday, a RSS worker was murdered in Thiruvananthapuram's Sreekaryam. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) workers behind it. On July 11, an RSS office at Payyannur in Kannur was attacked allegedly by CPI (M) workers. No one was inside the office at the time of the incident. Based on intelligence inputs, the vessel was intercepted at around 12:00 hrs on 29 Jul 2017. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) Ahmedabad: In one of the largest single haul of narcotics till date, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized 1,500 kgs of heroin, valued at around Rs 3,500 crore, from a merchant vessel off the Gujarat coast, a defence spokesperson said on Sunday. The ICG, Intelligence Bureau, police, customs, Navy and other agencies are further probing into the seizure. "The Indian Coast Guard ship 'Samudra Pavak' intercepted and apprehended a merchant vessel carrying approximately 1,500 kg of heroin valued at about Rs 3,500 crore off the coast of Gujarat," a statement by defence PRO Abhishek Matiman said. "Based on intelligence inputs, the vessel was intercepted at around 1200 hrs yesterday. This is the largest single haul of narcotics seized till date," the statement said. He said more details about the seizure are awaited as the ship is in high seas. An official of the Porbandar Special Operations Group said the ICG has called them for a meeting regarding the drug haul at around 4 pm on Sunday. Rameswaram: A wood-engraved Bhagavad Gita kept close to the statue of late President APJ Abdul Kalam in his memorial here has provided fodder for alert politicos demanding to know why there werent holy books of other religions placed there as well. MDMK chief Vaiko saw a Hindutva agenda in Gita getting prime place at the Kalam statue. It was a BJP conspiracy to besmirch Kalams fame, concluded state Congress president S. Thirunavukarasu. Distressed by the unseemly controversy, Kalams grandnephew Sheik Saleem sought the help of the chief of the Kalam memorial project, Colonel Bishwajeet Choubey of DRDO, which built the memorial and is in charge of its maintenance. Col Choubey, who had enjoyed close rapport with Dr Kalam for several years, promptly pointed out to Saleem that the Quran and Bible used by the great man were also there displayed in glass boxes close by. Upon this, Saleem sought to douse the controversy by showing to the media persons the two holy books before putting them back in their glass boxes. Two things happened even as Saleem and the rest of the Kalam kin, along with DRDOs Col Choubey, were trying their best to halt the unseemly controversy before it flared further. First, some Hindutva group lodged a complaint in nearby Thangachimadam police station saying that some Muslim called Saleem had smuggled in a Quran and a Bible to place them next to the Gita. Next, some others raised an alarm that the two holy books went missing afterwards, perhaps taken away by Hindutva people. Col Choubey had to explain on phone to the Ramanathapuram SP that Quran and Bible were already in the memorial and Saleem had only taken them out of their glass boxes to show them to the media. He had subsequently put them back. The SP was satisfied. This is an unnecessary controversy and this is very unfortunate. Thatha (Kalam) was totally secular and you cannot identify him with any religion. He loved all people. The world knows that, said Saleem, sounding very bitter. The DRDO officials and workers worked round-the-clock to bring up this wonderful monument for Kalam. Should we be putting them under stress now for such a fissiparous reason? he wondered. Green Man Abdul Ghani, closely associated with the Kalam Foundation, told DC that the statue was kept as a surprise by the DRDO until Prime Minister Modi unveiled it on July 27. It was kept covered by a cloth and that's why the media, which knew the other exhibits in the memorial, did not know about the statue. And the sculptor could have included the Gita as he had drawn inspiration for his work from a picture of Kalam playing on his Veena with a Gita nearby, said Ghani, adding, I have always found on Kalam's table the Gita, Quran, Bible and Thirukkural. He said Kalams favourite Thirukkural too was very much in the Museum along with the other things frequently used by the great man. Let the people see all these things, besides the inspiring pictures and sculptures that include the missiles he made. That would be the fitting tribute to Kalam, not these kind of controversies, he said. NIA officials during the raid on the residence of Devinder Singh Behal, an aide of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, in Jammu on Sunday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The National Investigation Agencys (NIA) probe into a case of terror funding in the Kashmir Valley gained momentum on Sunday with raids being conducted on the office and residence of a Jammu-based lawyer linked to hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the agency summoning Geelanis younger son Naseem for questioning. The NIA is probing if lawyer Devinder Singh Behal, who is the chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir Social Peace Forum (JKSPF) that is part of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headed by Geelani, has any role in diversion of funds to separatists in the Valley. Behal is also a member of the legal cell of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and has been seen attending funeral processions of militants. During the raids on Behals properties in Jammu, the NIA recovered documents, mobile phones and a tablet. These will be sent for forensic examination to collecting more evidence, officials said. This is the second raid in Jammu in connection with the case of terror funding. Earlier, the agency had raided a businessman. Officials claimed that they were now probing the role of couriers who helped separatists in routing funds from across the border. Meanwhile, the NIA has summoned Naseem, younger son of Geelani, for questioning on Wednesday. Nayeem Geelani, elder son of Syed Geelani, who was also summoned by the NIA, is a surgeon who is tipped as the successor to Geelani. He had returned from Pakistan in 2010 after spending 11 years. The NIA has arrested seven separatists, including Geelanis son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh, in the terror funding case. Besides him, Geelanis close aides Ayaz Akbar, spokesman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Nayeem Khan and Peer Saifullah were arrested. KANNUR: A five-member delegation headed by Lieutenant Commander Mirza Rashadul and Lieutenant M. Merazul Islam Saimon is on a four-day visit to Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala since Wednesday, a press release said. The aim of the visit was to build bridges of friendship between the two navies and exchange best practices. The visit also gave INA staff an opportunity to learn and understand the training processes and philosophy of their counterparts in Bangladesh. The cadets were given ample opportunities to not only understand the functionality of INA, but to form bonds of friendship with INA Cadets. Towards this end, they were accommodated in the Cadets Squadrons, dined and played with the INA Cadets and also attended classes in the company of their INA counterparts. The delegation also visited the tourism destinations. The naval delegation would return after the interaction and familiarising sessions on Monday. The National Highway running between Vijayawada and Rajahmundry. Both places have IAF airports. Vijayawada: The Indian Air Force has cleared the Vijayawada-Rajahmundry National Highway for emergency landing of IAF flights. A senior official of the National Highway wing of the Roads & Buildings department said that though the department has not received any official intimation from the IAF, the condition of the road between Vijayawada and Rajahmundry is suitable for emergency landings. NH-45 which is an eight-lane road with service roads and flyovers is considered good with a thickness of around six inches. Retired Air Force personnel say that selecting roads for emergency landings is a common and regular process. The IAF has carried out a huge exercise to identify emergency landing points. Priority is given to the quality of the road and it not having obstacles. Top priority is given to roads in Naxal affected areas and coastal areas, said J. Krishna Rao, a retired Air Force serviceman. Lucknow: In an initiative to bridge the gap between the party and the government, BJP president Amit Shah has asked Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath to meet party workers without an appointment, at least two days in a week. The chief minister has assured that he and all his ministers will now meet party workers every Monday and Tuesday without prior appointment. Shah was addressing a meeting of party leaders from Kashi, Gorakhpur, Avadh and Kanpur regions after his arrival on a three-day tour of the state when several leaders complained that officers were not entertaining their complaints. The party leaders said that the distance between the party and the government was increasing. Also, some of them said that the new mining policy was creating problems in the rural areas because of the spurt in prices of sand and other construction material. The BJP leaders also lodged complaints about the Dial 100 services. Shah is scheduled to address over 18 meetings during his three-day visit to Lucknow. During this tenure, he will meet office bearers of various frontal organisations, ministers and other leaders. Also, he will interact with the functionaries of the RSS. According to BJP sources, Shah is also expected to resolve issues prevailing between chief minister Yogi Adityanath and deputy chief minister Keshav Maurya. Mysuru: Denying that his government was attempting to cause divisions in society by endorsing the demand for a separate religious status for the Lingayat community, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said his intention was never to cause unrest but only to unite people and build society. We have merely asked all the community leaders, who have proposed recognition of Lingayats as a separate religious community, to come together and promised to consider it, he explained, adding, Have I proposed this anywhere? The Veershaiva Mahashabha gave a memorandum to recognise the Lingayat community as Veershaivas and Maathe Mahadevi and others gave a letter asking it to be recognised as a Lingayat dharma. We need to check if there is a provision in the Constitution to allow this, but have not yet begun the process. Asked about the five Lingayat ministers planning to tour the state to collect views on the subject, he said, they are doing it on their own. I have nothing to do with it. Asked if Mr Ramanath Rai would be made Home Minister, he said, Let us fill the three vacant portfolios first, and only then will this question arise. We will do it shortly. The Chief Minister, who was speaking to reporters on arrival at Mysuru airport enroute to participate in the ceremony to mark the first death anniversary of his son, Rakesh at his farm house in Kaatur, revealed that an all- party meeting would be held on August 5 to discuss water issues, including release of Cauvery water for irrigation, and the Mahadayi dispute with Goa. As for state Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Kumaraswamys proposed padayatra from Hunsur to Bengaluru on July 31, he said, Being a former Chief Minister he must behave responsibly. Most of the reservoirs have not filled up to even half their capacity due to the poor rainfall this year too. We need to have enough water for drinking before releasing it for irrigation. We are only releasing water to Tamil Nadu on the orders of the tribunal and the court. On the status on the Mahadayi dispute, he said the irrigation minister of Goa had accused Karnataka of playing dirty politics in a letter to the Centre. But it is not we but they are who are playing dirty politics as they first agreed to resolve the issue through mutual discussion, and are now saying no, he deplored. On three languages being used on the Bengaluru Metro, he said he had written to the Centre on the issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off a new express train from Ayodhya to Rameswaram, via video conference, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu on Thursday. (Photo: PTI) Hyderabad: The timing of the much-discussed Union Cabinet reshuffle is said to be linked to the AIADMK joining the NDA camp. According to sources, the view of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah is that it would be unfair to leave the largest state in the south, and a party with 50 MPs, unrepresented in the Union Cabinet. The AIADMK had joined the Vajpayee Cabinet before severing ties in 1999. The AIADMK has 50 members in both Houses of Parliament; it is the third largest party in the Lok Sabha after the BJP and the Congress. Tamil Nadu parties, either with the UPA or in the NDA, used to get representation in the Union Cabinet at one time the state had nearly 10 ministers at the Centre. Presently, Kanya-kumari Lok Sabha member Pon Radhakrishnan is the only minister of state representing Tamil Nadu at the Centre. Sources indicated there would a major reshuffle of BJP central office-bearers and Parliamentary Board which would eventually be linked with the Cabinet reshuffle. The proposed changes in both Union Cabinet and the party committees will be the last one before the 2019 elections. It will be an election team, the source revealed. The current office-bearers were appointed during the tenure of Mr Rajnath Singh as BJP president while Mr Shah has appointed a few persons so far, the sources said. Soon after he was sacked the first time in 1993, Mian Nawaz Sharif asked his interviewer, What does the President have against me, except that he does not like my face? The judiciary more or less agreed, declared the Presidents action illegal, and restored Prime Minister Sharif. The second time Sharif was ousted, he was handed a life sentence by an anti-terrorism court for hijacking an airplane. Again the Supreme Court came to his rescue. Looking at the case from any angle, the court held nine years later, the charge of hijacking, attempt to hijack or terrorism does not stand established. It was unanimous and, irony of ironies, decided by five judges to zero. Twin threads run through the above: the apex court coming to the gentlemans rescue, and the gentlemans lack of reflection as to what necessitated a rescue in the first place. Granted, reflection was always a tough ask: the PM was dismissed by the icy Ghulam Ishaq the first time; he was overthrown by a usurper in a borrowed flak jacket the second. He was in the right in both instances. Only this time, he was in the wrong. And this time, the apex court held he was in the wrong. As lawyer Faisal Siddiqi wrote in these pages, () in comparison with other political elites, the Sharif family has not been subjected to any serious legal accountability by the courts. That changed Friday. The lack of reflection, however, remained constant, and not just by the now ex-Prime Minister. The commentariat forgot the last quarter-century ever happened: the same judicial system that had absolved him, again and again, was now maligned as part of a shadowy plan. Yet in all this talk of conspiracy, no one denied ownership of Capital FZE. No one denied the existence of the London flats. And no objective observer could stomach the story: Qatari princes flying in on magic carpets; lawyers-cum-font-geeks typing up beta Calibri. After a while, we were in O.J. Simpson territory. Those rightly citing Article 10-A and the right to a fair trial may breathe easy: they will get their trial. As to arguing that disqualification may only ensue from the said trial, the court has directly disqualified MNAs in the past, and will do so in the future. While the usual suspects try to tar the JIT with the same Masonic conspiracy brush, the fact is Pakistans state institutions have long been slammed as weak. Yet the JIT has set a standard for both the thoroughness of its investigation as well as its independence. The Panama Papers were leaked on April 3, 2016. Between then and now, Nawaz Sharif could have disclosed all his assets; he did not. He could have asked a former judge to form a commission; he did not. He could have sat down with the PPP and resolved this in Parliament; he did not. He could have emancipated state institutions to the point they would not fear investigating him; he did not. He could have resigned in the wake of the JIT report; he did not. Finally, if this is indeed a brave new world, what of the crime that started the Sharif era? In Asghar Khan vs Mirza Aslam Beg, the court ruled that generals Beg and Durrani rigged the 1990 polls, and that the state take steps against them. Justice Khosas decision in the Panama case held, with great courage, that a PM immune from accountability () would be a disaster. His words are as applicable to those in uniform be it the gents that illegally got Nawaz Sharif elected PM in 1990, or the gents that removed him in 1999. Let justice be done. By arrangement with Dawn Foreign ministers of four Arab nations issued a joint statement after their meeting in Bahrain on Sunday, reaffirming their determination to ensure Qatar's compliance with their demands The foreign ministers of four Arab nations Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE said on Sunday that they will continue their boycott of Qatar and will not retreat on their demands, while stressing they would be ready for dialogue with the Gulf country if their demands are met. At a joint press conference in the Bahraini capital of Manama on Sunday, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khaled bin Khalifa read out a joint statement asserting that the four nations will not backtrack on their 13 demands. "The four countries have expressed their readiness for dialogue with Qatar on the condition that Qatar announces its sincere willingness to stop supporting and financing terrorism and extremism and spreading hate speech and incitement, while committing to non-interference in other countries' domestic affairs, as well as carrying out the 13 fair demands that would ensure the general welfare and stability of the region and the world," the statement read. The four boycotting countries also said that the measures taken against Qatar are considered an act of national sovereignty and are in compliance with international law. Last month, the four countries cut ties and trade links with the oil-rich Gulf state over its alleged support for terrorist groups and its relationship with Iran. Qatar denies supporting terrorists and has defended its close ties with Iran. In their joint statement on Sunday, the four countries highlighted the principles announced earlier this month in Cairo, namely: a commitment to combating terrorism; stopping incitement and hateful rhetoric; full compliance with two agreements signed in Riyadh in 2013 and 2014 that outline how Qatar should end its row with the Gulf states; conforming to agreements reached during the Arab Islamic American Summit held in Riyadh in May; and non-interference in the affairs of other Arab countries or international efforts to fight terrorism. At the meeting in Manama, the foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in the Qatari crisis, including regional and international discussions on the issue. They affirmed their close and continued coordination to support the national security of Arab states and eliminate terrorism in order to ensure security and stability in the region, according to the joint statement. During Sunday's press conference, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said his country dismisses claims from Qatar that it's citizens will not be allowed into Saudi Arabia to peform pilgrimage. Al-Jubeir said Qatar was seeking to "politicize" the pilgrimage season, adding that Qatari citizens are welcome to visit Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia. Search Keywords: Short link: The uneasy military standoff between China and India in the Doklam plateau area of Bhutan, near the tri-junction between the three countries, will enter its third month by mid-August. A modus vivendi appears elusive as of now because the much hoped for breakthrough in the just concluded visit of national security adviser Ajit Doval to Beijing for a Brics-related meeting, did not materialise. But the silver lining to a dark bilateral cloud is that there has been no breakdown between Delhi and Beijing over Doklam. The standoff over Doklam has a complex genealogy and involves a large chunk of colonial history that includes the 1890 Anglo-Chinese convention and a subsequent iteration of 1906. However, Bhutan was not party to this convention at the time. After both India and China became independent in the late 1940s, they engaged in the 1962 border war over an opaque territorial dispute that is still unresolved. A status quo was arrived at over a 4,000 km Line of Actual Control that also acknowledged Bhutans claim over the disputed areas in the tri-junction near the Chumbi Valley. Over various meetings, the special representatives of India and China came to an agreement in 2012, that the status quo at the tri-junction would not be disturbed pending final settlement in consultation with the third country in this case, Bhutan. The Indian narrative on the sequence of events notes that China was engaged in road-building activity in the disputed Doklam plateau which, if completed, would have altered the tactical military situation in Chinas favour. Delhi deemed this to be a serious security concern that would render vulnerable the critical Siliguri Corridor that connects the Indian mainland to the Northeast. India has a special relationship with Bhutan that is detailed in the Friendship Treaty of 2007. As per this, both nations are mandated to cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests and, furthermore, neither government shall allow the use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other. When Thimphu registered its protest at this Chinese incursion into Bhutanese territory albeit disputed and urged Beijing to restore the status quo, India stepped in to prevent the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) troops from continuing their construction activity. Since then the issue has festered, with Beijing claiming that the Doklam area, where they were constructing the road, was indeed Chinese territory; and that, in the event that there was a dispute, it was between China and Bhutan where India had no locus. The legal claims by all three parties Bhutan, China and India lend themselves to detailed interpretation. Depending on where ones empathy lies on this issue, persuasive arguments have been advanced on both sides to buttress the Chinese claim or, well, that of India. Beijing has often invoked history in a selective manner to strengthen its position (three warfare tenets?) and disparaged other historical claims and international jurisprudence, as was seen in the South China Sea case and the tribunal award that did not go in its favour. However, Doklam cannot be viewed in isolation and it is instructive to review Beijings response since mid-June and seek to illuminate what may have fuelled Chinas current anxiety and deep insecurity over contested territoriality in relation to India and, by extension, Bhutan. The Doklam incident is distinctive, for it involves a third country and is hence not quite comparable to more recent bilateral events such as Depsang (2013) and Chumar (2014). The other strand about Doklam that goes beyond past precedent is the very angry and disparaging/offensive anti-India turn of phrase used by some media outlets in China. The flip side is that part of the Indian television spectrum which is equally shrill in denouncing China for its muscular assertiveness and exhorts the Narendra Modi government to stay firm and give the PLA a bloody nose if push comes to shove over Doklam. Both China and India have been differently convulsed by the vicissitudes of history both colonial and Cold War and in the last 25 years they have acquired a self-image about their locus in Asia and, by extension, the world stage. Ironically, this self-image is not shared outside of their own constituencies, much less by each other. China under President Xi Jinping seeks to return to the imagined grandeur of the Middle Kingdom and an equally confident Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to steer India towards its destiny as a leading power. Mutual and empathetic accommodation of each others aspirations and anxieties has remained elusive since the early 1990s. Beijings decision to enter into a strategic relationship that included transfer of nuclear weapons and missile technology to Pakistans military to assuage its own deeply embedded post-Tiananmen insecurities lies at the core of the current Doklam tension in a non-linear manner. My assessment is that when India was accorded an exceptional nuclear status in the fall of 2008 by a US-led initiative, the seeds of Doklam were sown. Beijings Asia policy, it appears, is to constrain both India and Japan till they accept Chinese primacy. A former PM of India had once wryly observed that after the end of this nuclear ostracism, Beijings unstated objective has been to keep India in a state of extended disequilibrium. In the last three years since Mr Modi assumed office, both nations have had a contradictory relationship, wherein cooperation in certain issues and fora for instance climate change, Brics and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has been leavened with discord over the Nuclear Suppliers Group membership, support to certain terror leaders at the United Nations Security Council and, most recently, the One Belt, One Road summit in Beijing. The resolve that Delhi now exudes is new, and Doklam is a case in point. How prudent will it be in the long run to advance Indias comprehensive national interests remains moot. A.G. Noorani, one of Indias most rigorous China-watcher, has cautioned: At stake is something far more than the immediate crisis over the land in Doklam. What is at stake is the future of Indias relations with China. Doklam may well turn out to be the bellwether about the texture of the Asian century. At an event in New Delhi on Friday, and then again in Srinagar on Saturday while marking her partys 18th foundation day, Peoples Democratic Party leader and J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has reiterated certain basic ideas practically in the form of a tutorial for the uninitiated in the mysteries of politics and governance in Kashmir. Evidently, these have not been to the liking of the Centre. Since it is New Delhi that determines the contours of security and politics in Kashmir, a mismatch of ideas and confrontation may develop in the governance of J&K between the PDP and BJP, the ruling coalition partners. This will be unfortunate, as the situation in J&K has grown fragile under the Narendra Modi government. Therefore, Ms Muftis articulations deserve engagement, not summary rejection. The principles she highlights were accepted by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who ran the first BJP-led government, but the present regime appears dismissive. Since early 2015, when the PDP-BJP government came into being in Kashmir, Ms Mufti has faced double jeopardy. The BJP has not liked the idea of Kashmir being an integral and yet different kind of part of India (unlike the Chinese who treat the relationship of China with Hong Kong as one country, two systems). This has created massive alienation on the ground in the Valley. Since the CM has been helpless, she has found antagonism among her own people. And there is no one in Delhi who listens to her. Perhaps her public pronouncements since Friday are in part an attempt to regain her poise on her home turf. But she makes valid points along the way, which deserve our attention. As an RSS-related outfit has gone to court urging the scrapping of Article 35A of the Constitution, the CM has rightly argued that this provision which says that only the J&K legislature can define who is a permanent resident of the state derives from Article 370. India will have no legal claim on Kashmir if Article 370 is removed. Policy-makers since 1947 have understood this. The specific conditions include the idea that those who are not permanent residents cannot own property in J&K. If 370 is deleted, the CM argues, the Indian flag will find no acceptance. Ms Muftis other key concerns are political engagement with those who speak of azadi or independence, and making borders with PoK irrelevant, an idea discussed in a positive spirit since Mr Vajpayees time. The CM has not argued against use of the law to deter individuals thought to be involved in terrorist-financing (in the backdrop of recent arrests of Hurriyat leaders), but in favour of dialogue to budge the naysayers in Kashmir from their idea of azadi. Whats wrong with that? The American billionaire Elon Musk handed over the first batch of 30 Tesla Model 3 electric cars to employee-customers on Friday. It is an event that could hold the key to the future of automobiles as electric engines could dominate the roads. There are half a million orders on the books for the mass-produced $35,000 (about Rs 22.5 lakh) cars and how Mr Musk delivers them may define where his company, already valued far higher than traditional rivals General Motors and Ford, goes from here. However, the launch is not about Mr Musks Tesla and its share price and finances as much as the revolutionary idea he is selling to the world. If an electric car (with a range of 350 km before recharging which can be done at home) can indeed be the suburban run-around for people, a world overtaken by global warming and pollution issues will be grateful for lesser use of fossil fuels. Other car-makers are promising to bring out all-electric SUVs while the old Swedish firm of Volvo, now owned by the Chinese, is soon to assemble and produce cars in India. The firm has also promised to go all-electric from 2019. The Indian government has a policy outlook by which it envisages all cars would be e-vehicles as it wants to cut oil imports by 50 per cent by 2030. Ours would be a better planet if automobiles ditch the internal combustion engine. With global trends coming at a fast clip to India these days, the problem wont be so much getting the technology but to convince the owners of smoke belching lorries, autorickshaws and two-wheelers to spare a thought for the air their children would be breathing. The dramatic developments in Bihar saw a Grand Alliance government overnight changing political colours and transforming itself into a NDA government, albeit under the same Chief Minister. Indian politics has been witness to many such flip-flops in the past too. The CM used a pragmatic and powerful fig leaf of a fight against corruption to defend his actions and switch allies in his quest for taking care of the interests of Bihar. Whether the people of Bihar back his stance would be tested in the coming months and at the time of the 2019 LokSabha polls. The Bihar developments raised a range of important questions. Does the entry of Nitish Kumar into the NDA fold, mark the formal collapse of the Grand Alliance against the BJP? Would other important and powerful state based parties in different parts of India be similarly tempted or prevailed upon to align with the ruling alliance at the centre? Where do these developments leave the principal national opposition party the Congress? Let us examine the last question first. Ever since its rout in the Lok Sabha polls of 2014, the Congress has lost state after state and failed to bounce back. Wherever it has been in direct competition with the BJP, it has conceded defeat or lost the opportunity to form a government on account of mismanaging the political situation (Goa and Manipur). The only state where it was able to come to power since 2014 was in Punjab and here too it defeated a SAD-led coalition of which the BJP was a junior partner. The developments in Gujarat where they have lost a senior leader like Shanker Singh Vaghela and have to ferry their MLAs to Karnataka to keep them safe from being poached, again indicate the crisis the party faces. The battle in Karnataka in 2018 will be a crucial test of their capacity to retain power in a state where they are in direct competition with the BJP. A setback in Karnataka would be a sure indication of the party facing little hope for an immediate recovery. The Congress has been in the position of the lead opposition at the national level on several occasions in the past. The defeat of the Congress in 1977, when for the first (and only) time a sitting Prime Minister was defeated from her own constituency in a LokSabha elections was an important turning point in Indias political history. Indira Gandhi awaited her opportunity and capitalized on the infighting in the Janata party, bouncing back to power in 1980. When the Congress under Rajiv Gandhi was defeated by a spirited Opposition led by V.P. Singh on the anti-corruption plank in 1989, it came back to power heading a minority government within two years. After five years of a Vajpayee-led NDA government, the Congress stitched together a UPA Coalition to come back to power in 2004. This time around, even after three years in the Opposition, the Congress is still struggling to come to terms with political reality and has let go off several opportunities to hold the ruling government to account. In the past, la ding the recovery was a committed and motivated leadership which kept the momentum going and was proactive in seizing the initiative and placing its opponent on the backfoot. The inability of the Congress leadership to challenge the ruling government and put on the defensive is clearly visible. One also does not notice any clear change in strategy of empowering state level mass leaders to lead the political recovery. With the Congress increasingly conceding the lead Opposition space to state-based parties, one notices that in the last three years, the only serious challenge that the BJP has faced has been from the strong regional satraps. AAPs victory in Delhi under Arvind Kejriwal, the Grand Alliance under Nitish Kumar keeping the BJP at bay in Bihar and Mamta Banerjee protecting her political turf in West Bengal were the only serious setbacks faced by the BJP. All these reversals for the BJP were at the hands of powerful state based parties with the Congress having a marginal role to play only in Bihar. With Nitish switching sides, the picture here too has now changed. It can also be persuasively argued that ever since it came to power at the national level, that the government and leadership at the centre has successfully targeted the opposition and its leadership and in the process fortified its position. In the run up to the 2019 elections, one gets the impression that the approach and style of the BJP is very much like that of the Congress of the 1970s. It is benefitting from a hopelessly divided Opposition and has a clear game-plan to further weaken whatever is left of a few opposition pockets of influence. One recalls a slogan that was used to characterize the non-Congress Opposition of the 1970s and 80s: United We Fall Divided We Stand. This slogan could very well describe the Opposition to the BJP today! Given the fragmentation and divisions among the opposition parties that are challenging the ruling alliance at the centre, the advantage at the moment wrests clearly with the BJP. In the two years prior to the 2019 elections, the way in which the central government takes forward and implements some of its key initiatives would be closely watched. While the slogans and rhetoric it has come up with are very catchy, the implementation on the ground and the visible impact on the people will be critical. One is also likely to see one or two big-ticket measures being announced by the government in the run-up to 2019. The elections in Karnataka in the middle of 2018 and the contest in the three BJP ruled states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan will be a critical test of strength. The Karnataka contest seems very close from all accounts and with every passing day one notices a surprising new twist and an unexpected turn. Will the Congress be able to retain the state and thus gain back some momentum or will BJP re-capture its southern bastion will have important implications for national politics. In the three BJP ruled states of North India, will the party be able to fend of anti-incumbency, especially given the fact that they have been in power in MP and Chattisgarh for three terms. Will Rajasthan preserve its tradition of always voting out the ruling party? Another defeat for the Congress in these three states would surely give new meaning to the Congress free India slogan. When it comes to sycophancy, no one can beat politicians. Uttar Pradesh ministers are bending backwards to please Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and, in doing so, they make such statements that even the Chief Minister bursts into peals of laughter. Recently in the state Assembly, UP minister Dara Singh Chauhan claimed that there had been a bumper potato crop in the state because of the godly personality of Yogi. The potato crop this year had been harvested before the Yogi government came to power, but the minister made his point. The statement brought the House down and the Chief Minister was seen laughing uncontrollably too. A day later, UP minister Suresh Rana stated that ever since Yogi became Chief Minister, the sugarcane cultivation had increased by over one lakh hectare in the state. The plantation of sugarcane in most parts of the state is yet to begin, but the minister was apparently keen to please the Chief Minister. UP minister for irrigation Dharampal, not to be left behind, announced in the state Assembly that though UP was witnessing heavy rains, there had been no loss of life and property because of a good and godly king like Yogi. What more can the Chief Minister want when he has such a loyal fan following in his government? THE MALE MARIE ANTOINETTE Let them eat cake (if they have no bread), a famous quote attributed to Marie Antoinette, the queen of France during French Revolution, seems to have found a match in the cynical one-line reaction by a Madhya Pradesh minister to the demand by people of a parched district to provide them drinking water. They will be provided Bisleri water, state agriculture minister Gouri Shankar Bisen quipped when his attention was drawn to serious drinking water crisis facing the villages in Gwalior district owing to the prevailing dry spell in the region. The disparaging statement sparked strong resentment among the people in the region. Let him make provision of normal water for us first. If he cannot solve our problem, he should keep quiet. He has no business to rub salt on our wounds by making such statements, the villagers reacted. Opposition Congress has also condemned the insensitive remarks made by the minister. The ministers statement, bordering on arrogance, has reminded us of the French queens famous quote... He along with the BJP will meet the same fate the French queen met, in 2018 Assembly elections, Congress spokesman in MP Pankaj Chaturvedy said. Its not unclear who the executioner will be. A JOB FOR SPOUSE The BJP is abuzz with rumours of how a certain party leader is trying hard to accommodate his spouse at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Now this leader, who has spent a considerable number of years in Himachal Pradesh until he was brought to the party headquarters at Ashoka Road, had made attempts earlier too to find his spouse a good job with a Union minister as well as one of the presiding officer of one of the two Houses of Parliament. Rumour has it that a post was created for the spouse at one of the Central governments autonomous bodies but somehow it didnt materialise. Despite all his efforts, it is unlikely to happen. REMEMBER WHAT YOU SAID? A certain parliamentarian of the BJP from Maharashtra is being constantly reminded of his famous remarks last year when he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Now this MP, who is at the forefront demanding reservation for his community, had last year famously said that if his community is not granted reservation within the specific period, he would not hesitate to resign. But with more than a year gone since he made those remarks, he is now being reminded that the time has come either to fulfil what he had said or take up his communitys demand more seriously with his partys leadership, which is ruling both the state as well as the Centre. There is no word yet if that announcement will be honoured. Google also announced plans to provide more than $3 million (roughly Rs. 19.2 crores) in equity-free funding, mentorship and working space access to more than 60 African startups over three years. (Representational image) Alphabet Inc'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 on Thursday. The US 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 it had reached its initial target of training one 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 of Lagos. Google said it will 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 programme 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. 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 fortech firms. Yawning wealth gaps mean that much of the population in places like Nigeria has little disposable income, while mobile adoption tends to favour 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 (roughly Rs. 19.2 crores) 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. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. "Given Samsung's strength today in flash memory, I am not surprised Samsung surpassed Intel in semiconductor revenue," said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy. (Representational image) Intel's more than two decade reign as king of the silicon-based semiconductor ended Thursday when Samsung Electronics surpassed the US manufacturer to become the leading maker of the computer chips that are a 21st century staple much as oil was in the past. Samsung reported record-high profit and sales in its earnings report for the April-June quarter, and while Intel's reported earnings beat forecasts, the US company's entire revenue was smaller than sales from Samsung's chip division. Samsung said its semiconductor business recorded 8 trillion ($7.2 billion) in operating income on revenue of KRW 17.6 trillion ($15.8 billion) in the quarter. Intel said it earned $2.8 billion (roughly Rs. 17,960 crores) on sales of $14.8 billion (roughly Rs. 94,927 crores). Analysts had expected the US chipmaker to report $14.4 billion (roughly Rs. 92,359 crores) in quarterly revenue. "Given Samsung's strength today in flash memory, I am not surprised Samsung surpassed Intel in semiconductor revenue," said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy, adding that Intel may be able to catch up Samsung when Intel's memory output is at full production capacity in about six months. "I think we will see a lot of back and forth between the two companies." On an annual basis, Samsung's semiconductor division is widely expected to overtake Intel's sales this year, analysts at brokerages and market research firms say. Mobile devices and data are the keys to understanding Samsung's ascent as the new industry leader, even as its de facto chief is jailed, battling corruption charges, and it recovers from the fiasco last year over the fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 smartphones. Manufacturers are packing more and more memory storage capacity into ever smaller mobile gadgets, as increased use of mobile applications, connected devices and cloud computing services drive up demand and consequently prices for memory chips, an area dominated by Samsung. Just as Saudi Arabia dominates in oil output, Samsung leads in manufacturing the high-tech commodity of memory chips, which enable the world to store the data that fuels the digital economy. "Data is the new crude oil," said Marcello Ahn, a Seoul, South Korea-based fund manager at Quad Investment Management. For over a decade, Samsung and Intel each ruled the market in its own category of semiconductor. Intel, the dominant supplier of the processors that serve as brains for personal computers, has been the world's largest semiconductor company by revenue since 1992 when it overtook Japan's NEC. Samsung is reaping the rewards of dominating in the memory chip market that is growing much faster than the market for computers that rely on processing units dominated by Intel, said Chung Chang Won, a senior analyst at Nomura Securities. "Greater use of smartphones and tablet PCs instead of computers is driving the rise of companies like Samsung," Chung said. Since 2002, Samsung Electronics has been the largest supplier of memory chips, called DRAMs and NANDs. But for years demand for memory chips was vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles depending on output and on demand from the consumer electronics industry. At times, competition was brutal as supply gluts arose. That changed in 2012 when Japan's Elpida filed for bankruptcy and was sold to Micron Technology, leaving only three major suppliers of DRAM, a type of memory chip used in servers, computers and handsets: Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Micron. Tight supplies coupled with rock solid demand have pushed prices of memory chips higher, with average selling prices of DRAMs and flash memory chips doubling over the past year, bringing South Korea's memory chip makers record wide profit margins. Both Samsung and SK Hynix are expected to report all-time high profits this year. Amid this boom that analysts call a memory chip "super cycle," global semiconductor revenue is forecast to jump 52 percent this year, reaching $400 billion (roughly Rs. 25,65,531 crores) for the first time, according to market research firm Gartner. For the full year, Intel is expected to post $60 billion (roughly Rs. 3,84,829 crores) in annual sales, according to a market consensus polled by FactSet, a financial data provider. Samsung Electronics' semiconductor business is expected to report KRW 71.9 trillion ($62.6 billion) in full-year revenues. Looking ahead, Samsung and SK Hynix, which control more than three quarters of the global DRAM sales, are raising their spending on semiconductor capacity and development in anticipation of robust future demand. SK Hynix raised its capital spending to KRW 9.6 trillion ($8.6 billion) this year, up more than 50 percent from last year. Samsung has said it plans to spend $18 billion in the next four years to expand memory chip production capacity at its South Korean plants. Not just tech companies but also transport, retail, tourism, food and other industries are seeking ways to better use or manage data, to gain insights on trends or customer preferences and otherwise make money from "big data." The rising use of vehicle connectivity and the "internet of things" is expected to drive still further demand for the chips that have helped Samsung move ahead, at least for now. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The slugs' trick is to generate a substance that not only forms strong bonds on wet surfaces but also has a matrix that dissipates energy at the point of adhesion, making it highly flexible. (Representational image) Scientists have developed an experimental surgical glue inspired by the mucus secreted by slugs that could offer an alternative to sutures and staples for closing wounds. While some medical glues already exist, they often adhere weakly, are not particularly flexible and frequently cannot be used in very wet conditions. To get around those problems, a group of scientists from Harvard and other research centers decided to learn from slugs, which - as well as making slime to glide on - can produce extremely adhesive mucus as a defense mechanism. The slugs' trick is to generate a substance that not only forms strong bonds on wet surfaces but also has a matrix that dissipates energy at the point of adhesion, making it highly flexible. The man-made version of this tough adhesive is based on the same principles and in a series of experiments reported in the journal Science on Thursday it was shown to adhere strongly to pig skin, cartilage, tissue and organs. It also proved non-toxic to human cells. In one test the new glue was used to close a wound in a blood-covered pig's heart and successfully maintained a leak-free seal after the heart was inflated and deflated tens of thousands of times. In another case it was applied to a laceration in a rat's liver and performed just as well as a haemostat, a surgical tool often used in operations to control bleeding. "There are a variety of potential uses and in some settings this could replace sutures and staples, which can cause damage and be difficult to place in certain situations," said researcher David Mooney, professor of bioengineering at Harvard. Mooney and colleagues envisage the new adhesive will be made in sheets and cut to size, although they have also developed an injected version for closing deep wounds. The injection would be hardened using ultraviolet light, like dental fillings. It is not the first time that scientists have taken inspiration from nature to devise a better medical adhesive. Four years ago, another research group developed a glue inspired by the underwater sticking properties of mussels, but Mooney thinks slugs win hands-down in terms of stickiness and flexibility. The scientists are applying for patents, although it will require a commercial company to then license the technology and take it into the next phase of human clinical trials. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The attack caused internet outages for about 4.5 percent of Deutsche Telekom's 20 million fixed-line customers. A 29-year old British hacker who confessed to committing a cyber attack last November which temporarily took down Internet access for nearly 1 million German consumers has been sentenced by a German court, according to news reports. The 29-year old hacker, who used the online alias "Spiderman", among other names, also faces criminal charges in Britain, where authorities have requested his extradition. The attack caused internet outages for about 4.5 percent of Deutsche Telekom's 20 million fixed-line customers. "One can't say exactly what the damages for Telekom are," the presiding judge, Christof Wuttke, said in handing down the sentence, noting the costs to Germany's biggest telecom services operator were sizable, but not "lasting". The court calculated Deutsche Telekom spent around 1 million euros ($1.2 million), mainly for setting up a national hotline for customer complaints and for weekend overtime pay for security staff. The regional court in Cologne handed the man, named only as Daniel K., a suspended sentence of one year and eight months for attempted commercial computer sabotage. The maximum sentence was up to 10 years, and prosecutors had asked for two years. Telekom estimated damages of 2 million euros (1.8 million pounds). A spokeswoman said the company was considering a civil lawsuit. "We will await the written judgment and weigh if we should go with a civil case," spokeswoman Alexia Sailer said. During last November, Daniel K. had 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 which disrupted websites and computer systems, police stated. The botnet spread across the globe, laying internet router equipment useless for up to a dozen telecom operators around the world, with Germanys Deutsche Telekom the hardest hit. British police arrested the hacker in February at Luton airport, north of London, acting upon a request from Germanys Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) to charge him with selling his botnet to online criminals. He was the sent to germany on trial. The malicious code had exploited unprotected ports which allow network technicians to fix customers routers from afar, but can also expose the equipment to outside attack. Both the attack and rapid recovery from it exploited this feature. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's consumer business group, said on Thursday the company expected to ship 140 million-150 million smartphones for the full year compared to 73 million achieved in the first half. (Representational image) China's Huawei Technologies forecast smartphone shipments of 140 million-150 million this year, a sharp slowdown in annual growth as the world's third-largest smartphone maker chases profits instead of volumes by selling more high-end phones. Shenzhen-based Huawei's profit growth has been under pressure with its low margin smartphone business facing strong competition at home and abroad, forcing Huawei earlier this year to de-emphasise revenue growth. Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's consumer business group, said on Thursday the company expected to ship 140 million-150 million smartphones for the full year compared to 73 million achieved in the first half. The full-year forecast would compare to the 139 million smartphones Huawei shipped last year, which was up 29 per cent compared to the year before. And though its smartphone shipments surged by more than a fifth in the first half, Yu emphasised that Huawei was not aiming for volumes. "We want to focus on the high-end and mid-range market. We give up the ultra low-end," he said, adding the average selling price of Huawei phones rose 28 percent in the first half. Yu acknowledged intensifying competition at the high-end of smartphones from Apple Inc's planned release of the iPhone 8 but said Huawei was well equipped to hold its ground. "We have the Mate 10 series that can compete head to head against the iPhone 8," Yu told reporters, referring to Huawei's next premium flagship that is expected to be released in the fall. According to Yu, it will be superior to Apple's anticipated smash-hit product with "much longer" battery life, "much faster" charging speed and better camera and photo-shooting algorithm. Huawei plans to unveil this autumn an "AI processor" as it seeks to move from making smartphones to "intelligent phones", Yu said. "Huawei will launch our own AI processor. We could be the first phone maker in the world to introduce AI processor for our products," he said, but declined to give more details or comment on whether that will be used for the Mate 10. The company, which is also one of the world's largest telecom equipment makers, posted on Thursday a 15 percent rise in first-half group revenue to CNY 283.1 billion ($42.03 billion), compared with a 40 percent rise last year. That represented the slowest first-half revenue growth for Huawei since 2013. Its operating margin fell to 11 per cent from 12 per cent a year ago. Huawei does not release half-year profits. Yu forecast the consumer business group's full-year revenue at over $33 billion (roughly Rs. 2,11,825 crores), compared to about $26.7 billion (roughly Rs. 1,71,396 crores) last year. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The Egyptian armed forces has foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of explosive materials through one of the Suez Canal crossings to North Sinai, the army said on Sunday. According to a statement released by the an army spokesman, the truck was stopped at one of the canal crossings, and it was found to be carrying equipment and materials used in manufacturing explosive devices, in addition to telecommunication devices. There are three crossings to Sinai through the Suez Canal: El-Ferdan bridge, El-Salam bridge and Ahmed Hamdy tunnel. The statement did not specify the crossing where the incident took place. Egyptian security forces have been battling Islamist militants in parts of North Sinai in recent years. Hundreds of security forces have ben killed in attacks by militants, while hundreds of militants have also been killed in security operations by the Egyptian armed forces and police. Search Keywords: Short link: Parts of the THAAD defense system were brought into South Korea under the government of ousted president Park Geun-Hye. (Photo: AP) Washington: American forces successfully tried out on Sunday a missile interception system the US hopes to set up on the Korean peninsula, military officials said following, just days after North Korea's second test of an ICBM. In the American test of the so-called THAAD system, a medium-range missile was launched from a US Air Force C-17 aircraft flying over the Pacific and a THAAD unit in Alaska "detected, tracked and intercepted the target," the US Missile Defense Agency said. It said this was the 15th successful intercept in 15 tests for the weapons system known as THAAD, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defence. South Korea said yesterday it will speed up deployment of a THAAD battery on its territory because of the latest North Korean test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Parts of the THAAD defense system were brought into South Korea under the government of ousted president Park Geun-Hye. But new leader Moon Jae-In suspended deployment of the programme last month, citing the need for a new environmental impact assessment. However, South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-Moo said yesterday that Seoul will now begin consultations on the "tentative deployment" parts of the THAAD battery in response to the latest North Korean test. The THAAD deployment has infuriated China, which has long argued it will destabilise the region. Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday claimed that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies as he inspected a massive military parade at the country's largest military base to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the 2.3-million strong army. President Xi also said that the People's Liberation Army should strictly follow the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and "march to wherever the Party points to." "I firmly believe that our gallant military has both confidence and ability to defeat all invading enemies," said Xi Jinping, who heads the Central Military Commission, which holds the overall command of the People's Liberation Army or PLA - the world's largest army. While there was no reference in his speech to over a month-long India-China military standoff at Doklam in the Sikkim sector, his remarks came in the midst of shrill official media campaign and assertions by the Foreign and Defence Ministries in Beijing accusing Indian troops of "trespassing" into what China claims is part of its territory - a stand that Bhutan and India do not consider valid. Clad in a camouflage military suit, 64-year-old Xi Jinping said that the Chinese military has the confidence and ability to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. "Our military has the confidence and ability to write a new chapter in building of a strong military and make new contributions to towards realisation of the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and safeguarding world peace," Mr Xi said in his about 10-minute address - an event aired live on state television and radio. Earlier, Xi Jinping inspected the military parade at China's largest military base in Zhurihe in Inner Mongolia - the biggest parade since 2015 in which the army and air force displayed some of the most modern weapons including a new tank which reportedly held exercises in the high-altitude along the Indian border. The other weapons included long range nuclear and conventional missiles, the new J-15 - the new aircraft based carrier. In his address, President Xi asked the military to further improve its combativeness and modernise the national defence and armed forces. The Chinese military has the world's second largest defence budget totaling US $152 billion. The People's Liberation Army was founded on August 1, 1927 when the ruling Communist Party of China under the leadership of Mao Zedong carried on with his national liberation movement. It is one of the rare national armies which still continues to function under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and not the Chinese government. "Officers and soldiers, you must unswervingly stick to the fundamental principle and system of the Party's absolute leadership over the army, always listen to and follow the Party's orders, and march to wherever the Party points to," said Xi Jinping, the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. People's Liberation Army officers and soldiers should firmly adhere to the fundamental goal of serving the people wholeheartedly, and always stand together with the people, Mr Xi said. He also said China needs a strong army more than ever, urging the building of the PLA into a world-class military force. Enjoying peace is a bliss for the people while protecting peace is the responsibility of the people's army, he said. "The world is not all at peace, and peace must be safeguarded," said Mr Xi, who is expected to get a second five-year term at the key meeting of the Communist Party of China later this year. "Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than any other time in history, and we need to build a strong people's military more than any other time in history," he said. He urged the People's Liberation Army to fully implement the Communist Party of China's thoughts on building a strong military, follow the path of strengthening the army with Chinese characteristics, strive for the CPC's target on strengthening the People's Liberation Army under the new circumstances, and build the heroic PLA into a world-class military. About 12,000 troops took part in the parade in which 129 aircraft and 571 pieces of equipment were on display. Dongfeng missiles which include short, long and medium rage of rockets, variety of armoury including light tanks, drones were also deployed. Helicopter borne troops demonstrated in quick landing and taking combat positions. Kim Jong-Un boasted of North Koreas ability to strike any target in the US after a second ICBM test that weapons experts said on 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 Kims leadership North Korea has accelerated its drive towards a credible nuclear strike capability, in defiance of international condemnation and multiple sets of UN sanctions. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un celebrates the test launch (Photo: AFP) Kim said the test is meant to send a grave warning to the US and demonstrated the Norths 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. Mr Trump denounced the launch as reckless and dangerous and rejected Pyongyangs 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 Fridays missile suggested it was significantly more powerful than the July 4 test, with a theoretical range of around 10,000 km 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 US, said Michael Elleman, missile defence specialist at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. 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 kg. If the missile carries a 750 kg payload, its range could be 10,000 kilometres. Taking into account the Earths rotation, it means it could reach not only the western cities but New York and Washington as well, he said. The drug killings have been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups that have called for an end to what they suspect were extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign. (Photo: AP) Zamboanga (Philippines): Police in the southern Philippines said they fatally shot 15 people Sunday, including a city mayor who was among the politicians President Rodrigo Duterte publicly linked to illegal drugs, in the bloodiest assault so far in Duterte's anti-drug crackdown. Officers were to serve warrants to Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. to search his houses for the suspected presence of unlicensed firearms when gunmen opened fire on the police, sparking clashes that killed the mayor and at least 14 other people, Ozamiz police chief Jovie Espenido said. "He's a high-value target on illegal drugs," Espenido, who oversaw the simultaneous, post-midnight raids on the mayor's residence and three other houses, said at a news conference. "We enforce the law to protect the people who want peace in this country," he said. "How can we enforce the law if ... we're scared of the drug lords? That cannot be, they should be afraid of people who do good for all." At least five people, including Parojinog's daughter, who serves as vice mayor of Ozamiz, a port city, were arrested during the raids. Policemen were approaching the mayor's house when his bodyguards opened fire and hit a police car and wounded a police officer, sparking a firefight amid a power outage, Espenido said. A grenade held by one of Parojinog's bodyguards exploded during the clash inside his house and it remains unclear if he and his wife were killed by the blast or police gunfire or both, Espenido said, adding that assault rifles, grenades, suspected methamphetamine and cash were seized in the raids. "The administration vowed to intensify the drug campaign," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in connection with Sunday's raids in Ozamiz. "The Parojinogs, if you would recall, are included in (Duterte's) list of personalities involved in the illegal drug trade." Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He was the third mayor to be killed under Duterte's bloody crackdown on drugs, which has left more than 3,000 dead in reported gunfights with police and thousands of other unexplained deaths of suspects. Parojinog's daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested and was to be flown to Manila for security reasons, regional police Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said. The drug killings have been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups that have called for an end to what they suspect were extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign. Last year, police officers shot dead Albuera town Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte, and a week before that, another mayor and his nine bodyguards were gunned down allegedly during a firefight on a road in the southern Philippines. Espenido was the Albuera police chief when the then-detained Espinosa was killed during a police raid in a jail in a nearby city in Leyte. Duterte has vowed to defend policemen who would face criminal and human rights charges while cracking down on illegal drugs. He recently ordered a police officer charged in connection with Espinosa's death to be reinstated after briefly being charged and suspended following the jail killing. All three mayors were among more than 160 officials Duterte named publicly as being linked to illegal drugs in August last year as part of a shame campaign. Duterte has vowed not to stop until the last drug dealer in the country has been eliminated. Sydney: Australia has foiled an Islamist-inspired terrorist plot to bring down an aircraft with an improvised explosive device, authorities said on Sunday, after four people were arrested in raids across Sydney. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the plot appeared to be elaborate rather than planned by a lone wolf, as security was strengthened at major domestic and international airports across the nation. I can report last night that there has been a major joint counter-terrorism operation to disrupt a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane, Mr Turnbull told reporters. The threat of terrorism is very real. The disruption operation, the efforts overnight have been very effective but theres more work to do. Officials did not specify if the alleged plot involved a domestic or international flight, but Sydneys Daily Telegraph reported that a local route had been the objective. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin described the plot as Islamic-inspired and said four men had been arrested in a series of raids across Sydney on Saturday. We do believe it is Islamic-inspired terrorism. Exactly what is behind this is something we need to investigate fully. He said local authorities had received credible information from partner agencies about the claims but would not elaborate further or say if the men had been on any watch list. One police officer was reportedly injured in the exchange of fire with the suspect. (Photo: Representational/AFP) Konstanz (Germany): At least two persons were killed and three other injured in a shooting in a German nightclub in Konstanz, police said. The 34-year-old suspect suffered life-threatening injuries in a gunfight with police officers outside the venue, near the Swiss border, reported the Independent. He later died in hospital. The motive behind the shooting remains to be unclear. One police officer was reportedly injured in the exchange of fire with the suspect. Local media reports suggest that the other person killed was a guest at the disco, and the police and prosecutors stated, the officer's wounds were not life-threatening. Police said that special commando forces have been deployed in the city, as it was not clear, whether, the suspect had accomplices. The long-delayed $1.1 billion sale of a 70 per cent stake in Hambantota port, which straddles the worlds busiest east-west shipping route, was confirmed by Sri Lankas ports minister Mahinda Samarasinghe Sri Lanka on Saturday sealed a billion-dollar deal to let a Chinese state firm take over a loss-making port in a move that worries many, including its giant neighbour India. The long-delayed $1.1 billion sale of a 70 per cent stake in Hambantota port, which straddles the worlds busiest east-west shipping route, was confirmed by Sri Lankas ports minister Mahinda Samarasinghe. The government used tough laws against industrial action to stop workers going on strike this week to oppose the sale to China Merchants Port Holdings. India is nervous about Chinas infrastructure moves into its traditional sphere of influence. China has accepted that everything in this agreement will operate under Sri Lankan law, the minister said at a signing ceremony in Colombo. Negotiations over the deal were held up for months amid opposition from trade unions and political parties. The minister said this week that several countries had raised fears about the sale. India and the US are concerned that China getting a foothold at the port could give it a military naval advantage in the Indian Ocean. A 59-year old woman from the central Chinese city of Wuhan transformed her appearance through plastic surgery in order to avoid $3.71 million of personal debts, Xinhua said. In a case highlighting the challenges facing China as it tries to establish a credit society, police were astonished after apprehending the woman, who fled to the southeastern Chinese city of Shenzhen after a court in Wuhan ordered her to pay off her debt. We were surprised at the scene, Xinhua news agency quoted a policeman as saying. She looked in her 30s and was different from the photos we had. The woman, identified as Zhu Najuan, also confessed to using other peoples identity cards to travel across the country by train. She financed her plastic surgery using borrowed bank cards. Representatives from more than 300 Chinese cities released a declaration earlier in July promising to make more credit available for consumer spending, part of the countrys efforts to find new sources of economic growth and reduce dependence on heavy industry and state-driven infrastructure investment. But as the country strives to make more credit available to individuals, it is also facing a surge in household debt. As regulators try to establish a reliable nationwide credit rating system, authorities are exploring ways to crack down on people who do not pay their debts. A court in Jiangsu province has drawn up a blacklist of defaulters. Anyone who calls an individual on the blacklist will be forced to listen to a pre-recorded message saying please urge this person to fulfil their legal obligations. A decade after it was first proposed, the state government has decided to scrap the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. The proposed JP Nagar to Hebbal light rail corridor, a 31.3-km stretch on the outer ring road, could now become part of the Namma Metro Phase 3, which is currently on the drawing board. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered shelving the LRT project during a recent review meeting of infrastructure projects, according to a senior official in the Chief Ministers Office. There is little difference between Metro rail and light rail. Also, the LRT does not fit the scheme of things because we want to have a standardised Metro rail network along the outer ring road, the official told DH, requesting anonymity. While shedding the decade-old baggage, Siddaramaiah also ordered the Bangalore Airport Rail Link Ltd (BARL) a special purpose vehicle that designed the LRT project to wind up. The LRT project has been handed over to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation, a BARL official said. The LRT figured in the 2007 Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan for Bengaluru. The project was formalised in 2010, when it was estimated to cost Rs 5,600 crore. The latest estimate stands at Rs 10,875 crore. The JP Nagar-Hebbal light rail corridor was to pass through Bannerghatta Road, Kanakapura Road, Mysuru Road, eastern boundary of the Jnanabharathi campus, Dr Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Magadi Road, Peenya Industrial Area, BEL Circle and Lottegollahalli. The project got a fresh lease of life when the chief minister announced it in his 2016-17 budget. Subsequently, the Cabinet approved innovative fundraising for the project. Now, however, authorities say the LRT is out of place because Metro Phase 2A will connect Silk Board and KR Puram (with a possible extension till Hebbal) and Metro Phase 2B will connect Nagawara and the airport. The LRT does not have the same gauge, signalling and locomotive as the Metro. Why should we have the LRT when we can connect Hebbal and JP Nagar on the outer ring road with a Metro? This is our thinking, the official said. Mobility expert Pawan Mulukutla hailed the decision to scrap the LRT project. We havent seen any successful implementation of the LRT anywhere in India. Even the Mumbai Monorail is facing issues. Buses and Metro are the best transport options for Bengaluru, he said. Egypts prosecutor-general Nabil Sadek on Sunday ordered 11 electricity maintenance workers be detained for 15 days in connection to a power cut at Cairo airport on Friday that disrupted flight schedules, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported. Investigations are also ongoing into a number of employees in North Cairos Electricity Company. The power cut took place at the airports Terminal 3 on Friday between 12:20am and 01:41am, and caused delays to international and domestic flights, as well as baggage delays. The backup generators failed to operate during the outage. Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy formed a committee to investigate the causes of the power cut. Cairo International Airport is the largest airport in the country and serves as the main hub for the national carrier, EgyptAir. Search Keywords: Short link: The Congress on Sunday paraded its Gujarat lawmakers before the media, claiming that it has sufficient numbers to ensure the election of its leader Ahmed Patel to the Rajya Sabha. This was an effort to ending speculations on internal bickering among the Gujarat MLAs currently staying in a resort near Bengaluru. AICC spokesperson and party MLA from Gujarat Shakthisinh Gohil told reporters that all the MLAs are living like a family and that there is no bickering among the them. Democracy is passing through trying times. I request the media to save democracy. You (media) can ask anything you want to any of the MLAs... he said at a press conference held at the resort. Gohil was reacting to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupanis charges that Congress MLAs are quitting the party due to internal problems and hence, the party has kept majority of its MLAs at the resort. Gohil claimed that 44 MLAs were present at the conference. The Congress has kept its legislators at the resort for the last two days, fearing poaching by the BJP ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls scheduled on August 8. Of the 57 Congress MLAs in Gujarat, six have already resigned. The BJP in Gujarat, which can win two seats comfortably, has fielded a third candidate. Victory of BJPs third candidate is possible if the Congress legislators defect and vote in favour of the saffron party in the election. Congress candidate Ahmed Patel is the political secretary to AICC chief Sonia Gandhi. The point is the BJP does not have any number (to win the third seat). The Congress has 57 legislators. The support of 44 is enough to win the seat. Therefore, the BJP cannot even dream of winning the third seat, said Gohil. Besides, three other MLAs, two from the NCP and one from the JD(U), are with us. Many of those who have defected to the BJP are also in touch with us, Gohil said, and denied reports that some Congress MLAs are insisting that they be allowed to return to Gujarat to respond to the call for assistance in their flood-affected constituencies. The Congress MLAs attended to the woes of the affected people when it was actually flooding. There are no floods now... Our MLAs will resume work in their constituencies once they return to Gujarat, he said. He accused BJP president Amit Shah of trying to bribe the Congress MLAs by offering Rs 15 crore each. When the MLAs refused to yield, the ruling BJP tried to intimidate them. Since Karnataka has a Congress government, we have come here to ensure safety of the MLAs...Where else can we go? he added. Russia and India are holding negotiations for the supply of 48 Russian Mi-17 military transport helicopters, with Moscow hoping to seal the deal by the end of this year, a top Russian official has said. Russian arms supplier Rosoboronexport's CEO Alexander Mikheev said India has more than 300 helicopters belonging to the Mi-8 and Mi-17 family, which are deployed in troop and arms transport, fire support, convoy escort, patrol, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. He said India knows their specifications well. Mikheev said Russia and India are holding talks with a view to sign a contract for 48 (Mi-17V-5) helicopters and the techno-commercial negotiations are set to commence in August. "We hope that we will reach an agreement before the end of this year," he told a select group of journalists here on the sidelines of Russia's premier air show MAKS 2017. Last year, Russia had handed over to India the final batch of three Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters under a previously signed contract with Rosoboronexport, a company of the Rostec State Corporation, that entailed a total of 151 units of the Mi-17V-5 helicopter, produced by the Kazan Helicopter Plant. Designed to transport cargo inside the cabin and on an external sling, the Mi-17V-5 is considered to be one of the world's most advanced military transport helicopters. Mi-17V-5, supplied to India, ranks among the most technically advanced helicopters of the Mi-8/17 type, incorporating the best engineering solutions of previous generations. In 2008, Rosoboronexport signed a contract for the delivery of 80 Mi-17V-5 to India, which was completed in 2011 -2013. In 2012-2013, three additional contracts were signed to supply a total of 71 Mi-17V-5 helicopters to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force. Talking about the S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems, Mikheev said Russia and India are holding "technical consultations" for their supply and Moscow aims to sign a contract "as soon as possible". India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that could be a game changer for India's anti-aircraft defence capability. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over USD five billion. "As of today, we are carrying out technical consultations with India. We have already shown our equipment - both in the field, testing, range-practice conditions and in conditions of production plant and design bureaus," Mikheev said. "Rosoboronexport is performing all the works aimed at signing of the contract as soon as possible, based on the feedback from India," he said. Talking about other projects that are under discussion between Russia and India, Mikheev said, "We are discussing a programme for modernisation of SU-30 with our Indian partners. The aircraft park is quite large." "During a period of 15 years, we have fulfilled all our obligations to the Indian party, the HAL Corporation -- supplied quite a large aircraft park, over 200, under the license agreement -- and we are offering new developments of our design bureaus. "Moreover, the Indian Air Force has some requirements for improvement of performance and operational characteristics, mainly with regard to avionics, electronic warfare systems, as well as updates of weapon systems by both Indian and Russian companies," he said. Mikheev said Russia was already considering the capabilities of the Indian industry within the framework of the "Make in India" programme and noted that under it a well- known project was the joint venture for Kamov 226T helicopters. Asked about the first Russian-Indian military-industrial conference in March where reports said some questions concerning the problem with spare parts was raised by India, Mikheev said the industrial conference was jointly held by Russia's Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Valentinovich Manturov and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley during which both sides reached an agreement on the issue. "I think that it's actually a big plus in our relations. We have agreed that the programme of after-sales services will be participated by Russian dedicated holding companies, in order to ensure the operation of previously supplied equipment throughout its life-cycle. It's 20, 30, 40 years -- whether it be a submarine, a helicopter, a tank, etc.," Mikheev said. "We have specified six companies that will carry out direct cooperation with both operators of Russian equipment and Indian companies that will be charged with operating this equipment and manufacturing its spare parts," he said. Mikheev named the six companies that will carry out direct cooperation as -- the United Shipbuilding Corporation, the United Aircraft Corporation, Russian Helicopters, the United Engine Corporation, Almaz-Antey and Tactical Missile Corporation. Mikheev also highlighted Rosoboronexport's growing business, saying in 2016 it executed the plan of supplies for USD 13.08 billion. "This year, the plan of supplies under Rosoboronexport contracts is USD 12.9 billion. About 50 per cent are the equipment for air forces. And about 50 per cent fall on the Middle East and North Africa, as well as India and China are major customers," he said. Rosoboronexport has cooperation with more than 100 countries and its contractual obligations are being fulfilled by 92 countries, he noted. Rosoboronexport is the only state-owned arms trade company in the Russian federation authorised to export the full range of military and dual purpose products, technologies and services. An engraved 'Bhagavad Gita' near the statue of late president A P J Abdul Kalam has kicked up a controversy, with his family seeking to end the row by placing a copy of the Quran and Bible near it. However, in latest development, leader of a local Hindu outfit objected to the placing of Quran and Bible near the statue on the ground that "no permission was taken" for the same. Hours later, officials manning the memorial, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27, kept the Bible and Quran in a glass box in the vicinity of the statue. Hindu Makkal Katchi leader K Prabhakaran filed a police complaint claiming that the two holy books (of Quran and Bible) were placed without permission from authorities. "I respect all these books. But keeping them (in the memorial) without permission is wrong. Steps should be taken to see that such things are not done again," he told reporters. Vaiko-led MDMK and the PMK have raised questions on the need for keeping the engraved 'Bhagavad Gita' alongside the wooden statue of Kalam playing the musical instrument 'veena' in the Rs 15 crore memorial, designed and built by the Defence Research and Development Agency with which Kalam was associated for a long time. Meanwhile, Kalam's relatives Sheik Dawood and Salim told PTI earlier today, "An unnecessary controversy was raised by some people. DRDO officials worked tirelessly for the memorial construction and had not sculpted the Bhagavad Gita near the statue with any (ill) intention. Now we have left two books -- Quran and Bible near the statue". They said they would also place a copy of Tamil treatise 'Thirukkural' near the statue soon. They said Kalam was a leader to all Indians and no one should seek to politicise the issue. An MDMK spokesperson said party founder Vaiko had already questioned the need for a Bhagavad Gita there, when Kalam used to refer only from 'Thirukkural'. A PMK leader, who did not wish to be named, also questioned the need for sculpting the wooden piece with the name of 'Bhagavad Gita', saying Kalam was common to all citizens of India. The memorial at Peikarambu, inaugurated on the second death anniversary of the popular scientist at his home town here, also has on display a replica of rockets and missiles on which the late scientist had worked. Besides, about 900 paintings and 200 rare photographs of Kalam, who held the office of president from 2002 to 2007, are on display at the memorial. Coin collectors and numismatists will have enough to celebrate this year as the Government Mint, Mumbai has kick-started sale of commemorative coins to mark the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa and the Komagata Maru incident. The coins have been made on the theme 'Centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's Return from South Africa' and will be available in denominations of Rs 100 and Rs 10. The Komagata Maru incident dates back to May 23, 1914 when the ship carrying 376 passengers, majority of whom were Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus -- was denied entry into Canada after an immigration dispute. Some of the passengers were killed in protests on their return to India. The government mint office in Mumbai has put up for sale these commemorative coins which can be booked from July 26 till September 26, both online and offline. 'Centenary of Komagata Maru Incident' themed coins are available in Rs 100 and Rs 5 denominations. The proof coins cost Rs 3,225 each while uncirculated coins (UNC) carry a tag of Rs 2,644 each which are all inclusive of the goods and services tax (GST), the India Government Mint, Mumbai said in an advertisement. "The coins will be delivered through India Post within six months from the date of closure of booking," it said. The coin on Gandhi's return from South Africa in 1915 bears two images of the Father of the Nation -- a young man in western attire and the other is the legendary thinly clad old man wearing round-shaped spectacles. The centenary completion year '2015' is engraved at the opposite corner to that of '1915'. The proof coin embossed letter M -- meaning printed at Mumbai -- have a frozen effect on the surface design with a mirror finish. The coin commemorating Komagata Maru incident depicts a big ship named 'Komagata Maru' sailing in the sea, with year 1914-2014 printed at the periphery of the coin. These types of coins commemorate events of historical and social importance as well celebrates achievements of public or private organisations. These high quality coins hold great value for collectors and those who study currencies, tokens, paper money and related articles -- the numismatics. The Mumbai mint, a unit of Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL), has been manufacturing these commemorative coins apart from circulation coins. The first commemorative coin was issued in 1964 in the memory of India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. In 2016, the mint had come up with only one commemorative coin themed on Centenary of Banaras Hindu University. Year 2015 saw issuance of three commemorative coins on International Yoga Day, 125th birth anniversary of B R Amdebkar and Golden Jubilee of Indo Pak War 1965. In 2014, coins were issued to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. While in 1972, coins were issued to mark the 25th year of India's independence. Also, 2010 was a dedication to '1000 Years Of Brihadeeswarar Temple' and birth centenary of C Sbramaniam as well as platinum jubilee of Reserve Bank of India. The mint office has been issuing commemorative coins all through the years since 1964 on various themes. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who is set to succeed his brother Nawaz Sharif as the Pakistan prime minister, may nominate his son Hamza Shahbaz as the new head of the second largest province in the country, according to a media report. According to sources at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), however, the final say on the decision on who gets to helm Punjab rests with ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is looking to consolidate the party's control in Punjab province. The PML-N cannot afford to lose its grip on Punjab at this time, especially since the next general elections are barely a year away, a senior PML-N leader was quoted as saying Dawn News. "Shahbaz wants his son, who is already acting as the deputy chief minister, to succeed him for the remaining term in Punjab. However, [it is up to] Nawaz Sharif to decide whether Hamza will be the right choice for the post or not," said a senior PML-N legislator from Punjab. "Whoever is nominated for the post will follow instructions from Shahbaz...but his level of comfort with his son will be higher than with an 'outsider'. At the same time, Shahbaz wants to give his son the experience he needs to serve at the top level," the legislator, who was not identified, said. The PML-N leader added that Shahbaz would continue to oversee matters in Punjab indirectly, while his elder brother Nawaz Sharif would govern the Centre from his Raiwind residence. Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court disqualified him for failing to declare "receivable" salary from a UAE- based company of his son in his 2013 nomination paper. The court termed the salary which was not paid to Sharif as an "asset". Senior PML-N leader and former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will run the PML-N government as interim prime minister of Pakistan until Shehbaz is elected as a member of parliament. And as part of its strategy to woo the community, BJP national president Amit Shah, who is currently on a three-day visit to the state capital, had lunch at the house of an ordinary party worker, who hailed from 'Yadav' community on Sunday. Shah, who was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, deputy chief ministers Dinesh Sharma and Keshav Prasad Maurya and other senior party leaders, had a frugal lunch at booth level BJP worker Sonu Yadav's residence in Badi Jugauli village on the outskirts of the city. According to party sources here, the initial program of the BJP chief was to have lunch at a Dalit home but it was changed at the eleventh hour. Shah had, while addressing party leaders here on Saturday, asked them to reach out to communities, where the BJP did not have enough support. He singled out 'Yadav' and 'Jatav' communities for this purpose, sources added. While the SP enjoys almost complete dominance over the Yadavs, BSP supremo Mayawati wielded a near total influence on the 'Jatavs'. ''We have already penetrated into other backward communities.....we now need to reach out to the Yadavs and Jatavs...it will not only enable us to expand our support base but will weaken the support base of the rivals,'' said a senior state BJP leader here. The leader said that in the future, more senior leaders of the party would be visiting the homes of 'Yadav' and 'Jatav' workers. The saffron party was also trying to rope in disgruntled leaders of these communities from the SP and BSP, sources added. In an apparent bid to expand its support base and make a dent in arch rival Samajwadi Party's (SP) vote bank, BJP has now set its eyes on the 'Yadav' community. The Congress today demanded Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's resignation over her flag remarks, saying nobody has the right to insult the tricolour. The party said she has hurt the sentiments of the people and asked the BJP to explain what kind of freedom is being advocated by their coalition partner (PDP) in the Jammu and Kashmir government and the chief minister. "Congress has taken strong exception to the utterances of Chief Minister. No one has right to insult the national flag as great sacrifices and nation's honour is attached with it," state Congress unit's chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said here. "Mehbooba has no right to quote the example of national flag in any form and hurt the nationalist sentiments by insulting it, what so ever may be her reasoning or context," he said. At an event in New Delhi on Friday, Mehbooba had said, "Who is doing it? Why are they doing it? (challenging the Article 35-A). Let me tell you that my party and other parties who carry the national flag there (in Jammu and Kashmir) despite all risks.... I have no doubt in saying that there will be no one to hold it (national flag) (if it is tinkered)." Sharma also hit out at the BJP and accused it of "surrendering their agenda (of alliance)" to remain in power in the state. "We seek answers from the BJP over the statement and utterances of Mehbooba Mufti. She is even questioning the utility of NIA investigations as well propagating her illogical and highly objectionable agenda," he said. "What kind of freedom of idea is being advocated by their coalition partner (PDP) and the chief minister. She (Mehbooba) has lost right to continue in office," he added. Notably, the BJP yesterday expressed shock and surprise over Mufti's remarks and asserted that Article 35-A of the Constitution which grants special status to the state is "not a sacred cow that cannot be touched". The state unit of the BJP said that while the party stands by the Agenda of Alliance with the PDP and wont seek alteration of existing constitutional position, "it is equally true that Article 35-A has done more harm to the State than any other provision of law". Union minister Jitendra Singh yesterday said the tricolour is "sacrosanct" and termed the chief minister's remarks as "shocking and ridiculous" A leader of Bangladesh's ruling party has been arrested along with three others for allegedly raping a teenager whose head was shaved as punishment by the accused's wife and sister, an incident that shocked the conservative Muslim nation. Tufan Sarkar, 28, the convenor of Bogra district Sramik League -- the labour wing of the ruling Awami League -- raped the girl on July 17 and several times after that, promising her admission to a good college, B D News quoted Bogra Sadar Police Station in-charge Emdad Hossain said. The others abetted the the crime, Hossain said, adding Tufan admitted to raping the girl in initial interrogation. When Tufan's wife Asha and elder sister Marzia Hasan Rumki came to know about the incident, they along with some miscreants picked the girl and her mother from their house. "They beat up the girl and her mother and later released them after shaving their heads," Hossain said, referring to the case files. Asha, Rumki and the other miscreants are charged with abduction and assault of the girl and her mother. Bogra district Sramik League has suspended Tufan over rape allegation. "This is a heinous act and we are ashamed," said Rafiqul Islam, president of Bogra district Sramik League. A three-member probe body led by Additional Deputy Magistrate Abdus Samad Pradhan has been formed to investigate the incident. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain, which have tried to isolate Qatar, will allow Qatari planes to use air corridors in emergencies, the Saudi state news agency SPA said on Sunday. The four countries severed ties with Qatar on June 5, closed borders - in the sea, land and sky - and imposed economic sanctions, accusing it of supporting terrorism, which Doha denies. "Nine corridors have been identified including one in international air space over the Mediterranean sea that will be monitored by the Egyptian authorities," SPA reported, citing a statement from the Saudi aviation authority (GACA). International aviation organisations have been informed, it said, adding that the corridors will be open from Aug. 1. The U.N. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), held special hearings at Qatar's request to discuss reopening Gulf airspace. The air corridors were identified under ICAO supervision, the Saudi statement said. ICAO's 36-state governing council could act to settle the overflights row presented by Qatar, but such interventions are rare and time-consuming because the U.N. agency usually negotiates disputes through consensus. Search Keywords: Short link: Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has suggested legalising marijuana, a psychoactive drug, in India for medical purposes on the lines of the practice adopted by some developed countries like the US to curb drug abuse. The suggestion was made by Gandhi at a meeting of a group of ministers (GOM), which examined the draft cabinet note National Drug Demand Reduction Policy, according to the minutes of the second meeting, a copy of which is with PTI. The GoM approved the draft national policy with minor modifications suggested in the meeting. Gandhi informed that in "some of the developed countries like the US, marijuana has been legalised which ultimately results in less drug abuse". She said that "the possibility of the same maybe explored in India", as per the document. When asked to elaborate, Gandhi told PTI that "marijuana should be legalised for medical purposes, especially as it serves a purpose in cancer". During the meeting of the GoM, which was chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Gandhi also stressed on the need for regulating the sale and availability of pharmaceutical drugs such as codeine cough syrups and inhalants among others which are being abused. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the GoM to examine the draft policy for drug demand reduction which seeks to address the problem of drug and substance abuse in the country. Referring to the national survey on drug abuse, conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice in collaboration with AIIMS, which covers students, transgenders and sex workers among others, Gandhi said children especially those living in and around major railway stations should also be covered. She also suggested exploring the possibility of setting up de-addiction centres near these railway stations. On the issue of legalising drugs in the country, the Social Justice and Empowerment Secretary G Latha Krishna Rao said "it may not be appropriate to legalise such drugs" in view of the large population and low level of literacy in the country and added that the possibility could be explored in future. As per the document, Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar observed that drugs were easily available outside schools and colleges and said that an action plan needs to be drawn to create awareness and sensitise students against drug abuse in schools, colleges and universities. Singh, who is also the minister of parliamentary affairs, said that the role of home ministry should also be well defined in the proposed policy. The GoM also recommended the projected budget estimate of Rs 125 crore annually for implementation of the policy. In an earlier meeting, the GoM had proposed preparing an action plan for controlling over the counter sale of sedatives, pain killers, muscle relaxants among others and preparing treatment modules for different age groups, including the subject of treatment of drug addicts as part of MBBS curriculum. It also sought setting up of de-addiction centres in all prisons, juvenile homes, factories and industries. BJP chief Amit Shah today targeted the Congress over dynasty politics and said lack of internal democracy in a political party results in it being dominated by caste or family. Addressing a meeting of intellectuals here, Shah drew parallel between the BJP and the Congress over who will be the next chief of the two parties. He asked the audience that who will succeed Sonia Gandhi in the Congress, to which the people responded saying Rahul Gandhi. He then posed the same question about the BJP. "Can anyone tell me who will be the next president of BJP?, No one knows. A person with nirmal charitra (pious character) will head the BJP. The president of BJP is not elected on the basis of dynasty, caste or religion, but on the basis of merit," Shah said. "Internal democracy provides an opportunity for talent to develop naturally. In the absence of internal democracy in any political party, it ends up being run by gharanas (families). Among the 1,650 political parties in India, very few have internal democracy, and BJP is one of them," he said. He said in the absence of internal democracy, a party cannot serve the purpose of democracy and incompetent heirs are chosen to head them. "...Then these political parties become family-based or caste-based. Talent is not given any importance there, and talented people are sidelined. Parties like the SP and the BSP decide their waaris (heir). Sometimes there is a mistake in deciding the heir as well," the BJP chief said, apparently hinting at the falling out of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. He said principles and development should also be two vital characteristics of a political party. "In absence of principles in a political party, casteism and family politics take over," Shah said. He said the BJP is a party which follows "cultural nationalism", both in letter and spirit, and also believes in Antyodaya - a model which touches all sections of the society, and aims to disseminating the benefits of development to the last strata of the society. "Since 1950 to 2017, in the journey from Jan Sangh to the BJP, the basic principle has been Antyodaya, integral humanism and cultural nationalism," Shah said. He claimed states without a BJP government have been "taken over by scams, corruption and dynasty politics. Talking about Uttar Pradesh, he said the BJP will script history in terms of development. "Owing to financial indiscipline, a term Bimaru (laggard) states was coined in the 1980s for Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and UP. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have come out of the Bimaru bracket. Bihar had shed the tag, when we were in government. There were some roadblocks, but day before yesterday things have moved in the right direction. "We want to promise that UP will be out of the Bimaru bracket in the next five years. I assure you that under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, we will script a new story of development of UP and make it the best state," Shah said. He also claimed that the country's growth came down to 4.4 percent under the previous Congress-led UPA government. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it went up to 7 percent. Taking a jibe at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the BJP chief said his government suffered from "policy paralysis". "Every minister assumed himself to be the prime minister and no one considered him as the PM. Today under Narendra Modi, the BJP has completed three years in government, but even the rivals could not level allegations of corruption against us," Shah said. "Wherever the BJP forms the government, it works for the welfare of the people, is transparent and decisive," he said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya also addressed the meeting. Domestic airlines will see "varying effects" on their profits in the coming years as they will be required to show all aircraft leases on their balance sheets under a new accounting standard, according to experts. Leasing of aircraft rather than outright purchase is a common practice in the airlines industry worldwide. Once the new accounting standard is in place, the carriers would have to show all such leases on their respective balance sheets which would result in "substantial new assets and liabilities". The Indian Accounting Standard 116 (Ind AS 116) -- which sets out the principles for recognition, presentation and disclosure of leases -- is proposed to be effective from April 2019. Implementation of this standard is expected to have significant impact on the financials of airlines. At present, many airlines keep the leasing expenses off the balance sheet and under the new standard, all leasing contracts would be reflected in it. Besides, experts opined that it would make aircraft sale and lease back practice less attractive as airlines would have to recognise assets and liabilities arising from the lease back. "Airlines industry will now be required to recognise all the leases on the balance sheet. As a result, airlines' industry will account for substantial new assets and liabilities. "... the standard (Ind AS 116) is expected to have varying effects on each airline entity based on number of aircrafts taken on leases by that particular entity," ICAI President Nilesh Shivji Vikamsey told PTI. Most carriers are already seeing wafer thin margins as deeply discounted fares and rise in aviation fuel prices along with staff costs take a toll on their overall profitability. Against this backdrop, the new accounting standard is likely to further trim their bottomline on account of leasing costs. The objective of the Ind AS 116 is to ensure that lessees and lessors provide relevant information in a manner that faithfully represents those transactions, the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) said in its draft exposure on the standard. Ind AS 116 is the equivalent of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) 116. The standard would impact the reported assets and liabilities of airline industry depending on the nature and significance of former off balance sheet leases, Vikamsey said in a detailed response on queries related to Ind AS 116. Those airlines having almost all the aircraft on leases are expected to change significantly in contrast to others having few planes on lease, he added. Pratiq Shah, Partner at consultancy Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP, told PTI that the standard can be expected to have a significant impact, particularly for entities that have previously kept a large portion of their financing off-balance sheet in the form of operating leases. Under this standard, the operating lease-style accounting treatment would be available only for short-term leases or those that have less than 12 months tenure and those for low value assets. To a query on if there would be an immediate impact on the financials of Indian carriers after Ind AS 116 implementation, he said those airlines that have chosen the option to lease aircraft with an intention to keep them off- balance sheet would see a change in the financial statements. When asked about the possible impact of Ind AS 116 on its balance sheet, a senior Air India official said all future lease rentals would have to be shown as liabilities and the aircraft as assets. The last date for filing of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the financial year 2016-17 will not be extended beyond Mondays deadline, a top official said on Sunday. The last date for filing of ITRs remains July 31. There are no plans to extend this deadline. The department has already received over two crore returns electronically. The department requests taxpayers to file their return in time, the official said. On reports of the e-filing website facing some glitches, the official said that no major glitches have been reported with the departments e-filing website, barring a few times when the portal was interrupted for maintenance. The department has also issued advertisements in leading national dailies in the last few days stating that taxpayers should disclose their income correctly and file their ITRs on or before July 31. The linking of Aadhaar number with the PAN (Permanent Account Number) of a taxpayer has also been made mandatory for filing of an ITR, beginning July 1. The department has also asked taxpayers to declare cash deposits made in bank accounts aggregating to Rs 2 lakh or more, post demonetisation between November 9 and December 30 last year, in the ITRs. The I-T department is also considering setting up a centralised cell for scrutiny of income tax cases as part of efforts to reduce personalised interface between the taxmen and taxpayers with a view to curb corrupt practices. The proposed cell will be on the lines of the Central Processing Centre (CPC) that the department currently has in Bengaluru for processing income tax returns. A senior revenue department official said the department wants to reduce interface between taxpayers and the department officers and is planning to set up a CPC. E-mails sent out from the CPC would not bear the name of the assessing officer, he said. It is in discussion stage. This will be as part of the departments drive to go faceless and reduce interface, the official, who did not wish to be quoted, told PTI. Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on GM Mustard, anti-GM activists have made fervent pleas to Prime Minister Narendra Modi against giving the nod for its commercial cultivation. A group of doctors, including two union health ministers Anbumani Ramadoss and Vallabhbhai Kathiria and an anti-GM advocacy group have written to the Prime Minister over the past few days cautioning against the inherently unsafe transgenic mustard developed by a group of Delhi University researchers. ...we write to you now to request you to urgently reject this GM mustard commercialization application. This is an unsafe and unneeded GMO and Indias citizens and environment should not be forced to face the risks and dangers of this GM mustard, according to the letter signed by 35 doctors. The Coalition for GM-Free India said it has learnt that the GEAC and its sub-committee, which undertook the safety appraisal of GM mustard crop, are proposing that it should be allowed for commercial planting in India but with certain conditions. The regulators have ignored all valid scientific evidence presented to it with regard to the lack of benefit and safety of GM mustard crop, Kavitha Kuruganti, co-convenor of the coalition said in the letter to the Prime Minister. The Supreme Court had on July 24 asked the government to apprise it by Friday of any adverse impact of the commercial release of GM mustard crop. The apex court is expected to hear the matter on Monday. The apex regulator, GEAC, appears to be couching its "faulty and dangerous" decision in the garb of laying down certain conditions for permission to commercialise GM mustard crop, Kuruganti alleged. India has already witnessed a farcical conditional approval in the case of Bt cotton, Kuruganti claimed, adding there was no basis on which we can depend on either the pesticides regulators or gene technology regulators in this country to create and implement a sound regulation that fulfils the very mandate of regulation. In the case of both insecticides, including herbicides, under the Insecticides Act 1968, as well as GMOs under the Environment Protection Act 1986, the mandate of regulation, is to protect citizens from risks posed by these technologies, she said. Living at the crossroads of uncertainty for the past 27 years, displaced Kashmiri Pandits' fervent hopes of returning to their homes in the Kashmir Valley have been dashed as militancy has again reared its ugly head with rising violence. Thousands of Pandit families are putting up here in the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, after their mass migration from the valley following outbreak of militancy in early 1990 which forced them out of their homeland. Their hopes for a return to Kashmir was rekindled after formation of PDP-BJP government in March 2015 as the two parties had talked about "protecting and fostering ethnic and religious diversity by ensuring the return of Kashmiri Pandits with dignity based on their rights as state subjects and reintegrating as well as absorbing them in the Kashmiri milieu". General Secretary of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference T K Bhat said the growing radicalism in Kashmir and government policies to deal with the situation are the biggest hurdle in the way of return of the Pandits to the valley. "The situation is not ideal right now for our return to the valley as even the policemen are unsafe. They are being killed and their weapons looted. The present (Central) government is pursuing the same policy (on Kashmir) as that of Congress. Those who don't know the ABCD of Kashmir are being consulted (on Kashmir) while we, the real stakeholders, are being ignored," he said. Bhat also took a dig at the PDP-BJP government and said it miserably failed to restore the confidence of the Pandits. "There was no move on part of the government to invite the Pandits, organise round table conferences, or reach out to the community to discuss and deliberate the issue of their return," he said. However, he said his organisation would continue to fight for their return to Kashmir. "How can we return to the valley in such a situation. A police officer is lynched, al-Qaeda is making inroads, dreaded militants are changing loyalties and openly threatening even the separatists. This situation coupled with unrest is so scary," All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) president Vinod Pandit said. Kashmiri Pandit Samaj president K K Khosa blamed the separatists for obstructing the return of Pandits to the valley, saying "they are not sincere since they are attaching conditions for our return". "Initially, they said Kashmir is incomplete without Pandits but later said they will not allow separate colonies for us in the valley. It shows that they are not sincere," said Khosa, who unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections from the valley in 2004. He said the government dropped the proposal for separate colonies due to pressure from the separatist forces. "Instead of redoubling efforts, the government gave up and shelved the plan," he said. He said properties of 70 per cent of displaced Pandits from the valley have changed hands over the years leaving only 30 per cent who still have their houses and properties there. "Where will they go if these 70 per cent choose to return?" he asked, adding "the desire to return and live there was inherent and embedded in each and every Kashmiri Pandit". A parliamentary panel asked the Centre to organise regular surprise inspections of the elementary schools to detect instances of untouchability and other caste biases in cooking and serving the midday meal in the areas dominated by scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) communities. In its report to Parliament, the panel has rejected the Human Resource Development Ministry's (HRD) claim that not a single instance of untouchability was detected in the country during the inspections carried out by the Central government teams. The committee apprehend the likelihood of leaking of information of the visits in advance and are of the view that (inspection) teams or monitoring institutes should make regular surprise visit to the schools in SC/ST dominated districts of Odisha and other parts of the country to detect instances of untouchability in the mid-day meal scheme, parliamentary committee on the welfare of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes noted. It will also send out a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated, it added. Non-government organisations in such areas may be involved in the process of investigation, the panel recommended. Taking note of some reports about instances of untouchability in Odisha and some other States, the panel had asked the HRD Ministry in its previous report to depute special teams to probe into such reports. As directed by the committee, two teams from the school education department of the Ministry were sent to five coastal districts of Odisha in 2012 to investigate the cases of untouchability. The teams visited 76 schools in these districts but could not come across a single case of discrimination, the HRD Ministry told the parliamentary committee. Later in January 2015, the HRD Ministry said, special teams were again constituted and sent to visit Banka and Sitamarhi districts of Bihar as well as Banda, Badaun and Bahraich districts of Uttar Pradesh as to enquire into the reports of caste discrimination in the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme. The central team observed there was no caste-based discrimination in sample schools visited by them, the Ministry told the panel. Somalia's al Shabaab insurgents and troops from the African Union peacekeeping mission clashed on Sunday, a senior military officer said, while the group said it had killed 39 soldiers. The incident took place in Bulamareer district in Lower Shabelle region about 140 km southwest of Mogadishu. The al Shabaab fighters ambushed a convoy carrying troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Col. Hassan Mohamed told Reuters. "The ambush turned into a fierce fight between al Shabaab and AMISOM. We understand fighting is still going on but we do not have the figure of casualties," he told Reuters. Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaabs military operation spokesman, said: "We have in hand 39 dead bodies of AU soldiers including their commander." The casualty figure could not be immediately independently verified. Government officials were not available for immediate comment. Al Shabaab, which wants to force out the peacekeepers, oust the Western-backed government and impose its strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia, has targeted the peacekeepers in the past. Search Keywords: Short link: Gopalkrishna Gandhi's nephew Shrikrishna Kulkarni has written an open letter protesting his uncle's nomination as the joint opposition candidate for the election of the vice president. Kulkarni, a robotics engineer, expressed his dismay at Gandhi choosing to be a candidate of the present day Gandhi family who have re-institutionalised dynastic succession and made a mockery of all that the Mahatma stood for in his living life. I saw with dismay the TV images of you going to file your nomination for the Vice President flanked by this family of dynastic politics. In that one instant you tore apart the principles you espouse those of Mahatma Gandhi or Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, both of who were fearless and selfless leaders and who were dead against entitlements of birth, he added. He also questioned Gopal Gandhi's silence over the many scandals over so many years. So many scandals over so many years, and not a single comment from you. Do you really believe all these are political vendetta? Do you really believe the citizens are fools? But you still went ahead and endorsed them, Kulkarni, the son on Sumathi, the daughter of Mahatma's son Ramdas, said. But as one small member of Gandhiji's large family, I must register my protest. And therefore I say NOT IN GANDHIJI'S NAME! I am sorry Gopu mama, but this decision of yours doesn't build confidence, at least not in me. Rather it is confidence betrayal, he said. The Janata Dal (United) will support the opposition vice presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi in the August 5 elections notwithstanding its joining hands with the BJP. A seniro party leader said that the commitment to support Gandhi was made by party president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar prior to joining hands with the BJP. "Nitish Kumar ji had made the commitment to support Gopalkrishna Gandhi prior to joining hands with the BJP and will fulfil it. There is no going back on it and we have not changed our stand," senior party leader K C Tyagi told PTI. The JD-U moved out of the 'grand alliance' with the RJD and the Congress and decided to join hands with its old-time ally the BJP to form the new government in Bihar. It had split from the NDA in 2013 after a 17-year-old alliance. Party leaders, however, say that it has to fulfil its promises made earlier. The decision of the JD-U will not alter the result of vice president's election as the ruling NDA nominee M Venkaiah Naidu has a big majority in his favour and is likely to sail through easily. On whether its lone MLA in Gujarat would support the BJP or the Congress in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, they said since he is opposed by the BJP, he is free to take his own decision. In the wake of its own legislators switching sides and resigning after Shankarsing Vaghela quit the party, Congress heavyweight Ahmed Patel needs the support of the NCP, the JD-U and other MLAs to win the third Rajya Sabha seat in Gujarat. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Sunday launched a padayatra simultaneously from Kunigal and KB Cross to Tumakuru, demanding the release of Hemavathi river water to the waterbodies in the district. A hoard of party leaders including former minister R Ashoka, Sureshkumar, Tumakuru Rural MLA B Sureshgowda and party leader D Krishnakumar flagged off the padayatra at Kunigal. Addressing the party workers, D Krishnakumar said, "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has shown that he has a soft corner for Tamil Nadu by providing all luxury to AIDMK leader Sasikala, who is undergoing jail term at Central Prisons, Parappana Agrahara, in DA case. Tamil Nadu has always been taken a tough stand against Karnataka in Cauvery river water-sharing row. But here we have a government who is going all out to provide all comforts to a convict who is portrayed as next CM of Tamil Nadu. By doing so, the Congress government in the state is cheating the people," he alleged. "Most of the reservoirs in the state are not filled owing to poor monsoon. The situation in Cauvery basin is pathetic. In such scenario, the state government is releasing water from KRS and Kabini to Tamil Nadu. Water Resources Minister M B Patil is busy trying to divide Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. The Congress government is busy playing divisive politics and have no time and will to address the water woes. The people in the state will teach them a lesson in 2018 Assembly polls," he said. Krishnakumar took a dig at the local MLA and MP for their lack of commitment to get Hemavathi river water to the taluk and the district. He warned of intensifying the struggle if the elected representatives of the taluk fail to fill waterbodies. Former minister Sureshkumar said, "The politicians from Hassan and Sira are doing gross injustice to Kunigal taluk by denying its share of Hemavathi water. The local MLA and MP have failed to get river water to the taluk. The BJP has launched this agitation to get Kunigal taluk its share of river water." Tumakuru Rural MLA B Sureshgowda, addressing the agitating party workers, said, "Hemavathi river water flowed to Tumakuru district and Kunigal taluk because of the struggle spearheaded by former ministers Y K Ramaiah and Huchchmastigowda. Tumakuru district was allocated 25 tmcft of Hemavathi water. But the district has never got its share due to the conspiracy by the politicians from Hassan district and the indifference of Tumakuru district in-charge minister. Agitation is the only option left before the people of the district to get their share of Hemavathi river water, he said and called upon the people of Tumakuru district to put up an united struggle for water. Former deputy chief minister R Ashoka also addressed the protesters. Party leaders Narayanagowda, Balaram, Krishna, Rajesh Gowda, Dinesh, Arunkumar, Gopi, Devaraj among others led the agitation. Jayachandra indifferent Hundreds of BJP workers took part in the padayatra that was launched from Kibbanahalli Cross. The padayatra passed through Harenahalli, Kodlicross, Doddaguni, Kundaranahalli, Nittur and reached Gubbi town in the evening. The agitating workers raised slogans against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, District Minister T B Jayachandra and the state government. Former Tiptur MLA B C Nagesh said, "The storage level at Hemavathi reservoir at Gorur in Hassan district has increased following copious rain in its catchment. The state government should have released water, to the Hemavathi canal, to fill waterbodies in Tiptur, Chikkanayakanahalli, Turuvekere, Gubbi and Tumakuru taluks. But District Minister T B Jayachandra is not bothered to safeguard the interests of the farmers in the district. Last year, the district administration failed to fill most of the lakes and the tanks in the district. The water table in the region has gone down considerably." He demanded the government to release water to the district so that the farmers could save whatever crop they could. BJP district vice president Sagaranahalli Vijaykumar, general secretary Hebbak Ravi, state vice president Shivaprasad, former MLAs K S Kirankumar, J C Madhuswamy, SC Morcha district president G N Bettaswamy, taluk president A N Lingappa, former president H T Bhairappa, Benachigere Panchakshari, P B Chandrashekarbabu, Nanjegowda among others were present. District president G B Jyotiganesh said that the party workers and the farmers from Madhugiri will also join the padayatris from Kunigal and Gubbi in Tumakuru. On Monday, the agitators will gather at Tumakuru Town Hall. A procession will be taken out from Town Hall to Deputy Commissioner's office, where they will submit a memorandum to the deputy commissioner. The district administration has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the owners of private tankers who have suspended water supply demanding payment of their bills. Cases were registered against 90 tanker owners on Saturday. The tanker owners have been staging dharna since July 25 parking their vehicles on the premises of the city municipality, demanding payment of bills to the tune of Rs 6.30 crore pending since June 2016. This has affected water supply to the residents, affecting normal life of citizens. Kolar has been facing acute water scarcity owing to successive drought. Though the president, members and officials of the city municipality attempted to convince the protesters, they had not withdrawn their dharna. Deputy Commissioner Dr K V Trilok Chandra had released Rs 1.65 crore towards the arrears for three months. However, the tanker owners were insisting that money be released towards whole of the pending bills. Since all the attempts to convince and pacify the protesters failed, the deputy commissioner had directed the municipal commissioner to register cases against tanker owners under the Essential Services Maintenance Act. Accordingly, municipal commissioner S R Ramprakash issued final notice to the tanker owners and lodged a complaint with Gulpet police on Friday. The police, registered a case against them on the charge of causing trouble to citizens by not supplying water through tankers under the ESMA. The protesters, as soon as got to know of this, fled the dharna spot along with their vehicles, fearing arrest. The district administration has blacklisted 90 tanker owners and has even cancelled the work order issued to them for supplying water. It has also been ordered that tender should not be awarded to such contractors in future. Since the old contract with the tanker operators has been scrapped, the deputy commissioner has asked the officials of the municipality to call short-term tenders for supply of water to the town. Till the time the tender process is completed, water should be suppled through tankers from other operators. Accordingly, the officials of the municipality have begun supplying water through tankers from contractors other than those blacklisted. In hindsight, one could argue that the raison detre of Indias Look East Policy found its relevance in the partnership that India took forward in establishing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Asean. It was a vision that resulted in forging a significant strategic, trade and economic partnership. Since 1992 many bilateral meetings, summits and ministerial meetings have taken place on a wide range of sectors, so much so that the prime minister and President of India have visited a majority of the Asean countries. Indias kickstart in implementing the FTA between Asean and India in 2010 resulted in further tariff liberalisation and trade expansion. In addition, the services, trade and investment agreement signed in 2015 also represents major achievements in AseanIndia integration. India completed its tariff liberalisation obligations in December 2016. Investment flows have started coming into the country in a miniscule form, but they tend to contribute to the activity Make in India programme. India is also a partner of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is a comprehensive free trade agreement being negotiated between the 10 Asean members and its six FTA partners. By becoming a partner of the RCEP, India would be in a position to deepen integration among member countries, while promoting goods and services trade, investment, the IT sector, competition and dispute settlement. Given that the possibility of India joining the TPP is still a long way off, being a member of the RCEP will help India prepare itself to better engage with mega FTAs in the future. The RCEP itself will also benefit India. The RCEP is an ambitious mega FTA that covers 16 countries, a third of the worlds economy and 45% of the global population. Last couple of years however have witnessed dismal growth as far as trade relationship goes between India and Asean but 2016-17 is showing some signs of improvements. Countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore are emerging as Indias top three trade partners in Asean. Total trade increased to $70.68 billion in 201617, from $65.12 billion in 201516. During this period, Indias exports to Asean increased to $30 billion from $25 billion. While traditional import sources are yet to stabilise, India is gaining industrial, technological and digital production linkages with Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. To take this trade and economic activities forward, India needs to sharply focus on the issue of connectivity which is just not about a strategic priority for both India and the Asean countries. Connectivity can evolve great source of trading activities which can connect India to a great extent with Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, which are the main emerging and powerful trading destinations for India. Improved connectivity can also help in facilitating cross-regional production networks. India has announced a line of credit worth $1 billion to promote projects that support physical and digital connectivity with Asean, and a Project Development Fund with a corpus of $77 million to develop manufacturing hubs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. India contributes to three major cooperation funds with Asean, namely the AseanIndia Fund, the Asean-India Science and Technology Development Fund and the AseanIndia Green Fund. Value chains Further advantage for the India-Asean partnership will provide India to connect itself with global value chains. Asean has been a great region in establishing international production network (IPN). India can gain from such experience and help micro and small-and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) into regional value chains. The Ministry of External Affairs has taken initiative to provide project development fund to encourage integration of Indian producers into the groupings regional value chains. This initiative plans to help create manufacturing hubs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam leading to the establishment of a new regional economic order within Asean. The growing strategic partnership between India and Asean needs to be further strengthened by consistent engagement with the Asean member countries. Both Asean and India need each other. For the bloc, India not only offers a huge domestic market with a growing aspirational middle class, but also a growing working population. Given that India is a world leader in IT sector and an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, there are huge opportunities for the grouping to forge a deep relationship with India. Focusing on trade in services with Asean will give India an opportunity to use its competitive strength to become the regionss services export hub. Being a part of the RCEP and having strong relations with Asean through its existing FTA will facilitate further economic reforms in India. And, more significantly, it will allow India to establish itself as a growing economic power in Asia. (The writer is Professor, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, New Delhi) Year 2017 occupies a special place in India-Asean partnership, as exactly 25 years ago, in 1992, India inked a sectoral partnership with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Clashes between the police and Gorkhaland supporters on Sunday resulted in injuries to several people on both sides at Jaigoan in Alipurduar district, bordering Bhutan. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the other hill parties took out a rally at Jaigaon on the 46th day of an indefinite strike called by the GJM in the hills. According to the police, clashes broke out between the securitymen and the Gorkhaland supporters after the participants in the rally, carrying kukris (Gorkha knives), hurled stones and petrol bombs at the police personnel. The police tried to convince the GJM supporters to refrain from attacking, but the agitators remained defiant and broke the first two barricades. They kept hurling stones at the police, who then resorted to water cannons and firing tear gas shells, besides batons to disperse the crowd. At this, the protesters turned violent and set afire a few vehicles, including those of the police. Several police personnel and Gorkhaland supporters were injured in the clashes, the police said. A sub-inspector attached to Soladevanahalli police station suffered fracture in his right leg after he was knocked down by a speeding biker in the early hours of Sunday. Naveen Kumar (30) was on duty to check cases of vehicle thefts. When he tried to stop a two-wheeler, the rider identified as Punith Rao (30), a call centre employee, instead of stopping the vehicle, increased the speed in a bid to flee and knocked the sub-inspector down. The impact of the collision left the sub-Inspector fractured in his right leg. The SI has been admitted to a private hospital. Soladevanhalli Inspector said that Naveens condition is stable and that he will undergo a surgery on Monday. The Jalahalli Traffic police have arrested Puneeth Rao and registered a case against him. Nigerian national held The Kothanur police have arrested a Nigerian national for attempting to sell banned substances on Saturday. The suspect Dennis Kalu Eme, (30), is a resident of Yelahanka. The police have recovered 2.5 kg ganja, passport, mobile phone and a bike from the suspect. On a tip-off, the police nabbed Dennis from Yelahanka. The police are ascertaining if the suspect is overstaying in the city. Islamist militants on Sunday killed five members of a force led by military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the country's east, a pro-Haftar news agency reported. "Terrorist groups attacked at dawn Sunday three sites under the control" of Haftar's forces south of the eastern city of Derna, it said. Four of Haftar's forces were also wounded, it added. Derna was known for being a bastion for Islamist militants even before the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Ghaddafi. Haftar's forces are waging a campaign against Islamist militants groups, including efforts to capture the eastern city from the "Revolutionary Shura Council of Derna", a coalition of militias close to Al-Qaeda. On Saturday, a pro-Haftar fighter group died as he took part in a mission to try and rescue a pilot whose plane had crashed in the same area. The pilot who died in the crash, had been carrying out a raid against militants positions when his fighter jet was hit by a missile, the news agency said. Haftar's forces have lost several aircraft in recent months. The controversial strongman supports an administration based in the country's east that has refused to recognise the UN-backed Government of National Accord based in Tripoli. Search Keywords: Short link: A Chinese national sustained a deep gash on his face when a gang of five slashed his face with a knife after he resisted their robbery bid in Indiranagar on Saturday night. The police have arrested the suspects - Mani (23), Manikantha (20), Vijay (22), Arun Kiran (20) and Sharath (25). All the five are habitual offenders and have cases against them for mobile snatchings. The victim has identified all the suspects, the police said. According to police, the victim identified as Yan had come to the city on a business trip, and was waiting for a cab near an ice-cream shop in Indiranagar. A five-member gang confronted him and demanded his valuables at knifepoint. When Yan resisted, they attacked him with knife slashing his face before fleeing from the spot after a few passersby rushed to his help. A Hoysala patrol vehicle rushed to the spot and shifted the victim to a hospital. The police said the suspects wanted to snatch the victims mobile phone. The Indiranagar police, based on the CCTV footage, arrested the gang of five and seized a two-wheeler from them used for the crime. The jurisdictional police have registered a case of attempt to robbery and dacoity, and investigations are under way. As part of the global Gorkhaland Unity March, a peaceful rally was held in the city on Sunday to support the cause of a separate state for Gorkhas. The march was held in several cities across the country and even abroad to show solidarity with Gorkhas in West Bengal. In Bengaluru the event was organised by Gorkha Youths of Bangalore and NEP India Foundation. Hundreds of Gorkhas from the city marched from Mysuru Bank Circle to Freedom Park, holding placards. Once at the Freedom Park, the group discussed the ongoing agitation in West Bengal. They observed a few minutes of silence in the memory of those who lost their lives in the struggle. The rally today was not affiliated to any political party and no political banners were used. The intention was just to unite all Gorkhas in the city for our cause. Even Gorkhas from different tribes came together as one to support the Gorkhaland movement, said Siddarth Bhitrikoty, who founded Gorkha Youths of Bangalore. The purpose of the rally was also to raise awareness among non-Gorkhas about their movement and their identity. We are humble people who want to live peacefully in the hills but we want our identity to be recognised. Many of us have moved to different cities in search of work and educational opportunities but we want to contribute to the movement in some way. This rally is a way of doing that, one of the participants at the rally said. They condemned the West Bengal government for conducting lathi charges against peaceful protesters, including senior citizens. The organisers hope to conduct more events in the city to keep the movement alive, involving Gorkhas and non-Gorkhas in it. With financial aid from the Centre dwindling each year, the Education department is drawing up a plan to tap into funds from the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) for the upkeep of government schools. The share of the Central government in the annual outlays of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has been dipping the last three years, making it inevitable for authorities to explore other sources for funds, especially in the area of construction and maintenance of school infrastructure such as classrooms. We are putting together a framework where the education department will bear the cost of materials and the labour cost is taken care of under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Additional Chief Secretary (primary and secondary education) Ajay Seth said. It has been tried at local levels, but not on a large scale. The plan seems more feasible given that decision-making in government schools of rural areas lies with gram or zilla panchayats, Seth pointed out. As many as 78,932 classrooms in the state are in need of repair, according to the latest data of the District Information System for Education. Central funding has been drying up the last couple of years, SSA state project director P C Jaffer said. For 2017-18, the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) has approved an outlay of about Rs 1,800 crore for Karnataka. Of this, the Centre will give around Rs 400 crore. For the rest, we have to look for other avenues, he said, adding that preliminary meetings have been held with the RDPR department. Till 2014, the Centre provided 65% of the total outlay. Karnataka, along with Bihar, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, raised concerns when the Centres share was reduced to 50%. Based on a Niti Aayog report, the Centres share was fixed at 60%. The Centres share towards construction of school infrastructure has gone down by 30% since 2014, according to the data. Earlier this year, the MHRD urged the state to explore mechanisms for convergence with other departments such as RDPR. Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner T M Vijay Bhaskar lauded the idea. Community toilets are being built for schools under MGNREGA. Further convergence is possible, he said. The Education department is also pushing legislators to prioritise school buildings under their local area development funds. Were taking this up with the planning department, Seth said. On Saturday, the committee chaired by former judge of High Court of Karnataka Justice Anand Byrareddy had ordered that the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (ComedK) allow candidates who have accepted seats in the second round to take part in the new round. Justice Byrareddy passed the order after several students and parents approached him saying that as they had not known there would be an extended round, it would be unfair if they could not participate. On Sunday, ComedK withdrew its earlier notification which allowed only those who had not been allotted seats to take part in the round. It said that it would follow the committees order and all those who took part in the second round were eligible to participate in the extended round. Candidates who had accepted the allotted seat in the second round will be allowed to reorder, delete or add new options. They can only change higher order options, above that allotted to them. If they have already paid the fee in the college allotted in the second round, it will be adjusted towards the newly allotted college. In the case of candidates who have not been allotted any seats in the second round, they can enter any number of options. Allotment in this round will purely be based on general merit. The schedule for option entry and further process will be uploaded on the website on Monday evening. The Committee has allowed ComedK time until August 5 to complete the procedures. Parents complain However, some parents are dissatisfied that even reserved seats will now be filled on basis of general merit. For my daughter, we applied through the Hyderabad-Karnataka quota. The provision exists for better representation from these regions. Now, all of a sudden, how can they say that there will be no reservation categories? one parent asked. Justice Byrareddy said that he would be holding a meeting with officials from ComedK on Monday to discuss this matter. Following the orders of the Admission Overseeing Committee, ComedK has announced a revised procedure on its website for the second extended round. Nearly 90,000 Iranians are expected to attend the haj in Medina this year, and were due to start arriving on Sunday, after Tehran boycotted the pilgrimage last year amid tensions with Saudi Arabia. Around 800 pilgrims were due to leave Iran on three flights to Medina on Sunday, the director of the haj at Irans Haj and Pilgrimage Organization, Nasrollah Farahmand told state media. Approximately 86,500 Iranians are expected to attend the haj in total this year and 800 coordinators have travelled to Saudi Arabia to help Iranians during the pilgrimage, he said. Iran boycotted the haj last year after hundreds of people, many of them Iranians, died in a crush at the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in 2015, and following a diplomatic rift between the two countries that are vying for power and influence in the region. In a speech to haj organizers on Sunday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iranians would never forget the catastrophic events of 2015 and called on Saudi Arabia to ensure the security of all pilgrims. "The serious and constant issue for the Islamic Republic is the preservation of the security, dignity, welfare and comfort of all pilgrims, particularly Iranian pilgrims," Khamenei said, according to his official site. "The security of the haj is the responsibility of the country where the two noble shrines exist." Riyadh severed diplomatic relations last year after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran following the execution of a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia in January 2016. In February this year Iran, which is predominantly Shia Muslim, sent a delegation to Saudi Arabia, which is mostly Sunni, that initiated the process of Iranian pilgrims returning for the haj. However, tensions between the two countries remain at an all-time high. Khamenei in his speech on Sunday also called on all pilgrims to show their reaction to the recent unrest at the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and "Americas wicked presence in the region" at the haj, according to his official website. He did not specify what kind of reaction he expected pilgrims to show. Search Keywords: Short link: A Saudi police officer was killed and six others wounded when a patrol came under attack in the town of Awamiya in eastern Saudi Arabia on Sunday morning, the interior ministry said. Several policemen have been killed in the Shia Muslim town since May when authorities began tearing down the old part of the town to deny suspected militants a place to hide. At least five people were killed over two days last week when security forces began an operation to flush out suspected militants in Awamiya, in Qatif province, part of the oil-producing region, according to local activists and a relative of one of the deceased. On Sunday, the police patrol came under a "terrorist attack using an exploding projectile" near the walled part of Awamiya known as al-Musawara, the interior ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency SPA. The six wounded were in stable condition in hospital, it said. The area has seen unrest and occasional armed attacks on security forces since the 2011 "Arab spring" protests. Residents of Awamiya complain they are marginalised by the Sunni-led Saudi government, something Riyadh denies. Authorities say they intend to replace the dilapidated 200-year-old al-Musawara with a modern district. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe A youth opposition leader was killed in Venezuela on Sunday in a protest against a contentious election organized by President Nicolas Maduro, prosecutors said. Ricardo Campos, 30, died in the northeastern town of Cumana in circumstances that had yet to be investigated, the prosecutors' office said. An opposition lawmaker, Henry Ramos Allup, said Campos, a regional secretary for the youth opposition party Democratic Action, was shot dead. Search Keywords: Short link: Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Rose McGuire was born on October 9 1932, in Tullygrevagh a few miles from Cashel in County Fermanagh. Joe Johnny Maguire and Teresa Ward were her parents, and she had one brother John McGuire, who is still alive. Like her father Joe Johnny, she loved learning, was a little queen of the land of books, a sensitive and sensible child whose world was shattered when she lost her beloved mother Teresa in 1939. Her mothers death meant there would be no secondary school in Mount Lourdes to develop her gifts and life was hard on a hill farm. Rose went barefoot to school to Lattoone, she called it the academy on the hill and she worked on the farm, loved nature and clearly recalled the US airmen coming to west Fermanagh. She also remembered the noise of the planes over Tullygrevagh in the war years, the rationing and the smuggling. Her memories were clear and accurate, and she wrote a moving account of those years in recent years. In the early 1950s she went to work in the Carlton Hotel Belleek, where one evening she spotted a man called Willie McLaughlin swinging from a lamp- post at McManuss Corner. Love blossomed between two very different, but complementary people. They married in 1954 in Garrison and had their wedding breakfast in the Melvin in Ballyshannon. Willie was and is a GAA fanatic, so they spent part of their honeymoon watching Meath beating Kerry in the All-Ireland Final in 1954. Their early years of marriage took them to the famed Rosses and Gaoth Dobhair where they lived until 1960. Rose had crosses to bear here, after having two miscarriages and her daughter baby Rose died. Their first son Gerard was born in Meenaleck 1958 which brought her and Willie great joy. Liam came in 1959 in Dungloe while Catherine (1964), Maurice (1966) and Martin (1970) were all born in Ballyshannon. Despite periods of serious illness, Rose never lost her faith or her wonderful droll sense of humour or her love and total devotion to her family. Rose was determined that her children would have the education she was denied and took a great interest in all their activities. She always tried to answer all their questions but had a neat riposte for one particularly inquisitive child when she asked; Do you think I am a walking encyclopaedia? but still answered the question. Rose was quiet and reserved by nature, but was a fount of wisdom in the wonderful home she made for Willie, Gerard, Liam, Catherine, Maurice and Martin in Cloghore. Like her mother, Teresa, she was a great cook and could make a little go a long way. She loved all of her children unconditionally, had a deep and genuine faith and lived by the old Indian adage that before criticizing anyone, you should think what it would be like to walk in their moccasins. Rose had a deep and genuine love for small children and animals, for the wounded, the bruised and the broken. But she never judged, and instead prayed because she really believed that this life was no lasting city and no abiding stay. She never had much of the worlds wealth but gave what she could to the Missions, and those in need. Rose had a lovely smile of welcome, disliked gossip and always saw the good in everyone. She treated all with respect and courtesy and was a great favourite with all of her grandchildren as well. Rose always taught her family that while it was good to be clever it was much better to be kind. And her family thinks it was no accident that she died exactly one year after another great lady called Rose Gallagher who was one of her finest friends. Two lovely Roses forever blooming in our hearts in Ballyshannon, on the edge of the Atlantic. Her husband Willie, Gerard, Liam, Maurice, Martin (sons), Catherine (daughter), John (brother) grandchildren, Andrew, Brian, Bianca Rose, Stephen, Conor, Cliodhna, Emily, Caitlin, Mitchell, Lisa, Jeanette, Ayeisha, great grandchildren, Laila, Evan, Anna, Aisla Rose, Bradley, daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews survive her. G McL Enterprise High School officials met with representatives from some of the areas top employers last week in an effort to match curriculum with workforce needs. Businesses and economic organizations represented at Thursdays meeting at EHS included Enterprise State Community College, HS Automotive, Medical Center Enterprise, Wayne Farms, Enterprise City Schools, Alabama Vocational Rehabilitation, Wiregrass Economic Development, and Southeast Alabama Works. EHS Principal Matt Rodgers told The Ledger on Friday that there is a huge need to better train and retrain our workforce in Alabama, and that flexibility and adaptation to changes are keys. What we do, were in constant evaluation of our programs and we want to make sure were doing a good job of preparing our graduates to be successful for, whether it be going directly into the workforce or going on to college, Rodgers said. And (the meeting) was more of a listening session to hear from our employers for specific skill sets and needs that they may have so that we can better align our curriculum to meet the needs of an ever-changing workforce in our community and state. Thursdays meeting focused on bridging the gap between K-12, community college and industry, as well as breaking down stereotypes of a worker needing to go to a four-year college to get a high-paying job, Rodgers said. During Thursdays meeting, fundamentals, industrial skills and soft skills were brought up as an aspect that is desired in the business community, with typing was brought up as an example of what some employers are looking for these days. Mike Lawson, director of human resources and labor relations at Army Fleet Support, said his company has jobs such as in records keeping and production control that require typing and administrative work. He said that out of the qualified candidates they receive for some jobs Lawson estimated that as being 10 percent out of 100 applications received about half of those candidates struggle with the typing test, which requires a candidate type at least 30 words a minute. Ryan Richards of Southeast Alabama Works said that could be a difference in textile preference with a new generation of workforce members. Theyre not used to actual keys. Theyre used to digital touch, Richards said. Rodgers said the school system offers a program called The Wildcat Way, a nine-week course each ninth-grader is required to go through that includes a soft-skills or employability week, which focuses on job aspects such as promptness. Ive got kids who show up late to orientation, Lawson said. Richards praised Thursdays meeting, saying that meetings such as that are not happening everywhere else in our region in the state. Having business and education at the same table, its going to make a difference, he said. Rodgers was pleased with how Thursdays meeting went, calling a sign I think its a great start, and I know we look forward to continuing these conversations to better understand the needs of our business and industry, our workforce needs in our community, so we can align our curriculum that will meet those demands, he said. The race for Dothan City School Board chairman pits the sitting mayor of the city against a local man with a longtime beef against the city who sees the office as a means of taking on larger social problems. Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz will face off against businessman Sam Tew in the Aug. 1 election. The two men are vying to replace current chairman Harry Wayne Parrish, who has opted not to run for re-election. Schmitz came from humble beginnings to become a successful owner of several car dealerships. Tew is a former firefighter who works as a painter and inventor. Tew has a long-running grievance against the city regarding the circumstances of his dismissal from the fire department. He has been a fierce critic of the mayor and the local police department. Tew has been ejected from several city meetings and claims he was injured as a result of police brutality. Schmitz said hes seeking the office because he feels that its where he can do the most good for the community. Schmitz said that he feels the most pressing need the school system has at present is recruiting a new superintendent. Schmitz said he hopes to provide some guidance to that process. I think the most important qualities were looking for in a superintendent are an understanding of this community and a love for this community, he said. Tew said he hopes to bring fairness and transparency to the school system. Tew said he feels that the biggest issue the system faces is how it disciplines African American students. Tew said he feels African American students are subjected to harsher punishments and more frequent disciplinary action by officials. Tew said he wants police less involved in student discipline at schools and wants to implement a stricter review of the systems disciplinary policies. If youre punishing African-American students more than white students, you need to be punished yourself, he said. Schmitz said one of his primary goals as school board chairman would be creating a system that prepared students for college or career paths. Schmitz said Dothan Technology Center was an underutilized resource that could be better employed to prepare students to enter careers upon graduation. Schmitz said that his travels as mayor throughout the U.S. and overseas to recruit industries to Dothan has given him insight into what companies are searching for in a workforce. Schmitz hopes to apply those lessons to guide the school system in implementing policies that would result in producing students capable of doing the jobs industries have to offer. Tew said he also felt job skills development was important, and offered to mentor students in painting and mildew removal. Im not going to be a suit and tie guy thats going to tell people what to do, he said. Im a blue collar team player. With regard to the perennially-discussed consolidation of Dothan High School and Northview High School, the two candidates agree that consolidation is a moot issue. There are a lot of larger priorities we are facing, Schmitz said. Tew said he felt merging the two schools was a poor idea because it would result in fights between the two student bodies. With regard to funding, Schmitz said it was important for the school system to work within its budget, but also to appeal to the business community for support. If they see what we are doing and we build up some trust, Im sure they will pitch in to help, he said. Tew said he was open to exploring merging the Dothan City School system with the Houston County Schools to increase efficiency. I might not be able to change that by myself, but I might find someone that could, he said. Tew admitted that he may be at a disadvantage in the race against Schmitz, but feels he has the chance to make a difference. I may not beat him, but hes going to know Ive been there, Tew said. Alabama is not immune from the crime of human trafficking. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, more than 40 human trafficking cases were reported to law enforcement in Alabama during 2016. Human trafficking is known as modern-day slavery, said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Trooper Kevin Cook. All law enforcement agencies statewide are joining forces to educate everyone on the dangers associated with human trafficking. Alabama is also home to the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force. This agency is designed to educate everyone on human trafficking. According to END IT Alabama, the Human Trafficking Task Force for the state, human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the United States, behind illegal drugs. Falling victim to human trafficking can happen to anyone, Cook said. We have noticed many individuals are not familiar with the actual meaning of human trafficking. Human trafficking is used for slave labor, sex, and anything that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Human trafficking is estimated to be a $32 billion industry. Human trafficking is known as the hide-crime. Many cases go unreported due to fear of traffickers and fear of law enforcement. Many human trafficking victims stay victims due to the fact they believe everything their traffickers have said, including threats that have been made, Cook said. There is no need to fear law enforcement and law enforcement will do what is necessary to keep them safe. According to statistics provided by the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, 80 percent of human trafficking victims are females and the average age of entry into sex trafficking is 11. Many people are not aware that human trafficking victims can give warning signs, Cook said A few of those signs include inability to make eye contact, will not speak to anyone alone, presence of an older male with a younger female, not attending school and many have distinguishing tattoos such as Daddys Girl, Daddys Princess, Money Maker, etc. If anyone notices any of these signs, pay close attention and notify your local law enforcement. Remember, victims may not admit they are victims and they may not ask for your help, but if they do, help them. Egypt will lower its customs exchange rate to 16.25 pounds per dollar from 16.50, effective from Tuesday, Finance Minister Amr El-Garhy told Reuters on Sunday. The new rate will be set for one month, he said, in what is the first such drop in four months. Egypt began setting a monthly fixed customs exchange rate in January following the flotation of its pound currency in November. It has since set it each month. Search Keywords: Short link: Sanctions imposed by three other Gulf states and Egypt slashed Qatar's imports by more than a third in June while exports excluding its vital shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) were also disrupted, official data showed on Sunday. Imports shrank 40.0 percent year-on-year and 37.9 percent from the previous month to 5.87 billion riyals ($1.61 billion), Ministry of Development, Planning and Statistics figures showed. In May, imports fell just 0.3 percent year on year. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, which it denies. The closure of the Saudi border, over which much of Qatar's imports of food, dairy products and construction materials came, as well as a halt to shipping services from the United Arab Emirates, delayed shipments for some days as Doha arranged other routes through centres such as Oman. Now that alternate shipping routes and suppliers have been arranged, analysts believe Qatar can function fairly well even if the sanctions continue, and still expect it to be one of the Gulf's best-performing economies this year. The ministry's figures suggested Qatar's exports of LNG - the key to its financial health - were not hurt in June. June exports of petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons climbed 15.8 percent from a year earlier to 11.88 billion riyals. They rose 21.6 percent in May. However, exports of petroleum oils including crude oil fell 22.4 percent after rising 8.3 percent in May. Non-petroleum exports fell 15.1 percent. Among exports hit by the sanctions were helium, which used to be shipped overland across the Saudi border. Qatar is one of the world's top producers of the gas. Officials say alternative ways to export helium have now been found. Qatar's June trade surplus jumped to 12.51 billion riyals, up 63.6 percent from a year earlier and up 15.3 percent from May, the data showed. Search Keywords: Short link: Foreign investors have bought a net 11 billion Egyptian pounds ($615.90 million) worth of shares since the country floated its currency last November, the stock exchange's chairman Mohamed Omran said on Sunday. The central bank floated the Egyptian pound in November to attract foreign capital after years of political instability drained the country's reserves, and the currency has since more than halved in value. Foreign currency flows have also been boosted after Egypt signed a $12 billion, three-year loan programme with the International Monetary Fund. The programme calls for radical economic reforms, including energy price increases and the introduction of a value-added tax. Egypt's stock exchange has attracted a total of 15 billion Egyptian pounds in foreign investment since 2013, Omran told a news conference. Omran told Reuters that the stock exchange expected to start trading in bonds in the first quarter of next year. 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At least two Catholic bishops have expressed outrage over Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to abolish the country's Commission on Human Rights and the controversial leader has also faced accusations of ethnic cleansing at hearing in the U.S. capital. Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon was the first to chastise the president saying he was "out of his mind," Vatican Radio reported July 28. The bishop said Duterte's threats to close down the independent body only shows he has "no knowledge" about how governments should operate in a democratic society. Duterte, at a press conference after his state of the nation address on July 24, said he wanted to shut down the commission, which has been critical of his sexist jokes and the killings associated with his brutal war on drugs. The president said that rather than solely targeting government men, CHR should speak out against killings perpetrated by suspected drug addicts and the atrocities committed by terrorists locked in an urban combat with the military in Marawi City. "My God, Duterte is getting out of his mind!" Bishop Bastes exclaimed, said Vatican Radio adding, "his desire to abolish CHR is a sign that he has the dangerous tendency to be a dictator. Heavens forbid!" The CHR is an independent office created under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines tasked with investigating all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights in the country. Retired Bishop Teodoro Bacani of Novaliches said the president cannot just abolish the CHR because it was "created and protected" by the Philippine Constitution. The 77-year-old bishop is one of the authors of the Constitution, and he called on Filipinos to pray for Duterte to regain his "good sense." Bacani said that the commission can only be abolished through a constitutional amendment. At the July 24 press conference, Duterte said he would not allow members of the military to be investigated for possible human rights violations, arguing that the human right's commission should go through him before getting to his men. 'REIN OF TERROR' In a Jan. 30 pastoral letter, the Philippine bishops had issued a strong statement against the increase in extra-judicial killings, referring to it as a "reign of terror." Duterte had during his presidential campaign promised to rid the country of illegal drugs in three to six months and repeatedly threatened traffickers with death. On June 30 the president marked his first year in office, declaring he would fight the drugs menace until his last day in office. More than 5,200 suspects have died so far, including more than 3,000 in reported gunbattles with police and more than 2,000 others in drug-related attacks by motorcycle-riding masked gunmen and other assaults, police said. Human rights groups have reported a higher toll and called for an independent investigation into Duterte's possible role in the violence. Earlier in July Duterte and government officials were accused of being guilty of "social cleansing" under the guise of a war on drugs, advocates testified in Washington DC's Capitol Hill, Catholic News Agency reported. "Duterte and other high officials of the land, having had to find a particular section of Philippine society worthy of elimination, have effectively put in place a de facto social cleansing policy whereby police and vigilantes are not only encouraged, but rewarded and forced to commit extrajudicial killings," witness Ellecer Carlos told members of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on Thursday. The hearing on "The Human Rights Consequences of the War on Drugs in the Philippines" featured Carlos and two other witnesses from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. They testified on reports of extralegal killings in the Philippines as part of President Duterte's "Operation Plan Tokhang," the war on drugs. The witnesses alleged that high-ranking officials in the Philippine government are complicit in human rights abuses where police officers and vigilantes, who may be working for and paid by the police, track down and kill those involved in the drug trade, with evidence present of other abuses like torture. Following summer break, Zawya will return to film screenings on 2 August Cairo's art-house cinema will resume film screenings on Wednesday 2 August, with an Italian 2016 comedy drama Perfetti sconosciuti (Perfect Strangers). Directed by Paolo Genovese, Perfect Strangers talks about "seven long-time friends who decide to share with each other the content of every text message, email and phone call they receive. Many secrets start to unveil and the equilibrium trembles," IMDb synopsis reveals. The film won best screenplay award at the Cairo International Film Festival (2016) as well as numerous awards and recognitions in Italy and internationally, including: jury award at the Tribeca Film Festival (2016), audience awards at the Norwegian International Film Festival (2016) and the Vilnius International Film Festival (2017). Programme: Startng Wednesday 2 August 12pm, 2:30pm, 5pm, 7:30pm and 10pm Zawya, Odeon Cinema, 4 Abdel-Hamid Said Street, off Talaat Harb Street, Downtown, Cairo For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Latest News ICMAI CMA December 2022 exam form submission date extended The candidates who have not applied yet will have the opportunity to fill the application form for the ICMAI NAAC accreditation will now be in binary terms, check details here Individual programmes offered by a college or an individual department of any university will also have the President Murmu launches AICTE Engineering books in Odia language The Odia language translated books are available at called e-KUMBH portal One person was killed and several injured when a knife-wielding man went on a rampage Friday inside a supermarket in the northern German city of Hamburg, according to reports. The assailant entered the store in the Barmbek district shortly after 3 p.m. local time, randomly attacked people and fled but was caught moments later, according to the Die Welt newspaper.. 40 women of Al-Nour Wal Amal Chamber Orchestra will give three concerts moving between cities in mainland China and Hong Kong In their first trip to China, Egypt's Al Nour Wal Amal (Light and Hope) Chamber Orchestra consisting of blind and visually impaired women musicians will perform three concerts on 2, 5 and 6 August. The orchestra will tour cities in China and the country's administrative region known as Hong Kong. In the few decades of their existence, Egypt's only orchestra that embraces visualy impaired women has performed extensively in the country and toured the world. "The orchestra played to the audiences on five continents and countless countries. However, it will be the first time for them to perform in China and Hong Kong," Amal Fikry, vice president of Al-Nour Wal Amal Association and the main dynamo behind the orchestra, told Ahram Online. She added that though the orchestra will visit China for the first time, in the past the musicians have already performed in other Asian countries, including Japan, Thailand and India. Many of those tours were under late maestro Ali Osman (1958-2017) who for many years also trained the musicians. Since Osman's death in February, leadership has been given to conductor and composer Mohamed Saad Basha, who has already had many years of experience of working with younger blind musicians from the same association, representing the Junior Orchestra. Fikry also revealed that the programme prepared for China includes the best from the orchestra's repertoire, which consists mainly of Western European classical music compositions, in addition to "a special surprise for our audiences." Al-Nour Wal Amal association is an NGO for Egyptian blind girls founded in 1954 by a group of volunteers led by the late Istiklal Radi, with the aim of educating visually impaired girls and helping them integrate into society. In 1961, seven years after the establishment of the association, Al-Nour Wal Amal Music Institute was founded by the late Samha El-Kholy, former dean of the Cairo Conservatory. Receiving international acclaim, the orchestra has been decribed as a human miracle, the fourth pyramid on the Giza plateau, and an orchestra with no peer in the world. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: A candidate in a controversial election taking place in Venezuela on Sunday was shot dead by assailants who broke into his home, prosecutors said. Jose Felix Pineda, a 39-year-old lawyer on a ticket to become part of a Constituent Assembly tasked with rewriting the constitution, was murdered overnight in his home in the southeastern city of Ciudad Bolivar, the prosecutors Search Keywords: Short link: Beamline scientist Mahmoud Abdellatief is the first staff member from the Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications In the Middle East (SESAME) to come to the ESRF in the framework of the OPEN SESAME programme. The initiative promotes interaction among personnel from various synchrotrons and SESAME to assist in the construction phase of the machine. This experience will help me to figure out the best design for our beamline so that we can exploit it to the maximum with the scientists in the community, says Mahmoud Abdellatief, beamline responsible at SESAME. He is at the ESRF during three weeks to exchange views with ESRF scientists on the specifications of the diffraction beamline at SESAME, thanks to the EU programme OPEN SESAME. He will then stay at ALBA, the Spanish synchrotron source. His goals for his stay include finishing the technical specifications for the diffractometer and defining what set-ups and techniques the experimental station will enable. He is on ID22, the beamline led by Andy Fitch, but he will be meeting up with other scientists during his stay. SESAME is the new synchrotron currently being built in Jordan for the Middle East scientific community. The facility is in its early days, so there are some hurdles to overcome: The beginings of a project like this one are always tough, and it wont be until we have the first results that non-scientists will start believing in it, he says. The challenge is big: there is no other synchrotron source in the Middle East, there are sometimes delays in the arrival of material and there are many cultural differences between the member states. Abdellatief explains that this situation is relatively common in almost all synchrotrons, which are places where many different scientists work towards the same target: to let knowledge lead to a better future. Our countries are close to each other but we are very different. I think we have to embrace diversity because at the end of the day it brings up good ideas to the table. Mahmoud Abdellatief and Andy Fitch have worked together to define the specifications of the diffraction beamline at SESAME. Credits: C. Argoud. Text by Montserrat Capellas Espuny Hello my friend Adnoc has a long process , coz it is considered to be one of the government organization's( they need to get many approvals) so what i recommend u to do is to contact the hr officer to give u a breif idea of how many steps left ) Even me ( being a local citizen ) when i got hired ( in a goverment sector) it took them 2 interviews and 4 months For me to start my actual job ( the security check takes the most of it) Best of luck I had researched the same thing here in the States. I started by going to the US Dept. of State website under the visa programs section, a tremendous volume of information to glean thru. For you, I suggest you research the Canadian Government website along with the suggested Embassy counterpart. Here in the States, its a complicated process for just a non-immigration visa for a vacation visit and according to the "Official" State Dept website... if someone is granted a travel visa to this country from another country thru our Embassy, there is no guarantee they will be able to enter the States once they arrive here. that is up to the discussion of the officials at the point of entry. I am speaking directly regarding the US. Canada may be very similar in policy also. Your work has just begun. The US State Dept has what is called an Affidavit of Support declaration to be filled out by the sponsor, and submitted to the Government that they use to determine if the sponsor has the ability to support their foreign visitor during their stay, if the visitor has no self ability to financially provide for themselves while here. Again, policy may be similar there in Canada. Just food for thought. Good Luck in your endeavors! Advice on moving to Thailand I relocated to Phuket, from the U.S., in 2009. I sold everything I had in America and came here with 6 suitcases and a large duffel bag. Its cheaper to pay the airline than it is to actually ship it. My biggest error was selling my excellent motorcycle helmets in the U.S. Visas: Tourist and O TOURIST VISA This visa type, as its name states, is issued to foreigners entering Thailand as tourists. It must be obtained abroad before traveling to Thailand. Upon arrival a stay of 60 days will be granted, which may be extended by another 30 days (1900 at local immigration office) for most foreign nationals. This type of visa, often called the Retirement Visa may be extended to long term stays of up to one year if you meet the retirement requirements. "O" VISA The "O" visa is good for 90 days. It costs a little more, but, you wont have to make a trip to immigration and pay to extend it, which cannot be done. In both cases, you'll have to do the visa run a week or two before the visa expires. You'll see many people say get the standard tourist visa because it's less expensive. This is true, but, it's good for 60 days. It can be extended ONCE for 30 days, but, it costs B1,900, so, it's not really cheaper. The "O" saves you extra trips to your local immigration office. Visas O and Retirement extension, if applicable. Thai visa rules by your country of origin. But, to get a retirement visa you must be 50 and have some sort of provable income, whether it's retirement income, or $800k in a Thai bank. First, get an "O" visa. This is the only one you can then convert to a Retirement Visa, which is a misnomer. It's not a visa, per se, it's a one year extension on your original Thai "O" visa. You have to renew this extension yearly with the same proof you used the first time. Visa Runs. If your visa is due to expire, you have to go on a "Visa Run" to a Thai embassy or consulate in another country. You will usually get the same type of Visa you had originally. Visa runs are not required if you have the "O" Visa retirement extension. I did visa runs for many years. The last on was 3 years ago to get an "O" visa that I could use from then on for the extension. Visa runs in a van are scary. The drivers all speed and drive recklessly. They seem to believe it's smart to go even faster and tailgate even closer, when it rains. All Thais seem to do this. If you're eligible for the Visa Extension, come here on an "O" Visa obtained from the Thai Embassy in your country. After 60 days, you can get the extension by supplying bank/income proof, and residence information i.e. lease, bills in your name with your Thai address, internal and external photos of your address. If you aren't eligible, still get the "O" visa because it's good for 90 days. You'll have to do the visa run every 90 days. You'll see many people say get the standard tourist visa because it's less expensive. This is true, but, it's good for 30 days. It can be extended twice for 30 days, but, it costs B1,900 each time, so, it's not really cheaper. The "O" saves you extra trips to your local immigration office. The biggest problem with getting advice about Thai visas is: 1-Different rules for different home countries. As a result, advice provided can be inaccurate if they come from a different place. There's a ton of misinformation passed around by people who heard how someone else did it. Almost always wrong. 2-Inconsistencies between Thai embassies and consulates as to what the law is. If you go to the one in Scotland, you may get conflicting stories with different people. Thai bank accounts + ATMs Open an account at a major bank using your current address. I used BoA, but, most are fine. Get an ATM card (and a 2nd if you can). Sign up to do everything electronically. Direct deposits, transfers, communication, bill pay ... everything. If you do this, the bank will have no reason to use a snail mail address. Most banks will charge a 3% on any ATM withdrawal. The Thai ATM you use will charge $5-10. Usually, the max you can withdraw at a time is 30,000 baht. I use Krunsri and Siam banks. You should open an account at a Thai bank and get their ATM card. This will save some of their fees. It's very easy to open an account at a bank branch in Phuket. Bring passports and B5000. When you have account #, bank will give you all the information you need to transfer the rest. Writing a check on an American bank for depositing here is a real headache. The charge is more than an ATM withdrawal and it take around two weeks for the check to clear. International money transfers between banks, while fast, is also more expensive than the ATM 3%. Riding cycles + Helmets. You will probably be riding a scooter or motorcycle during your stay. If you have no experience on one, start practicing now in the U.S. Don't try to learn here. It's a no man's land. Bring with you a good motorcycle helmet for each in the family. They run around $300 each (Bell, Arai, Shoei). You can't get bigger sizes in Thailand because Thai heads are small so a good helmet that fits is difficult to find. In Thailand, theyll cost 3-4 times as much because of the high import tariff. Most Thai helmets are $15-30. They'll do nothing in a head impact. That's why they're called "Brain Buckets." Pack them in a sizeable duffel bag. You can then pack smaller items in the helmets. Moving to Thailand Actually ship as little as absolutely necessary. Very expensive. Bring as many suitcases you can handle. Much cheaper to pay the airlines. Set up someone in the states who will ship U.S. purchases you make on the internet, package them (USPS offers a reasonable 20 pound max rate of about $100.), and ship them to you. There will be things that you'll need. If you need any further help, let me know. Good luck! This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Despite record-breaking heat Saturday, a crowd of nearly 10,000 reveled in the all-day music festival of the Vans Warped Tour as it raged on outside the AT&T Center with acts including American Authors, Beartooth and Watsky. The Vans Warped Tour was ready for the weather. Tour organizers and the AT&T Center teamed up for the third year with First Medical Response of Texas, which provided medical attention on site with 21 medics and three ambulances. First aid stations as well as cool-down areas and hydration tents were available. As of 3 p.m., Edwin Reyes, supervisor of First Medical Response, didnt have numbers for how many had been treated, but he said his team was being kept busy. The heat, that is the biggest impact, Reyes said. The bands playing at the festival acknowledged the intense heat, which reached 104, breaking the record of 103 set in 1946. Shattered Sun, a metal band from Alice, was on stage when the record was reached after 3 p.m. Only wear your stage clothes when youre about to get on, Shattered Sun guitarist Jessie Santos joked in an interview before the bands performance. Other bands performing early Saturday included Silverstein, a rock band from Canada, which acknowledged the Spurs fan base. Between songs, lead vocalist Shane Told shouted to the crowd to jump like they were Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli. At times, the festival became a stage for political discussion. One tent had the activist group Refuse Facism, which handed out stickers and shirts that spoke out against President Donald Trump. The group also had a sign-up sheet for those interested in future peaceful protests, according to volunteer Coco Das. Performers also got into the mix. Members of Los Angeles punk group Bad Cop / Bad Cop introduced their song Im Done by telling the audience the performance was for those who were sick and tired of whats happening in the Oval Office. Rapper Watsky received some backlash while on stage. Before performing Brave New World, Watsky asked the audience how they leaned politically. Some in the front booed. Watsky returned the favor by saying: We can all agree our world is weird as (expletive) right now. Shattered Sun and its lead vocalist, Marcos Leal, dont talk much politics on stage, guitarist Daniel Trejo said. While they respect others for doing what they believe is in their best interests, the band was more focused Saturday on rocking the crowd. We love coming back to Texas. We have the best fans here, Trejo said. osanchez@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The folks at Friedrich Air Conditioning got an odd call a few years ago when a local woman tried to persuade the San Antonio company to take her old unit back. She found herself in an extended game of phone tag, bouncing around from one Friedrich employee to another. Friedrich doesnt take back old air conditioners, but she persisted. She had a hunch the company would want this particular hunk of metal. We get probably 60, 70 thousand calls a year in our call center, Friedrich CEO Chuck Campbell said. So somebody calling us saying, Hey, would you like an old unit? What a bizarre call. I dont even know how it filtered up the chain of command to somebody who listened. She eventually persuaded someone to lend her an ear, and her hunch proved correct. She explained that the unit wasnt just old it was really, really old. Even now, cleaned and shined, it is still the color of rust. But peering through the vents on the front of the machine, one can see the serial number: 0004. This was one of the first air-conditioning units Friedrich ever made, back in 1952, and it still works. Ugly as sin, weighs a lot, nothing good about it but (after) 65 years, (it) still blows cold air, Campbell said. It is fitting that the Alamo City, baking under the South Texas sun ever since it was founded three centuries ago, would be home to key pieces of air-conditioning history. The Milam Building, located at 115 E. Travis St., became the first skyscraper in the United States to have air conditioning in 1928, though the towers manufactured weather was provided by Carrier. 1935 saw the St. Anthony Hotel become the first hotel with a fully functional air-conditioning system. The patent for the air conditioner for the iconic Volkswagen van of the hippie era was filed by San Antonio resident Don Dixon in 1968. Friedrich, which started as a furniture company in the 1880s and began to make ice-block coolers in 1923, joined the air-conditioning world with window units in 1952. The Friedrich name is not limited to air conditioning in San Antonio lore. Ed Friedrich, the companys founder, was the brother of Albert Friedrich, who opened the famed Buckhorn Saloon in 1881. But it was the air conditioners, which adorn the windows of buildings across the country, including the Flatiron Building in New York City, that made Friedrich a household name. The company even had stars advertise for the company, with actor Peter Graves of Mission: Impossible and Airplane! fame serving as a spokesman for the company and delivering the slogan Friedrich: the Energy Economiser in a 1976 television ad. At one point, when Friedrich was manufacturing multiple types of products in San Antonio, the company employed about 1,200 people in the Alamo City. In addition to window units, the Friedrich name has been attached to the large, open air coolers found in grocery stores and the larger room units found in hotels. Developers have been trying to turn the site of one old factory on Commerce Street into apartments and retail space. Friedrich transitioned from its downtown presence to a new location on the Pan Am Expressway in the 1970s and stayed there until 2011. Friedrich then moved into its new headquarters, located on Reunion Place near the San Antonio International Airport. However, the last local factory closed in 2008, and all manufacturing is now done in Monterrey, Mexico. Today, Friedrich has about 120 employees based in the United States, most of them in San Antonio, said TJ Wheeler, the vice president of marketing and product management. Though Friedrich no longer manufactures its units in San Antonio, it does perform its engineering work here. There was some thought given to moving the companys headquarters to New York several years ago, Wheeler said. However, the deep ties to San Antonio easily won out. We are San Antonio. We are very San Antonio-based, Wheeler said. Its very true to our brand and who we are. In addition to the new corporate offices, there is also an engineering facility a few blocks away. The facility, which is about 20,000 square feet and opened in 2014, tests potential innovations for the air conditioners by monitoring their ability to operate in extreme temperatures, among other measures. Lionel Lopez, the engineering lab manager, said his team will run hundreds of tests before they feel comfortable with an innovation. Friedrich will also test competing products in the lab. They invite potential customers who claim the system they are using is quieter than Friedrichs to come compare the product with a Friedrich model in the companys sound room. Well test it exactly the way we test ours, in an apples-to-apples environment, at this test condition, Lopez said. The testing facility also contains a training room, outfitted with operational versions of Friedrichs product, allowing salespeople, installers and repair technicians to get comfortable with how Friedrichs products work. We are going to be much more customer-centric as well, not only product-centric, Wheeler said. In that training room, surrounded by the newest and shiniest products Friedrich offers, sits the old machine from 1952, a not-so-subtle reminder of Friedrichs staying power for customers, and for San Antonio. jpound@express-news.net Twitter: @jesserpound COMING MONDAY in MySA: The Eyes of Texas penned by UT student from San Antonio. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON When retired Gen. John Kelly was named to head the Homeland Security Department last December, the Marine Corps veteran was viewed as a potential moderating influence in an administration likely to be packed with hard-liners on immigration. Now, in a major White House shake-up Friday, President Donald Trump, who has developed a close relationship with Kelly, appointed him as the new chief of staff to replace Reince Priebus, who stepped down after only six months on the job. Some analysts say Kelly will bring more discipline and order to the West Wing. Kelly previously had led the U.S. Southern Command until last year and knew well the violence and economic suffering that drove families in Central America to attempt to enter the United States, legally or otherwise. He was respected in many quarters and, immigrant advocates hoped, could bring a realistic approach to border security after a presidential campaign laden with harsh rhetoric about people entering the United States illegally. But, by most accounts, Kelly quickly embraced the combative border security policies that helped Donald Trump win the White House. He has aggressively promoted deportation efforts and implemented the presidents travel ban, along the way irritating Democrats in Congress and telling his critics to stop complaining. Earlier this month, he left members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus sputtering when he refused in a closed-door meeting to offer support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the program that has given nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants protection from deportation and access to work permits. Instead, Kelly told the U.S. House members that the program was at risk from a legal challenge threatened by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and nine other state attorneys general. Now, as White House chief of staff beginning Monday, Kelly, 67, joins an administration replete with aides known for inflexibility on immigration. Foremost among them are Attorney General Jeff Sessions, chief strategist Stephen Bannon and Steven Miller, senior adviser for policy. Kelly, who becomes White House gatekeeper and disciplinarian, has left the impression of holding moderate views. He has said that he personally supports DACA. On occasion he expressed sentiments counter to the White House. Two weeks ago, he asserted at an Aspen Security Forum that intelligence findings about Russias efforts to influence U.S. elections were accurate even as Trump continues to cast doubt. Nonetheless, Kelly's appointment has critics of new immigration curbs concerned. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-San Antonio, said Saturday that he salutes Kellys distinctive military record, climbing to the ranks of a four-star general in four decades in the Marine Corps. But, Doggett added, He has showed complete insensitivity to the plight so many families face. And when some of us spoke critically of ICE activities right here in the San Antonio and Austin area, rounding up people with no criminal record, people who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, Kelly's response was to just shut up. Doggett added: I think he joins people around the president who are sending a signal of continuing to tighten what in my view is a misguided immigration policy. I feel we have a tough road ahead of us on immigration. Frank Sharry, who heads Americas Voice Education Fund, an umbrella organization of immigrant advocacy groups, was among those who six months ago viewed Kellys oversight of military operations throughout South America, Central America and the Caribbean in a positive light. But Sharry said in an interview that he has been disappointed, referring to Kelly as spokesperson for one of the most radical immigration strategies in modern American history. He is sophisticated enough to come off as the adult in the room. But he has become a front man for the hard-right approach of Bannon and the others. I dont know how hes going to survive in the craziness of this White House; he is a man who likes clean lines and giving orders. Kelly and Trump have seemingly forged a bond in the early months of the new administration, a relationship that could give Kelly influence on immigration and other matters. Kelly has been at the helm of what the presidents supporters regard as one this administrations handful of successes - more border security. Neither Kelly nor Trump is known for expressing warmth. But the relationship between the two may have tightened when, at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, Kelly took the president to the grave of his son, Marine Lt. Robert Michael Kelly, who died in Afghanistan in 2010 while leading a patrol. Supporters of stricter immigration policies look hopefully on Kellys arrival at the White House. They see what appears to outsiders as a bond between Kelly and the president as the path to implementing the border security measures that Trump has talked about since beginning his presidential quest in 2015 - including long stretches of new wall separating the United States and Mexico. Up to now, advocates for more security have applauded the much-publicized deportations under Kellys command and the decline of Border Patrol apprehensions along the Southwest border; last month, they were down 53 percent over the same time a year ago. The restrictionists have been heartened by what they see as Kellys willingness to stand up to Congress, evident in an April speech at George Washington University in which Kelly asserted that he was fed up with complaints about ICE. If lawmakers do not like the laws theyve 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, Kelly said. Andrew Arthur, a resident fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies - which advocates limiting immigration - praised Kelly for running Homeland Security like the Marine Corps. He expects people to do their jobs. He expects the law to be enforced. Hes been working behind the scenes to bring order to the chaos that was the Department of Homeland Security. And I expect that he will run the White House like a marine general. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement that Kelly has been laser-focused on border security and enforcing immigration laws. On Friday, McCaul introduced border legislation that includes the physical barriers that the Trump administration has demanded amid what is shaping up as a protracted fight with Democrats over constructing the order wall. McCaul also tipped his hat to Kelly, who has little experience with Congress, calling him a dedicated ally in Congress in the first reauthorization of the 14-year-old Homeland Security agency and supporting other security-related bills on Capitol Hill. U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, another advocate of strengthened border security, said he was confident that Kelly will be an excellent chief of staff. "Secretary Kelly has the ability to serve our country in many ways as he has done for many years, Smith said by email. blambrecht@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate From the border wall to the U.S. Senates failure to pass a health care plan, Congressman Beto ORourke, D-El Paso, told the crowd of supporters gathered in northwest San Antonio on Saturday afternoon that continued activism is the only way to stop President Donald Trumps legislative agenda. Throughout his address, ORourke, who is running in 2018 against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, kept returning to health care. If you needed a reminder of what is at stake for this country, then look at what just happened this week, ORourke said. Here I was, watching Democrats in shock with how a bill was introduced stripping millions off their health care. RELATED: Beto O'Rourke claims near-uniqueness in not taking corporate or PAC contributions For months, Senate GOP leadership have tried to pass some form of a health care bill. Their attempts failed in the middle of the night on Thursday, when three senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John McCain of Arizona voted against a last-ditch effort to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act. This skinny repeal bill, crafted just hours before the vote, was intended to force both chambers of Congress to come together in a conference committee to work out a better plan. Its totally reckless, ORourke said later. To say Im just going to vote for something in the hopes that it will be better down the road, is a reckless way to work. RELATED: Texas border congressmen propose 'smart' wall at fraction of the cost ORourke told the room full of more than 200 supporters that the repeal efforts failed because of their activism. He also reiterated his support for a universal health care system, where no one has to worry about being able to see a doctor. I think its criminal to try and take away peoples health care, said Emily Bourgeois, 19, a student at Trinity University. I think health insurance should be a right not a privilege, and its really easy for people in offices to think economically and say what is financially best for our country. RELATED: California official challenges Texas, other oil states For things to change in this country, ORourke said, the Democrats need to retake the Senate majority and learn to work with the opposing party. Democrats are at a three-seat disadvantage in the Senate and eight Republicans are up for reelection in 2018, including in Texas. There has to be some check on the president, ORourke said. The only way thats going to happen is if we win in Texas really, the fate of the country hinges on what happens in Texas. This election could not be more important. FMilburn@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate AUSTIN The sanctuary cities law hasnt yet taken effect, but San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said it already has taken a toll on his departments relationship with the Latino community. I will tell you that I have noticed that there are members of the community now who shy away from the Police Department, McManus said. Im sure I dont have a full grasp of the amount of folks that feel that way. But I can tell you from being on the streets for 42 years as a cop that that is happening, and it will continue to happen. Its the kind of thing McManus and other police chiefs warned could occur if the sanctuary cities bill passed. They fear that an erosion of trust will impede their efforts to fight crime, largely because of a provision ensuring that police officers can ask people they detain about their immigration status regardless of whether their chiefs want them to do so. Critics say it will lead to profiling. But some top Republicans who tout their support for law enforcement including Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick shrugged off the chiefs concerns about the law, which takes effect Sept. 1. Theyre again dismissing the chiefs worries when it comes to the bathroom bill. This bill is impossible to enforce. It takes officers away from more pressing duty, whether responding to an assault, a burglary, drunk drivers or a whole host of other public safety issues. As chief of police of one of Americas 10 largest cities, Im asking legislators, dont do this. Dont pass this unnecessary bill that does nothing to make us safer, that targets thousands of transgender Texans and that makes our job more complicated, said McManus, among top cops who spoke out against the bill at the Capitol. McManus said hate crimes against transgender people havent risen as an issue in San Antonio. But he said the bill very well may stir up such problems. I think that the adverse effects of this bill outweigh by a ton anything thats good that could come out of this bill, he said. The Senate under Patrick nonetheless voted to require that multi-occupancy restrooms, showers and changing facilities of political subdivisions including schools be designated for use by people based on the sex designated on their birth certificates. Backers in the Republican-dominated Legislature call it a matter of privacy and safety. Law enforcement officials have a better chance of stopping the bathroom bill in the House. Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, opposes the bill, worried about targeting transgender people and the economic effect of boycotts if the state passes a law viewed as discriminatory. Chairman Byron Cook of the State Affairs Committee, the first House stop for the bathroom bill, isnt for it, either. He cites opposition from law enforcement and business as crucial, fearing that the proposal would cause safety issues. (In describing his concerns, he refers to transgender men as females and transgender women as men, meaning whats on their birth certificates.) You will have females that have full beards and wear cowboy hats and look just like men, and then you have men that have long hair and makeup and wear dresses and look just like women, and putting them in the bathroom of their birth certificate is going to create conflict, said Cook, R-Corsicana. Truthfully, itll be unnerving to everybody in there. I think thats a safety issue that people need to understand. Patrick and Abbott are firm. The lieutenant governor said there was no increase in Houston policing costs after voters there rejected a nondiscrimination ordinance in 2015. Ask any rank-and-file police officer, and he or she will tell you that the real problems will come if there is no way to stop men from entering womens restrooms, locker rooms or showers and there wont be without a privacy protection bill, Patrick said. There is no one in the Legislature with a stronger relationship with law enforcement than me, but these chiefs are wrong about this, just as some are wrong in opposing the law to ban sanctuary cities. Abbott spokesman John Wittman pointed out that under the proposal, the attorney general not police officers would be responsible for following up on bathroom complaints. This bill has nothing to do with police enforcement. The authority to take any action with this law is vested with the attorney general and is classified as a civil action. This is just the latest example of how people are worried about something without really knowing what is in the law itself, Wittman said. Officer Jimmy Rodriguez, legislative director of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, said police will nevertheless be called by people if the law takes effect, overtaxing a department already stretching to fulfill its duties. Were always the first step. Were always the first phase of what happens. Theyre going to call us whenever somebody is found in a bathroom, Rodriguez said. Were the first one that theyre going to call, no matter what. pfikac@express-news.net Twitter: @pfikac It is in recognition of the fact that data is rapidly becoming the critical element that can either be used to accelerate industry consolidation and the harmful effects that can have on competition, or to limit the potential anti-competitive effects of market consolidation. As a result of the purchase, Tiarri will be increasing its sale numbers to about 200 rams and incorporating Landmark into the sale to cater for the Uralla clients wanting to continue with their Prime SAMM program, while also increasing the available selection for existing Tiarri clients. Premier Li Keqiang urged resolutely rooting out the production of substandard steel products and continuing to resolve excessive production capacity in an instruction made on July 29. The production and sale of substandard steel products should be strictly investigated and dealt with in accordance with laws and regulations, and the government departments that fail to conduct effective supervision should be held accountable, the Premier said in the instruction. The production and sale of substandard steel products would result in serious pollution to the environment and quality and safety hazards. The central government has been resolutely cracking down on the illegal production of substandard steel, and asked for a complete ban before June 30. However, the fourth nationwide inspection by the State Council found that two steel enterprises in Tianjin were producing substandard steel, and a company in Hunan province tried to resume the production of nonstandard steel. The governments in Tianjin and Hunan have strictly investigated and held accountable these companies and launched comprehensive inspections to root out such illegal acts. New measures should be introduced to remove or relax restrictions on the share ratio of foreign investment in some sectors such as manufacturing and service to further open up the market, Premier Li Keqiang said at the State Council executive meeting on July 28. This will send a strong signal of increasing the inflow of foreign capital, and stimulate zest for competition among domestic enterprises, Premier Li added. The meeting decided to further attract foreign investment and create a more open business environment. Its of great significance to build an international business environment governed by law and further boost foreign investment, in a bid to promote the supply-side structural reform and maintain the medium-to-high speed of economic growth, said the Premier. He stressed that the management model of pre-establishment national treatment with a negative list, already in trial in the countrys 11 free trade zones to draw foreign investment, should be introduced nationwide as soon as possible. We must make sure the policies of cutting fees and taxes are fully implemented. Selection of enforcement inspectors and market players for checks should be random and open, which is an effective international practice of government supervision, he said. During his inspection of a service center in China (Liaoning) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Dalian, Premier Li said registration procedures for both domestic and foreign enterprises should be unified and treated on an equal basis. At the executive meeting on July 28, the Premier said that foreign enterprises registration and filing records should be at the same single window and single form with domestic companies. At the end of meeting, Premier Li asked that, in principle, the measures determined at the meeting should be fully implemented by the end of September. Government departments should come up with plans as soon as possible to implement these measures, and put them into quick action. We should seize time to take the lead with a new round of opening-up and investment policies, said the Premier. Kierston Wareing didn't realise how famous Ken Loach was when she starred in 'It's a Free World...'. Kierston Wareing The 38-year-old actress starred as Angie in the 2007 film and has thanked the 'I, Daniel Blake' director for giving her her first big break on the big screen. Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, she said: "At the time I didn't know any different as I had only done one-liners. "But now obviously he is an iconic director. Ken Loach massively stands out for me. I completely see that now. "It was an honour working with Ken and not only is it an honour, how can I forget him. He gave me that break and the confidence in himself to take an unknown actor and give me that opportunity." Loach is renowned for documenting the struggles of the British working class communities and has never succumbed to the temptation of Hollywood. In 'It's a Free World...' Wareing was nominated for a BAFTA and was pitted against Hollywood legends such as Dame Judi Dench. Most recently, the former 'EastEnders' actress nabbed a role in the highest-grossing Irish film of 2017 so far, 'Cardboard Gangsters' by Mark O'Connor, which follows several Irish lads who try to take over a drug trade. The blonde beauty knew from the start that it would be a success. She said: "I just thought it was great. I loved the character and the script. I flew out to Dublin and had a quick chat with John Connors (co-star and writer) and Mark about the character and then the next day got on with it. "It was all kind of quick. But while I was filming it, I had a good feeling it was going to be a good one. "It all felt so natural. I didn't realise how well it had done. You never think like that. Never think something will be that big. "I thought it was going to be big but not as big as it is. I am really pleased and proud to be part of it." 'Cardboard Gangsters' will be released in the UK on August 4, with limited release in London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow. Metallica's Lars Ulrich says his Beats 1 radio show will bring them closer to their fans. Metallica The 53-year-old drummer has promised they'll reconnect with their supporters through the forthcoming pre-recorded episodes of the Apple Music show, in which he interviewed the group's frontman James Hetfield, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo. He said: "I listened to Kirk's episode yesterday, and it's definitely unlike anything that Metallica fans have ever heard. Each of them put together a playlist that reflects certain elements of their past - stuff from back in the day and stuff that helped shape who they are musically - and I learned a lot." Recorded during the band's 'WorldWired' tour, one hour has been dedicated to each member and they'll air on Sundays at 6 p.m. EST on Apple Music's Beats 1 radio. Hammett's episode will air today (30.07.17), Trujillo on August 6 and Hetfield on August 13th. Speaking about Hammett, Ulrich said he has enjoyed learning about his musical influences. He told Rolling Stone: "He has a very analytical mind about music. His cast the net very wide with his playlist, so it goes from Iron Maiden to the Beatles to John Coltrane to Radiohead. "I'm not gonna b******t you. We don't sit around and necessarily have conversations about John Coltrane on a day-to-day basis. So it's fun for me to reconnect with all the fellas again ... " But he was also keen to shine a light on unknown bands. He added: "There's an awful lot of great music out there - much more than I thought - that doesn't really get a chance to be highlighted, because of the demise of the music business. "I've been playing Brutus, who are great, from Belgium. There's a fantastic band out of Denmark called Baby in Vain. There's Counterfeit from England, who we've been playing a bunch. And there's an amazing band who reside in the Bay Area but are from Afghanistan called Kabul Dreams, who I just love. Their story is unbelievable. So to get a chance to push that out to people is a really special thing." Welcome to our Focus On series where we will bring you articles on the many wonderful places there are in Turkey. Well take a look at everything from tourist areas, culture, food, getting off the beaten track and much more. The first article in our series on Istanbul was written for Fethiye Times by Ola Khamitsevich I love Istanbul with all my heart. And if it was legal to marry a city, without hesitation Id marry Istanbul (or as it called in Greek the City). It makes me sad knowing that a lot of visitors end up hanging around Sultanahmet or Taksim. There is so much more to the City! Here you can find everything you want, everything you are interested in! So dont lock yourself up in touristy areas. Its time to forget about Sultanahmet! Yes, Hagia Sophia is great but Istanbul is stunning! Let me be your guide during our discovery trip of the Citys non-touristy neighbourhoods, starting with the, more popular among tourists, European side. Karakoy In Turkish Karakoy means Black village. Sounds a bit gloomy I know, but trust me theres nothing gloomy about this neighbourhood. It is bright and colourful with a vibrant atmosphere, thanks to local artists who occupied the, once boring, industrial area and sprayed some of their creative vibes around. Karakoy has many things to offer: colourful cafes and restaurants with gorgeous decor as well as interesting shops, like The House of Paper, where everything is made out of easy-to-guess-what. So feel comfortable to get lost in Karakoys narrow streets during the day time. The area is also lively during night hours. After sunset, Karakoy transforms into one of the most popular night spots. Turkish and foreign music stream from every corner. On hot summer nights, the neighbourhood hosts a street festival where everyone drinks, dances and socialises right on the streets. Ortakoy One of the fanciest seaside neighbourhoods with a stunning view from its cafes and restaurants. Dont forget to visit Ortakoys mosque right on the waterfront and its identifying landmark. In old times the area was inhabited by the Greeks and, as everything Greek, it was a very expensive place to be. Nowadays Ortakoy isnt the most lavish area in the city but still quite pricey. Despite this it bustles with people during sunny weekends, so better visit the area on workdays to enjoy a quiet stroll on the shore. If the sea air and Turkish sun make you feel hungry here is something to note: among locals Ortakoy is famous for Kumpir (jacket potato). As for me, theyre the same everywhere but you never know till you try it, right? Nightlife in Ortakoy is considered to be luxurious. Anjelique is a waterfront club that has a private jetty for customers. It doesnt get much fancier than that! Most of the clubs have a dress code so you do have to say goodbye to good old shorts and T shirts! At the beginning of this year, the popularity of Ortakoy decreased as the New Years tragic event took place in one of its clubs. But as summer is marching towards us, the area gets more and more crowded. Nothing can beat the courage of Turkish people, in fact, that of people everywhere. Bebek, Arnavutkoy and Emirgan These are seaside districts located north of Ortakoy. All have amazingly beautiful sea views and are the best places to enjoy a walk along the shore. Be aware that on sunny weekends you may see more traffic there than at the Bosphorus. The sea side road that leads to these areas is really narrow and as everyone wants to enjoy fresh air well, you can imagine. When warm weather finally arrives in Istanbul, Emirgan park plays host to a tulip festival where you can fully enjoy all the colours of spring. There is no entrance fee. So there you go, a brief introduction to must-visit areas on the European side. And those are only seaside districts. Of course, theres much more than this. Its one of the biggest cities in the whole world were talking about! Let me leave the rest of the City for you, dear visitors, to explore, to discover, to be surprised, to get lost and to be found. Coming up next: Exploring the Asian side Ola is a passionate traveller with almost 10-year experience of backpacking around the world. She loves Middle Eastern culture. Istanbul, in particular, has always fascinated her and even though she lives there no longer, theres a hope that one day they will be together again. She currently resides in Alexandria, Egypt Featured photograph by Zeeshan Malick AECI LIMITED Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa (Registration number: 1924/002590/06) Share code: AFE ISIN: ZAE000000220 ("the Company" or "the Group") FULFILMENT OF CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE ACQUISITION OF SCHIRM Further to the Company's announcement released on the Stock Exchange News Service of the JSE Limited on 8 November 2017 regarding the acquisition (i) by AECI Mauritius Limited of 100% of the share capital in Schirm GmbH and shareholder loan claims; and (ii) by Schirm GmbH of (A) the contract manufacturing service business of Imperial Chemical Logistics GmbH; and (B) a property in Wolfenbuttel, Germany (together "Schirm") ("the Transaction"), shareholders are advised that all conditions precedent to the Transaction have now been fulfilled. Accordingly, the Transaction has become unconditional. In terms of the agreement governing the Transaction, the closing of the Transaction shall take place on 30 January 2018. From this date, the financial results of Schirm will be consolidated under the Group's Plant & Animal Health strategic pillar and presented on a consolidated basis. Woodmead, Sandton 17 January 2018 Investment Bank, Corporate Advisor and Transaction Sponsor The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited Legal Advisors to AECI Webber Wentzel and Linklaters LLP Paris, 23 November 2017 - Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, today held the Scientific Council of "Atos Quantum", the first industrial quantum computing program in Europe. Marking the first anniversary of the launch of the program, the members of the Scientific Council - assembled under the chairmanship of Thierry Breton - reviewed the first commercial successes of the Atos Quantum Learning Machine (Atos QLM) as well as the new technological horizons of Atos Quantum. A transatlantic commercial success for the Atos QLM, less than six months after launch After having presented the Atos QLM, the world's most powerful quantum simulator, in Brussels last July, Atos delivered less than six months later - on November 13 2017 - a copy of its machine to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, the Department of Energy's largest multi-program science and energy laboratory. Installed on-site, the Atos QLM offers US researchers and engineers the opportunity to develop and test the quantum applications and algorithms of today on the computer of tomorrow. Since its launch, the machine - capable of simulating up to 40 quantum bits (Qubits) - has been the subject of permanent innovations by Atos quantum teams. A simulation of physical Qubits made even more efficient by integrating "quantum noise" Among these innovations, researchers at the Atos Quantum laboratory work in particular on the integration of "quantum noise" models, a particularly useful improvement for researchers working on Qubit architectures. New "Quantum-safe" algorithm standards to anticipate future critical needs in cyber security In parallel with its quantum simulation work, the Atos Group also participates in the development of new standards of so-called "quantum-safe" algorithms, i.e. those capable of withstanding quantum attacks in order to make current applications (the Internet, e-commerce, personal data) inviolable by quantum methods. As such, the Atos Group has responded to a recent call for proposals launched in the United States by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Ile-de-France region supports the Atos Quantum laboratory located in Clayes-sous-Bois (Yvelines) The highly innovative nature of the Atos Quantum program is recognized not only at an international level but also at a regional level. For example, at the presentation of the Smart Region Initiative Plan (2018-2021) on November 21, which is aimed at making the Ile-de-France the first smart region in Europe, Valerie Pecresse, president of the Ile-de-France Regional Council, stressed the immense technological and industrial contribution that quantum computing embodies. It is within this framework that the Ile-de-France region will donate up to 5 million euros in research and development to the Atos Quantum laboratory located in the clays-sous-Bois in Yvelines. Following the meeting of the Atos Quantum Scientific Council, Thierry Breton, President and CEO of Atos, said: "We are delighted of the tremendous progress that the Atos Quantum program has made as of today. In only 12 months, our teams have been able to translate the advances of our research laboratory to industrial use. The first commercial successes of the Atos QLM demonstrate the need to advance the quantum computer and exceed the current limits of physics. Thanks to their work in R&D, the Atos Quantum teams, supported by a unanimously recognized scientific Council, and sustained in particular by the Ile-de-France region, enable researchers worldwide to test today the specific algorithms that will give future quantum computers their power, especially in applications related to artificial intelligence." Quantum computing should make it possible, in the years to come, to deal with the explosion of data, which Big Data and the Internet of Things bring about. With its targeted and unprecedented compute acceleration capabilities, notably based on the exascale class supercomputer Bull Sequana (https://atos.net/fr/2016/communiques-de-presse/communiques-generaux_2016_04_12/pr-2016_04_12_01), quantum computing should also promote advances in deep learning, algorithmics and artificial intelligence for areas as varied as pharmaceuticals or new materials. To make progress on these topics, Atos intends to also put in place several partnerships with research centers and universities around the world. Atos Quantum Programme in 3 dates November 2016: Atos launches "Atos Quantum", 1st Industrial Quantum Computing program in Europe On November 6, 2016, Atos launches "Atos Quantum (https://atos.net/en/2016/press-release_2016_11_06/atos-launches-atos-quantum-first-quantum-computing-industry-program-europe-2)", the first quantum computing industry program in Europe, which aims to develop quantum computing solutions, offering unprecedented computational powers, as well as algorithms and applications Quantum, especially for Big Data, artificial Intelligence and cyber security. July 2017: Launch of the Atos QLM, the world's most powerful quantum simulator On 4 July 2017, Atos launched the Atos Quantum Learning Machine, the world's first commercially available machine-system capable of simulating up to 40 quantum bits (Qubits). Combined with a universal quantum programming language, the Atos QLM enables researchers, students and engineers to develop and test today the quantum applications and algorithms of tomorrow. November 2017: Delivery of the Atos QLM to the US Department of Energy (https://atos.net/en/2017/press-release/deals-contracts-press-releases_2017_11_13/oak-ridge-national-laboratory-acquires-atos-quantum-learning-machine-support-us-department-energy-research) Less than six months after the launch of the Atos QLM, Atos delivers a copy of its machine to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, the Department of Energy's largest multi-program science and energy laboratory. *** About Atos Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with approximately 100,000 employees in 72 countries and annual revenue of around 12 billion. European number one in Big Data, Cybersecurity, High Performance Computing and Digital Workplace, the Group provides Cloud services, Infrastructure & Data Management, Business & Platform solutions, as well as transactional services through Worldline, the European leader in the payment industry. With its cutting-edge technologies, digital expertise and industry knowledge, Atos supports the digital transformation of its clients across various business sectors: Defense, Financial Services, Health, Manufacturing, Media, Energy & Utilities, Public sector, Retail, Telecommunications and Transportation. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting, Atos Worldgrid, Bull, Canopy, Unify and Worldline. Atos SE (Societas Europaea) is listed on the CAC40 Paris stock index. Press contact: Terence Zakka | terence.zakka@atos.net (mailto:terence.zakka@atos.net) | +33 1 73 26 40 76 | @Mr_Zakka (https://twitter.com/Mr_Zakka) Click here for PDF (http://hugin.info/143359/R/2151642/826057.pdf) This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: ATOS via Globenewswire SEOUL (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump has expressed disappointment after a South Korean newspaper reported Chinese ships have been spotted illegally selling oil to North Korea. Trump claimed in a post on Twitter that China has been 'caught red handed,' although it was not immediately clear if the president was referring to the report or information from U.S. intelligence. 'Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea,' Trump tweeted. 'There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!' The tweet from Trump comes after a report from The Chosun Ilbo claimed U.S. reconnaissance satellites have spotted Chinese ships selling oil to North Korean vessels on the West Sea around thirty times since October. China has denied the sales, which would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution that seeks to block nearly 90 percent of refined petroleum exports to North Korea. 'The situation you have mentioned absolutely does not exist,' Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said at a briefing, according to Reuters. (Photo: Michael Vadon) Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LAS VEGAS, NV, July 30, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Trillium Inc, a leading automotive cybersecurity solutions provider, today announced its acquisitioon of the assets of cybersecurity consulting firm CanBusHack, Inc. Established in 2010, CanBusHack is the oldest automotive cybersecurity consulting and penetration testing company in the world. It is widely recognized as an industry leader thanks to its broad portfolio of successful projects with major OEM and Tier1 customers around the world.Trillium made the announcement during the annual DEF CON hacker convention, being held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 27 - 30. Trillium's automotive cybersecurity technology is under attack in the Car Hacking Village by the hacker community, who were offered the challenge of compromising Trillium's BrainBOX and SecureCAR Server platform -- as part of the Car Hacking Village's "Capture the Flag" competition. (https://dc25.chvctf.com)"The addition of CanBusHack's Red Team and penetration testing expertise is a perfect fit for Trillium, and adds to our already robust range of cybersecurity products, services and training capabilities," says Trillium President and CEO, David M. Uze. "Now, in addition to providing customers with tools and systems to ward off cyber-attacks, we can also help identify weaknesses early to reduce network vulnerabilities prior to commercial system deployment."The combination of CanBusHack's sophisticated "Red Team" and Trillium's advanced "Blue Team" expertise is expected to deliver a 100% IP accretive environment for developing advanced vehicular cybersecurity systems.As a result of the acquisition, CanBusHack President and Founder Robert Leale will join Trillium as its Global Consulting Practice Director, and be deeply involved with Trillium's cybersecurity product development roadmap. He will also assume responsibility for building Trillium's worldwide capabilities in cybersecurity consulting and penetration testing.Mr. Leale and his team will proactively work with Trillium's IoT and automotive customers on an on-going basis to identify and prevent "Zero-Day" exploits, ensuring that Trillium's customers remain among the safest on the planet. "I'm thrilled about this opportunity to join Trillium's world-class team and contribute to making it the global leader in automotive IoT penetration testing and vehicular cybersecurity consulting," said Mr. Leale.Trillium at DEF CONMeet Trillium at DEF CON in the Car Hacking Village, where professional and hobbyist car hackers will work together to provide hands-on, interactive car hacking learning, talks and interactive contests. Trillium will be offering private demonstrations by request in its suite at Caesars Palace, so please contact us at demo@trilliumcyber.com to learn more and schedule a session.About Trillium Inc.Trillium Inc. was founded in 2014 with a team of executives and engineers from Japan, Europe and the U.S., with extensive experience in automotive networking, cybersecurity, embedded systems and IoT. Trillium provides a multi-layered suite of cybersecurity tools - SecureCar, SecureIXS and Secure OTA - and data-mining capabilities to protect automobiles and IoT connected devices around the globe from cyber-attacks. Trillium is backed by lead investor Global Brain, a Tokyo-based venture capitalist. For further details, visit: http://www.trillium.co.jp. To arrange executive interviews, contact: pr@trillium.co.jp.About CanBusHack, Inc.Established in 2010, Orion, Michigan-based CanBusHack, Inc., focuses on assessing and compromising automotive embedded controller systems. Its specialists employ a variety of hardware and software skills to understand how those systems operate. For further details, visit: http://canbushack.com(c) 2017 Trillium Inc. All rights reserved. Trillium, Trillium logo, BrainBOX, CanBusHack, Car Hacking Village and SecureCar are trademarks of Trillium Incorporated. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.Source: Trillium IncCopyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. What happens when you Google images of Urdu poets? Not much, you'll find. That's where New Delhi based multidisciplinary visual artist Shiraz Husain comes in. Husain's love for the Urdu language prompted him to come up with a way in which the great poets could be reintroduced to a new generation. He created a Facebook page Khwaab Tanha Collective which literally translates to 'a lonely dream'. The aim is to present the stalwarts of Urdu literature for people who might have not heard about their work. He says about the choice of name, "I believe that the very initial stage of a dream starts or is conceptualised within a single person and than later joined by others." "The world's second-worst crime is boredom; the first is being a bore," he adds. "And I didnt want to commit either of them. The cliched visual imagery of Urdu and Hindi Poetry is something which I wanted to not only break, but also celebrate literary icons in a way that hadn't been done before. Hence, Khwaab Tanha Collective." Husain, who is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Fine Art at Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, says about his passion for languages, "Not just Urdu, I love most of the regional languages. I love how they sound and the visual presence of words, how they are imbibed in our culture." "My Urdu teacher in school told me that 'Shayar aap beeti ko jag beeti banata hai'. I totally agree... Khwaab Tanha has expanded the 'Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb' and influenced people beyond my imagination," he adds. While Khwaab Tanha has been a solo endeavour thus far, Husain does have plans for how he wants to expand on it in the future. "I have planned to collaborate with musicians and actors. Conceptual artist Shea Hembrey, who creates artwork through fictional characters, has also inspired me a little." He has also started working on regional poets to widen the scope of the page. "I have already started working on few Bangla poets," Husain tells us. "My friends from Manipur have asked me to cover their regional poets. I do want to work on the Malayalam writers VM Basheer and Kamala Surayya... See Khwaab Tanha is about celebrating our literary legends not just from Urdu and Hindi (literature) but initiating a conversation with other regional languages as well." Does he have a favourite from among the literary greats he's sketched? Husain says, "When it comes to favourites, the list is endless. Akhtar ul Iman, Khumar, Pash, Sahir, Faiz, Mirza Ghalib to Rabindranth Tagore, VM Basheer, and recently Vinod Kumar Shukla are among the writers and poets I truly adore." Abhay Deol has done a variety of roles over the years something that is becoming increasingly rare in Bollywood, with actors playing the same characters over and over again, just under different names. The actor will now be seen in JL- 50, a sci-fi film which is reportedly being shot in Kolkata, as reported by Mumbai Mirror. He is going to get into the shoes of a CBI detective who transcends space and time, to get to the bottom of a mystery. There's no denying the fact that there is a dearth of sci-fi films in Bollywood. Deol says it is because they require more funds, which is seen as a shortcoming. He also maintains that the concept, however, does not need exorbitant amounts of money to be put across. JL-50 is going to be replete with real-life situations, and there will not be any larger than life superheroes flying around with capes on. Deol says that his character will be that of an ordinary person, whose life changes after he solves a mystery. Sci-fi films in India started with Anil Kapoor's Mr India which went on to become a massive hit and set a benchmark for films of the genre. In terms of VFX, according to Deol, the film that truly reflects cutting edge technology is Baahubali. The makers of JL-50, however, are not aiming to set a standard with their film. Deol hopes they have good special effects wherever required. The film will also star Piyush Mishra and Pankaj Kapur. The actor had taken to Twitter to reveal his look in the film. Here's the tweet: A still from my new film "JL-50". A sci-fi adventure drama. Started shoot only a few days back! pic.twitter.com/acQv7YsgvB abhay deol (@AbhayDeol) July 27, 2017 The whole interview can be read here. Former President of India and scientist APJ Abdul Kalam's life story is nothing short of inspiring. Now, Telugu producer Anil Sunkara and Abhishek Agarwal will be making a film based on it; the pre-production of this biopic began in 2016 itself, and the shoot commenced in March this year. The first poster of the film was launched by the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 27 July, which marks the second death anniversary of Abdul Kalam. The event took place in Rameshwaram, which is his birth place. Biopic on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam launched by ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar... Produced by Anil Sunkara and Abhishek Agarwal... Poster launched: pic.twitter.com/0RUvSIxNlS taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 29, 2017 The film will chronicle his upbringing, his career as a scientist, and how he managed to keep India's nuclear secrets safe. It has been made in English. It will feature an entire sequence on the Pokhran nuclear test. Titled Dr Abdul Kalam, this film has been written by Raj Chengappa, who has also authored a book on him. "Since the past year, Anil [Sunkara] has been researching extensively on Dr Abdul Kalam for the film. He has not only visited Kalams house, but has also met many of his family members," said a source speaking to Deccan Chronicle. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) that has been investigating the abduction and molestation of a popular Malayalam actress, is now reportedly questioning Malayalam actor Edavela Babu, as reported by Manorama Online. In another development, the bail plea of the prime accused, Pular Suni, was also rejected by the Angamaly Judicial First Class Magistrate Court. The prosecution contested his dismissal, stating that letting him out could hamper the pace of the investigation and that the accused might destroy some important evidence, such as a mobile phone and sim card, which has not been recovered yet. This move comes soon after the Kerala High Court rejected Dileep's bail plea after it was found that there was enough evidence against the actor. The actor's wife, Kavya Madhavan is also being questioned, as there are doubts about her involvement in the case. Edavela Babu is currently the acting General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA), a report in the New Indian Express mentions. According to the same report, the actor was called to the Aluva Police Club and interrogated for over an hour. The police revealed that the interrogation was around the rehearsals of a show that had been conducted by AMMA in 2013. During this time, Dileep was allegedly conspiring against the survivor. Babu was also asked to submit a dossier on the financial transactions that occurred between him and Dileep. The Malayalam actress in question, who has worked in some 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. R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi starrer Tamil gangster drama Vikram Vedha, which struck gold at the box-office domestically as well as outside India, will soon be remade in Telugu, a source said."Talks have been initiated with Rana Daggubati and Venkatesh for Telugu remake. They were the first choice even before the release of Vikram Vedha. However, nothing has been finalised yet and the process might take a few more months," a source from the film's unit told IANS. Directed by Pushkar-Gayatri, the film has grossed over Rs 40 crore worldwide in its first week in cinemas. Released in cinemas last week, the film has turned out to be a blockbuster, earning praise from critics and audiences alike. Inspired from the popular folklore Vikram Betaal, its morality riddles are applied to a police-gangster backdrop. While Madhavan plays an encounter specialist, Vijay essays the role of a gangster, whose role unanimously won over audiences. Vikram Vedha producer Sashikanth told IANS, "Too early to talk about the remake. But yes, talks are on for the remake. But nothing has been confirmed yet." The film also stars Shraddha Srinath, Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar and Kathir. The family of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi has alleged that he received threat calls, police said on Sunday. Based on a complaint filed by his son, the police have registered a case against an unidentified person. The man, who claimed to be a member of a religious outfit, allegedly made phone calls to Azmi, an MLA from Maharashtra, four to five times over the past few days and threatened to kill him, police said. Acting on the complaint filed by the Maharashtra SP unit chief's son, Farhan Azim, a case was registered under IPC sections dealing with "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace" and other relevant provisions on Thursday, a senior police official said. Farhan, in his complaint, which was also addressed to Mumbai Police Commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar and Joint Commissioner of Police (law and order) Deven Bharti, alleged that the caller threatened to harm him and his family. Efforts are underway to trace the caller, the police official added. Srinagar: Six people were on Sunday injured as protesters clashed with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district after two militants were killed in an encounter. A police official said clashes erupted soon after the encounter in the Tahab area ended in the killing of two militants. Security personnel lobbed tear gas shells and fired a few shots in the air to restore law and order in the area, he said. The official said one person, whose identity is being ascertained, was hit by a bullet in the shoulder and rushed to a hospital. Five other persons suffered minor injuries during the clashes, which were going on intermittently till reports last came in, he added. Aurangabad: A joint team of CRPF and police on Sunday arrested three naxal militants from Bihar's Aurangabad district. Acting on a tip off that naxalites are pasting posters in different areas to terrorise people to make their proposed 3 August Bihar bandh a success, a joint team of CRPF and local police raided Sahajpur and Kalidi villages of the district and arrested three naxals who had come to paste posters, Superintendent of Police, Satya Prakash said. The arrested naxals have been identified as Ramlagan Singh Bhokta, Kamlesh Singh Bhokta and Mahesh Bhuiya, SP said adding that police are conducting raids to nab their accomplices on the basis of information received from them. These naxalites have been indulging in various naxal activities, he said and added that Kamlesh Singh Bhokta had been in jail for his involvement in naxal activities but at present he was on bail. These naxalites were trying to influence and motivate local youths to join the local naxal outfit, SP said. Ruling BJD in Odisha on Saturday demanded resignation of Union minister and BJP leader Jual Oram accusing him of submitting false affidavit on poll expenditure before the Election Commission (EC). Oram, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Sundergarh in Odisha, has denied the charge. BJD's accusation against the Union Tribal Affairs Minister comes at a time when the BJP is demanding Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's resignation charging him with discrepancies in election expenditure. "The allegation against me is false, fabricated and politically motivated. I challenge them (BJD) to take the matter to the court," Oram told PTI over phone. The BJD said it would move the EC and the court seeking action against Oram. "Oram in the abstract of source of funds raised by candidate said that he spent nil amount from own fund for the election campaigning. But in the Schedule-9 format, he stated that he spent about Rs 2.68 lakh from his own fund," BJD MP Pinaki Mishra and Pratap K Deb alleged in a press conference. "Isn't it a discrepancy in election expenditure? Oram should resign," the two BJD leaders said. The press meet was held within hours of the BJP seeking Odisha Governor S C Jamir's intervention into the alleged misuse of official machinery by the BJD government to defend the poll expenditure case against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also the BJD president. BJP candidate from Hinjili Devadanda Mahapatra, who was defeated by Patnaik, has moved the Orissa High Court alleging that there were discrepancies in Patnaik's election expenditure document submitted to the EC. The high Court is scheduled to hear the case on July 31. Mishra, also a lawyer, said BJP's allegation against the chief minister "has forced us to bring the matter (allegation against Oram) to the fore". The Puri Lok Sabha MP claimed several other BJP MPs have committed similar discrepancies in their election expenditure statements submitted to the EC. "People living in glass house should not throw stones at others," Mishra said. New Delhi: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has asked the Defence Ministry to trace and share with it all missing files related to the Bofors scandal, according to its two members. The six-member sub-committee on defence, headed by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, is looking into the long-pending non-compliance of certain aspects of the CAG report on the Bofors guns deal. The PAC strongly objected to the ministry's suggestion that certain paragraphs of the CAG report may be dropped as some files related to it are missing, according to the minutes of the parliamentary panel's meeting, a copy of which is with PTI. The meeting was held earlier this month. During the meeting, both PAC chairman Mahtab and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stressed on the need for top ministry officials to trace and share missing files and notings related to the deal. According to the minutes of the meeting, top defence ministry officials agreed that the ministry will share all the required details with the PAC. When contacted, two MPs who are members of the committee confirmed that the ministry has agreed to share the details with them. The Bofors scandal relating to alleged payment of kickbacks in procurement of howitzer artillery guns had triggered a massive political storm and led to the fall of the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1989. The CAG report on Bofors is the oldest "pending" report before the PAC, which examines audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India after these are tabled in Parliament. Raipur: Security forces have arrested three lower rung Naxals during two separate search operations in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district. A joint team of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) was out on a search operation when it nabbed two of the rebels in Sargipal village on Saturday, Narayanpur's superintendent of police Santosh Singh told PTI. The two cadres were identified as Sonu Netam (40) and Shankar Hemla (20). Based on Netam's statement, a muzzle loading gun was also recovered from a nearby forest, he said. The duo was allegedly involved in setting ablaze a passenger bus after asking its occupants to alight near Sonpur village in the district in June, he said. They were also tasked with arranging commodities of daily use and meetings of the senior ultras, the SP said. The security personnel also nabbed another Naxal, Suresh Markam (24), in Devgaon village on Saturday, he said. Markam was allegedly involved in several offences, including attacks on police parties, he added. China: Chinese president Xi Jinping touted the need to build a "world-class" army capable of "defeating all invading enemies" at a military parade held Sunday to mark the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Since coming to power in 2012, the president has trumpeted building a stronger, combat-ready army, while leading efforts to centralise the ruling Communist Party's control over the PLA, the world's largest standing military. Sunday's procession including 12,000 service personnel and about 700 aircrafts and pieces of ground equipment marked the first time Xi has observed a parade of this size staged in the field, according to the ministry of defence. "The world is not all at peace. Peace must be safeguarded," Xi, wearing a camouflage military suit, said in a speech at the expansive Zhurihe training base in the inner Mongolia autonomous region. "Today we are closer than ever before to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and -- more than any other time in history -- we need to build a strong people's military." Xi also ordered the PLA to "unswervingly stick to... the Party's absolute leadership," saying the military should "march to wherever the Party is pointing." Defense ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said in a statement that the parade was intended to create a "good atmosphere" ahead of an important party congress later this year when Xi is expected to further consolidate his grip on power. The president stood inside an open-top jeep that drove past lines of troops for his inspection. "Comrades, thanks for your hard work," he said, to which the troops responded: "Serve the people!" China said in March it would raise its defence spending by around seven percent this year, the slowest annual percentage increase since 1991. Beijing is engaged in a decades-long build-up and modernisation of its once-backward armed forces, as it seeks military clout commensurate with its economic might and increasingly asserts its disputed territorial claims in Asian waters. The PLA, originally called the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, was founded in 1927 when Communist soldiers seized the southern Jiangxi provincial town of Nanchang from Nationalist Party ("Kuomintang") armies in what is known today as the Nanchang uprising. In one of the largest single haul of narcotics till date, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized 1,500 kgs of heroin, valued at around Rs 3,500 crore, from a merchant vessel off the Gujarat coast, a defence spokesperson said on Sunday. The ICG, Intelligence Bureau, police, customs, Navy and other agencies are further probing into the seizure. "The Indian Coast Guard ship 'Samudra Pavak' intercepted and apprehended a merchant vessel carrying approximately 1,500 kg of heroin valued at about Rs 3,500 crore off the coast of Gujarat," a statement by defence PRO Abhishek Matiman said. "Based on intelligence inputs, the vessel was intercepted at around 1200 hrs yesterday. This is the largest single haul of narcotics seized till date," the statement said. He said more details about the seizure are awaited as the ship is in high seas. An official of the Porbandar Special Operations Group said the ICG has called them for a meeting regarding the drug haul at around 4 pm on Sunday. Darjeeling/Alipurduar: Clashes between the police and Gorkhaland supporters on Saturday resulted in injuries to several persons on both sides at Jaigoan in Alipurduar district, bordering Bhutan. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the other hill parties took out a rally at Jaigaon on the 46th day of an indefinite strike called by the GJM in the hills. According to the police, clashes broke out between the security men and the Gorkhaland supporters after the participants in the rally, carrying kukris (Gorkha knives), hurled stones and petrol bombs at the police personnel. The police tried to convince the GJM supporters to refrain from attacking, but the agitators remained defiant and broke the first two barricades. They kept hurling stones at the police, who then resorted to using water cannons and firing tear gas shells, besides using batons to disperse the crowd. At this, the protesters turned violent and set a few vehicles, including those of the police, afire. Several police personnel and Gorkhaland supporters were injured in the clashes, the police said. The GJM claimed that the police resorted to indiscriminate firing. The police, however, denied the allegation. Similar processions were taken out at Kalchini. GJM supporters took out rallies at the Chowkbazar area of the hills, carrying black flags as a mark of protest against police action on Gorkhaland supporters. Shouting slogans against the West Bengal government, they demanded an immediate intervention by the Centre. Gorkhaland supporters, armed with knives, swords and kukris, had tried to forcibly enter Siliguri on Saturday, demanding that the town be included into the separate state of Gorkhaland. In the Naxalbari area of Darjeeling, the locals took out a rally against the GJM and their demand for Gorkhaland and set tyres on fire as a mark of protest against the ongoing agitation in the hills. In the Sukna area of the hills, which is close to Siliguri, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state took out an anti-GJM rally. The GJM and the other hill parties held an 'Anna Dan' (rice donation) rally during the day as a mark of protest against vehicles, carrying food supplies to the hills, being set ablaze in Siliguri. Each participant in the rally carried a handful of rice and other grains and donated it in a box, which will be handed over to the district administration and, in turn, will be sent to the West Bengal secretariat as a mark of protest. The police and security forces patrolled the streets of the hills and kept a tight vigil at all the entry and exit routes. Barring the medicine shops, all other business establishments, restaurants, hotels, schools and colleges remained closed. The workers of the GJM and various NGOs of the hills were seen distributing food among the people as the food supply has been severely hit due to the ongoing shutdown. Shiv Kunal Verma, author of highly acclaimed books like 1962: The War That Wasn't and The Long Road to Siachen: The Question Why and a trilogy on the Northeast, is intimately aware of the ground situation in both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Speaking about the stand-off between India and China at the tri-junction border, he said, "If you are familiar with the terrain around the tri-junction, there is no way the Chinese can try and cut off the Siliguri Corridor from that axis." Here's the full interview. Do you see any similarity between what happened in 1962 and the situation presently unfolding vis-a-vis China? The answer is both yes and no. Let's be very clear about one thing: The army even in 1962 was quite capable of taking China on. In fact, wherever they were allowed to fight Rajput Regiment at Nam Ka Chu, Sikh Regiment at Bum La, Garhwal Rifles at Nuranang, Kumaon Regiment at Walong, and Jat Regiment in DBO and the Galwan Valley they gave an excellent account of themselves. It was the senior leadership, both civilian and military, that imploded. Also, had the Indian Air Force come into play, it would have been a different story. In my mind one thing is quite clear: This army is no pushover. I filmed the Kargil war and the thing that impressed me the most was the fact that every man was moving forward, going about his job with no panic or fear. Not just soldiers, even civilian truck drivers, Ladakhi porters, everyone. It was fantastic. But yes, there are similarities. We still continue to play around with our military leadership and at times we are too passive in our approach. The Chinese for a long time had been playing the probing game. And this time they probably cut too close to the bone. The way I see it, we had to react. Fifty-five years ago, when USSR started installing missile sites in Cuba, everyone was freaked. In this case, the tri-junction virtually overlooks the corridor. The Chinese wanting to push the road up to the tri-junction was uncalled for; India had to put its foot down. You had said earlier that it's like putting your hand in a hornet's nest. It most certainly is. It's imperative that we are prepared for all eventualities. The Chinese have always been unpredictable and you cannot make the same mistake twice. It would be ridiculous to assume that they will not do this or that. But if they do push for a border engagement, I think they are in for a shock. It may be a hornet's nest, but at the end of the day, you should make sure you are the guys who get to eat the honey. So you think a border clash is a possibility? Would the Chinese follow up on their threat to throw the Indian Army out of the Doka La plateau? They are welcome to try, but that would be suicidal in my opinion. Firstly, the Doka La plateau is purely an ego issue for them; in reality, it serves no actual military purpose. If you are familiar with the terrain around the tri-junction, there is no way the Chinese can try and cut off the Siliguri Corridor from that axis. It would mean an all-out war and it would require a major logistic exercise to do something like that. If they have to do something to save face since they have been making a lot of aggressive statements they'll try and spook you by moving troops in other areas and hope the Indian public and the media panic. On the other hand, I don't think India has a choice. Strategic value or not, we simply cannot allow the road to be built. How this plays out will also decide how the India-Tibet border issue is eventually settled. Equally importantly, it will also impact the future defence of the subcontinent. And it's important for us as a people to understand that Nepal and Bhutan, by virtue of being on the southern side of the watershed, are also key players in the overall defence of the subcontinent. China can be expected to do the unexpected, but just what do they gain by actually getting into a border scrap with India? The trade equation is extremely lopsided in their favour. Not only is India a huge emerging market, we are also an emotional people. Already, comments on social media and other networks about boycotting Chinese products are giving them the heebie jeebies. The moment the first shots are fired in anger across the border, be it at Ladakh, Himachal, Garhwal, Kumaon, Sikkim or Arunachal, I think there will be a tsunami of anti-Chinese sentiment which could result in massive economic losses for them. And plus, let's not forget the rest of the world still views China with suspicion and most countries would become even more wary. As time passes and the matter lingers, the danger for the Chinese leadership is that the Doka La issue may become more and more internalised. There is talk of the US not sitting idle if there is indeed a clash between India and China. The Malabar exercise's timing was interesting in that regard. Frankly, even though the general impression is that we have been getting rather cosy with the Americans of late, let's not be under any illusion. They are nobody's friends. In the build up to 1962, they played a fairly provocative role. Take the supply of weapons through Sikkim, the CIA's not so covert role in helping the Dalai Lama escape, and U-2 flights over Tibet. Bottom line is, we shouldn't need anyone else to fight our battles for us. And I think it's time our politicians developed a spine and trusted our own army, air force and navy. Of late, if you listen to various think tanks, one would get the impression that they are getting carried away with the so-called improved geo-political ties between the US and India. So long as Pakistan with its umbilical cord intact exists as a key ally of the Pentagon, it does not really matter if Donald Trump has this mad desire to hug Prime Minister Modi and everything 'Hindu' or not. In fact, Russia still remains the key player as far as we are concerned and it saddens me to see so many of our experts turn their backs towards Moscow. Vis-a-vis China, Russia will always be India's greatest counter-balance and the fact that the Russians are the immediate northern neighbours of the Chinese certainly puts them in a far better position to deal with Beijing than the United States does. So how do you see this play itself out? What should India do? Nothing really. Doka La is Bhutanese territory and the standoff costs us nothing in real terms. China has to give an undertaking that they will not build roads, be it for sightseeing or for military purposes. The day they revert to the standstill status which they had earlier agreed upon with Bhutan, the impasse will end. At least in the case of Doka La, we have the ability to stand up and say enough is enough. The Malabar exercise was probably aimed at sending out a message to China by the Americans and the Japanese, but there is nothing much happening in the Indian Ocean to stop China from doing what it jolly well wants to do. Take the case of Sri Lanka for example. After getting into a hole where it borrowed recklessly from China, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is now having to brush aside all opposition and consider handing over the Hambantota Port on a 99-year lease. Though India along with the US and Japan and the people of Sri Lanka are protesting, the Sri Lankan government is caught on the horns of a dilemma. I think it's important for all countries in Asia and Africa to see for themselves just how China is operating. This has been China's modus operandi for decades. From India's point of view, Hambantota isn't any different from the Doka La plateau. The security of South Asia is already in tatters, with Pakistan virtually being a province of China. It is therefore vital that all countries Nepal and Bangladesh in particular keep the security of the subcontinent in mind and watch each other's backs. What about the land border between India and China? The border with Tibet is what you mean. China has been playing games since 1949 and it's a pity that no one ever challenged their interpretation of history. Mao made the biggest landgrab of all time when he annexed Sinkiang and Tibet in 1949 and 1950. Suddenly India had the Chinese on our entire northern frontier and all existing treaties with Tibet went out of the window. Someone needed to challenge Mao's narrative. But nobody did it then, and we seem to hesitate to take the subject head on even today, for reasons I cannot understand. If you really see how things developed in the first and second decades of the 20th Century when the border between India and Tibet was being drawn up, be it the Morshead-Bailey expedition or the Simla Agreement of 1914, everything is there in black and white. What's more, the Chinese have none of the original documents, for they went with the Kuomintang government to Taiwan. We also have the Dalai Lama sitting in India for five and a half decades. He may be a man of peace who does not want to ruffle Chinese feathers, but he can easily ratify what the Tibetan Kashag and Lon-chen Shatra agreed to in Simla vis a vis Tawang. Much the same can be said for the existing boundaries with Kashmir. India has to aggressively put out the counter-narrative for its own people, and also for China and for the world. If you don't do that, the Chinese will continue to dispute every grazing ground and tree in the Himalayas. I come back to the importance of developing the counter-narrative. The exaggerated China-centric version of history doled out ever since Mao came into being has a basic flaw; a lot of it is simply not true! There have been times when Chinese emperors have bowed their head before the Mongols and the Tibetans and paid tribute. But that means nothing in today's context. The McMahon Line for example was drawn up based on a physical survey of the watershed, backed up by a demographic and historical analysis of the entire belt extending from Burma to Nepal. That the Southern Himalayas have nothing to do with Tibet is a fact and I see absolutely no reason to be defensive about it. I've been moving around quite a lot on the eastern sector and it's obvious that our road infrastructure is far from adequate. The other side has excellent communication network as well. Does that put our army at a disadvantage? The northern side of the Great Himalayan Range call it the Trans-Himalaya if you like on the map looks more daunting because of the height. However, the watershed acts as a massive rain shadow and the Tibetan plateau in comparison to the southern side is a lot more stable geographically. The terrain on our side is far more complex, but over the years our defence planning has vectored all those factors in. The advancement in rotor wing and fixed wing technology has also changed the equation quite a bit. I personally think we do not have to try and match the Chinese road for road, rail for rail. Ecological factors must be kept in mind and at the end of the day, the Himalayan belt has to be protected. Look at what happened in Kedarnath? In fact, the maniacal need to develop the areas on our side is killing the Himalayas. We may even need to learn from Bhutan and restrict entry into these areas completely. You've also been critical of the Indian media in the past. You even told Maroof Raza on Latitude that the Chinese probably looked at Indian television channels as force multipliers. In this case, I think the Indian media has been a lot more restrained and I'm happy to see that. The Doka La story was kept under wraps for nearly two weeks, and it was eventually the Chinese who broke the news, and they have been getting shriller and shriller. Having said that, whichever way the Doka La story plays out, I think it's important for the Indian side to not get carried away. There are no brownie points to be scored here. We have to just do what we have to do, and that's to stand our ground and if necessary, fight to protect it. What is absolutely vital is for every soldier manning the bunkers facing either China or Pakistan to be secure in the knowledge that every man, woman and child stands firmly behind him. In the middle of the standoff, Eastern Command is seeing a change of guard. With General Pravin Bakshi retiring in the next 24 hours, there will be a new army commander holding the baton. To me it seems that the man who has been the army commander for the last two years and who knows the ground situation better than anyone else should stay there for a while. At least until the situation on Doka La steadies out. It is unfortunate that games being played at the top level continue to be played and appointments today are seen to be more and more political. I think Doka La should also sound an alarm pertaining to the state of our armed forces. You actually have CAG in the middle of all this going on record to say we have ten days' ammunition reserves. I think that was the main reason for all the hullabaloo, around a former army chief's khulasa in 2012. At a very basic level, Doka La underlines the fragility of geopolitics. Here are two nuclear armed countries ready to go to war over a desolate, godforsaken plateau that borders Bhutan. To me, it brings to mind what President Roosevelt is quoted to have said: "When you walk alone, just carry a big stick". And it's up to our politicians and bureaucrats to ensure that the danda isn't hollow. Darjeeling: A bunch of pro-Gorkhaland activists on Sunday clashed with the police near the Bhutan border in West Bengal's Alipurduar district. According to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leadership, the clash occurred after the activists were stopped from rallying in Jaigaon on the day of the 'global rally for Gorkhaland' organised by the Gorkha communities at various parts of the world in solidarity with the Gorkhaland movement. "Our activists were stopped from rallying in Jaigaon on the day of 'Global rally for Gorkhaland'. We will not be oppressed by the administration any more. The Gorkhas all over the world are with us," GJM Assistant General Secretary Binay Tamang told IANS. "Global rally for Gorkhaland is being observed throughout the day in solidarity with the Gorkhaland movement. Rallies were taken out in England, various parts of Europe, Australia, Thailand and in all the major cities in India," he claimed. Accusing the central government of acting like a "silent spectator", the GJM leadership on Saturday decided on a 10-day deadline and threatened to intensify the agitation even in the plains if there was no intervention. "We have decided to give the Centre a 10-day deadline to take some concrete steps. If they continue to be a silent spectator even after August 8, we will further intensify our agitation and spread it in the Terai and Dooars region more rigorously," Tamang said. Sunday's clash comes a day after pro-Gorkhaland activists had engaged with the police at Sukna in the foothills of Darjeeling, that left six police personnel and several activists injured. Condemning the police role during the clash in Sukna, Tamang said one of their activists is still in critical condition after he was hit on the head by a tear gas shell. "He is still very critical. Four other activists were also severely injured and are still hospitalised," he added. WHY DONT YOU READ THESE? Srinagar: Police have arrested three men from Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly raping two minor girls five days ago. One of the girls filed a police complaint in Kulgam, alleging she and her friend were abducted by three men while returning home, a police official said on Sunday. The girl alleged that they were then taken to some unknown building by the men and raped there. "During the course of investigation, three culprits Mujeeb-u-Rehman Sofi, Ashiq Ahmad Shah and Towseef Ahmad Zargar were arrested," the official said. He said medico-legal formalities of the victims were conducted and the statements have been recorded. "More arrests are expected in coming days and every possible effort is being made to ensure that strict punishment is awarded to the culprits under law," he added. Mumbai: In an embarrassing development, Maharashtra Governor CV Rao, in his capacity as Chancellor of universities, on Saturday terminated the services of Dr Raviprakash G Dani, Vice Chancellor (VC) of Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (agricultural university), on grounds that he is not a citizen of India. Dani - the VC of the prestigious university based in Akola, eastern Maharashtra, 575 kms from Mumbai - has been sacked "with immediate effect", barely 15 days before his retirement after a five-year term. He was known to keep a picture of former US President Barack Obama in his cabin. "The decision to remove Dr Dani from the post of Vice Chancellor was taken after obtaining the opinion of the Law and Judiciary Department of the Government of Maharashtra, the Advocate General of Maharashtra and the Ministry of External Affairs," a terse statement from Raj Bhavan said in Mumbai this evening. The issue of Dani's citizenship was raised over two years ago when some top university officials found that he displayed a photo of former US President Obama prominently on his table. When objections were raised, he had removed the photograph and of his felicitation by the former US President at a function in the USA. Appointed to the coveted post on 14 August 2012, Dani was due to remit office on 13 August (next month), but now that it had been confirmed that he was a US citizen and hence not entitled to hold the post of a university VC, official sources explained. Dani is a world-renowned biologist who has worked with the Texas Tech University, USA and was appointed to the post of VC by former Governor K Sankaranarayanan in 2012. Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Akola - a technocrat-cum-farmer - Randhir Sawarkar had raised the issue of Dani's citizenship in various fora, written to the state government and also apprised the governor, after he (Sawarkar) was appointed to the university's powerful executive council. "It was shocking that a person who is not an Indian citizen could be appointed to such a crucial post in the first place," Sawarkar told IANS, adding that he had even apprised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of these issues. Kishore Tiwari, a prominent farmer activist and Chairman of Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavalambi Mission, said in the past five years, Dani merely promoted "bio-technology" (BT) - a technology which was largely responsible for the farmers' distress in the country. "He was highly connected with various agriculture multinational corporations and there should be a CBI probe to ascertain out if he has leaked sensitive information on Indian agriculture to outsiders," Tiwari told IANS. Official sources revealed that during his tenure, the ousted VC spent very little time on the university campus which has a land bank of around 10,000 acres for agro-research purposes. However, little or no research programmes were carried out in the region where the chief crop is Soyabeans, which could have benefited the farming community, they said. The university's regular affairs were overseen by his team of aides who interacted with all other top officials and took decisions on his behalf, the sources said. The university has 33 affiliated degree colleges of different categories including private and aided, a post graduate institute, 54 private and aided agriculture polytechnics. New Delhi: Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi has suggested legalising marijuana, a psychoactive drug, in India for medical purposes on the lines of the practice adopted by some developed countries like the US to curb drug abuse. The suggestion was made by Gandhi at a meeting of a group of ministers (GOM), which examined the draft cabinet note national drug demand reduction policy, according to the minutes of the second meeting, a copy of which is with PTI. The GoM approved the draft national policy with minor modifications suggested in the meeting. Gandhi informed that in "some of the developed countries like the US, marijuana has been legalised which ultimately results in less drug abuse". She said that "the possibility of the same maybe explored in India", as per the document. When asked to elaborate, Gandhi told PTI that "marijuana should be legalised for medical purposes, especially as it serves a purpose in cancer". During the meeting of the GoM, which was chaired by home minister Rajnath Singh, Gandhi also stressed on the need for regulating the sale and availability of pharmaceutical drugs such as codeine cough syrups and inhalants among others which are being abused. Prime minister Narendra Modi has directed the GoM to examine the draft policy for drug demand reduction which seeks to address the problem of drug and substance abuse in the country. Referring to the national survey on drug abuse, conducted by the ministry of social justice in collaboration with AIIMS, which covers students, transgenders and sex workers among others, Gandhi said children especially those living in and around major railway stations should also be covered. She also suggested exploring the possibility of setting up de-addiction centres near these railway stations. On the issue of legalising drugs in the country, the social justice and empowerment secretary G Latha Krishna Rao said "it may not be appropriate to legalise such drugs" in view of the large population and low level of literacy in the country and added that the possibility could be explored in future. As per the document, minister for chemicals and fertilisers Ananth Kumar observed that drugs were easily available outside schools and colleges and said that an action plan needs to be drawn to create awareness and sensitise students against drug abuse in schools, colleges and universities. Singh, who is also the minister of parliamentary affairs, said that the role of home ministry should also be well defined in the proposed policy. The GoM also recommended the projected budget estimate of Rs 125 crore annually for implementation of the policy. In an earlier meeting, the GoM had proposed preparing an action plan for controlling over the counter sale of sedatives, pain killers, muscle relaxants among others and preparing treatment modules for different age groups, including the subject of treatment of drug addicts as part of MBBS curriculum. It also sought setting up of de-addiction centres in all prisons, juvenile homes, factories and industries. New Delhi: The Congress today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks of eradicating corruption during his 'Mann ki Baat' programmes but has remained silent on the Panama Paper leaks. Congress leader Pawan Khera asked Modi what action had been taken against Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh over the Panama Papers issue, citing the case of Nawaz Sharif who quit as Pakistani prime minister. "The prime minister speaks at length on corruption, but ignores Panama paper leaks. (Yesterday Congress vice-president) Rahul Gandhi mentioned about Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh's son and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek. His (Abhishek) name appeared in the Panama papers, (but) what action have you taken in this regard," Khera asked, suggesting that Modi should take a cue from Pakistan on this. The Pakistani Supreme Court on 28 July disqualified 67-year-old Sharif for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal, forcing the embattled leader out of office. The Congress leader said the BJP cannot keep "subverting democracy" and "yet come out holier than thou and talk about political integrity". He was referring to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar dumping the grand alliance in the state to come into the NDA fold, and the recent defections of Congress MLAs to BJP in Gujarat, ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls. "Where is the money coming from in Gujarat? Our MLAs said they were offered money (to defect). We are not getting any answers to this in the prime minister's Mann ki Baat," he said. Khera also attacked the prime minister for not doing enough to curb the menace of cow-vigilante groups and "those spreading hate". The Congress leader said Prime Minister's 'Mann ki Baat' appears to be "disconnected" from ground realities as it has failed to address issues like unemployment and agrarian crisis. In his radio programme on Sunday, Modi spoke on varied topics ranging from how the new tax reform GST has transformed the economy to extensive relief being provided to the flood-hit states. "The prime minister's speech was irrelevant as it did not touch the fundamental issues faced by the country. We did not get answers to several of our questions and it was completely disconnected with what people are thinking," Khera said Nigeria is adamant that the sailors should be tried in court. The charges against them will be slapped once they reach the country. Srinagar: Naeem Geelani, the elder son of Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was Sunday admitted to the SKIMS Hospital after he complained of chest pain. "Naeem has been kept in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit," a Hurriyat spokesman said. He said Naeem Geelani, who is under the NIA scanner for alleged terror funding, is a heart patient and suffered a massive heart attack in 2009. Naeem Geelani was scheduled to visit New Delhi on Monday for the NIA investigation and had also booked a flight ticket, the spokesman said. "He has been under regular medical care. Repeated psychological pressure may have had adverse effects on his health," the spokesman added. On Sunday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday raided the house of a businessman considered close to Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani in Jammu. Informed sources said the NIA carried out the raid on Devender Singh Behl in Baskshi Nagar area in this winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah is presently in NIA remand in connection with allegations of terror funding in the Kashmir Valley. Six other separatist leaders are also on remand with the NIA for custodial interrogation in this case. A Delhi court on 25 July remanded seven Kashmiri separatists, arrested a day earlier on charges of taking funds from Pakistan to sponsor terror activities and stone pelting in the Valley, in National Investigation Agency custody for 10 days. During the in-camera proceedings, district judge Poonam Bamba allowed the NIA to quiz Nayeem Khan, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Aftab Hilali Shah alias Shahid-ul-Islam, Ayaz Akbar Khandey, Peer Saifullah, Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate till 4 August. Allowing the NIA plea to quiz them, the court said they needed to be taken to Jammu and Kashmir and other places for investigation. Six of the separatist leaders were arrested from Srinagar on Monday and later flown to Delhi. Farooq Ahmad Dar was held in Delhi. They have been booked on charges of criminal conspiracy and waging war against India. New Delhi: The army has conveyed its serious concerns to the defence ministry over the Ordnance Factory Board's (OFB) "failure" to punish officials responsible for last year's massive blast at an ammunition depot in Maharashtra in which 19 army personnel perished, an official document says. Over 19,325 defective anti-tank mines had exploded primarily due to leakage of explosives from some of the mines stored at the Central Ammunition Depot in Pulgaon. In a letter to defence production secretary Ashok Kumar Gupta, the army headquarters has sought fixing of responsibility for the blaze at the depot on 31 May, 2016. Separately, the army has taken up the issue with Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra, official sources said. Two army officials, four defence security corps personnel and 13 defence fire safety staff were killed in the fire at the depot, the largest ammunition and weapons store in the country and said to be the second largest in Asia. In the letter, seen by PTI, the army said a court of inquiry has attributed the cause of the accident to exudation of highly explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT) from some of the defective anti-tank non-detectable mines. No reaction was available from the OFB. The army sought "fixing of responsibility" and "traceability of lapses" on the part of officials by the Ordnance Factory Board. The OFB operates 41 ordnance factories across the country and functions under the department of defence production of the ministry of defence. The mines were manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Chanda. "A detailed Court of Inquiry, which was conducted by the army, attributed the cause of the defect (exudation of TNT) to lapses both by manufacturing (OFB) and quality assurance agencies. "These agencies are under the control of department of defence production under the defence ministry and suitable action needs to be taken by them," the army said in the letter. It further said, "Fixing of accountability and traceability for the said accident is yet to be established by the OFB and the director general of quality assurance (DGQA) even one year after the accident." Official sources said there was criminal negligence on the part of certain officials as cited by the probe and sought immediate action against them. The sources said the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Pune in 2012 had clearly called the quality of TNT in the anti-tank mines as safety hazard but the OFB stated it to be a world-wide phenomenon. The CoI had recommended disposal of defective ammunition in a time-bound manner to prevent recurrence of fire at the depot, the sources said. Srinagar: Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of Kashmir on Sunday, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Tahab area of Pulwama district last night following information about presence of militants in the area, a police official said. Police said a gunfight broke out between the two sides early on Sunday, in which two ultras were killed. The identity and group affiliation of the slain militants was not known immediately as the search operation was still in progress, the official said. Thiruvananthapuram: A day after an RSS worker was hacked to death in Thriuvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state police chief Loknath Behera on Sunday met Governor P Sathasivam in response to a Raj Bhavan summons to ascertain the action taken by the government in the case. A Raj Bhavan statement said the chief minister and police chief were summoned in the wake of recent incidents of violence in the state capital, including the murder of an RSS functionary on Saturday. "Summoned chief minister and state police chief to know about action taken by state govt on law and order issues in Trivandrum," Sathasivam tweeted. Summoned Chief minister @CMOKerala and State Police Chief to know about action taken by State govt on law and order issues in Trivandrum Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) July 30, 2017 "Chief Minister informed that culprits in murder of RSS worker in Trivandrum arrested & that lawbreakers will be sternly dealt with," he said. Chief minister @CMOKerala informed that culprits in murder of RSS worker in Trivandrum arrested &that lawbreakers will be sternly dealt with Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) July 30, 2017 The governor said the chief minister assured that law breakers would be sternly dealt with, "irrespective of status or political affiliation". Vijayan met the governor around 11.30 am, while the DGP met Sathasivam at 12.30 pm, the governor's office said. The Raj Bhavan statement also said the chief minister would soon make a public appeal to maintain peace. Vijayan also informed that he would be meeting state BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan and state RSS Chief, it said. The governor asked the DGP to take all possible measures to book the culprits and maintain peace in the southern state. Sathasivam also spoke to Kummanam Rajasekharan about the incident and the attack on the BJP party office in Thriuvananthapuram. According to the statement by the Raj Bhawan, the governor also spoke to CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to enquire about stone pelting at his son's residence in Thriuvananthapuram. Sathasivam also had a word with Union home minister Rajnath Singh and apprised him of the situation and measures taken by the state government. Police have so far taken six persons into custody in connection with the slaying of the RSS worker in Thriuvananthapuram even as the BJP called for a dawn-to-dusk state-wide hartal on Sunday to protest the incident. The hartal has so far been incident free. A gang led by a history sheeter had attacked 34-year-old RSS 'karyavahak' Rajesh and hacked him to death. His left arm was chopped off and there were several injuries all over his body. In an unprecedented move, Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam on Sunday summoned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss the law and order situation in the state after an RSS worker was killed overnight. Sathasivam quoted Vijayan as saying that law-breakers would be dealt with sternly and that he would meet both state BJP President Kummanam Rajasekharan and the state RSS chief and make a public appeal for peace. The Chief Minister promised that action would be taken against law-breakers irrespective of their status and political affiliation. The Governor said Kerala Police chief Loknath Behra also told him about the law and order situation. Sathasivam also spoke on the phone with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajasekharan and CPI-M Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan about the stone pelting at his son's house. Meanwhile, police on Sunday arrested all the six persons who took part in the hacking of Rajesh and arrested two others who helped the six. Two men are on the run. The six arrests took place from a rubber estate in the capital's suburbs. Balakrishnan told reporters here that the CPI-M had no role in the RSS man's murder. Police probing the crime say this was the outcome of political and personal rivalry. Kolkata: A Trinamool Congress leader was shot dead in South 24 Parganas district's Bhangar in West Bengal on Sunday, causing the political temperature in the region to soar again. Panchayat leader Asikur Rahman, 48, died after being hit by a bullet on the head. "We are investigating how and why was he shot," a police officer said. The area had been on the boil over the state government's land acquisition for a power sub-station. While the Trinamool Congress blamed activists of a group called Jami, Jibika, Paribesh O Bastutantra Raksha Committee (Committee to Protect Land, Livelihood, Environment and Ecosystem), which has been spearheading the ongoing land agitation at Bhangar, for the killing, the Committee claimed the death was caused by Trinamool's faction fight. The incident happened on the day when the Committee along with the Left Front leadership were to hold a rally in Bhangar demanding that the acquired land be given back to the villagers. Stating that armed Trinamool cadres gathered in the region to disrupt their rally, the Committee claimed that Rahman was killed by a bullet fired from the gun of one of his own party men. Refuting this, the local Trinamool leadership accused the Committee activists of spreading tension in the area and shooting Rahman. "Rahman was a devoted TMC activist...We think he was shot by someone from the Committee," party leader Kaizar Ahmed alleged. "There is no faction fight between our party activists. The party is united." South 24 Parganas district's Bhangar, known for its history of political violence, was on the boil during January over 'forced' acquisition of 16 acres of farmland spread over Khamarait, Machhi Bhanga, Tona and Padmapukur villages by the government for the Power Grid Corp of India Ltd (PGCIL). Protesters fought a pitched battle with police when they tried to enter Padmapukur village. The agitators attacked the police. Two persons were shot in the clash. Following the incident, the government officially announced the cancellation of the power grid project and said no land would be taken from the villagers if they are unwilling. New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United) will support the Opposition vice-presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi in the 5 August elections notwithstanding its joining hands with the BJP. A senior party leader said that the commitment to support Gandhi was made by party president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar prior to joining hands with the BJP. "Nitish Kumar ji had made the commitment to support Gopalkrishna Gandhi prior to joining hands with the BJP and will fulfil it. There is no going back on it and we have not changed our stand," senior party leader KC Tyagi told PTI. The JD (United) moved out of the 'grand alliance' with the RJD and the Congress and decided to join hands with its old-time ally the BJP to form the new government in Bihar. It had split from the NDA in 2013 after a 17-year-old alliance. Party leaders, however, say that it has to fulfil its promises made earlier. The decision of the JD-U will not alter the result of vice-president's election as the ruling NDA nominee M Venkaiah Naidu has a big majority in his favour and is likely to sail through easily. On whether its lone MLA in Gujarat would support the BJP or the Congress in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, they said since he is opposed by the BJP, he is free to take his own decision. In the wake of its own legislators switching sides and resigning after Shankarsing Vaghela quit the party, Congress heavyweight Ahmed Patel needs the support of the NCP, the JD-U and other MLAs to win the third Rajya Sabha seat in Gujarat. The sloganeering may have died down in the Not In My Name protests, but a stark motif lingers on, like a persistent battle cry. The poster for the multi-city protests, created by artist and activist Orijit Sen, appears frequently both on social media and in offline published accounts of the activism that uncoiled its pent-up rage on the streets of India on 28 June. Its primary visual an illustration of a blood-spattered chappal, with an iron rod by its side evokes the desolation of a street after the carnage, the moments of uncertainty after a rioting mob has retreated and all that is left of the mayhem is a piece of footwear stained with blood. It also brings to mind several agonising questions: Did the wearer of the chappal escape the riot? Did he die in its midst? Was the iron rod used to disperse the crowd or to beat the wearer of the chappal to death? Art, when it intrudes upon the political conversations of the day like an uninvited interlocutor, becomes an engaging, and often, shocking, dissenter. It becomes the medium through which seething collective anger finds a visual vocabulary to express the type of dissent described by civil rights activist and the first African-American US Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall: We must dissent from the fear, the hatred, and the mistrust. The online poster for the Not In My Name protests is perhaps the most recent example of arts vital role as a challenger of bigotry and dogma, as the vanguard of a new order, as a non-conformist of remarkable eloquence. A photograph by Kishor Parekh, from his series Bangladesh: A Brutal Birth, sparked-off the idea for the poster. The photograph is that of a boot on an empty street. We have become immune to images of death and violence, says Sen, of the origins of the poster. But the footwear told the story of the riot more powerfully than images of dead people. The chappal on the Not In My Name poster became Sens rendition of Parekhs photograph, and an insignia of the citizens protest. Protests are a form of public art, Sen emphasises, they operate at the same level of symbolism as performance art, and the blood-stained chappal became a strong motif of this particular movement. Historically, protest art has found its fiercest mien during wars. In fine art, Picassos Guernica is perhaps the most rousing example of an artistic condemnation of the bombing of the Spanish village Guernica, by Nazi Germans and Fascist Italians. The mural-sized oil painting, completed in June 1937, is a monochromatic narrative that rages against the causal bombing of the village. Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros painted frescos in the 1920s that were vivid chronicles of the lives of Mexican peasants and Spanish conquistadores, in the wake of the Mexican Revolution. The 1960s and '70s were when pop culture influenced the artists of the milieu, in particular American artist Peter Saul, who used bright Dayglo colours and acrylics to paint his own interpretations of the Vietnam War. Contemporary guerrilla street artists like Banksy have painted murals that decry everything from capitalism to the treatment of refugees in host countries. Banksys mural of Steve Jobs at a refugee camp in Calais addresses the deplorable condition of Syrian refugees in the French port city and elsewhere in Europe. It is a stencil of the Apple founder as a refugee, wearing his signature turtleneck, carrying the original Apple computer, and holding a black garbage sack across his shoulder. The piece is a startling reference to Jobs lineage he was the son of a Syrian migrant who moved to the United States after World War II. Despite the popularity of murals and the use of outdoor spaces like building facades as vast canvases, it was the poster traditionally, printed paper with text and graphics that was the favoured medium of announcements by advertisers, playwrights, political parties and other propagandists. Shakespeares plays were advertised on textual posters. The development of lithography as a method of creating images with oil, fat or wax on a smooth lithographic limestone plate, in 1796 by German author and actor Alois Senefelder, made the mass production and printing of posters possible. They came to represent cheaply printed samples of every artistic movement: Symbolism, Cubism, Art Nouveau and Art Deco. In recent times, hastily printed posters on walls and pillars have become the subversive, counter-establishment voice of the people, asking uncomfortable questions, refusing to couch their words or illustrations in politeness, resurfacing when torn down from public spaces. In India, collectives of artists, writers, scholars and activists, like Sahmat The Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust and Committee have used the poster to challenge the dominant discourse around political events, particularly the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya on 6 December 1992. Sahmats posters for a Sufi-Bhakti performance, titled Anhad Garje , or the silence reverberates, a phrase used by the medieval poet, Kabir, were 32 x 23 inches of silkscreen that responded to the razing of the mosque with a simple line printed at the bottom: Come to defend our secular tradition. In 1993, Sahmat produced a series of posters, In Defence of Our Secular Tradition, which had poetry from the Sufi-Bhakt traditions accompanied by contemporary art. Lines from Bulle Shah, Kabir, Guru Amar Das were combined with images by artists like Arpita Singh, Haku Shah, Manu Parekh, Nalini Malani, Shamshad and Nilima Sheikh. In a catalogue titled: The Sahmat Collective: Art and Activism in India since 1989, curated by Jessica Moss and Ram Rahman, Ram Rahman, one of the founders of Sahmat elaborates upon why Sahmat picked the poster as the medium to disseminate its message of communal harmony: But we decided to use the poster format here with a double meaning. We used images by contemporary artists, many of whom were very well known, but whose work is relatively inaccessible to the general public, because we dont have a lot of art magazines or art books in India. We decided to combine the work of many of these artists, who had already been using themes of Sufism, in their work, with Sufi-Bhakti poems, which evoked the art and gave it a different layer of meaning. The digitisation of technology led to the digitisation of the poster, and a proliferation of graphic art that inquired into the nature of state-orchestrated atrocities with schoolboy audacity and playfulness. Sens own work, which appears frequently on his Facebook page, is increasingly a reaction to the politics of the day. His online poster Modi Antoinette has the Prime Ministers face superimposed on a portrait of famed lavish spender and the last queen of France before the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette. A speech blurb emanating from Narendra Modis head states, If they dont have Paper, let them use Plastic! A satirical comment on recent demonetisation measures that also brings to mind a remark frequently attributed to Marie Antoinette, who, upon being told that her peasant subjects had no bread to eat, allegedly said, Let them eat cake. Contemporary cartoonists, particularly those from Kashmir, also have prominent online profiles, apart from day jobs at newspapers that print their work. The cartoons of Suhail Naqshbandi, who works for the Kashmir daily Greater Kashmir, are popular on social media for their scornful and sometimes (unavoidably) melancholic reflection of the unrest in Kashmir. Theres one in which a Kashmiri man is shown holding up an intravenous drip, attached to the arm of presumably a dying son. This part of the sketch is titled Fact. Adjoining it, in a section titled Fiction, a TV grab shows the same Kashmiri, with his arm raised. The IV drip is cut off from the screen, and the words Stone pelter, Terrorist appear on the scroll below the image of the Kashmiri. A scathing observation of how the media projects the people of Kashmir to the world. Yet another sketch is of chief minister Mehbooba Mufti ushering a group of children, whose eyes are bandaged as they have been blinded by pellets, towards a dark future. The cartoon is titled Unpelletable truth. Naqshbandi, who started working as a political cartoonist in 1998, remarks that he usually picks a theme or subject that is challenging to visualise or draw. My sketches force people to think about Kashmir in different ways, and maybe, find a solution to its problems, he says of his work. He does hint at attempts to muffle his voice. There are some unspoken rules that I have to follow. I cant directly show authority figures in a bad light, but I can, in indirect ways, present sensitive issues with wit, he admits. Mir Suhail, a 28-year-old political cartoonist from Kashmir, also faces a predicament similar to that of Naqshbandi. On 9 February, one of Suhails cartons was removed by Facebook, for violating community standards. The cartoon depicted roots growing from the grave of Afzal Guru, who was hanged in 2013, joining under the soil with the roots of a tree labelled Kashmir. Suhail, who grew up in Kawdara, Srinagar, recalls how, as a child, he was not allowed to play with a toy gun gifted to him by an uncle, for fear of arrest and torture by the police. That sense of insecurity; the reality of death looming close-by stayed with me, and influenced my cartoons, he reveals. Apart from cartoons, Suhail has also digitally altered famous paintings, photographs and posters, to depict the pain and disfigurement caused by being hit by a pellet. For instance, he has placed a bandage on one eye of the Mona Lisa painting and on a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi. He has also altered the iconic Kashmir ki Kali poster, by bandaging the eyes of a bleeding Sharmila Tagore, and altering Shammi Kapoors expression to one of shock. Despite the constant fear of being thwarted and persecuted, artists continue to create silent emblems of rebellion against the state. For, one can muzzle a people, but who can gag bold strokes of ink on paper that articulate an incoherent rage? The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didnt exist. Kevin Spacey, The Usual Suspects In part one of this essay, I mentioned how I quit my job selling chai in Bengaluru to unravel the grand story of what could be called Indias fifth most populous religion: Engineering. In this concluding part, I tell you about my biggest finding: Indias deadliest terrorist organisation that has deviously missed the attention of every government over the years. In the last four years, a combined total of 1,524 civilians and security force personnel have lost their lives to terror related activities at an average of roughly one fatality per day. What if I told you, there is an organisation that has been responsible for killing 20 unsuspecting teenagers out of sheer terror every day and is not even a recognised terror outfit? Let me acquaint you with the calamity that is the Indian education system. The country that takes pride in its sophisticated ancient civilisation is today perhaps the biggest human resource tragedy on planet. A student commits suicide every hour mostly due to academic pressure. Twenty-five percent of public school teachers are absent on any given day and among those present, only half indulge in teaching related activities. Half of our Class V kids cant read or write text from Class II. These kids will grow up to vote or worse, contest elections. A natural question to invoke is, how do we fix this? The answer is simple: There is no fix or at least we are a decade or two late in trying to fix this mess. To understand the rationale behind this seemingly bizarre assertion, let us allow Sugata Mitra, the winner of TED prize in 2013, to explain the origin of our schools. The schooling system as it is today goes back to 400 years of an empires colonisation and this empire needed three kinds of people: Soldiers to protect their land interest, clerks to run their offices and, after the industrial revolution, assembly line workers to make things. So for 400 years we produced millions and millions of people like them and what are the properties of those people? They should be able to understand instructions, follow them and most importantly, they should not ask questions and they should not be creative. Imagine if an assembly line worker started being creative! To produce millions of such people, what the empire basically needed was a system that kind of worked like a factory. You take raw materials, subject all of them to exactly the same processes and conditions and finally test them. The finished products that clear the test are ready to be sold and the remaining products are simply passed off as defects. The empire managed to build such a system and a very efficient one that: The schooling system. So, if you belong to Batch 2011 or "Batch 1985 depending on when you graduated, you are only acknowledging that you are a proud factory product. You can only fix something that is broken. Our education system is not only broken but also obsolete. There is no point fixing it. We need to re-imagine an entirely new system. Let me tell you why. As we lose our collective mind over chat show gossip in India, in the not-so-secret corridors of the world, Artificial Intelligence is slowly preparing to render humans useless by taking away our jobs. Its being called the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Professor Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum thinks it could be a time of greater promise or greater peril. What may sound like a dystopian science fiction future, in fact has its grips firm in todays reality. Look at your own life. Web or app based algorithms have replaced traditional matchmaking aunts to help you custom find a partner (my favourite matrimony portal is one which is solely dedicated to graduates of IITs and IIMs to help hook up their tribe). Some thinkers of the west believe that with no jobs, only drugs and video games can keep humans happy in the future. Now, why should we Indians worry about something that clearly comes across a first world problem, right? Cant we go back to dealing with pressing issues like a stand-up comedians Snapchat story? The World Bank chief cautions otherwise and reckons automation is likely to wipe off 2/3rd of all jobs in developing countries. India particularly stands to lose 68 percent of her jobs. In its 36th annual general meeting, IT giant Infosys admitted to releasing 11,000 jobs due to automation. Humans have a compulsive urge to add meaning to life when there is possibly none. The current meaning weve added to our lives is to get up in the morning, go to work, contribute to the economy, pay bills, and eventually die. In a wicked joke, robots are going to render this meaning obsolete. Half of India is below 25 years of age. Thats 600 million people with raging hormones who stand a risk of getting up every morning and having nothing to do: with or without a degree. If you are a young Indian reading this, I want you to sleep very scared tonight and have nightmares of robots. If you are willing to rise, what is today a deadly terrorist outfit can be transformed into an army to combat the rise of machines. The author can be reached at adhi@adhi.in Walter Benjamin prophesied that mans self-alienation would at one point rise to a degree where he would consume his own destruction as aesthetic pleasure. There is little doubt, that a majority of our Art is created by people who alienate themselves and in turn, trying to interpret what shape or colour this negotiation between life and its purpose should take. In a sense, Art is in no way devoid of a story, however plain or flat it may seem to the eye. It can at times struggle to find a language. But the clearest sign that a language does exist can be found in its disagreement with another. A mix of artists, some masters and some lesser known, together under one roof exemplifies that we need not necessarily read Art through a homogenous, universal language. Akar Prakars Synchrome Masters is evidence, and it brings together some of the most well known Indian artists alongside some who should be. Synchrome works like an aesthetic ambush of force. It is perhaps a visual oration of Descartes philosophy of each entity entitled to a unique agency. Here in this exhibition, there are plenty. Nikhil Biswas On Defeat (1965), shows a lone chariot dwarfed by the instrumental forces of nature, of mountains, of figs and trees, the sheer resplendence of colour. Biswas water colours attenuate the motion of the chariot by relaying all movement, with abandon, to nature. While the colours evoke freshness, perhaps the arrival of a lively, fertile season, the chariot becomes the anchor of our reading that must point to lifes many ironies. Departing from context, Bikash Bhattacharjee channels Salvador Dali in Woman (1961). Odd, fiercely rhetoric and some would say, distinctly unpleasing, Woman is a bizarre play on shape that purveys grotesqueness as an aesthetic in itself. This mangled, morbid figure can be our view into uncivil histories like the holocaust or a clever critique of the cosmopolitanism taking over the cities, and most evidently the human form. Coming from the '60s it is perhaps reflective of a modern shift, both in our culture and living. In contrast Paritosh Sens untitled painting from 1992 depicts a nude woman, relieved in the company of a cold shower, the hidden joys perhaps of letting go. There is general progress here, both in our response to the period and the cultural decay of the country. In Bhattacharjees work there is a prima donnish exuberance that manifests as queer and horror. Almost 30 years on, in Sens painting, all that is left is cold, naked, yet personal refuge. Synchrome brings together a host of the masters that we have come to adore, and are still trying to grasp. From Nandalal Boses bold sketches to Souzas minimalist nudes, to the utterly mysterious Gaitonde, there is a splash across the landscape of both the heavy and trusted hand. To stretch things, literally, to another dimension there are also sculptures by the likes of Himmat Shah and Meera Mukherjee. Shah is unique in every sense of the word. His bronze statues have always been tethered to the idea of vertical journeys. Here it is similar and represents, perhaps, the chaos of that upward movement. For viewers who connect with the manipulation of light and colour from everyday life, Ganesh Haloi and Gopal Ghose embody the seamless transition into frame of things that though ordinary, give humanity its waking pledge (defending nature) by leaving it out. For those in search of the eccentric, the ink and brush works of Jagdish Swaminathan would be a start. Swaminathan dissects, as if from the inside, a grotesque bird or animal. Here he perhaps inverts the quasi-optimism of a distanced view to the microscopic study of organisms that reveals something else. Is this his view of hell? That things arent what they seem from a distance. In contrast, perhaps, K G Subramanyan looks from considerable distance at an ailing woman, a picture of contemplation, perhaps re-evaluating her trust in her own faith. While Swaminathan remains abreast of context, Subramanyan talks with it. Synchrome does not arrive without its challenges. While figurative energy (bodies of people and animals) lurks throughout the exhibition, and can be easily related to, there are a fair number of knee-twisting intervals that demand your attention. While some artists accentuate our interest in everything inhuman, others find a way of dissecting it through language that can be demanding. SH Raza, who only passed away in 2016, for example, deals largely with states (emotional and mental), to which his paintings usually point, while in the hands of someone like Gaitonde, these states are continually under transaction and at the mercy of a larger flux. Then there is the direct, almost digital-era, critique of Dharmanarayan Dasgupta who paints through a societal scope, at each point underlining the brutality of our choices, that only manifest when we face consequences. In all, Synchrome, is both challenging and engaging. It may frustrate at times, because it asks a lot of the minds reset button. But there is a renewed sense of discovery at every turn. Even if you consider yourself lost after a point, youd have made it to the other side. Lucknow: The victory in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections was the result of hard work of BJP workers and the government's aim is to take welfare-centric measures of the Centre to the people, which had been stagnated in the previous regimes, party president Amit Shah said on. Shah made the remarks while addressing the ministers of the UP government in Lucknow. At the meeting of the government and organisation held at the Uttar Pradesh BJP office, it was pledged that various welfare-centric measures of the Centre and state government will be taken to the doorstep of the public, an official statement issued by the party said. "The government is working to verify the BPL cards and this work has largely been completed. This will help in providing government ration to the deserving and actual beneficiaries. The government is committed for the betterment of people of Uttar Pradesh. The ministers in the government are also contributing in this regard," Shah said, according to the statement. At the meeting, a roadmap was also prepared for fulfilling the promises mentioned in the 'Sankalp Patra' (manifesto) at the earliest. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said, "Ministers have been made in-charge for various districts, and assigned with the responsibility of carrying out developmental activities in the district. This will also help in review of various schemes." As the BJP swiftly picks up state after state, the Congress response has been fear and panic. Bihar slipped away from the Congress despite having, according to Rahul Gandhi, prior knowledge of Nitish Kumar's defection. If they knew, why were they helpless? It is difficult to understand. Goa went similarly and though Congress was better placed there, having won more seats, it waited to form the government. And waiting while facing a party with the talent, energy and hunger of the BJP was a fatal error. In Gujarat, the exit of Shankarsinh Vaghela has triggered another round of chaos: Six Congress MLAs have quit, jeopardising Ahmed Patel's Rajya Sabha election. As the BJP swiftly picks up state after state, the Congress response has been fear and panic. The party response has been to suspect all its remaining MLAs and send them to Karnataka, one of the few states it controls. The strange thing is that Gujarat is a state where the BJP has performed really poorly, according to Gujaratis and it is the BJP that should be concerned about losing its popularity. In the last couple of years, Gujarat has seen the following major agitations under which lakhs of people have been mobilised: The Patidar agitation for reservations led by Hardik Patel, the counter agitation of OBC Kshatriyas led by Alpesh Thakor, the Dalit revolt after the Una episode led by Jignesh Mewani, the anguish of diamond merchants and textile workers after demonetisation and rallies by lakhs of traders in Surat after the imposition of GST. Though these issues have been the direct result of BJP policies, all these agitations have happened without Congress leadership. They have thrown up new leaders such as the three young men above, or they have been leaderless. This shows that the Congress has forgotten how to mobilise people on political issues. This is strange because some of Gandhi's most successful agitations, like the Bardoli Satyagraha, were in Gujarat. The Congress party in Gujarat has consistently got over 30 percent of the vote. However it cannot get that extra three or four percentage points that is the crucial difference between victory and defeat. And that can happen if it is able to capitalise on one of the issues by mobilising people around it. Its inability to mobilise despite all the agitations is the reason the Gujarat BJP remains comfortable. The BJP is thought to be invincible but no party can be in democratic politics. In Karnataka, the BJP is actually on the defensive. The wily Congress chief minister Siddaramaiah has used Indian-style political tactics to keep the Hindutva party busy. He is using an anti-Hindi agitation in Bangalore, a subject on which BJP is vulnerable because of the RSS preference for Hindi. The local BJP must stay silent or suffer damage. The other issue is that of the Lingayat community's internal demand that it be treated as a separate religion outside Hinduism. Siddaramaiah has offered to send a recommendation of separation of the faith to the Centre, if the Lingayats want him to. This seemingly innocent offer has set the cat among the pigeons. The problem the BJP faces is that the community strongly backs the BJP (party leader BS Yeddyurappa is a Lingayat) but the BJP-RSS will not give Lingayat separatism legitimacy. Once again, the BJP must remain silent or suffer damage. Siddaramaiah has also disarmed the BJP's nationalism by turning the focus to sub-nationalism: A flag for Karnataka. All of this tells us that it is possible for Congress, and other parties, to offer a political challenge to the BJP. How can political parties in India mobilise their supporters in a time of trouble? The Congress might be about to receive a lesson from one of India's sharpest politicians. Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati has resigned from the Rajya Sabha after claiming she was not allowed to speak. Whether her anger is real or not, the action is deliberate. She will go to the ground and try to build back the support she lost. According to those who follow local politics, the BJP succeeded in breaking up the unified Dalit identity into jatis and sub-castes and pursuing Dalit groups Mayawati ignored. Her party has been getting about 20 to 25 percent of the vote in Uttar Pradesh. In a multiple cornered fight so long as all parties were in that zone she had a reasonable chance of victory. But Amit Shah's superb ability to build caste alliances has given the BJP overwhelming numbers that neither the Samajwadi Party (which is stuck at 29 percent of the vote) nor the BSP can match. The only way to change that is to mobilise people. Mayawati knows that. The Congress, after this moment of panic has passed, should take a deep breath and think about how to go forward. Shimla: The BJP on Saturday launched an attack on the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh for a spurt in heinous crimes and the "virtual collapse" of law-and-order in the state and alleged that political interference and the "government giving protection" to criminals were responsible for the situation. "There is no government worth its name in the state. Mafias and anti-social elements are active and crimes like rape and murder have shot up in the recent past due to the careless attitude and eroded credibility of the police," a resolution adopted at a meeting of the BJP state executive said. Talking about the resolution, former chief minister and Kangra MP Shanta Kumar said heinous crimes, like the Kotkhai rape-and-murder case, had not only put a question mark on the credibility and fairness of the state police, but also soiled the image of the state, known as the 'Dev Bhoomi' (The Land of the Gods). He said two years ago, the World Bank had lauded Himachal Pradesh for its pace of development, but the Gudiya case and other crimes had "shamed" the state and it would take a considerable time to "erase the stigma". Asking Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to quit on moral grounds in the wake of corruption cases against him and his "utter failure" as far as governance was concerned, Kumar said if he did not resign, the people would show him the door in the state Assembly polls, due later this year. Expressing surprise over the silence of the Congress high-command on the corruption cases against Singh, who is on bail and frequently visiting Delhi in connection with the cases, the BJP leader said it appeared that there was neither any "high" nor "command" as the party's top leadership was also "out on bail in the National Herald case". Meanwhile, Mangal Pandey, the BJP in-charge for Himachal Pradesh, who was here for the three-day meeting of the party's state executive, left for Patna after he was informed that he had been inducted into Nitish Kumar's cabinet in Bihar. Before leaving, Pandey said Bihar had been rid of the "mafias, corrupt politicians and those amassing benami properties" and the "unnatural alliance" between the JD(U) and RJD had died a "natural death". New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday asked the BJP to make its stand clear on the remarks by its ally and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti that "you cannot imprison an idea", seen in the context of the arrest of separatist leaders in the Valley. The Congress also attacked the BJP-PDP government in the state over the deteriorating situation, saying it has "failed at every level". Mehbooba had on Saturday said, "You cannot imprison an idea, you cannot kill an idea". This is being seen as her comment on the arrest of the separatist leaders. "The BJP has a lot of answering to do. They have joined hands with PDP. Now it's their own alliance partner. Where does the BJP stand now?" said Pawan Khera, one of the Congress's spokespersons. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) since last week has arrested seven Kashmiri separatist leaders in connection with its probe into the funding of terror and subversive activities in the Kashmir Valley. Last week, the Enforcement Directorate also arrested separatist leader Shabir Shah in connection with a decade-old money laundering case against him for alleged terror financing. Holding Pakistan responsible for the unrest in the Valley, Khera said political failure is also partly the reason behind the ongoing crisis in the state. The Valley has witnessed rising violence and stone-pelting recently, especially after Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was killed by security forces last year. Bengaluru: The Congress on Sunday said it would parade its all legislators from Gujarat before the media this evening in an effort to put to rest all speculation, including internal bickering in the party, as charged by BJP. The party has sent 44 of its legislators to a resort outside this city. Of the 57 Congress MLAs in Gujarat, six resigned from the party in the last two days. Three of them joined the BJP on Saturday. "Democracy is passing through trying times. I would request media owners, channels and newspapers to save democracy. This responsibility lies with them too. We will bring all the legislators before you (media) and you can ask anything you want," AICC spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil told reporters at Eagleton Gold Resort at the city's outskirts. "I am here since last night with my colleagues. We are living like a family. You (BJP) are talking about internal problem? Just see how we respect each other. There is no internal problem or bickerings between us," he said. Gohil was reacting to Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani's charges of internal problems in Congress triggered by the quitting of its leaders, including Shankarsinh Vaghela and Balwantsinh Rajput. "They have taken their MLAs to Bangaluru as they do not have faith in their MLAs," Rupani had said. The Congress had sent the 44 legislators to the resort to fend off "poaching" attempts by BJP ahead of 8 August Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat. Gohil claimed that Congress has 60 legislators with it and ruled out BJP winning the third Rajya Sabha seat, polls for which are scheduled on 8 August in Gujarat. "The question is BJP does not have any number. Congress has 57 legislators therefore BJP cannot even dream of winning the third seat. There are three other colleagues also we are now 60," he said. Congress has re-nominated Patel, 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 gone down to 51 from 57. The desertions have cast a shadow on the fate of Patel in the coming Rajya Sabha polls. Countering criticism of bringing the legislators to the resot to Bengaluru when North Gujarat is reeling under heavy rain and floods, Gohil said the MLAs were brought here after party leaders came to know about BJP's attempt to poach their MLAs using "money and muscle" power. However, on 25 July, all Congress legislators had visited their constituencies in North Gujarat to be among the affected people, he said. BJP has fielded party president Amit Shah, Union minister Smriti Irani and former Congress MLA Balwantsinh Rajput who joined the BJP on Thursday. Of the total of 11 RS members from the state, the term of three Smriti Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel will end on 18 August . For that day we all must labour, Though we die before it break; Cows and horses, geese and turkeys, All must toil for freedoms sake So sang Major, the old boar, in George Orwells Animal Farm. Cows, hens, sheep, horses, donkeys and cats heard him in delight. Orwell writes: The cows lowed it, the dogs whined it, the sheep bleated it, the horses whinnied it, the ducks quacked it. Then they prepared to fight for freedom. And when the animals trounced the humans who attacked them later, they sang the same song to celebrate their victory in what they called the Battle of the Cowshed. The sordid story of the Congress herding its Gujarat MLAs to Bengaluru on Friday and virtually locking them in a resort to keep them safe from poachers in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections reminds me of the two delightful scenes from Orwells novella. Make no mistake, MLAs are elected representatives of people and honourable individuals who must be treated with respect. They are not chattel to be collared and corralled in safe hideouts when a Rajya Sabha election or a no-confidence motion is around the corner. Why must party leaders conduct themselves like the nervous farmer who counts his sheep and locks them in a barn when he hears the distant growl of a prowling tiger? Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani is bragging about his partys concern for people suffering from floods in his state and mocking Congress MLAs relaxing in Karnataka resorts. Unfortunately, our friends in the Congress are insensitive about peoples suffering. They are instead relaxing in resorts in Karnataka. Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 29, 2017 Nobody should be fooled by this display of injured innocence by Rupani and his colleagues. In Karnataka, the BJP has a history of treating its own legislators the way erstwhile KGB stashed suspected spies and alleged criminals in fortress-like dachas where copious vodkas flowed at the cost of freedom. So its not just the Congress. Other parties too have been treating their legislators with utter contempt and with a venality that brings to our mind visions of animal fairs and auctions. But unlike Orwells creatures, our MLAs have had no luck in unshackling themselves from the chains of their leaders. At the slightest fear that rivals will lure them away with offers of cash and kind, party leaders ship their flock to faraway resorts and escort them back to the floor of the House just in time to vote not how MLAs want to but how their masters want them to. Bengaluru excels in resort politics Long before Bengaluru earned the fame of being Indias pub capital and IT hub, it became notorious for turning into an epicentre of resort politics. My first experience with cattle class politics came in October 1983, when Indira Gandhi decided to topple the Janata Party government of Ramakrishna Hegde in Karnataka by enticing his MLAs with power and pelf. Hegde alleged at the time that the Congress (I) was offering Rs 10 to Rs 25 lakh to each MLA. (The rupee had more value then.) What he didnt say was that he had concealed them in all sorts of places to protect them from Congress vultures. I remember trying to track down the "missing" MLAs but with little success. Professing to practise value-based politics, Hegde attached a certain value to each of his MLAs, took care of them pretty well and ultimately saved his government. With valuable experience thus gained, Hegde offered his MLA-protection services next year to NT Rama Rao whose Telugu Desam government in Andhra Pradesh was threatened by an intra-party revolt. Desam's MLAs were brought to the Karnataka capital and kept in protective custody of the workers of Janata Party and its ally BJP. This time, there was no need for reporters to chase them. We knew where they were lodged. I found that Desam MLAs were being treated to plenty of malt whiskey and mutton biryani and whatever else they wished to quench their thirst and satisfy their palates with but were denied the freedom to use the telephone to talk to their near and dear ones. Not all the MLAs looked cheerful. It was tough to say how many of them were there on their own free will and how many had been kidnapped, as Raos rivals in Hyderabad alleged. Questions have often been asked not only about the way party leaders treat their MLAs as sub-human species, committing offenses ranging from kidnapping to illegal confinement but also about the political hygiene of legislators themselves. Or is it the case that our legislators are mere weathervanes in human flesh, willing to bend in whichever way the political winds blow? Or are they men and women with negotiable loyalties, so vulnerable to offers of money and posts that they need to be quarantined? Your mileage may vary on that one but there's enough blame to go around. Meanwhile, as Tennyson might have said, parties and governments may come and go, but resort politics go on forever. In 2002, Maharashtras ruling Democratic Front flew about 40 MLAs, including three ministers to Bengaluru by a special aircraft to save the Vilasrao Deshmukh government from a no-confidence motion and lodged them in a plush spa on the outskirts of the cit. In October 2010, when Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa faced a trust-vote, both the BJP and the Opposition Janata Dal (Secular) hid their respective supporters in five-star luxury. A year later, when Yeddyurappa had to resign over mining and land scams, rival factions contending for the leadership shepherded their supporters into the safety of resorts. In the case of the Hegde government in 1983 and the BJP government in 2010, audio tapes were produced to support allegations of horse-trading but nothing came from the evidence. Before the ongoing Gujarat drama, the most recent case was that of VK Sasikala who, on 8 February, kept her AIADMK MLAs under virtual house arrest at a swank Chennai beach resort to stop them from being poached by the Panneerselvam camp. A cash-for-votes scam is difficult to prove. But resort politics its political face isn't. Perhaps it's time to think of a way to make it mandatory for a speaker to postpone voting when credible reports of legislators being whisked away to hideouts emerge. Author tweets @sprasadindia The Gujarat Congress addressed the media on Sunday, parading its 44 MLAs from the state, in an attempt to put an end to speculations about internal rifts within the party. While addressing the media at Eagleton Resort in Bengaluru, Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil urged the media to "save democracy". He also blamed the BJP of using CBI and Enforcement Directorate to target MLAs from their party. I request media to support us. Gujarat is not safe.We all know.Even media cannot write what they want.Pl support democracy, not dictatorship https://t.co/cVkuA2MjaJ Shaktisinh Gohil (@shaktisinhgohil) July 30, 2017 "BJP is using CBI and ED to target Congress MLAs. BJP threatened our families back in Gujarat, and that is why we came to Bengaluru of our own accord," he said during the meeting, He further blamed BJP of bidding Rs 1,500 crore as bribe money and claimed that the party had tried to "buy" MLAs from the Congress ahead of the Rajya Sabha election. Ask these MLAs the way they are threatened, they chose to stand by party even when offered Rs 15 crore: Shaktisinh Gohil,Senior Congress MLA ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 Meanwhile, BJP protested against the Congress MLAs in Bengaluru and said that while flood was wrecking havoc in Gujarat, the legislators were sitting in a resort far away. Bengaluru: BJP protest against Gujarat Congress MLAs, say Congress MLAs are in a Bengaluru resort even as floods wreak havoc in the state. pic.twitter.com/nXWMXmcr25 ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 Countering this, Gohil said the MLAs were brought to the southern state after party leaders learnt about BJP's attempt to poach their MLAs using "money and muscle" power. He added that the legislators would be shifted back if there were no threats from the BJP. Have required numbers. Theres no need for us to stay here(Bengaluru) for even a minute if they say they won't threaten:Shaktisinh Gohil,Cong pic.twitter.com/5VOLlI7eWw ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 In the run up to Assembly polls, which are due in Gujarat later this year, Congress' main leaders Shankarsinh Vaghela and Balwantsinh Rajput left the party, creating a power vacuum. Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani then claimed the Congress was suffering from "internal rifts". The party would also rue their loss ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, due on 8 August. But Gohil said the party was confident of winning the Rajya Sabha elections. He further claimed that the party has 60 legislators with it and ruled out BJP winning the third Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat, polls for which are scheduled on 8 August. "The BJP does not have the numbers. Congress has 57 legislators, and BJP cannot even dream of winning the third seat. There are three other colleagues also we are now 60," he said. With inpus from PTI Bhubaneswar: Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Sunday said he was ready to step down if the allegations of discrepancies in poll expenditure statement levelled by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) were found to be true. Oram said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik must resign first as the preliminary investigation against him proved that he had filed false poll affidavit during the 2014 elections. "I am prepared to face any probe. The allegations levelled by the BJD are politically motivated. If the allegations are found true, then I would step down as a minister," Oram said in a statement. The Minister said the Odisha ruling party was trying to mislead the people after discrepancies were found in their poll expenditure details. Notably, the BJD on Saturday showed documents claiming that Oram furnished a false affidavit to the Election Commission of India. The party alleged that there was a mismatch in the poll expenditure details. The BJD claimed that Jual Oram, the Lok Sabha member from Sundargarh, the lone BJP MP from Odisha has misrepresented facts in his election expenditure statement submitted to the Election Commission after 2014 polls. The party also threatened to move the Election Commission to seek action against the Union tribal affairs minister. Acts of political violence involving cadres of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) outside Kannur district of Kerala were considered exceptions rather than a rule as in the northern district, where internecine killings have become the order of the day. But the situation is fast changing with several other places emerging as hotspots of political violence in the last two years. The state capital of Thiruvananthapuram is closely following Kannur if the recent incidents of violence involving the cadres of both the outfits are any indication. While the political murders in Kannur are explained away as part of a long tradition of revenge killings, which have been glorified in local lore, the rationale behind the political rivalry in Thiruvananthapuram where the BJP won its first seat in the state legislature in its six-decades-old history in the 2016 elections, is still to be understood. A section of political observers feel that the spectre of violence haunting the state capital in the last couple of years may have strong connections with power politics. Noted political analyst NN Pearson told the Firstpost that the recent clashes could be the result of attempts by the Sangh Parivar to extend their foot print in the district and that of the CPM to counter it. BJP Thiruvananthapuram district president S Suresh said that the casualties in their side showed that the CPM was the main culprit behind the violent incidents in the district. He told the Firstpost that they had lost three men and scores injured in the political clashes since the Assembly polls. The latest to fall prey to the violence is E Rajesh (34), a key RSS functionary in the Sreekaryam area of the capital city. Suresh alleged that he was hacked to death by a gang led by Manikuttan, a CPM worker whose name figured in the goonda list of Kerala police. He said that five men detained by the police in connection with the brutal murders were members of either CPI (M) or its youth or trade union wings. Suresh said that the attack on Rajesh was hatched as part of an operation being carried out by CPI (M) district secretary Anavoor Nagappan and former legislator V Sivankutty to prevent the march of the BJP in the district. Nagappan has denied the charge. The CPM district secretary claimed that neither the party nor its members had anything with the murder. He said that the murder was the result of disputes over some local issues. The police, who have launched a high-level investigation into the case, are yet to confirm the motive behind the murder. The BJP district president termed Rajesh as a victim of CPMs politics of violence. He said that the CPM was using muscle power as it was not able to counter the BJP politically. The party is afraid of the BJP growth in the district, he added. The CPM has been targeting us since the local body polls, in which we won 33 seats in the 100-member city corporation and became the main opposition. There have been over 160 clashes since then. Many of our councillors, party offices and homes of party men were attacked. Our party headquarters were attacked twice, Suresh said. In fact, the murder of Rajesh came two days after the BJP state committee office came under the second attack. The attack on Friday followed a series of clashes involving the cadres of the two parties in different parts of Thiruvananthapuram for two days. Members of both parties vandalised party offices and homes, and damaged vehicles belonging to opponents. The house of Bineesh Kodiyeri, son of the CPM state secretary, was among those that came under the attack unleashed by the RSS. The chain of violence started after students belonging to BJPs student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), damaged a flag hoisted at MG College in the city by the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of CPM, as part of their attempt to end the hegemony of the Sangh Parivar at the college. The SFI tried to breach the ABVP control over MG College after the latter made a similar move at the University College, which is dominated by the CPM students' union. Both ABVP and the SFI do not allow other students unions to enter the respective colleges controlled by them. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that the violence was triggered by the BJP after various corruption scams, including medical college admission scams, involving party leaders came to light. He alleged that BJP had launched the attacks to divert the attention of the media and the people from the scams, which have tarnished Narendra Modi governments anti-corruption image. Political observers like Pearson do not rule out the possibility since they feel that all political parties in the state were in mad race for power. Pearson said that these parties were ready to do anything for the sake of power. There is no politics in the politics practiced by the current crop of political parties. They believe in combating their rivals physically rather than ideologically. This is why political violence is spreading in the state. Every party have their gang of goondas, who are ready to do anything for the sake of money, he added. Pearson said that the attempt by the parties to end the political killings in Kannur have not been succeeding because the goondas nurtured by the parties had gone out of their control. This is happening in other places, including Thiruvananthapuram, too. If this goes unchecked politics in Kerala will fall in the hands of goondas. This is a very sad thing for the politically enlightened people of Kerala. I think they will rise against this and show the political parties their places, said Pearson. BRP Bhaskar, a senior journalist based at Thiruvananthapuram, believes that political violence was spreading in Kerala because the hit men in both camps might be feeling emboldened by the fact that their leaders are now ruling parties, one at the Centre and the other in the state. According to a report in India Today, over 400 cases of political violence were reported from Kannur, which is the epi-centre of political violence in Kerala, since the assumption of power by the CPM-led Left Democratic Front in May 2016. The report said that the incidents of political violence had seen an increase of about 30 percent in over the last three years. More than 600 CPM workers, nearly 300 RSS-BJP activists and over 50 Congress members are reported to have been arrested in the cases of violence. Calling the Goods and Services Tax (GST) an unprecedented feat in India's economic history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 34th Mann ki baat address on Sunday said that the implementation of the new indirect tax system has brought positive changes in the economy. Lauding all stakeholders including citizens, government officials and state governments for the smooth transition to GST, Modi said, "I extend my heartiest felicitations to each & every ministry, every dept. and all employees of central and state governments." "GST is more than just a tax reform as it also ushers in a new culture. GST rollout is an example of cooperative federalism as states are partners in the decision making process," Modi added while talking about the benefits of the tax system which came into effect on 1 July. The prime minister added that the successful implementation of the GST will be studied by top economists of the world one day, claiming that the implementation of such a tax regime in a vast country like India is testimony to its success story. "GST is a fine example of the collective strength of the people of India. This is a historic achievement as it will not usher in economic prosperity but also effect change in India's social fabric," Modi said. Modi said that he received letters from the countrymen and felt "very happy and satisfied when a poor person writes to say how because of GST prices of various items essential for him have come down, and commodities have become cheaper". From the topic of GST, Modi then switched to the upcoming 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement and India's 70th year of independence. Praising India's freedom fighters for their sacrifice during the independence movement, Modi called August a "revolutionary month". "My dear countrymen, the month of August is the month of revolution. There are many events in the month of August that are closely associated with the history of our freedom movement. Heroes of freedom struggle endured hardship, made great sacrifices and laid down their lives," Modi said. Urging youngsters to learn more about the freedom movement, especially the Quit India and Non-Cooperation Movement, the prime minister announced that the government will come out with a Quit India Quiz to educate the youth about India's freedom movement. Modi said that just as the freedom fighters took the pledge to drive out the British in 1942, Indians on 15 August, 2017, should resolve to transform India by 2022, when India celebrates its 75th year of independence. "Just as the five years from 1942 to 1947 were decisive for the country's independence, these five years from 2017 to 2022 can and must play a decisive role for the future of India," Modi said and continued, "In 2022, marking 75 years of freedom, we will certainly transform that resolve into siddhi or attainment," Modi said. Modi identified communalism, casteism, corruption, terrorism, poverty and dirt as major problems plaguing India and asked people to work for their removal in the same spirit of "Quit India". "Filth - Quit India; Poverty - Quit India; Corruption - Quit India; Terrorism - Quit India; Casteism - Quit India; Communalism - Quit India," Modi said. We should celebrate 15th August 2017 as the Sankalp Parva or the Day of Resolve. #PMonAIR #MannKiBaat (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/XCHhCeCmdS All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 30, 2017 I can see that 2017 to 2022 presents itself as a new time segment of five years for attainment through resolve. #PMonAIR #MannKiBaat All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 30, 2017 Interestingly, Modi said that he has heard about "complaints" that his previous Independence Day addresses were long and that he will try to keep it short this time. "I will try to finish it in 40-45-50 minutes. I have tried to make a rule for myself. I don't know whether I will be able to do it or not," he added. Modi also addressed the nation on the floods in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam and other parts of India. Modi reiterated how several agencies and volunteers have been contributing to allay the distress. "During the floods governmental agencies, Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force, paramilitary forces, everyone gets down to help others", Modi said during his radio address, which is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month. Modi also said the farmers are primary flood victims and that his government is endeavouring to get them the compensation speedily in case of crop loss through insurance. Modi also added that because of technological advancement, weather can be predicted with near-perfect accuracy now. Modi spoke about Indian women's cricket team for reaching the final of the World Cup and said, "Our daughters are bringing laurels to the country in all the fields be it education, economic activities, social spheres or in sports". "Our daughters performed brilliantly in the Women's Cricket World Cup. This week I had the opportunity to meet our daughters, the members of our Women's Cricket team. I felt happy talking to them, but I had a feeling that they felt burdened by the fact that they could not win the World Cup." Modi said he urged them to look at the way India supported them and take pride in their accomplishment. "Look, this is the age of the media. So expectations get hyped up to such an extent that if corresponding success is not achieved, these turn into despair and even resentment. We have seen during many such events where if the Indian players fail, the anger of the country is vented towards the players." The prime minister said the 1.25 billion people "took this defeat on their own shoulders, never letting the burden weigh down these daughters of ours. I view this as a healthy and pleasant change and I told these daughters that only they were blessed with such good fortune, and hence they should banish any thought of not having been successful". Modi also referred to the upcoming season of festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali and urged the people to use the items made by the poor people of the country as it is relates to their economic empowerment. "Our festivals are not only for celebrations. Our festivals are also an instrument of societal improvement. Also, it has direct relation to the economic condition of the poor people," Modi said. "This is the time when the poor people get an opportunity to make an earning," Modi said. Giving the example of Diwali, he said the people should use environment-friendly 'diyas' (small oil lamps) only. Such things, he said, will give work to the poor people and help in their empowerment. With inputs from agencies Ahmedabad: Stepping up attack on Gujarat Congress for shifting its MLAs to Bengaluru amid flood-like situation in the state, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani alleged the decision was taken by party leader Ahmed Patel out of his "greed" to win the Rajya Sabha seat. Rupani alleged that just like Sonia Gandhi's affection for his son Rahul Gandhi sank the Congress in the country, Patel's "greed and desperation" to save his Rajya Sabha seat will eventually sink the party in Gujarat. "Sonia Gandhi's affection for her son has drowned the Congress in the entire country. Though the citizens rejected Rahul Gandhi's leadership, Sonia's 'putra moh' sank Congress. Similarly, Ahmed Patel's greed to save his Rajya Sabha seat here will sink Gujarat Congress," he said. The chief minister on Sunday reached the flood-affected Banaskantha district. After interacting with the locals in Kankrej taluka and other affected regions, Rupani decided to stay in Banaskantha and Patan for the next five days to oversee the relief operations, a government release said. According to Rupani, the Congress MLAs from Banaskantha and other affected regions should have stayed with the people in this difficult time. "Out of his greed to win the Rajya Sabha poll, he sent 40 Congress MLAs to Bengaluru. Some of them belonged to those districts which are badly hit by flood. Patel forced them to leave their constituencies, as he was only concerned about his Rajya Sabha seat," the chief minister alleged. "The people of Gujarat are watching this. I believe that the Gujarat Congress will sink only because of Ahmed Patel," he said. The Congress has re-nominated Patel, the political secretary to party chief Sonia Gandhi, to the Upper House of Parliament from Gujarat. Meanwhile, Patel along with state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki and former party chief Siddharth Patel also visited the flood-hit areas in Banaskantha on Sunday and interacted with the locals to understand their problems, a party release said. Talking to mediapersons in Palanpur, Patel refuted Rupani's allegation that leaving Gujarat and moving to Bengaluru shows the "insensitive approach" of the Congress MLAs, at a time when the state is facing flood-like situation. He alleged that Congress MLAs from Banaskantha and other flood-affected regions were forced to leave the state by the BJP-led state government. "The allegations against our MLAs are baseless. Before leaving, they started relief camps and also gave instructions to local workers. They are still keeping a close watch on the relief operations from Bengaluru. Our MLAs took all possible steps to help the people," Patel said. "Our MLAs were forced to leave Gujarat as they and their family members were being tortured by the state government," he alleged. "Even now, many Congress workers and leaders are actively involved in helping people. We are also here to help people," he said. Patel exuded confidence of winning the Rajya Sabha election, to be held on 8 August. "I am totally confident of winning the poll. Not just those (who are in Bengaluru), some other MLAs are also in my support and I have full trust in them," he said. Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel on Saturday said that at the time when people of north Gujarat are facing problems due to excessive rains, the entire Congress has gone to Bengaluru to enjoy. The Congress earlier sent 40 of its legislators to a resort outside Bengaluru to prevent desertions from its ranks ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat. In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the strength of the Congress has gone down to 51 from 57 after six of its MLAs tendered their resignations, casting a shadow on the fate of Patel in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls. Of the total 11 RS members from the state, the term of three--Smriti Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel--is ending on 18 August. Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a statewide shutdown on Sunday in protest against the killing of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist allegedly by Communist Party of India (CPM) loyalists. The 34-year-old RSS worker, who was hacked on Saturday night in the state capital, breathed his last at a private hospital. The deceased has been identified as E Rajesh, who was a "Karyavahak" attached to the RSS unit at Sreekariyam near Thiruvananthapuram. State BJP president Kummanem Rajasekheran, who visited the hospital, told reporters that this was a result of state-sponsored violence. "The CPM led government has become a mute witness to the violence going on in the state capital district. Even our state party headquarters was attacked. But we exercised restraint. "But now, we are left with no other option but to call for a statewide shutdown tomorrow (Sunday) to protest the killing (of Rajesh). The state government has not even called for a peace talk to resolve issues," Rajasekheran said. According to the BJP, Rajesh was hacked by four suspected youth wing activists of the CPM people, who came on two motorcycles. He suffered serious injuries in his face, hands and legs, and according to the BJP, his left hand was severed and thrown away. The killing comes a day after a group of CPM workers led by local councillor I P Binu smashed six vehicles parked in the state committee office of the BJP. After the attack at the BJP headquarters, the residence of the son of CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was stoned. For the past two weeks, an uneasy calm has been prevailing in the capital district, with the activists of the BJP and the CPM attacking each other every now and then. Thiruvananthapuram district CPM Secretary Anavoor Nagappan in a statement issued here on Saturday night said that the CPM had no role in this incident. "There were some local issues in the area and in this incident, the CPM has no role," Nagappan's statement read. Earlier, 10 people, including four from the student and youth wing of the CPI-M, had been arrested in connection with the violence in the city. Kozhikode (Kerala): The Congress on Sunday asked the BJP and CPM in Kerala to immediately end violence that the two parties are engaged in, as peace and tranquillity have vanished in the state. The Congress came down heavily on both the parties after the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called for a shutdown on Sunday, following a 34-year-old Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader's murder in Kozhikode on Saturday night. The police have taken into custody five suspected Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) activists and the two vehicles used by them. Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday began a day-long fast in Kozhikode to protest the bloodshed that the BJP and the Left party have been engaged in. "Both the parties (BJP and CPM) should lay down arms immediately as annihilation politics practised by them has reached very dangerous levels," said Chennithala. The dawn-to-dusk state-wide shutdown, announced by state BJP President Kummanem Rajashekeran, has paralysed life in Kerala. Normal life has been hit in the state, with public transport off the roads and very few private vehicles moving around, as the BJP and RSS activists are out on the streets. The political violence between the two parties in the past two weeks had been limited to Kannur and an uneasy calm prevailed in the district. On Friday night, CPM councillor IP Binu attacked the state BJP headquarters in Kozhikode, following which BJP activists stoned the residence of CPM state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son. "The need of the hour is to end the violence. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rajashekeran should sit and talk. The police under Vijayan have been a dismal failure," Chennithala said. "The BJP, caught in a medical scam, and the incompetent one-year rule of Vijayan are the root cause of the violence as both the parties want to cover up their failures," he added. The police have directed citizens to ensure that they do not engage in activities like spreading false messages on social media, and warned of strong action against those indulging in violence. New Delhi: JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav does not approve of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's move to dump the "grand alliance" and form a government with BJP, CPI leader D Raja, who met him on Sunday, has revealed. Raja said Yadav is "upset and disturbed" over the developments in Bihar. In a sudden development, Kumar had quit as chief minister on Wednesday, dumping the 'mahagathbandhan' with RJD and Congress. He formed a new government on Thursday with the BJP. "I understand he (Yadav) was kept out of the decision," the CPI leader told PTI. Raja said he met Yadav after the latter called him up when he was in Chennai on Saturay. Yadav, former JD(U) president, hasn't publicly commented on the Bihar developments. Describing Kumar's action as "betrayal of the people's mandate" in Bihar, Raja said, "In this moment of crisis, Yadav should stand up and lead the fight against evil designs of BJP-RSS and communal forces." The CPI leader said Kumar's actions amounted to "subversion of democracy and secular fabric of the nation". He also objected to Kumar being allowed to form the new government, saying it is not a proper democratic practice. Beijing: Chinese president Xi Jinping on Sunday said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is capable of vanquishing "all invading enemies" and praised its combat readiness as he reviewed a massive military parade to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the world's largest armed force. Dressed in camouflage, Xi inspected 12,000 troops in various formations from an open-top military jeep at the parade held in Zhurihe - Asia's largest military training centre in the middle of a desert in Inner Mongolia. Over 100 fighter jets flew overhead and almost 600 types of weaponry were on display for the occasion - nearly half of which were making their debut in public, according to the Chinese defence ministry. In his address to the soldiers, Xi said the PLA should strictly follow the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China and "march to wherever the Party points to." "I firmly believe that our gallant military has both confidence and ability to defeat all invading enemies," said Xi, who heads the Central Military Commission, which holds the overall command of the PLA - the world's largest army. While there was no reference in his speech to over a month-long India-China military standoff at Doka La in the Sikkim section, his remarks came in the midst of shrill official media campaign and assertions by the foreign and defence ministries in China accusing Indian troops of trespassing into Chinese territory at Doka La. The Chinese defense ministry spokesman said Zhurihe was selected to highlight the PLA's combat readiness, but he emphasised that war-zone trainings had been long scheduled. "They have nothing to do with the current situation in the region," Colonel Ren Guoqiang said in a statement. Clad in camouflage military suit, 64-year-old Xi said the Chinese military has the confidence and ability to safeguard, national sovereignty, security and development interests. "Our military has the confidence and ability to write a new chapter in building of strong military and make new contributions to towards realisation of the China dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and safeguarding world peace," Xi said in his about 10-minute address - an event carried live on state television and radio. The military parade was the biggest since 2015 in which army and air force displayed some of the most modern weapons including a new tank which reportedly held exercises in the high-altitude along the Indian border. The other weapons included long range nuclear and conventional missiles, the new J-15 - the new aircraft based carrier. In his address, Xi asked the military to further improve its combativeness and modernise the national defence and armed forces. The Chinese military has the worlds second largest defence budget of $152 billion next to the US military. The PLA was founded on 1 August, 1927 when the ruling CPC under the leadership of Mao Zedong carried on with his national liberation movement. It is one of the rare national armies which still continues to function under the leadership of the CPC and not the Chinese government. "Officers and soldiers, you must unswervingly stick to the fundamental principle and system of the Party's absolute leadership over the army, always listen to and follow the Party's orders, and march to wherever the Party points to," said Xi, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. PLA officers and soldiers should firmly adhere to the fundamental goal of serving the people wholeheartedly, and always stand together with the people, Xi said. He also said China needs a strong army more than ever, urging the building of PLA into a world-class military force. Enjoying peace is a bliss for the people while protecting peace is the responsibility of the people's army, he said. "The world is not all at peace, and peace must be safeguarded," said Xi, who is expected to get a second five year term at the key meeting of the CPC later this year. "Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than any other time in history, and we need to build a strong people's military more than any other time in history," he said. He urged the PLA to fully implement the CPC's thoughts on building a strong military, follow the path of strengthening the army with Chinese characteristics, strive for the CPC's target on strengthening the PLA under the new circumstances, and build the heroic PLA into a world-class military. About 12,000 troops took part in the parade in which 129 aircraft and 571 pieces of equipment were on display. Dongfeng missiles which include short, long and medium rage of rockets, variety of armoury including light tanks, drones were also deployed. Helicopter borne troops demonstrated in quick landing and taking combat positions. Xi Jinping presided over the military parade, hours after US president Donald Trump renewed his criticism over Beijing's failure to rein in North Korea. North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile on last Friday which it claims could reach all of the US. President Trump has been piling pressure on China, Pyongyang's only major ally that provides an economic lifeline to the reclusive regime, to use its leverage to make North Korea halt its nuclear and missile programs. "I am very disappointed in China," Trump had said in a tweet on Saturday, adding that Beijing could have easily solved the problem posed by North Korea. China is also concerned by the tense situation in the Korea Peninsula and the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile by US in South Korea to counter threats from North Korea. Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended his decision to remove metal detectors from the entrance to a Jerusalem holy site after deadly unrest, saying it was in the best interest of security. Israel installed metal detectors and security cameras after a 14 July attack near the Haram al-Sharif, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, in which gunmen killed two policemen. Israeli police said the metal detectors were needed because guns were smuggled into the site and the assailants emerged from it to carry out the attack. The move sparked Muslim protests and deadly unrest, and the government removed the detectors on Tuesday as well as the cameras. That, however, brought fierce criticism from the far-right flank of Netanyahu's own conservative coalition. A poll of Israeli Jews found 77 percent thought the move constituted "capitulation", while even the normally pro-Netanyahu newspaper Israel Hayom attacked his handling of the crisis. "I listen to the sensitivities of the public, I understand their feelings, I know that the decision we took is not an easy one," he said at the start of Sunday's Cabinet meeting his first public comment on the removal of all the security measures. "At the same time, as prime minister of Israel, as the one who carries the burden of Israel's security on his shoulders, I am obliged to take decisions in a calm and considered way. I do that with a view to the big picture," he said. Palestinians saw the new security measures as Israel asserting further control over the holy site, which houses the revered Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock. It is located in east Jerusalem, seized by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews as the site of the first and second ancient temples. Muslims refused to enter the shrine and prayed in the streets outside for more than a week. Protests and deadly unrest erupted in the days after the measures were installed, with clashes breaking out around the compound in Jerusalem's Old City, in the occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. Seven Palestinians were killed in clashes. A Palestinian also broke into a home in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank and stabbed four Israelis, killing three. Nanterre: An MP from French president Emmanuel Macron's party was punched in the face by a government critic at a market on Sunday, the second such attack on a female MP in as many months. Laurianne Rossi, one of the scores of young lawmakers from Macron's Republic on the Move party who made their parliamentary debut in June, was handing out leaflets on a market in Bagneux, south of Paris when the man struck. Rossi, 33, told AFP that the man was "obviously hostile to the government's policy" and accused the ruling party MPs of being the president's "stooges". "I started to respond but I did not have the time to finish. He landed a strong punch on my right temple and fled," she said.He was quickly overpowered by party activists and traders, who handed him over to the police. He was quickly overpowered by party activists and traders, who handed him over to the police. Rossi, who filed a criminal complaint about the attack, admitted to being "a bit shocked" by the incident in her constituency. "No political disagreement justifies violence, against elected representatives and women to boot," she wrote on Twitter. Macron tweeted his support for the lawmaker, saying she was attacked for "defending her convictions." "Respecting lawmakers is respecting the Republic," he wrote. Several opposition politicians also condemned the attack, which comes in a year which has seen growing hostility towards politicians. During campaigning in June's parliamentary election, a man attacked Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet of the centre-right Republicans party by shoving a handful of election pamphlets in her face, causing her to fall and hit her head. Kosciusko-Morizet, who failed to win re-election to the National Assembly, was briefly hospitalised over the incident for which her attacker received a suspended four-month sentence and a fine. During the presidential campaign, several candidates were targeted in more innocuous strikes using eggs or flour. On a visit to a farm fair Macron received an egg on the head. At least one person was killed and four others were wounded after a gunman shot up a German nightclub on Sunday, according to an AFP report. According to Deutsche Welle, a 34-year-old suspect was killed in shootout with the police in Constance city in southern Germany. Police, issuing a statement, said the attacker was critically injured in a shootout with officers as he left the disco and later succumbed to his wounds in hospital. "The motive of the man, who probably acted alone, are not known yet," they added. Police said the man shot up the nightclub around 4.30 am, terrified party goers fled the building or hid. The shooting came just two days after Germany was shaken by a knife attack in Hamburg in which a 26-year-old Palestinian killed one and injured six. He was a known Islamist with psychological problems, and investigators say his motives remain unclear, according to AFP. On 13 June, several people were wounded during a firing at a commuter rail station near Munich. A Munich police spokesman, Marcus da Gloria Martins, later told reporters there was no indication of a "political or religious" motive behind the incident. "The sole male perpetrator was motivated by personal reasons," he said. Martins said that the unidentified man had tried to push at least one police officer in front of an incoming train, leading to a scuffle during which he took the female officer's gun and fired. "The police officer was shot in the head and critically injured," Martins said. Two other people at the station were seriously injured but their lives were not believed to be in danger. They were being treated in local hospitals. In July 2016, an 18-year-old, David Ali Sonboly, shot dead nine people at a Munich shopping mall before turning the gun on himself, having spent a year planning the rampage. Police said the German-Iranian teen was "obsessed" with mass murderers such as Norwegian right-wing fanatic Anders Behring Breivik and had no links to the Islamic State group. In March, an axe-wielding attacker wounded nine people in a bloody rampage at a railway station in the western city of Duesseldorf. The 36-year-old Kosovan national had been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of high anxiety and self-harm, police said, ruling out a terrorist motive. Instead, they suggested he might have carried out the attack at the station to end his own life. The suspect was taken into custody after jumping off a bridge. German authorities have been on high alert since a series of attacks claimed by Islamic State. The most deadly came in December 2016 when a Tunisian rejected asylum seeker rammed a truck into a crowded Berlin Christmas market in an attack that killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others. With inputs from AFP Tehran: National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran's Majlis (parliament) on Saturday passed the general outlines of a motion to reciprocate the United States sanctions on the country. The motion, if ratified in the Majlis open meeting, will "counter the terrorist and adventurous measures of the United States in the region," Xinhua quoted Press TV as saying. It also envisages measures to support the Iranian armed and security forces as well as those Iranians who would be affected by the United States actions, Iranian Deputy Foreign Ministers Abbas Araqchi, who had attended the meeting of the commission, was quoted as saying. Araqchi described the motion as an appropriate measure in response to the "hostile and malicious" policies of the United States. The United States sanction measures would have adverse effects on the implementation of the landmark nuclear agreement, also known as JCPOA, which was signed between Iran and six world powers in July 2015, he said. 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 United States Treasury Department. Iran launched a space vehicle on Thursday which used technologies "closely related to those of an intercontinental ballistic missile", representing a "threatening step by Iran", said the United States statement. Tehran: Iran's communications and information technology minister was quoted on Sunday as saying the widely used Telegram messenger service has transferred some of its servers into the country, but the encrypted application's founder swiftly denied the claim. The report from Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency quoted Mahmoud Vaezi as saying, "As a result of meetings with Telegram managers, some of its servers have been moved to the country." But Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said that's not so, reiterating the company's previous position in a Twitter message to The Associated Press on Sunday. "No Telegram servers will be moved to Iran," he wrote, while providing a link to an earlier post. Vaezi said Telegram planned to use third-party systems known as content delivery networks, or CDNs, in Iran. But Durov said CDNs, which internet-based services like Telegram use to make data available faster, "have nothing to do with relocating Telegram servers or complying with unreasonable local laws." Durov later released a statement saying the claim about servers in Iran was "probably another piece of fake news or incorrect translation" and may have referred to a CDN node that his company rents from an unnamed network provider. He said the company relies on CDNs in countries including Turkey, Iraq, Iran, India, Indonesia and Argentina where it does not want to install servers of its own. Those nodes are not able to decipher encrypted messages sent by Telegram, he said. "CDNs only get encrypted data and they never have the keys," he wrote. "Even if they are accessed by hackers or third parties, the attacker won't be able to decipher the files," he added. Telegram allows users to send text messages, pictures and video over the internet. The service touts itself as being highly encrypted and allows users to set their messages to "self-destruct" after a certain period, making it a favorite among activists and others concerned about their privacy. Iran has informed foreign-based social networks that they must move their servers into the country if they want to continue operations in the country. Iran blocks social media websites like Facebook and Twitter and censors other websites. While top officials have unfettered access to social media, Iran's youth and tech-savvy citizens use proxy servers or other workarounds to bypass the controls. Tehran: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday urged Muslims worldwide to take a stand against the US and Israel's "villainy" during the imminent annual Haj ceremonies. One of the topics related to the Islamic world is "the issue of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Aqsa Mosque, which is in focus," Xinhua news agency quoted Khamenei as saying. He said the US interference in the affairs of Muslim countries and its creation of terrorist groups is another important reason for the Muslims to take stand against these countries during the Haj ceremonies to be held in late August in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Baghdad: Iraqi intelligence officials say they have foiled an attempt by the Islamic State group to attack revered Shia shrines and the sect's spiritual leader. Two officers spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. They said the Islamic State plan was to launch a series of suicide attacks in Karbala and Najaf that house the shrines as well as the home of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. The officers added that simultaneous airstrikes by Iraq and Russian two weeks ago hit gatherings of suicide bombers in the Iraqi town of Qaim and in Syria's Maydeen area. Both towns are under Islamic State's control. They gave no details on casualties. Beirut: Hezbollah and a Syrian affiliate to Al-Qaeda exchanged the bodies of dead fighters along the Lebanese-Syrian border on Sunday in the first stage of a settlement to restore order to a contested frontier zone. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah handed over the bodies of nine Al-Qaeda fighters in exchange for the bodies of five of its own, following two weeks of battles along the rugged border, according to the Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV station. Lebanese Red Cross spokesman George Kattani says a woman and child were also handed over to the Al-Qaeda affiliate, known as the Nusra Front and recently rebranded as Fatah al-Sham Front. The exchange, like the battles that preceded it, underscores Hezbollah's clout in regional affairs as it clears the border of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State group militants, with the Lebanese government largely a bystander. US president Donald Trump credited the Lebanese government with standing up to Hezbollah, last week, but the Lebanese Army assumed a defensive position behind Hezbollah lines in the course of the battles in the Arsal badlands. Hezbollah is also a member of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's government. The US classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. The Syrian military provided air support to Hezbollah's ground operations around Arsal. Hezbollah's Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, said in a speech Wednesday his fighters fought "shoulder to shoulder" with Syrian soldiers on the Syrian side of the border. Twenty-six Hezbollah fighters and between 47 and 90 Al-Qaeda fighters were killed in the fighting, Hezbollah media officials told reporters on a tour of the Arsal badlands on Saturday. The fighting ended with a cease-fire Thursday for negotiations to allow refugees, fighters, and family members to leave to Syria's northwest Idlib province, leaving Hezbollah and the Lebanese and Syrian states in control of this corner of the border. Up to 9,000 Syrians could be seeking resettlement, al-Manar reported. Lebanon has been buffeted by the fallout and occasional spillover of the civil war next door. It has taken in 1 million refugees, according to the UN, and suffered a number of bomb blasts claimed by the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda affiliated groups. The border town of Arsal was overrun by Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants in 2014 before Hezbollah and the Lebanese army sent them back. They have remained ensconced in the rugged hills east of Arsal ever since. Around 80,000 refugees live near Arsal. Many of them were displaced by fighting between rebels and Hezbollah in 2012 and 2013. Syria is fractured after six years of civil war, and an Al-Qaeda affiliate controls Idlib. The war broke out after President Bashar Assad government cracked down on demonstrations for reforms in 2011. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group estimates some 475,000 people have been killed, and Assad remains in power in Damascus. In other news, the Russian broadcaster Russia Today said one of its Syrian correspondents was killed Sunday covering battles between the Syrian army and Islamic State militants in the country's central desert. RT is embedded with government forces. The Syrian army is steadily recapturing oil, gas and mineral fields from the Islamic State group in the Homs province. The broadcaster identified the correspondent as Khaled al-Khatib, 25. He was a student at the University of Damascus, it said. Seoul: North Korea said on Sunday its latest ICBM test was a "warning" targeting the US for its efforts to slap new sanctions on Pyongyang and threatened a counter-strike if provoked militarily by Washington. The North conducted its second intercontinental ballistic missile test late on Friday, with leader Kim Jong-Un boasting of his country's ability to strike "all the US mainland". Technical details of Friday's launch suggested it was significantly more powerful than the first ICBM test on 4 July, with a theoretical range long enough to reach the US east coast, according to experts. The North's first ICBM test set off global alarm over the nation's weapons capabilities and a push by the US to impose more UN and bilateral sanctions, with the US Senate passing new bipartisan sanctions on Pyongyang on Friday. But the US-led campaign only provided "further justification" for the North's resolve to maintain its weapons programmes, Pyongyang's foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run KCNA. "The... test-fire of ICBM ... this time is meant to send a stern warning to the US making senseless remarks, being lost to reason in the frantic sanctions and pressure campaign against the DPRK," it said, using an acronym for the North's official name. The statement came hours after US president Donald Trump warned that he would not allow China the impoverished North's sole major ally and economic lifeline to "do nothing" about North Korea. Trump, who is at loggerheads with Beijing over how to handle Kim's regime, has repeatedly urged China to rein in its neighbour, but China insists dialogue is the only practical way forward. The US also on Sunday had two powerful strategic bombers fly over the Korean peninsula for a joint drill with Japanese and South Korean forces, in a pointed show of force against the North. But Pyongyang's foreign ministry urged the US to "wake up from the foolish dream of doing any harm to the DPRK." "If the Yankees... dares brandish the nuclear stick on this land again ...the DPRK will clearly teach them manners with the nuclear strategic force," it said. There remains 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 atmosphere. But since Kim came to power in 2011, 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. Islamabad: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz nominee for the post of interim prime minister on Sunday challenged the opposition to prove irregularities in his finances, saying "whoever wants to file a reference against me should feel free to do so". Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was speaking to the media following his meeting with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the capital, the Dawn reported. Speaking on Nawaz Sharif's disqualification by the Supreme Court, the former petroleum minister said: "To my understanding of legal matters, there is no harm in possessing an iqama it's just a visa but nowadays, laws are being interpreted in ways that are stranger than ever." "I have disclosed all my assets and their details are published in the Pakistan Gazette. So those levelling baseless allegations (against me) should check their own acts first," he said. When asked about speculations regarding the involvement of the military in the prime minister's ouster, Abbasi said, "There are no two sides in this country; we all are one and work for the betterment of this country in a united way." PML-N leaders, in a parliamentary committee meeting on Saturday headed by ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, had decided that Sharif's younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif, should take over as the party's leader in Parliament. Additionally, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who was until Friday the petroleum minister, would take over as interim prime minister till the time Shahbaz is elected to Parliament, and then to the prime minister's office. Abbasi, during the meeting, said the party had made a decision and everyone had acted on it. "There is no conflict in the party. We may have given in, but history will not accept this decision (to disqualify Nawaz Sharif) -- the nation has not accepted this decision." The United Nations (UN) has asked Pakistan to review the legislation relating to military courts that gives them the authority to impose the death penalty, reform military courts to ensure fair trial and to ensure that coerced confessions are never admissible in legal proceedings, after a recent, first-ever UN review of the countrys record of implementing its civil and political rights. The UN Human Rights Committee notes with concern, that since Pakistan lifted the moratorium on death penalty in December 2014, it has been one of the states with the highest rate of executions, and that the death penalty is given for crimes such as drug trafficking and blasphemy even to juveniles and persons with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities which do not fall under the category of most serious crimes. Additionally, a policy of blanket refusal of clemency applications is allegedly in placeand that executions are allegedly carried out in a manner that constitutes torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. Also, Pakistani migrant workers under death sentence overseas have reported insufficient consular and legal services provided to them. The UN Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that periodically monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of the state parties. The ICCPR is a crucial multilateral treaty that came into force in 1976 and commits its ratifying parties to respect rights such as the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, right to due process and fair trial, among other rights. Initially, a government has to report to the UN within a year of acceding to the covenant after which its record is typically reviewed every four years by independent experts working under the aegis of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The most recent review was held between 3 July and 28 July in Geneva where seven countries, including Pakistan, were reviewed. Though Pakistan ratified the treaty in June 2010, its initial report to the committee was reviewed only this month. Though the UN Committee notes the need for Pakistan to take measures for combating terrorism, but is concerned that the current definition of terrorism under the Anti-Terrorism Act is very broad and that confessions made in police custody are admitted as evidence in courts. It recommends that Pakistan review the 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; reform the military courts to bring their proceedings into full conformity with Articles 14 and 15 of the covenant to ensure a fair trial. Also, it asks Pakistan to ensure that coerced confessions are never admissible in legal proceedings; take all measures necessary to prevent torture including by strengthening the training of judges, prosecutors, the police and military and security forces. Recently, a Pakistani military court awarded death sentence to an Indian national, Kulbhushan Jadhav, over alleged spying and has denied consular access to India despite many requests by New Delhi for the same. This resulted in New Delhi dragging Pakistan to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the ICJ has put a stay on Jadhavs hanging pending its final decision. The case has strained the already-troubled relations between the neighbours. The UN body states that there are various lists that control the entry or exit in Pakistan, including the infamous Exit Control List (ECL), but the UN has no information on such lists, including the criteria or grounds for the listing, the process for listing or delisting names, and the safeguards available to prevent misuse of these lists. A joint submission to the UN Committee by IFEX (a global network of 110 organisations to promote the freedom of expression), Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and the International Network of Human Rights (RIDH), states in its report that in reality the ECL is an effective tool to suppress dissent. The report cites the example of Cyril Almeida, assistant editor of the daily Dawn, who was placed on the ECL in October last year, which barred him from travelling outside the country, in retaliation for a story published the same month titled Act against militants or face international isolation, civilians tell military, that reported on a meeting of senior military officials and government leaders where concerns on connections between intelligence agencies and some militant organisations were raised. Almeidas name was removed from the ECL four days later after intense pressure from the media and civil society groups. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and its authorised officers have overbroad powers without sufficient independent judicial oversight mechanisms, observes the UN committee. Also, the mandatory mass retention of traffic data by service providers for a minimum of one year, unduly restrictive licensing requirements of service providers; and the sharing of information and cooperation with foreign governments without judicial authorization or oversight, are all issues of concern to the global body. The IFEX-PPF-RIDH submission cites the instance of Islamabad High Courts (IHCs) order to the PTA on 27 February to block social media sites that are deemed to be blasphemous. Similarly, on 31 March 2017, the IHC ordered PTA to remove all blasphemous content from the internet and requested extradition of the blogger who left the country. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) exercises its powers over the content of media outlets, including suspending over 20 programmes in the past four years, the lack of clarity on procedural safeguards and oversight mechanisms to ensure that PEMRA exercises its powers consistent with the principle of freedom of expression and the broad and vague grounds for cancellation of registration of these organisations, is a matter grave concern to the UN human rights experts. Article 295- A of the Pakistani Constitution stipulates imprisonment of up to ten years, and/or fine for whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of the citizens of Pakistan, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations insults the religion or the religious beliefs while Article 295- B stipulates life imprisonment for whoever wilfully defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Qur'an. In March 2017, Pakistan launched a media campaign cautioning people to exercise self-restraint in their online activities, states the joint international NGOs submission. The recently-deposed former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif directed the state machinery to find those responsible for putting blasphemous content on social media and bring them to justice without delay, it further adds. It also mentions the tragic case of Mashal Khan, a Muslim student at the Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who was killed by an angry mob in the premises of the university in April over false allegations of posting blasphemous content online. Examples of website blocking, mentioned in the joint submission include the July 2013 case of Al-Jazeeras website being blocked after it published a document called Pakistans Bin Laden Dossier detailing the findings of a commission of inquiry established by Pakistans military and intelligence branches into the Bin Laden raid. It also mentions the shutting down of the queer website: queer.pkwhich was the countrys first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender website. The UN Committee regrets the absence of information from the Pakistani delegation, which was led by the Pakistani Minister for Human Rights Kamran Michael, on effective measures to prevent and punish all forms of discriminations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. While the UN treaty-monitoring body welcomes the establishment of Pakistans National Commission for Human Rights in 2015, it is concerned that the commission was not given authorisation to travel to Geneva to meet the UN committee members, giving indications that the commission is not fully independent. The UN is also concerned that the Constitution and federal laws as well as the jurisdiction of highest courts do not apply in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Among other recommendations, the UN Committee asks Pakistan to ensure that no juvenile or person with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities is executed or sentenced to death, to repeal all blasphemy laws, that the execution protocol is brought in line with international human rights standards, to criminalise enforced disappearance and put an end to the practice of enforced disappearance and secret detention, to review its legislation on data collection and surveillance, to carry out the registration of undocumented Afghan refugees, to decriminalise defamation and to review legal provisions relating to the freedom of expression and PEMRA. The committee has asked Pakistan to submit its next periodic report by 28 July, 2020 and to include in that report information on the implementation of the present concluding observations. Islamabad: A leading Pakistani newspaper on Sunday accused the Supreme Court of ousting Nawaz Sharif as prime minister on "troublingly narrow legal grounds" and called for a review of the judgment. "Out of necessary respect for the Supreme Court and abundant caution in a matter where a hasty or premature assessment could trigger controversy, the initial response by sensible and responsible quarters to the Panama Papers judgment was to emphasise the need for immediate political and legal acceptance of the court's orders," the Dawn said in an editorial. "Now that the short but final judgment has been analysed by the legal community, the political class and the citizenry in detail, the implications of it for politics in Pakistan need to be forthrightly addressed," it said. "The consensus in expert and independent circles is two-fold and clear: Nawaz Sharif has been stripped of the prime ministership on troublingly narrow legal grounds and the judgement has the undesirable potential to upend the democratic process in the country. "In the circumstances, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar ought to consider, following an appropriate petition, convening the full court to review the five-member bench's final judgment in the Panama Papers case." The Dawn said that if Pakistan's democratic project was to be sustained and strengthened, "the rules of the system must be clear, fair and transparent". "It had been hoped that the Supreme Court would deliver a well-argued and well-reasoned judgement that would create a desirable and easily implementable legal precedent. "Instead, the one that now holds sway in the application of disqualification criteria for elected officials is staggeringly wide and could become the source of chaos in the parliamentary realm," it said. Dawn said: "Sharif, both as a citizen and as the legitimately elected prime minister, had a justifiable expectation of fair and proportionate justice. "That does not appear to be the case in the five-member bench's final judgment and it has profound consequences for the future of the office of the prime minister and of Parliament itself." On Friday, the Supreme Court disqualified Sharif from holding the post of prime minister, saying he had been dishonest to the judiciary and Parliament about financial details of his family as revealed by the Panama Papers. Sharif is expected to be succeeded by his brother, Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif. Even though Nawaz Sharif has resigned as prime minister, nothing has really changed in the Pakistani political set up. Playing out scenarios of what things may come is a pointless exercise. The very fact that Nawaz's successor will be his younger brother Shehbaz, who is clearly marking time until he is elected to the national Assembly, indicates that when it comes to Pakistan, all is still very much in the family. This entire brouhaha is more of an ornamental fluff rather than a true changing of the guard. For those that argue that the removal of Nawaz Sharif is indicative of the ascent of the Pakistan Army, I say thus: The Pakistani Army has no need to ascend or descend. It owns the elevator of power and can decide which floor to sit on and for how long as it selects Sharif's replacement. If it was truly hostile to the Sharifs, the army would have just simply dismissed the clan and no one would have been able to lift a finger. Instead, Nawaz was eased out through legal means and allowed to remain in the tent. Nawaz may find solace yet in his dismissal being delinked from charges of corruption. He may also display bewilderment at his unceremonious send-off but he knows in his heart that the deal was for him to take the fall to put on a show for the public and cleanse the stables while maintaining the status quo. To the common Pakistani citizen, the Panama Papers revelations are no big deal. To a certain extent, corruption or a certain political expediency are integral to politics. Let's not read too much into it. There's been no major policy shift. If we applied the same yardstick to Indian politicians, swathes of leaders would be wiped out. Interim Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is an old buddy of Nawaz. He is unlikely to create any drama in the few days he enjoys office. Like Banquo's ghost in Macbeth, Sharif's influence will be felt long after his "departure" from the stage. Much like Lalu Prasad Yadav handing over the reins to his wife Rabri Devi. As for India expecting a sea change in relations with its neighbour, especially with reference to 600 terror camps maintained by Pakistan, that is wishful thinking indeed. Pakistan is enjoying Indias uneasy face-off with China. General Bajwa is unlikely to reduce the pressure by extending flowers and friendship. Expect no concessions. On the contrary, a certain caution is called for. Governments often divert attention from domestic crises by creating incidents on the border. High-profile issues such as the Kulbhushan Jadav case and even heavy exchange of fire at LoC gives the "new" regime (which is actually the old regime: Shaken, not stirred) to consolidate its power and ride in on the enemy's coattails. It would not be surprising if we see some contained adventurism in the coming days. Extra vigilance may be necessary. Dubai: Top officials of four Arab states boycotting Qatar are scheduled to meet in the Bahraini capital Sunday, as a political crisis that has split the Gulf enters its second month. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt will meet in Manama in a bid to persuade Qatar to "end its support for extremism and terrorism, stop meddling in the affairs of neighbouring countries and change its policies," read a statement on state news agency BNA. On 5 June, the Saudi-led bloc cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas over allegations the emirate supported Islamist extremism and had close ties to Shia Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch-rival. The Saudi-led bloc recalled their ambassadors, ordered all Qataris to return home and banned Qatar from using their airspace. Qatar has denied the allegations and accuses the bloc of imposing a "blockade" on the tiny emirate. Qatar has also rejected the bloc's demands which include downgrading ties to Iran and closing both the Al-Jazeera news channel and a Turkish military base in the country as a violation of its sovereignty. Bahrain's King Hamad on Saturday called for "the solidarity of all Arab countries in fighting terrorism and cutting off its financing... for the defence of our homelands" ahead of the meeting, which comes after the Saudi-led bloc held talks in Cairo earlier in July. Kuwait is leading mediation efforts in the crisis, the worst to grip the region since the 1981 creation of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council. Kuwait and Oman GCC members along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar have not joined the Qatar boycott. Saint Petersburg: President Vladimir Putin on Sunday oversaw a pomp-filled display of Russia's naval might as the Kremlin paraded its sea power from the Baltic Sea to the shores of Syria. Some 50 warships and submarines were on show along the Neva River and in the Gulf of Finland off the country's second city of Saint Petersburg after Putin ordered the navy to hold its first ever parade on such a grand scale. "Today much is being done to develop and modernise the navy," Putin told servicemen after surveying the military hardware from his presidential cutter. "The navy is not only dealing with its traditional tasks but also responding with merit to new challenges, making a significant contribution to the fight against terrorism and piracy," he said. The showcase event to mark Russia's annual Navy Day is the latest to be beefed up by Putin, with the Kremlin strongman also bolstering the traditional WWII victory parade in Moscow as he looks to flex the country's military muscles. Russia has ramped up its military manoeuvres as ties with the West have slumped over Moscow's meddling in Ukraine, unnerving NATO and its members in Eastern Europe. Smaller naval parades were also taking place from Russia's European exclave Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea to the annexed Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and Vladivostok in the far-east. For the first time Moscow also showed off its naval hardware at its Syrian base of Tartus in the eastern Mediterranean, where Russian ships have played a prominent role backing up a bombing campaign in support of leader Bashar al-Assad. Russian news wire Interfax reported that six vessels including the latest generation "Krasnodar" diesel submarine were taking part in the parade. Moscow and Damascus in January signed a 49-year deal for Russia to expand and modernise the facility at Tartus, further cementing the Kremlin's influence in the region after its game-changing military intervention. Lahore: Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, who is set to succeed his brother as the Pakistan prime minister, is looking to his son Hamza Shabaz as his replacement in Punjab, the media reported on Sunday. Shahbaz Sharif is known to enjoy "a degree of comfort in dealing with his son", the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting insiders in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). According to the insiders, however, the final say on who gets to helm Punjab would rest with ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is looking to consolidate the party's control in Punjab, the Dawn said. The PML-N cannot afford to lose its grip on Punjab since the next general elections are barely a year away. "Shahbaz wants his son, who is already acting as the deputy chief minister, to succeed him for the remaining term in Punjab," a PML-N legislator from Punjab told the Dawn. "However, (it is up to) Nawaz Sharif to decide whether Hamza will be the right choice for the post or not." The PML-N leader added that Shahbaz Nawaz would continue to oversee matters in Punjab indirectly while his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, would continue to govern the Centre from his Raiwind residence, the report said. A Punjab minister may keep the chief minister's seat warm for Shahbaz Nawaz's son for 45 days. On Saturday, the deposed prime minister formally announced that Shahbaz Nawaz would be his successor and petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be premier for 45 days till Shahbaz Nawaz contests a by-election to enter the National Assembly. Rumours of Hamza Shahbaz's political tiffs with Nawaz Sharif's family and children abound. He had not openly defended his uncle (Nawaz Sharif) in the Panama Papers case, choosing not to comment too much on the issue. But both families have often denied rumours of any political disagreement. The Dawn said the names of three others law minister Rana Sanaullah, information minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and food minister Bilal Yasin were also being considered for the post of Punjab chief minister. Caracas: Venezuela planned a vote Sunday to elect a controversial new legislative body whose creation has triggered international alarm and deadly street protests against the nation's beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro, who is struggling to shore up his regime, predicted a "big victory" in the election of the 545-member citizens' Constituent Assembly empowered to dissolve the opposition-controlled parliament and rewrite the constitution. But the opposition has urged a boycott, saying the vote was a move towards "dictatorship" by an unpopular president desperate to cling to power with the backing of a loyal military. The US, the EU and Latin American powers, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, have come out against the election, saying it would destroy Venezuelan democracy. Surveys by the Datanalisis polling firm show more than 70 percent of Venezuelans opposed the idea of the new assembly and 80 percent reject Maduro's leadership. Four months of street protests against Maduro have left more than 100 people dead, and exposed deep political divisions in this oil-rich nation reduced to economic calamity. Demonstrations tapered off just before Sunday's vote after Maduro decreed a ban threatening prison terms of up to 10 years for protesters. But fear of the violence worsening has rippled across the region, and beyond. US sanctions Several foreign airlines, including Air France, Delta, Avianca and Iberia have suspended flights to the country. Families of US diplomats there have been ordered to leave following the imposition of American sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan officials. Maduro who described the Constituent Assembly as a "card that will win this game" on Saturday said the vote was "the most important election held in Venezuela's political system." Authorities on the eve of the vote said all was ready for the nationwide balloting, although the head of the electoral council acknowledged some voting machines had been burned in attacks on polling stations. Freddy Guevara, an opposition lawmaker, said further demonstrations would take place on Sunday. "There will not be calm as long as the people don't have peace," he said. 'Nervous' Venezuelans Colombia and Panama refuges for tens of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing the chaos at home -- have said they will not recognize the results of Sunday's election in Venezuela. At an overnight protest in Villa del Rosario, a Colombian town on the Venezuelan border, hundreds of Venezuelans taking shelter there decried the election. "We don't know what's going to happen in this situation created by this president," said one of them, Bella Buitrago, 48. "We're all extremely nervous." "We don't want Maduro... he should leave the country," said another, Sindry Borges. Some in Maduro's administration have broken ranks with him, most prominently his attorney general. Two diplomats resigned this week in dissent: one at the United Nations and another at the embassy in Panama. The Venezuelan leader has blamed the mounting unrest against him and his policies on the United States, working hand-in-hand with the Venezuelan opposition to wage an "economic war." Dhaka: The World Bank has approved a total of $570 million for two projects in Bangladesh to improve health, nutrition, and population services and strengthen the country's public procurement. "The World Bank and the (Bangladesh) government have been working together for years to improve the health sector and public procurement performance," Qimiao Fan, World Bank director for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal said in a statement. "The $515 million Health Sector Support Project will strengthen the country's health system and improve quality and coverage of essential service delivery, with a focus on the Sylhet and Chittagong divisions, where key health indicators are below national average," he said in the statement. "It aims to increase the number of mothers receiving quality delivery care in public health facilities to at least 146,000 annually in Sylhet and Chittagong divisions. It will also provide basic immunisation to nearly 5 million children," Fan said. As Bangladesh experiences demographic changes, the project will help address emerging health challenges, such as non-communicable diseases. In Sylhet and Chittagong divisions, it will support school-based adolescent health and nutrition services, the statement said. The project will also help improve Bangladesh's financial management and procurement in the sector and develop a robust health information system. It will enable over 7,000 community clinics to provide complete essential data on service delivery, and ensure at least 150 health facilities to each have two accredited midwives on staff. The financing will contribute to the government's $14.7 billion health sector program between 2017 and 2022. It includes a $15 million grant from the Global Financing Facility to improve service delivery for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition. The other financing approved, the $55 million Digitising Implementation Monitoring and Public Procurement Project, will help Bangladesh improve public procurement performance, including its capacity to monitor implementation of development projects and programmes using digital technology, the World Bank statement said. According to concerned officials, Bangladesh spends over $7 billion yearly on public procurement, which constitutes about 70 percent of the annual development programme. The World Bank helped Bangladesh roll out electronic procurement (e-GP) in four key public procuring entities in 2011, and establish a high capacity data centre in 2016 to accommodate increasing demand for electronic procurement. The new project will expand e-GP to all 1300 government procuring organisations, the statement said. The project will help the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division effectively monitor the execution of annual development programs by establishing a single online platform connecting all public sector organisations. The Latest on Britain's plans to leave the European Union (all times local): 11:45 a.m. Malta's prime minister says he is starting to believe that Britain's divorce from the European Union will not happen as doubts creep in among voters who backed the Brexit. In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, Joseph Muscat said, "For the first time, I am beginning to believe that Brexit won't happen." Muscat, whose country held the EU's presidency for the first half of 2017, said he sees signs that British public opinion is turning and he hopes a politician will offer a new referendum on the final Brexit deal. In the interview published Thursday he said: "It would be good if a political leader in Great Britain would stand up with the courage to address this new situation and say: 'We will put the final Brexit deal to the people.'" ____ 11:15 a.m. Britain's Treasury chief says the country will abide by some European Union rules for up to three years after it officially leaves the bloc in March 2019. Philip Hammond says a transition period is needed "to get from the status quo today to the new normal." He says the transition should end before Britain's next election, scheduled for 2022. Many businesses accuse the government of sending mixed signals about Brexit. Officials say Britain will leave the bloc's single market and customs union, and end free movement from EU countries. But officials also say the changes, which have huge economic implications, won't happen overnight. Hammond told Sky News on Friday that a transition period will let businesses "go on operating normally" while Britain works out its post-Brexit relationship with the EU. Even for couples who get along very well, money can be a point of contention. Sometimes one person spends more than the other; in other cases, there are disagreements as to how money should be spent. Perhaps one member of the couple believes in saving and caution, while the other leans toward instant gratification. All of those issues can be solved via communication and negotiation. It can be harder, however, for couples to deal with issues of income disparity. If one person starts making a lot more than the other, it can cause resentment and lead to problems that are harder to talk about. If you end up being the person in the relationship making more money, there are ways you can head off any problems. But doing so requires discipline and the self-awareness to never pull out the "I make more money than you" card in a fight. Slip up even once on that, and you'll have a recurring problem it's very hard to move past. Know your financial plan Both during times when my wife had a higher income and now, when I make more, we always had clear rules on spending. We put our paychecks and other earnings in a joint bank account and agreed on a general understanding of our budget. At times, such as right after buying a house, we've both understood that spending needed to be kept to essentials. At other times, when we lived below our means and had money left over after recurring bills, we've had a more open approach to spending. Through financial ups and downs, no matter how much each of us contributed, we enjoyed equal financial freedom. Sometimes that means we can buy a new TV or piece of furniture without consulting the other. During leaner periods, perhaps that freedom only extended to books or meals out with friends. No matter where our bank-account balance stood, we communicated about the broad issues. That put both of us in a position to feel comfortable. And it has enhanced the teamwork aspect, because we accept that no matter who earns what, we both contribute equally. Have a non-work plan If you make more money than your spouse, you might feel entitled to contribute less work to the household, especially if the reason you make more money is that your significant other spends fewer hours in an office. However, he or she may be spending less time at an office job in order to care for your child or children, which can be a full-time job in itself. Ultimately, a couple should jointly make any decisions on who stays home part- or full-time and have complete respect for the various ways in which each person contributes. In other cases, where both members of the couple work for pay, but one makes more money, it's important to have a negotiated division of household tasks. In my case, because I work from home, I handle most of the cooking and many of the various work-hours things that come up. My wife, who works 9 to 5 (more like 8:30 to 6 most days) in the nonprofit world, tends to do more of the household cleaning and the bulk of the grocery shopping. She does more of our son's laundry, along with her own, while I mostly do mine. There are times when we trade tasks because one of us needs to work more, but there is never a time where I ask her to do something because I make more money. Sometimes she works at night or on the weekends, and I support that; when I work off-hours, she gives me the same support. I'm always careful not to make my work needs more important than hers just because my job pays better. That's sometimes a challenge because I get paid based on production while she gets a salary, so extra work by me directly pads our bank account. Despite that, it's important to value what your partner does. In my case, that's easy because her work helps people in need. But even if she had a less noble profession, as a partner I'd have to support my significant other's pursuits. Be open and honest Valuing what my wife does and keeping open financial communication do not mean always pretending everything is equal. She understands that more time I spend working means more money for both of us. She also understands that I have my limits and need to not work sometimes. For us, that has meant her taking on a little more at home when I have the opportunity and the desire to bring in more money. The same has been true in reverse when she's been offered freelance projects that would bring in extra cash. As the higher earner in a couple, it's important to remember that your significant other also contributes to your success. If you view your income, his or her income, and his or her successes as joint accomplishments, it can keep both parties from feeling resentment or a lack of appreciation. Communicate your needs and desires. If I want to buy something and plan to take on extra work in order to do it, I discuss that with my wife, because the impact on our life may go deeper than our bank balance. It's about communication, partnership, and mutual understanding. Those are not always easy, but they're essential if you don't want financial success to undermine your relationship. The $16,122 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,122 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Alaska Air (NYSE: ALK) faced some major challenges in the first half of 2017. The company's recent acquisition of Virgin America has given it a big presence in overcrowded airports such as those in San Francisco and Los Angeles, leading to a decline in on-time performance. Meanwhile, Horizon Air, Alaska's regional affiliate, has been forced to cancel numerous flights because of a pilot shortage. Nevertheless, Alaska Air was able to give its shareholders two pieces of good news last week. First, the company reported a strong second-quarter profit. Second, management announced that it had been able to accelerate a critical merger integration milestone by about six months. Reaping the benefits of the Virgin America deal While many airlines are on pace this year to post weak earnings growth -- or even earnings declines -- Alaska Air's profit growth is being boosted by the addition of Virgin America. Last quarter, Virgin America contributed more than $30 million of profit for Alaska Air, net of interest costs related to financing the deal. As a result, adjusted earnings per share reached $2.51 in Q2, up from $2.12 a year earlier. On a combined basis -- i.e., including Virgin America's results from Q2 2016 -- revenue per available seat mile increased 3.5% year over year, offsetting a 3.3% increase in non-fuel unit costs and part of a roughly 12% increase in jet fuel prices. For the third quarter, Alaska expects to face a similar 12% year-over-year increase in jet fuel prices. However, non-fuel unit cost growth should moderate to just 1.5%. With Alaska Air continuing to face less competitive capacity growth than some of its rivals, the company is well positioned to post another strong increase in EPS during Q3. Merger synergies could come a bit sooner than expected While Alaska Air is enjoying some incremental profit from owning Virgin America this year, the real value from the merger will come from unlocking revenue and cost synergies. Back in March, management raised its synergy target to $300 million but disclosed that it would take a little longer than originally expected to get there. The main reason is that Alaska Air and Virgin America need to move to a single reservation system to unlock most of the revenue synergies. The "cutover" was originally scheduled for Q4 2018. However, the company has been able to move that event up to early in the second quarter. If everything goes as planned, this move will boost Alaska's earnings by about $20 million next year. The move to a single reservation system can be tricky. Five years ago, United Continental (NYSE: UAL) botched its reservation system integration, as numerous reservations were "lost," flight delays spiked, and wait times for United's call centers spiraled out of control. Recalling that incident, some airline analysts questioned Alaska's decision to move up the cutover date. However, management is confident that it can execute a seamless IT transition. The company is using the lessons learned from United's 2012 meltdown and other airlines' more successful reservation system integrations to guide its planning. It recognizes that combining a massive amount of data from two systems was the weak point in United's process. Instead, Alaska will follow American's example to ensure that all, or nearly all, of its bookings are in the new reservation system at the time of the cutover. Ramping up growth in a tough environment Alaska Air will begin one of the first big steps toward capturing its expected revenue synergies next month. Between August and December, it will add a slew of new routes in San Francisco, Virgin America's largest market. By the end of the year, it will offer nonstop flights to most of the places within North America where people want to go from San Francisco. Alaska Air will be competing with United Continental in all of these markets. United is adding capacity on many of these routes in response. It has also demonstrated that it will vigorously match competitors' prices. As a result, these new routes may be money-losers at first. However, Alaska Air has a long track record of successful growth -- even in the face of tough competition. This is a point that management likes to repeat again and again. By the time the merger integration process is completed a few years from now, Alaska Air is likely to have a strong market position in San Francisco, notwithstanding the aggressive competition from United. 10 stocks we like better than Alaska Air GroupWhen 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 Alaska Air Group 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 Adam Levine-Weinberg owns shares of Alaska Air Group. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. "My favorite things in life don't cost any money. It's really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time." -- Steve Jobs Steve Jobs was quite right that money can't buy you everything -- including some of life's most important things. But money is still rather important, and if your favorite things include a roof over your head and food in the pantry, then you will need money -- now and in retirement. Social Security is a critical income source for most retired Americans, and how much you will receive from it each month depends in large part on when you start collecting -- at your "full" retirement age, before it, or after. Timing matters The full retirement age for Social Security used to be 65 for everyone, but it has been increased for many of us. For those born in 1937 or earlier, it remains 65, for those born in 1960 or later, it's 67, and for those born between 1937 and 1960, it's somewhere in between. No matter whether your full retirement age is 65, 66, or 67, you can claim and start collecting your benefits as early as age 62 and as late as age 70. For every year beyond your full retirement age that you delay starting to receive benefits, you'll increase their value by about 8% -- until age 70. So delaying from age 67 to 70 can leave you with checks about 24% fatter. If your full retirement age is 67 and you start collecting benefits at age 62, they will be 30% smaller. Here's the kicker, though: The system is designed so that total benefits received are about the same -- a difference of $0 -- no matter when you start collecting, if you have an average life spans. Checks that start arriving at age 62 will be considerably smaller, but you'll receive many more of them. So for most people, it's close to a wash. The average monthly retirement benefit was recently $1,368. That amounts to $16,416 per year. If your earnings have been above average, you'll collect more than that -- but the overall maximum monthly Social Security benefit for those retiring at their full retirement age in 2017 is still just $2,687 -- or about $32,000 for the whole year. Average benefits by age You may be wondering, though, just what kind of income beneficiaries receive by age. Below is an answer, in the form of average benefits paid by age as of the end of 2015, from the most recent (2016) Annual Statistical Supplement of the Social Security Administration (SSA): It's worth noting that if you were to drill down into the SSA's data, you'd see that women's average benefits are significantly lower, on average. That reflects the fact that women often earn much less than men (often for the same work) and they are much more likely than men to be out of the workforce for some years, caring for children or parents. Bigger and smaller benefits The table above might not be as useful to you as you would think, though, because the amount that, say, a 65-year-old is collecting now isn't likely to be close to what you'd be collecting when you turn 65. So let's look at some other tables. Here's how much smaller your checks will be if you start collecting them before your full retirement age. (Again, remember that you'll be collecting many more checks if you start early, and for those who live an average-length life, it will be a wash.) How much bigger can your checks get? It depends on how long you delay starting to collect benefits. For each year you delay from your full retirement age, your benefits will increase by a certain sum -- depending on your birth year. Check out the table below: Of course, the best way to estimate what you'll receive from Social Security is to get the information from the horse's mouth, by checking with the Social Security Administration. Set up a "my social Security" account and you can get a lot of information on your estimated benefits. When you start to collect your benefits will have a big influence on how big your checks are, but there are other ways to maximize your Social Security benefits. The more you learn, the better off you may be in retirement. The $16,122 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,122 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Fifty years after actress Jayne Mansfield died in a Buick that slammed underneath a tractor-trailer, auto safety advocates say regulations inspired by that gruesome crash need updating to prevent hundreds of similar deaths annually. "We're asking Congress to pass a bill that would mandate comprehensive underride protection, not only on tractor-trailers but on single-unit trucks," such as dump trucks, said Marianne Karth, who lost two teenage daughters, AnnaLeah and Mary, when her Crown Victoria crashed beneath a tractor-trailer in Georgia in 2013. After two cars skidded under a jackknifed milk tanker truck in northern New York on July 6, killing four people, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer called on federal regulators to order big trucks to be equipped with side guards that would prevent cars from sliding beneath them in a crash. "The devastation of crashes like these a result of a gap in truck safety standards could be reduced," Schumer, a Democrat, said. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 301 of the 1,542 car occupants killed in collisions with a tractor-trailer in 2015 died when their vehicle struck the side of the rig. Another 292 died when their vehicle struck the rear. The institute's researchers estimate that half the fatal crashes between large trucks and passenger vehicles involve underride, which makes air bags and other crash protection ineffective because the top half of the car is sheared off. Under regulations enacted following Mansfield's death, big rigs are required to have rear underride guards to keep cars from traveling beneath the back of a trailer in a collision. Known as "Mansfield bars," they consist of two vertical steel bars supporting a horizontal bar less than 2 feet (61 centimeters) from the ground. Side guards aren't required by federal regulations, but at least three cities Boston, New York and Seattle mandate them on city-owned trucks to eliminate deaths and injuries, particularly among pedestrians and bicyclists. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says side guards could prevent hundreds of deaths per year in the U.S. This spring, the institute crashed a car into a trailer equipped with a side guard called AngelWing, a steel rail covered with fiberglass. The car's front end crumpled but the test dummy was protected by the air bags and seat belt. Without the guard, the passenger compartment was sheared off, causing devastating head injuries to the dummy. Karth and Lois Durso, whose 26-year-old daughter Roya died in a side underride crash in Indiana in 2004, have been working together to lobby Congress and the Department of Transportation for a side guard requirement as well as stronger rear guards. Their proposed legislation has no sponsor yet. "They talked about side underride protection in 1969, but nobody has pursued it relentlessly," Karth said. "I wish somebody would have done it so maybe our daughters would still be here." Before it issued is last set of regulations for rear-impact guards in 1996, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had determined that side-underride countermeasures were not cost-effective. The trucking industry supports other efforts to avoid crashes, such as automatic emergency braking and collision warning systems, said Sean McNally, spokesman for the American Trucking Associations. But the industry is looking to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to address questions about the effectiveness of side underride guards, he said. The Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association said in comments submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in May 2016 that there are no side impact guards commercially available for installation on trailers. The trade group said "customer demand is non-existent" due to the "relatively low frequency of side underride accidents," the significant added cost and weight per trailer for designs that had been evaluated, and "many unresolved technical challenges." One consequence of adding the extra weight of side guards to trailers would be displacement of cargo onto additional trailers, which would add more heavy trucks to the highways and increase the risk of all types of accidents, said John Freiler, engineering manager of the manufacturers association. In the northern New York crash, a milk tanker truck jackknifed across both lanes of Interstate 81 when the driver swerved to avoid hitting deer. Two cars skidded beneath and beyond the tanker, killing a doctor in one car and three workers riding in another car after their ambulance broke down. R.B. Lawrence, owner of the ambulance company that lost three employees, said he'd like to see safety measures to prevent similar tragedies, but he's not sure if the best solution is underride guards or improved braking technology to prevent jackknife crashes. "I'm all about saving lives," Lawrence said. "I'm just terribly upset by what happened. This has been an absolute nightmare." It's not a secret that most Americans are behind on retirement savings. And that's a problem, because the typical retiree needs more than just Social Security to stay afloat financially. But a recent study by Bank of America Merrill Lynch reveals a bit of good news: It seems 401(k) participation rates are on the rise. Specifically, last year saw a 6% increase in new 401(k) plan enrollments, and a 20% increase in contributions. Just as importantly, 401(k) participation increased among all age groups. Of those eligible for a 401(k), 82% of workers aged 21 to 34 made contributions, as did 77% of workers aged 35 to 49 and 75% of workers aged 50 to 68. Given the need for retirement savings, the fact that more people are getting wise to the importance of building a nest egg is an extremely positive trend. On the other hand, let's not overlook the fact that a good 18% of younger workers, 23% of thirty- and fortysomething workers, and 25% of older workers aren't taking advantage of their employers' retirement plans despite being eligible. And that's a mistake that could cost them big time. The benefits of 401(k)s Though IRAs offer their fair share of benefits as well, 401(k)s have their own distinct advantages -- namely, the fact that participation is virtually seamless. All you need to do to contribute to a 401(k) is tell your employer how much to deduct from your paycheck each month, and voila -- your account is consistently funded. Want to increase your contribution rate? It's usually a simple matter of filling out a form or changing your election online. Another benefit to saving in a 401(k) is that you get the option to sock away much more cash than you would with an IRA. Currently, IRA savers under 50 can contribute up to $5,500 per year, while those 50 and older can contribute up to $6,500 annually. But with a 401(k), you get to put up to $18,000 a year away if you're under 50, and $24,000 a year if you're 50 or over. And that's huge, because if you manage to max out your 401(k) for the bulk of your career, you stand to retire a millionaire many times over. Here's how the numbers shake out. Say you contribute $18,000 a year to your 401(k) for 35 years -- technically, you'd eventually reach the point where you'd be able to increase that contribution to $24,000, but for our example, we'll keep things simple. If your plan investments generate an average annual 7% return, which is more than doable with a stock-heavy portfolio, you'll wind up with nearly $2.5 million by the time you're ready to retire. Increase your savings window to 40 years, and you'll be looking at a cool $3.6 million. Of course, not everyone has the ability to max out a 401(k), but even if you only manage to put away a few hundred dollars a month, if you start early enough, you can still retire a millionaire. The following table shows much you stand to accumulate if you start contributing $500 a month to your 401(k) at various ages: If You Contribute $500 a Month to Your 401(k) Starting at Age... Here's What You'll Have by Age 65 (Assumes a 7% Average Annual Return) 25 $1.2 million 30 $829,000 35 $567,000 40 $379,000 45 $246,000 The more time you give your money to grow, the more you'll get to take advantage of compounding and boost your nest egg. Saving just $6,000 a year consistently over a 40-year period, for a total of $240,000 in out-of-pocket contributions, will leave you with well over $1 million by time retirement comes along. Even if you don't manage to start saving until age 30 (say you're working on paying off student debt and aren't earning as much), as long as you set aside $500 a month consistently from that point forward, you'll come away with a pretty respectable $829,000 nest egg. On the other hand, the longer you wait to start funding that 401(k), the less you stand to gain in the long run. So if you're lucky enough to have access to a 401(k), be sure to contribute something starting now, and aim to ramp up your savings rate over time. Your retirement truly depends on it. The $16,122 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,122 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said earlier this year that it will move production of the next-generation Focus compact, due in about two years, overseas -- mostly to China. Now we know the price tag for that move: $248 million. Ford said this past week that it took one-time charges totaling $248 million against its second-quarter earnings to cover the costs of its decision to move production of the next-generation Focus out of North America. Now, we should keep that in perspective: That's likely just a fraction of what Ford will save by making the upcoming all-new Focus in China. But here's why the decision to move the Focus cost Ford so much money. Why Ford is moving the Focus to an overseas factory First, some backstory. The current Focus is built in Michigan, but we've known for about two years that the next Focus would be built somewhere other than the United States. (That Michigan factory isn't closing. In fact, it might get busier: It'll build the new Ranger pickup and Bronco SUV instead.) Ford had originally hinted that the next Focus would be built in Mexico, possibly in its existing factory in Hermosillo, where the Fusion sedan is made -- and possibly in a new factory it planned to build in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. But then two things happened: First, the market for small sedans in the U.S. began to shrink, with more buyers favoring SUVs instead. Second, Donald Trump got elected as president of the United States -- on a platform that promised to strongly encourage (to put it mildly) U.S. companies to build in the United States. The upshot: Early this year, Ford canceled that planned factory in San Luis Potosi and said that it would move some products originally intended for Mexico back to its U.S. factories. But those products don't include the next Focus: Ford said last month that the upcoming all-new Focus will be built in China instead. Why? Because U.S. sales of the Focus have been declining for years, and it doesn't make sense for Ford to commit a high-cost factory to making it for North America (or South America, as it turns out). Why that decision cost Ford $248 million So why did all of that lead Ford to take a $248 million charge? I asked Ford's chief financial officer, Bob Shanks, to explain: Long story short: Ford had begun ordering new tooling or doing some work at the Hermosillo factory to build the Focus, and some of that work and tooling is now being written off, as is a small amount of work that had been done in South America. Those write-offs are the reason for Ford's $248 million second-quarter charge. 10 stocks we like better than FordWhen 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 Ford 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 John Rosevear owns shares of Ford. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Ford. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. A tax reform bill could reach President Trumps desk by year end, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Kevin Brady said Sunday. Were on that timetable to do it, Brady, R-Texas, told Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures. I know theres been a lot of distractions in Washington; we dont have that luxury of getting distracted. And within President Trumps team, Senate Republicans and Speaker [Paul] Ryan and ourselves -- theres a seriousness of purpose within these efforts to come forward this year. On Thursday the Big Six, top GOP tax reform leaders in Congress and the Trump administration -- including Brady, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Senate Finance Committee chairman Orrin Hatch from Utah, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin -- issued a joint statement on their strategy for changing the U.S. tax code. Most notably, the group agreed to drop the proposed border adjustment tax -- which would have allowed the government to slap fees on companies importing goods -- from the new plan. Thursdays unifying statement was an important step in the timetable going forward, Brady said. More on this... Brady: Families should be able to file taxes on postcard In April, the White House announced it wanted to lower the corporate tax rate to 15 percent from the current 35 percent. It also said the goal would be to simplify the individual tax code by reducing the number of brackets from seven to three -- 10 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent -- allowing Americans to fill out their taxes on a postcard. Though the Texas Republican wouldnt specify how low the corporate tax rate could go, he did reiterate the push for making the nations tax code more competitive among other countries. We want a tax code built for growth of wages and paychecks in the economy, and the way you do that is to take less of what people earn at every income level. Let them keep more, invest more in the economy, become competitive again, Brady said. What we want for local businesses is a tax code thats a green light, not a directional signal that says go right, go left, do this. We really want those low rates and low expensing so we can grow. The man who police arrested for allegedly stalking a famous actress at Tampa Bay Comic Con appeared before a judge on Sunday morning. During his first court appearance, the judge upgraded the criminal charge for 45-year-old Terry Repp. He's now facing one count of aggravated stalking, a felony. According to investigators, Repp has been stalking and harassing actress Kate Beckinsale for the last year. Before coming to Tampa, he allegedly traveled to Houston and Salt Lake City in attempts to make contact with Beckinsale. While in Salt Lake City, authorities said Repp touched Beckinsale's back and made a statement about stabbing her. Repp is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail on a $5,000 bond. More from Fox 13 News A woman in Japan who died from a tick-borne illness after being bitten by a stray cat is believed to be the first case of a human being infected with the disease without being directly bitten by a tick. The woman died 10 days after being bitten by a presumably sick stray cat, health ministry officials told The Japan Times last week. Health officials have said the cat apparently was infected from a tick bite, and transmitted the disease when it bit the woman last year. TICK-BORNE DISEASE ON THE RISE The woman became infected with a disease called severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or SFTS, a relatively new infectious disease confirmed in Japan, China and South Korea, The Japan Times added. The tick-borne illness causes mostly flu-like symptoms: fevers, drowsiness and nausea, and has reportedly infected 266 people and killed 57 since being confirmed in 2013. There have not been any documented cases in the U.S., but according to LiveScience.com, the virus is similar to the Heartland virus, another tick-borne disease which does have documented cases in the U.S. DEADLY TICK DISEASE MAKES LYME DISEASE LOOK LIKE CHILD'S PLAY An expert at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases told The Japan Times that there is very little possibility of humans contracting SFTS because its rare. However, Japanese health officials are warning people against interaction with pets who are kept outside and who show signs of illness. Its the middle of July, and President Trump still doesnt have a chairman for his Council of Economic Advisers. His nominee, Kevin Hassett, is a world-recognized expert on taxation, but he has been stuck on the sidelines despite tax reform being one of the administrations big goals this year. He is the one person who could explain how the different parts of the tax bill fit together. White House advisor Gary Cohn has reportedly told associates that time is running out for tax reform. He worries that if tax reform doesn't get done by the end of the year, it likely wont happen at all. Missing key players such as Hassett doesnt help. The delay reflects only Democrats unwillingness to confirm any Trump nominee. Hassett is not a controversial pick. The Senate Banking Committee very easily advanced Hassetts nomination last month, with only Elizabeth Warren opposing. Other liberal Democrats such as Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Jack Reed (R.I.), Robert Menedez (N.J.), and Brian Schatz (Hawaii) all voted in Hassetts favor. According to organizations such as the AFL-CIO, the League of Conservation Voters, and Americans for Democratic Action, these Senators have perfect or near-perfect liberal voting records. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was the only committee member who opposed Hassett. The economists who know Hassett best also support him. Forty-four prominent economists, liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans alike, signed a letter supporting Hassetts confirmation. It read, in part, as follows: While the signers of this letter hold a range of views on President Trumps policies, we all believe that the formulation of economic policy would be advanced by the analysis and advice that Dr. Hassett would bring to the table. They also noted Hassetts record of serious scholarship. The signers included all of President Obamas Council Chairmen (Jason Furman, Alan Krueger, Christina Romer, Austan Goolsbee), President Clintons chairs (Laura Tyson, Martin Baily), Vice President Joe Bidens chief economist Jared Bernstein, and Obama economic advisor Mark Zandi. Going back to 1980, the average time to confirm a Council Chairman was 25 days. For incoming administrations such as Trumps, which are already short-handed, the average confirmation period is 13 days, with the longest lasting 25 days. Hassetts confirmation stands at 76 days and counting. For past incoming administrations, the chairman would have officially started his job by around February 26. Not a single nomination to this position has ever taken anywhere near as long as Hassetts. Some of the responsibility lies with the administration, but Democrats have done everything they can to slow down all of President Trumps nominees. Demanding cloture filings for every single nominee, no matter how uncontroversial, means two days of debate before cloture can even be voted on, and then an additional 30 hours after that. So far, only 24 percent of Trump's nominees have been confirmed. At this point in their administrations, Obama had 57 percent of his nominees confirmed and George W. Bush had 59 percent. And the low confirmation rate isnt because Trump has clogged up the system with nominees. Trump has made just 206 nominations, compared to 355 for Obama and 313 for Bush. Not only does this mean that the administrations chief economist is sidelined, but it also slows down the hiring of other economists on the presidents council. Until he is confirmed, Hassett cant start filling positions under him. The economists who would be working on health care, education, the environment, and infrastructure arent in positions to help push through the administrations policies. People in the White House have told me that the current Council of Economic Advisers has been useless, staffed as it is with only Democrats who are hostile to Trumps policies. As a result, others in the White House have had to do the research and put together the analyses that would normally be done by the Council. Few seem to understand that Democrats unwillingness to confirm nominees slows down the appointment of other, lower-level members of the administration. President Trump runs an efficient ship. Under Melania, the first ladys staff is 4. Under Michelle Obama, there were 22 people doing the same job. For Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, there were 18 and up to 19 respectively. The whole Trump administration is making do with less, but the Democrats wont even let him fill those positions. With the demise this week of the health care bill, getting tax reform accomplished becomes even more crucial to the administration. Many liberal economists endorsed Hassett because he has a long history of reaching out to work with them. They know him as an intelligent person who cares about getting the policy right, not as someone who holds partisan grudges. Democratic Senators, on the other hand, who are delaying all of Trumps nominations, are engaging in rank partisanship. If they want anyone to believe that they care about bipartisanship, they need to stop delaying non-controversial nominations such as Hassetts. On July 4, North Korea test-launched a missile at an extremely high angle that proved it could fly a distance of at least 6,700 kilometers (nearly 4,200 miles). On Friday the rogue nation launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that can fly much farther and apparently reach the U.S. West Coast and perhaps cities in our Midwest carrying a nuclear weapon that could cause horrific casualties. Fridays missile was probably a variant of the system launched on our Independence Day. While the July 4 missile was capable of reaching Alaska, the newer missile flew higher and several minutes longer. The weight of a warhead would determine exactly how far beyond the western U.S. it could travel. There is no ambiguity here. Pundits and even government officials (largely in South Korea) have made efforts to downplay the accomplishments of the first successful launch on July 4, but the truth is that the threat North Korea poses today to the United States has taken yet another important step forward. Recent media coverage has confused the picture for Americans concerned about our national security. For example, a headline in the Washington Post on July 25 begins: North Korea could cross ICBM threshold next year. The test Friday proves that the North Koreans now also appear to have the technology to target major cities such as Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles at a minimum. My response to that is: Look at the tests recently conducted. The North Koreans crossed that threshold on July 4. The test Friday proves that the North Koreans now also appear to have the technology to target major cities such as Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles at a minimum. There are folks even now debating atmospheric re-entry, although North Korea has already proven its missiles are capable of atmospheric re-entry twice in one month. There are also still folks debating the accuracy of the missile, even though (to give one example) the city of Anchorage spans more than 1,900 square miles and contains more than 40 percent of Alaskas population and is well within the range of both missiles North Korea tested. So consider: how accurate does a missile armed with a nuclear warhead need to be to easily take the lives of at least 80,000 people in Alaska with a single strike? There are a high number of reports that tend to confuse the picture when it comes to North Korean ballistic missiles. There are in fact three key families of missiles that exist in the North Korean ballistic missile program the Scud family, the Musudan family and an unidentified solid fuel missile launched both underwater as a submarine-launched ballistic missile and from land. The original Scud was acquired from Egypt. The Musudan familys genesis came from rogue Russian scientists. And the solid-fueled family of land-sea missiles looks very much like the Chinese JL-1 system though there is no proof, and no evidence pointing to where North Korea actually acquired this system. The North Koreans also have their own indigenously produced version of the SS-21 (a tactical battlefield missile), which they acquired from Syria. So what is the North Korean threat? There is the threat to Asia, the threat to the United States, and the threat to key regions in the Middle East and Africa from the instability and violence created with North Korean proliferation of a variety of weapons, including missiles. There is also the threat of the collapse of North Korea that could possibly unleash a variety of North Korean military systems into the black market for sale to countries like Iran and Syria. North Koreas missiles are a part of all of these threats. This leads to the key question: How do we contain or stop this threat? There are actually two important ways to do so tactical and strategic. The best tactical way to stop North Koreas ballistic missile threat is not a preemptive strike. Such a strike likely would create a second Korean War, resulting in what all analysts agree would be a minimum of hundreds of thousands of casualties, many of them civilians. Consequently, ballistic missile defense is the best tactical option. Unfortunately, this was largely neglected under the Obama administration. It must be beefed up, fully funded, tested often, and robustly deployed in order to provide a realistic umbrella of defense against North Korean (and Iranian) missiles. Let there be no doubt. Ballistic missile defense is not yet where it needs to be and this is a vital national security capability that needs to be strengthened immediately and with a sense of urgency. The best strategic way to address this issue is by going after the finances that support North Koreas weapons development. This means going after banks and front companies all over the world where Pyongyang launders the dirty money it uses (much of it gained from military proliferation). There has been a lot written and talked about in the media lately about this action against North Koreas illicit financial networks. It is important to note that when it comes to targeting North Koreas dirty money, it is not just the banks and it is not just China. The United States must use its resources, personnel, and willing allies to squeeze North Koreas Mafia-like illicit financial networks in places like Singapore, Malaysia, Africa and yes, China. This would, put strong pressure on the lifeline for North Koreas weapons of mass destruction programs. Sanctions and initiatives associated with the Patriot Act, Section 311, have worked in the past (yet were abandoned in favor of negotiations), and can work again. It is time to stop talking about when the North Koreans can threaten us. The time is now. We must take this threat seriously, and we must take the actions necessary to maintain our national defense and that of our allies. Not to do so leaves the potential to encounter the most catastrophic military scenario since World War II. Incoming White House Chief of Staff John Kelly plans to bring in one of his deputies from the Department of Homeland Security when he begins his new job Monday. Kirstjen Nielsen, who has served as chief of staff under Kelly at DHS, will follow her boss to the White House, a Trump administration official told Fox News. Nielsen will be White House deputy chief of staff, the source said. "Shell be the one person Kelly brings with him, an administration official told Politico. Kelly was named Friday to replace Reince Priebus as White House chief of staff. Priebus, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, told reporters Friday that he had officially resigned a day earlier. With Kelly leaving DHS, Washington has been crackling with speculation about who President Trump might pick to head the nations key security agency. Candidates being mentioned, according to Politico, include Thomas Homan, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, an outspoken opponent of illegal immigration, and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. Some have also raised the idea that Attorney General Jeff Sessions could move to DHS, Fox News reported. According to the Hill, Nielsen was most recently president of Sunesis Consulting and served as a senior fellow and member of the Resilience Task Force at the George Washington Universitys Center for Cyber and Homeland Security. She previously worked in the White House under former President George W. Bush, where she was a special assistant to the president for prevention, preparedness, and response on the White House Homeland Security Council. The most recent White House deputy chief of staff was Katie Walsh, who left the position in March to take a job with the non-profit America First Policies, the Hill reported. Fox News' Jake Gibson contributed reporting to this story. President Trump lashed out at the Chinese government in a pair of tweets Saturday evening over Beijing's failure to slow down North Korea's nuclear weapons program. "They do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk." Trump posted on the social network, before vowing, "We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" There was no immediate response from the Chinese government. Trump posted the message hours after North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said his country had developed an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the mainland U.S. North Korea's official propaganda outlet said the Hwasong-14 missile reached a maximum height of 2,314 miles and traveled 620 miles Friday night before accurately landing in waters off Japan. The launch has led analysts to conclude that a wide swath of the United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of North Korean weapons. Observers had estimated that the North's first ICBM on July 4 could have reached Alaska. Following the test, the Chinese government urged Pyongyang to abide by United Nations 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Political consultant Roger Stone was every bit his controversial self Saturday night at the Politicon event in Pasadena, California. During a session titled Weed Nation, Stone threw verbal bombs at the Trump administration, accusing it of wanting to re-fire up the war on drugs. But during a separate session on Watergate -- which was really about the Trump-Russia probe Stone seemed more ready to defend the president and his team. For example, Stone said there was one key difference between the scandal that brought down Richard Nixon and the current media frenzy surrounding the White House. Watergate started with a crime, Stone said, referring to the burglary that launched the case. But he said he saw no evidence of crime in contacts between Trumps team and Russians. In fact, Stone said he saw more parallels between the Nixon era and the Obama years than between Nixon and Trump, asserting the Obama administration had conducted surveillance on tens of thousands of Americans. He also said the charge that Russians had hacked computers of the Democratic National Committee was entirely unproven. What was Stones answer for the media lynch mobs and others going after Trump and Co.? You dont have any evidence to impeach Trump, Stone said, and your motivation is entirely political. "You dont have any evidence to impeach Trump, and your motivation is entirely political. Roger Stone, political consultant Stone said Russia lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya had entered the U.S. without a visa and had posted photos online from an anti-Trump rally and from inside the office of Republican Sen. John McCain, a frequent Trump critic. I find that troubling, Stone said. I smell a set-up. Other Stone barbs: On Sean Spicer: He shouldnt let the door hit him in the ass on the way out. On George W. Bush: Bush snorted so much cocaine, he had a personal thank-you note from Pablo Escobar. On Trumps military transgender ban: I disagree with that entirely. Regarding marijuana, Stone said Trump needed to stick to his campaign position of leaving pot policy to the states, adding he didnt think the president was truly aligned with the drug warriors on his team anyway. Stone warned that Trump could lose voter support by taking a hard line on marijuana. Medical marijuana, for example, was a consensus issue, he said, with lots of voter support. The war on drugs, meanwhile, was largely an expensive racist failure, Stone said. He charged that the Clinton administration had incarcerated an entire generation of young black men for mostly small amounts of pot. Politicon, billed as an independent forum, unaffiliated with any political organizations, parties or political action committees, was scheduled to conclude Sunday at the Pasadena Convention Center. Newly hired White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci had been scheduled to appear at the event, but canceled following his recent interview with the New Yorker magazine, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Fox News Daniel Gallo contributed to this story. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Sunday again dismissed assertions that she should resign her long-held leadership post, saying, I am a master legislator. Pelosi, who has been the Houses top Democrat since 2007, has faced repeated suggestion that she step down since 2010, when Republicans took control of the chamber in a wave election. Self-promotion is a terrible thing, but somebody has to do it, the California lawmaker told Fox News Sunday. I am a master legislator. I know the budget to the nth degree ... I feel very confident about the support I have in my caucus." Other House Democrats have tried unsuccessfully to replace the 77-year-old Pelosi, most recently after modest House gains in the 2016 elections, largely the result of Democrats failing to articulate a message of economic prosperity to the middle class, particularly those in middle-America. And rumblings among Democrats resurfaced this year after the party failed in four special House elections to take a Republican-held seat. Pelosi acknowledged that the candidates largely anti-President Trump message had some influence on the losses but insisted that Washington Democrats new A Better Deal message, unveiled last week, will help the party going forward. I dont want to go into that, Pelosi said Sunday. I want to go into our new plan. She suggested that congressional Democrats, not the partys presidential nominee, control the message in so-called midterm elections. Democrats would need their own wave elections to win more than 40 GOP-held House seats to retake control of the chamber. However, Pelosi also dismissed questions about whether her party would win enough seats and her running for House speaker. Thats so unimportant, she said. What is important is that we have a better deal. We have unity in the party. We are proud of the fact that the party has diverse thinking and we can accommodate that. Senate Republicans ended July in humiliating and seemingly final defeat over repealing and replacing ObamaCare, but relentless pressure this weekend from President Trump and reports of yet another potentially winning bill have sparked renewed hope of success within the party. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., reportedly has a new overhaul plan for the Senate, where senators will return Monday because Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has revoked the first two weeks of their traditional August recess. Trump also met privately with several Senate Republicans on Friday, according to Politico, which also first reported about the Graham proposal. The president then launched into a very public Twitter rant this weekend in which he said Senate Republicans look like fools for trying and failing for essentially the entire month to pass an overhaul plan. Its time to move on, McConnell, R-Ky., said Friday, after the last repeal attempt failed. The president -- sounding desperate to fulfill a major campaign promise in ending ObamaCare -- also suggested McConnell lower the vote threshold from 60 to 51 votes and that he might yank the subsidies that members of Congress receive to pay for their ObamaCare policies. The world is watching, Trump said in a final, chiding tweet Sunday morning. Beyond taking away Congress subsidies, Trump also hinted at ending subsidies to insurance companies that offer policies under ObamaCare. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told Fox News Sunday that Trump will make that decision this week. She also called the subsidies received by congressional members and their staffers a really sweet deal and argued, This is exactly what so many Americans hate about Washington, D.C. The president will not accept those who said it is, quote, time to move, she also said. Trump said Friday after the failed votes, as he has before, that he aimed to let the 2010 health care law implode under its own weight of rising premium costs and few insurance policy options. However, he and essentially every Washington Republican have been elected on a promise to repeal and replace ObamaCare. The GOP-led House passed its overhaul measure this spring, but not without the same kinds of problems faced by the Republican-led Senate, include how to get support from all wings of the party. They are divided on such key issues as whether Medicaid should be expanded and whether subsidies should continue to be provided to insurance companies, apparently for low-income families to pay for policies. The Senate has 52 Republicans and 48 Democrats and Independents who vote, or caucus, together. Democrats say they are willing to work on solutions to ObamaCare but so far have not participated in the process. The GOP-controlled House and Senate for the past several years have passed dozens of either full- or partial-repeal measures. But they have failed to do so since Trump, a fellow Republican, took office in January. Several GOP senators have balked at the recent measure and amendments, including Maine Sen. Susan Collins. Collins said Sunday that the ObamaCare issue remains unsettled and that the Senate must get back to work. Our job is not done, she told CNNs State of the Union. There are serious problems with (ObamaCare.) ... And I certainly hope the administration does not do anything in the meantime to hasten that collapse. This is a rush transcript from "Your World," July 28, 2017. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. NEIL CAVUTO, "YOUR WORLD" HOST: And I talked to one Republican strategist who said, you know, Neil, it always looks darkest before the dawn. Well, things can change, which is true technically. But right before the dawn, it's still very dark. All right, meanwhile, this from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer earlier today right after the vote. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER, D-NY, MINORITY LEADER: I would is to my dear friend, the majority leader, we're not celebrating. We're relieved. (END VIDEO CLIP) CAVUTO: Wait a minute. You said you're not celebrating. Then how do you explain this? I don't know if you caught this picture. But it's a pretty interesting one. Do we have that, guys? We don't have. All right, take my word for it. OK, with Elizabeth Warren, they're taking a selfie over this congratulatory rallying point for Democrats that the Republicans had failed. So, for some, it certainly did give the impression that this was a big victory for them. And, of course, they were whooping it up in the middle of the morning last night or very early morning after this to do just that. So, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin on what signal that sends. Now, if I'm a Republican, Senator, I'm looking at that. I'm saying, wait a minute, you said don't get celebratory about it and all, but you're getting celebratory about it. Can you hear me, Senator? What do you think of that? SEN. JOE MANCHIN, D-WEST VIRGINIA: Oh, I -- oh, Neil, I sure can. I didn't see a senator last night. There's nothing to celebrate about. Nobody won or lost. If we don't get this fixed, we all lose. These markets will collapse. As we know, the private market is in a heck of a shape right now. And we have got to do something to stabilize that. But, also, there needs to be reform. We have said that. You can't have these premiums going up the way they are with people that are out in the marketplace, and then have no restrictions whatsoever on the expansion that we did. I think, if you want to be -- look at something that has happened, look at around the country and find out which states have tried different things. Alaska has the re-insurance. Indiana has done something great as far as the managed Medicaid expansion to control costs, but show people how to be more responsible, but use it in a more productive manner. A lot of good things can be done. But, John, everybody is saying about John McCain. Let me tell you, John came in there and John voted to proceed. Let's get on the bill. If anybody has ever sat in a committee with John McCain -- I have been on Armed Services -- John has his markup on the NDA, national defense authorization bill. And he does it every year. We get there for days. And we get sitting there, and everybody gets their chance. Everybody can put an amendment in. Everybody can debate it. And he gives everybody a vote on it. John believes in democracy. And he exercises it, because he works harder. He just cannot... (CROSSTALK) CAVUTO: But were you surprised, whatever your view... (CROSSTALK) CAVUTO: Were you surprised? And no one doubts the maverick that he is, and he's his own man, and certainly he's a hero in certainly my book, but that he did campaign in reelection to repeal ObamaCare, which has been a real onerous issue for his state and had championed that as a campaign theme. And as tentative as this measure was, it was a vehicle to do just that. So, did it look hypocritical? MANCHIN: I didn't -- I didn't look at it as hypocritical, because John wants to fix it and repair it. He just says, fine, repeal it, but at least give everybody a shot at it. If that is where everybody is going, then give them a shot. John just -- John rebuffed basically the process, or the lack of the process, I believe, Neil. CAVUTO: I see. MANCHIN: The patriot -- the patriot that he is, he just -- you weren't going to budge John when he says, this is not fair. And that's really what it was about. CAVUTO: Well, it is what it is. To your point, this is where we stand now. MANCHIN: Yes. CAVUTO: Now, what bothers me is when I -- there's a little bit of lecturing now going on, on the part of both sides blaming the other for the collapse of this. But when the Democratic leadership, Senator, is saying that it's not trying to essentially rub the opponent's noses in the ground on this, and yet they're taking selfies and whooping it up and all of that, how are Republicans going to be disposed to be working with them if they don't trust them? MANCHIN: John, I'm sure that -- or, Neil, I'm sure they did the same thing, you know, back in 2010. I wasn't there. (CROSSTALK) CAVUTO: No, by the way, you're right on this. Everybody does this. I'm not minimizing -- the hypocrisy knows no bounds or party loyalty. But it's going to make it tough to work, right? (CROSSTALK) MANCHIN: I can just tell you this. Chuck Schumer -- Chuck -- well, not for me, it's not, because I understand human nature. And the people that might have thought they won something last night, let me tell you one thing. That's ill-advised. You didn't win anything. And we're all going to lose if we don't fix it. Quit being Democrats and Republicans, and be an American. It's time for us to come together. And the Republicans, God bless them, they tried everything they could to fulfill the promise they made to repeal. They couldn't get there. OK? Let's sit down and work through it. Let's work through it. Don't just throw it out. Don't let it implode. I hope the president didn't really mean that. I'm sure he's upset. But I want the president to know we want to work and fix the thing. I don't want runaway costs. I don't want... (CROSSTALK) CAVUTO: Well, you know, Republicans say that Democrats have a funny way of showing that. In other words, maybe there are guys like you who want to work with the other side. I know we live in a very polarized environment, Senator. I get that. I got it when it was that way when they were coming up with ObamaCare. But the fact of the matter is, there does seem to be an unwillingness now to get anything done on a consensual basis. MANCHIN: Well, that's -- I'm sure -- I can't tell you. I'm not used to this environment. It's frustrating as can be. And I got -- I came there to do things. CAVUTO: All right. MANCHIN: When I was governor of West Virginia, my great state, we brought everybody together. We got things done, because the people counted on us. And the people are counting on us tremendously now. So, I'm going to work with everybody. If you look at my voting record, Neil, sometimes, I'm the only Democrat voting with my Republican friends if I think it's right. CAVUTO: All right. MANCHIN: If I can come home and explain it, I will vote for it. But, right now, we're working with the -- we have a group of former governors. We have a group of senators. Democrats and Republicans have been talking. (CROSSTALK) CAVUTO: Maybe something can get done. Maybe something gets done. (CROSSTALK) MANCHIN: A couple of weeks. CAVUTO: All right, Senator, thank you very, very much. MANCHIN: It's going to get done. We have got to do it. We have got to do it. CAVUTO: All right, I apologize for some of the audio delay and problems here. MANCHIN: Thank you, Neil. END Content and Programming Copyright 2017 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2017 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. This is a rush transcript from "Fox News Sunday," July 30, 2017. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. CHRIS WALLACE, FOX NEWS HOST: Im Chris Wallace. Tough times for President Trump, with a stunning defeat on a top legislative initiative and another shakeup of the White House staff. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job. WALLACE (voice-over): Well discuss the presidents decision to replace Reince Priebus as chief of staff with retired General John Kelly, when we sit down for an exclusive interview with counselor to the president, Kellyanne Conway. (on camera): Then, with the collapse of Republican efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare, what happens now? SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL, R-KY, MAJORITY LEADER: Its time for our friends on the other friends on the other side to tell us what they have in mind. WALLACE (voice-over): Well discuss the possibility for bipartisan compromise and what the other side is willing to give with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. And with dysfunction in the nations capital, the worse its been in years, well get a view from outside the beltway, when we talk with Republican Governor John Kasich of Ohio. Conway, Pelosi and Kasich, only on "Fox News Sunday." Plus, explosive obscene comments by the new White House communications chief shake Washington. Well ask our Sunday panel whether the latest White House shakeup will save the Trump agenda. All, right now, on "Fox News Sunday." (END VIDEOTAPE) WALLACE: And hello again from Fox News in Washington. Donald Trump ended one of the worst weeks of his presidency, putting a new man in charge of his White House staff, the secretary of homeland security, retired Marine General John Kelly. With open this disarray in the administration, and Republicans failing to keep one of their biggest campaign promises to repeal ObamaCare, is another staff shakeup enough. In the moment, well talk with counselor to the president, Kellyanne Conway. But, first, let's bring in Kevin Corke at the White House with the latest -- Kevin. KEVIN CORKE, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Chris, clearly the elevation and the appointment of General Kelly is intended to calm the seas for a White House that despite its best efforts has been rocked by turbulent seas throughout the Trump ministration, especially when you think about what has been happening here politically. Now, sources do tell Fox News that the new chief of staff will have control, full control in fact, over the Oval Office and schedule, though we have also learned that some key staffers, at least for the time being, will continue to have whats being described to me as casual access to the president, with Kushner, Bannon, Conway, Scavino and Scaramucci being among the names most often mentioned. Priebus ouster just the latest in a series of departures and seeing (ph) this administration marked by unrest and upheaval at the highest levels, including the loss of national security adviser Mike Flynn, the firing of FBI Director Jim Comey and the departure of key White House figures, Dubke, Spicer and now Priebus. As for Kelly, to be effective, he will need control over a team that has had competing factions and a president whos own lack of message discipline has made it exceedingly difficult at times to effectively and coherently shepherd his message. Sources tell Fox News General Kelly will have that control and that was one of the major selling points to get him to come to the White House after several overtures. His first day on the job, Chris, is Monday, and given that explosive and profanity-laced interview by the communications director last week and, of course, the latest setback on healthcare, it's a safe bet he will have his hands full -- Chris. WALLACE: Kevin Corke, reporting from the White House -- Kevin, thanks for that. Let's drill down on what we can expect from the new chief of staff. We are joined now by counselor to the president, Kellyanne Conway. Kellyanne, I want to start with a question that my colleague Martha McCallum asked you on Friday, whether or not all of the White House staff will now report to the new chief of staff, General Kelly. Heres your answer. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KELLYANNE CONWAY, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT: Thats just a pecking order question. I think its beside the point, and heres why. We all serve the president and this country. (END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: Respectfully, Kellyanne, I dont think it is beside the point. An awful lot of people in and out of this White House say the problem is, theres the lack of discipline. Theres an absence of chain of command. So, Im going to ask you again: will all of the White House staff report to the new chief of staff? CONWAY: So, I will do whatever the president and our new chief of staff, General Kelly, ask me to do. And yesterday, I was on "Fox & Friends" and said very clearly that if we can have protocol, pecking order, order, discipline, and the chief of staff that empowers the staff to succeed, I know that General Kelly has done that on the battlefield, I know that hes done that as a chief military aide to former cabinet secretary, I know hes done that as a cabinet secretary. And so, we have great faith that that will be done, and that is nothing about our outgoing chief of staff, Reince Priebus, who should hold his head high, as he exits. Many great things happen in the first six months during his tenure and I think that Reince will go down as one of the most successful and certainly longest serving RNC chairs were as chair, they were able to raise a great deal of money and improve the digital and grassroots operation that allowed the Republican Party to succeed by getting the House, the Senate, the governorships, the state legislatures. So, Im always a protocol and pecking order kind of gal and Im very deferential person. Ive never addressed the president even when he was a candidate and as close as we are as boss and employee, Ive never addressed him by his first name. I always address people like General Kelly as sir, and I, also with Reince Priebus, was happy to do what I was asked to do, as a member of his staff. But I think so much of the chief of staff role also occurred outside of the building. Theres a little too much going on right now in terms of acting like he is the personnel chief inside the building only. This is somebody who regularly interfaces with the cabinet. And General Kelly is coming from the cabinet. He will be talking to his peers about their different concerns, their different deployment of issues. WALLACE: But, look -- CONWAY: We've got a very active cabinet. It often doesnt get covered. Hell also be interfacing with Capitol Hill where a lot of the legislative agenda has stalled. I think the chaos this week really was on Capitol Hill and in the Senate. Why after 7-1/2 years nobody jumped out of a cake and gave us healthcare reform on a silver platter, I don't know. WALLACE: Were going to get to health care in a moment. I do want to talk, though, about the disarray inside the White House. You had Anthony Scaramucci and a profanity-laced attack on another -- other members, not just one, of the administration, of the White House staff. And so, I just want to ask you directly, has Scaramucci, who said that he reports directly to the president, has Scaramucci, have you, have you now been told you to report to John Kelly? CONWAY: I will speak with General Kelly and the president about that, as Im sure Anthony Scaramucci will. We are very -- I think were all very curious and very excited to have our first formal meeting with our new chief of staff tomorrow. I had a very brief conversation with him this weekend. And again, getting -- being able to solve the problems of this nation and doing it in an orderly and rapid fashion is really why we were sent to Washington. Its why the two people who are elected, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, and no one else are there. So, to the extent that we can do more and do it more quickly in a disrupted fashion in which we're accustomed to with Donald J. Trump, I think that having the tools in place is very important. But I talked to Anthony this weekend. I talked to Reince this weekend. Everybody is on the same team into terms of were on the side of freedom and democracy, repealing and replacing ObamaCare, lowering taxes, putting ISIS in retreat, cracking down on these gangs, sanctions on Russia -- WALLACE: Right. CONWAY: -- North Korea and Iran. You know, there's just so much thats happening and Ive got to say, the swamp includes many people, many institutions, individuals, and I think calcified ideas that need disruption. It includes folks also on Capitol Hill who I don't know what they were expecting, Chris, were they not expecting Donald Trump to make good on his campaign promise and the moral imperative of getting the 20 million-plus Americans who have no health care coverage the relief they need, the 6.5 million who we're willing to fork over money, $3 billion worth, to the IRS rather than get simple ObamaCare coverage where -- do they not expect this president to go ahead and do what he said he was going to do? WALLACE: Kellyanne, youve got to allow -- you've got to allow me to ask some questions here. I want to ask you about one more question on the administration and then well move on to healthcare. This week, the president continued to attack his attorney general, Jeff Sessions. And when he was asked whether or not he's going to keep Sessions in the job or fire him, here was his answer. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRUMP: Im very disappointed with the attorney general, but we will see what happens. Time will tell. Time will tell. (END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: Does the president want Sessions to continue as attorney general or has been suggested, is he considering him moving over to replace General Kelly as the secretary of homeland security? CONWAY: Again, thats a personnel question and only the president can answer. So, just on Friday, you had -- Thursday and Friday, you had Attorney General Sessions in El Salvador and you had President Trump on Long Island, both working toward the same goal, which is to stop these vile groups, these MS-13 gangs, who are murdering innocent Americans and bringing drugs and violence and to our community. (CROSSTALK) WALLACE: I understand that. Does that mean -- CONWAY: At the same time -- well, he's working. (CROSSTALK) WALLACE: No, but I understand hes working. The question is, is he considering him moving over, if youre going to -- if the immigration part of this is so important, to be the secretary of secretary of homeland security? CONWAY: I won't comment on that, but I will tell you that the president has expressed frustration about the recusal. So much has flowed from that recusal and so much of President Trumps agenda flows from the Department of Justice. Many of the primary issues and the program he won successfully on goes to the Department of Justice. And look whats happened with this ridiculous Russian collusion delusion. You see all these journalists who built entire TV sets and lower thirds and screaming graphics and breathless coverage now slinking away this week, Chris, from Russian collusion coverage, why, because you have everybody from Jared Kushner giving his -- meeting with the Senate and giving his public statement. You have no there there whatsoever. Its completely -- we were promised the next Watergate. We don't even have water polo. We dont even have watermelon. Its so ridiculous and the only thing I can see happening with Russia right now is this Fusion GPS matter as the Senate witnessed who said everybody should go look over there and whats happened. Somebody being paid by the Russians to compile a damaging dossier on Donald Trump, again, filled with falsities and lies. You know how much time has been wasted away from the victims of ObamaCare? (CROSSTALK) WALLACE: OK, lets not waste any more time. Lets talk -- Kellyanne, let's talk about ObamaCare. The president put out a new tweet today. I want to put it on the screen. He wrote: Dont give up Republican senators, the world is watching, repeal and replace, and go to 51 votes, nuclear option, get cross state lines and more. Is that the presidents plan, stay on repeal and replace, change the Senate rules and legislative filibuster so that you can pass a fuller repeal and replace, including selling insurance across state lines? CONWAY: The president will not accept those who said it's, quote, time to move on. He wants to help the millions of Americans who have suffered with no coverage. They were lied to by the last president. They couldn't keep the doctor. They couldn't keep their plan. Weve met with the ObamaCare victims at the White House several times now. Theyre real people, theyre suffering. And when he talks about the 51 votes, the president is basically making the case that so many of the components of real healthcare reform, Chris, requires 60 votes -- the drug pricing, the selling of insurance across state lines, the associated health plans that allow those who don't get their health insurance to the employers like you and I do, or to government benefits, who have been left out because the premiums are too high. Premiums have doubled. We see in some states that there are no insurers -- (CROSSTALK) WALLACE: Let's talk about that. Kellyanne -- CONWAY: So, he will. He will stick with it. WALLACE: OK, failing it, and fail -- and then we should point out that both Republicans and Democrats say that theres no chance theyre going to change the Senate rules. Heres what the president says his plan is. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRUMP: I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode and then do it. I turned out to be right. Let ObamaCare implode. (APPLAUSE) (END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: Failing repeal and replace, is that really what the president intends to do? Does he intend to cut off what are called cost-sharing reductions which lower the out-of-pocket expenses for people, lower income people? And what about -- you talk about real people, what about the millions of people while ObamaCare is imploding that are going to lose healthcare coverage? CONWAY: So, Chris, I saw the comment from Mr. Schumer, Senator Schumer, about this. What is their plan to help? The CSR payments are being made and we've already got an opinion by one court because you have members of Congress who sued to say that under ObamaCare, this money was never authorized through the Congress. And so, they would like an opportunity to do that, which is, of course, the normal course of business. Can I just ask Senator Schumer -- (CROSSTALK) WALLACE: Is the present going to cut off the CSR payments, the out-of-pocket payments? He can do it starting next month, this week. CONWAY: Yes, he can. He can -- he's going to make that decision this week, and thats the decision that only he can make. But let's go back to what we are really talking about here. When he said yesterday in the same tweet, I believe, about the bailout -- the insurance companies bailout from members of Congress, hes talked about the CSR payments. Hes also talking about this really sweet deal that members of Congress and their staffers have where they are not beholden to the same health healthcare that so many Americans say is unaffordable and unsustainable and untenable. And this is exactly what so many Americans hate about Washington, D.C. They feel like they have their nose pressed up against the glass, peering into the special interests, the swamp, these lobbyists, the folks on Capitol Hill. They want people to live under the same rules they do. And, frankly, if people had the same rules on Capitol Hill, maybe they would have a stronger taste of what it feels like to be in a short -- what it feels like -- WALLACE: Kellyanne -- CONWAY: -- to have to choose between paying your premiums and paying your grocery bill. WALLACE: Kellyanne -- CONWAY: But the president will make that decision. But, look, the Democrats have a big stop sign up. They're obstructing everything. WALLACE: All right. Wed love to continue. We've got to move on. Thank you so much. Thank you for your time. Always good to talk with you. CONWAY: Thank you, Chris. WALLACE: When we come back, well discuss the Trump White House and well try to answer the question: what are Democrats willing to give to get a compromise on ObamaCare? House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joins us next, only on "Fox News Sunday." (COMMERCIAL BREAK) WALLACE: It's now back to the drawing board for health care reform after the Republican plan to repeal and replace imploded on the Senate floor. Is the solution to ObamaCare bipartisan compromise? Joining me now is House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Leader Pelosi, welcome back to "Fox News Sunday." REP. NANCY PELOSI, D-CALI., MINORITY LEADER: Good morning. My pleasure to be here. WALLACE: Thank you. How much trouble is this president in? And do you think that putting General Kelly in there is going to make a difference? PELOSI: Well, let me take the second part -- I hope so. I look forward to working with General Kelly. Ive worked with him as -- with Secretary Kelly at the Department of Homeland Security. So I will be speaking with him today and look forward to working with him. Its a very important position, the president -- the chief of staff to the president of the United States. And it has to be recognized that he is the chief of staff. WALLACE: Well, I was going to ask you about that. You've been in Washington. You (ph) see a lot of White Houses, the way they operate. Does this White House need more discipline? PELOSI: Well, the -- I can just say from my experience working with the Bush I White House, Andy Card, had a great rapport. Everybody knew he was the chief of staff and he had -- and that was recognized on Capitol Hill, that he really was the chief of staff. And with Josh Bolten, highly respected, we also work closely with him with our differences. But nonetheless respectful of getting results. WALLACE: With the defeat of repeal and replace this week in the Senate, do you think that the Republican effort to repeal ObamaCare is dead? PELOSI: Well, the American people have spoken. I think what you saw was just an outpouring of stories of how the Affordable Care Act affected their lives. So, where do we go from here? WALLACE: But let me just say, you say the American people have spoken, they put Republicans in charge of the House, Republicans in charge of the Senate, Republicans in the White House, all running on repeal and replace -- you could argue that they spoke and Washington didn't listen. PELOSI: Well, they -- no, Im talking about since the election, they have seen what the replace might be and they have rejected that overwhelmingly. People see what it means in their lives. I think it's really important for us to recognize the facts here, that what the Republicans are putting forth put 17 million, 20 million, 22 million, or 23 million people off the rolls and diminish the benefits, increased the costs, had an age tax, undermined Medicare, and really was not a good proposal. I think that there is -- in Senator McConnells, one of his bills that he had, the repeal and replace, he had a provision that we can all embrace. And it was a provision to cover the cost-sharing that is in -- cost-sharing reduction to extend the range of reinsurance, which is very important. It has about short-term stability, long term stability, and I fully support that and hope that he would advance that. WALLACE: All right. Lets -- because this gets in the weeds and I dont what to get too technical here for folks. You sent a letter to Republican congressional leaders on Friday in which you said, I want to extend my hand, I want bipartisan compromise. One of the things that you very much want and you just referred to it, I talked to Kellyanne Conway about it, is what are called sharing reduction payments. These are payments to insurance companies that lower the out-of-pocket costs to things like deductibles and co-pays for lower income people who are on the exchanges. PELOSI: And middle income, and middle income. WALLACE: Let me just say, President Trump tweeted this yesterday: If a new healthcare bill is not approved quickly, bailouts for insurance companies, hes talking about the CSRs, and bailouts for members of Congress will end very soon. Heres my question, Leader Pelosi -- to keep those CSR payments, what are you as Democrats willing to give to get a real compromise? PELOSI: Lets go -- let's back up on it. The Affordable Care Act is a market-oriented proposal, doing the cost-sharing, the reductions, a way to have it be in the free market, in the marketplace as opposed to having everyone say -- have many more people on Medicaid or something. So, you -- theres governors of states had said, give me the money. Ill buy insurance for these people. So, this is not bailing on insurance companies. This is about having stability in the private sector in order to provide healthcare. WALLACE: With a huge government subsidy. Heres my point -- PELOSI: But its not -- (CROSSTALK) WALLACE: Heres my point, Republicans -- compromise means both sides give, not one side gives and the other side takes. Republicans want to cut back on ObamaCares mandates, on ObamaCares taxes, on some of ObamaCares regulations. What are you willing to give? What are you willing to agree to as part of that that would allow a true bipartisan compromise? PELOSI: Well, heres the thing -- first of all, you will remember that the Affordable Care Act as we passed and as we call it, the Affordable Care Act is something that was very modeled after Romneycare, and that said no free riders. Everybody has to have insurance, so that if your neighbor's not buying insurance and you are, you are paying more because he or she is not. So, this is about enlarging the pool, making it healthier, younger, and having more benefits in the -- (CROSSTALK) WALLACE: I understand the reason and I understand the history. But it doesn't sound like you're willing to give anything. PELOSI: Nobody is (ph) -- the question is that: what did they have to offer? In other words, you have to have a big pool, and in order to do that, you have an employer and the -- and the -- WALLACE: How about, for instance, you talk about free market, instead of mandating that people have it, what the Republicans were saying, forgive me, was of you don't have it, and now you want to buy insurance, you got to wait for a while, or you got to pay a premium to get it. In other words, instead of saying, Im the government, you have to buy insurance, why not say, theres going to be a penalty if you don't buy it? PELOSI: Well, heres the thing. When the president went into office, there really was an opportunity to say you, you have -- if you don't like this, how would you do this? But instead, they said, were repealing the whole thing, 22 million people off, cost will go up, benefits will go down. Thats not a way to go down a path. So, what I say in the letter is, as a first step, let us accept what Senator McConnell has in his bill, let us accept that and talk about other -- WALLACE: Yes, but you want other changes. Let me -- let me switch -- PELOSI: But -- and then let's talk about what other changes are. But you cannot say that were going to have -- I do believe as I saw one of your staff (ph) this morning, that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. And the more people who are involved in it, the lower the costs are for everyone. Theres some things we can do right away, lower the cost of prescription drugs, a very -- something I think would have bipartisan support. (CROSSTALK) WALLACE: OK. I want to a move to another subject. The Democratic leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said something interesting the other day and I want to ask you about it. Were going to put it on the screen. When you lose to somebody who has 40 percent popularity, you don't blame other things, Comey, Russia, you blame yourself. So, what did we do wrong? People didn't know what we stood for, just what that we were against Trump, and still believe that. Were going to get to your new agenda in a minute, but I want to ask you the specific questions, do you agree with Senator Schumer that Russia and Come were not what beat Hillary Clinton? PELOSI: Well, I think that they had influence. Theres absolutely no question about that. But when you have a campaign, youre responsible for your campaign. I don't even want to go in to that. I do want to go in to our better deal. Let me -- WALLACE: OK, Im going to ask you about it because Democrats put out a new agenda this week called "A Better Deal". Let's put some of it up on the screen. You call for higher wages, lower prescription drug costs, as you said, job training, infrastructure. Leader Pelosi, Im not saying anything, any of that is wrong. PELOSI: Right. WALLACE: What I am saying is that none of it is new. We've been hearing it for years. We heard it from the Democrats and Hillary Clinton in 2016 and you lost. PELOSI: Now -- well, we're going to hear with more clarity. For the first time since 2006, the House, the congressional Democrats are in charge of the message. In 06, we were in charge, we won. We had a Democratic president after that in 08, and that time line, a very successful presidency. Now, it's our turn to win the Congress for the American people. But elections are more about -- than about winning election. Theyre about having a discussion to how we go forward. WALLACE: But theyre all about winning the election. Thats what an election -- PELOSI: No, no. No, its about winning on the issues. I mean, in other words, if the American people can hold all of us, Democrats and Republicans, accountable, for what is in their interest, instead of a trickle-down agenda that really benefits the high end at the expense of working families. Thats why a better deal is important and it is entrepreneurial in its thinking. Its fresh in terms of what it suggests. WALLACE: But let me ask you this -- there were four special House elections in this spring in which there were Republican seats that were opened because they put jobs in the Trump administration -- let me finish -- in the Trump administration. PELOSI: No, Im agreeing with you. WALLACE: And you lost all four of them. Some of your own Democratic colleagues in the House say part of the problem is that you and your leadership team are, frankly, too old. And the question I have is: does -- do Democrats need new leaders with new ideas? PELOSI: But let me just say this, self-promotion is a terrible thing, but somebody has got to do it. WALLACE: Exactly. I agree with you on that. PELOSI: And I think that the situation that we are in, I am a master legislator. I know the budget to the nth degree. I know the motivation of people. I respect the people who are in Congress. I think this is a great moment for those of us who understand what is stake with the Affordable Care Act, what our possibilities are in terms of working together with the Republicans as has been our experience in the past. So, I feel very confident about the support I have in my caucus. WALLACE: Let me just ask you one -- PELOSI: Ive never -- I have never not been opposed within my caucus, and it had nothing to do with support. Suppose you became president and you were a Democrat, and you appoint your cabinet, one from San Francisco, one from Berkeley, one from Brooklyn, one from Santa Monica, do you think that the Republicans could have ever won one those seats? These seats were not seats -- WALLACE: OK. I got 30 seconds and the question is, what are the chances Democrats win back the House in 2018? And if so, will you run for speaker? PELOSI: Its so unimportant. What is important is that we have a lively debate on a better deal, better pay, better jobs, and a better future. And thats what we look forward to having. We have unity in our party. You saw with the fight on Affordable Care Act in the House and in the Senate. WALLACE: Right. PELOSI: We are very proud of the fact that our party has diverse thinking in it. We can accommodate that. WALLACE: Leader Pelosi, thank you. Thanks for coming in. Please come back. PELOSI: Thank you. My pleasure, Chris. Nice to be with you again. Thank you for being a guardian of our democracy, the press. WALLACE: Well, thank you for that. Up next, well get a view from outside the beltway when we sit down with Ohio Governor John Kasich. How do Washington's problems look from there? (COMMERCIAL BREAK) WALLACE: Coming up, President Trump caps off a tough week with a major staff shake up. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRUMP: Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job. (END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: Well ask our Sunday panel about the state of the Trump White House. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) WALLACE: A look outside the beltway of the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. At the end of a rough weekend here in Washington, we what to find out how things look some distance from the nation's capital. Joining me now, Ohio's Republican Governor John Kasich. Governor, let's start with -- with President Trump. When you look at the events of just recent days, the public humiliation of Jeff Sessions, the -- the shocking interview by Anthony Scaramucci, the open infighting in the White House, sitting there in Columbus, Ohio, what do you think? GOV. JOHN KASICH, R-OHIO: Well, I'm worried about our country, obviously, Chris. And here's the thing. You know, the White House is an amazing institution. It has great power. But when I think about the people who have been able to lend voice to amplify that power, you know I think about FDR, nothing to fear but fear itself, I think about JFK, you know, it's not what you -- what your country can do for you, what do you do for your country, or Ronald Reagan, you know, the city on a -- on a -- a shining city on a hill. What we need -- and I think perhaps the president can get there, I sure hope so, is sort of the sense of unity, of hopefulness, not of division but of lifting. And -- and I think we're not seeing enough -- we're not seeing that right now. And so you take the powerful institution of the White House. You combine it with a voice that is power and uplifting. And that's what people loved about Roosevelt. That's what they loved about -- about Kennedy. It's what they loved about Ronald Reagan. And that's what we need. That needs to be thought about. BLITZER: And -- and other than just belief and optimism about this country, what makes you think that we're going to get that from this White House? KASICH: Because I'm basically a glass half-full guy. And, you know, we've had six months, but we have -- you know, we've got a long way to go. I just hope we're going to get it. And I -- I would also tell you, Chris, it's also Congress. If we're not going to get this direction out of the White House, then we need to get it out of the Congress. And in Congress we need people to get along. And, you know, I listen to the leaders talk and I -- I don't actually think the answer is with the leaders in the Congress. I think the answer is with the rank-and-file, people who know that that city is now dysfunctional. And I think, furthermore, we need to realize that it's not just the political leaders that are showing dysfunction, it's the people in the country, the partisans, who demand certain things, as John McCain said in a very bombastic way. And that's not America. America is give-and-take. America is compromise without giving up your principles. That's -- that's what our country is, Chris, finding solutions to difficult problems, not while tearing each other down, but figuring out how we can get along. And I've been involved in so many of those things. Let me tell you, at the end of my term in Congress, I was having a conversation with Pat Schroeder, the former Colorado woman who tried to run for president. Kind of a polarizing figure in a way. She was a friend of mine. And I had these Republicans say, what are you talking to her for? And I said, what do you mean what am I -- I gave -- I read them the riot act. I said, you don't have to agree with somebody to respect them, to see if there are areas where you can get along, where you can work together. That's all kind of gone. And I blame a lot of it on the leadership. And they allowed these people, who were in their rank-and-file, to become partisans too. We don't make it as a country when we spend our time fighting all the time and denigrating people we don't agree with. WALLACE: So how do you explain -- and we should point out, you're now the governor in your second term in Ohio, but you spent 18 years here in Washington as a member of Congress. How you explain the GOP's failure after seven years of promising to repeal ObamaCare, but also to come up with a replacement, how do you explain that collapse of the bill in the Senate this week? KASICH: You know, Chris, I'm -- I'm going to say, I actually think it's a good thing for this reason, because I think Republicans looked over the cliff. And I think they saw that there were going to be a lot of people who were going to be hurt, particular people who don't have much of a voice, who the machine in the system grinds down, and they pulled back. I don't think that this is done. I don't think it ought to be done. I understand there will be hearings in the U.S. Senate on what we can do about the exchanges. I mean, so, to -- to a degree, I'm glad that they didn't fulfill this -- this pledge right now, but they have to work on it. And -- and this is where they should call the Democrats in and they should demand Democratic participation. And, remember, Republicans are in the majority. They get to call the tune. But when they call the tune, they've got to have a few Democrats singing in the choir. It's just that simple. So I don't think we're done with it yet. We can't be done with it yet. And we can't be done going after the underlying, rising costs of health care, the problem of entitlements, which is going to, you know, kill our economy in the country. Address the issues of the division between rich and poor. You've got to work together. I did it when I was there, even when we went through a government shutdown. We balance the federal budget by working together and understanding one another and caring about one another, even when we disagreed. WALLACE: But -- but let me ask you about that. There's a lot to unpacked there. You say, let's work together. We just had Nancy Pelosi on and she made a very strong case for her side. But when I asked her, what are you willing to give on taxes, on regulation, on mandates, she said nothing. KASICH: Well, look, my friend Tom Carper from Delaware is willing to give a lot. My friend from Colorado -- WALLACE: But that -- let me get -- but he's a Democratic senator. Go ahead. KASICH: Yes. And -- and John Hickenlooper, the governor of Colorado, he and I are working together with, you know, ten other -- 9 other governors. Look, you don't do this in front of a national television audience. You sit in a room, you sit together, you talk but each other's kids, you go out, you have a little dinner and you start saying, what is the area of common agreement. In '97, Bill Clinton and the Republicans had a -- had a feud and a war that led into a government shutdown. You know what happened? The -- the Democrats in the White House came to see me and -- and Senator Domenici, and we had private conversations and we opened up a dialogue of discussions. We balanced the federal budget, paid down debt, the economy was doing great and no one was left behind. You don't do this in front of the TV camera. But, again, you know, Chris, this is one of the things, everything's not on the leaders. Forget the leaders. Why don't we get the rank and file members who were there hopefully to serve the country and not their party or some ideology? Stick to your principals but figure out how to give and stop asking the leaders for permission. You're not in the fifth grade where you've got to ask the teacher if you can use the bathroom. Go out and talk to people on the other side. Here's the other thing, Chris, have some guts. You know, all these politicians run around worried about, well, you know, I'm going to get killed by the Tea Party or I'm going to get slaughtered by the left. Who are you surveying? We've got the stop listening to all the yelling and screaming. Those are the people who should be released listen to. WALLACE: All right. KASICH: And -- and get to the middle of our country. WALLACE: All right, finally, because there running out of time, I'm going to pursue a line of questions that my guess is you're going to hate, but here we -- here we go. And that is that you didn't endorse Donald Trump, you say you didn't vote for him. You wrote in John McCain instead. Would you consider running against Donald Trump in the 2020 primaries? KASICH: No, I don't think about that, Chris. And, frankly, you don't -- you know, you've got a Republican president. We don't know what the future's going to hold. And I don't do these things because I'm worried about my political future. Let me tell you, if I answered a question and said I was even thinking about it, I couldn't go home tonight. My wife would lock the doors on me. Look, here's the most important thing for me. I've got to serve the country. I've got to be honest inside. I cannot have, you know, just media appearances so I can be on television. I've got to be a good guy. I've got to -- I've got to be a man of faith and I've got to -- you know, it's -- so I don't know what the future's going to bring, but I'm not preparing anything along those lines. But I want my voice to be out there, because I think my voice and the voice of my colleagues made a difference in this health care debate. WALLACE: Governor -- Governor Kasich, thank you. Thanks for sharing part of your Sunday with us. Always good to talk with you, sir. KASICH: Come to Columbus, Chris. We need you to come out here. Let's spend a lot of time talking about all of this. We can heal this country. Thank you. WALLACE: That's a -- that's a deal. Up next, we'll bring in our Sunday group to discuss where things stand for President Trump at the end of another wild week. Plus, what would you like to ask the panel about the state of the Trump White House. Just go to Facebook @foxnewsunday and we may use your question on the air. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LEON PANETTA, FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY: I think it could be one of the most important personal changes that President Trump has made, assuming that he's willing to accept the discipline and a stronger chain of command. (END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: That's former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta talking about the new White House chief of staff, General John Kelly, who was Panetta's senior military advisor in the Pentagon. And it's time now for our Sunday group. Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume, Mo Elleithee of Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service, former Democratic Congressman Jane Harman, director of the Woodrow Wilson Center, and GOP strategist Karl Rove. Karl, how much trouble is this president in and is General Kelly the man to get him out of it? KARL ROVE, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: Well, he's in a lot of trouble this week. It was the most tumultuous week we've seen of a tumultuous presidency. And Kelly faces for challenge. First of all, the decision-making process inside the White House had broken. It is not disciplined. It's not focused. It's not deliberate. And he was one of the first victims of it in the very first week of this administration when he raised objections which were not taken into account with the first travel ban. He's got this issue of access. This president is not going to end the practice of allowing people to flow in and out of the White House. Most presidents allow that. The question is, is Kelly going to be able to stop people from using their access to the Oval Office to end run the policy process, to cause things to happen that have not gone through the normal -- normal range. He's going to have to deal with a couple of staff members who can't be fired, the son-in-law and daughter, and maybe a couple of other protected people inside the White House, Scaramucci, for example. And, finally, he's going to have to reduce the drama, reduce both the sniping within and reduce the leaks and bring some discipline to the relationships between this White House, which is at war with itself. I've never seen anything like it in my life of a White House so eager to -- to leak on itself. WALLACE: Congresswoman Harman, you have worked with General Kelly on several projects. I don't think anybody questions his competence and his qualifications but -- and his command, but doesn't know enough about politics? Does he know enough about domestic policy, tax reform, health care, do be an effective chief of staff? FMR. REP. JANE HARMAN, D-CALIFORNIA: I think he knows enough to be an effective chief of staff if this president in tweet allows him to use the process that Karl is talking about to solve our problems. But the first answer is, North Korea launched an ICBM yesterday capable of hitting the continental U.S. It might not happen. A warhead might be too heavy. Reentry might be a problem. But this is a real problem. And if he can focus this White House and this president at a careful answer to the North Korean problem that will be the first test. Second point is, Congress proved itself capable, not incapable, last week. No one talks about the fact that the sanctions package against three countries passed overwhelmingly -- WALLACE: Russia and North Korea and Iran. HARMAN: Yes, veto-proof. And Trump is about to or did sign it yesterday. And the point of that is, that was a good piece of legislation. All three countries are screaming about it, which means that Congress and the president acting together sent a tough message. That's a challenge. It's also an opportunity. Congress can authorize the use of military force in the Middle East and around the world in ways it hasn't acted in 16 years. So I think Kelly is well-equipped to deal with those two things, and that would be a phenomenal start. WALLACE: We asked you for questions for the panel and on this issue of the state of the Trump White House, people seem to be getting fed up. Take a look. Nick tweeted this, "is there a plan other than 'shock and awe'? Reasonable Americans want to support our" president "but this reality TV nonsense has got to stop." And we got this on Facebook from Charlette Yared. "How can this White House possibly recover respect after this past week's Sessions/Scaramucci/Boy Scouts/Priebus and other histrionics? Why the drama and the antics?" Brit, how do you answer them? BRIT HUME, FOX NEWS SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, the first thing I'd say is that Reince Priebus is not the one to blame for such behavior. This all comes down to the president and his behavior and its way of doing things and the casual way that he ran his business in New York where -- where he really kept a very loose schedule and people came and went and he picked up the phone and called different people at different times depending on what he was focused on at the moment. White Houses can't operate that way. This staff structure that exists in the White House traditionally, which was developed over many years and many administrations, is there -- is that way for a reason. And the question really is not whether John Kelly has the ability to be an effective chief of staff. I think he manifestly does. The question is whether Donald Trump will permit that. Whether he will allow that. Whether when somebody wonders into the Oval Office the first words out of his mouth will be, does Kelly know you're here? And I think that's in doubt. So what happens, for example, Chris, when -- when they have a date planned with events and so forth and a policy strategy and sir tweets-a-lot blows it all up in the middle of the night with some rant on Twitter? What happens then? Does -- does General Kelly has some say over that? Those are all the unanswered questions. And I think we'll know the answer to them pretty -- answers to them pretty soon. WALLACE: Wouldn't you assume that he would have gotten some at least assurances? HUME: Of course (INAUDIBLE). WALLACE: Because supposedly he was asked about this as -- as far back as May -- HUME: Yes. WALLACE: And he resisted taking the job. HUME: Right. I think -- I suspect he does have verbal commitments to the president to that effect. The question is, will the president stick to them? Not will Kelly, will the president? It's all about the president. WALLACE: Senator John McCain, after his diagnosis of brain cancer, came back to Washington, very dramatically, seized the spotlight. Here he was calling for his colleagues in the Senate to go in a different direction. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, R-ARIZONA: I hope we can again rely on humility on our need to cooperate, on our dependence on each other, to learn how to trust each other again. And by so doing, better serve the people who elected us. Stop listening to the bombastic loudmouths on the radio and television and the Internet. To hell with them. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: Though it was a powerful moment, but what are the chances that it will actually happen in both parties? MO ELLEITHEE, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: Yes. As one of those bombastic loudmouths on television -- WALLACE: No, you're not. ELLEITHEE: I -- you know, he's right. But what at the chances? I'm not optimistic right now. I think that there are too many factors at play that I hope we can get past. But everything from a White House that seems determined to blow up every institution it can, from the judiciary to the media to its own party, to Congress, to congressional representation that is to driven on both sides -- on both sides of the aisle, that is to driven by the way district lines are drawn now, and the -- the importance of -- of the base for each side, it is incredibly difficult to see a path right now out of the entrenched silos that both sides are living. John McCain leaving the Senate is going to be a huge loss for -- for that institution because of the fact that he seems to be one of those people -- and there are still some on both sides that are willing to try to get past some of these fissures, but they're dwindling in numbers. And until we start getting more people who will look that way, we're going to be in trouble. WALLACE: Karl, we've got a couple of minutes left. That's all. You travel the country. You talk to a lot of Republicans. How do they -- I'm not talking about politicians. I'm talking about businessmen, community leaders. When you talk to them, how do they feel about what they see. I'm not talking just about Trump, the Congress, the Democrats, the Republicans. How do they feel about what they see going on here? ROVE: Well, among sort of people who are active in politics, party leaders, business leaders, community leaders, I hear an increasing, you know, scratch their head, why can't this thing get done? Why can't the Republicans govern? Why can't the president lead? Why do we have to put up with this drama? More damaging, I'm starting to hear from ordinary Americans as I travel who say, you know what, it's too much. I'm turning off. I'm turning out. And the problem for the president, when ordinary people start to say, you know what, I've had enough of all of this, is that he's going to be stuck where he's stuck at that moment. And what I'm afraid of is, is that he's had a honeymoon, a ragged, rugged, not normal honey -- political honeymoon with the American people. He's not seized the opportunities given to him on it. And I think a lot of people are starting to say, you know what, I'm done. I've had it. He's had plenty of time to demonstrate to me whether or not he's got an ability to -- to get it down. Now, maybe General Kelly will get it done. Maybe General Kelly will help turn it around. But I think Brit was absolutely right, this depends upon the willingness of the president to change his behavior. WALLACE: Thank you, panel. See you next Sunday. Up next, our "Power Player of the Week, from Navy SEAL to the governor's mansion in the show me state. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) WALLACE: For most people, being a Rhodes Scholar or a Navy SEAL would be a crowning achievement. But as we told you earlier this year, for one young politician, it was just the beginning. Here is our "Power Player of the Week." (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) GOV. ERIC GREITENS, R-MISSOURI: I come as a conservative, an outsider, a Navy SEAL. And we're taking on politics as usual. Thank you. God bless you. WALLACE (voice-over): Meet Eric Greitens, elected in November as Missouri's governor. And at age 43, the nation's second youngest. GREITENS: So help me God. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Congratulations. WALLACE: But what really sets him apart is his path to public office. Back in 2000, he was a Rhodes Scholar, who also worked with humanitarian groups in war-torn countries like Bosnia and Rwanda. One day at Oxford, he looked at a memorial for Rhodes Scholars who died in the two world wars. GREITENS: If they hadn't have made that decision, then I wouldn't be standing here. And I realized at that moment that I wanted to do my part and I wanted to serve. WALLACE: Greitens did four tours as a Navy SEAL, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. GREITENS: You know that at every moment there's somebody to your left and somebody to your right and that they're counting on you. I can stay strong for them for ten more seconds. I can fight for them for one more minute. If I can make it for one more minute, I can make it for ten more minutes. WALLACE: When Greitens returned to Missouri, he started a non-profit called The Mission Continues to help veterans with disabilities recover by serving others. GREITENS: Continue their mission of service in communities and start their own businesses and get quality, private sector jobs and to live as contributing citizens again here at home. WALLACE: The Ferguson riots in 2014 where the turning point that led Greitens into politics. GREITENS: Ferguson was a tremendous failure. If we'd had a leader who'd show up with any kind of command presence and courage and calm and clarity, we could have had peace by the second night. WALLACE: Greitens ran as an outsider and he wasn't subtle about it. GREITENS: Well, I'm no career politician. I'm on a Navy SEAL and I'll take dead aim at politics as usual. WALLACE: As governor he has kept aiming at the same target. WALLACE (on camera): You talk about ethics reform before issues. Why? GREITENS: Well, because we have to have people who trust their leaders. You know, people want to have leaders who they can have confidence in. WALLACE (voice-over): His first act was to ban gifts from lobbyists to members of the executive branch. GREITENS: The people of Missouri are ready to work, so let's get to work today. WALLACE: But he's also signed a right to work law to boost Missouri's economy. And on public safety he's worked out with local police and gone to poor neighborhoods to hand out sandwiches. GREITENS: We need to have leaders who are willing to go to the front line, and that what -- what too many politicians have just failed to do. WALLACE: When Greitens and his wife Sheena, held their first event in the governors residences, they were told it's usually a cocktail party for political insiders. Instead, they invited three foster families for dinner as a symbol of the 13,000 kids in state foster care. GREITENS: As governor, we can make a difference in those kids' lies. As governor, we can keep our promises to the people of Missouri and make their lives better, get results for them. That's what's so satisfying. (END VIDEOTAPE) WALLACE: And the governor has been busy since then signing legislation to tighten regulations on abortion clinics. And more recently, an executive order creating a prescription drug monitoring program to help deal with the opioid crisis. And that's it for today. Have a great week. And we'll seek you next "Fox News Sunday." Content and Programming Copyright 2017 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2017 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. University of California, Irvine officials have rescinded hundreds of admission offers for the upcoming fall semester. The Los Angeles Times reported that offers to 499 UC Irvine students were withdrawn 290 of them for transcript issues and the rest for poor senior-year grades, according to campus data. KABC-TV reported Friday that the universitys Student Government Association has since demanded officials apologize to impacted students, reimburse all fees and guarantee future admission. A university official says administrators will meet with the student leaders to discuss the matter. 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, Thomas A. Parham, vice chancellor of student affairs, said in a message sent to all students whose admissions were revoked. For those who felt ignored or mistreated, I sincerely apologize. The Associated Press contributed to this story Authorities in North Carolina announced Saturday that they had arrested three people accused of hiding a fugitive believed to have kidnapped a missing 68-year-old man. Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan told local media that 40-year-old Jennifer Hawkins, 45-year-old Franklin Badgero Jr., and 23-year-old Larry Jay Hawkins are charged with harboring Phillip Stroupe II in Hawkins' Barnardsville home Wednesday night. Stroupe was arrested Thursday after a manhunt that closed parts of the Pisgah National Forest for days. He faces drug, weapons and fleeing police charges in McDowell County, with more charges likely to be filed. At the time of his arrest, Stroupe was driving a truck that belonged to Thomas Bryson, of Mills River. Investigators believe that Stroupe kidnapped Bryson Wednesday morning, and the search for the missing man is ongoing. Bryson was last seen Wednesday morning on a surveillance camera driving away from his home to pick up a family member for a medical appointment. He never made it there. The manhunt for Stroupe began last week, when he stole a mountain bike and pedaled into the Pigsah National Forest. He was fleeing deputies in Transylvania County who wanted him on a break-in charge. Henderson County Sheriff Charles McDonald said Stroupe was in good shape and likely had been able to find food and water after he slipped into the woods. Stroupe also had relatives near where he was arrested, including an aunt who was taken into custody after refusing to leave a law enforcement barricade, authorities said. Stroupe was a "product of an enabling family and that's been a problem for us," McDonald said. He declined to give further details. Stroupe had just been released from the Yancey County jail July 20 and has spent most of the past two decades behind bars, according to North Carolina prison records. In 1999, Stroupe was sentenced to more than 18 years, the maximum allowed, for felony robbery with a deadly weapon and as well as breaking and entering and false imprisonment. He was released from prison in April 2015. Last month, Stroupe was named as a suspect in the armed robbery of a store in Weaverville. A few days later, he was attempting to flee authorities when he rammed a stolen car into a Buncombe County sheriff's deputy's vehicle, authorities said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from FoxCarolina.com. A former airman in the U.S. Air Force was sentenced to more than three years in prison for possessing child pornography. Stephen Wyzatecki, 25, pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of child pornography. He's set to serve three years and two months in jail. CALIFORNIA DEPUTY AG FACING CHILD PORN CHARGES Law enforcement officials found almost 900 pornographic images and 69 videos on Wyzateckis computer at the Air Force base, according to documents from the case. After the airman offered child pornography files to other users on a file sharing website, investigators tracked him down, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. Wyzateckis attorney argued that the former airman is a good citizen and did not victimize anyone directly. "Wyzatecki's involvement with such material was limited to his personal viewing and downloading. He has never engaged in a contact offense, nor does the case evidence or his possession of the contraband material suggest in any manner, possession with the intent to actually make contact with or groom minor victims for sexual purposes of any kind," his lawyer said. MARYLAND SCHOOL AIDE WITH HIV ARRESTED ON CHILD PORN, ASSAULT CHARGES Wyzatecki had been stationed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska since 2015 before he was discharged in connection with the case. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The package had sat alongside the concrete stoop of a Queens two-family home for about a week before the landlord a kind and generous man, 72 years old made the fateful decision to bend down and look inside. It was cylindrical, and rather large, as if a cardboard can of Quaker oats had doubled in size. Someone addressed it with a single handwritten word, Mac, before tying it inside a clear plastic trash bag. On Friday, landlord George Wray untied the bag, and pried open the top. The cylinder exploded immediately, engulfing Wrays head, arms, torso and legs in flames. Now, as Wray fights for his life at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, police are hunting whoever put the bomb there trying to determine whom it was meant for, and why. A police source told The Post on Saturday the target is believed to be a Bloods gang member who lives at the Brookville property. It wasnt supposed to be for him, a detective at the scene said of Wray, who lives nearby with his wife. Tenant Cornelius Freeman, 34, was asleep when the bomb went off at 4:15 p.m. Friday. He was awakened by firemen banging on his door, shouting, You gotta come out of the house! When I came through the fence, my landlord was right there, on his knees, Freeman said, pointing to the side of the stoop, which on Saturday was still blackened by explosives powder. It just looked like he just like all the skin had come off him, the shaken tenant said. It burned all his hair off his head. Even then, the landlord, whod once given Freeman $180 out of his pocket, was generous. He was asking me, Is yall alright? Yall alright? Freeman remembered. Thats all he was saying. We shouldve been asking him, Is you alright?, right? Whatever had been inside that plastic bag had looked suspicious from the start, Freeman added. Nobody named Mac even lives at the address, he said. I was like, Somethings just not right about this. This story originally appeared in The New York Post. Read more from FOX 5 New York. A fire that engulfed a Georgia home Saturday morning, killing a mother and her son a day after, was caused by a lit cigarette that was tossed into a trash can, officials said. The home in Spalding County went up in flames about 9:30 a.m., according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Firefighters tackled the blaze that quickly spread to the roof of the home. Christie Lewis, 44, was found unresponsive inside the home. Her son, Zachary Shavers Tobias Sevenstar, 6, was also discovered in the home suffering from severe burns. Firefighters performed CPR on the boy and rushed him to the hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon, according to Fox 5. HOMELESS WOMAN SET ON FIRE DIES; MAN NOW FACES MURDER CHARGE Fire officials said the blaze was caused by a cigarette that was "improperly discarded" into a trash can in the home's kitchen, Fox 5 reported. "I just can't believe this has happened. We are all taking it really hard... she was loved by a lot of people, and ministered to a lot of people," family friend Dianne Miller told Fox 5. Lewis' husband, Jimmy Lewis, told the Atlantic Journal-Constitution that his wife attempted to save their son by shielding him during the fire. "She was a good person and a beautiful person and she loved life," Lewis said. Click here for more from Fox 5. An Indiana doctor who would not prescribe opioids to a female patient was shot and killed Wednesday by the woman's husband, who later killed himself, the South Bend Tribune reports. Dr. Todd Graham, 56, was shot by Michael Jarvis of Mishawaka, St. Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter told reporters Thursday. The shooting took place in a parking lot at Saint Joseph Rehabilitation Institute, which was near where Graham worked at South Bend Orthopaedics, according to the newspaper. Jarvis' wife had a 10:45 a.m. appointment Wednesday with the doctor, Cotter said. Graham said "that he was not going to prescribe any opioid drugs," the prosecutor explained, saying that "Jarvis became upset with that and an argument ensued." Jarvis, 48, returned, and while Graham was going from an orthopedic building to a rehab building, "came in contact with Jarvis again; there was again an argument," Cotter said. Jarvis followed Graham as he went to the other building, he said. Jarvis told two witnesses to leave before shooting the doctor, according to the prosecutor. He said that Graham was shot shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday. Jarvis went to the home of a friend, "gave indication that he was no longer gonna be around," and the friend contacted police, Cotter said. Jarvis took his own life before police showed up, he said. ATTORNEY SEEKS NEW TRIAL AFTER OPIOID PILLS GO MISSING Jarvis' wife didn't know what her husband was up to, Cotter said. "There's some indication that Jarvis may have also had his own issues," he told reporters. "We're still investigating that." An online obituary for Graham says that he is survived by his wife and three children. A Notre Dame University spokesman said in a statement to the South Bend Tribune that Jarvis was "an on-call, part-time parking attendant and groundskeeper," and that Graham was a consulting physician at the school. "Make no mistake, this is a person who made a choice to kill Dr. Graham," Cotter said. "This is not a fallout from any opioid epidemic or any opioid problems." It all began, and ended, on this day 43 years ago. It was a hot July afternoon, nearly 92 degrees, when Teamsters president and labor icon Jimmy Hoffa is said to have opened the rear door of a 1975 maroon Mercury in the parking lot of the Machus Red Fox restaurant, in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and climbed in. He was never seen again. The FBI has expended countless resources in the ensuing decades in the hopes of finally solving this enduring American mystery with no success. But I believe, based on my 2004 investigation, that Frank Sheeran did it. WATCH MORE ON FOX NATION'S 'RIDDLE: THE SEARCH FOR JAMES R. HOFFA' "Suspects Outside of Michigan: Francis Joseph "Frank" Sheeran, age 43, president local 326, Wilmington, Delaware. Resides in Philadelphia and is known associate of Russel Bufalino, La Cosa Nostra Chief, Eastern Pennsylvania," reads the 1976 HOFFEX memo, the compilation of everything investigators knew about Hoffa's disappearance that was prepared for a high level, secret conference at FBI headquarters six months after he vanished. Sheeran, known as "The Irishman," told me that he drove with Hoffa to a nearby house where he shot him twice in the back of the head. Our investigation subsequently yielded the corroboration, the suspected blood evidence on the hardwood floor and down the hallway of that house, that supports Frank's story. No one who has ever boasted about knowing what really happened to Jimmy Hoffa has had their claims tested, scrutinized, and then corroborated by independently discovered evidence... except Frank. He is also the only one of the FBI's dozen suspects who has ever come forward and talked publicly about the killing, let alone admit involvement. Every other claim that you have ever heard about, from Hoffa being buried in the end zone of Giants Stadium to being entombed under a strip of highway asphalt somewhere, came from people who were never on the bureau's list of people suspected of actual involvement. For that reason, Frank stands alone. Six weeks after Hoffa disappeared, Frank, along with the other suspects, was summoned before the Detroit grand jury investigating the case. He took the Fifth. When I met him in the spring of 2001, Frank freely talked. My meeting with Frank was arranged so that I could take his measure, and he mine, for a possible in-depth investigation, interview and news story about his claims. He was accompanied by his former lawyer Charlie Brandt, the author of Frank's then-proposed biography, which tells the Hoffa story. Charlie had been able to spring Frank from a Mafia-related federal racketeering prison sentence, and for that reason was taken into Frank's confidence. It would be three years before the book, "I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank 'The Irishman' Sheeran And Closing The Case On Jimmy Hoffa" would be published by Steerforth Press, and before the first of my many news stories about Frank, and our investigation, would air on television. His story is this: He and others were ordered by the Mafia to kill Hoffa to prevent him from trying to run again for the presidency of the Teamsters union. Hoffa had resigned after serving prison time for jury tampering, attempted bribery and fraud convictions. Frank picked Hoffa up at the restaurant, accompanied by two others, to supposedly drive Hoffa to a mob meeting. When they walked into the empty house together, with Frank a step behind Hoffa, he raised his pistol at point-blank range and fired two fatal shots into his unsuspecting target, turned around and left. He said the body was then dragged down the hall by two awaiting accomplices, and that he was later told Hoffa was cremated at a mob-connected funeral home. Frank had an imposing, old-school mobster way about him that even his advanced years -- he was 80 -- did not betray. His menacing aura was not diminished by a severe case of arthritis that crippled him so badly that he was hunched over when he slowly walked with two canes, struggling to put one foot in front of the other. I found Frank tough, determined, steely. As I listened to his matter-of-fact recounting of what he said went down at that house, and giving such detail, I remember thinking what he was saying could actually be true. Here's why: There is no doubt that Frank was a close confidant of Hoffa, someone who Hoffa trusted. And Hoffa didn't trust very many. Frank was both a long-time top Teamsters Union official in Delaware as well as an admitted Bufalino crime family hit-man and top aide to the boss himself. The FBI admits that Frank was "known to be in Detroit area at the time of JRH disappearance, and considered to be a close friend of JRH," as the HOFFEX memo states. Hoffa's son, current Teamsters President James P. Hoffa, told me in September 2001 that his father would have gotten into the car with Frank. He said that his father would not have taken that ride with some of the other FBI suspects whom I mentioned. Frank, in the book, says that he sat in the front passenger seat of the car as a subtle warning to Hoffa, who habitually sat there. He felt a deep friendship and loyalty to Hoffa, yet knew what his own fate would be if he failed to carry out the lethal order from his mob masters. So he sat in the front seat hoping Hoffa would realize something was wrong. He did not. The FBI did find "a single three-inch brown hair . . . in the rear seat back rest" of that car that matches Hoffa, and three dogs picked up "a strong indication of JRH scents in the rear right seat." I asked Frank if he remembered how to get to the house. I thought finding where Hoffa was killed, and investigating everything about the house, could be key to the case. Frank rattled off the driving directions from the restaurant and described the house's interior layout. Killers may not remember an exact address of a murder scene, but they never forget how they got there and what they did when they arrived. "Sheeran gave us the directions," Charlie wrote in the book. "This was the first time he had ever revealed the directions to me. His deepened voice and hard demeanor was chilling, when, for the first time ever, he stated publicly to someone other than me that he had shot Jimmy Hoffa." A year after our meeting, Charlie and Frank drove to Detroit to try to find the house, and when they did Frank pointed it out to Charlie. They did not go in. Three years later, in 2004, I, along with producer Ed Barnes and Charlie, first stepped foot into the foyer where Frank said he shot Hoffa, looked around the first floor and as it turned out, Frank's description fit the interior to a tee. Ed and I arranged with the homeowners to actually take up the foyer and hallway floorboards and remove the press-on vinyl floor tiles that they had put down over the original hardwood floors when they bought the house in 1989. We hired a forensic team of retired Michigan state police investigators to try to find any blood evidence. They sprayed the chemical luminol on the floors, which homicide detectives routinely use to discover the presence of blood. We found it. The testing revealed a specific pattern of blood evidence, laid out like a map of clues to the nation's most infamous unsolved murder. Little yellow numbered tags were placed throughout the first floor foyer and hallway, to mark each spot where the investigators' testing yielded positive hits. The pattern certainly told the story of how Hoffa was killed. The greatest amount of positive hits were found right next to the front door, where Hoffa's bleeding head would have hit the floor. Seven more tags lined the narrow hallway toward the rear kitchen, marking the drops that perfectly mimic Frank's story of Hoffa's lifeless body being dragged to the kitchen by the two waiting accomplices, who then stuffed it into a body bag and carried it out the back kitchen door. We arranged for the Oakland County prosecutor's office to remove the floorboards for DNA testing by the FBI, though Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca cautioned that it would be "a miracle" if Hoffa's DNA was recovered. I knew those odds. A DNA hit was beyond a long shot. Experts told me that such tiny samples of genetic material, degraded by the passage of 29 years and exposure to air and the elements under a homeowner's heavily trafficked floor, would likely not provide enough material to result in a DNA match. The FBI lab report says that chemical tests were conducted on 50 specimens; 28 tested positive for the possible presence of blood, and DNA was only recovered from two samples. The FBI compared what was recovered to the DNA from a known strand of Hoffa's hair. One sample was found to be "of male origin," but it was not determined from whom. The other result was "largely inconclusive." Was I disappointed that a DNA match was not possible? Yes. Was I surprised? No. Did I think this disproved Frank's claim? No. Think about it. What are the chances of any random house in America testing positive for blood traces from more than two dozen samples, in the exact pattern that corroborates a man's murder confession? What would luminol reveal under your home's floor? There are other reasons to believe why Frank's scenario fits. The house was most likely empty on that fateful summer day. It was built in the 1920s and owned for five decades by a single woman, Martha Sellers, a teacher and department store employee. By the summer of 1975, Sellers was in her 80s, and not even living there full time. Her family told The Detroit News and Free Press that she had bought another home in Plymouth, Mich., where she would move permanently the next year. Frank says that a man he called "a real estater" lived in the house. The Sellers family remembered that boarder, who they recalled resided in an upstairs bedroom. He was described as "a shadowy figure . . . who would disappear. He never said more than a few words and they know nothing about him, not even his name." It is quite possible that "the real estater," was the link between the house and the Detroit mob, providing an empty house as needed, when Sellers was absent, for whatever purpose...including using it as a Mafia hit house to murder Jimmy Hoffa. The FBI clearly believed Sheeran had credibility. Agents visited him in his final years, in an unsuccessful attempt to secure his cooperation. While we were conducting our investigation in Detroit in 2004, the FBI, I was told, tried to find the house even before we aired our story. To this day, the FBI refuses to comment about its investigation. The views of those closest to Jimmy Hoffa, his son and daughter seem especially relevant when assessing Frank's credibility. Not only did James P. Hoffa confirm that his father would have driven off with Frank, but his sister, Hoffa's daughter, Barbara Crancer, wrote Frank a poignant letter begging him to come clean about their father's fate. In the one-page heartfelt note, handwritten to Frank on March 5, 1995, she wrote: "It is my personal belief that there are many people who called themselves loyal friends who know what happened to James R. Hoffa, who did it and why. The fact that not one of them has ever told his family -- even under a vow of secrecy, is painful to me..." She then underlined: "I believe you are one of those people." Crancer confirmed to me that she wrote that letter. Sadly for the Hoffa family, Frank never directly honored her request. When I sat with him, he said that his No. 1 priority was not to go back to "college," meaning prison. He decided that the best way to avoid that possibility, while also revealing his story, was to share his secrets for the book and my reporting. Frank died on Dec. 14, 2003. He was 83. While authorities no doubt will continue to respond to more tips, as they should, I believe that we already know what happened to Jimmy Hoffa. Frank described the most precise and credible scenario yet to be recounted, and the evidence that we found from the floor backs up his confession. In the more than four decades since, Hoffa's life and legacy as a pivotal part of the American labor movement has been somewhat overshadowed by his disappearance. But it seems clear that organized crime bosses did not want him to resume the mantle of the Teamster's presidency, and went to the ultimate length, through Sheeran, to prevent his return. Today Hoffa's union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, represents 1.4 million workers and continues to be headed by his son. Three years ago a milestone was marked in the attempts to shed any specter of possible organized crime. In 2015, Federal Judge Loretta Preska approved the Department of Justice and union agreement that ended the U.S. government oversight of the Teamsters that had lasted for more than 25 years. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York at the time, Preet Bharara, said that the union had made "significant progress" in "ridding...the influence of organized crime and corruption," though he cautioned that "the threat...persists." Hoffa called it "an historic agreement...our union is committed to the democratic process, and we can proudly declare that corrupt elements have been driven from the Teamsters." Sadly, it was those corrupt elements that took the life of his father as he tried to take back his union. "Jimmy Hoffa raised millions of workers and their families out of poverty and into the middle class, noted the Teamsters Union in a statement to Fox News. He gave his life while fighting to remove corrupt elements from the union and return power to the members. This tragic anniversary is particularly difficult on his family who lost a father and grandfather much too soon. They want nothing more than to have the closure that they so deserve." I am now working on a two-hour Fox News special about Jimmy Hoffa and Frank Sheeran, including the claims of others about Hoffas fate, as well as reporting on Hoffas contributions to the American labor movement and his legacy. Watch for the program, Riddle: The Search for James R. Hoffa, later this year. Riddle is Hoffas middle name. Franks story will be told in a major motion picture, The Irishman, starring Robert De Niro as Frank and directed by Martin Scorsese. Tribeca Films and Sikelia Productions, in association with Netflix, will bring this story to the big screen and the streaming service in the fall of 2019. Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel are said to also have roles, uniting the legendary actors of the genre in one last mob movie. I am proud of pushing the film idea, which will no doubt become an iconic motion picture. A man was stabbed in the throat at the Cincinnati Zoo during a weekend fight, according to investigators there. The fight involving three men broke out around 4 p.m. Saturday, zoo spokeswoman Michelle Curley said. The other two men took off, she added. The stabbing victim suffered serious injuries but was hospitalized and expected to survive, Fox 19 reported. POLICE: STABBING ON BOSTON COMMON LEAVES 2 INJURED He was stabbed in the throat, Sgt. Eric Franz told WCPO, which said authorities were working on a suspect description. "Right now there are too many they are interviewing all the witnesses," Franz said. "It's going to take a brief period to get a good, accurate description." Security guards were searching trash cans and recovered "a black pocket knife," Corey Bramel told the station. The zoo remained open, and police said there's no danger to the public, WCPO reported. Click for more from Fox 19. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An MS-13 gang member who is also an illegal immigrant in the U.S. was captured in Virginia on Saturday in connection with two separate murders in Texas, officials said. Douglas Alexander Herrera-Hernandez, also known as "Terror," was arrested while walking in Arlington, according to Fox 5 DC. Texas Department of Public Safety issued an all-points bulletin for Herrera-Hernandez's arrest last Wednesday. TRUMP VOWS TO DESTROY 'VILE' MS-13, 'LIBERATE OUR TOWNS' FROM GANG'S GRIP Herrera-Hernandez is wanted in connection with separate murders that occurred in June 2016 and July 2017 in Houston, according to Texas Department of Public Safety. He was named as one of Texas' 10 Most Wanted Fugitives. Herrera-Hernandez is from El Salvador and in America illegally, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced. The 20-year-old man is pending extradition to Texas where he will face criminal charges for the two murders. ICE will facilitate Herrera-Hernandez's removal to El Salvador. Click here for more from Fox 5 DC. Dangerous heat will build across the western United States, putting all-time record highs in jeopardy across the I-5 corridor of the Northwest at midweek. An abnormally strong ridge of high pressure will bring record-shattering heat to the Pacific Northwest, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said. The heat dome will build over the majority of the West from California to Washington, Idaho and British Columbia. Temperatures will climb 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal with multiple days in the 100s from Fresno and Redding, California, to Reno, Nevada; Boise, Idaho; and Pendleton, Oregon. However, communities west of the Cascade Mountains will endure the greatest departures from normal. The heat will peak at midweek, around Wednesday and Thursday, Pydynowski said. Daily record highs will be shattered these days as triple digit-heat is expected to engulf most of the I-5 corridor in Washington and Oregon. More typical highs as July transitions to August range from the upper 70s in Seattle to the lower 80s in Portland, Oregon, to the lower 90s in Medford, Oregon. Medford may break its daily record high by around 10 degrees on Wednesday, Pydynowski said. Medford will join Portland and other communities in flirting with an all-time record high on Wednesday and Thursday. This corridor should also turn hotter than Phoenix these days. Monsoonal thunderstorms and clouds will keep temperatures in check across the Desert Southwest. During the extreme heat wave, people should wear light-colored clothing, stay well-hydrated with water and try to limit time outdoors to the mornings and evenings, Pydynowski said. If you have to be outside during the day, take as many breaks as possible in the shade or indoors in air conditioning. Residents without air conditioning will want to crank up fans or seek cooling in a basement or local shopping center. Be sure to check in on the elderly without air conditioning to make sure they are following these precautions. The increased energy usage could lead to power blackouts. As sizzling sunshine sends temperatures soaring, remember to never leave children or pets locked in a car even for a short amount of time. Residents should also use care with cigarette butts or campfires as an elevated fire danger will accompany the extreme heat. Those looking to beat the heat can head to the cooler mountains or the immediate coast. However, an offshore flow may be enough to minimize the cooling effect from the ocean and cause temperatures to still soar along the Washington coast on Thursday. It will take until next weekend approaches for the heat to finally release its grip on the Northwest. The ridge should begin to weaken heading into Friday and Saturday, Pydynowski said. So while it will still be very warm with above-normal temperatures, the record-breaking heat should come to an end. A Portland man accused of brutally attacking a 65-year-old woman has a history of arrests, at least 20 deportations and was released by local authorities in defiance of a federal immigration hold. Sergio Jose Martinez, 31, was taken into custody Monday night on charges that include robbery, kidnapping, burglary and sexual abuse involving two victims. Martinez allegedly assaulted a woman in the basement of a parking garage while armed with a knife, police said. The woman kicked him in the stomach and pressed the panic button in her car, and Martinez fled when authorities arrived. The suspect has been a transient in the Portland area for more than a year and has five probation violations for re-entering the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an immigration detainer against Martinez in December 2016, asking local authorities to notify them before releasing Martinez. However, he was released into the community and ICE was not notified. It is illegal for cities in Oregon to use their resources to help enforce federal immigration laws; in March, Portland declared itself a "sanctuary city" for undocumented immigrants. Multnomah County leaders and Sheriff Mike Reese wrote a letter to the community earlier this year saying, The sheriffs office does not hold people in county jails on ICE detainers or conduct any immigration enforcement actions, reports KGW Portland. Detectives also were able to connect Martinez to another assault that occurred blocks away. Martinez allegedly entered the womans home through an open window, used scarves and socks to blindfold her, then tied her up, gagged her and sexually assaulted her -- slamming her head into the wood floor, reports Fox 12. The woman told police that Martinez left with her keys, cellphone, credit cards and stole her car. She was able to reach a neighbors home to call 911. Prior to being admitted into jail, Martinez was treated for meth-induced psychosis, according to court documents. Click here for more from Fox 12. Authorities say a suspect in an arson that damaged a Phoenix LGBT youth center has been arrested. Phoenix police say 26-year-old Darren Beach Jr. was booked into jail Friday afternoon on suspicion of arson of an occupied structure. It's unclear if Beach has a lawyer yet. The Phoenix Fire Department on Wednesday released video showing a man pouring liquid on the floor of the one.n.ten center on July 12 and then stepping outside just before a room goes up in flames. Youth center officials say Beach was a participant in their program, but aged out of eligibility when he turned 25. The one.n.ten center serves lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth ages 14 to 24. It lost electronic equipment, food, camping equipment and other items in the fire. A woman was found dead on Saturday at a Minnesota business center following a police lockdown after an armed robbery suspect barged into a nearby assisted living residence, law enforcement authorities said. Police were searching on Sunday for Lucifer Vincent Nguyen, 44, in connection with the woman's death, Fox 9 reported. The woman found dead has been identified by her family as Beverly Cory, according to CBS Minnesota. Officers were called to the scene in Mendota Heights for an armed robbery about 9 a.m. Saturday, police said. Nguyen was seen driving his car into a swamp and running into White Pine Senior Living. "He entered in there and said something to the employees, but how long that was, exactly what he said . . . I don't know," Mendota Heights Police Chief Kelly McCarthy told reporters. MS-13 GANG MEMBER WANTED IN 2 TEXAS MURDERS CAPTURED IN VIRGINIA The building, with more than 45 people inside and some in wheelchairs and walkers, was evacuated through the afternoon. About 2:30 p.m., police discovered the woman's body in an office building across the street from the senior living home, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "You had a lot of people here who were really hoping that we would find that suspect and be able to take him into custody, and it's a tragedy and demoralizing for everybody," McCarthy said. People in the senior living home returned to the building later in the day. Gail Okeson told Fox 9 the incident left her 93-year-old mother, who lives at White Pine, scared and confused. "She was OK. She was very frightened and teary, but she was OK," Okeson told the news station. "The staff at White Pines did a great job," McCarthy said. "It was very difficult and we're glad they're safe. However, we will work on this homicide." MANHUNT UNDER WAY AFTER BODY IS FOUND IN TRUNK AT HOSPITAL Nguyen is wanted in connection with Cory's death. Police said Nguyen is believed to be "armed and dangerous" and no longer in Mendota Heights. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt. The department said Nguyen didn't know Cory, therefore the murder "appears to be random," according to CBS. Mendota Heights police also apologized late Saturday for not releasing information on the suspect immediately. "We understand peoples frustration when we dont immediately release information such as possible suspects or descriptions," the department wrote on its Facebook page. "We have to ensure that the information we are putting out is correct, and it takes time to validate these things. We also have to take into consideration the timing of our information and contamination of witness descriptions," it said. Click here for more from Fox 9. Crews were searching Sunday for a 24-year-old woman reported missing after she went for a swim with a friend off the Jersey shore, authorities said. The woman, reportedly from Slovakia, vanished just before 2:30 a.m. after a swim at the beach in Point Pleasant, the United States Coast Guard told NJ.com. She apparently was nude when entering the water, a witness told WABC. The woman's 23-year-old friend made it out of the water and alerted a boardwalk worker who contacted police, the Asbury Park Press reported. The Coast Guard and Point Pleasant police are conducting a boat and air search for the woman. The National Weather Service issued high-risk rip current warnings along the Jersey Shore, advising swimmers to stay out of the water due to "potentially life-threatening conditions." A Tanzanian poacher who was a subject of a documentary co-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio has been acquitted of several wildlife trafficking charges, though he is in prison for a related crime. Authorities in Tanzania say Boniface Methew Malyango, nicknamed "The Devil Has No Mercy," was acquitted of illegal possession of elephant tusks and other charges. However, he was sentenced in March to 12 years in prison for organized crime linked to wildlife trafficking. The 2016 Netflix documentary "The Ivory Game" partly focuses on Malyango's activities. Separately, a conservation group says the leader of an East African ivory poaching ring has been arrested in Mozambique. The Wildlife Conservation Society said Thursday that Mozambican authorities detained Mateso Albana Kasian, wanted for the killing of possibly thousands of elephants, on July 11. Philippine police say a mayor who has been listed by the president as among politicians linked to illegal drugs and six others have been killed in a raid in the country's south. Police say officers were to serve warrants for the arrest of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., his daughter, who is the vice mayor, and four other officials of Ozamiz city early Sunday when the suspects allegedly opened fire. Police Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb says an ensuing gunbattle killed Parojinog and six relatives and bodyguards in his house. Parojinog's daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested. Parojinog had denied any links to illegal drugs. Thousands of mostly poor suspects have died in President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody crackdown on drugs that has been criticized by Western governments and human rights groups. Fighters with the al-Shabab extremist group ambushed an African Union convoy in southern Somalia on Sunday, killing at least eight soldiers, a Somali military officer said. The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab fighters attacked the convoy near Bulo-Marer town in Lower Shabelle region, Col. Muhyadin Yasin said. The attack came hours after a car bomb in the capital killed at least five people, most of them civilians. Uganda's defense ministry confirmed the attack on the multinational force, saying an unknown number of troops were killed. "A lot of damage was inflicted on the enemy," a statement said. Al-Shabab claimed that the attack killed 39 soldiers. Despite being forced out of many cities and towns across Somalia, the extremist group continues to launch lethal attacks in the capital, Mogadishu, and elsewhere. Al-Shabab wants to oust the central government and install a strict version of Shariah law. The extremist group maintains a presence largely in rural areas and continues to pose immense challenges to the allied Somali and African Union forces travelling between remote towns. Al-Shabab also attacks their military bases as well as neighboring countries that have sent troops to support Somalia's fragile central government. Hundreds of African Union soldiers have been killed in recent years. Earlier Sunday, a car bomb blast near a police station in Mogadishu killed at least five people and wounded at least 13 others, police said. The explosion shattered a month of relative calm in the capital, often a target of the extremist group al-Shabab. The blast near Waberi police station along the busy Maka Almukarramah road may have been a suicide bomber, Capt. Mohamed Hussein said. Most of the victims were civilians. Al-Shabab often carries out deadly bombings in Mogadishu against high-profile targets such as hotels and checkpoints. Sunday's blast occurred amid a traffic jam while soldiers were searching cars at a nearby intersection. Somalia's Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said no such blast had occurred in the capital for a month. Brazil's defense minister is promising to have the military take an increasingly aggressive role in fighting drug trafficking in Rio de Janeiro. Defense Minister Raul Jungmann said at a news conference Thursday that troops will not just patrol, man checkpoints and help recover caches of automatic weapons. He said they will now be used in police operations against drug traffickers. Rio, which hosted in the 2016 Summer Olympics, has been plagued with increasing violence in the last year. That is particularly the case in hundreds of slums that are often controlled by drug gangs. Jungmann said 800 slums in Rio are controlled by traffickers, a rare acknowledgement by authorities about a loss of control. He did not provide details on plans for deployments of troops. Just hours after bomber jets from the U.S., South Korea and Japan swarmed the skies over the Korean Peninsula in a show of strength message to North Korea, Chinas President Xi Jinping on Sunday reviewed an elaborate military parade in Inner Mongolia. The event was designed to show that China has the confidence and capability to rise into a world power, Xi said, as state television showed him dressed in fatigues and speaking to troops from an open-top jeep. Xi said China needed a strong military more than ever as it moved closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The parade at the Zhurihe military base marked the 90th anniversary of the Peoples Liberation Army, which Xi commands. The Chinese leader has frequently spoken of his China Dream, a vision of restored international leadership for the country of nearly 1.4 billion people. But on Saturday, Chinas leadership was called into question by U.S. President Donald Trump, who asserted that Xis Beijing government wasnt taking necessary steps to thwart North Koreas nuclear ambitions. I am very disappointed in China, Trump tweeted. they do NOTHING for us in North Korea, just talk. China could easily solve this problem! Trump wrote, referring to North Koreas two test launches in July of intercontinental ballistic missiles, as Fox News reported. Chinas military has long been viewed as a corrupt and bloated bureaucracy with little actual combat experience. But since Xi took command, it has shed thousands of troops and invested heavily in modern weapons with a goal of surpassing the U.S. However, Xis 2015 announcement of plans to cut 300,000 troops was not received well within the military, sources told Reuters. Xis plan has included extracting televised vows of loyalty from top generals and holding frequent events to showcase his support for the military. He again issued a demand for loyalty Sunday. Always listen to and follow the partys orders," Xi told his assembled troops. And march to wherever the party points to. This story includes reporting from the Associated Press. As the Islamic State terror network loses territory across Iraq and Syria, analysts and experts assert that the terrorist outfit is increasingly capitalizing on the chaos of Libya, positioning the country as its point of resurgence. The black-clad jihadist outfit is believed to be regrouping and recruiting in the rural regions south of the main east-to-west coastal highway and in the far-west town of Sabratha, which is poised just 60 miles from the Tunisian border, since being run out of its Libyan caliphate capital of Sirte late last year. The majority of their fighting force comes from Tunisia, so Sabratha is also a growing center, prominent terrorism analyst Robert Young Pelton told Fox News. ISIS in Libya can regenerate quickly. Col. Ahmed Almesmari, spokesperson for the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), told Fox News that ISIS first appeared in Libya at the end of 2013, even before its dominance in Iraq, borne out of Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated militias and Al Qaeda dissidents in Libyas eastern port city of Derna near the Egyptian border. But over time, ISIS has seemingly moved its operatives from the eastern Egyptian border and now appears to be clustering closer to the western Tunisian side. According to Almesmari, the terror faction has recently established camps around 25 miles east of the town of Bani Waleed, as well as south of Sirte. Mohamed Ghasri, spokesperson and senior commander of the Mistrata-based al-Bunyam al-Marsous militia, which waged bloody battles with ISIS fighters in Sirte, stated last week that they too have observed movements by the group south of Sirte, where they are trying to regroup and break through our forces lines in the south. Joseph Fallon, Islamic Extremism expert and U.K. Defense Forum research associate, concurred that ISIS has retreated south of Sirte to regroup and that its global threat cannot be underestimated. Here, it can jeopardize western interests through guerrilla warfare sabotaging Libyas oil facilities and ports and through calculated use of terror to unleash a mass migration of people to destabilize neighboring countries and Europe, he said. A prominent portion of Libyas oil fields and reserves are located south of Sirte, along with major refineries. The country is home to Africas largest reserves, and its optimum quality of light crude is highly sought. Despite its ongoing political crisis, production in Libya last week climbed to around 885,000 barrels per day triple its production this time a year ago making the region ever more important to the global oil equation, and ISIS's presence there ever more troubling. The terrorist army has, in Iraq and Syria, used oil fields as a means to fund its barbaric reign. While more fighters are now expected to flow into Libya as the pressure on Iraq and Syria mounts, exactly how big the ISIS ranks in Libya are at present, remains largely contested. ISIS DEFEATED, BUT NOT DESTROYED, AS TERROR GROUP STILL HOLDS STRATEGIC SWATHS OF IRAQ In March, Marine Corps. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, head of the U.S militarys Africa Command, told Pentagon reporters that their fighter numbers had fallen below 200 from an estimated five to six thousand a year earlier. But a spokesperson for Africa Command told Fox News this week that their strength has been assessed to be around 500. In sharp contrast, LNAs Almesmari said ISIS numbers are far larger around five to seven thousand people of different nationalities. INSIDE AFGHANISTAN'S WAR HOSPITALS: CHILDREN LEFT FOR DEAD AMID ESCALATING VIOLENCE The terrorist group, Pelton indicated, is well positioned to survive territorial losses such as Mosul, Raqqa and Sirte as its savvy propaganda promotion ensures ongoing recruitment. ISIS is a transnational franchise that comes with funding, trainers and PR packages, Pelton noted. They seek out groups who will re-brand themselves and project the image of an international organization by standardizing logos, messaging and even design criteria for tweets and videos. ISIS BODIES PILING UP IN LIBYAN MORGUE, REPORT SAYS Since the death of its longtime leader Muammar Qaddafi who was killed in 2011 following then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Obama administrations alleged maneuvers to back rebels in the quest for regime change Libya as a country remains in a protracted state of conflict and a breeding ground for violent militias to emerge. Its flushed with radical militias, weapons, human traffickers and two main although there are many competing factions. There is the U.S. and U.N.-supported Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Prime Minister Fayez Serraj in Tripoli, at odds with the LNA which is helmed by the Egypt-endorsed, Benghazi-based Gen. Khalifa Haftar. One U.S official affiliated with the GNA, who requested anonymity, told Fox News that the political and security vacuum that existed in the country post 2011 allowed ISIS to take root. ISIS still poses a threat not just to Libya, the U.S official added, but to its neighbors, Europe and the United States. An Israeli military court has upheld the 18-month sentence of a soldier convicted of fatally shooting in 2016 a Palestinian attacker who lay wounded on the ground. The court Sunday found no reason to accept Elor Azaria's appeal and overturn the sentencing handed down after his conviction on a manslaughter charge. It is unfortunate that such an excelling soldier found committed such a terrible error, the court said as it explained its rationale on the sentence. For almost four hours, the court has laid out its reasoning and explanations. The punishment is modest, the court added, even noting it is on the lower edge of available sentences. In the end, in a 3-to-2 decision, the court upheld the 18-month sentence, to begin when Azaria enters prison. During the last part of the reading, when the five-judge panel reached the verdict, family and friends of Elor Azaria put on black T-shirts, and started shouting at the court. Several military policemen entered the courtroom, and the judge stopped reading the ruling, asking Azaria's mother to be quiet or she would be forced to leave. The act, the appeals judges said, is forbidden, severe, immoral. The appellant had an intent to kill the assailant. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two other cabinet ministers called on Sunday for Sgt. Elor Azaria to be pardoned, after a military court denied the appeal of his manslaughter conviction for killing an incapacitated Palestinian attacker last year in Hebron. The military appellate court upheld Azaria's conviction, but also denied a prosecution appeal seeking a harsher sentence. "My opinion hasn't changed about pardoning Elor Azaria," the prime minister said. "When the issue is brought up for consideration, I will submit my recommendation for a pardon to the relevant officials." Earlier, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Education Minister Naftali Bennett asked the public and the Azaria family to respect the appellate court's ruling. They also called on Azaria to submit a request for a pardon. I ask the Azaria family not to file another appeal and to turn to the [IDF] chief of staff with a request for a pardon," Lieberman said in a tweet. "I have no doubt the chief of staff will take all the difficult circumstances and his being an outstanding soldier into consideration. Unless Azaria appeals to the Israeli Supreme Court, he will be imprisoned on August 9. Sgt. Elor Azaria, an army combat medic, was recorded on a cellphone video as he fatally shot a badly wounded Palestinian who had previously attacked a soldier with a knife, wounding him. The Palestinian, Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, was lying on the ground unarmed when Azaria shot him in the head. The 2016 incident occurred in the volatile West Bank city of Hebron at a time of frequent Palestinian attacks. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Two opposing sides in Italy were brought together on Wednesday when Emma Bonino, a former Italian foreign minister who is pro-abortion rights, spoke at a Catholic church despite strong protests from pro-life supporters. Bonino spoke at the church of San Defendente in San Rocco di Cossato about Italy's immigration laws, National Catholic Register reported. At the event, sponsored by a local branch of Caritas Italiana, Bonino pushed for overturning the 2002 legislation that tightened the country's immigration. Pro-life Catholic churchgoers were reportedly shut out of the event. A group of protesters gathered outside of the church, where they prayed, according to the National Catholic Register. Some activists who attended Bonino's speech were also shot down when they asked questions. Bonino, who has been previously praised by Pope Francis for her refugee worked, argued during her speech that Italy had "no choice" but to regularize illegal immigrants flooding in from Africa and the Middle East. She added "unless we want to drown them all in the Mediterranean." Bonino also said she came to speak at the church because she comes from "a practicing Catholic family, but one that taught [her] to respect the opinion of others." Bonino was appointed Italy's foreign minister in 2013 and vehemently fought to achieve women's rights in Italy. "It's always the same, everywhere in the world," Bonino told Newsweek in 2016. "Gender issues, empowerment, equality -- they are all a process. They can go backward for a while and then they can move forward." Pakistan's parliament will meet Tuesday to elect a new prime minister after the disqualification of three-term prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party enjoys a comfortable majority in parliament. The party nominated Sharif's longtime loyalist Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for the top slot on Saturday. The opposition is expected to name a candidate to challenge Abassi in a vote in parliament. But the six-time lawmaker is expected to win. Sharif proposed Abbasi as interim prime minister until his brother Shahbaz Sharif, who is the chief minister of Punjab province, can contend in a by-election for the seat left vacant by his brother's disqualification. Pakistan's Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif from office on Friday for not being honest and concealing assets. Philippine police fatally shot a city mayor who was among the politicians the president publicly linked to illegal drugs and at least 13 others in gunbattles that erupted Sunday in the south, police said, in one of the bloodiest anti-drug assaults so far under his crackdown. Officers were to serve warrants to Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. of Ozamiz city to search his houses for suspected presence of unlicensed firearms when gunmen allegedly opened fire on the police, sparking clashes that killed the mayor and at least 11 other people, police Senior Superintendent Jaysen de Guzman said by phone. Aside from the mayor's residence, three other houses were raided in the port city in Misamis Occidental province and resulted in the arrests of five suspects. At least one police officer was wounded during the clashes, police said. "We have reports that armed bodyguards are carrying unlicensed weapons," regional police Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said, adding that an undetermined number of assault rifles, grenades, suspected methamphetamine and cash were seized in the raids. Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He was the third mayor to be killed under President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody crackdown on drugs, which has left more than 3,000 dead in reported gunfights with police and thousands of other unexplained deaths of suspects. The police officers were "met with volleys of fire from (the mayor's) security, prompting the Philippine National Police personnel to retaliate," Pacleb said in a statement. Parojinog, his wife and a brother were among the dead, police said. Parojinog's daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested and was to be flown to Manila for security reasons, Pacleb said. The drug killings have been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups that have called for an end to what they suspect were extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign. Last year, police officers shot dead Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte, and a week before that, another mayor and his nine bodyguards were gunned down allegedly during a firefight on a road in the southern Philippines. All three mayors were among more than 160 officials Duterte named publicly as being linked to illegal drugs in August last year as part of a shame campaign. Duterte has vowed not to stop until the last drug trafficker in the country has been eliminated. Pope Francis is urging the world to show a greater commitment to fighting human trafficking, which he called "a form of modern slavery." The pope made the appeal during his traditional Sunday prayer on the U.N.'s world day against trafficking. Francis said "every year, thousands of men, women and children are innocent victims of labor exploitation, and sex and organ trafficking." He added: "This is ugly. It is cruel. It is criminal." He called on the world to renew its commitment to battling "this abhorrent plague, a form of modern slavery," and to pray that the traffickers "change their hearts." The International Labor Organization estimates that 21 million people around the world are victims of forced labor, including victims of human trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that 755 U.S. diplomats will be expelled from Russia by Sept. 1, according to an interview on Russian television. The expulsions had been announced Friday in response to a new law passed in Congress that expanded sanctions, but Sunday's statement was the first time a large number of Americans were confirmed as involved. It was "a regrettable and uncalled for act," a State Department official told The Associated Press. Earlier, a State Department official told Fox News, "It is our policy to not comment on the number of individuals serving at our missions abroad." Russia's Foreign Ministry said it is ordering the U.S. Embassy to reduce the number of embassy and consular employees in the country to 455. "I decided it is time for us to show: We do not intend to leave U.S. actions unanswered," said Putin, according to Interfax News Agency. The U.S. has taken an "unprovoked step towards worsening bilateral relations," Putin added. He also said that Russia could consider other options in response to the U.S., but that he hoped it would not come down to that. Putin noted the recent creation of a de-escalation zone in southern Syria as one example of how the countries have worked together. However, in terms of general relations, Putin said: "We have waited long enough, hoping that the situation would perhaps change for the better. But it seems that even if the situation is changing, it's not for anytime soon." The new American sanctions were in retaliation both for Russia's takeover of Crimea in 2014 and Russian interference in the U.S. 2016 presidential election. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The U.S. and its allies are prepared to use rapid, lethal and overwhelming force, if necessary, against North Korea, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces warned Saturday night. The statement from Gen. Terrence J. OShaughnessy, U.S. Pacific Air Forces commander, came after the militaries of the U.S., South Korea and Japan spent 10 hours conducting bomber-jet drills over the Korean Peninsula. The training mission was a response to North Koreas recent ballistic missile launches and nuclear program, and part of the U.S. regular commitment to defending its allies in the Asia-Pacific region, the generals statement said. "The time for talk is over. The danger the North Korean regime poses to international peace is now clear to all," said United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley in a statement. North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability, OShaughnessy said. SLIDESHOW: U.S., SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN CONDUCT BOMBER-JET DRILLS OVER THE KOREAN PENINSULA Diplomacy remains the lead, he said. However, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario. If called upon, he added, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing. North Korea conducted test launches of ICBMs on July 3 and July 28, and has claimed that its weapons can now reach the U.S. mainland. The countrys recent actions have drawn condemnation from President Trump, and prompted U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to confer with counterparts from South Korea and Japan to develop a response, Fox News has reported. Both Trump and Tillerson have criticized China, saying the Beijing government has failed to use its influence to discourage North Korea from developing its nuclear program, Fox News reported. On Saturday, two U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, under the command of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, joined counterparts from the South Korean and Japanese air forces in sequenced bilateral missions. According to the Pentagon, the U.S. bombers took off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, then flew to Japanese airspace, where they were joined by two Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) F-2 fighter jets. The B-1s then flew over the Korean Peninsula, where they were joined by four F-15 fighter jets from the South Korean air force. The B-1s then performed a low-pass over Osan Air Base, South Korea, before leaving South Korean airspace and returning to Guam. Throughout the approximately 10-hour mission, the air crews practiced intercept and formation functions, enabling them to improve their combined capabilities and strengthening the long-standing military-to-military relationships in the region, the Pentagon said. U.S. Pacific Command maintains flexible bomber and fighter capabilities in the Indo-Asia-Pacific theater, retaining the ability to quickly respond to any regional threat in order to defend the U.S. and its allies, the statement said. The U.S. military on Sunday conducted a test of its THAAD anti-ballistic missile system, two days after North Korea launched its second intercontinental ballistic missile. This test was expected after a warning from the U.S. Coast Guard last week. Earlier this month, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said it would be conducting two THAAD tests this month from Kodiak, Alaska. This is the second of the two tests. The test comes as Gen. Terrence J. OShaughnessy, U.S. Pacific Air Forces commander, warned North Korea that U.S. and its allies are prepared to use "rapid, lethal and overwhelming force," if necessary against the rogue nation. "The U.S. Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Army soldiers of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade from Fort Bliss, Texas, conducted a successful missile defense test today using the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system," the Missile Defense Agency said in a statement on Sunday. The medium-range target ballistic missile (MRBM) was launched over the Pacific Ocean and the THAAD weapon system tracked and intercepted it in Kodiak. "In addition to successfully intercepting the target, the data collected will allow MDA to enhance the THAAD weapon system, our modeling and simulation capabilities, and our ability to stay ahead of the evolving threat," MDA Director Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves said. THAAD is used to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. It does not target intercontinental ballistic missiles. The U.S. has a perfect record of launches, hitting 15 out of 15 targets, the Pentagon said. The latest launch comes in the wake of North Korea's latest ICBM test. Analysts said flight data from the North's second ICBM test, conducted Friday night, showed that a broader part of the mainland United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of Pyongyang's weapons. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," O'Shaughnessy said. "Diplomacy remains the lead. However, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario," O'Shaughnessy added. Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Whats a person to do when he needs to see a doctor whom he knows and trusts, but that doctor isnt available for weeks? A member of my family recently faced that dilemma. When he realized he wouldnt be able to get into his doctors office immediately, he asked the receptionist what he should do if his pain worsened. Visit the emergency room? No, came the response. Thats too expensive, but you might consider an urgent care facility. The family member decided to wait it out, but not after ranting about whats the point of having health insurance if you cant get the care you need when you need it. He had tried making an appointment with his primary care physician, who couldnt see him for a week, then a specialist, who wasnt available for five weeks. He figured his primary doctor would refer him to a specialist anyway, so he settled on a fellow doctor in the specialists practice who had a open slot in two weeks. My family member opted against an urgent care facility, not because of its nickname as a doc in the box, but because he didnt want to see someone he doesnt know. And, he would rather be examined by a doctor well-versed in a specialty rather than a professional who might see dozens of different ailments in a day. My family members scenario came to mind this week, along with an interesting graphic about hospital and office visits. The graphic pointed out how much money could have been saved if patients had gone to a doctors office, like the one my family member was trying to get into, rather than a hospital emergency room. The data came from Virginia Health Information and included avoidable visits. Theyre so named because patients could have avoided the more expensive visit to the emergency room by seeing a primary care physician instead. The five most common avoidable visits to emergency rooms across Virginia in 2015 were for upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, headaches, earaches and back problems. Had patients scheduled an office visit with their doctor, the treatment would have cost $10.9 million, the VHI stated. Because patients went to hospital emergency rooms instead, the total for treatment was $79 million. These visits have a large impact on the cost of health care for all Virginians, stated the graphic. The VHI went on to say that 14 percent of the 1.3 million visits to Virginia hospital emergency rooms in 2015 could have been treated at a doctors office. Of those 180,890 potentially avoidable emergency-room visits, almost 80 percent were for the infections and various aches listed. Clearly, none of those ailments are life-threatening conditions, but as my family member came to realize, they certainly make for uncomfortable situations. TRUE EMERGENCIES Even though hospital emergency rooms end up treating stomach aches and back problems, they clearly werent set up for that. Theyre really meant for true emergencies, said Eric Fletcher, senior vice president for strategy, marketing and business development for Mary Washington Healthcare. Were all better served if we can make sure that the strep throats and the earaches are served closer to home, in a lower-cost environment. But if the pain starts after 5 p.m. or on the weekends and immediate relief is sought, whats a person to do? A study by the National Center for Health Statistics found that almost half of the people who visited a hospital emergency room, but werent admitted, did so because their doctors office wasnt open. Another option is urgent care clinics. There are 19 such facilities within a 20-mile drive of Fredericksburg, and as in other communities nationwide, they help fill a vital gap when you become sick or injured, but your regular doctor is not available and you cant wait for an appointment, according to a March 2016 story by Scripps Health Media. The average urgent care visit costs patients $71 to $125 for basic care, with additional costs added for shots, X-rays and labs. Thats compared to the average emergency room visit, which costs $1,318, according to the Urgent Care Locations website. WHO YA GONNA CALL? When should you make an appointment with your doctor, visit an urgent care clinic or head straight to the emergency room? As always, decisions depend on an individuals situation, but here are some general guidelines culled from several sources. A 2016 article in Forbes magazine suggested that patients can get similar treatment for minor problems such as sore throat or poison ivy if they go to their doctor or an urgent care clinic. Determining factors may be when the problems occur or how difficult it is to make an appointment with your regular doctor. The Forbes story also stated that walk-in clinics may be OK for people who are relatively healthy, except for whatever minor issue theyre having. If clinicians recommend a specialist, patients should check with their regular doctor. For chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, its recommended that patients see their own doctor, someone who knows their family history and has monitored the treatment over time. A provider who knows your health history, your habits and your personality can more easily recognize signs that indicate a potential change in your health, states the One Medical Group website. But no matter what the time of day or night, there are some conditions that demand an immediate visit to the hospital emergency room. They include: chest pain, difficulty breathing or speaking, severe abdominal pain, high fevers in babies, broken bones, bleeding, head injuries or seizures. Thats any condition that could cause loss of life, limb or eyesight. Were all better served if we can make sure that the strep throats and the earaches are served closer to home, in a lower-cost environment. Eric Fletcher, Mary Washington Healthcare From the front porch of his grandfathers house in the Mayfield neighborhood, Fred Mercer has a clear line of sight into the park where on Thursday night he checked the pulse of an 18-year-old woman to see if she was still alive. I thought she was dead, Mercer said Saturday. She had a bullet in her head. Its sad, he continued. Not to say we have a lot of shootings here, but no shooting is justified, and any shooting is too much. Mercer was one of the first on the scene of the shooting that occurred in a covered pavilion at the Dr. W.L. Harris Neighborhood Park on Tyler Street about 8:50 p.m. Thursday night. The victim, who had family living in the Mayfield community, remains in critical condition at Mary Washington Hospital. The suspect, who police have described only as a black male, has not been located, and police have not released information about a possible motive. On Saturday, the same covered pavilion was set to host the fifth annual Peace in the Paint, a free community event opposing violence. Paul Chewning, the community police officer for Mayfield, arrived at the park Saturday morning to make sure the crime scene had been cleared. Noticing that some blood stains remained on the pavement, he got a mop and a bucket of bleach and scrubbed them out with the help of fellow Fredericksburg city police officers. Later that morning, Peace in the Paint organizers decided to cancel the event due to rainy conditions. In the Larry D. Silver Mayfield Community Center next to the park, the Armstead family of Spotsylvania County was preparing for their family reunion to be held that evening. One family member said he has a concealed carry permit and would be acting as security guard during the party. But Mayfield residents wanted to push back against the notion that their community is violent. People want to look at the community in a negative sense, but this is not a bad neighborhood, said Mercer, who is 58 and has lived in Mayfield since he was a child. He said police have done a great job keeping the neighborhood safe, but he understands that they cant be everywhere all the time. He pointed out that when violence does occur, its often perpetrated by people from outside the community. He also said he thinks its too easy for young people to get their hands on guns. Its a sad, sad situation, he said. Generations just kill themselves. Its just very sad. Mayfield Civic Association President Trudy Smith, 78, agreed that the incident doesnt diminish what the neighborhood is all about. I grew up here, she said. These things are isolated incidents. They happen. In America, they happen. And I understand the person had out-of-state tags. She pointed at the covered pavilion, which is across the street from her house. I would still put children on that playground, she said. Thats why we built this house where it is. I chose to live here then and I still choose to live here. Smith said she knew the victims grandmother and, as a former director of the Fredericksburg Regional Head Start, she had probably met the victim herself when the young woman went through the program as a child. Everybody here is just heart-broken, she said. Were so sorry. Ive been praying that she will recuperate. And I understand she was on her way to school. Mercer said hed also heard that the victim had been accepted into college and was trying to make something of herself. I hope she still gets to go to college, he said. Lisa Simms Reynolds, 50, lives in a white house next door to the park where the shooting occurred. Her mother, who is in hospice care, sleeps in a bedroom with a window overlooking the park and Reynolds fears her mother could have been struck by the bullet. A bullet dont have anybodys name on it, she said. Reynolds is another lifelong Mayfield resident and she knew the victims mother, aunts and grandmother. Ive been praying so hard because I know shes fighting for her life, she said. She asked those who might know something about the shooting to communicate with police. Somebody knows something and they need to speak up, she said. Anyone with information can contact police at 540/373-3122. To provide 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. Jason Heil, a first grade teacher at Parkside Elementary School, is the grand prize winner of Autobell Car Washs Teachers That Shine contest for the metro Washington, D.C., market. Launched this year during Mays National Teacher Appreciation Week, the contest was open to current pre-K through college teachers at accredited public and private schools who live within 50 miles of an Autobell Car Wash location. Nominations were accepted from students, parents, peers and principals who acknowledged the positive, lasting impression the teacher has made. One grand prize winner of $1,000 was chosen in each of the companys eight markets, with one second prize per market of a $100 Autobell gift card. Friends since seventh grade, Joseph Altorfer and Connor Weed received their Eagle Scout Awards recently in a combined court of honor held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Boscobel Road in Stafford County. Altorfers project was the restoration of a local historic cemetery that had fallen into disrepair for Hulls Memorial Baptist Church. Weed installed cabinetry in the recreation room of the local YMCA, giving the group much needed storage space. Both Scouts are recent graduates of Mountain View High School as well as their churchs early morning scripture study program which met every morning before school during their four years of high school. In school they were involved in sports, school organizations and employed part time. Altorfer, an honor graduate participating in Stafford County Public Schools STAT Program for Engineering, recently placed at the state level with his MVHS Technology Student Association team. The team advanced to nationals where they performed well in the area of architecture. As a MVHS wrestler, Altorfer was a team captain during his junior and senior years and placed 4th at conference, regionals and states. He had more than 25 pins his senior year and won 146 matches throughout his four-year varsity career. Weed ran varsity cross country and track all four years of high school. He won All-Conference, Regions and made All-State numerous times. He is a region champion and holds two regional records in the 4x800 relay. He competed and placed in national competitions twice. He always challenged himself to improve his own time and push himself to go faster. Their plans for the future are just as industrious as their high school careers. Altorfer will continue his engineering studies at Old Dominion University. He intends to study mechanical engineering and law in order to become a patent lawyer. Weed has chosen to postpone college in order to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been called to serve in the Brisbane, Australia Mission. Serving in the U.S. military is a privilege, not a right. Not everyone who wishes to serve can be allowed to do so, for a variety of reasonsage, physical and mental fitness, education, and legal status, to name a few. The purpose of the military is not to advance a social or political agenda but to defend the nation. These simple truths seem to be lost in the debate stirred by President Donald Trumps clumsy and ill-timed announcement via Twitter that transgender individuals are no longer allowed to serve in the U.S. armed forces. The decision to allow transgender people to serve in the military in the first place was barely 2 years oldunthinkable even a decade ago. In 2015, President Barack Obamas secretary of defense, Ashton Carter, announced that the Pentagon would move to allow transgender individuals to serve openly in the military. But perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Obama administrations stance was the announcement in June 2016 that the military would provide medical treatment for those service members seeking hormone treatment and plastic surgery to change their sex. According to the American Psychiatric Association, gender dysphoria is not in itself a mental disorder. The critical element of gender dysphoria is the presence of clinically significant distress associated with the condition. It seems fair to say, however, that those who choose to undergo the painful surgeries and lifelong hormonal treatments necessary to transition their sex dont do so lightly but are indeed experiencing significant distress. The question isnt whether transgender individuals have the right to live as they choosethey dobut that does not mean they have a right to serve in the military. All sorts of physical and mental conditions preclude military service. The reasons vary, but the underlying assumption is that any condition that might make deployment and combat readiness more difficult justifies excluding certain individuals. Everything from asthma to plantar fasciitis may be disqualifying, depending on when the individual experienced the condition and its severity, and some medical conditions, such as diabetes, are automatically so. But so are common mental conditions. People who suffer from depression or other mood disorderseven adults with attention deficit disordercan be excluded. The military rejects these individuals not out of prejudice but because their conditions complicate the mission of the military. Individuals who require medication on a daily basis are more difficult to deploy in a wartime situation. Someone who has diabetes quickly becomes a liability on the battlefield when there isnt access to proper food or insulin or other medication. Transgender individuals require hormone treatments for the rest of their lives after transitioning. What happens when a transgender soldier runs out of male or female hormone replacement treatments while deployed? How long would a transsexual be unable to deploy while recovering from surgery? Those who are expressing outrage that the Trump administration is reverting to the policy barring transgender individuals from service that existed prior to two years ago seem more than a little disingenuous. Some 29 million Americans have diabetes; another 25 million have asthma. But I dont remember anyone suggesting that these individuals are being discriminated against because they cannot serve in the military. President Obama lifted restrictions against transgender people in the military, and President Trump has decided to impose those restrictions again. These are policy decisionsand both presidents were within their authority to make them. President Trump bungled the decision to change course. He did it as he does everything, impulsively, without proper consideration for its implementation or how it affects individuals who are already in the military. Twitter is no way to issue orders as commander in chief. It is certainly fair to ask why he did it now. Was it a way to distract from other issues? With this president, who knows? He says he talked to the generals, but few of them are coming forward to confirm any discussions, and the Pentagon was left flat-footed. Once again, the president is setting up the dynamics for failure. Perhaps this is a bone thrown to those in his base in anticipation of disappointing them on another front. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, stay tuned. Linda Chavez is the author of An Unlikely Conservative: The Transformation of an Ex-Liberal. To find out more about Chavez, visit the Creators Syndicate. The military rejects these individuals not out of prejudice but because their conditions complicate the mission of the military. Individuals who require medication on a daily basis are more difficult to deploy in a wartime situation. Out of the blue, with no new data and the same team of generals, President Donald Trump has decided that he wants to reinstate the ban on transgender people in the military, reversing Obama administration regulations allowing all men and women, regardless of gender identity, to serve their country. This is the same man who, when running for office, claimed to be a friend of the LGBT community. Perhaps hes forgotten that the T stands for transgender. Make no mistake, the presidents anti-transgender offensive is an attack on the entire LGBT community and on our core American belief in equality of opportunity. The commander in chiefs early morning tweets on Wednesday calling for reinstatement of the ban laid out a bogus argument, leaving out the most important point: This is a political move intended to appease Trumps base and to push Democrats to take complete ownership of this issue, according to an unidentified Trump administration official quoted by Jonathan Swan, a national political reporter for Axios. Heres what the president had to say: 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. Who are these generals and military experts? I posed that question to Matt Thorn, executive director of OutServe-SLDN, an organization that represents the LGBT community in the military. Your guess is as good as mine, he said. Thorn pointed out that the current service chiefs signed off on the Obama policy last year and that those individuals havent changed. There have been no replacements. He also reminded me that it was a 2016 study by the Rand Corporation (commissioned by the Pentagon) that led Obama defense secretary Ashton B. Carter to lift the ban. No new study has been conducted or published since then, meaning that theres no new data. Whats also deeply unsettling, to say the least, is that Trump tweeted this intended policy change only a few weeks after Defense Secretary Jim Mattis gave military chiefs a six-month extension, until Dec. 1, to determine whether transgender service members would affect the militarys readiness and lethality. Is Trump undermining yet another of his Cabinet members? Curiously, Mattis is apparently on vacation, according to numerous news reports. If youre going to consult your experts, shouldnt the defense secretary be one of the top voices in such an important and far-reaching decision? As for the tremendous medical costs that would result if transgender people were allowed to continue serving, the Rand study is the gold standard on that question as well. The think tank estimated that between 30 and 140 new hormone treatments a year could result, as well as 25 to 130 gender transition-related surgeries. The estimated impact on the militarys health care costs would fall between $2.4 million and $8.4 million, or a tiny bump of 0.13 percent, which is hardly tremendous. (And thats for all medical costs, not just transition-related ones.) What about the disruption supposedly caused by allowing openly transgender men and women to serve? Theres no there there. Service members have been serving openly with no issues to readiness, Thorn said. Theyre serving in elite units, like SEAL Team 6 (and) in the Joint Chiefs of Staff office. Theyre leading commands and leading battalions. Its not true. The same claims were made of gay and lesbian service members during the dont ask, dont tell era; its fearmongering, plain and simple. With no rationale, and no new data or studies, the president has thrown the LGBT communityand notably transgender peopleunder the bus. Conservative groups such as the Family Research Council, long opposed to LGBT equality, applauded the presidents move, especially his termination of what they called a social experiment. Its an interesting footnote that on the same date in 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which abolished racial discrimination in the military. He called for equality of treatment and opportunity in the military. My question for Trump: Why does that same principle not apply to transgender Americans who want to serve their country? Steven Petrow writes for The Washington Post. The same claims were made of gay and lesbian service members during the dont ask, dont tell era; its fearmongering, plain and simple. Political rhetoric, partisanship part of problem, not solution U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., reportedly said that Donald Trump Jr. has potentially committed treason [Kaine says Russia probe moving into possible treason, July 12, 2017]. Kaine was referencing a meeting Donald Trump Jr. had with a Russian lawyer in June of last year during the feverish heat of the presidential campaign. Other administration meeting attendees were campaign director Paul Manafort and adviser Jared Kushner. Accompanying the Russian lawyer was a Russian American lobbyist. Donald Trump Jr. agreed to the meeting because the Russian lawyer, in an e-mail to him, said that she had information that would be injurious to Hillary Clintons campaign. Quite simply Donald Trump Jr. was intrigued by the potential of gaining information that would benefit his fathers campaign. Many political campaigns engage in opposition research, so responding to the Russian lawyers offers should not be interpreted as an unusual occurrence. However, being a neophyte politician, Donald Trump Jr. was naive and did not suspect the dangerous political waters into which he was walking. Recall in June 2016 Russian computer hacking was not then the huge issue it has now become. Apparently, Donald Trump Jr. and the other administration attendees quickly realized the Russian lawyer had no verifiable information and terminated the meeting. According to Donald Trump Jr., no actionable decision resulted. And to date no evidence contradicting his statement has surfaced. Do his actions warrant the overwrought claim by Senator Kaine that Donald Trump Jr.s participation in the meeting was tantamount to potential treason? Its an absurd, unbalanced statement made by a seasoned politician. On several occasions, Senator Kaine has opined that the loss of civility in political discourse is damaging to democracy. Clearly, his political rhetoric and partisanship makes him part of the problem and not part of the solution. Charles Tuck Spotsylvania There currently are 93 Fisher Houses in the United States and in Europe with plans for more. The known dangers of glyphosate warrant extensive investigation before Californians are exposed to any amount Pedram Esfandiary, Attorney representing cancer victims suing Monsanto corporation Meanwhile, back in your backyard, the glyphosate saga continues. You remember glyphosate, right? Its the active ingredient in Monsantos herbicide Roundup, the most widely used weed killer in the world. And, guess what? Roundup is so safe, a neighbor once informed me, you could drink the stuff. (Who informed him of this fact is unclear.) Well, it turns out that glyphosate might not be so safe after all. In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. In the IARCs five-level classification scheme, probable is one notch down from the top level of definite, so the label is to be taken seriously. So far, the principal fallout from the designation has been threefold. First, Monsanto and other companies that sell glyphosate-based products predictably have tried to delegitimize the classification and attack the messenger, the IARC itself, for bias. Second, based largely on the IARC classification, more than 1,000 individuals in the U.S. who have developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer, have filed lawsuits against Monsanto for exposing them or their family members to glyphosate. Third, on July 7, 2017, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (COEHHA) classified glyphosate as a carcinogen, known to the state to cause cancer. Under California law, businesses must inform the public, usually by labeling, if they sell products that contain known carcinogens. While many environmental and consumer groups consider Californias classification a huge step toward protecting the public, the labeling fight is far from over. Which products are labeled, and how theyre labeled (on the packaging itself or just with signs on store shelves) depends on the COEHHAs assessment of the exposure risks for glyphosate how much of the chemical your system can tolerate. Credible scientific studies have pegged that amount at zero. For example, a 2015 study published in Environmental Health shows that liver and kidney damage afflicted lab rats that were exposed to chronic ultra-low doses (0.05 parts per billion) of glyphosate. That level of exposure can occur not just by using glyphosate, but by eating food grown in fields where Roundup or similar products are used for weed control. For example, the Nation of Change website reports that tests by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have revealed levels from 3,000-6,000 parts per billion on garbanzo beans and wheat. Eating 12 ounces of those foods daily would expose one to 15,000 times the amount of glyphosate that damaged the rats livers in the Environmental Health study. So, the COEHHA could require that not only glyphosate products, but also some glyphosate-exposed foods carry the carcinogen label. Naturally, Monsanto and other glyphosate product manufacturers are resisting any and all labeling by taking the issue to court, where, so far, they have been ruled against; by meeting with officials of the COEHHA; and by arguing their case in the court of public opinion through ongoing advertising campaigns and tactics such as feeding cherry-picked statements from legal depositions to sympathetic journalists. Who should you believe? While the evidence against glyphosate keeps piling up, you dont have to wait until you have definitive proof of its dangers (until you have cancer?) to take the better safe than sorry approach with your home weed control. Instead, mix regular household vinegar with a little liquid dish soap (for stickiness) in a spray bottle and apply it to your weeds. Theyll die in a few days. Then you can further minimize your exposure to a probable carcinogen by encouraging your neighbor to use vinegar, not glyphosate, at his ecological house. John Appleyard of Lake Tapps, Washington, planned to take a romantic getaway with his wife, a train trip to celebrate their 33rd anniversary and watch the eclipse on Aug. 21. They found a room for less than $100 a night, including taxes, at what is now the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Albany, he said. But in May, Appleyard said, after seeing media reports of shady business practices regarding the eclipse, he called the hotel and discovered that it had canceled his reservation. The parent company for the hotel offered him a $109 per night voucher, but wanted him to pay $700 per night for a room in Eugene, 40 miles away and outside the path of totality for the eclipse, Appleyard said. They tried to tell us that the hotel was sold in March and that the old owner didnt give them all the reservations for the new place, he said. Im just disheartened by the whole thing. Its just saddening, Appleyard added. Its a big black eye on Oregon, and I know that the Oregon people arent like that. It isnt consistent with the values of the Northwest. You just dont screw people over. The Appleyards don't know what they're going to do for the unique event, as they don't have a place to stay. The Econo Lodge, 251 Airport Road SE, is among 12 hotels in the state that have generated consumer complaints about business practices related to the eclipse, according to the Oregon Department of Justice. The department has seen an increase in complaints from people who have had hotel reservations canceled or have had their room rates double or even triple in price, states a July 14 news release. Kristina Edmunson, communications director for the Oregon Department of Justice, said via email that the Econo Lodge in Albany was the subject of two complaints. One was from Appleyard and the other came from Wolfgang Reissnegger of San Jose, California. The cases are still open. An employee of the Econo Lodge, contacted last week, said a manager for the establishment would not be available for comment until Monday. But Appleyard provided an email from a representative of the company to a state investigator. In the email, the hotel representative wrote that Appleyard had called the hotel and harassed employees for days. The representative added that the hotel has new computer software for its reservation system, and some reservations failed to transfer. Appleyard responded to the state investigator that the previous owner said he turned over all the reservations, and the Econo Lodge dumped them for a higher price. Reissnegger, who filed the other complaint against the hotel, couldnt be reached for comment on Friday. According to state paperwork, he said that he booked a room for approximately $110 a night at what was then the Albany Inn & Suites on Aug. 21, 2016. He added that when he called on June 9 this year to confirm his reservation, now with the Econo Lodge, he was told it didnt exist and he would have to sort out the situation with the previous owner. Hotels in the area are booked for Aug. 20 due to the solar eclipse and any rooms that still are available are priced at roughly $1,000, Reissnegger wrote. Appleyard said that he and his wife, Tobi, won train tickets as well as tickets to a Seattle Seahawks game from a local radio show. They chose to use the Amtrak trip to visit Oregon for the eclipse. We saw the train stopped in Albany, and Albany was a nice little town, Appleyard said. After canceling his reservation, the Econo Lodge didnt offer him transportation from Albany to Eugene and back, he added. If it wasnt for us calling them, then we wouldnt know and we would be in Albany late at night with no place to stay, probably at the train station, Appleyard said. He also said he complained with the Better Business Bureau about the situation, but the hotel did not respond to the nonprofit organization. The Department of Justice is working with the hotels to resolve specific complaints. As of mid-July, seven of these businesses have agreed to provide the originally booked rooms at the original price. The state also sent letters warning of Oregons consumer protection laws to all hotels within the eclipse path and to all hotels that have been the subject of a consumer complaint. In the letter, hotels that may have increased the price of hotel rooms or canceled reservations were told to give the customers their originally booked room for the original price, or at least give $500 to each customer. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum urged visitors and Oregonians who have booked hotel rooms within the 90-mile path of total solar eclipse on Aug. 21 to confirm their hotel reservations immediately. Travelers need to be able to trust that hotels will keep their reservation and honor the original price, Rosenblum said in the news release. We want to make sure travelers know that hotels must honor their advertised prices, regardless of whether the prices are advertised directly by the hotel, or with a third party. Booking a reservation for a consumer at a certain rate, followed by the hotel either canceling or increasing that reservation rate is a deceptive practice under Oregons Unlawful Trade Practice Act. Businesses could face a $25,000 fine for each violation of the act, according to Oregon law. Estimates indicate as many as 1 million people could visit Oregon for the eclipse. The other hotels the Oregon Department of Justice had received complaints about are: America's Best Inn & Suites, Liberty Inn, Palace Inn and Suites, and Sailor Jack Oceanfront Motel, all in Lincoln City; Cascade Lodging in Bend; the Motel 6 in Madras; Quality Suites Hotel in Keizer; Rodeway Inn in Sublimity; Stafford Inn in Prineville; Super 8 Motel in Baker City; and the Grand Hotel in Salem. Visitors who encounter problems with hotel reservations should contact the Oregon Department of Justices consumer hotline by calling 877-877-9392 or by filing a complaint online at https://justice.orgon.gov/complaints/. Corvallis defense attorney Jennifer Nash had been representing a client in a custody battle when the man was indicted last year by a grand jury on sexual abuse charges. Nash was shocked. She knew the police had been investigating the case. But she also knew officers had received a report from the crime lab citing inconclusive evidence of abuse. The attorney wasnt sure how a grand jury had determined her client should be charged for sexual abuse. So she called Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson. Upon consideration, Haroldson dismissed the charges against Nashs client. Nash later learned that the assistant prosecutor and detective in the case had presented the crime lab report without explaining the inconclusive evidence to the grand jury. Im absolutely convinced that if those proceedings had been recorded, we would have known what the DA was presenting, Nash said. Nash and other defense attorneys across Oregon were among the proponents of a new law that will require all grand jury proceedings, which are held behind closed doors, to be recorded. If the proceedings result in an indictment, a defendants attorney will be able to review the recordings to learn what evidence had been presented and how it had been posited to the grand jury. Proponents argued that the recording will add transparency to the judicial process and provides a check on prosecutorial powers. They say itll also help them better decide whether to take a plea agreement or go to trial. District attorneys have vehemently opposed the law. Prosecutors say the cost to record such proceedings will be onerous, while adding extra steps to an already encumbered process and creating more opportunities for litigation. I dont see this as a situation where we have anything to hide, Haroldson said. Its really more a matter of whether were creating a more litigious environment or were creating one that is efficient and a responsible use of taxpayer resources. Linn County District Attorney Doug Marteeny said the suggestion that grand jurors may not be given all the evidence during the jury's proceedings impugns the integrity of the jurors. I trust our jurors, Marteeny said. So its nice for the defense to have word-for-word recordings, but at what cost for that little bit of nicer? Legislative action Senate Bill 505 was passed by the state Legislature earlier this month. It is awaiting the governors signature. The law requires district attorneys in Oregon counties to create and maintain digital recordings of the seven-person, closed-door sessions used by prosecutors to obtain an indictment against a person accused of a criminal act. The bill requires Deschutes, Jackson and Multnomah counties to begin recording next year, and will require the remaining counties, including Linn and Benton, to begin recording the proceedings in 2019. The change is significant: Such proceedings always have been conducted in secrecy, with only the prosecutor providing evidence and witnesses to the jury, and without the defendant or a defense attorney present. Under the former law, grand jurors were allowed to make handwritten notes during testimony. Defendants did not have an automatic right to the pretrial notes, but they could request access to them and a judge would make a decision. Supporters of the new law say itll create a more genuine account of the grand jury testimony. Defense attorneys will be able to access the recordings following the defendants arraignment. Grand jury deliberations, during which the jurors make their decision, will not be recorded. Under the law, the prosecutor in a case could ask that parts of the recording be redacted to protect things like the anonymity of a confidential informant. But Marteeny believes that part of the bill is nothing more than a placation. Thats a window-dressing measure, he said, suggesting no prosecutor would really be able to show cause to deny access to the testimony. More litigation? District attorneys say the law will create a more litigious environment as defense attorneys and prosecutors argue over what occurred during the grand jury proceedings and what information in the recordings should be redacted. Were going to litigate those recordings, I guarantee it, Marteeny said. The defense already litigates all kinds of statements that are made by victims, defendants and police. Haroldson said its a defense attorneys responsibility to scrutinize the prosecutions case. And even if we do things properly there may be arguments that they can make to advance their clients case, he said. Instead of going through that litigation, Haroldson and Marteeny speculate more felony cases will use preliminary hearings to establish probable cause, rather than grand juries. Preliminary hearings are held before a judge and the defendant and defense attorneys may cross-examine witnesses. That is a far more transparent process, Haroldson said. But it can take longer than a grand jury because its a more adversarial process. Benton County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Donohue declined to say whether he is for or against the new law. But the judge said he worries it will create more labor for the courts staff, which will have to manage and redact the recordings. Extra litigation could also increase the time it takes for cases to be resolved, he said. It could be a big slowdown in the ability of the court to move cases through in a timely manner, Donohue said. The judge said more staff may be needed for the increase in the workload, but hes concerned the court wont have the necessary funding. The Legislature appropriated $10 million for the first three counties to establish and implement the recordings. About $2 million is set aside for the recording equipment, while $8 million is going to the state Emergency Board, which can allocate the funds to counties that demonstrate a need. Officials in Linn and Benton counties do not yet know what it will cost them to carry out the new law. Haroldson worries the law will become an unfunded mandate, with the costs falling on local jurisdictions. For defense lawyers, however, any increased cost or change in process will be a small price to pay. Albany attorney Kent Hickam has been a defense lawyer for 37 years. He said recording grand jury testimony will provide a more complete record for a case. If there is a discrepancy between witness testimony during a grand jury and the testimony given at trial, defense lawyers will be aware, he said. Also, because grand juries, unlike trial juries, are allowed to ask questions, the potential for new information to come out is very real. Corvallis attorney Joan Demarest is a defense lawyer who worked for years as a prosecutor. She said more access to recorded testimony is essential to the process. If getting to the truth requires more litigation, then so be it, she said. Thats our job. Demarest said anyone accused of a crime has the right to access to all the evidence. But Marteeny argued that all the same evidence is available through police reports and affidavits. That argument is flawed, Demarest said. That assumes that police reports are written with 100 percent accuracy, she said. A Benton County sheriff's deputy once told me, Theres what we say happened and what they say happened. The truth is somewhere in between. At first I was so offended by that, but later when I became a defense lawyer I realized he was right. Demarest also pointed to the fact grand jurors are allowed to ask questions, and that unlike a written police report, the answers to those questions are under oath. Corvallis court-appointed attorney John Rich said the recordings will allow him to more thoroughly evaluate his cases and how to resolve them. Without recording it was often difficult to discern what information was given to the grand jury to consider, Rich said. Did the witness testify consistently with the police reports or was the testimony different? Was exculpatory information withheld from the grand jury? These questions will be answered by reviewing the recordings. Marteeny said prosecutors have a duty to inform the defense of any deviations in witness testimony. The same would be the case for exculpatory evidence, or evidence that could exonerate a defendant. But, Nash said, the prosecutor may not interpret testimony in the same way a defense attorney might. And, without recordings, defense attorneys dont know that such evidence exists. Rich also said the recordings will provide more transparency in the cases against police when theyre accused of killing someone. According to the bill, the recordings of grand jury testimony will not be public record, unless the case involves a public servant. Public servants are held to higher standards, Marteeny said. If a case against a public servant goes to grand jury and the jurors choose not to indict, the recordings could be released to the public. Thats almost tailor-made for a police shooting, Donohue, the judge, said. The NAACP Corvallis area branch lobbied the Legislature in favor of the bill. The organizations second vice president, Robin de La Mora, said the bill is about transparency in the justice system. She recalled the case of Quanice Hayes. A Multnomah County grand jury found in March no criminal wrongdoing by the Portland police officer who fatally shot Hayes, a 17-year-old, one month earlier. The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office said it would release the transcripts of witness testimony given before the grand jury. Multnomah County is the only one in Oregon that has routinely recorded grand jury hearings that review officer-involved shootings and made them public if no indictments were made. She said parents would want to know what transpired before the grand jury. I would want to, as a parent," De La Mora said. "What was the polices story? What questions were asked by the grand jury? How were they answered? Marteeny worries that when a private citizen is accused of a crime but not indicted, the recorded grand jury proceeding could come out. Victims' concerns Some victims rights groups have opposed the law, saying the discretion in grand juries is required to protect not only defendants, but victims. They say the law could violate the victims' privacy and put them in danger of intimidation or harassment by defendants, according to legislative testimony. Donohue isn't convinced by the argument. Having the grand jury testimony of that individual being disclosed, I dont think would create any peril to that witness or victim above or beyond what would be created by their testimony at a trial, the judge sald. Many other states and the federal courts already mandate the recording of grand jury testimony. "For other states, its just one of the routine costs of doing business," said Norm Pattis, a criminal defense attorney in Connecticut. Pattis said the recordings are a cost-effective way of increasing public confidence in the judicial system. "Someones life or liberty may be on the line and theyre going to pinch pennies on preservation of testimony?" he said. The first three counties to start recording grand jury proceedings are required to submit a report to the Legislature in 2019 outlining how the implementation of the law is going. This may lead to legislative changes in the bill before the statewide implementation, Donohue said. I didn't really know Peter Sears, the Corvallis writer and former Oregon poet laureate, who died July 20 at the age of 80. I interviewed him briefly via telephone when he was appointed Oregon's poet laureate in 2014, and it wasn't a great interview: He was in the midst of a string of interviews, and I was in a hurry as well. But even in the midst of that short interview, I got the sense that one of the reasons he was thrilled about the two-year appointment was that it gave him another pulpit from which to defend poetry against the very premature reports of its demise. Look at how many people write and read it, he told me. There are an awful lot of them. And, he added, they range from the very young (who naturally write poetry without necessarily calling it such) to older folks. People over 40 realize that there are things they want to work out in their souls and poetry is a good way to do that, he said. And people who know Sears offer testimony about how serious he was about helping other writers, from the accomplished to the beginners, use poetry to work out what was in their souls. "He had this really remarkable ability to help writers identify their own strengths," said Eric Wayne Dickey, of Oregon State University's College of Liberal Arts. "He was able to identify the core of a poem in a way that most writers themselves don't see." Jennifer Richter, the poet and OSU instructor, concurs: "Both on and off the page, he'd ask difficult, thought-provoking questions, he'd comment on details we'd overlooked, and he'd praise the everyday of our lives: rain and snow, dreams and dogs." Richter said she admired how Sears was "a poet of equal parts head and heart." I would add that a number of his poems also have a wicked sense of humor, even though it isn't always apparent until you read them aloud. (I've noticed this is frequently true in poetry.) Consider, for example, "No Problem," which starts with this wicked curveball: "Look, if my neighbor says he heard screaming last night coming from here, no problem, officer, I believe him." Or these opening lines from "Blue Meat Loaf," which cut right to the heart in just a few words: "I would respect myself more if I didn't talk to myself so much of the time." Sears, a native of New York, came to Oregon in 1974 and taught at Reed College and at Pacific University. In his interview with the Gazette-Times, Sears talked about how he started reading poetry: When he was in the Army, he said, he wasnt able to fit novels into the back of his pants for reading during the down times those works of fiction were just too fat to fit. But he could fit in a slender volume of poetry, and so he read poets: T.S. Eliot, say, or maybe Wallace Stevens. And he started writing, too: Short, episodic things, he said. "I didnt think of them as poems. I didnt take them seriously. But I kept writing. And he eventually became, as Richter recalled, "a lifelong champion of poetry in Oregon, bringing his enthusiasm to elementary classrooms, community colleges and even Nike headquarters." When Richter and her husband, the writer Keith Scribner, visited Sears at Stoneybrook in Corvallis at the end of May, he told the two that he still had students driving down from Portland, "to take him to Panera for soup and a Coke to hear his wise words about their work, and to hear about the new poems Peter was still excitedly writing." I'll give the last word today to Richter, so she can finish this lovely story: "That last time we saw him, Peter knew he was dying. But instead of bring consumed by his failing body, he wanted to know about our own writing projects. As we spoke, Peter sat up straight in his chair, smiled, and smoothed his palms in circles across the table's glossy surface: clearing a sacred space for our short time together." An opportunity for foodies and beer lovers to get lost in a world of food and drink from a hand-selected range of food trucks and breweries from around New Zealand. Strikes Continue in Effort to Defeat ISIS in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 29, 2017 U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 19 strikes consisting of 26 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes consisting of 19 engagements against ISIS targets: -- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, an oil storage vehicle, and a well-head. -- Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and suppressed a fighting position. Strikes in Iraq In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets: -- Near Al Qaim, two strikes destroyed an ISIS vehicle-born bomb facility, an roadside bomb facility, and a vehicle-born bomb. -- Near Rawah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS-held buildings, a vehicle storage facility, and an armored vehicle. -- Near Tal Afar, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS command and control nodes and a supply cache. Newly Reported Strikes Additionally, 15 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on July 14, July 24, and July 26-27 that closed within the last 24 hours. -- On July 14, near Al Shaddadi, Syria, a strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit and a fighting position. -- On July 24, near Raqqah, Syria, a strike destroyed a supply cache and suppressed 14 fighting positions. -- On July 26, near Raqqah, Syria, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and suppressed eight fighting positions. -- On July 27, near Kisik, Iraq, a strike illuminated an area. -- On July 27, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units, destroyed an ISIS sniper position and an observation post, and suppressed four fighting positions. Part of Operation Inherent Resolve These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, task force officials said. The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect. For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said. The task force does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni naval forces target Emirati vessel off Mukha coast Iran Press TV Sat Jul 29, 2017 12:36PM Yemeni naval forces, backed by fighters from Popular Committees, have reportedly targeted an Emirati military vessel in a missile attack off the coast of the country's southwestern province of Ta'izz. A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Arabic-language al-Masirah television network that the frigate was targeted with a guided missile in waters near the port city of Mukha, situated 346 kilometers south of the capital Sana'a, on Saturday afternoon. Chairman of Yemen Naval Academy, Mohammed Ali al-Ghaderi, said the vessel was apparently transferring munitions from the Eritrean port city of Assab to Yemen. The development came less than a week after Yemeni forces and their allies destroyed a gunboat of the Saudi-led coalition off the coast of Yemen's western province of Hudaydah. An unnamed military source asserted that the Saudi vessel was carrying out radar jamming and deception against the Yemeni army when it was targeted with a missile on July 24. On January 30, Yemeni army forces, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, fired a guided missile at al-Madinah warship in waters near the city of Hudaydah. The Saudi-led coalition, which is assisting Riyadh in its war on Yemen, later confirmed the incident but claimed only five people had lost lives in the attack. Yet, footage of the raid, provided by Yemeni forces, showed the enormity of the explosion and subsequent fire on the deck of the Saudi vessel. On January 21, the Yemeni Coast Guard warned enemies' battleships against using the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, to bomb civilian targets, emphasizing that such a practice poses grave threats to international maritime navigation in the area. In October 2016, Yemeni forces and fighters from the Popular Committees destroyed an Emirati HSV-2 Swift hybrid catamaran off the shores of Mukha. Yemeni army forces had destroyed a Saudi warship in a missile attack in the southwestern coast of Yemen, in the Bab el-Mandeb, on October 10, 2015. The development came only days after Yemeni forces managed to destroy another Saudi vessel in the area, with reports saying that the sunken ship had repeatedly fired rockets on residential areas in Ta'izz Province. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces seize several Saudi military bases, outposts in Jizan region Iran Press TV Sat Jul 29, 2017 12:30AM Yemeni army troops, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, have managed to seize several strategic Saudi military bases and outposts in the Arab kingdom's southwestern Jizan region, inflicting casualties on Saudi forces. According to Yemen's Arabic-language al-Masirah television network, the Yemeni forces captured al-Jaberi and al-Malhamah military bases as well as al-Fariza and al-Ghavieh military outposts on Friday, after launching a retaliatory offensive against the southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia. The report added that dozens of Saudi troops were either killed or wounded in the offensive, without giving a specific number of the casualties. The Yemeni forces, backed by Houthi Ansarullah fighters, also managed to destroy at least five armored vehicles belonging to Saudi mercenaries in Moze district in Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz. Since the beginning of the Saudi war on Yemen in March 2015, which was carried out in an attempt to crush the popular Houthi Ansarullah movement and reinstall the former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh, Saudi warplanes have pounded the nation day and night, killing over 12,000 people, including many women and children, and displacing over three million others. The Yemen war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories. The humanitarian situation in Yemen has also dramatically deteriorated amid a Saudi blockade, which has put the impoverished country on the brink of widespread famine. The Riyadh regime has, however, failed to reach its goals despite suffering great expense. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Marawi Should Be a Wake-Up Call': USPACOM Head Warns of Daesh Migration to Asia Sputnik News 22:24 29.07.2017(updated 01:32 30.07.2017) Though Daesh is slowly being crushed in the Middle East, the fight against the terrorist group and its ideology is not over: it's just moving to the Pacific, the head of US forces in the Pacific said Friday. Speaking at the Japan-US Military Statesmen Forum in Washington, DC, head of US Pacific Command Navy Adm. Harry Harris said Daesh's spread to the Philippines is one of the three major threats the region faces (the others being China's military buildup in the South China Sea and North Korea's continued military development). The violent occupation of the Filipino city of Marawi in May by Daesh-affiliated terrorist groups should be a wake-call that the Pacific faces a new threat, Harris stated. "These terrorists [with the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups] are using combat tactics that we've seen in the Middle East it's the first time [Daesh]-inspired forces have banded together to fight on this kind of scale in this region," he said. "So it's clear that foreign fighters are passing their ideology, resources and methods to local home-grown next-generation radicals," he continued. "Marawi should be a wake-up call and a rallying cry for every nation in the Indo-Asia Pacific region." The battle for Marawi, which is ongoing, has so far claimed nearly 650 lives, according to EFE, with more than 470 terrorist combatants killed, 114 soldiers and 45 civilians. Dozens more displaced civilians have died from disease. As Daesh and other terrorist groups are pushed out of their home territory in the Middle East and North Africa by coalition efforts there, they will shift to other parts of the world, Harris warned, Military.com reports. "Radicalized, weaponized and displaced terrorists will inspire new fighters in the Indo-Asia Pacific," Harris said. And it won't be long before their presence is felt. He pointed out that Isnilon Hapilon, a former leader of the Abu Sayyaf Islamist group, was named "Emir to all Islamic State Forces in the Philippines" by Daesh in April 2016. A year later, Abu Sayyaf and Maute were strong enough, bold enough and well enough armed and trained to put up a bloody fight against the armed forces of the Philippines for control of an entire city. "We were all reminded that [Daesh] is a truly global threat," Harris said. As a global threat, it will require a global response, the admiral advised. He pointed to the US' ongoing support for the military of the Philippines and the recent delivery of two surveillance planes to the country to help spot terrorist group. He also advised that Japan, Australia, India and the US should maintain their cooperative military training regimes. "Only through multilateral and multinational cooperation can we eradicate [Daesh] and other violent extremist organizations before they spread," Harris said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Driving Force Behind China's Island Building in South China Sea is Xi Himself Sputnik News 22:15 29.07.2017(updated 01:32 30.07.2017) President Xi Jinping is himself is driving China's controversial island-building and other practices in the disputed South China Sea, according to a Communist Party publication. "[President Xi] personally steered a series of measures to expand [China's] strategic advantage and safeguard the national interests," an opinion piece in the Friday Study Times, a paper put out by the premier academy of the Chinese Communist Party, the Central Party School. The article claimed that Xi himself was behind measures supporting the expansion of China's infrastructure work in the sea, sections of which are also claimed by Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. "On the South China Sea issue, [Xi] personally made decisions on building islands and consolidating the reefs, and setting up the city of Sansha. [These decisions] fundamentally changed the strategic situation of the South China Sea," the article read, according to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post. Analysts told the Hong Kong paper that Xi appears to be successfully taking over decision making on China's foreign policy, including giving the go-ahead to moves in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, where Beijing and Tokyo remain at a standoff over the Diaoyu or Senkaku Islands. Xi, they say, is consolidating power ahead of the coming national congress in the fall, at which key leadership posts are expected to be shuffled and re-staffed. China has been building military installations, including air bases, missile shelters, communications facilities and other infrastructure, on the Spratly Islands and associated reefs (parts of which are claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, as well as China). China's extensive infrastructure work in the disputed sea has caused rival claimants like Vietnam and the Philippines to take their territorial assertions to various courts. It even threatened to attack Vietnam's positions in the area if it did not stop oil drilling operations in what Vietnam considers its own territory but which China also claims. But even when they win international court decisions, as the Philippines did in June 2016, less powerful nations have opted not to press China on the issue, but to merely try to stake their own claims to unoccupied islands first. China, which wants control of the entire sea, has seen an opportunity in the South China Sea and taken it, Bill Hayton, a Chatham House associate fellow and South China Sea expert told the South China Morning Post. "The Southeast Asian countries don't want to be sort of dominated by China; neither do they want to sign up for some kind of anti-China containment policy," he said. "But with the clearly weakened US position in the region China can just pick off the Southeast Asian countries." However, Beijing has shown some willingness to work with its neighbors, other experts point out. It did work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to finally establish this year a code of conduct for operations in the South China Sea. Beijing claims essentially all of the South China Sea, through which a third of the world's maritime traffic passes. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi Rebels Attack Yemeni Port With Boat Bomb - Reports Sputnik News 21:25 29.07.2017(updated 21:26 29.07.2017) Yemen's port of Mocha was attacked by Houthi rebels on Saturday be sending there a boat loaded with explosives, media reported citing the statement of the Saudi-led coalition. DUBAI (Sputnik) The boat collided with a naval pier near a group of ships and exploded, according to the statement cited by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). There were reportedly no casualties. Yemen's civil war between the internationally recognized government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi movement backed by army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh erupted in March 2015. Shortly after the outbreak of the conflict, the Saudi-led coalition of mostly Persian Gulf countries launched airstrikes against the Houthis at Hadi's request. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni General: Army Shot Down Coalition Plane Over Saudi Soil for 1st Time Sputnik News 19:23 29.07.2017(updated 21:11 29.07.2017) A representative of the Yemeni Army, brigadier general Aziz Rashid, told Sputnik about an incident involving a reconnaissance aircraft of the Saudi-led coalition that took place on July 25. The general claimed that the army had shot down a plane on the territory of Saudi Arabia in the administrative district of Najran near the border with Yemen. According to Rashid, the Yemeni Army managed "to restore its radar warning station" and can now efficiently detect the Arab coalition's aircrafts. "This made it possible to effectively detect the coalition's jets even at low altitudes, what greatly limits the capabilities of the enemy. This is a big leap for the Yemeni Army," Rashid said. He also noted that this is not the first military operation of its kind. Earlier, the Yemeni Army had shot down 15 foreign helicopters flying over the territory of Yemen. However, this time the plane was shot down over the territory of Saudi Arabia, Rashid stressed. "We had managed to collect the debris of the downed aircraft and received a lot of information obtained by the scout. They include pictures identifying the location of the military forces on the territory of Yemen and a map of planned attacks on our positions," Rashid concluded. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015. Over the past two years, the Saudi Air Force has been involved with its Gulf Cooperation Council allies in airstrikes against Houthis in the country. Since then the humanitarian situation in Yemen has worsened dramatically. The campaign has inflicted an estimated 10,000 civilian deaths, according to UN humanitarian officials. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban Militants Blow Up Dam in Southern Afghanistan Sputnik News 18:24 29.07.2017 Member of the Taliban terrorist group, banned in Russia, have blown up a dam in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar leaving a swathe of agriculture land without water, local media reported Saturday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The incident took place in the district of Shorabak in Kandahar province, the Khaama Press news agency reported. Farmers fear that the land and the plants will be damaged since the dam provided water for the local irrigation system, a policeman told the news agency. Afghanistan has long been suffering from unstable political, social and security situation due to the activity of Daesh (banned in Russia) and the Taliban. Taliban's activity, particularly in southern Afghanistan, has been on the rise recently. On Wednesday, 26 soldiers were killed in an assault launched by Taliban in Kandahar. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As Trump Ponders Afghanistan, Minerals Loom Large By William Gallo July 29, 2017 What does a president who campaigned on an "America First" foreign policy do with the longest war in U.S. history? That is the dilemma for Donald Trump as the White House conducts a policy review of Afghanistan, where U.S. troops have fought for nearly 16 years. With Trump skeptical of committing more troops to what some see as an unwinnable war, one idea has come to the forefront: using Western companies to extract Afghanistan's vast, untapped mineral deposits. How much is there? A 2010 U.S. study estimated more than $1 trillion worth of untapped mineral deposits, but Afghanistan's violence, corruption and poor infrastructure would make mining extremely difficult. That's part of the reason why, although U.S. officials have discussed using Afghanistan's mineral wealth to bolster the government and economy, the plan has not gone anywhere. There are also concerns about whether such a move would feed into the Taliban narrative that the U.S. military is only in Afghanistan because it wants to plunder the country's natural resources. Still, Trump appears to be interested in using Afghanistan's minerals as a selling point for continued U.S. military engagement. A recent New York Times report said Trump had spoken about mineral deposits with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who is also open to the idea. White House officials declined to comment on the story, citing the ongoing policy review. But Afghan officials confirmed to VOA they were expecting a U.S. envoy for talks on mines. Means of attracting investors "We have received information about the U.S. delegation," Abdul Qadeer Mutfi, a spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, told VOA's Afghan service. "We are working on an orderly mechanism of attracting foreign investments." The idea is consistent with Trump's long-standing practice of linking U.S. military intervention to the exploitation of natural resources. Trump has lamented for years that the U.S. did not "keep the oil" when it invaded Iraq in 2003. After Islamic State seized oil fields in Iraq and Syria, Trump felt his views were vindicated, and his "take the oil" mantra eventually became a standard part of his presidential campaign speeches. The rhetoric continued during his early days in office. In a speech to CIA employees a day after becoming president, Trump spoke positively of the phrase "to the victor belong the spoils." It's not clear how to reconcile those comments with Trump's at times heated criticism of costly U.S. wars overseas, or his opposition at times to the U.S. conflict in Afghanistan. More recently, Trump has been said to be skeptical of a proposal by U.S. military generals to boost the number of troops in Afghanistan in a bid to regain Taliban territory. Sebastian Gorka, a deputy assistant to Trump for national security issues, declined to comment on whether the president was looking into mineral extraction in Afghanistan. When asked more broadly whether the Trump administration intended to make foreign policy decisions based at least in part on the exploitation of natural resources, Gorka said that was a "gross oversimplification." "Look, geopolitics are completely intertwined with geoeconomics," Gorka told VOA. "The idea that you can disconnect economics from national security in the age of a globalized market that is a very dangerous assertion to make. "The president can speak for himself, but would you prefer to have groups like ISIS profiting from things like oil wells in Iraq? We've seen the cost of that, which led to slave markets, mass destruction and hundreds of thousands of people killed in Syria," he said. Challenges If Trump did decide to prioritize the extraction of Afghanistan's minerals, the plan would face a dizzying number of challenges, including ongoing violence, regional competition from countries like Russia and China, and government corruption. While Afghanistan has cleaned up its governance in recent years, it still ranks among the 10 most corrupt countries in the world, according to an annual index by Transparency International. Without substantial governance reforms, any decision to press ahead with mining in Afghanistan "will likely backfire, possibly creating even more infighting in the Afghan government," according to Global Witness, a human rights group that has studied the issue. The country also lacks the infrastructure needed to manage such massive projects, said Ahmad Shuja, a former Afghanistan researcher for Human Rights Watch who now works at the American University of Afghanistan. "There's very limited national grid. So you'll have to develop your own electricity, you'll have to create your own roads, bring your own security teams. All of those are essential barriers to entry issues," he said. Ghani is aware of these obstacles, which is why he has paused many of the mining development projects and is reviewing the country's mineral law that would govern them, Shuja said. "But in the short term, I think this is a really smart pitch to President Trump," he said. "It plays to his business sensibilities." If it's done correctly, it could help the Afghan people, said Aimal Faizi, an aide to former Afghan President Hamid Karzai. "Generally, it is a good idea in the relations between the two countries," Faizi said. But in a country like Afghanistan, "where the government does not have control of its land or air," anything is possible, he said, "including looting." Other ideas Trump himself has been fairly quiet on Afghanistan. He barely mentioned it during the campaign. Since becoming president, one of his most substantive comments on Afghanistan came this month, during a luncheon with U.S. service members who had fought in the country. "I want to find out why we've been there ... how it's going and what we should do in terms of additional ideas," he said. VOA's Afghan service contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, Iranian Ships Have Close Encounter in Persian Gulf By VOA News July 29, 2017 The Pentagon on Saturday strongly countered Iran's claim that a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier had fired warning shots at one of its ships in an "unprofessional" manner. Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted a statement from the Revolutionary Guard as saying the incident occurred Friday when the USS Nimitz approached an offshore oil platform in the Persian Gulf and a helicopter from the ship buzzed a boat carrying Iranian soldiers. Navy spokesman Lieutenant Ian M. McConnaughey said Saturday, "While conducting a routine patrol in the international airspace of the Arabian Gulf on July 28, a U.S. Navy helicopter observed several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval vessels approaching U.S. naval forces at a high rate of speed. U.S. naval forces attempted to establish communications, with no response from the Iranian vessels. Shortly thereafter, at a safe distance, the U.S. helicopter deployed flares, after which the Iranian vessels halted their approach. "Following communications, the Iranian vessels were observed conducting a gun exercise. "U.S. Naval Forces Central Command assesses the interaction as safe and professional." The confrontation was the second such incident this week. On Tuesday, a U.S. ship fired warning shots at an Iranian vessel in the Gulf after sailors on the ship said it had approached them in a threatening manner. Iran denied approaching the U.S. ship Tuesday and said it was the U.S. ship that had been acting in a threatening way. Dust-ups between U.S. and Iranian vessels have happened fairly regularly in recent months. In January, a U.S. destroyer fired warning shots at four Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz as they approached at high speed. Rocket launch This most recent confrontation between U.S. and Iranian militaries came just a day after Iran said it had successfully launched a rocket carrying a satellite into space. State television in Iran claimed Thursday that the Simorgh rocket, which means "phoenix" in Farsi, was capable of carrying a 250-kilogram satellite as far as 500 kilometers above Earth, but did not elaborate on the kind of satellite. The U.S., Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement denouncing the rocket launch, calling it "destabilizing" for the region. Prior to the launch of the satellite, the U.S. moved earlier this month to increase economic sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program. The launch did not violate the 2015 nuclear agreement, which was signed by Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany although the U.S. has expressed concern that the rocket technology being developed by Iran could potentially be adapted to long-range missiles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Replaces His Chief of Staff By Steve Herman July 29, 2017 The White House chief of staff has been replaced with a retired Marine Corps general who has been running the Department of Homeland Security. Reince Priebus had been increasingly sidelined in recent weeks by President Donald Trump and was referred to publicly this week by the new White House communications director as a "paranoid schizophrenic." Speaking to reporters Friday evening White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said "the conversations about this started with the president and Reince about two weeks ago." In an interview with CNN following his resignation, Priebus said "the president wanted to go in a different direction." "It's a good time to hit the reset button," Priebus said. "It's something that I think the White House needs." Priebus said he actually handed in his resignation to the president on Thursday, but it was not disclosed until Friday. "We didn't even know it," said Congressman Pete King who accompanied Trump and Priebus on an Air Force One trip to and from New York on Friday. "We were sitting right across from him and [Priebus] kept a poker face," said the Republican lawmaker. Initial public word came from Trump on Twitter as Air Force One landed at a rainy Joint Base Andrews. "Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job," Trump told reporters at the military base in Maryland. "General Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far, respected by everybody. He's a great, great American." Kelly said Friday he is "honored to be asked to serve as the chief of staff to the president." Homeland Security's Deputy Secretary Elaine Duke will become the agency's acting secretary Monday when Kelly assumes his new post. Resignation Ends Tenure of Former RNC Chair Priebus, whose tenure lasted little more than six months, was an establishment figure and the former chairman of the Republican National Committee. His links with Republican lawmakers were expected to help a White House filled with Washington outsiders to accomplish their legislative agenda. However Republicans have failed to pass major legislation despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress. "We're going to continue working with the party and we're going to continue doing what we came here to do," Sanders told reporters. Following his ouster Priebus thanked Trump, saying he "will continue to serve as a strong supporter of the President's agenda and policies." He also said "I can't think of a better person than General John Kelly to succeed me." When he began his presidency Trump "clearly set up a weak chief of staff system," University of Akron political science professor David Cohen told VOA. "Trump in his business career was used to a lot of people having privileges and being able to talk to a lot of people, and he wants to run his White House that way," said Cohen who is co-authoring a book at White House chiefs of staff. "And so he has granted walk-in privileges to a lot of people, most of whom should not have walk-in privileges to the Oval Office." Priebus' fate seem sealed this week after Anthony Scaramucci was brought on as communications director, leading to the immediate resignation of Sean Spicer as press secretary, a Priebus ally. Later, Scaramucci disparaged Priebus in an expletive-filled interview with a reporter, and alleged Priebus had been leaking information. The White House chief of staff is typically a gatekeeper for the president, controlling meetings and agendas and who meets with the commander in chief. But under Trump, the West Wing has been more chaotic. Numerous people have walk-in privileges to the Oval Office, giving them the ability to short circuit the power structure of the chief of staff position. New Chief of Staff Brings Military Experience Kelly, who originally enlisted in the Marine Corps, eventually became a four-star general, and has been the Homeland Security secretary in the Trump cabinet for the past seven months. He is to begin his new job on Monday morning, according to White House officials. Kelly reportedly has negotiated more power and authority than Priebus had. Trump is "not actually a guy that tends to stick to his bargains and so we'll see if John Kelly's actually given that kind of authority," said Cohen. Kelly will become the second military general to be White House chief of staff. Former Army general Alexander Haig was in the position as the administration of Richard Nixon crumbled and in the early days of the Gerald Ford presidency after Nixon resigned. Andrew Card, who was chief of staff in the George W. Bush White House, in a phone call to MSNBC, praised Kelly's appointment saying "I think he's a good choice. He's an adult. He has the ability to speak truth to power." White House Press Secretary Sanders said in a statement that Kelly is "one of the true stars of the Administration." She said, "He has helped seal the border and reduced illegal immigration by 70 percent. ... The entire Administration loves him and no one is comparable." Priebus goes down in history as having the briefest run as an initial White House chief of staff at 189 days. The way Priebus was removed "was kind of tawdry, awkward uncomfortable, unfair," said Card. Five major positions in the Trump administration have now changed hands in little more than six months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Launches Legal Action Over Poland's Court Reforms By VOA News July 29, 2017 The European Union has launched an infringement procedure against Poland over reforms the country made to its judiciary, which the EU fears will affect the impartiality of Poland's courts. EU commissioners decided to start the legal action Wednesday, prior to the publication of the new Polish law, with the main concern that the justice minister now can extend the mandates of judges, and dismiss and appoint court presidents. "The new rules allow the minister of justice to exert influence on individual ordinary judges through, in particular, the vague criteria for the prolongation of their mandates thereby undermining the principle of irremovability of judges," the European Commission said in a statement on Saturday. Also of concern to commissioners is that female judges are required to retire five years earlier than their male counterparts. Poland's ruling Law and Justice Party wants to push forward with the court reforms because it says the courts are too slow and bogged down with communist-era thinking. According to the EU statement, the Polish ruling party has a month to respond to the notice, which informed the country it is infringing on EU laws. The Polish government has called the court reforms an internal matter. Poland's deputy foreign minister for European affairs, Konrad Szymanski, told the PAP news agency that the EU decision was "unfounded," and he said the new law met legal requirements. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Senegal - Politics Senegal is a presidential republic, with an elected National Assembly. The Senate was abolished in 2001, but reintroduced in 2007. The President is permitted to stand for two terms of 5 years, although President Abdoulaye Wade did one term of 7 years from 2000 to 2007, in line with constitutional provision in 2000. Abuse by the security forces, including torture, arbitrary arrest, harsh prison conditions, and lengthy pre-trial detention, are problems. The government has taken steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who have committed abuses, but impunity still exists. The government also announced a comprenhensive renovation and rehabilitation of prisons in 2018. Senegal is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. Free and fair presidential elections in March 2012, for which the EU deployed an Election Expert Mission (EEM), brought Macky Sall to the presidency. The regular organisation of legislative elections, political pluralism, a free press, and a vibrant civil society are all proof of Senegal's democratic culture. Senegals history since independence is one of strong central government, due in part to the French Gaullist legacy and in part to the initial need for a strong central government to build the Senegalese nation-state. All of Senegals first three presidents used patronage politics to govern. Patron-client relationships with the Marabout leaders [religious scholars who, in some cases, may make amulets and tell fortunes] of the Sufi brotherhoods provided popular support for Leopold Senghor, Abdou Diouf, and Abdoulaye Wade. All three used enhanced executive power to practice presidentialist politics as heads of three successive dominant parties, the Union Progressiste Senegalaise (UPS), the Socialist Party (PS), and the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS). Then the period of democratic transitions stemming from the end of the Cold War saw the rise of an awakened citizenry in the 1990s, a trend that was amplified in 2011. In 2000, Senegals voters ended the Senghor/Diouf legacy of socialism in hopes of spurring economic growth, and in 2012, they ended Wades wild liberalism in hopes of starting an era of good governance. Abdoulaye Wade won the Presidential elections in 2000 after a second round run off against Diouf. Diouf quickly conceded defeat and there was a peaceful transition to the country's first ever non-PS Government. Legislative elections were called in the following year. PDS centred coalition won convincingly. On February 25, 2007 President Wade won 56% of the vote in a field of 15 candidates, with 73% of registered voters going to the polls. Twice-postponed parliamentary elections took place on June 3, 2007, but most of the major opposition parties boycotted them, allowing the ruling PDS and its allies to capture 131 of the 150 seats in the National Assembly. Wade won open, peaceful, and highly competitive elections in 2000 and 2007 due to a strong Senegalese national desire for change after nearly 40 years of Socialist Party governments. Having come under tough scrutiny and criticism for not realizing many of his campaign promises, he has undertaken major public works projects that benefited him politically. In the March 22, 2009 local elections held nationwide, the opposition made substantial gains, including the defeat of Wades own son, Karim, in Dakar. President Wade advanced a liberal agenda for Senegal, including privatizations and other market-opening measures. He has a strong interest in raising Senegal's regional and international profile. The country, nevertheless, has limited means with which to implement ambitious ideas. The liberalization of the economy is proceeding, but at a slow pace. Senegal continues to play a significant role in regional and international affairs, including its successful brokering with the African Union of the June 4, 2009 agreement among the three main parties to Mauritanias crisis regarding a return to constitutional order in Nouakchott. With Wade's dominance of the political scene confirmed, the political future of Idrissa Seck is uncertain. Tanor Dieng confirmed his strong base in the PS by being re-elected Secretary General of the party in October 2007. With a difficult economic context, especially in terms of oil prices, Wade had to deal with social unrest in the public sector. This was compounded in November when a march by unions coincided with riots caused by government attempts to clear street traders from some areas of Dakar. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rwanda - Politics Presidents Dominique Mbonyumutwa 28 Jan 1961 26 Oct 1961 Hutu MDR-PARMEH Gregoire Kayibanda 26 Oct 1961 05 Jul 1973 Hutu MDR-PARMEH Juvenal Habyarimana 05 Jul 1973 06 Apr 1994 Hutu MRNDD Theodore Sindikubwabo 08 Apr 1994 18 Jul 1994 MRNDD Pasteur Bizimungu 19 Jul 1994 23 Mar 2000 Hutu FPR Paul Kagame 24 Mar 2000 ?? ??? 2024 Tutsi FPR Rwanda is a small and linguistically homogeneous country and easy to control. Since pre-colonial times, Rwanda has always been politically highly centralised. Rwandans also tend to listen to their leaders, a social phenomenon that helped the genocide unfold in 1994. The most important human rights problems are government harassment, arrest, and abuse of political opponents, human rights advocates, and individuals perceived to pose a threat to government control and social order; security forces disregard for the rule of law; and restrictions on media freedom and civil liberties. Due to restrictions on the registration and operation of opposition parties, citizens did not have the ability to change their government through free and fair elections. There were reports military intelligence personnel employed torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment to obtain confessions in military detention centers. There were no reported prosecutions of personnel for torture. There were numerous reports police at times beat newly arrested suspects to obtain confessions. Unregistered opposition political parties reported authorities frequently arrested their supporters and party officials but released most after detention of one week or less, although several, completed longer detention. Opposition leaders and government critics faced indictment under broadly applied charges of genocide incitement, genocide denial, divisionism, and incitement to rebel. Numerous individuals identified by international and domestic human rights groups as political prisoners remain in prison. Although the constitution and law prohibit such actions, there were numerous reports the government monitored homes, movements, telephone calls, e-mail, other private communications, and personal and institutional data. There were reports of government informants working within international and local NGOs, religious organizations, and other social institutions. After its military victory in July 1994, the RPF organized a coalition government called The Broad Based Government of National Unity. Its fundamental law was based on a combination of the June 1991 constitution, the Arusha Accords, and political declarations by the parties. The government outlawed the MRND Party. In April 2003, the transitional National Assembly recommended the dissolution of the Democratic Republican Party (MDR), one of eight political parties participating in the Government of National Unity since 1994. Human rights groups noted the subsequent disappearances of political figures associated with the MDR, including at least one parliamentarian serving in the National Assembly. On May 26, 2003, Rwanda adopted a new constitution that eliminated reference to ubwoko and set the stage for presidential and legislative elections in August and September 2003. The seven remaining political parties endorsed Paul Kagame for president, who was elected to a 7-year term on August 25, 2003. Rwanda held its first-ever legislative elections September 29 to October 2, 2003. A ninth political party formed after these 2003 elections. In the spring of 2006, the government conducted local non-partisan elections for district mayors and for sector and cell executive committees. Elections for the Chamber of Deputies occurred in September 2008; the RPF won an easy victory in coalition with six small parties, taking 42 of 53 directly-elected seats. As provided in the constitution, 24 seats were also accorded to women candidates in indirect elections. Women now hold 45 of the 80 seats in the Chamber. The elections were peaceful and orderly, despite irregularities. A tenth political party formed in 2010. Presidential elections were held in August 2010; the National Electoral Commission reported that President Kagame won re-election with roughly 93% of the vote. The presidential election was peaceful and orderly, with heavy turnout. However, the pre-election period was marked by events of concern, including waves of terrorist attacks using grenades in populous areas, the murder of a journalist, the unexplained murder of the vice president of the unregistered Democratic Green Party, an assassination attempt on a former high-ranking government official accused of fomenting attacks, and the suspension of two local-language newspapers. In addition, two political opposition figures were arrested on criminal charges, and a party that had been seeking to register for many months was unable to do so. Local elections again took place in the spring of 2011, with indirect Senate elections following in the fall. Both elections were peaceful and orderly. RPF candidates again dominated the field. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lucius Aelius Sejanus "The rise and fall of Sejanus," says Tacitus in one of his most characteristic sentences, "were equally disastrous to the commonwealth of Rome." Aelius Sejanus was a Tuscan by birth. He obtained in his youth a commission in the Praetorian Guard, and rose from post to post till he became chief-in-command, first as his father's colleague and then alone. It was he who made the Praetorians the formidable force that many a time in after years gave the Empire at its will. He collected its scattered regiments into one corps, and gave it a camp outside the walls. He spared no pains to make himself the idol of the troops, not only in Rome, but in the provinces, and he succeeded so well, that his bust was commonly placed beside the Emperor's at headquarters to be common objects of veneration. During the consulship of Rubellius Geminus and Fusius, who bore the same surname, died, in an advanced old age, the emperor's mother Livia, styled Julia Augusta. Tiberias, from the day of his accession to the imperial dignity, considered his mother as a woman of a politic and artificial character, proud, fierce, and overbearing; in appearance, plotting to aggrandise her son; in secret, wishing for nothing so much as to gratify her own ambition. She lived three years after Tiberius retired to the isle of Capreie. From this time may be dated the era of a furious, headlong, and despotic government. The rage of Tiberius knew no bounds. While his mother lived his passions were rebuked, and in some degree controlled. He had been from his infancy in the habit of submitting to her judgment; and to counteract her authority was more than Sejanus dared to undertake. By the death of Livia all restraint was thrown off. The prince and his minister broke out with unbridled fury. The fathers sat in profound silence, covered with astonishment. At length that class of men, who by fair and honorable means had nothing to hope, seized the opportunity to convert to their own private advantage the troubles and misfortunes of their country. The leading members of the senate, particularly the magistrates, remained in a state of doubt and perplexity. They saw no ground for proceeding in a business of so high a nature, communicated indeed with acrimony, but wanting precision, and ending abruptly, without any clear or definite purpose. The fathers, at all times pliant and obsequious, were in this juncture more willing than ever to debase themselves by every act of mean servility. Sejanus knew the inmost secrets of the prince, and the deep resentments that lay concealed, and nourished venom in his heart. Sure of a complying senate, he grew more aspiring, yet not bold enough to strike the decisive blow. His strength had hitherto lain in fraud and covered stratagem, and, having made an experiment of his talents, he resolved to proceed by the same insidious arts. To the great loss of the literary world, the evil fate that attended the works of Tacitus is felt in this place, at a point of time when an important scene is to be opened; a scene in which Tiberius and Sejanus were the chief actors, each with the darkest policy contriving the other's ruin. The art of gradually unfolding the characters of men, in a course of action, was the talent of Tacitus, beyond any historian of antiquity; but the rest of the transactions of the present year of Rome 782, all of 783, and the greatest part of 784, perished in the confusion of barbarous times. It is to be lamented that Sejanus has been snatched away from Tacitus, that is, from the hand of justice. Sejanus is represented without any principle of conscience, ambitious, and a contemner of all religion, with the power and providence of the gods. His fall, therefore, considered as a punishment for his neglect of the gods, must naturally insinuate, that obedience to them is the only foundation of happiness; and that lawless and irregular ambition is constantly attended with destruction. Drusus and Caius (surnamed Caligula), as soon as their brother Nero was banished, were considered by Sejanus as the two remaining props of the empire. Drusus stood nearest to the succession, and for that reason was the most obnoxious. Seduced by the arts of Sejanus, and farther incited by his own inordinate ambition, that unhappy prince had joined in the conspiracy against his brother Nero; but what he thought would contribute to his elevation became the fatal cause of his ruin. Sejanus grew intoxicated with his good fortune: he saw the imperial dignity tottering on the head of an aged prince, and not likely to be better supported by Caligula, a young man as yet unequal to the cares of empire. He thought himself near the summit of his ambition; but, to ensure success, resolved to plan his measures with care and circumspection. Honors, dignities, all employments and places of trust, were granted at his will and pleasure, and to none but men ready to co-operate in his worst designs. The minister, thus supported, stood but one remove from the sovereign power; but his elevation placed him on the edge of a precipice, from which his fall would inevitably be sudden and terrible. Honors, dignities, all employments and places of trust, were granted at his will and pleasure, and to none but men ready to co-operate in his worst designs. The minister, thus supported, stood but one remove from the sovereign power; but his elevation placed him on the edge of a precipice, from which his fall would inevitably be sudden and terrible. Tiberius conversed in private with Sejanus: he perused his countenance: he explored his secret thoughts, and from what he saw and heard drew his own conclusions. A penetrating observer of mankind, he knew that prosperity is the surest discoverer of the human heart. He resolved therefore to ply Sejanus with marks of the warmest affection ; he lavished his favors on him with unbounded generosity; he praised his unremitting labors in the service of his prince; and, to put him off his guard, determined to overwhelm him with a load of grandeur. Sejanus, amidst all the dignities so liberally heaped on him, little suspected an underplot to work his ruin. He continued with every mark of a fawning spirit to ingratiate himself with the emperor; he was the sole fountain of court favor; he looked down with contempt on the young Caligula; and of the twinborn sons of Drusus, the one who still survived was too young to alarm his jealousy. He received the homage of his creatures; he distributed presents with magnificence, and still took care to keep the prince immersed in luxury. Tiberius saw, with inward pleasure, the towering spirit of the consul elect. Increasing honors, he had no doubt, would unprovide his mind, and in a short time produce the genuine features of his character. Tiberius had regular intelligence of all that passed; but the time was not arrived when the secrets of that dark designing mind were to transpire. He lay in wait for farther particulars. Tiberius was willing to let Sejanus, by his acts of cruelty, provoke the ill-will of the people. Sejanus began to open his eyes, and to see at length a reverse of fortune. He found that he had been the bubble of a politic prince, who had been during his whole life exercised in the arts of dissimulation, and was grown a perfect master in the arts of deceit and cruelty. The young Caligula was, in appearance, high in favor with his grandfather; and the hearts of the people were at all times ready to espouse the family of Germauicus. Jesus of Nazareth was crucified under the rule of Sejanus' prefect, Pontius Pilate, a fact which was known by the Roman historian, Tacitus. Sejanus resolved to retrieve his loss, and by one vigorous effort to decide the fate of empire. He called together his friends and followers; he paid court to such as seemed disaffected; he held forth rewards and promises; and, having increased the number of his partisans, formed a bold conspiracy, resolved by any means to seize the sovereign power. A powerful league was formed with astonishing rapidity; and great numbers of all descriptions, senators, as well as military men, entered into the plot. The fatal day arrived, namely, the fifteenth before the calends of November. Early in the morning, by order of Regulus, a report was spread that letters were arrived at Rome, in which the emperor signified his intention to associate Sejanus with himself in the tribuuitian power. The senate was summoned to meet in the temple of Apollo, near the imperial palace. Sejanus attended without delay. A party of the pretorians followed him. Macro met him in the vestibule of the temple. Those who a little time before congratulated Sejanus on his new dignities began to shun him as they would a contagion. The conclusion of the letter was like a stroke of thunder. The emperor ordered two senators who had joined in the conspiracy to be put to death, and Sejanus to be thrown into prison. Sejanus kept his seat like a man benumbed, senseless, stupified with amazement. His friends deserted him on every side. He remained in confusion, pale and trembling; left in solitude. The downfal of Sejanus filled the city with exultation. The populace, who worshipped him in the hour of prosperity, rejoiced to see the sad catastrophe to which he was now reduced. They followed in crowds, rending the air with shouts, and pouring forth a torrent of abuse and scurrilous language. With one voice Sejanus was condemned to die, and the sentence was executed without delay. He was strangled in the prison. The populace were no less inflamed against the creatures of Sejanus. They seized on all who had been instruments of his cruelty, and, executing the summary justice of an enraged multitude, glutted their thirst of blood. With respect to Sejanus, it is impossible to acquit Tiberius of blame. If he was deceived in his favourite he must have been willing to be deceived. He conferred on Sejanus a position as great as had been held by Agrippa during the reign of Augustus, and the minister was actually, and all but formally, joint emperor. Of the administrative ability of Sejanus there can be no question; but the charm and secret of his power lay in the use he made of those apprehensions of personal danger which seem never to have been absent from his master's mind. The growth of "delation," the darkest shadow that lies on the reign, was mainly a consequence of the supremacy and tht arts of Sejanus. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Will IS Losses in Iraq, Syria Boost al-Qaida? By Rikar Hussein July 29, 2017 As Islamic State militants continue to lose territory in their declared caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria, officials and analysts are expressing concern that al-Qaida is making efforts to turn those losses into gains for itself. Al-Qaida had been largely eclipsed by IS in recent years, with IS militants grabbing headlines by seizing territory in Iraq and Syria and carrying out attacks in the West. But there are signs that al-Qaida may be re-emerging as a regional power. "Al-Qaida in Syria is using opportunities to seize additional safe havens, to integrate itself into parts of the local population, parts of other forces, and bumping into other forces as well," said Joshua Geltzer, a former senior director for counterterrorism at the U.S National Security Council. Tahrir al-Sham, an offshoot al-Qaida group originally known as the al-Nusra Front, has recently emerged as the most powerful Sunni insurgent faction in Syria after consolidating its control over most of the northwestern province of Idlib. "Idlib now is a huge problem. It is an al-Qaida safe haven right on the border of Turkey," Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy for the U.S.-led global coalition to counter IS, said at the Middle East Institute in Washington on Thursday. McGurk blamed the flow of weapons and foreign fighters into Syria for al-Qaida's gradual strengthening in Syria. Measures under way McGurk added that the U.S.-led coalition intended to work with Turkey to seal the northern Syrian border to prevent more recruits from joining al-Qaida affiliates in the region. Hailing the progress of the Iraqi forces and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, McGurk said the coalition's priority was defeating IS. But now that priority also includes ensuring that foreign fighters do not leave the region to cause trouble elsewhere. "We do not want any foreign fighters getting out of Iraq and Syria," he said during a panel discussion at the Middle East Institute on the Trump administration's counterterrorism policy. Experts warn that as IS-controlled territory shrinks, the terror group's foreign fighters will inevitably be drawn to al-Qaida. "You may see on a local level al-Qaida affiliates being opportunistic and pulling in ISIS units who kind of feel lost," Charles Lister, a Syria analyst for the Middle East Institute said, using another acronym for IS. "They [IS militants] don't have the same kind of grandeur, they don't have the same powerful leadership, and they don't have the same powerful brand that they had before." IS-al-Qaida alliance? Led by Jordanian jihadist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, IS was founded as an offshoot of al-Qaida in Iraq in 2004. But as IS gained influence in Iraq and Syria in 2014, the terror group split from al-Qaida, and the two groups engaged in acrimonious and at times bloody competition over the leadership of the jihadist cause. For years, IS has been siphoning off followers of al-Qaida. That trend seems to have begun to reverse. Iraq's Vice President Ayad Allawi told Reuters in April that he had information from Iraqi and regional contacts that "the discussion has started now" concerning a "possible alliance" between the two terror groups. Referring to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, Allawi said, "There are discussions and dialogue between messengers representing Baghdadi and representing Zawahiri." While some analysts raise concerns about the possibility of IS and al-Qaida joining hands, others like Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute downplay it, arguing that an ultimate rapprochement between the two groups is unlikely, given the history of animosity and their fundamental differences on "global jihad." Lister, however, highlighted that al-Qaida could take an opportunistic approach to draw IS members into its ranks as the terror group faces defeats on several fronts in Iraq and Syria. Lister said Hamza bin Laden, son of Osama bin Laden, who has recently appeared as a new face of al-Qaida leadership, has been trying to ease tensions with IS in an effort to encourage the merger of IS fighters into al-Qaida. "Hamza has very purposely, I think, not spoken out against ISIS in all of his recent statements," Lister said. Al-Qaida in a blind spot Experts warn that as the U.S-led coalition is cracking down on IS-controlled territory in Iraq and Syria, it should not allow al-Qaida to move to other areas and operate at ease. They say the group is trying to gain sympathy of the local Syrian population by showing itself as a moderate alternative to Islamic State. "We continue to underestimate al-Qaida," said Jennifer Cafarella, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank. "While al-Qaida in Syria is currently not actively attacking abroad, they have built an army. It has consolidated control in Idlib, and is preparing to do the same underneath the U.S.-Russian cease-fire deal in Daraa to expand that model of first destroying the moderate opposition and then begin instillation of al-Qaida governance to transform population over time." She said the strategy of the U.S.-led coalition after removing IS from Iraq and Syria needs to shift to the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed because of war, and that should be coupled with addressing the grievances of Sunni residents who feel marginalized by Iran-backed Shi'ite militias. "This is a very long war and we haven't won it yet. These tactical successes are important but can be temporary if we do not set adequate conditions, which is much more than a military requirement," Cafarella said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Global reactions to Iran space rocket test IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, July 29, IRNA -- Iran's launching of its newly-developed satellite carrier, nicknamed Simorgh, into the space has caused different reactions across the globe. Many praised the forward-moving Iranian space programs while some claimed the experiment was a violation of the Iran-G5+1 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Some media outlets considered US new sanctions on Iran and Russia in line with the Iranian missile program and warned against US-Iran confrontation. Some referred to the US Department of State's reaction to the experiment. 'Iran has again demonstrated activity inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2231', while Iran has only been 'called upon' not to conduct such rocket and missile tests in the resolution, The US Department of State wrote. The US government has twice admitted that Iran's nuclear program is not military-oriented and the country has been committed to its JCPOA obligations. Yet, Washington has recently put 18 Iranian individuals and companies on its new sanctions list. America's Fox News television channel was among US news outlets that tried to portray a negative image of Iran's testfire of a new satellite carrier rocket. Quoting two senior US officials, Fox News described the experiment as a failure and called it a 'dud'. On Thursday, US Strategic Command, which monitors launches around the world, could only confirm 'a satellite was not deployed from the rocket'. Claiming the Simorgh rocket is based on a North Korean design, Fox news wrote the technology used to put a satellite into space could also be repurposed to make a long-range ballistic missile. While State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that Iran's attempted rocket launch succeeded in violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, the technology used for launching space rockets is different from the technology used for launching long-range missiles. Washington Examiner, on the other hand, said the launch was 'a major warning sign', and suggested that Washington should have a clandestine plan to disrupt Iranian missile program. 'We consider that to be continued ballistic missile development,' State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters on Thursday. 'We consider this to be provocative action,' she said. However, the New York Times seemed to take a different approach by saying, 'Such tests of what are essentially carrier rockets are not prohibited under the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and a group of six world powers including the United States.' Mac Thornberry, the Texas Republican MP told Fox News that Iran by doing such tests is doing the same thing North Korea did to improve its missiles. 'We saw this pattern with North Korea program; they would have launches that they said were peaceful space launches. What they were really doing was improving their missile program' and 'The Iranians have been doing the same thing,' he said. The media in Europe also reacted to Iran's test of a satellite carrier. Novosti and Peravdo newspapers in Belgrade, Serbia, wrote that it was a successful experiment. And Serbian TV channels, especially B92, vastly covered the event. The Italian News Agency (ANSA) wrote that Iran has successfully tested a space rocket, while other Italian media also covered news on the issue. Displaying the video of the rocket being shot, Sky News wrote that the US is not happy with the experiment and calls it provocative and against the UNSC Resolution 2231. The media in the region, including those in Pakistan, Lebanon, Turkey and Algeria, also vastly covered the news and called it a success. Permanent Representative and Ambassador of China to the United Nations and the current President of the UN Security Council Liu Jieyi said that the experiment was not 'within the scope' of the 2015 nuclear agreement. '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,' Jieyi said. In southeast Asia, launch of the Iranian rocket, Simorgh also received coverage, with Channel News Asia writing, 'Iran on Thursday (July 27) 'successfully' tested a satellite-launch rocket, days after warning Washington of a response to new US sanctions over the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program.' Media outlets in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia also covered the 'successful' launch of the Iranian space rocket. 9417**2044 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China urges ROK, U.S. to stop THAAD deployment People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 15:10, July 29, 2017 BEIJING, July 29 -- China on Saturday strongly urged the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States to respect China's concerns and stop the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to reports that ROK President Moon Jae-in on Saturday ordered his aides to consult with their U.S. counterparts about the deployment of four more THAAD mobile launchers after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) test launch of a ballistic missile. "The Chinese side is deeply concerned about the situation," Geng said, noting that China's position on THAAD is clear and consistent. The deployment of the missile system by the United States and the ROK will not address the security concerns of the ROK nor contribute to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Geng said. The deployment will severely damage the regional strategic balance and harm the security interests of countries in the region, including China, Geng said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Allies follow suit day after US kicked up a fuss about Iran space launch Iran Press TV Sat Jul 29, 2017 1:12AM Three European allies of the US have engaged in rhetoric against Iran after the country successfully tested a satellite-launch rocket, urging Tehran to halt all its missile activities. "We condemn this action," read a joint statement by Britain, France, Germany and the US on Friday, claiming the test is in breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which was adopted in July 2015 to endorse Iran's nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions (JCPOA), with six world powers. "Iran's program to develop ballistic missiles continues to be inconsistent with UNSCR 2231 and has a destabilizing impact in the region. We call on Iran not to conduct any further ballistic missile launches and related activities," the statement added. Resolution 2231 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." Tehran insists its missile tests and rocket launches do not breach any UN resolution, because they are solely for defense purposes and not designed to carry nuclear warheads. Earlier on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said "every word" of the nuclear deal has been carefully negotiated, adding, "Iran does not develop missiles that are designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons." The statement by the US and its European allies came a day after Washington described the successful satellite-carrying rocket launch as "a provocative action," accusing Iran of violating UN Security Council resolutions. Since his inauguration on January 20, US President Donald Trump has adopted a hostile policy towards Iran. He has repeatedly vowed to cancel the nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, including the US. Trump's administration has also imposed new sanctions on multiple Iranian individuals and entities. On Thursday, Iran launched its domestically-manufactured Simorgh carrier, whose mission is to put Iranian satellites into orbit. The launch was carried out from the Imam Khomeini Space Center in the central Iranian province of Semnan. Simorgh, named after a bird in Persian mythology, is capable of placing a satellite weighing up to 250 kilograms in an orbit of 500 kilometers. Designed and developed with the latest standards in mind, Iran's new space rocket can carry satellites weighing up to 250 kilograms (550 pounds) about 500 kilometers (310 miles) away, well within the Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The rocket, Iran's largest to date, will be used to launch the domestically-built Earth observation satellite Tolou (Sunrise) in the near future. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed the successful test-launch, saying such scientific achievements boost the Islamic Republic's power and grandeur. Iran's Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan, who accompanied Rouhani at the space center on Thursday, told reporters that the spaceport acted as a "command and control site" that could track and control satellites at all times. He noted that the center was already capable of launching satellites to higher orbits of up to 1,000 kilometers. 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 (Explorer)-3 carrier. In February 2015, Iran placed the domestically-made Fajr (Dawn) satellite into orbit. The satellite is capable of taking and transmitting high-quality and accurate pictures to stations on Earth. Simorgh's launch came as the US Congress passed new sanctions against Iran over its development of missiles for defensive purposes. The bill, which also includes sanctions against Russia and North Korea, awaits US President Donald Trump's approval. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU denounces DPRK's latest test-launch of ballistic missile People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 15:11, July 29, 2017 BRUSSELS, July 28 -- The European Union (EU) on Friday lashed out at the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the wake of the country's latest test launch of a ballistic missile, saying the move is in outright violation of its international obligations. The European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service, referring to a conclusion adopted at a meeting of EU foreign ministers earlier this month, said in a statement that the EU "is united in its assessment that these actions of the DPRK represent a serious threat to international peace and security." "We expect the DPRK to refrain from any further provocative action that could increase regional and global tensions," the EEAS said. The EU urged the DPRK to engage in a "credible and meaningful dialogue" to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, saying the bloc is ready to support such a process in consultation with its key partners. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, due to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial meeting in Manila on Aug. 6-7, will address the DPRK issue with her international counterparts in the margins of the meeting, said the statement. The Korean Central News Agency of the DPRK reported that the country "carried out the second test-fire of intercontinental ballistic rocket Hwasong-14 on July 28, 2017," the second time in one month. The DPRK test fired its first ICBM on July 4, which it hailed as the final stage of developing its nuclear and missile capabilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK confirms successful test-firing of fresh ICBM, arousing wide concern People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:48, July 29, 2017 PYONGYANG, July 29 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Saturday confirmed the successful test-firing of a second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) simulating its maximum range, which it said can cover all the territories of the United States. "The second test-fire of the ICBM Hwasong-14 was successfully carried out at night of July 28, 2017, under the supervision of (DPRK top leader) Kim Jong Un, who guided the test-fire on the spot," the Korean Central News Agency said in a report. The report said the test-firing aimed to "finally confirm the overall technological specifications of the weapon system of Hwasong-14 capable of carrying large-sized heavy nuclear warhead, including its maximum range." "The rocket (missile) that blasted off from the northwestern part of the DPRK reached an altitude of 3,724.9 km and flew 998 km for 47 minutes and 12 seconds before landing in the target waters in the open sea," it said. The test-firing was carried out at the maximum angle launch system mocking maximum range, and had no adverse effect on the security of the neighboring countries, said the report. Kim Jong Un congratulated the scientists and technicians in the field of rocket research and said the DPRK will develop "much more the most powerful strategic weapons," according to the report. "The test-fire confirmed the reliability of ICBM system, demonstrated the capability of making surprise launch of 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 missiles," the report quoted Kim Jong Un as saying. "The maximum range simulation test-fire of ICBM conducted by the DPRK today is meant to send a grave warning to the U.S. making senseless remarks, being lost to reason, that it would not go scot-free if it dares provoke the DPRK," Kim said. This is the second time for the DPRK to have successfully launched its ICBMs, the first being launched on July 4. South Korea's military said Saturday that the DPRK has fired a ballistic missile, which was believed to have been an intercontinental ballistic missile. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement that the unidentified missile was fired at 11:41 p.m. (1441 GMT) Friday from the area in Jagang province, the central northernmost part of the DPRK. Defense Minister Song Young-moo said in a statement that the ICBM test is a "grave provocation" that jeopardizes the stability of the Korean Peninsula and world peace. The DPRK missile flew about 1,000 km and was lofted as high as around 3,700 km, according to the JCS. It was estimated to have been an advanced Hwasong-14, which was test-launched by the DPRK on July 4. The July 4 launch lofted the missile as high as 2,802 km and made it fly 933 km. The Pentagon said on Friday that an initial assessment showed the missile launched by the DPRK earlier on the day was an intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile traveled about 1,000 km before splashing down into the sea, said Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis in a statement. The United States and South Korea have conducted a live-fire exercise after the launch of ICBM by the on Friday, said the U.S. Army. United NationsSecretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned the DPRK's launch of another "ballistic missile of possible intercontinental range," saying "this is again a manifest violation of Security Council resolutions." UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq urged the DPRK leadership to "comply fully with its international obligations and work together with the international community to resolve the outstanding issues on the Korean Peninsula." China on Saturday urged the DPRK to abide by UN Security Council resolutions and stop any moves that could escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to reports that the DPRK had fired a second "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday. "The Chinese side is concerned about the current situation," Geng said, noting that relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council had explicit stipulations on launches conducted by the DPRK using ballistic technology. He said the Chinese side opposed DPRK launches in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the international community. China hopes that relevant parties can act prudently, avoid taking actions that could escalate tensions, and maintain regional peace and stability, Geng said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address N Korea says whole US mainland within range of its ICBMs Iran Press TV Sat Jul 29, 2017 2:22AM Pyongyang confirms that it has launched another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un saying the whole US mainland is now within the range of the newly-tested guided missile. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday that what was launched the previous day had been an updated version of the Hwasong-14 ICBM, which flew as far as 998 kilometers for some 47 minutes at a maximum altitude of 3,724.9 kilometers. It added that the North's leader had overseen the second ICBM test, quoting Kim as saying that the long-range missile demonstrated the country's surprise attack capability and sent a "serious warning" to the United States. US authorities had earlier confirmed that the missile was an ICBM but downplayed claims that it could reach the US mainland. However, the Russian Defense Ministry, in a statement, cast doubt on the declared nature of the missile, saying its characteristics appeared to be "those of a medium-range ballistic missile." According to the statement, the missile reached an altitude of 681 kilometers (420 miles) and flew for 732 kilometers before landing in the Sea of Japan. North Korea first tested an ICBM on July 4, with an estimated range of 5,500 kilometers and capable of hitting Alaska. The Friday test-launch drew strong condemnation from North Korea's regional adversaries, including Japan and South Korea, and the United States, which has just commenced a live-fire military exercise, using surface-to-surface missiles, with South Korea in response to the missile launch. The European Union also blasted the North for the missile test, saying the country posed "a serious threat to international peace and security." The developments came some 10 months after Pyongyang carried out its fifth nuclear test. The North's nuclear and missile programs have drawn harsh sanctions from the United Nations and the West since 2006. North Korea regards the US as its main enemy. The US has adopted a war-like posture vis-a-vis Pyongyang and has permanent military presence in the region. North Korea sees its missile and nuclear capabilities as a strong deterrent against potential US aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Criticizes China Following North Korean Missile Launch By VOA News July 29, 2017 President Donald Trump is again criticizing China for failing to stop North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs. Following Friday's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile that landed west of Japan, the U.S. president singled out China for blame on Saturday evening, saying the country could "easily solve this problem." Trump's remarks echoed those made by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who released a statement that blamed both China and Russia for North Korea's continued violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions. "As the principal economic enablers of North Korea's nuclear weapon and ballistic missile development program, China and Russia bear unique and special responsibility for this growing threat to regional and global stability," Tillerson said. In April, Trump praised his first meeting with China's President Xi Jinping, later telling reporters that Xi had agreed to suspend coal and fuel shipments to pressure North Korea to stop its belligerent behavior. However, since then, the North has continued to threaten its neighbors and the United States, and Trump has grown more critical of Beijing. North Korea's missile launch Friday was its second this month. Even though the missile landed west of Japan, experts said it would be powerful enough to reach much of the U.S. mainland. North Korea's official news agency said leader Kim Jong Un boasted that the latest test was "meant to send a grave warning to the U.S." China condemned the launch, while Japan, South Korea and the U.S. vowed to work together on a new Security Council measure aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Word of Friday's missile launch came as a bill approved by Congress calling for tougher sanctions on North Korea, as well as Iran and Russia, landed on Trump's desk. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Condemns Sanctions, Says It Will Pursue Missile Program 'With Full Power' RFE/RL July 29, 2017 Iran has condemned new sanctions passed by the U.S. Congress over its missile program and vowed to continue it. "We will continue with full power our missile program," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi was quoted as telling state-controlled television on July 29. "We condemn the hostile and unacceptable action," he said of the sanctions. Ghasemi said Tehran considers consider the action by the United States as "hostile, reprehensible, and unacceptable," adding that "it's ultimately an effort to weaken the nuclear deal." Under the 2015 nuclear agreement with the United States and other world powers, Iran has significantly limited its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran maintains that the missiles that it tests don't violate its nuclear agreement with world powers because they are for defensive purposes. "The military and missile fields...are our domestic policies and others have no right to intervene or comment on them," Ghasemi said. "We reserve the right to reciprocate and make an adequate response to the U.S. actions," he added. The sanctions bill, which also targets Russia and North Korea, was passed by the U.S. Senate late last week, after being approved by the House of Representatives. The new legislation would impose mandatory penalties on people involved in Iran's ballistic-missile program and anyone who does business with them. The measure would designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and enforce an arms embargo against Iran. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders has said that President Donald Trump will sign the bill into law. Separately on July 28, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on six subsidiaries of an Iranian company that it said was "central" to Tehran's ballistic-missile program. Treasury said the new U.S. sanctions announced were in response to Iran's "continued provocative actions," such as the July 27 rocket launch. "The U.S. government will 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," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on July 28. Mnuchin said the sanctions "underscore the United States' deep concerns with Iran's continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and other provocative behavior." Also on July 28, Britain, France, and Germany joined the U.S. in condemning Iran's launch of a satellite-carrying rocket and warned that it runs counter to a UN resolution carrying out the 2015 nuclear deal. In a joint statement, they urged Iran to stop developing missiles and rockets that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads and have "a destabilizing impact on the region." With reporting by AFP and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-condemns-new-sanctions -full-power-missile-program/28646487.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Revolutionary Guards Accuse US Warships of New 'Provocation' in the Gulf Sputnik News 15:06 29.07.2017(updated 18:12 29.07.2017) Iran's elite force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday that a new "provocative" incident took place in the Persian Gulf as US Navy ships approached Iranian patrol vessels. MOSCOW (Sputnik) US aircraft carrier Nimitz and an accompanying warship approached Iranian military vessels on Friday at 4 p.m. local time (11:30 GMT) dispatching a helicopter, which flew near the vessels, the statement read. "In a provocative and unprofessional action, the Americans fired flares to warn the Zolfaqar flotilla vessels," the statement of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) read as quoted by the Tasnim news agency. The Iranian military noted that the incident took place just few days after another US ship fired warning shots at Iranian vessels in the Persian Gulf. Earlier this week, the USS Thunderbolt patrol ship fired several warning shots at an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps ship in the Gulf. The Iranian boat sailed within 150 yards of US ships on Tuesday, according to the US Navy. The Pentagon also released video footage of the incident. The Iranian Navy said the US ship "fired two warning shots into the air with the aim of provocation and intimidation." Earlier in July, the commander of the ICGC, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, delivered an ultimatum to the US amid new anti-Tehran sanctions. He advised Washington to dismantle its regional bases within a range of 1000 kilometers (621 miles) from Iran's borders, if Washington plans to continue the policy of sanctions. Jafari's comments come a day after the US departments of State and Treasury imposed sanctions against 18 entities and individuals tied to the Iranian military, IRGC and the country's ballistic missile program. The incident is one of many times when US' and Iranian maritime forces have come dangerously near conflict and likely will not be the last. In June, Iranian lasers targeted a US Super Stallion chopper near the Strait of Hormuz. Max Abrahms from Council of Foreign Relations told Sputnik last week that he "foresee[s] bilateral tensions rising" between Washington and Tehran. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters to participate in liberation of Tal Afar: Abadi Iran Press TV Sat Jul 29, 2017 5:25PM Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says pro-government fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha'abi, will take part in a planned offensive to recapture the northern city of Tal Afar from the Daesh terrorist group. Speaking at a youth meeting on Saturday, Abadi said the government and security commanders have devised a plan to dislodge Daesh from Tal Afar, located 63 kilometers west of Mosul, which requires participation of security personnel as well as Hashd al-Sha'abi and tribal fighters, Arabic-language Nabaa news agency reported. He added that the Iraqi nation, through complete commitment to its unity, could overcome sectarian and ethnic divisions. "The entire world is breathing a sigh of relief now that Iraqis have chopped Daesh's head off. The international community threw its weight behind Iraq in the fight against terrorism, because it found the Iraqi nation full of determination to battle Daesh," Abadi pointed out. The Iraqi prime minister further noted that Baghdad is after balanced relations with world countries, stressing that he will not compromise on his country's interests with anyone. The victory over Daesh drew the ire of warmongers because peace prevents them from making fortune, Abadi said. Last week, Abadi praised Hashd al-Sha'abi as the "integral" part of his country's security system, stressing that the Baghdad government is determined to protect the pro-government force. "The Popular Mobilization Units is a basic and impartial force, which will remain a part of the Iraqi security system. Our duty is to protect it," Abadi said during a meeting with senior commanders of the force in Baghdad on July 22. Hashd al-Sha'abi is an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organization composed of some 40 groups, which are mainly Shia Muslims. The force reportedly numbers more than 100,000 fighters. Iraqi authorities say there are between 25,000 and 30,000 Sunni tribal fighters within its ranks in addition to Kurdish Izadi and Christian units. The fighters have played a major role in the liberation of Daesh-held areas to the south, northeast and north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, ever since the terrorists launched an offensive in the country in June 2014. Iraq has repeatedly condemned allegations of sectarian nature against Hashd al-Sha'abi. Last December, Baghdad warned Riyadh of the ramifications of meddling in Iraq's internal affairs, after Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Iraq cannot achieve unity with the presence of the Popular Mobilization Units. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly labeled the PMU, which incorporates volunteer forces from different Iraqi factions and tribes, as a Shia movement and called for the dismantling of the group. Last November, the Iraqi Parliament approved a law giving full legal status to Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters. It recognized the PMU as part of the national armed forces, placed the volunteer fighters under the command of the prime minister, and granted them the right to receive salaries and pensions like the regular army and police forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan's ousted prime minister nominates younger brother as successor Iran Press TV Sat Jul 29, 2017 4:33PM Pakistan's deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has nominated his brother to be his successor and a nominee to contest the 2018 general elections and his close ally to be interim premier, as hundreds of supporters of ousted Sharif held a demonstration in the capital Islamabad against a Supreme Court decision that disqualified him on corruption charges. "I have quit my office, so someone has to take it, and after a lot of consultations... Shahbaz Sharif is nominated," Sharif said during a speech to his ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on Saturday, a day after his office announced that he was resigning shortly after the Supreme Court issued a verdict, disqualifying him earlier in the day. Pakistan's top court alleged that 67-year-old Sharif and his family had property and accounts overseas, which they hid from the tax authorities. It also accused Sharif of refusing to resign from the seat following the allegations. Sharif has persistently rejected the corruption charges leveled against him, criticizing the verdict. Shahbaz Sharif, 65, is currently the chief minister of the vast Punjab province, which accounts for more than half of Pakistan's 190-million-strong population, and cannot become premier until he first becomes a lawmaker by winning a parliamentary by-election. Nawaz Sharif also said he would like his close ally Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to be Pakistan's interim prime minister and to fill the vacuum. Abbasi, 58, was minister of petroleum and natural resources in the third Sharif ministry from June 2013 until Friday. He also has the strong support of the ruling party. Meanwhile, pro-Sharif protesters marched on a key road in the capital and chanted slogans in favor of the deposed prime minister, before peacefully dispersing. Sharif's supporters also staged similar small demonstrations in the eastern city of Lahore, where he won the 2013 parliamentary elections. Sharif's ouster has renewed concerns over Pakistan's democracy after a member of the PML-N party suggested that elements within the powerful military had influenced the high court's ruling against him. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Imran Khan, has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling as a sign of progress and greater accountability in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan's Deposed PM Nominates Brother As Successor RFE/RL July 29, 2017 Pakistan's deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has named his brother, Shahbaz, as his successor and nominated former Oil Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as an interim premier. "I support Shahbaz Sharif after me, but he will take time to contest elections, so for the time being I nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi," Sharif said on July 29 in a televised speech to his party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The move comes following the resignation of Sharif on July 28 that was announced 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. Abbasi is set to be rubber-stamped as placeholder in a parliamentary vote, with the ruling PML-N party holding a strong majority in the 342-seat legislature. Abbasi, 58, is seen as a staunch Sharif loyalist. It was not immediately clear when the vote would take place. The interim leader would be in power for at least 45 days until Shahbaz Sharif steps down as the head of the Punjab government and contests a by-election to the National Assembly. Shahbaz Sharif, 65, has been in charge of Punjab since 2008. He has built a reputation as a competent administrator and has so far been unscathed by the corruption allegations engulfing his brother's family. Opposition leader Imran Khan, who spearheaded the corruption complaint against Sharif, condemned the ousted premier's choice of his brother to eventually succeed him. Sharif "is insulting the nation's intelligence" and "making a mockery of democracy" by nominating his brother, Khan tweeted on July 29. The Supreme Court 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. Sharif has denied any wrongdoing. The five-judge panel's unanimous decision, issued amid tight security in the capital, Islamabad, and Sharif's immediate resignation has plunged the nuclear-armed nation into a political crisis. Raja Zafarul Haq, a top leader of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, said that the deposed prime minister will attend the meeting on July 29. Geo TV reported that Sharif recommended his brother as his replacement as prime minister in a meeting held with senior party leaders after the Supreme Court's verdict. Among possible allies to replace Sharif in the short term are members of his outgoing cabinet, including Defense Minister Asif Khawaja and Petroleum Minister Shahid Abbasi. If elected, the interim leader would be in power for at least 45 days until Shehbaz steps down as the head of the Punjab government and contests a by-election to the National Assembly. Shahbaz Sharif, 65, has been in charge of Punjab since 2008. He has built a reputation as a competent administrator. Pakistani media report that Shahbaz has in recent years presented his country at several international forums, including the United Nations. No prime minister has completed a full term in power in Pakistan since the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947. 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 Sharif's 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. With reporting by Reuters, AP and Geo TV Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-sharif- successor-prime-minister/28646476.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address S. Korea to consult with U.S. on revised guideline to increase payload of indigenous missile People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 15:18, July 29, 2017 SEOUL, July 29 -- South Korea's presidential Blue House said Saturday that the country would consult with the United Stateson the revision of the bilateral missile guideline to increase the payload of the indigenous ballistic missiles. President Moon Jae-in ordered his top security advisor Chung Eui-yong to consult with the U.S. side on the launch of negotiations about the amendment of the South Korea-U.S. missile guideline, senior presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan told a press briefing. It followed the DPRK's announcement of its second test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which flew about 1,000 km and was lofted as high as over 3,700 km. Chung held a telephone conversation with his U.S. counterpart H.R. McMaster at about 3 a.m. local time Saturday (1800 GMT on Friday) to propose the revised missile guideline. McMaster sent the U.S. agreement on the negotiation at around 10:30 a.m. local time, according to the Blue House of South Korea. Moon's press secretary said the negotiation would focus on an increased payload, rather than an extended range, adding that the two countries would launch the negotiation as early as possible. The bilateral missile guideline was first adopted in 1979 to set ceilings on the range of South Korea's homegrown ballistic missiles at 180 km and the payload at 500 kg in return for the U.S. transfer of missile technology to South Korea. Under the revised guidelines, the maximum range and payload were extended in 2001 to 300 km and 500 kg, and in 2012 to 800 km and 500 kg respectively. Local media speculations said South Korea would demand the maximum payload of its ballistic missiles be extended to 1 ton. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea Leader Mulls Unilateral Sanctions on North After Missile Test Sputnik News 06:52 29.07.2017 Moon Jae-in ordered state ministries to consider slapping Pyongyang with unilateral sanctions. TOKYO (Sputnik) South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Saturday ordered state ministries to consider slapping Pyongyang with unilateral sanctions after it fired off another ballistic missile overnight, local media said. "I direct the foreign affairs and security ministries to ensure that our government can craft a stern response to the North's provocation I also call for a review of our stand-alone sanctions against the North if necessary," the Yonhap news agency quoted him as saying. Defense Minister Song Young-moo said earlier the nation would prepare independent measures to respond to Pyongyang's alleged test of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday night. He warned Pyongyang that its actions had called further reconciliation efforts into question. The South's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that rather than being accepted as a nuclear power North Korea would only isolate itself by continuing its illegal missiles tests. South Korea will also station four additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launchers at a US military base in the country's south. China has objected to their deployment, which it regards as a threat to its defense capabilities. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address White House Says Trump Will Sign Russia Sanctions Bill RFE/RL July 29, 2017 WASHINGTON -- The White House announced late on July 28 that U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to sign legislation strengthening sanctions against Russia over its alleged meddling in the U.S. presidential election. The surprise announcement came hours after Russia announced retaliatory measures over the legislation, ordering potentially deep cuts in U.S. diplomatic staff in Russia and the seizing some U.S. diplomatic property in Moscow. Enactment of the legislation, which cements into law an array of strong sanctions against Russia for its alleged election meddling and aggression in Ukraine, dashes hopes of any immediate improvement in relations between Moscow and Washington as espoused by Trump during his campaign. On July 25, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed the sanctions bill, 419-3, and the Senate rapidly followed their lead on a 98-2 vote. In a statement on July 29, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the near unanimous votes "represent the strong will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States." Tillerson said he hoped for cooperation with Russia that would make the sanctions unnecessary. Trump's decision acquiesced to the reality that Congress almost certainly could have overridden a veto of the legislation, fueled by bipartisan concern that media reports and investigations in Congress and the Justice Department recently have appeared to uncover some evidence of attempts by Russia to collude with Trump's election campaign. But White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that a deciding factor was Trump's satifaction that he was able to secure changes in some "critical elements" of the bill which she did not identify. The White House had objected to a key provision that requires Trump to get approval from Congress to waive any of the bill's sanctions against Russia, and that provision was not changed. But other provisions barring U.S. energy companies from participating in oil and gas projects anywhere in the world if Russian energy firms are participating were modified after lobbying by the White House and American oil companies. Also, House leaders added sanctions against North Korea to the bill, in a move that pleased the White House, officials said. Another factor may have been Russia's offer to try to keep cooperating with the administration and improving relations, despite what Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described as the "hostile" measures in the bill. In a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, "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," the Russian Foreign Ministry said on July 28. "However, this is possible only on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and a balancing of interests," it said. 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," he said. 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 bill cements into law existing sanctions on Russia over its alleged election meddling and aggression in Ukraine and adds new measures penalizing Russia's military intervention in Syria while requiring Trump to secure Congress' approval to ease or waive those sanctions. It also contains tough sanctions against Iran and North Korea. "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," Russia's 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." Russia directed the United States to reduce 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 in his response to alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. election 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. Russia 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. With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, TASS, Interfax, Bloomberg, and The New York Times Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/white-house-says- trump-sign-russian-sanctions-bill-iran -north-korea-/28646180.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump to Approve Sanctions Bill; Russia Imposes Its Own By VOA News July 29, 2017 The White House says President Donald Trump approves of Congress' new sanctions against Russia and he intends to sign the bill. In a statement Friday, the press secretary said the president had reviewed the final version of the bill, which outlines additional sanctions against a wide range of Russian industries. The bill also gives Congress the ability to block the president from lifting the Russia sanctions. The Trump administration had opposed the sanctions aimed at punishing Russia for interfering in last year's U.S. presidential election. The White House argued that it needed flexibility in trying to improve relations between the two countries. But after months of investigations into contacts between Russian officials and members of Trump's campaign team, there was broad bipartisan support in both houses of Congress for more stringent measures. Russia responds with sanctions Russia responded earlier Friday to the sanctions with new measures targeting U.S. missions in the country. Moscow said Washington must reduce the number of diplomatic and technical staff working in U.S. missions in Russia to 455 by September 1. That's same number of Russian diplomats and technical staff Moscow said are working in the United States. It is unclear how many Americans that would affect, but it could be in the hundreds. 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. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued a statement Saturday on the U.S. sanctions legislation, a day after a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. "The near-unanimous votes for the sanctions legislation in Congress represent the strong will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States," he said. "We hope that there will be cooperation between our two countries on major global issues and these sanctions will no longer be necessary. "We will work closely with our friends and allies to ensure our messages to Russia, Iran and North Korea are clearly understood." Putin approves decision President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the Russian leader had personally approved Friday's Foreign Ministry decision. "The form in which the sanctions bill emerged from the Senate had greater significance," Peskov said. The Russian retaliation was celebrated in Moscow as a long-overdue response to actions from the previous U.S. administration. In December 2016, former President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats and seized Russian Embassy compounds in Maryland and New York as punishment for Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential elections. At the time, Putin chose not to respond, a move many saw as a gesture of goodwill to the incoming Trump administration, which had expressed a desire for improved relations with Moscow. Yet Friday'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 Konstantin Kosachev in a post to Facebook. Kosachev, a Russia politician, went on to call the retaliation "long overdue." Sergey Markov, a political analyst close to the Kremlin, also cheered the Kremlin's decision as inevitable, writing on Facebook that "hopes that the president of the United States could change relations with Russia for the better are over." The bill U.S. senators approved Thursday also imposes new sanctions on Iran and North Korea. For Russia, the measures are designed to affect a wide range of Russian industries, hitting the country squarely in the pocketbook. The European Union has expressed concern about the new sanctions, saying they could affect the European energy sector. Praise on Capitol Hill 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. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers praised the group effort to pass the bill quickly. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, a California Republican, 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, a Virginia Democrat who is vice 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 Charles Maynes, Michael Bowman and Katherine Gypson contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Think back to September 2014. Gov. Terry McAuliffe was nine months into his term as governor, having made economic development and jobs creation the cornerstones of his 2013 run for governor against Republican Ken Cuccinelli. The early months of his term had met with mixed success in Richmond, mainly because the Republican-controlled House of Delegates refused to consider his calls for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. The economy was still sluggish, and big jobs announcements were few. But then came the big one: Dominion Resources, one of the most powerful players in the capital, announced its plans to construct the Atlantic Coast Pipeline through West Virginia, Virginia and North Caroline. At 600 miles in length, the 42-inch pipeline would bring natural gas from the Utica and Marcellus shale fields of northern West Virginia through Virginia (with a spur off to Chesapeake and terminating in Robeson County, N.C.) It was huge news. Construction was estimated to cost $5.1 billion, generating 17,000 jobs during the build phase. In Virginia alone, analysts predicted $2.7 billion of economic activity in the areas through which the pipeline would pass. Almost from the start, the ACP and the Mountain Valley Pipeline (a shorter pipeline that would run down through West Virginia, veering into Virginia to connect to the Transco pipeline near Chatham in Pittsylvania County) have been the targets of environmentalists and landowners in pipelines paths. The opposition to both has been fierce. The pipelines would run through two national forests, cross the iconic Appalachian Trail and, in the case of the ACP, would be built karst-laden ground. (Karst is a porous, unstable type of rock prone to collapse and sinkholes.) Hundreds of streams and wetlands would have to be traversed. A wide swath of forest would need to be cut for the pipelines paths. Earlier this month, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued its final environmental impact statement for the ACP. While there would be adverse environmental impacts, FERC said, on water resources, animal habitat and forests, most could be successfully mitigated to less than significant levels. Theoretically, now that FERC has released its final environmental report, the commission could give its approval at any moment the holdup is that there is only one commissioner serving while four Trump administration nominees are waiting on Senate confirmation. Once federal approval is granted, the states are next in line to grant their OKs. Foes have argued that regulators should examine whether the two pipelines indeed are necessary, whether existing pipelines, of which there are thousands of miles in Virginia alone, can handle the demand. The fact that the ACPs daily 1.5 billion cubic feet was contracted for with months of the projects announcement, though, would argue not. Opponents also have argued against extracting the gas at all in an effort to combat global warming. The fact remains that natural gas-generated electricity is infinitely cleaner than coal generation, and with more and more utilities in our own region switching to gas for their generation facilities, demand for natural gas will only grow. A modern, technology-driven economy the size of the United States needs power. That power should come from a variety of sources including renewables such as solar and wind. Thats irrefutable. A modern nation such as America also must do all it can to protect the environment. Thats irrefutable, too. The challenge comes in balancing these two goals. Can that balance be achieved? We believe so. 12:05 a.m. Sunday update: Officials with Goodyear and the United Steelworkers reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year master labor contract late Saturday night in Cincinnati. The previous contract was set to expire at midnight. The contract covers nearly 7,000 workers at five plants, including Danville, the company announced on its negotiation website shortly before midnight. We believe we have crafted a new labor agreement that positions both Goodyear and the United Steelworkers for success in the future, Jim Allen, Goodyears vice president of global labor relations, said in a statement. Goodyear expects local unions will schedule ratification votes within the next few weeks. Details of the contract were not disclosed. ORIGINAL STORY: Officials with Goodyear and the United Steelworkers were continuing negotiations Saturday in Cincinnati as a midnight deadline loomed for the current contract to expire. Our goal is to reach an agreement that positions both the United Steelworkers and Goodyear for success by the contract expiration date of July 29, Barbara Hatala, communications manager with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Akron, Ohio, said in an email Saturday afternoon to the Register & Bee. Goodyears Danville facility employs about 2,200 workers, making it the largest private employer in the city. The plant manufactures aviation and specialty tires, and operates on three shifts. About 2,000 employees are represented by Local 831 of the United Steelworkers of America. USW has a total of about 800,000 members. When asked if the contract would be extended if a deal wasnt reached by midnight, Hatala declined to comment. We prefer to keep discussions private and therefore, cant provide details, she said. She referred the newspaper to updates online at www.goodyearnegotiations.com. However, the last update was posted on June 29. Hatala also declined to comment when asked if a strike was possible if a deal wasnt reached by midnight. In a speech when negotiations first opened on June 15, Steve McClellan, president of Goodyear Americas, made reference to four fatalities at Danvilles Goodyear plant in a one-year period. I dont have to remind you of the tragedies at Danville and Topeka you all shared in the sorrow, and your plants are actively working to learn from those incidents to make sure they never happen again, McClellan said in the speech posted online. From August 2015 to August 2016 four workers were killed in accidents at the local plant. The Virginia Department of Labor and Industrys Virginia Occupational Safety and Health program announced a joint settlement agreement in February for $1.75 million against Goodyear. Paul di Resta is now in reigning world champions Mercedes' sights. It comes after the former Force India driver performed admirably as he stood in for the unwell Felipe Massa in qualifying in Hungary. It is believed Massa is suffering from Labyrinthitis, a virus that is sweeping the F1 paddock and struck down British commentator Martin Brundle at Silverstone. "He's having vertigo and has some problems with his ears but I don't know the medical terminology," said Claire Williams. "He (Massa) will have some more tests after the weekend." What the Massa case has highlighted is that many F1 teams do not have a reserve driver on standby. Indeed, although Williams' official reserve, di Resta does not seem an obvious choice, as he has not raced in F1 for years and was in Budapest as a commentator for British television. One issue is the F1 super license system, with many younger but more appropriate potential stand-in drivers unable to get FIA permission to race. Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko said the current system is "not user friendly" and McLaren's Eric Boullier said the di Resta situation is even a "safety risk". Boullier said: "Technically we still have Jenson Button, but we would probably have to ask Ferrari if we needed someone at the last moment." Indeed, Ferrari reserve Antonio Giovinazzi has a super license, with even reigning champions Mercedes not having an official reserve at races on standby. "We would put Niki (Lauda) in the car," Toto Wolff joked. "We would probably use Paul (di Resta)," he added. "He did an incredible job, having never driven that car and only being seven tenths slower than Lance Stroll. "Perhaps he has revived his F1 career today," said Wolff. (GMM) Carlos Sainz will not comment on rising speculation about a change of engine supplier for Toro Rosso. Rumours suggest that after the Sauber-Honda split and continuing talk of a McLaren-Honda divorce, it could be the second Red Bull team that gets Japanese power for 2018. "It is a rumour and so I will not comment," Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz told Marca. "If it happens I will give my opinion without any problem." Recently, there has been tension between the 22-year-old Spaniard and the Red Bull camp, after Sainz hinted that he might leave Toro Rosso at the end of the year. "It was a strange moment," Sainz said, "and an episode of my career that I'm sure I will learn from. "I still think a fourth year at Toro Rosso is not normal, but if it is the case, I do it with a smile on my face and regard it as a reward not punishment." (GMM) A new class of materials which are suitable agents for displacing oil in enhanced oil recovery operations has been developed by scientists at Swansea University (UK) and scientists at Islamic Azad University in Iran. The new nanoparticle-surfactant complexes, composed of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant and fumed silica nanoparticles (Si-NPs) improve oil recovery to 58% compared to 45% in the presence of the surfactant alone. The researchers led by Goshtasp Cheraghian and Professor Andrew R. Barron reported their find in the ACS journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. Fabrication and testing of these materials were carried out by Goshtasp Cheraghian (Member of Young Researchers at Azad University) and Sajad Kiani, (a PhD student at the Energy Safety Research Institute at the Swansea University Bay Campus). There, they used a 5-spot glass micromodel to evaluate the suitable agents for oil displacing in EOR. Such micromodel experiments have been used to investigate the mechanism of the fluid flow on porous mediums via flow visualization, pore space geometry, topology and heterogeneity effects, which are not possible to assess using traditional core-flood experiments. It is a surprise that the addition of silica nanoparticles, essentially nano-sand, to the surfactant solution leads to such a large ow modification. The changes are due to an alteration of the viscosity as well as effective wettability alteration, which effects the sweeping of the oil towards the recovery point. Prof. Barron The results of this work support an improved insight into the role of NPs and surfactants in enhanced oil recovery and future use in EOR formulations. Co-authors of the papers are Dr Shirin Alexander a Ser Cymru Research Fellow at Swansea University and Dr Nashaat Nassar an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada. Barron is the Charles W. Duncan Jr.Welch Professor of Chemistry and a professor of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice University (Houston USA), and the Ser Cymru Chair of Low Carbon Energy and Environment at Swansea. This research was carried out with support from the Robert A. Welch Foundation, the Welsh Government Ser Cymru II Fellowship Program, and FLEXIS, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government. Resources By Karen PerryGood fiction writing can touch the heart of readers in many ways, helping them understand the lives of other people, and introducing empathy for the circumstances of others. Three new fiction titles bring that type of writing to the audience of young adults and children. Tonya Bolden is an African-American author of histories for children and young people. So it was no surprise when she turned to historical fiction for her latest book, published in May by Bloomsbury. Crossing Ebenezer Creek is set in 1864, when Shermans troops are crossing Georgia. Boldens two characters, Mariah and Caleb, are freed slaves who fall in with the Union soldiers on the march. Both characters harbor secrets, but their hopes and dreams blossom as they move through the countryside. However, when the column arrives at Ebenezer Creek, Confederate forces descend. The Union Army escapes and the freed men and women are abandoned to their fate. Boldens powerful storytelling of a lesser-known historical incident helps bring the cost of human life during the war to the forefront. As are many of her nonfiction titles, Boldens novel is written for young adults (grades 8-12) and has received excellent reviews. From Patricia Giff, the author who wrote Newbery Honor book Lilys Crossing (Delacorte, 1997,) comes a companion historical novel about the indirect and direct effects of war on children. Genevieves War (Holiday House) is a middle-grades novel set in the beginning of World War II. An American girl named Genevieve is in France in the summer of 1939 visiting her grandmother. At the point of leaving, she decides she must stay to help her grandmother on her farm in Alsace, even though she doesnt love the brittle older woman. This is an impulsive decision that turns out to be a very dangerous one. When the war erupts around them, a German officer requisitions a room in the farmhouse. No one feels safe. Genevieves friend Remy must hide from the Germans with a burned arm from an explosion he helped to set. She goes to the doctor for medicine and finds out from her grandmother that this is the absolutely wrong thing to do. So she doesnt know whom she can trust. Genevieve puts Remy in the attic above the German officers room and struggles to keep him fed when their own food is running out. In a childs impulsive way, Genevieve reveals her secret to her friend Katrin, which has devastating effects in the world turned upside down by war. Genevieves War is recommended for middle-grade readers. One Good Thing about America by Ruth Freeman and published by Holiday House, is a novel about immigrants who move to America to escape war in the Congo. A mother and two of her three children arrive in America. They speak French and only a little English. Nine-year-old Anais reads and writes the best English in her old class but it doesnt prepare her for the rapid speech of Americans. The story is told through letters in English 9-year-old Anais writes to her grandmother Oma back in the Congo. Her older brother Olivier and her papa are also still in the Congo, but they end up in hiding and move to Kenya for safety. Anais writes in English to Oma so soldiers searching for her father cannot read the letters, although Oma has to ask the local teacher to read them for her. The book slowly reveals how Amais family sold their home and all their belongings, and how Oma also secretly sold her home to obtain enough money for the move. But only enough for three, not for all. As Anais struggles to adjust to her new school and new living situations, she tries to find one good thing about America that she can tell her grandmother in every letter. Readers follow Annies journey through a first school year. Humorous and heart-rending, Freemans novel comes out of her work as an English as a second language teacher in South Portland, Maine. One Good Thing About America will be enjoyed by students in grades 3-6. GREENSBORO When an Austrian furniture and flooring supplier said last week that it will open its first U.S. factory on 200 acres in Davidson County, the news might have come as a surprise to a generation of workers used to seeing foreign companies move jobs out of the U.S. But with foreign trade policies uncertain in Washington and energy costs at historic lows in the U.S., international business is again taking a serious look at a country that didnt seem competitive a few years ago. That enhances the chances of smaller industrial parks in the Piedmont Triad landing other industries, and it opens up more options for developers of the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite, who hold out hope that a prized auto maker may choose to build a new plant here. But theyre keeping other options open. The tables have turned, said Michael C. Randle, editor and publisher of Southern Business & Development magazine. It is now cheaper to manufacture (in the U.S.) for foreign companies than it is to manufacture in their own countries, including all of Europe, Japan and most of China. The U.S., especially the South and, of course, Mexico, are the low-cost leaders for manufacturing in the world. Without any clear direction from the White House on its future trade policies, foreign companies are not taking chances that new tariffs or trade deals will limit their ability to sell into the U.S. market. If youre an executive with an international company and you sell into the U.S., then youre going to be hedging your bets, said Christopher Chung, chief executive officer of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the public-private agency that leads industrial recruiting for the state. Taiwanese and technology giant Foxconn placed a big bet on the U.S. economy last week when President Donald Trump said the company will invest $10 billion to build a plant in Wisconsin that will initially employ 3,000 and could eventually employ 13,000. Foxconn had reportedly considered North Carolina, including the 1,500-acre Greensboro-Randolph Megasite in northeastern Randolph County. If Foxconn delivers on its promise, it may change how economic developers in North Carolina and the Triad view the megasite. Stan Kelly, president and chief executive officer of the Piedmont Triad Partnership, which is in charge of economic development for the region, said leaders still hope a car company will locate at the megasite, but that concept may now be only the starting point for a look at a broader range of industries. I think early on automotive was something people could understand, Kelly said. It helped people envision something major and bigger. For now, the central focus for the states biggest industrial sites will be recruiting a marquee operation. A company suitable for a megasite would still be larger than Egger, one of the Triads largest economic development announcements ever. It is a site that is ideal for a particular industry, said Brent Christensen, chief executive officer of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. GREENSBORO Water-supply managers here are battling a chemical contaminant from the same family of man-made compounds as the GenX substance that made headlines recently by infiltrating the drinking water in North Carolinas southeastern region. During the past three years, scientists have found water from Greensboros Mitchell Water Treatment Plant with relatively high levels of an industrial chemical known as PFOS short for perfluorooctane sulfonate which is suspected of causing human health problems and damage to developing fetuses when consumed over time in large enough doses. PFOS is on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys watch list for unregulated contaminants, so called because they may be harmful but there are no nationwide safety standards governing their release into the environment. The compound belongs to a family of similar chemicals, including GenX, with commercial uses that go back decades and range from waterproofing to protecting carpet from stains and lining bags of microwave popcorn to prevent hot butter or oil from soaking through the paper. Sister chemical GenX has been in the news recently after researchers linked very high levels of that substance in Wilmingtons water supply to releases from a chemical plant in Fayetteville into the Cape Fear River. Greensboro Water Resources Director Steve Drew said city officials and two private consultants have been looking for the local source of PFOS without success. Were basically doing a CSI-type investigation in the upper reaches of the watershed upstream of Lake Higgins and Lake Brandt, Drew said. Environmental regulators persuaded chemical manufacturers to voluntarily phase out production of PFOS starting about 15 years ago, but it is still in use in some products and it is a resilient compound that persists in the environment indefinitely once it has been set loose. The city first tested its drinking water for PFOS during 2014 in line with a nationwide EPA directive, finding traces at concerning levels only in treated water produced by the Mitchell plant at Battleground Avenue and Benjamin Parkway that is supplied by lakes Brandt and Higgins to the north of town, Drew said. Water from the Townsend treatment plant, to the northeast and near the lake its named after, contained much lower levels of PFOS that were not concerning, Drew said. Levels fluctuate Continued testing at the Mitchell plant has shown fluctuating PFOS levels that seem to increase after periods of rain, suggesting that the contaminant is being carried off the landscape by storm water that runs into a lake or feeder streams at one or more sites, Drew said. But he added that since PFOS was detected at the relatively high level of 90 parts per trillion in Mitchell plant water during the October quarter of 2014, continued testing there has consistently found PFOS below the 40 parts-per-trillion threshold at which water departments are supposed to report the finding to federal and state authorities. Last year, the EPA established a health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion for PFOS in drinking water. The agency believes PFOs below that level wont harm people over a lifetime, based on the rate of water consumed by women who are breastfeeding. Lactating women were chosen as the standard because they tend to drink more water and because they can pass along contaminants to nursing infants. Three other rounds of Mitchell plant testing during 2014 detected no PFOS in the January quarter, 44 parts per trillion in the April quarter and 64 parts per trillion in the July quarter, Drew said. By contrast, the last time Greensboro tested its drinking water for PFOS two months ago, samples from the Mitchell and Townsend plants registered at similar levels 30 and 28 parts per trillion, respectively. Treated water from the Mitchell plant was never unsafe to drink, Drew said. But Drew said he is still troubled by the continuing presence of PFOS because the man-made compound does not belong there and city officials cannot figure out exactly where it is coming from. We remain concerned and aim to remove it at the source in the watershed once there is enough data to analyze and evidence to draw some conclusions so as to narrow down and identify a site or sites with a high level of certainty, he said in a Friday email. But its not an easy task, he said. We have no industrial dischargers upstream like there is for the good folks in Wilmington, he said, referring to the Cape Fear chemical plant behind the GenX releases. They were able to go right to a discharger and that was where it was coming from. EPA directly involved Among North Carolina communities, EPA flagged only two cities for elevated PFOS levels in nationwide testing from 2013 through 2015 Greensboro and Pinehurst, said Sarah Young, spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Quality. DEQ communicated with both systems. Pinehurst took the well with perfluorinated compounds offline permanently, Young said, referring to the chemical class that includes PFOS and its siblings. Greensboro knew it had a problem before DEQ contacted it and acted well before the release of EPAs health advisory, Young said of the water departments sleuthing efforts. EPA is directly involved in tracking Greensboros efforts to reduce levels, Young said of PFOS. The city has proactively provided periodic updates to the department and EPA. Young and Drew both noted that the city also has hired consultants to examine alternative treatment methods to remove the offensive chemical if the citys detective efforts fail to identify where the PFOS is coming from and eliminate the source. High Point water administrators also checked for PFOS in drinking water from that communitys Oak Hollow and City lakes as part of EPAs recent testing initiative and came through unblemished, said Terry Houk, that citys public services director. It was non-detect for us, Houk said, meaning either that the chemical was not there at all or it was present in amounts too small for testing equipment to identify. Drew said Greensboro officials also tested drinking water they distribute locally from Randleman Reservoir and that the incoming stream from the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority also had low quantities of PFOS 10 parts per trillion. The waters of Greensboro, High Point and the regional water authority also were tested for PFOA another potentially harmful sibling of PFOS and GenX. That compound was present in drinking water from both Greensboro and Randleman Reservoir, but not in worrisome amounts. Greensboros water has not been tested yet for GenX, Drew said. Foam to parking lots The culprits behind Greensboros PFOS problem could be anything from one or more locations that use flame-retardant foam containing the chemical such as a fire station or airport to some long forgotten and abandoned industrial landfill, to people dumping waste illegally in watershed areas, to parking lots where workers wash down the pavement with cleansers that include PFOS as an ingredient, Drew said. PFOS numbers at Mitchell vary depending on weather patterns, so its water has peaks and valleys of concern, Drew said. Readings go up for a while after significant rainfall, then you go for a spell and dont see it at all, he said. The detective work required to sort through the possibilities and narrow them down to a probable cause is tedious and time-consuming, said Pete DAdamo, a Raleigh-based consultant who is helping the city. Were still months away from seeing if we can pinpoint it and be able to say whether this is something current or something that happened a long time ago, said DAdamo, national water treatment director for HDR. Greensboro also has hired N.C. State University professor and water expert Detlef Knappe to help track down the source, Drew said. Knappe was part of the research team that recently uncovered the Lower Cape Fears problem with GenX. Efforts to reach Knappe for comment about Greensboros PFOS situation were unsuccessful last week. Water safety The EPAs 70 parts-per-trillion advisory protects the health of a person who drinks water with that concentration of PFOS every day, year after year. But agency literature also raises caution flags about shorter-term exposure for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding because of PFOSs potential to cause developmental lapses in children exposed to it in the womb or in mothers milk. Large-scale population studies implicate PFOS as a possible trigger for adult health problems that include high cholesterol, thyroid disease, immune suppression and such reproductive problems as reduced fertility, the EPA said in a report last year. The agency added that evidence is weaker linking it to bladder, colon and prostate cancer. But the developing fetus is particularly sensitive to PFOS-induced toxicity, the EPA said in its 2016 report, citing such possible outcomes as lower birth weight, decreased survival rates, learning deficiencies and susceptibility to cancers of the thyroid or liver. Meanwhile, GenX readings in Wilmingtons drinking water dwarfed even the highest PFOS levels locally samples from the New Hanover County communitys Cape Fear Public Utility system averaged 631 parts per trillion. GenX is a newer chemical composition so EPA does not have a health advisory for it to put such high readings in context. But state health officials noted in a statement after the Wilmington crisis erupted that European researchers recently completed a lab-based cancer study that suggested it was safe at concentrations 100 times greater than found in the coastal citys drinking water. The situation involving PFOS, GenX and their close relative PFOA illustrates the topsy-turvy nature of environmental pollutants and the rules created to govern them under the nations Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. PFOS and PFOA are longstanding industrial chemicals that fall into the unregulated category because they were not known to be problems when the act was put into effect or for years afterward. But they are under federal review now because it has become generally accepted that they are harmful at certain levels of exposure. So they are on a list of such chemicals that the EPA directed public water systems to test for several years ago, with an eye to possibly setting strict limits on their presence in drinking water. GenX is not on the EPAs radar yet in that regard because of its more recent development specifically as a better alternative in such applications as Teflon manufacture. Nonstick surfaces PFOS and its sister chemical PFOA were popular for much of the 20th century because they are resistant to both water and fatty acids, making them useful in altering the surface properties of everything from frying pans to raincoats. But PFOS does not readily break down biologically so it remains intact for an eternity, resisting a variety of chemical and other forces that would destroy less stable compounds in days, months or years. People encounter it not only in their water, but in food as well as the air they breathe. Water sources contaminated by PFOS have been associated with releases from manufacturing sites, industrial fire/crash training areas, and industrial or municipal waste sites where products are disposed of or applied, the EPA said in its health advisory last year. PFOS is not the first chemical on the watch list of federal regulators that Greensboro water officials have tangled with in recent times. Last year, they confronted hexavalent chromium, another occupant of EPAs unregulated contaminant file that was turning up in drinking water treated at both city plants. They spent weeks last summer studying the problem before tracing it to a lime slurry used at both plants to control the drinking waters acidity and alkalinity. The fix was just a matter of changing to another additive that didnt include that chemical. Drew and his colleagues can only hope the PFOS cure should turn out to be so simple, inexpensive and effective. Police leaders across the country moved quickly to distance themselves from or to outright condemn President Donald Trumps statements about roughing up people whove been arrested. The swift public denunciations came as departments are under intense pressure to stamp out brutality and excessive force that can erode the relationship between officers and the people they police and cost police chiefs their jobs. Some police leaders worried that three sentences uttered by the president during a Long Island, N.Y., speech could upend nearly three decades of fence-mending since the 1991 Los Angeles Police Department beating of Rodney King ushered in an era of distrust of police. Its the wrong message, Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, told Washington, D.C., radio station WTOP while speaking of the trust-building work that departments have undertaken since Kings beating. The last thing we need is a green light from the president of the United States for officers to use unnecessary force. Trump made the comments at a gathering of law enforcement officers at Suffolk County Community College in New York. When you guys put somebody in the car and youre protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over? Trump said, miming the physical motion of an officer shielding a suspects head to keep it from bumping against the squad car. Like, dont hit their head, and they just killed somebody dont hit their head, Trump continued. I said, you can take the hand away, OK? Trumps remarks came after he spoke about local towns ravaged by gang violence. Across the country, police department leaders said the presidents words didnt reflect their views. The Suffolk County Police Department has strict rules and procedures relating to the handling of prisoners, and violations of those rules and procedures are treated extremely seriously, the department said in an emailed statement. As a department, we do not and will not tolerate rough(ing) up prisoners. Trumps comments also drew a rebuke from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In a statement Friday, the group did not specifically mention Trump by name but appeared to respond to his speech by stressing the importance of treating all people, including suspects, with respect. Mike Lopez, a Los Angeles police spokesman, told CNN that the department will treat everyone with integrity and respect. We work with partnerships in our community and continue to do that to keep our communities safe and secure from crime, he told the news network. With the help of our community we will continue to do this. Darrel Stephens, a former police chief who is now the executive director of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, told The Washington Post that the presidents words were a step back for police departments. Over the past two or three years, police departments have worked very, very hard to restore the loss of confidence and trust that people, particularly in the African-American community, have in the police, based on what happened in Ferguson and the other high-profile shootings, Stephens said. Maybe not just what the president said, but the reaction of the police officers standing behind him, I think that complicates that. It sort of reinforces that theres sort of a wink and a nod about these things, when thats simply not the case. Statements from other police leaders followed. In a statement to Patch.com, Seattle Police Chief Kathleen OToole said: Seattles police officers have embraced reform and have worked incredibly hard to build community trust. We do not intend to go backward. It is truly unfortunate that in todays toxic environment, politicians at both ends of the spectrum have sought to inflame passions by politicizing what we do. We remain committed to our principles and reject irresponsible statements that threaten to undermine our relationship with the community. A Boston Police Department statement obtained by CNN said the departments priority has been and continues to be building relationships and trust with the community we serve. As a police department we are committed to helping people, not harming them. In New York, Police Commissioner James ONeill told the network that to suggest that police officers apply any standard in the use of force other than what is reasonable and necessary is irresponsible, unprofessional and sends the wrong message to law enforcement as well as the public. But the group Blue Lives Matter insisted that the presidents remarks were a joke, tweeting: Trump didnt tell police to go out & brutalize people as the media would have you believe. It was a joke. Jim Bueermann, who heads the nonprofit Police Foundation, told CNN that the organization welcomes Trumps support for law enforcement but we cannot support any commentary in sincerity or jest that undermines the trust that our communities place in us to protect and serve. Police departments are under increased scrutiny for violent, often fatal interactions with suspects. So far this year, 574 people have been shot and killed by police, according to The Washington Posts Fatal Force database. Last year, police shot and killed 963 people. This years killings included the Minneapolis police shooting of Justine Damond, an Australian woman who called 911 to report a possible rape in the alley near her home and ended up shot dead by the responding officers. The departments missteps neither officer had activated his body camera, so theres no video evidence of the fatal encounter resulted in international criticism and the ouster of Minneapolis police Chief Janee Harteau. She was the fourth chief in recent years to lose her job after a controversial fatal shooting. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close By Jeff PaschalGrowing up the 1960s and 70s, I vaguely recall practicing nuclear war drills at school. When the alarm sounded, we were supposed to duck and cover. So we either got under our desks or the teachers herded us into the hallways, where we sat with our backs against the walls and our heads between our knees until it was time to go back to the classroom. The routine was about the same for tornado drills. I suppose U.S. schoolchildren dont do nuclear war drills anymore. After all, theyre pretty busy with active shooter lockdown drills. Back in the 1960s and 70s, we kids were also given pamphlets with pictures and instructions about what to do if we just happened to see a nuclear bomb go off. As I recall, there was a number of suggestions that might increase our likelihood of surviving an attack: Dont look directly at the explosion; it could blind you. If you can, get below ground level to a fallout shelter; if you cant, at least get down behind a sturdy building, wall, or big tree. After the explosion, stay inside for several days. Only venture out when radioactivity has dropped and youre certain its safe. Make sure only to drink fluids and eat foods uncontaminated by radiation. Once you go outside, make sure to brush away any fallout that lands on you. Reasonable instructions. Of course, what the pamphlets never said was, And you can kiss your life goodbye. Despite the fact that the U.S. and Russia still have thousands of nuclear weapons pointed at each other, held back by the threat of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction), and a number of other nations also have acquired their very own nuclear arms, nuclear war has largely evaporated from our consciousness. Science fiction novels such as Cormac McCarthys The Road and movies such as the Terminator and The Day After remind us just how dreadful a nuclear war might be. But with the rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, the specter of nuclear war is once again rearing its mushroom cloud-shaped head. And the stakes not just for the U.S. and North Korea but for the planet could hardly be higher. North Korea, of course, is run by a brutal, repressive regime that treats its citizens with a remarkable blend of savagery that includes torture, starvation, rape and murder. Its leader, Kim Jong Un thrives on aggression and threats. Despite years of sanctions, talks and our own threats, North Korea has nuclear weapons and the ever-growing capacity to deliver them to nearby countries and even the United States. What should we do? Elise Hu, international correspondent for NPR, says policy experts believe we have three options: Further isolation with economic sanctions and pressure from regional neighbors. Military moves. Diplomatic engagement, which would require accepting Pyongyang as a nuclear-armed state. Many years of sanctions and pressure have not worked and seem unlikely to work in the future. Thus, some people argue that the U.S. should pursue a military option. There are at least two problems with this approach. One, so-called pre-emptive war is immoral and against the Christian principles of Just War Theory. Its simply wrong to attack another country, because they have armed themselves with weapons that we also possess. Two, no matter how fast and unexpected the attack, civilian and military casualties would be horrific. As Hu points out, 24 million people live in the Seoul metropolitan area and 28,000 American troops are stationed in South Korea. And who knows how the situation might spin out of control into all-out nuclear war? Duck and cover and fallout shelters wont be enough if the world is on fire. The best of the three options is diplomacy and accepting that North Korea is a state with nuclear capability. Yes, this is unpalatable, but it seems to be the most hopeful of three difficult options. Wont constructive change come to North Korea as it has positive interactions with other countries? And wont the people transform their government as they are exposed to truth, not propaganda? In the meantime, lets contact President Trump and Congress and urge them to find a diplomatic solution, not a military one. And it would help the situation if our president stopped answering North Korean threats with aggressive tweets. In a commencement address years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, We must all learn to live together as brothers or we will all perish together as fools. Brothers and sisters, lets find a way to live together. 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. Kislyak must be one forgettable fellow. Everyone he meets from Trump World suffers amnesia, recalling not so much as a handshake. Though Ive not had the pleasure, Kislyak looks like a jovial sort who enjoys a hearty chuckle. His sides must be splitting these days as Trump repeals and replaces officials who are investigating Russia or who deny knowing any Russians. 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 a 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, saying: Ukrainian efforts to sabotage Trump campaign quietly working to boost Clinton. So where is the investigation A.G. (Say this for Trump: He has resisted servitude to punctuation and grammar.) 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 off-the-cuff true confession, Trump 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 gave a rousing speech, saying he knew Price would get those votes. If not, Trump quipped, Youre fired! Poor Price. By Melissa BoughtonN.C. Attorney General Josh Steins most important job is to keep people safe. For the N.C. Department of Justice, which he heads, that can mean helping to keep criminals behind bars, protecting residents drinking water, going after health care providers engaged in Medicaid fraud and protecting consumers from unfair business practices. DOJ attorneys also work with and represent numerous state agencies in contentious legal battles. They help district attorneys with complicated cases or conflicts of interest in special prosecutions. That may soon change. In a last-minute surprise move, the General Assembly slashed the DOJs budget by $10 million. This amounts to roughly 37 percent of the DOJs legal and administrative budget the area that legislators specifically said the cut must be made. It is, in short, a big cut that will have even bigger consequences for the DOJ and every North Carolinian remotely interested in public safety. Theres no way for this office to absorb $10 million in cuts without it affecting the work we do keeping people safe, Stein said in a recent interview. Stein, a Democrat elected in 2016, and others at the DOJ are trying to come up with a responsible plan to minimize the impacts on the people they serve, but its no easy task. He has started asking agencies the DOJ provides services to for money to help with the massive budget cut. The bulk of what the DOJ does involves providing legal services to state agencies to serve the people of the state, Stein said. The department handles, among many other things, all criminal appeals for district attorneys, all special prosecutions for district attorneys and all prisoner petitions to help the N.C. Court of Appeals. It also represents the N.C. Department of Labor in hearings held by its Occupational Safety and Health Division. We provide these legal services and were asking the agencies and entities who benefit from our legal services to help us try to fill this gap, Stein said. Either we find some new (funding) or we eliminate positions. He estimated that dozens of employees would lose their jobs but said he hopes it wont be more than 100. If we just absorb the cut, it will be about 120 people, but our hope is that some of our client agencies will step up, he said. There are about 407 positions in the DOJs legal services division, according to spokeswoman Laura Brewer. That figure counts attorneys, paralegals, clerical workers, consumer protection specialists and investigators, and includes any vacancies that exist. Peg Dorer, the director of the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys, said she could not say yet how prosecutors across the state could be affected. Dorer did say they received notice from Steins office letting them know that the DOJ will: 1. Be unable to continue handling all criminal appeals; 2. Be limited in the number of conflict cases they can accept for prosecution; 3. Be unable to defend prosecutors in civil suits against them; and 4. Be unable to continue representing the State in any pending or future motion for appropriate relief proceedings in the Superior Court for capital cases. Since they handle all the appeals for the state and all of the post-conviction for capital cases, we are not sure how this is going to get done, Dorer said in an email. We do not have additional resources to put toward this work. In addition to all its other duties, the DOJ handles really big, complicated matters for the state. One example of that is a pending lawsuit in which retired teachers and state employees, including former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake Jr., are suing the State Health Plan and N.C. Treasurer Dale Folwell. Stein represents both the State Health Plan and Folwell in that matter, and there is more than $100 million at stake. Folwells office declined to comment about how the DOJ budget cut would affect it. Thats not the only major case with a lot of money involved. Stein said a recent report shows that the DOJ is handling active cases valued at more than $300 million. Obviously were going to still be able to do those big cases, but are we going to be able to do them as well? he asked. Are we going to be able to provide the level of representation that the taxpayer deserves to protect their wallet? And thats the risk that the General Assembly has put on the people of this state. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore did not return an email requesting a comment about the DOJ budget cut. The Democratic leader in the Senate, Dan Blue, said in a radio interview with NC Policy Watchs Chris Fitzsimon that the budget cut was not only a surprise, it was a shock. In taking $10 million out of the attorney generals office, they have determined that fighting crime is not as important a priority as it was before, Blue said. He said that kind of cut is impossible for Stein to make up in other ways. He cant adjust the workload on the other attorneys in the office to the extent that would be necessary for him to continue providing the service to the DAs around the state, Blue said. Stein and Blue both speculated that the budget cut was politically motivated. It was a spite move against the AG because they didnt like the fact that hes being a lawyer, Blue said. Stein said he has heard that legislators are unhappy with him carrying out the duties of the office. My job as attorney general is to protect the people of this state and thats what Im doing, thats what the lawyers in this office are doing, Stein said, and I think its unfortunate when people of different political parties allow their differences of opinion to undermine the public interest. He said DOJ employees are nervous and have reason to be, but theyre also professionals who are working hard. People come to work here because they want to help the people of this state; they want to serve the public, Stein said. Most of these folks could go work for private law firms and go make more money, but they made a choice in their career that they wanted to be a public lawyer, not a private lawyer, and its really demoralizing when the legislature, rather than valuing them and thanking them for their dedicated public service, jeopardizes their ability to do the work that they care about. STOKESDALE In the wake of police shootings, a 9-year-old boy is delivering food and drinks to area police departments to show his love for them and his appreciation of their service and dedication. In the past two years, Jaxon Wilson has visited 28 departments with items ranging from doughnuts to fruit and snacks to water for the officers. It makes me feel good and proud, said Jaxon, who hasnt decided if he wants to be an officer when he grows up. His mother, Crystal, drives Jaxon to all the law-enforcement agencies in Rockingham County, as well as to High Point, Winston-Salem and Archdale. The proud mother said her son got the volunteering bug when he was 6 and helped serve meals at Lot 2540 with fellow members from Ellisboro Baptist Church in Madison. Seeing so many hungry children show up there to eat opened Jaxons eyes, she said. That first day, Jaxon served spaghetti to anyone who was hungry. He was there for about six hours, and a lot of children came for a meal, Crystal said, adding, on the ride home, Jaxon was quiet for a while. Then he said, Mama, I cant believe how many little kids are hungry in our town. A short time later, Jaxon came up with the idea to collect food for Lot 2540. In nine months, he accumulated 1,240 cans of vegetables, soups, fruits and meats. Each week, Jaxon gathered the food and took it to Lot 2540s pantry on South Second Avenue in Mayodan. Food came from their church, family, neighbors and strangers who saw it on Facebook. People were calling from everywhere, she said. Jaxons father, Ryan, is a member of the National Guard Unit out of Salisbury, so fellow guardsmen collected food there. As more food came in, Jaxon was amazed at the response. He did most of the work himself. All I did was drive the car, Crystal said. He loaded it, bagged it, and took it to the Lot and stocked it in the pantry. Then, about two years ago, Jaxson saw on TV that some police officers had been shot. He started crying, Crystal said. He knows his daddy is in the Army, and it could happen to him, too, Crystal said. It really affected him. I was just heartbroken when I saw people shooting police officers on TV, Jaxson said. It made me real sad. I asked my mom if we could start giving out things to police. Jaxon wanted police officers to know they were loved and appreciated, so he came up with the idea of taking them water and doughnuts. He was anxious and excited because he loves the officers, Crystal. I was so proud and elated that he thought of this on his own. He didnt want to just sit home and play video games. He wanted to get out and help somebody. He wrote a Bible verse and Jesus Loves You, or God Is With You on those first boxes before leaving the house. The first place Jaxson visited was the Madison Police Department. He walked into the building alone, bearing his gift of doughnuts. The officer on duty was so impressed, he accompanied Jaxon back to the car, shook Crystals hand and said, Wow, what good young man. Jaxon gave him the case of water he had also brought the officers. That was the beginning. Each week, Crystal drives her son, a fourth-grader at New Vision Elementary School, to area departments to deliver his gifts. His parents finance his project, but Jaxon repays with chores. Crystal works as a logistics supervisor for Target; Ryan is a helicopter repairman for the National Guard. On vacation recently in Myrtle Beach, Jaxon surprised the officers there with fruit and cases of water. In Kernersville, Jaxson was excited to meet the canine handlers and their K-9 officers. A special result of the visits has been the friendships Jaxon developed with some of the officers. Mayodan Chief Charles Caruso said Jaxon comes to his department about every month. Ive gotten to know him and went to have lunch with him at school. Hes a great young man, an outstanding young man Caruso said, adding the Mayodan Town Council recently recognized Jaxon for his outstanding service to the community. We are very happy to have him in our community, Caruso said. Mayodan Officer Landon Fellows met Jaxon last year, in the second week of his police career. Since then a special friendship has developed, and Jaxson often makes special trips just to give Fellows an energy drink or gift. They also exchanged gifts at Christmas. He looks up to me, and I feel like I have a bigger role to play now, so I am trying to be the best example I can be, Fellows said. Last week, Jaxon introduced his little brother, Max, 3, to the officers in Stoneville. Now Max is learning to be compassionate and caring for others. Baby sister, Kennedy-Jo, is only 1, but shell probably help her brothers when she is older. You never know what little thing can change somebodys mood or spirit, Crystal said. He just makes me proud every day. He made me a momma and Im so proud of him. I think it is an awesome thing that his little boy is doing, said Stoneville Police Chief Frank Ward. I think it is a great gesture for our children to do these things. You dont expect it, and for a kid to want support law enforcement like that is a great example. A day after a years-long effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act collapsed on Capitol Hill, President Donald Trump castigated Republican senators for their inability to pass legislation. "They look like fools," Trump wrote Saturday morning on Twitter. He also renewed his demand that the Senate abolish a rule requiring 60 votes for some bills, despite the fact that the filibuster had nothing to do with the health-care bill's failure on Friday. Trump's multi-chaptered and occasionally self-contradictory rant kicked off early Friday morning, shortly after three Republican senators joined every Democrat to sink the GOP's last-ditch effort to overturn Obamacare, 51 to 49. At first, Trump seemed resigned to let the Affordable Care Act, also referred to as Obamacare, take its course, convinced that the program will fail and force Congress to replace it. But shortly after the sun rose on Friday, Trump began pushing for new bills, which he argued could not pass unless the Senate abolished the legislative filibuster, which had nothing to do with last week's failure on the Obamacare repeal. The filibuster lets a minority party block legislation that would ordinarily pass with a simple majority of votes. Trump acknowledged in his tweets that "parts of health care could pass at 51" votes - as Friday's repeal bill could have. But "so many great future bills & budgets need 60 votes," Trump wrote, before digressing from health care to post a #FlashBackFriday tweet, and then to announce that he'd replaced his White House chief of staff. As he continued his tweet storm into Saturday, Trump offered examples of bills that could not abide a filibuster - along with heaping new demands, threats and insults on Republican senators. His tweet: "Republican Senate must get rid of 60 vote NOW! It is killing the R Party, allows 8 Dems to control country. 200 Bills sit in Senate. A JOKE!" He insisted that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., eliminate the filibuster immediately, al though McConnell dismissed the idea when Trump raised it months ago. By way of persuasion, apparently, Trump wrote that Republican senators "look like fools and are just wasting time," and will "NEVER win" until they kill the rule. It's worth noting that while Trump now attacks the filibuster as antiquated, four years earlier he defended it as a venerable tradition dating back to Thomas Jefferson. Once used rarely and memorably (as when a senator spoke and sang for 15 hours to block a vote in 1992), the filibuster has become an almost routine tactic for minority parties to impede bills and Cabinet and judicial nominees they can't defeat in a straight-up vote. On Saturday, Trump blamed the filibuster for hypothetically allowing Democrats to block "complete Healthcare," though so far Republican senators have not been able to unite around even a narrowly tailored bill like Friday's attempt to pass a so-called skinny repeal. Trump also wrote that "Kate's Law," a bill that would increase punishments for criminals who illegally reenter the United States after being deported, would never pass with the filibuster in place. To attempt a summary of his arguments so far: Trump knows that some health-care bills could pass through the Senate with a simple majority of votes. Friday's repeal bill could have, for example. But Republicans need to kill the filibuster anyway, Trump argues, lest it allow Democrats to block a more sweeping health-care reform bill, which does not yet exist but will be supported by a majority of senators (but not 60 of them) once it is written. If that logic strikes you as confusing, you're not alone: Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., tweeted: "If McCain had just voted yes they would have had those 60 votes required under reconciliation! No, wait...." And yet Trump was not nearly done. Shortly before 8 a.m., he tweeted: "If the Senate Democrats ever got the chance, they would switch to a 51 majority vote in first minute." And also: "They are laughing at R's. MAKE CHANGE!" And while Democrats were laughing at his party, Trump wrote, "the people of our great country are still being forced to live with imploding ObamaCare!" At the beginning of his rant - if you recall - Trump had wanted Congress to let Obamacare implode. Now, midway through, implosion was a bad thing. Things are so bad, Trump wrote, that "if a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!" He then digressed again to talk about the stock market - up since his election, he wrote. But Trump returned to his health-care monologue in the late afternoon, with another dig at Republicans who have spent years trying and failing to reform the nation's health-care system. Try again, the president told the senators, or you're "total quitters." Police leaders across the country moved quickly to distance themselves from - or to outright condemn - President Donald Trump's statements about "roughing up" people who've been arrested. The swift public denunciations came as departments are under intense pressure to stamp out brutality and excessive force that can erode the relationship between officers and the people they police - and cost police chiefs their jobs. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Spencer Platt/Getty Images Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Alex Brandon/Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Some police leaders worried that three sentences uttered by the president during a Long Island, New York, speech could upend nearly three decades of fence-mending since the 1991 Los Angeles Police Department beating of Rodney King ushered in an era of distrust of police. "It's the wrong message," Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, told Washington, D.C., radio station WTOP while speaking of the trust-building work that departments have undertaken since King's beating. "The last thing we need is a green light from the president of the United States for officers to use unnecessary force." Trump made the comments at a gathering of law enforcement officers at Suffolk County Community College in New York. "When you guys put somebody in the car and you're protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over?" Trump said, miming the physical motion of an officer shielding a suspect's head to keep it from bumping against the squad car. "Like, don't hit their head, and they just killed somebody - don't hit their head," Trump continued. "I said, you can take the hand away, OK?" Trump's remarks came after he spoke about local towns ravaged by gang violence. Across the country, police department leaders said the president's words didn't reflect their views. "The Suffolk County Police Department has strict rules and procedures relating to the handling of prisoners, and violations of those rules and procedures are treated extremely seriously," the department said in an emailed statement. "As a department, we do not and will not tolerate 'rough(ing)' up prisoners." Trump's comments also drew a rebuke from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In a statement Friday, the group did not specifically mention Trump by name but appeared to respond to his speech by stressing the importance of treating all people, including suspects, with respect. Mike Lopez, a Los Angeles police spokesman, told CNN that the department will "treat everyone with integrity and respect." "We work with partnerships in our community and continue to do that to keep our communities safe and secure from crime," he told the news network. "With the help of our community we will continue to do this." Darrel Stephens, a former police chief who is now the executive director of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, told The Washington Post that the president's words were a step back for police departments. "Over the past two or three years, police departments have worked very, very hard to restore the loss of confidence and trust that people, particularly in the African-American community, have in the police, based on what happened in Ferguson and the other high profile shootings," Stephens said. "Maybe not just what the president said, but the reaction of the police officers standing behind him, I think that complicates that. "It sort of reinforces that there's sort of a wink and a nod about these things, when that's simply not the case." Statements from other police leaders followed. In a statement to Patch.com, Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole said: "Seattle's police officers have embraced reform and have worked incredibly hard to build community trust. We do not intend to go backwards. It is truly unfortunate that in today's toxic environment, politicians at both ends of the spectrum have sought to inflame passions by politicizing what we do. We remain committed to our principles and reject irresponsible statements that threaten to undermine our relationship with the community." A Boston Police Department statement obtained by CNN said the department's "priority has been and continues to be building relationships and trust with the community we serve. As a police department we are committed to helping people, not harming them." In New York, Police Commissioner James O'Neill told the network that to "suggest that police officers apply any standard in the use of force other than what is reasonable and necessary is irresponsible, unprofessional and sends the wrong message to law enforcement as well as the public." But the group Blue Lives Matter insisted that the president's remarks were a joke, tweeting: "Trump didn't tell police to go out & brutalize people as the media would have you believe. It was a joke." Jim Bueermann, who heads the nonprofit Police Foundation, told CNN that the organization welcomes Trump's support for law enforcement but "we cannot support any commentary - in sincerity or jest - that undermines the trust that our communities place in us to protect and serve." Police departments are under increased scrutiny for violent, often fatal interactions with suspects. So far this year, 574 people have been shot and killed by police, according to The Washington Post's Fatal Force database. Last year, police shot and killed 963 people. This year's killings included the Minneapolis police shooting of Justine Damond, an Australian woman who called 911 to report a possible rape in the alley near her home and ended up shot dead by the responding officers. The department's missteps - neither officer had activated his body camera, so there's no video evidence of the fatal encounter - resulted in international criticism and the ouster of Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau. She was the fourth chief in recent years to lose her job after a controversial fatal shooting. Home computers went through a megahertz war and smartphone manufacturers did not learn from that mistake. As early as January 2009 the pocket rockets crossed the 1GHz mark - the Toshiba TG01 got there first. It had a single Scorpion core in its Snapdragon S1 chipset paired with 256MB RAM. It seemed downright excessive at the time. Even feature phones had climbing clock speeds, the Samsung Jet got up to 800MHz that same year, later phones like the Nokia C3-01 (from 2010) got up to a full gigahertz. Toshiba TG01 Samsung S8000 Jet Nokia C3-01 Touch and Type As with Intel's NetBurst, physics got in the way of progress - high clock speeds use up too much power. On the desktop side, that resulted in 100+ W TDP chips that needed leaf blowers to cool. On the mobile side, it just killed the battery. So makers chose another number to increase each year - the number of processor cores. LG produced the first dual-core phone in 2011, the LG Optimus 2X. This time it was Nvidia that supplied the chip, a Tegra 2 AP20H with two Cortex-A9 cores. They were clocked at 1GHz again, even though the Motorola DROID 2 Global breached the 1GHz barrier in late 2010 (with a single Cortex-A8 core). We'll ignore Instructions Per Clock (IPC) - if you're interested in real world performance, then check out our mobile chipset guide. We're focusing on bragging rights here - who reached a specific milestone first. Also, keep in mind that we're not counting baseband processors. At one point, makers (like Nokia) were claiming dual CPUs, but the truth is that neither the OS nor apps could use that other processor. In fact, the baseband processors ran a completely separate OS (it's why the modem firmware is a separate file from Android when you're flashing a custom ROM). It wouldn't be until late 2012 when phones clocked up to 2GHz - another Moto, the RAZR i XT890 (one of the early superminis). It was Intel, a veteran of the megahertz wars, that got there with a single Atom core. LG Optimus 2X Motorola RAZR i XT890 As proof that increasing clock speed is an uphill battle, the first quad-core phones came out before the first 2GHz phone. The HTC One X (Tegra 3) and Samsung Galaxy S III (Exynos 4412) came in May 2012. HTC One X Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III We're yet to see the first 3GHz mobile, though with ever-improving manufacturing nodes, we're getting close - the 20nm Helio X27 promises up to 2.6GHz, as does the 10nm Helio X30. We'll revisit Helio in a moment, but first, on to the octa-core phones. Samsung continued to pump up the specs and in March 2013, the Samsung Galaxy S4 came out with eight CPU cores - four Cortex-A15 and four Cortex-A7. Yes, the age of big.LITTLE was upon us. Interestingly, the Snapdragon variant of the phone had only four cores - Krait 300s - but they were clocked higher (1.9GHz vs. 1.6GHz) than the A15s, which made the performance fairly equal. Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4 Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4 After a long gap came the next jump - in April 2016, the LeEco Le 2 Pro launched with the Helio X25 (told you we'd come back). It had a 10-core (deca-core) processor - two big Cortex-A72 cores, plus two groups of four A53s. The Helio X30 mentioned above swaps the second little cluster with even tinier Cortex-A35 cores. That makes the Helio X30 the only chipset so far to use three different kinds of cores (and the only phone chipset to use the A35). LeEco Le 2 Pro Will we see a 12-core processor soon? Perhaps. The A53 (not to mention A35) core is tiny and you can cram a lot of them on a 10nm or even a 14nm process. Not that it would make much sense, but we're not sold on the idea that 10 or even 8 cores make sense either. You see, Apple's in-house chipsets have very few cores. We said we won't talk about IPC, so let's just say that Apple's custom cores destroy both Cortex and Kryo there. That's how it can get away with so few cores. Still, Apple went up from 2 to 3 cores for the iPad Air 2. Apple is the only chipset maker to use an odd number of cores, by the way. We have other oddities like the 6-core (hexa-core) chips - an Exynos 5260 in the Galaxy Note 3 Neo (February 2014) or the Snapdragon 808 in the LG G4 (April 2015). Apple iPad Air 2 Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo LG G4 Recently, hexa-core designs became very popular in the mid-range. They offer a couple of big cores for fast single-thread performance, plus four little cores for low-power operation and multi-threaded boost. We think it offers a great balance of price, power and battery life and we'd love to see more of those. After years of dual and quad Core i-something processors, Ryzen rekindled AMD's rivalry with Intel. It's now fairly easy for an enthusiast to grab an octa-core processor. Threadripper goes up to 16 cores and the latest Core i9 has 18! In short, we don't expect mobile chip makers to curb core counts and 6/8 cores will be standard for quite a while... unless you're Apple, of course. Another week another new champion in our top 10 trending list. The Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro is the second J7 device to lead the pack in the past three weeks and the fourth different winner in as many editions of the chart. Nokia 6 slipped to second, while the Samsung Galaxy S8 retained the last spot on the rostrum. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 climbed to fourth, edging out the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime, while the smaller Redmi 4 also gained a couple of spots and is now sixth. In seven we have a new name on the chart - the Xiaomi Mi 5X debuted this week and immediately made it to the top 10. The Samsung Galaxy J7 Max is eight, while the OnePlus 5 lost quite a few positions and took ninth. Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) snatches the last available spot to make it four members of the J series among the 10 most popular devices in our database this week. 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This work, which includes paving the streets of the city, clearing irrigation canals, clearing the banks of all the rivers in the south, building decent habitats for the population, will enable the third City of the country to gradually recover from the heavy damage caused by the passage of Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 and the populations to improve their living conditions. In his speech, the Head of State called on everyone to support the efforts of his administration, which wants to print a new imprint on the Haitian State in order to become truly at the service of the Haitian people. Moise gave assurances that all steps will be taken to ensure that the reconstruction of the city of Les Cayes becomes a reality affirming "All my promises will be fulfilled". Friday evening, at Rue Toussaint Louverture, the Head of State attended the launch of the paving works of the streets of the city of Les Cayes. HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Social : First Lady pays tribute to women Mayors Friday, at the Hotel Karibe Convention Center, at a Gala organized by the Ministry of the Interior, First Lady Martine Moise, paid tribute to the 143 women Mayors and deputies Mayors of Haiti. In the presence of the Minister of the Interior Max Rodolphe Saint Albin, the Minister for Women's Affairs and Women's Rights, Eunide Innocent, parliamentarians and members of the Government and the Mayors and deputies Mayors of the country, the First Lady welcomed the sacrifice of these women who had to overcome the obstacles to be candidates and congratulated the political groups that have framed them during their campaigns. "You are heroines because you made the difference. I am proud of you, as well as all the Haitian women who are watching you. You are role models for them and you can count on me !" stressed Martine Moise, who took the opportunity to welcome the election of these women and promise to be their advocate along with her husband, the President of the Republic. Minister Saint Albin thanked the First Lady for her support to the realization of this evening of tribute and asked the mayors and their deputies mayors not to give up "History expects a lot from you" reminding the important role they have to play in the development of the country, he reiterated the unconditional support of his Ministry to the struggle of the mayors of Haiti and announced a partnership of solidarity between them, his Ministry and the Office of the First Lady. The Minister for the Status of Women Eunide Innocent praised the support of the presidential couple in the struggle for respect and promotion of women's rights in Haiti. She recalled that this tribute to these women elected participates in the recognition of their contributions to the building of a more just and egalitarian society. The Mayor of Arcahaie, Rosemilla Petit-Frere Sainvil, also President of the Federation of Women Mayors of Haiti, welcomed the initiative taken by the Office of the First Lady and its artners "The homage is yours, Firest Lady, as well as women and women's organizations in the country who are constantly struggling, sometimes at the risk of their lives. It is thanks to these battles that we will have the chance to have all these women today within the Municipal Administrations in Haiti." HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2017/07/30 | Source A Korean woman who was forced to serve as a sex slave to Japanese troops during World War II died on Sunday. With the death of Kim Kun-ja at the age of 91, the total number of survivors has now dwindled to 37. Advertisement Born in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province in 1926, Kim was forced into sexual slavery in 1942 and sent to a military brothel for troops stationed in China's Jilin Province. She tried to escape several times but failed, only to suffer horrendous assaults by Japanese soldiers that led to the permanently loss of hearing in her left ear. She returned to Korea after Japan's defeat at the end of World War II and made a living as a street vendor. She moved to the House of Sharing, a shelter for former sex slaves, in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province in 1998. Kim donated more than W250 million to charitable causes and pledged to give away the rest of her money, except W5 million for her funeral expenses, gathered from donations by supporters. (US$1=W1,121). Around 700 people donated W1.1 billion to help support Kim. The Korean government listed a total of 238 sex slavery victims. By Vasia Orion | Published on 2017/07/29 South Korea was shaken quite badly by last year's political scandal and the absurd nature of its cult element has been widely discussed. It is only a matter of time before Dramaland takes a bigger dive into the dark side of religion after occasionally dipping its toes in it and "Save Me" might take that plunge. Premise Advertisement Four young men struggling to get by in their challenging lives reunite with an old acquaintance who asks for their help. The woman and her family are being held captive by a religious cult. The four young men band together in order to save her and expose the cult's true face. The Worrying Lead Actors The two leads are what originally put me off this series, as my experience with them has been quite negative. While I enjoy Ok Taecyeon and Seo Yea-ji's work choices, both have been barely watchable on the acting scale for me. Admittedly, my experience is limited and I so I hope that both have improved enough to carry what seems like a challenging work. Unknown Writer/s With a cast which I cannot yet trust carrying a fresh premise for Korean drama in a channel rarely stepping outside of their crime-related comfort zone, a writer without a track record is yet another worrying unknown. Quite a lot of articles and some databases have two writers on board, but it will be a challenge regardless and I hope they are up for it. The Reassuring Cult Theme The topic of religion's darker underbelly has been rarely featured in Korean drama. The mudang case in "God's Quiz" and the "exorcist" in "Vampire Detective" are two examples. The industry has received pressure from the censorship body acting on complaints from religious groups in the past and so I understand their hesitation. Even so "Save Me" is here, it is fresh and exciting. Citizen's Arrest Crime shows often rely on the suspense and action of the chase, which is for the most part handled by law enforcement. This is why most leading characters in such shows are detectives, prosecutors and other members of the law. A series where rescue is the focus and struggling young adults the heroes is a welcome change and frankly a more suspenseful approach. Closing Thoughts I always try to curb my expectations when a drama's promotion and premise are exciting. I know better by now, but it is a testament to the quality of that promotion when I struggle and "Save Me" has me struggling. I want this to be good very badly, but I will be prepared for anything. "Save Me" begins its run on August 5th and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 22:00, on OCN. It is directed by Kim Seong-soo, written by Jeong Sin-gyoo and Jeong I-do-I and features Ok Taecyeon, Seo Yea-ji, Cho Seong-ha and Woo Do-hwan. Your browser does not support the video tag. Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings' By William Schwartz | Published on 2017/07/29 You've probably heard that Israel is the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people, their originally having had a nation state there a few thousand years ago. What tends to get less press are the people who have been living there ever since the Jews left. And who are, somewhat awkwardly, still living in the area as the Israeli government slowly tries to take over their territory, while still paradoxically agreeing that, on the private level, much of this land has been owned for generations by Palestinians who are not Israeli citizens. Advertisement That's the Kafkaesque situation depicted in "All Live, Olive" wherein olive farmers must apply for passes to go to their own land and harvest their olives, which are then processed into products with the label "made in Israel" attached. I imagine everyone's quite familiar now with the human rights issues in Palestine. If nothing else, "All Live, Olive" definitely brings something new to the discussion just by emphasizing the pointlessly inconvenient bureaucracy that seems specially designed to bully the landowners into selling their olive farms to Israelis. But wait, you might be asking, isn't there a legitimate security risk, what with Palestinian terrorists? That's an obvious question although directors Ju Ro-mi and Kim Tae-il never get around to asking it. That's mostly because such a question is redundant. While the community members we see in "All Live, Olive" are bitter and angry, they're mostly bitter and angry about the looming possibility that they won't be able to leave anything to their children. When that motivation is kept in mind, there's really no benefit for them to get into a war where their possessions will be lost. We only see one scene of immediate violence in "All Live, Olive", and it's prompted by the appearance of a bulldozer- a machine that exists for the sole purpose of destroying property. Considering the camera constantly focuses on the aftermath of such violence in the past, it's little surprise that mere bitterness turns into rage when the prospect of more violence should reappear right in front of them. To people like this, distinctions about whether the Israeli government has the technical legal right to enforce checkpoints, seize territory, and tear buildings down are meaningless. Indeed, they dislike the Palestinian Authority for these same reasons- as far as they can tell it's just another pointless bureaucracy that makes life inconvenient. At best the Palestinian Authority just makes international headlines, usually in unhelpful ways. "All Live, Olive" is the latest in an increasing trend of Korean documentary directors taking their cameras and traveling worldwide in search of solidarity, and other oppressed peoples, so that they may listen to their stories. One analogy I rather liked, if unelaborated, was a man asking the filmmakers how they would feel if Japan was still in Korea, pushing Koreans around and telling them what to do. It's distressing to think that the West Bank occupation has managed to last longer than the Japanese occupation of Korea, with no end in sight. Review by William Schwartz "All Live, Olive" is directed by Ju Ro-mi and Kim Tae-il. Published on 2017/07/30 | Source Job applicants head for an interview at a company in Seoul on July 14. /Yonhap More than half of young jobseekers spend at least W200,000 a month to pad out their resumes and improve their chances in an increasingly competitive employment market (US$1=W1,122). Advertisement For many young jobseekers, who have no stable income, that is very expensive. Job portal Saramin polled 500 jobseekers last week, and 51 percent said they spend more than W200,000 a month to boost their skills and stand out in the job market. Some spend W500,000 to W1 million and a handful more than W1 million. The respondents estimated that they have spent an average of W3.56 million to prepare to land a job -- mostly to learn skills at private crammers, get certificates and to improve their appearance for job interviews. As competition grows red-hot, spending is soaring. Some 79.8 percent said their expenditure on padding out their resumes is a burden, and 84.1 percent of those who have been looking for jobs for more than a year said the amount is taking a serious toll on their finances. They turn to various sources to come up with the money. Some 52.2 percent said they use their own funds, 41.2 percent ask their parents, 35.6 percent work part-time jobs, and 10 percent said borrow money from banks or friends. But 59.8 percent feel they are wasting their money. Some 42.8 percent said the money they spend learning new skills has no direct correlation to their careers, and 39.1 percent that the new skills are not helping them land jobs. Some 52.5 percent regretted spending money on TOEIC or other English proficiency tests. But 51.8 percent also said they have no choice but to spend the money because not doing so made them feel too anxious. Chris Gillispie Old Colony I am a licensed, full time Realtor with Old Colony of Huntington in OH and WV. I have been helping buyers and sellers for over 15 years. I have experience in all aspects of Real Estate including residential, commercial, multi-family, investment, property management and short sales. I find it very rewarding helping first time home buyers through the process. As a Chesapeake High School Alumni and lifelong resident of the Tri-State, I am knowledgeable about the area and connected to the people of the communities in which I serve. BRISTOL, Tenn. Dozens of comic book, game and movie characters swarmed Viking Hall Saturday for Rob-Con, an annual comic book convention in the Tri-Cities. One couple, Brian Osborne and Tyrah Green of Abingdon, Virginia, had returned for a special occasion. They met for the first time at last years comic book convention. A year ago today, this is where we met, said Osborne, 31. Weve been together ever since. This is a special event for us. Like many others attending Rob-Con, the pair dressed in costume. They arrived as Mario and Luigi, from the classic Nintendo video game franchise, wearing green and red outfits and mustaches. Osborne said they both have played Mario games since they were children. We were going to go as Shaggy and Velma [from "Scooby Doo"], but we couldnt find the material, Osborne said. This was the easiest to make. And last year, Green, 22, dressed as Buttercup, a character from The Powerpuff Girls, a popular animated cartoon series. We love looking around, meeting the different people, the costumes and the old-school gaming systems, Osborne said of attending the convention. While talking about their costumes, the couple met Logan Tindell, 39, of Johnson City, who has a Mario tattoo on his forearm. Me and my papaw used to play Mario when I was younger, and when he passed away, I got that in remembrance of him, said Tindell, who attended Rob-Con with his wife, Michelle Tindell, 34, and niece, Amber Byrge, 21. Michelle Tindell excitedly showcased a copy of The Batman Adventures that she found at Rob-Con. The issue features the first appearance of Harley Quinn, Michelle Tindells favorite character. Ive been looking for this one for years, she said. Robert Pilk, the events namesake, said he expected about 2,000 people to attend the two-day event, which ends today at 5:30 p.m. Various comic book vendors, artists and authors were on hand. The event regularly draws people from around the region and surrounding states. Ron Ramey, 47, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was looking for Swamp Thing comics. Swamp Thing is a huge comic for me, said Ramey, who attended the event with his friend, Allen Ramsey, 43, of Jonesborough, Tennessee. Ramey was a first-time guest Saturday at Rob-Con. I always try to support local stuff going on in the area, Ramey said. I love comic books. I like to check out the cosplay [costume play]. Ramey said he grew up in the 70s and enjoyed comics. I took a break from it. I kind of picked it back up about 10 years ago, Ramey said. His friend, Ramsey, also recalled buying comics when he was a child with his father. I started to collect them, said Ramsey, who has been to Rob-Con multiple times. Over the years, Ive gotten 5-6,000. Both men said they enjoy the horror comics, including Swamp Thing. Ramey also said he enjoys Vampirella, House of Secrets and House of Mystery. I think this is great, Ramey said of Rob-Con. Its really cool. Its a lot bigger than I thought it would be. I like all of the cosplay. Author Timothy Zahn of Oregon was the guest of honor at the convention. The New York Times best-selling author of Star Wars books had a continuous line of fans waiting for selfies and autographs. Enchanting, reminiscent, fascinating: However you choose to describe todays stories on the history of downtown Bristol, it will likely relate to one of these descriptions. By refinishing and repurposing those old, previously unoccupied buildings, weve transformed these brick-and-mortar eyesores into a vibrant, busy downtown thats exactly the picture others imagine when they think of old Main Street, U.S.A. And its the kind of history and achievement we both Bristols should capitalize on. The Twin Citys collaborative visioning project, similar to the 1997 Ignite! project, would involve some discussion about continued downtown revitalization but has taken a back seat for the foreseeable future. In March, Bristol Tennessee City Council chose to focus on their citys comprehensive plan, and Bristol, Virginia, is bluntly not in the right place financially to participate. But lets keep talking about it. Keeping our downtowns integrity on the cities agendas allows that postponed item to maintain visibility, especially for Bristol, Virginia. Wed like to see more involvement from Bristol, Virginia, on our downtowns transformation, but we realize the pervasive demands of their situation. With the addition of banners emblazoned with the redesigned city logo and slogan, downtown Bristol is looking quite charming and cohesive. But that effort was championed by Bristol, Tennessee; the other half of the city backed out due to budgetary limitations. The current fiscal years budget for both Bristols is already in place, and Bristol, Virginia, is already facing new challenges with the new rush to find a city animal shelter. Remember also that City Council voted to reduce funding for tourism in this years budget. Regarding Exit 5, the financial stakes are quite high, candidly, and Bristol, Virginia, cant afford to lose focus on that recuperating project. This proposal, then, does not intend to add to that weight but instead suggests a citywide effort to keep revitalization of downtown Bristol both within scope and as a shared priority. If Bristol Virginia City Council can create more enthusiasm for downtown among residents, we might see an increase in involvement and furthered support for the work already accomplished by our dedicated historical societies and groups like Believe in Bristol. The idea of downtown is making a comeback nationwide, and now is the time to take the opportunity to help ours flourish. Weve previously bemoaned the weed-like growth of mega shopping centers in our region versus exploring other business opportunities. An unexpressed part of those complaints is the lack of character apparent in those facades. The appeal of downtown Bristol is inherent in its architecture, but part of it is also the variety of offerings that have potential to build on. Reading todays stories on downtown Bristols history elaborates on that more than we need to here. Improving the walkability of downtown by attracting additional, new and unique businesses in and around State Street also offers an economic return. Various studies suggest that revenue from small businesses offers a greater return of investment and recirculation in the community than revenue from chain retailers and stores. The effort thus far has been successful at attracting business owners who have also created competition, leading to a better market. The respect for local history also accompanies the effort. The impressive work done to restore the art deco designs and even the intention (as noticed with the presence of three labeled post offices) contrasts nicely with the fanfare and energy of Bristol Motor Speedway just down Volunteer Parkway. The package both Bristols can currently advertise shows an appreciation of the eclectic and the modern that we need to continue building on. We dont mean to romanticize the endeavor. After all, its not just preservation of material buildings. Its self-preservation: Its part of what makes Bristol unique and contributes to our economic sustainability. Investing in our downtown means we invest in ourselves our history and our future. While obviously constricted for various reasons, conversation about Bristols welfare that is lively, realistic and foundational needs to be maintained for the moment when both cities decide they can fruitfully reconvene. Lets keep this in focus for our history and for both sides of us. 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. #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... HICKORY Im excited to announce that Kim Dahlsten, IOM, joined our team this week as vice president of operations. Dahlsten will serve as the administrative officer for the organization and will oversee the organizational development and programming functions of the organization from overseeing staff, establishing benchmarks and performance goals, planning and executing chamber programs and special events and fostering relationships with our volunteers, event sponsors and top Investors. Kim most recently served as the associate director of membership for the Kansas State Alumni Association. She was responsible for directing the associations membership program, affinity business partnerships, program sponsorships and merchandise vendors for more than 41,000 members around the world. Prior to her role at K-State, Dahlsten was vice president, director of membership at the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce in Manhattan, Kansas for 10 years. During this time, she developed programs, created events and nurtured relationships which resulted in a five-year retention average of 90.27 percent (accounts); member engagement of 84 percent and average retention of 93 percent (dollars) for 814 business members in and around Riley County. When asked about her new position, Dahlsten stated, Im excited to join the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce and venture back into a profession that is my heart and passion. I look forward to bringing my determination, focus and grit to this organization, our Shareholders and Investors and the community. I desire to continue to empower and develop our already talented team and add value to this organization that will ultimately make a difference in Catawba County. Dahlsten is a 2011 graduate of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management (IOM), has served as a class adviser for the Southeast Institute in 2012 and 2013 and just completed her term as chair of the Southeast Institute Board of Regents for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Im thrilled to welcome her not only to our organization, but to Catawba County as her new home. To meet her in person, I encourage you to register to attend our chamber-wide mixer on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 5-7 p.m. at Cafe Rule & Wine Bar at www.eventbrite.com. I would like to thank Cafe Rule & Wine Bar for sponsoring this event in full. To extend a personal welcome to Kim, please email her directly at kdahlsten@catawbachamber.org. Thank you in advance for your hospitality. Lindsay Keisler is president and CEO of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce. On July 20, Catawba Regional Hospice honored Dave Clarke, president and CEO, for 20 years of astute leadership and robust program development. Clarke, who joined Catawba Regional Hospice in March of 1997, spearheaded the health care agency as it grew from a small location in downtown Hickory to a two-campus organization with locations in the Foothills and Lake Norman. The nonprofit organization currently serves patients and families in 10 counties and is highly regarded for its clinical innovation, exceptional care, and breadth of service. In addition to his hospice leadership, Clarke has been instrumental in developing programs to serve senior populations and people challenged by advanced illness. These programs include Life Transitions, a palliative medicine practice with clinics in Hickory, Newton, and Morganton, and PACE@Home, a program of all-inclusive care that helps seniors remain independent at home and that was created with the support of Lutheran Services of the Carolinas and Catawba Valley Medical Center. At the reception, Clarke relished visits from community leaders, staff, friends, and both present and past board of director members. Seeing the faces of all these partners and colleagues, its rewarding to remember so many of the plans weve embarked on and successes weve enjoyed at Catawba Regional Hospice, Clarke said. Im gratified that weve had the opportunity to make such an impact on the community during these past two decades. Prior to his tenure at CRH, Clarke served as a captain in the Army Medical Service Corps at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC; as an assistant administrator at St. Lukes Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio; as director of provider reimbursement at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina; and as executive vice president of business development at Coastal Healthcare Group in Durham. Clarke chairs the board of directors for PACE@Home and is a member of the Rotary Club of Newton-Conover. As a longstanding supporter of Rotary, he has been recognized by the Rotary Foundation as a Paul Harris Fellow. He has also been a prominent figure in health care-related state and national committees. Clarke served on the board of directors for the Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care (2001-2006, 2008-2013) and as its treasurer (2003-2005). In 2001, he was honored with the Peter G. Keese Award for outstanding leadership achievements from The Carolinas Center. A native of Asheville, Clarke holds a masters degree in health care administration from the School of Business Administration at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. His bachelors degree in business administration/accounting is from Elon College. Clarke lives in Newton with his wife, Jan. HICKORY For school counselors, the job is all about building relationships and getting out and knowing the kids starting as early as kindergarten Hickory Public Schools Student Services Director Angela Simmons said. Its about knowing their school community and the families in it. These seemed to be missing elements in the recent Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why, which follows the story of a teen suicide told through a series of audio tapes she leaves behind. The initial shock factor when some people first saw it, they were taken aback by it, and theres mix reviews out there, Simmons said. Some folks are saying its an awareness tool, and it helps people understand it is an issue. There are some kids who are seeing it without support so its just a tricky situation. Simmons was even prompted to get in touch with families concerning the series with a letter she sent in May, discussing the possible impact of the series on students. The 13 Reasons Why series is gaining popularity, and we have concerns it may increase thoughts of suicide among students, she said in the letter. While the show highlights the importance to talk about suicidal thoughts, it portrays situations where youth are dealing with serious issues, from bullying to sexual assault, without getting support from adults, according to the letter. Our social workers and school counselors are trained in suicide prevention and support, and unlike some of the adults in 13 Reasons Why, take all reports seriously. In 2016 in North Carolina, suicide was the second leading cause of death in teens, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Its the same trend nationally for teens, and overall in the country nearly 43,000 people die by suicide every year. Simmons recently attended QPR (question, prevent, referral) training by Michael Smith from Partners Behavioral Health that discussed suicide prevention. It provides laypeople the tools to know what questions to ask and how to handle a potential suicidal situation. Simmons would like to have all HPS staff undergo the training beginning with next school year. In April, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) adopted a school-based mental health initiative. According to the initiative statement at stateboard.ncpublicschools.gov, each public/charter school shall develop and implement a plan for assessing and improving upon the effectiveness of existing support for the mental health and substance use needs of its student population. The DPI also will support all public and charter schools by creating and helping implement a state-wide training plan. The training plan will provide for all LEA and charter school personnel, including licensed/certified personnel, to receive mental health and substance use awareness training within the first six months of employment and at least every three years thereafter, according to the statement. Licensed and certified personnel also will receive prevention and early intervention training. Simmons is reviewing what HPS provides and seeing how it connects with what DPI is looking for in districts. We do have lots of discussion at the end of the school year, Simmons said. Our middle school counselors will communicate with our high school counselors about any particular kids to watch to just make sure theyre focused on them when they start the new school year. Those discussions can cover a wide range of issues related to students from academic problems to those who may be more shy than others and making sure they arent overwhelmed by a high school setting. Northview Middle School Counselor Miriam Starnes said she hasnt had many direct questions from students about the series, but shes heard references to it. Theres a running joke, when kids get aggravated with each other, they say, Theres your tape, Starnes said. There are issues with it, but I dont think they get down to the core of it, the deeper meaning of what its really about. Fellow Northview Counselor Cynthia Parrish said in the community shes involved in, kids are more anxious when the issue comes up. Both counselors admit students are under more stress every year with the world becoming a faster-paced place for them and both were shocked at how graphic the series was depicting issues, including the subject of rape. There is so much pressure put on them now and still developmentally they have to figure out how to deal with that, and thats the importance of having school counselors being proactive, Starnes said. Were getting to know the kids and working with them so we can help them before it gets to that point. Counselors have to work at deciphering whether a troubled student is dealing with a mental health issue versus a slight depression because of bad grades or a bad day. We help support that student and that students friends to ask what are we really dealing with, lets talk about it, Parrish said. Talk therapy is a great avenue to understand whats really hurting. Social media in some ways is the place most teens seem the most comfortable talking, Starnes said. The students dont have to feel the pressure of face-to-face interaction, which is another barrier counselors work at breaking down. When they get to the face-to-face, they dont communicate as well, Simmons said. Everything now is, instead of saying youre laughing about something, its LOL or OMG, whatever their slangs are. Kids are more comfortable behind the screen than they are sometimes face to face in things they say to and about others. Understanding the different meanings of words between the generations is another key job for counselors. When a kid says theyre going to kill themselves then they say they didnt mean it, to us as mental health professionals its a shock, Parrish said. For them, its every day words and they say it to each other, and they dont mean it. Starnes said shes heard some of the eighth-grade students she works with talking about the Netflix show and commenting there is never a reason to kill yourself. They recognized what the main character gave up, and I thought that was insightful for them, Starnes said. It still comes down to students feeling comfortable and willing to talk to an adult. Our goal as counselors is to build those kind of relationships, Parrish said. Its amazing how many times that pays for both parties. We can go to them and ask questions, and they can come to us and theres no judgment. Its a judgment free zone, and it makes it easier to have a conversation. Overall, Starnes said she was saddened 13 Reasons Why was something students were watching. She doesnt feel most kids have the tools to help them understand what it is theyre watching. The Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology made a statement about this issue with the series back in May. There are effective, evidence-based treatments available for depression and suicide, the society said in a press release at clincialchildpsychology.org. While the show has started many conversations about mental illness, it is time for those conversations to lead to information about effective mental healthcare. Netflixs latest decision to add a warning before the first episode and to strengthen the messaging and resource language for episodes with graphic subject matter doesn't go far enough, according to the release. Simmons said some groups have turned the impact of the show around and are using it as 13 reasons why not. Theyre focusing on positives and things you can do differently. Some are using it as ways to be proactive or if youre starting to have these kind of feelings, go to a safe adult, Simmons said. I think if anything out of this is a learning tool is for people to be able to say, if youre getting to this point please go find help, because there is help out there for you. Her concern is for those teens who may be watching the series without any support and theyre already in a low spot, theyre not going to seek out help. I think it got slid in there so quickly and half the kids probably watched it before I even knew it existed, Starnes said. Madhya Pradesh police are on the trail of a 52-year-old woman from Bhind who allegedly tried to kill her two-and-a-half-month-old granddaughter by stuffing tobacco in her mouth. Whats more, her son told police she killed six of her daughters just after they were born. The accused, Moharshree Yadav, is on the run, said police. Her husband, Prakash Yadav, was arrested. Both were booked under sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police added. Bhind district, about 500 km north of state capital Bhopal, has a highly skewed sex ratio (the number of females per 1,000 males). The accused is from a village in Bhinds Mau block, which has an even worse sex ratio. Using a mixture of tobacco and lime to kill infant girls is a notorious practice in Bhind and other areas in Chambal division. The mix chokes the infant. Many such cases have been reported from the region, said Bhopal-based child rights activist Prashant Dubey. Bhind superintendent of police (SP) Anil Kushwaha told HT on Sunday, The woman (Moharshree) has no daughter and two sons. We have been told that she killed her daughters. As of now, we have booked her under section 308 of IPC as we didnt find tobacco in the mouth of the child. Appropriate sections of IPC will be added in the FIR if the charges regarding the woman killing her daughters are found true. The accused woman allegedly went into hiding after her son, Pavan Yadav, and daughter-in-law, Reema Yadav, complained to the Bhind SP on Saturday that she tried to kill their infant daughter a day earlier. In her complaint, Reema alleged that her mother-in-laws behaviour towards her changed completely after she gave birth because she wanted a grandson. Madhya Pradeshs skewed sex ratio Indias sex ratio is 940 females per 1,000 males Madhya Pradeshs sex ratio is 931 females per 1000 males, while that of Bhind district is 837 and of Mau block is 834 (Source: Census 2011) Reema said she told her husband about his mothers act and a fight broke out in their house at Lotharpura village. She alleged that her father-in-law supported his wife and threatened them. She (Moharshree) asked me to abandon my baby. When I refused, she tried to kill her, Reema stated in her complaint. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal on Saturday suspended six second year students and expelled them from the hostel till the completion of an inquiry into ragging complaints which were lodged with the National Anti-Ragging Helpline (NARH) by the victims. Juniors were allegedly forced to watch porn clips and even imitate the acts. In the complaints to NARH against 14 senior students of NLIU , some first year students alleged that senior students forced them to watch porn clips, simulate sex with trees and dance to vulgar tunes earlier this month. NLIU director SS Singh said the matter was being probed by anti-ragging committee of the institute. Out of 14 students, six have been identified and suspended from the hostel till filing of final report by anti-ragging committee. If NARH is not satisfied with the punishment, they can enhance it, said the director. Read more: Bhopal institute orders probe after juniors allegedly forced to watch porn, dance to vulgar songs The institute is still trying to get the information about the complainants who had approached the NARH. Earlier, Raj Kachroo, the founder of University Grants Commission-recognised NARH, had criticized the institutes lackadaisical attitude and also slammed the institutes administration for insisting that the identity of the complainants be disclosed to enable it to take action on the complaints. Kachroos 19-year-old son Aman, a first-year student at a medical college in Himachal Pradesh, was persistently ragged and beaten to death by his seniors in March 2009, prompting him to open the helpline. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Emraan Hashmi has been in the Hindi film industry for almost 14 years, but the one film which he considers a career-changer was Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai (2010). The multi-starrer featuring actors Ajay Devgn, Kangana Ranaut, Randeep Hooda and Prachi Desai was a hit with both the audiences and critics. The experience of working with Ajay was great. I had worked with Kangana before this film, and Prachi and Randeep were amazing too. People had never imagined me in this kind of cinema, considering the serial-kisser tag I had, says Emraan. He is appreciative of the fact that the makers had confidence in the subject. He says, The director Milan Luthria and the producers dared to take the risk, and had belief in the potential of the film. Facing the camera in the character was a huge change for me. Ajay Devgn played the role of Sultan Mirza, while Emraan Hashmi was his nemesis Shoaib Emraan played the role of the rebellious Shoaib based on a real-life underworld don. His character locks horns with the smuggling overlord of Mumbai, Sultan Mirza, played by Ajay Devgn. Emraan reveals what appealed to him about the film. Before this, there had been landmark gangster films like Vaastav (1999), Company (2002) and Satya (1998), and I myself had rejected a lot of films based on the underworld, he says. When Milan started narrating the script, I realised he had done something fresh and new with the concept. It was a ten minute narration, and the story focused on the vulnerabilities of the two characters Sultan and Shoaib. He didnt even have a full script, but I was sold on the narration. And of course, there was the visual aspect- the cars of that era, the clothes, complete with the bellbottoms! Emraan adds. Follow @htshowbiz for more Mandakini will forever remain the perfect example of a one-hit wonder. She was immortalised on screen when filmmaker Raj Kapoor selected her to play the lead role in his ambitious film Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1987), in which he launched his youngest son Rajiv Kapoor. But what stunned everyone was Raj deciding that his heroine will bare it all- and thus ensured that Mandakini will always be remembered by the iconic scene where she takes a bath under a waterfall. But what about it? On her birthday today, we bring you seven lesser-known facts about the mystery that is Mandakini: 1. Born in 1963 in Meerut as Yasmin Joseph, she was spotted by director-actor Raj Kapoor when she was 22. He changed her screen name to Mandakini. The controversial scene where Mandakini bared her bosom on-screen in the film Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) 2.How director Raj Kapoor managed to get the waterfall scene passed by Censors is still not known. Mandakinis bosom was featured in the scene, veiled behind a wet white cloth. Mandakini shot to superstardom with her role of a village belle in Raj Kapoors last film 3. In 1994, her photographs with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim created a sensation. Rumours were rife that the two were a couple and even had a son together, which Mandakini denied. 4. Mandakini, in an interview to a leading daily, however did admit later that she was only friends with Dawood, as she had went to Dubai for shows as a film-star and met him a couple of times. Actor Sonakshi Sinha played a role modelled on Mandakini in the film Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara! (2013) 5. Actor Sonakshi Sinhas character Jasmine in the film Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara! (2013) was based on Mandakini. In the film, actor Akshay Kumar essays the role of a dreaded gangster who falls in love with a beautiful film actor. 6.Though she later did films such as the superhit Dance Dance (1987) with dancing star Mithun Chakraborty, and even played a pivotal role in the Madhuri Dixit starrer Tezaab (1988), but none of them managed to recreate the same magic as Mandakinis debut film. 7. Mandakini quit acting in 1996, after directors and producers stopped offering her work- mainly because her films in the past few years hadnt done well, and also due to her alleged relationship with Dawood. She is now settled in Mumbai with her daughter Rabze and husband Dr. Kagyur T. Rinpoche Thakur, who was a former Buddhist monk and the famous face of Murphy Radio as a baby. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Sonu Sood is a shy guy when it comes to celebrating birthdays. And ever since his parents death, he hasnt celebrated it with much vigour either. I miss my mom and dad. They brought me into this world and I wish they were with me on my birthday. So I dont celebrate it much. Id go out with my family and my close ones, who have been by my side through the years, but I am not the one who will throw parties on his birthday, says Sonu who rings in his 43rd birthday today. Born in Moga, Punjab, in 1974, Sonu moved to Nagpur to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. The admission earned him a bike as a reward and a birthday gift from his father. That one birthday will always be special, he adds. Sonu says that his friends used to be more excited about his birthday than him because there used to be lavish and big parties on his birthday. My parents really made sure that it was a special day for me. They used to plan a lot of things. I think my memories of celebrating it as a child will always be special, he adds. It's always fun shooting with my brother @munnasphotography #dubai#westindubaiahc A post shared by Sonu Sood (@sonu_sood) on May 24, 2017 at 7:35pm PDT Having made his debut in 2000, Sonu admits he never thought that he would survive in the industry for so long. I am very shy by nature and I wont even have told people about my birthday, had I not been an actor. When I came to Mumbai, I had no idea I will be able to survive or do so many films. But for an outsider to do more than 70-80 films, in different languages as well is a big deal. I remember, in 2009, I had said in an interview, who knows I might work with Jackie Chan one day. Seven years later I actually did. Thats what I mean. I never had formal training in this field, but I was always ready to learn and work hard. However, As my mom used to say, I still have miles to go before I sleep, he says. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As an actor, Anushka Sharma, who essays a Gujarati girl in Jab Harry Met Sejal, says she enjoys playing a character that has different beliefs from her own. She says essaying such a character gives her a creative high and adds to her perspective. Asked if the process of convincing oneself to believe in a character that one has to play on screen gives her creative growth, Anushka said, Yes, it does. I enjoy when my philosophy is challenged by my onscreen character. Then I start analysing the mindset, the values and beliefs of the character... why is she like that. I start looking at things from a different perspective. As an actress, if I manage to do that on screen convincingly, I feel good. The story of Jab Harry Met Sejal, which features Shah Rukh Khan as Harry, revolves around how Sejal (Anushka) sets out on a journey with tourist guide Harry. Giving a little insight into her character Sejal, Anushka said, She is very superficial, doesnt have any depth as a person. There is no similarity with me. But her morals and values of self-respect are something that I can relate to. But otherwise, the character is quite impulsive by nature. The shooting of the film took place in different places like Prague, Amsterdam, Vienna, Lisbon and Budapest. Sharing her experience of shooting films abroad, Anushka said meeting fans there is one of the best things to experience. I met some African fans, people from Italy and a girl from Spain who was so excited to see me and was talking about how she liked my films, dance and all... It is not individually about me, but knowing the fact that they watch Bollywood cinema and I am one of the members of Bollywood is a great feeling, said Anushka. Jab Harry Met Sejal marks the third-time collaboration of the two actors who first appeared together in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. They also featured in Jab Tak Hai Jaan. There is a certain respect and comfort we share... He is special. While on set, even though we are not talking to each other all the time, we know there is no communication gap. There is comfort in silence. Perhaps that comes from a mutual respect between two artists. And what has she taken away from working with Imtiaz Ali, who has directed the forthcoming film. Our process of understanding and building a character is same -- knowing the back story of the character. That apart, yes, of course, it was wonderful to work with Imtiaz. His writing and narration are very nuanced and I like that, Anushka said. Jab Harry Met Sejal is set to release on August 4. Though model-turned-actor Vaani Kapoor debuted in Bollywood in 2013 with a well publicised Shuddh Desi Romance, it took her another three years to arrive in the Hindi film industry, with Befikre. The film, which also featured Ranveer Singh, made people turn and notice Vaani Kapoor and her sharp features. But she again went missing from the spotlight after the film completed its run in cinemas. That is until she started trending online on Sunday! And then we headed straight to her Instagram account for some amazing pictures. From a colourful Cosmopolitan India shoot to carrying a golden sari, Vaani has been doing everything right on social media. Here, we take you through best pics from her Instagram account: A post shared by VK (@_vaanikapoor_) on Jul 28, 2017 at 10:28pm PDT A post shared by VK (@_vaanikapoor_) on Jul 10, 2017 at 10:46pm PDT A post shared by VK (@_vaanikapoor_) on Jul 17, 2017 at 11:39pm PDT A post shared by Cosmopolitan India (@cosmoindia) on Jul 23, 2017 at 1:13am PDT A post shared by Cosmopolitan India (@cosmoindia) on Jul 20, 2017 at 12:01am PDT No steps have been taken for the introduction of Sharia-compliant mutual funds in India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said. Replying to an RTI application filed by a PTI correspondent, the central bank said the Government of India had sought its comments on the launch of Sharia-compliant mutual funds by State Bank of India in December 2014. The RBI submitted its reply the same month, it said. The Islamic or Sharia-compliant financial system is based on the principles of not charging an interest on deposits, as it is prohibited under Islam. The Reserve Bank of India has not taken any step for introduction of Sharia-compliant mutual funds in India, the reply said. The RBI was asked to provide details on the introduction of Sharia-compliant mutual funds in the country. The SBI had in 2014 announced the launch of the same. However, it was deferred to make it a better and more attractive fund in the future, according to an official communication. H Abdur Raqeeb, general secretary, Indian Centre for Islamic Finance -- an NGO trying to introduce members of the Muslim community to the Sharia-compliant banking system, said the initiation of such special mutual funds for a select group of people would be a much-desired and welcome step. It is a misconception that Sharia-compliant mutual funds are beneficial to a particular community. These funds will benefit the economy and ensure financial inclusion of those who avoid such investment for religious reasons, he said. Raqeeb has been coordinating with various government and regulatory authorities for the introduction of the Sharia- complaint banking system in India. When the launch of Sharia mutual fund was announced by SBI, some of the gulf countries were very enthusiastic for investment. It is high time the RBI and the finance ministry instructed SBI to relaunch the same, he said. SBI had rejected an RTI application seeking details on the relaunch of Sharia-compliant mutual funds, saying the query is vague and not specific. The RBI had earlier proposed opening Islamic window in conventional banks for the gradual introduction of the Sharia- compliant banking. On the instructions of the RBI, an Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) has examined legal, technical and regulatory issues for starting interest-free banking in India and has submitted its report to the government. The RBI had in February last year sent a copy of the IDG report to the Finance Ministry. A committee on financial sector reforms, headed by former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, had in late 2008 stressed on the need for a closer look at the issue of interest-free banking in the country. Tata Motors chairman N Chandrasekaran has said turning around domestic business of the company is the need of the hour as it has suffered from delays in new product launches, lack of adequate response to competition and an unsustainable cost structure. Addressing shareholders in the companys Annual Report 2016-17, he said Tata Motors standalone net revenues increased by 3.7% to Rs 44,777 crore for the 12 months ended March 31, 2017 but standalone loss before tax for the year fell to Rs 2,421 crore, compared with Rs 67 crore in the prior year. In the domestic business segment, business turnaround is the need of the hour and management is working with renewed focus and energy to improve our market share, reduce our cost base, streamline the supply chain and ensure launch of products on time to delight our customers, he said. The companys market share in commercial vehicles (CV) segment has fallen to 44.4% from a high of 59.4% in FY2011-12, while market share for passenger vehicles (PV) declined to 5.2% from 13.1% in the same period, he added. Overall, delays in new product launches as well as lack of adequate responsiveness to the competitive environment and an unsustainable cost structure have contributed to this performance, Chandrasekaran said. Consolidated net revenues declined by 1.2 per cent to Rs 2,69,850 crore for the 12 months ended March 31, 2017 and consolidated profit before tax for the year fell sharply to Rs 9,315 crore, compared with Rs 14,126 crore in the prior year, he added. Chandrasekaran, however, expressed confidence that a series of actions taken by the management team would succeed and show an improved performance in both the commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle segments in India and deliver better financial results. Expressing similar views, Tata Motors managing director Guenter Butschek said: Our immediate priority now is on execution - to address the top concerns of supply constraints, to advance the launch time of some of our new products. He further said: In full alignment with the board, we have finalised a business turnaround plan through which we take upon ourselves to deliver a robust bottom-line improvement in FY17/18. Butschek said one of the most important initiatives in 2016-17 was the Organisational Effectiveness (OE) exercise, with the objective of bringing the much needed empowerment and accountability within the business unit, strong functional oversight based on the key principles of speed, simplicity and agility. Due to its magnitude and complexity, the transition of the new management structure w.e.f. from April 1, 2017 faced some challenges, which in the meanwhile is getting addressed on a case to case basis, he added. While challenges such as demonetisation and transition to BS IV affected business, Butschek also admitted that Tata Motors did not adequately react to the changing environment. Due to the unexpected and unprecedented changes in the market, he said, we faced a rather hostile business cycle with headwinds in the form of demonetisation, the famous Supreme Court ruling on BS4 transition. As a matter of fact, Butschek further said, it was not only the market volatility which affected our performance, but mainly our sluggishness in reading the market in time, as we were effectively late to respond. Tata Motors ImpACT (Improvement by Action) projects with full time senior leaders and dedicated teams having ownership at executive committee level helped the company focus on four areas intense top-line focus, cost optimisation, customer centricity and structural improvements in processes, he said. These projects have started to payback and have created a great change of momentum in the entire organisation. We have built a very strong savings potential with positive effects in FY17/18 and the years to come, Butschek said. PTI RKL MR SRK I do not know how many of you have read the directions issued by the of the Reserve Bank of India recently to all banks on limiting the customer liability in case of unauthorised electronic banking transactions. If you havent, I would suggest that you read it, because its a very crucial document vis-a-vis your rights as consumers of banking services and you will need to be fully conversant with it, in order to deal with unauthorised debits in your account! In these directions issued on July 6, RBI makes it clear that a customer has no liability when an unauthorised transaction happens on account of fraud, contributory negligence or deficiency on the part of the bank. Similarly, even where neither the customer nor the bank is at fault, but the problem lies elsewhere in the system, the customer does not have any liability, provided she or he notifies the bank about the illegal operation within three days of receiving an alert from the bank. And the bank shall credit the amount involved in such transaction to the customers account in 10 days, says RBI. However, in cases where such fraud takes place on account of the negligence of the customer, the entire loss, until the date of reporting the unlawful transaction, will be borne by the customer, says the banking regulator. Well, it is only fair that the customer pay for any negligence on his/her part, but the problem is, even where there is no negligence on the part of the customer, banks blame the customer for divulging the password or such security information to a third party, thereby leading to unauthorised transaction! In fact, if you look at such cases decided by the consumer courts as well as the banking ombudsman, you will find that banks never admit their negligence or even third party breach. In many cases, they do not even bother to investigate, as they find it convenient to point a finger at the customer! In order to circumvent this problem, the RBI says that the burden of proving customer liability in cases of unauthorised electronic banking transactions shall lie on the bank. In other words, earlier, bank customers had the extremely difficult task of proving the negligence of the bank and their innocence, in order to get the bank to make good the loss suffered by them. Now, banks can escape liability only if they prove that the customer was responsible for such fraud. The RBI has also emphasized the need for banks to not only send immediately and without fail, SMS and e-mail alerts, but also ensure that such messages are enabled to carry the customers reply too, so that a consumer can report any such fraud immediately. This is extremely important because in a number of complaints resolved by the Banking Ombudsman on fraudulent transactions in 2015-16, for example, it was found that the customer had not received the SMS alert at all. In fact, in a recent case decided by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, it was found that the customer got two messages about unauthorised use of his debit card for Rs 976 and Rs 769. Even though he immediately brought it to the notice of the bank, the latter did not take any action. So, the consumer electronically transferred the money from his ATM-linked account to another, to safeguard it. And while doing so, he realised that there was another debit of Rs 28,949 for which he had not even got the SMS alert! (SBI Vs Dr JCS Kataky, RP No. 3073 of 2016) So hopefully at least now, banks will not only put in place robust and adequate measures to detect and prevent fraud, but also comply fully with the RBI directions. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON DEHRADUN: Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday hit out obliquely at the previous Congress government for Uttarakhands slow economic growth rate recorded in the last fiscal. The economic growth rate has slowed down because (those who helmed the state) recently paid more attention on their personal interests instead of focusing on its development, he said, a day after the Directorate of Economics & Statics (DES) released the data pertaining to the states income for the last fiscal. The DES data show a marginal rise in the per capita income from Rs1,46,826 (2015-16) to Rs 1,60,795 in the last fiscal 2016-17. Conversely, the data indicate a down slide in economic growth from 7.71% in 2015-16 to 7% in (2016-17). He said the economic growth would go up as his government was committed to keep the states interests above everything else. We will keep the states interests above everything else, which will automatically boost the economic growth. Rawats statement drew a sharp reaction from the opposition Congress. Have they got anything to show in terms of development since coming to power four months ago? asked Surendra Kumar, a Congress leader and the media in-charge of former chief minister Harish Rawat. Daring the BJP government to identify anything in terms of its achievement, Kumar claimed Uttarakhand had made rapid progress under the Congress. Not only was the state ahead of the rest of the country in terms of per capita income, it made tremendous progress in both industrial and agricultural sectors under our government, he Kumar said, adding that the finance minister had admitted this fact in the assembly last month. They are now blaming us That clearly means that this government doesnt stand by its own budget speech, he said, adding that the high rating of economic growth and growth in other sectors was projected by several national agencies. Earlier, Rawat and inmates of orphanage Apna Ghar listened to PM Narendra Modis radio address Mann ki Baat. About Mann ki Baat, Rawat said the radio programme had brought about a revolution. It reflects from the way the Prime Ministers radio broadcast programme has changed the course of millions of youths in the country, he said. In his latest programme, for instance, he made a fervent appeal to the youth to launch a countrywide movement like the Quit India Movement against poverty, unemployment, untouchability and communalism. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Three women and a man, all foreign nationals, were on Saturday arrested at Terminal 3 of Delhis Indira Gandhi International airport with different quantities of the party drug pseudoephedrine. The narcotics control bureau nabbed them when they were trying to flee the country with the consignment. Available cheaply in India, pseudoephedrine once smuggled out of the country is mixed with other substances to make Ice, a common party drug. Over the past one month, investigation into most cases of pseudoephedrine use revealed that the drug is smuggled from the north-eastern states via Myanmar or Delhi. In all the cases, the four arrested people were couriers, who were promised a fee for successfully evading law enforcement agencies and transporting the drug. Taj Hasan, deputy director general, NCB said that on Saturday, they received intelligence about a woman who was carrying pseudoephedrine. Our offices from the Delhi zone, who were at the airport, spotted a woman coming to the airport in a taxi. On checking, we found around 17 kilograms of the drug in 12 different womens wallets, Hasan said. The woman, a Zambian national, was flying to Addis Ababa and then to Zambia. NCB officers said they were on the lookout for the womans contact who delivered the drug to her in a city hotel. Around 11.30 pm, a South African woman carrying around 5 kilograms of the drug was also intercepted by the airport. The woman had built a special cavity in the base of her luggage, hoping it would pass undetected. NCB officials said the woman, who runs a saloon in SA, had come the country on July 13 to earn a few bucks by transporting the drug from India to South Africa. In the third case, a woman from South Africa and a Nigerian national, a man, were arrested with around 10.4 kilogrammes of the same drug. The woman, who had come to India on July 25, was a courier who was promised a cut for transporting the drug. A road in the Capital received a different kind of high on Sunday afternoon, after a truck carrying whisky bottles overturned at the Delhi Noida Direct flyover. The mishap caused a massive traffic at the usually traffic-free DND. Police said the incident took place around 2pm, when the rear tyre of a truck carrying whisky bottles burst, causing it to overturn. At the time of the incident, the driver was transporting the consignment towards a liquor shop owners warehouse in New Ashok Nagar. Police said two cranes were used to remove the truck and clear the broken whisky bottles from the road. It took the police around 3 hours to clear the mess from the road. Meanwhile,, six people were reportedly injured in three separate accidents across the city. The first incident was reported from Madhuban Chowk in Rohini, when a truck hit a Santro car, causing it to hit another truck in front of it. A woman trapped in the Santro car had to be rescued by firefighters, who used gas cutters to remove her from the vehicle. In the second accident, reported from Mangolpuri, a speeding Honda City car rammed into a Maruti Eeco at the West Enclave crossing. Police said the Eeco car had jumped a traffic signal and the Honda City coming from Peeragarhi rammed into a side of the vehicle. Police say that the impact was such that the Eeco rolled over to its side. The Eeco car driver and his passenger were injured in the incident. In the third accident, two trucks carrying sand from Peeragarhi rammed into a third stationary truck near the Madhuban Chowk underpass. Both truck drivers were injured in the accident. Former Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Bawana, Gugan Singh, joined the Aam Aadmi Party along with his supporters on Sunday in presence of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and other senior party leaders. The development is a major setback to the BJP as bypoll in the assembly constituency is scheduled for August 23. The assembly segment is one of the 12 reserved seats in the city for Scheduled Castes and Singh is a prominent Dalit face of the saffron party in the outer Delhi areas. Singh won the seat in 2013 assembly elections while he emerged second in 2015 polls, losing to AAP legislator Ved Parkash a former BJP leader who switched sides ahead of the assembly polls. The bypoll has been necessitated after AAP legislator Ved Parkash quit the assembly to rejoin the BJP just ahead of the municipal elections in April. The BJP has named Parkash as its candidate for the bypolls. Sources in the BJP said Singh was unhappy with the partys decision to deny him ticket and field Parkash in the fray. Singh tried to raise the issue with the top leadership. However, he failed to impress. It will surely impact partys poll prospects, a senior Delhi BJP leader said. Realising the importance of the big catch, the top leadership of the party including chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, health minister Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh were present at Singhs residence for his formal induction in the party. Party sources said it was one of the conditions laid by the former BJP leader. He holds lot of clout in the villages where such symbolisms are considered part of the culture of granting respect. The optics was important in that sense, a senior party leader said. AAP leaders said Singh has joined the party unconditionally. AAP has already named Ramchandar as its candidate for the bypoll. The party is fortunate that a leader like Gugan Singh has joined AAP as he is very popular in villages and the colonies. The only condition he has laid is ensuring development in Bawana assembly. We has assured him on that front, said Kejriwal. She fought back bravely. But I am scared for her now, said the father of the 20-year-old woman who fought off her abductors in Vasant Kunj on Saturday evening. He fears what would have happened if there were no people around and if the accused had managed to abduct her. He said his daughter did not know the accused. The woman, however, was unfazed by the incident. I cannot stop stepping out of the house just because of some people. I want to earn money for my family and myself. I am not scared of anyone. If anything happens again, I will fight back, she said. She had been working in the beauty parlour for the past two years and aims to open her own one day. Recalling what had happened, the woman said, He stopped me and asked me for someone. I told him she left early today. Since I did not know him, I did not tell him that it was me. He wanted to talk but when I ignored him and went ahead, he came from behind, held my hand and tried to push me inside the car. There was another man sitting inside. I pushed him hard and started shouting calling out for help. It is then when he got scared and fled, she said. I have never seen him before but I later found out that he was friends with a woman who works in our parlour as a help. I am not sure if he mistook me for her but his intention did not seem right, she added. The womans father said they were under pressure to withdraw the case. They are calling it a mistake. Maybe they were looking for someone else and not my daughter but how can that justify this behaviour? If it were not my daughter, it may have been someone else. That does not change their intention. I told their family that no father would tolerate what they did to my daughter, he said. The woman agreed. We will not withdraw the case. Why should we? Someone needs to raise their voice. If I keep quiet today, they will have the audacity to do this to someone else tomorrow, she said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The incident of two boys being allegedly forced to recite the Quran and espouse the cause of Islam at a Mewat school came to light after they applied for a School Leaving Certificate and a transfer. On the face of it, it was a simple transfer application. But the devil was in the details. The deputy commissioner immediately sent a team to the school and appropriate action was taken, Shamim Ahmed, project officer of the Mewat Development Agency (under which the school is run), and one of the members of the inquiry committee who would look into the issue, said. Officials said they further got to know later that not only the teachers, against whom action was taken on Friday, but also some students of school in Madhi village, allegedly forced the students to offer namaz with them, and follow Islam. When I complained on July 22, I didnt name any of the teachers. I said that the boys were being forced and threatened in the school, and more particularly in the hostel, said 40-year-old Pushpa Bhardwaj, mother of Sagar Bhardwaj, a class 9 student. Only three out of the 207 students in the school were Hindus - two of whom are cousins Sagar Bharadwaj and Kaushal Vashisht (class 8 student). Kaushals father, Mohan Sharma, added that the only solution he could think of was getting his son out of the school. Kaushal and Sagar had joined the school from this session and wanted to stay at the hostel, so we let them, Kaushals father said. The third Hindu student, a Class 9 student, filed a complaint to the school principal on Saturday, a day after the district officials inspected the school. Sagars mother said that the complaint of the third student, mentions even more grievous charges. I am troubled by the teachers and the students who force us (Hindu students) to offer namaz, follow Islamic norms. The teachers often say bad things about other religions, the complaint reads. A Delhi-based environmentalist is moving the National Green Tribunal to stall the felling of 1,713 trees in the heart of the city. Activist Verhaen Khanna, the founder of New Delhi Nature Society, who has been trying to raise funds for printing costs, lawyers and court fees, says all residents, school children, people working in offices or commute around this area are at great risk without these healthy trees. More people need to take action without imagining that everything will be okay and somebody else will come save us. The most polluted months of the year are approaching and we need all the greenery possible while spreading maximum awareness against burning waste, against fireworks, understanding about air and weather, he said. More than 1,700 trees may be felled to give way to the integrated exhibition-cum-convention centre at Pragati Maidan, as revealed by an RTI query. The Union environment ministry has given the green approval to the proposed project with some riders after taking into account the recommendations of its expert panel. A letter granting the environment clearance was issued on Saturday to the implementing agency India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), agency reports stated. Among conditions specified, the ITPO has been asked to obtain all necessary clearances from all relevant agencies, including town planning authority before commencement of work. It has been told to redevelop Pragati Maidan as per the local building bylaws and also barricade the construction site before work begins, besides taking measures to prevent dust, smoke and other air pollution. It has been asked to ensure disposal of muck during the construction phase does not create any adverse effect on the neighbouring communities. It has been told to plant minimum one tree for every 80 square metres of land. Any appeal against this clearance will lie with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the ministry has said. Forest officials had earlier issued permission for cutting down the 1,700 trees around Pragati Maidan as per Delhi Preservation of Trees Act and the required fee has also been deposited. Khanna had earlier started a separate crowd funding campaign to raise funds for the cause. We are still raising funds, the website impact guru had a scheme that NGOs which collect over R50,000 before August 15 with more than 20 donors will not have to pay the tax and the commission amount. We have managed to cross that requirement with the help of amazing people in Delhi, the activist said, adding that he along with other environmentalists were in the process of getting the documentation together before moving the court. More than 15,000 trees have already been felled in the Capital over the last three years. While more than 6,000 were cut in 2014-15, around 4,600 and 4,700 trees were felled in 2015-16 and 2016-17. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Drastic increase in population, disorderly construction of houses and factories, traffic congestion, water shortage, filthy waste dumping sites and pollution the city of Yokohama in Japan has seen nothing less than what Delhi has in the past few decades. But while the national capital continues to struggle in ideating sustainable projects, Yokohama has emerged as the biggest Smart City in Japan with the help of a unique public-private participation model. It was in 2010, when Yokohama, Japans second-largest city and once known as the bedroom town of Tokyo, formulated the Yokohama Smart City Project (YSCP). It was conceptualised as a five-year pilot for three of its districts Minato Mirai 21 Area (urban centre), Kohoku New Town Area (residential) and Yokohama Green Valley Area (industrial). Having developed these three smart districts way ahead of the deadline, the YSCP was later expanded a project area covering about 435 square kilometres. How did Yokohama become a Smart City? The USP of Yokohamas Smart City project is the smooth collaboration the city government had with the private sector and the citizens. Companies such as Accenture, Tokyo Gas, Toshiba, Nissan Motor, Panasonic, Meidensha and TEPCO were asked to work on projects such as introduction of renewable energy, energy management of households, buildings and local communities and next generation transportation systems. The city representatives repeatedly held meetings with the citizens for all its projects. Public participation has been important to us as it makes citizens act and behave responsibly, said Toru Hashimoto, executive director at Yokohamas development cooperation department. However, the highlight of the YSCP is the smart grid system it laid for energy management of households and all other buildings including factories and commercial. Introduction of the system in 4,000 homes alone has resulted in 20% reduction in power consumption, said officials working on the project. In transportation, while a robust subway and bus system exists, 2,300 electric vehicles and charging stations were introduced throughout the city. Solar power generation of a total of 37 MW has been set up at 249 locations. We are also generating wind power, hydropower, biomass power in over a dozen locations, said a Y-PORT (Yokohama Partnership of Resources and Technologies) official. While cleanliness is a facet of this Japanese city, one gets to know the secret behind it on visiting its waste-to-energy incinerators. The Kanazawa plant, located along the sea, has a capacity to burn 1,200 tonnes of garbage a day for heat and electricity, while getting rid of daily waste produced by city residents. Toshihide Abe, the director of the plant, said that the focus has been on reducing solid waste generation in the city. The city has strict waste regulations which we have to follow. Only combustible household waste is incinerated. We used to have seven waste-to-energy plants in Yokohama in 2005 but three of them were closed by 2010 due to the reduced amount of waste, he said. However, more than these waste-to-energy plants, it is the awareness campaigns that have worked in the citys favour. As many as 3,300 campaigns and 11,000 seminars were conducted across the city to make people understand best waste management practices, Abe said. The result was astounding, from being just another large city generating over 1.5 million tonnes of trash annually, waste generation in Yokohama was cut down to 1.1 million tonnes by 2005, which was five years ahead of the 2010 deadline. The foundation According to Hashimoto, a smart city cannot be developed in isolation. It has to be in sync with the areas urban development projects, which is what Yokohama did. Yokohamas smart city mission hinges on the six strategic projects that were launched way back in 1965. First to showcase Yokohamas urban sprawl, Minato Mirai 21 was developed by shifting factories and industries out. A city centre with energy efficient skyscrapers was built to make it the citys commercial and business hub. The New Delhi City Centre that is being planned for the 550 acre area around Connaught Place in Delhi is going to be similar to this. Second was the Kanazawa reclamation project where city officials negotiated with private players to shift factories from densely populated areas to this site. Third, the Kohoku New Town was built as a residential area where private developers were asked to build sewage systems of their areas and give up a portion of their land for public use such as parks, schools and health centres. The subway system was enhanced to link residential areas to the city centre. A 124 km expressway was built, the last part of which is under construction, to decongest the city and finally an iconic 860 metre Bay Bridge, akin to Delhis upcoming Signature Bridge, was built to divert heavy traffic and create a direct link to Tokyo. Apart from infrastructure, Yokohama also set guidelines for community development that embraces its historical heritage. In 2004, a creative city policy was implemented, under which the city preserved historical sites through adaptive reuse. Most notable was the Red Brick Warehouse, the old port customs building which has been converted into a commercial area. Having achieved its Smart City targets, the city of Yokohama is now faced with new urban challenges of an ageing population, building a support system for womens participation, childcare and climate resilience all of which it hopes to address in its ongoing project of creating a Future City. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi Police special cell on Saturday arrested a woman in connection with an arms trafficking racket and recovered 14 semi-automatic sophisticated pistols of 7.65mm with 14 magazines from her possession. Mobai (45), police said, is a proclaimed offender with many cases of arms act registered against her. The recovered weapons are engraved with Made in England and Made in USA markings. A mother of five children, she earlier worked as a labourer in the fields but her income was not sufficient to meet her basic needs. Being unable to make her ends meet, she came in contact with arms traffickers in MP and started supplying illegal arms. It had come to notice that arms manufacturers and suppliers from MP are supplying sophisticated firearms in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas of UP. A team was deputed to identify the gang in Delhi. The team deployed informers in and around Delhi-NCR, MP and UP to gather leads about the gang and the racket, DCP special cell, PS Kushwah said. Police recovered 14 semi-automatic sophisticated pistols of 7.65mm with 14 magazines from Mobais possession. Last Wednesday, we received an information that one woman supplier of illegal arms, who is also a proclaimed offender, would come near Shastri Park, between 6pm and 7pm to deliver a huge cache of semi-automatic weapons and meet her contacts, Kushwah said. A trap was laid and the woman was spotted. She was carrying a black and a red bag on her right shoulder. She started waiting there for someone. After some time when no one turned up and as she was about to leave, she was apprehended with the help of woman staff, Kushwah said. Mobai told police that she collected the weapons from a manufacturer in Gandhwani, MP, and supplied them to contacts in Delhi and Western UP. During interrogation, she said she had supplied weapons in Delhi-NCR and UP West to different persons on many occasions in the last 15 years, police said. She was found involved in cases of arms supply. Her other involvements are being verified, Kushwah said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON It cannot be denied that there are several instances of women misusing Section 498A of the Indian penal code, under the aegis of which a man and his family, if named in a dowry harassment case, will be immediately arrested. A Supreme Court bench has now ruled that a family welfare committee in every district will scrutinise dowry harassment cases before the local police can arrest the accused. There is evidence that the misuse of the law is not minuscule enough to be ignored. Data from a National Crime Records Bureaus 2012 report shows that while charge-sheets were filed for 93.6% of registered dowry cases, only 14.4% ended in convictions. The report projected that out of the 3,72,706 cases pending trial in 2012, as many as 3,17,000 were projected to lead to acquittals. Data also shows that about 25% of all arrests under Section 498A are women mothers and sisters of husbands. There has been much discussion on the subject of women described as disgruntled misusing the Section to punish or exact revenge from their spouses and his family. But while this issue is being addressed, it must be kept in mind that there are many, many cases still in India of dowry harassment, and many that even lead to the death of the woman. In a deeply patriarchal society, even in the higher economic strata, eligible men are seen as potential earners in the transaction of marriage. Fathers of daughters are forced to gift money, gold, cars, etc for the favour of a man agreeing to marry their daughters. It must also be noted that the conviction rates for other crimes such as murder are also very low (some estimates suggest that murder convictions are less than 20%). Therefore, it would be prudent to be careful before assuming that every woman complaining about an abusive family or dowry harassment is disgruntled or wishes to exact revenge. It takes a lot of courage, in a very toxic set up, for a woman to muster up the courage to complain to the authorities. Such women find it very difficult to even move on from the trauma of their lives; and society must take steps to ensure that these women have the support and legal help they need to escape the abuse that they face at home. The Hizbul Mujahideen leader, Syed Salahuddin, and the Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, Mehmood Shah, have in the past several days come out publicly against Al Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS), arguing that neither of them have a role in the Kashmir separatist cause. While there is irony in two terrorist leaders calling out two other terrorist groups for excessive violence, their statements seem to reflect concerns of the Pakistani deep state that the Kashmir insurgency is becoming merged with the larger global Islamicist terror problem. When it came to Kashmir, Salahuddin pointedly said, Neither there is need nor space for any international organisation. The immediate reason was the declaration, recently confirmed by Al Qaeda, that a former Hizbul fighter, Zakir Musa, has been declared head of Al Qaeda in Kashmir. Musa, by most estimates, has barely 10 men under him and Al Qaeda has no ability to support him other then lend him their brand. There is a deeper hypocrisy in the statements of Hizbul and LeT. Hizbul regularly provides assistance to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad to fight in Kashmir even though the latter organisation was founded with the direct blessings of the late Osama bin Laden, founder of Al Qaeda. LeT camps in Pakistan are known to have been used by Al Qaeda fighters for training purposes. And the LeT and Al Qaeda fighters have worked side-by-side in attacking government forces in Afghanistan. The LeT has been more than happy to join hands with Al Qaeda when it has suited its needs. Underneath all this one can detect the designs of the Pakistani military. The Hizbul and LeT are the two terrorist groups with the closest relationship with the clandestine wing of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). They have served as the Pakistani militarys primary instruments in keeping Kashmir on the boil. At a time that most indicators are showing a renewal of the United States military commitment to fighting in Afghanistan and a greater emphasis on preemptive military action against ISIS and Al Qaeda, Pakistans generals wish to keep a distance between the US target list and the militant groups they use to keep India off balance. This is the primary motive behind the statements of Salahuddin and Shah. What Rawalpindi needs to remember, is that once one decides to ride the tiger of terrorism it is more or less impossible to control its direction. Pakistan-backed terrorist groups may have begun with Kashmir on their mind, but their ideological spawn now target half the world including Pakistan itself. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) may soon discontinue some courses, with an increasing number of students refusing admission after counselling in the most sought after institutes. Of the 10,998 seats in the 23 IITs, the number of vacancies after seven rounds of counselling stood at 121 this year, up from 96 last year, and 50 in 2015, and three in 2014. A concerned Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry has asked IITs to look at ways to address the situation, including the option of scrapping unpopular courses. The issue will be taken up at a meeting of the Joint Admission Board (JAB) on August 20. This is something we will see growing over a period of time students will not run after IITs, said Pradipta Banerji, professor at IIT Bombay, stressing that there is certainly a shift in the culture. For instance, students may take the JEE Advanced exam to satisfy their parents and are likely to get good ranks, but they may then opt for something else, say English literature, which they want to do, he said. However, experts believe that the decline in admissions results from the unpopularity of certain courses due to their value in the job market. For instance, IIT Varanasi, which has the most vacancies (32), was found wanting 15 students in pharmaceutical engineering and technology, and eight in ceramic engineering. The vacancies in IITs in Bombay (1), Delhi (2) and Kharagpur (9) this year were for chemistry, biochemical engineering, bio-technology, architecture, physics and mining engineering. Banerji suggested the IITs should reduce the intake in such courses rather than completely do away with them. A senior IIT official attributed the loss to students desire for popular courses in other institutes. As a special round counselling is going on in NITs, students prefer to opt for a good course, say in computer science, in NITs than an ordinary one in an IIT, he said, requesting anonymity. There were over 6,000 vacancies in the National Institute of Technology/IIITs and other government-funded technical institutes at the end of the seventh round of counselling. While admissions have ended in IITs, for NITs, a special round is being conducted till Sunday to fill up all the vacancies following which admissions will close. One of the major reasons behind the vacancies in NITs and IIITs is due to the 50% state quota, according to official sources. The HRD ministry has relaxed the eligibility criteria for admissions in eight NITs based in north-eastern states. Under the new criteria, 75% mandatory marks in Class 12 for general and OBC categories have been reduced to 45% in the same categories. Also, as per the new rule, if any home quota seats are left in NITs, they can be converted into all-India quota. For instance, if in Jammu and Kashmir, seats under the home state quotas are left after offering it to eligible candidates from the state, they can be given to eligible students from other states. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Attention women, if you are trying to conceive a baby naturally, then a study has found that artificial insemination may increase the chance of successful pregnancy by 22%. The study also indicated that artificial insemination, also known as intrauterine insemination (IUI), raises a couples likelihood of have a successful pregnancy from nine to 31%, if they have been trying to conceive for three months. The researchers stated that when combined with female fertility drugs, IUI can be more cost effective and less invasive than IVF. This comes despite the UKs NICE stating couples who have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for more than a year should bypass IUI and start IVF. Roy Homburg from Homerton University Hospital in London argues that skipping IUI and proceeding directly to IVF is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The results suggested that IUI can increase a womans chance of having a live birth from nine percent to 31 percent, a rise of 22%. 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. The success depends on the extent of the womans fertility problems, the womans age, if medication is used to enhance ovulation, and the mans sperm count and quality. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more. Its been a couple of weeks we learnt that Priyanka Chopra is going to act with Liam Hemsworth and Adam Devine in Hollywood film Isnt It Romantic. This isnt the only Hollywood film in her kitty as she will also be shooting for A Kid Like Jake also starring Jim Parsons, Claire Danes and Octavia Spencer. There are strong chances that her TV series Qunatico will be returning for its third season soon. In short, she is very busy with multiple projects in Hollywood. After playing the villain in Baywatch, Priyanka will be seen as a yoga ambassador in Isnt it Romnantic. She is shooting for the film on the streets of New York City and her look has become the talk of the town. Well, she is flaunting blonde hair and the new colour looks stunning on her. She has posted a new photo on Instagram: A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Jul 29, 2017 at 1:12pm PDT Here are some more pictures of Priyanka shooting for different projects in Hollywood. A post shared by Perfection is ?! PeeCee (@priyanka.news) on Jul 29, 2017 at 5:37am PDT A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Jul 27, 2017 at 1:25pm PDT A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Jul 20, 2017 at 8:54am PDT A post shared by Perfection is ?! PeeCee (@priyanka.news) on Jul 29, 2017 at 2:49pm PDT The Congress on Sunday asked the BJP and CPI(M) in Kerala to immediately end violence that the two parties are engaged in, as peace and tranquillity have vanished in the state. The Congress came down heavily on both the parties after the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party called for a shutdown on Sunday, following a 34-year-old Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders murder here on Saturday night. The police have taken into custody five suspected Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) activists and the two vehicles used by them. Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday began a day-long fast here to protest the bloodshed that the BJP and the Left party have been engaged in. Both the parties (BJP and CPI-M) should lay down arms immediately as annihilation politics practised by them has reached very dangerous levels, said Chennithala. The dawn-to-dusk state-wide shutdown, announced by state BJP president Kummanem Rajashekeran, has paralysed life in Kerala. Normal life has been hit in the state, with public transport off the roads and very few private vehicles moving around, as the BJP and RSS activists are out on the streets. The political violence between the two parties in the past two weeks had been limited to Kannur and an uneasy calm prevailed in the district. On Friday night, CPI(M) councillor IP Binu attacked the state BJP headquarters here, following which BJP activists stoned the residence of CPI(M) state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnans son. The need of the hour is to end the violence. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rajashekeran should sit and talk. The police under Vijayan have been a dismal failure, Chennithala said. The BJP, caught in a medical scam, and the incompetent one-year rule of Vijayan are the root cause of the violence as both the parties want to cover up their failures, he added. The police have directed citizens to ensure that they do not engage in activities like spreading false messages on social media, and warned of strong action against those indulging in violence. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday arrested an agent of a Chandigarh-based company and seized assets worth Rs 4.18 crore in connection with its money laundering probe in a Rs 600-crore Ponzi scam. The ED had conducted searches in Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Ambala in Haryana, and Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh in this case on Friday. The central probe agency, in a statement issued on Saturday, said an absconding agent of the alleged chit fund firm under scanner Kamal K Bakshi has been arrested under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and was produced in the trial court in Chandigarh. The court has sent Bakshi to judicial custody. The next date of hearing is August 11. Kamal K Bakshi hails from Ambala. He later shifted to Gurgaon, an ED officer told HT. He was arrested on Friday evening during raids conducted by the ED. His name is also registered as a proclaimed offender in one of the FIRs registered at the Sector-36 police station. The officer said Bakshi had sold off his property in Ambala in 2014 before shifting to Gurgaon. There are cases registered against him in Gurdaspur and Panipat as well. The case, the ED said, pertains to thousands of investors who were systematically lured and cheated to the tune of more than Rs 600 crore by floating Ponzi or pyramid schemes assuring exorbitant returns. Fixed deposit receipts, immovable property papers, jewellery and high-end cars estimated to be valued at Rs 4.18 crore have been seized after the searches, the ED said. Mastermind in Malaysia The ED said the alleged mastermind of the scheme is a Malaysian identified as Mugundhan Gangam who floated two firms Ms Unipay 2U Marketing Private Limited and Unigateway2U Trading Private Limited in India. The man is suspected to be hiding in Malaysia now, after he slipped out from the country, the ED said. Describing the modus operandi of the alleged cheating in this case, the agency said the early investors of the Ponzi schemes floated by the firm were paid exorbitant returns in order to win over their confidence. When thousands of people across the country invested crores of rupees in the schemes, the companies stopped the payouts or monthly returns (since October 2010) and gradually siphoned off crores of rupees of investors, it said. The company made manipulations using a web of bank accounts and layering of money through a plethora of such accounts, the ED alleged. Assets worth Rs 1.63 crore have also been attached in this case under PMLA, it said, even as the agency is probing the role of another agent of the two firms identified as Arvind Kumar Singh. The agency had registered a criminal FIR in the case, based on an earlier complaint of other central investigative agencies. FIR in city led to ED probe A case registered in 2012 by the cyber cell of the Chandigarh police led to the ED investigations into the matter. A handful of complaints four from tricity had initiated the investigations into the scam, which is now being estimated to be worth Rs 600 crore. Sources in the police said that in 2012 about four complaints were lodged for online fraud. The complaints had claimed to have lost Rs 50 lakh. They had later even moved the Punjab and Haryana high court seeking probe by a central agency. The cyber cell was investigating the matter, following which an FIR was registered for cheating, forgery and under the Information Technology (IT) Act at the Sector-36 police station. Kamal K Bakshi was later declared a proclaimed offender. The cyber cell case was registered at our station, said Sector-36 station house officer Naseeb Singh. We have made formal arrest of the accused, who was a PO. He has been sent to judicial custody. Intimation about his arrest has been given to the cyber cell. (With PTI inputs) BJP chief Amit Shahs lunch on Sunday at a booth-level worker who belongs to the Other Backward Castes (OBC) group in Lucknow effectively conveyed the partys continued focus on politically dominant OBCs. Until Sunday morning, there were speculations that Shah would have lunch at a Dalit party workers residence something he regularly had in the run up to the 2017 UP assembly polls. But the last-minute selection of a Yadav man has its own symbolism in highly caste dominated UP politics. That is why more than the simple curd, butter milk, rice and pulses meal that Shah had while sitting on the floor at 32-year old party worker Sonu Yadavs Gomtinagar residence, the focus was more on the visible shift in BJPs OBC outreach plan. Overwhelmed by Shahs visit, an emotional Sonu said, He liked butter milk, a drink available in most Yadav homes. Prior to 2017 UP polls BJP had focused mainly around non-Yadav OBCs and that was a main reason why Shah appointed Keshav Prasad Maurya, an OBC, as the state BJP chief. Maurya is also the states deputy chief minister. The backwards, with Yadavs being the most prominent, constitute about 40% of the states population. A sizeable chunk of them voted for the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha election and then again in 2017 UP polls. BJP sources say Shah has asked the party to capitalise on the trend ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. After the near-decimation of Bahujan Samaj Party, Akhileshs Samajwadi Party that traditionally prospered due to the unflinching support of Muslims and Yadavs is the states main opposition party. RJD chief and former Bihar chief minister is pushing the SP and BSP to be part of the stop-BJP grand alliance of which Congress and other opposition parties could be a part. Read more: Samajwadi Party MLCs resign, clear path for Yogis induction into UP legislature Shah wants to disturb the arithmetic by rattling SP with defections and resignations. The idea is to confuse the SP and BSP to the extent that their leadership doesnt know who is with them and who isnt, a BJP leader told HT. During his meetings that he separately held with ministers and party workers, Shah made it clear that the party wont hesitate to welcome big leaders from other parties into the BJP. The BJP is closely watching Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadavs uncle Shivpal Yadavs next move as the two SP MLCs who resigned on Saturday to help the BJP are from Shivpal faction. More resignations are expected from the SP as Shivpal Yadav has openly warned Akhilesh to hand over the partys reins to his father Mulayam Singh Yadav or be ready to face the consequences. There is a buzz about Shivpal, who met his brother and SP patron Mulayam in Delhi on Sunday, floating his own secular morcha to support the BJP. Saffron strategists are also tuned into another possibility of Shivpal joining Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars JD (U) and being made the partys UP chief. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Army has conveyed its serious concerns to the defence ministry over the Ordnance Factory Boards failure to punish officials responsible for last years massive blast at an ammunition depot in Maharashtra in which 19 army personnel perished, an official document says. Over 19,325 defective anti-tank mines had exploded primarily due to leakage of explosives from some of the mines stored at the Central Ammunition Depot in Pulgaon. In a letter to Defence Production Secretary Ashok Kumar Gupta, the Army headquarters has sought fixing of responsibility for the blaze at the depot on May 31, 2016. Separately, the Army has taken up the issue with Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra, official sources said. Two army officials, four defence security corps personnel and 13 defence fire safety staff were killed in the fire at the depot, the largest ammunition and weapons store in the country and said to be the second largest in Asia. In the letter, seen by PTI, the Army said a Court of Inquiry has attributed the cause of the accident to exudation of highly explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT) from some of the defective anti-tank non-detectable mines. No reaction was available from the OFB. The Army sought fixing of responsibility and traceability of lapses on the part of officials by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). The OFB operates 41 ordnance factories across the country and functions under the department of defence production of the ministry of defence. The mines were manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Chanda. A detailed Court of Inquiry, which was conducted by the Army, attributed the cause of the defect (exudation of TNT) to lapses both by manufacturing (OFB) and quality assurance agencies. These agencies are under the control of department of defence production under the defence ministry and suitable action needs to be taken by them, the Army said in the letter. It further said, Fixing of accountability and traceability for the said accident is yet to be established by the OFB and the director general of quality assurance (DGQA) even one year after the accident. Official sources said there was criminal negligence on the part of certain officials as cited by the probe and sought immediate action against them. The sources said the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Pune in 2012 had clearly called the quality of TNT in the anti-tank mines as safety hazard but the OFB stated it to be a world-wide phenomenon. The CoI had recommended disposal of defective ammunition in a time-bound manner to prevent recurrence of fire at the depot, the sources said. A 14-year-old rape survivor who gave birth to a child last year after being denied permission to abort her foetus has got married to her alleged rapist following intervention by village elders. The girls plight had hit the headlines as she ran from pillar to post to get her pregnancy terminated. She initially maintained she did not want the child, but once the baby was born, she refused to give him up. The courts denied her permission to abort as she was in an advanced stage of pregnancy and doctors felt the procedure might endanger her life. Abortions are allowed till 20 weeks under law. The child is now 10 months old and both the mother and son moved to the accused mans home last fortnight. My parents cannot feed me and my child. Here, we at least get two meals a day, the girl told HT. The heartrending story of the girl from a small village near Bareilly, some 250 km northwest of state capital Lucknow, captured the challenges faced by teenaged rape survivors. On Friday, the Supreme Court rejected the abortion plea of a 10-year-old rape survivor and asked the central government to consider setting up a permanent medical board in every state to quickly decide on pleas from pregnant women asking for terminations beyond the 20-week period. My parents cannot feed me and my child. Here, we at least get two meals a day. The Bareilly girl claimed that her alleged rapist, hailing from the same village, had repeatedly raped her on the false pretext of marriage. She filed a police complaint and the accused was jailed for several months before being freed on bail. The rape case is still pending and AK Bhatnagar, the lawyer for the accused, said the couple will move the court soon with their marriage certificate to quash the case. The duo has already applied to register their social marriage before the local sub-divisional judicial magistrate. It wasnt immediately clear if the marriage of the minor girl will pass legal muster. Though the cause of their sufferings, the accused has been forgiven by the girls family. Samaaj se akele kab tak ladai karte... dar dar bhatakne se to achha hai ki uske ghar chali gayi (How long can one fight against the society...it is better that she has gone to his house), the girls father, who is a daily wage earner, said. I married off my child only on the assurance of the village elders and the boys family that they will take care of her, he added. How long can one fight against the society...it is better that she has gone to his house. -- Girls father Village elders oversaw the marriage after the family of the accused agreed to take the mother and child home. It was a mistake on my part for which Allah will never forgive me. I want to correct that mistake by accepting her and my child, the accused said. The girl had stumped many with her motherly instincts despite her young age. The day her son was born, dozens of childless couples seeking to adopt had landed up at the Bareilly hospital, offering her cash. She spurned all offers, insisting she would not give up on the child. Forty-five-year old Paresh Mondal had seen people clinging to a rope dangling from a helicopter in movies, but never imagined that someday he would do the maneuvering himself to save his life. On Saturday morning, Mondal and eight others marooned inside a two-storied house at flood-hit Pratappur village in the Ghatal area of West Midnapore were winched up by a rescue team of the Indian Air Force. Seven children were among those airlifted from the flood-ravaged village using winch in a heart-stopping rescue operation. The villagers moved into the building on Wednesday when rest of the houses in Pratappur got inundated following a breach in embankment on the Silabati river. Thirteen persons have died since July 21 and more than 23 lakh people are affected in over 165 villages in the 11 flood-hit districts of the state. Nearly 45,000 people have taken shelter in over 2,000 relief camps set up in the affected districts. The West Midnapore district magistrate sought help from the air force on Friday to evacuate villagers trapped in the Pratappur building after speedboats deployed by the local administration failed to reach the building because of strong current in the flood water. The Russian Mi5 V5 helicopter from Barrackpore air force station in the North 24 Parganas district was used in the first-of-its-kind rescue operation in Bengal. Since there was no place to land and the house was surrounded by tall trees, the pilots had to hover over the old building at the fixed spot and altitude. IAF personnel made their first rescue attempt on Friday. But completely alien to such rescue operations, people trapped inside the building wanted to wait for boats. To build their confidence, the rescue team demonstrated the whole process winching up a policeman and a local youth but still nobody was coming forward. Since it was getting dark the helicopter returned to Barrackpore, said an Eastern Command spokesperson. I am still shaking at the thought of hanging so high. But ultimately we made it. There are more people in the house and some of them were very old. They refused to leave. Probably they were too scared to hang in mid air, said Mandal. We spent sleepless nights in the house, fearing that it would collapse any moment. The waves kept hammering its old walls, he added. Some people are still trapped in that house in Pratappur. They refused to be airlifted like the others. Apparently they are too scared, said Bharati Ghosh, police chief of West Midnapore. Arpita Mondal, another rescued villager, was in a state of shock. All I can say is I am alive. Nothing else matters, she exclaimed. They were taken to a safe place near Ghatal town, about nine km from Pratappur. People from flood-hit Manoharpur, Rasulpur and Harisingpur were also taken to safe areas. A second helicopter was used in the afternoon to airdrop food and provisions. (With agency inputs) The Congress legislators from Gujarat staying at a resort outside Bengaluru are willing to return home if state chief minister Vijay Rupani promises their safety, party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said on Sunday. The party shepherded 44 lawmakers on Friday night to the holiday retreat in Karnakata after a spate of resignation of its MLAs amid allegations that the ruling BJP in Gujarat were bribing and coercing them ahead of the August 5 vice-presidential election. We have been threatened, offered money to defect and some have done so, Gohil, the Congress MLA for Abdasa in the Kutch region, told reporters. The BJP denied the charges and criticised the Congress legislators for leaving the state when it was reeling under floods. Chief minister Rupani visited flood-affected districts in northern Gujarat during the day. Union minister Prakash Javadekar said in New Delhi that the opposition lawmakers were having fun at a resort when their BJP counterparts were busy providing relief to the flood-hit people. Gujarat Congress leaders are making allegations against the BJP in Bengaluru. It is like a thief attacking a cop. If their leaders are leaving them, it has nothing to do with us, he said. The Congress responded that its MLAs have not abandoned their constituencies, but were compelled by the BJP to move out. There is an attempt by the BJP to steal our legislators. But we will fight to save democracy, Govil said. Dhirubhai Chunilalbhai Bhil, a five-time legislator, alleged that as much as Rs 20 crore was offered to defect. But I am proud to say that none of the tribal leaders have fallen for this gimmick. Rejecting the Congresss charge, the BJP countered tongue and cheek whether the rival lawmakers were purchasable. The Congress took the MLAs to the southern state, which it rules, after six of its 57 lawmakers in the Gujarat assembly resigned on Friday and Saturday. The defectors are believed to be close to former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela, who quit the Congress on June 21, his 77th birthday, alleging that some party leaders were conspiring against him. The defections reduced the partys strength in the assembly to 51, but its Rajya Sabha nominee Ahmed Patel still has the numbers to sail through. Patel, the political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, will need the votes of 45 lawmakers. The party hopes two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) lawmakers will vote for him. Besides, rebel BJP lawmaker Nalin Kotadiya could switch sides. We have the support of a legislator from Janata Dal (United) and two from the NCP, Gohil said. (With inputs from Hiral Dave in Ahmedabad and PTI) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The ongoing standoff between India and China at Doklam, Sikkim, has taken a toll on the Sino-India cross-border trade in Himachal Pradesh. The cross-border trade that generally starts at the end of June every year, is yet to commence. The local administration has asked 52 traders to wait for the Central governments nod, even though they have been issued trading passes. Trade between the two countries is carried out through the Shipki pass in Kinnaur district. Of the 86 traders who applied for the passes, 52 have been given security clearance. Passes have been allotted to some traders but we are yet to receive directions on allowing them to carry the cross-border trade, said Rajiv Verma, tehsildhar of Pooh. Meanwhile, the delay in clearance has left traders worried. Traders are waiting for the governments nod. There is no clarity so far, said Hishey Negi, president of Kinnaur Indo-China Trade Association. We dont want to take any risk. Traders and mule owners are apprehensive to travel to the zero point midst the standoff at Doklam, said Ishwar Negi, a resident of Tashi Gang village along the Sino-India border. How the trade is conducted Traders apply for passes at the tehsildhars office in Pooh. These are then scrutinised by central agencies. Once the applications are cleared, traders travel by road to Namgya, 22 kilometers from Pooh, and then to the border village of Chuppan. Once here, they then head to the zero point on the international border. A six-hour trek takes them to Shipki, a village in China-controlled Tibetan Autonomous Region. Border trades history Trade through the Shipki pass commenced in 1994 after India and China signed a bilateral treaty. Himachal Pradesh shares a 280-kilometre-long border with China. Some of the products that Indians trade here include agricultural implements, blankets, copper products, clothes, textiles, cycles, coffee, tea, barley, rice, flour, dry fruit, dry and fresh vegetables, vegetable oil, jaggery and tobacco. Traders have been repeatedly urging the Centre to create more facilities at the Namgya trading point in India. Traditionally trade with Tibet was carried out under the barter system. In 2013, the Centre expanded the trading list which enhanced the trades volume and the cross-border trade recorded a turnover of Rs 7.32 crore. Trade was at its peak in 2015 when the turnover exceeded Rs 9.38 crore. The demonetisation move announced by the Modi government had its impact on the cross-border trade as well. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 28-year-old drunken policeman allegedly shot his senior in Meghalayas West Jaintia Hills district early Sunday morning and went underground along with his service rifle. Constable Lusen Sangma allegedly fired six times at havildar Litsingh Inghi, 50, from point blank range before escaping with his self-loading rifle. The incident happened in Meghalaya Polices 3rd battalion at Sahbsein, about 15 km from district headquarters Jowai. West Jaintia Hills superintendent of police R Muthu said the assailant was in an inebriated state when the incident took place. Inghi was in his room on the top floor of a building along with two of his subordinates when constable Sangma entered and fired six rounds, causing fatal injuries to Inghi. He fired another 15 rounds while fleeing with the weapon, Muthu told HT. The havildar succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. The two other policemen who were with Inghi escaped unhurt. Muthu said the motive behind the killing was yet to be ascertained, however, it was likely that Sangma might have turned violent under the influence of alcohol. There have been deserters in Meghalaya police in the past, though not all the cases were related to alcoholism. One of the deserters was Champion Sangma, a deputy superintendent of police, who formed the Garo National Liberation Front in 2009. He was later arrested. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Muslim cleric on Sunday issued a fatwa against newly appointed Bihar minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Khurshid alias Firoz Ahmad for chanting Jai Shri Ram, saying his marriage would be terminated for his mistake. An MLA from Sikta in West Champaran, Ahmad shouted the slogan, normally associated with BJP supporters, outside the Bihar assembly on Friday after chief minister Nitish Kumar won the trust vote he faced after breaking ties with the RJD-Congress alliance and joining hands with the BJP. The fatwa, or a decree, against the only Muslim minister in Kumars new cabinet was issued by Mufti Sohail Quasmi of Imarat Shariah, which describes itself as a socio-religious organisation active in Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. Islam teaches respect for all religions. If by saying Jai Shri Ram I can do some good for the Muslims, why is there such a hue and cry, Ahmad, who has been given charge of minority welfare and sugarcane industries, told mediapersons. He would not be cowed down by such threats, he said. The minister later apologised for his statement, while talking to a TV channel. The CM told me if anybody felt hurt by my statement, I should apologise. My intention was not to hurt anyone. I have come to serve the people. My statement was distorted, he told the channel after coming out of a review meeting of the minority welfare department with chief minister Nitish Kumar. However, his phone was switched off when HT tried to contact him Upset over the slogan hailing Hindu god Ram, Quasmi said Ahmads marriage would be terminated and he would have to perform the nikah again after accepting his mistake. Imarat Shariah general secretary Anisurrehman said the organisation had not issued a fatwa but it could be a personal opinion of Quasmi. I have not talked to him. I will try to find out what made him speak like this, he said. HT tried to reach Quasmi for comments but his phone was switched off. A Muslim is honest to his conscience. What wrong have I done? I have not divorced my wife. I dont know how the fatwa was issued and for what, said the minister. The BJP came out in his defence. Any fatwa on such issues is against the spirit and rich tradition of India, which has always epitomised diversity and respect for each others religion, Bihar BJP spokesman Azfar Shamshi said. Ahmad had taken forward the Indian tradition while the fatwa was against it. The days are gone when Muslims were waylaid on sentimental issues. Now, they want solutions to their core issues, he said. Maryada Purushottam Ram was known as Imam-e-Hind (an ideal person), he said, adding Indonesia, which has the worlds highest number of Muslims, had named its national carrier named Garuda while several building were named Ramayan. In Hindu mythology, Garuda is the mount of Lord Vishnu. Ram is an incarnation of Vishnu. It is the spirit of Ram that is important and there is no need to fan sentiments, Shamshi said. India has always been as a country of Ram and Raheem and there should not be any effort to create a divide, JD-U spokesman Neeraj Kumar said. Gandhi ji talked of Ram and Raheem in the same breath. Former president APJ Abdul Kalam observed both Ramazan and Navratra. Ahmad has just reflected the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of the country, he said. As part of the so-called grand alliance, Nitish Kumar had worked hard to woo the Muslim community and his decision to join hands with the BJP is unlikely to go down well it. His decision to go with the RJD and the Congress to oppose the communal agenda of the BJP saw the minority community support him in 2015 state election. Kumar had betrayed people of Bihar and joined hands with communal forces, his former allies have said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Dr Naeem Geelani, the elder son of Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was taken to a hospital on Sunday after he complained of chest pain, a party spokesman said. The spokesman said that Naeem Geelani was scheduled to visit New Delhi for the NIA investigation into alleged terror funding by him and others, and had also booked a flight in this regard. The spokesman claimed that repeated psychological pressure may have had adverse effects on his health. He was admitted in Soura Medical Institute, where he has been kept in ICU, the spokesman said, stressing that the junior Geelani was a heart patient and has suffered a massive heart attack in 2009 and was operated with two cardiac stents. Meanwhile, the Hurriyat Conference said it will take legal action against the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Indian media about the character assassination of its leaders and their family members. Denying the reports of NIA about properties allegedly amassed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other leadership, the Huriyat statement said it was considering the details and will come up with the actual figures to make people and the world community aware about the misinformation campaign and malicious propaganda of Indian authorities. Denying reports of having unauthorised, illegal or disproportionate property, the Hurriyat hawk said his daughters are married and his two sons Dr Naeem Gilani and Naseem Gilani have no illegal assets. Authorities foil Geelanis press conference The statement also said that Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called an emergency press conference at his Hyderpora residence to refute the allegations, but the police and the state administration prevented media from entering his residence. Darjeeling hills continued to be on the boil on Sunday following several rounds of clashes between police and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists spearheading the movement for separate Gorkhaland state. The epicentre of the clashes was Sukna, about 12 km from Siliguri, where clashes broke out on Saturday after police disallowed a GJM rally. On Sunday, GJM supporters, alleging police atrocities, took out rallies throughout the hills. GJM leaders like Durga Sharma had a tough time pacifying Morcha activists at Sukna, which at times virtually turned into a battlefield in different phases throughout Sunday. Although the hills had been on the boil over Gorkhaland agitation since the last two months, situation at Sukna had remained by and large peaceful. Matter turned worse since Saturday after police arrested five GJM activists at Sukna. Agitators gheraoed the police station demanding the release of the five. Leaders like Sharma wanted to convince them that the police had assured release of the five arrested, provided GJM activists cleared their role. However, she was unable to pacify agitated activists who also blocked the National Highway 55 leading to Sukna with stone boulders. They claimed that the police was torturing innocent local people and even vandalising several residences. Soon after, the locals took out a small rally in which they declared that they did not need any leader to lead the movement. Basudev Sharma a retired army personnel, who fought the Kargil War against Pakistan in 1999, said that the way police behaved on Saturday after the clashes made local people insecure. Most youths have left their homes and are sleeping outside. The police broke window panes of buildings nearby and arrested innocent people including a deaf and mute person, Sharma added. Police had stopped the Saturday rally as activists were carrying khukris, the traditional Gorkha knives, leading to clashes, during which police used water cannons, tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Two Gorkhaland supporters were critically injured. Tension also broke out at Jaigaon in Alipurduar district where Gorkhaland supporters clashed with police at two places in which one policeman and five agitators were injured. Rohit Thapa, GJMs organising secretary in the Dooars, said that on Sunday they had planned a rally at Jaigaon as part of global Gorkhaland unity march. But police did not allow us, he said. At Jaigaon, Gorkhaland supporters broke barricades at two places and clashed with police. Authorities are now concerned over the spread of the Gorkhaland movement to the plains in Terai and Dooars regions, where it is likely to face stiff opposition from anti-Gorkhaland forces and parties. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo was spotted at Sundays funeral of an operative of the outfit who was among two militants killed in a shootout with security forces in south Kashmirs Pulwama district. Naikoo, a 30-year-old postgraduate, is said to have told the crowd at the funeral that the Kashmiri separatist movement has nothing to do with global terrorist groups, al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Thousands of people gathered at the funeral of Shariq Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Takuna in Pulwama. The other slain militant was Shabir Ahmad Mir of neighbouring Anantnag district. An army officer said the two were asked to surrender after a cordon-and-search operation on Sunday morning but they rejected and fired at the troopers. They tried to escape and were killed in retaliation. An INSAS and an SLR rifle were found on them, he said. The killings triggered protests in Pulwama and an unaccounted number of people were wounded in police action to disperse the crowds. Valley newspaper Greater Kashmir on its website published a picture of Naikoo addressing the mourners and cautioning them about efforts being made to defame the Kashmir freedom struggle. The Pakistani flag is our flag. Linking our struggle with al-Qaeda and IS is a ploy to defame it, the news daily quoted Naikoo saying. His statement came after Zakir Musa, who quit Hizbul in May, was allegedly chosen as the head of Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind by an al-Qaeda-affiliated propaganda channel. In May, Musa threatened to behead separatist leaders if they create any hurdles in the path of turning Kashmir into an Islamic state. Naikoo, holding a gun and a microphone, said all the people holding the flag of Islam are not necessarily our own. Thereafter, he shouted pro-Pakistan slogans and disappeared. Naikoo is a contemporary of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, whose killing last year triggered unprecedented unrest in Kashmir and left more than 80 people dead in clashes with security forces. The Valleys separatists as well as Pakistan-based militant groups aiding the decades-old insurgency have rejected the al-Qaedas alleged attempt to hijack the movement. The Hurriyat Conference said the freedom movement is indigenous. Terrorism and the freedom movement are poles apart, said a joint statement of Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik last week. The Pakistan-based Hizbul chief, Syed Salahuddin, who was declared a global terrorist this June by the US, had rejected any role of al-Qaeda in Kashmir. He also heads the United Jihad Council, an umbrella organisation of militant groups. India and Russia hope to conclude a contract to purchase an additional 48 Mi-17 V5 medium lift helicopters by the end of this year, an official in Moscow said. Aleksandr Mikheev, CEO of Rosoboronexport, the state agency for exporting defence equipment from Russia, said price negotiations are to start by August. We are holding negotiations with a view to sign a contract for 48 Mi-17 V5 helicopters. In July-August, we are starting price and contract negotiations within the framework of the applicable Indian procedure and we hope that we will reach agreement before the end of this year, Mikheev told this visiting IANS correspondent. Our Indian partners know the programme very well. They have more than 300 helicopters belonging to the Mi-8 and Mi-17 family, he added. India at present has more than 150 Mi-17 V5 helicopters, the last of which were delivered in January 2016. Most of the Mi-8s have, however, been phased out while some of the Mi-17s are still flying. The Mi-17 V5 is based on the Mi-8 airframe and is one of the most advanced aircraft of the Mi-8/17 family. The helicopters are equipped with night vision technology, all-weather radar, a new PKV-8 autopilot system and a KNEI-8 avionics suite. The sturdy choppers have been the mainstay of the Indian Air Force in a number of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The choppers were also deployed during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack when it enabled commandos of the National Security Guard to rapel down to the Chabad House in Colaba where a few of the attackers were holed up. They are also said to have been pressed into service during the surgical strikes carried out on Pakistani terror launch pads across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in September 2016. The choppers TV3-117BM turboshaft engines are rated at 1,900 hp each, giving it a greater service and hovering ceiling, and have proved efficient in the tough mountain terrain of the Himalayas. Mikheev added that India and Russia are also discussing the modernisation of the Sukhoi SU-30MKI fighters. During a period of 15 years, we have fulfilled all our obligations to the Indian party, the HAL. We have supplied about 200 aircraft under the licence agreement and are offering the new developments of our design bureaus, Mikheev said. Moreover, the Indian Air Force has some requirements for improvement of performance and operational characteristics, mainly with regard to avionics and electronic warfare systems, as well as updates of weapon systems by both Indian and Russian companies, he added. Asked about the S-400 Triumf long range air defence missile system, a contract for which was signed during Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India last year, Mikheev said negotiations were on. As of today, we are carrying out technical consultations with the Indian party. We have already shown our equipment in both the field-testing, range-practice conditions, he said. Rosoboronexport is performing all the work aimed at signing of the contract as soon as possible, based on the feedback from the Indian party, he said, adding: Id like to note that today the Indian party does not have any such systems as the S-400. The deal is estimated to be worth over $5-billion (over Rs 32,000 crore). The missile system, which has been deployed in Syria, where Russia is targeting the Islamic State, can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km and will prove to be a game changer for India, experts said. Guwahati businessman Bibek Patowary took his family during this summer vacation on a 550 km road trip to see Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Indias longest bridge inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May. He was not alone. Located in the easternmost point of the state, an area ravaged by annual floods, the strategically important bridge connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has become a tourist hotspot. We visited on a weekday but were surprised to find hundreds like us who had reached Dhola in Tinsukia district to see the bridge, ride across to the other side, click photos and more, Patowary said. The 9.15 km long bridge over Lohit, which will make it easier to transport military logistics close to the border with China, has literally transformed both places located on the northern and southern banks. The media hype surrounding its inauguration by Modi on May 26 and the bridges entry into the record books has led to a heavy influx of tourists from across Assam, northeast and other parts of India. On weekends thousands of people throng to the structure over river Lohit, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra. The sudden rush to the area, where very few ventured earlier, has led to tea-stalls, eateries, paan shops mushrooming to cater to the tourists. Locally produced organic vegetables, crafts and clothes have also found a new market enabling locals in the area both in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh see a surge in their earnings. Sensing a business opportunity, Aghi Mihu, a local Idu-Mishmi youth from Roing in Arunachal Pradesh has started a venture allowing tourists to get photos clicked wearing the traditional attire of the sub-tribe of the Mishmis. But the sudden surge of tourists and hundreds of vehicles to the area is creating administrative problems that never existed before the bridge became operational. There is chaos on the bridge and nearby areas especially on weekends. We have deployed more personnel to manage and set up check gates, said Sanjay Kumar Sain, superintendant of police of Lower Dibang Valley district in Arunachal Pradesh. Since outsiders visiting Arunachal Pradesh need to procure an inner line permit, the administration has set up a check point along the road, which is creating further traffic snarls. Earlier this month, Arunachal Pradesh police seized 8000 kgs of illegally procured explosives from a truck on way from Meghalaya during a routine check-up of vehicles. The explosives were meant for road construction, but officials say there could be the possibility of such contraband landing in the hands of terror outfits which operate in the area. The bridge has benefitted local economy due to surge of tourists but has created management problems for us. We are planning to create no-parking zones in some areas, Oinam S Singh, deputy commissioner Tinsukia district in Assam told HT. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An Indian Navy band will participate in the worlds largest military tattoo -- 2017 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo -- from August 1 to 26 in the United Kingdom, an official statement said on Sunday. The military tattoo is an international event of military music performances by the armed forces of various countries. It is held at the sprawling stretch of Edinburgh Castle Esplanade in Scotland. The statement said the invite to the naval band is a matter of pride and befitting recognition of its professional prowess and would further cement bilateral ties, more so when the governments of India and the UK have announced 2017 as the India-UK Year of Culture to celebrate cultural ties and the 70th year of Indian Independence. The Indian Navy band, comprising one officer and 65 musician-sailors, will perform under the baton of Commander Vijay Charles DCruz, director of Music (Navy), who would be the principal conductor at the event. The team would depart from Mumbai on Sunday evening. Nearly 2.5 lakh people are expected to attend the military tatoo over 26 days, in which over 50 bands will participate. Japan is already extending financial aid to major infrastructure development projects in India, and is ready to support more ventures in various fields, a diplomat has said. Japan is very much ready to support India in achieving its 21st goals in various fields, said Japanese Consul General Ryoji Noda. The two Asian economic giants have exchanges in a host of fields like culture, business and education, he said. To boost the relationship between the two countries, our prime ministers are meeting annually. As part of the initiative, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to visit India later this year. During the meeting of prime ministers of both the countries in 2014, it was decided to double Japans foreign direct investment (FDI) into India to Rs 2.1 lakh crore in five years timeframe, he said. Japan is expected to provide Rs 1.2 lakh crore for the high speed rail project (bullet train) between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Noda added. Raped at by her fathers relative, she gave birth at the tender age of 12. She did not have a choice because by the time her pregnancy was detected, she was a week past the 20-week limit allowed for abortion. The child was given up for adoption. Now, 14 years old, the teen is studying hard with her mothers support to reshape her life. My daughter is very intelligent. She used to top her class. I want to make her an IAS officer as I want to give her a dignified life, said the teens mother, who is unable to make peace with the law. Once a law is made, can no one go beyond it? Was it fair to make a 12-year-old girl give birth just because her pregnancy was a week above the permissible limit? she told HT. Read more: Bareillys 14-year-old rape survivor, who gave birth to a child last year, married off to accused The scars are deep. My daughter has stretch marks on her stomach. This is Haryana. In this state, they dont even let daughters get born. Who will marry her? she added. She is still so weak that she cant even walk to school and complains of pain in her legs at night. Earlier, I used to give her sleeping pills. Even a womans body takes years to be normal after delivery. My husband is in jail in an unrelated case. I do odd jobs. I cannot take up a regular job because I will never be able to leave her alone, she said. The woman said she had to leave home and shift to her brothers house to avoid the prying eyes in her neighbourhood. Read more:Chandigarh 10-yr-olds rape: Is media rush over a pregnant childs trauma simply sinister? She added that her fight started the day she went to a police station to register a case. They asked me how I did not know my daughter was being raped. It was winter and my daughter used to wear jackets. I did not get to know about the pregnancy till I saw her changing clothes one day. To know the stage of pregnancy to file an abortion plea, she had to fight at government hospitals too. They do not accept ultrasound reports of private hospitals. So we went to a government hospital, where the doctor was not available, and then to another in Chandigarh. After the ultrasound showed the pregnancy was beyond 20 weeks it was 21 they put my daughter in the general ward. The doctors treated her like a woman not a child. I moved the court again and she was allotted a private room. While staying with her daughter for three months in the hospital, her fight for justice went on. The accused, who was married, claimed he was a juvenile. We were able to produce documents to show he was an adult. He got 12 years in jail, said the teens mother. Is it the job of a mother whose daughter is going through such horror to prove that documents are fake? I was dealing with panchayats, threats and media glare... she added. Read more: As early as possible and as late as necessary The woman gets Rs 2,000 as monthly allowance for her daughter, whose medical and school bills are reimbursed by the education and health departments. Except my brothers family, I did not tell anyone about what we suffered, not even my son. I have never asked my daughter if she has any memories of the delivery. She does not speak much and studies for hours. The woman said, I fought back as I am at least educated till Class 12. In the court, I saw uneducated parents of another girl, younger than my daughter, who was brutally raped. Her parents used to sit in the court for hours, helpless and clueless. The womans lawyer, Pardeep Sharma, who never charged her any fee, said her fight may bring some relief for other victims of sexual crimes in Haryana. There should be both prevention of crime and care of survivors. The relief and reimbursements from health and education departments should be structured. Not everyone comes to the courts. And no victim should need to fight for states care, added Sharma. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Several parts of Kerala were tense on Sunday where the BJP has called a shutdown to protest against the killing of a Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) worker, who was allegedly stabbed by CPI(M) workers a day earlier. E Rajesh, 34, was stabbed 40 times and his left hand chopped off by a group of men at around 9pm on Saturday. He died in a city hospital. The murder is the latest in the fresh round of violence between the RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) supporters. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state. 1/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy. 2/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously. 3/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 Two days ago BJPs state office in the city and the house of CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan son were vandalised. BJP state chief Kummanam Rajasekharan sought immediate intervention of the Centre, where the party is in power, but the ruling CPI (M) denied its cadre were involved in the murder. The ruling CPI(M) cant get away with these killings. It is nothing but state-sponsored terrorism, said Rajasekharan. CPI(M) district secretary A Nagappan blamed personal rivalry for the killing. The assailants had been identified and would be arrested soon, Thiruvananthapuram range inspector general of police Manoj Abraham said. Police were keeping a close watch on trouble-torn Kannur district, notorious for the clashes between the two sides. The Opposition Congress has asked chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to call a peace meeting to end the recurring cycle of violence. Clashes between the BJP and the CPI (M) are on the rise as the RSS makes inroads in the southern state where politics has been dominated by the Left parties. The BJP managed to bag its first assembly seat Nemom, a Thiruvananthapuram suburb -- during last years state election. The violence that was once limited to the north is now spreading to others parts of the state, including the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram in the south. . SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Patna Dumped and still seething, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad is looking to get back at chief minister Nitish Kumar whose decision to go with the BJP has reportedly upset senior party colleague Sharad Yadav. Prasad invited the Janata Dal (United) co-founder Yadav to lead the fight against the BJP and Kumar, who, he said, had joined hands with communal and fascist forces and betrayed the peoples mandate. Nitish has tarnished the image of Ambedkar. I urge Sharad Yadav, whom we consider the true leader, to travel to every corner of the country and come to Bihar and join our fight against the BJP and Nitish Kumar, Prasad told ANI on Saturday. On July 26, Kumar resigned as the chief minister and ended two-year alliance with the RJD and the Congress over corruption charges against his deputy and Prasads son Tejashwi Yadav. The 66-year-old leader returned as chief minister for the sixth time in less than 18 hours with the support of the BJP, the party he had broken ties with in 2013 after it picked Narendra Modi as the PM candidate. I talked to Sharad Yadav over phone. I appeal to him that come and go to every corner of country, and take command of this fight, Prasad said. Yadav is not the only party leader unhappy with Kumars decision. Members of Parliament Ali Anwar and Veerendra Kumar have voiced their displeasure publically over JD (U)s return to the NDA. Yadav has not spoken to media but conveyed his misgivings through party leaders. Kumar and finance minister Arun Jaitley spoke to Yadav and tried to mollify him, sources said. The RJD chief said they would launch a Desh bachao, BJP bhagao (save the nation, throw out the BJP) movement. Kumars decision to end the so-called grand alliance not only altered dramatically the political scenario in Indias third most populous state but also dealt a blow to the opposition parties looking to replicate the Bihar model to take on the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Kumar sailed through the trust vote on Friday, getting the support of 131 members in 243-strong Bihar assembly. A 27-member cabinet -- 14 from the JD(U), 12 from the BJP and one from the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) was sworn in the next day. Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi had taken oath as deputy chief minister along with Kumar on Friday. Rumblings in NDA The cabinet is the latest sticking point within the NDA. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi expressed disappointment over his Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) nominees being left out. Though he is the only MLA from his party, Manjhi wanted three cabinet berths, a demand that didnt go down well with the JD(U) and the BJP. Manjhi is upset that while his claims were overlooked another NDA ally, the LJP, managed to get a place in the cabinet. He accused LJP leader and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan of being power hungry. The LJP chiefs political greed is not yet satisfied. He took his family to the chief ministers residence and demanded a cabinet berth. Is this the state of politics today? Manji told news agency ANI after the oath ceremony that he stayed away from. Paswans brother Pashupati Kumar Paras was sworn in as the animal husbandry and fisheries minister. Manjhi declined the offer to join the cabinet, saying after having served as chief minister he couldnt be a minister. There were also indications that Union minister Upendra Prasad Kushwaha was unhappy over his Rashtriya Lok Samta Party going unrepresented in the cabinet. Kushwaha pushed for Harlakhi MLA Sudhanshu Shekhar but Kumar turned him down, sources said. The CM is reportedly upset over some remarks made by Kushwaha. (With agency inputs) QUOTE Nitish has tarnished image of Ambedkar. I urge Sharad Yadav, whom we consider true leader, to travel to every corner of country, then come to Bihar and join our fight against BJP, Nitish Lalu Prasad, RJD president Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar was under pressure from RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his decision to walk out of the grand alliance was a big step towards clean politics, Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said. The senior BJP leader, who is a member of Parliament from Bihars Saran, said Kumars decision to go with the BJP was in peoples interest and Bihar would change for better. ... This alliance should have taken place much earlier. With this decision, Bihar is heading towards big transformation, the minister of state for skill development and entrepreneurship said on Saturday, as Kumar picked a 27-member ministerial team in Bihar. Indias third largest state was hit by a political earthquake on July 26 when Kumar resigned and ended his Janata Dal (United)s two-year alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress over corruption charges against his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. The 66-year-old returned as the chief minister within 18 hours but with a new partner, the BJP, the party he snapped ties with in 2013 for choosing Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate. The RJD and Congress have accused Kumar of opportunism and betraying peoples mandate, which was against the BJP. Kumars move not only altered the political landscape in the state but dealt a big blow to opposition parties efforts to forge a Bihar-like coalition to take on the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. I feel Nitish Kumar was under huge pressure from Lalu Prasad Yadav during the alliance, but now he is relieved and I think this decision is a big step in the direction of clean politics, Rudy said. The minister was speaking to media on the sidelines of the launch of a skill development programme initiated by CREDAI Pune Metro. On Prasads allegations that the new alliance was fixed, Rudy criticised the RJD chief over his alleged involvement in various scams. He was found guilty in fodder scam and cannot contest elections... Now things are coming out that when he was the railway minister, he sold hotels and created shell companies in the name of his family members and now looking at the trail of all these scams, the amount of scam may go up to Rs 10,000 crore, the minister said. He was talking about the land-for-hotels scandal, the latest corruption charge to hit Prasad and his family. Prasad and his son, Tejashwi, are were early this month named in a case for allegedly acquiring wealth through dubious deals, including prime land in Patna as a quid pro quo for hotel maintenance contracts to private firms when the RJD chief was the rail minister. All of them deny the charges being investigated by the CBI. In his speech, Rudy said the mindset of people in India had always been to make their children engineers or provide good education to them so that they could get better jobs. Post-independence, even at the government level, we have never focused on skill development. There are 18 lakh seats in engineering colleges across India, out of which eight lakh seats are empty. If we focus more on skill development, we can really become the leading country in providing the skilled workforce to the world, he said. Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said singing Vande Mataram was a matter of choice and those refusing to sing it could not be dubbed as anti- nationals. Singing Vande Mataram is absolutely an individuals choice. Those who want to sing can sing it, those who dont, may not. Not singing it does not make one anti-national, said the Union minister of state (independent charge) for parliamentary affairs and minority affairs, who was in the city for an event, speaking to PTI. He added that however, if someone deliberately opposed the singing of the national song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, it was in bad taste and not in the interest of the country. Sparks flew in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Friday as the ruling BJP MLAs slammed Samajwadi Partys Abu Asim Azmi, who opposed a demand for making the singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in the schools and colleges of the state. Citing a recent Madras high court order, which made singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in the Tamil Nadu schools, BJP MLA Raj Purohit said it should be followed by the schools and colleges in Maharashtra as well. Azmi said he would not sing Vande Mataram even if he was thrown out of the country, while AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan said he would not sing it even if a revolver is put to my head. Speaking at Shirdi, state PWD minister Chandrakant Patil on Saturday said no one should have a problem saying Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Meanwhile, commenting on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars return to the NDA-fold, Naqvi described the JD(U) chief as a natural ally of the BJP. It does not matter whom he (Kumar) had criticised (when he had parted ways with the NDA). The BJP will support anybody who is against corruption and interested in good governance, the Union minister said. Five people have been taken into custody in connection with the killing of an RSS worker in Thiruvanathapuram even as the BJP called for a state-wide strike on Sunday to protest the incident. A day after the incident, home minister Rajnath Singh voiced concern over attacks on political workers in Kerala and said political violence was unacceptable in a democracy. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayans office said Singh spoke to him this morning over phone. The Chief Minister informed him that the state government would take action against the accused, whoever they may be. Rajnath Singh expressed satisfaction on this stand, the CMO said in a Facebook post. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state. 1/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy. 2/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously. 3/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 A gang led by a history-sheeter attacked 34-year-old RSS karyavahak E Rajesh on Saturday and hacked him to death. His left arm was chopped off and there were several injuries all over his body. Police said the suspected main accused was among those taken into custody from rural Kattakkada near in the morning. City police Commissioner G Sparjan Kumar said the interrogation of the accused was underway. Five people are in police custody now. They were taken into custody from rural Kattakkada. A hunt is on for one more person. Only a detailed questioning will reveal the exact number of accused involved in the crime, he told PTI. State Police Chief Loknath Behera has appealed to the people to restrain from spreading rumours and provocative messages, statements, photos and videos. Any such action would attract legal action, he said, adding that WhatsApp groups and Facebook posts are under the scanner of police. As part of precautionary measures, adequate police force has been deployed in all sensitive spots across the city, the official said. The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the BJP appeared to be successful, with state-run and private buses keeping off the roads and shops and business establishments remaining closed. Sporadic incidents of stone pelting on vehicles were reported in some parts of the state. People, who reached railway stations unaware of the hartal, had difficulty in getting vehicles to reach homes. The city police have extended prohibitory orders for three more days till August 2 and banned processions in the state capital. The ruling CPI(M) and the BJP traded charges over the killing of the RSS functionary. While BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan alleged that the CPI(M) was behind the attack, the CPI(M) district leadership denied any role of the party in the attack. Opposition leader in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president MM Hassan went on a fast in Kozhikode district to protest the politics of violence. Describing the murder as brutal, Kummanam said this is annihilation politics aimed at wiping off the RSS and BJP. The BJP would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, home minister and the National Human Rights Commission, he said. The incident comes close on the heels of the attack on the BJPs Kerala unit office and stone pelting at the house of CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnans son Bineesh Kodiyeri. Controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen was sent back from the airport here to Mumbai after protests by a group of people against her visit to the city, police said on Sunday. Nasreen landed at the Chikalthana Airport last evening by a flight from Mumbai. Police stopped the author from stepping out of the airport, where a crowd had gathered shouting slogans like Taslima Go Back. Deputy commissioner of police (zone-II) Rahul Shrirame said Nasreen was sent back to Mumbai by the next flight to avoid any law and order problem in this city in central Maharashtra. The author was advised to abandon her visit to the city and she agreed to go back, the police officer said. Protesters had also gathered outside a hostel where Nasreen was to stay during her three-day visit. Police said they had come to know that the writer was planning to visit the world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora besides other tourist spots in Aurangabad. The protest at the airport was led by Imtiyaz Jaleel, the AIMIM legislator from the Aurangabad central constituency. Jaleel said her writings have hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims across the world. We will not allow her to step on the soil of our city, he said. Last month, the Union home ministry has extended her visa for one year, with effect from July 23, 2017. Nasreen, a citizen of Sweden, has been getting Indian visa on a continuous basis since 2004. The author is living in exile since she left Bangladesh in 1994 in the wake of threats to her by fundamentalist groups. Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Sunday, officials said. The encounter started after police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Tahab area of Pulwama around 5 am, police control room Pulwama said. Army spokesman Rajesh Kalia said that two militants have been killed so far. The operation is still in progress, he said. Director General of police SP Vaid also confirmed the killings of two militants on his Twitter handle. Encounter started at Tahab, #Pulwama. 2 militants down. Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) July 30, 2017 Neither the police not the army have yet revealed the identity of the militants but local reports said that both were Kashmiris. It was also not immediately clear whether the encounter was in a house or in open. Read more: Three militants killed as army foils infiltration bid in Gurez The encounter comes after three militants were killed when security forces foiled an infiltration bid on the Line of Control in Gurez sector of north Kashmir on Thursday. Three militants were killed in an encounter after security forces stormed a forest area in south Kashmirs Tral in Pulwama district on July 15. The shooting of a local Trinamool Congress leader in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Sunday has raised tension in the area that had been simmering on the back of an agitation against land acquisition. The victim, Asikur Rahman (48), was killed after he was hit on the head by a bullet allegedly fired by a land protester when he was returning from the residence of another Trinamool leader, Arabul Islam. When contacted additional director general (law & order), Anuj Sharma told HT, that the police is investigating the matter. We are yet to arrest anyone or pin point anyone responsible for the shooting. However, we are investigating the matter and enough police personnel have been deployed in the area to avoid further tension, Sharma said. Rahman was the office bearer of Bhangar II panchyat samiti. Local Trinamool leaders claimed that he was shot by the activists of a protest group called Jami, Jibika, Paribesh O Bastutantra Raksha Committee (committee to protect land, livelihood, environment and ecosystem), which had been spearheading the land agitation at Bhangar which is about 33 km south of Kolkata. Floated by Naxal outfit, CPI-ML (red Star), the committee and its land movement at Bhangar rare backed by the CPI(M)-led Left Front, CPI-ML (Liberation), Majdoor Kranti Parishad and Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR). The situation at Bhangar was quite tense since Sunday morning following the preparation of a rally by the committee. Rahman went to Arabul Islams residence to discuss some panchayat related matters. While returning as he reached Notunhat area he was hit by a bullet on his head. The bullet was fired from the Machidnaga side, where activists of the said committee assembled for the rally. Later I heard that bullets were fired towards Arabul Islam, said local Trinamool Congress leader, Hakimul Islam. Read more: Bhangar farmers prepare for fresh land movement as leaders get bail Members of the said land agitation committee flatly denied the allegations and said that Rahmans killing was result of internal rivalry between two factions of Trinamool. There are two rival groups in Trinamool at Bhangar, one lead by Arabul Islam and the other by Kaizar Ahmed. Clashes between these two groups are nothing new at Bhangar and Rahmans killing is a fallout of that internal rivalry, said an office bearer of the committee. Hakimul Islam, however, rubbished allegations of internal rivalry and said that the committee members were resorting to falsehoods to hide their own misdeeds. Maoists are actively involved with the committee affairs and they are responsible for Rahmans killing, he said. The agitation in Bhangar was launched last year and the villagers there stalled completion of a Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) project citing suspected environmental and health hazards. Police arrested several leaders of the committee like Pradip Singh Thakur, Sharmistha Chowdhury, Shankar Das and Kushal Debnath and booked them under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. However, all of them were granted bails, which gave a boost the committee to renew land agitation at Bhangar. Sundays rally was supposed to have been addressed by leaders of all constituents of the committee. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set October 2, 2019, as the deadline for the country to become open defecation free but Rajasthans cabinet minister Surendra Goyal, whos in charge of Barmer, set a different deadline for the border district for the ODF tag. When he was in Barmer earlier last week, he said the district should become ODF by December 2017. However, considering the progress of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBM), the national sanitation programme for construction of household latrines, in Barmer, the new deadline looks unachievable. SBM data shows that only 28% households in the districts have toilets now. According to a 2012 survey, there are 4.5 lakh households in the district; 3.61 lakh of them didnt have toilets in 2012. In four years, 108,848 household constructed toilets but this is just 28% of the household which were without latrines until 2012. In terms of villages, out of 1,970 villages in Barmer, only 523 have become free of open defecation. This is just 27% of the total villages. There are 489 gram panchayats in the district. Out of them, only 173 are ODF, which is again only 29%. So, in all respects, around 70% of the target remains to be met for the district to become ODF. Considering the situation and to fulfill the targets Barmer district collector Shivprasad Madan Nakate has taken an initiative and announced a Cleanliness Award. Under this collector will invite village Sarpanch on coffee whose panchayats will get ODF tag. Nakate said that he is expecting that this initiative will motivate the village sarpanches to personally look after the Swachh Bharat Abhiyans progress in their area. We are also expecting that this initiative will help us to achieve the ODF target at the earliest, says collector. On the other villagers have alleged official apathy for legging behind in the Swatch Bharat Abhiyan. They alleged that authorities are not serious towards the campaign. Hemraj Choudhary, a local resident said that people in this region are belongs to backward section and financially they are not able to ensure such facilities. According to Hemraj when government announced to support them with motivational amount rupees 12 thousand on construction of toiled people come forward and constructed toilets. Hemraj claimed that thousands are there who have constructed the toilets but now they are waiting for the motivational amount. Sometimes in the name of physical verification or other times in the name of budget crunch they were avoided for the payment. It is limiting their participation, he added. Countering such allegation authorities claimed that earlier they have faced budget crunch but now they have sufficient budget for the campaign and soon who have constructed the toilets will paid. M.L.Nehra, chief executive officer at Zila Parishad in Barmer said that minister in-charge of the district Surendra Goyal has directed them to achieve ODF tag by December 31, 2017. He said that considering the topographical situation of the area though it seems difficult but also maintained that as people are now aware about the program and are supporting them, they are hopeful that they will achieve the tag by the deadline. The delay in selecting a male tiger has stalled the relocation of a big cat to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, officials said on Sunday. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Rajasthan government have given its nod to bringing a sub-adult male tiger from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve to Sariska to increase the tiger population in Sariska. Following the NTCAs nod for relocation, the Ranthambhore reserve administration has been trying to identify a suitable tiger for the past three months. State forest minister Gajendra Singh Khinwsar said due to the delay in identifying a suitable male tiger for Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), the process is taking time. Deputy conservator of forest (STR) Balaji Kari said forest ranges within the reserve are populated with tigers except the Ajabgarh forest range, where a big cat is yet to a mark its territory. The area is extremely suitable environmentally and it is relatively undisturbed. So we are planning to bring a tiger in the range, he said. Chief conservator of forest (STR) Govind Sagar Bhardwaj has written a letter to state principal and chief wildlife warden GV Reddy, seeking permission for relocating the tiger in the range and also to send a team of experts from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, to study and survey the range before relocating the animal. If all parameters are met, the new tiger will be brought to the range, officials said. A new male adult tiger is necessary for the male-female ratio in the STR to be maintained. As the male tiger population in the Ranthambhore has gone up, the reserve authorities have decided to relocate one to STR. The sex ratio in Ranthambhore has gone up to 1:1, where the Ideal male-female tiger ratio ranges between 1:2 and 1:3. At present there are 14 tigers -- two males, nine females and 3 cubs-- in the STR. The Rajasthan government has collected 151.60 crore in 2016-17 for gau seva by imposing 10% surcharge levied on stamp duty for cow conservation and propagation in the year 2016-17. Of the total income earned from the surcharge, until now the state government has spent 138.67 crore on conservation of propagation of cow and its progeny and maintenance of cow shelters. Rajasthan is among the leading state, which has taken innovative steps for the development and maintenance of bovine and cow shelters. The state is the first to constitute a gaupalan or cow protection department in the country. A government release states that under the Cow Protection and Promotion Fund Rule, 2016, 126.89 crore has been provided for fodder, water and cattle feed to 4, 71,800 bovines at 1,036 cow shelters across the state. The state government has spent 21 crore from the fund on 196 cow shelters at Jalore, Sirohi and Pali districts, where bovines are in abundance. A sum of Rs 5. 03 crore was given to cow shelters including Sri Gopal Govardhan, Pathmera, Hanuman Nandi and Golasan in Jalore district as financial, according to the data. In Barmer and Udaipur districts, Rs 4.46 crore were given to 44 cow shelters for fodder and water. In the year 2015-16, state government spent Rs 1.8 crore for nurturing 4,449 bovines rescued from smuggling and slaughtering, the release said. Subsequently, in the year 2016-17, Rs 1.6 crore were provided for 4611 bovines, it added. In 2015-16, the state government saved 4,449 bovines from smuggling and slaughter, and spent 1.8 crore for the animals upbringing. Similarly, in 2016-17, assistance of 1.6 crore was given for 4,611 rescued bovines. This year, the government has sanctioned 1.7 crore. In 2015-16, the state government started a separate scheme for rescued bovines from smuggling and slaughter, under which it sanctioned 32 every day for the upkeep of a big bovine and 16 for smaller ones for a year. Earlier, Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot had expressed concern over rain-related death of bovines due to infection in government and private cow sheds, especially in Jalore and Sirohi district. I have got to know about the death of 536 bovines in Pathmera Gaushalas and several others are on death bed. The BJP government talks a lot about cow protection but the talks are far from reality. State government should take immediate steps to save bovines, Pilot had said. Office incharge of Shree Manorama Golok Tirth Nandgaon, a subsidiary of Pathmera Gaushalas, Khetesh Rajpurohit said that due to heavy rainfall in Jalore and Sirohi, more than 800 cows/bovines had died. With PTI inputs Law colleges in the city are taking legal education beyond the confines of classrooms. The colleges have launched a variety of community outreach initiatives aimed at educating people about the laws concerning their day-to-day lives, while also providing practical exposure to budding lawyers. Last week, KC College of Law, in collaboration with Western Railways, set up two LED screens at the Churchgate railway station premises, displaying information regarding the rights and responsibilities of commuters. The screens also beam a power point presentation on relevant provisions of the Railways Act, Indian Penal Code (IPC), Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Constitution of India in English, Hindi and Marathi. "The presentation will aid in creating legal awareness for the common public. The commuters can read the information scrolling on the screens while moving in and out of the station terminal. The information is presented in small bytes so as to be readable while passing along. This feature of the presentation makes it very useful for the public," read a statement from the college. Sunita Khariwal, in-charge principal of the college said that they plan to install such screens at other public places as well. Six months ago, students at University of Mumbai Law Academy at Fort started a legal literacy programme named 'Law at Your Doorstep', under the mentorship of the institute's in-charge director Ashok Yende. As part of this programme, the law students conduct lectures on human rights as well as the rights of consumers and children in various slum areas of the city. So far, they have held lectures at five places - Poisar, Boisar, Chembur, Koparkhairne and Dharavi. "We first do a survey of a locality before starting the awareness drive. We also rope in the local member of legislative assembly (MLA) or member of parliament (MP) to ensure the presence of a large number of people in the lecture," said Metanshu Purandare, a student at the institute. He added that the attendants found the lectures to be very useful and asked that such events be held regularly. Other colleges have also undertaken similar activities. For example, once or twice every year, Thane Law College holds legal literacy drives for children in nearby schools. The college students use cultural tools such as street plays to raise awareness on children's rights. During elections, the college conducts campaigns to urge people to exercise their franchise. Meanwhile, students from New Law College, Matunga have also held lectures on maintenance laws, marriage laws, and workings of a police station at various places in the city. Many law colleges in the city run legal aid cells which provide free-of-cost legal assistance to the people who can't afford a lawyer. "We guide the poor people who approach us, after taking into account facts of their case", said Srividya Jayakumar, principal, Thane Law College. Jayakumar added that the legal aid cell helps law students cut their teeth in practical aspects of the law. "They learn how to talk to clients and handle cases," she said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Although the Maharashtra education department brought in a policy to reduce the weight of school bags two years ago, students in Mumbai continue to stoop. Activists, educators and parents complain that the weight of the bags is still one kg to two kg above the prescribed limit owing to the introduction of heavier textbooks, lack of checks by the education department and emphasis on short-term solutions. The government framed the policy on July 22, 2015, after Swati Patil, an activist from Pune, filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Bombay high court. On February 13, 2015, state education minister Vinod Tawde weighed schoolbags in some schools and found them heavier than the permissible weights of 1.75 kg to 3.65 kg, set by the government earlier. The government then formed an expert panel to suggest solutions on how to unburden students. The panel recommended 43 steps to be taken by the government and schools. It among others recommended that the weight of the bags should be less than one-tenth of the childs. But activists complain that children are lugging heavy bags because the policy has been poorly implemented. In an ongoing hearing, Patil informed the high court that the government did not accept major recommendations of the expert panel, which offered long-term solutions. One of the suggestions was to divide textbooks into four terms. It also encouraged 100-page notebooks against 200 pages. While most of the schools have now unanimously switched over to thinner books, the government is still to come up with a plan to break-down the contents. Worse, the new textbooks for Classes 7 and 9 are heavier and contain more pages. This has increased the weight of the bag by approximately one kg, said activists. The new textbooks are much bigger, said Father Francis Swamy, principal of St Marys School (ICSE) at Mazgaon, and joint-secretary of the Archdiocesan Board of Education, which runs 150-odd schools in Mumbai. Routine checks in schools to ensure that they abide by the prescribed limit were conducted in the first year with much gusto, but the department lacked the manpower to continue them. Although a government resolution was issued last month directing education officials to conduct monthly checks from this academic year, they have not yet begun. We do not have enough officials to visit schools daily. For two to three months, our staff are engaged in conducting centralised admissions for Class 11, said BB Chavan, deputy director of education, Mumbai region. We can send officials on a case-by-case basis if we receive complaints from parents, said Chavan. Ironically, there is no grievance redressal system for parents. While the policy directs all education boards to provide online version of their textbooks, educators say this is not practical. Firstly, not everyone can afford devices to access e-books; secondly, they cannot entirely replace textbooks, said Rakhi Mukherjee, principal of Utpal Shanghvi Global School at Juhu. Schools, too, admit they have failed to curtail bag weights because of various factors. Mukherjee said her school had installed lockers for international board students and introduced books with perforated sheets, but bags continued to be heavy. Unless, there is a change in students and parents attitude, this drive cannot be successful, said Mukherjee. Although schools have taken many proactive steps to reduce bag weight, students continue to carry books and material for after school tuition classes and other activities, said Mukherjee. Lax implementation and schools apathy undermine bag policy The sight of her children carrying heavy school bags moved activist Swati Patil from Pune to file a public interest litigation in the Bombay high court, seeking a directive to the government to make the bags lighter. Patil, head of the NGO Lok Jagruti, told HT how the government and schools have failed to bring down the weight of school bags. Here are the excerpts from an interview: Q What made you take up the case for lighter school bags? Being a parent, I see my children stooping under the weight of school bags. They were studying in Classes 4 and 6 when I realised the seriousness of the situation. Their school bags weighed six to eight kilograms and were getting heavier every year. They carried their bags up three-four floors in the school and at home. It caused chronic neck and shoulder pain, and a hunched posture. This prompted me to moved the Bombay high court in 2014 against the state government. Q Following your petition, the state framed the school bag policy in 2015. How far has it succeeded? The issue of heavy school bags came into the limelight after my PIL in the HC. This put the pressure on the government to come up with a plan. The school bag policy received wide attention at the time. But two years later, it has been forgotten. The government is not implementing the policy strictly, and as a result, schools too have stopped taking it seriously. Today, few schools are actively taking steps to keep the weight in check. The rest have shirked from their responsibility and shifted the blame on parents . Q Have school bags become lighter? The state recently announced that the bags have turned 80% lighter after the implementation of the policy. But our surveys show that the weight has actually dropped by one to two kg, which does not meet the prescribed weight limit. The policy mandates that the bags must weigh less than 10% of the child. For instance, a Class 1 student weighs around 20 kg so the bag should be of 2kg. But in reality, it is still four to five kg. Q How many of the recommendations suggested by an expert panel have been implemented? None of the long-term solutions suggested by the expert panel have been worked upon. One of the most important suggestions was to divide textbooks into four semesters. Instead, the government has now introduced heavier books. The new Class 7 and 9 textbooks are bigger. This is going against the spirit of the policy. The government is also silent on publishing term-wise textbooks. Their focus has shifted to e-books, but not all students and schools can afford devices to access them. READ Maharashtra edu dept starts checks on weight of school bags Expect random checks by Maharashtras education department on weight of school bags this year SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Apart from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, not a single minister has a 100% attendance record for the cabinet meetings that were held from July 2016 to May 2017. Agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar tops the list of absentees. As per the states reply to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by activist Anil Galgali, of the 35 cabinet meetings held in the past 11 months, Fundkar has missed 11. He said, I could not attend three meetings, as I had to be present at other government and statutory functions. I missed a few because I was on an official foreign tour, as part of the states delegation. I sought the CMs permission to remain absent for these meetings. There were only two meetings I could not attend due to personal reasons one when my son got married and the other when my daughter got married. Besides Fundkar, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, social justice minister Rajkumar Badole, women and child development minister Pankaja Munde and labour minister Sambhaji Nilangekar also made it to the list of absentees. As per reply given by the chief secretarys office, Mungantiwar and Bawankule were absent for nine cabinet meetings. While Badole, Munde and Nilangekar skipped eight meetings. Other than CM Fadnavis, all 22 ministers have been absent in some or the other cabinet meeting. These meetings are held to discuss important issues to properly govern the state. Hence, it is important for every minister to attend every single meet, Galgali said. On the other hand, education minister Vinod Tawde, transport minister Diwakar Raote, tribal development minister Vishnu Savra and dairy development Minister Mahadev Jankar missed just one meeting each. While water resources and medical education Minister Girish Mahajan was absent from two meetings. The Maharashtra cabinet has 23, including Fadnavis, following its expansion in July 2016. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Following allegations of corruption and irregularities, the Maharashtra government has asked the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to introduce an online system for slum redevelopment projects to bring in transparency and weed out delays. The system is likely to be ready in a month, said a senior official from the housing department. From submitting application to SRA to handing over documents to final approval for project, everything will be done online, said the official. Slum redevelopment projects in the city are under cloud after a social activist alleged that a bribe of Rs11 crore was offered to him to prevent him from revealing a slum revamp scam. Before this, state housing minister Prakash Mehta allegedly interfered in a slum project in Tardeo. Vishwas Patil, former chief of SRA, was accused of clearing at least 120 files in the last month before he retired. Under the slum redevelopment scheme, slum residents choose a developer who use their land to build a rehabilitation units and a saleable units. The latter are sold in the open market to fund the rehabilitation units and earn a profit. The developer also gets incentive in the form of buildable area to make the project sustainable. With crores of rupees at stake, SRA projects are mired in corruption and irregularities, thanks to a nexus among builders, bureaucrats and some politicians. The SRA scheme was launched with an aim to clear Mumbai of slums. In the past 21 years, it managed to rehabilitate only 1.53 lakh people. Only 3 lakh houses have been constructed under the scheme. Apart from the governments move to go online, it has told all developers to mandatorily register SRA projects with the Real Estate Regulation Authority (RERA), newly-formed housing regulatory authority. The integrated system will be connected to all government department so that they can verify documents submitted by developers. Our objective is to end human intervention and subsequently weed out irregularities and make people accountable for any wrongdoing. This will be achieved by introducing systematic procedure provided by a deadline for issuing each and every permission, the official said. The system will verify documents on its own and issue approvals without any human intervention. We are also in the process of making software for the same, said a senior official of SRA. The documents being used for the online process have to be self-attested, which means that the parties will have to take the onus for any wrong doing, he said. Earlier, there was no mechanism to check the veracity of the submitted documents. Now everything will be in public domain as the entire set of documents and the status of every project will be made available on the SRA website for the public, the officer added. However, three things will be done manually as they cannot be completed online. These include area measurement, slum plan and head count of tenants (tenants verification) by the authorities. The housing activists have welcomed the development but are also sceptical about its implementation. Santosh Daunkar, a housing activist, who has exposed several scams, said, Bringing such a process is a good move but the government needs to ensure there are no loopholes. There are instances where senior officer put pressure on their subordinates to cleare a file. I hope the online system will prevent this. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The University of Mumbai (MU) was nowhere near its assessment deadline on Sunday after just 939 teachers of the 13,000 appointed turned up to correct papers. Around 3.25 lakh answer sheets of more than 17 lakh are yet to be evaluated. The bulk of pending answer sheets, over 2.64 lakh, belong to the commerce faculty, while the assessment of science, technology and management is nearly complete, with just a few thousand papers remaining. Assessment work is still going on, but we have time to meet the deadline, MA Khan, MU registrar told HT on Sunday evening. This year, MU adopted an on-screen marking process for the assessment process, in place of traditional pen-and-paper evaluation. The decision caused a major delay in results because MU did not appoint an agency in time and technical glitches continued to plague the system. Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, who also serves as chancellor of the university, asked the varsity administration to declare all the results by July 31. Read: Mumbai university vice-chancellor must resign for assessment mess, says Ex-vice-chancellor While the varsity had requested the governor to extend the deadline for another week, the governor refused to do so. If the university doesnt meet the deadline, the governor will take a call on Monday, said a spokesperson from Raj Bhavan. On Sunday, the varsity assessed around 11,000 papers, moderated another 14,000 answer sheets and declared 10 results. So far, 151 out of 477 examination results have been declared, but none of them belong to any of the major courses. The varsity was hoping to declare third-year BSc results late on Sunday night. In a rush to meet the deadline, the varsity had requested all the teachers to work through the weekend, but only a fraction of them showed up. Many commerce teachers came for assessment work at our centralised assessment process (CAP) centre, but the turnout was lower than usual. Many teachers have already evaluated more papers than what was expected of us. So they must have decided to take the day off, said Jitendra Jha, a teacher at Jhunjhunwala College, Ghatkopar. The University of Mumbai (MU) has enlisted around 13,000 teachers for the current cycle of evaluation. The delay in results has affected admission to various post-graduation courses and likely to affect their academic calendar. Many students were unable to secure admission in foreign universities. The state common entrance test (CET) cell was forced to push the deadline to register for law admissions. Read: Mumbai university mess: Shiv Sena demands resignations of education minister Tawde, V-C SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Lack of parental supervision and awareness are among the reasons why school bags in Mumbai continue to weigh more than the prescribed limit 10% of students weight say educators. Schools say that parents allow children to carry fancy bags, extra books, heavy bottles, tiffin boxes etc, which increase the weight. After the state introduced a school bag policy in 2015, many schools banned heavy bags. They implemented bag checks and altered timetables to ensure that students carry fewer books. Some even installed drawers and lockers for students to store extra material. Despite these steps, however, schools admit they have not succeeded in reducing the weight of the bags.Students dont follow the timetable, said Suresh Nair, principal, Vivek Vidyalaya, Goregaon. If both parents are working, the students carry two to three tiffin boxes to school every day to eat before going for tuitions. Nair admitted their school started checking bags last year after the policy was introduced, but they stopped it because students were not complying with it. We have adjusted the timetable so that they dont have to carry too many books, but they still bring tuition books and other extra material. Similarly, St Josephs Convent School at Bandra has been struggling to make the bags lighter for the past two to three years . We changed our timetable, allotted double periods and implemented checks, but it has not discouraged children from carrying heavy bags, said sister Blanche Rodrigues, school principal. Rodrigues said children carry fancy bags, which are heavy. These bags have many pockets, extra cushioning, and heavy buckles. Often the empty bag is heavier than the books, said Rodrigues. Sacred Heart School at Kalyan has provided cloth bags to students to ensure they do not carry heavy ones. Some schools said the prescribed limit is impossible to achieve. We are unable to meet the 10% limit set by the government, said Rohan Bhat, chairperson, Childrens Academy Group of Schools, which has its institutes at Oshiwara, Kandivli and Malad. On the other hand, parents say teachers do not follow the timetable. Close to exam time especially, teachers are in a rush to complete the syllabus and hold classes randomly. Children are forced to carry all books as they do not know which subject will be taught that day, said Aarti Gosavi, a parent from Andheri. READ Maharashtra edu dept starts checks on weight of school bags Expect random checks by Maharashtras education department on weight of school bags this year SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Gautam Budh Nagar police said they nabbed three Ghaziabad-based contract killers from Devla village of Greater Noida. The police confiscated two countrymade pistols, three cartridges, illegal knives and stolen motorcycles from the possession of the accused. According to the police, the trio was involved in the murder of Brijeshewar Tyagi, the father of the headman of Nauraspur village in Ghaziabad. The assailants allegedly shot dead Tyagi in March. The police said that they had agreed to eliminate Brijeshwar Tyagi and his son Lalit Tyagi for Rs5 lakh. Following Tyagis death, Ghaziabads senior superintendent of police, in the first week of April, suspended the entire staff of Mandola police post. The station house officer and sub-inspector of Tronica City police station were attached to police lines for laxity in duty. These three men killed Brijeshwar Tyagi for which they received Rs3 lakh from Deepak Tyagi, with whom Brijeshwar had a rivalry. The village headman of Nauraspur village, Lalit Tyagi, was also a target, but they could not eliminate him, Manish Saxena, the station house officer of Surajpur police station, said. The police arrested the trio on Saturday evening from Devla village along with two stolen motorcycles, which they had allegedly used in several crimes. The criminals were identified as Anil alias Paina, Pradeep Baisoya and Arun alias Banki, all Ghaziabad residents. They have many cases registered against them in Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar districts. Saxena said, Anil is a history-sheeter from Pachara village of Ghaziabad. He has 24 cases registered against him in Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar since 2013, including murder, extortion, and robbery. Pradeep has six cases against him and has been taking part in criminal activities since 2015. Arun is a resident of Chirodi village in Loni, and is the newest member of this group. He has three cases against him. The police said the two motorcycles were stolen in March and May. The criminals had changed registration plates of the vehicles and used them in crimes, the police said. We have seized two countrymade weapons, three cartridges and three knives and live ammunition from their possession, the police officer said. The trio was produced before the district court in Surajpur and sent to judicial custody. Questioning could reveal more names in connection with Brijeshwar Tyagis murder and other crimes, Saxena said. A vice president (human resource) of global electronics giant, LG, has filed a complaint with the Noida police that his phone sim has allegedly been cloned and he was receiving more than 250 international calls every day on his number. He also claimed that somebody stole Rs 6 lakh from his credit cards. Police said the complainant, Subrato Mukherjee, 57, a resident of Noida Sector 44, has been receiving calls since June 27. The calls were suspected to be made from Bhutan, Russia, and some African countries. The calls allegedly continued for weeks. Mukherjee took up the matter with his mobile phone service provider. They put his SIM card on surveillance through department of telecommunications (DoT). Mukherjee said he was alarmed when his credit card statements showed several fake transactions. I called the service provider and it took them a lot of time to check the problem. Later, they informed me my number has been cloned and I should report the matter to police. On Friday, I took up the matter with SSP Gautam Budh Nagar after which a case was registered at Sector 39 police station, he said. Mukherjee, a retired flight lieutenant from Indian Air Force (IAF), said the accused used his card for online shopping. The statement came in the mid of July, thereafter I reported the matter to the police, he said. He said the calls were automatic in nature and whenever he would attend a call; there was another call in waiting. Senior superintendent of police Love Kumar said, Prima facie, it seems the accused have cloned the credit cards and Mukherjees phone SIM. This has been done to ensure they get the one-time password for required transactions. He said that a case was registered at Sector 39 police station. The Cyber Cell has been also asked to check the details of hacking and cloning, SSP Kumar said. The matter has been reported to the cell phone providers and the private banks, the SSP said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On entering Noida, be it from Ashok Nagar, Sector 11 or Jhundpura village, the stench of garbage is the first thing that one experiences. Residents have raised concerns about their health as drains and garbage have not been cleared over the last few days. While residents blamed the Noida authoritys inefficiency for the situation, authority officials cited the strike by contractual workers, which was called off on Saturday evening. Residents said that the situation has increased the risk of vector diseases. They said that even in the absence of such a situation last year, thousands had fallen ill. It has been more than a week but the garbage has not been picked from the service road behind our sector that leads to the newly built elevated road. There is always a constant threat of viral diseases, Shalini of Sector 29 said. Dr Anurag Bhargav, chief medical officer, also expressed his concern over garbage accumulation and clogged drains. He appealed to residents to avoid using plastic. Residents and shopkeepers must avoid using plastic and dumping it in drains. Vector-borne diseases are caused due to mosquito breeding in still water, said Dr Bhargav. The industrial pockets, sectors 5, 6,7,8,9, and the residential areas, sectors 26,27,28, 37 and 39, are choked with garbage. At many spots, such as B block of sectors 6 and 8, almost half of the main road is filled with garbage, on which stray animals can be seen feeding. At several spots in sector 6,8 and 9, drains have been clogged with plastic to the extent that dirty water and waste have overflowed on to the road. In Sector 28, a service lane has been blocked completely due to the problem, rendering it inaccessible to vehicles and causing jams during peak hour. Noida authority officials blamed the week-long strike by contractual workers for the mess. Our machinery has been lying idle for the last three to four days due to the strike. Now that the strike has been called off, we will do the needful across Noida, said Raghunandan, engineer for water drains, Noida authority. However, residents have accused the authority of inefficiency, claiming that the drains have not been cleaned in the last fortnight. Workers had cleaned the drains almost 15 days ago and the drains get clogged in just a week. There is a high chance that people might fall ill, said Mohammad Sayyad, a shopkeeper in Sector 5. Almost 10 days ago, some workers had approached our sector to clean the drains. Before that, I cant recall when the workers had cleaned the drains, said Randheer, a shopkeeper in Sector 6. The drains were cleaned a fortnight ago after the district magistrate BN Singh wrote a scathing letter to the chief executive officer of Noida authority on the issue. However, engineer Raghunandan claims that the drains have been cleaned on a regular basis. People throw all kinds of plastic in the drains and even after cleaning the drains, they get clogged in within two-three days due to this. We also got the Harola drain cleaned recently, Raghunandan said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bihars new minority welfare minister Khurshid alias Firoz Ahmad, who courted controversy by chanting Jai Shri Ram slogans after chief minister Nitish Kumar sailed through the trust vote in assembly on Friday, faces at least two criminal cases of serious nature. In a case lodged with Bettiah town police station (PS) in 1995, Ahmad was charged with cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft, and forgery with valuable documents. Besides, he has also been accused of stealing railway property in another case lodged with Mainatand PS. Apart from Ahmad, half a dozen ministers in the revamped Nitish cabinet face criminal charges in which various courts have taken cognizance. According to the affidavit filed with the election commission, even Nitish has been charged under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC and section 27 of arms act (possession of illegal arms) in a protest-cum-complaint case lodged in a Barh court. The court had taken cognizance of the case, but proceedings were stayed by the Patna high court. Citing the presence of many tainted ministers, senior Congress leader and AICC media panellist Prem Chandra Mishra asked the chief minister to clarify his stand on induction of leaders, who were charge-sheeted by the police and are being tried by the courts, in the cabinet. Will it not be a double standard if Kumar inducts leaders being tried by various courts for serious criminal offences, while Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, former deputy CM, was asked to resign merely on the basis of an FIR against him? asked Mishra. Mishra said that the local court of Rohtas had taken cognizance of at least two cases against industries minister Jai Kumar Singh in cases pertaining to attempt to murder, possession of illegal firearms and rioting. Revenue minister Ram Narayan Mandal too faces cases of criminal conspiracy (120 B) and joining unlawful assembly with deadly weapon (144 of IPC). Local courts of Banka had taken cognizance of the cases and framed charges against them. Agriculture minister Prem Kumar faced two criminal cases which the local courts had taken cognizance. The Patna high court has stayed proceedings in one of the cases. Prem Kumar, a BJP leader, has been accused of leading protests against the police in Gaya town in 1991. A local court of Bhabua has also taken cognizance of a case against backward and EBC welfare minister Braj Kishore Bind under section 3 of Bihar Prevention of Defacement of Property Act. Road construction minister Nand Kishore Yadav is also facing a case under section 188 of IPC (disobedience to order duly promulgated by government officer). The Congress leader said that the way Nitish resigned as CM had raised hopes among the people that he would not induct tainted leaders as ministers. He (Nitish Kumar) is known to maintain probity in public life. But induction of tainted ministers in his cabinet has exposed that he can compromise on any ideology for the craving of power, said Mishra. QUOTE He (Nitish Kumar) is known to maintain probity in public life. But induction of tainted ministers in his cabinet has exposed that he can compromise on any ideology for the craving of power Prem Chandra Mishra, senior Congress leader SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The 10-year-old Chandigarh girl, whose plea for termination of pregnancy was rejected by the Supreme Court on Friday, was raped about seven times at her house by her maternal uncle, who is now in jail. This has been revealed by the investigations so far, on the basis of which the police will file the chargesheet against the accused. All our investigations are over and we will file the challan in court by next week, said deputy superintendent of police (DSP, south) Deepak Yadav. The challan, which will be filed under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, will initiate the fight for justice for the minor rape survivor. The accused, who is lodged at Burail jail, is married, and his wife and children live in Nepal. One of the kins has alleged that he had even tried to molest a niece in Delhi. The challan will be accompanied by statements of the victim and her mother before the magistrate, which subsequently turned into the first-information report. Along with the challan, the police will also file medical reports, confirming the victim is pregnant. Though the DNA report is awaited, it can be filed with a supplementary chargesheet later, said DSP Yadav. Police had already given a request for preserving samples for the DNA test when the victims medical examination was carried out. Preparation of a DNA report usually takes up to three months, but in special cases, the agencies can obtain it within 30 days. The accused, who worked as a security guard at a Sector-35 hotel, was arrested on July 14, after the girl was found to be pregnant during medical checkup. The victim is a Class-6 student. Stomach ache brought crime to fore Even though the child was about 30-week pregnant, the family came to know about it only on July 14, after she was taken to hospital on complaining of stomach ache. The girl told her parents that she was being raped by her maternal uncle. She, in her statement, said the accused used to lure her with chocolates and had even threatened her not to talk to anyone. The accused had told her that if she complains to anyone, her parents would scold her. Shattered mother is the complainant The case was registered on the complaint of the mother. The mother, in her statement, said that the girl told her that the accused had raped her six-seven times. The accused was a regular visitor to their house. The victim used to alone at home after returning from school as her elder sister used to go to a friends house to study. The mother works as a domestic help, while the father is a security guard. The family stays in the servants quarters in a government bungalow in one of the southern sectors of the city. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chandigarh officials on Saturday said a class 12 student was selected by internet giant Google for a special icon designing programme, during which he is expected to receive a Rs 4 lakh per month stipend. However, the government ordered an inquiry on Tuesday after several media reports quoted Google as saying it did not have the boy on their records. The official release by the Union Territory administration said Harshit Sharma, who completed Class 12 from the Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 33, was expected to leave for the US in August. Selected for Googles special programme, he will be trained initially for a year, it said. On completing the training, Sharma is expected to receive Rs 12 lakh per month, it added. Hailing from Mathana in Kurukshetra, Haryana, the 16-year-old had taken up information technology in Class 12. I kept searching for jobs online, Harshit said. I applied for this job in May, and was interviewed online. I have been interested in graphic designing for the past 10 years. I was selected on the basis of the posters I designed. Harshits parents are teachers. His younger brother studies in Class 10. During his time at the school, he stayed with his uncle at Dera Bassi. Deep Kiran, one of his teachers at GMSSS-33, described Harshit as a brilliant student. School principal Indra Beniwal said: Harshit is an all-rounder. He has brought laurels to our school. Beniwal said Harshit also received an award of Rs 7,000 under the Prime Ministers Digital India scheme. Our school got the smart school status in 2016. Harshit helped the teachers in various programmes, as he has a knack for technology, she said. The weather department on Saturday issued a warning of moderate to heavy rainfall in the next 48 to 72 hours in the tricity ( Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). The next 72 hours are crucial, said Surender Paul, director, Indian Meteorological Department, Chandigarh. Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana between July 30 and August 1. After that there will be lull for the first two weeks of August. The monsoon reached the tricity on July 12. After heavy rainfall the first day, there was a long lull before the city received 121-mm rain on Thursday. Monsoon deficit dips to 25% Meanwhile, the rain deficit this monsoon, which had reached 50%, dipped to 25%. So far, the city has received 286.2-mm rainfall this monsoon, as compared to normal rainfall of 383.8mm. The deficit is updated every day during the monsoon period, which begins on June 1 and ends on September 30. Busting the myth, a study has found that after a sleepless night, males may prefer to sleep while sleep deprivation has no affect on mating behaviour of females. The findings indicated that sleep-deprived males showed little interest in courtship while a lack of shut-eye had no effect on the mating behaviour of females. An organism can only do one thing at a time, said corresponding author Michael Nitabach from Yale University in New Haven, US. What we have discovered is a neuronal connection that regulates the interplay between courtship and sleep, Nitabach added. The study was conducted on Drosophila. Nitabach in collaboration with scientists from Janelia Research Campus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Southeast University in China, and University of San Diego investigated neuronal activity involved in both behaviours. Sexually aroused males got little sleep, while aroused females slept more. The male flies behaviour is easily explained as an adaptive behaviour, say the scientists: Falling asleep during sex is not a good way to pass on your genes. It could be that females cannot afford to pass up an eligible suitor no matter how tired they are, Nitabach stated. It appears that whichever behaviour has the highest biological drive suppresses the other behaviour, he said. In addition to identifying this sex-specific behaviour, the collaborative team also revealed that underlying functional connections between the distinct neural centres that mediate sex and sleep. The researchers noted that humans could possibly have a similar mechanism for adjudicating when the drives for sleep and sex collide. The results appear in the journal Nature Communications. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Pakistans parliament will elect a new prime minister on Tuesday to replace the ousted premier Nawaz Sharif. The Supreme Court on Friday disqualified 67-year-old Sharif for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal, forcing the embattled leader out of office. President Mamnoon Hussain has summoned National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, on Tuesday at 3:00 PM to elect the new leader of the house. Separately, the National Assembly Secretariat has announced schedule for election of the new prime minister. According to a notification, nomination papers can be obtained from the office of the Secretary National Assembly from 3:00 PM on Friday. The papers will be received till 2:00 PM tomorrow and the Speaker National Assembly will scrutinize the papers at 3:00 PM the same day and announce the list of final candidates. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has nominated Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as prime minister for now but later he would make way for Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister. Pakistan has seen such arrangements in the past too. During former military dictator Gen Pervez Musharras time, politician Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was appointed as an interim prime minister until Shaukat Aziz, who was nominated by Musharraf, got elected by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PMLQ). Opposition parties including Pakistan People Party (PPP) of Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of Imran Khan are having consultation to bring a joint opposition candidate with the help of smaller parties. Abbasi is a veteran party worker and hails from the famous hill resort of Murree which is part of Rawalpindi district in Punjab province. His father Muhammad Khaqan Abbasi was a minister in the 1980s and was killed on April 10, 1988 when his car was hit by a missile after Ojhri Camp arms depot disaster in Rawalpindi. Australia has foiled an Islamist-inspired terrorist plot to bring down an airplane with an improvised explosive, authorities said on Sunday, after four people were arrested in raids across Sydney. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the plot appeared to be elaborate rather than planned by a lone wolf, as security was beefed up at major domestic and international airports across the nation. I can report last night that there has been a major joint counter-terrorism operation to disrupt a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane, Turnbull told reporters. The threat of terrorism is very real. The disruption operation, the efforts overnight have been very effective but theres more work to do. Officials did not specify if the alleged plot involved a domestic or international flight, but Sydneys Daily Telegraph reported that a local route had been the objective. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin described the plot as Islamic-inspired, saying four men had been arrested in a series of raids across Sydney on Saturday. We do believe it is Islamic-inspired terrorism. Exactly what is behind this is something we need to investigate fully, he said. Colvin added that local authorities had received credible information from partner agencies about the claims but would not elaborate further or state if the men were on any watch list. In recent days, law enforcement has become aware of information that suggested some people in Sydney were planning to commit a terrorist attack using an IED (improvised explosive device), he told reporters. He added that several items of great interest to police had been seized in the raids but police did not yet have a great deal of information on the specific attack, the location, date or time. He said the investigation was expected to be very long and protracted. However, were investigating information indicating the aviation industry was potentially a target of that attack. A policeman refuses to let members of the public walk onto a street that has been blocked to the public. (Reuters) Police storm Sydney homes The men, whose ages have not been released and have not yet been charged by police, were arrested Saturday when armed police stormed homes in at least four neighbourhoods, including in the inner city. The Seven Network reported 40 riot squad officers moved on one inner city home before an explosives team found a suspicious device, although police would not confirm this. TV footage showed a man with a bandage on his head and draped in a blanket being led away by authorities. National broadcaster ABC quoted a woman as saying her son and husband were arrested in the raids, but denied they had links to terrorism. Turnbull said the national terror alert level, which was raised on September 2014 amid rising concerns over attacks by individuals inspired by organisations such as Islamic State, would remain at probable. Canberra has introduced new national security laws since then, while counter-terrorism police have also made a string of arrests. A total of 12 attacks, before the latest announcement, have been prevented in the past few years, while 70 people have been charged, justice minister Michael Keenan said. The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors, but theres still the ability for people to have sophisticated plots and sophisticated attacks still remain a real threat, he told reporters Sunday. The prime minister added that the alleged plan appeared to be more in that category of an elaborate plot. Several terror attacks have taken place in Australia in recent years, including a Sydney cafe siege in 2014 where two hostages were killed and the murder of a Sydney police employee in 2015 by a 15-year-old boy. The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has the capability to defeat invading enemies and protect the countrys sovereignty, President Xi Jinping told Chinas armed forces on Sunday amid the Sino-India military standoff at the Donglang area near the Sikkim border. Addressing a military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the PLA at the Zhurihe combat training base in Inner Mongolia, Xi in camouflage military fatigue, said, The PLA has the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies and protect Chinas national sovereignty, security and development interests. The PLA also has the confidence and capability to build a stronger military and make new and greater contribution to realising Chinas two centenary goals and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, and safeguarding world peace, Xi was quoted as having said by the official media. In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops perform a flag raising ceremony for the parade. (AP) There was no direct reference to India or any mention of the ongoing military standoff in the Donglang (Doklam) area in the excerpts of Xis speech released by the official media but the reference to invading enemies seems to be clear indication who the Chinese President was talking about. Chinas officials and media have repeatedly alleged that Indian troops had invaded and illegally trespassed into Chinese territory in Donglang by crossing an established border in Sikkim. It was the first time that Xi presided over such a large military parade in the field, official news agency, Xinhua reported. The Xinhua report added that Xi stood in an open-roof vehicle that drove slowly past troop formations to a backdrop of military music. In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops march in formation as they arrive for the military parade. (AP) The report said: Every few moments, Xi called out Salute to you, comrades, to which assembled troops responded Hail to you, chairman. Xi alternated the greeting with Comrades, thanks for your hard work, to which soldiers replied Serve the people! Follow the Party! Fight to win! Forge exemplary conduct! Servicemen and women exclaimed to Xi. China has blamed India for the ongoing impasse, accusing Indian soldiers of trespassing and preventing Chinese soldiers from building a road in the region which is also claimed by Bhutan. Beijing wants India to withdraw its troops from Donglang before the two sides can open talks. New Delhi says the road, if built, will have serious security implications for India. Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi has so far been the highest ranking Chinese politician to have directly blamed India on the military impasse. Wang told reporters in Bangkok last week that the problem was very straightforward and that even Indian officials publicly said that Chinese soldiers didnt enter the Indian territory. In other words, Indian side admitted (crossing) into Chinese territory. The resolution of the problem is very simple, he said: Indian troops have to go out. Xis mentioning of invading enemies is very significant as he is both general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission. More than 40 troops and rebels have been killed in several days of clashes between Yemens Saudi-backed army and insurgents allied with Iran near the Red Sea port of Mokha, officials said Sunday. Fighting has intensified around the Khaled Ibn al-Walid military base east of Mokha since government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition seized it from the Huthi rebels last week. Sixteen Huthis and seven soldiers were killed in overnight clashes and air raids outside Mokha, according to military officials and witnesses at hospitals in the area. Twenty Yemeni soldiers were also killed in a rebel strike on the Khaled base in Taiz province, around 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Mokha, on Thursday, a military official there said. The port of Mokha on the Red Sea, a key waterway for international trade and imports, is under army control. The Saudi-led coalition, which includes the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday said the Huthis had attacked the port with a remote-controlled boat carrying explosives. No casualties were reported in the attack, which the Shiite rebels claimed hit a battleship from the United Arab Emirates. The coalition also said a ballistic missile fired by the Huthis was shot down on Thursday near Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the site of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage that falls next month. Backed by the coalition, the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has battled the Huthi rebels for control of the impoverished country for two years. More than 8,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the conflict, which has pushed the country to the brink of famine. A cholera outbreak has also claimed the lives of more than 1,800 people since April, with 400,000 suspected cases across the country, according to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The United Nations last week warned 80 percent of Yemens children were in desperate need of aid in what the organisation has described as the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. The Georgian army began two weeks of military exercises with the United States and other partner countries on Sunday, a day before US vice president Mike Pence visits the ex-Soviet nation. About 2,800 soldiers from the United States, Britain, Germany, Turkey, Ukraine, Slovenia, Armenia and Georgia were taking part in the manoeuvres, with Washington dispatching an entire mechanised company including several Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks. Georgias Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said the drills were an important event for the South Caucasus republic. These exercises will help Georgia to get closer to Nato standards and to strengthen stability in the whole region, Kvirikashvili said at the opening ceremony on Sunday. The Noble Partner exercises are being held in Georgia for the third time. Russian officials had not commented on the event yet, but in previous years Moscow warned that drills could destabilise the region, a charge denied by Georgian officials and US diplomats. This exercise is not directed against any country. Its about to help Georgia to grow its capacity to interoperate in international operations, US ambassador Ian Kelly told Reuters. Russia and Georgia fought a war in August 2008 over the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia. Moscow continues to garrison troops there and to support another breakaway region, Abkhazia. The exercises were being run out of the Vaziani military base near Georgias capital, Tbilisi. China could launch a limited scale military operation against Indian troops to ouster them from the Donglang region near the Sikkim sector, a Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) military expert has said, adding that the unprecedented nature of the current dispute could make Beijing look for a strong resolution. Both the Communist Party of China (CPC)-led government and the PLA are under huge pressure to take strong action against the invasion, Maj Gen (retd) Yao Yunzhu from PLAs top research institution, the Academy of Military Science (AMS) told HT. China and India are unlikely to go to war, depending how you define war. If it is very small, if it is a limited-scale military operation against an aggression, it is possible, she said, about ending the standoff in Donglang, now into its second month. So, we are talking about very specific military operational issues. What I want to say is that for this Doklam (Donglang) event, Indians have intruded, invaded Chinese territory. That is something that has to be corrected. That is what I have been stressing, she said, adding that to the military, the trespass is intolerable. Yao, who served in the PLA for 45 years and is now director emeritus at AMSs Centre on China-America Defence Relations, said: I am not going to be talk about war or military operations, limited or unlimited without a context. The context is this not only India, any country that has invaded China (or) Chinese territory and stayed on would have to be dealt with whatever means we have, because we cannot accept Chinese territory to be invaded and occupied. She indicated that in case of a limited military operation, China will try not to escalate to other parts of the border. Let us be specific. We are talking about Doklam (Donglang) incident, not generally along the border. Because on the border we have other mechanisms (to resolve disputes). We should analyse them case by case. But Doklam is an unique case, it is an established border line, uncontested territory, she said. Maj Gen (retd) Yao Yunzhu from PLAs top research institution, the Academy of Military Science. (HT Photo) Yao did not specify what kind of operation it could be or didnt elaborate on the impact of the operation on the PLA. I will not say surgical operation, or missile strike or whatever. I will not specify.with whatever means, It has to be correctedyou have an invasion, you have to defeat that invasion, Yao said. President Xi Jinping on Sunday said China needs a strong military more than ever, urging building the PLA into world-class armed forces with confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies and safeguard world peace. According to Yao, both the CPC-led government and the PLA are great pressure not to back-off from the military impasse with Indian border troops. Both the military and the government are under great pressurenot to back-off , backing off is not an option, she said. Comparing the armed forces of China and India, Yao said China has a far stronger military. We are stronger. The Chinese military is stronger compared to the Indian military... not only in numbers of aircraft, warships, artillery pieces, tanks, we have a much stronger defence industrial base, she said. On the aggressive propaganda launched by the PLA and the Chinese defence ministry on releasing information about military exercises, she said the reason is both the 90th anniversary and the Donglang standoff. We are celebrating the 90th anniversary of the PLA. It has to do with the celebrations. It also has to do with the Doklam (Donglang) standoffbut troops on the border areas will be in high-readiness because of the standoff, she said. An influential segment of the Indian community in Canada is attempting to forge a coherent strategy to target politicians pandering to separatist elements espousing the pro-Khalistan viewpoint. The effort, both at the federal and provincial levels, marks the first time the broader Indian community is trying to make its presence felt in the nations politics. Sikhs in Canada have already had significant success in the arena. This initiative has been precipitated by a number of developments in recent months, including the passage of a resolution in the Ontario Assembly this April, which termed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India a genocide. With elections in the Ontario due next year, the initiative will provide an opportunity to try and counter politicians who have fostered the Khalistani narrative. Ajit Someshwar, one of the prominent figures behind this effort, said, We are going to, during the provincial elections, single out those active anti-India campaigners and support their opponents regardless of party, referring to the Ontario elections. Someshwar, who is also chair of the Canada India Foundation (CIF), said, We have decided, at least for the short term, not to promote politicians who are active in this effort to pass the genocide provincially and also their backers federally. Businessman Ramesh Chotai, considered among the leading people of the Indian community, said, Were proud have a large representation of the Indo-Canadian community in politics, but we also just want to remain united. We dont want politicians to cause a fracture. Chotai refused to comment further on the matter except to say the effort is a work in progress. A slate of measures in this regard include funding for candidates who do not support separatists and withdrawing funds from those that do. The preferred candidates, regardless of political party, may also be assisted in other ways, including help with staffing campaigns. However, none of those backing this effort are willing to discuss those details on the record. They did make it clear that neither the Indian Government nor its representatives are involved in this plan in any way. Also on the agenda is informing the Indian community about these issues, which may include a mail blitz aimed at the nearly 20,000 voters of Indian origin. This situation is akin to that prevailing in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, when many American politicians constantly attacked India. But, with the Indian-American community coming together as a significant lobbying bloc, that narrative has evolved and in recent years, that has led to a consensus cross-party support for enhanced engagement between India and the US. This is the first time a similar endeavour is being witnessed in Canada, as the Indian community attempts to broaden the base of participation in politics in the country, which has often been held hostage to an extremist fringe. As Someshwar said, It is not our role to get behind any one party. Our role is to create the right kind of environment for good public policy advocacy, that leads to the betterment of India and Canada relations. In that role, we will be supporting and encouraging more young people from our community to come forward and engage in the political process. For sure, we will be encouraging that with money and we will be encouraging that with access. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the nominee for the post of interim Pakistan Prime Minister, on Sunday denied possessing illegal wealth and challenged his critics to prove irregularities in his finances. Abbasi, 58, was speaking to the media here after meeting Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Speaking on Nawaz Sharifs disqualification by the Supreme Court, the former petroleum minister said, To my understanding of legal matters, there is no harm in possessing an iqama- its just a visa - but nowadays, laws are being interpreted in ways that are stranger than ever. I have disclosed all my assets and their details are published in the Pakistan Gazette. So those levelling baseless allegations (against me) should check their own acts first, he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. When asked about the speculations regarding the involvement of the military in Sharifs ouster, Abbasi said, There are no two sides in this country; we all are one and work for the betterment of this country in a united way. Responding to a question on whether Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan would be included in the next cabinet or not given the recent rifts, Abbasi said that the decision had not been taken as yet, the newspaper reported. Chaudhry Nisar has always been a part of PML-N and it will always be that way for us, he said. Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) has nominated Abbasi, a loyalist of Sharif as prime minister for now but later he would make way for Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister. Abbasi is a veteran party worker and hails from the famous hill resort of Murree which is part of Rawalpindi district in Punjab province. Abbasi, during the meeting, said the party had made a decision and everyone had acted on it. There is no conflict in the party. We may have given in, but history will not accept this decision (to disqualify Nawaz Sharif) - the nation has not accepted this decision, he said. Scotland has called for Scotch to be defined in UK law so its vital whisky industry can be protected after Brexit. Scottish economy secretary Keith Brown has written to officials asking for strong legal protections for the industry, which is worth around 4 billion pounds ($5.3 billion) in exports. A European Union definition of whisky currently protects sales from substandard products but EU laws will no longer apply to Britain after the country exits the bloc in 2019. Browns comments on Sunday came after Britains international trade secretary Liam Fox visited the US this week for trade talks. Brown said the US has voiced support for relaxing the definition of whisky, which he said would open the market to products that dont meet the current standard. The foreign ministers of four Arab states boycotting Qatar said on Sunday they would make no compromises in their demand that Doha change its policies, as a political crisis that has split the Gulf approaches its third month. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt broke ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing the emirate of fostering Islamist extremist groups and of ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran. Qatar has denied the allegations. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, who met in the Bahraini capital Manama on Sunday, said they were open to talks with Qatar on condition it stops its support and financing of terrorism. We reiterate the importance of Qatars compliance with the 13 demands outlined by the four states, said a joint statement released on Sunday. The Saudi-led bloc in June issued the list of demands for the lifting of sanctions, including the termination of regional news giant Al-Jazeera, the downgrading of ties to Iran and the closure of a Turkish military base in the country. The four Arab states have recalled their ambassadors from Doha, ordered all Qataris to return home and banned Qatar from using their airspace. Qatar accuses the bloc of imposing a blockade on the tiny emirate and has rejected the demands as a violation of its sovereignty. Qatar has also accused Saudi Arabia of restricting Qatari pilgrimage to Mecca, the site of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage that falls next month. Saudi Arabia and its allies on Sunday accused Qatar of complicating Hajj for its citizens, who cannot take direct flights from Doha to Saudi Arabia under the sanctions. Kuwait is leading mediation efforts in the crisis, the worst to grip the region since the 1981 creation of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar. The two other GCC members, Kuwait and Oman, have not joined the Qatar boycott. Amid intense lobbying, a ruling Conservative MP considered close to Hindu groups has called British legislation to outlaw caste-based discrimination as ill thought-out, divisive and unnecessary, for which a public consultation is on until September 18. Campaign groups such as the Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance allege that Dalits face discrimination in the UK, while Hindu, Sikh and Jain groups deny it. Some Sikh groups are likely to go to court on the ground that Sikhs, not being Hindus, do not believe in the hierarchical caste system. Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East which has a large Indian community told the House of Commons on the eve of recess: It is vital that the message goes out from this House that British Hindus have an opportunity to input to the Government consultation, so that the Government have the evidence they require to ensure we remove this ill thought-out, divisive and unnecessary legislation. Keith Vaz (Labour) responded to Blackman: I share his concern about that part of the legislation, which is causing concern among the Hindu community, as Harrow and Leicester are very similar in terms of their Hindu population, and I pledge my support for the campaign he has launched. Blackman hoped that Vaz would be able to persuade members of his party in both houses of Parliament to support the government on doing what we want to see happening for British Hindus up and down the country. The ruling Conservative party is seen to be closer to the influential Hindu-Sikh-Jain lobbies. Prime Minister Theresa May told Hindustan Times before the June 8 election: I recognise the sensitivity on the caste issue; there is a consultation taking place. There was wording put into the relevant legislation in the House of Lords by Labour and Liberal Democrats working together on that, but I realise how sensitive this issue is. India has objected in international fora in the past to the notion that caste is an aspect of race. Caste-based discrimination is not expressly prohibited under Britains equality legislation, but Section 9 of the Equality Act 2010, as amended, requires the government to introduce secondary legislation to make caste an aspect of race, thereby making caste discrimination a form of race discrimination. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The United States flew two supersonic B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force on Sunday after Pyongyangs recent tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), the US and South Korean Air Forces said. North Korea said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday that proved its ability to strike Americas mainland, drawing a sharp warning from US President Donald Trump. The B-1B flight was in direct response to the missile test and the previous July 3 launch of the Hwansong-14 rocket, the US statement said. The South Korean air force said the flight was conducted early on Sunday. The bombers took off from a US air base in Guam, and were joined by Japanese and South Korean fighter jets during the exercise, according to the statement. North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability, Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence J. OShaughnessy said in the statement. If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing. The US has in the past used overflights of the supersonic B1-B Lancer bomber as a show of force in response to North Korean missile or nuclear tests. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the midnight test launch of the missile on Friday night and said it was a stern warning for the United States that it would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the Norths official KCNA news agency said. North Koreas state television broadcast pictures of the launch, showing the missile lifting off in a fiery blast in darkness and Kim cheering with military aides. China, the Norths main ally, said it opposed North Koreas missile launches, which it said violate United Nations Security Council resolutions designed to curb Pyongyangs banned nuclear and missile programmes. At the same time, China hopes all parties act with caution, to prevent tensions from continuing to escalate, Chinas foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Amid rising tensions over North Koreas continued and provocative testing of missiles and the Chinese failure to rein it in, the United States flew bombers over the Korean peninsula on Sunday and followed it up with successfully testing its missile defence system. After condemning North Koreas test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, President Donald Trump zeroed in on Beijing on Saturday, saying, in a series of tweets, he was very disappointed in China for its failure to match its assurances with action. Its been just talk, he fumed. Hours later, two supersonic B-1 bombers of the US air force flew low over the Korean peninsula on Sunday, escorted by fighters piloted by South Koreans, which, the Americans said in a statement, was a response to the Friday missile test and the one earlier in the month. This was followed a few hours later by successful testing of THAAD Terminal High Altitude Area Defense which was conducted in the Pacific using a missile defence system based in Alaska. The US installed one such system in South Korea in January ignoring objections from China, which believes the systems powerful radars can monitor its own missile systems. Tensions between North Korea and the United States have been escalating with Pyongyang conducting a series of tests, with mixed results, since Trump took office, including and exacerbated by the death of American student Otto Warmbier who had been held in custody by North Korea for 17 months. I am very disappointed in China, the president tweeted on Saturday, Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem! Trump had sought Beijings help to force North Korea to comply with a UN-mandated ban against it testing missiles and advancing its nuclear weapons programme, hoping it will leverage its clout as Pyongyangs largest trading partner and patron. At one stage, Trump seemed satisfied China had done its bit, even if it did not yield the desired results. But the US president seems to have evolved since, and feels let down clearly. He threatened to put an end to Chinese prevarications on trade, which he indicated but did not spell out clearly. And the White House had not followed up on his tweet with specific details on future actions. The immediate cause of Trumps irritation was North Korea successfully testing an ICBM that, according to defence experts, can hit the US mainland. This was a second test of an intercontinental missile by North Korea in July. The missile stayed on air for 47 minutes, and went 2,300 miles high across 621 miles. Taking a flatter trajectory, it could have potentially reached Los Angeles and Chicago, according to experts. In a statement issued by the White House hours after the test on Friday, Trump had called it the latest reckless and dangerous action by North Korea, but had not blamed Chine for not doing enough. Secretary of state Rex Tillerson, however, had held not only China but also Russia responsible. As the principal economic enablers of North Koreas 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 had said in a statement. While Beijing condemned the test and said it opposes North Koreas violations UN resolutions, it did not respond to Tillersons finger-pointing this time. Earlier this month, it was less diplomatic. Recently, certain people, talking about the Korean peninsula nuclear issue, have been exaggerating and giving prominence to the so-called China responsibility theory, Geng Shuang, a foreign ministry spokesman, had said in Beijing. I think this either shows lack of a full, correct knowledge of the issue, or there are ulterior motives for it, trying to shift responsibility. Deadly violence erupted around a controversial vote held in Venezuela on Sunday, with a candidate to the all-powerful assembly being elected shot dead and troops firing weapons to clear protesters in Caracas and elsewhere. The unrest highlighted the tensions over the vote called by beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro in defiance of months of demonstrations and fierce international criticism. He is gambling his four-year rule on the 545-member citizens Constituent Assembly empowered to dissolve the opposition-controlled congress and change laws as it reforms the nations constitution. A candidate for the new body in Venezuelas southeastern town of Ciudad Bolivar, 39-year-old lawyer Jose Felix Pineda, was killed from multiple shots fired by assailants who broke into his home overnight, prosecutors said. He was the second candidate to be murdered, after the July 10 death of another, Jose Luis Rivas, as he was campaigning in the northern city of Maracay. A man casts his vote to elect a Constituent Assembly in Caracas on July 30, 2017. (AFP) In the west of Caracas, national guard troops fanning out to put down any disruption to the election used armoured vehicles and fired tear gas to disperse protesters blocking roads. Video posted on Twitter showed troops smashing down a metal gate and entering to the sounds of gunfire. Troops also violently moved against protesters in the cities of Maracaibo, in the west, and Puerto Ordaz in the east. The opposition has called for a boycott and mass demonstrations against the election, which it calls a bid by Maduro to install a dictatorship with the backing of the military. Four months of protests against Maduro and the new assembly have left more than 100 people dead. Maduro kicked off voting by casting his ballot in a west Caracas polling station. Im the first voter in the country. I ask God for his blessings so the people can freely exercise their democratic right to vote, the president said. He was accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, who is a candidate to sit on the new assembly. Turnout will be key to determining the legitimacy of the election. But that will be difficult to ascertain as most voters will be able to vote twice, because candidates were drawn from social and industry sectors as well as geographically. Surveys by Datanalisis, a pro-opposition polling firm, show more than 70% of Venezuelans opposed the idea of the new assembly -- and 80 percent reject Maduros leadership. Maduro decreed a ban on protests during and after the vote, threatening prison terms of up to 10 years for anyone violating the order. Fear of the violence worsening has rippled across the region, and beyond. The US, the EU and Latin American powers, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, have come out against the election, saying it would destroy Venezuelan democracy. US sanctions Several foreign airlines, including Air France, Delta, Avianca and Iberia have suspended flights to the country over worries about security. Families of US diplomats have been ordered to leave following the imposition of American sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan officials. Maduro has described the election as the most important Venezuela has seen, and the Constituent Assembly a card that will win this game. One voter on Sunday, Ana Contreras, said: I have come to vote to tell the gringos and the opposition that we want peace, not war, and that we support Maduro. An opposition leader, Henrique Capriles, said the government wants to sell the Constituent Assembly as a solution to the problems. But its only aggravating them. The head of Datanalisis, Luis Vicente Leon, said the Constituent Assembly was being formed because the uncharismatic Maduro -- whose term is meant to finish next year -- cant win elections. Nervous Venezuelans Colombia and Panama -- refuges for tens of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing the chaos at home -- have said they will not recognize the results of Sundays election in Venezuela. The US has suggested further sanctions could follow. The oil industry is worried they could target Venezuelas crude exports, 40% of which are bought by the United States. Some in Maduros administration have broken ranks with him, most prominently his attorney general. Two diplomats resigned this week in dissent: one at the United Nations and another at the embassy in Panama. The Venezuelan leader has blamed the mounting unrest against him and his policies on the United States, working hand-in-hand with the Venezuelan opposition to wage an economic war. I nstagram has long been a source of interiors inspiration. All that endless scrolling lures 'grammers into many a homeware splurge and, as the social media platform continues picking up users, the bloggers, stylists and editors with thousands of followers are increasingly influencing the next big trends. Fashionistas posting about their wardrobes are doing so in the comfort of their own homes using their new rugs, flooring and crockery as backdrops. Now, instead of commenters merely asking where they bought their shoes from, they are enquiring about those cushions and that wallpaper, too. The marble obsession owes much to Instagram, with countless flat lays of emptied make-up bags strewn over kitchen worktops, while interest in pineapple-themed accessories, succulents and copper light fixtures spiralled out of control as they began popping up in many a #interiorgoals snap. But which home decor hits are currently dominating key trendsetters feeds? 1. Marble is refusing to relinquish its crown as Instagrams favourite material, but look out for it in new hues from greens to blacks. Danish stylist Pernille Teisbaek drew thousands of likes for a photo of her standing next to a beautiful dark marble side table, while marble-effect wallpaper is being championed by other Scandi bloggers, especially when teamed with pink-hued soft furnishings. A post shared by Pernille Teisbaek (@pernilleteisbaek) on Jun 29, 2017 at 8:53am PDT 2. Geometric patterns, with striking rugs in dark greys, dusty terracotta, deep yellow and blush pink, are taking centre stage in living rooms and kitchens. Fashion editor and self-confessed decor junkie Erica Davies has been fawning over the exotic Rhombus Kilim rug from La Redoute, below, which she has matched with chairs painted in Calamine by Farrow & Ball. A post shared by E R I C A D A V I E S (@erica_davies) on Jul 14, 2017 at 11:37pm PDT 3. Coloured velvet upholstery is still proving popular, especially in jewelled tones, though leather is starting to creep up in the must-have stakes. New York blogger Danielle Bernstein regularly posts shots of her posing on a tan leather sofa, which can be easily brightened up by woolly throws and textural scatter cushions. A post shared by Danielle Bernstein (@weworewhat) on Jul 7, 2017 at 6:42am PDT 4. Copper has been giving way to bronze when it comes to the metallic touches seen everywhere, while polished silver is also making waves. This trend is easy to jump on board with regardless of budget, with many industrial-inspired accessories hitting high street stores. Influential blogger and model Lucy Williams has been showing off the bronze light fixtures in her kitchen this summer. A post shared by Lucy Williams | Fashion Me Now (@lucywilliams02) on Jul 14, 2017 at 9:26am PDT 5. London blogger Jazmine Marie Rocks is a huge fan of 19th century textile designer William Morris and has over 70 items printed with his timeless designs in her home. If full-on Morris wallpaper is too much for you, it is easy to incorporate bits and pieces, from pottery to table cloths. A post shared by Jazmine Marie Rocks (@jazzabellediary) on Dec 24, 2016 at 4:24am PST 6. Transforming your home into a mini jungle with numerous indoor plants is also all the rage, tied into the trend for all things green Pantones colour of the year. The big-leafed Mexican Monstera plant features heavily on Instagram, including in designer Emily Katz's snaps. Faux plants are great if you think youll struggle to keep your botanical babies alive many even come with fake roots and soil. Failing that, tropical print wallpaper is everywhere. A post shared by Emily Katz (@emily_katz) on Jul 12, 2017 at 9:41am PDT 7. Tiles are enjoying their moment in the spotlight, featuring in many a bathroom selfie and holiday snap. Muted pink tiling, retro patterns and natural ceramic tiling are hits, as are tile inlay fireplaces like the one in fashion editor Alex Stedmans north London home. A post shared by Alex Stedman (@thefrugality) on Jun 28, 2017 at 11:46am PDT Best of the rest: Elsewhere, foodie Instagrammers have been sharing shots of delicious dinners served up on Jackson Pollock-style crockery known as splatterware, while wicker furniture, navy walls, deconstructed lighting, whimsical watercolours and Seventies-style shag rugs all remain on the interiors hot list. The 17-year-old Dallas rapper known as Tay-K is currently in prison due to a capital murder charge. He recorded his breakout hit, The Race, while he was on the run from the feds, and the song (and video currently with over 6.5 million YouTube views) is blowing up while Tay sits behind bars. In an effort to maximize his buzz and to spread awareness for the fight for his innocence, Tays team has released his new mixtape, entitled Santana World. Its unfortunate that much of Tays notoriety stems from the violent charges against him and his precarious legal standing, but there is a great deal of talent to behold on Santana World. Indeed, The Race is an irresistible rush of youthful adrenaline, and the other seven tracks showcase more layers of Tays charisma. It could be a long time before Tay gets to record another track, but his spirit will live on through Santana World. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Of the many traditions that define Texas barbecue, one of the oldest and most ingrained is drinking Big Red soda with your plate of smoked meats. Twenty years ago, long before the craft beer and cocktail revolutions, drink options at barbecue joints were limited. If you wanted an alcoholic beverage, you drank a bottle of Shiner Bock, the flagship dark lager made by the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner. For kids and workers on their lunch hour, soda was the order - Big Red, specifically. For those unfamiliar with Big Red, it's a carbonated and caffeinated soda notable for its bubble-gum flavor and bright red color. Along with Dr Pepper, it's probably Texas' most famous contribution to the soda industry. Invented in Waco in 1937 and originally marketed in South and Central Texas, Big Red would eventually become the preferred drink to wash down barbecue at meat-market-style joints in Central Texas. Though I rarely order a Big Red with my barbecue - it's way too sweet for me - you can still find it on barbecue restaurant menus throughout the state. One place I will occasionally order it is at Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor. "We began serving it in 1974 when my father took over the restaurant and my mother accepted an office manager position with Big Red Bottling Co. in Austin," says current owner Wayne Mueller. "We've been serving it ever since." Nowadays, Big Red has been ousted as the traditional beverage of choice by innumerable other options. However, the characteristics that made Big Red so popular are still reflected in contemporary barbecue beverages. First, there's carbonation. There's something about the fizzy quality of a drink that helps cut through the richness of brisket or the spiciness of sausage. Instead of Big Red, I usually order an ice-cold bottle of Topo Chico - the addictive, highly carbonated mineral water from Mexico. It's a great way to stay hydrated while neutralizing the heavy salt and fat of typical barbecue meats. Second, there's sweetness. The smoke and salt of barbecue are best complemented with a slightly sweet beverage, and today's selections of craft beers offered at many barbecue joints are my choice. I'll grab a Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower or Art Car IPA when available. I'll occasionally order a Shiner Bock for old-time's sake, too. More recently, wine is showing up on barbecue joint menus. In general, slightly sweeter wines, like a red grenache or a white riesling, are good bets. The Pit Room has an extensive selection of wine (with notes on how to pair them with the barbecue), and Pinkerton's BBQ features a carefully selected list of wines as well as craft cocktails. Cocktails are popping up at barbecue restaurants more often these days, especially at places open for both lunch and dinner, like Pinkerton's. Bourbon-based drinks are especially popular, as they incorporate the subtle smokiness that infuses some bourbons. We've certainly come a long way from the days when Big Red was the go-to beverage to accompany our smoked meats. Barbecue technique has changed dramatically over the past 10 years, and traditions are changing with it. I certainly don't order Big Red as much as I used to, but it's good to know that at many barbecue joints, it's still on the menu. LISTEN: Hear J.C. Reid, Alison Cook and Greg Morago discuss the history of Houston barbecue on this week's BBQ State of Mind podcast. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate On a recent Thursday night, a crowd gathered at the new Seva Clinic, a nonprofit facility in Pearland offering free medical care from physicians. "It was crowded," said Hita Dickson who, along with her husband, Jim, serves on the clinic's board. "They had people lined up all the way down the hall and around the corner and even waiting outside. "I think they had 30 people show up and they serviced them all," she said. "They stayed late and put in a team effort to see everyone. The need is huge." That's why a cardiologist, Dr. Periyanan Vaduganathan, says he founded the clinic. He is former chief of staff at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital and is commonly known as "Dr. Nathan." As a practicing physician for 20 years, Vaduganathan is aware of the need for quality care for uninsured and underinsured area residents. "I've seen the need firsthand," he said. "I'd say that there's 10 (percent) to 20 percent of people who don't have insurance or are underinsured; so when they get sick they end up coming to the emergency room. If we can take care of people earlier, we can treat them before they need to come to the ER." Vaduganathan worked for two years soliciting Memorial Hermann, fellow physicians and friends to raise $25,000 in start-up money for the clinic. The group established a board of directors, including Pearland Mayor Tom Reid, rented a small space in Pearland Neighborhood Center at 2335 N. Texas Ave. and enlisted a team of 10 doctors and nurses. The clinic is open every Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The goal for now is to see 15 patients a week. Vaduganathan doesn't want to stop there. "Right now, we only have two rooms, but we will have to do something in the future to make extra space and open more days each week," he said. "The support has been really encouraging," he said. "Many of the people I ask are happy to help, but in the beginning we wanted to start small and keep it manageable." Dickson agreed about the need for space to grow. "We're going to need a space the size of a hospital in a year," she said. She is encouraged by the early enthusiasm for the clinic. "I meet people who are willing to give monetary support and that will be very important moving forward," Dickson said. In addition to free health care, the clinic has partnered with a local pharmacy that fills patients prescriptions for free. Because all the services come at no charge, Vaduganathan stressed he only hopes to treat those who are underinsured or who have no insurance. "We want to make room for the people who are really in need, people who are on a tight budget and don't have an extra $100 to go to a clinic when something comes up," he said. "I don't want this to be used by people who have insurance." Vaduganathan, who is of Indian ancestry, said his desire to help people is expressed by the clinic's name, Seva, which means "selfless service" in Sanskrit. Said Dickson: "Part of the Indian culture is that you work very diligently, you raise your family and then there's a time in your life when you give back, and if you don't give back the culture really frowns on it. I think it's a very good thing for the community, and I'm happy to be a part of it." Vaduganathan said the clinic, which operates as a walk-in facility, can accommodate most patients needing general care. He is working with Memorial Hermann to set up a system of lab testing so he and the other volunteer doctors can treat patients with conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. But for now he is encouraging anyone in need living in or even outside of Pearland to visit the clinic. "There's no paperwork or appointment needed," he said. "We just need you to come in." For more information call 281-942-7382. Addressing hundreds of people at a rally in the District of Columbia on Saturday evening, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called on Americans to continue pressing for the updating and improvement of the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. Her speech in Freedom Plaza came in the wake of the failure last week of a Republican effort to partially repeal the act. The effort was to be the Senate Republicans' first step in replacing President Barack Obama's signature legislation. Speakers at the rally told of how valuable the ACA had been to them and their families. People in the crowd held placards with messages such as "Save Lives, Save ACA." The D.C. rally - and others like it nationwide, including Annapolis, Maryland, - had been planned before the early morning vote in the Senate that doomed the Republicans' effort. Exhorting her listeners not to be satisfied with last week's Senate action, Pelosi, D-Calif., urged them to keep the pressure on. What had developed through the lobbying against the Republicans' plans, she said, is a widely shared belief "that health care is a right for all, not a privilege for just a few." "We have to improve and update the Affordable Care Act," she said. Moreover, she added, "We want to do so in a bipartisan way." That, she said, could be done only "with your continued involvement." Like the D.C. rally, the Annapolis protest also heard from people who said they had benefited from the ACA. They included Chrissy Holt, 50, and her husband, Art, 55. They said they have been to about 10 marches in the past six months in hopes that someone will hear them. The couple's 22-year-old son has severe hemophilia A, and they fear that he might not get the medication he needs. Holt said she believes universal health care is a "human right." "It's scary because there's not a lot of people here," she said after the rally on Lawyers Mall. "I wish more people cared and [would] stop voting for people who don't care." Four of the five declared gubernatorial candidates spoke before the small crowd in Annapolis on Saturday morning, cheering whenever a speaker criticized the state's Republican governor, Larry Hogan, for what they viewed as his overly measured response to congressional Republicans' efforts to repeal and replace the ACA. Gubernatorial candidate and Baltimore technology entrepreneur Alec Ross (D) told the crowd about his 10-year-old son's experience with a potentially life-threatening thyroid condition, for which he was able to receive treatment because of the family's health insurance plan. Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker III (D), who is also running for governor, talked about his wife's struggles with Alzheimer's disease, which left her without her memory and the ability to talk and walk. Benjamin Jealous, former NAACP president and gubernatorial contender, told a story about a friend who came to him crying after a rally in Montgomery County. That friend, he said, recently lost his girlfriend when she had a seizure and could not afford health care. "This is about all of us. This is about all of our families. It's about all of our circles of friends," Jealous said to cheers. State Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr., D-Montgomery, who spent nearly 15 years as a state lawmaker and would be the state's first openly gay governor, lambasted Hogan for refusing to either sign or veto a bill that reimburses Planned Parenthood clinics in the state if they are defunded by Congress. "He hid," Madaleno said. "Don't believe his rhetoric about wanting to work together, because he really doesn't want to work with us." Gubernatorial candidate James L. Shea, an attorney and former chair of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, did not attend. About a dozen people stood behind the rally's speakers, holding signs in support of the ACA and Planned Parenthood. The speakers emphasized that the existence of the ACA is made possible by constituents making their voices heard at events across the country. MOSCOW - Your geopolitical nemesis is suffering a political meltdown and says you're partly to blame. Angry legislators have slapped you with new sanctions, which their president says he will sign. What's a resurgent autocracy to do? In Moscow, it's time for some game theory. Regardless of whether the Kremlin believes its own denials of interfering in the 2016 elections, there is one undeniable truth: Russia is now Washington's greatest political foe. Understanding that President Donald Trump is "tied hand and foot," as one foreign policy hawk here put it, Moscow is weighing options for retaliation. After a dalliance on the Trump train, Russia is once again channeling the ruthless realism that drives its political id, and embracing its role as antihero. "OK, you think we're bad guys, we're going to be bad guys, and we'll see whether you like it or not," said Konstantin Eggert, a television political commentator, describing the Kremlin thinking. Russia's decision on Friday to expel dozens, perhaps hundreds, of American diplomats and other embassy staff marks the first salvo in retaliation to American sanctions that promises to be unpredictable and fraught with emotion. It is built on the frustrations of a Russian leader who perhaps thought that a Trump presidency could change everything, and then watched those hopes dissolve in scandal and recriminations. The Russian establishment has been angry with the West before but rarely so filled with contempt. It is far worse than several years ago, when tensions rose to fever pitch over a pro-Western revolution in neighboring Ukraine, sold on Russian television as a nationalist uprising with echoes of fascism. "No one was scared by the first [2014] sanctions, it was almost fun," said Andrei Kolesnikov, a veteran member of Vladimir Putin's press pool, who co-wrote a 2000 book of interviews with the Russian president and traveled with him to Finland recently. "Now there's a sense among Russian officials that everything is very serious. And they're all looking at Vladimir Putin to see what to do." A common adage about Putin is that he is a canny tactician but a poor strategist. He has taken the upper hand in conflicts with neighbors such as Ukraine and Georgia, and in so doing, surrounded himself with enemies. With Trump's growing political impotence, Russia's cyber-intervention in the 2016 elections now seems similarly pyrrhic. "I don't think he knows how this ends," Kolesnikov said. "The rules are now being made up on the fly." Predictions for autumn are frank: economic war. "If the bill is approved and most probably it will be adopted, then we will inevitably enter the stage of what we call the Cold War," said Andrei Sidorov, an expert on international politics at Moscow State University and one of several hawkish Russian analysts who sat down for a roundtable discussion at a state news agency recently. "And the Cold War means various responses." Putin has said they will depend on the version of the bill signed by Trump. Kommersant, a Moscow daily plugged into Kremlin and foreign policy circles, suggested some options: cutting titanium or enriched uranium exports to the United States,which could harm the American airline and uranium industries; blocking U.S. diplomatic initiatives such as a U.N. vote on new North Korea sanctions and cooperation in Syria; and seizing corporate property or even kicking out U.S. companies such as Google or Microsoft. Moscow knows it's outgunned in a trade war. It generally fights back by using its own market as a weapon, whether by imposing sanctions on European food imports in 2014 or, in a more cynical moment in 2013, by banning Americans from adopting Russian children (Trump discussed the adoption ban, and probably the associated sanctions, with Putin during an after-dinner meeting at the G-20 summit in Hamburg this month). "Of course it's very difficult for Russia to do anything to harm the U.S. interests unless Russia is ready to take steps which will harm ourselves," said Fyodor Lukyanov, chairman of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policies, an influential group of Russian foreign policy experts. Hawks poring over the U.S. sanctions say Moscow needs to break the rules. "It says that by no means shall sanctions apply to NASA projects," said Nikolay Platoshkin, a former Russian diplomat and professor at the Moscow University of the Humanities, referring to the bill passed by the Senate. "Here we go, a perfect tip, let them apply [to NASA], let American astronauts ride horses to the International Space Station." One idea voiced by the Kremlin is to expand cooperation with Europe, and possibly with China, to counterbalance U.S. power. European leaders have expressed anger over the planned U.S. sanctions, saying they could backfire, dealing a blow to transatlantic efforts to curb Russian aggression against Ukraine and sparking a trade war between Europe and the United States. "Of course for our entire lives we've held onto the hope that Europe is close to us and will align in its interest with us against the Americans," said Sidorov. But he was doubtful that the current crisis would bring about this schism. Meanwhile, dialogue between the countries is minimal. American diplomats can't get their Russian diplomats to agree on facts about Moscow's participation in the election hack, and expect Russians to accept the testimonials given by American intelligence chiefs as evidence of Russia's complicity. The Russians have demanded evidence, which the Americans say would compromise sources and methods of intelligence gathering. The impasse is total. Conflict is assured. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON - The most consequential piece of legislation that the Republican-led Congress has delivered to President Donald Trump after seven months is a new package of financial penalties against Russia that he didn't want to sign into law. But he's going to. He would have faced a political firestorm if he rejected the legislation. The House overwhelmingly backed the bill, 419-3, with the Senate rapidly following their lead on a 98-2 vote. Those massive margins guaranteed that Congress would be able to beat back any possible attempt by Trump to reject the measure. The legislation, which also punishes Iran and North Korea, takes aim at Moscow for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria. Provisions backed by Republicans and Democrats would handcuff Trump on the Russia sanctions because of worries among lawmakers that he may ease the financial hits without first securing concessions from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Republicans refused to budge even after the White House complained that the "congressional review" infringed on Trump's executive authority. Russia as the enemy But as Trump faced the embarrassing possibility of being overruled by his own party, the White House announced late Friday that he "approves the bill and intends to sign it." The statement from press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also said Trump "read early drafts of the bill and negotiated regarding critical elements of it." She didn't specify the "critical elements," and lawmakers have said the White House was largely absent as they crafted the legislation. In a statement Saturday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the near unanimous votes "represent the strong will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States." He said he hoped for cooperation with Russia that would make the sanctions unnecessary. That a bill to hit back at Russia would be the singular accomplishment so far underscores how the angrily contested 2016 election continues to reverberate on Capitol Hill. But it's also a product of Trump's own making - and one he failed or refused to see developing in Congress. Instead of looking for a way to retaliate against Moscow, Trump openly challenged the findings of his own intelligence agencies, which concluded Russia had interfered with the intention of tipping the election in his behalf. And he pursued a warmer relationship with Putin, convinced that Washington and the Kremlin could work together on shared interests, such as counterterrorism and Syria. But a vast majority of congressional Republicans have long viewed Russia as the enemy. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., spoke for a large swath of his caucus when he recently declared himself a "Russia hawk." Running out of patience Their misgivings were reinforced by Trump's defense secretary, retired Marine Corps Gen. Jim Mattis, who said during his confirmation hearing in January that "history isn't a straitjacket," but a guide for dealing with Moscow. He said there have been many attempts by the United States over the years to try anew with Russia, but the list of successes was short. Mattis' opinion hadn't shifted several months later when he told the House Armed Services Committee that he'd yet to see "any indication that Mr. Putin would want a positive relationship with us." Still, House and Senate leaders had agreed to give Tillerson time to, as Sen. Bob Corker said, "change the trajectory of the U.S. relationship with Russia," especially in Syria, where the Kremlin backs President Bashar Assad. But Corker, the Tennessee Republican who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his GOP colleagues ran out of patience in late May. "I see no difference whatsoever," Corker said, signaling he would throw his support behind legislation to penalize Russia. A bill to punish both Russia and Iran cleared the Senate on June 15 with 98 votes. Yet Trump remained bullish on the prospect of working with Putin. At an international summit in Germany this month, Trump met several times with Putin, but the American president declined to publicly give the kind of condemnation that his staff insisted he deliver to the Russian leader over Moscow's election interference. And he let a challenge from Putin, who said Trump accepted his denial of Russian involvement in the 2016 election, go largely unanswered. Congressional review A team of House and Senate negotiators late last week resolved several lingering issues with the sanctions bill and also agreed to add the North Korea penalties. The sanctions against North Korea took on added urgency after the North on Friday test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than its first ICBM launched earlier this month. Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, the top ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said after the latest test that he expects Trump to sign the legislation "without delay." Left intact, however, was the congressional review section of the bill. Trump had privately expressed frustration that Congress was demanding the ability to limit or override the power of the White House on national security matters. Yet no one emerged in Congress to be Trump's champion. The House easily backed the sanctions on Tuesday, and two days later, in the midst of health care, the Senate cleared the bill and sent it to the president. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Ten evangelical leaders issued statements of support for President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, many of them lauding his character and dismissing stories of his alleged ties to Russia on the eve of his closed-door testimony Monday before Senate investigators about his contacts with Russian officials. Evangelical leaders often issue statements about policy issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage and religious freedom, but they don't often comment on specific administration officials. The leaders who sent statements come mostly from those who were on Trump's evangelical advisory council, which operated during the campaign and is no longer official but whose members still stay in touch. The group praising Kushner included Southern Baptist pastors David Jeremiah, Robert Jeffress, Ronnie Floyd and Jack Graham; Maryland pastor Harry Jackson; Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr.; former Liberty chaplain Johnnie Moore; Florida megachurch pastor Paula White; Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; and George Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. "I deplore that politics in this country has descended into blood-sport wherein good people like the Kushners, in order to serve the country they love, must endure unfounded attacks on their character, honesty, and trustworthiness," wrote Wood, who added that he had dinner with Kushner and Ivanka Trump several weeks ago. Rodriguez wrote that Kushner has been "a great gift" to evangelicals. "We have always found him to be 'an ever-present help in time of need,' " Rodriguez wrote, a reference to Psalm 46, which refers to God as an ever-present help in time of need. Falwell and White both openly doubted the Russia stories in the news media. "Clearly, this Russian story is nonsense and it must end, enough is enough," White wrote. The statements supporting Kushner were released to the public by Moore, who handles media relations for many pastors and ministries. Moore said that it was his idea to share the praise of Kushner and that the White House did not suggest it. Kushner has "been a real friend to us. He's opened doors for us," Moore said. "It's like if I have a family member that's accused of something and I know that's absurd, I'm going to raise my voice. That's how we feel." Moore said that although evangelicals have been courted during previous Republican presidential campaigns, they generally do not enjoy the same level of access with GOP administrations post-election. Kushner is attractive to evangelicals, he said, because he's an outsider like them, a businessman first and not a politician. During Trump's administration, Kushner has met with evangelical leaders several times, Moore said, including when pastors prayed with Trump earlier this month, when they gathered at the White House in April for an executive order on religious freedom, and earlier in the presidency when Trump's Supreme Court nominees were being floated. The leaders' statements are an unusual display of support, said Rob Schwarzwalder, who has worked in conservative Christian politics for many years and now teaches at Regent University. He believes that it may stem from conservatives' beliefs that the news media wants to derail Trump's efforts. "There's a circle-the-wagons effect, and it might be resulting in the unqualified support from leaders," he said. "The only person we should give unqualified allegiance is the Lord Jesus Christ. Anything other than that is a form of idolatry." While there is a deep divide in the Southern Baptist Convention over whether pastors should continue to vocally support Trump, several Southern Baptist pastors continue to support the president. Jeremiah, a pastor of a Southern Baptist megachurch in California, said that Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who are Jewish, may have been chosen by God to help Christians. "It's just like God to use a young Jewish couple to help Christians in the United States, defend their rights, and secure their religious freedom for now, and for subsequent generations," Jeremiah wrote in his statement. Moore said that many evangelicals feel "a connectedness" to Kushner's Orthodox Jewish faith because it's so "seamlessly integrated in his life. " Many white evangelicals have warm attitudes toward Jews because they believe God has set them apart as chosen. White evangelicals rate Jews more positively than any other non-Christian religious group, but Jews rate white evangelicals least positively among Christian groups, according to the Pew Research Center. Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, wrote that Kushner has been evangelicals' key liaison. "I've never known him not to take seriously any question or issue we've raised with him," Graham wrote. Bishop Harry Jackson, who pastors a church in Maryland, said he was motivated to support Kushner because he has connected with him during a small group dinner on the issue of criminal justice reform and believes they can do "powerful things" together. "I feel like there's just character assassination and vilification," Jackson said. "I have a heart for people who are being double-teamed, the underdog." Many people who represent faith-based groups have been critical of the access given primarily to evangelicals and not to members of other faith traditions, said Michael Wear, an evangelical who handled faith outreach for President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign and worked in his faith-based office. "In many policy disagreements, the [Obama] White House didn't go the conservative evangelical way, but that's totally different from being shut out," Wear said. Trump, he said, has given access primarily to a select group of evangelicals instead of finding people who represent other kinds of Christians, including leaders of black Protestant denominations and Catholic institutions. Under President George W. Bush's administration, evangelicals who wanted to communicate their policy issues usually went through liaisons or White House officials such as Mike Gerson or Peter Wehner, who are evangelicals. Obama's faith team reached out institutionally to faith leaders, including heads of denominations and faith-based ministries who had people working on policy in Washington. Many of Trump's supporters, however, are Pentecostal or Southern Baptist pastors who don't have formal constituents outside their own churches. "Who does Paula White represent? What policy expertise does she have?" Wear said. "Who has empowered her to speak on behalf of their policy recommendations ... unlike Trump's hand-picked supported people who will put a collar on defending Jared Kushner." The group of evangelicals from the campaign is not formally connected to the White House, so it's unclear, Wear said, what advice is being directed to agencies and staff members. But some of them are given access to the White House, and many of them have been given a tour of Trump's private quarters. "It's mutually beneficial for both sides to say they're talking all the time even if they're not talking all the time," Wear said. "We don't know how meaningful whatever interaction there actually is, or if it's just let me show you the Lincoln bedroom so you can tweet it out." Cruz Velazquez Acevedo began convulsing shortly after he drank the liquid methamphetamine he'd brought with him from Tijuana, Mexico. The 16-year-old had just crossed the U.S.-Mexico border to San Diego and was going through the San Ysidro Port of Entry. He was carrying two bottles of liquid that he claimed was apple juice. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers told him to drink it to prove he wasn't lying, court records say. A surveillance video published by ABC Friday, about 3 1/2 years after Acevedo's death, shows the teen taking a sip of the liquid after one of the two officers, Valerie Baird, motioned for him to drink. He took another sip after the other officer, Adrian Perallon, made a gesture with his hand, appearing to tell him to drink more. The teen took four sips. Then, he began sweating profusely. He screamed and clenched his fists. In a matter of minutes, his temperature soared to 105 degrees, his family's attorney said. His pulse reached an alarming rate of 220 beats per minute - more than twice the normal rate for adults. "Mi corazon! Mi corazon!" Acevedo screamed, according to court records - "My heart! My heart!" He was dead about two hours later. The United States has since agreed to pay Acevedo's family $1 million in a wrongful-death lawsuit brought against two border officers and the U.S. government. The family's attorney, Eugene Iredale, acknowledged that the teen did something wrong when he tried to bring drugs into the United States on Nov. 18, 2013. "But he's a 16-year-old boy with all the immaturity and bad judgment that might be characteristic of any 16-year-old kid," Iredale told The Washington Post. "He was basically a good boy, he had no record, but he did something stupid. In any event, the worst that would've happened to him is that he would've been arrested and put in a juvenile facility for some period of time. . . . "It wasn't a death penalty case. To cause him to die in a horrible way that he did is something that is execrable." Iredale said he does not know where or how Acevedo got the drugs, or why he brought them into the United States. "It's typical for people who are drug smugglers to approach kids and offer them $150 to smuggle drugs across the border," he said. "We're never going to know in this case because Cruz died. He knows it's something he shouldn't be bringing." Acevedo crossed the border through the pedestrian entrance at the San Ysidro Port of Entry at about 6:40 p.m. on that November night. Iredale said the teen was carrying his passport and his border crossing card, which allows Mexican citizens to enter the United States and travel within a certain distance for tourism purposes. In California and Texas, the distance is up to 25 miles from the border; New Mexico and Arizona allow noncitizens to travel for up to 55 miles and 75 miles, respectively. The two Border Protection officers believed the teen was carrying a deadly controlled substance, but they "coerced and intimidated" him into drinking the liquid, according to a complaint. The boy was taken to a hospital almost an hour after he had sipped the methamphetamine. He was pronounced dead just before 9 p.m. Iredale called the officers' treatment of Acevedo "the most inhuman kind of cruelty." "I'm not prepared to say they knew for certain that it was going to kill him. . . . It's obvious that they suspected from the beginning that it's meth," Iredale said. "Playing a cruel joke on a child is not something that's justifiable in any way. They have test kits available that would've given results in two to three minutes." Iredale said the officers did test the liquid for drugs, but only after the teen started overdosing. He also cited testimony by another border officer who said Baird confessed minutes after the incident. "I asked him what it was, he said it was juice," Baird told the other border officer, according to Iredale. "I said to him then, 'prove it.' " Perallon and Baird are still employed by the Customs and Border Protection in San Diego, the agency said in a statement. "Although we are not able to speak about this specific case, training and the evaluation of CBP policies and procedures are consistently reviewed as needed," the statement said. Iredale said Acevedo's death prompted an internal affairs investigation, but neither officer was disciplined. When asked about the internal affairs investigation, a Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman said the agency had no further comment. Richard Tolles, an attorney for Baird, said his client and Perallon had sought a summary judgment on the case and were waiting for a hearing on their requests when the government decided to settle. Perallon's attorney did not return a call from The Washington Post. The U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of California declined to comment. The complaint alleged violations of constitutional rights, including the right to not be subjected to punishment without due process. It also accused government officials of not adequately training border officers. Tolles said there was no misconduct on his client's part "that would've risen to the level of denial of due process." "There is no violation of any clearly established constitutional right," he said. In a motion to dismiss filed on behalf of Baird in 2015, her attorneys said Acevedo wasn't a U.S. citizen and had no connections with the United States that entitled him to any constitutional rights. "Nonresident aliens are entitled to constitutional protections only if they have substantial voluntary connections with the United States," the attorneys argued. Iredale said the settlement was the result of several conversations between the parties. The money has been paid to Acevedo's parents, Iredale said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PALO ALTO EL LLANO, Mexico - Adan Lara Vega's work as a master bricklayer netted him a better salary than the farmhands in this rural town, but he struggled to put food on the table for his wife and two children. Work was intermittent, family members said as they stood outside his one-room house facing the pigsty, chicken coops and small fruit trees behind his parents' house. When he could find jobs, the pay was meager. Lara Vega enjoyed playing volleyball in the citywide tournaments, but he was consumed with worry about his children's future, his family said. "He wanted to eat better, to buy a better house," said his aunt, Rosalva Vega Tiscareno, "There are days we don't eat." This month, Lara Vega boarded a bus and began what is a rite of passage for many young men in this region of central Mexico: The trip to the United States. Illegal immigration from Mexico has plummeted in recent years, driven by a variety of factors, but that didn't stop Lara Vega and at least 13 other men from the central Mexican state of Aguascalientes from taking buses to the border and crossing the Rio Grande, where they boarded a tractor-trailer that would take them to San Antonio. Smugglers there were supposed to take them to other destinations, in his case Florida. Instead, Lara Vega and 28 others ended up in San Antonio hospitals. Ten others died in the oppressive, suffocating heat in the unventilated trailer, which was stuffed with as many as 100 immigrants. The smugglers picked up some of them before police arrived at the Walmart parking lot on the southwest side where the truck parked. The truck driver, James Matthew Bradley Jr., 60, was charged with smuggling immigrants and faces up to life in prison or the death penalty. Origins in the 1940s Aguascalientes, population 1.3 million, is disproportionately represented in the number of people who leave Mexico for the U.S. each year, driven in part by the poverty here and in part by the state's history of exporting labor abroad, going back to a World War II program that legally imported labor. In the towns surrounding the state capital, also called Aguascalientes, the impact of this decades-long chain of migration are easy to see. In Palo Alto el Llano, population about 5,000, nicer homes of those with family members in the U.S. rise above the squat concrete and adobe houses lining the mostly dirt roads. In Calvillo, a historic city of 60,000 about 50 miles west where the center is crowded with tourists even on a weekday, the legacy of family members in the U.S. can be seen every Monday, when families line up at the bank for remittances, or during the December guava festival, when the large, American-made trucks of the nortenos home for the holidays can be seen on the city streets, officials said. News of what happened after Lara Vega and the 13 others from Aguascalientes crossed the border sent a shock through this region because of how many here were affected. Maria Guadalupe Rodriuez Macias, 42, said her husband has been in Florida for 13 years. Her sons, who are 18 and 24 years old, want to join him. "They want to go look for their father," she said. "I'm afraid because of what happened" in San Antonio. But stories of tragic deaths on the trip to the U.S., whether while crossing the cartel-controlled territory near the border, swimming the Rio Grande or hiking through the inhospitable landscape in the American Southwest, are commonplace. "If we don't create opportunities, people will continue risking their lives to get a life of dignity they are looking for," said Gabriel Hernandez, Palo Alto el Llano's city manager who himself crossed to the U.S. illegally, became a legal resident, lived there 20 years and graduated college before returning to his home town last year. "There have been so many tragedies in the past, and people keep doing it." Border crossings down Border Patrol agents caught fewer than 200,000 people from Mexico crossing illegally into the U.S. last year, down from nearly 1 million in 2006. In that time, the U.S. housing market collapsed, the Border Patrol doubled, 650 miles of border fencing were constructed, Mexico's birth rate continued a decades-long decline, and economic opportunity increased in Mexico. Yet Aguascalientes is in the midst of a region, including the states of Michoacan, Guanajuato, Jalisco and Zacatecas, that has a long history of sending young men abroad to work. Many here go to the U.S. and Canada on temporary visas that allow them to work seasonal jobs. Many more take the dangerous journey to the U.S. illegally. The migration began in the 1940s with the Bracero Program that was enacted by the U.S. government to replace the millions of workers who left their jobs to serve in the military during World War II. Arnulfo Silva Rodriguez, 79, said he went to the U.S. nearly a dozen times as a bracero, or manual laborer, starting in 1958. After the program was canceled in the 1960s, he came as many times illegally. Back then, he could cross the river unmolested and walk until he could catch a ride to whatever city needed willing hands. "Now there's a lot of crime," he said. "There weren't cholos (gang members), there weren't sicarios (hit men). Now they charge you for crossing the river." Those who can't afford the fee are often kidnapped and sometimes tortured until their families pay ransom. What started with the bracero program morphed into a co-dependence between the two countries. Families in Mexico relied on jobs north of the border, and U.S. employers became accustomed to the steady supply of cheap labor, said Doris Meissner, a former commissioner of the now-defunct U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and a senior fellow with the Migration Policy Institute. When the bracero program ended, the relationship continued illegally. Meanwhile, the opportunities to come to the U.S. legally are limited. The wait times for some family visas stretch back decades - in June the State Department was issuing visas for the Mexican citizen children and siblings of U.S. citizens who had applied in the 1990s - and employers complain of an onerous process to bring in legal laborers when they can't find U.S. citizens and legal residents willing to do the work. "Today's historically low levels of illegal border crossings are a significant accomplishment," Meissner wrote in an email. "But it is unrealistic to expect zero illegal crossings. Enforcement must be combined with a modernized immigration system that makes legal entry more widely available to meet legitimate labor market demands." Perilous journey In Calvillo's quiet outskirts, just a few minutes' drive from the hubbub of the city center where tourists from around Mexico eat guava ice cream and pose for pictures in a well-kept plaza, Mario Ramirez Mendez, 24, took the same path as the men from Palo Alto el Llano, ending up on the same tractor-trailer to San Antonio. Like Lara Vega, Ramirez was hospitalized after police were called to the Walmart parking lot early on the morning of July 23, then held in a detention facility by U.S. marshals as a material witness against Bradley. Tears streamed down the face of Jesus Ramirez Gutierrez, Ramirez Mendez's father, as he explained that he'd had no word from his son for days and knew only that he'd been released from the hospital. His son worked in bricklaying. Other young men who work in the surrounding ranches, dairy farms and terraced guava orchards are called peones, a term with feudal connotations. "Here, they have very little, so they go looking for a better life," Ramirez Gutierrez, 74, said. Closer to the central square, Jose Antonio Gonzalez de Loera, 44, made a decent life for his three children with a family-run business that buys milk from nearby farms and produces cheese they sell wholesale. He has a two-story house with a carport for his Ford pickup. That didn't stop his son Antonio, whom he wanted only identified by first name because the 20-year-old was not detained by immigration authorities, from leaving for the U.S. On the night of July 22, Antonio called his family frantically from inside the trailer, describing the heat and the lack of air. He later told his mother that he lost consciousness, woke up in a stranger's house in San Antonio and made it to Colorado with another man who had been in the trailer with him. Antonio had enjoyed working with cattle since he was a young man, and his family was better off than most, but he was frustrated with the lack of opportunity in Calvillo. "He didn't want to do any more than work and have a house here," Gonzalez said. "But all he could find was work in the countryside." Calvillo city officials noted that with the money immigrants raise and borrow to be smuggled into the country, as much as $7,000, they could open a business and take on something more than farm labor. Rural areas suffer Aguascalientes, one of the safest states in the country, doesn't have the same security problems as some of those nearby, and the capital is home to new manufacturing jobs, including two Nissan plants. But investment in the city has passed over rural areas suffering from agricultural reforms in the latter part of the 20th century and industrialized farming brought on by NAFTA, said Maria Eugenia Perea Velazquez, a professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes who has studied migration in the region, including in Calvillo. The return on the investment can be much greater for those who make it to the U.S. She called the decades-long history of migration in the area "cultural," and said few here want to open a small store or work six-day weeks of 12-hour shifts at the local factories to make in a week what they could make in a day north of the border. As Hernandez, the city manager in Palo Alto el Llano put it: "Companies from other countries move into our territories because the payment they offer our workers is low. That's the reason they move into Mexico." A good-paying factory job offers 1,500 pesos, a little less than $85, a week, he said. "I love my country," Hernandez said. "If I could make the same amount of money here, I wouldn't have to move to the U.S." He said it doesn't make sense for the U.S. to spend so much money enforcing its borders when its farms and factories are encouraging foreign labor to enter the country illegally. "The U.S. and Canada, they need people to work in their fields," he said. "Why not do it legally?" The cycle of migration has its negative impacts, Perea said. Areas with high emigration to the U.S. are reliant on remittances and lack young adults who would contribute to the economy. Many children grow up in single-parent homes, and as soon as young men come of age they follow their fathers to the U.S. She said two-thirds of the population in Calvillo lives in poverty, but emigration to the U.S. isn't limited to the poor. "There are middle-class families in Calvillo that have a tradition of emigrating to the United States," Perea said. "For them, the dream is to go to the United States, buy a truck, send back dollars, meet a girl and marry her." Part of the blame, she said, goes to Mexico's government, which tolerates human smuggling and trafficking, and does little to help communities stuck in the cycle of migration. In some states, nongovernmental organizations have found success creating cooperatives, often involving the women who are left behind, to create economies not reliant on emigration to the U.S., Perea said. But new government administrations are too quick to throw out their predecessors' programs and start anew. Bob Owen/Staff Outdated visa quotas For groups that advocate for allowing more legal immigration, the answer is expanding visas to address what they say is a humanitarian issue of those in nearby countries and an economic issue in the U.S., where labor is needed. Today's visa quotas were set in 1990, and both immigration patterns and the economy have changed immensely since then, said Michelle Mittelstadt, the Migration Policy Institute's director of communications. "MPI has long been on the record that there must be flexibility in the system that allows for the upward or downward adjustment of visas based on actual labor market needs," Mittelstadt wrote in an email. The institute advocates "creating a permanent, nonpartisan commission staffed with labor market and immigration experts, economists, and other specialists that would advise Congress and the administration annually on what employment-based immigration needs are, based on deep review of labor market sectors at U.S. and local levels." Congress hasn't reformed immigration for nearly two decades, and President Donald Trump used immigration enforcement as a major campaign platform, allying himself with organizations that want to decrease all immigration to the U.S., legal and illegal. "Even if we doubled or tripled or quadrupled legal immigration or guest-worker programs, which is a highly unlikely change to the law, still we would not be able to accommodate all the people in the world who would want to come here," Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, one such restrictionist groups, wrote in an email. "The demand would not be satisfied, so people would still pay smugglers. "Illegal immigration is not a force of nature that cannot be controlled. "We will never stop it completely, but we can reduce it dramatically by forcing more employers to stop hiring illegal workers, by investigating and prosecuting the smugglers, by controlling the physical border and doing a better job screening people coming through the ports of entry, by having robust interior enforcement, by denying access to benefits like driver's licenses and welfare programs." For Lara Vega in Palo Alto el Llano, the nuances of Mexico's struggles to address poverty in rural areas and the failure of the U.S. immigration system boiled down to something more basic. "They want dollars," Vega Tiscareno, the aunt of Lara Vega, said of the young men who leave for the U.S. "There's plenty of work. It's the American dream. To improve your life. To eat." The body of a 55-year-old woman was found early Saturday after she went missing Friday allegedly during a hike with her husband in Sam Houston National Forest. The family of Theresa Kirkpatrick found her body about 10:30 a.m., according to Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Her brother, Michael Kiser, described Kirkpatrick, who suffered from diabetes, as a loving person always willing to help. However, he said she would not have "been out here in these woods" with her medical conditions and that she didn't hike. Her husband, Allen Kirkpatrick, told relatives where to find her body, he said. "Somebody took my sister from me. There is no reason; she never hurt anybody," Kiser said. "She was loved by many friends and her family. She didn't deserve what happened to her." Kiser is hoping to learn what happened in the woods that led to his sister's death. The Walker County Sheriff's Office has taken over the investigation since the body was found in Walker County. Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Texas Parks and Wildlife helped with the search. A cause of death has not been determined. Authorities said Theresa Kirkpatrick was hiking in the forest with her 51-year-old husband when the two were apparently separated around 8:30 a.m. Her husband searched for her until about 4 p.m. when he reported her missing to another person. Allen remains hospitalized after suffering from heat exhaustion Friday. No other details were available. Partnerships between federal immigration agents and local law enforcement are booming so far in 2017 - growing to at least 59 agencies in 18 states, according to a large batch of contracts posted as of Friday on Immigration and Customs Enforcement's website. Seventeen Texas sheriff's offices 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 were ICE partners in 2016 - and Harris County, the largest agency, dropped the program earlier this year citing costs and civil rights concerns. Officers from the new partner agencies, which include 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 databanks for people who are arrested and processed in local jails for anything from a traffic ticket to murder. Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said his agency may send as many as 10 officers to get training and tools needed to "confirm who individuals are before we release them" and to determine whether they're wanted by federal immigration agencies or by anyone else. Other newly approved Texas partners include rural sheriffs whose turf runs along a major highway corridor that stretches south from Houston to the U.S.-Mexico border. The 287(g) partnership program had declined under President Barack Obama. Under the program, named for section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE provides training to local officers on how to use its databanks and how to question detainees about their immigration status in local lock-ups. ACLU lawyers and other civil rights advocates have argued that ICE's detainer program, even without additional local law enforcement participation, already leads to civil rights violations and wrongful detentions and deportations through data mix-ups and errors. But the partnerships have attracted renewed interest, particularly from Texas agencies, under pro-detention and deportation policies announced by President Donald Trump. Local sheriffs who applied for the program in 2017 have expressed interest in getting additional help to screen inmates for potentially dangerous immigrants or fugitives and to better protect public safety. Texas now has by far the most ICE 287(g) partnerships of any state. By comparison, just four Arizona law enforcement agencies have them. In California, only the Orange County Sheriff's Office partners with ICE. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez 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 59 as of Friday, based on the latest ICE contract postings. Earlier this year, the ACLU had urged ICE via letters not to approve the applications of most of those Texas departments. Civil rights attorneys have raised concerns about Texas jail conditions and noted that several of the proposed partners - including Montgomery County - separately earn income from housing ICE detainees through detention contracts, giving agencies a profit motive to find reasons to detain people longer. Astrid Dominguez, immigrant rights strategist for the ACLU, 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." After President Obama took office in 2009, his administration floated two names for the position of ambassador to the Vatican: Caroline Kennedy and law professor Doug Kmiec. But members of the conservative wing of the church complained, Kmiec said, because the two supported a politician who backs abortion rights. Kmiec was sent as an ambassador to Malta instead. But that controversy took place under Pope Benedict XVI. Now, Kmiec said, Callista Gingrich, who is married to a twice-divorced man, probably will be welcomed by a pope who is seen as very open to people of different backgrounds. "Mrs. Gingrich, as a conservative, ends up benefiting from the blessing of inclusiveness that Pope Francis has exhibited to the entire world," Kmiec said. "I know there have been objections raised. From the church's standpoint, it'll be consistent with the new attitude of the Holy Father, which is one of hospitality and welcome." She is married to Newt Gingrich, whose former wife Marianne said in 2012 that Newt wanted an "open marriage" as he had carried on a six-year affair with then-Callista Bisek when she was a congressional aide. He reportedly requested annulments of his earlier marriages, and Monsignor Walter Rossi, rector of the basilica and who prepared Gingrich to join the Catholic Church, said in 2011, "His [current] marriage is valid, so everything else is OK." Debates shifted During her confirmation hearings, Senate leaders asked Callista Gingrich several questions about issues where the pope and the president tend to diverge. The heated debates over abortion, contraception and gay marriage during the Obama administration have shifted under President Trump to issues like the environment, immigration, refugees, health care and poverty. Gingrich is unlike previous ambassadors who have been mostly politicians or academics, and the Vatican is hoping for someone who can coherently express the Trump administration's viewpoint on international affairs, said John Thavis, author of "The Vatican Diaries" who was a longtime correspondent for the Catholic News Service. "[Gingrich's appointment is] not going to be something that would shipwreck Vatican relations at all, but ... I'm a little skeptical," Thavis said. "The Vatican counts on the U.S. Embassy to give not just a brief soundbite answer to, but they want position papers." Observers say Gingrich is an interesting choice primarily because she's married to a former speaker of the House and an early supporter and close ally to Trump, so she should have good White House access. She sung in the choir at the Basilica of the National Shrine for the past two decades and helped to convert Newt Gingrich, who was raised Lutheran, to Catholicism in 2009. Callista Gingrich's nomination proceedings take place as a confidant of the pope published an article last week condemning Trump's religious supporters. "It's clear there are tensions," said Miguel Diaz, who was ambassador to the Vatican under Obama's first term. "Her challenge is going to be to bridge the clear differences between the Trump administration and Pope Francis's vision." When Diaz was ambassador to the Vatican, he said he was faced with questions about abortion and contraception when Obamacare debates were raging. He expects Gingrich to especially face challenges of Trump's policy positions on the environment and immigration. He said if the Vatican had any complaints about her nomination, leaders would have voiced them by now. "For us to go back and try to second guess whether this person or this other person should've been nominated, it's not going to do us good," he said. Diaz, who is a theologian at Loyola University Chicago, said Gingrich has strengths that he as an academic didn't have when he was ambassador. "She has the strengths of the political world," he said. "I couldn't pick up the phone and talk to the speaker of the House and I certainly wasn't married to the former speaker of the House." Surrounded by staff Diaz said he met with Vatican officials on a weekly basis and worked with the State Department and other ambassadors around the world. He said what she lacks in experience in working with the Vatican will be made up by the staff around her. "I quickly realized ... it is not just what you know and how qualified you may be for a particular assignment that can make a difference, but also who you know in the world of Washington and Vatican relationships," he said. Trump and Francis have clashed on issues in the past, especially on immigration. "I appeal not to create walls but to build bridges," Francis said in February. The two leaders met in May and the pope gave the president a copy of his major document on the environment. During the confirmation hearings, Gingrich said she was unsure whether Trump has read Pope Francis's encyclical on the environment, saying she had read some of it. "I think we're all called to be stewards of the land," she said, echoing a common Christian phrase for people to care for the environment. Gingrich said she believes climate change exists and that some of it is due to human behavior. "But I think as the president pursues a better deal for Americans, we will, indeed, remain an environmental leader in the world." Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., who served as Vatican ambassador under President George W. Bush, said Gingrich will find common cause from Vatican leaders on issues like fighting Islamic terrorism and poverty around the globe. Her challenge, he said, will likely be related to environmental issues. "Any American that goes to Europe in this era of 'climate change religion' is going to face the European all-or-nothing approach to climate change," Rooney said. "We have felt we can be good stewards of the environment ... without wrecking our economy. That's a fundamental difference we have." During her testimony, Gingrich said she would try to work with the Vatican on issues related to religious freedom, terrorism, human trafficking and diseases like HIV-AIDS and Ebola. She has been the CEO of Gingrich Productions, which produces documentaries often focused on religious themes. She authored "Rediscovering God in America" and a children's series called "Ellis the Elephant." Sharp difference Trump's pick of Gingrich as ambassador signals a sharp difference from the Obama administration's approach, said Christopher Hale who led national Catholic outreach for Obama's 2012 campaign. "Obama wanted impeccable credentials and understanding of the Catholic Church and then someone who didn't cause any controversy," he said. He said Gingrich represents the position of a lay Catholic and will likely not be challenged. The Vatican will not comment on her nomination since the process is not complete yet, said Thomas Rosica, a spokesman for the Vatican. The Vatican has played middleman in international disputes both publicly and behind the scenes. During Obama's administration, Pope Francis took a visible role in the thawing of relations between Cuba and the United States. Has C-SPAN ever won an Emmy Award? Might we nominate Thursday night's failed partial repeal of the Affordable Care Act for Outstanding Drama after midnight. If they were awake, viewers were hooked to their screens as they tried to divine the vote by reading lips and interpreting body language on the Senate floor. The Lead Actor nomination of course goes to U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who once again claimed his maverick mantle by casting the deciding vote a week after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine earn a place on the award shortlist for holding the line against repeal. As McCain told reporters before the vote: "Watch the show." He didn't disappoint. Besides, viewing Congress through the lens of a television show is certainly easier than confronting the sad reality in Washington D.C. - we were one vote away from stripping health insurance coverage from millions of Americans. Members of groups like National Nurses United and Adapt, a disability rights organization, didn't commit acts of civil disobedience and risk arrest in our nation's Capitol for the glitz and glamor of it all. The AARP and American Cancer Society weren't writing letters to Congress to help raise the stakes before the dramatic climax. Americans weren't flooding the phones of their representatives with the hopes of talking to a celebrity on the other end. They were all fighting to stop us from backsliding to a time when a medical emergency could mean bankruptcy and life-and-death decisions were based on pocketbook interests. It is time to stop acting like healthcare is some television show, and there should be no patience for a horror story ending where the seemingly dead repeal bill comes back to life. The moral question of health care in America has been settled: Everyone deserves coverage. Our elected officials need to refocus on the basics of making that happen. So if Congress wants to watch something on TV, might we recommend reviewing those old Schoolhouse Rock videos on how a bill becomes a law. Bipartisan committee hearings are the starting point. The White House, too, must help reestablish a normal order in Washington. So far, Donald Trump's threats to deny cost-sharing subsidies have only succeeded at scaring insurance companies out of risky markets. The buck stops with the president and he hasn't once articulated a vision of what healthcare policy should look like. At no point either on the campaign trail or in office has he demonstrated a working knowledge of Obamacare, Medicaid or the basics of health insurance beyond a general message of universal coverage. If Trump supports Medicare-for-all, then we welcome him to come out and say it. Closer to home, the continued existence of Obamacare means that Texans can once again call upon our state Legislature to expand Medicaid. Too many fall through the gap that exists between subsidized private insurance and single-payer Medicaid. Expansion also means federal dollars to fund public hospitals. This takes the burden off property taxes and opens the door to lower rates for homeowners. Finally, the Republican Party has to reckon with its inability to govern. For the past seven years, Obamacare has been maligned as a radioactive policy and voters have been promised repeals, replacements and everything under the sun if Democrats were only driven from power. The Grand Old Party finally got its wish. So where's the repeal? Where's the replacement? Turns out that Republicans were unable, after seven years, to craft a better health care plan than the status quo. Responsibility now falls on the Republican-led Congress to do the difficult and boring policy work of improving the Affordable Care Act and ensuring that each American has access to health care. It won't make for gripping television, but the award for a job well done will rest in voting booths and history books. WASHINGTON - Donald Trump had his worst day since he was elected president - we'll just call it Friday - and his worst week since the last one. Things can only get worser and worser, as the Bard would permit me to say. Let's start with the vote-a-rama and the "skinny repeal," which puts me in mind of a state fair ride and placing an order at Starbucks. I'd like a skinny repeal, please - venti, with mocha. As all know by now, Sen. John McCain didn't get the skinny on repeal and shocked the chamber by voting no with a thumbs-down. Not even with a Republican majority could Trump dump Obamacare in its slimmest version yet. McCain, who postponed treatment for aggressive brain cancer and flew to Washington to cast his vote, joined fellow Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, as well as all the Democratic members, to put the kibosh on any real hope of repeal this year, much less replace. In most ways, McCain's seemingly last-minute maneuver should have surprised no one. Always the maverick, McCain, who has defied death before, is no one's wingman. If he thought this vote might be his last stand in the arena, he would make it worthwhile and memorable. Back at the Ponderosa, Trump at least had a soul mate in whom to confide, Anthony Scaramucci, the White House's new communications director. "Mooch" or "Mini-me" to Washington insiders, Scaramucci is Trump's knee-capper. Good cop, meet seriously bad cop. Scaramucci is the personification of Trump's deep brain. To the extent that the president ever withholds a thought, Scaramucci is there to express it for him. He's his human Twitter feed. Thus, we may assume that what Scaramucci says, Trump thinks. Thanks to The New Yorker's Ryan Lizza, we're privy to enough premium quotes to entertain ourselves for months. As you may have heard, Scaramucci called Lizza Wednesday in a rage over his "leaked" financial records and Lizza's reporting of an intimate Trump dinner to include Fox News' Sean Hannity and Kimberly Guilfoyle, who, sources say, told Trump that White House chief of staff Reince Priebus is a leaker. When Scaramucci demanded that Lizza divulge his source, Lizza, a polite, erudite fellow, declined and did what reporters sometimes do: He taped the conversation, capturing a hailstorm of profane tirades against leakers and, specifically, Priebus - "a (expletive) paranoid schizophrenic." He also made foul reference to senior adviser Steve Bannon performing Ripley-esque acrobatics that can't be described further here. Next, we visit El Salvador, where, strangely, we find Attorney General Jeff Sessions. We know Trump wants to get rid of Sessions, but sending him into the maw of the beastly MS-13 gang seems excessively aggressive even for this president. While Poor Sessions (see previous column) was practicing Spanish for "I have nothing against tattoos, but seriously?" Trump was making a play in Ohio for tighter immigration by focusing on the gang's murderous record. And, lest we ignore the gold coin Trump magically pulled from his ear, the president randomly ordered transgender people out of the military. What, no women bleeding this week? Health care, schmealth care, in other words. As buffer to the inevitable, Trump made sure to create a little sidebar drama - expelling thugs and transgender people, rooting out leakers and traitors, and threatening to fire anyone who says Russia in his presence. So many shiny objects, so few left to fool. A few Trump loyalists may wait for the last lifeboat, but it's only a matter of time before this administration capsizes, titanically. Trump's first-year agenda is DOA along with health care reform. Going after Sessions has hurt him with conservatives. His chaotic White House operation is a constant reminder that no one's in charge. The cumulative effect of all of these affronts to normalcy, decorum and democracy is to reveal the profile of a deadly iceberg off the ship of state's bow. Light shifts to a small lifeboat off in the distance Rowing slowly is an old man whose posture betrays a straight spine despite obvious injury to his arms and shoulders. A smile creases his face as moonlight catches a twinkle in his eye. A deep scar above it imitates a wryly arched brow. He chuckles at the memory of Trump saying he was a war hero only because he was captured and turns to make yet another final gesture. This time, he doesn't use his thumb. "I need to explain why this expense makes sense for a family in Grand Rapids, Michigan," said Mick Mulvaney, President Donald Trump's budget director. He was attempting to justify why the administration's 2018 budget request slashes foreign aid by more than 30 percent. Fair enough. As someone who has worked for more than two decades in international development, let me help. The U.S. spent $33 billion on foreign aid in 2016. That's only 0.7 percent of the federal budget, but it's still a lot of money that could be used for other things. For Central America, a focus of my work, Congress appropriated $750 million, double the amount spent in 2014. Here's what I'd tell the family in Grand Rapids about why that money advances their interests: Central America's problems affect us directly. When drug cartels can co-opt local governments and 95 percent of crimes in these nations go unpunished, criminals can more easily transport drugs into the U.S. Instability also drives migration to the U.S. When the "Northern Triangle" of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras became one of the world's most violent regions (with El Salvador's 2015 homicide rate reaching levels about 20 times that of the U.S.), migration surged, especially by unaccompanied children. The Center for Global Development calculated that a sustained increase in one homicide per year in Central American neighborhoods leads to 3.7 unaccompanied children apprehended at the border. Conversely, a secure and stable region will continue to import goods and services from the United States. In 2015, U.S. manufacturing exports to these three countries reached $14 billion. Over 40 percent of the Northern Triangle's imports come from U.S. manufacturers, with these imports exceeding their exports to the United States. Whether in dealing with illegal drugs or illegal migration, the U.S. can address Central America's problems more cost-effectively at their roots rather than trying to stop them at the border. A back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that the U.S. spends anywhere from $29,000 to $52,000 per detained migrant at the border, with many attempting more than one crossing. For that amount, you could fund several outreach centers in Central America, each providing skills training and a safe after-school refuge to hundreds of youths in crime-ridden neighborhoods. Sustaining foreign aid in Central America could reap increasing dividends. Unlike many low-income countries, those of the Northern Triangle are at a unique tipping point, with per capita gross domestic product at $6,000 to $8,000. Above that level, the incentives to stay outweigh the benefits of leaving. The region has also achieved a dramatic reduction in fertility rates, which means that fewer young people are expected to enter the workforce in the coming years. This combination of forces points to a sweet spot in history, where helping these countries over this economic hump - creating opportunities for a smaller number of youth - would lead to lower illegal migration flows. Americans are entirely justified in asking whether U.S. aid actually works, or worse, whether our good intentions cause harm - questions I have asked myself as I traveled the region looking at USAID programs. I know of no assistance program that can't somehow be improved. Even more importantly, I have learned that dispensing dollars alone is no answer to the region's deep-seated problems. What works is when the U.S. brings to bear not just money but know-how, political pressure and close coordination with local governments. I saw the impact that can have during a visit to Rivera Hernandez, one of the most violent neighborhoods in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, where gang violence overtook the community, where food delivery trucks couldn't even cross gang borders without permission, and where in 2013 alone there were 193 murders in a 10-block radius. There are no proven best practices to tackle this degree of violence. Yet a tailored, U.S.-supported strategy of police re-training, gang mediators, youth programs, accessible courts and many other on-the-ground programs have helped to stabilize the region. Most important, the host nation is taking over the costs and logistics of running these programs, homicides have gone down in all three countries and crime networks are being dismantled. In Rivera Hernandez alone, homicides are down to less than half in two years. Even if these efforts reduced illegal migration from the region by 10 percent, it would provide savings at the border of more than three times the cost of the whole Northern Triangle program. These points drive home why U.S. foreign aid is necessary and why, done well, it is comparatively cost-effective. War is expensive. Combating terrorism from failed states is expensive. Foreign aid is the cheapest insurance policy we can buy as a country. Continuity and commitment are crucial. The vagaries of annual federal budgeting lead to waste, at a minimum by setting up and dismantling programs, and at worst, by disrupting the local institutions we sought to strengthen. A proposed 40 percent budget cut to funding for the Northern Triangle and the mixed messages about U.S. assistance at a recent meeting between the U.S. and the three Northern Triangle presidents risk both. To the family in Grand Rapids: Know that foreign aid is helping you stay safe and tackling messy challenges at their roots. Keep asking tough questions about government spending and demanding accountability. You deserve a full and nuanced explanation, not snippets or slogans. Even if you don't believe spending U.S. taxpayer dollars to assist Central America is our obligation, it is undoubtedly in our best interest. Apart from hosting and possible maintenance costs, there are not exactly downsides to having your own website. Even if its just a personal blog it can always become more useful down the line, if you utilize it in the right manner. In other words, more As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. The policy direction of the Liberal Party of Canada and its leader Justin Trudeau, as evidenced by the speeches, motions, and debate at the recent national party convention seem to indicate that the party is rejecting the successful pragmatism of the 1990s. Instead, the federal Liberals favour a more interventionist and activist government, much like that of the current Ontario Liberal government. If such policies are enacted, the results would be ruinous for Canada. One of the central themes repeated consistently at the convention was the need for the federal government to incur more debt in order to finance infrastructure and other long-term spending. Mr. Trudeau and his policy advisers seem to have been influenced greatly by U.S. economist Larry Summers. Mr. Summers, who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, is a vocal advocate for more expansive government spending using debt as a method by which to stimulate the economy. One problem of many for this approach is that it belies history, both in the U.S. and Canada. Bill Clinton and Jean Chretien enjoyed enormous economic and political success by doing the opposite. U.S. President Obama and the Ontario Liberals have struggled with a weak economy by doing exactly what Mr. Trudeau now proposes for the entire country. Advertisement Beginning in 1995, the Chretien Liberals cut program spending by almost eight per cent in just two years and continued to constrain spending even after balanced budgets were achieved for the following three years. Federal program spending as a share of the economy declined from over 17.1 per cent in 1992-93 to just under 12 per cent by the end of the decade. Federal debt was reduced from 67.1 per cent in 1995-96 to roughly 30 per cent by the time the Tories took over. And critically, the Liberals enacted a series of tax cuts and reforms aimed at making our economy more efficient and competitive. The results, contrary to the rhetoric of Mr. Summers, were stunningly positive. Over the decade spanning 1997 when the federal budget was first balanced to roughly 2007, Canada led the G7 in both economic growth and business investment. Our record on job creation was unparalleled, more than doubling the U.S. rate and higher than any G7 country. And poverty rates fell by more than 40 per cent. These actual results stand in stark contrast to the predictions of Mr. Summer: "To start, this means ending the disastrous trend towards less and less government spending and employment each year and taking advantage of the current period of slack to renew and build out our infrastructure." Of additional concern is the naivete that Mr. Summers continues to display and has apparently now infected Mr. Trudeau with in terms of the actual ability of governments to do the things he advocates. Mr. Summers was front and centre in advocating for and shepherding through the Obama stimulus, which contained hundreds of billions of dollars for "shovel-ready" projects. Mr. Summers insisted that the mark of success of such policies were that they were timely, temporary, and targeted. The reality of what happened is that, not surprising, politics affected the program. High priority projects were shelved for more politically expedite ones. Projects were delayed and hung up in red tape and bureaucrat infighting. The assumption that government can simply flick a switch and spend efficiently is both conceptually and historically false. Advertisement Mr. Summers can be forgiven for not being aware of the actual experience in Ontario. The same cannot be said of Mr. Trudeau. The large and continuing deficits in Ontario, despite economic growth, coupled with heavy-handed interventionism in a host of sectors has placed Ontario on a path of decay, not prosperity. Economic growth in the province has remained sluggish despite large-scale deficits and debt accumulation. (As a measure of the province's problems -- Ontario is markedly worse on every measure of indebtedness compared to California.) It's not at all clear how the country will benefit from Ontario-style policy when such policies have been an abject failure. The country would benefit from a return to the sound policies of the Chretien era in the 1990s -- balanced budgets, reducing debt, decentralization of responsibility and authority for services to the provinces, better value-for-money focused spending by the federal government, and incentive-based tax relief and reform. That's a recipe for success for any government, or government in waiting. The Trudeau Liberals should look back to this period rather than down south for their policy ideas. This piece was co-written by Milagros Palacios, Senior Research Economist, Fraser Institute. ALSO ON HUFFPOST: gregory_lee via Getty Images Period poverty has existed for generations across the United Kingdom. Yep, that's right. Women and girls everywhere have been without sanitary products because they cannot afford them or do not have adequate access to them. What that means is that girls have been missing school to deal with their period within the confines of their own homes, and women have been using alternative materials, including "newspapers" and "socks", which pose a serious threat to their health. Yes, it is shocking. Here's what you can do about it: 1. Fight tampon tax The 5% tax rate we pay on period products will end in 2018. Or so the Chancellor of the Exchequer has promised. We need to make sure this actually happens. Join our fight to end tampon tax, a sexist levy that upholds the period taboo that silences women and accelerates period poverty. We've already made history in pushing tampon-tax-ending legislation through parliament. But our job isn't over until the tax is finally axed. Period! Advertisement Join our campaign! Tesco have just launched a scheme that will absorb the 5% tampon tax rate - they have decided to pay this rate before their products go on sale so that we don't have to! That's amazing. Let's make sure other stores follow suit... 2. End the period taboo. Period The period taboo underpins all of the problems that we face in terms of tampon tax and period poverty more widely. The reason these issues haven't been tackled is because we feel as though we cannot talk about them. We can't fix what we cannot see publicly. So, let's get period talk out into our streets, on our social media feeds and in our news streams. The more we talk, the more effectively we can tackle the issues we face; the issues that have effected women for so many generations in silence. To help us tackle the period taboo, PLEEEEASE add a period story to our kickass period blog! Take a look here, add your own period story and become a HERO! You will help us talk about the issues of sexism and injustice surrounding menstruation. Period. 3. Get local There are many amazingggg campaigns across the country dedicated to tackling period poverty in their local areas. There are three main ways you can help them.Firstly, you can join an existing local 'homeless period' campaign to help them collect donations for local food banks and homeless shelters. They do really brilliant work! You can find these campaigns on twitter or contact me at lauracoryton@hotmail.co.uk if you need any help finding your nearest campaign. It's always brilliant to connect period campaigners! Advertisement Secondly, you can support the amazing 'Bloody Good Period', an organisation dedicated to widening the access of sanitary products to asylum seekers, homeless women and refugees, with the click of a button! Thirdly, if you don't already have a 'homeless period' project in your local area, you can start your own! To do this, you will need a group of amazing local people to help you, however big or small. Together you can collect donations of sanitary products from your kickass community. You can ask fellow heroes to plant donation points in their community centres, workplaces or universities to start making a big impact! 4. Sign, sign sign! Sign and support our amazing sister petitions tackling multiple forms of period poverty. Here are just a few: Schoolgirl Amika George set up her petition to tackle period poverty faced by girls and trans boys on free school meals. Fourth Wave's petition hopes to address period poverty in schools more widely. The Homeless Period is a fantastic project set up to help homeless women access the period products they need. Advertisement 5. Lobby Government Support our central petition and lobby the Government into ending period poverty, here: www.change.org/homelessperiodproject. Scotland recently introduced a pilot scheme that hopes to help 1,000 women on low incomes in Aberdeen access period projects. It's a groundbreaking scheme that made history. If it's deemed a success, it will be rolled out across the whole of Scotland. If Scotland can do it, so can the rest of the UK! ASSOCIATED PRESS With so much talk around the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, it's easy to picture an army of Terminator-style bots in a workplace war. Throw in the number of different research reports claiming the 'rise of the robots' will drive unemployment, and it's no surprise we're worried about safeguarding jobs against our mechanic counterparts. The not so glamourous reality is that robots are in fact just data driven pieces of software, programmed to do exactly what we tell them. The other reality is robots aren't going to steal our jobs, but actually take away the tedious, manual tasks that we'd rather not spend our time doing anyway! Advertisement Recently, the Chief Executive of Siemens UK, Juergen Maier, claimed the likes of robotics, additive manufacturing and AI will deliver better productivity and higher paid jobs, and he's right. By using technology to automate repetitive jobs, we're free to do all of the strategic activities that drive the bottom line. Rather than waste time doing exactly the same tasks day in, day out, employees can focus on areas of the business that require something robotics can't offer - the human touch. Whether it's thinking up creative ideas, building relationships or even back-to-basics customer service, these are the things that will drive real value to the business. By eliminating some, or even all, of the boring back office processes, businesses can consider where employee strengths lie and make sure they're being used in the right way. For those claiming certain jobs and professions will be influenced by robotics - you're not wrong, but that still doesn't mean in five years' time an I, Robot look alike is going to be handing you a P45. What it actually means is people's roles will change, making it possible to completely re-invent the 'ideal workplace'. While some jobs will likely become automated, others will be created. Remember the industrial revolution? The uproar around job losses due to developments in technology isn't a new phase, but a misunderstood one. In the end, not only did productivity rise, but also massive opportunities for jobs were generated all across the UK. We have a love-hate relationship with tech in the workplace - when it's assisting us, it's seen as a friend, and when it could replace us it's seen as foe. However, it's important to remember that its technology that drives the economy forward, and produces innovations like driverless cars and virtual assistants. Advertisement With or without the rise of the robots, employment rates will continue to change. Robotics is just another technology that will change the way we work, but as long as we remain fixated on the idea that robots will replace us, the true potential of the technology will continue to be overlooked. It's not a case of every business across the UK simply swapping their human employees for a mass of machines, but about finding the right balance between the two. Blend Images - KidStock via Getty Images Just as the saying goes: 'it takes a village to raise a child,' it takes a community to support mothers to breastfeed. During World Breastfeeding Week 2017 we look at how we can build a village of support around our mothers, helping them to breastfeed for as long as they wish. We know that many women and new parents in the UK do not have a 'village' behind them and in many instances they do not even have one person to turn to who believes in them and their ability to succeed at breastfeeding. Many women live in an environment where bottle feeding is the cultural norm; where three or four generations of families have bottle fed, where friends in their street bottle feed and the idea of breastfeeding can be considered unnecessary and sometimes even taboo. It just doesn't happen. Advertisement On the other hand, travel to another 'village' and for the women living there, breastfeeding is the norm; their mother and grandmother both breastfed, and they have grown up with women in their community; friends, sisters and cousins breastfeeding around them - where breastfeeding cafes thrive and mothers confidently breastfeed in public - almost without thinking about it. It happens every day. Why does this matter? Breastfeeding saves babies' and mothers' lives, reduces obesity, improves mother's mental health and helps them to form close and loving relationships with their baby. Whilst more women are starting to breastfeed their baby in the UK, there are large social and demographic variations. Recent data from Public Health England demonstrates how women's experiences in England are at two polar opposites of the spectrum. For example, if you travel to one area of England you will find only 22% of women breastfeeding their baby at 6 weeks, but if you travel to another you can find 77% of babies being breastfed. With 8 out of 10 mothers in the UK stopping breastfeeding before they want to, we need to look carefully at the reasons for these disparities. It's a complex, emotive and profoundly sensitive subject. Talking about the challenges and trying to explore what can be done differently can sometimes lead to mothers and families in both 'villages', breast or bottle feeding, feeling hurt, upset and bruised at the implication that they didn't do the best for their child. We must acknowledge this pain before talking about how we can improve mothers' breastfeeding support and experiences. How can we build a supportive 'village' for every mother? So for this World Breastfeeding Week let's think about what the 'ideal village' might look like and how it could enable more women to breastfeed. It takes a whole community to support mothers; governments, healthcare providers, breastfeeding counsellors, families, friends and employers can all play a role in changing the culture of infant feeding in the UK. Advertisement At a macro level, Unicef UK is calling on UK governments to put systems in place to help remove the barriers to breastfeeding. For example, governments could start to create a 'big village' of support for new parents by ensuring that all hospital and community services are required to implement and sustain the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative Standards. This action alone would provide a strong foundation and ensure that all babies are born into a Baby Friendly environment where families are given the opportunity to develop a close, loving relationship with their baby and get feeding off to a good start. Building on this, local authorities could then implement support programmes such as peer support groups, breastfeeding friendly spaces and back-to-work schemes, helping mothers to keep breastfeeding going beyond the early days and weeks. This will maximise the benefits of breastfeeding and create a breastfeeding cultural norm, where children grow up familiar with breastfeeding and expecting to breastfeed their own children. In addition, governments should adopt in full, monitor and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent resolutions ("the Code"). This will protect parents from harmful commercial interests by ensuring that formula feeding parents receive clear, impartial and accurate information about products, and that breastfeeding is not undermined by the UK formula industry, now the 11th largest in the world. At a micro level, women need to be helped to build 'a village of support' around them. During pregnancy the mother needs to be helped to explore what her support network could look like; be it a partner, a friend, her mum, dad, cousin, stepmum, a childminder or another local mother who is breastfeeding or has breastfed. With the help of someone who believes in her, as well as ongoing, face-to-face, predictable support from a trained health professional and a local breastfeeding peer supporter, a mother is more likely to start and continue to breastfeed. Once she becomes confident in her own ability and in her transition to motherhood, she will be able to share her story and help the next mother on her breastfeeding journey. Knowing the benefits that breastfeeding can bring to the mother, her baby, her family and wider community means that we all have a social responsibility to create a supportive UK village that values the needs of the baby to be breastfed and of the mother to be supported to breastfeed. It is the responsibility of us all to make this happen, and we all have a role, each and every one of us. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Mozambique channel washes ashore on the soft, sandy beaches of Maintirano, a town on the west coast of Madagascar. You could be forgiven for thinking this must be paradise for the people who make their living here fishing. The locals know better. Fishing is dangerous, but I have to feed my family, confesses Vernon, a 33-year-old fisherman, and father of five, who makes around 5-a-day heading out into the ocean on a Pirogue a tiny wooden sailboat that resembles a canoe. Sometimes very far away from the shore. Sometimes into hazardous conditions. The community estimates that at least 30 fishermen died in this village in 2016. The small boats used by fishermen in coastal communities provide little protection from dangerous conditions (Vestability) The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report in 2014 highlighting that Africa has an intolerable death toll through drowning. The continent has the highest rates of drowning in the world. It accounts for around 7 per cent of every 100,000 deaths (compared with just 0.44 per cent here in the UK). The numbers might be far higher but there is a lack of available data. Most of these deaths result from fishing accidents. People from impoverished communities are not properly equipped to deal with strong currents and hazardous weather. Recommended The startup selling organic tampons in ice cream tubs On a trip to a remote fishing village in Madagascar in 2014, graduate Alex Sanderson noticed the lack of affordable marine safety equipment. I spoke to a lot of single mothers families that had lost husbands, sons and brothers in fishing accidents. The reality to them was that these instances were unavoidable the chances of fishermen, armed with just an oar, returning if their boat capsized at sea was low. Even a small wave can break up a boat in half. Vestability launched its jackets on the west coast of Madagascar, enlisting locals to help test them (Vestability) You cant get away from life jackets in Europe. They are everywhere. It felt so strange to think that this sort of basic provision wasnt being provided everywhere. For these communities life-jackets are a luxury. In Africa, life jackets cost around 60 times more than a fisherman's daily income and many villagers must make the journey to larger cities to buy one. Alex believes this is why NGOs and local authorities seem to overlook drowning as an issue. There just wasnt a straightforward, cost-effective solution. The way we currently make jackets makes the final product far too costly, and as most are made in Europe or Asia, transporting them to remote fishing villages pushes the price up further. Alex and Pritika Kasliwal founded Vestability while studying at Bristol. They are looking to expand their programme into other parts of Africa (Vestability) Alex and Pritika needed to find a way to provide affordable lifesaving buoyancy vests. They started to look at cheap materials that were available in fishing communities nets, local plant varieties, plastic bags even rum bottles. "We decided on a rice sack and four plastic bottles." And develop they have. Their buoyancy vest mimics the design of a standard life jacket which provides enough flexibility during fishing and swimming, whilst also being comfortable. Their jackets provide 60 newtons of upward force, enough buoyancy to keep a conscious human afloat. Alex and Pritika headed to Maintirano to launch their sustainable design, realising that the easiest way to distribute vests would be teaching fishing communities to make them themselves. Workshops were attended by fishermen as well as the women and children (Vestability) They ran two, two-hour workshops (taught in English and Malagasy), not only attended by fishermen, but also women and children and community leaders. Attendees created their own life jackets and the know-how to repair them ensuring skills will be transferred to family, friends and future generations. We want fishing communities to benefit from the jackets for generations to come says Alex. The aim of the project is to ensure villagers can pass on the know-how to future generations (Vestability) One of the fishermen they taught, Bonina, is the breadwinner of his family and the dangerous nature of his work had created an uncertain future. For families in poverty, the death of a household earner can not only be an emotional tragedy, but may lead to the rest of the family struggling to survive. Bonina and his wife attended workshops run by Vestability in Maintirano. Everyone should have one of these life jackets, he grins, strapping on his vest, with his daughter in-tow. Thirty fishermen died in Maintirano in 2016. Since Vestability began operating in the area, there have been no reported deaths. After successful testing of the product in the region, Vestability aims to continue expansion across Madagascar with marine charity, Blue Ventures, and further test their product with the RNLI in the UK. Back in Bristol, the university has helped them to grow Vestability into a self-sustaining business. We have had so much help along the way, comments Alex. Bristol has loads of societies that encourage entrepreneurs. I was helped by Enactus Bristol, but also the university staff in the Bristol Basecamp. So what's next for Vestability? This has the potential to save lives all over Africa so were going to concentrate on getting jackets to as many fishermen as possible says Alex. Pritika and I have just graduated university, so we can focus our time on Vestability. We will to continue to provide communities with access to vests but also other forms of lifesaving equipment. The hope is they will expand throughout Madagascar and East Africa. Vernon, who has five children, previously had to choose between risking his life, or allowing his family to go hungry (Vestability) When we left Maintirano we were just so pleased with the success of the project, and the foundations we have laid. Were just filled with plans for the future right now. For more information on Vestability, you can visit www.vestability.co.uk Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Japans biggest bank is reportedly set to move its European investment operations from London to Amsterdam because of the uncertainty posed by Brexit. MUFG could move hundreds of its 2,100 London employees to the Dutch capital, sources told the Financial Times. Other banks are also looking to set up new offices in various European cities because of Brexit. The UKs withdrawal from the EU is likely to have a significant effect on the financial services industry in the UK along with numerous other areas as companies in Britain will no longer be able to operate within the EU framework. This could potentially block access to clients and significantly interfere with business. Amsterdam is already home to MUFGs retail and corporate banking operations. The Netherlands has strict bonus caps but, under new proposals, these would be exempt for companies which employ at least 75 per cent of their staff outside the country. The proposed move separates MUFG from other large Japanese banks based in London, which are eyeing moves to Frankfurt, the German financial capital. 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 The Bank of England has been pressuring financial institutions to outline their post-Brexit plans in recent weeks, the FT reported. Frankfurt was also the choice of Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Standard Chartered for their post-Brexit locations. HSBC chose Paris and the Bank of America and Barclays opted for Dublin. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Authorities failed to stop the radicalisation of two teenage boys who were killed while fighting for al-Qaeda in Syria despite monitoring them for years, an investigation has found. Abdullah Deghayes, 18, and his 17-year-old brother Jaffar were killed within months of each other in 2014 after joining Jabhat al-Nusra. Their elder brother, Amer, is believed to remain in Syria, having told ITV news he would continue on the path of jihad until I get killed. A serious case review published by the Brighton and Hove Local Safeguarding Children Board found there had been no recognition that the brothers and their three siblings were becoming vulnerable to radicalisation and exploitation, with a series of missed opportunities leading up to their disappearance. Their family, which is originally from Libya but fled Muammar Gaddafis regime, had been known to local authorities in Brighton for decades over domestic abuse and as the victims of racist attacks. The Deghayes brothers are the nephews of Omar Deghayes, who was imprisoned without charge at Guantanamo Bay between 2002 and 2007 after being arrested in Pakistan. Jaffar Deghayes died fighting in Syria, six months after his brother was also killed in the war-torn country (Facebook) Anti-Islamic graffiti was reported in the area in Brighton, where the brothers lived from 2007 onwards, including a 12-inch high daubing stating Behead all Muslims in 2009, and four years later far-right protesters gathered outside their home. In 2010, the boys told staff at a youth club that they were being forced to wake up at 4.30am to study the Quran and whipped if their father felt that they were not studying properly, causing all five siblings to be put under child protection plans. The scheme ended after their father left the UK in 2012 but the review found that Abdullah and his elder brother Amer were spiralling out of control and becoming embroiled in anti-social behaviour and crime a pattern frequently seen among European jihadis. After an arrest in 2012, Jaffar shouted at officers that they would die as they did not follow Allah, that they would burn in hell on judgement day, while his brother had claimed: Allah will seek revenge for me. The review said that comments made by siblings to police officers would not have been perceived at the time as particularly significant, but radicalisation training has since improved. The next year, one of their schools raised the alarm after hearing that some young people were converting to Islam and some had been paid by one of the brothers relatives to attend a gym behind a place of worship. Timeline: The emergence of Isis Show all 40 1 /40 Timeline: The emergence of Isis Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2000 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (pictured here) forms an al-Qaeda splinter group in Iraq, al-Qaeda in Iraq. Its brutality from the beginning alienates Iraqis and many al-Qaeda leaders. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2006 Al-Zarqawi is killed in a U.S. strike. Al-Zarqawis successor, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, announces the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2009 Still al-Qaeda-linked ISI claims responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 155 in Baghdad, as well as attacks in August and October killing 240, as President Obama announces troop withdrawal from Iraq in March. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2010 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi becomes head of ISI, at lowest ebb of Islamist militancy in Iraq, which sees last U.S. combat brigade depart. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2012 In Syria, protests (pictured here starting in Daree) have morphed into what president Assad labelled a real war with emergence of a coalition of forces opposed to Assads regime. Syria group Jabhat al-Nusra are among rebel groups who refuse to join, denouncing it as a conspiracy. Bombings targeting Shia areas, killing more than 500 people, spark fears of new sectarian conflict. Sunni Muslims stage protests across country against what they see as increasingly marginalisation by Shia-led government. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2013 Al-Baghdadi renames ISI as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or Isis, as the group absorbs Syrian al-Nusra, gaining a foothold in Syria. In response, al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri (Bin Ladens successor) concerned about Isis expansion orders that Isis be dissolved and ISI operations should be confined to Iraq. This order is rejected by al-Baghdadi. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - January Isis fighters capture the Iraqi cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, giving them base to launch slew of attacks further south. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis declares itself the Caliphate, calling itself Islamic State (IS). The group captures Mosul, Iraqs second largest city; Tal Afar, just 93 miles from Syrian border; and the central Iraqi city of Tikrit. These advances sent shockwaves around the world. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Around the same time Isis releases a video calling for western Muslims to join the Caliphate and fight, prompting new evaluations of extremists groups social media understanding. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis take Baiji oil fields in Iraq - giving them access to huge amounts of possible revenue. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August James Foley is executed by the group as concerns grow for second American prisoner, fellow reporter Steven Sotloff. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August Obama authorises U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, helping to stall Isis along with action by Kurdish forces following the deaths of hundreds of Yazidi people on Mount Sinjar. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release video showing Steven Sotloffs murder prompting Western speculation his executioner is same man who killed Mr Foley. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Obama tells us that America will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release a video appearing to show David Haines, who was captured by militants in Syria in 2013, wearing an orange jumpsuit and kneeling in the desert while he reads a pre-prepared script. It later shows what appears to be the aid worker's body. Rex Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Peshmerga fighters scrabble to hold positions in the Diyala province (a gateway to Baghdad) as Isis fighters continue to advance on Iraqi capital. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Aid worker Alan Henning is killed. Self-imposed media blackout refuses to show images of him in final moments, instead focuses upon humanitarian care. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Isis raise their flag in Kobani, which had been strongly defended by Kurdish troops. The victory goes against hopeful western analysis Isis had overextended itself, while alienating much of the Muslim population through the murder of Henning. Victory causes fresh waves of Kurdish refugees arriving in Turkey. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - November American hostage, who embarced values of Islam, Peter Kassig and 14 Syrian soldiers are shown meeting the same fate as other captives. But intelligence agencies will be poring over the apparently significant discrepancies between this and previous films. Seramedig.org.uk Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis has released a video revealing the murder by burning to death of a Jordanian pilot held by the group since the end of December 2014. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have released videos which appear to show the beheading of Japanese hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February American aid worker, Kayla Mueller was the last American hostage known to be held by Isis. She died, according to her captors, in an airstrike by the Jordanian air force on the city of Raqqa in Syria, though US authorities disputed this. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have posted a gruesome video online in which they force 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages to kneel on a beach in Libya before beheading them. Egypt vowed to avenge the beheading and launched air strikes on Isis positions. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February The British Isis militant suspected of appearing in videos showing the beheading of Western hostages has been named in reports as Mohammed Emwazi from London. Rex Features Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - March Isis triple suicide attack has killed more than 100 worshippers and hundreds of others were injured after the group members targeted two mosques in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Iraqi forces have claimed victory over Isis in battle for Tikrit and raised the flag in the city. EPA/STR Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis has claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan that killed at least 35 people queuing to collect their wages and injured 100 more. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis media arm released a 29-minute video purporting to show militants executing Ethiopian Christians captives. The footage bore the extremist groups al-Furqan media logo and showed the destruction of churches and desecration of religious symbols. A masked fighter made a statement threatening Christians who did not convert to Islam or pay a special tax. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis has been "incapacitated" by a spinal injuries sustained in a US air strike in Iraq. He is being treated in a hideout by two doctors from Isis stronghold of Mosul who are said to be "strong ideological supporters of the group". Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis has also claimed responsibility for killing 300 of Yazidi captives, including women, children and elderly people in Iraq AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis attack on Prophet Mohamed cartoon contest in Texas was its first action on US soil. Two gunmen were shot and killed after launching the attack at the exhibition. Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi have been named as the attackers at the Curtis Culwell Centre arena in Garland. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isiss deputy leader, Abu Alaa Afri, a former physics teacher who was thought to have taken charge of the deadly terrorist group, has been killed in a US-led coalition airstrike. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May US special forces have killed a senior Isis leader named as Abu Sayyaf in an operation aiming to capture him and his wife in Syria. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Iran-backed militias are sent to Ramadi by the Iraqi government to fight Isis militants who completed their capture of the city. Government soldiers and civilians were reportedly massacred by extremists as they took control and the army fled. Charred bodies were left littering the city streets as troops clung on to trucks speeding away from the city. Ramadi is the latest government stronghold to fall to the so-called Islamic State, despite air strikes by a US-led international coalition aiming to stop its advance in Iraq and Syria. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis rounded up civilians trapped in Palmyra and forced them to watch 20 people being executed in the historic citys ancient amphitheatre. The Unesco World Heritage site was overrun by militants, threatening the future of 2,000 year-old monuments and ruins. Thousands of Palmyras residents fled but many are still living within the city walls, while the UN human rights office in Geneva said it had received reports of Syrian government forces preventing people from leaving until they retreated from the city. Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May A group of Isis-affiliated fighters have captured a key airport in central Libya. The militants took control of the al-Qardabiya airbase in Sirte after a local militia tasked with defending the facility withdrew from their positions. Affiliates of Isis, already control large parts of Sirte, the birthplace of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and a former stronghold of his supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June The US Air Force has destroyed an Isis stronghold after an extremist let slip their location on social media. According the Air Force Times, General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, said that Airmen at Hulburt Field, Florida, used images shared by jihadists to track the location of their headquarters before destroying it in an airstrike. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Kurdish forces captured a key military base in a significant victory in Raqqa as well as town of Tell Abyad. YPG fighters, backed by US-led airstrikes and other rebels, consolidated their gains, when they seized the key town on the Syria-Turkey border. They are now just 30 miles to the north of Raqqa and have cut off a major supply route deep inside Isis-held territory. Ahmet Silk/Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has released gruesome footage claiming to show the murder of more than a dozen men by drowning, decapitation and using a rocket-propelled grenade as it seeks to boost morale among its fanatical supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has begun carrying out its threat to destroy structures in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, blowing up at least two monuments at the Unesco-protected site as Syrian government troops made advances on the Islamists positions. AFP Teachers also reported anti-Semitic content on one of the boys phones, including comments on Israel, Palestinians and how disgusting the Jews were. Another opportunity to intervene came in the same year after Jaffar was referred to a panel following an emotional comment he made about Americans after returning from Libya in the grip of its brutal civil war. But the panel concluded Jaffar was not at risk of being drawn into terror-related activities and the brothers continued to be counselled by social workers. No further information was obtained about activities at the gym, the report said, but added: Both these instances were missed opportunities to learn more about the activities of the young people and to understand the links between young people in Brighton. Moreover, at that time there was little local or national knowledge or understanding of the risks to children from being exploited into radicalisation to go and fight in wars elsewhere in the world. In January 2014, the brothers left the UK and were initially said to be visiting relatives, before police discovered they had travelled to Turkey and onwards to join Amer and one of his friends in Syria. Local practitioners do not know how, when or why the siblings decided to travel to Syria, the report concluded. Abubaker Deghayes said his sons went to Syria of their own free will and without their parents consent (PA) (PA Video/PA Wire) Whatever their motives for travel, the police understood that the boys died participating in the conflict in Syria. Following news of Abdullahs death just days after his 18th birthday, their father told The Independent his son was a martyr who died for a just cause. Abubaker Deghayes insisted the brothers had gone to Syria of their own free will and without their parents consent, adding: The cause is to help those who are being bombed daily by Assad and killed by his bombings and air raids and soldiers for nothing except to ask for their freedom. I hope this was his intention, I hope he is rewarded and I hope he is in peace now. Graham Bartlett, independent chair of the safeguarding review, said the case had a major impact on local authorities understanding of the risks of exploitation through radicalisation for children. It is important to stress that this review has found that prior to the siblings travelling to Syria, the national intelligence and threat assessment did not suggest that people were going abroad to fight, he added. Locally, professionals had not identified that the brothers were at risk of radicalisation or at risk of fighting overseas. There was and remains no evidence to indicate how they were radicalised. Mr Bartlett expressed hope that the reviews findings would help professionals dealing with children suffering trauma who may become vulnerable and inform policies and practices elsewhere in the UK. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The uncle of Charlie Gard, a baby who died after his parents fought a high-profile court battle to keep him alive, has written a touching poem in his memory. Andy Gard posted the tribute on Instagram, hours after the family announced the boy had died. I know inside youll always know how much they fought for you, he wrote. Recommended Pope Francis leads tributes to Charlie Gard But now they both need you from heaven to watch over them now, too. The poem has been liked on the social media platform close to 17,000 times. The case of Charlie Gard, who died shortly before his first birthday after suffering a rare brain disorder, caught the attention of major political and religious figures around the world. Pope Francis tweeted after Charlies death: I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him. US Vice President Mike Pence, who is strongly pro-life, tweeted: Saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard. Karen and I offer our prayers and condolences to his loving parents during this difficult time. President Trump had previously tweeted about the case, offering to help the baby and his family. His parents lost a five-month legal battle to take their son to the US to receive experimental, unproven nucleoside therapy from a specialist as courts ruled it would have little chance of success. Tributes flow in for Charlie Gard An end-of-life plan was approved on Thursday by High Court judge Nicholas Francis. Charlie was kept on life support at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and then moved to a hospice where the artificial ventilator was switched off. Prime Minister Theresa May also paid tribute to Charlies family. I am deeply saddened by the death of Charlie Gard, she said. My thoughts and prayers are with Charlies parents Chris and Connie at this difficult time. After the baby died on Friday, Connie Yates said: Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie. Andy Gards full poem is below: From ever since your daddy phoned me to say that you were here. Right up until you were driven home and me and daddy had some beers. I know inside youll always know how much they fought for you. But now they both need you from heaven to watch over them now, too. For Ill never know in my own lifetime how life could be so cruel. All I know for certain is that Im the worlds proudest Uncle. 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 While we stay in this ugly world, your spirit now has freedom. Rest assured our beloved Charlie, in this fight we will not be beaten. At the moment all we do is feel pain, feel sad we sob and cry. But we always hold out the belief that theres no such thing as goodbye. So Ill leave this poem here just for now, but just to clarify... All my love, my hope the fight I need will be inspired by your eyes. I love you Charlie. Thank you for being you. Uncle Andy. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Journalists at the Financial Times are reportedly preparing to go on strike over the newsrooms gender pay gap following the huge row at the BBC. Women at the FT are said to be furious after discovering they are paid on average 13 per cent less than their male colleagues. The newspapers union called a meeting this week after deciding the issue was being brushed under the carpet by senior management, according to Sky News. The gender pay gap in FT editorial is nearly 13 per cent - the biggest shortfall in a decade - and the company's 'ambition' to reach equality by 2022 is worse than the BBC's present target of 2020, said Steve Bird, father of the FT's National Union of Journalists chapel, in an email to 600 staff at the organisation. Working for a private company where even the salaries of the editor and CEO are not disclosed does not inspire confidence in the FT's commitment to transparency. "And recent corporate statements seem more concerned about the commercial implications of gender bias than bringing women's salaries into line with those of male counterparts. "After a recent leader in the FT stated: 'Women are right to be angry at the pay gap', it's time for the Financial Times to put its money where its mouth is. Senior women at the BBC wrote an open letter to protest at gender inequality at the corporation after it was forced to reveal that two-thirds of its highest earners were men. Tony Hal, the BBC's Director General, has pledged to have parity of pay by 2020, although several of the corporation's well-known female presenters and journalists are currently renegotiating their contracts following the revelations. The FTs internal audit showed that 70 male members of staff earned more than 80,000, while just 20 women were paid more than that sum. Recommended BBC actor defends men earning higher salaries in gender pay row The FT said in a statement to Sky: We take the matter of gender pay seriously and welcome the Government's move to make all large UK companies report on the issue. We have a 50/50 female-male split among our workforce and there are more women in senior roles across the newsroom and commercial teams than ever before. We have a long list of active initiatives in place to further that progress. We will be reporting on pay in due course, in line with the UK government timetable. From benchmarking we have seen we compare favourably to the industry. Women in various different media organisations are expressing their discontent at the gender pay gap which exists in most newsrooms. One told the Independent: Its bitterly ironic that we write so many stories on gender equality and sexism while being paid less than our male colleagues even when we have the same or a very similar level of experience and competence. Its high time something was done about it, because our bosses who are mostly men have been getting away with it for far too long." The reporter added: Its good to hear union action is on the cards at the FT and that the men there are being supportive of their female colleagues because thats the only way to move forward, with the men recognising that this is unacceptable and standing with us. The FTs union was expected to put out a statement on further action in the coming week. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An independent review into the response to the Manchester Arena bombing will look at what lessons can be learned for the future. Andy Burnham, the citys mayor, has promised an open, honest and independent review after suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people after an Ariana Grande concert. Lord Kerslake, the former head of the civil service, will chair the review. The trained accountant, who is currently chairman of Londons Kings College Hospital, told the BBC the review would focus on the preparedness of Greater Manchester for such attacks and their response in the period, the week-and-a-half or so in which they had to respond. He added: The issue of whether it could have been prevented is a different review process. Ariana Grande breaks down singing 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' at Manchester benefit There were thousands who were affected in some way by this terrible, terrible event. I see that as a key part of role as chair to make sure that their voices are heard as part of this review. They will have insights and ideas that wont necessarily be available to the emergency services, good though they are. Announcing the appointment at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Friday, Mr Burnham praised the stature and considerable experience of the former head of the Civil Service. The Mayor of Greater Manchester said people in the region are still coming to terms with the enormity of what happened. This atrocious attack on our city was an unprecedented incident, he said. The bravery and professionalism shown by the emergency services and many others that night was outstanding. The leaders of our public services had run planning exercises only weeks before the attack and, thanks to their actions, our city was ready to respond. One Love Manchester Show all 12 1 /12 One Love Manchester One Love Manchester Concert goers queue outside Old Trafford Cricket Ground ahead of the One Love Manchester tribute concert in Manchester. AFP/Getty Images One Love Manchester Music fans embrace outside the Old Trafford Cricket Ground ahead of the One Love Manchester tribute concert in Manchester. AFP/Getty Images One Love Manchester A woman sunbathes as police officers patrol around Old Trafford Cricket Ground ahead of the One Love Manchester tribute concert in Manchester. AFP/Getty Images One Love Manchester Manchester residents cheer as survivors walk to Old Trafford cricket grounds for the concert @AlexScapensMEN/Twitter One Love Manchester Women wearing I Love MCR T-shirts arrive at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground ahead of the One Love Manchester tribute concert in Manchester. AFP/Getty Images One Love Manchester Armed police look-on as fans begin to arrive at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground ahead of the One Love Manchester tribute concert. AFP/Getty Images One Love Manchester One Love Manchester Benefit Concert fans. One Love Manchester One Love Manchester Benefit Concert. One Love Manchester The crowd at the 'One Love Manchester' benefit concert. One Love Manchester AP One Love Manchester Gary Barlow has tweeted a picture of Take That backstage with Ariana Grande. Grande said she wanted to return to the "incredibly brave city" to spend time with her fans and to "honour and raise money for the victims and their families". One Love Manchester Take That with Robbie Williams - Music fans have said they had to attend the Manchester benefit concert to show they were determined to "stay strong and carry on", despite recent attacks. But, as with any major incident, it is right to take an honest look at what happened so that the right lessons can be learned for the future, and this review will help us be even better prepared in the future and allow us to share our learning with other parts of the country. The review is expected to start in September after individual organisations have carried out their own reviews, and an interim report is expected to be completed by Christmas. Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Race Report email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Sunday Times article headlined Sorry ladies equal pay has to be earned has been criticised for its anti-Semitic and sexist content. The article, by holocaust denier Kevin Myers, pointed to Claudia Winkelman and Vanessa Feltz, who are among the top-earning women at the BBC. Jews are not generally noted for their insistence on selling their talent for the lowest possible price, which is the most useful measure there is of inveterate, lost-with-all-hands stupidity, he wrote. I wonder, who are their agents? If theyre the same ones that negotiated the pay for the women on the lower scales, then maybe the latter have found their true value in the marketplace. "Yet even using that word 'marketplace' in the absurd world of the BBC is like putting 'common sense' and 'egalitarian feminism' in the one sentence without a negative, or collapsing with laughter." He added that men tend to be paid more because they "work harder, get sick less frequently and seldom get pregnant" and are "more ambitious". The article has been removed. Martin Ivens, editor of the Sunday Times, said the comments "were unacceptable and should not have been published. It has been taken down and we sincerely apologise both for the remarks and the error of judgement that led to publication. 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 Frank Fitzgibbon, editor of the Sunday Times in Ireland, said he apologised "unreservedly for the offence caused by comments in a column written by Kevin Myers and published today". He added: "It contained views that have caused considerable distress and upset to a number of people. As the editor of the Ireland edition I take full responsibility for this error of judgement. This newspaper abhors anti-semitism and did not intend to cause offence to Jewish people. The columnists name became a top trend on Twitter. Social media users were quick to take pictures of the piece and share it online, questioning why the article was given the green light by editors. Cookbook writer and activist Jack Monroe commented: "It all becomes clear. Decent people of Britain, meet Kevin Myers. Holocaust denier, anti Semite, sneering white man." Curtis Brown joint-CEO and literary agent Jonny Geller added: "This is unacceptable from the Irish version of Sunday Times. Why tolerate casual anti-semitism like this?" Guardian journalist Marina Hyde said: Amazed this disgrace made it into the paper. But instructive that it did. Andy Murray calls journalist out for 'causal sexism' Myers has a controversial history, including a piece in 2008 where he wrote: Africa is giving nothing to anyone apart from Aids. Myers 2009 article that denied the Holocaust, published by the Belfast Telegraph, was taken down following the furore on Sunday. There was no holocaust, (or Holocaust, as my computer software insists) and six million Jews were not murdered by the Third Reich, he wrote. These two statements of mine are irrefutable truths []. In 2005, the Irish Times came under fire for publishing his column, which called children of single mothers bastards. It is not clear whether Myers has been reprimanded or will continue to be employed at the newspaper. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Boris Johnson has accused Sir Vince Cable of "peddling lies" about him after the Liberal Democrat leader made reference to rumours the Foreign Secretary may be about to resign. The heated response came after Sir Vince seized on apparent differences between International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Chancellor Philip Hammond over plans for a post-Brexit three year transition period for migrant workers in order to brand the Cabinet as being in a state of "civil war". The Lib Dem leader added: "There is no Cabinet consensus for moderation. And the rumours of Boris Johnson being about to resign fuel the uncertainty." Responding to the claims, a spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "Vince Cable is making his stuff up and maybe he should take more time to think up some policies rather than wasting his time on peddling lies. "Boris and Philip Hammond are working closely to take the the UK out of the EU and are not going to be diverted from that important task." The war of words erupted after Dr Fox insisted unregulated free movement of labour after Brexit would "not keep faith" with the EU referendum result. Dr Fox insisted the Cabinet has not agreed a deal on immigration after withdrawal from the EU. This appeared at odds with Mr Hammond's signal that free movement would continue for a limited period in all but name with an added element of migrants having to register in the UK. Mr Johnson has yet to comment publicly on Mr Hammond's transitional plans. In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images Sir Vince hit back. "If the Foreign Secretary is working so closely with the Chancellor, can he confirm that he supports the Chancellor's call for a three-year transitional deal with continued free movement of labour? So far he has been uncharacteristically silent on the subject," he said. "It is a simple question: does he support the position of Philip Hammond or Liam Fox? Because he can't support both. "And if Philip Hammond secures a three year transitional deal, can Boris Johnson confirm he will stay in the Government and support the policy? "I have a policy: it is to stay in the single market and customs union to protect British jobs and living standards." Press Association Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The UK could be hit with post-Brexit customs chaos that would cost the economy more than 1bn a year, a report has warned, fuelling fears of what the port of Dovers boss termed an Armageddon-style scenario. Theresa May has promised to maintain the frictionless transport of goods between the UK and the EU despite her plan to leave the Customs Union although she has more recently amended this pledge to as frictionless as possible. The Europe-wide economic consultancy Oxera said that if no trade deal is reached when the UK leaves the EU, customs checks would cause lengthy border delays, resulting in slower trade. The report, authored by Oxeras head of transport and entitled, Brexit: The implications for UK Ports, suggested huge lorry parks would have to be built in south-east England to cope while longer motorway queues would be an inevitable consequence of greater customs control. Recommended Kinnock urges Corbyn to retain single market membership We estimate the impact of such a scenario to be at least 1bn per year. This is an extremely conservative estimate it does not account for the economic costs of the uncertainty involved, the extra staff needed (for hauliers, ports and customs officials), the congestion associated with calling Operation Stack [which would see the M20 used as a makeshift lorry park], the land required for the additional customs checks [in the form of lorry parks], or of the wider economic impacts of jobs moving overseas due to uncertainty over the operation of just-in-time logistics," it said. The full cost is likely to be much higher. The EUs chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has warned the UKs hopes of securing frictionless trade are unrealistic. Speaking last month, he said: Some in the UK say you can leave the customs union and build frictionless trade. That is not possible. Some in UK say you can leave the single market and keep all of the benefits. That is not possible. UK goods trade with the EU is valued at 466bn. Since the single market was established in 1993, goods leaving the UK for the EU and vice versa have not been subject to customs checks on either side. The report warns that the event of no deal between the UK and the EU on a customs union would have extremely serious economic consequences. Business in both the UK and the EU needs to know very soon the customs rules under which they will be trading. The decision cannot be part of a last-minute deal on the eve of Brexit, due to the time it will take to get trade moving under the new arrangements. The costs to logistics businesses and their customers, users of the road network and, eventually, jobs in the UK of a relatively limited increase in friction will be considerable. And no deal on an alternative customs union would have extremely serious consequences for the UK economy. Providing a policy direction in this area should be a priority for the government when Parliament returns from recess. In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images A statement from the Government said the post-Brexit relationship being sought with the EU had been set out in its White Paper and the Lancaster House speech made last year by the Prime Minister. A prominent group of Conservative MPs last week called on Cabinet Ministers to take urgent action to avert post-Brexit gridlock at the ports. A report entitled Ready on Day One, endorsed by the European Research group of Tory backbenchers and written by Charlie Elphicke, the MP for Dover, calls for proper planning for the event of no deal and for an expanded treaty with France to cover customs. We have got less than two years: that is why we need to be ready on day one, and this report offers blueprint of the sort of steps we should be taking, it said. Everyone hopes for a trade deal but we have to be prepared for every eventuality, and for customs checks. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Karen Bradley, the Culture Secretary, has said homes and businesses across Britain will soon benefit from high-speed broadband amid warnings that millions are receiving poor connectivity. Revealing that BT has put forward an offer to voluntarily provide the service delivered through Openreach Ms Bradley said her final decision will be about making sure we get the best deal for consumers. Her comments come after dozens of MPs released a report calling for the urgent introduction of an automatic compensation scheme for broadband consumers. The MPs wrote that while broadband is increasingly considered to be as essential as utilities such as water or gas, the quality of customer service has simply not caught up with demand. In the report Broadband 2.0 it is claimed that as many as 6.7 million UK broadband connections may not receive download speeds above the Governments proposed minimum of 10 megabits per second (Mb/s). Less than half of all UK connections are thought not to receive superfast speeds of 24Mb/s, according to the groups research. The Digital Economy Act defined a minimum broadband download of 10 megabits per second earlier this year. But the Government has said that BTs proposal means many premises would receive substantially more speed and connections quicker than through a regulatory approach. Considering the two options, Ms Bradley said the Government is taking action to ensure that people everywhere in the UK can get a decent broadband connection as soon as possible. We warmly welcome BTs offer and now will look at whether this or a regulatory approach works better for homes and businesses, she said. Whichever of the two approaches we go with in the end, the driving force behind our decision-making will be making sure we get the best deal for consumers. 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 BT chief executive Gavin Patterson said: We are pleased to make a voluntary offer to deliver the Governments goal for universal broadband access at minimum speeds of 10Mbps. This would involve an estimated investment of 450m to 600m depending on the final technology solution. This investment will reinforce the UKs status as the leading digital economy in the G20. We already expect 95 per cent of homes and businesses to have access to superfast broadband speeds of 24Mbps or faster by the end of 2017. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Xavier Bettel, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, has warned Britain could face a Brexit divorce bill of more than 50bn. Comparing the EUs stance to Margaret Thatchers battle to get a major rebate from the bloc for Britain in the 1980s, Mr Bettel added: It is now time for the European Union to make an analogy with the famous quote of Mrs Thatcher, We want our money back. On the financial settlement, Mr Bettel, who succeeded Jean-Claude Junker as the Prime Minister of Luxembourg in 2013, added: Concerning the exit bill, it is important to underline that the British Government took this commitment in the past and needs to honour it. It is not a penalty. The sum ranges between 36bn and 54bn. While no official figure has been placed on the divorce bill one of the most contentious issues in the negotiations some speculation has placed the financial settlement as high as 100bn (89bn). Mr Bettel accused Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, of bragging when he claimed Britain could have its cake and eat it over Brexit and when he told EU officials to go whistle over reports of a substantial divorce bill. "It is not possible to have your cake and eat it too Boris Johnson knows that, Mr Bettel added. The comments from Luxembourgs Prime Minister come after the second round of Brexit talks between David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, and Michel Barnier, the EUs top negotiator, failed to produce any substantial breakthroughs on issues including the financial settlement, citizens rights and the Irish border. But the Department for Exiting the European Union said: As the Secretary of State said, it is important that both sides demonstrate a dynamic and flexible approach to these negotiations. Government officials are working at pace and we are confident we will have made sufficient progress by October to advance the talks to the next phase. In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images On the financial settlement, we have been clear that we recognise the UK has obligations to the EU and that the EU also has obligations to the UK. Just last week, it emerged, Mr Barnier had also threatened to delay any talks on a post-Brexit trade deal Theresa Mays priority unless negotiations over the exit settlement progressed significantly in the immediate months. He said the likelihood of starting the future relationship talks in October appeared to be decreasing, one EU official present at a meeting with Mr Barnier told Reuters news agency. The official added: Barnier expressed concerns that sufficient progress in October looked difficult now. Mainly because Britain has no position on finances, but also because they dont have positions on other issues as well. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Cabinet splits have emerged over the Governments plan for a post-Brexit deal after a series of briefings appeared attacking the Chancellors transition strategy of retaining free movement of labour until 2022. It comes after Mr Hammond suggested there was a broad acceptance at Cabinet level for many of the current arrangements with the EU remaining very similar for a period lasting up to three years after Britain formally leaves the bloc in March 2019. But his plans were criticised by Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, who told the Sunday Times the Cabinet has not yet agreed a deal to allow free movement of labour for three years after Brexit, adding that any such move would not keep faith with the referendum result. "If there have been discussions on that I have not been party to them. I have not been involved in any discussions on that, Dr Fox said. He continued: I am very happy to discuss whatever transitional arrangements and whatever implementation agreement we might want, but that has to be an agreement by the Cabinet. It cant just be made by an individual or any group within the Cabinet. We made it clear that control of our own borders was one of the elements we wanted in the referendum, and unregulated free movement would seem to me not to keep faith with that decision. Dr Foxs comments also appeared as the Chancellors plans for a post-Brexit deal were criticised by a close ally of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. Gerard Lyons, a former economic adviser to Mr Johnson while he was London Mayor, said a two-year transition agreement with the EU would work better than a three-year one. He told the Sunday Telegraph: Many of the risks being highlighted about Brexit are perceived risks, not real risks. And a two-year transition would alleviate many concerns. Mr Johnson has not yet commented publicly on Mr Hammond's plans, his ally continued: Enough is enough. The leader is away so those in senior roles seem to think they can play. The trouble is, new ideas for Brexit should not be floated in public in the way they currently are, as if government policy is being made by whoever can occupy the news agenda that day. There is a need to return to some Cabinet collective responsibility on this, the most important issue of our day: Brexit. And despite Theresa Mays plea to keep discussions between Cabinet ministers confidential, the Mail on Sunday quoted allies of David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, suggesting the Chancellor was attempting to undermine the Prime Minister while she is on holiday in Italys Lake Garda. In an article for the newspaper David Jones, a former Brexit minister, said: No sooner is the Prime Minister on holiday and Parliament away for the summer, than Europhile forces in the Cabinet decide its a good time to go on manoeuvres. All this agitation by the Chancellor and his allies is hugely discourteous to Mrs May and undermines her authority. But just as importantly, talk of a three-year transitional deal or longer by Philip Hammond is deeply dangerous. But the Chancellor, who is thought to have backing in the Cabinet from the Home Secretary Amber Rudd, and First Secretary Damian Green, received praise from the pro-EU Conservative Nicholas Soames. In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images "He has restored discipline to the political infant class who want Brexit at any cost, Mr Soames said. "Instead of mindlessly criticising him, they should thank him for putting a stop to what was in danger of becoming a pub brawl." On Friday Mr Hammond claimed: I think theres 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. He also added that literally nobody wants a post-Brexit migration cliff-edge as he outlined his plans for a two-phase Brexit during which Britain will retain access to the single market before new permanent arrangements are in force by the next election. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Aliya Shagieva, the youngest daughter of the president of Kyrgyztan, has spoken out after she criticised for posting a picture on social media of herself breastfeeding, Taken from above her, Ms Shagieva appeared near naked in the image as she fed her one-month-old son Tagir. Posted on Instagram in April, it ran alongside the caption: "I will feed my child whenever and wherever he needs to be fed." But after she was attacked on social media and accused of "immoral behaviour", she took the image down. In an interview with the BBC, Ms Shagieva said a culture which over-sexualises the female body caused the outrage, rather than the image itself. "This body I've been given is not vulgar, it is functional, said the 20-year-old artist. "Its purpose is to fulfil the physiological needs of my baby, not to be sexualised." "When I'm breastfeeding my child, I feel like I'm giving him the best I can give. Taking care of my baby and attending to his needs is more important to me than what people say about me." A post shared by (@chestnayaaa) on Jun 29, 2017 at 5:13pm PDT Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, has a socially conservative, majority Muslim society. President Almazbek Atambayev and his wife Raisa disapproved of their daughters picture, Ms Shagieva said. "They really didn't like it. And it is understandable because the younger generation is less conservative than their parents. My mum received messages from her 'friends' about me. Ms Shagieva is known for her progressive behaviour. She gave birth to son six-months after her marriage to Russian husband Konstantin. The young family live as vegetarians in a traditionally meat-eating country. A post shared by (@chestnayaaa) on May 16, 2017 at 1:24pm PDT Ms Shagieva frequently posts images of her and her son on Instagram. Breastfeeding in public is a matter of debate across the world. Former Australian senator Larissa Waters was praised when she breastfed her baby in parliament in May. "It's frankly ridiculous, really, that feeding one's baby is international news, Ms Waters said at the time. Women have been breastfeeding for as long as time immemorial. "I had hoped to not only be able to feed my baby but to send a message to young women that they belong in the parliament." 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 There have been calls to allow breastfeeding in the House of Commons, after a 2016 independent review recommended it. It is illegal in the UK to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a public place, such as a cafe, park or public transport. However, breastfeeding rates in the UK are among the lowest in the world, according to a 2016 study in The Lancet. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A doctor about to give birth leapt out of her bed to help bring another womans child into the world instead after her baby became distressed. Dr Amanda Hess rushed to the rescue of Leah Johnson in Frankfort Regional Medical Center, Kentucky, when her own doctor was on a break. She acted after overhearing nurses saying that Ms Johnson, who was fully dilated, needed to give birth immediately. Dr Hess said: I just put on another gown to cover up my backside and put on some boots over my shoes to keep from getting any fluid and all that stuff on me, and went down to her room. She recognised Ms Johnson, whom she had performed a check-up on days before, and delivered her healthy baby daughter. Ms Johnson afterwards described Dr Hess as pretty amazing, and added: I feel very lucky she was there and the type of person she is and stepped up to do what she did. Dr Hess, a doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology, later gave birth to her second child, Ellen Joyce. Both mothers and babies were reportedly doing well and Dr Hess was expected to take eight months for her maternity leave. Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty She added: 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. It came just weeks after a newborn was saved by paramedics who battled to get her mother admitted to her nearest hospital after being told there was no room. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} US Vice President Mike Pence is preparing for Donald Trumps impeachment, a congresswoman from their rival Democratic Party has claimed. Mike Pence is somewhere planning an inauguration, Maxine Waters wrote on Twitter. Priebus and Spicer will lead the transition she added, referring to the two latest members of Trumps White House to resign. Former chief of staff Reince Priebus stepped down and Sean Spicer resigned as press secretary both stepped down from their roles in recent weeks. A long time critic of Mr Trump, Ms Waters was the first US politician to claim that the salacious sex acts alleged in the unverified Russian blackmail dossier against the US leader were absolutely true. The document, alleged the Russian state has compromising sexual and financial information on the President. She has also repeatedly called for his impeachment. Hes someone that Im committed to getting impeached! Mrs Waters told a Washington bookshop audience in May. Hes a liar! Hes a cheat! Hes a con man! Weve got to stop his ass. Two Democrat congressmen, Al Green and Brad Sherman, filed the first impeachment articles against Mr Trump on 12 July. They claimed Mr Trump obstructed justice by firing FBI Director James Comey during his investigation into Russian interference in the 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 But for an impeachment trial to go ahead, a majority in the House of Representatives and a two-thirds majority in the Senate must approve it. With both the House and Senate under Republican control until at least the mid-term elections in November 2018, this is unlikely. Mr Pence has distanced himself from the recent scandals rocking the White House, including revelations of Donald Trump Jrs meeting with a Russian lawyer during the election campaign. The Vice President is "not focused on stories about the campaign - especially those pertaining to the time before he joined the campaign" said Mr Pence's spokesman in a statement, shortly after they emerged. Donald Trump is someone that found his way to the presidency of the United States of America I still dont know how. Only two American presidents have been impeached, and in neither case did it lead to their removal from office. Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson were both exonerated by the Senate and completed their term in office. Richard Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal before Congress could impeach him. Fourteen vice presidents have later become president - eight of those because of the death of the sitting president. Five became president during a following term and one following the resignation of the sitting president. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Finnish ship has set the record for the earliest crossing of the notorious Northwest Passage, the Arctic route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Icebreaker MSV Nordica was at sea for 24 days, travelling more than 6,214 miles to make the record. It arrived at Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, on 29 July, having set off from Vancouver, Canada on 5 July, the Associated Press reported. The previous record was set by Canadian Coast Guard ship Louis L. St-Laurent in 2008. It arrived in Point Barrow, off Alaska, on 30 July, having also set off on 5 July from Newfoundland. But the route the Nordica travelled, in the opposite direction, was even longer. Passengers on board the Nordica reported seeing sea birds, seals, whales and a polar bear. Ships have been able to make the journey earlier in recent years because of a reduction in Arctic sea ice, which scientists believe is one of the clearest symptoms of climate change on the planet. Icebreaker-type ships tend to be the only vessels which can make the journey, with conventional crafts struggling in the Arctic environment. 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 While the ice has reduced because of climate change, significant amounts still remain, making it near impossible for normal vessels to make the journey. The route retained a mythical status among seafarers with some perishing in the process of trying to navigate it until 1903, when Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached Alaska from the Atlantic. There have been just 411 recorded Northwest Passage transits since then, including the Nordica. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Plans to drill for oil near the newly discovered Amazon Reef one of the largest in the world have been attacked by leading scientists, conservationists and explorers. The reef extends for about 600 miles off the north coast of Brazil, near the mouth of the mighty Amazon river, and covers an area about half the size of Wales. Oil companies BP and Total plan to drill for oil in the area and there is concern that any spills would damage the precious and unique ecosystem. Now a group of scientists and others have signed a statement calling the reef, the existence of which was only revealed last year, to be protected. The signatories include Sylvia Earle, the former head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as other scientists from the US, Brazil, Colombia, the UK, Spain, Australia and the Philippines. Explorers Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Bruce Parry, and wildlife broadcasters such as Michaela Strachan, Bill Oddie and Ben Fogle, have also put their name to the statement. Plans to drill for oil in nearby waters pose significant pressures and risks, whether from drilling itself or from the threat of significant oil spills, which even the companies own oil-spill modelling give up to a 30 per cent chance of reaching the reef, said the statement, organised by Greenpeace. A spill here could negatively impact the reef and the wider basin: an area home to vulnerable species including the Amazonian manatee and leatherback sea turtle, among many others. The priority should be to protect the reef and surrounding waters in order to conduct further research to provide greater insight into its species diversity, structure and function, as well as the interconnections it has with other surrounding ecosystems, before any decisions are made concerning further human exploitation of the area. It stressed just how unusual the reef is. Where the Amazon River pours into the ocean, the surrounding waters are initially dark and silty a very unusual environment for a rich carbonate reef ecosystem to exist, the statement said. Home to pink corals, coralline algae, more than 70 species of reef fish and more than 60 species of sponge, the Amazon Reef is a thriving and dynamic ecosystem that has barely been explored, but may already be under threat. Indeed, there is already some drilling underway, while oil giants BP and Total have acquired licences to explore the sea bed nearby. Dr Ronaldo Francini Filho, one of the researchers who discovered the reef, stressed its importance to the region. The Amazon Reef is one of the largest reefs in the world and a corridor connecting Brazil and the Caribbean, he said. It is a critical piece of the mega-biome composed by the huge Amazon forest, the second largest mangrove in the world, and the reef itself. Thousands of people depend on the resources and ecosystem services provided by the Amazon Reef. Animals in decline Show all 8 1 /8 Animals in decline Animals in decline Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) Where: Orkney Islands. What: Between 2001-2006, numbers in Orkney declined by 40 per cent. Why: epidemics of the phocine distemper virus are thought to have caused major declines, but the killing of seals in the Moray Firth to protect salmon farms may have an impact. Alamy Animals in decline African lion (Panthera leo) Where: Ghana. What: In Ghanas Mole National Park, lion numbers have declined by more than 90 per cent in 40 years. Why: local conflicts are thought to have contributed to the slaughter of lions and are a worrying example of the status of the animal in Western and Central Africa. Animals in decline Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Where: Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Costa Rica. What: Numbers are down in both the Atlantic and Pacific. It declined by 95 per cent between 1989-2002 in Costa Rica. Why: mainly due to them being caught as bycatch, but theyve also been affected by local developments. Alamy Animals in decline Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) Where: South Atlantic. What: A rapid decline. One population, from Bird Island, South Georgia, declined by 50 per cent between 1972-2010, according to the British Antarctic Survey. Why: being caught in various commercial longline fisheries. Alamy Animals in decline Saiga Antelope (Saiga tatarica) Where: Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. What: fall in populations has been dramatic. In the early 1990s numbers were over a million, but are now estimated to be around 50,000. Why: the break up of the former USSR led to uncontrolled hunting. Increased rural poverty means the species is hunted for its meat Animals in decline Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Where: found worldwide in tropical, subtropical and temperate seas. Why: at risk from overfishing and as a target in recreational fishing. A significant number of swordfish are also caught by illegal driftnet fisheries in the Mediterranean Animals in decline Argali Sheep (Ovis mammon) Where: Central and Southern Asian mountains,usually at 3,000-5,000 metres altitude. Why: domesticated herds of sheep competing for grazing grounds. Over-hunting and poaching. Animals in decline Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) Where: the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to South Africa and to the Tuamoto Islands (Polynesia), north to the Ryukyu Islands (south-west Japan), and south to New Caledonia. Why: Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing and trading of the species Sara Ayech, an oil campaigner for Greenpeace UK, said that it was known from painful experience how damaging an oil spill could be, and referred to the Deepwater Horizon explosion which killed 11 people and created the largest spill in US history. This project is in deeper water than Deepwater Horizon, and BP and Total have yet to demonstrate that they have the ability to adequately deal with a spill in this precious eco-system, she said. In addition to the threat to the largely unexplored Amazon reef, coastal communities could have their livelihoods destroyed for the sake of oil we dont need and cant afford to burn. We need to stop sacrificing our natural heritage to fossil fuel interests and start preparing for a future beyond petroleum. BP said the work would only go ahead if Brazilian officials agreed. A spokesman for the company said in a statement: BP operates one exploration block in the Foz do Amazonas basin, around 160 kilometres (100 miles) offshore Brazil. Under the terms of our licence, we have a commitment to drill one exploration well on the block by August 2018. Operations on the blocks will only proceed when fully approved by the Brazilian regulators. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} White House communications director Anthony Scaramuccis wife filed for a divorce just two weeks before she gave birth to their son amid claims she had branded him a Trump sycophant. Deirdre Scaramucci was said to be tired of her husbands obsession with US president, who appointed him to his new role just last week. She was also mad because her husband had taunted her, with sources telling a gossip website that Mr Scaramucci tells her shes not that smart, that hes out of her league. Trump spokesman compares attempt to repeal Obamacare to abolition of slavery Ms Scaramucci, 38, gave birth to the former couples baby boy James just over two weeks after she had filed for divorce on 6 July in Nassau County Supreme Court. Mr Scaramucci, 53, was in West Virginia accompanying Donald Trump to a Boy Scouts Jamboree. A source close to Mr Trumps aide told US gossip website Page Six: When James was born, he sent her a text saying, Congratulations, Ill pray for our child. He reportedly only visited his new son James on Friday night, four days after the birth. The source added that there were talks between the couple so Mr Scaramucci could be present while his estranged wife gave birth to James but the planning fell through. He said: There was discussion between him, her and the divorce attorneys about Anthony going to the hospital and unfortunately the delivery was sudden. Ms Scaramuccis anger with her husband was a factor for the split. Shes mad. They arent really speaking right now, the source said. The [pain] runs deep. [Anthony] tells her shes not that smart, that hes out of her league. Another insider close to Mr Scaramucci claimed he was actually the victim of his wifes verbal abuse: She would say, Youre a grifter, youre this. She would mock him for being a Trump sycophant. Others in close contact with the former couple dismissed suggestions another person was involved in the split. Arthur Schwartz, Mr Scaramuccis spokesman, told The Washington Post: Theres absolutely zero truth in that. The only one hes dating right now is the West Wing of the White House. Mr Schwartz said the couple separated five or six months ago. 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 big shift began came when Deirde went from being arm candy to [being a mother] and being unavailable for nights out, another source told Page Six. Thats when [Anthonys] decision to just continue his life as it was and leave her behind really started to take hold. Another contact said: Anthony had been planning to divorce her for some time and he had told other people he planned to announce it after the baby. Jill Stone, Ms Scaramuccis attorney, said her client refused to speak publicly on the divorce. She said she is not making this into a circus. She has children to protect and thats what shes concerned about. On Twitter, Mr Scaramucci has pleaded with the media to not report stories about his family affairs. "Leave civilians out of this. I can take the hits, but I would ask that you would put my family in your thoughts and prayers & nothing more," he first wrote. "Family does not need to be drawn into this. Soon we will learn who in the media has class and who doesn't. No further comments on this." After less than a week on the job, Mr Scaramucci criticised his new colleagues in a foul-mouthed tirade to a reporter from The New Yorker. He called Reince Priebus, the White House chief-of-staff who resigned on Friday, a f***ing paranoid schizophrenic. Mr Scaramucci also said he did not like Steve Bannon, Mr Trumps chief strategist, because Im not trying to suck my own cock. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police chiefs have rebuffed President Trumps call to rough up suspects. Officers can stop protecting suspects heads when they lower them into patrol cars, Mr Trump said during a speech to law enforcement officers, who clapped and laughed. But dignity and respect are the bedrock principle" behind "procedural justice and police legitimacy, said the International Association of Chiefs of Police in a statement. Issued just hours after his speech, the statement does not make reference to President Trump or his remarks. The ability of law enforcement officers to enforce the law, protect the public, and guard their own safety, the safety of innocent bystanders, and even those suspected or apprehended for criminal activity is very challenging" said the statement. For these reasons, law enforcement agencies develop policies and procedures, as well as conduct extensive training, to ensure that any use of force is carefully applied and objectively reasonable considering the situation confronted by the officers. 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. Mr Trumps speech focused on measures to counter violence by a notorious street gang, MS-13. Linking gang violence to immigrant communities, he repeated his administrations commitment to speeding up deportations of illegal immigrants, enforcing immigration laws and building the wall on the Mexican border. 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, he said. Like when you guys put somebody in the car and youre protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over? Like, dont hit their head and theyve just killed somebody dont hit their head. I said, You can take the hand away, okay? he added. The audience of law enforcement officers laughed and clapped. For years and years, [laws have] been made to protect the criminal, Mr Trump said. Totally protect the criminal, not the officers. You do something wrong, youre in more jeopardy than they are. These laws are stacked against you. Were changing those laws. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Trump called MS-13 members animals who have transformed peaceful parks and beautiful quiet neighborhoods into blood-stained killing fields. The gangs members have allegedly committed 17 murders in Sussex County since the start of 2016, according to USA Today. The police force for Sussex County, where Mr Trump spoke, wrote on Twitter immediately afterwards that it has strict rules & procedures relating to the handling of prisoners. Violations of those rules are treated extremely seriously." "As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up of prisoners." Human rights advocates have also condemned the presidents remarks. Innocent until proven guilty? Our president would rather not bother with that, expanding the role of the police officer to include judge, jury, and executioner said American Civil Liberties Union deputy legal director Jeffery Robinson in a statement. And if the police happen to make a mistake and arrest an innocent person? Well, the pain and humiliation they endure is just a small price to pay for our return to being tough on crime. Just remember which communities will pay. This country is weary of the type of policing that Trump espouses, having seen over and over again that it only makes it harder for police to investigate and solve crime." "We must increase the trust between police and civilians, not decimate it. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A two year-old girl and her newborn siblings have been orphaned after their mother died on the same day as their fathers funeral. Relatives of the youngsters from Florida are scrambling to respond to the flurry of events that have suddenly left the children parentless. Reports said 26-year-old Jevaughn Suckoo was found shot and dead earlier this month in an apartment in West Palm Beach where he lived with his two-year-old daughter and his girlfriend, Stephanie Caceres, who was pregnant. Jevaughn Suckoo and Stephanie Caceres died within days of each other (GoFundMe) Three days after he was fatally shot, Ms Caceres give birth to twins Jevaughn Jr and Lailah. But the Palm Beach Post said that Ms Caceres died last week as a result of an infection after she underwent a C-section. The day she passed away, was the same that relatives of Mr Suckoo held his funeral service. This week, friends and relatives gathered outside the hospital where Ms Caceres had worked for four years to speak about the two people who had been lost and how they were now trying to determine what to do for the youngsters. 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 Were just trying to figure out how to move forward from here, Mr Suckoos aunt, Joni Saunders, told the newspaper. Office Manager Lina Niemczyk said they were seeking to come together to make sure the children, including two-year-old Kailanie, were cared for. Our goal is to secure their future, Ms Niemczyk said. Its a promise to their mom and dad. A day after Ms Caceres gave birth to the twins, she wrote on Facebook to talk about what had happened. More than 300,000 orphans at risk in Mali I just dont understand how someone can have the heart to leave three kids without a father especially two that never got the chance to even meet him, she said. They didnt deserve this! Im trying I really am to stay strong but this has to be the toughest battle Ive ever had to fight. A GoFundMe page has been established to help the youngsters. We are all devastated, heartbroken and at a loss for words for all 3 of these children who will grow up never having gotten to truly know their parents, says a posting on the page. In an effort to provide health, education, maintenance and support to these three little ones, a GoFundMe account has been established in the children's name. Thankfully Stephanie and Jevaughn were raised by a beautiful family that have accepted the challenge set forth by God. The grandparents are going to start over, now raising their grandchildren. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has said he is "very disappointed" that China has failed to rein in a belligerent North Korea despite making "hundreds of billions of dollars in trade". The US President has long accused China of profiting at the expense of America, while he and his senior officials have warned Beijing they expect it to exert pressure on the Kim dictatorship over its nuclear and missile programmes. Pyongyang, which this week held another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missilethat analysts said could mean the US mainland is now within rangecounts China as its sole major ally. Mr Trump accused "our foolish past leaders" of allowing the situation to unfold and tweeted that "we will no longer allow this to continue". It is the latest in a series of similar outbursts. Mr Trump has in the past caused diplomatic strife with China by communicating directly with Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, and calling into question the longstanding "one China" policy, though he later rowed back. He said on Twitter, late on Saturday night: "I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. "We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" When Chinese premier Xi Jinping visited Washington in April, Mr Trump admitted his counterpart gave him a history lesson on China's relationship with North Korea. "After listening for 10 minutes, I realised it's not so easy," he said. "I felt pretty strongly that they had a tremendous power over North Korea. But it's not what you would think." 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 US and South Korea carried out a live-fire missile training exercise in response to the latest launch by the North. Kim Jong-un claimed the test, a breach of UN resolutions, was a "stern warning" to Mr Trump. A senior North Korean defector claimed in December that Mr Kim aims to complete his nuclear weapons programme by the end of 2017, and that Mr Trump's shock election win provided an "opportune" moment. Thae Yong-ho, 55, the North's former deputy ambassador in London, said Mr Kim will pursue the bomb "at all costs" and will not relinquish its weapons "even if the country is offered $1 trillion or $10 trillion in return". Mr Thae later said be believed Pyongyang would fire a nuclear missile at Los Angeles if the regime was threatened. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police departments across the US have criticised Donald Trump after he told officers not to be "too nice" with suspects in a speech which seemingly encouraged police brutality. Law enforcement authorities from New York to Los Angeles have slammed the President's comments and experts have warned the remarks could encourage inappropriate use of force among officers. The backlash came after Mr Trump gave a speech to police in Brentwood, New York, which was intended to support police in the fight against the MS-13 gang, which has been accused of numerous murders across the US. During his speech, Mr Trump suggested officers should not protect suspects' heads when pushing them into police vehicles and his comments were greeted with loud applause and laughter by the audience of law enforcement officials. He said: When you see these towns and 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? Like, dont hit their head and theyve just killed somebody dont hit their head. I said, You can take the hand away, okay? he added. But New York police commissioner James O'Neill told the The New York Times the department's training and policies about the use of force "only allow for measures that are reasonable and necessary under any circumstances, including the arrest and transportation of prisoners". 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 said: "To suggest that police officers apply any standard in the use of force other than what is reasonable and necessary is irresponsible, unprofessional and sends the wrong message to law enforcement as well as the public." The department which covers the easternmost part of Long Island was quick to respond after the department's former chief James Burke was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for beating a handcuffed man in an interrogation room last year. Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck also criticised Mr Trump's comments on Twitter. Responding to another tweet by a law enforcement officer named as Deon Joseph, who said he would not start roughing up suspects because of a "dumb remark by POTUS", Mr Beck wrote: "If an officer acts outside the law, it serves only to undermine the hard work and sacrifice they make to keep this city safe." He was joined by Steve Soboroff, one of the civilian commissioners who oversees the police department told the Los Angeles Times that Mr Trump's remarks stood in sharp contrast to the departments' philosophy on the way to treat suspects. "What the president recommended would be out of policy in the Los Angeles Police Department. It's not what policing is about today," he said, before adding: "I have faith that any one of our officers would not take their hand off someone and bang their head into a car because that's what the President of the United States recommends." The Suffolk County Police Department also responded within hours on Twitter saying: "As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up of prisoners. "The SCPD has strict rules and procedures relating to the handling of prisoners. Violations of those rules are treated extremely seriously." Both the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Foundation also hit back at Mr Trump's remarks. In a statement the IACP said treating all individuals including suspects, complainants and defendants with dignity and respect was "the bedrock principle behind the concept of procedural justice and police legitimacy". The Police Foundation added "we cannot support any commentary - in sincerity or jest - that undermines the trust that our communities place in us to protect and serve". Boston Police Commissioner William Evans echoed the importance of building trust with communities law enforcement officers serve. "The Boston Police Department 's priority has been and continues to be building relationships and trust with the community we serve. As a police department we are committed to helping people, not harming them," he told local radio WBZ. Ben Tobias, a spokesman for the Police Department in Gainesville, Florida, also drew huge attention after he tweeted that he disagreed with Mr Trump's remarks and that those who "cheered should be ashamed". Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russia has retaliated against sanctions by ordering the US Moscow embassy staff to cut its staff by 755 - a move that will create a fresh crisis in the relationship between the two countries. Days after both houses of the US Congress voted almost unanimously to impose fresh sanctions on Moscow, Vladimir Putin said he was responding to unlawful behaviour by Washington. The American side has made a move which, it is important to note, hasnt been provoked by anything, to worsen Russian-US relations. [It includes] unlawful restrictions, attempts to influence other states of the world, including our allies, who are interested in developing and keeping relations with Russia, Mr Putin told the Rossiya 1 TV channel. Trump and Putin shared second undisclosed meeting at G20 Weve been waiting for quite a long time that maybe something would change for the better, we had hopes that the situation would change. But it looks like, its not going to change in the near future... I decided that it is time for us to show that we will not leave anything unanswered. The US sanctions bill also included measures against Iran and North Korea and was passed over Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea and its alleged interference in the 2016 US election. The move by politicians on Capitol Hill has pushed Donald Trump into a corner. The White House had made clear it was against the measure, but the President has said he will sign the bill, rather than use his veto power and risk fresh accusations that he is soft on Moscow. Russia had warned on Friday that it intended to expel the diplomats and to seize two properties used by US diplomats. However, Mr Putins comments on Sunday were the first to make clear the number of US envoys he intends to force to leave. 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 An official at the US Embassy in Moscow said there were about 1,100 diplomatic and support staff in Russia, including US citizens and Russians, Reuters reported last week. A US State Department official called Russia's decision to expel US diplomats "a regrettable and uncalled-for act". The Russians would lose their jobs. "We are assessing the impact of such a limitation and how we will respond to it," the official said on condition of anonymity. Earlier on Sunday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the vote for the sanctions was the last drop and said Moscow would retaliate in kind". We have a very rich toolbox at our disposal. It would be ridiculous on my part to start speculating on what may or may not happen , Mr Rybakov told ABC. I can assure you that different options are on the table and consideration is being given to all sorts of things. The move by Russia takes place against ongoing controversy in the US about Mr Trumps relationship with Moscow and possible collusion between his campaign and Russia over its alleged effort to interfere in the presidential election. Earlier this month, it was revealed Mr Trumps eldest son, his campaign manager and his son-in-law, had met with a Russian lawyer linked to the Kremlin after they were told she had compromising material about Mr Trumps rival, Hillary Clinton. Special prosecutor Robert Mueller is currently heading a federal probe into possible collusion and there are several investigations underway on Capitol Hill. Mr Trump has repeatedly denied any such collusion and said he and his officials are the victims of a political witch hunt. Last December, Barack Obama ordered 35 Russian diplomats to leave the US and the seizing of two compounds, one in New York and the other in Maryland, that had been used by the diplomats. He said the actions were being carried out in response to Moscows alleged attempt to interfere in the election. Many observers had expected that Mr Putin would respond in kind. However, apparently assuming that relations between the two countries might improve once Mr Trump office, he held off from doing so. Mr Trump had spoken enthusiastically of his wish to have better relations between the two countries and to seek Russias help in countering Isis in Syria. Earlier this month at the G20 in Hamburg, the two men met for several hours and hatched a ceasefire deal for a small part of Syria. Critics of Mr Trump say he has repeatedly refused to criticise Mr Putin and that he has been in denial about Moscows attempt to influence the election Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Venezuelan opposition activist has been shot dead in protest against controversial elections. Ricardo Campos, who worked as a youth secretary with the opposition Accion Democratica party, was killed during the protest, the head of the national assembly said, according to the BBC. Last night, Jose Felix Pineda, one of the candidates running in the election, was shot and killed in his home. Man suffers violent beating from police in Venezuela The country's president, Nicolas Maduro, widely disliked for overseeing an economic collapse during his four years in office, has promised the constitutional assembly will restore peace after months of opposition protests during which more than 115 people have been killed. Opposition parties are boycotting what they call a rigged election while their sympathizers plan demonstrations across the country during the day. Critics say the assembly will allow Mr Maduro to dissolve the opposition-run Congress, delay future elections and rewrite electoral rules to prevent the socialists from being voted out of power in the once-prosperous South American nation. In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Show all 22 1 /22 In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela A girl scavanges for food in the streets of Caracas Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela A man scavenges for food next to girls in the streets of Caracas. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is resisting opposition efforts to hold a vote on removing him from office. The opposition blames him for an economic crisis that has caused food shortages Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Venezuelans line up to get the 'Fatherland's Card' at Bolivar Square in Caracas Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela The mother of Venezuelan Rebecca Leon, who scavenges for food in the streets of Caracas, feeds her grandson at their house in Petare shantytown. Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Venezuelan Rebecca Leon, who scavenges for food in the streets of Caracas, with her two-year-old son at her house in Petare shantytown Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Members of a pro-government community organisation work in an expropriated bakery in Caracas. Supported by popular militiamen, Venezuelan government inspectors oversee bakeries as bread comes out of the oven, to undermine an alleged plot to induce scarcity of this staple food Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Forensic police stand next to the body of a man outside a supermarket, where he died of a heart attack after waiting in a long line to buy food, in Caracas Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Venezuelan opposition activists take part in a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro at the Francisco Fajardo highway in Caracas Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela National guard throws a tear gas canister during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela Reuters In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Opposition supporter shouts at a police officer during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas Reuters In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Opposition supporters clash with national guards during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas Reuters In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela A boy wearing a t-shirt with the colours of the Venezuelan national flag, during a demonstration against President Nicolas Maduro's government at Foreign Affairs Ministery, in Buenos Aires, Argentina AP In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Protesters cover themselves from tear gas fired by the Venezuelan National Guard officers during a protest in Caracas AP In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Opposition supporters clash with national guards during a rally against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas Reuters In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Venezuelan opposition activists take part in a protest -blocked by the National Guard- against the government of President Nicolas Maduro at the Francisco Fajardo highway in Caracas Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela A Venezuelan national guard reacts to the effect of pepper spray during a protest of opposition supporters against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas Reuters In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Opposition supporters holding a Venezuelan flag protest against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government during a rally in Caracas Reuters In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Opposition supporters clash with riot police during a protest against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela Reuters In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Opposition supporters protest against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's government during a rally in Caracas Reuters In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Venezuela's Supreme Court abandoned measures to seize power from the opposition-controlled legislature after the moves drew international condemnation and raised pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. The president of Venezuela's National Assembly Julio Borges dismissed the court's gesture and told reporters that nothing had changed and the coup continued Getty Images In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Venezuelans living in Peru and other protesters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government, outside the Venezuela embassy in Lima, Peru Reuters In pictures: The crisis in Venezuela Venezuelans living in Peru and other protesters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government, outside the Venezuela embassy in Lima, Peru Reuters Polls suggest a large majority of Venezuelans oppose the assembly. The opposition says that more than seven million voters - from a population of around 32 million - overwhelmingly rejected the proposal in an unofficial referendum it organised this month. Voters will not have the choice of whether to proceed with the assembly, only to select its 545 members from more than 6,100 candidates representing a broad array of Socialist Party allies. More follows For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} China has put on a show of massive military might, just hours after US President Donald Trump launched a fresh tirade at Beijing for doing nothing to rein in North Koreas nuclear and missile program. Chinese leader Xi Jinping presided over the war zone training at the remote Zhurihe military base in Inner Mongolia as part of the celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the Peoples Liberation Army. Dressed in camoflauge, he rode in an open top military jeep as he inspected 12,000 troops lined out in various formations and marches in a training base in the middle of a desert. More than 100 fighter jets flew overhead in the show of force and almost 600 types of weaponry including heavy duty tanks were on display as Mr Jinping saluted Chinas heroic military. Beijing flexed its muscles on Sunday just hours after Mr Trump criticised Beijing in two explosive tweets for not using their leverage to halt North Koreas nuclear and missile programs. I am very disappointed in China, the US leader said. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem! He spoke out after Pyongyang conducted its second intercontinental ballistic missile test late on Friday in what it called a warning to the beast-like US imperialists. Mr Xi travelled in a military jeep past a long strip in a training zone lined with tanks, missile launchers and other military vehicles as tensions flared in the region. Vehicle-mounted nuclear-capable missiles and other equipment were also on show as military aircraft flew above, including H-6K bombers, which have been patrolling near Taiwan and Japan recently. J-15 carrier-based fighters and new generation J-20 stealth fighter were also on display. Mr Xi later greeted troops and shouted, Hello comrades! and Comrades, you are working hard! into four microphones fixed atop his motorcade as martial music blared in the background. The troops bellowed back: Serve the people!, Follow the Party!, Fight to win! and Forge exemplary conduct!. The war zone training came complete with a mock-target of Taiwans presidential palace. 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 brief speech, Mr Xi expressed his pride in the military and demanded the troops continued absolute loyalty to the party. The Chinese leader alluded to an increasingly important role for the PLA as tensions flare around the globe. The world is not peaceful and peace needs to be defended, he said. Our heroic military has the confidence and capabilities to preserve national sovereignty, security and interests... and to contribute more to maintaining world peace. He made no reference to Mr Trumps tweets but an analyst pointed out that Beijing was the US Presidents only option to tackle North Koreas nuclear and missile program. Trump has cornered himself on the North Korea issue, said Zhang Baohui, a professor of political science at Hong Kongs Lingnan University told CNN. North Korea defies him the only action he can take now is with US-China relations, he added. I think we might see some kind of unilateral measure on trade, but China may be ready for this. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police in the southern Philippines have said they fatally shot 15 people, including a city mayor who was among the politicians President Rodrigo Duterte publicly linked to illegal drugs, in the bloodiest assault so far in the government's anti-drug crackdown. Officers were to serve warrants to Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr to search his houses for the suspected presence of unlicensed firearms when gunmen opened fire on the police, sparking clashes that killed the mayor and at least 14 other people, Ozamiz police chief Jovie Espenido said. "He's a high-value target on illegal drugs," Mr Espenido, who oversaw the simultaneous, post-midnight raids on the mayor's residence and three other houses, said at a news conference. "We enforce the law to protect the people who want peace in this country. How can we enforce the law if ... we're scared of the drug lords? That cannot be, they should be afraid of people who do good for all." At least five people, including Mr Parojinog's daughter, who serves as vice mayor of Ozamiz, a port city, were arrested during the raids. Police were approaching the mayor's house when his bodyguards opened fire and hit a police car and wounded a police officer, sparking a fire-fight amid a power outage, Mr Espenido said. A grenade held by one of Mr Parojinog's bodyguards exploded during the clash inside his house and it remains unclear if he and his wife were killed by the blast or police gunfire or both, Mr Espenido said, adding that assault rifles, grenades, suspected methamphetamine and cash were seized in the raids. "The administration vowed to intensify the drug campaign," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in connection with Sunday's raids in Ozamiz. "The Parojinogs, if you would recall, are included in (Duterte's) list of personalities involved in the illegal drug trade." Mr Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He was the third mayor to be killed under Mr Duterte's bloody crackdown on drugs, which has left more than 3,000 dead in reported gunfights with police and thousands of other unexplained deaths of suspects. Mr Parojinog's daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested and was to be flown to Manila for security reasons, regional police Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said. The drug killings have been widely criticised by Western governments and human rights groups that have called for an end to what they suspect were extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign. Last year, police officers shot dead Albuera town Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte, and a week before that, another mayor and his nine bodyguards were gunned down allegedly during a fire-fight on a road in the southern Philippines. Mr Espenido was the Albuera police chief when the then-detained Mr Espinosa was killed during a police raid in a jail in a nearby city in Leyte. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Duterte has vowed to defend police officers who would face criminal and human rights charges while cracking down on illegal drugs. He recently ordered an officer charged in connection with Mr Espinosa's death to be reinstated after briefly being charged and suspended following the jail killing. All three mayors were among more than 160 officials Mr Duterte named publicly as being linked to illegal drugs in August last year as part of a shame campaign. Mr Duterte has vowed not to stop until the last drug dealer in the country has been eliminated. Associated Press For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The United States is "done talking about North Korea" and China must decide if it is willing to back imposing stronger United Nations sanctions on North Korea over its two long-range missile tests this month, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has said. In a statement, Ms Haley said that any new UN Security Council resolution "that does not significantly increase the international pressure on North Korea is of no value". The United States flew two supersonic B-1B bombers as a show of force after Pyongyang fired a second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday. "China must decide whether it is finally willing to take this vital step. The time for talk is over," she said. The Chinese mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The United States has been in talks with North Korean ally China on a draft UN Security Council resolution to impose stronger sanctions on North Korea. Ms Haley gave China a draft text after North Korea's July 4 ICBM test. Ms Haley said last Tuesday that the United States had been making progress with China. Some diplomats had expected the United States, Japan and South Korea to ask for the 15-member UN Security Council to meet on Monday over the test. However Ms Haley said that the United States saw "no point in having an emergency session if it produces nothing of consequence". Such a meeting would have set the stage for a likely showdown between the United States and Russia over whether Friday's launch was a long-range rocket test. It was unclear if any other Security Council members, such as Japan, planned to request a meeting. Diplomats say China and Russia only view a long-range missile test or nuclear weapon test as a trigger for further possible UN Security Council sanctions. The Pentagon and South Korean military believe Friday's test was an ICBM. However, a Russian Defense Ministry official said Moscow's data indicated it was only a medium-range missile. The United States and Russia have waged rival campaigns at the Security Council over the type of ballistic missile fired by North Korea on July 4. Western powers said it was an ICBM, while Russia said it was medium-range. 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 two long-range missile launches. Ms Haley has said some options to strengthen UN sanctions were to restrict the flow of oil to North Korea's military and weapons programmes, increasing air and maritime restrictions and imposing sanctions on senior officials. Traditionally, the United States and China have negotiated sanctions on North Korea before formally involving other Security Council members. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Pakistan's lawmakers will elect a new prime minister on 1 August to replace ousted leader Nawaz Sharif, with ruling party stalwart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expected to become interim leader until Sharif's own brother is eligible. The confirmation from parliament came after Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain convened a special session following Sharif's decision to put forward his ally Abbasi as interim leader and named his brother Shahbaz, 65, as long-term successor. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party holds a majority with 188 seats in the 342-member parliament, so it should be able to swiftly install its choice, barring any defections from its own ranks. A quick hand over could ease political upheaval sparked by the Supreme Court's decision on 28 July to disqualify Sharif for not declaring a source of income. The court also ordered a criminal investigation into him and his family. Abbasi vowed to continue Sharif's work. "I hope that God will help me in furthering Nawaz Sharif's policies," Abbasi told reporters in Islamabad, adding to speculation that Sharif will continue to run the show behind the scenes. The turmoil and the premature end to Sharif's third stint in power has also raised questions about Pakistan's democracy as no prime minister has completed a full term in power since independence from British colonial rule in 1947. "We wanted to make sure there is a smooth transfer of power, and no constitutional crisis," said Miftah Ismail, a senior PML-N official and Sharif ally. Sharif has lashed out against the court's decision and opponents who used the Supreme Court to topple him but vowed his party would continue to focus on economic development, touting a faster-growing economy as proof of his success. "Wheel of development is moving and may God keep it rolling and may it never stop," he told members of PML-N on Saturday night. 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 On Sharif's arrival, supporters chanted: "The Lion is here". But his foes slammed PML-N's plans as dynastic and undemocratic, while opposition leader Imran Khan called it a form of "monarchy". Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which held street protests until the Supreme Court agreed to investigate Sharif, planned to hold a rally in the capital Islamabad on Sunday to celebrate his removal. Sharif said the plan is for former petroleum minister Abbasi to stay in power for less than two months until Shahbaz, who is the chief minister of the vast Punjab province, wins a by-election to the national assembly and becomes eligible to be prime minister. Abbasi and Shahbaz will have to hit the ground running to tackle Pakistan's worsening ties with the United States, frayed relations with India, and persistent attacks by Islamist militants including the Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State. They will also need to boost economic growth above the current rate of 5.3 percent to find employment for millions of young people entering the job market every year in a nation of nearly 200 million people. Economists say this will prove tricky at a time when the current account deficit is ballooning and an overvalued currency is hurting exports. Sharif, whose (PML-N) party won elections in 2013, said he was shocked by Friday's Supreme Court ruling disqualifying him from office over unreported income from a company owned by his son in Dubai. Sharif said the monthly salary - equivalent to 2,072 - was nominal and he never actually received any of it. The Supreme Court employed little-used Article 62 of the Constitution, which calls for the dismissal of any lawmaker deemed dishonest, to dismiss Sharif. His allies believe the verdict smacks of judicial overreach, while others privately say elements of the military had a hand in the process. "People of Pakistan haven't accepted the decision," said Abbasi. The army has not commented on Sharif's departure, or on allegations they were involved. It has also dismissed claims in the past that they were behind the Supreme Court's push. Sharif's two previous stints in power were also cut short, the second ending in a military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999. Shahbaz Sharif, who has been in charge of Punjab since 2008, has better relations with the military than his brother. He has built a reputation as a competent administrator focused on building infrastructure. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Australian security services have disrupted a plot to blow up an aeroplane, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced. Police arrested four people in connection with the alleged plan. Counter-terrorism raids took place took place in Sydney on Saturday afternoon. Mr Turnbull said they were "designed to disrupt and prevent plans to undertake terrorist attacks in Australia". It is not known what the specifics were or when the attack was scheduled to take place, but is believed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was the intended weapon. The operation was carried out by the Australian Federal Police, the New South Wales state police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the country's domestic spy agency. "Four men have been taken into custody and are assisting police with their enquiries," a police statement said. Seven Network television reported that 40 riot squad officers stormed an inner-Sydney house before an explosives team found a suspicious device. Mr Turnbull said he was briefed on the progress of the operation by security agency chiefs. "My number one priority, and that of my government, is the safety and security of all Australians, and the public should be reassured that our security and intelligence agencies are working tirelessly to keep us safe," the prime minister said in a statement. Security at airports across the country has been increased after the operation, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Mr Turnbull advised travellers to get to airports earlier than usual. 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 At least 70 people have been charged with terrorism since 2014, said Justice Minister Michael Keenan. He added: "The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors, but the events overnight remind us that there is still the ability for people to have sophisticated plots and sophisticated attacks still remain a real threat. "In light of this information, it's very important that everyone in Australia remains vigilant." Australian Federal Police commissioner Andrew Colvin said the investigation was likely to be very long and protracted. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Dozens of passengers, including children, had to be rescued after they became trapped inside cable cars dangling above the German city of Cologne. Dramatic images shared on social media showed people being winched to safety, including a man with a baby in his arms. Authorities said that 32 of the cars were operating on the line over the River Rhine when two of them collided, bringing the line to a shuddering halt. Transport and fire department officials said that as many as 100 passengers of all ages were left stranded. Witnesses reporting fire crews were using a mobile crane to lift people down. Martina and Hans-Peter Rieger, aged in their 60s and from Dortmund, were among the first to be rescued. The couple were celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary and ended up trapped for an hour. Mr Rieger told local media: That will always be in our memory. Fortunately, we were also given direct hand signals that we should remain calm and there is nothing bad. Colognes mayor, Henriette Reker, praised the passengers for their patience. She said: They are in the best hands in Colognes Fire Brigade. Something like this has never happened before. 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 cableway over the Rhine has been operating since 1957 and is a popular tourist attraction, as well as being used by locals as a means of transport over the river. Some reports speculated high winds may have caused an auxiliary cable to wrap around one of the cars. The cable car company issued an apology for the mishap and said the cause was under investigation. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} French President Emmanuel Macron has announced his intention to set-up hotspots to handle asylum requests in Libya, where thousands are fleeing fighting in the country. He said he hopes the plan will deter people from taking crazy risks and attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. He made the remark on the sideline of a visit to a refugee centre in Orleans this week, before he presided over a citizenship ceremony. The idea is to create hotspots in Libya so people avoid taking crazy risks when they are not eligible for asylum. Well go to get them, Mr Macron told reporters. His comments followed a speech to a group of new citizens in Orleans, in which he said that France wanted to create ways for Africans to seek asylum in safe countries on African soil to avoid dangerous journeys across the sea to Europe. He said that for many, Europe from the start is impossible to attain, adding: I hope that the European Union, and at least France, will be able to treat asylum seekers as close to their country of origin as possible. As I speak to you, between 800,000 and one million women and men are waiting in camps in Libya. However, he later downplayed the plans, saying there were no question of hotspots in Libya if security conditions are not met and that currently they were not. A source in Mr Macrons entourage later told the Associated Press the plan included advance points in Libya, as well as neighbouring Niger and Chad. They added that the work would be overseen by French and international organisations. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty A recent report from the UN refugee agency noted that 90 per cent of the 181,400 people who irregularly reached Italy by sea in 2016, departed from Libya. By mid-May this year, an 30 per cent increase from the same period last year had already been reported. It also found that as of April this year, more than 531,000 people of concern including refugees and internally displaced people were deemed to be living in Libya. French President with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj (L), and General Khalifa Haftar (R), commander in the Libyan National Army (Reuters ) (REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer) Mr Macron wants France to play a bigger role in persuading Libyas factions to end the countrys political crisis and armed conflict that has has allowed Islamist militants to gain a foothold, and migrant smugglers to flourish in the absence of a strong central government. Earlier his week, the French President also welcomed Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, leader of the UN-backed government in Tripoli and General Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, which controls the eastern part of the country. They saw both men commit to a conditional cease fire and to work towards holding fresh elections next spring. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Around 22,000 people have been evacuated from the Tomorrowland Unite festival in Barcelona after a fire broke out on the main stage. No injuries have been reported, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais. The blaze apparently broke out after a pyrotechnic element malfunctioned went wrong. Social media images showed huge flames climbing up the side of the stage. Eyewitnesses said the stage "exploded". The inferno was later extinguished. The Tomorrowland Unite festival was taking place at the Can Zam Park in Santa Coloma de Gramenet on Saturday evening when the left-hand side of the stage went up in flames. The director general of civil protection in Catalunya tweeted that 22,143 people had been evacuated from the event, but no injuries had been reported so far. It is not yet known what the cause of the fire was, although local media reported that it appeared to be related to the pyrotechnics, and it was quickly brought under control. DJ Steve Aoki had been due to perform on the stage at the event, which was an outpost of the Tomorrowland electronic music festival that usually takes place in Belgium. Festivalgoers posted dramatic videos and photos of the blaze. The line-up for the evening had also been set to include DJs Ingrosso and Afrojack. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An Israeli military court has upheld the sentence of a soldier who was convicted of killing a wounded Palestinian attacker. Elor Azarias appeal was overturned after he was convicted for manslaughter in March. He will serve 18 months. Abdul al-Sharif, 21, was shot by Azaria as he lay wounded on the ground, unarmed. Sharif had just stabbed a soldier in Hebron. Azarias attack on Sharif was caught on video. The shooting occurred in January 2016, in Hebron, the occupied West Bank. The trial split the countrys opinion. The verdict was hailed as a victory for the military and its code of ethics, while hard-line politicians said Azaria was a persecuted hero. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would support any decision to pardon Azaria. Azaria, also 21, argued he had shot Sharif as he feared the man might be wearing an explosive vest. 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 court declared Azarias version of events had been "unreliable" and that he had killed Sharif out of revenge. Azaria's shooting was not motivated by fear of the terrorist's future action, the judges said. The judges added that Azaria did not express remorse and was reportedly defensive if someone questioned his character, as reported by Haaretz. Attack was caught on film in January 2016 The case has raised questions over how Israeli soldiers can use lethal force against attackers. Sharifs death came during a series of Palestinian attacks that killed 29 Israelis over five months to January 2016. The court rejected the prosecutions request for a harsher sentence. Azaria came to court from his home near Tel Aviv, where he had been living under house arrest since being released from the army two weeks ago. Azarias lawyers might decide to take their appeal to the Supreme Court and ask for Azarias sentence to be postponed for a second time. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The four Arab states of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain are reportedly set to consider fresh economic sanctions on Qatar at a meeting in Manama, Bahrain's capital. The foreign ministers of the four countries are expected to impose sanctions that will gradually affect the Qatari economy, al-Hayat newspaper said, citing unnamed Gulf sources. However, in a conciliatory move, Bahrains foreign minister said the countries involved in the boycott were open to fresh talks with Qatar if the country agreed to certain terms. "The four countries are ready for dialogue with Qatar with the condition that it announces its sincere willingness to stop funding terrorism and extremism and its commitment to not interfere in other countries' foreign affairs and respond to the 13 demands," Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, Bahrains foreign minister, said. His comments were made during a TV news conference in Manama after meeting his counterparts to discuss the boycott. In the two-day meeting, the four countries will press Qatar to comply with their demands, which include stopping interference in their internal affairs, Egypt''s government said in a statement. The Gulf Times reported that the talks were part of the continued consultation between the four Arab states to review their position since the blockade on Qatar began on 5 July. King Hamad bin al-Khalifa of Bahrain praised cooperation between the four territories in the battle against terrorism, according to BNA, Bahrains state news agency. Kuwait, the United States and Turkey have been involved in diplomatic efforts to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but this has resulted in little progress. Air and sea links to Doha have been cut by the four Arab states. Qatar has been receiving fresh produce from Turkey and Iran, while Oman has provided alternative ports to the UAE. A further 18 groups and individuals reportedly supported by Qatar have been added to a list of "terrorist" supporters by the four Arab countries, according to Reuters. Qatar has hit back, calling the accusations baseless. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Hamad al-Thani, said he was keen to discuss the crisis which is the worst between Arab states for many years. We are open to dialogue to resolve the outstanding problems [so long as Qatars] sovereignty is respected, he said in his first televised appearance since the crisis began. The reason behind the boycott was about outsourcing our foreign policy so that decisions are not made in Qatar, and that is something that will never be acceptable, Sheikh al-Thani told AFP. Ali Shareef al-Emadi, Qatar's finance minister, called for the blockade to end, saying that his country had continued supplying 40 per cent of the UAE's daily liquid natural gas consumption. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A pair of US supersonic bombers have flown over the Korean Peninsula, less than 48-hours after North Koreas successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Flanked by South Korean fighter jets The B-1 bombers carried out a low-pass over the Osan Air Base, near South Korea's capital Seoul. The military aircraft took off from the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and flew to Japanese airspace where they were joined by Japanese F-2 fighter jets, the US Pacific Air Forces said in a statement. They then returned to base. The US Missile Defense Agency also said a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system located in Kodiak, Alaska, was successfully tested on Saturday night, Alaska time. It said that a medium-range ballistic missile was air-launched over the Pacific, and that the THAAD system detected, tracked and intercepted the target, the Associated Press has reported. US officials have refused to rule out a tough military response to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability, General Terrence J OShaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander said. Diplomacy remains the lead. However, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario. He added: If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing. The military said the exercise was a direct response to the ICBM tests. The aircrews "practised intercept and formation training" during the 10-hour mission, according to NBC News. Analysts said that flight data from North Koreas second ICBM test showed that a larger part of the US mainland is now in range of the missiles. Experts said the weapons had the capability to hit Alaska. North Korea's Kim Jong-un claimed the ICBM test was a "stern warning" to US President Donald Trump. In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test Show all 15 1 /15 In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test A lab employee from the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety's regional office in Gangneung, east of Seoul, checks for radioactive traces in the air, in Gangneung, soon after North Korea announced it successfully conducted a hydrogen bomb test. The office in Gangneung is the closest one to the site of the North's claimed test. Officials said it will take three to four days to analyze air samples in detail for any traces of radioactivity, the Yonhap news agency reported EPA In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un signing a document of a hydrogen bomb test in Pyongyang In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test People watch a TV news program showing North Korea's special announcement at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea AP In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test Getty Images In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test Getty Images In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test South Korean people watch TV news at Seoul station EPA In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test Japan's meteorological agency officer Yohei Hasegawa displays a chart showing seismic activity, after a North Korean nuclear test, at the agency in Tokyo Getty Images In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test Ko Yun-Hwa, administrator of Korea Meteorological Administration, briefs reporters showing seismic waves from the site of North Korea's hydrogen bomb test, at his office in Seoul Getty Images In pictures: North Korea hydrogen bomb test North Korea's border county of Kaepoong is seen from a South Korean observation post in Paju near the Demilitarized zone dividing the two Koreas as North Korea announced it had successfully carried out its first hydrogen bomb test Getty Images The United States would not be safe from destruction if it tried to attack North Korea, the country's state run KCNA news agency claimed. 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 US mainland is in the firing range of the DPRK missiles, (Kim) said with pride, KCNA, Pyongyang's state-run news outlet stated. There have been several occasions when the United States sends warplanes out on sorties to the Korean Peninsula. B-1 bombers were flown out in response to North Koreas banned missile tests. Another flyover occurred when Otto Warmbier, an American college student died just days after being released from a North Korean prison. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The busiest-ever summer for holidays abroad is putting unprecedented strain on airlines, airports and passengers, research by The Independent has shown. Thousands of travellers remain stranded after their weekend flights were cancelled, with easyJet alone grounding at least 28 flights. The budget airline is blaming congested airspace, particularly in the London area, adverse weather and air traffic control delays. Chaos at Heathrow as passengers queue for hours to leave airport Heathrow and Gatwick airports are handling far more passengers than their design capacities. Airspace over France, used by more than 1,000 British flights every day, has too few staff to handle the growth in traffic. And tougher passport checks at European airports mean passengers face queues of up to four hours to pass border controls, with thousands of flights delayed as a result. Among the first cancellations on Sunday morning was easyJets flight from Gatwick to Marseille. The airline blamed lengthy air traffic control delays meaning that the crew due to operate the previous nights service were unable to do so after reaching their maximum working hours. One passenger, Miki Maskell, tweeted: @easyJet Thanks for cancelling my flight to Marseille with just 7 hours notice, Lost 3 days. Customer Service disgusting, Shame on you. It follows an incident on Friday night when a worker at Nice airport punched an easyJet passenger in the face. The member of staff is said to have hit the man, who was holding a nine-month old child, after he complained about the lack of care during the 13-hour delay for a flight to Luton. While a decision is awaited on building another runway in the London area, both Heathrow and Gatwick are handling record numbers of flights and passengers. They are the busiest two-runway and single-runway airports in the world, and have very little slack in the system. When the runway at Gatwick was temporarily closed following a blown tyre on an Air Canada jet two weeks ago, dozens of flights were diverted, cancelled, or heavily delayed. The Sussex airport is gearing up for its busiest day in history: on Sunday 13 August, 168,000 passengers are expected to arrive or depart, an average rate of two people per second. Heathrow forecasts its busiest day in the main summer holiday will be Sunday 6 August, with 257,893 passengers. A leading aviation analyst said Britains aviation system is operating at or near 100 per cent capacity and has no resilience. Laurie Price, a former British Airways executive and aviation adviser to the Transport Select Committee, has called for a 20 per cent margin for recovery to be mandatory. He told The Independent: There is no contingency capacity built in, be it runway, terminal, airspace, or road and rail access, so any delay or disruption anywhere in the system compounds very quickly. It may be good for airport bottom lines to squeeze the last gram of capacity out of their assets, but wholly unacceptable for passengers and the airlines who suffer the financial consequences of over-scheduling. Airspace capacity across the Channel is also under strain. An easyJet spokesperson said: This weekend easyJet, like other airlines, saw delays through French air space of up to 100 minutes with two-thirds of easyJet's flights routing through French airspace. If alternative routes are required these are often over the Atlantic or through Germany, which are typically longer and dont have the same capacity as French routes. The SNCTA, the French air-traffic control union, said: French air traffic controllers are now facing a very high traffic growth, more than 10 per cent in some areas, with insufficient staff. Airlines are blaming a new EU regulation on passport checks for delaying thousands of flights. The rules, which took effect this summer, require each passenger from outside the Schengen area (covering most EU countries) to have their arrival and departure recorded. Previously British passengers were often waved through with only a cursory inspection. Thomas Reynaert, managing director of the airlines association A4E, said: Queuing for up to four hours has been the top record these days; airports like Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Lisbon, Lyon, Paris-Orly, Milan or Brussels are producing shameful pictures of devastated passengers in front of immigration booths, in lines stretching hundreds of metres. At some airports, flight delays have increased by 300 per cent compared to last year. British passengers arriving at Palma in Mallorca had to queue for 90 minutes yesterday. On Friday, the Spanish airport had its busiest-ever day, with almost 1,100 flights and more than 180,000 passengers. The aviation analyst Laurie Price warned flying could get even more stressful after the UK leaves the EU: If we are experiencing problems now, what is going to happen post-Brexit when more rigorous immigration controls and procedures are brought in? They will be grafted into already congested terminals. It can only worsen service standards, increase queues and passenger frustration with more frayed tempers. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} After 13 hour delay of an easyJet flight, a Nice Airport employee punches a man with a baby in the face for complaining about the delays that was the alarming tweet by Leo Gupta. Sent shortly before midnight on Saturday, it was accompanied by a picture of an employee striking a passenger who was holding a baby, while shocked travellers looked on. The event took place at the end of a day of stress for more than 150 passengers. They had been due to travel on flight EZY2122 from Nice-Cote dAzur airport at 11am. The airline says it was delayed departing Nice due to a technical issue with the aircraft. The original aircraft had arrived from Luton slightly behind schedule. Then there was a fuelling issue, which required another aircraft to be flown out to Nice. So instead of arriving at Luton noon, passengers were obliged to spend the entire day at Nice airport. Accounts on social media suggest that a man holding a nine-month old child was talking to an employee of the special assistance provider, Samsic. Witnesses said that the apparent victim of the assault had complained about the lack of baby food and places for passengers with special assistance needs to sit. Anna McCrum tweeted: absolute chaos - member of staff just punched a passenger in the face at Nice airport. Waited for 12 hours for this. The airline said: We are urgently taking this up with Nice Airport and their special assistance provider Samsic who we understand the person photographed works for. The easyJet statement continued: Passengers were provided with updates and refreshment vouchers during this time and the flight departed for London Luton this evening. 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 safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority. Violence against airline passengers is an infrequent occurence. The most notorious recent case was In April when Dr David Dao was dragged off an overbooked United Express plane at Chicago. Two weeks later an American Airlines member of cabin crew was featured on social media apparently challenging a passenger to a fight after an incident involving a mother of baby twins. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The stage of the Senate floor was set on Friday morning to repeal Obamacare. Donald Trump was tweeting encouragement, or a warning Go Republican Senators, Go! and John McCain told reporters to wait for the show. The show had been started by men, and would end that way. All eyes were on McCain, the war hero with brain cancer who had come back to Washington DC to cast the deciding vote. When the Arizona Senator dropped his thumb at close to 2am, there was an audible gasp in the room. Several people clapped, and were promptly told to stop. That was it. The Republican Partys second major attempt to bin the Affordable Care Act had been quashed. But what of the two Republican women who voted no? 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 faces of Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were not dominating Twitter on Friday morning, but their votes against the bill have to be recognised for what they were: astonishing bravery. On the Senate floor, groups of male Republican Senators had crowded around the two rebel women and McCain, isolating their targets one by one. But the female duo remained strong, and just as they almost threatened to halt the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as education secretary, they have now voted three times in the past few days against the total erasure of Obamacare. We all know what happens to politicians when they dont toe the party line. They are talked about, ostracised and, in this case, metaphorically challenged to duel. In the boys club of the Capitol Hill with its arcane procedures, it is hard enough to be a woman in a position of power, let alone be a woman whose dissent has the power to humiliate the party and anger the President. Since the vote, Murkowski said she received a not very pleasant phone call from Secretary of State Ryan Zinke, who told her the President was disappointed. She vowed to continue working on health care in good faith and put Alaskans ahead of the party. The fact that two women arguably saved Obamacare speaks volumes about a male-led effort to scrap a law which funded Planned Parenthood and provided women with no co-pay access to contraception. As Senator Collins wrote, Millions of women across the country rely on Planned Parenthood for family planning, cancer screening, and basic preventative health care services. Denying women access to Planned Parenthood not only runs contrary to our goal of letting patients choose the health care provider who best fits their needs, but it could also impede timely access to care. John McCain draws gasps and applause as he votes no on Obamacare repeal Of course, repealing Obamacare without a replacement would have affected millions of young and old people, regardless of their gender. But it would have also had a disproportionate impact on women, who are generally paid less than men, who make up the majority of single parents and of workers who earn minimum wage or less than minimum wage in America. After Paul Ryan told Trump he did not have enough votes to push through the American Health Care Act in March, Trump blamed the Democrats and said: We learned a lot about loyalty. Loyalty is the Presidents prized quality. Breaching it has destroyed the careers of multiple high-profile figures, from close aides to the former Director of the FBI. Murkowski, for one, already knew before Friday morning that she was in the firing line. Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad! Trump wrote earlier this week. Trump has targeted many women and men, either directly or in front of more than 32 million Twitter followers. His ire has been provoked by McCain for being captured in Vietnam, crocodile tears Chuck Schumer and beleaguered Jeff Sessions. But being on the end of Trumps wrath as a woman must be an even more frightening experience, given the high levels of anonymous trolling, death and rape threats that they receive online, as well as the lack of female allies at the very top. Collins has released a statement to explain her no vote. In essence, the skinny repeal was not good enough and defunding Planned Parenthood was harmful. These problems require a bipartisan solution, she wrote. Under her statement, there were hundreds of comments. Most of them were simple: Thank you. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Just when it seemed that a consensus was emerging in the Cabinet over what Brexit really might mean, Liam Fox has characteristically popped up to show that the truce is fragile at best, and non-existent at worst. The International Trade Secretary, a Brexiteer, dismissed the idea that the Government has agreed free movement will continue in all but name for up to three years when the UK formally leaves the EU in March 2019. This was suggested last week by Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, and Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, who backed Remain last year and who are now trying to ensure that the hard Brexit planned by Theresa May does not inflict economic self-harm. Dr Fox told The Sunday Times that continued free movement would not keep faith with the referendum decision. In a warning shot at Mr Hammond, he said any transitional deal has to be an agreement by the Cabinet and cant just be made by an individual or any group within the Cabinet. Dr Fox is chomping at the bit to conclude trade deals with non-EU countries and wary of anything that would delay or prevent that, since he might then in effect be out of a job. That puts him at odds with Mr Hammond, who is sceptical that a bonanza of free trade deals could compensate quickly for the market of 500 million people on our doorstep, and so wants us to stick close to the EU. Mr Hammond is right; as he has argued, people did not vote Leave in the referendum to become poorer or less secure. The International Trade Secretary had no need to quibble about the Hammond-Rudd approach; the Chancellor made clear on Friday that the UK will leave the single market and customs union in 2019. Dr Fox, like his fellow Brexiteers David Davis and Michael Gove, has accepted that a transitional deal will be needed, saying it would be worth waiting another two years to achieve something he has wanted for more than 40. This latest skirmish between the Cabinets pragmatists and ideologues will almost certainly not be the last. But it will not help the UKs cause in the already difficult negotiations with the 27 EU members. Nor will it reassure British business, which is desperate for some clarity on Brexit after a wasted year since the referendum. Companies such as airlines will soon need to finalise their plans for 2019. Others will be making decisions on investment and jobs. They and the important financial sector will have to assume the worst unless they have any reason to prepare for a better outcome. The whole point of Mr Hammonds welcome and long overdue initiative was to offer some certainty to business and individuals that life would continue as normal after Brexit day. Dr Foxs loose talk has undermined his efforts. The Government needs to speak with one voice on Brexit and there is only one person who can ensure that. Since her election disaster eight weeks ago, Theresa May has been virtually silent on the most crucial question facing the country. When she returns from her holiday, she needs to get a grip. There is no point in stamping out leaks from Cabinet meetings if her ministers parade their differences in public. The contradictory messages will continue unless the vacuum of our Brexit strategy is filled when the Prime Minister makes a speech on the issue in September. The time for meaningless slogans and nods and winks by Cabinet ministers is over; clarity and certainty are needed urgently. Molly Owens is believed to be with her father Brian (North Wales Police/PA Wire) The search for a missing five-year-old girl believed to be with her father, who is wanted by police, has moved to the Republic of Ireland. Molly Owens is thought to be with Brian Owens, 26, who has a warrant out for his arrest. Owens failed to turn up at Caernarfon Magistrates' Court in North Wales on Friday for sentencing. North Wales Police have not said what offences he had committed. Police now say they believe father and daughter are in Ireland with 31-year-old Elaine Doutch. Superintendent Jane Banham of North Wales Police said: "Our investigation is ongoing and we are still appealing for information from anybody who may have been in contact with Brian Owens to get in touch with us. "From our inquiries we believe they are in the Republic of Ireland with a woman by the name of Elaine Doutch, and we are in close contact with our colleagues at the Garda who are assisting us. "We just want to ensure that Molly is safe and well and are issuing a direct appeal for her to be returned home." Molly is described as having collar-length blonde hair and blue eyes. She sometimes wears pink glasses. It is now known that she was last seen wearing a dark blue T-shirt with a light pattern on the front, blue jeans and trainers. She is also believed to have been carrying a toy similar to a teddy bear. Brian Owens is described as being 5ft 9in and of slim build. He has short brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a white top, dark trousers and trainers and was carrying a blue jacket. Ms Doutch was seen wearing a black top, grey cardigan, dark trousers and white trainers. Anyone with information is asked to contact North Wales Police quoting reference number V113559. Comments made by Eoghan Murphy, pictured, earlier this year were interpreted as a thinly veiled criticism of Luxembourg The head of Luxembourg's financial lobby group has accused Irish politicians of making "false accusations" against the Duchy as the battle to snare London-based firms looking for a new home after Brexit intensifies. Nicolas Mackel denied suggestions the Duchy is allowing so-called "brass plate" operations that would give firms token access to the single market. He was responding to comments made by former Irish finance minister Eoghan Murphy earlier this year which were interpreted as a thinly veiled criticism of Luxembourg. The chief executive of Luxembourg for Finance told the Press Association: "As long as we can get those sorts of false accusations out of the debate, I think all the other competitive elements are just a normal occurrence of business." "We make it a point never to talk negatively about our competitors, unlike some of them. I think it's just like in politics - you resort to that sort of communication if you really don't have anything to say about yourself and your strength." Mr Mackel believes the inflammatory remarks made by Mr Murphy in a Reuters interview - complaining that other European cities were being "very aggressive" and taking part in "creeping regulatory arbitrage", referring to lax rules - were made for "internal political needs". He added: "Since then, the circumstances in Ireland have changed with a new government and they themselves having been able to make some announcements on companies (choosing Dublin after Brexit). "So there will be no more need to resort to this sort of communication." A spokesperson for the Irish Department of Finance said the comment by Mr Murphy "was not a criticism of Luxembourg or any other member state". They added Mr Murphy had raised a number of issues during a scheduled meeting with European Commission VP Valdis Dombrovskis earlier this including " ensuring there is consistency across EU member states" in applying regulatory standards for financial services. Mr Mackel acknowledged there was competition to draw business among rival EU financial centres, including Frankfurt and Dublin "to a certain degree", but said Luxembourg felt no pressure to offer special terms and firms were weighing a raft of criteria when choosing their post-Brexit hubs. In recent months Barclays, Legal & General and Bank of America have revealed plans to base EU-focused operations in Dublin, while the Duchy has gained commitments from the likes of US giant AIG, Northern Trust and insurers RSA and Hiscox. The Luxembourg for Finance chief said having a dedicated insurance regulator has been a draw for the sector, while most asset managers have boosted activity in the country without fanfare in preparation for Britain's divorce from the EU. He expects the city to attract approximately 2,000 jobs in the next one to two years as a result. Mr Mackel said Luxembourg made a conscious decision to hold back from running international roadshows in a bid to win business, eschewing a tactic employed by the likes of Paris and Frankfurt. He added: "We felt we would not necessarily need to and I think we were actually right. "Many of the asset management companies that operate out of London have a Luxembourg platform, and were going to very naturally use that Luxembourg platform to consolidate their activities on the European continent. "The same goes for banks." However while Luxembourg was gaining business, Mr Mackel said Brexit is still being viewed as a "lose-lose proposition overall". Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has ramped up the war of words with Britain by branding its Brexit plans for the Northern Ireland border as "neither imaginative nor flexible". Mr Coveney pointedly said he does not believe Theresa May's government is in the right "mental space" to address the political sensitivities of the border following the UK decision to leave the EU. "The last thing I want to do is pick a fight with Britain - but at the same time we will not allow being brushed aside what are genuine and very real concerns," Mr Coveney told the Sunday Independent. The minister sparked a row with Unionists after he suggested the UK's custom checks with the EU should be in ports and airports rather than the Northern Ireland border. Yesterday, Mr Coveney said Britain made the decision to leave - and now the onus was on Mrs May and her Cabinet to find solutions to the consequences it posed for other countries. "We need a unique solution for Northern Ireland. Saying we are going to put cameras on the border and make this as seamless as possible is neither imaginative nor flexible," he said. "Ireland needs to be very clear on that, so the British government understands the real sensitivities here and the political priority of this issue for Ireland," he added. He insisted Ireland would not accept a "compensation package" in exchange for reintroducing of a border. He said he would "not lecture" Mrs May - but added that political frictions in the Tory Party were impacting on Brexit talks. His comments follow those of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who last week told Britain that Ireland would not help design a border which they do not believe should exist. He added that Ireland, not the UK, should feel angry about Brexit. Former Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble later weighed into the debate and told Mr Varadkar to "calm down". Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said Britain had not proposed a realistic solution to deal with the border issue. Yesterday EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said he was "very disappointed" by Britain's reaction to Brexit. "It beggars belief to see the type of inconsistency and lack of co-ordination that we see at the moment from the UK side," Mr Hogan said. Northern Ireland is being examined carefully by EU officials and it will be discussed during the next round of Brexit talks. EU officials are seeking to find a solution to maintaining Ireland's common travel area with Britain while also ensuring the terms of the Good Friday Agreement are maintained. The terms include EU peace funds and cross-border health service arrangements. AIB chairman Richard Pym has said the bank intends to publish proposals in the autumn to assist with the delivery of new housing. Pym revealed the AIB's intention to make what he described as a "serious contribution" to efforts to address the housing crisis in the course of an address to the MacGill summer school, which took place in Donegal recently. "It is housing though that is still stalled and new home completions fall well short of demand and I think that is something where AIB can make a serious contribution," he said. Pym told his MacGill audience of a dinner he had hosted for a number of the country's major property developers recently at AIB's Bank Centre headquarters in Ballsbridge where issues affecting the delivery of housing were discussed. He said: "We had a chairman's dinner in Bank Centre a month or two ago. We got the main residential constructors and commercial constructors [together] for a dinner and we talked about some of the problems; and we are going to work on some proposals we hope to publish in the autumn. It's something that the private sector can contribute to if we organise ourselves properly." While a spokesman for AIB declined to comment on Pym's contribution to the MacGill summer school, the Sunday Independent understands the event he referred to was attended by a number of the biggest names from the commercial and residential development sectors. Among those present for the dinner and discussion were Chartered Land and Castlethorn chief Joe O'Reilly, Cairn Homes chairman John Reynolds, Green Reit director Stephen Vernon, O'Flynn Group chairman and managing director Michael O'Flynn, and John Mulryan, a son of Ballymore Properties chief Sean Mulryan and managing director of the group's UK operations. It is understood their discussion took in a range of issues affecting the delivery of residential and commercial developments. Those issues included the availability of finance, planning regulations, construction costs and project viability. AIB's determination to support the country's real estate sector was evidenced last week with its Real Estate Finance division providing a 155m loan to refinance the Jervis Shopping Centre in Dublin. The seven-year loan facility has been extended to a company controlled by the centre's owners and developers, the Belfast-born property investor Paddy McKillen and Padraig Drayne. AIB Real Estate Finance is understood to have secured the financing mandate in the face of significant competition from international funders. In a statement, Colin Hunt, AIB's managing director of wholesale, institutional and corporate banking, said: "We are committed to deploying our capital and expertise to support the real estate finance sector in Ireland. Our multidisciplinary real estate finance team is dedicated to providing customer-focused solutions to the sector." A spokesman for the owners of the Jervis Shopping Centre, JSC Properties, meanwhile said they were proud to have been able to complete the refinance with an Irish institution. 'It's all about the craic -that is what racing is all about and we're going to have plenty of that in Galway next week." Josh Sheahan, the proud owner of a horse, can't wait for the Galway Races and his enthusiasm is an absolute breath of fresh air. Racing needs more of him these days. "It's all gone too serious to be honest," he said. "Racecourses need to welcome syndicates with open arms. It's my horse but we get a gang together every time he runs, and win, lose or draw we always have a good laugh." In case you missed it, Limerick native Josh gave the interview of the year to At The Races presenter Kevin O'Ryan minutes before Top of the Town ran at Limerick a few weeks ago. The horse lost, but his young owner was gracious in defeat and the post-race post-mortem was even more entertaining, so much so he was getting calls from Australia and America for days afterwards. "I had people calling me from all over the place. I even had young lads wanting to get involved in the horse with me. It was only mad," he said. As a relative newcomer to horse ownership, 25-year-old Josh sees his association with racing as nothing more than a hobby. It is also a clever way of bringing business to his pub of the same name in Askeaton. Every time the horse runs, the pub is packed. "I took over the pub when I was just 19 years old. Our family always had businesses in the town and I jumped at the chance to have my own when it came up for lease in December 2011." With regard to his early days in horses, he added: "We never had them at home but I always loved them and had my first ever bet on Beef or Salmon all those years ago. I lost four quid on him that day and was disgusted. But from then on I was hooked." By his own admission his stint at UL studying Equine Science didn't go too well either. "I can tell you I didn't learn much other than how to drink. You could say I studied the pub trade there instead." Taking over the running of a pub as a teenager was no mean feat, but Josh has his mother Ita to thank for keeping him on the straight and narrow. "She's my financial advisor, and keeps me in check. Sure I'd need it." It seems his mother might have been watching over his shoulder too when he made his first and only racehorse purchase to date back in 2013. "We got him unraced from Michael Manning and he cost me the small sum of 1,500. He runs in my sister Mary Rose's name. It is very much a family interest." First put in training with Patrick Neville, the nine-year-old gelding was then sent to Ballingarry-based Charles Byrnes, where he has remained ever since. While Josh and his team of supporters had no choice but to drown their sorrows after Top of the Town failed to bring home the money in Limerick, there have been plenty of great days out over the years. "Charles is just brilliant and has gotten such a good tune out of him. He has won four races for me so far and over 30,000 in prize-money." "People often think racing is too expensive for them. That is not the case if there's a few lads involved. You could get 10 guys involved, for say 1,000 each to buy a horse, and then a few hundred a month between them to train it. I can tell you it is worth every penny." With the Galway Festival next on the agenda for Top of the Town, Josh has been planning this big trip to Ballybrit now for weeks. "I think we've about 70 going so far, and it's going to be some craic. We're going to rattle the place. Hopefully the horse runs on the Sunday. If he wins it will be only mental," he added. The rainfall late last week was a welcome arrival at Lyons farm as the hill had become particularly dry and grass growth had really stalled. The soil depth on the hill ground, the main sheep grazing area, is exceptionally shallow and even three or four days without rainfall results in a soil moisture deficit. I am hoping to see a significant jump in grass growth when we complete this week's farm walk. Lambs have continued to perform well after weaning. We slaughtered 49 lambs on July 14 giving an average carcase weight of 20.6 kg and returning 111 per head. This is a significant and welcome increase in price on this time last year. Lambs remaining on the farm have been treated with Clikzin as we were seeing some fly strike in the lambs. While the period of coverage with this product is shorter at eight weeks than some others on the market, the short withdrawal period is important for lambs close to finish. Some products, while offering extended periods of cover, have a withdrawal period of six weeks. Care should be taken with the withdrawal periods for all veterinary products used on finishing lambs as lambs can very quickly become overweight or over fleshed waiting for withdrawal periods to expire. Even at a modest growth rate of 150 grams per day, a lamb will gain almost 6.5kg of live weight during a six week period. The weaned ewes are now being used to clean out paddocks behind the lambs. The lambs graze paddocks down to between 5 and 5.5cm and then the ewes come in and take this down another cm to 4.5cm or so. Ewes were in reasonable condition at weaning so this is no penalty on them at the moment. Ewes are 11 weeks from breeding and where ewes have a body condition score of less than 2.5 we would look at remedial action at this stage. One message that has really been borne out over the last two or three breeding seasons across the country is having ewes in good (the correct) body condition score at breeding will increase scanned litter size, number of lambs born and the number of lambs weaned. While all three are intrinsically linked the latter in particular is a key driver of profitability on sheep farms. Michelle McManus, who is looking at novel ways of measuring feed intake and feed efficiency in grazing sheep, presented some of her findings at the Precision Grassland and Grazing Livestock conference held in Edinburgh last week. This conference highlighted the multitude of new technologies on the market or close to the market to support the livestock sector. These ranged from well established technologies like the 'MooMonitor', to the more recently announced virtual fencing. Also on display were more experimental technologies like Michelle's work on InfraRed Thermography to predict feed intake and feed efficiency in grazing livestock. Whatever about the type of technology that is available, there must be a financial return on the farmers investment if these technologies are to gain traction at industry level. The next few weeks will see preparation for the breeding season ramp up, ewes and rams will be monitored to control any foot issues or lameness, which thankfully have been few given the dry summer, but complacency cannot be allowed to set in on this particular front. Factory weights Lambs will be continually monitored and drafted for slaughter, with cognisance for factory weight cut off limits. Worm control will be carried out in response to faecal egg count levels and trace element status will be monitored also. We administer cobalt routinely, but in recent years have also had intermittent issues with selenium and iodine deficiency. Both of these will be continually tracked and our first check will be routinely measuring lamb growth rate. If this drops below what we deem acceptable for the grass supply available then further interrogation using blood and liver samples from the factory will take place. Professor Tommy Boland is a lecturer in sheep production at Lyons Farm, University College Dublin. @Pallastb tommy.boland@ucd.ie Ryanair unveiled its first quarter results last week. These showed that it had increased the number of passengers carried in the three months to the end of June by 12pc to 35 million and after-tax profits by 55pc to 397m. Even allowing for the fact that the first quarter 2017 results were flattered by the fact that there was no Easter in the same period last year, these were still seriously impressive results. Ryanair now expects to increase the number of passengers it carries in the year to March 2018 by 8pc to 131 million and after-tax profits also by 8pc to 1.4bbn-1.45bn. Expand Close Alitalia was tipped over the edge into bankruptcy after its 11,000 staff rejected a 2bn cost-cutting plan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alitalia was tipped over the edge into bankruptcy after its 11,000 staff rejected a 2bn cost-cutting plan Italian flag carrier Alitalia effectively went bust in May when special commissioners were appointed to run the airline, which lost 199m in 2015 - the last year for which it has published financial results - and a total of 5.9bn over the past decade. The special commissioners have put Alitalia up for sale. Ryanair is one of a number of airlines to have submitted non-binding bids for Alitalia. Is the bid for Alitalia an acknowledgement by Ryanair that it has grown so large that at least some of its future growth will have to come from acquisitions rather than, as has been the case up to now, being generated organically? "It [the 200 million passengers target] will be easily met by overall growth in the market and market share wins. Ryanair is targeting Germany. It could add 20 million passengers there with another 10 million in Spain, 10 million (before Alitalia) in Italy and 15-20 million in Eastern Europe. Between organic growth and its fleet expansion programme, 200 million passengers is an achievable target", says Goodbody Stockbrokers aviation analyst Mark Simpson. Long-time aviation-watchers will remember that this is not the first time that Alitalia has flirted with insolvency having previously gone bust in 2008. This time it was the rejection of a 2bn cost-cutting plan by Alitalia's 11,000-strong workforce that tipped the airline over the edge. In fact, if the Italian Government had not allocated the most lucrative slots for flights between Rome's Fiumicino Airport and Milan's Linate Airport to Alitalia, where it has a de facto monopoly, it would probably have folded years ago. So what does Ryanair see in Alitilia? Isn't it one of those over-manned, over-unionised, inefficient airlines that Michael O'Leary has spent most of his 23 years as Ryanair boss railing against? Just for good measure there is Ryanair's previous history of failed acquisitions with the EU having blocked not one but two Ryanair bids for Aer Lingus on competition grounds. Why should it be any different with Alitalia? "There will always be an Italian solution to Alitalia", predicts Davy Stockbrokers aviation analyst Stephen Furlong. "There could be an interim deal where there wouldn't be the competition issues that would arise if Ryanair took over the whole of Alitalia". Furlong believes that the most likely resolution of the Alitalia saga is a break-up of the airline with a shrunken Alitalia retaining its long-haul routes and Ryanair picking up some or all of its short-haul routes. Would this give Ryanair access to some of the lucrative Fiumicino-Linate routes currently controlled by Alitalia? Not alone would an Alitalia break-up, which hived off its short-haul routes, minimise possible competition issues, it would almost certainly have other advantages for Ryanair. "Somebody will have to pick up the tab for Alitalia's debts and other liabilities. You can be fairly confident that somebody won't be Ryanair", predicts Davy's Furlong. The plight of Alitalia and many other flag carriers is testament to the success of Ryanair and other low-cost carriers in completely reshaping the European aviation market. Since 2004 the European aviation market has grown at an annual average rate of 4.2pc. However, the low-cost carriers have achieved average annual growth of 13.4pc while the flag carriers have grown at less than 1pc a year. What this means is that the low-cost carriers' share of the total market has grown from 13pc to 40pc since 2004. And the low-cost airlines' market share will continue to grow, with Furlong pointing out that they account for most of the new aircraft being delivered by manufacturers. Ryanair is the largest of these low-cost airlines with 15pc market share. In terms of passenger numbers carried, it is now just ahead of Germany's Lufthansa as Europe's largest airline and almost six times larger than Alitalia, which last year carried just 22.6 million passengers. In addition to its near-dominant 48pc share of the Irish aviation market, Ryanair is also the market leader in a slew of other European countries including Poland (30pc), Belgium (29pc) and Spain (19pc). It has also overtaken Alitalia as the market leader in Italy with 28pc share. Ryanair occupies the number two slot in the UK with 18pc and is growing strongly in Germany where it currently has an 8pc share. The only major European aviation market that Ryanair has yet to crack is France. Driving the growth in Ryanair's passenger numbers to 200 million is a series of huge aircraft orders with Boeing. In 2013 Ryanair ordered 183 Boeing 737-800s, to be delivered during the five years to the end of March 2019. It has followed this up with an order for 110 of the new 737-Max-200 aircraft, with options for another 100, to be delivered in the five years ended March 2024. At list prices these orders will cost Ryanair up to a gross $36.7bn (31.3bn at current exchange rates). However, these gross figures will be significantly reduced by the discounts Ryanair receives from Boeing for ordering in bulk. Ryanair will also dispose of some of its older aircraft as the new ones are delivered. Ryanair expects its total fleet, which stood at just under 400 aircraft at the end of June 2017, to increase to as many as 585 aircraft, including some leased planes, by the end of March 2024. Underpinning this fleet expansion are the lowest costs in the business, just 27 per passenger in the first quarter, which in turn allow Ryanair to offer passengers the lowest fares. Ryanair's average fare in the first quarter was just 41 compared to 51 at Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz, 77 at Easyjet and 78 at Norwegian. This cost advantage will widen further when the first of the Boeing 737-Max-200s are delivered in two years time. Not alone does the 737-Max-200 carry eight more passengers than the 737-800, 197 vs 189, it also burns 16pc less fuel per seat. A modern efficient fleet, low costs, low fares and soaring passenger numbers. What could possibly go wrong for Ryanair? In a word: Brexit. Ever since last year's referendum vote, the company has been issuing ever more strident warnings about the possible consequences of Britain leaving the EU without an interim aviation agreement being put in place first. Ryanair has been one of the major beneficiaries of the EU's "open skies" policy, which allows airlines registered in one member country to fly to and between other member countries. At last week's results presentation, Ryanair chief financial officer Neil Sorahan held out the prospect of a suspension of flights between the UK and the EU in March 2019 if Brexit goes ahead without an interim agreement. In practice it probably won't come to that. If Ryanair is excluded from the UK market it will concentrate on mainland European markets instead. This would result in fare wars erupting in those markets. "If you are Lufthansa you could see Ryanair squeezing five years of growth in the German market into one year", says Furlong. Air France could also be hit by a hard Brexit - London is the second-biggest route of its Dutch KLM subsidiary. The prospect of Ryanair seeking to recoup lost UK business on mainland Europe will serve as incentive to EU governments to be flexible on the aviation issue in the Brexit talks, he believes. All of which points to some sort of interim agreement being put in place. However, time is of the essence. Airlines plan their schedules up to a year in advance. Ignoring Brexit in the hope that something will be cobbled together at the last minute in March 2019 won't cut it. Even if passengers could somehow be persuaded to buy them, no airline would knowingly sell tickets that it wasn't sure it could honour. Ryanair and its competitors will need to have a clear indication of the likely outcome by early 2018. A far more likely casualty of Brexit are Ryanair's three UK domestic routes, which account for less than 1pc of its total business. O'Leary held out the possibility of these being either closed or transferred to a minority-owned UK-registered company that would operate them on Ryanair's behalf. Not even Brexit it seems can halt Ryanair's growth to 200 million passengers and beyond. The Irish franchise holders of global footwear brand Skechers, Paul Gallagher and Sunil Shah, have warned that expansion plans have stalled. Gallagher said that the US owners of the brand have flagged a number of concerns about the Irish retail environment. While the uncertainty around Brexit is one issue, other concerns relate to high rental rates and increases to the minimum wage. "We are planning another five stores across the island in the next 12 to 18 months on top of 17 stores we have already," he said. They first brought the franchise to Ireland seven years ago. "But there is a nervousness - and it's not my view - among Skechers. They analyse each market and there is a nervousness because we can't give them an accurate three-year plan. "If we're rolling out stores, we don't know what the labour costs are going to be," he added. Retailers have been critical of a recent 30 cent increase in the minimum wage, bringing the wage to 9.55. One of the complaints is that the knock-on effect will be a demand for pay increases across the board. Gallagher said the question was being asked in the US is 'why do you have the second highest minimum wage in Europe when you don't appear to be the second most productive?'. In relation to property costs, Gallagher claimed that footfall or shopper numbers, was down in most Irish shopping centres. He said that there was a concern that trends from the US - where shopping malls are failing - would be mirrored in Ireland. He also criticised rent increases at a time when revenues in many chains were falling. While the Irish expansion plans have stalled, Gallagher and Shah are expanding the franchise into other markets. He said that it was expanding in Hungary, Switzerland and Austria and weighing up a move into the Czech Republic. Although the brand is available in larger stores, the Cork-based company would like to introduce stand-alone Skechers stores into these markets. Gallagher said he and his business partner are in talks with other US brands with a view to bringing the franchise operations to Europe. Sullivan's Brewing Company, based in Kilkenny, has been pulling in some international investment (as mentioned in this column last week) and one of its US backers was in Dublin last week. John Brown, who is based in San Francisco, recalled that one of his earlier visits to the city was when he was there to announce the opening of Merrill Lynch's first operations in Dublin. Brown, a first generation Irish-American whose father hailed from Co Mayo and mother is from Co Wexford, has held several senior roles at Merrill Lynch and UBS, including ceo and coo positions across a number of divisions. Much of his early time with Merrill was as a trader. "The stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason," he told me. "It wasn't so much The Wolf of Wall Street but The Bonfire of the Vanities wasn't far off." His wife, Anita Sands, hails from Drogheda in Co Louth and has quite an impressive CV herself - she is the former chief operating officer of UBS Wealth Management Americas, where she served as group managing director and head of change leadership. Since leaving the highest levels of the US financial sector, Brown has teamed up with his wife to form Sands Point Consulting Management where they work with entrepreneurs to develop new technology ventures. Brown has invested in several tech startups and is also part-owner of a restaurant chain in New York. He has poured $200,000 into Sullivan's, which is being backed by members of the Smithwick's family and led by Alan Quane, and said he would invest again. Smithwick's was sold to Diageo in 1965. Brown (who sipped on a pint of Smithwick's during our lunch in the Shelbourne) has very high hopes for Sullivan's red ale. Launched 12 months ago, it is already stocked in pubs in New York, as well as several in Ireland and the company is targeting the Canadian market. "There's revenues, a sales pipeline that's being managed and we're entering new markets," said Brown. "But the key to it is a great beer." Wind of change at Eir with new regulatory head Healy Eir has had a few clashes with ComReg of late and so it will fall to a new head of regulatory affairs and public policy to fight the communications groups corner. Staff were told on Friday that Gary Healy, who is currently chief executive at the Irish Wind Energy Association, would take up the role from September. Healy is well experienced he was head of external relations and regulation at Vodafone and has served for five years as a non-executive Director of EirGrid. He was also head of public policy with Telefonica Ireland and director of market development with ComReg. As the incumbent, Eir must comply with a range of universal service obligations and falling foul of the telecoms watchdog can be an expensive business. In June, Eir was fined 1.5m for breaching fault repair times, while in April it was also hit with a 3m fine. Sounds like Healys phone will be ringing off the hook. * * * * * We are clearly in the depths of silly season by the looks of a note circulated by a Credit Agricole analyst earlier this week. Louis Harreau, an ECB strategist at the French bank, circulated a celebratory quiz marking five years since ECB President Mario Draghi famously said the bank would do whatever it takes to preserve the euro within its mandate, a moment Harreau calls the most important act of the Eurozone as a political union. Analysts notes are often pretty dry affairs but Harreaus effort certainly is not. Ergo loves quizzes but we have to admit that despite the multiple-choice format we were a bit stumped by Who did (Bundesbank president) Jens Weidmann compare to Justin Bieber? and What is Mario Draghis favourite joke? Some monetary policy experts no doubt got 23 out of 23 on the quiz. Harreaus advice to them is the following: It is our duty to inform you that there are other things in life than the ECB, but personally we have no concrete examples. Greg Kavanaghs LinkedIn and the Limerick high-speed rail Since parting ways with Pat Crean last year, property developer Greg Kavanagh has been making far fewer headlines. But he has maintained an active presence on business-focused social media site LinkedIn and boasts more than 2,000 followers on the platform. In a recent post Kavanagh mused about bulding a high-speed rail line between Dublin and Limerick a prospect previously mooted by former Department of Finance secretary general John Moran, who happens to be a Limerick man. Moran told an event in Limerick last year that funding could be sourced from the European Investment Bank an organisation on whose board Moran sits. Kavanagh reckons that, with one of these in place, you could get from Dublin to Limerick in 45 minutes or less, with similar enough times for journeys from Galway and Cork. And it would, of course, provide plenty of opportunity for those in the building trade. * * * * * Remember UTV? It may be gone from most TV screens in the Republic, but I see new owner ITV is investing in the business in Northern Ireland. It has just appointed engineers to fit out the new UTV studios at City Quays 2 at Belfast Harbour Estate. According to local reports, the new facility will involve a multi-million pound investment by ITV. UTV will vacate its Havelock House premises on the Ormeau Road after nearly 60 years. The work, starting next month, should take 16 weeks and will be complete with all broadcasting mod cons such as HD studio and the latest in editing technology. Terry Brennan, head of news and programmes at UTV, said: By the summer of 2018, UTV will be broadcasting from one of the most modern news centres in Europe. TV3 has also recently upgraded studios and technology, so little wonder that RTE is pining for some capital investment in facilities after its redundancy programme and restructuring is completed. The Grenfell fire tragedy could now see an investigation for corporate manslaughter AFP/Getty An estimated 80 people were killed in the Grenfell tower block fire last month in London. The local authority and the tower management organisation have now been identified as suspects in an investigation for corporate manslaughter. It is unlikely that this offence could be prosecuted in Ireland if a similar disaster happened here, because successive Irish governments have consistently refused to legislate for corporate manslaughter. This lacuna exists despite the Irish Law Reform Commission noting in its 2005 Report that the existing law in the area was inadequate. It appended draft legislation on corporate killing to its report but it was never enacted. By contrast, the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 in the UK created a new homicide offence a decade ago. This is even broader in scope than the more modest proposals advanced in Ireland, because the UK offence can be committed not only by companies, but also governmental bodies and public bodies. Curiously, the failure of successive Irish governments to legislate for this crime is not for lack of parliamentary interest. Various attempts were made to deal with this offence in the Corporate Manslaughter Bill 2001; via an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 which was ruled out of order; the Corporate Manslaughter Bill 2007; the Corporate Manslaughter Bill 2011; the Corporate Manslaughter Bill 2013; and the Corporate Manslaughter Bill 2016. Remarkably, some of these initiatives were produced as private members bills by members of the opposition who subsequently did not think fit to secure this legislation while in government. The failure to introduce legislation is also not for a lack of suitable cases. In fact, the failure to address corporate homicide has a long trajectory in Ireland. On January 7, 1979, 50 people were killed when an oil tanker, the Betelgeuse, exploded while discharging fuel in Bantry Bay, Co Cork. It was the highest number of people to be killed in a single incident in the history of the State. The Costello Inquiry subsequently concluded that the owners of the oil terminal had failed in numerous ways to maintain adequate safety measures, and that had even some of these deficiencies been remedied, then "the lives of the jetty crew and those on board the vessel would have been saved". The company that owned the ship had also failed to adequately maintain it, ostensibly "for reasons of economy". In other words, adequate safety conditions for employees were not a financially sound investment for the company. This is not an isolated case. The inquiries into the train crashes in Buttevant in 1980 and subsequently in Cherryville in 1983 also revealed that 25 people were killed and 125 people were injured when adequate safety precautions and procedures had not been implemented. Similarly, 48 people died and 214 were injured as a result of the fire in the Stardust disco in 1981 when fire safety laws were breached. However, no one was ever charged with any offences. Instead, public inquiries remained the standard response to potentially criminal and quasi-criminal instances of wrongdoing in the public and private sector. Of course, corporate homicide is not merely historical. The issue assumes modern resonance when it is considered that there are almost as many workplace deaths as there are homicides in Ireland. Nevertheless, while there is at least some possibility that a violent assailant will be caught, prosecuted and convicted, there has never been a prosecution for corporate manslaughter in Ireland. This is likely to remain the case unless legislation is enacted. If the State continues to drag its feet in this area, justice delayed may be justice denied. Dr Joe McGrath is law lecturer at UCD and the author of Corporate and White Collar Crime in Ireland: A New Architecture of Regulatory Enforcement (Manchester University Press). 'We need to be able to compete for talent and tax is a protagonist in this economic war and there will be winners and losers' (stock image) The soundtrack to Jackie Chan's movie Rush Hour includes Edwin Starr's "War, what is it good for, absolutely nothing, say it again" Granted Starr was singing about a very different conflict. Right now there is a war for talent and in business few things speak louder than money. Culture may eat strategy for breakfast, but talent ensures that there's a strategy-hungry culture in the first place. No talent, no nothing. We need to be able to compete for talent and tax is a protagonist in this economic war and there will be winners and losers. We need to make sure we are the former when enticing businesses here. This was recognised by the European Commission's July economic brief on personal income tax for Ireland where it spoke, among other things, about the future of the Universal Social Charge (USC). The paper refers to the USC as a "purposeful, but unloved tax". I've been working in tax for a long time and I've yet to see a "loved tax" unless the word "refund" is attached but I don't think that's what the EU commission was getting at. It's now understood that USC may morph into PRSI so we may see different types of tax payable on income shrink but unless the effective rate decreases then it's a case of so what? The bottom line is cash in employees' hands and that's where the marginal rate (or the highest rate payable by the person on their income) matters. The EU brief notes that "single earners in Ireland face among the highest marginal tax rates in the EU [and] a very high marginal tax rate in Ireland is reached at a relatively low point in the income distribution ... while marginal tax rates for couples at the average wage (with or without children) remain below the EU21-OECD average, they sharply increase with income". So it's official, we have a rate problem - and it's one that the Government has said it will look at. But why not add to this? Why not try to change how people are remunerated as well as taxed so as to reduce employers' costs while increasing employee benefits. Share-based remuneration has long proven to be an effective tool for rewarding employees and a new share SME scheme was referenced in last year's budget which would be subject to State Aid approval. Such regimes can incentivise employees as the performance of their company impacts their return and the value of any shares they hold. I mention this because of Sweden's very recent (June) and good State Aid story; good because the EU gave the green light for its proposed tax effective share-based remuneration regime saying that it wasn't an unacceptable State Aid. The response from the EU authorities said that the Swedish "Employee share tax regime" is designed to enable "young and small companies" to recruit and retain the key employees they need to achieve their growth potential. It continues that such companies often do not have enough capital or financial resources to offer/pay a market wage, which makes it difficult for them to attract and retain key talented or skilled personnel crucial for the company to develop innovative ideas and expand their businesses. Currently an employee who is granted a share option is deemed to receive a taxable benefit at the time the option is exercised. Our law operates similarly and this up-front tax charge must be self-funded by the employee and can act as a disincentive if he or she doesn't have the cash flow at that time. The newly approved Swedish system ensures that the employee will be taxed at a later point in time, being the sale of the shares, ie exercising a share option is not considered taxable remuneration. When selling the shares, the employee will be taxed at a lower tax rate on the difference between the income realised from the sale of shares and the total price paid for them at the exercise date. The employer will not have to pay any social security contributions on the value of this benefit. Indeed, the UK has a similar regime in its Enterprise Management Incentive which is designed to help small, higher-risk companies recruit and retain employees who have the skills to help them grow and succeed albeit higher limits apply. There's a common theme here. The incentive applies to companies that have fewer than 250 employees and gross assets not exceeding 30m. Coming back home and as noted earlier, the former Minister for Finance indicated his intention as part of last year's budget to develop a new, SME-focused share-based incentive scheme to be introduced in Budget 2018. This intention was referenced in the Government's recent Summer Economic Statement by the current minister - so game faces people. In the past, certain aspects of our law looking at tax implications for SMEs referenced companies employing fewer than 250 persons with an annual turnover not exceeding 50m, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43m. This would appear an appropriate template although it would of course be preferable if it could be extended to larger companies. Daryl Hanberry, tax partner, and I responded to the Government's consultation on share-based remuneration around this time last year. We noted that the tax treatment of share awards imposed an immediate charge on the employees when the shares are vested or the options are exercised. One of our recommendations was that any tax due on share awards should be deferred until the shares have been disposed of, or for a fixed period of time. This mechanism isn't a million miles from what the Swedes suggested to the EU in their State Aid application in December 2016. Budget 2018 is fast approaching. Right now we are in harm's way in the war for talent, business and investment. In such a war, unlike that mentioned by Starr, there are winners and losers and we need to be the former. It's timely that I'm writing this piece in July because to paraphrase Bill Pullman in the original Independence Day movie from the nineties: Will Budget 2018 be the one where "we declare in one voice, we will not go quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight, we're gonna live on" to change how we tax and remunerate work and reap the benefits for all? Tom Maguire is a tax partner in Deloitte and current author of Irish Income Tax Two of the greatest ever Morning Ireland interrogators - Cathal MacCoille and David Hanley - had very different sitting postures. David squeezed himself into his chair, sat motionless and always stared at his interviewee like a cat eyeing a half-minced mouse. Cathal could never sit still. He was probably more of a stool-man than a chair-man so his chair would be raised, with his buttocks barely on the edge of the seat and his legs straight to the floor. Directions from the control room were responded to by Cathal with the most overt and dramatic hand signals. In this half- standing, half-sitting position, he was fully primed, ever ready to bolt. He spent as much time out of the studio as in it, checking something with the editor or running all the way back to his desk in the newsroom, in those days, about 300 metres away. He was an early adopter, if not the inventor, of Just In Time Delivery as he was always back in studio, just, placing his posterior on his seat as the politician being interviewed by David expired. In the Eighties, slaying politicians and all too frequently breaking the news of sectarian murders overnight, of how a father was shot in front of his screaming children, were very serious and grave matters. So, when the very rare fit of the giggles caught us unaware, we laughed uncontrollably. There had been a dodgy chair in the studio for weeks. In those early years, it wasn't actually a studio, it was a news booth and somehow they had squeezed four chairs into it. At 9.13am 'Just in Time' Cathal arrived back in the studio. Back then Morning Ireland ran from 8am to 9.15am. There was always only one of the two presenters there at this time for the closing of the programme and that morning on the running order, Cathal was to sign off. However, David was still in his seat, engrossed in yet another crossword. I was opposite David in the chair with my back to the control room dutifully reading the last minute of a What It Says In The Papers script. There was no room for Cathal to squeeze by either of us to get to the chair on my right. I could now peripherally see him pulling the chair from the far corner into the desk. Minutes earlier, I had just pushed that chair away because it had finally broken. Though I tried hard to concentrate on my script, Cathal was now in full propeller mode responding to, and clearly not understanding, David's sign language, trying to warn him. I dropped my pace and slowed my final sentences in the hope that David would have time to gesticulate to Cathal not to use that chair. But the man was on a mission and the chair unfortunately held together as he dragged it to the desk just as I finished and Cathal's red light went on. But as soon as he put his full weight on the chair it totally collapsed and crashed. Cathal's chin loudly hit the edge of the desk before he hit the floor - and though he was one of the greatest, calmest broadcasters, David, to the rescue, trying to stifle the giggles, chuckled a "that's all from Morning Ireland" and was doing surprisingly well when Cathal, in true 'the show must go on spirit', raised his head above the desk to join David in the sign-off and in that moment we all burst out laughing uncontrollably. We only recovered after RTE Radio 1 control sensibly took us off air and it was halfway through Tico's Theme, the music intro' to The Gay Byrne Show, before we recovered. Just then boss Kevin Healy appeared and exasperatedly asked "what would listeners have made of that?" It wasn't disrespect but inexplicably this caused us all further convulsions of laughter and even Mr Healy smiled. I will sorely miss Cathal as I still do David. Some interviewers cut through the guest's waffle by bluster but Cathal's style was a calm, forthright, intellectual analysis of your position. We listeners will be without the tightest interviewer RTE has produced. By 'tightest' I mean, listen to any MacCoille interview and there will be zero superfluous words and actually a lot less interruptions than in most other broadcast interviews. He is the master of sharp interviewing, chess-like computing your next answer and asking the subsequent question, thus getting double the value and doubling the pressure from his question. Classic MacCoille, "but surely Minister if you do X won't the consequence be Y?" The truth is outed because Cathal has quietly and deftly outmanoeuvred the interviewee because he is the faster thinker. His secret weapon is pace of thought, rather than tempo of talk as it is with most interviewers. That such a talent is retired off because a German chancellor, Bismarck, back in the 1800s picked 65 as the age to retire is, just, silly! Cathal was good for another 10 years but I know too he deserves to finally escape the tyranny of the alarm clock. Thank you, sir, for all the years of great listening. A flurry of foreign investors spending big on small properties is fuelling rapid bidding wars and price growth in Dublin's plush, leafy suburbs. The price rises saw a townhouse in the 'Embassy Belt' area of Ballsbridge break the 1,000-per-square-foot threshold when it sold last week for more than 1m. A 19th-century cottage nearby sold for 605,000, more than 100,000 above the asking price, after a three-week bidding war. Experts have warned house prices will continue to grow robustly for another three years and expect a 12pc rise nationally by Christmas 2018. Glenn Burrell, associate director at Finnegan Menton property consultants, said price increases were being fuelled because supply could not keep up with demand. He warned this upward trend would continue, with very few new homes coming to the market. "There is a lot of talk about supply but no action. There are not that many houses being built and it is a perfect storm. It is not too long ago since people were talking about knocking down houses and ghost estates in Ireland. Expand Close Estate Cottages off Northumberland Road, both in Dublin 4 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Estate Cottages off Northumberland Road, both in Dublin 4 "This is the start of a property cycle. Roughly, they go for seven to 10 years - from boom to bust. This is the start of a new one. Will it crash again? Inevitably - but this looks like the start of something new." Selling at 1.075m, Church Mews on Elgin Road cost 1,064 per sq ft when it was snapped up by a foreign-based cash buyer. It is located in one of Dublin's most affluent addresses, with neighbours including the American, Belgian, Turkish and Ukrainian embassies. A smaller cottage nearby, just off Northumberland Road, was sold after 22 bids were lodged over three weeks. Seven would-be buyers lost out after another foreign-based cash buyer eventually walked away with the keys. Renovations will see another 200,000 spent on it before the buyers move in. "With the currency fluctuation, many people are looking to come back when they can get more bang for their buck," said Mr Burrell. "Many of them are selling in London for cash and coming back here as cash buyers." Recent data from the Central Statistics office shows prices for Dublin residential property have increased 72.5pc since 2013. This compares to a 50.2pc increase in the same period for the rest of the country. Savills' director of research John McCartney said despite the homes selling in "the most prime address in Ireland", the bidding frenzy and cost of the properties demonstrated a dysfunctional market. "This is pretty spectacular growth and spectacular movement from the opening of that auction until the hammer finally fell," he said. "I don't think it is particularly healthy for the economy or for society but that is not to say these trends will not be sustainable for a significant period into the future. "When you look at the barriers to addressing the supply shortage, there is reason to think property prices will continue to rise rapidly for the next three or four years." Orla McCabe, director of sales and marketing, and Dee Nix, general manager, at The Killashee House Hotel in Naas, Co Kildare. Photo: Tony Gavin From The Wild Atlantic Way to Ireland's Ancient East, Failte Ireland has created wonderful stories to make Ireland a memorable destination for tourists and staycationers. This has presented opportunities for almost every hotel, B&B, restaurant and pub in Ireland to grow sales. Killashee House Hotel on the Naas to Kilcullen Road is one hotel that stands out from the crowd. For a period in its long history it was home to the La Sante Order of Nuns and is now one of the most reputable destinations in Ireland. When the market rebounded after the downturn, Killashee came out of the traps with a very strong proposition. With a level of service more like a five-star hotel, Killashee is a four-star hotel punching above its weight. It is a diversified destination with 141 bedrooms, a flagship spa, ballroom, leisure centre and an excellent restaurant and bar. It also has a world-class conference centre that supports the needs of many international organisations, including the Kerry Group headquartered nearby. During the tough years, hotels in Ireland needed to be very versatile. Because the market was so difficult, they fought for every guest, whether it was a tourist, business traveller, domestic guest, a wedding party, or a conference group. But the needs of all of these customer groups vary and present challenges for any business to satisfy fully. Yet Killashee and others did to the best they could at the time. Looking ahead, Killashee is delighted to now have a spread of customer types so as not to be totally dependant on one sector exclusively. But it also respects the value in being focused on customer segmentation. For most hotels, the margin is in accommodation, more than restaurants and bars. So any customer segment that drives overnight accommodation has to be an attraction. Recent Challenges Although there is a shortage of beds on the east coast, there is still a lot of competition. When booking ahead, guests have lots of choice. The challenge therefore for any hotel is differentiation and how to stand out from the crowd in the market. Also, while Killashee has a very effective central sales team that drives footfall to the property, the sales effort should be supported by the wider team on the ground. How to do this in a soft, non-pushy yet effective way is an essential consideration for any business, including Killashee. Change Tips In discussions with Dee Nix (general manager), we focused on where practical and commercial changes have already been made. In my work with iconic retailers like Brown Thomas, Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges, I regularly hear them talking about giving five-star service. That of course is a term borrowed unashamedly from the hospitality sector. Those world-class retailers know that if they give customers an excellent shopping experience, it drives sales. Yet for some reason, I have found that hotels in Ireland, UK and Middle East don't use that sales lever quite as effectively. While service is definitely foremost in their minds and in their culture, I believe that they could maximise those strengths to drive even more revenue. Whether a customer is spending money in a hotel, store, bank, hair salon, or wherever, they make a judgment based on the overall experience, such as the quality of the 'product', the behaviours of their 'people' and the standards of the 'place' (environment). As with a three-legged stool, all three need attention or the experience will 'fall over'. Killashee has made lots of improvements in all three. Product Development My challenge to any organisation is to ask what makes you different? What category or market segment can you 'own' in terms of being the authority on, be best at and make money doing? Killashee has cracked that by majoring in the Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) market with great success. That doesn't mean that it does not get guests from other markets such as domestic, tourists, weddings etc. It just means that the staff concentrate a lot of their attention on the in-bound conference tour operators. They're enjoying particular success with domestic and international corporates because their facilities are tailored for that audience. People and Sales While the corporate Mice market is attractive, it is also quite challenging. These client organisations are not just spending on the facilities but they are taking their executives away from the front line for a number of days. That is a big cost to them, so they have very high expectations. Coffee at 10.30am means coffee at 10.27am. Projectors that work instantly with no fuss, fresh markers, natural daylight ... are a collection of micro details that make a big impact. Particularly if they go wrong! But the personal touch and close attention to detail by the various managers is also critical. Being available 24/7 on WhatsApp to attend to all needs is the new normal in Killashee. It's not just about conferencing however. There are opportunities for all hotels to drive revenue at every touchpoint, from check-in to departure - and beyond. They might invite a guest at check-in to book a table for dinner or suggest a treatment in the spa. Restaurant and bar team members might up-sell a meal or drink. The list goes on. But of course that requires training on how to do it nicely. Summary Every organisation across industry wants the same three outcomes. They want customers to buy today, to come back again and thirdly, to recommend that organisation to a friend. My experience is that organisations which give customers a great customer experience achieve all of that. It's deeply rooted in their corporate culture. In association with RGON, specialists in Employee Engagement Surveys www.rgon.ie If you're targeting North America, the chances are that your digital marketing budget includes an allocation for advertising. Last year, US digital ad spending surpassed television for the first time. Fortunately, the adage about half the money in advertising being wasted - but no one knowing which half - applies less and less in the digital world. With online campaigns becoming easier to target, track and customise, a growing number of technologies can ensure your online ad spend delivers more bang for its buck. During a Facebook earnings call in autumn 2016, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg referenced a Celebrity Cruises campaign powered by Irish company StitcherAds. Noting that the social network's new Dynamic Ads for Travel tripled Celebrity's online bookings, she said: "I think these kinds of results are made possible by more vertical-specific products, and we're going to continue to invest more here." This type of technology allows businesses to serve unique-to-user advertisements, covering their entire product catalogue, to re-targeted website/app visitors or new audiences. It works by pulling product information direct from a feed into an ad template. StitcherAds was one of the first companies in the world to conduct feed-based advertising on Facebook. Its Dynamic Ads offering takes the concept further, helping advertisers automate, optimise and scale their campaigns to achieve a higher return. In the Celebrity Cruises example, a pixel on the company's website tracked itineraries viewed by potential customers. Facebook advertisements then displayed available cruises, pricing, images and messaging, informed by the trips people had already viewed online. Facebook said sales from the ads brought in twice as much revenue as the cruise line's traditional, paid-search campaigns. With results like this, greater investment in marketing technology is becoming the norm. A 2016 Gartner survey found chief marketing officers directed an average 27pc of their budgets towards technology, compared to 22pc for paid media. Another poll by Walker Sands Communications found that two-thirds of marketers expected their technology budgets to increase in 2017. Such rapid spending growth has not been lost on Irish entrepreneurs. Five marketing technology companies were among the high-potential startups Enterprise Ireland selected for seed funding in the past year. Kong Digital, part of the startup class of 2015, offers an example of where those businesses might be headed. Clients include Universal Music Global, which uses the Irish company's marketing platform, Kongalytics, to manage over 450 of its artists' social media accounts. It allows brands to manage, schedule and analyse all content shared across their social media platforms. Kongalytics integrates this data with online advertising in real time and tracks the impact of those campaigns on SEO performance. Kongalytics users have reported a 50pc reduction in wasted ad spend, a 10x increase in ROI and halved campaign management times. While the latest marketing technologies differ, they're underpinned by the industry's desire to interact with consumers based more on what they do than what they're looking at. Popdeem, another marketing-tech firm that originated in Ireland, gives businesses a plug-and-play tool for adding engaging social loyalty programs to their apps. In one case, a Kentucky-based coffee chain called Heine Brothers' Coffee rewards customers that check-in or share photos at their 14 locations. Tempting customers with loyalty points, freebies or discounts or encouraging them to tell their friends is, of course, nothing new. The real promise of marketing in 2017 lies in the ability to deliver a promotion or a message to the exact people who will find it relevant. Soon, advertisers targeting international markets will be able to separate campaigns that work from those that are wasting money. Sean Davis is Enterprise Ireland's Director for North America Hundreds of Irelands young teachers are moving to the United Arab Emirates each August, as it offers better pay, working conditions and a better quality of life. Teachers could make 1,000 more a month in Abu Dhabi on tax-free wages all with free accommodation and medical insurance. But not all teachers are thinking of making the move away from friends and family. Instead, other newly graduated teachers are prioritising getting a contract of indefinite duration (CID) which would secure their hours and pay. Independent.ie spoke to five teachers about how they made their decision to stay or to go. Primary school teacher Anne Marie Hall (34): "It's a really good way to get your foot in the door if you're not getting anything here" Expand Close Anne Marie Hall / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Anne Marie Hall Anne Marie Hall is "back in Ireland for good" after a six year stint in Abu Dhabi. There were so many Irish people in Abu Dhabi that it ended up feeling like a home away from home. The Irish community out there is unbelievable, such a good society and such a good GAA club. You didn't feel like you were somewhere unfamiliar. I moved back home two years ago and I'm back for good. After six years it just happened that that was a good year to come home jobwise. There seemed to be more teaching jobs available. "In Abu Dhabi you get such a wide range of experience, it's brilliant that way and you have loads to talk about when you come home in interviews. It's a really good way to get your foot in the door if you're not getting anything here. Secondary school teacher Jason Hogan (28): "I have a nice lifestyle in Dublin but I can't save any money" Expand Close Jason Hogan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jason Hogan Jason Hogan a metalwork teacher from Laois, is returning to the Emirates so he can save money for a mortgage in Dublin. "I went over straight after graduating and I stayed four years. It was a no-brainer for me when I was 22. Coming out of university it's pretty daunting that you're kind of just waiting on somebody to finish their career. It was just kind of terrifying leaving college and thinking you might get four hours here and five hours there or subbing one week and having nothing the next. Now, Ive been back two years and I've decided I'm going to stay one more year in Ireland so I'll be made permanent or CID (Contract of Indefinite Duration). CID is pretty big it's almost like being made permanent. The job security and stuff like that is huge. Career breaks are at the discretion of the board of management but what it also does is make my position available next year and it gives new teachers or younger teachers a chance to get one-to-two years experience, so it does work out well. It feeds in, the system does come back around and create space for new teachers and they get experience and get their CV going. My job in Ireland is really good and I really like it but it's hard getting by. Going back is definitely a financial thing. I have a nice lifestyle in Dublin but I can't save any money. I'm 28 now and I'm hoping in the next three-four years to put myself in a position where I might have a deposit for a house if that happens. "What I could save in five or six years of really hard graft in Ireland I could save in one or two years out there. I could save 20,000 a year out there while having one or two holidays and coming home at Christmas and stuff. It's purely financial. It's changing over there, there's way more teachers going out there now than when I first started going over. It's not as easy to get a job out there and they're being a lot more picky. So my advice would be to start the process very early and get in touch with different recruiters as early as they can. John Macken (23): "As a new teacher were getting paid as much as most graduate programmes would be, so it's not as if we're poor in Ireland" Expand Close John Macken / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Macken John Macken moved to Dublin from Mayo after graduating and is happy to stay teaching in Ireland. I haven't really thought about going over. I suppose the main reason I haven't gone over was I wanted to get my Dip done and out of the way. I know what the work is like here. I just get the impression that people over there are just telling you all the good things about it. I think that it can actually be quite difficult to work over there. I'm happy here. The money isn't anything massive but it's still pretty comfortable. As a teacher coming out were getting paid as much as most graduate programmes would be so it's not as if we're poor. There's a good bit of subbing out there for young teachers coming out. When you go to Dublin there's as much work as you could possibly do. If you can make up the rent for the first couple of months you'll be fine, you'll get loads of work. I think a lot of newly qualified teachers panic if they don't get a job straight away. You're as well off subbing and getting known in a few schools and get a job out of that. I think people might be in a rush when they're going out to Abu Dhabi. If you want to stay in Ireland, there is work here and you will get a job. I don't know anyone from my year that didn't get a job as the year went on. Newly married couple Declan (34) and Imelda Mc Larnon (33): "You can save up and go back for the mortgage, settle down and start a family" Expand Close Declan and Imelda / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Declan and Imelda Declan and Imelda are teaching in Ajyal International School, Abu Dhabi. "We were just married and we were trying to save for a mortgage and in a bit of a rut. So when the opportunity arose we decided to grab it with both hands. We both got granted the career break at the same time and we went over. The break is what we needed and it gave us a whole new lease of life in terms of the teaching aspect of it. You're working with international children from a predominantly Muslim background. The different experience of working with those children is just incredible. We've learned a lot from them as they've learned about our culture. It's bringing society together and breaking down barriers and attitudes in terms of lifestyle. Being there with my wife makes it that much easier. We're both embarking on that journey together in the early stages of our marriage. We want to have a family so we thought the best time would be to go now, travel, explore, get different experiences, and whilst there there's so many places that are far more accessible to travel to than from here. "It's great in the short term. You can save up and go back for the mortgage, settle down and start a family. We do have definite goals. Other people might go out for the craic and spend their money but we're trying to do both. We would try and live off one wage and save the other so we're still getting those great experiences but at the same time we are saving money so we have a better lifestyle when we do come home." A petition calling on the Minister of Justice to apologise to Brazilian woman on holiday in Ireland who was unfairly sent to Dochas prison by immigration officers has reached over 2,700 signatures. Paloma Aparezida Silva-Carvalho (24) from Sao Paulo was travelling to visit friends in Ireland whom she had met in her work as an au pair. She suffered a distressing 48-hour ordeal, including strip searches, while being detained by immigration officers who believed she was entering the country to work illegally. Jane Xavier from Au Pair Rights Association Ireland has called for an apology from the Minister of Justice as well as a third-party review into how immigration cases are conducted. Ms Xavier told RTE Radio One that this is not the first time this has happened and is not an isolated incident. She said this has also happened to people from other South American countries. Its been happening for ages and something needs to be done, she said. She said Palomas case has become a national story in Brazil. I think Paloma is not a criminal. Anyone who is refused entry into a given country should not be sent to prison. She had return tickets, accommodation, money and the right to stay up to 90 days, she said. Ms Xavier said the response to the petition has been great and has brought media attention to the issue. She said people dont want to talk about their experiences because they are afraid of the potential consequences. This case was really appalling. Most au pairs would be afraid of going on holidays because they are afraid of going through immigration on their way back. They will get their mobiles confiscated, they go through lots of questions. It can be quite intimidating, she said. Every time someone comes over to visit me I would be very anxious and have butterflies in my stomach when my phone rings because Im just not sure. Irish immigration can be quite unpredictable even if you have everything right, Ms Xavier added. Independent.ie has contacted the Department of Justice for comment. The trial of a biker who shot dead a member of a rival motorcycle club is entering its final phase, with the jury asked to consider if the accused was acting in self-defence or seeking revenge. Alan 'Cookie' McNamara (51), of Mountfune, Murroe, Co Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Andrew 'AOD' O'Donoghue at Mountfune on June 20, 2015. Over the course of the trial, the jury has heard that the accused was a member of the Caballeros motorcycle club while the deceased was a member of the rival Road Tramps club. According to McNamara, tensions were high after he was assaulted outside a Road Tramps' pub. His waistcoat with a Caballeros patch sewn into the back was taken from him and he was punched in the face. He said three Road Tramps later came to his home and in front of his wife and children threatened to kill him and burn his house down. The trial has opened up to scrutiny the previously veiled world of Irish bikers but for now the jury is concerned with McNamara's state of mind when he loaded a shotgun, drove to the Road Tramps' clubhouse and shot Andrew O'Donoghue. If the jury accepts that he was acting in self-defence and used reasonable force, they must find him not guilty. If he was acting in self-defence but used unreasonable force then he is guilty of manslaughter. If the jury is satisfied that the prosecution has proven that he was not acting in self-defence and that he intended to kill or cause serious injury, then he is guilty of murder. Closing the prosecution's case, Michael Delaney SC said the trial may have brought to mind American television dramas and Californian landscapes - but this shooting happened in Limerick and involved middle-aged Irishmen with health issues. He described the accused as a man "bent on revenge" who took the law into his own hands and murdered an innocent man. Counsel questioned McNamara's statement that he was out of his mind with panic, telling the jurors that on that morning when he said he required four Valium to calm down, he made two phone calls to his insurance company for routine matters. Mr Delaney said the accused saw an opportunity for retribution and went to the Road Tramps clubhouse with a loaded shotgun. McNamara told gardai that when he arrived, he saw Andrew O'Donoghue carrying what he thought was a gun - though CCTV footage showed that it was an iron bar - and so he grabbed his own gun. Mr Delaney asked the jury why the accused man did not just keep going, and added: ""Because he saw an opportunity to shoot a Road Tramp and he wasn't going to pass that up." The jury then heard from defence counsel Hugh Hartnett SC, who said his client was unlucky that he lived within three minutes of the Road Tramps' clubhouse, where members wanted to make him feel "unwelcome". He had been attacked by three Road Tramps and threatened by another three, one of whom was waving a gun. Reminding the jury of the weapons found at the Road Tramps clubhouse, including firearms, bats, pick axe handles, pepper spray and knuckle dusters, he said McNamara knew what these men were capable of and rightly feared for himself and his family. When he got a call from his stepson, who was in pursuit of a Road Tramp on the afternoon of June 20, McNamara was a "panicked and frightened man". Fear for his family, he said, led to the shooting. The jury will return tomorrow. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's latest intervention on Brexit is motivated by politicking for domestic purposes, the DUP has claimed. Nigel Dodds insisted Dublin was positioning for a general election after the Fine Gael leader said Ireland will not help Britain design an economic border for Brexiteers. The Government is unconvinced by the UK's plans to use technology to maintain the invisible land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. The DUP deputy leader said: "All of this can hardly be put down to inexperience. Rather, it seems to be deliberate positioning by the new team at the helm in Dublin in preparation and positioning for a coming general election. "Dressed up as grand ideas, what's going on is pure politicking for their own domestic market. Let no one pretend otherwise. "It's simply taking things backwards at a time when common sense co-operation between our two countries and between the Republic and Northern Ireland is what's needed." Mr Dodds said there was already an economic border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. "For instance, does he (Mr Varadkar) not realise that every time you cross the border, you need to change currency? "Or that each jurisdiction is subject to entirely different taxation and financial regimes? "Since Enda Kenny and Charlie Flanagan departed the scene, confusion seems to be the order of the day." Mr Varadkar also said he would try to find solutions that would "minimise the damage" to relations between Britain and Ireland, to the peace process and to trading links. Minister Zappone: 'Ann Louise had an extraordinary sense of fearlessness that she always carried throughout her life' Katherine Zappone has said that her life will "never be the same" following the death of her wife, Dr Ann Louise Gilligan, last month. The Minister for Children described her heartbreak during an emotional interview with Miriam O'Callaghan on RTEs Saturday Night With Miriam last night. Minister Zappone and Dr Gilligan were known for their activism in relation to marriage equality, with the minister famously proposing live on television following the 2015 marriage equality referendum. Minister Zappone said that, while she was heartbroken by the death of her partner, she felt grateful for the life they shared. She said: "Not only was I deeply in love with Ann Louise and had 36 blissful years together and supported each other in everything we did, we just had this extraordinary oneness, it was a great gift, we were very blessed. "And it was that love that enabled us and drove us to work towards the referendum and the freedom for ourselves, as well as so many other people. So I will never be the same person." Minister Zappone grew emotional as she described her late wifes character. "She loved life and embraced every single moment. I know that she would want me to find a way to allow this extraordinary heartbreak I feel, and Im sure for many other people that have lost people they deeply love, because it really is physical, and to allow that to heal to the point that I can embrace and love life again. Dr Gilligan taught at St Patricks College, Drumcondra and Dublin City University. The pair first met at Boston College in 1981, when they were both completing doctorates in theology and quickly fell in love. "If Ann Louise were sitting here tonight she would say that the moment she met me, she was surprised by love. And I thought she was really gorgeous, she had beautiful green eyes. I had never met an Irish woman before," Minister Zappone said. "But I suppose it was really six weeks and we had decided that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together." They married in 2003 in British Columbia, Canada, before embarking on a campaign for marriage equality in Ireland. In 2006 they were involved in a landmark high court case, when they requested that their Canadian marriage be recognised by the Irish State. Though their case failed, they were active in campaigning for a referendum to amend the constitution, which ultimately passed in 2015. Minister Zappone said the day the referendum passed was "an extraordinary moment" for the couple. "It was the most special, joyous event for both of us," she added. She described the illness that caused the death of her beloved wife last month. "She had, previous to that, suffered a brain hemorrhage but recovered. She was blinded by that first hemorrhage but she was determined to recover, to heal herself, to be independent, to be creative. Part of the healing was to begin to write a book to help other people who had brain injuries and she spent a couple of years on that. And then in March of this year she had another hemorrhage," she said. "She went into hospital and I can still remember her saying to me that day what a disappointment it was for her, because she had worked so hard to heal herself, but that she would recover again. And I said, yes you will Ann Louise. Anyhow it turned out that that was not to be." Dr Gilligan spent the next three months in hospital, before passing away on June 14 at St Jamess Hospital. "I wanted her to have the absolutely best moments of the last couple of weeks of her life as possible. And she was aware that she was dying. And we talked about it just once and I said Ann Louise, are you afraid to die? and she said I wasnt afraid coming into this life and I wont be afraid going out'." "And I think that demonstrated the extraordinary sense of fearlessness that she always carried throughout her life." A documentary about the couple will screen at the Gaze LGBT film festival at the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield. The festival will run from August 3-7. Are Irish women ever going to be paid as much as their male peers? Equal pay for equal work - The first time I heard this phrase was when I was 16-years- old. I was sitting at the back of my 5th Year Business Studies class and my teacher was drilling into us the conditions of employment that wed need to know for our Christmas exams. I didnt really understand why she kept repeating it to us, the concept seemed like a no brainer and impossible to forget. Six years on, Im beginning to think that maybe my teacher was sending the 20 girls that were sitting in front of her a subliminal message. Maybe she wanted us to be aware that equal pay for equal work doesnt actually exist in Ireland and that she knew once wed leave those cosy classroom walls that wed be entering an unequal working world. The time between me sitting in that classroom and today has mostly been a sorry memoir of mediocre working conditions. In fact, this is the first time in my life that Ive actually been paid minimum wage. I endured endless part-time jobs in college where the employers always managed to use some small print or loop-hole to avoid paying me what I was owed. Not forgetting the numerous unpaid internships I did to make myself more employable. Since getting paid minimum wage has been a struggle for me, Im not surprised that the gender pay gap exists in Ireland. Read More I have completed 17 years of education but somehow that still wont be enough for me to get equal pay for equal work, even though its been written in Irish law for almost 20 years. Its downright depressing knowing that my male peers who graduated with me will more than likely earn more than me throughout our careers. In Ireland today it doesnt seem to matter if a woman arrives in to work a half an hour before her male colleague or sacrifices her lunch hour to get a job done right, the male will still win. Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are two BBC presenters who I hugely admire. Yes, I sometimes question their outfit choices, but I never question their talent. Whenever I watch Strictly Come Dancing I am always delighted that two strong women are at the helm of a prime TV slot every Saturday from September to Christmas. Thats why I was shocked to discover last week that Winkleman and Dalys salaries are 450,000 and 350,000 respectively, almost 2 million lower than the highest earner Chris Evans. Now, while of course their salaries arent to be sneezed at and would be akin to winning the lottery for most people, once again we see that women are earning less. The same story was repeated in RTE too. If large employers do not follow the basic principles of pay equality how can we expect smaller organisations to do the same? Are women just doomed when it comes to being paid equally? Read More Irelands gender gap currently stands at 14.8pc, while PWC reckons that we can close the pay gap by 2032, I dont see why it cant be shut down for good right now. By the time 2032 comes around Ill be 37-years-old and have spent 15 years in the workforce. I could be married and have children. Ill want to say to my kids that we as young women stood up and did something about the gender pay gap instead of pretending it didnt exist. Feminism in Ireland has never been stronger but this isnt just a female issue. Non-nationals also get paid less than white males in Ireland. What about trans-gender people? This is a gender issue after all and we cannot forget about this growing proportion of society who are in no doubt in danger of getting the short straw when it comes to pay. The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill which was passed through the Seanad is a positive step in shutting down the gender pay gap as if passed in the Dail it will force employers to reveal the salaries that they pay each gender. From universities to hospitals we can see that the gender pay gap is not a myth. Im calling on everyone, both male and female to protest together to banish the pay gap for once and for all and to not put it on the back burner. If people wear jumpers and post Instagram pictures urging the government to repeal the Eighth Amendment, we should do the same in order to eradicate the gender pay gap. Im not comparing the gender pay gap to an issue that affects a womans body, but it certainly has a huge impact on a woman. It affects her lifestyle, and mental health, from whether she can feed her children to if she can afford that weekend away or not. As a young woman making her first tentative steps into the workforce Im frustrated that it has been nearly 30 years since Irish women rocked the cradle and voted Mary Robinson as our President and very little has changed. In 2018 we will be celebrating the centenary of a womens right to vote, wouldnt it be nice for women, 100 years from now, to be marking 2017 as the year that the gender pay gap was stamped out in Ireland for once and for all? Some of the pro-life campaigners at the event in Kilkenny Pro-life activists have said they are "gravely concerned" they won't get a fair debate in the run up to the abortion referendum after gardai seized some of their campaign materials. Gardai took posters of unborn and aborted babies from the Youth Defence Ireland demonstration on High Street in Kilkenny on July 22 after receiving complaints from the public. Following a recommendation from the Citizen's Assembly, a referendum is set to be held next year on whether Ireland should keep the Eight Amendment, which prohibits abortion by giving equal rights to the mother and the foetus. Youth Defence Ireland is campaigning for us to maintain the current regulations and alleges they could be discriminated against following the incident last weekend. Spokeswoman Rebecca Roughneen said: We had just set up our Life Boards, which are 8-sided wooden boards, and are used to display pro-life information, such as the development of the preborn baby, medical facts, support helplines for women with crisis pregnancy and photographs showing the reality of abortion. These displays are part of our educational outreach ahead of the referendum on the 8th. Expand Close Some of the posters that were on display / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Some of the posters that were on display The gardai demanded that the photographs be covered up despite our letters from gardai explaining that the DPP had previously found the display to be legal. They then returned, and to everyones shock, seized both wooden boards, and carried them to a nearby car and drove away. Read More She said that the group received a lot of support from the public last weekend. Ms Roughneen said: It was a very peaceful street event which was attracting a lot of support since the referendum is in the news so much these days, and everyone is very concerned in regard to what happened. This has very serious implications for a free and fair debate ahead of the referendum on abortion expected in Spring. Pro-abortion protesters were also in Kilkenny but their materials were not interfered with. We had a lot of support from people in Kilkenny that day, with hundreds signing our pro-life petition and more signing up to the Save the 8th campaign. Expand Close A poster showing a ten-week-old foetus / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A poster showing a ten-week-old foetus Read More A spokesman for An Garda Siochana explained they acted after receiving complaints about the display from people. He said: "In response to a number of complaints from members of the public materials being displayed by a groups holding a roadshows on High Street Kilkenny on the 22/7/2017 were seized by Gardai. "No arrests were made and the event was not being policed at the time. "A file is being prepared for the D.P.P. who will make a determination in relation to the matter. "An Garda Siochana fully supports and facilitates the right to peaceful protest." A man who was sexually, physically and emotionally abused at an industrial school as a child has gone on a two-week hunger strike after he claims survivors are "ignored". William Gorry (52) has claimed that survivors are made to feel like they should "be quiet and appreciate what they're given" by the State. He also claims they are being failed by Caranua - a State body which gives financial support to people who were abused in residential homes to help with things like housing, education, medical needs or counselling. There were thirteen children in William's family and he grew up near Daingean in Co Offaly, his life was turned upside down when his mother left when he was nine-years-old. He told Independent.ie: "My parents were loving and did everything they could for us but eventually my mother just couldn't cope and left the house. "I remember we had no running water, no electricity, my father was trying his best to keep us all together but instead of providing support the Midland Health Board took us into care." Along with two of his brothers and three of his sisters, William was sent to Mount Carmel industrial school in Moate, Co Westmeath, which was run by the Sisters of Mercy. He claims: "Sometimes it was okay but mostly it was Hell, I was emotionally, physically and sexually abused over the years. Expand Close Sr Kevin (back left) with pupils from the school / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sr Kevin (back left) with pupils from the school "We would get beaten by priests, lay staff and nuns who were supposed to care for us. "We were screamed and yelled at, I was told that I was useless, stupid, blind and hopeless, nobody would love or want me. "I was humiliated, the way I was spoken to or about. The way they spoke to my family visitors and about me to them. "I was isolated to confined space and often punished severely. "Many times I got slapped and boxed across the face, I remember being locked in a hot press in darkness for hours until I was bruised and blistered." He has also spoken candidly to Independent.ie about allegedly being abused throughout his childhood by school staff, clergymen and other students. William finished school when he was 16 but returned as he "couldn't cope with the outside world" for years of after-care and left for good when he was 20. William, who now lives in Dublin, opened up about the devastating impact the abuse has had on his life. He said: "It's affected me emotionally, I feel like it's stopped me from doing a lot of things and I've quite a lot of unhappiness in my life. "I find it hard to form friendships, getting close to people and trusting them is hard, I feel like I'm always watching myself. "I haven't been able to move on or have a life of love and happiness, it's like a tension inside of you and you're just supposed to be happy with what you have." William has been unable to find work and survives on a blind pension as he has a severe vision impairment. He said that he received help of over 36,000 through Caranua but is unhappy with how they are run, particularly with their CEO Mary Higgins, who referred to abuse survivors as "damaged" earlier this year. Ms Higgins has since withdrawn her comments but William says he won't be happy until she steps down. William said he was so hurt by her remarks that he returned his payment to them earlier this month by taking out a loan. He said: "I find that Caranua can be judgemental to abuse survivors. "Ms Higgins' remarks also felt too deep, yes we're damaged and even more damaged and re-abused, it brought up a lot of bad memories." William went on hunger strike earlier this month to highlight how distressed he is with the level of support given to abuse survivors here. He said: "I feel like you have to go through so much and I'm not able to move forward with my life. "I've written to the Taoiseach to see if I can arrange a meeting with him about this, I haven't heard anything back and I think that shows the State doesn't care about me or survivors. "I feel all my life I've been trapped by the State, I've been silenced and told to be grateful for what I get, people don't realise what mental torture this is. "I feel I got forced to a point of having to go on hunger strike to show what I've been through." He began his hunger strike on July 10 and called it off after two weeks after meeting with the Department of Education regarding his issues and suggests that survivors need to be able to meet each and to express their concerns in a safe and fair environment. He said: "I want people to have somewhere that they feel comfortable talking about things, that would be good for them. "I think survivors have been ignored for too long and it's about time we didn't feel gagged." A Spokesman for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told Independent.ie: "It's not appropriate to comment on individual cases due to client confidentiality. "This Department has received correspondence regarding a particular case involving matters which fall under the remit of the Department of Education and the Department of Social Protection. "The Department followed appropriate procedures and asked officials in the Department of Education and the Department of Social Protection to contact the individual concerned at the earliest opportunity. "That contact has been made and an offer of further assistance has been made." A representative for Caranua said that legislation "prevents Caranua discussing any details about an applicant or potential applicant with a third party without their written permission." The deaths of three men in three separate motorcycle incidents overnight has been described as "absolutely shocking". Three men were killed and one man left seriously injured following the three separate motorcycle accidents nationwide in just eight hours. Two of the incidents occurred in Limerick, while one occurred in Dublin. Limerick City Mayor Sean Lynch described the separate accidents as 'terrible' and 'absolutely shocking'. "I want to offer my deepest sympathies to the families and everyone involved. Its terrible, absolutely shocking. There are no words that can describe that loss and tragedy. As mayor of the city my door is always open," Councillor Lynch said. Speaking on the wider context of deaths on our roads this year, the former garda detective called for an increased presence of Gardai on our roads. "There is a complete lack of garda visibility on our streets and people are taking risks and chances. When is the last time you saw a garda checkpoint? Our rules and regulations are not being enforced because there are no resources," Councillor Lynch added. With the month ending tomorrow, the latest figures from An Garda Siochana show there have been 15 road deaths in July, with 92 deaths in total so far this year. Last year, July was the worst month in terms of the sheer number of deaths on Irish roads with 21 of the 187 fatalities occurring that month. Appeal At around 7.30pm on Saturday evening in Limerick City a man in his 50s sustained serious injuries when his motorcycle struck a roundabout at Quinns Cross, Mungret. He was treated at the scene by emergency services personnel and taken by Ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Meanwhile, a man in his 20s was seriously injured after his bike left the road at O'Malley Park in Limerick City at around 7.40pm. He was rushed to University Hospital Limerick where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Both scenes are closed for technical examination and gardai at Roxboro Road are investigating both incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station 061 214340 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. In the early hours of this morning, a motorcyclist in Dublin was killed and the pillion passenger was left seriously injured following a crash at 2.20am. The incident occurred on the Old Cabra Road, Dublin 7. The driver of the motorcycle, a man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, a man in his 40s, was taken to the Mater Hospital, gardai confirmed. The roadway at the scene has re-opened following an examination of the area by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. This building in Dublin has been repurposed as a 'family hub' for up to five homeless families to use as temporary emergency accommodation. This Independent.ie footage shows inside the Swords centre, which is the third hub operated by homelessness charity Peter McVerry Trust. The charity is planning to opened a fourth hub in September. The Dublin region is set to have 19 such hubs, operated by different charities and private owners, by the end of the year. The hubs are described as "temporary emergency accommodation" and come in response to the rising number of homeless families and the ongoing housing crisis. "Its temporary emergency accommodation. At the end of the day we had a situation where we never had emergency accommodation designed for families because we never had homeless families. So, because we didnt have that we were pushing them into hotels and B&Bs," Head of Communications for Peter McVerry Trust, Francis Doherty, told Independent.ie. Expand Close Pictured: One of Respond's two family hubs in High Park and Tallaght / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pictured: One of Respond's two family hubs in High Park and Tallaght "Nobody wanted that and it got to the stage where it was just a huge number of people so obviously there was a response to try and do something better. "The reason we need those is because we dont have social or affordable accommodation for people to move on to. So the best interim measure between hotel/B&B and social or affordable housing is family hubs." Families living in the so-called hubs will have their own self-contained bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as access to shared living areas including a kitchen and dining area, large outdoor play area and picnic tables. "This is their space. Its designed for them rather than being thrown into a hotel, living in a small room, where theres a stigma attached to what their situation is," Mr Doherty added. Expand Close Pictured: One of Respond's two family hubs in High Park and Tallaght / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pictured: One of Respond's two family hubs in High Park and Tallaght The rent charged is based on the families' ability to pay. "Theres a standard fee, so everyone in emergency accommodation pays based on their ability to pay. We operate a policy where as a homeless provide nobody is going to be evicted if they cant pay. "That charge is based on the fact that people have an income from social welfare and things like that and we incorporate that into a financial plan so that when they do move on to private rental accommodation its not a massive shock that theyre starting to pay out money." The Trust also offer other services in their comprehensive support plan based on the families specific needs such as nutritional plans, financial planning, and homework help. Read More "Were making sure that theyre getting everything that they should be getting from links to GPs and medical cards to transport to school." There is a five year lease on the building from Fingal County Council. "We sincerely hope that we dont need it as a hub for that time and there are other uses the building can be put to, be it after-care for kids coming out of the care system or something else," he added. Mr Doherty said there is a 50-50 split on operators of the hubs between charities and private owners. The hub has only just opened and the Trust is awaiting referrals from Fingal County Council, who provided the lease for the building. He said one family has already taken up residence in the hub but within ten days had found a private rental solution which they will move into in two weeks. "Were hoping families will be rapidly rehoused and were aiming to have an average stay of between 3-6 months. The bottom line is out as quick as possible. Everything is based on available housing and thats why were keeping pressure on the Minister and Department of Housing for social housing and affordable housing," he said. "New families are presenting with homelessness all the time. The challenge is to make sure that were getting families in the hubs out to free up beds so that were not going back to relying on hotels and B&BS We dont want to get to a point where we have to open more hubs, what we want is a throughout," he added. Read More Staff He added that there are keyworkers and staff on site 24/7 to provide support and assistance to the families. "Having private operators is less than ideal but it is probably reflective that there are only so many homelessness organisations with the capacity to continue to operate new services," he said. "The private operators wont be able to provide the same level of support for families and I think thats the reason the Homeless Executive has asked the likes of Barnardos to come in and do drop-in supports like homework clubs. Those facilities are on the bigger end of the scale and Im sure the Homeless Executive will be closely watching any issues that arise." Other charities operating hubs include Respond Voluntary Housing Association and Crosscare. A representative for Respond said their two family hubs in High Park and Tallaght have the capacity for 39 families. Brid McGrath said they have had 17 homeless families move on to their own homes already. "The Family Hub is our humanitarian response to address the needs of homeless families in Ireland today. This is interim accommodation with the aim that families leave Respond in a better position than when they arrived and move into homes of their own," said Respond CEO Declan Dunne. In relation to the High Park facility, Minister for Housing Simon Coveney said it will offer a setting like a normal life. "What this facility means is that we have a setting for families where they have a better chance to go about their daily lives with space to live and breathe, play facilities for your children, a place to sit and relax or watch television," Minister Coveney said. "To lead something like a normal life and not be stuck on your own in a hotel room, with no on-site supports or other facilities that are available to families living in the community in their own homes, with their own front doors," he added. A homeless woman is awoken during a raid by the Armed Response Unit of An Garda Siochana. Photo: Mark Condren 'Sorry if I woke you." "It's okay guard," comes the reply from the homeless woman in a stairwell. She rolls her sleeping bag around herself, puts her arm around her partner. She will try to return to sleep in the wake of a noisy and disturbing raid in a north inner-city flat by the Armed Support Unit of An Garda Siochana. It's just another night in Dublin. This new highly trained mobile team of gardai has been working in Dublin and its surrounding counties since December 2016. Based in Harcourt Street in the city centre, its specific brief is to tackle and confront serious violent incidents. Launched by Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan to great fanfare, the development marked a step change in how the force now deal with serious crime and vicious criminals. When first introduced, the unit was seen as an important public relations effort to deal with a growing concern about the vast increase in serious crime on our streets. Over the course of the last six months I have accompanied this unit on several missions. At times this was tough, but the exercise provided a fascinating insight into the type of challenges and problems facing gardai. The ASU are constantly called upon to respond to a variety of calls and incidents with speed and precision. So its members are impressively equipped with high-powered BMW and Audi cars and an arsenal of weapons. Their equipment includes hand guns, Tasers, semi-automatic machine guns, as well as ballistic vests and helmets. For this unit, there is no typical work day. So, the job is not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. ASU members Sergeant Paul Tallon and Garda Alan Roche are both from Dublin and have over 30 years' combined policing experience. Before joining the ASU they came through rigorous training. But both men are exceptionally experienced street cops who wear their knowledge and ability very lightly. Each day as the shift begins, Sgt Tallon assesses the latest intelligence information and then briefs the unit about the various criminal and terrorist threats in Dublin. It's then time to check equipment and suit up. And we hit the streets. Expand Close Sgt Tallon during a raid on an apartment. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sgt Tallon during a raid on an apartment. Photo: Mark Condren Before long we are moving at high speed in a flash of blue lights and sirens to the north inner city responding to a firearms call. Weapons drawn, arms outstretched and eyes always searching, Tallon and Roche quickly make their way up the stairwell and advance cautiously to a door. They gain entry and scan the flat for any possible threat or danger. Expand Close A homeless woman is awoken during a raid by the Armed Response Unit of An Garda Siochana. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A homeless woman is awoken during a raid by the Armed Response Unit of An Garda Siochana. Photo: Mark Condren "Clear?" "All clear!" Once the area is deemed clear we are joined by uniformed gardai who quickly brief the ASU of a possible location where firearms are believed to be. Only now the follow-up investigation can safely begin. Care and compassion It is on our descent through the building that we encounter the homeless couple, who are treated with kindness and compassion. Over the course of the past six months I been struck repeatedly by the care and compassion the unit collectively show to the public. It is easy for us to forget, but the unit are not just dealing with criminals. In the course of their duties they must comfort children, calm and protect people in violent domestic situations, and in a more general sense deal with distressed people who have suffered at the hands of criminals. Expand Close Gda Roche returns a skateboard to a group of youngsters. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gda Roche returns a skateboard to a group of youngsters. Photo: Mark Condren It's after 11pm and the party is only starting in Temple Bar. In our car, the garda radio crackles to tell us that a man with two firearms is making his way through St Mary's Mansions, and urgent assistance is required. "Control to Romeo Sierra 34." And we are off again. @MarkCondren Since its foundation, An Garda Siochana has prided itself on being an unarmed force. Throughout the intervening decades, it has come under strong pressure, both internally and externally, to arm its uniformed officers, often as a knee-jerk reaction to isolated incidents. But successive governments and garda commissioners have resisted the calls, even during the 30-year terror campaign waged by the Provisional IRA, mostly in Northern Ireland but also resulting here in the murders of members of the garda and the Defence Forces. The success of the garda as an organisation is due in large part to its base within the community where, despite its continuing problems in the senior ranks, it continues to enjoy public confidence that is unrivalled in most other European countries. That is a position which is recognised by current commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan, who describes being an unarmed force as "something I am very proud of, it's a tradition and a legacy we will never give up". But she is also aware that the garda must recognise the challenges of modern policing and draw up a commensurate response. During the Provisionals' campaign, the armed strength of the Special Detective Unit, or Special Branch as it is more commonly known, was built up to combat the threat posed by the terrorists to the security of the state and also to dismantle the logistics network established by the IRA on this side of the Border to maintain its murderous activities in Northern Ireland, Britain and on mainland Europe. But, even then, the presence of the local garda on the streets and byways of the nation was a key factor in providing vital intelligence on the activities of suspected terrorists and criminals as well as effecting arrests by acting as the eyes and ears of the force as part of their daily duties. One spectacular example was provided on the morning of August 27, 1979, when Lord Louis Mountbatten, a second cousin of Queen Elizabeth, went lobster fishing on his boat, the Shadow V, in Donegal bay. He had been spending some time at his holiday home, Classiebawn Castle, in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo. But members of the Provisional IRA had planted a 50lb bomb on the boat overnight. Prior to the bomb exploding, a local garda had set up a random checkpoint and was stopping cars when he became suspicious about the behaviour of two men. The garda summoned back-up and the two were arrested under the Offences Against the State Act. The two were in garda custody when the bomb destroyed the boat, killing Lord Mountbatten and three others. One of the suspects, Tommy McMahon, was later convicted by the Special Criminal Court as a result of forensic evidence and sentenced to life imprisonment, but was released after 19 years under the Good Friday Agreement. After the IRA ceasefire, the plan was to reduce the Special Branch focus on terrorism and deploy more personnel to tackle organised crime. But the growth of dissident republican groups forced a rethink. Since then, the New IRA has emerged as the most dangerous dissident group since the ceasefire, and there is the worldwide jihadi threat. Although the likelihood of an attack here is regarded as low, has meant that branch resources have had to be augmented again. In the meantime, the eruption of bloody warfare on our streets over the past 18 months as a result of the gangland feud between the Kinahan and Hutch factions meant an urgent review of the specialist units with the firepower capable of confronting the gangs. The resources of the force's elite armed squad, the Emergency Response Unit, were overstretched despite the establishment of regional support units throughout the country to reduce their national workload. Dynamic capability Last summer the garda authorities held a competition, which attracted applications from more than 500 gardai and sergeants, to fill positions in a new 55-strong Armed Support Unit (ASU) for the capital. Its strength has since been increased to 75. Its aim is to provide a new "dynamic capability" to the force to tackle the gangs and confront criminal as well as terrorist threats. This unit has been allocated a fleet of high-powered Audi Q7 Quattro and BMW 530 estate vehicles, and its armoury includes HK MP7 personal defence weapons and Sig pistols as well as less than lethal weapons such as Tasers and pepper sprays. Officers are also supplied with breaching equipment, ballistic shields and medical bags, including defibrillators, and are trained as emergency first responders. The ASU, on the streets since mid-December, has already been involved in more than 1,500 incidents and assisted in 176 planned searches. Similar ASUs will be operating by the end of the year with bases in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Dundalk, Mullingar, Cahir, Claremorris and Ballyshannon. The Special Crime Task Force, which was set up last July, operates under the strategic control of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and together they have saved around 20 lives as a result of interceptions and interventions, mainly directed against members of the feuding gangs. As a result of the creation of new armed units, the garda authorities are now establishing a national firearms command to oversee their activities and co-ordinate their deployment. Similar command centres operate within London's Metropolitan Police as well as forces in some other European capitals. The Narbonne coast may not be chic, but it is both beautiful and historic says Frank Coughlan. Try it as an alternative to the Cote dAzur Set the Mood The South of France conjures up images of skinny Vogue models and their pretty sculpted BFs promenading among the yachts and posh villas of Cannes and Nice. But if you dip your toe in the Med further west, you will actually find Frenchmen with farmer tans and women who look like nature originally designed. That is how it is on the silver-sanded coast along and beyond Narbonne Plage, where families from Languedoc weekend and holiday without too much fuss or conspicuous displays of, well, Frenchness. But there is more to this secret Riviera than endless beach and blue skies that deliver what they promise. This region has a storybook history too, marinated in medieval tales of heresy witch-hunts and bloody crusades. The imposing castles are still there to prove it. Guilty Pleasure Expand Close La Voile Blanche, a chic retro seaside shack at Les Aygades / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp La Voile Blanche, a chic retro seaside shack at Les Aygades We had a very nice but pricey lunch with friends in Dun Laoghaire on the day before departure and we found it hard to find anything as expensive when eating out in France. We weren't looking for Michelin stars over the door, but we didn't eat in creperies or pizzerias either. We did bow out, however, with a wonderful meal in La Voile Blanche, a chic retro seaside shack at Les Aygades which was a gentle cycle from where we were staying. The seafood BBQ was truly mouthwatering and it was accompanied by a glorious local vin blanc with the unfortunate name of La Clape. If they did doggy bags for memories, I'd have asked for one. Cheap Kick Expand Close Carcassonne, France / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Carcassonne, France We spent four nights in Carcassonne, a charming, if surprisingly, sleepy town which is dominated by Le Cite, the old fortress sitting imperiously above the River Aude (above). The second most visited tourist attraction in France after the Eiffel Tower, this UNESCO World Heritage site is Mont Saint-Michel with attitude. Spellbinding. On the fifth day, we boarded a SNCF for a 30 minute journey to Narbonne and then bused on the 11km to the coastal resort of Gruissan. We had taken the calculated risk of renting an Airbnb in both and our faith was rewarded with two charming homes averaging 65 per night. Top Tip Expand Close Narbonne plage / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Narbonne plage We hired two bicycles at 50 each for a week. Our ambitions were modest but we cycled as far as the iconic chalets where that raunchy classic Betty Blue was shot in 1986, on the far side of the old fishing port, to the thriving prom resort of St Pierre sur Mer beyond Narbonne Plage on the other. This involved lazily peddling down dusty country lanes, skirting vineyards and freewheeling along seaside cycle paths. Bliss. Glitches The mercury soared to an unseasonal mid-30s Celsius in Gruissan (we had expected high 20s), and while our little seaside home with its shaded patio and quirky art collection was everything the photos suggested it would be, it did not have air-con. The nights were sticky and the buzzards more than inquisitive. But we were a short stroll from a beautiful swimmers' beach, so we lived with it. You learn, though. Once bitten Get me there We flew with Ryanair (ryanair.com) from Dublin and return flights for both of us totalled 297. Our train tickets from Carcassonne to Narbonne were 13.20 each (single) and the 11km bus ride out to the coast was a whopping 1.40 each. Sacre bleu! For more tourist info, see narbonne-tourism.co.uk. Read more: Premium Gene Kerrigan Opinion Fr Sean Sheehy is the voice of Irelands dead and unmourned past At first, it seemed a bit mad. A bishop and a priest squaring up for a bout of ecclesiastical fisticuffs. A turbulent priest in Listowel, Co Kerry, took to the altar and spouted out of him about gays, contraception, abortion and transgender matters. He left us in no doubt that he alone has the courage to denounce this sinful carry-on. It was Sherlock Holmes who, investigating a tricky case, drew attention to the "curious incident of the dog in the night time". "The dog did no thing in the night time," he was informed. "That," Holmes replied, "was the curious incident." It wouldn't take a great detective to figure out the mystery of why RTE was equally tight-lipped all last week about one of the biggest stories of recent days. It's because that story concerns itself. Since the near simultaneous publications of the RTE and BBC annual reports a couple of weeks ago, the subject of presenters' pay has attracted a huge amount of comment, both for the inflated salaries being paid to certain individuals, and because of the disparity between the wages of male and female members of staff. Two thirds of those earning more than 150,000 at the BBC are men, with the highest paid man, Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans (2.2m-2.49m), taking home more than four times as much as the highest paid woman, Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman (450,000-499,999) Similarly, only two of the 10 highest earners at RTE in 2014 (the last year for which figures are available) were women, namely Marian Finucane and Miriam O'Callaghan. This disparity, decades after the passing of equal pay legislation, has still not been adequately explained, but it's certainly a stretch to imagine that the market rate for some of the male names on the rich list is really that much higher than that of female colleagues who didn't make it into the top 10. RTE has promised to unveil the results of a review of the gender pay gap across the organisation. Its findings will be eagerly awaited, not least by Sharon Ni Bheolain - who confirmed to the Sunday Independent's Niamh Horan last weekend that she has at times earned up to 80,000 less than her Six One News co-anchor Bryan Dobson, and that her salary is "still considerably less" - and Martina Fitzgerald, the station's political correspondent, who also broke ranks last week to demand more transparency. The implicit criticism of their own employer by two such high profile women in the media would be big news in any week, but one would scarcely think that it was an issue at all by listening to RTE radio over the past seven days. The vow of silence began on Sunday's Marian Finucane Show on Radio One, where Marian herself (recipient of a 295,000 salary, according to those 2014 figures) could be heard talking to panellist George Lee, RTE's agriculture and environment correspondent (179,031 in 2014), about the big news stories of the day. Both found plenty of time to express scepticism at a Sunday Independent poll revealing that Irish voters now want tax cuts. The panel also discussed at length which plastic bottles can be recycled. But on a story which was generating column inches across the print media? Tumbleweed. Part of the headline was read out but that was all. Had word come down from on high that the subject of RTE wages was not to be discussed? Had an element of self-censorship kicked in? Or really was it just too boring? Whatever the reason, it's a pattern which was to continue all week. News At One and Drivetime did both carry isolated new items on Monday about the row in RTE, but Morning Ireland, which is supposed to be the country's foremost radio news show, with more than 400,000 listeners a day, did not follow suit. Aside from a few passing mentions in the regular What It Says In The Papers segment, RTE's woes went unremarked. If coverage on news programmes was notable by its absence, the silence on shows devoted to comment and analysis was even more pronounced. Today With Sean O'Rourke, home of the fourth highest paid presenter in 2014 (O'Rourke's salary back then was a hardly negligible 290,096), did not deem the story worthy of discussion on Monday at all. On Tuesday, it seemed that the stopper would finally be pulled out of this particular bottle, as the subject of pay disparity did come up for debate; but aside from a cursory introductory reference to RTE, the item concentrated mainly on whether all companies should be forced to publish details of gender differentials in pay. A trade unionist and business leader battled that one out. It was another opportunity missed. It wasn't until Friday morning's regular "Gathering" slot that the mid-morning show finally acknowledged the story that dare not speak its name. "I've been on to Gary Lineker [the BBC's second highest earner (1.75m-1.799m)], he's lent me his tin helmet, we're going into dangerous territory," chuckled O'Rourke. In the event, it wasn't that dangerous. Sean even prefaced the discussion by wondering whether there'd be all this fuss about gender equality if Niamh Horan had interviewed Prime Time's David McCullagh last weekend and he'd revealed that he was earning half as much as Miriam O'Callaghan. He then added: "I checked upstairs. I don't think management accepts that there is necessarily a gender pay gap." It was left to Ingrid Miley, RTE's industry and employment correspondent, to pick her way carefully through the minefield. "I'm not here to speak for RTE," she began by saying, "I'm not here to speak for myself as a staff member of RTE, and I'm not here to speak for the staff of RTE." She then outlined the difficulties of making accurate salary comparisons; but the week as a whole did little to correct the impression that RTE would rather leave this particular story well alone. A National Union of Journalists meeting at RTE midweek also heard from one presenter who claimed she had been barred from speaking to the media about contentious pay issues. However RTE has denied that any presenter was barred from speaking but the NUJ has called for an "atmosphere of openness". Even Liveline, which would have provided the perfect chance to throw the phone lines open and let listeners sound off about presenters' pay, thereby allowing RTE to cover its back from criticism, didn't, in fact, cover the topic. When Liveline has been challenged for not featuring certain stories in the past, the answer is invariably that the show can only deal with issues which the listeners themselves have raised. If there are no calls, then a story, however important, can't be covered. So despite the massive public debate, it is amazing that no one or not enough people called in all week to talk about RTE salaries? One would have thought this was an issue on which licence fee payers would have strong views, one way or another. If they're not airing them on a station that they pay for directly, what does public service broadcasting mean? No organisation likes its dirty laundry to be washed publicly. The issue is obviously awkward for RTE, not least because the presenters covering the story may themselves be central players in it. But that doesn't make the lack of accountability any less troubling. When Stephen Nolan of Radio Ulster came under fire after his name appeared on a list of the BBC's top 10 earners, he solved the problem by allowing himself to be quizzed on his own show by an independent interviewer. Similarly imaginative solutions may have to be found when RTE publishes its latest list of top earners in the next couple of weeks. Ignoring the story and hoping it goes away not only erodes respect for RTE's impartiality, it's also bad business. Everyone else is talking about salaries. RTE should be too. The UKs plan to replace all petrol and diesel cars with electric-powered vehicles by 2040 focused attention on our own puny efforts in this regard about 400 electric vehicles sold here last year out of a total of about 150,000 new cars. Photo: PA Wire The environment is everyone's concern. And like most things that are everyone's concern, it can often appear to be the concern of no-one. And then along comes a week like the one just gone where the headlines are dominated by tales of what we are doing to mess up the world in which we live, whether through unsatisfactory waste disposal, harmful emissions, or our totally irresponsible attitude towards the precious resource that is a dependable supply of clean water. Suddenly it is easier to see how many issues are connected. Earlier this summer, the Government moved to defuse the bin charges controversy by deferring price hikes, but there is a touch of desperation here, perhaps influenced by how easily something like this can be hijacked on to the streets by a vocal minority. And it looks like it will not work. The UK's plan to replace all petrol and diesel cars with electric-powered vehicles by 2040 focused attention on our own puny efforts in this regard - about 400 electric vehicles sold here last year out of a total of about 150,000 new cars. Last week the Government launched a five-year national mitigation plan to tackle climate change. And indeed switching transport, both public and private, to electricity is desirable so long as we answer the hard questions - like where does the electricity come from? If it is powered by carbon fuels, what is the point? John FitzGerald, chair of the Government's Climate Change Advisory Council, told us that already emissions in 2020 will be 15-20pc over target, and unless we see serious decisions and plans for action, we will still be a net contributor to the problems of climate change in 2050. But it was the water debacle in Louth/Meath that really ought to have focused our minds. It reminded us that doing away with water charges was not the end of this sorry saga. We still have an antiquated system, with a 50pc leakage rate and miles of pipes throughout the country ready to disintegrate at any moment. Our water mains, sewerage pipes and water treatment plants are in such a state of disrepair, they need speedy remedial work. Irish Water reckons it needs to spend 5.5bn up to 2021, but where is the money to come from? It could have come from water charges but there was a popular revolt by those who pay little or no tax and so won't be affected if it comes out of general taxation. They made a lot of noise on the streets and first Sinn Fein and then Fianna Fail lost their nerve. So now the minister responsible, Eoghan Murphy, will have to go to his fellow Cabinet members and make a pitch in the annual Estimates. He will be competing for scarce resources against, for example, the Minister for Health pleading for the sick and the dying and the Minister for Justice needing to protect us from rapists and murderers. He will need a compelling argument. Water charges are a "political dead cat" right now, according to the former Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan. But then Mr Noonan is now a kind of "political dead cat" himself and it may be time for a bit of a rethink. Could it be that that populist rush to abolish water charges was our Brexit? And when the ordinary people of this country have time to think rationally about the consequences of that decision, they might come to a different view? In 2011, the then UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, said: "The imperative of the 21st Century (is) saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth - they are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment" - another issue that arose last week - "The solution to one problem must be a solution for all." He was right. All these issues are connected. And they are the concern of us all. We need the vision to see that, and the courage to implement the solutions. I am going through a personal crisis. I used to love reading. I am writing this blog in my office, surrounded by 27 tall bookcases laden with 5,000 books. Over the years I have read them, marked them up and recorded the annotations in a computer database for potential references in my writing. To a large degree, they have formed my professional and spiritual life. Books help define who I am. They have ushered me on a journey of faith, have introduced me to the wonders of science and the natural world, have informed me about issues such as justice and race. More importantly, they have been a source of delight and adventure and beauty, opening windows to a reality I would not otherwise know. My crisis consists in the fact that I am describing my past, not my present. I used to read three books a week. One year I devoted an evening each week to read all of Shakespeare's plays (OK, due to interruptions it actually took me two years). Another year I read the major works of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. But I am reading many fewer books these days, and even fewer of the kinds of books that require hard work. The internet and social media have trained my brain to read a paragraph or two, and then start looking around. When I start to read an online article, after a few paragraphs I glance over at the slide bar to judge the article's length. My mind strays, and I find myself clicking on the sidebars and the underlined links. Soon I'm over at some news site reading Donald Trump's latest tweets and details of the latest terrorist attack, or perhaps checking tomorrow's weather. Worse, I fall prey to the little boxes that tell me, "If you like this article, you'll also like..." Or I glance at the bottom of the screen and scan the teasers for more engaging tidbits - like '30 Amish facts that'll make your skin crawl' or 'Top 10 celebrity wardrobe malfunctions' or 'Supermarket cameras captured these hilarious photos'. A dozen or more clicks later I have lost interest in the original article. Neuroscientists have an explanation for this phenomenon. When we learn something quick and new, we get a dopamine rush; functional-MRI brain scans show the brain's pleasure centres lighting up. In a famous experiment, rats keep pressing a lever to get that dopamine rush, choosing it over food or sex. In humans, emails also satisfy that pleasure centre, as do Twitter and Instagram and Snapchat. Nicholas Carr's book The Shallows analyses the phenomenon, and its subtitle says it all: 'What the internet is doing to our brains'. Carr spells out that most people - and young people especially - are showing a precipitous decline in the amount of time spent reading. He says, "Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a jet ski." A 2015 Nielsen report calculated that the average Irish person devotes three hours and 28 minutes each day to watching TV. That doesn't include time spent watching DVDs, online catch-up players or services like Netflix. I fear to think how much time is spent online - but you can be sure it's only going one way. And that all leaves little time for the much harder work of focused concentration on reading. In The Gutenberg Elegies, Sven Birkerts laments the loss of "deep reading," which requires intense concentration, a conscious lowering of the gates of perception, and a slower pace. His book hit me with the force of conviction. I keep putting off Charles Taylor's A Secular Age, and look at my shelf full of Jurgen Moltmann's theology books with a feeling of nostalgia - why am I not reading books like that now? An article in Business Insider studied such pioneers as Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg. Most of them have in common a practice the author calls the "five-hour rule": They set aside at least an hour a day (or five hours a week) for deliberate learning. For example: Bill Gates reads 50 books a year. Mark Zuckerberg reads at least one book every two weeks. Elon Musk grew up reading two books a day. Mark Cuban reads for more than three hours every day. Arthur Blank, a co-founder of US retail giant Home Depot, reads two hours a day. When asked about his secret to success, Warren Buffett pointed to a stack of books and said, "Read 500 pages like this every day. That's how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will..." Charles Chu, who quoted Buffett on the Quartz website, acknowledges that 500 pages a day is beyond the reach for all but a few people. Nevertheless, neuroscience proves what each of these busy people have found: It actually takes less energy to focus intently than to zip from task to task. After an hour of contemplation, or deep reading, a person ends up less tired and less neurochemically depleted, thus more able to tackle mental challenges. If we can't reach Buffett's high reading bar, what is a realistic goal? Charles Chu calculates that at an average reading speed of 400 words per minute, it would take 417 hours in a year to read 200 books - less than the 1,000 hours a year the average Irish person spends watching TV. "Here's the simple truth behind reading a lot of books," says Quartz: "It's not that hard. We have all the time we need. The scary part - the part we all ignore - is that we are too addicted, too weak, and too distracted to do what we all know is important." Willpower alone is not enough, he says. We need to construct what he calls "a fortress of habits". I like that image. Recently I checked author Annie Dillard's website, in which she states, "I can no longer travel, can't meet with strangers, can't sign books but will sign labels with SASE, can't write by request, and can't answer letters. I've got to read and concentrate. Why? Beats me." Now that's a fortress. I've concluded that a commitment to reading is an ongoing battle, somewhat like the battle against the seduction of internet pornography. We have to build a fortress with walls strong enough to withstand the temptations of that powerful dopamine rush while also providing shelter for an environment that allows deep reading to flourish. Spiritually-inclined people especially need that sheltering space, for quiet meditation is one of the most important spiritual disciplines. Modern culture presents formidable obstacles to the nurture of both spirituality and creativity. As a writer of faith in the age of social media, I host a Facebook page and a website and write an occasional blog. Thirty years ago I got a lot of letters from readers, and they did not expect an answer for a week or more. Now I get emails, and if they don't hear back in two days they write again, "Did you get my email?" The tyranny of the urgent crowds in around me. If I yield to that tyranny, my life fills with mental clutter. Boredom, say the researchers, is when creativity happens. A wandering mind wanders into new, unexpected places. When I retire to the mountains and unplug for a few days, something magical takes place. I'll go to bed puzzling over a roadblock in my writing, and the next morning wake up with the solution crystal-clear - something that never happens when I spend my spare time cruising social media and the internet. I find that poetry helps. You can't zoom through poetry; it forces you to slow down, think, concentrate, relish words and phrases. I now try to begin each day with a selection from George Herbert, Gerard Manley Hopkins, or RS Thomas. For deep reading, I'm searching for an hour a day when mental energy is at a peak, not a scrap of time salvaged from other tasks. I put on headphones and listen to soothing music, shutting out distractions. Deliberately, I don't text. I used to be embarrassed when I pulled out my antiquated flip phone, which my wife says should be donated to a museum. Now I pocket it with a kind of perverse pride, feeling sorry for the teenagers who check their phones on average 2,000 times a day. We're engaged in a war, and technology wields the heavy weapons. Rod Dreher's recent book The Benedict Option urges people of faith to retreat behind monastic walls as the Benedictines did - after all, they preserved literacy and culture during one of the darkest eras of human history. I don't completely agree with Dreher, though I'm convinced that the preservation of reading will require something akin to the Benedict option. I'm still working on that fortress of habit, trying to resurrect the rich nourishment that reading has long provided for me. If only I can resist clicking on '30 Amish facts that'll make your skin crawl'. Washington Post A plucky kitten getting stuck in a dangerous London drain sounds like the premise for Disneys next heartwarming film, but its actually something that happened IRL. But dont worry: like all good Disney movies, this one has a happy ending thanks to some helpful firefighters. The four-week old kitten was first spotted perched at the drain opening at the top of a two-storey building in Willesden. Concerned office workers did the right thing by calling the RSPCA, and then the adventure really kicked off. When RSPCA animal collection officer Jill Sanders arrived, it became clear that the poor kitten had slipped down the drain. Sanders called the fire service for help, and they soon realised there was only one way they were going to get the kitten out. Sanders says: The fire service advised that the only chance of getting the kitten out would be to gently flush the kitten down the drain with the fire hose on a low pressure, and have someone ready in the drain in the ground outside the building, ready to catch her. Yep they had to flush the kitten down the drain in order to get her out. Tricky stuff, but luckily the mission was pulled off with style. It worked an absolute treat we listened carefully to work out which flow system the kitten has slipped down into, and once wed worked it out, I was ready with a net, Sanders says. Sure enough, the kitten came sliding down into my hands, completely unharmed, although a little bit confused! The kitten whos now been nicknamed Ace is now safe and sound at the Putney Animal Hospital. If no one comes forward to claim her, the RSPCA will find her a new home. Now thats the best kind of happy ending. Unfortunately, Britains top universities arent exactly known for their diversity. Last year, only 50 black applicants were offered places at Cambridge University, compared with 2,130 white students. Courtney Daniella is a student at Cambridge, and shes taken to Twitter to make some pretty powerful remarks about being a black woman at the prestigious university. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference First, she addresses the fact that so many people think that she was only accepted to the university because of a quota helping her. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Understandably pretty offensive, as she is evidently an incredibly impressive student. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Daniella then shared another galling story. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference And then she completely shuts down all the haters. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference People are absolutely loving how Daniella is speaking out. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Many find her an inspirational example. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Hopefully, her thread will make people think twice next time they bring up the quota. North Korea said yesterday it had conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that proved its ability to strike America's mainland, drawing a sharp warning from US President Donald Trump and a rebuke from China. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally supervised the midnight launch of the missile last Friday night and said it was a "stern warning" for the US that it would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. North Korea's state TV broadcast pictures of the launch, showing the missile lifting off in a fiery blast in darkness and Kim cheering with military aides. "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 US mainland is in the firing range of the DPRK [North Korea] missiles," KCNA said. The launch comes less than a month after the North conducted its first ICBM test in defiance of years of efforts led by the US, South Korea and Japan to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear weapons ambitions. "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 US will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region." China, the North's main ally, said it opposed North Korea's "launch activities that run counter to Security Council resolutions and the common wishes of the international community". A foreign ministry statement added: "At the same time, China hopes all parties act with caution, to prevent tensions from continuing to escalate, to jointly protect regional peace and stability." But it seems that for all its bluster and over-the-top propaganda, North Korea often does just what it says it will do when it comes to its weapons development. So it goes with its lightning-quick push to perfect an intercontinental ballistic missile. The clear message is: Get used to this - it's the new normal. But what does that mean? From the West's point of view, it portends more and scarier missile and nuclear tests, each one more powerful than the last; a dogged determination by the North to ignore, as it has for decades, financial sanctions and other outside pressure, including a slightly more forceful clampdown from its biggest enabler, China; and an increasing likelihood that a determined, unchecked North Korea will soon turn its rhetoric about being capable of nuking America's heartland into a reality. All this is meant to force the US to accept terms that Pyongyang favours: a formal end to the Korean War that would remove US forces from the Korean Peninsula, weaken ties between Seoul and Washington, and make it much more likely that the North's dream of a Korea united under its rule comes true. Outsiders have long dismissed or ignored North Korea's atomic boasts and propaganda, even as they've failed through sanctions, threats and isolation to hinder the North's progress. It remains to be seen whether an effort led by a Trump administration distracted by political infighting can rise to the most serious challenge yet in what has been a decades-long nuclear standoff. To see exactly what North Korea is aiming for, just read its propaganda. The North promised a stream of missile "gift packages" for the US after its first ICBM test on July 4. Then on Saturday, hours after its second test of the Hwasong-14, Kim Jong-un, was quoted as saying that "the US trumpeting about war and extreme sanctions and threat against the (North) only emboldens the latter and offers a better excuse for its access to nukes." Friday's test "is meant to send a grave warning to the US", Kim said, and "make the policy-makers of the U.S. properly understand that the US, an aggression-minded state, would not go scot-free if it dares provoke the North". That does not mean North Korea is planning to attack the US with a nuclear missile. The country's leadership values its survival above everything else, including the welfare of its people. North Korea's huge artillery and missile armament along the North-South border could do serious damage to Seoul, but such an attack would spell the end of Pyongyang because of Washington's massive weapons advantage. Nor is the North quite there militarily. It must still prove that its ICBMs can navigate the multitude of technical hurdles needed to accurately strike a faraway target. Each new test, however, makes that more likely. Having a working "nuclear strategic force" would also allow the North to introduce doubt into the US-South Korea alliance. If fighting broke out between the rival Koreas, the argument goes, would Washington really rush in knowing that Pyongyang could hit the US heartland with its nukes? The latest test also does something that North Korea strives for in every word of its propaganda: It bolsters the dignity of the proud, authoritarian state, which has long seen itself as surrounded by hostile nations bent on its destruction. How many Third World US enemies, after all, have built ICBM programs? The message is as much for the elite in Pyongyang as for the North's enemies, intended to solidify support for a leader who, despite massive external pressure, can stand up to the superpowers. Unless Seoul, Washington and their partners can find a way to stop the North, the near future looks pretty clear. More tests. More instability. More pressure to pursue indigenous nuclear programs among North Korea's other presumed targets, Seoul and Tokyo, as they lose faith in the US "nuclear umbrella." And more possibility that a miscalculation in one of the world's most heavily armed regions could lead to fighting. That's the new normal. Reuters Kim Jong-un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the Korean Peoples Army earlier this year. Photo: Reuters A man in Seoul, South Korea, watches a TV news programme showing a file image of a missile being test-launched by the North (AP) Missile: An undated picture provided by North Korea of a Hwasong-14 being test-fired. Photo: Reuters The United States flew two B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force after recent North Korean missile tests, the U.S. Air Force said in a statement on Sunday. North Korea said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday that proved its ability to strike America's mainland, drawing a sharp warning from U.S. President Donald Trump. The B-1B flight, conducted on Saturday, was in direct response to the missile test and the previous July 3 launch of the "Hwansong-14" rocket, the U.S. statement said. The bombers took off from a U.S. air base in Guam, and were joined by Japanese and South Korean fighter jets during the exercise, according to the statement. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy said in the statement. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing". The U.S. has in the past used overflights of the supersonic B1-B "Lancer" bomber as a show of force in response to North Korean missile or nuclear tests. Expand Close A man in Seoul, South Korea, watches a TV news programme showing a file image of a missile being test-launched by the North (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man in Seoul, South Korea, watches a TV news programme showing a file image of a missile being test-launched by the North (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the midnight test launch of the missile on Friday night and said it was a "stern warning" for the United States that it would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. North Korea's state television broadcast pictures of the launch, showing the missile lifting off in a fiery blast in darkness and Kim cheering with military aides. China, the North's main ally, said it opposed North Korea's missile launches, which it said violate United Nations Security Council resolutions designed to curb Pyongyang's banned nuclear and missile programmes. "At the same time, China hopes all parties act with caution, to prevent tensions from continuing to escalate," China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Expand Close Kim Jong-un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the Korean Peoples Army earlier this year. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kim Jong-un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the Korean Peoples Army earlier this year. Photo: Reuters However, Trump said he was "very disappointed in China". In a message on Twitter, he said: "Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet..." "...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" he said in a subsequent tweet. The Hwasong-14, named after the Korean word for Mars, reached an altitude of 3,724.9 km (2,314.6 miles) and flew 998 km (620 miles)for 47 minutes and 12 seconds before landing in the waters off the Korean peninsula's east coast, KCNA said. Western experts said calculations based on that flight data and estimates from the U.S., Japanese and South Korean militaries showed the missile could have been capable of going as far into the United States as Denver and Chicago. David Wright of the U.S.-based Union of Concerned Scientists wrote in a blog post that if it had flown on a standard trajectory, the missile would have had a range of 10,400 km (6,500 miles). North Korea refers to the United States as its sworn enemy in its propaganda, and has done so since the 1950-53 Korean War in which the Soviet and Chinese-backed North fought against the U.S.-backed South. The isolated country often shows mockup images of a missile hitting key U.S. landmarks in its media. The scene of the car bomb attack in Mogadishu, Somalia (Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP) Fighters with the al-Shabab extremist group have ambushed an African Union convoy in southern Somalia and killed at least eight soldiers, a military officer said. The attack came hours after a car bomb in the capital killed at least five people, most of them civilians, shattering a month of relative calm in Mogadishu. The al Qaida-linked al-Shabab fighters attacked the convoy near Bulo-Marer in the Lower Shabelle region, said Colonel Muhyadin Yasin. Uganda's defence ministry confirmed the attack on the multinational force, saying an unknown number of troops were killed. "A lot of damage was inflicted on the enemy," a statement said. The extremist group claimed that the attack killed 39 soldiers. Al-Shabab has become the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa. Despite being forced out of many cities and towns across Somalia, it continues to launch lethal attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere. The extremist group maintains a presence largely in rural areas and continues to pose major challenges to the allied Somali and African Union forces as they travel between remote towns, even as the AU force plans to pull out of Somalia in the coming years and leave security to national troops. Hundreds of African Union soldiers have been killed in recent years as al-Shabab targeted their military bases as well. The extremist group also carries out deadly attacks in neighbouring countries, notably Kenya, that have sent troops to support Somalia's fragile central government. That threat has been a factor in rising security concerns around Kenya's presidential election next month. Earlier on Sunday, a car bomb blast near a police station in Mogadishu killed at least five people and wounded at least 13 others, police said. Al-Shabab often carries out deadly bombings against high-profile targets such as hotels and checkpoints in the capital. The blast near Waberi police station along the busy Maka Almukarramah road may have been a suicide bomber, said Captain Mohamed Hussein. Most of the victims were civilians. The blast occurred amid a traffic jam while soldiers were searching cars at a nearby intersection. Somalia's Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire, said no such blast had occurred in the capital for a month. AP Police stand in front of the disco Club Grey in the southern German town of Konstanz, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Felix Kastle / Germany OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images Police stand in front of the disco Club Grey in the southern German town of Konstanz, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Felix Kastle / Germany OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images A woman is comforted as police stands by next to the disco Club Grey in the southern German town of Konstanz, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Felix Kastle / Germany OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images Policemen stand in front of the nightclub Grey in Konstanz (Constance), southern Germany, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017.OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images Policemen stand in front of the nightclub Grey in Konstanz (Constance), southern Germany, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017.AFP PHOTO / dpa / Felix Kastle / Germany OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images Policemen stand near the nightclub Grey in Konstanz (Constance), southern Germany, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Felix Kastle / Germany OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images Policemen stand near the nightclub Grey in Konstanz (Constance), southern Germany, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017. AFP PHOTO / dpa / Felix Kastle / Germany OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images Forensics of the police secure evidences near the Grey nightclub in Konstanz (Constance), southern Germany, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017. AFP PHOTO / dpa / Felix Kastle / Germany OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images Forensics of the police secure evidences near the Grey nightclub in Konstanz (Constance), southern Germany, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017. OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images Forensics of the police secure evidences near the Grey nightclub in Konstanz (Constance), southern Germany, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017. OUTFELIX KASTLE/AFP/Getty Images A gunman who killed one person and injured three others in a nightclub in southern Germany on Sunday was an Iraqi citizen who had lived in the country for a long time and was not an asylum seeker, police said, ruling out terrorism as a motive. Konstanz police spokesman Fritz Bezikofer told the n-tv broadcaster that after an initial investigation into the events surrounding the shooting at the nightclub in Konstanz on the border with Switzerland investigators ruled out terrorism. "The motives of the man who acted alone are unclear," he said. "We are still investigating but the circumstances surrounding the events at the disco in the evening before the shooting are a bit clearer and this led us to rule out a terrorism background." Anthony Scaramucci's wife has reportedly filed for divorce a week after he was named White House communications director, with friends claiming that her dislike of President Donald Trump and her husband's "naked political ambition" had forced them apart. Deidre Ball, who worked as a vice president in investor relations for SkyBridge Capital, the firm he founded in 2005 and sold to ascend to the White House, has filed for divorce after three years of marriage, according to The New York Post. Expand Close Trump to blame: Lynn and David Aronberg are parting. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Trump to blame: Lynn and David Aronberg are parting. "She liked the nice Wall Street life and their home on Long Island, not the insane world of DC," a source told the paper. "She is tired of his naked ambition, which is so enormous that it left her at her wits' end. She has left him even though they have two children together." Mr Scaramucci responded to the news by tweeting: "Leave civilians out of this. I can take the hits, but I would ask that you would put my family in your thoughts and prayers and nothing more." Mr Scaramucci (52) and Ball (38) began dating in 2011 and are believed to have married in 2014. Mr Scaramucci is yet to confirm the news, which comes at the end of a tumultuous first week in Washington, in which he attempted to schmooze the White House press corps and ended up in a wild expletive-laced rant about his colleagues, published in The New Yorker. The source said that Mr Scaramucci had been "hell-bent" on claiming his position at the White House after he was originally positioned for a senior role, and sold SkyBridge Capital in preparation in January. He was blocked by Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, who was fired last Friday. A second source told the Post: "Deidre is not a fan of Trump, and she hasn't exactly been on board and supportive of Anthony and his push to get back into the White House." The friend added: "Anthony is focusing on his children, his work for the president and the American people. There is nothing more important to him. "I don't know who Deidre thought she was marrying but anyone who knows Anthony knows he's an ambitious man." The divorce is the second "Trump divorce" in two days. Last Thursday, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader announced that she and her state attorney husband were to divorce, with the president to blame. Lynn and David Aronberg married two years ago after Mr Aronberg (46) proposed at the Eiffel Tower. Mrs Aronberg's PR firm, TransMedia, issued a remarkably personal press release announcing their separation, describing it as a "Trump divorce". Mr Aronberg has yet to comment. Telegraph Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Donald Trump will sign the Russia sanctions bill, despite being unable to ease any penalties (AP) An attempt by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to portray Russian sanctions legislation as a sign Americans want Russia to improve relations with the US has been derided by Moscow. In a statement released by the State Department on Saturday, Mr Tillerson said the overwhelming House and Senate votes in favour of the sanctions "represent the strong will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States". He added that he hoped potential future US-Russia cooperation would make the sanctions unnecessary at some point. The legislation, which also punishes Iran and North Korea, takes aim at Moscow for meddling in the 2016 US election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria. The White House said on Friday that President Donald Trump will sign the legislation, which passed the House by a 419-3 vote and the Senate by a 98-2 vote. "We will work closely with our friends and allies to ensure our messages to Russia, Iran, and North Korea are clearly understood," Mr Tillerson's statement concluded. With respect to Russia, at least, the message did not appear to be understood, as the Russian Embassy in Washington said in a series of tweets that it was bewildered. "The statement made by the @StateDept on July 29 regarding a new sanctions legislation approved by Congress cannot but raise eyebrows," it said. "Washington still doesn't get the fact that pressure never works against @Russia, bilateral relations can hardly be improved by sanctions." AP A US Air Force B-1 bomber, top, flies with South Korean fighter jets over South Korea (South Korea Defence Ministry via AP) The United States has flown two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. The US also said it had conducted a successful test of a missile defence system located in Alaska. The B-1 bombers were escorted by South Korean fighter jets as they performed a low-pass over an air base near the South Korean capital of Seoul before returning to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the US Pacific Air Forces said in a statement. It said the mission was a response to North Korea's two missile tests this month. Analysts said flight data from the North's second test, conducted on Friday night, showed that a broader part of the mainland United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of Pyongyang's weapons. Vice president Mike Pence said on Sunday during a visit to Estonia that the US and its allies plan to increase pressure on North Korea to end its nuclear programme. "The continued provocations by the rogue regime in North Korea are unacceptable and the United States of America is going to continue to marshal the support of nations across the region and across the world to further isolate North Korea economically and diplomatically," Mr Pence said. "But the era of strategic patience is over. The president of the United States is leading a coalition of nations to bring pressure to bear until that time that North Korea will permanently abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programme." General Terrence J O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, called North Korea "the most urgent threat to regional stability". "Diplomacy remains the lead. However, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario," Gen O'Shaughnessy said. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing." Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said that North Korea's latest test presents a clear and present danger to the United States. "I've spent time on the intelligence and at the briefings, and done as much reading as I possibly could," said Ms Feinstein, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "And I'm convinced that North Korea has never moved at the speed that this leader has to develop an ICBM." She said the situation shows the danger of isolating a country. "I think the only solution is a diplomatic one," she said. "I'm very disappointed in China's response, that it has not been firmer or more helpful." The United States often sends powerful warplanes in times of heightened tensions with North Korea. B-1 bombers have been sent to South Korea for flyovers several times this year in response to the North's banned missile tests, and also following the death of a US college student last month after he was released by North Korea in a coma. AP Venezuelans appear to be abstaining in massive numbers in a show of silent protest against a vote to select a constitutional assembly giving the government virtually unlimited powers. Associated Press journalists toured more than two dozen polling places in neighbourhoods across the capital, including many traditional strongholds of the ruling socialist party in southern and western Caracas. Virtually all the polling places saw hours-long lines of thousands of people in past elections over the last two decades of socialist government. One site, a sports and cultural complex known as the Poliedro, had several thousand people waiting about two hours to vote, many having travelled from opposition-dominated neighbourhoods where polling places were closed. Of the dozens of others sites seen by the AP, two in the loyalist-heavy neighbourhood of El Valle had lines of approximately 200 to 400 people. All the others had at most a couple of dozen voters, and many had less than a half-dozen or were completely empty. Opinion polls say more than 70% of the country is opposed to Sunday's vote. "People aren't in agreement with this," said Daniel Ponza, 33, as he watched a few dozen people outside a polling place in El Valle. "People are dying of hunger, looking for food in the trash. And I think this is just going to make things worse." In opposition-dominated eastern Caracas, riot police used tear gas to stop protesters from gathering for a march on the capital's main road. At least three police were wounded when one of their motorcycles detonated in a powerful explosion. After voting at dawn, President Nicolas Maduro called for international acceptance of what he called his government's fight against a violent opposition trying to sabotage his administration. The run-up to the vote has been marked by months of clashes between protesters and the government that have left at least 116 dead and nearly 2,000 wounded. A 61-year-old nurse was fatally shot by men accused of being pro-government paramilitaries during a protest at a church a few hundred feet from the school where Mr Maduro voted. "We've stoically withstood the terrorist, criminal violence," Mr Maduro said. "Hopefully the world will respectfully extend its arms towards our country." The opposition is boycotting the vote, contending the election has been structured to ensure Mr Maduro's socialist party continues to dominate. So all 5,500 candidates for the 545 seats in the constituent assembly are his supporters and the vote's success is being measured by turnout. The government is encouraging participation with tactics that include offering social benefits such as subsidised food to the poor and threatening state workers' jobs if they do not vote. "I'm here because I'm hoping for housing," said Luisa Marquez, a 46-year-old hairdresser. Others said they were there out of conviction that the constitutional assembly would help the government fend off what they called an international capitalist conspiracy to undermine Venezuela's socialist system with the help of the domestic opposition. "The crisis, the shortages of food and medicine, that isn't the government's fault," said Luis Osuna, a 42-year-old private bodyguard. "Those who are attacking us to kill us with hunger and blame the government are the same enemies the government's always had." Once one of Latin America's wealthiest nations, Venezuela has spiralled into a devastating crisis during Mr Maduro's four years in power, thanks to plunging oil prices and widespread corruption and mismanagement. Inflation and killing rates are among the world's highest and widespread shortages of food and medicine have citizens dying of preventable illnesses and rooting through rubbish to feed themselves. The special assembly being selected will have powers to rewrite the country's 1999 constitution but will also have powers above and beyond other state institutions, including the opposition-controlled congress. While opinion polls say a vast majority oppose him, Mr Maduro made clear in a televised address on Saturday evening that he intends to use the assembly to govern without limitation, describing the vote as "the election of a power that's above and beyond every other". AP Russia has retaliated against new US sanctions by ordering 755 American diplomats to leave - a move than will create a fresh crisis in the relationship between the two countries. Days after the both houses of the US Congress voted almost unanimously to impose fresh sanctions on Moscow, Vladimir Putin said he was responding to unlawful behaviour by Washington. The American side has made a move which, it is important to note, hasnt been provoked by anything, to worsen Russian-US relations. [It includes] unlawful restrictions, attempts to influence other states of the world, including our allies, who are interested in developing and keeping relations with Russia, Mr Putin told the Rossiya 1 TV channel. Weve been waiting for quite a long time that maybe something would change for the better, we had hopes that the situation would change. But it looks like, its not going to change in the near future... I decided that it is time for us to show that we will not leave anything unanswered. The US sanctions bill also included measures against Iran and North Korea and was passed over Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea and its alleged interference in the 2016 US election. The move by politicians on Capitol Hill has pushed Donald Trump into a corner. The White House had made clear it was against the measure, but the President has said he will sign the bill, rather than use his veto power and risk fresh accusations that he is soft on Moscow. Russia had warned on Friday that it intended to expel the diplomats and to seize two properties used by US diplomats. However, Mr Putins comments on Sunday were the first to make clear the number of US envoys he intends to force to leave. An official at the US Embassy in Moscow said there were about 1,100 diplomatic and support staff in Russia, including US citizens and Russians, Reuters reported last week. Earlier on Sunday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the vote for the sanctions was the last drop and said Moscow would retaliate in kind. Read More We have a very rich toolbox at our disposal. It would be ridiculous on my part to start speculating on what may or may not happen, Mr Rybakov told ABC. I can assure you that different options are on the table and consideration is being given to all sorts of things. The move by Russia takes place against ongoing controversy in the US about Mr Trumps relationship with Moscow and possible collusion between his campaign and Russia over its alleged effort to interfere in the presidential election. Earlier this month, it was revealed Mr Trumps eldest son, his campaign manager and his son-in-law, had met with a Russian lawyer linked to the Kremlin after they were told she had compromising material about Mr Trumps rival, Hillary Clinton. Special prosecutor Robert Mueller is currently heading a federal probe into possible collusion and there are several investigations underway on Capitol Hill. Mr Trump has repeatedly denied any such collusion and said he and his officials are the victims of a political witch hunt. Last December, Barack Obama ordered 35 Russian diplomats to leave the US and the seizing of two compounds, one in New York and the other in Maryland, that had been used by the diplomats. He said the actions were being carried out in response to Moscows alleged attempt to interfere in the election. Many observers had expected that Mr Putin would respond in kind. However, apparently assuming that relations between the two countries might improve once Mr Trump office, he held off from doing so. Mr Trump had spoken enthusiastically of his with to have better relations between the two countries and to seek Russias help in countering Isis in Syria. Earlier this month at the G20 in Hamburg, the two men met for several hours and hatched a ceasefire deal for a small part of Syria. Critics of Mr Trump say he has repeatedly refused to criticise Mr Putin and that he has been in denial about Moscows attempt to influence the election. 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 NIBE receives order of Rs11.88 crore from Goa Shipyard; Stock slips 1% Nibe Limited stocks in focus as the company announced the receipt of purchase orders. As per the regulatory filing, it has received two purchase orders dated November 08, 2022 from G... November 11, 2022 | 11-11-2022 12:53 pm Ashoka Buildcon receives provisional certificate for NHAI road project; Stock up 2% Ashoka Buildcon Limited has informed the declaration of October 26, 2021 as the Commercial Operation Date (CoD) for its Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) Project of National Highways Authority of ... November 11, 2022 | 11-11-2022 12:26 pm According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation (OECD) it has been observed that in 2016, total world beef exports in was 10.95 million tonnes and was expected to increase to 12.43 million tonnes by 2026. India happens to be the worlds third-biggest exporter of beef and is projected to hold on to that position over the next decade. representational image : AP Released this week, the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2017-2026 report said that India exported 1.56 million tonnes of beef in 2016 and was expected to maintain its position as the third-largest beef exporter. India has alone accounted for 16 per cent of global exports in 2026 by exporting 1.93 tonnes that year. represntational image bccl The type of beef exported has not been specified in the report. However, the meat exported appeared to be mostly from buffaloes as the report specified the animal for imports by Myanmar from India. According to the OECD database, India had imported 363,000 tonnes of beef last year and the amount was predicted to stay the same over the next ten years. The Outlook report ranked Brazil as the worlds top beef exporter, followed by Australia. In one of the major rescue operations by the army in the flood-hit Jalore district, 540 girls were rescued on Friday night from Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Girls Hostel in Bhainswara of Ahor sub-division of the district. twitter/ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY The hostel was waterlogged on Friday night after the water released from Jawai dam flooded many parts of Jalore district. About 540 girls and teachers were stranded in the hostel and considering the situation, the administration sought the help of army. twitter/ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY "We evacuated 540 girls and teachers along with other staff from the hostel on Friday night and shifted them to a safer place where all of them were provided with the medical aid and food," said defence spokesperson Manish Ojha. twitter/ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY Meanwhile, amid the worsening flood situation in Jalore district caused by the incessant rain and rise of water after opening of the gates of Jawai dam to release the excess water, the army has roped in three columns for rescue and relief operations in Sanchore, Ahor and Jalore at South bank of the river Jawai. Water released from Jawai dam has caused a major havoc on its way to Jalore city severing the road and rail link of the city with other towns. Railway station of the town is completely submerged in the water leading to suspension of all the rail services to the city. We can't deny, but every time we look at someone who suffers from down syndrome, we pity them. We pity them for their condition and for never having the hang of 'normalcy'. Meet the 22-year-old Aditi from Mumbai who's condoling the pity. Aditi is the owner of Aditi's corner, a cafe she runs in Bhoomi Mall, CBD Belapur. The cafe serves light snacks, homemade meals and delectable cupcakes and chocolates; but what keeps this cafe lit is Aditi's hard-work and determination. Hindu She takes orders, wipes the table, manages accounts and if the place is running short on inventory, she will make a note. "I used to get bored at home," says a proud Aditi when asked about why she enjoys coming here. "Here I can do whatever I want." thebetterindia The cafe was gifted by her parents who wanted to keep her busy and happy. They wanted to ensure that she becomes self-reliant. The cafe is now in good shape and achieved its break even within the first three months. "Please dont take them as a problem. They are special people and they can do whatever else a normal person can do. If you have a special child, let him or her do what they want to with their lives. Dont stop them. reports The Better India. Aditi's story is for everyone to feel inspired and thrilled about their passion. If she can do it, so can you. Citing the example set by countries like USA, Canada and Australia, Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has suggested legalising marijuana in India. AFP The suggestion was made by Mrs. Gandhi at a meeting of a group of ministers (GOM), which examined the draft cabinet note National Drug Demand Reduction Policy. She suggested that such a move will help in curb drug abuse, something that countries where medical marijuana is legal has experienced. AFP "Some of the developed countries like the US, marijuana has been legalised which ultimately results in less drug abuse. The possibility of the same maybe explored in India", she told the GOM. "Marijuana should be legalised for medical purposes, especially as it serves a purpose in cancer," the minister told PTI. PTI This is not the first time an Indian politician has batted for legalisation of cannabis in the country. In December 2015, Lok Sabha MP from Odisha Tathagata Satpathy had suggested that weed should be legalised in the county as it could help fight alcohol addiction. AFP As of now countries like Uruguay, Chile, Australia, France, Romania, Colombia Czech Republic, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Canada, United States and Jamaica have legalised use of cannabis for medical purposes legal. Many other countries are on their way to legalise or relax restrictions on the weed. AFP In India weed has remained illegal despite the high rate of consumption, especially in interior areas. In 2015 Uttarakhand government had decided to allow farmers to cultivation of hemp plants to be used for industrial purposes like in the manufacturing of fibre. India is home to some of the most sought after marijuana variants in the international market like Malana hash and Idukki Gold. Mosul is modern Iraq's second-largest city. In 2014, it was sensationally captured by the ISIS, signalling the ascent of the extremist group. Recently, the jihadists have been steered out of the city with Iraqi forces reclaiming the old city. However, the devastation in the once flourishing city cannot be ignored. Take a look at these images which show the extent of destruction. 1. A member of Iraqi security forces holds an Islamic State flag on top of a building destroyed from clashes in the Old City of Mosul, Iraq reuters 2. The destroyed al-Hadba minaret at Grand al-Nuri Mosque (L) is seen reuters 3. Military vehicles of Iraqi security forces are seen in the old part of the city. reuters 4. Iraqi security forces walk along destroyed buildings from clashes in the Old City. reuters 5. Members of the Emergency Response Division walk in a destroyed building at the Old City. reuters 6. The remains of al-Hadba minaret at the Grand al-Nuri Mosque are pictured in the Old City. reuters 7. The remains of vehicles are seen in the Old City. reuters 8. Members of Iraqi Federal police carry suicide belts used by Islamic State militants in the Old City. reuters 9. Members of Federal police are seen in the Old City. reuters 10. Destroyed buildings from clashes are seen in the Old City. reuters 11. Members of the Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) take a selfie in front of the ruins of Grand al-Nuri Mosque in the Old City. reuters 12. Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) personnel walk in a destroyed building in the Old City. reuters 13. An old bridge destroyed during clashes is seen in the Old City. reuters 14. A view of a part of the ruined Grand al-Nuri Mosque. reuters 15. A member of Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) walks on rubble next to buildings destroyed from clashes in the Old City. reuters 16. Smoke billows from the ruined Grand al-Nuri Mosque after it was retaken by Iraqi forces in the Old City. reuters 17. A member of Iraqi Federal police walks among buildings destroyed from clashes in the Old City. reuters 18. A member of the Iraqi Federal Police runs for cover on the frontline in the Old City. reuters Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party on Sunday demanded explanations over what it calls relations between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and, following a same-day front-page newspaper article alleging that the leftist Greek premier had asked for assistance from Caracas' radical socialist government as far back as 2013 in case Greece abandoned the Euro The "honeymoon phase" in relations between Chinese multinationaland Greece's privatization fund (HRADF) regarding the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA), which the former assumed last August, appears to have encountered its first "hiccup", as the Greek agency has voiced objections to a proposal modifying PPA's charter. The Nigeria Army has recovered 21 additional bodies in an operation to rescue oil exploration crew abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno. Brig. Gen. Sani Kukasheka, Director Army Public Relations, who disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday, July 29, said he regrets earlier press release about the rescue of all NNPC Staff. Full statement below: The incident of 25th July 2017 where some Boko Haram Terrorists ambushed our troops including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) escorting some staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well as that of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) on oil exploration in Borno Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno state is unfortunate and highly regrettable. Most regrettable also is my earlier release on the said incident about the rescue of all NNPC Staff. The error in the statement was not deliberate. The Nigerian Army in this present dispensation is reputed for timely dissemination of information on activities of our troops in all theatre of operations. We have strived to keep the public informed on our activities with no intention of distorting any fact. Our troops have doubled efforts in the pursuit of the Boko Haram terrorists while search and rescue is still on-going to secure the safe return of the remaining civilians. So far the search and rescue team has recovered additional bodies of 5 soldiers, 11 Civilian JTF and 5 members of the exploration team. Contrary to reports in some media, 6 members of exploration team out of 12 that went out are still missing, while one of the NNPC staff returned to base alive. On the other hand, our pursuit team also recovered 2 of our own Gun trucks and an additional Toyota Buffalo Gun truck from the insurgents. In addition, the team also made the following recoveries; 4 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 4 Rocket Propelled Grenade chargers, 6 AK-47 rifles, 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun,1 Anti-Aircraft Gun Barrel, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, 4 Dane Guns, 8 Tyres and 2 Tyre Rims. Other items recovered include 1 Pumping Machine, 2 Tyre Jacks, 1 Super Battery, 5 Reflective Jackets, 3 Toyota Hilux, 4 Jerry cans filled with PMS, 1 Motorola Radio, 1 Geographical Positioning System (GPS), 21 empty Jerry cans, 2 Shovels and 3 Food Coolers. Troops also recovered 122 rounds of PKM ammunition, 213 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 1255 Anti-Aircraft Guns ammunition, 4 boxes of API 12.7mm ammunition, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine, a Digger, 2 Bows and 13 Arrows, 2 LLG Bombs, assorted drugs and assorted working tools. The Nigerian Army condoles with the families of all that lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. Search and rescue efforts are on-going. We are counting on the goodwill and support of the populace in volunteering valuable information that could help in the search and rescue operation. What the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists are doing are pure criminal activities of kidnapping to gain funds. This has been noted and will be jointly addressed in conjunction with other Security Services. The Nigerian Army remains resolute in the fight against terrorism and would not relent in its effort to safe guard lives of citizens, properties and the territorial integrity of the country. Thank you so much for your kind support. More photos below Source: Linda Ikeji The Nigerian Air Force said on Thursday that the Boko Haram terrorists were back to the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State, but said its fighter jets and attack helicopters had bombed the terrorists hideouts 108 times between April and July, 2017. 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. Yusuf said some of the challenges with the air operations were thunderstorms and rainfalls, which impacted negatively on some air operations during the period. He noted that there were days that flights had to be delayed or cancelled on account of poor weather. He stated, 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. Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, on Thursday, regretted that the nations troops, fighting the Boko Haram sect, could not dominate the environment in the rainy season like they did during dry season. Notwithstanding the challenge, Dan-Ali said efforts were ongoing to stop the ambushes regularly laid by the terror group. The minister spoke with State House correspondents after a meeting which acting President Yemi Osinbajo had with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Dan-Ali said the service chiefs were directed to move back to the Command Centre in order to be abreast of what was happening there. The minister stated that it was resolved at the meeting that the government should procure more surveillance devices that would be able to see potential attackers from a distance. Dan-Ali added, 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 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 rainy season is a difficult moment for us. We cannot dominate the environment like what we did during the dry season but effort is geared towards regaining our areas. We assure Nigerians that all these ambushes that are happening regularly would be stopped. Source: ( Punch Newspaper ) Former national chairman of the then All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Yusuf Garba Ali, has exposed the reasons behind the actions of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Former national chairman of the then All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Yusuf Garba Ali, has exposed the reasons behind the actions of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. According to Ali, the Igbos dont want to secede from Nigeria for any reason, Vanguard reports. Garba Ali said: I think even the people in the south east are no longer saying that they want to secede. The Arewa youths also reacted based on what they thought was the decision of majority of the people of the south east. Kanu is still talking of Biafra but leaders from the region have told him that what they need is restructuring and not secession. The question of secession simply does not arise. The Arewa youths also reacted based on what they thought was the decision of majority of the people of the south east. Kanu is still talking of Biafra but leaders from the region have told him that what they need is restructuring and not secession. The question of secession simply does not arise. Despite the Boko Haram crisis in the north east, there are still Igbos living there. There is no part of this country you go to that you do not find another tribe settling there. How do you want to break up the country? I do not believe that Nigeria is going to break. What we have is people blowing hot air. Some are using it for their economic interest. They want recognition. There are lots of people blowing hot air just because they want to be recognized. Source: ( Naij.com ) Six students, Yusuf Farouk, Isiaka Ramon, Pelumi Philips, Peter Jonas, Adebanjo George and Judah Agbaosi were abducted from their hostels- Yellow and Green houses- on May 25 by gunmen clad in police uniform. The six kidnapped students of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, were released on Friday through the combined efforts of the security agencies and Governors Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State. The abducted students revealed that they survived routine beatings, exposure to the elements, starvation, un-hygienic food and water in the kidnappers den. In an interview with TheNation yesterday, one of the students (name withheld) told The Nation: We were blindfolded, kept under the bridge with our legs tied. They fed us eba and crayfish soup. We were also given reddish water to slay our thirst. The maltreatment soon took a toll on them and two fell ill: they bled from the mouth. The victim said their abductors routinely beat them and left them in the open, day and night. He added that the only shelter was a bridge but they had no blankets or additional dresses to shield them from the cold. He continued: They were beating us. They fed us with eba and crayfish soup. They mixed the crayfish with pepper and water and then gave us to eat with eba. They were giving us red water to drink. The water had a bad taste but no odour. It was polluted. They kept us under a bridge. They gave us no bed sheets or blankets. Their only wears all through were the clothes they had on when they were abducted and the replica jerseys provided by the kidnappers. They were the ones who gave us the replica jerseys, he said. The student is now fine and happy to be back home with his family after all the trauma. I have done my medical check up. I am fine and happy to be home with my family, he said and paused, his mood changing immediately. That ended the conversation at the discretion of his interviewer. A second victim (name withheld) said they changed camps thrice during their captivity, enduring starvation at some point. One of the camps was made of cut trees and the kidnappers had to erect a tent to shield them from rain. As time went by the kidnappers allowed the boys to prepare their food, and move around, he said. His mother commended Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni and the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) for standing by them throughout their ordeal. Honestly, I do not want to expose my son to any danger. It is true he fell sick in the camp because we were told then, she said. He was kidnapped while he was recuperating from an illness and so, I think the environment they were kept and the trauma made him sick again. He was examined on Friday night and the doctors asked that we return to the hospital. But he is okay now. A hot and sexy internet slay queen, DC Queen has been murdered with her tongue and private parts cut off. The Ghanaian girl was reportedly killed at Dome Kwabenya on a night out to Just Torch pub with her body having been harvested for rituals. Her friends and family members have taken to Facebook to express shock over the sad incident. Nixon McNeilo wrote: 2000 likes all is vanity ..girls of today dont like debi debi ebeye yieslay queen slay queen,who gave you the crown, u want to pose in a range rover,u dont care how the person made his money..perhaps you dont even ask.he will tell you ooo im a scammer then u too junkie you agree meanwhile a genuine hustler is ib your inbox he has sent you 300 messages but you no reply one sefin this era which white man will u chat nor he will send you money just like that? They only use that as a cover upif u ppl dont wise up trust me every month we will type another rip for another slay queen ..u are jumping from one car to another,one mansion to another so u can pose for likes..me dier i go like,if u die too i go type ripthe so called nkoso gals dey love we slay queens go for ur slay kings RIP QUEEN.. The Nigerian Air Force said on Saturday confirmed that it had deployed thermal imaging cameras to detect Boko Haram suicide bombers, ravaging Borno State and the North-East region. The NAFs spokesman, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, confirmed the deployment, following the spate of suicide bombings that had recently been recorded in Maiduguri. He said, The thermal imaging camera uses infrared and reads temperature differences up to an appreciable distance away; it can also identify a person at an acceptable distance. The cameras, which are mounted on NAF aircraft, can also penetrate obscurants such as smoke, fog and haze. The NAF, in recent times, has stepped up its counter-insurgency operations to further decimate the ability of Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East. The focus has largely been on the conduct of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as interdiction missions on identified terrorist targets. Meanwhile, the militarys attack helicopter and Special Forces from the Nigerian Air Force are now combing the Kafanchan Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following recent fatal clashes between residents and Fulani herdsmen. Our correspondent learnt that at least 15 armed airmen were aboard the Mi-17 attack helicopter deployed. It will be recalled that 37 persons were killed in the latest clashes in the Kajuru Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna last Tuesday, July 18. Adesanya said the deployment was to support the ground forces. He said, The NAF deployed the armed helicopter with force protection elements and other logistics support to Kafanchan. The deployment, ordered by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, is to complement the efforts of the ground forces. Source: ( Punch Newspaper ) The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday gave strict orders to operatives of the Nigerian Army to rescue all those abducted recently by the Boko Haram sect while carrying out oil exploration researches in the Lake Chad Basin Frontier Exploration. The order was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande. Akande quoted the Acting President as saying that those who carried out the ambush which he described as a. unacceptable and criminal conduct must be brought to justice. He said Osinbajo, after an emergency meeting with military chiefs on Thursday, issued fresh directives to the Nigerian military and all security agencies to immediately scale-up their efforts and activities in Borno State in order to maintain a strong, effective control of the situation and secure lives and property. The statement read, While commending the military for the progress already recorded with the rescue of some of the abducted, Prof. Osinbajo has also ordered the continuation of search and rescue missions to locate and ensure the freedom of all remaining abducted persons as soon as possible, using all available and expedient means in the circumstances. He adds that justice would be pursued for the victims and against those who engage in this kind of unacceptable, criminal and terrorist conduct. Acting President Osinbajo pays tribute to the resilience, courage and bravery of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their gallant endeavours and sacrifices for the peace, security and territorial integrity of our country. He eulogises the Nigerian soldiers who have paid the ultimate price in this mission and others linked to the current insurgency, and gives a firm assurance that the welfare of the families of the soldiers will be prioritized. He also commends the diligence of the management and staff of the NNPC, and the lecturers/consultants from the University of Maiduguri in pursuing Federal Governments resolve to grow our countrys current crude oil reserve base through potential exploration in the Lake Chad Basin, stressing that the government will by no means be dissuaded. Osinbajo was further quoted as saying that the nation would never forget the sacrifice of the officials who he said put their lives on the line the current and future generations of Nigerians would the resources of the land. He noted that the objective of the patriotic exercise carried out by the victim was to open up new areas for oil exploration for the common good of all Nigerians. He regretted that the terrorist attack resulted in a number of deaths of hardworking and innocent Nigerians, and the abduction of some. Osinbajo commiserated with the families, relatives and associates of those who lost their lives in the onslaught and wished the injured speedy recovery. Source: ( Punch Newspaper ) The Enugu State Police Command on Saturday released emergency telephone numbers and social media contact addresses for residents to use to reach the police in their collaboration in the battle against crimes. The commands spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that members of the public should collaborate with the police to sustain the tempo of peace in the state. The commands control room numbers are: 08032003702; 08075390883; 08086671202 and 08098880172 for prompt and necessary action. Amaraizu urged residents of the state to be law abiding by not taking laws into their hands, but endeavour to report any issue regarding threat to peace in their environments to the nearest police station. The command is also advising members of the public to report any suspicious person, groups and gathering in their neighbourhoods through the distress call numbers or the social media platforms. Members of the public should not tamper with any suspicious object discovered anywhere, either in the farm, house or road, but should report promptly to the nearest police station, he advised. The spokesman said that the command would continue its partnership with sister security agencies to keep the tempo of crime and criminality at its lowest ebb in the state. -NAN Spainish La Liga chief Javier Tebas, is set to file a complaint with UEFA for financial fair play breaches against Paris Saint-Germain over their pursuit of Brazilian superstar Neymar. PSG are rumoured to be weighing up a bid for the Barcelona forward at more than 200 million euros, enough to trigger the 25-year-olds transfer release clause. La Liga will file this complaint because its a problem for La Ligas competitiveness. Today its happened to Barca, tomorrow it could happen to Real Madrid, its happened to Atletico Madrid, Tebas, the La Liga chairman, told Mundo Deportivo. Should PSG bid, and then pay, the 222 million euros needed to prise Neymar from the Catalan capital, they would struggle to meet UEFAs financial fair play conditions that limit a team to losses of no more than 30 million euros over a three-year cycle. And that is despite a mega-money sponsorship deal with the Qatar tourism board. According to Tebas, no-one believes the commercial revenue figures presented by PSG to justify their spending. PSG cannot have figures in which PSGs commercial rights exceed those of Real Madrid and Barcelona, said Tebas. No-one believes that. Weve carried out economic studies and its impossible. It means that the Qatari state is injecting money and that violates UEFAs financial fair play rules and the European Unions norms of economic competition, and were going to file a complaint. In 2014, PSG were fined 60 million euros and handed transfer spending restrictions by UEFA for breaching financial fair play rules. UEFAs Club Financial Control Body has also stated that PSGs 200 million euros a year image rights contract with the Qatari tourist board is inflated and double its true value. PSG are owned by Oryx Qatar Sports Investments. Source: ( AFP ) The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, are ready to visit President Muhammadu Buhari. A source, who declined to be quoted on the matter because he was not authorised to speak on it, said the two National Assembly leaders did not make any request before their previous visit to Buhari in London, United Kingdom. Only the Presidency can determine who sees the President. Saraki and Dogara can only be invited; they wont lobby to see the President, the source said. It was gathered that some top leaders of the National Assembly had tried to visit the President, but it was unsuccessful. Following the recent visits to the President in London, some of them have however been hopeful that they might be invited to see Buhari. However, SUNDAY PUNCH gathered in Abuja on Saturday that there was no plan by the Presidency to invite leaders of the National Assembly to visit Buhari in London, where he has been receiving medical attention since May 7. Some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, including the partys National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and three state governors, Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), and Yahaya Bello (Kogi), had visited the President in the British capital last Sunday. On Wednesday, seven state governors also visited the President on the platform of the Nigeria Governors Forum. The governors, who were led by their forums chairman, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, included Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Umar Ganduje (Kano), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo). When asked by Punch Correspondence on Saturday if leaders of the National Assembly would also be allowed to visit the President in London, a Presidency official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, there is nothing to prove. Is it a carnival or a jamboree? There is nothing to prove. Even the lawmakers themselves have gone on recess for eight weeks, the source said. The official added that the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, had earlier visited the President. When he was reminded that the two National Assembly leaders visited only during the Presidents first medical trip earlier in the year, the source said, it is the same health saga. There is no difference. Source: ( Punch Newspaper ) An herbalist identified as Adekunle Oseni, has been arrested by the Enugu Police Command for allegedly preparing a concoction for the detection and arrest of thieves, which allegedly killed a 30-year-old woman. Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu Command, Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement on Saturday in Enugu, said the incident took place at Ugbodogwu area of Trans Ekulu in Enugu city on Friday. He said the woman, Ukoro Onyinye, a resident of Ugbodogwu Trans Ekulu, had taken the concoction which was prepared with a goats heart, to enable her detect and arrest thieves that had persistently broken into her shop. Investigation into the womans death revealed that she took some herbal concoctions prepared by Oseni. From our findings, the deceased met the suspect through a neighbour identified as Alesinloye Nuru, after she (deceased) complained of constant burglary of her shop. On July 2, the deceased contacted the suspect who, after listening to her complaint, prepared a concoction which he promised would enable her detect and arrest the thieves. In the early hours of July 28, she (the deceased) started vomiting and was rushed to Colliery Hospital, Enugu, where she was confirmed dead, the statement said. The PPRO said the corpse had been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy, while the suspect was helping the police in their investigation. Source: (NAN) A 23-year-old identified as Sunday Jamilu Abubakar of Babako village in Wushishi Local Government Area has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command for an alleged murder. Abubakar was reportedly trailed and arrested by a team of policemen, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bala Elkana, told SUNDAY PUNCH at his office in Minna. According to Elkana, the suspect was arrested for killing one Ibrahim Gyagyah, who prevented him from stealing two fowls that did not belong to him. The suspect, amid the heated argument, was said to have used a cutlass to hit the victim on the head leading to instant death, before the body was dumped in a river. The PPRO said the operatives discovered the victims body at the bank of the river and arrested the suspect, who was said to have confessed to the crime. Elkana said, We have had enough of these wicked acts in the state. We will continue to deal with them till they change to better people in the society. Elkana stated that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation. Source: ( Punch Newspaper ) On Friday, July 28th, six students of the Lagos Model Scool Igbonla in Epe, Lagos state were rescued by police in Ondo state. They were kidnapped on May 25th and spent 64 days in the kidnappers den. Some of the students have recounted their ordeal to The Nation. According to one of them, the kidnappers blindfolded them and subjected them to routine beating We were blindfolded, kept under the bridge with our legs tied. They fed us eba and crayfish soup. They were beating us. They mixed the crayfish with pepper and water and then gave us to eat with Eba. They were giving us red water to drink. The water had a bad taste but no odour. It was polluted. They kept us under a bridge. They gave us no bed sheets or blankets. The student said they had only the dresses they were kidnapped in and some fake jerseys provided by the kidnappers as their clothes for the period they were kidnapped. He said he was happy he has reunited with his family. I have done my medical check up. I am fine and happy to be home with my family, he said and paused, his mood changing immediately. Another of the student who was kidnapped said they had to change camps thrice during their stay with the kidnappers and that they endured starvation at some point. He revealed that one of the camps was made of cut trees and the kidnappers had to erect a tent to shield them from the rain. He said that after sometime, the kidnapped loosened up and allowed them to move around as well as prepare their own meals. His mother commended Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni and the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) for standing by them throughout their ordeal. Honestly, I do not want to expose my son to any danger. It is true he fell sick in the camp because we were told then. He was kidnapped while he was recuperating from an illness and so, I think the environment they were kept and the trauma made him sick again. He was examined on Friday night and the doctors asked that we return to the hospital. But he is okay now. Source: Linda Ikeji The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, said that the secessionist group will send the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, back to Jos in 2019, Punch has reported. The report stated that Kanu revealed this after he arrived the state where he was welcomed by hundreds of thousands of his supporters. He insisted that there would be no election in Anambra State in November and in the other four the South East States in 2019. According to Kanu, a Sovereign State of Biafra was the only solution to the problem facing the country and not power devolution to States nor restructuring. He urged the relevant authorities to call for a referendum before it is too late. According to Kanu We are in the land of Biafra. I have come to Owerri to spread the good news of the coming of Biafra Republic. I dont want you people to be deceived. Restructuring does not have any meaning and I want you people to go and tell Ohanaeze Ndigbo. There is no freedom in Nigeria. All their children are abroad studying and enjoying good environment. Only referendum can solve the problems of Nigeria. Power devolution is not the solution. Resource control is not our problem. What we need is Biafra. They are going about deceiving our people in the name of restructuring. I want to say it again. There will be no election in Anambra and there will be no election in 2019, in Igboland. And there will be no election in Imo state. Go and tell Rochas Okorocha that I am a child of God. I want you people to tell him that he will leave Government House in 2019 and go back to Jos where he came from. Let him get ready. Elon Musk is one of the most forward-thinking innovators of our time, so its particularly troubling to hear him fear-mongering about the future of artificial intelligence (AI). At the recent National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C., Musk renewed his call for the federal government to actively regulate AI research. A deregulation-minded Washington is unlikely to create a new federal AI agency, as Musk would like, but his comments could damage AIs enormous potential for social good. And to be clear, his words are not half-hearted. At the governors meeting, he warned that AI is a fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization, justifying proactive regulation to make sure that we dont do something very foolish. And, a few years ago, he compared AI research to summoning the demon, where the certainty that the guy with the pentagram and the holy water can control the demon doesnt work out. Musk is not alone in sounding an alarm. In 2014, Stephen Hawking, Stuart Russell, Max Tegmark and Frank Wilczek said, Success in creating AI would be the biggest event in human history. Unfortunately, it might also be the last, unless we learn how to avoid the risks. For years, that same doomsday message has been delivered by other high-profile thinkers, including back in 1965, when computer scientist I. J. Goode warned that the first ultra-intelligent machine is the last invention that man need ever make, provided that the machine is docile enough to tell us how to keep it under control. At a high level, the dream of AI is the development of a single system or linked group of systems that not only perform a range of disparate tasks, but autonomously reprogram to learn new tasks. From there, it is easy to imagine a system that can improve in a self-directed way, and in virtually any field. And when it eventually applies its learning capacity to self-improvement, it wont be long before it far surpasses anything that humans have been able to do. Fears of losing control to machines are not entirely unreasonable, particularly as smart technologies become everyday parts of our lives and specially designed computing systems become more capable, and in more fields. They recognize speech and spam, detect fraudulent transactions, select military targets, make educational recommendations, diagnose diseases, drive our cars, and beat humans at chess and Go. And increasingly, they perform jobs that were previously reserved for humans. But in reality, todays predictions of imminent human-level intelligence remain as speculative as they were at the dawn of the computer age. Andrew Moore, Dean of Carnegie Mellons School of Computer Science, throws cold water on the potential for self-directed machines, saying, no one has any idea how to do that. Its real science fiction. Its like asking researchers to start designing a time machine. He estimates that 98 percent of AI researchers are currently focused on engineering systems that can help people make better decisions, rather than simulate human consciousness. Cutting-edge companies like IBM say clearly, Cognitive systems will not realistically attain consciousness or independent agency. Rather, they will increasingly be embedded in the processes, systems, products, and services by which business and society function all of which will and should remain within human control. Of course, research precautions should be taken, as scientific institutes such as The Future of Humanity Institute and the Future of life Institute have urged. Their recently developed Asilomar Principles urge researchers to design AI systems so that their goals and behaviors can be assured to align with human values throughout their operation. And the government should not shy away from using federal research dollars to encourage the development of AI research with the right approach, such as the human-compatible AI design philosophy recently advanced by AI scientist Stuart Russell. In addition, task-specific AI systems can raise special issues that policymakers should monitor. For instance, many technologists, including Musk, think the development of autonomous weapons systems is immoral and have asked national and international governments to ban them. And, at some point, they may need to consider legislation to promote the development of specific AI applications. For instance, legislation to create a uniform national regulatory scheme for autonomous cars is on the Congressional agenda this year with strong support from the technology and automotive industries. But speculative fear shouldnt lead us into creating an omnibus regulatory structure to oversee all AI research. Theres simply no evidence that truly self-directing machines are around the corner, and a regulatory agency to supervise AI research is clearly a solution in search of a problem. Whats worse, a fear-driven policy approach could significantly slow the development of AI systems that will make our homes and roads safer, cure deadly and costly illnesses, drive economic progress, and lead to many other societal advancements. Government should be looking for ways to promote AI rather than creating regulatory roadblocks. From August 2-8, 2017, ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners, including rivals China and the United States, will have a series of key security meetings in the Philippines. Casting a shadow upon these meetings and haunting the corridors will be recent developments regarding the South China Sea. Indeed, it is no coincidence that tensions are flaring and diplomatic lobbying is intensifying as the meetings draw nigh. Their result may indicate whether China or the US has the diplomatic upper hand, and if ASEAN can unite and play a serious role in the mitigation of these issues or is becoming increasingly irrelevant. While there will be other important issues on the agendas, the focus of many observers will be on ASEAN countries positions on the South China Sea issues, with the US-China dialectic being the proverbial elephant in the room. Chinas recent behavior regarding the South China Sea is likely to be front and center. Last week, it was reported that China threatened to attack Vietnams military installations on features it occupies there if Vietnam did not halt its lessee Repsol from drilling in Block 136-03, which China also apparently claims. This has not been confirmed by either Repsol or any Vietnamese official. Nevertheless, when asked if China had pressured Vietnam on this matter, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang seemed to confirm the report by saying that China urges the relevant party to ease the relevant unilateral infringing activities and with practical actions safeguard the hard-earned positive situation in the South China Seas. He did not define practical actions but this could mean sharing, such as joint development. This report came on the heels of Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes revelation that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him regarding planned Philippines sanctioned oil exploration on the disputed Reed Bank: If you force the issue, well go to war. This could have been an observation rather than a threat. But the history of that dispute indicates otherwise. In 2005, oil companies in the Philippines, China and Vietnam signed a joint maritime seismic undertaking in an area that included Reed Bank. But that arrangement foundered on Philippine domestic politics and constitutional concerns. It was not extended and Philippines-China relations rapidly went downhill. In 2011, Chinese vessels harassed an Anglo-Filipino consortiums seismic survey ship at the Reed Bank. In 2015, the Philippines suspended exploration there while awaiting the ruling on its complaints filed against China with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. On July 12, 2017, it was announced that Philippines-sanctioned drilling on Reed Bank might resume before the end of the year. President Xis observation followed. In both instances, these apparent threats to use force involved what China sees as unilateral exploration for and eventual production of petroleum in disputed areas. Indeed, Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that In waters where there are overlapping of maritime rights and interest, if one party goes for unilateral development there the other party will take the same actions. It is true that precedential international arbitration rulings prohibit unilateral actions in disputed areas that change the nature of the area, such as drilling. However, in both these cases, the only rationale that China might have for claiming the areas in question has already been rejected by an arbitration panel. Nevertheless, it would appear that despite the arbitration panels ruling, Chinas nine-dash line historical claim to sovereignty over the resources and features encompassed by it or alternatively, a potential claim to 200nm Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) around some of these features, which was also rejected is still very much alive. This fundamental security dilemma has now become plain for all to see an increasingly aggressive China eroding a US-led status quo with a divided and increasingly irrelevant ASEAN. If this is truly the position China is taking that it still claims the nine-dash line or EEZs and will use force to enforce its claim it will have serious implications for China-ASEAN and China-US relations. Indeed, the US will argue that this is a violation of the existing international order which it helped build and still leads. Moreover, the US, Japan and Vietnam are likely to use these actions to attempt to unite ASEAN against China at least on this set of issues. Contributing to the increased tension, the US has resumed its Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) against Chinas claims there and US FONOPs are now likely to become more frequent and provocative under the Trump administration much to Chinas chagrin. Chinas actions have already exacerbated tensions between some ASEAN members and China at a particularly sensitive time. China is trying to prevent interference by outside parties (the US and Japan) in the run-up to, and at the ASEAN and ASEAN-Plus meetings. On July 26 in Manila, Wang Yi warned that If there are still some non-regional forces or forces in the region that dont want to see stability in the South China Sea and they still want to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, we need to stand together and say no to them together. Also in play is Xis desire to appear patriotic, steadfast and strong to bolster the likelihood of his reappointment at the 19th Chinese Communist Party meeting this coming fall. A confrontation with the Philippines, particularly involving the use of force, would drive it and much of ASEAN into the US camp. China is hopeful of avoiding such by forging a joint development agreement in the disputed area with the Philippines. Duterte is so inclined and negotiations are ongoing. But a serious obstacle is that the Philippines Constitution prohibits a 50:50 sharing of resources under Philippine sovereignty. Such joint ventures must be at least a 60:40 split in favor of the Philippines. Agreement by China to such a split could be interpreted as a de facto recognition of Philippine sovereignty over the resource. Duterte has promised to consult all other ASEAN members before proceeding. This could be a stalling tactic. The meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers and China will also consider the proposed Framework for a Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (COC). The draft framework has been agreed by the representatives of ASEAN and China and is likely to be approved by their Foreign Ministers. However, it is very thin. It does not mention the legal nature of the COC, the area it will apply to, how to settle disputes, and how to ensure compliance. All are major stumbling blocks to agreement on a COC. Indeed, there are likely to be many a slip twixt the cup and the lip before a binding COC is ever agreed. These are some of the issues that will be debated and shape the outcome of the upcoming meetings in Manila. They are important in themselves but one should always be aware of the context in which they are embedded the contest between China and the US for dominance in the region. This fundamental security dilemma has now become plain for all to see an increasingly aggressive China eroding a US-led status quo with a divided and increasingly irrelevant ASEAN. At these meetings, the South China Sea issues will be the superficial and symbolic foil for this titanic geopolitical struggle. A gangster who hid a gun linked to two murders and stashed hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine has been jailed for a decade, Scotland Yard said. Andre Chambers, 34, of Woolwich in south-east London, had evaded detectives for three years before his capture, and admitted the charges at Croydon Crown Court on Friday July 28, according to the Met. Chambers, of Harlinger Street, had earlier pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, possessing ammunition without a certificate and two counts of having class A drugs with intent to supply. In September 2013, officers found a hidden 9mm Glock handgun, eight bullets and hundreds of grams of high-purity cocaine at a property in Southwark that Chambers was living in. Forensic analysis found it was used to murder 24-year-old Errol Davis at a nightclub near London Bridge in 2008. It was also linked to the murder of 25-year-old Larry Safie in East Dulwich in 2009. It was further found to have been used in two attempted murders in both 2007 and 2009. Scotland Yard said Chambers did not commit the killings, but was holding the gun for other gang members. A man was arrested and charged over the murders of Safie and Davis but was acquitted following a trial. Inquiries continue in both investigations, the Met said. Chambers was caught in a minicab near Woolwich Ferry in October last year, more than a year-and-a-half after a 20,000 reward was offered for information on his location. Acting Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe said a "dangerous man" was off the streets following the three-year hunt. He added: "Chambers did everything he could to evade capture and no doubt got complacent and thought he had got away with the offences committed in 2013. "I hope his sentence serves as a warning to those intent on concealing weapons and dealing drugs, we will continue to pursue you no matter the length of time." A leading activist and an opposition candidate have been killed as voting gets underway in Venezuela for a controversial new assembly. Jose Felix Pineda, a 39-year-old lawyer running in the election, was shot in his home while Ricardo Campos, a youth secretary with the opposition party, was shot dead during a protest. The deaths are the latest result of violence in the country as President Nicolas Maduro seeks to set up a new assembly with powers to re-write the country's constitution following today's vote. Venezuela's leader casts vote for 'super power' assembly Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asked for global acceptance as he cast his vote for an all-powerful constitutional assembly that opponents fear will replace the country's democracy with a single-party authoritarian system. Accompanied by close advisers and state media, Mr Maduro voted at 6.05 am local time, far earlier and less publicly than in previous elections. The run-up to the vote has been marked by months of clashes between protesters and the government, including the fatal shooting of a 61-year-old nurse by men accused of being pro-government paramilitaries during a protest at a church a few hundred feet from the school where Mr Maduro voted. The president and his socialist administration deny links to violent paramilitaries and say the political opposition is responsible for the violence that has left at least 113 dead and nearly 2000 wounded in four months of protests. Nicolas Maduro "We've stoically withstood the terrorist, criminal violence," Mr Maduro said. "Hopefully the world will respectfully extend its arms toward our country." The opposition is boycotting Sunday's vote, contending the election has been structured to ensure Mr Maduro's socialist party continues to dominate. All 5,500 candidates for the 545 seats in the constituent assembly are Mr Maduro's supporters and the vote's success is being measured by turnout. The government is encouraging participation with tactics that include offering social benefits like subsidised food to the poor and threatening state workers' jobs if they don't vote. Opinion polls say more than 70% of the country is opposed to the vote. The special assembly being selected on Sunday will have powers to rewrite the country's 1999 constitution but will also have powers above and beyond other state institutions, including the opposition-controlled congress. While opinion polls say a vast majority oppose him, Mr Maduro made clear in a televised address Saturday evening that he intends to use the assembly to govern without limitation, describing the vote as "the election of a power that's above and beyond every other. It's the super power!" He said he wants the assembly to strip opposition legislators of their constitutional immunity from prosecution and indicated he is eager to prosecute many more members of the opposition parties that control a handful of state governments along with the National Assembly, providing one of the few remaining checks on the power of the socialist party that has ruled this OPEC nation for nearly two decades. "The right wing already has its prison cell waiting," the president said. "All the criminals will go to prison for the crimes they've committed." Saying the assembly will begin to govern within a week, Mr Maduro said its first task in rewriting the constitution will be "a total transformation" of the office of Venezuela's chief prosecutor, a former government loyalist who has become the highest-ranking official to publicly split from the president. AP Three people have died in protests at a controversial vote that opposition leaders fear will trigger the end of democracy in Venezuela. Two men died in Merida whilst a third, 30-year-old Ricardo Campos, was killed in a separate incident in Sucre. Sunday, July 30th, 2017 (8:18 am) - Score 5,177 After a lot of negotiation the Government and BT have today proposed a deal that could see the operator fund a new Universal Service Obligation (USO), which will aim to ensure that everybody can request a broadband download speed of at least 10Mbps by 2020. Now for the caveats. At present fixed line superfast broadband (24Mbps+) connections are already estimated to cover around 93% of homes and businesses in the United Kingdom and the Governments Broadband Delivery UK programme predicts that this could reach 97% by 2020, which leaves around 3% of premises in predominantly rural areas (plus some disadvantaged urban spots) to suffer from slow connectivity; this is where the USO will focus. Catering for the final 3% by delivering universal fixed line coverage of superfast broadband would be hugely expensive (the BSG estimated up to 1.4bn) and so the cash-strapped Government initially proposed a slower Universal Service Obligation (USO) to fill the gap, which pledged to provide an affordable connection that can deliver Internet speeds of at least 10Mbps (estimated to cost anything from 180m and up to 1bn). The proposal was a significant step up from the current USO, which is delivered exclusively via fixed lines and only requires KCOM (Hull only) or BT (Openreach) to deliver, following the reasonable request of any End-user (i.e. demand-led), a telephone service that includes the ability to offer data rates that are sufficient to permit functional internet access (here); this was such a low bar that even slow dial-up lines could hit it. The new rule forms part of the Governments Digital Economy Act 2017 and weve included an extract from that below. DEAct 2017 Extract (2A) The provision made under subsection (1) is referred to as the universal service order. (2B) The universal service order may in particular say that broadband connections and services must be provided to any extent, but may not do so unless (a) it specifies the minimum download speed that must be provided by those connections and services, and (b) the speed so specified is at least 10 megabits per second. (2C) The universal service order may contain (a) guidance about matters relating to the speed or other characteristics of broadband connections or services that it says must be provided (as well as or, except in the case of the minimum download speed, instead of setting out any of those characteristics); and (b) guidance about any other matters relating to those connections or services. Oddly the Government has chosen Sunday to launch a major consultation on the USO design, which is perhaps a reaction to yesterdays cross-party Broadbad 2.0 report from Grant Shapps MP (here). As part of todays announcement the Government has also confirmed that BT have offered to voluntarily fund the 10Mbps USO and the operator claims this would involve an estimated investment of 450m 600m (depending on the final technology solution). The new USO would be considered a minimum performance level that BT, upon request from an end-user, must deliver (i.e. most properties will get much faster speeds than 10Mbps). BT proposes that they would fund this investment and recover its costs through the charges for products providing access to its local access networks, albeit only if Ofcom factors this in when setting future regulation (i.e. Ofcoms plan to cut the cost of Openreachs 40Mbps [10Mbps upload] FTTC product (here) may need to be softened). Gavin Patterson, BTs CEO, said: We are pleased to make a voluntary offer to deliver the Governments goal for universal broadband access at minimum speeds of 10Mbps. This would involve an estimated investment of 450m 600m depending on the final technology solution. This investment will reinforce the UKs status as the leading digital economy in the G20. We already expect 95% of homes and businesses to have access to superfast broadband speeds of 24Mbps or faster by the end of 2017. Our latest initiative aims to ensure that all UK premises can get faster broadband, even in the hardest to reach parts of the UK. BT is expected to reach most of those in the final 3% by using their modified Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC / VDSL2) technology, which is called Long Reach VDSL (details here, here and here); this would be sold like normal FTTC packages via ISPs. Other technology solutions like FTTP, FTTrN, WTTC and G.fast may also have a role to play. Openreach has previously indicated that LR-VDSL could enable their fibre broadband network to cover 99%+ of homes in the United Kingdom by the end of 2020 (i.e. the 99% figure is likely to support speeds of 24Mbps+), but that would still leave a question mark over the final 1% and this is where the deal includes a few caveats. The USO Caveats * BT expects to complete the build of this fixed network by either December 2021 or December 2022 depending on the mix of technologies used, some of which are subject to trial and industry consultation. This is obviously later than the 2020 date and so a few changes are required (see below). * BT plans to launch the fixed wireless broadband service so that the UK will have 10Mbps coverage to around 99% by the end of 2020. Fixed wireless will be made available at an affordable price for hard to reach premises. At this stage its unclear whether BT will harness EEs 4G network for this (makes the most sense) or adopt a different approach, such as White Space wireless (they trialled it some years ago). * The expectation is that around 0.3% of UK premises will still be un-served by a 10Mbps fixed line USO come 2022 and so inferior Satellite technology will be used to cater for these, which is unlikely to go down well with those affected. * All of these technologies will come with quality standards and requirements to minimise delays from contention and latency, although sadly upload speeds would only be required to deliver a minimum performance of 1Mbps and that is already starting to look very slow by modern standards. * The Government also appears to be considering data cap of at least 100GB per month for their USO (Ofcoms data from 2016 suggested that the average broadband connection already uses 153GB and this will no doubt be a lot higher by 2020). The other catch is that Openreachs LR-VDSL technology works best when older ADSL broadband services are disabled, which complicates the roll-out because ISPs then need to be convinced to play ball and vested interests can make that tricky. Encouraging consumers to swap from ADSL to LR-VDSL lines could also be made more difficult if Ofcom is required to soften their proposal for a cheaper 40Mbps FTTC tier (see our earlier comment). On the upside the new deal wont require the Government to commit any additional public investment towards the USO and they wont need to force a complicated industry levy upon fixed line connections, which are already suffering under a weight of new regulations and associated implementation costs. However the Government are keen to stress that they have yet to make a decision on whether or not to adopt BTs voluntary USO proposal or enforce one of their own and they promise to work with BT to develop its proposal over the coming months, which suggests that they have yet to reach full agreement on some details (this may be a reference to the demands that BT are making of Ofcom and / or other issues). Karen Bradley MP, UK Culture Secretary, said: The government is taking action to ensure that people everywhere in the UK can get a decent broadband connection as soon as possible. We warmly welcome BTs offer and now will look at whether this or a regulatory approach works better for homes and businesses. Whichever of the two approaches we go with in the end, the driving force behind our decision making will be making sure we get the best deal for consumers. We should point out that what the Government are proposing broadly appears to reflect Scenario 2 in Ofcoms earlier USO cost analysis (here). The cost of serving the most expensive premises is estimated to be around 45,000 in all three of their scenarios and as a result Ofcom suggested that a Reasonable Cost Threshold (RCT) be introduced to limit the upper bound of the costs. The Governments consultation notes that the final USO proposal will include a cost threshold of 3,400 per premise. We note that the existing USO, which only caters for basic copper telephone lines, already has a cost threshold of 3,400 but this should not be used as a comparison because, as the Broadband Stakeholders Group said, the benefits derived from network use for voice and for broadband are different. Whatever the decision, the Government has confirmed that in all cases they will expect that costs should be met by industry through a cost- sharing mechanism which will be established by Ofcom once the specification for the USO has been set in secondary legislation. The cost threshold will also support demand aggregation, which means that several home owners could demand the USO and the cost threshold would have to adapt (rise) accordingly (this creates more flexibility to deploy better infrastructure). The new USO is also expected to include a review clause, which would enable the performance level to be revised in the future as networks improve. At this point its worth remembering that USOs are intended to define the minimum level of service, not a maximum. Critics of todays proposal will no doubt call for a faster minimum than 10Mbps (Labour and the Liberal Democrats both wanted a 30Mbps USO), although this would cost significantly more. The closing date for responses is 9th October 2017. UPDATE 31st July 2017 (8am) Weve had a few emails asking (i.e. raising concern) about a related report in one of the newspapers, which suggests that broadband bills could rise by 20 if the proposed USO were introduced. However the figure of 20 appears to be an oversimplification with regards to how the cost of BTs USO might be apportioned or managed and it doesnt consider a time-scale for balancing that cost. Assuming the figure of 20 is even correct (looks like a rough guesstimate) then its obviously not a monthly increase and instead the cost is more likely to be recouped over a number of years, which could easily be conducted via one-off setup fees for new services or smaller increases / changes in any number of different areas at wholesale. By the sounds of it BT appear to be using their proposal as more of a bargaining chip to reduce the expected impact from some of Ofcoms recent proposals, such as the forthcoming reduction (charge control) to 40Mbps FTTC prices at wholesale (see above). Assuming the regulator were to compromise then its conceivable that end-users may not see any increase above the usual level of annual price rises. UPDATE 31st July 2017 (11:01am) The Country Land and Business Association, which represents 30,000+ land owners and rural businesses from across England and Wales, has vowed to fight any attempt to water down the USO by BT and the Government. However so far the USO is still in a design stage and so technically nothing has been watered down, yet. Ross Murray, CLA President, said: We will fight any attempt to water down the hard won legal right to broadband for rural homes and businesses. For too long, rural areas have been at the back of the queue when it comes to investment in infrastructure and that is why this legal principle is not something to compromise on. The Universal Service Obligation is necessary because it creates an inalienable right that can be enforced by the premise owner. It cannot be replaced by a cosy deal with just one company allowing it to deliver connection how it sees fit. Accountability for delivering the rollout of broadband has been a closed shop discussion between the industry and the regulator for too long. It is this that the USO would end, making the consumer the enforcer. Its no wonder BT Group doesnt want that. The CLA suggests that the USO cannot be replaced by a cosy deal with just one company allowing it to deliver connection how it sees fit. On the other hand Ofcoms earlier consultation found that nobody else (ISPs) wanted to take on the financial and legal responsibility of a USO and indeed Openreach controls the biggest national network, so there isnt a magic multi-operator fix for this one. On top of that the USO deal proposed by BT probably wouldnt cover the Hull area of East Yorkshire, where wed expect KCOM to continue holding responsibility unless Openreach plan to over-build their network. Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Close Nicandro Durante, the top executive of British American Tobacco PLC, came to Winston-Salem occasionally during his 2008-10 term on Reynolds American Inc.s board of directors. Fridays visit was different, not just because it was his first as chief executive of the merged companies. BAT on Tuesday completed its $54.5 billion purchase of the 57.8 percent of Reynolds it didnt already own. Durante, BATs CEO for 6 years, took the time to venture from the boardroom through the hallways and onto the Tobaccoville plant floor to celebrate with Reynolds employees what he considered to be the consummation of a marriage made in heaven between two extremely successful companies. BAT paid $54.5 billion for total ownership. Legacy Reynolds shareholders now own 19 percent of BAT. The merger formed the worlds largest publicly traded tobacco manufacturer with combined fiscal 2016 revenues of $30.55 billion $18.8 billion from BAT and $11.75 billion from Reynolds. That revenue line is likely to become significantly higher once BAT takes Newport, the top-selling menthol cigarette brand, and Vuse, the top-selling electronic-cigarette brand, into more than 200 global markets. That business possibility alone was enticing enough for the BAT and Reynolds boards. However, Durante said gaining full access to Reynolds cutting-edge next-generation innovations compelled BATs decision to purchase the company even though some analysts questioned the need to buy the cow when a vapor technology-sharing agreement finalized in December already offered the milk. At the end of the day, our business is made up of talent, and Reynolds has great talent, Durante said. This deal gives BAT the ability to move forward with the best of both companies to form an even stronger company with talent pools and ideas being exchanged both ways. Product decisions Durante said BAT will explore what products from its traditional-cigarette portfolio would be appropriate to bring to the U.S. market, whether Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike or Rothmans, going along with the theme of combining the best of the best from their portfolios. Debra Crew, Reynolds chief executive, said the timing will depend in part on how U.S. Food and Drug Administration industry regulations evolve when it comes to new-market entrants, whether well-established brands of traditional cigarettes or next-generation products. Durante confirmed that glo, BATs heat-not-burn cigarette being sold in Japan, will be submitted for FDA regulatory review. Its hard to speculate on what Washington is going to do right now, Crew said. We are working very well with the FDA on developing next-generation products. Whatever we do, Durante said, we would want to complement the brands you have here. Debra will have the ability to decide which of our combustible cigarette products will work here and complement its products to strengthen the business in the United States. Durante smiled when he began discussing the introduction of two very innovative products in Brazil, our vapor cigarettes Vype and Vype Raptor. BAT markets Vype Raptor as vapor technology that releases nicotine into the bloodstream faster, giving a more traditional smoking-like experience than other vapor products. Given how complex it is to introduce a combustible cigarette in the U.S. market, we may put more effort into the next-generation products, Durante said. Crew said Reynolds board of directors understood that selling Newport and Vuse on a global basis would be challenging financially and logistically, with a dependable supply chain needing to be put in place. For Reynolds, its quite exciting to see the global potential for these products become a reality, Crew said. Smooth integration BAT said in a Jan. 18 regulatory filing that 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 Co. production plant in Tennessee. Reynolds is estimated to have between 2,000 and 2,200 employees locally, the majority of whom work at its plant in Tobaccoville. Overall, it had 5,500 full-time and 50 part-time employees as of Dec. 31, 2016. The total includes 3,700 employees at Reynolds Tobacco, 500 at Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. and 600 at American Snuff. Durante stressed that the beauty of this deal is there is very little overlap of the companies, which will make integration much simpler and give us really no reason to change things here. With our previous representation on the Reynolds board (through its then-42.2 percent ownership stake), if we had had any concerns about how Reynolds was being run, we would have addressed them before now, he said. We were so happy with the 42 percent ownership that we decided to buy the other 58 percent and keep the management in place, Durante said with a chuckle. There will be changes as the business evolves, such as there have been in Brazil, in Russia, but not because of this deal. It will be business as usual. When asked about what to expect from a community and philanthropic perspective, Durante said BAT has a deep history and engagement in the communities in which we operate similar to what you have seen here at Reynolds. Crew said that Reynolds merging with a global tobacco-manufacturing power will bring a greater level of local employment and community stability in an industry experiencing tremendous change, whether FDA regulation or product innovations. It offers opportunity for expansion in the community, so were quite excited about it, she said. Durante said that as BAT explores which BAT products to bring to the United States, it is likely those products will be made domestically, as they are in other major BAT markets. I have found it is very difficult to sell product in the U.S. that isnt made in the U.S., he said. The reverse could be true, at least in the short term, in terms of ramping up local Newport and Vuse production once BAT decides how and where it wants to sell those products globally. Strategic decisions Durante said it made sense for BAT to take its time, both financially and strategically, on acquiring full ownership of Reynolds after the 10-year moratorium on buying more stock ended on July 30, 2014. He said the financials had to work to make the deal work, and the financials began to get there last fall. One part was Reynolds decision, with BATs blessing, to spend $29.25 billion in June 2015 to purchase Greensboro rival and No. 3 U.S. tobacco-manufacturer Lorillard Inc., who was the owner of the Newport brand. Durante stressed, however, that neither he nor the BAT board lobbied Reynolds to buy Lorillard in hopes of BAT gaining access to Newport through BAT later buying Reynolds. Our independent directors on the Reynolds board were to vote for the benefit of the best strategic decisions for 100 percent of Reynolds shareholders, and not just the 42 percent of BAT, he said. There was not a master plan from BAT that you had to buy Lorillard, and then we buy Reynolds. We are smart, but were not that smart Durante said. We also had 200 other global markets to run at that time as well. Reynolds presented a case to us to buy Lorillard, just as they did to the other 58 percent of shareholders at that time, he said. We thought it made a lot of financial and strategic success. Another factor in BATs decision to purchase the rest of Reynolds was the lower cost of borrowing the money needed to make a $54.5 billion transaction work. BAT plans to pay for the purchase through $24.4 billion in cash, much of which is being borrowed, and $30.1 billion in the new BAT shares. The Brexit influence on the British economy made a U.S. investment, rather than a European investment, make more sense in terms of where to invest BATs increased equity value, Durante said. We also thought Reynolds had progressed to a strong position in the U.S. market with the top-selling menthol, super-premium (Natural American Spirit), e-cig and moist snuff (Grizzly) brands, he said. Its a natural process, and in this instance, one plus one here is more than two. After a quarter-century of extolling the virtues of operating a business in Davidson County, Steve Googe experienced the economic-development industrys version of a walk-off homer before his retirement, planned for this Monday. Googe, president and chief executive of the countys Economic Development Commission, stressed he didnt time his departure to coincide with announcing July 24 Davidson Countys largest-ever capital-investment project. Googe, 70, had been working with Egger Wood Products since May 2016 on a planned $700 million particle-board production plant that could have up to 770 employees by 2032 in the I-85 Corporate Center industrial park. To choose its location, Egger reviewed 50 sites in seven states and picked finalists in Georgia and South Carolina states that have eaten North Carolinas recruitment lunch in recent years. Yet, Googe couldnt help but let loose some sly grins as he graciously accepted attaboys and pats on his back including from Gov. Roy Cooper while sharing his retirement reception with Egger officials. Although Coopers presence was to officially welcome the Austrian company to Davidson and the state, he recognized Googes recruiting prowess by presenting him with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the states highest civilian honor. This award states that Steve is now an ambassador for the state, but truth is, he has been one for many, many years, Cooper said. Egger could have gone anywhere in the seven states it reviewed. It chose Davidson County because there are people here who understand the furniture industry, who understand hard work and being industrious, and have a can-do attitude. Theres nobody better to symbolize all that in Davidson County than Steve Googe, Cooper said. Googe agrees theres a satisfaction in going out on your own terms, whether as a professional athlete, a corporate executive or an economic development recruiter. I did not feel this project would be the last one because weve worked on other projects since the initial talks, Googe said Part of the clients requirement we met was to have all commitments signed by July 24, a date Egger had picked for his retirement reception. Although greatly appreciated, I wanted the focus to be on the client and the project, but it worked out very nicely to have both on the same day. Old-school recruiter As most people who have negotiated with Googe readily testify, he is old school to his core. In an era in which companies pursuing economic incentives typically are identified at the legal notice step, Googe kept their name secret, sometimes yielding only with a signed incentive agreement. He gives a nickname to each project, some that give the community a hint to the companys identity, and some that try to throw media and others off the trail. The Lexington Dispatch teased Googe about his departure last week with the tagline Project Retirement. Although Googes close-to-the-chest approach has spurred its fair share of frustration with county and city elected officials, and occasional head butting with the media, his track record built over time a reservoir of trust in his process. Michael Egger, co-chairman of Egger, shared it was a little challenging at first negotiating with Googe given that it was two hard-headed individuals coming with their agendas. But our discussions led to understanding, and understanding led to compromise that led us to today. It was a hard job, but a fantastic job, and were very happy to be in North Carolina. For his part, Googe said, I learned a lot about Egger in the process, which helped me to convey to them how Davidson was such a good fit for them with our workforce. As such, even as I prepare to retire, I look at the Egger process as not an end, but a foundation for future projects and the development of a friendship for years to come. Tenacity pays off Tommy Hedrick, long-time chairman of the Davidson economic commission, joked during Googes retirement reception that if I open the door to everyone here who wanted to roast Steve, wed be here until midnight. Tony Copeland, the states Commerce secretary, said the Egger negotiations demonstrated one final time that when it comes to Steve Googe and a project, its always bolt down the hatches and full steam ahead. Rep. Larry Potts, R-Davidson, and former county commissioner chairman, said the Egger recruitment epitomizes Googes legacy as a tireless, hard-nosed recruiter. In the early 2000s, our county lost more than 13,000 jobs in furniture, textiles and supplier jobs, Potts said. That includes the closing of every Lexington Home Brands and Thomasville Furniture plant, as well as those with Stanley Furniture Co. and Councill Craftsman. Steve Googe became president of our EDC during that period (2002) and has literally traveled the world recruiting industry and selling Davidson County and North Carolina, Potts said. He is tenacious in his efforts to lure industry here. Our county is in excellent industrial shape, and that is in part to his efforts. Lexington Mayor Newell Clark said I had been hearing for years from people growing a little tired about wanting to see progress with the I-85 Corporate Center project. I kept telling people were going forward and to have faith in Steves work behind the scenes. This agreement with Egger is just one more example of his ability to help the community, and we hope to set a foundation with the Corporate Center for future success, Clark said. Kelly Craver, Thomasvilles city manager, cited Googes efforts to breathe new life into vacant manufacturing plants by assisting local governments in securing grants to reuse and revitalize those facilities. Loren Hill, president of the High Point Economic Development Corp., credited Googe with recognizing that collaborating on some projects particularly in the post-Dell plant period was often the better recruitment course to take since companies often dont pay attention to county and city boundaries when reviewing available workforce. We have worked on projects together because we are not only next-door neighbors, but also since we share territory the part of High Point that extends into Davidson County, Hill said. Whether being with him locally or traveling with him in Europe on a N.C. business development mission, I found him to be a fighter for Davidson County, a tough negotiator, a knowledgeable professional, and a fun guy to be around socially. Mary Rittling, president of Davidson County Community College, said Googe is motivated by his desire to do right by the community, including promoting the role that education, technology and job training plays in moving our community forward. She added with a smile that Steve does enjoy the competition of selling what we have to offer to a company. Big job losses When asked to name which project showed Davidson would recover from the devastating job losses from 2001 through 2009, Googe and Rittling both pointed to the recruitment of the Unilin Flooring NC LLC project in 2005 that included a 700,000-square-foot plant. Even though Unilin, a Belgian company that specializes in laminate flooring, has experienced the ebbs and flows of the home furnishings industry the past 12 years, it had found a stable level of production in Thomasville with about 300 employees. Michael Egger cited Unilin having success in Davidson as giving his company confidence that they could thrive here as well. This project will always stand out as a great success due to the size and the fact that we were able to beat out what we then thought were very formidable competitors for the project, Googe said. The project gave the community, as well as me, the confidence to know that the re-engineering of our community was possible and achievable. His quest to replace those more than 13,000 home furnishings, textiles and supplier jobs kept him a world traveler at an age when many economic officials are getting cozy with their couches. Googes recruitment travels had him pursuing projects in at least 22 countries. The more the merrier job-recruiting approach helped Davidson show a net gain of jobs by 2011 even when the rest of the Triad and country still was struggling to emerge from the Great Recession. In looking at a 2001 manufacturing manual I found, when we relocated from DCCC in 2013, I noticed that 71 percent of the companies listed in 2001 did not exist here in 2013, Googe said. We have announced a little over 25,000 jobs since Ive been here. Weve announced about $2.2 billion worth of investment. Googe said it became clear in the early 2000s that the fertile area was Europe, mainly due to the sinking value of the U.S. dollar. Many of these countries that arrived are small in population and area, and have survived for many centuries due to their very astute and tenacious ability to negotiate... Sitting across the table from these very capable projects certainly honed my inferior negotiation skills. I would credit any success we had to this schooling. For me, this was a skill developed by losing a lot of projects. Googe said negotiations showed him how individuals can aggressively argue for hours, then stop for lunch and walk arms over shoulders to the diner. That instilled the idea that work is work and friendship is friendship, and both can function together as long as they are structured separately. That said, Googe admitted that being focused or single-minded could look like being hardheaded, but Im sure Im guilty of all three. Understanding your clients Googe acknowledged that his work ethic of best effort all the time, while very fruitful, has worn on him since early 2016. As I age, it is clear I have less time, which I believe creates a subconscious effort to enhance performance and the time commitment I spend on any project, Googe said. This effort has caused me to prioritize (my job), normally leaving personal (needs) and family second, something I plan to correct. Googe was succeeded by Craig Goodson as the commissions top executive on Friday. Googe will provide some consulting assistance as the Egger project aims for a December 2018 construction start and early 2020 beginning of production. I wanted to see a stable switch with a leader that had the experience and the personality to quickly be accepted and create successes in stride, Googe said. Getting this person in place took a strong commitment and some time, but with Craig in place, we all feel this has been accomplished. Craig brings experience and ability to the commission, and has developed several projects that are currently in process which will be announced shortly. Googe said retirement will include managing several personal investment properties. When asked about his legacy, Googe said I think it is mandatory to get away from the idea a project is jobs and investment notches on your gun. You have to humanize the client, understanding who they are, what they need not the same as what they want have an understanding of their family, their history, their goals and how you can help deliver their needs. Once you get to that stage with the person, then you have an understanding as to when to push and when to back off. I really have never thought about that question but I hope if my name comes up, folks will think I tried, I was a good steward of the citizens money and I left it better than I found it. RALEIGH For decades, the modern conservative movement, and Republicans as an increasingly conservative party, dedicated themselves to the proposition that government was too large, too costly and too intrusive into matters best left to voluntary associations to address. With this unifying principle, American conservatives were largely in consonance with American voters, who have usually (but not always) told pollsters theyd prefer a government that cost less and did fewer things to a government that cost more and did more things. But for both the general public and conservatives as a subset, advocating a smaller government is easier in general than in specific. They exhibit higher levels of support for particular functions of government, such as education or Social Security, even as they disdain governments overall size and expense. This isnt inherently irrational. You can believe that, say, preschool or immigration enforcement ought to be a higher priority and get more funding, even as you believe that governmental budgets as a whole ought to be smaller. You can also favor a government function in general such as assisting the disabled and destitute who truly have no other means of support while believing that programs ought to be run more efficiently, or targeted more narrowly to the neediest populations. Still, there are tensions to be reconciled. Those who step forward to run for public office are, whether they realize it or not, taking on the responsibility to resolve and reconcile those tensions as much as is possible. If the problem were easy to solve, it wouldnt still be a problem. And if leadership consisted of nothing more than polling every issue and plugging the results into legislative voting machines, it would be more properly called followership and could easily be automated, freeing up politicians to find more gainful employment elsewhere. When it comes to acting on fiscally conservative principles, there are important differences between Republican lawmakers in Raleigh and Republican politicians in Washington, D.C. Since the GOP won majorities in the North Carolina General Assembly in 2010, theyve enacted a series of budgets that, while expanding programs in high-priority areas, have consistently held spending growth below the growth rate of the overall economy. A new report from the progressive North Carolina Budget & Tax Center projects that by 2019, state General Fund spending will fall to 4.9 percent of total personal income, down substantially from 2010 and below the 45-year average of 6 percent of personal income. Conservative analysts have observed the same trend. The difference, obviously, is that we think its good news while the Left thinks its bad news. As it happens, federal expenditures have also fallen since 2010, as the Great Recession-era bailouts and stimulus came and went. But according to official estimates, the federal budget will average about 22 percent of Americas gross domestic product through the end of the decade still higher than the pre-Great Recession average of 20 percent. Its certainly true that Americas total government spending of about 38 percent is below the likes of Italy (50 percent), France (57 percent), and the Euro zone as a whole (44 percent). But all industrialized countries are headed for grave fiscal problems in the coming years as their populations age. Their politicians have all promised government benefits that simply cant be financed at current tax rates. In America, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are unsustainable in their present form, and yet dominate federal budgeting. The federal government has become an insurance company with an army, as a former Bush administration official once memorably put it. If Republicans cant manage to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act which was mostly about expanding Medicaid, not creating private insurance exchanges then its hard to see how theyll ever be serious about the measures, such as means-testing pension and Medicare benefits, that will be needed to balance federal budgets in the long run. In some states, such as North Carolina, conservative legislators have shown great courage in acting on their fiscal principles. Washington should follow their lead. When U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona rose to speak on the floor Tuesday, part of his face stitched up from the surgery that revealed he has a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer, I was hoping the Republican known for his contrarian stances would shock the country by standing up for Obamacare. Kris Kristofferson sings in Me and Bobby McGee that freedoms just another word for nothin left to lose. The freedom-loving McCain had nothing left to lose in reversing his earlier stance and coming out for an Obamacare overhaul. It didnt quite work out that way. But a vote McCain made early Friday morning made clear to me that there is still room for dreamers like me to dream and heroic leaders like McCain to act. Cancer, usually considered the province of nightmares, also leaves room for dreams and changes, both in those it hits and those who surround them. I think of a phone call from a cancer patient I received in February 2014. Ann Marie Ingram of Lexington was upset about political cartoons and columns wed run critical of Obamacare. She and I quickly figured out she was part of a Thomasville family that contains three members I count as good and longtime friends. She calmed down. I encouraged her to write a letter to our Readers Forum. She did so, including these lines: It makes me feel bad to see those cartoons and articles saying people with Obamacare are less likely to work. You see, I am one of those people, and I work. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year. I started back to work as a physical therapist a month after finishing chemo. My medical bills totaled $130,400 last year. My share was $11,000; Blue Cross/Blue Shield paid the rest. Now my pre-existing condition is still covered, my deductible went down, and the subsidies are helping me pay the premiums while I get back on my feet ... There are a lot of people like ... me, and we have names and faces. Heres mine. We ran her photo with her letter. She was bald from chemotherapy. She was beautiful. And so was her letter. Shed worked hard as a physical therapist, a book editor, and as a rescuer of countless abused and neglected dogs and cats. Her words caused me to be more careful about the cartoons and columns we choose to run on Obamacare and its severely awkward rollout. Im not saying it was a road to Damascus moment for me. Personally, I liked Obamacare. Then and now. I believe the best plan for all the uninsured would be for Republicans and Democrats to finally join and majorly tweak it. Thinking back on Anne Maries call and McCains current situation, I realize that, as with so many social justice fights, talking to people who stand to lose the most can change hearts the most. McCain has the same type of cancer that killed his friend Sen. Ted Kennedy and the son of his friend, former senator and Vice President Joe Biden, all Democrats. Tuesday, the 80-year-old McCain, that iconic hero of the Vietnam War and fine candidate for president in 2008, made a dramatic entrance to the Senate floor to the adoration of Republican and Democratic colleagues. He gave a rousing speech, lashing out at the bitter partisanship that divides our land as well as the autocratic antics of his fellow Republican, President Trump. He included himself in the blame for the divide. He blasted the process under which Obamacare was conceived, as well as the process by which the Senates bill has proceeded. The Associated Press reported that Arizona is one of 31 states that expanded Medicaid under President Barack Obamas health-care law, and Republican Gov. Doug Ducey is worried about tens of thousands losing their health insurance. That has to be addressed, said McCain. McCain himself campaigned heavily on the Obamacare repeal issue last year as he won re-election to a sixth and almost certainly final Senate term. McCain joined his GOP Tuesday in voting for a motion to proceed, allowing a process that could ultimately take down Obamacare. But early Friday morning, McCain cast the decisive vote that defeated the skinny repeal of Obamacare. His is a profile in courage. Hell likely catch heck from The Right. Earlier in the week, haters had sprung out from The Left, calling McCains vote to proceed a sellout, especially considering that he, just as all members of Congress, will continue to have great health care, no matter the outcome of this fight. Anne Marie Ingram died on May 28 from cancer. Her sister Sarah Sue Ingram of Holden Beach, one of my first and favorite editors, who was also on Obamacare, had died of cancer on March 14, 2016. Their surviving sister, Kay Walker, told me that Obamacare eased the last times of their lives. I think about Anne Marie and Sarah Sue and all those still living with cancer and other illnesses on Obamacare, as well as those just being protected from future illnesses. And I think about McCains cancer and his courage. Regardless of his political positions, nobody should ever hate that hero. America, which McCain rightly called Tuesday this big, boisterous, brawling, intemperate, restless, striving, daring, beautiful, bountiful, brave, good and magnificent country, should be bigger than hate and petty politics. Sen. John McCain showed early Friday morning that it can be. About 55 rising first- through sixth-graders marched over a mile in 85-degree heat on July 19, from Kimberley Park Freedom School on Cherry Street to Samaritan Ministries on Northwest Blvd., to raise awareness of childhood hunger, the Journals Sarah Newell reported recently. Along the way, they chanted: Empty bellies, empty minds, feed our children, it will save their lives. This is both a lesson in civic engagement and a lesson in compassion. We have food, but other people dont, Cornell Kersey, 8, told the Journal. They should get food. ... I hope all people who dont have food get it. Well said. Kimberley Park is one of several schools across the nation that took part in the national day of social action. Maybe next year more will join in. Around 50 students from Kimberley Park also benefit from the Second Harvest Food Banks backpack program, which gives students food to keep them going through the weekends and over extended breaks. Some of them otherwise might have nothing, or very little, to eat. Morning Star Baptist Church and the Forsyth Backpack Program have partnered with Second Harvest to feed the children, Mia Parker, the parental involvement and community coordinator for the school, told the Journal. It takes about $10,000 to feed the students in the program during the year, the Journal reported. Overall, 33 county schools currently have backpack programs. Its a stop-gap measure that needs a more permanent solution, but for now, were grateful for the volunteers and supporters who help. Twenty-three percent of Forsyth Countys children dont have regular access to nutritious food, the Journal has reported. Many of these children dont qualify for government assistance. When the students arrived at Samaritan Ministries, their principal, Amber Baker, was there with encouraging words. Little voices can make big things happen, she told the students. Many of you benefit from the backpack program on the weekend. Thats what were fighting for today. When we all come together for a cause, we can affect it. Thats true of all of us when we come together for a cause. Vancouver research assistant/receptionist Nora Watts technically isnt a detective though she works for a private investigating firm but her skills at finding people and detecting liars is almost peerless. She also barely holds her life together. She lives, unknown to her bosses, in the firms basement with Whisper, her rescue dog and her one lifeline to humanity. Whisper brought to Noras life a kind of fullness and peace that was missing. Nora believes her meeting with Lynn and Everett Walsh is a simple case of trying to locate their daughter Bonnie. But this is no ordinary case of a missing child. The 15-year-old recently learned that Nora is her biological mother and the Walshes believe Bonnie is trying to find her. The emotionally distant Nora wants nothing to do with the case, or finding Bonnie. The girl was the result of a brutal rape that put Nora in a coma for six months. Still, almost against her will, Nora thinks about the child she has tried to put out of her mind for years. She and Whisper roam the streets of Vancouver at night searching for Bonnie. It soon becomes clear that someone else is also looking for her. The plot of The Lost Ones by Sheena Kamal occasionally veers into the unrealistic and meanders a bit before getting back on track. This almost loosens the impact of the unusual and believable twist. But Kamal never loses her focus on social issues that she expertly weaves into the novel, such as the treatment of Canadas indigenous people. What makes The Lost Ones work is the enigmatic Nora, who is realistically explored. Kamal employs several tropes familiar to the private detective novel Nora is a loner, a recovering alcoholic, moody but avoids cliches in using these characteristics. As a child, Nora had been bullied for her biracial background. She has trouble trusting anyone, or believing in happiness, having grown up in foster homes. She considers herself a survivor, not a victim, of a horrendous crime, though her solace has often come from alcohol. Noras loneliness is heart-wrenching, as is her transient nature. But Whisper gives Nora a reason to get up in the morning and choose to be a part of society. 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. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif [BBC profile] resigned from office [LA Times report] on Friday after the Supreme Court of Pakistan [official website] issued a unanimous ruling [order, PDF], earlier the same day, disqualifying him from office. Sharif was before the Court due to allegations of corruption surfacing after the Panama Papers [BBC backgrounder] leak. The leaked documents suggested that Sharifs children had offshore assets that were not disclosed in the familys wealth statement and led to further investigation by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), comprised of officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the State Bank of Pakistan, and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan [official websites], among others. Based on the results of that investigation, the Court found that the assets of Sharif and his children were disproportionate to their reported sources of income, which disqualified Sharif from holding public office under the NAB Ordinance [materials, text]. The Court ordered: 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 [text, PDF], 1973, therefore, he is disqualified to be a Member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) 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. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pakistans petroleum minister and a loyalist of the Sharif administration, has currently assumed office as interim prime minister [WP report]. Pakistan has been under intense scrutiny in recent months, both at the domestic and international level. The Supreme Court ruling and Sharifs subsequent resignation follows calls for Sharifs removal [JURIST report], earlier this month, by opposition parties in Pakistan after the JIT report was released. In April, a Pakistan military court sentenced Kulbushan Jadhav [The Hindu backgrounder], an Indian naval officer who was detained in Pakistan for the past year, to death. The court handed down [JURIST report] the death sentence after finding Jadhav guilty of espionage and sabotage. However, in May, the International Court of Justice [official website] instructed Pakistan [JURIST report] to withhold the execution until the international court reaches its final decision. In March, the Pakistan National Assembly [official website] voted [JURIST report] to renew an amendment to the countrys constitution that allows military tribunals to oversee civilians accused of terrorist-related crimes. In a 98-2 vote [vote count, text], the US Senate [official website] on Thursday passed H.R. 3364 [text, PDF], a bill that imposes new sanctions on Russia. This development comes two days after the House of Representatives [official website] overwhelmingly passed [JURIST report] the bill. The sanctions imposed on Russia are for, among others, human rights abuses, malicious cyber-hacking and undermining cybersecurity, providing weapons to Syria, and undermining the democratic process and threatening peace, security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that would require President Donald Trump [official profile] to obtain the approval of Congress [official website] before he would be able to ease sanctions against Russia. Speaking in favor of the bill, Republican Senator John McCain [official website] stated [Reuters report]: The United States of America needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin [official website] and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on our democracy. Putin has threatened retaliation [Reuters report] in response to the bill, stating that the sanctions are absolutely unlawful from the point of view of international law. However, Russia is not the only member of the international community concerned about this legislation. The EU expressed its own concern [Reuters report] that the sanctions might affect its energy security, and some expressed concern that the sanctions could impact the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The bill also imposes sanctions against North Korea and Iran. It will now proceed to Trumps desk for his signature or veto. The White House [official website] has indicated that Trump will sign the bill [NYT report]. US and international sanctions on the three countries mentioned above have been on ongoing subject in the last several months. In March, the European Court of Justice [official Website] ruled [JURIST report] that EU sanctions against Russia were valid. The situation involving Russia and Ukraine has been a source of conflict since Russias annexation of Crimea [Reuters backgrounder] in March 2014. In January, the US expanded [JURIST report] sanctions against North Korea for human rights violations. In March 2016, the Obama administration also issued sanctions [JURIST report] against North Korea for its continued nuclear and ballistic missile testing. In December 2016, a US bill renewing sanctions against Iran for an additional ten years was enacted into law [JURIST report], without then president Barack Obamas [official website] signature. Ahrensburg Youth Symphony Orchestra The leading youth orchestra in Northern Germany 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 30, CL Hoover Opera House in Junction City 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 31, McCain Auditorium The Ahrensburg Youth Symphony Orchestra will spend 4 days in Manhattan from July 29-August 2, 2017. Recognized as the leading youth orchestra in Northern Germany, the 63 member ensembles schedule will include performances at the CL Hoover Opera House in Junction City on Sunday, July 30 at 2:30 p.m. and KSUs McCain Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 31. In addition to their performances, which are free and open to the public, the orchestra will be interacting with students from the Manhattan and Junction City Public School Orchestra Programs and the Manhattan based Gold Orchestra. According to Gold Orchestra Founder David Littrell, who is also director of the Kansas State University Orchestra and Distinguished Professor in the KSU School of Music, Theater and Dance, this is a unique opportunity for orchestra students from our community to meet and play with their counterparts from another country. One of the highlights will be an open side-by-side rehearsal with American student musicians sitting next to German student musicians two to a part. Under the musical direction of Michael Klaue, the Ahrensburg Youth Symphony Orchestra, with ages ranging from 14 24, travels to a foreign country each year. Recent tours have included stops in China, Estonia, Finland, Scotland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Their tour is being arranged by the Blue Lake International Exchange Program, dedicated to promoting peace and understanding through the universal language of the arts. In addition to Manhattan, the orchestra will make stops in Memphis, Chicago, and Lansing, Michigan. While in Michigan, they will also perform at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the nations largest summer camp for the arts with over 5,000 students studying music, theater, visual arts and dance in Manistee National Forest. The performance program in Manhattan and Junction City will be selected from the groups diverse repertoire including Anton Dvoraks Symphony No. 8, Ralph Vaughn Williams English Folk Songs Suite, and a series of Broadway and movie themes. They are touring with 17 year old harp soloist Julia von Grebmer, 5 time winner of the prestigiousJugend Musiziertin competition, who will perform the Camille Saint-Saens Morceau de Concert for Harp and Orchestra, and professional soprano soloist Sabrina Laney-Warren, who will perform select arias from Giacomo Puccinis Madame Butterfly and La Boheme. The Ahrensburg Youth Symphony Orchestras residency in Manhattan is supported in part by BBN Architects Inc, Bramlage Family Foundation, Chuck and Susie Grier, Rock-a-Belly Deli, S&N Design and the Kansas State University School of Music, Theater and Dance. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A lot of things have changed since Marine Sgt. John Peck, formerly of Antioch, Ill., was in Kenosha. He got married in December and shared how he is doing since receiving a double-arm transplant last summer. He lost three limbs and had to have his other arm partially amputated after stepping on an explosive during his second tour in Afghanistan in 2010. I wanted to make myself 100 percent independent, said 31-year-old Peck of deciding to have the transplant. Its improved my life. I want to become a chef and I cant do that with prosthetics. Peck and his wife, Jessica, flew in from Maryland Saturday and were escorted by the American Legion Riders to the 9th annual Fecs pig roast and fundraiser. The event, held at Moose Lodge #286 on 30th Avenue and sponsored by Fecs Place, was held in support of the Southern Wisconsin All Airborne Chapter (SWAAC), 82nd Airborne Division Associations Wounded Warriors Project. The independent association, (not associated with the project of a similar name), is all volunteer and donates 100 percent of funds raised to help wounded veterans. We were sending care packages overseas and found out a lot them were being pilfered so we decided to help severely wounded veterans, said Nick Pulera, chairman of the SWAAC. We heard a lot of these wounded veterans are under a lot of financial strain. The group raised over $13,000 at its last pig roast, and also holds other events throughout the year. Donations are given to veterans whom group chairman Dan Boring meets at the military hospitals in Texas or Maryland. As a retired American Airlines employee, he flies to the locations at no charge, saving the organization additional costs. Veteran Bob Morgan, 77, of Sheboygan calls the groups efforts fantastic. This is why we all volunteer. The work we do goes where it pays off. The group continues to give donations small and large to veterans in need throughout the year. They presented an additional $3,000 to Peck, whos had 27 surgeries and 81 blood transfusions, and who now has twice-daily occupational therapy, along with physical therapy. He and his wife live in a specially equipped apartment near the military hospital in Maryland. Since the transplant, hes had three rejection episodes, including one for three months. He now has about another year of therapy to go. Its very humbling, Peck said of the support the group has given to him. There was a guy standing at the road saluting when he saw our motorcade. Its very nice to see. We cant do enough for these guys, said SWAAC Chairman Jack Gibbons of Kenosha, a former teacher at the Kenosha Military Academy. Theyve given so much for our country. The groups next event will be the 15th annual car show at 8 a.m., Sept. 3 at Simmons Island Park. For information, see www.facebook.com/82ndSWAAC/ or their website, www.82ndswaac.com. Last month the U.S. Supreme Court announced that they would hear Wisconsins gerrymandering case this fall. Expected to be a landmark decision, the case is about whether or not Wisconsins 2011 voting districts were purposely drawn to heavily favor Republicans over Democrats. Perhaps more important to you, this endless case is costing Wisconsin taxpayers millions of dollars. Voting districts are redrawn every ten years after the U.S. Census. Historically, when Wisconsins legislators split among opposing parties, a panel of judges often ended up drawing districts. However, in 2011, the Republicans held full control, so they took charge. Curiously, Republican legislators hired the law firm Michael, Best and Friedrich to assist them with the drawing of these legislative maps. In fact, the law firm received $431,000 from taxpayers for their work. That is a lot of money to pay lawyers to solve what it is, essentially, a math problem. Then again, it does depend on how one wants the problem solved, but its not especially hard. One looks at a map and a spreadsheet of ward voting totals. Those wards are grouped together into voting districts. But do these districts end up favoring one party? I cannot say conclusively what happened. The U.S. Supreme Court will now decide. However, it is noteworthy that, in the 2012 election, Assembly Democrat candidates had 174,000 more votes across Wisconsin than Republican candidates, yet the Republicans ended up with 60 Assembly seats to the Democrats 39. This seems pretty weird. Plus, look at what happened to the voting districts in Racine and Kenosha Counties. Two highly competitive Senate districts were redrawn to create two very safe districts. Now, instead of covering most of Kenosha County, the 22nd Senate District carves out the city of Kenosha, a bit of Somers, Elmwood Park, Mount Pleasant, and southern Racine. It is a predominantly Democratic district. Meanwhile, the 21st Senate District consists mainly of heavily Republican wards in western Racine and Kenosha Counties. Thus, they both become safe. Personally, I would love to see districts drawn by a non-partisan commission. I would put mathematicians and statisticians on it (not politicians) and have them work blind, meaning they would have numbers but not know which party the numbers favored. The goal would be to create as many competitive districts as possible without drawing bizarre geometric shapes. To me, competitive districts create more diligent politicians, like Senator Bob Wirch, who, as a fiscal conservative and consistent supporter of sportsmens rights and conservation, is a bit of an anomaly these days. I will never forget the 2004 election when he was outspent 3 to 1 by an ambitious, well-funded opponent. He still won the 22nd Senate seat. As a legislator in a competitive district, he never took voters for granted or stopped knocking on constituent doors. His willingness to consistently step into the hornets nest of opposition made him tough to beat. Of course, the new maps conveniently drew him out of his district. He had to move to retain his seat, and he continues to visit neighborhoods and hold regular listening sessions. Without competition, politicians can easily take voters for granted. They have an R or a D after their names and know they will win, whether or not theyve accomplished anything of merit. Maybe they will only speak with people holding invitations and address friendly crowds. Knocking on doors may even be beneath them once they are elected. They might even forget that they work for all constituents, taxpayers who pay their salaries, regardless of party. With all these safe, boring districts, I encourage you to talk with any politicians who knock on your door. It may be your only chance to speak with them one-on-one. Besides, it takes courage to knock on a constituents door not knowing what youll get. Dont we want politicians who are willing to listen to anyone? Wisconsin taxpayers have now spent over $2 million defending these voting districts. Even though a federal court ruled that the districts must be redrawn, Republican legislators will continue to spend our tax dollars for their Supreme Court appeal. Perhaps if fair, fiscally responsible decisions had been made in the first place, Wisconsin could have avoided this expensive debacle. By Davide Barbuscia DUBAI, July 30 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has asked banks for proposals to arrange a U.S. dollar-denominated sukuk, banking sources said on Sunday. The Jeddah-based multilateral development bank is a regular issuer of international Islamic bonds, which it raises to fund its business activities but also to promote the international sukuk market by building a liquid sukuk yield curve. The new sukuk, which is likely to have a five-year maturity, could be issued in September or October, bankers said. The request did not indicate a specific size for the deal, but it is expected to range between $1 and $1.5 billion, they said. Banks were given a deadline of July 26 to respond to IDB's request. Islamic Development Bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment. IDB, a triple A rated issuer, sold its latest sukuk last April, raising $1.25 billion in senior unsecured five-year notes with a 2.393 percent profit rate. Last November, it issued another $1.25 billion five-year Islamic bond with a 2.263 percent profit rate. IDB was founded in 1973 to back development in accordance with the principles of Islamic finance. (Reporting by Davide Barbusia. Editing by Jane Merriman) DUBAI, July 30 (Reuters) - Disappointing second-quarter results from large cap Saudi Arabian companies were the main drag on the local index in early trade on Sunday while neighbouring bourses were mostly weak. Shares in Saudi Basic Industries (SABIC) lost 1.8 percent after 20 minutes of trade after it reported a second- quarter net profit of 3.71 billion riyals ($989.33 million), below analysts' estimates of 4.6 billion riyals and down by a quarter from the year ago period. Analysts at NCB Capital said lower than expected margin was due to losses in SABIC's steel business. Shares in Alawwal Bank shed 2.2 percent after the country's oldest bank reported a 40 percent drop in second quarter net profit to 322 million riyals ($86 million). NCB Capital and EFG Hermes had forecast profit of 369 million riyals and 368.6 million riyals respectively. The bank said its operating expenses jumped 48.4 percent because of higher impairment charges for credit losses, depreciation and amortisation, and higher rent expenses. Most other banks have reported earnings with mixed results. Shares in Saudi Cement dropped 0.6 percent to 50 riyals after reporting a second-quarter net income of 94 million riyals ($25.07 million), declining by almost two-thirds from last year's result and well below analysts' estimate of 131 million riyals. NCB Capital said this was due to lower than expected selling prices. The company reported 269.5 million riyals in total revenue for the period, almost half of that made in the second quarter of 2016. The Saudi stock index was down 0.3 percent. In Doha, the stock index was down 0.5 percent as the largest listed petrochemical maker Industries Qatar fell 1.6 percent; the company has not yet reported second quarter results. In the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi index was down 0.2 percent as natural gas explorer Dana Gas fell 1.6 percent and heavyweight telecommunications operator Etisalat lost 0.8 percent. Dubai's index was up 0.2 percent because of gains in small and mid-sized companies. Gulf General Investment was the most active stock, up 2.8 percent. ($1 = 3.7500 riyals) (Reporting by Celine Aswad; Editing by Saeed Azhar and Jane Merriman) RIYADH, July 30 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate rose to 12.7 percent in the first quarter of 2017, continuing its steady climb as the economy grapples with the fallout of low oil prices, official data showed on Sunday. The rising number of unemployed highlights the immense challenge Riyadh faces in meeting pledges to create jobs for its nationals amid a protracted economic slowdown. The jobless rate is now more than a full percentage point above where it stood in the same quarter of last year, when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced his Vision 2030 reform plan to diversify the economy beyond oil. The plan aims to cut the unemployment rate to 7 percent by 2030, among a raft of other targets. Authorities are also introducing new fees and sector restrictions to encourage the employment of Saudis while reducing the kingdom's reliance on its 11 million foreign workers. "The data shows the economy is not creating enough jobs for the new entrants into the labour market. Job creation is going to be the main challenge for the reform programme," said Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. "The private sector is suffering from fiscal reforms and government spending is down. Despite the pressure on expatriates, we're not seeing enough job growth among nationals to make up for their departure from the market." The Saudi economy has added about 433,000 jobs per year on average over the last 10 years, but non-Saudis have taken up most of those new jobs, according to research by Jadwa Investment. (Reporting by Katie Paul; Editing by Susan Fenton) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A researcher from Campden BRI explains the company during a workshop at the Korea National Food Cluster, or Foodpolis, in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, Tuesday. The cluster organized the event for local food firms and invited the 100-year-old U.K. food research institute to share its knowhow and expertise with them. / Courtesy of Foodpolis By Lee Hyo-sik The Korea National Food Cluster, or Foodpolis, has been organizing workshops and other events for local food companies as it begins to take shape. The government is investing 452 billion won ($403 million) to build the food industry complex on a 2.32 million-square-meter site in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, for both Korean and non-Korean companies aiming to export value-added, processed foods. Foodpolis is projected to generate annual output worth $14 billion and create 22,000 new jobs by 2020 once it houses over 150 businesses and 10 research centers. It has so far signed contracts with 36 Korean and non-Korean firms to build plants and other facilities there, 10 of which have already begun construction. The cluster wants to increase the number to 80 by the end of this year. From July 25 to 27, Foodpolis held a technical workshop in cooperation with Campden BRI during which the U.K.-based food research institute shared its advanced knowhow and expertise with researchers and other employees of domestic food firms. Founded in 1919, Campden BRI has been providing scientific, technical and legislative information support to food and beverage makers across the globe, such as Kellogg, Heinz and Danone. In March, the institute became the first foreign research body to set up a lab in Foodpolis, which aspires to emerge as a globally competitive food industry complex like the Netherlands' Food Valley. "Ahead of the three-day workshop, Campden BRI contacted each food firm scheduled to locate to Foodpolis and found out their difficulties," an official at the Agency for the Korea National Food Cluster said. "During the workshop, Campden BRI researchers offered tailored technical support to each individual company. This hands-on and customized consulting approach was well received by participants." The institute will continue to share its knowhow and knowledge with food companies operating in Foodpolis, the official said, adding that Fraunhofer IVV, an international food research firm based in Germany, plans to open a lab in the cluster in 2018. "We will continue to attract many more global research bodies to turn Foodpolis into a food research and manufacturing hub," she said. The agency has also begun offering global market trends and other information to businesses setting up in Foodpolis. "Besides market trends, we also provide customs and other administrative information in China and other countries. We will update our database on a regular basis and make it easier for companies to export to foreign markets," the official said. In addition, the Food Venture Center, which opened last September, has been drawing many promising startups in the fields of food and beverage. The center, capable of accommodating 50 entities, has already attracted 23. Newly established small businesses making food products and food-related research bodies are eligible to apply for space in the three-story building. Those selected can lease offices for five years at rents much lower than market rates. They also can extend leases for another five years. Foodpolis also operates three main state-of-the-art R&D centers, each dedicated to ensuring food safety, quality and packaging, to help companies improve existing products or develop new ones. A North Korean Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile is launched in this photo released by the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency, Saturday. The missile was launched from Chagang Province, northern North Korea, at 11:41 p.m., Friday. / Yonhap President seeks deployment of 4 THAAD launchers By Jun Ji-hye President Moon Jae-in is apparently shifting his policy on North Korea from appeasement toward a hawkish approach following Pyongyang's continued launching of ballistic missiles with intercontinental range. The large-scale provocations are seen as the Kim Jong-un regime's answer to the Moon government's recent offer to hold military talks to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula as well as to the international community's moves to impose harsher sanctions. Friday night's missile test marked the second time for the North to launch the Hwasong-14, which it claimed was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking targets on the U.S. mainland, following the first one fired July 4. The North fired the missile into the East Sea from the vicinity of Mupyong-ri, Chagang Province, at around 11:41 p.m. Friday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) fires an Eighth U.S. Army surface-to-surface ballistic missile during a Seoul-Washington combined live-fire exercise near the East Sea, Saturday. The drill took place six hours after North Korea fired an improved ballistic missile with intercontinental range. / Courtesy of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff The North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the Hwasong-14 reached a maximum altitude of 3,724.9 kilometers and flew about 998 kilometers for 47 minutes. So far, the Moon government has pursued a two-track policy in dealing with the North, seeking dialogue and imposing sanctions at the same time, despite repeated provocations. But an official from the presidential office, asking not to be named, said, "If the missile were confirmed as an ICBM, it would mean the North is close to crossing the red line." He added President Moon is keeping all options available as the latest provocation could bring about a "fundamental change" to the security landscape of Northeast Asia. Most notably, Moon ordered his aides to immediately begin consultation with the United States to "temporarily" deploy four additional launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. The order was issued during an emergency National Security Council (NSC) session, presided over by the President, Saturday. State inspectors check beef imported from the U.S. at a refrigerated warehouse in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, on July 20. After the detection of mad cow disease in the U.S., the government increased the ratio of U.S. beef inspections from 3 percent to 30 percent. / Yonhap By Park Jae-hyuk The Korean government should suspend the import of U.S. beef by amending terms of trade, a group of experts said Wednesday. Amid growing concern on the safety of U.S. beef after an outbreak of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), in Alabama, the experts refuted the government's argument, presenting scientific evidence at a press conference in Seoul. "The Korean government groundlessly claims, without any epidemiological survey by the U.S. government, that an atypical case of BSE is not dangerous to humans," said Prof. Woo Hee-jong of the Seoul National University College of Veterinary Science. "The terms of trade are unfair as well." The professor urged the Moon Jae-in administration to confidently request a renegotiation of the deal with the U.S. government if it really respects the will of the candlelit protestors who played a big role in ousting the scandal-laden former President Park Geun-hye. "An atypical case of BSE may be more dangerous to people, as it also contaminates a cow's lean meat, not only its brain or spinal cord," said Woo Seoc-kyun, vice representative of the Center for Health and Social Change. "Under the U.S. inspection system, the infected 11-year-old cow might have been sold to consumers, if it had not died before slaughter." Prosecutor General Mun Moo-il, second from right, extends a hand to National Police Agency Commissioner General Lee Cheol-seong, left, in front of the police agency headquarters in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap By Lee Kyung-min The much-touted drive for prosecutorial reform is showing signs of slowing down due to apparently differing stances held by top power holders. President Moon Jae-in has been pressing for the reform. But his drive seems to have met barricades as the newly appointed Prosecutor General Mun Moo-il has been maintaining a lukewarm attitude over key points. Mun has shown an "uncooperative" stance as a means to secure the prosecution's autonomy amid its tainted reputation following repeated scandals. However, it could end up derailing efforts by President Moon who has advocated prosecutorial reform as a top priority of his five-year term. Mun was officially appointed last Tuesday following a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly a day earlier. He opposed the reform plan under which the prosecution retains only the right to indict and hands over investigative rights to police. Currently, both police and the prosecution can investigate criminal cases but the former always has to be under the latter's supervision. "A prosecutor cannot determine whether to indict a suspect without investigating the case, just as a judge cannot make a ruling without conducting a trial," he said. The prosecution can correct mistakes made by the police during an investigation, Mun added, also saying the prosecution's direction can help the police conduct more thorough investigations. Mun also refused to clearly state whether he agreed to set up an independent body that can investigate corruption of high-ranking officials and their families including prosecutors, another major reform plan of the President. "I am aware of the growing public demands that the prosecution should serve the public, unfettered by politics. However, I think there are better ways than pushing ahead with setting up the body. We should weigh the costs and benefits before making a big decision," Mun said. Those stances drew criticism for failing to recognize the calls for the long-stalled, major reform of the powerful government organization. Mun said he would find ways to "reform from the inside," by standing firm against temptations for political favors in exchange for arbitrary discretion exercised. He was criticized for "being stubborn." In response, President Moon told him that setting up the independent body is part of the efforts to root out corruption among all high-ranking public officials. "The true meaning of setting up the body is to increase monitoring against corruption, not particularly to stifle the prosecution any more than other high-ranking public officials," Moon said. However, what was intended as a consoling remark did little to allay Mun, who is facing growing pressure to lead the organization amid continued government measures seeking to diminish its power. Last Thursday, President Moon reduced the number of vice-ministerial-level prosecutors to 44, down five from the previous year at 49. The reduction reflects long-held criticism that the prosecution had too many such posts compared to a government ministry which typically has no more than two vice ministers. Mun visited the National Police Agency in Seoul Friday, to meet with high-ranking officials there. The first-ever visit by the country's top prosecutor to the police, it was considered a move seeking cooperation ahead of what could be a long, conflict-ridden process over the next few years. This week, the justice ministry will announce the personnel reshuffle of mid-level prosecutors, which is expected to further demonstrate the President's reform initiative. Meanwhile, criticism has arisen that the prosecution under the Moon administration is intensifying investigation into Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to crack down on corruption within the defense industry, to suit the President early in his five-year term. The probe was launched following the President's remarks that defense ministry corruption was "the act that benefits the enemy undermining national security." The ongoing probe renewed criticism that the prosecution "voluntarily kowtows" to the incumbent administration, a practice that ended up giving the highest investigative body the nickname, "the maid of the powerful." By Kim Rahn Social media has become an important tool in work and communication, and it is no exception with lawmakers proposing bills. When a lawmaker wants to submit a bill and collect fellow lawmakers who would join the move, his or her aides used to visit other lawmakers' offices with a bunch of documents and explain the bill. It requires at least 10 lawmakers to propose a bill. These days, they don't need to do that and instead use the group chat feature of KakaoTalk or other mobile chatting apps. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has a KakaoTalk chat room exclusively for "bill proposal," and all party lawmakers using the app are registered on it. If a lawmaker wants to propose a new or revised bill, he or she uploads the idea and the related documents in the group chat, and then other members review them and make replies such as "I'm in," if they want. In that way, the lawmakers can check bill ideas any time and anywhere and give their feedback immediately, according to DPK officials. "We can check who will join the bill proposal easily and promptly, so it is very efficient. Thanks to the tool, we aides do not need to visit all the lawmakers' offices," an aide to a DPK lawmaker said on condition of anonymity. Rep. An Min-suk also recently recruited 102 DPK members via group chat for his bill to confiscate the illegal assets of Choi Soon-sil, the longtime friend of former President Park Geun-hye, both of whom have been jailed for bribery charges. "Recruiting participants of a bill in the chat room is gaining activity ahead of the beginning of the National Assembly's regular session in September," the aide said. "Even if some lawmakers do not join in on a specific bill, they can still share fellow lawmakers' ideas." Even though the lawmakers agree on the app to participate, the bill still requires "offline" signatures from the participants. So when a swift submission is needed, some lawmakers prefer the traditional way of recruiting participants because having "too many" participants through the online tool will rather keep the aides busy collecting signatures. Seongju County residents in North Gyeongsang Province chant slogans, Sunday, in protest of President Moon Jae-in's order to consult with the U.S. over the temporary deployment of four more launchers of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in addition to the currently operating two, following North Korea's ballistic missile launch late Friday night. / Yonhap By Kim Hyo-jin Korea's political circle is embroiled in fresh controversy after President Moon Jae-in's decision to proceed with the stalled deployment of the U.S. anti-missile shield here. At a National Security Council meeting hurriedly convened at 1 a.m. Saturday after Pyongyang's late-night ballistic missile launch on Friday, Moon ordered his aides to consult with the United States over the temporary deployment of four additional launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery. The order comes a day after the government said it would conduct a full-scale environmental assessment of the deployment site in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, before installing the four launchers. "The government will deploy them temporarily, and at the same time, continue the ongoing environmental impact assessment as a separate procedure," a Cheong Wa Dae official explained. He said a final decision on full deployment would depend on the assessment, which is expected to take more than a year. The U.S. THAAD battery consists of six interceptor missile launchers. Only two of the six were installed and operational, with the additional four having been kept at a U.S. military base here. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) supported Moon's decision, calling the plan the best possible solution considering relationships with the U.S. and China. Beijing has opposed the deployment, which it claims will be used to spy on its military activities, taking economic retaliation against Korean businesses. "It is a rational measure that would strengthen coordination with the U.S. and enable the government to seek understanding from China," DPK spokeswoman Rep. Back Hye-ryun said. Woo Won-shik, the party's floor leader, stressed the inevitability of Moon's decision, saying, "It is an understandable order because the security of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia is now at risk following the North's missile launch." The ruling party has remained ambiguous about whether the country needs to operate the U.S. anti-missile system here, mindful of China's strong opposition. But Woo added that a final decision about the deployment should be considered carefully after the environmental survey, keeping in tune with Cheong Wa Dae. But opposition parties denounced Moon's order, saying the government had only made a stopgap measure and failed to respond properly to the growing security threat. Liberty Korea Party spokeswoman Jun Hee-kyung called it a mere "trick" to avoid public opposition and claimed the government should withdraw the environmental study and push for "immediate and complete" deployment of the THAAD system. People' Party spokesman Son Kum-ju urged the government to take a consistent and clear position on the anti-missile unit. Party leader Park Joo-sun even called on Moon to reconsider his conciliatory approach to the North, saying his peace overture presented in his Berlin speech was only an "illusion." "It can't make any progress if Moon keeps holding onto both options of seeking dialogue and imposing sanctions," he said. "It is likely to fail as there is a grave change in circumstances (with North Korea's improved missile technology)." Park said the government should prioritize strengthening the alliance with the U.S. when dealing with the North Korea issue. "The firm Korea-U.S. alliance should be the pillar when seeking peace on the peninsula and economic cooperation with the North," he said. "It is not easy to win U.S. trust with the government's flip-flopping attitude on the THAAD issue." Moon's decision also brought more protests from China. China expressed "serious concerns" over the deployment in a statement issued by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang. "China's position on the THAAD issue is clear and consistent and is subject to no change," the statement said, adding that THAAD deployment would not resolve South Korea's security concerns but would make the situation more complex. "We strongly urge both South Korea and the U.S. to acknowledge China's concerns, stop the deployment process and withdraw the system." By Kim Sun-ae Sometimes I think of him. In the autumn at the age of 21, I took a theatre course. At that time, I was studying at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada as an exchange student. Professor Peter Loeffler, who taught the course, pursued the essentials in life. Materially, he lived very simply without a car, a computer, or a TV, in the same blue jeans and blue shirts throughout the semester. However, his mental life was rich with his love for his students and his passionate teaching. Our classroom was a theatre in the college. The professor invited a director and actors to our class so that we could see actors act directed by the director. One day, Professor Loeffler gave us an opportunity to create a short scene by groups, handing out scripts. He, himself, also showed us on the stage various ways to say the line in Hamlet, "To be, or not to be? That is the question." Every class was interesting. In the middle of the semester, each student met with the teacher. I too visited his office and talked about my term paper and so forth with him. He gave me warm advice. To go to his office, I passed the stage of the theatre, and the hallway inside. The office was small like Keating's office in the movie, "Dead Poets Society." At the end of the term, the professor gave us each a piece of paper, saying that he prepared a present. On the paper was a list of "Five Theatres You Should Not Miss," with pictures of masks, the Swan Theatre in the Shakespearean era and so on. The list consisted of the Theatre of Epidaurusin Greece and theatres in Italy, Brazil, Sweden, and Belgium. After the semester ended, I wrote a thank-you letter to Professor Loeffler and went to the theatre. Passing an aisle in the auditorium, and the stage, I arrived in front of his office and knocked. There was no answer inside the closed door. I left my letter under the door. Later, I heard that he had passed away from disease. I do not know when he knew about his illness. But not showing it to us at all, he left quietly after giving us the best love he could give. Before long, the school held a service celebrating his life. Students and friends who loved him gathered, shared memories of him, and listened to the songs students sang. It was a snowy winter day with an all white sky. I attended the service with a friend who had taken the theatre course together with me, and celebrated our teacher's life. One day, after a long time has passed, I suddenly missed my teacher. Nevertheless I was not sad. Although over 10 years have passed since he died, the love he gave is alive as ever in the hearts of people who remember him. Like a Tibetan saying, "Everyone dies, but no one is dead." After his death, I realized more clearly what is important in life and what is not. I haven't been to the five theatres in the world that he recommended. Nonetheless, as all the places in our lives are the stage, we will have no regret if we live as protagonists of our lives wherever we are. And if I visit one of the five theatres some day, I will begin anew there once again, remembering the teacher: To be devoted to the essence of life. Kim Sun-ae is writing a book, "A Journey to Myself." Her blog address is blog.naver.com/dancinglf Belated as it may be, there is a great need to take issue with the recent visit of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei for a meeting with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha. The UAE minister went against protocol and potentially embarrassed the host country by using his visit as a platform for a diplomatic war against Qatar. He came here for the purported agenda of boosting the two countries' energy sector cooperation, but ended up asking for Seoul's support. A week earlier, Qatar and Korea had an energy ministers' meeting but no moves against the UAE or any of its three allies in the ongoing row came out of it. During his meeting with Kang, Al Mazrouei called Qatar a source of extremism and terrorism. The UAE minister also called a news conference to pour venom on his Middle Eastern neighbor. He blamed Qatar for sabotaging a diplomatic effort to solve their differences by leaking a 13-point demand that called on Qatar to close its global news network, Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera has been critical of the region's kingdoms for their autocratic kings, especially the House of Saud. The network is lauded as a beacon of free press in the region after the BBC bureau was kicked out. No state-level pressure or attack against a media outlet with the purpose of influencing its editorial policy should be condoned. The UAE minister's behavior may well reflect his country's anti-press freedom tendency. Minister Kang could have been firmer with her message that the visitor should keep his domestic politics off the agenda. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain have been trying to isolate Qatar diplomatically and economically as part of a struggle for power between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Preconditions are verification, protocol observation North Korea Friday night test-fired a long-range rocket that experts say could bring most of the United States mainland within striking distance. This has triggered condemnation from South Korea, the U.S. and Japan. China, the rogue state's only benefactor, criticized Pyongyang. But Beijing criticized in stronger terms Seoul's decision to deploy temporarily a U.S. anti-missile interceptor, which China has opposed vehemently. With near certainly, it can be predicted that the matter will be passed to the United Nations but a split will prevent any unified action because of opposition from China and Russia. Meanwhile, tension will likely go up another notch, presenting the U.S. with a stronger case for military action. The one way to preclude this vicious cycle is to call a spade a spade. The North has exploded nuclear devices five times. It has tested numerous missiles. On Friday and on July 4, it proved it can deliver a projectile up to 10,000 kilometers. In terms of flight distance, it has reached the level of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Judging that it takes 15 to 20 years to attain related technologies, there is little doubt that the North is close to becoming a nuclear weapon state, if it has not already done so. So far, the countries involved have been using sanctions to stop the North from being able to launch nuclear-tipped long-range missiles. Sanctions upon sanctions have been imposed on Pyongyang with little effect. The alternative is to give the North what it wants _ status as a nuclear state. But that recognition should be given in a way that the North is brought back into the international nuclear control regime so Pyongyang will act responsibly with its nuclear arsenal. For the North to join the "nuclear club," Pyongyang should have its nuclear capabilities verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The North would have to submit multiple warheads for inspection. Simultaneously, the North would be asked to rejoin the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and abide by the pertinent rules. Recognizing the North as a nuclear state would require a change in international mindset. It may be worth the trouble. Above all, it would defuse the rising tension over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests. Then, China and Russia, which have opposed penalizing the North, would be given an incentive to work together with Seoul, Washington and Tokyo. It could set a precedent for other countries in pursuit of nuclear status. Currently, the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France are declared nuclear states in the post-World War II system. However, Britain and France as well as Russia have lost much of their previous power, with their nuclear arsenals doing little to enhance their international status. South Africa has given up its nuclear weapons development, while Israel maintains its neither-confirm-nor-deny policy. Two foes, India and Pakistan, are undeclared nuclear states. True, possessing nuclear weapons is a great status symbol, but none of these countries has actually used them in war since World War II. They are weapons of last resort, meaning that using or threatening to use one can invite self-annihilation. So it is time to let the North have what it wants and see whether it can handle the heat that comes with it. By Tong Kim North Korea defied an outsider's prediction again. It did not test-launch another ballistic missile on July 27, marking the 64th anniversary of the Korean armistice, on the contrary to the widely reported warnings that it would according to officials in Washington and Seoul. But it test-fired an ICBM on July 28 after the one conducted on the Fourth of July. Although the armistice is claimed by the North as "the Day of Victory," the North Koreans know, it does not have the significance of the Fourth of July for Americans. They can send "gifts of bad news" to America in Kim Jong-un's word -- on their own schedule "at a time and a place" of his choice. In the wake of its ICBM test, Pyongyang has demurred the South's proposal of military and humanitarian talks, without an outright rejection of the proposed talks. It accuses the Moon government of maintaining "fundamental hostility." Pyongyang intensifies its belligerent rhetoric against the U.S., which in turn retches up its own rhetoric against the North. The North claims that it now has strategic nuclear capability to strike the continental United States; Washington should end its hostile policy towards them. Apparently, President Trump has instructed his national security agencies, including CIA, to explore all possible options, including military action and covert operations to remove Kim Jong-un from the leadership of a nuclear North Korea. Bad news for the North came from an Aspen Institute's meeting last week. CIA Director Mike Pompeo said that the Trump administration is developing "a range of options" including "a way to separate that regime from their nuclear weapons." He stopped short of advocating regime change that would directly contradict Secretary of State Tillerson's pronouncement to the contrary. At the same Aspen forum, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, "It is not unimaginable to have military options to respond to North Korean nuclear capability." He added that the administration would try diplomacy "a few more months." Writing for The Hill, Bob Manning, a well-recognized policy expert in Washington, branded these incendiary comments as "irresponsible and reckless rhetoric". Manning wrote: "loose talk of pre-emptive strikes and regime change are not exactly incentives for Kim Jong-un to surrender his nukes. Precisely the opposite: It feeds his portrayal of the U.S. as a grave, imminent threat." Speaking of Pyongyang's ICBM capability, an assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was reported by The Washington Post on July 26. The assessment said Pyongyang will have a "reliable" ICBM that can reach the U.S. by next year, not in three or four years that most analysts had said. It may not represent a consensus among the U.S. intelligence community, comprising 17 independent agencies. However, the accuracy of the DIA's report is being questioned by several experts of North Korea's weapons development, including analysts at the South Korean ministry of defense. They believe that the North has yet to overcome the technical difficulty for atmospheric re-entry and miniaturization of a nuclear warhead to mount on an ICBM. Accuracy of targeting is another unproven issue. Recently, Gen. Paul Selva, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Pyongyang's missile test lacked "the capacity to strike the United States with any degree of accuracy or reasonable confidence of success." Tough talk of a preventive strike seems to be resurfacing, as no breakthrough is seen in the current approach, through either China's cooperation or inter-Korean relations. However, reasons against a military strike or a commando type of operation to remove the DPRK leader, overt or covert, remain the same. These are not viable options. They would lead to a catastrophic consequence, causing an all-out war that will kill millions of people. Trump says he does not want to say what he is going to do beforehand. He does not respect experts' views. His unpredictability can have a deterrent effect on Kim Jong-un from taking a suicidal path, but it will not stop him from continuing to develop his nuclear and missile capability. Despite increasing sanctions that will make it harder for him to advance his WMD programs, he will keep the deadly weapons that he believes are the only protection of his regime. With or without him, the North Korean nuclear weapons will not go away, unless there is a political reconciliation between the North and the South, and between North Korea and the United States. What's your take? Tong Kim is a Washington correspondent and columnist for The Korea Times. He is also a fellow at the Institute of Korean-American Studies. He can be contacted at tong.kim8@yahoo.com. By Oh Young-jin Bruce Bennett North Korea insists on demonstrating its capabilities to deliver a nuclear-tipped missile over the Pacific to the mainland of the United States. Friday's rocket test is one example. The international community is concerned about Pyongyang getting close to succeeding at this but is not ready to take its word as true. "Why don't we verify North Korea's claim?" Bruce Bennett, a Korea expert at the Rand Corp., the U.S. think tank, suggested as a way of finding a compromise between the ongoing tit-for-tat between the rogue state and other countries. "North Korea would submit nuclear warheads to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for inspection," Bennett said in a telephone interview Saturday. He has two reasons for this suggestion. First, as far as he is concerned, the North's claim of having developed a working inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) remains porous. He had trouble believing that the North had developed a shield strong enough to protect its payload. Once, Kim Jong-un, the North's leader, had a crystal ball or the warhead with him in a photo release. Bennett said that for that payload to hit the designated target, it would survive the stress of reentry into the atmosphere. After the Friday test, the North claimed that the payload not only survived reentry but traveled afterward to the designated target. Although the North may have followed the trajectory from its control center, Bennett said that it requires checks with the debris _ especially how the shield bore the impact. For that, the North should hurl a rocket with a payload over Japan into the Pacific east of the Japanese archipelago. "Such an attempt would make the U.S. and Japan very angry and may destroy airplanes or ships in the area," Bennett said. "Without it, the North's claim of having an ICBM is an unverified boast." India and Pakistan got their status of undeclared nuclear weapons states without independent verification after their nuke abilities were talked about in the media. Bennett dares the North to turn over nuclear devices if it wants that status. Bennett says that at least five devices should be inspected to tell for sure of Pyongyang's capacities. Pyongyang is estimated to have nuclear materials enough to make dozens of nuclear weapons. Bennett fell short of saying that the North should be allowed to join the nuclear club, if it passes the IAEA inspection. But certainly his method could defuse tension on the Korean Peninsula due to Pyongyang's latest missile tests, one of the key purposes of which is it to prove its nuclear capability. 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." / Graphic by Cho Sang-won Middlemen rapidly disappear across board By Yoon Sung-won The introduction of technologies from internet to artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating changes to the roles of middlemen and even their existence, according to industry sources, Sunday. As renowned U.S. economist Todd Buchholz first described in his 1999 book titled "Market Shock" through a concept he called "scissors economy," middlemen have already been losing ground in industries, replaced by technology. In the 1990s, the internet was rapidly penetrating not just into businesses but also all aspects of life. Online technologies triggered and boosted e-commerce, enabling manufacturers and providers of services and products to reach end-users directly. "Technology has permitted Americans to cut out the middleman from many purchases. Who needs a stockbroker or an insurance agent if the internet allows people to comparison shop? You can buy a sockeye salmon direct from Alaska within seconds or an airplane ticket to Timbuktu," the economist wrote in his 2007 book, "New Ideas from Dead Economists: An Introduction to Modern Economic Thought." "Consumers have more control than they have ever had before. Even the old monopolistic utilities have broken down, as cable, satellites, fiber optic and wireless technologies compete for your television, telephone and computer business." As Buchholz said, stockbrokers at securities firms were among those affected most by the arrival of the scissors economy. In the past when there was no internet, people usually called stockbrokers or directly visited securities companies to trade stocks. But now they can access home trading systems provided by securities firms to sell or buy stocks, saving on paying commissions. Similarly, the role of the middleman has retreated rapidly in diverse areas such as insurance product sales and travel sales as well as the book industry. "Almost all transactions can be done on online platforms. First it was the internet and more recently e-commerce is all about mobile," an industry source said. "In the process, enterprises don't need human middlemen to sell their products and services to customers. Instead, they need engineers, network technology experts and online marketing strategists to run their connected marketplace." Expectations are that the phenomenon of the scissors economy will gain more strength as industries expedite introducing AI technologies in actual businesses. For instance, financial institutions such as banks, brokerage houses and insurance companies have started to use AI-based technologies not just to recommend optimal financial products to their clients but also to make decisions such as whom to grant loans to and where to invest. In the process, less and less human intervention is needed. Online shopping malls are also rushing to adopt new type of services, also based on AI technologies. Upon the customers' agreement, online shopping platform operators collect information on their preferences to recommend products for customers to purchase. Internet and gaming service providers also use AI technologies to analyze their users to understand consumption patterns. Advanced medical institutions such as cancer centers are also tapping into AI technologies. In Korea, multiple hospitals including Gachon University Gil Medical Center have introduced IBM's Watson AI system to give medical advice. "Not many industries have started firing employees to replace them with AI systems yet. But it can only be a matter of time as it did with the introduction of robots in manufacturing industries," an industry source said. "What is more concerning is whether we will be able to understand the work AIs do and the decisions they make once humans who work as middlemen in diverse areas lose their ground." A Volkswagen Korea mechanic maintains a vehicle at the carmaker's official service center under its customer service campaign, "We Care." / Courtesy of Volkswagen Korea By Jhoo Dong-chan Volkswagen Korea has carried out various campaigns jointly with its dealerships to recover customer trust, looking for a successful return after it wins back sales certifications from the government for 80 banned vehicles. The German carmaker's local affiliate in Korea opened four new service centers in the first half of this year while moving one center to a larger facility to make preparations for its return to the market. As another measure to recover customer trust, Volkswagen Korea has also carried out its new customer campaign, "We Care," since February. Volkswagen dealerships, which emptied their showrooms after the government's sales ban for affected vehicle models, have also used the venues for the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. A Volkswagen Korea official said it is expanding its service network to enhance its competitiveness in the Korean market long term. It has completed building new service centers in Ulsan and Busan, South Gyeongsang Province, in March. It also opened other centers in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, in April, and in Pohang, South Gyeongsang Province, in May. Volkswagen Korea also moved its Seocho service center into a larger facility in Yangjae-dong, Seoul. Located near the nation's major motorways, including the Gyeongbu Expressway, the service center is the largest center among foreign car makers in Seoul, the official said. Along with its expanded network, Volkswagen Korea also started carrying out the We Care campaign in February. The campaign provides not only specialized maintenance service but also standardized and improved customer service quality at any Volkswagen center across the country.ly customet only customer ustomer are, in February. a new ands in Seoul. r to larger facility "The We Care campaign is a campaign for Volkswagen Korea employees to provide top-quality service for customers," said the official. "We educate and learn from each other to improve customer experiences to recover our brand trust." Volkswagen Korea also donates its showrooms as art galleries for the company's CSR activities. Since the government banned the carmaker's 80 vehicle models last year, Volkswagen Korea showrooms have been emptied. The German carmaker's sales unit here, however, decided to use the venues for local talented artists. The Bangbae showroom in Seoul is showcasing the Kim In-soo exhibition until July 31 while the South Daegu showroom held an RC car race in December. Kumho Petrochemical employees check facility safety at one of its factories in this file photo. / Courtesy of Kumho Petrochemical Kumho Petrochemical has improved its facility safety and monitoring systems to provide eco-friendlier workplaces. Its factories in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, and Asan, South Chungcheong Province, have renewed their accident-free records in line with company-wide efforts. "We have made safer and eco-friendlier working environments by improving our management system and educational program," a Kumho Petrochemical official said. "As a petrochemical firm dealing with various chemicals, our management system is fully aware of and prepared for safer management of raw materials used for our products." The Seoul-based firm adopted a stricter chemical management system last year to monitor and approve its chemicals in every stage of distribution purchase, storage, usage and sales. To obey the revised act concerning registration and evaluation of chemical substances, it has submitted information on its chemicals to the Ministry of Environment and registered them on the government's list as well. In particular, Kumho P&B Chemicals, a joint venture between Kumho Petrochemical and Nippon Steel Chemical Company of Japan, is cooperating with other chemical firms to register Bisphenol-A, a raw material of synthetic resins. It also joined seminars and forums last month at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, to talk about risk evaluation of chemicals with officials from the government, academic fields and civic groups. Kumho T&L, a logistics unit of Kumho Petrochemical, added social media to the company's management system, so that all workers can immediately respond to environment and safety issues. Its 5C Campaign standing for Correctness, Clearance, Cleaning, Checking and Concentration is expected to improve workplace safety and cleanliness as well. Recently, Kumho Petrochemical has begun to reduce emissions of harmful substances. Kumho Polychem, a joint venture between Kumho Petrochemical and Japan Synthetic Rubber, adopted the nation's first mechanical vapor recompressor to its whole product line in its Yeosu plant. The recompressor allows the reuse of steam emitted from the product line. The company expects to reduce up to 160,000 tons of greenhouse gases a year at the facility. "Our affiliates are preparing for new and renewable energy, such as wind and solar power," a Kumho Petrochemical official said. "Our 12 factories will change their lights to LED by the end of 2019. We expect to reduce carbon emissions significantly after the process." (Advertorial) This is the first of the two-part series highlighting business models of Amway and Herbalife. ED. Amway, Herbalife's business model draws controversy By Park Jae-hyuk Since the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) recently unveiled information on 124 multi-level marketing companies in Korea, controversy has sprung up again over such firms as Amway and Herbalife. Although the companies have continued to claim their legal basis, critics are still suspicious about their revenue model. Recent FTC data showed the payment gap between the top and bottom layers of recruits is widening. The so-called sponsor allowances incentives for sales were given to 1.64 million salespeople among 8.29 million who are registered with the 124 firms as of last year. The antitrust watchdog noted that the number of 8.29 million may include those who do not sell products and those who have registered with several companies. Among the 1.64 million, 16,370 salespeople who accounted for less than 1 percent of the top level received an average of 57 million won ($51,000) in sponsor allowances, up 11.8 percent year-on-year. The remaining 99 percent got 470,000 won on average, an 11.3 percent drop from a year earlier. The top 10 companies in terms of revenue gave allowances to 1.22 million salespeople. Each of the salespeople got 1 million won on average. The 10 firms include Amway Korea, Atomy Korea, Nu Skin Korea, Unicity Korea, Herbalife Korea, BOM Korea, Seacret Direct Korea, ACN Korea, Afull and Aphrozone. Business bellwether Amway's top 1 percent of salespeople received 53.46 million won on average, while its overall salespeople got 780,000 won. The runner-up Atomy gave 55.85 million won to the top 1 percent and 950,000 won to its overall salespeople. Such a huge gap has provoked complaints among salespeople registered with the firms. Uncertain about the amount of allowances paid to their colleagues, Amway salespeople have grumbled about the gap reported by the press. To receive bigger incentives, suspicions have it that some of them even reduced prices of items they sold without the company's permission. "If you are considering joining multi-level marketing companies or buying products from them, you should check details on the firms that are revealed by the FTC every year," a commission official said. "You should also know that the total amount of sponsor allowance should be less than 35 percent of sales, according to the law." Amway Korea refuted the criticism, saying the data fell into the trap of false statistics. "Because consumers are categorized as salespeople in the data, the amount of allowances per person seemingly gets lower," an Amway Korea spokesman said. "It is impossible for us to accurately distinguish consumers from salespeople." Ongoing conflict The size of the multi-level marketing business in Korea has grown into a 5.13 trillion won industry, the third-largest in the world. However, it still seems to have a poor reputation among most people here. An internet community named Anti-Amway is full of negative opinions and stories on Amway and other multi-level marketing firms. Most of the stories are written by husbands who worry about their wives working for the companies. They criticized the companies for raking in profits in Korea, while their salespeople earn less than the minimum wage. The members said the firms are trying to avoid their responsibility by being vague about the distinction between salespeople and consumers. Some of them even liken the firms to a pseudo-religion. "Joining multi-level marketing firms may not be bad in itself," a community member wrote. "However, most salespeople tend to spend a huge amount of money to get more allowances, eventually losing money." An Amway Korea spokesman emphasized that "our method of direct selling is different from illegal pyramid schemes." Industry experts have also demanded the deregulation of multi-level marketing, or direct selling. "The multi-level marketing business must be regarded as a competitive industry sector from now on," Prof. Kwak Kwan-hoon of Sun Moon University said in a symposium in March. "Unlawful acts should be prevented in advance, rather than being regulated afterwards." Prof. Han Sang-lin of Hanyang University said the term should be changed, so as to address negative perspectives on the business model. "We should adopt the term, direct selling, instead of multi-level marketing," he said. In fact, the controversy is no exception in other countries. Mary Kay, a U.S. direct sales company specializing in cosmetics, has also faced criticism, accusing the firm of setting up a pyramid scheme. The firm, however, ingeniously avoided the trap, by allowing bottom level recruits to earn 50 percent of profit margins, even if they never bother to find down-line recruits, according to "New Ideas from Dead CEOs" by Todd G. Buchholz. "In a pyramid scheme, a recruit must bring in yet more recruits to stay afloat," the book reads. "The bottom layer of recruits sends its profits upstream and must recruit a new layer or else they go broke." Buchholz said Mary Kay's 50 percent profit margin for beauty consultants was a significant leap from the typical 35 percent commission at the time. Given the lower layer of salespeople in Korea statistically fail to earn such a fat profit, however, the controversy over multi-level marketing companies will seemingly continue here. Five chairmen fail to attend meetings with Moon By Lee Min-hyung President Moon Jae-in invited leaders of the country's top conglomerates to Cheong Wa Dae for separate meetings on Thursday and Friday, the first time since his inauguration in May. Ten of the invited companies sent their heads, while five opted to send their deputies. In the case of business bellwether Samsung, it is understandable because its Chairman Lee Kun-hee remains bedridden after collapsing three years ago. His only son, Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, is behind bars, embroiled in the corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye. Samsung sent Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun, the CEO of its major affiliate Samsung Electronics, to the convention. The tycoons from Hyundai Motor, LG, Hanwha and Hanjin groups also did not attend. According to a source, Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo, 79, was sick. Hanjin Chairman Cho Yang-ho, 68, and Hanwha Chairman Kim Seung-youn, 65, were under treatment. Instead, Chung's son, Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun, and Cho's son, Korean Air President Cho Won-tae, represented their groups. Korean Air is the flagship unit of Hanjin. Hanwha's Kim has three sons and they all work for Hanwha subsidiaries. But the group didn't send any of them, possibly because they are still young, in their early 30s or late 20s. Vice Chairman Keum Chun-soo attended instead. "The organizers of the meetings asked for practical discussions," a Hanwha official said. "Hence, we decided that Vice Chairman Keum would be a perfect fit for that because he is well versed in detailed issues." Cheong Wa Dae, with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, prepared for the events, at which the President talked with businesspeople over beers. LG Chairman Koo Bon-moo did not attend because he delegated most of his work to his brother, Vice Chairman Koo Bon-joon, at the beginning the year. "Vice Chairman Koo accompanied President Moon as an economic delegate to the United States last month," an LG official said. "That's why he visited Cheong Wa Dae this time around, too." Creating more jobs In the meantime, President Moon asked event participants to help create more jobs to invigorate the economy. The new head of state has vowed to boost the economy by increasing the incomes of people and expanding welfare services. He has stressed the significance of generating more quality jobs and he plans to create many public service positions during his five-year term. His administration also is set to increase the corporate tax rate to finance rising welfare costs, affecting mostly chaebol. Chaebol refers to Korea's sprawling conglomerates in which founding families exercise almost unchecked control. The interlocking families of companies typically buy from and supply one another. Chinese J-15 fighter jets are launched from the deck of the Liaoning aircraft carrier during earlier military drills in the Yellow Sea on December 23. Show of military might ahead of PLA anniversary aimed at demonstrating Beijing's resolve amid heightened tensions over Pyongyang, analysts say By Kristin Huang China is flexing its military muscle in a high-profile naval exercise in the Yellow Sea, off the western coast of the Korean peninsula, days ahead of the PLA's 90th anniversary. Beijing has so far released scant information about the three-day live-fire drill, which is expected to last through Saturday, but analysts say it is also aimed at demonstrating China's resolve amid heightened tensions over North Korea's nuclear provocations. The PLA Navy's North Sea Fleet and the Shandong Maritime Safety Administration announced in the past two days that the central part of the Yellow Sea would be cordoned off to all marine traffic from Thursday for military purposes. An area of about 40,000 square kilometres off the coastal city of Qingdao, where the North Sea Fleet is headquartered, was expected to be affected by the drill, which would involve live ammunition, Weihai Evening Postreported on Wednesday. Military experts said the drill was part of celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, which falls on August 1. Beijing has yet to unveil details of the celebrations, but sources familiar with the matter told the South China Morning Post that President Xi Jinping would go to Asia's largest military training base in Zhurihe, Inner Mongolia to watch war games involving cyberwarfare, special troops and army aviation. "It's very likely linked to the 90th anniversary. It's more of a show of military might to [demonstrate] the recent PLA achievements," said Collin Koh, a maritime security expert from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. Analysts also believed the drill was designed to send a warning to both Pyongyang and Washington as concerns grow over North Korea's accelerated nuclear and missile programme. Ni Lexiong, a Shanghai-based military affairs commentator, said the drill would send "a very subtle message to North Korea" as the defiant hermit nation refused to give up its nuclear ambitions despite US threats of a military strike. The US and Australian governments have said they believe Pyongyang could be preparing for another intercontinental ballistic missile test to be conducted within days. Ni said the naval drill could also be sending a message to the US at a time when tensions have resurfaced over a slew of issues including the South China Sea dispute. "The US has been quite active in the region recently," he said, citing its joint naval exercises with Japan and India and recent maritime and airspace patrols in disputed waters of the East China Sea and South China Sea. Two Chinese fighter jets intercepted a US Navy surveillance plane over the East China Sea at the weekend. Zhou Chenming, a military observer, said Russian ships may join the exercise in the Yellow Sea, in a sign of closer Sino-Russian military and security ties. Shi Yinhong, an international relations specialist from Renmin University, agreed that Beijing and Moscow appeared to be edging closer as Washington threatened tougher sanctions against North Korea and Russia. "Russian-US relations were strained over Moscow's annexation of Crimea and ties between China and the US have been frayed in recent weeks. This is the fundamental reason behind the growing military ties between China and Russia," he said. China, which has been conducting joint sea exercises with Russia since 2011, is conducting its first naval drill in the Baltic Sea alongside Russian warships. Meanwhile, State Councillor Yang Jiechi vowed to boost strategic cooperation and military ties with Russia on Wednesday at a bilateral strategy and security dialogue in Beijing. China's defence ministry could not be reached for comment. We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. Hello! Im Mark Olsen, and welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies. What is happening? There have been a lot of movies for a while now (obviously), but it seems like recently, this summer, theyve been good. Like on aggregate, mostly good! This week, for example, there were more good movies being released than we could really spotlight in the newsletter. So we are making extra room for The Incredible Jessica James, starring Jessica Williams. The movie premiered earlier this year at Sundance and Williams gives a playful, powerhouse performance. Advertisement Weve got a screening this week of The Only Living Boy In New York, starring Callum Turner, Kate Beckinsale, Pierce Brosnan and Jeff Bridges. Director Marc Webb will be there for a Q&A. To find out more and for updates on future events, go to events.latimes.com. Detroit The latest collaboration from director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal, Detroit is both a sweeping look at the Detroit riots of 1967 and a terrifyingly small-scale look at a single incident within that broader context. After being held by police at the Algiers Motel, three young black men died under still-contested circumstances. In his review for the Los Angeles Times, Justin Chang wrote, Is this grueling, bruising, hard-to-watch movie something anyone needs to sit through? Its a question that reveals less about the films ostensible agenda, I think, than it does about the inquirers default complacency . What makes Detroit vital is not that its images are new or revelatory, but rather that Bigelow and Boal have succeeded, with enviable coherence and tremendous urgency, in clarifying those images into art. The Times Steve Zeitchik attended the movies premiere at the historic Fox Theater in Detroit. He also spoke to Bigelow and Boal and some of the actual people who were there at the Algiers. As Boal said, Im not trying to be authoritarian and tell people how to feel, but anger is an appropriate response. This is something meant to be grappled with. The film has already stirred incisive writing both praising and criticizing its depiction of the events surrounding what happened at the Algiers. For the Daily Beast, Ira Madison III wrote, Detroit is actually a fictional account of the Algiers incident gathered from source materials and interviews. Its the fatal flaw in an otherwise excellent, terse, and enthralling film. I dont find Bigelow at fault for approaching this story as a white woman, at least in the scope of the Algiers episode, but when the film attempts to make a political statement about the incident and the riots, both she and the film falter. At RogerEbert.com, Angelica Jade Bastien, in a powerful counter-argument to the film, wrote that Detroit is presented as a valuable portrait of a bloody, violent, and important moment of American history . But Bigelow, Boal, and their collaborators are unable to meaningfully parallel this event to the present-day happenings they mirror. Watching Detroit I didnt see a period drama, but a horror film. The horror of white filmmakers taking on black history and the violence perpetuated upon black bodies with an unwavering eye yet nothing to say. Atomic Blonde Atomic Blonde is an action-packed spy thriller, with Charlize Theron as an international agent tearing her way through Berlin right around the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Directed by David Leitch, the movie contains some of the most explosive, engaging action sequences seen this year. Reviewing the movie for The Times, Justin Chang wrote, Atomic Blonde may be a delirious exercise in outre nonsense, but it can also be a brutally effective action picture when the inspiration strikes. I spoke to Leitch as well as some of the creative team behind the film about its hyper-stylized look, what he called a protracted 80s music video version of a spy movie. You have to make the world compelling, said Leitch. This super-agent is in this seedy rock n roll underworld in Berlin. There was a standing order that we want an aggregate 80s cool and we want to make it sort of a fantasy 80s, what you remember the 80s to be. Personally, I always enjoy when New York Times critic Manohla Dargis writes about screen performers or action filmmaking, and with this movie she got to do both. As she says, Plenty of pretty people slide right off the screen. Ms. Theron, by contrast, holds you partly because she doesnt seem eager to let you in, keeping you curious as she keeps you at bay with reserve and sphinxlike smiles. This distance adds to her mystery and it also makes the eruptions of violence more electric . shes a natural warrior, but its interesting here that each exertion and exhalation, each meaty, pulpy thump, also seems to be battering the fortifications that she has built around her. Director Dave McCary, left, and star/co-writer Kyle Mooney of the film Brigsby Bear. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Brigsby Bear Directed by Dave McCary and starring and co-written by Kyle Mooney, Brigsby Bear is a difficult movie to talk about without giving too much away. What can be said is that its about a young man who tries to re-create a childrens television show he has long been obsessed with. The cast also includes Mark Hamill, Jane Adams, Claire Danes, Greg Kinnear and Kate Lyn Sheil. Reviewing the film for the Los Angeles Times, Justin Chang called it a disarmingly sweet comedy before going on to note, the filmmakers keep a lot of offhand ideas and metaphors in play: childhoods end, the therapeutic power of art, the endearing, exasperating nature of fan culture. To that end, its fitting that one of the movies best performances is given by Mark Hamill, whose two brief appearances here are so grounded, and so cleverly scaled to the story, that you almost dont recognize him. I spoke to McCary and Mooney, friends since fifth grade, as well as Hamill, about crafting this ode to friendship, imagination and creativity. Tonally throughout the film, every time a scene feels like its reaching for a joke it would take away from the realism we were trying to capture and the emotional journey of James, said McCary. With any fish out of water story, its so easy to pile on, what sort of high jinks can he get in? And naturally we hopefully found some more subtle moments of humor, but with the understanding that our approach from Day 1 was always, how can we tell the most earnest version of this story? Person To Person Among my personal favorites at Sundance this year was Dustin Guy Defas Person to Person, a gently affecting look at a group of New Yorkers all struggling in their own way to connect with others. The movies fantastic cast includes Bene Coopersmith, Abbi Jacobson, Michael Cera, Tavi Gevinson and many more Reviewing the movie for the Los Angeles Times, Kimber Myers wrote, The low-key dramedy focuses on the citys less picturesque locales . Its a slight film, but its populated by enjoyable moments and wry observations At the New York Times, Nicole Herrington called it, a movie loosely about authenticity and the little absurdities that abound in New York City. I spoke to Defa, as well as actors Coppersmith and Jacobson, for a story Ill be publishing soon. I definitely wanted to explore the real invisible interconnectedness of New York City, where its a place where somehow you feel like youre connected to everybody. Youre not, obviously, but there is a feeling that the butterfly effect is condensed and you dont know how youre being affected. Email me if you have questions, comments or suggestions, and follow me on Twitter@IndieFocus SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter As an election loomed earlier this year, Los Angeles politicians were eager to prove that moneyed interests had not bought City Hall. Five City Council members called for a ban on campaign contributions from real estate developers seeking city approvals, saying it would address the perception that L.A. engages in pay-to-play politics. One of them went even further, pushing for full public financing, a system that would bankroll campaigns with taxpayer money instead of checks from wealthy donors. Six months later, neither proposal has had a hearing at City Hall. Advertisement Although both were referred to a council committee headed by council President Herb Wesson, no meetings have been scheduled so far. The effort to overhaul campaign funding did not come up last week, when Wesson laid out an ambitious agenda for the next 2 years. City leaders say they are still committed to reviewing the proposals. But neighborhood leaders and activists have been voicing doubts about whether they are serious. Look, its gone nowhere, said Walter Hall, who serves on the board of the Greater Valley Glen Council. Nothing has come out of the process since it started in January. The neighborhood council recently endorsed the developer donation ban, partly to prod city officials. Hall said his group also took action in response to a Times investigation into a real estate project known as Sea Breeze. The Times found more than $600,000 in contributions from donors linked directly and indirectly to the developer of that project, which was approved despite planning department opposition. The proposals from city lawmakers to overhaul campaign finance laws were unveiled in January, when L.A.s elected officials were fighting Measure S, a ballot proposal that would have imposed sweeping restrictions on real estate development. Measure S backers argued that wealthy developers use campaign contributions to persuade city politicians to approve out-of-scale building projects. Developers spent millions to defeat the proposal, and voters rejected it in March. Since then, backers of Measure S say City Council members have failed to follow through on their promises of reform. The proposed ban on developer donations is completely dead as far as we can see, said Jill Stewart, director of the Coalition to Preserve L.A., which pushed for passage of Measure S. It was a lot of talk. City officials, in turn, say the proposals are very much alive and will have a hearing at Wessons rules committee before the end of the year. I dont kill anything. I dont bury anything, Wesson said. But right now, Ive got a rollout of an agenda that I think takes some priority. That agenda includes efforts to form a municipal bank, build more affordable housing, draft legislation to protect immigrants and hold a series of events aimed at improving race relations. Wessons committee also has been under the gun to finish crafting regulations for marijuana businesses before January, when licensed sales of recreational cannabis become legal across California. The proposal to ban developer donations was co-authored by Councilman David Ryu, who was elected in 2015 after pledging not to accept such contributions. Nick Greif, a Ryu policy aide, said his boss wants a ban in place before fundraising begins for the 2020 city election which leaves council members with time to deliberate. That said, we dont want things to linger, Greif added. Councilman Paul Krekorian, who also sponsored the proposal, said he remains committed to keeping campaign finance reform at the top of this years agenda. We need to find solutions that build greater trust with the people we represent and make the entire system fairer and more transparent, he said in a statement. Three other politicians who backed the proposed ban on developer donations were running for reelection at the time and faced challengers who had pledged not to accept donations from real estate developers needing city approvals. Councilman Mike Bonin, who signed on to the developer donation ban, also brought forward a separate proposal for full public financing. Under such a system, candidates seeking public funding would have to get a minimum number of small donations from their constituents to demonstrate their campaigns are viable, then forgo any more fundraising. Bonin spokesman David Graham-Caso said the plan is still being worked on. The councilman, he said, has not yet decided exactly when it would go to voters in June or November of next year. The public financing proposal will probably face opposition, said Michele Sutter, co-founder of the activist group Money Out Voters In, which supports the move. The folks who profit from this system and who get to wield greater influence as a result of it are not that interested in relinquishing that advantage, she said. A previous push for public financing in L.A. was abandoned after years of scrutiny. During those discussions, a city analyst warned public financing could be very costly. If the system becomes too expensive, Angelenos may be reluctant to put additional public funds into political campaigns, said Jessica Levinson, president of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, which could be asked to vet the two campaign finance proposals. It can be tagged as welfare for politicians, she said. Levinson said that, even with a public financing system, wealthy donors could continue pouring unlimited amounts of money into independent committees that spend lavishly to support candidates. She also questioned whether a donation ban targeting developers would withstand a legal challenge. Other critics have argued that such a ban unfairly demonizes builders of much-needed housing. In Valley Glen, however, the neighborhood council wants L.A. to go further by also prohibiting donations from developers who are likely to submit plans for projects in the future. Why would an out-of-town developer, or any developer, whose only business is to make money, give money [to a campaign] unless he thinks its going to be to his benefit? said Hall, the neighborhood council member. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @latimesemily david.zahniser@latimes.com Twitter: @davidzahniser Dubbed the 9,250-ton greyhound of American military power and high-tech wizardry, the $1.5-billion guided-missile destroyer Rafael Peralta was commissioned Saturday at Naval Air Station North Island, within gunshot of the carriers it will protect for the next four decades. The warship bears the name of Sgt. Rafael Peralta, a Marine who posthumously received the Navy Cross the nations second-highest award for battlefield bravery. Our allies will see the name of this ship in ports around the world, said Gen. Robert Neller, the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps. And our adversaries, if they so wish to test it, may learn the power of this ship and the spirit and confidence of its crew. Advertisement Saturdays formal commissioning ceremony officially placed the warship into active service. It was the culminating event in a string of maritime rituals ship naming, keel laying, christening and launching that hark back to 1775, when the Continental Navy commissioned the Alfred for combat duty against the British. The event drew not only Neller but three members of San Diego Countys congressional delegation Reps. Scott Peters, Darrell Issa and Susan Davis plus San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Navy Vice Adms. Nora Tyson, commander of the Third Fleet, and Tom Rowden, commander of Naval Surface Forces. Each of the 2,400 white seats set out for the commissioning was filled, and hundreds more stood behind the rows, including the ranks of the Peraltas crew. In halting English, Rosa Maria Peralta, the San Diego mother of the destroyers namesake, ordered the crew to Man our ship and bring her to life! a command that sent the crew of 290 sailors dashing aboard the vessel. Above them, radar dishes spun, horns blared and the gun at the bow turned, signaling that it was ready for duty in the spirit of Rafael 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, a barrage of enemy bullets hit him. 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 Navy Cross citation. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. Echoes of both his combat valor and story from immigrant to American hero rang throughout the commissioning ceremony. Cannons fired a thunderous salute to the warship and the dignitaries who boarded it, the smoke curling silver and black through the packed crowd, a reminder of the din of battle Peralta faced in Iraq and what the warship might sail toward in the future. The color guard toting the flags of the United States, Navy and Marine Corps for the national anthem came from Camp Pendletons Wounded Warrior Battalion. The headquarters building there is named after Peralta and his portrait hangs on its wall. Every year at the units ball, the guest of honor is Rosa Peralta. During the commissioning, she sat near her daughters Icela and Karen and son Ricardo, who also served as a Marine. In his speech, Faulconer remembered Peralta as a hometown hero whose message courage to the end will be carried across the globe by the warship that bears his name. Where it sails, so sails his story. In his address, Peters (D-San Diego) focused on the new warships vital role in the American militarys pivot to the Pacific Rim, while noting that San Diego boasts the nations largest concentration of veterans who served after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The Peralta is ready for combat, just as her namesake was when he stepped into battle in Fallujah 13 years ago, he said. carl.prine@sduniontribune.com A lawsuit brought by former detainees held at CIA black-site prisons overseas will indeed go to trial the first such proceeding in the post-Sept. 11 era and one that aims to hold two civilian psychologists responsible for helping to develop harsh interrogation techniques. The government and attorneys for the two psychologists have attempted to halt the trial, and even the federal judge hearing the case, Justin Quackenbush, urged the plaintiffs and defendants to consider a settlement instead. If you want to go on and try this case before a jury, you may, he told attorneys for the ex-detainees, who are suing for unspecified monetary damages. Advertisement But I caution you, Quackenbush added, the litigants and the CIA, which has been an interested party in the case, would be better off to sit down and reach a reasonable conclusion. The litigants were unmoved, and on Friday, after almost three hours of arguments in the last of a series of pretrial hearings, Quackenbush decided the historic case was trial-ready. The hearing was held in Spokane, Wash., with audio of the proceedings carried on a call-in telephone line. Though earlier attempts by others to sue the CIA for alleged torture were derailed by the governments claim of threats to national security, a partially released Senate report in 2014 exposed much of the history of renditions and harsh interrogation methods, and the CIA agreed to comply with most document requests in this case. The American Civil Liberties Union brought the suit on behalf of Suleiman Abdullah Salim, a Tanzanian fisherman abducted by the CIA in Somalia in 2003, allegedly tortured, and released five years later with a document stating he posed no threat to the United States. Another ACLU plaintiff, Mohammed Ahmed Ben Soud, a Libyan also abducted in 2003, was tortured in Afghanistan, then rendered to Libya and held by authorities there after the Kadafi regime was overthrown. The ACLU also represents the Afghan family of Gul Rahman, who was abducted and died after two weeks in CIA custody, chained up, in diapers, and suffering from hypothermia. Rahman was held at a facility in Afghanistan called Cobalt prison, also known as the Salt Pit. The defendants, former Air Force psychologists James Mitchell and John Bruce Jessen, were hired after Sept. 11 by the CIA to design a program of enhanced interrogation techniques used to force terrorism suspects to give up useful intelligence. Their war on terror methods included waterboarding, beatings, forced rectal feeding and experiments with glaring lights and incessant music. The aim was to break the will of uncooperative prisoners. Mitchell and Jessen earned $81 million through a series of government contracts from 2003 until President Obama ended the arrangement, and torture tactics, in 2009. The pair contended that because they were contractors, the ultimate blame for any failures belonged to their employer, the CIA. In court, the psychologists attorneys argued that their clients couldnt be held responsible for simply doing business with the CIA pursuant to their contracts. In a last-ditch effort Friday to get the case dismissed, the defendants compared their situation to that of World War II manufacturers who supplied the Nazis with poison gas, and who later argued they werent responsible for how the gas was used. ACLU attorney Dror Ladin thought the comparison was a stretch, and noted that the postwar Nuremberg tribunals found that private contractors were in fact responsible if they chose to provide unlawful means that allowed them to profit from war crimes. In the same case that Mitchell and Jessen cite, Ladin said, the military tribunal found the owner of a chemical company that sold Zyklon B to the Nazis guilty, even though only the Nazis had final say on which prisoners would be gassed. Barring a settlement, the trial is slated to begin Sept. 5. Anderson is a special correspondent. ALSO Lawyers believe Mississippi man shot by police was executed Mother pleads with police at fatal Chicago shooting: I need to touch my son What do booty shorts, classical music and whiskey have in common? President Trumps great again slogan Lawyers for the family of a Mississippi man fatally shot by police called Friday on the Justice Department to investigate, saying they believe the mans death was an execution. Murray Wells, the attorney for the wife and son of Ismael Lopez, said officers involved in Lopezs death last weekend in the Mississippi city of Southaven should face criminal charges. Earlier this week, Dist. Atty. John Champion of northern Mississippis DeSoto County said that two officers were present Sunday evening when Lopez was shot at his home in Southaven. According to Champion, police said they fired their weapons after a dog burst out of the house as they searched for a suspect and after a man pointed a gun at them through an open door. Advertisement But Wells is disputing the account given by authorities. The lawyer said he has hired investigators and has spoken to neighbors of Lopez, an auto mechanic originally from Veracruz, Mexico, who came to the U.S. two decades ago and had never been in trouble with authorities. Wells has said recently that police didnt have a warrant for Lopez and were at the wrong address. He also has said Lopez was shot through a closed front door. And Lopez, though a gun owner, didnt have a gun in his hand when he was killed, according to the attorney. We think it was an execution, Wells said at a news conference Friday at his Memphis office. Now, when youre firing through a door, we think it complicates things. Physical evidence says their story isnt true. Local media organizations have reported that a sheriff of a neighboring county said his agency had requested that Southaven police look for a domestic violence suspect who was not Lopez. Wells said a lawyer from his firm has looked at the body with permission of the mans family and it appears Lopez was shot in the back of the head. He acknowledged that the determination of where Lopez was shot was that of his firm and doesnt come from any coroner or doctor. An autopsy report hasnt been released and authorities said a final autopsy report could take up to eight weeks. This man died running away from people who were trespassing on his premises, Wells told reporters. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating and will turn its findings over to the district attorney, Champion, who can decide whether to pursue charges. Police have referred questions to the bureau, which did not immediately return a call seeking comment. The DeSoto County coroner also didnt immediately return a call seeking comment. Wells said police and city officials are covering up facts in the case. He also called for the resignation of the Southaven police chief as well as the officers involved in the shooting. Wells said he would send the Justice Department a letter asking federal investigators to step in. In a statement read in English and Spanish by two of the firms lawyers, Lopezs family said he was a loving husband and father, a hard worker and a mentor in the community. There is no reasonable explanation about why or how this happened to our Ismael, but we believe his memory demands answers, accountability and justice, the family said. Mitch McConnell is helping the Trump presidency fail. Thats not the outcome the Senate Republican leader intended, of course. But thats what he achieved last week when he presided over the apparent collapse of his partys seven-year campaign to repeal Obamacare. Presidents succeed when they deliver on their core campaign promises, and tend to fail when they dont. A president who thinks strategically tries to begin his tenure with a legislative victory, to bolster an image of competence and strength. Instead, President Trumps first big legislative effort just ended in a stinging loss. Theres plenty of blame to go around, but McConnell, the owlish Kentuckian with a now-dented reputation as a legislative wizard, was the man in charge. Advertisement What went wrong? First, McConnell and his Republicans had no plan in part because they never expected Trump to win the presidential election. That meant many GOP senators had never done the hard work of figuring out what kind of Obamacare replacement they wanted, and what compromises they might accept if they ever had a chance to negotiate. There was no consensus about the kind of policy outcome they were seeking, beyond something they could call repeal. He was mourning more than merely the failure of one attempt to repeal Obamacare. He was seeing an entire legislative program heading into danger. Second, McConnell didnt use the regular legislative process. Instead of sending healthcare to Senate committees for deliberation, he assembled a panel of 13 GOP senators, all white men, to write a bill behind closed doors. That had two effects. It locked Democrats out of the process. And it offended Republicans who werent included. There was a pragmatic reason for the backroom process. McConnell and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan decided to make Obamacare part of a budget bill that would need only 51 votes to pass. That, they thought, meant they wouldnt need any Democratic help, so they didnt even try to take a bipartisan approach. The strategy would also allow them to make the bill a vehicle for cutting taxes. But the strategy backfired. Sen. John McCain of Arizona complained that the leadership produced a proposal behind closed doors in consultation with the administration, then [sprang] it on skeptical members, trying to convince them its better than nothing a direct rebuke to McConnell. Finally, the process went from bad to worse, culminating in a grotesque proposal the skinny repeal that McConnell promised would never become law. He asked Republican senators to ignore its substance and vote for it as an act of pure party loyalty. Three of them McCain, Lisa Murkoswki of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine refused. McConnell was not the only architect of this failure. Trump helped. Although the president exhorted Republicans to pull together behind something, it was clear he didnt really care what the something was. His lobbying effort consisted largely of warning GOP dissidents that hed punish them if they didnt fall in line. And the bluster didnt sway the three holdouts. Indeed, its hard to avoid believing that McCain relished the chance to defy a president who had not only derided him for being captured during the Vietnam War, but accused him of neglecting veterans. The impact of this failure is bigger than just Obamacare. It hampers the prospects for the rest of Trumps ambitious legislative agenda including the centerpiece of the administrations economic program, a massive tax cut. On the coming tax bill, just as on healthcare, Trump and GOP legislators havent settled on specific goals. Just as on healthcare, they hope to pass the measure with only Republican votes. In other words, they plan to try the same strategy over again, hoping for different results. Right now, that doesnt seem likely to work. For one thing, Democrats have been emboldened to resist. And Democratic base voters, energized by the Obamacare fight, will demand that they do. For another, as the Trump administration careens sideways, Republican legislators are feeling freer to push back. Last week, for example, they passed a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia that the White House initially opposed. Who can blame them? Theyre dealing with a chaotic White House that cant seem to manage internecine staff squabbles, much less a legislative strategy. They seem less enthusiastic than before to defer to the wishes of a president whose popularity may still be sinking. McConnell is famous for rarely displaying emotion. But on Friday, as he announced at nearly 2 in the morning that his effort to repeal Obamacare had failed, the Kentuckians voice wavered and nearly cracked. This is a disappointment, he said. A disappointment indeed. He was mourning more than merely the failure of one attempt to repeal Obamacare. He was seeing an entire legislative program heading into danger. Without a victory somewhere, McConnell, Ryan and Trump wont have much to show voters in 2018. Theyll rail at Democrats for obstruction, of course. But theyll have only themselves to blame. doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com Twitter: @DoyleMcManus Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook One of the toughest military enlistments in the Civil War was served by a woman who dressed as a man. Private Albert D.J. Cashier, born Jennie Hodgers in Clogher Head, Ireland, marched thousands of miles and fought in dozens of battles and skirmishes with the 95th Illinois Infantry. Cashier joined the regiment at the beginning of the war for a three-year term, and continued fighting until after Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. After mustering out, Cashier lived out the next half-century as a man, spending three years at the Soldiers and Sailors Home in Quincy, Ill., until, nearing 70, he suffered the onset of dementia and was sent to a state mental hospital. There, hospital staff discovered Cashiers secret and forced him to wear a dress. As I watched the news unfold last week in response to President Trumps Twitter declaration that he would not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military, I couldnt help but think of it as an act of regressive abuse, and also as an exercise in futility. Advertisement No matter their gender identity, people have served our country honorably and willingly since the early days of this republic. During the American Revolution, Deborah Sampson took on the identity of Robert Shurtleff and joined the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. She fought for a year and a half as a man, and it was a busy time: scouting territory, storming British fortifications, digging trenches at the siege of Yorktown. Her sex was only discovered when she got sick and was sent to a hospital. There have been times in American history when, despite the strictures of the day, we showed that we could embrace the variety of human experience. Was she punished? Far from it. She received an honorable discharge and, eventually, a full military pension from the state of Massachusetts. Before transgender was a word, hundreds of women posed as men to serve in the Civil War. They did so capably and, in many cases, without ever being found out. Medical exams were cursory show them your hands and feet, and you were handed a musket and both the Union and Confederate armies desperately needed warm bodies at the front. Like other soldiers, many of these women fought for love of cause and country, and for the paycheck. We cant pretend to know how each of them identified from a gender perspective. Some soldiers returned home and resumed life as women, marrying and raising families. Some, like Cashier, continued after the war to live on quietly, privately as men. But the point is that it didnt matter: They served, and served well, and served the same as the soldiers who were born as men. And for all the women who fought under male identities, there were many more who pushed Victorian gender boundaries by acting boldly in military capacities as spies, nurses and vivandieres also known as daughters of the regiment who bore the flag in battle, rallied troops and cared for the wounded. The pioneering Civil War nurse Clara Barton, who traveled to the battlefield under fire to aid the sick and dying, would later go on to found the Red Cross. An ardent suffragist, she believed that opportunities in the war advanced the social position of women by decades. Though we think of our modern moment as a time when identity is at its most open, there have been times in American history when, despite the strictures of the day, we showed that we could embrace the variety of human experience. Heres how one newspaper reporter described Albert Cashiers service not long after his past was revealed: During the war Cashiers comrades noted that the handsome young Irishman was rather inclined to be offish, but overlooked the soldiers exclusiveness in their admiration for his military bearing and reckless daring Owing to the soldiers rigorous health and apparent abandon Cashier was always among those chosen when dependable men were absolutely necessary. Post-war, Cashier lived a low-key life in Saunemin, Ill., working odd jobs around town that included handyman, farmhand and janitor, for 50 years. At the Soldiers and Sailors Home, before he was moved to the state hospital, Cashier was treated with respect as a veteran. The staff at the home kept his secret for years. When Cashiers fellow soldiers found out he was born a woman, they were surprised. But many of them rallied to protest his treatment at the state hospital. When he died, in October 1915, he was dressed in his Union blue uniform and buried with full military honors. The tombstone was inscribed with the details of his military service and his male identity, Albert D.J. Cashier. Clara Barton once wrote a poem to honor the women who went to the field. But the words she chose could just as easily be used to honor anyone who wishes to serve in the military, no matter how high the barrier. Above all, bravery and service make us equal in commanding dignity and respect: But later, it chanced, just how no one knew That the lines slipped a bit, and some gan to crowd through; And they went, where did they go? Ah; where did they not? Where did they go? Where they were needed. Bonnie Tsui is a writer in Berkeley and the author of She Went to the Field, a history of female soldiers in the Civil War. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook A 19-year-old woman in El Salvador, Evelyn Beatriz Hernandez Cruz, was found guilty of aggravated homicide this month after giving birth to a premature, most likely stillborn baby in the pit latrine of her family home. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Hernandez Cruzs case is not unique. Since 2000, at least 35 Salvadoran women have been convicted of killing their newborns. They have all been imprisoned not for violating El Salvadors draconian abortion law, the charge for which many of them were initially arrested, but for pumped-up charges of aggravated homicide, attempted aggravated homicide or manslaughter. All of these women gave birth unexpectedly, often prematurely, and without medical support. All reported that their newborns were either born dead or died shortly after delivery due to circumstances beyond their control. The women who were convicted of aggravated homicide received sentences of 25 to 40 years in prison. The few convicted of attempted aggravated homicide because their babies survived received sentences of 12 to 15 years. Advertisement Activists offer competing explanations for why women like Hernandez Cruz are charged with homicide and imprisoned in El Salvador. On one side, abortion rights advocates and human-rights organizations such as Amnesty International argue that the countrys abortion law, which criminalizes abortion in all circumstances, is the main culprit driving the prosecutions. Get rid of the law, they imply, and you get rid of the problem. On the other side, antiabortion activists insist that Hernandez Cruz and the other women really did murder their babies that the circumstances surrounding the alleged stillbirths are fabrications created by what they call the pro-abortion lobby as part of a campaign to change El Salvadors abortion law. The Salvadoran authorities routinely and flagrantly disregarded evidence in order to pursue guilty verdicts grist for the panic mill. In my view, understanding these cases requires going beyond the debate about El Salvadors abortion law and grasping a larger phenomenon at play. As a sociologist, I have reviewed the court papers for 20 cases in which Salvadoran women were convicted of aggravated homicide of their newborns, soliciting expertise from forensic pathologists, obstetricians and legal scholars when needed. My analysis has uncovered extensive evidence of a sociological concept known as moral panic. The South African sociologist Stanley Cohen introduced the idea of moral panic in 1972 to describe a collective hysteria that can erupt when societies undergo a period of upheaval that threatens to transform traditional power relations. Moral panic works to reimpose the traditional social order by targeting as villains, or folk devils, the marginalized group that appears to be gaining power. Such villains are often charged by the media and other powerful institutions with harming innocent, defenseless victims. States typically respond to moral panic by adopting punitive laws to punish the group. In the 1990s, the decade before it started incarcerating women for stillbirths, El Salvador was in the early throes of such an upheaval. The country had recently emerged from a 12-year civil war. As a condition of United Nations-brokered peace accords, the political elite was required to share the Legislative Assembly with the same leftist insurgents it had fought in the war. Right-wing political groups seized on antiabortion rhetoric as a uniquely effective means of demonizing the newly powerful left as antifamily and antireligion. Working with the local Catholic Church, these right-wing political parties eventually collaborated to pass the abortion ban in 1997, followed by a constitutional amendment in 1999 requiring the state to protect human life from the moment of conception. According to Cohens theory, the media plays a crucial role in whipping up moral panic. In El Salvador, mainstream media outlets went into overdrive to foment the frenzy over abortion, calling on the state to do more to capture homicidal mothers and using the words abortion and homicide interchangeably. One newspaper article reported that the number of newborns being thrown into latrines, trash receptacles, or vacant lots by their own mothers is alarming. Often, such articles did not cite a single case to support their claims, yet offered provocative descriptions of the evil women who carried out the crimes. They are human beings who only lived the nine months that they were in their mothers wombs, reported one newspaper. Upon birth, they await the sweet hands of a mother, but what they find instead are the talons of soulless women. It is in this larger context that these heavy prison sentences must be understood. In the 20 cases I examined, the Salvadoran authorities routinely and flagrantly disregarded evidence in order to pursue guilty verdicts grist for the panic mill. Police and government lawyers failed to acknowledge the possibility of an unanticipated birth and consistently argued that women like Hernandez Cruz launched or threw their newborns into the latrine. Forensic specialists used unreliable tests and flawed reasoning to conclude that the babies were killed, even when their own autopsies documented fetal anomalies that were likely to have caused natural stillbirths. In the few cases where an infant did appear to have been subjected to a violent death, officials investigated only the mother, ignoring evidence that pointed to other possible suspects. Most glaring, Salvadoran judges excluded information that would have supported the womens testimony, accepting unexplainable inconsistencies in the forensic reports or prosecutors arguments, and offering presumptions rather than evidence in determining guilt. In the case of Hernandez Cruz, authorities flouted the defendants plausible account of events. Hernandez Cruz was only 30 weeks pregnant when she gave birth. She said that she had not realized she was pregnant because she had experienced regular vaginal bleeding and interpreted this as menstruation. When she began having painful stomach cramps, she went to the outhouse, expecting to have a bowel movement. Legal and medical experts say there is no reason to doubt Hernandez Cruzs story. A surprising number of women do not realize they are pregnant until they have delivered, even in affluent countries. Moreover, vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester is a universal sign of pregnancy complications. It could indicate an abnormal placenta, for instance, which can interrupt the flow of blood or oxygen to the fetus. And yet, authorities disregarded Hernandez Cruzs story outright. They did so despite the fact that her infant was found to have inhaled meconium while in utero another sign of fetal distress and even though Hernandez Cruz was diagnosed with a bladder infection, a condition strongly associated with premature birth. The judge concluded simply that Hernandez Cruz was lying when she said she did not realize she was pregnant, that she had not wanted anyone to find out that she was pregnant, and that she therefore had planned to get rid of the baby. This series of assumptions served as the sole basis for a guilty verdict. A brazen presumption of guilt is evident in the handling of all 20 cases. In one especially egregious case, the autopsy reported at least three biological abnormalities that could account for a stillbirth. The report also stated explicitly that no signs of trauma were found on the infants body. Nevertheless, when indicating the cause of death, the forensic examiner simply wrote the word violent. Salvadoran legislators are considering a bill that would legalize abortion in a few specific circumstances, such as when pregnancy endangers a womans life. This law would save many Salvadoran womens lives. But protecting teenagers like Hernandez Cruz from spending a lifetime in jail will require more than legislation. Jocelyn Viterna is a professor of sociology at Harvard University. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook To the editor: Thirteen years ago, I began to experience symptoms that led me to believe I had lymphoma. I visited several male doctors and they all dismissed my concerns. I was referred to a top ENT and dragged my husband along for support. (Re Female patients: Its not all in your head Opinion, July 26) After explaining my symptoms, I asked if he thought I had lymphoma. He looked at my husband, rolled his eyes and said you dont have lymphoma, you have allergies and if I treat them, you will be fine. My husband was shocked that a doctor would treat anyone in such an insulting manner. Advertisement I finally saw a doctor who listened to me. He sent me for a scan and sadly, I had stage IV, non-Hodgkin lymphoma. I sent a letter to the ENT explaining my diagnosis and that I hoped he would listen more respectfully to his female patients in the future. Laurie S. Adami, Santa Monica :: To the editor: Emily Dwass opinion piece repeats the charge that female patients complaints are ignored by doctors because of their gender. Her impression is not supported by research into this issue. A large nationwide review, which examined 46,868 office visits, revealed that the care received by men and women was similar about two-thirds of the time. When the care was different, women overall received more diagnostic tests and treatment more lab tests, blood-pressure checks, drug prescriptions, and return appointments. In the United States, we spend twice as much on the healthcare of women than on that of men. Even if you exclude obstetrical care, females at every age receive more medical attention than males. The charge that the healthcare of women is neglected because of their gender needs to be evaluated in that context. Andrew G. Kadar, M.D., Beverly Hills Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Heres a steamy little story: Round-trip airfares to Atlanta from LAX dropped by $100 this week. Heres the steamy part: As you can see by this photo, shot Monday, thunderstorms are rolling in. Thats not unusual in areas where there is high humidity, especially in summer, when warm moist air rises and collides with cool air. Advertisement The good news is that if youre headed to Atlanta this week, the humidity will drop to as low as 49%. Southern Californians may find that sticky, but it will feel like a relief to Atlantans. The other good news is the lower fare may make it somewhat more bearable, unless youre leaving from Burbank, from which fares went up $73 from last week. Otherwise, domestic fares were mostly stable. The big surprise, as you can see on the chart above, was London, whose previous low fare dropped more than $600. London was our airfare deal of the week. American, British Airways, Delta, United and Virgin Atlantic are offering a $598 fare through May 10. (Blackout days apply.) The low fare here is Norwegian, which continues to put pressure on traditional carriers. All of these fares are more than $500 less than last weeks. If youre planning to go, this may be the time to book. Sources for these charts: Sabre reservation system, airlines and Web These restricted round-trip airfares as researched on Thursday. Fares change daily, and availability is not assured. Fares, which may involve a change of planes, are for airlines serving Los Angeles International (LAX), Orange County/John Wayne (SNA), Burbank/Bob Hope (BUR), L.A. Ontario (ONT) and Long Beach (LGB). Domestic fares and international airfares include taxes and fees. *These international fares vary because of differing fuel surcharges on different airlines. ALSO 405 Freeway lane closures near LAX may delay evening drives to the ariport for the next three weeks See the rugged riverside where Californias Gold Rush began A weekend escape to Colorados deep, steep Black Canyon of the Gunnison travel@latimes.com @latimestravel Shane was a strong, sure-footed horse, about 20 years old, raised in Texas. He had plenty of ideas about how an excursion into the Eastern Sierra should go, especially the grazing and drinking between meals. I had different ideas, and the reins. Occasionally, there was friction. But for four days in late June, we were a team clambering up switchback trails and crossing creeks full of rushing water that had surely been snow the day before. Together, as part of a pack trip that began north of Bishop at Rock Creek Pack Station, we threaded through forests of lodgepole pine and quaking aspen into a world of jutting peaks, clear lakes, clean air, gullible trout and a few mosquitoes. Id never felt as close to this rugged, pristine high country. See more Sierra pack trip photos Pack stations, which spend their summers sending travelers into the wilderness with horses and mules, are in many ways a throwback to the 19th century. But a dozen still have licenses to operate in the Eastern Sierras Inyo National Forest. The big melt of last winters massive snowfall has made their 2017 season a delicate enterprise. Though the peaks are snowier and the scenery is greener than they have been in years, the storms damaged many roads and trails. Some of us were a little late getting open, but theyre open now, said John Summers, owner of Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit. In fact, packers say conditions will be good for August and September guests, although luring them will be a challenge because many schools have resumed classes. Hitting the trail Guests and packers from Rock Creek Pack Station start their ride back to the station from Davis Lake. (Cristopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) I showed up on the morning of June 26 at Rock Creek Pack Station, 33 miles northwest of Bishop. The station, run by the London family since 1947, uses about 130 horses and mules each summer. It offers trips, from a two-hour outing to a 30-day expedition, with themes that include fishing, photography, Mt. Whitney and wild mustangs. I paid $840 (before taxes and tip) for my four-day, three-night trip. Our traveling party consisted of three guides (traditionally known as packers), me and seven members of the Johanson-Palermo family, six from Los Gatos, Calif., one from Fargo, N.D. We began with a leisurely ride to the banks of Davis Lake, about five miles up slope from the nearest road and about 9,800 feet above sea level in the John Muir Wilderness. This was the first pack trip for all of us, and we were all novice or intermediate riders. But we had veteran packers Bryan Kaiser (17 summers in the Sierra), Hilary Bruegl (four summers) and Jackson Stoll (two summers) to keep us out of trouble as we trooped through the sometimes soggy forest. ALSO: A weekend escape to Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison Meanwhile, a second group of packers had loaded tents and other supplies onto the backs of six mules and headed up the same trail. We typically like to keep them right around 150 pounds when were packing, Kaiser told me. But they can carry as much as 600 pounds. We set up our tents about 100 feet from Davis Lake, one of nine strung along Hilton Creek, while the packers settled the horses at the edge of our camp and put together the kitchen. Afterward, we flopped on rocks to gaze at the peaks that surrounded us, several of them named for railroad magnates, including Mt. Huntington (12,405 feet) and Mt. Stanford (12,838 feet). I gradually became aware of a steady, mysterious roar, like an unseen interstate. At first I thought it was the wind, which was raising big ripples on the water. But, no, it was the waterfall across the lake, so tame most years that it hadnt been named. Dinnertime brought more revelations. The good news was that when you have mules, you need not eat freeze-dried everything. By the time our trip ended, wed eaten chicken, pork, sausage, bacon, steak, potatoes, rice, salad, fruit, vegetables and a few fresh-caught trout. The bad news an old story among outfitters but unexpected for several of us customers was that the Forest Service bans campfires at Hilton Lakes. I know its for safetys sake, but nobody dreams of circling chairs at dinnertime and staring at the cold dirt where a fire should be while the temperature drops from about 70 to about 40. The unconnected life Lake Davis and surrounding mountains on a morning without wind. (Cristopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Olivia Palermo, 16, right, lands a trout at Davis Lake in the Eastern Sierra with her friends Kami Decker looking on. (Cristopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Kami Decker, 16, of Los Gatos, eats breakfast at camp. Her cowboy name: Scruffy. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Lake Davis and surrounding mountains, top, Olivia Palermo holding a trout with Kami Decker in back, left, Decker eats breakfast at camp, right. Still, we adapted, especially the four teenagers, who began the journey with their thumbs almost visibly twitching from cellphone withdrawal. Disconnected from the grid, they gave themselves cowboy names, whittled, hummed theme songs that nobody older than 20 had ever heard, and played cards. Olivia Palermo, 16, caught her first fish (a trout of about 8 inches), named it Jimmy, and ate it, all in her first six hours on the lake. Leo Palermo, Olivias 13-year-old brother, performed a circus-worthy horseback limbo maneuver to dodge a nasty branch on a ride up a steep, snowy slope. Trevor Dales, 13, cut a deal to wash dishes after dinner so he could A) get an extra serving of sausage and B) get his hands into some wonderfully warm water on a cold, windy night. Kami Decker, 16, chose the best cowboy name of the bunch Scruffy and kept riding even when her buddy Olivia bowed out to catch more fish. Among the adults, David Johanson; his wife, Karen Johanson; and his brother John Johanson (who had come from Fargo) did a lot of fishing. I cast a few times but mostly took photos and collected pack-station vocabulary. Dunnage pack: the bundle of your possessions that a packer loads onto a pack animal. Spot trip: when a packer and animals deliver you and your gear (including food) to a campsite where youll fend for yourself until he or she returns to help with the trip back to civilization. All-expense trip: what we did, with packers and animals always present, cooking and food included, and most gear provided. Exploring on horseback Guests and packers from Rock Creek Pack Station cross a creek near Davis Lake, in the Eastern Sierra. (Cristopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Every day we had a different expedition on horseback, beginning and ending with crossing the creek next to our campsite. The water was 2 to 3 feet deep, and there were plenty of loose stones under that cold, clear flow, but the animals chose their steps carefully. We rode one to four hours a day. Our saddle-related aches and pains eased, and we got to know our horses better. Later, pack station owner Craig London told me Shane had been broken in by a blind trainer. A great guy I dont know how he did it, London said, adding that Shane has always been a favorite. Doesnt jump, doesnt spook. The water was always with us. One day, we tried to reach the third lake in the Hilton Lakes chain, but the slopes were so covered with snow and runoff that we had to turn around. On the way back to camp, however, we got close to that roaring waterfall. Water giveth and water taketh away. And then on Day 3, a little after sunset, the wind died. The lakes surface went glassy, and the landscape was reborn: Not only did we have twice as many mountains, thanks to new reflections on the water, but we also had the entire panorama cast in the bluish light of the moon. Somehow, our campsite was now a vast Japanese wood-block print, impossibly still, harmonious and monochromatic. On the fourth morning, the lake was still glassy, which made it hard to leave. But it was time. We rolled up our sleeping bags, collapsed the tents, saddled up. Shane harrumphed a time or two, then carried me one more time across that swollen creek. If you go Rock Creek Pack Station, 9001 Rock Creek Road, Bishop, Calif.; (760) 872-8331. Prices vary by trip. Four-day trail rides to Hilton Lakes start at $695 per person. Where to sleep before and after: Because many rides start early in the morning and end in the afternoon, its a good idea to spend the nights before and after the trip near the Pack Station. The closest rustic option is Toms Place Resort (8180 Crowley Lake Drive, Crowley Lake; [760] 935-4239), 25 miles north of Bishop. It has cabins ($75-$150 a night), private lodge rooms ($65-$75) and beds in dorm rooms ($30-$35 per bed). One very comfortable option, with pool and dining room, is the Creekside Inn (725 N. Main St., Bishop; [760] 872-3044), where rooms for two typically are $140-$180 in summer. christopher.reynolds@latimes.com Follow Reynolds on Twitter: @MrCSReynolds Question: We recently traveled to Spain and Portugal. When paying by credit card, we were given the option of paying in euros or dollars. It was unclear which was more advisable. I carry a co-branded airline credit card that doesnt charge a foreign transaction fee, so if you can pay in dollars and not incur a foreign transaction fee, then there is no reason for us to be paying $95 for a card that doesnt charge the fee. Are we missing something? John Martin Glendale Answer: If youre paying in dollars, youre probably missing a chance to save money. Here are the five words you never want to say when youre abroad and youre asked which currency you want to pay in: Ill pay in dollars, thanks. Advertisement Thats because of a devilish little deception called dynamic currency conversion, which is not the same as a foreign transaction fee. Its another fee altogether. Heres what happens, according to Kimberly Palmer, a credit card expert at NerdWallet, a personal finance website: When you are asked whether you want to pay in dollars or euros or any other currency, you are allowing a dynamic currency conversion provider to set the exchange rate. You pay its rate and, Palmer said, In most cases you will end up paying more if you say yes. Its because the exchange rates [they offer] are not generally as favorable as the card networks (by which she means Visa, MasterCard or whatever credit card you carry). The provider and the merchant generally split the profit from that conversion fee. It wont be much on any one charge, but you add up lots of transactions and it could be a pretty penny (or euro). What theyre doing is not illegal. It is said to be a convenience: You know what 47.52 means in U.S. dollars. You may not know what 37 euros is immediately, so why not? Heres why not: Youll generally pay 1% to 3% more for paying in U.S. dollars than you will if you pay in the currency of the country youre in, Palmer said. And that is before foreign transaction fees, which are another add-on you can get stuck with when youre paying by credit card abroad. Whats important to consider, in some cases, is that you might also be paying a foreign transaction fee, Palmer said. Add up those two fees, and you could be paying 7, 8 and even 10% over and above your purchase price. But you dont have to get stuck with paying a premium abroad. You can avoid that pain by: Carrying a credit card (or cards Palmer suggested having two or three in your wallet) that does not charge foreign transaction fees. There are increasingly more of these, thank goodness. Id like to say its because credit card companies realize how unethical it is to charge you for doing a calculation that takes less than a nanosecond, but Palmer attributed this to increased competition among cards. OK, so the motivation gets an F but the outcome gets an A. To find cards that dont charge the fee, take a look at NerdWallets picks for the best travel cards. Choosing to pay in the currency of the country youre in. I did that on a recent trip to Ireland, and I trained my traveling companions (older sisters who are not only older but also usually smarter on most everything) to just say no to paying in U.S. dollars. I swelled with pride when I heard them say, Euros, please. Watching the merchant like a hawk. I did not swell with pride when one hotel assumed Id want dollars and ran my charge through accordingly. Not wanting to cause a scene, I didnt speak up. Any merchant accepting a card is supposed to ask which you want. This hotelier did not. Id assume evil intent except she looked about 12 years old, which is not to say that scam artists cant be young, but Im giving her the benefit of the doubt. Should I have said something? I could have, Palmer said, but its just as easy to keep your receipts and contact your card company when you return home. The difference, in this case, is not going to be huge so I may not invest the time. But at least now its my choice. My final point wont help you avoid paying extra, but it may help you save significantly on travel: Consider which cards to carry on a trip. We know you want one with no foreign transaction fee, but you also might want one that gives you double rewards for travel charges. And you should consider whether you want a card that is tied to a brand (a hotel or an airline, for example, the latter of which Martin was using) or gives you convertible points that is, reward points that can be used for any brand or any hotel and even merchandise. Im a fan of both and carry both co-branded cards and convertible points cards. I enjoy playing the points collection game, although I am a novice compared with some of my colleagues. On the other hand, I did get three tickets to Dublin from Washington, D.C., the starting point for the trip, for the grand total of nothing. Given my amateur points-playing status, our tickets were economy class, but I still saved us more than $2,700. Plus I got kudos from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Blouses and Occasional Matching Scarf. If youre the youngest, thats a pretty great feeling. Have a travel dilemma or question? Write to travel@latimes.com. We regret we cannot answer every inquiry. travel@latimes.com @latimestravel Philippine police said they fatally shot 15 people Sunday, including a mayor who was among the politicians President Rodrigo Duterte publicly linked to illegal drugs, in the bloodiest assault so far under Dutertes anti-drug crackdown. Officers were to serve warrants to Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. of Ozamiz city to search his houses for the suspected presence of unlicensed firearms when gunmen opened fire on the police, sparking clashes that killed the mayor, his wife and at least 13 other people, Ozamiz Police Chief Jovie Espenido said. Hes a high-value target on illegal drugs, Espenido, who oversaw the simultaneous, post-midnight raids on the mayors residence and three other houses, said at a news conference. Advertisement We enforce the law to protect the people who want peace in this country, he said. How can we enforce the law if were scared of the drug lords? That cannot be, they should be afraid of people who do good for all. At least five people, including Parojinogs daughter, who serves as vice mayor of Ozamiz, a port city, were arrested during the raids. Policemen were approaching the mayors house when his bodyguards opened fire and hit a police car and wounded a police officer, sparking a firefight amid a power outage, Espenido said. A grenade held by one of Parojinogs bodyguards exploded during the clash inside his house and it remains unclear whether he and his wife were killed by the blast or police gunfire or both, Espenido said, adding that assault rifles, grenades, suspected methamphetamine and cash were seized in the raids. How can we enforce the law if were scared of the drug lords? That cannot be. Jovie Espenido, Ozamiz police chief The administration vowed to intensify the drug campaign, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in connection with Sundays raids in Ozamiz. The Parojinogs, if you would recall, are included in [Dutertes] list of personalities involved in the illegal drug trade. Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He was the third mayor to be killed under Dutertes bloody crackdown on drugs, which has left more than 3,000 dead in reported gunfights with police and thousands of other unexplained deaths of suspects. Parojinogs daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested and was to be flown to Manila for security reasons, regional police Chief Supt. Timoteo Pacleb said. The drug killings have been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups that have called for an end to what they suspect were extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign. Last year, police officers shot dead Albuera town Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte, and a week before that, another mayor and his nine bodyguards were gunned down, apparently during a firefight on a road in the southern Philippines. Espenido was the Albuera police chief when the then-detained Espinosa was killed during the police jail raid in a nearby city. Duterte has vowed to defend policemen who would face criminal and human rights charges while cracking down on illegal drugs. He recently ordered a police officer in Espinosas death to be reinstated after briefly being charged and suspended following the jail killing. All three mayors were among more than 160 officials Duterte named publicly as being linked to illegal drugs in August as part of a shame campaign. Duterte has vowed not to stop until the last drug dealer in the country has been eliminated. ALSO Youths protest violence, emerging dictatorship as the Philippines Duterte seeks to extend martial law Charlie Gard, child at center of court battle over his end-of-life treatment, dies in London Duck and cover 2.0: How North Korea is prompting new efforts to prepare for a nuclear attack Nearly 150 Central American migrants packed into a tractor trailer and bound for the United States were rescued in the Mexican Gulf state of Veracruz after being abandoned by smugglers, Mexican authorities said Sunday. The case comes a week after a truck ferrying scores of Mexican and Central American migrants without sufficient water and ventilation was found in Texas. Ten migrants died in that case. The 147 people rescued in Veracruz whose ranks included 48 minors, including 14 unaccompanied by adults had been left without food and water and were found on Saturday in a rural zone of the municipality of Ozuluama, the Mexican National Institute of Migration said in a statement. Advertisement Traffickers had directed the migrants to exit from a truck into which they had been packed in overcrowded conditions lacking ventilation, authorities said. They were told to hide in the underbrush and await the return of the smugglers, who never came back. Mexican authorities provided medical care to the migrants, some of whom were dehydrated, officials said. None required hospitalization and all were taken to an immigration facility in Veracruz while officials attempted to clarify their status in Mexico. They included citizens of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, authorities said. The migrants abandoned in Veracruz were likely following the same well-transited route as those who perished in Texas. Central Americans destined for the United States regularly make their way via trucks, trains, buses and other vehicles to the U.S.-Mexico border area, seeking to cross illicitly into the United States. Texas Rio Grande Valley, adjacent to Mexicos Tamaulipas state, is a favored crossing zone. Many Mexican migrants take the same route. Organized criminal gangs, including the ultra-violent Zetas cartel, control the trafficking corridors, charging migrants thousands of dollars each for the trip north, officials say. Smugglers often abandon their human cargoes en route. Traffickers also seek to recruit some migrants for criminal activity and sometimes kill their charges for refusing to enlist or for being unable to pay smuggling fees, according to law enforcement officials. In 2010, Mexican authorities discovered the bodies of 72 migrants, mostly Central Americans, on a ranch in Tamaulipas. All had been killed execution-style, Mexican police said. Authorities blamed the deaths on the Zetas. Cecilia Sanchez of The Times Mexico City bureau contributed. patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com twitter: @mcdneville Every time he gets the chance, Ayham Hilal, an Internet cafe proprietor in the Syrian city of Saraqeb, squeezes into a small community center with about 200 fellow theatergoers and loses himself in a comedy show. The sketches are productions of an all-volunteer performance troupe known as the Saraqeb Youth Group, which has been bringing its brand of satirical theater to the small city east of Idlib through the most brutal chapters of the countrys civil war. For the record: An earlier version of this article carried a Saraqeb, Syria, dateline. The dateline should be Beirut. Sometimes the players perform at a community center, other times at schools and at camps for internally displaced people, and even on the street. Advertisement The troupe formed in 2006, five years before the Arab Spring uprisings swept into Syria. Protests metastasized into a prolonged and bloody conflict that has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. At the time of the troupes founding, Ahmad Khatab and Walid Abu Rashid were a pair of artistically inclined teenagers. Khatab played the oud, a pear-shaped stringed instrument used in traditional Arabic music. Abu Rashid had ambitions of becoming an actor. Ahmad Khatab, center, and Walid Abu Rashid, right, founders of the Syrian volunteer theater troupe Saraqeb Youth Group, perform in a sketch produced by the group, filmed in Saraqeb. (Ahmad Qadour / Saraqeb Youth Group) Along with their love of performance, they shared a distaste for Syrian President Bashar Assad. With three of their friends, the boys began writing and performing short plays poking fun at Assad. Their audiences were amused, but the government was not. Soon after the troupe formed, Khatab said, security forces arrested him. I was only 16 years old, and they hit me many times, said Khatab, now a schoolteacher and father of two. Every six months they took me to jail for four or five days, like, routinely. Saraqeb a primarily Sunni Muslim town of about 30,000 in northwestern Syria that is surrounded by farmland became an early center of antigovernment protests during the Arab Spring. After the war began, it became a battleground between the Syrian army and Free Syrian Army rebels, but the troupe continued performing. Sometimes plays were interrupted by the sound of planes overhead and the audience and performers ran to take cover. Two original members of the group were killed, Khatab said. A third joined the exodus of Syrians fleeing the country. As the conflict escalated, the performers had to worry not only about the government but also about militant Islamist groups including Islamic State and the group then known as Al Nusra Front, which were fighting for control of the area and considered the performers to be unbelievers. After one performance, as the group members were breaking down the stage, Khatab said, someone lobbed a hand grenade at them. The grenade exploded, but the performers scattered and no one was hurt. We dont know who threw it maybe Daesh, Khatab said, referring to Islamic State by its Arabic acronym. For a while, the group went underground, performing without using its name or advertising its shows. It reemerged publicly in 2014 and began posting videos of its performances on Facebook and YouTube (links in Arabic), as well as shorts the troupe produced for the Web. The sketches offered comedic takes on the daily struggles of life in wartime, such as food shortages and rising prices. In one sketch, Abu Rashid plays a man infuriated by the skyrocketing price of tomatoes. After the local produce seller tries to charge him $1,500 for slightly more than 3 pounds, the customer takes a potion hoping to travel back in time to buy the fruit at the old, lower prices, and return to sell them at the new price. Ahmad Khatab, left, and Shaher Almuneera, members of the Syrian volunteer theater troupe Saraqeb Youth Group, perform in a comedy sketch produced by the group, filmed in Saraqeb. (Ahmad Qadour / Saraqeb Youth Group) Instead, he mixes up the potions and finds himself transported to the future, where his village has been destroyed by bombs, Assad has been succeeded by his son, prices have risen even higher, and the now-ancient former produce seller informs him that he died 20 years ago. In an attempt to return to the past, he goes back too far and finds himself in a tent full of irate tribal warriors in the year 620. The number of performers has grown to 12 from five. In addition to plays for adults, the troupe now puts on performances for children featuring players dressed as the cartoon cat-and-mouse duo Tom and Jerry. During the height of the fighting, when many schools closed, members of the troupe also began to run a makeshift informal school in Saraqeb. Khatab said he sees the effects of the war in his daughters, ages 1 and 3. My daughter, even if were frying potatoes and it makes a noise, she sometimes thinks its an airplane and she runs to the bathroom, because this is where we used to hide, he said. With the plays, he said, we have an obligation to change their lives a little and also to give them hope, maybe put a little smile on their tired faces. Theres another purpose for the performances, Khatab and Abu Rashid said to fill the childrens free time so that they dont drift into armed groups, as many of their classmates did. Meanwhile, adults find catharsis in the plays. Hilal first saw the group perform in 2012, a year after the war began, in a cultural center that would later be destroyed in an airstrike. The play of the day was called Everything Is Fine. It was about a tribe of Bedouins who are visited by a television crew. The tribal leader, afraid of government security forces, tells the clan members to make no complaints and simply say, Everything is fine. Some of the tribe members instead demand electricity and water and sanitation and are taken to jail. Upon their release, the government promises they will get the things they asked for, but nothing changes. The play ends with a call to protest. Hilal was hooked. Now he never misses a local performance and sometimes travels to see the group perform in other areas. On the third day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, he and a group of friends from Saraqeb went to watch the troupe perform in Atarib, a town in the west Aleppo countryside. What made it special was that they were dealing with sad topics like bombing and bloodshed and war tragic topics and at the same time they were presenting it in a satirical fashion, Hilal said. We used to laugh and cry at the same time. The situation in Saraqeb has calmed the latest cease-fire between the government and the rebel groups that control the area has held, and now, Hilal said, for the first time in six years, we dont hear planes. But this month, clashes broke out between rebel factions in the Idlib area, including Saraqeb. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition monitoring group based in Britain, one activist was killed and others injured in Saraqeb when forces of the Organization for the Liberation of Syria an alliance that includes includes the group formerly known as Al Nusra Front until it renounced ties with Al Qaeda opened fire on a demonstration against the rebel group. Recently, the group and rival rebel faction Ahrar al Sham announced they had once again reached an agreement to end the fighting. Over the years, Khatab said, he thought about fleeing the country, as some of his friends have done. But in the conflicts early days, when it was still relatively easy to get across the border to Turkey, he still hoped that the government would be toppled quickly and the war would end. After Russia intervened in the war, Khatab said, he began to lose hope. But by then the border with Turkey had been closed and escape had become too expensive. To make the journey, he would have to sell his house and would not have a home to come back to. Abu Rashid, for his part, said he didnt consider leaving. Those who do similar work are very few, he said. If we all go to another country, who will be left? Troupe members said there was never any question whether they would continue performing. We believe in the power of the word, Khatab said. A rifle or a weapon can liberate a place, but the word can liberate the mind. ALSO A small town in Italy was losing population. Now Syrian refugees are key to its survival Confused by all those groups fighting in Syria? We break it down with arm patches Conflict among Syrian forces may draw U.S. into proxy fight Sewell is a special correspondent. The home improvement job should have cost $2,450. Authorities say only $1,200 was done. But a Northampton County man allegedly convinced a senior citizen to sign an $18,700 contract, and actually collected $24,350 from the woman over about a month last fall, according to the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. Now authorities are looking for Mark M. Harrison, 32, of the first block of North Country Club Road in Allen Township. He is wanted on charges of theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking and three counts of home improvement fraud -- all second-degree counts because the victim, a Kunkletown resident, was over 60 years old. Harrison was not licensed as a contractor and used the name of a legitimate company without permission, the DA's office said in a news release. Harrison previously resided in Beaver Spring, Pa.; Winfield, Pa.; and Seaford Del., the release says. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Chief Detective Eric Kerchner at 570-517-3052. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A man and his dog were rescued by crews Saturday afternoon after his sailboat capsized on the Merrill Creek Reservoir. New Jersey State Police in Washington said the incident occurred at 1:40 p.m. near the main dam on the south side of the reservoir in Harmony Township. The man and his large dog then fell into the water; both were wearing life vests, police said. Harmony Township firefighters worked to rescue the man and dog. The sail boat was towed back to the boat launch on the north side of the reservoir. Neither the man or dog were injured in the incident, police said. Police said the area is typical for sailing. The scene was cleared by 3:25 p.m. Saturday. Also responding were New Jersey State Police, the Franklin Township Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services Division and the Merrill Creek Owners Group. The Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre reservoir surrounded by a 290-acre environmental preserve, as well as 2,000 additional acres of woods and fields. Its basic purpose is to provide stored water that can be released into the Delaware River to make up for evaporated water usage at certain electric generating units in times of low flow in the river, according to its website. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Does Ireland need another city?It's might seem an incongrous question, but nevertheless it was one that was discussed at the Cabinet think in meeting in Kildare last week. The proposal was offered as a means of alleviating the so called choke on Dublin, or acting as counterweight to the growth of the capital. The answer is no. And in any case, the possiblity is fairly remote. The concept is even difficult to grasp, and there are few contemparaneous examples to look to for reference. Last week's cabinet discussion took place amidst the framing of the sequel to the National Spatial Strategy, euphemistically titled 'Ireland 2040.' And with this new plan, which is due to be produced by the end of this year, we may well again find ourselves back in the world of gateways and hubs. The NSS itself could hardly be rated much of a success, due to a number of reasons, not least the needs of local politics. The formation of the Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar (ATM) axis,or hub, turned out to be a non-event, as one might have predicted it would be at the time. The NSS perpetutated an injustice against Portlaoise by its outright ommission from this plan, though in retrospect this might have been no bad thing. However, it should not have happened and it made a mockery of any notion of achieving regional balance. And as is manifestly obvious from talk of a new city, no real regional balance has been created throughout the country. The treatment of Laois and Portlaoise is a case in point. Its central and strategic location has been ignored for decades now, when it comes to the location of industry and multinationals. Limerick and Cork can rightly feel hard done by, but so equally can this area. Population wise we are one of the fastest growing in the country, effectively a commuter satellite for Dublin. This so called doughnut effect around Dublin could be tempered if there was more adherence paid to the development of this and other areas. We have the people, space and location. New cities are the stuff of fantasy. Developing what's there requires no leap of the imagination. A young man who threw a box of ten eggs at a garda car was given a three months prison sentence at Athy Court on Tuesday. Patrick Carty (18) with an address listed as 59 Castle Park, Athy came to the attention of gardai on 26 October 2016 at Castle Park after he threw eggs at a garda vehicle. The court heard that the defendant was at home in bed when gardai called to his house to ensure he was abiding by his curfew. After the gardai got the defendant up out of bed he proceeded to grab the box of eggs and pelt it accross the roof of the patrol car. His solicitor Philip Meagher told the court that it was an act of complete tomfoolery and acting the blackguard. His family has since moved to Naas and the defendant no longer hangs out with the wrong crowd. The defendant was also up on charges of unlawful possession of drugs, after a search was carried out by gardai on 5 February 2017 at his home. While there gardai found a small amount of cannabis worth 10 and the defendant admitted that it was for his own use. His solictor told the court that it was the makings of one joint. He was using cannabis for a number of months at that time, he said. The defendant then told the court that he was 16 when he first started smoking cannabis. He is to become a dad soon and he has a fiance, who was in court with him. Judge Desmond Zaidan asked the defendant if he is going to mend his ways now that he is going to be a daddy. The defendant, who is currently on remand in Clover Hill with an expectation to be out by November, on a circuit court matter, replied that 'yes he would mend his way and grow up' now that he is to become a father. I won't be back here, he said. He was given three months for criminal damage. The screening of a new short film in which a young Kildare girl plays a lead role took place place in Dublin last Saturday. Eight year old Isabel Connolly from Clane landed a role in the new short Irish film which was shot in a mill at Belmont, Offaly. Isabel, who featured in an Expressway advert running across radio and television and other media and also in a Dublin Airport advertisement, spent around three days on set during the filming of A Timely Gift. This is about a troubled artist struggling to come to terms with the loss of her identity who receives a mysterious gift from her late grandfather. Last Saturday, cast, crew, friends and others gather ed for a showing in Brooks Hotel in Dublin. Isabel (7), who lives with her sister, Ruby (5), and parents, Mandy and Peter on Kilcock road, Clane, is a pupil at Scoil Bhride. Her mother, Mandy, has accompanied Isabel on her film travels,and helped out on the set. Mandy told the Leader last week that it was planned to run the film on the film festival circuit. Of Isabels participation, Mandy said: She absolutely loved it. Mandy said the team was very mindful of Isobels age. For director Paireac Keane, from Tullamore, the 22-minutes film is his first. He had high praise for Isabel. It is my first film. Im in the same boat as Isabel but I am not quite as cute. She was brilliant. Shes going to be a future star, Ive no doubt. She is easy to work with, he said. Its been a disastrous week for Donald Trumps Presidency. I wont the list the cataclysms because there are endless articles cataloguing them. This article does a very good job in summing up the situation. What struck me was that a situation which led to the Affordable Care Act (ACA Obamacare) becoming law was repeated as the Republican Skinny Repeal of the ACA failed in the US Senate early on Friday morning. In the December 2009, the late Senator Robert Byrd, then 92 years-old with fragile health, was instrumental in passing the Affordable Care Act through several late night voting appearances in his wheelchair. This week, 80 year-old John McCain, suffering from a brain tumour, made the 2,224 mile air trip from Arizona to Washington DC to be the crucial swing vote to kill off the ACA Skinny Repeal. Im not sure what this tells us about American democracy, but it is noticeable that these two pivotable moments were swung by Senators who had to make unusual efforts to get to the chamber. We shouldnt forget the role of Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, who also voted against the Skinny Repeal. Given the circumstances, the most remarkable thing is that the bill nearly passed. Michael Grunwald sums it up very well: Forty-nine Republican senators voted for legislation that many of them admitted was substantively flawed and procedurally absurdlegislation that only 17 percent of the public supported and every major medical interest group opposed; that had been shredded by a bipartisan coalition of governors, the Congressional Budget Office and their own hand-picked parliamentarian. After Trump promised to expand coverage, lower costs and block any cuts to Medicaid, he almost got to sign a bill that the CBO warned would do exactly the opposite, leading to a massive expansion of the insured rolls, higher premiums and deductibles for the old and the sick, and hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Medicaid cuts. After attacking Democrats for ramming Obamacare into law with only 60 votes after insufficient hearings, insufficient bipartisan outreach, and insufficient transparency, Republican senators nearly passed Trumpcare with only 50 votes after no hearings, no bipartisan outreach, and so little transparency that even most of them had no idea what would be in it until a few hours before their middle-of-the-night roll call. * Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist and member of the Liberal Democrat Voice team. He blogs at Liberal Burblings. So, we are to be a party of the centre; open, tolerant and united. Four adjectives for the LibDems of the future. Given that we are currently polling around 7%-8%, I feel we need to take a long hard look at ourselves. So for what it is worth, here is my take on the first of these adjectives: party of The Centre. The problems of being a party of the centre are well known. Suffice to say that barring a massive misjudgement on the part of the Labour or Conservative parties we will never hold the centre captive, un-contested and fertile. It is absolutely essential therefore, for the LibDems to find a political territory that is distinct and independent of the Tory Labour axis and effectively communicate that territory to the electorate. I was recently advised in a dialogue on this site to revisit the preamble to our constitution and it seemed to me that written through it, like a stick of rock, was the notion of Social Justice. The more I reflected on this issue the more it seemed to offer explanations and possibilities, not only as a guiding principle but as a strong and powerful narrative for the public imagination. But for it to work, Social Justice cannot just be a brand or a slogan, it has to be defining, intrinsic and all pervading; a raison detre. Our constitutional preamble talks about Social Justice rejecting discrimination on the grounds of colour, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation but Social Justice is about more than discrimination. It is about how we distribute the benefits of our society between areas as such as north/south, urban/rural, rich/poor, individual/organisational, young/old and others that we are probably not even aware of because the pursuit of Social Justice needs to diffuse up from our communities as well as down from our principles. We need to listen and be pragmatic as well as talk, and in so doing, make our policies relevant and realistic. The LibDems have always commanded a sort of unarticulated public respect for being socially just but we have never put a name on that characteristic, an identity, something that people can say they identify with. Then the 2010 coalition. How could the naturally social liberals get into bed with the Tories. On top of this we presided over one of the most blatant miscarriages of justice in our history and reneged on our public pledge not to increase student fees. In one act we had not been Social and we had certainly not been Just. We had betrayed the publics faith. Our failure to cling to our sense of Social Justice had left the Libdems diminished. Unless and until we address that miscarriage of Justice over student fees and explain our positive social influence on that government (and admitting our mistakes) we will never regain the publics faith. As for the now, if we are to be true to Social Justice there can be no sacred cows. Take Brexit, for example. We have never truly examined our EU membership in the light of Social Justice. If we had, then maybe we could have fought to mitigate some of the injustices felt by the 52%, either at EU level or via domestic policies. At least we would have understood them and tuned our message to reflect that. Instead we say were right, youre wrong and still we are in denial. We talk about the negative economic impact of Brexit but for a lot of people, they feel they have so little to lose that they prefer hope over what they currently have. All the economic benefits seem to accrue to others whilst they are left short of social housing, dealing with overcrowded schools, their wages undercut and feeling diminished in their own communities. It seems that we have not been sufficiently tuned in to their reality to have seen the dangers and our response has lacked empathy. For the future, I want the party to have a serious think about Social Justice. Where does our drive for Social Justice emanate from and how does it find form within the party? How do our policies impact on Social Justice. Will they result in a more socially just and harmonious society? Its a mindset we need to develop and fine tune. But to change an institution there has to be a method of initiating and fixing that change via internal structures, institutions and procedures. Things like a Specified Associated Organisation (SAO) dedicated to Social Justice. This could start to offer a direction and meaning for the party and we can start to rebuild a case for the LibDems around a defining message. P.S. Maybe somebody else can address our use of the words Open, Tolerant and United in separate articles. A LEADING consultancy firm advised Irish Cement on its application to change process in Mungret just months after assisting the council with the same project. An Bord Pleanala is currently deciding whether to allow Irish Cement proceed with 10m plans which will see the use of fossil fuels largely ditched in favour of used tyres. It comes after Limerick City and County Council granted conditional permission but still provided a submission to the environmental regulator. The national planning authority has this week confirmed that it will hold an oral hearing into the scheme after it received dozens of objections from residents concerned about the impact of these plans on the local environment. Irish Cement has always defended the plans, saying they are crucial for the future viability of the plant, and will not bring an increase in emissions. Its anticipated this will take place in September or October. Cllr Cian Prendiville, who received the disclosure about AWN Consulting, said the fact this firm had worked for both Irish Cement and the council raises serious questions about the way environmental protection is done in this country. The reality is AWN consulting has supported pretty much every single incinerator ever proposed in Ireland, from the hugely controversial one in Cork, to the hated gasification plant proposed in West Limerick [Gortadroma], he said. The northside Solidarity member says he has previously been blocked from raising this matter at council but will try for a third time. AWN Consulting was hired by the City and County Council to provide a submission to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which will ultimately decide whether Irish Cement is given a licence to change process in Mungret. The Leader understands the firm then switched its attention to helping Irish Cement to provide information on noise pollution levels around its vast plant at the end of the Dock Road. Members of Limerick Against Pollution (LAP), the residents group set up in opposition to Irish Cements proposals were notified of An Bord Pleanalas decision to hold an oral hearing this week. It will be held in public and allow objectors to make a more comprehensive case in favour and against the plans. Tim Hourigan of LAP welcomed the move. He said: An Bord Pleanala have been cagey as to whether there would be an oral hearing or not. Our worry at the moment is whether we would be given sufficient notice. There are a lot of objectors on this appeal, and trying to organise time off work so we can make our presentations is a very time-consuming exercise. Cllr Daniel Butler, Fine Gael, said he was not surprised to hear of the oral hearing. An oral hearing is the least the local community deserves to ensure full accountability and due diligence in a hugely important local issue, he said. A decision was due on Irish Cements plans by August 8 but that has now been put back in the wake of the oral hearing. FINE Gael TD Tom Neville has reaffirmed his commitment to mental health issues, as the Government aims to strengthen the rights of mental health patients with a new legislation. He said that the Governments recently-approved Mental Health Bill will provide greater consultation with patients being treated in local and national health services. Attitudes to mental health in Ireland are changing. People are more open to getting help when they need it and the old stigmas are eroding, but we must strive to eradicate stigma altogether. When I speak to teenagers, I take heart from their attitude and perception of mental health. Their openness to it is very different from generations before them, he said. He said that the Governments support for extension and expansion of services, such as the new Jigsaw youth mental health programme in Limerick city, is another step in the right direction. The Jigsaw project, which started taking referrals at its Arthurs Quay shopping centre in late June, is one of 13 regional hubs specialising in mental health supports amongst 12- to 25-year-olds. The youth mental health service is free-of-charge. In January 2016, the former Minister of State for Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch announced a 700,000 investment into the service. Improving the provision of mental health services is so important. I want to send a message from the Dail to our younger people, you are our future. Younger people, particularly teenagers, from their perspective have different ideas from mine because I come from a different generation and background. I believe that we should leave no stone unturned when it comes to the provision of mental health services for younger people, he stated last week. Deputy Neville added: The Government has committed to bring greater awareness of mental health problems for young people. I will continue to advocate this as I believe it is one of the most pressing issues affecting our country today. THE ONLY damage done in a Limerick car accident was to the ditch, a solicitor said. Denis ODonovan, aged 31, of The Stables, Ballykisteen, Limerick Junction, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. Sergeant Michelle Leahy said at 6.30pm on September 20, 2015, gardai received a report of a vehicle overturned at Raheenamadra, Knocklong. It was in the middle of the road. The lights were on and the engine was running. It appeared it was coming from the Knocklong direction and collided with the ditch. It was blocking the left hand lane. Gardai found a driving licence in the vehicle belonging to Mr ODonovan, said Sgt Leahy. Judge Marian OLeary said: He just left?. Yes, said Sgt Leahy. The judge asked what time it happened at? 6.30pm in September, said Sgt Leahy, who added that ODonovan contacted Bruff garda station. He was interviewed and admitted he was the owner and driver and to leaving the scene, said the sergeant. The court heard ODonovan has 22 previous convictions. Brendan Gill, solicitor for ODonovan, said the only damage done was to the ditch. He is a 31-year-old father of one. He works as a sub-contractor. He had group insurance through a company he set-up but due to various claims the policy increased. He was of the view that the vehicle was insured but he accepts it wasnt. He made contact with gardai, said Mr Gill. ODonovan took the stand and said as the insurance premium had gone so high it was reduced to two jeeps. I got a phone call that my partner had crashed so I took one of the jeeps. When I came around the bend, something went wrong - it was the tyre. I hit my head. I didnt have my mobile with me so I walked to the house of people I knew a quarter of a mile away to help me get the car off the road. If I didnt know the insurance wasnt transferred over I wouldnt have dreamed of taking it, said ODonovan. Judge OLeary disqualified him from driving for two years and fined him 400 for no insurance, and 300 for failing to remain at the scene. TWO men have died following separate road accidents in Limerick city this Saturday evening. The first incident happened at Quinn's Cross Roundabout, Mungret at around 7.30pm. According to gardai, a motorcyclist aged in his 50s was seriously injured when the bike he was driving struck the roundabout. He was taken to University Hospital Limerick following the collision but died from his injuries a short time later. No other vehicle was involved and road remained closed overnight with diversions in place. LIMERICK: No access to Fr Russell Rd from Quinn's Cross R/A until further notice due to fatal collision. https://t.co/pdsEzJTRQr AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) July 30, 2017 In the second incident, a man aged in his mid 20's was seriously injured when the motorbike he was driving left the road and collided with bollards at O'Malley Park, Southill at around 7.40pm. The man was treated at the scene by crews from Limerick Fire and Rescue service who were in the area at the time dealing with a fire at a derelict house. He was taken to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) by ambulance but later died from his injuries. Post mortems are to be carried out on the bodies of both men and gardai at Roxboro Road are investigating both incidents. Any witnesses are asked to contact them at (061) 214340. The fatal crashes happened just a day after the funeral of Michael McNamara who died after he was knocked down at Kileely Road, Thomondgate last Sunday night. Separately, another motorcyclist from Kilmallock died in a road collision in County Cork on Friday morning. British Commonwealth and more headline Aug. 19-20 Rasdale auction in Chicago Jul 29, 2017, 3 PM A never-hinged example of the 1925 5 dull violet and black King George V stamp on chalk-surfaced paper is another British Commonwealth offering in the upcoming Rasdale sale. The Aug. 19-20 public auction No. 433 by Rasdale Stamps Co. will offer an unused example of Australias most elusive postage due stamp, the 1908 20-shilling emerald. By Michael Baadke Rasdale Stamp Co. will conduct its public auction No. 433 Aug. 19-20 at its facility in the western suburbs of Chicago. The Saturday session offers a large number of United States and worldwide collections, large lots, and accumulations, plus topical collections and cover collections, and individual lots of U.S. and worldwide postal history. Also offered are four extensive Canada collections, two with complete Jubilee sets, according to Rasdale. The second session on Sunday presents almost 200 lots of U.S. stamps, along with about 600 lots of worldwide issues. The worldwide material includes Germany and area, Italy and area, the Netherlands, and much more. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter There is also a strong representation of Great Britain and the British Commonwealth. Many of these single stamps and sets are offered by Rasdale with minimum bids far below the established Scott catalog values. One rarity from this group is the 1908 20-shilling emerald postage due stamp from Australia (Scott J38), offered unused with original gum. The 2018 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue value of $29,000 for this single stamp is listed in italics, to indicate an item that can be a challenge to value accurately. The perf. 11 20sh postage due stamp is a key item in the quest to assemble a comprehensive back-of-the-book collection of Australia. This example is described by Rasdale as fine-very fine, and has been authenticated by the American Philatelic Expertizing Service. The stamp is listed with an opening bid of $5,000. On the other side of the world, the far smaller Commonwealth colony of Gibraltar began issuing stamps in 1886. An elusive stamp in a collection of classic Gibraltar is the 1925 5 dull violet and black King George V on chalk-surfaced paper (Scott 93), which Rasdale is offering unused and never-hinged, described as fine-very fine. Against a Scott catalog value of $1,750, this stamp will open with a bid of $375. The United States stamps in the Sunday auction session include many classic and later issues, along with airmails (including unused Zeppelins in sets and singles) and a few other back-of-the-book items. A 1917 pane of 30 1 green George Washington stamps from the A.E.F. booklet, position I, is offered never-hinged, with a 1988 Philatelic Foundation certificate identifying it as genuine. Collectors in search of the 1926 Battle of White Plains 25-stamp souvenir sheet (Scott 630) will find six examples to choose from in this auction, all intact and never-hinged. The Rasdale auction is presented here, with online bidding options available or through Stamp Auction Network. Information about the auction also is available from Rasdale Stamp Co., 35 Chestnut Ave., Westmont, IL 60559. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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Passchendaele 100: William and Kate to join commemorations BBC News30 July 2017The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will join Prime Minister Theresa May in Belgium later to mark the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele - one of the bloodiest of World War One.Half a million Allied and German soldiers were killed, wounded or went missing in three months of fighting.Many drowned in the thick mud, caused by weeks of relentless rain.A service will be held in Ypres, where Belgium's King Philippe and Prince William will lay wreaths at the Menin Gate.They will hear the Last Post, which has been played at the gate by a bugler almost every evening since 1928.Dignitaries and the descendants of those who died will gather in Ypres's Market Square for an event to tell the story of the battle.Performances and music - which will include the National Youth Choir of Scotland, Dame Helen Mirren and a specially written extract from War Horse, narrated by Michael Morpurgo - will be set to a backdrop of light projections on to the historic Cloth Hall.Officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele was fought between 31 July and 6 November 1917 in the West Flanders region of northern Belgium.About 275,000 Allied troops and 220,000 Germans died.British troops sought to push back the Germans from a ridge near the Belgian town of Ypres during the three-and-a half month campaign.Thick mud clogged up rifles and immobilised tanks and, ultimately, the fighting is believed to have won the Allied forces only small gains.On Monday, the anniversary of the start of the battle, commemorations will continue with a special service held at Tyne Cot cemetery, where thousands are buried and commemorated. What is coolsculpting? How to get desired results? If you are confused about the treatment, 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 totalitys 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, were 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. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A former TAMIU official has filed a lawsuit against the university on claims that he was retaliated against because he was vocal about the college's mishandling of a sexual assault case that occurred during a study abroad trip. Gerardo Alva, who served as associate vice president of student affairs, says in the lawsuit he filed in a Laredo federal court that he was terminated for engaging in protected opposition to Title IX discrimination committed by the university. Title IX, a federal civil rights law, guarantees protection against discrimination on the basis of sex in all educational settings. It compels colleges to investigate and resolve sexual assault reports or risk losing federal funding. Shortly after his opposition to the handling of the sexual assault case, Alva was terminated on what he considers to be "false and pretextual" reasons, according to the lawsuit. Alva said his hope is that a jury finds the outcome in his favor and the wrongs that were done to him and his family are made right. He said he also hopes to shed a light on what occurs when employees work in "such a difficult topic as Title IX and sexual assault." RELATED: Rape reports on the rise at Texas A&M International University "You should, as an employee, expect to be safeguarded from retaliation and unfortunately that is not what happened," he said. TAMIU said it is unable to comment on pending litigation. It had not filed a response to the lawsuit as of Friday. Court records indicate TAMIU was served with the lawsuit earlier last week. Alva, who was employed at TAMIU for 15 years, acted as deputy Title IX coordinator before his termination. He was responsible for handling students' sexual assault reports as well as all study abroad programs. Alva was also responsible for ensuring compliance with federal regulations regarding Title IX, ensuring complaint timelines were followed and ensuring timely and equitable resolutions of complaints of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and protected-class discrimination involving all students on behalf of TAMIU, the petition states. Rape report In January 2016, Alva was leading a group of students as part of a study abroad program in India. During the trip, he was informed that a sexual assault had been reported during a study abroad trip in Cork, Ireland. Alva claims he attempted to find out more information about the alleged incident and plan appropriate Title IX plans and responses, but was met with little response from TAMIU staff. This resulted in Alva purchasing the first available airline ticket to return to Laredo to allow him to take appropriate action before the five-day deadline established by TAMIU to respond to an investigation of a Title IX student incident. "(Alva) felt it was necessary for him to promptly return to Laredo to properly address the matter because a Title IX student incident was one of his specific duties," the lawsuit states. Alva alleges proper protocols were not followed, with the alleged victim and the accused student being transported on the same bus, made to attend the same class and made to fly back on the same international flights. He also said the accused nor the victim's parents were contacted with or without their consent. "All of the actions in violation of Title IX responsibilities could threaten Title IX funding for TAMIU and could lead to further sanctions," the lawsuit states. According to the lawsuit, the student was arrested and detained in Ireland after a TAMIU official turned over an audio recording of an interview he conducted with the student. RELATED: International Women's Day Walk set at TAMIU A TAMIU handbook says that within five university business days of receiving the complaint, the Title IX deputy coordinator should notify and forward copies of the complaint to university officials and assign an investigative authority, according to the lawsuit. Alva said he was attempting to perform these required duties and had he remained in India, he would have been "absent during a critical time in the Title IX process." Alva says he requested an emergency meeting to gather facts about the alleged sexual assault after his return to Laredo. During the meeting with other TAMIU officials, he told them he wanted to send an interim suspension letter to the alleged assaulter, removing him from university premises while the investigation was conducted. "All agreed to the recommendations made by the (Alva). He was vocal during the meeting regarding his concerns of deficiencies in how the situation was handled by university administration in Cork, Ireland," the lawsuit states. Around mid-March 2016, Alva said he received the sexual assault investigation report, which concluded "the respondent responsible and his penalty was suspension from TAMIU for no less than one year," according to the lawsuit. During a meeting in March 2016 with high-ranking TAMIU officials, Alva mentioned that the "established written university procedures were ignored, which also violated Title IX; no one in study abroad had any idea what was happening; although a 'release to notify emergency contacts' was in the possession of TAMIU, the university staff on the Ireland trip failed to take the form into consideration; the university staff on the Ireland trip failed to provide all vital information to the legal team (in violation of Title IX); as well as other frustrations and concerns." On May 9, 2016, Alva received a phone call from TAMIU Police Department Capt. Sergio Moreno. Alva said Moreno wanted to speak to him about allegations of theft. After being read his Miranda rights, Alva says Moreno accused him of theft for purchases made by Alva with university funds, including the flight change he made from India to Laredo. Shortly thereafter, Alva was told to report to human resources, where he was given a letter stating his employment would be terminated effective May 23, 2016 after a two-week paid suspension. VIDEO: U.S. border officers order Mexican teen to drink liquid meth that killed him Alva says he was asked to resign in lieu of termination, but refused on the grounds that he did nothing wrong. "On or about May 20, 2016, prior to the effective date of termination, (Alva) returned to the Human Resources Department. Because he was fed up with the unfounded accusations, (Alva) submitted his letter of resignation in lieu of termination, as requested. (He) later found out that TAMIU refused to accept his resignation," the lawsuit states. Starr County District Attorney Omar Escobar was appointed by the Webb County District Attorney's Office to investigate the theft allegations filed against Alva by TAMIU. In February, Escobar submitted a letter indicating all allegations against Alva were found to be "unwarranted and unsupportable." Alva, who sought unemployment benefits, says he received a letter TAMIU's director of human resources submitted to the Texas Workforce Commission that said the reason for his termination was "unauthorized use of system resources," and specifically cited the purchase of the early return flight ticket from India to Laredo. Court records indicate an initial court hearing has not yet been scheduled for the case. By Paul Butler. The New Press. 304 pp. $26.95 --- My first exposure to Paul Butler's writing was at a legal conference in 1995. I volunteered at the last minute to assess a law review article of his when the person assigned to the paper could not attend the meeting. In the now-famous piece, Butler detailed the harsh criminal sentencing blacks face. He reviewed the centuries-old practice of nullification -- in which juries vote not guilty because they think a law is unfair -- and boldly encouraged jurors to nullify in cases involving blacks accused of low-level drug offenses. When I finished, I scribbled, "Well done" and "Tenure?" on the first page. After publication, the article generated a firestorm of controversy, including calls for Butler's job. With "Chokehold: Policing Black Men," his new book, Butler has hit his stride. This is a meditation, a sonnet, a legal brief, a poetry slam and a dissertation that represents the full bloom of his early thesis: The justice system does not work for blacks, particularly black men. With this performance, though, Butler, a law professor at Georgetown University, layers in statistics, quotes from academics, rap lyrics, research findings and personal narratives. It's a raucous mix, drawing on a range of voices, including Michelle Alexander, Susan Sontag, the movie "The Mack," Derrick Bell, James Comey, Black Star, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Michel Foucault, Langston Hughes and Toure. In Butler's usage,the chokehold, the sometimes fatal neck lock police use to coerce submission, is a metaphor for understanding how racial oppression functions in the U.S. justice system. The chokehold is the invisible fist of the law, a shapeshifter that represents iterations of racial oppression, including slavery, Jim Crow, racial profiling and mass incarceration -- and all the other ways the law works to keep black men down. "Efforts to fix 'problems' such as excessive force and racial profiling are doomed to fail," Butler writes. The system works as it was designed to work: The chokehold persists, regardless of the century, the race of the president or good intentions. Butler's goal is to define, describe and ultimately dismantle the chokehold's grip. To build his case, the former federal prosecutor begins by analyzing society's creation of the black man as thug and demonstrates how this image is used to support inhumane treatment. The harm caused by this linkage is underscored by empirical research indicating that people are more likely to associate negative words (such as "criminal") with black men than with white men. This association contributes to a sociological link between black men and menace. Butler unpacks the widespread fear of black men and shows that it is largely irrational and, therefore, a flimsy rationale for discriminating against black men. A chapter called "Black Male Violence: The Chokehold Within" begins with Butler noting that many black men asked him not to include it in the book. They expressed fear that some people would use its references to the high black crime rate to argue that black men deserve the backhand of the law -- and a tightening of the chokehold. Butler says that black male violence has not received "sustained analysis in the new discourse about criminal justice reform." While this claim is debatable, he correctly decides to keep the chapter. He delves into the reasons some black men engage in crime and points out that because most crime is intra-racial, most victims of black offenses are also black. Butler argues that the prevailing desire to "fix" black men has spawned social programs that miss the mark, and he cites President Barack Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative as one that falls short. Butler argues that racial interventions designed to promote racial justice should not leave out black women. What's more, focusing on black male achievement will not solve the problem of violence against black men. Two chapters stand out from the rest. "Sex and Torture: The Police and Black Male Bodies" is riveting. It exposes the sexual invasiveness of some stop-and-frisks, the dehumanizing searches for weapons and contraband police conduct that sometimes involve reaching into a man's underwear and touching his testicles and buttocks. Butler decries the unfairness that black men are more likely to be subject to frisks than white men. These incidents are experienced as sexual harassment and further marginalize, shame and keep black men in their place. Philadelphia police have recently faced allegations of such unlawful searches, with several black men reporting that the police use this method of stop-and-frisk to harass them, an indignity known as "stop and fondle." Butler writes that "stop and frisk can be seen as a 'badge and incident' of lynching." Like lynching, it is "expressive," meant to "destroy individual bodies" and "terrorize all blacks." The chapter "If You Catch a Case: Act Like You Know" is compelling and heartbreaking. Its urgency and practicality bring to mind Abbie Hoffman's "Steal This Book" and "The Negro Motorist Green Book" -- the Jim-Crow era travel guide that listed businesses across the country that welcomed black customers. Here, Butler speaks directly to young black men, telling them what to do if they are stopped by police. He cautions them not to wear clothes that "stick out." The stop, Butler says, is a "masculinity contest between you and the police. You must let the cops win." Winning requires a show of deference, answering officers' questions, not raising your voice and saying as little as possible. If you are arrested, Butler says, "Shut the f--- up." This is unsettling reading. The submission Butler recommends is soul-crushing. It requires behavior that is antithetical to free human beings. However, choosing a crushed soul over a crushed skull is a no-brainer. As any parent of a black child can tell you, she wants her child to do whatever is necessary to get home safely; everything else can be fixed. Butler's book makes a solid case that the chokehold works systematically to deprive black men of humane treatment within the justice system. He concludes his incisive critique by calling for an end to prisons: "U.S. prisons are built for black men, and black men will be free, literally and figuratively, only when prisons are no more." After acknowledging that "prison abolition sounds crazy," Butler notes that fewer than 20 percent of all prisoners are serving time for homicide or sex offenses. At the very least, he urges, we should consider alternatives to incarceration for the other 80 percent. He bolsters his abolition argument with a report finding that in the past decade, 27 states have reduced both their rates of incarceration and their crime rates. One down note in Butler's presentation is that he doesn't adequately address how to get more people to care enough about the chokehold to do something about it. There are no easy answers here. Awareness of the problem is necessary but insufficient to spur transformative change. "Chokehold" is more than a critique of our justice system. It is a declaration of who we are as a country: We are a people who accept and support a justice system that treats people differently based on race, gender, skin tone, income, neighborhood and education. By the end of the book, it's clear that Butler is asking, "Are we really okay with this?" The chokehold is strangling all of us -- but its grip is indeed tightest on the throats of black men. --- Russell-Brown, a law professor at the University of Florida and director of the university's Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations, is the author of several books, including "The Color of Crime." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Despite the record-breaking heat Saturday, a crowd of nearly 10,000 reveled in the all-day music festival Vans Warped Tour, as it raged on outside the AT&T Center, including American Authors, Beartooth and Watsky. Vans Warped Tour was ready for the weather. Tour organizers and the AT&T Center teamed up for the third year with First Medical Response of Texas, a standby service providing medical attention on site. This year, the team had 21 medics with three ambulances on the grounds. First aid stations as well as cool-down areas and hydration tents were also available. RELATED: Photos: Fans catch rising R&B star Khalid at the Aztec Theatre First Medical Response also worked another AT&T Center festival earlier this year: the River City Rockfest in May. Edwin Reyes, supervisor of the response team, said they treated nearly 900 people at that event. As of 3 p.m. Saturday, he didnt have numbers for how many had been treated at Warped Tour, but he said his team was being kept busy. The heat, that is the biggest impact, Reyes said. The bands playing at Warped Tour acknowledged the intense heat, which reached 104, breaking the record of 103 set in 1946. Shattered Sun, a metal band from Alice, was on stage when the record was reached after 3 p.m. Only wear your stage clothes when youre about to get on, Shattered Sun guitarist Jessie Santos joked in an interview before their performance. RELATED: Rising R&B star Khalid poses with woman's underwear backstage, thanks S.A. for wild show Other bands performing early Saturday included Silverstein, a rock band from Canada, who took time to play to the San Antonio Spurs fan base. In between songs, lead vocalist Shane Told shouted to the crowd to jump like they were Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli. At times, Warped Tour became a stage for political discussion. One tent had the activist group Refuse Facism, who handed out stickers and shirts that spoke out against President Trump. The group also had a sign-up sheet for those interested in future peaceful protests, according to volunteer Coco Das. Performers also got into the mix. Members of Los Angeles punk group Bad Cop / Bad Cop introduced their song Im Done by telling the audience the performance was for those who were sick and tired of whats happening in the Oval Office. RELATED: Selena classic makes list of 20 best albums made by women Rapper Watsky received some backlash while on stage. Before performing Brave New World, Watsky asked the audience how they leaned politically. Some in the front booed. Watsky returned the favor by saying: We can all agree our world is weird as (expletive) right now. Shattered Sun and lead vocalist Marcos Leal dont talk much politics on stage, guitarist Daniel Trejo said. While they respect others for doing what they believe is in their best interests, the band was more focused that day on rocking the Texas crowd. We love coming back to Texas, we have the best fans here, Trejo said. osanchez@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A parade of vehicles riding along San Bernardo Avenue honored the memory of the late Jose Antonio "Tony" Sanchez on Saturday. Sanchez, the founder of the Brown Impressions Lowrider Car Club, lived in Huntington Park, California, and worked as a shoeshiner outside a bar, said his sister-in-law Cindy Garza Valadez. It was in California where Sanchez's love for the customized cars began. "Lowriding is very famous in California," said Sanchez's brother Jerry, who lived with his brother in the west coast. "Everywhere you went there were lowriders." RELATED: Jose Antonio Sanchez, Sr. Obituary Sanchez returned to his hometown of Laredo in 1975 with his newfound passion and purchased his first vehicle, a 1971 Monte Carlo. However, the Monte Carlo did not stay in its original state for long. With his own hands, Sanchez customized his new car and turned it into a lowrider like the ones he admired in California. "He installed the hydraulic system himself. He fixed it up all on his own," his brother said. In 1978, the Brown Impressions Lowrider Car Club was created. The group originally consisted of 44 members who shared an enthusiasm for lowriders and cruising down the streets of Laredo. READ MORE: WBCA Car Show winners announced "We all got together. Me and him and a bunch of other guys that came down from California. We would cruise in our cars from San Bernardo to the lake," Jerry Sanchez said. Brown Impressions Lowrider Car Club quickly grew into a nationally recognized organization. The club was featured in Lowrider Magazine, and it has hosted various car shows in Laredo since its inception. Saturday's tribute service honored the car enthusiast by bringing together what he loved the most. After a memorial celebration at Coyote Ugly, a procession of vehicles made their way through the streets Sanchez and Brown Impressions club members frequented over the years. "My brother-in-law was a real nice, sweet person. He was full of life. People deserve to know who he was," Garza said. Not soured by the politicking and the back-door dealing that takes place at the Texas Capitol, freshman State Representative Ernest Bailes (R - Shepherd) has announced he wants to return to Austin and represent Texas House District 18. "When I was sworn in, with my hand on the Bible, I publicly vowed to uphold our Constitution. I gave my word and I take that responsibility very seriously," he said in a letter to supporters. "I made a vow to conduct my work without compromise of strong moral convictions and to strive in preserving our individual liberty. It is my job to see that your interests are represented within the rule of law and to do so without creating undue burden," Bailes said. The district, which encompasses Liberty, San Jacinto and Walker counties, elected Bailes to the state legislature overwhelmingly in 2016 replacing a retiring John Otto. The freshman legislator, who just spent a good bit of his time back in the district prior to the called Special Session this summer, lamented on not only learning the process of the legislature, but the ramifications of angering political friends and foes. "There are a lot of pieces that go into passing a piece of legislation," he told Dayton Rotary members in a recent meeting. In this session, Bailes filed 13 bills and seven went directly to the governor's desk and were signed. A company that offers a closed system for people in the legislature and lawyers ranked Bailes sixth in the top ten session ranking analysis of effective members of ratio of bills passed in the 85th session. "We actually had 11 out of 13," Bailes said. "We had seven directly signed by the governor, two were the MUD and PID for River Ranch," and two others, a stand-alone bill and a senate omnibus bill. The representative said he had a lot of voices giving him advice. "In my decisions, my focus remains on what is best for all Texans and for HD 18, specifically. I am fiercely independent and have no need to be told what to think, what to say, or how to vote. I look to the people of HD 18 for their guidance," he said. Bailes was also able to negotiate a better deal with the controversial developer in Plum Grove meaning county residents will not pick up the tab - only those who will live in those new districts will now absorb that cost. He not only worked on the property rights but tax reform and the troublesome school finance issues. "You can't address property tax reform without first addressing school finance," he said. Bailes continues to work with his colleagues for property tax reform, public education, and private property rights. Those issues are again before the legislature in the Special Session occurring now. Bailes currently serves on the Land and Resource Management Committee, Small Business and Economic Development Committee, and Rules and Resolutions Committee. As a member of the House Rural Caucus, he works closely on issues important to rural Texas, ranging from ground water protections to alternative energy development. Representative Bailes' conservative values and work ethic are deeply rooted in his upbringing on his family's dairy and beef cattle operations in San Jacinto County. As a successful small business owner and beef producer, he has a proven track record of personal and professional successes through hard work. "I have a deep love for this district," he said. "It is my home and has been my family's home for generations. I was born and raised here, attended public schools here, and have built my business here. The same holds true for my wife, Courtney. We both have deep roots in this East Texas soil and can't think of any place we would rather raise our two sons." He and his wife, Courtney, have two sons, Cinco and Rigby, who both attend public school in Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD where Courtney is a teacher. They worship together as a family at First Baptist Church, Coldspring and are very involved in the community. "Together, we can work united to keep HD18 a great place to live. As we experience growing pains, many of our communities as we know them are evolving and changing, though we must be forward thinking," he said. "As your representative I am continually looking beyond the obvious to prepare for the unknown. Right now, we have a lot of unknowns. Although we have challenges, we have even more opportunities for practical, positive change and by being proactive we will be able to meet the challenges head on," Bailes said. The freshman legislator said he is focused on the Special Session, but looks forward to visiting with the people of his district when he returns home. The Republican Primary is in March 2018 and Bailes said there will be plenty of campaign events with dates and locations to be announced soon. For more information on the Bailes reelection campaign, contact them at 936-653-2480. WASHINGTON - Outnumbered but emboldened, progressive Democrats who watched Republicans fail to unwind the Affordable Care Act are thinking harder about passing major expansions of health-care coverage. For many younger activists and legislators, the push to undo the ACA with just 51 Senate votes is less a cautionary tale than a model of how to bring about universal coverage. The ambitious idea, discussed on the congressional backbenches and among activists, is not embraced by Democratic leaders. In the hours after the repeal push stalled, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., suggested that Republicans "sit down and trade ideas" with Democrats. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., suggested that Republicans fully fund subsidies for current ACA exchange plans - money that President Donald Trump frequently threatens to cut off. But for many younger Democrats and activists, the Republicans' near miss on repeal demonstrated boldness from which a future left-wing majority could learn. Democrats passed the ACA through regular order, with a fleeting, fractious Senate supermajority. Republicans proved that major health-care policy changes can be pushed nearly to the finish line in the reconciliation process, with just 50 supportive senators and a vice president ready to break a tie. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a freshman who favors universal Medicare coverage, said that Republicans have rewritten the playbook. "When we do have a Democratic president, and when we do have a Democratic majority, I'd support getting this through with 51 votes in the Senate," said Khanna of a universal coverage, single-payer plan."That will diminish the role of lobbyists and special interests in trying to get a few senators to block something that everyone in this country will want." Democrats who endured previous efforts to expand health insurance had rarely considered a reconciliation strategy. In 2009, the Obama administration and Democrats in the House and Senate included veterans of the failed 1993-1994 health-care push, who remembered the insurance industry's effectiveness in sinking their bills. The 2009 approach brought insurers on board; it adopted the mandate for individuals to obtain health insurance, an idea cooked up in conservative policy circles, and went into affect slowly to avoid piling up costs. "How much time and effort did they spend in trying to make the ACA bipartisan?" asked Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., a rising Democratic star elected in 2014. "It's never going to happen. Our bills shouldn't be about getting the most amount of Republicans on board; they should be about insuring the biggest number of people." When Democrats lost control of the House in 2010, it taught party activists that there was little to gain from compromise. This year, the ACA policy that proved most intractable was not the mandate - a "skinny bill" to repeal it got 49 Senate vote - but instead the expansion of Medicaid, which up to nine Republican senators refused to roll back. To progressives, this was proof that they'd been right to demand more in 2009 - from a public option to a Medicare buy-in for younger people to single-payer health care itself. Adam Green, the co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, recalled that Democrats had ridiculed the "professional left" for supporting a public option in reconciliation. In conversations since the start of the repeal debate, they've come to agree with him. "In 2009, what we consistently got from Democratic senators was: Hey, reconciliation was a procedural can of worms. We don't want to go there," said Green. "Republicans have made very clear that you can go there and push your ideas into law. But our ideas will be more popular. It's pretty clear that the center of gravity has shifted." Last week, as the Senate debated then waylaid the repeal bills, the PCCC held all-day training sessions for 2018 Democratic candidates in a hotel near the Capitol. Many swing-district hopefuls either said they embraced single-payer health care or described it as an obvious goal to work toward. "The image I have in my head is that everyone who wants to see a doctor can see one, without going to the ER or going bankrupt," said Rick Neal, an international aid worker who was exploring a run against Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Ohio. "Health care doesn't fit in this free-market fantasy that people have, because people will do anything to see a doctor. The high premiums we're seeing right now are an indication of market failure." Andy Kim, a former National Security Council staffer now running against Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-N.J., described the ideal process for passing a bill in now-common progressive terms - starting with what voters want, not what might win over Republicans. "The way you start something that's bipartisan is by starting with the American people," he said. "Bipartisanship starts with them." Democrats have not yet formed a consensus on how to approach health care again. On Thursday, as the repeal effort headed for the cliff, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., needled Democratic senators - 10 of whom face re-election next year in states Trump won - by introducing the text of a single-payer bill sponsored by Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich. For the first time, most House Democrats have co-sponsored Conyers's bill; 43 members of the Senate minority, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., voted "present," while five voted "no" on the Daines amendment. Sanders did so because he intends - barring yet another jolt of life in the repeal campaign - to release a "Medicare for All" bill before the Senate's August recess. The bill will be designed to reframe single-payer, which enjoys tentative support in public polls, as cost-effective and sensible. If Sanders' bill gets a favorable CBO score, it would become a starting point for Democrats in future health-care debates. Even some progressive Democrats worry about the story getting ahead of the storytellers. "The reconciliation rules may allow you to squeeze through something, but it doesn't allow you to do lawmaking the way it's supposed to be done," said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who was endorsed by the PCCC. "When it comes to repeal, reconciliation is the tool that they've used; there's every reason to think we'd use reconciliation to undo it. But it's not a path we should go down with enthusiasm." Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., who would chair the House Budget Committee if Democrats won control of Congress, was similarly cautious about reconciliation. In an interview with The Washington Post and the New York Times, taped for C-SPAN's "Newsmakers," Yarmuth said that he supports universal Medicare and could see it becoming law "in five to 10 years," as employers realized that they would gain flexibility if they were taxed slightly higher but could save on insurance costs. But he would not copy the process Republicans had tried to use for repeal. "It's not good for the country, whether you're Democrat or Republican, when you pass a bill with only partisan votes," said Yarmuth. Conyers, meanwhile, was trying to make universal health insurance the party's default position. On Friday, as most House members left town for their recess, Conyers joined Khanna at an event to launch a pledge for 2018 Democrats. Raising his right hand, the Capitol peering over his shoulder, Conyers said he would "stand up for 'Medicare for All.' " "We're seeing a crumbling of the Republican legislative program," said Conyers. "We may not be in the minority much longer." John Morris, a photography editor who shepherded Robert Capa's indelible images of the D-Day landing in 1944 into print at Life magazine and who later selected two shocking images from the Vietnam War for the front page of the New York Times, helping to turn public opinion against U.S. involvement in the conflict, died July 28 at a Paris hospital. He was 100. His death was confirmed by a friend, Robert Pledge, the president of Contact Press Images photo agency. The cause was not disclosed. Beginning at Life magazine in the 1930s and later as executive editor of the Magnum photo agency, Morris supervised such acclaimed photographers as Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Alfred Eisenstaedt and W. Eugene Smith. Morris was not a photographer himself - except for a few weeks in France in 1944 - but his editorial vision was instrumental in defining the craft and aims of modern photojournalism. "A picture has to say something, has to have an idea," he told the photography magazine Black & White in 2014. "From my standpoint, it has to have passion, it has to have human feeling. It also should be well composed, because that's how the idea comes through. A photographer has to have a head, a heart and an eye." One photojournalist who possessed all three qualities was the Hungarian-born Capa, who gained renown during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s and was working for Life during World War II. Morris was Life's London-based photo editor and was nominally Capa's boss. On June 6, 1944, Capa was aboard a transport ship in the first wave of the Allied D-Day assault on Normandy's Omaha Beach. Wading chest-deep through water and holding his camera above his head as bullets struck all around him, Capa shot the first images of the initial phase of the invasion. He turned his back toward the German forces firing at him and U.S. troops to capture the face of a young soldier crawling through the water toward the shore. After 90 minutes, Capa boarded a medical transport boat and helped care for wounded soldiers on the return trip to Britain. His film reached Morris at Life's London office on the night of June 7. Capa had hastily scrawled a note: "John, all of the action is in the four rolls of 35-millimeter." Morris had less than 12 hours to develop the film, annotate the images and secure the approval of Allied censors. To meet Life's deadline, the photographs had to be in the hands of a courier no later than 9 a.m. the next day, June 8. Morris shouted at a photo assistant to hurry. In the process of drying the film, the assistant closed the doors of a closet-like space in the darkroom, overheating the emulsion on the film. "They're ruined! Ruined! Capa's films are all ruined!" the assistant said, running to Morris. "I held up the four rolls, one at a time," Morris wrote in a 1998 memoir, "Get the Picture." "Three were hopeless; nothing to see. But on the fourth roll there were eleven frames with distinct images. They were probably representative of the entire 35-millimeter take, but their grainy imperfection . . . contributed to making them among the most dramatic battlefield photos ever taken." Morris had several sets of prints made and rushed to the censorship office, which examined the photos for several hours before approving them for release. "I left the ministry at about 8:45 and drove like a maniac through the scattered morning traffic, down the little side streets, reaching the edge of Grosvenor Square at 8:59," Morris wrote. "I ran the last fifty yards and found the courier . . . about to padlock his sack. 'Hold it!' I shouted, and he did." The courier took the photos to an airplane, which flew to an airfield in Scotland, where the photos would be put on a larger plane bound for the United States. Capa's pictures were published in the next issue of Life. Blurred, shaken and practically echoing with bursting artillery shells and the shouts of dying soldiers, they showed the tumult of battle with heart-stopping intimacy. "Their very crudeness gives a feeling of the struggle itself," Morris said in 2004. Six weeks later, using a borrowed camera, Morris went to Normandy himself, joining Capa and other Life photographers - and eventually novelist Ernest Hemingway - as they accompanied Allied forces toward Paris as it was liberated from Nazi control. His images were published as a book in France in 2014. For 70 years, Morris blamed himself for losing three rolls of Capa's images from Omaha Beach. Only in the past two years, as photographers and historians examined development processes and the nature of the film used by Capa, did a new consensus emerge. Most experts now believe there were never any usable images beyond the original "magnificent 11," as they are sometimes called. The prevailing belief is that Capa was under such intense fire that he had little chance to shoot other images or that his camera may have malfunctioned. "I used to take the blame for the loss of Capa's D-Day film," Morris said in 2014. "In recent years I've learned to say that I'm the one who saved the 11 frames." John Godfrey Morris was born Dec. 7, 1916, in Maple Shade, New Jersey, and grew up in Chicago. His father, who was born in 1869, founded a book publishing company and later worked for a Chicago-based college that provided extension courses, or what is now called distance learning. At the University of Chicago, Morris helped launch a student publication modeled on Life, which was first published in 1936. He was the picture editor. After graduating in 1938, he found a job in the mailroom of Time-Life publications before becoming Life's Hollywood correspondent and then London picture editor. He later worked for Ladies' Home Journal and as the top editor of Magnum, the agency started by Capa and other photographers. In 1954, he sent Capa on an assignment to Vietnam (then Indochina), where Capa stepped on a land mine and was killed. Several other photographers who worked for Morris also died in the line of duty. Morris worked for The Washington Post in the 1960s and, from 1967 to 1973, was the picture editor at the Times. In 1968, he insisted that a photo by Eddie Adams of the Associated Press, showing a South Vietnamese police official in the act of executing a Viet Cong prisoner with a shot to the head, be run on the front page of the Times. Four years later, Morris selected another photo, this time by Nick Ut, showing a naked, screaming Vietnamese girl fleeing a napalm attack. Both pictures won the Pulitzer Prize. "I have always believed in showing how ugly war is," Morris told the Times in 2016, "and I have encouraged newspapers to take a realistic view of war." Morris' first wife, the former Mary Adele Crosby, died in 1964. His second wife, the former Marjorie Smith, died in 1981. His third wife, photographer Tana Hoban, died in 2006. Two of his children predeceased him. Survivors include his companion, Patricia Trocme of Paris; two children from his first marriage; two children from his second marriage; and four grandchildren. Morris moved to Paris in 1983 and, for six years, was a correspondent and editor for National Geographic. He also headed the Democrats Abroad organization for many years. He completed a 600-page book about his life shortly before his death. He often traveled to photography workshops, describing his approach to photojournalism and recalling his work with Capa and others. "I am not a photographer," Morris told the Times last year. "They did the great work; I just put it in the magazine or newspaper." A female suicide bomber killed 14 people, including herself, after detonating explosives in a building housing people displaced by Boko Haram violence in northeast Nigeria, according to a state rescue agency. The bomber also injured 24 others in Friday night's attack in the town of Dikwa, Bello Dambatta, who heads the rapid response team of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, said in a phone interview. Indian Ministry of Tourism has undertaken various measures/initiatives to provide facilitation and make tourist places accessible to the differently abled and to provide safety and security to tourists as per following details: 24x7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline in 12 Languages to provide support service in terms of information and guidance to tourists. All the infrastructure developed under the Schemes of Swadesh Darshan and National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) are designed barrier free to provide easy accessibility to differently abled tourists. All State Governments/Union Territory Administrations are required to submit an undertaking along with the proposal before sanctioning of project certifying that barrier free environment for differently abled tourists has been incorporated in the design of the built-up areas of the project. Ministry of Tourism, under its voluntary scheme guidelines for classification/re-classification of operational hotels, has made it mandatory for hotels to earmark at least one room with suitable furniture and customized washroom facilities, ramp with anti-slip floors, wheel chair to be available on a complimentary basis in hotels of all categories, designated parking places etc. for the differently abled. Transport Operators Association has been advised to provide adequate facility in the tourist cars/buses for differently-abled tourists. Handing over Welcome Cards to foreign tourists on arrival to provide useful tips. Some State Governments/Union Territory Administrations have deployed Tourist Police, in one form or the other. Launching of Code of Conduct for adoption by the Indian Travel and Tourism Industry for Safe and Honourable Tourism with the objective to encourage undertaking of tourism activities with respect to basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular women and children. Advisories are issued from time to time to various State Governments and UT Administrations to ensure safety and security of the tourist. Providing facilities at Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, Ganesh Tekdi in Nagpur falls under jurisdiction of the State Government. Various tourist amenities are provided by Archeological Survey of India and State Archeology at the forts falling under their jurisdiction. In respect of Maharashtra, Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned an amount of Rs.82.17 Crore for the development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme during the year 2015-16. 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. No taxation without representation is central to the American experience. War has been waged, lives lost, and treasure spent in pursuit of it. Gallons of ink have been spilled over it and transformational documents based upon it. And the worlds greatest nation was birthed because of it. And yet, taxing people without their consent or counsel still happens in todays Americaand in the Lone Star State no less. Only these days it goes by another nameforced annexationand is defended as a tool of municipal management. Texas is one of the few remaining states that still permits forced annexation, a practice that allows home-rule cities to unilaterally expand their boundaries and capture property owners living on the outskirts. Texans forcibly annexed by a city are subject to higher taxes, tougher regulations, and a lot more debt, whether they like it or not. Property owners absorbed into a city face some potentially steep tax increases. In 2015, the city of San Antonios Department of Planning and Community Development published a controversial report estimating likely property tax bills resulting from full purpose annexation. Astonishingly, the report found that homeowners in the citys crosshairs could be socked with a 22 percent tax hike. Similarly grim, double-digit tax increases await property owners in other areas too. In Central Texas, for example, residents of Hudson Bend, River Place, and Wells Branch have been fighting annexation by Austin for years out of fear of equally explosive tax bills. None of this should sit well. Texans deserve better than to be conscripted by city officials they didnt elect, to pay taxes for things they didnt ask for, and to service debt they didnt authorize. A system like that is nothing short of tyrannical and it runs counter to who we are as a state and a nation. If theres a silver lining in all of this, its that Texans may not have to suffer these circumstances much longer. Earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott directed state lawmakers to tackle in a special session many important issues, including municipal annexation reform. The Senate has passed its version. With annexation reform having made the governors list of priorities, conservatives have a good shot at righting this terrible wrong. Efforts to reform the system will center on giving Texans the right to vote before being annexed. In the last regular session, big government advocates were able to stymie reform with some last minute political shenanigans, those tactics wont work as well this time around because therell be far fewer bills flying about the process and the media spotlight will be more intense. Hopefully, this means that conservative policy solutions, like affording the annexed a chance to vote, will be debated on the merits. And if thats the case, then its hard to see how a system that perpetuates taxation without representation survives. Supporters of the status quo will, no doubt, do their best to stop reform from happening, but forced annexation is indefensible. It denies people the right to participate in the democratic process. It ignores peoples prerogative to choose how and where to live. And it fosters a warped system of wealth redistribution, letting city planners funnel money from the suburbs to the urban core. All of these reasons add up to mean that its time to end forced annexation by giving affected property owners a chance to vote. Only by giving them a voice in the process can we live up to our founding principles. James Quintero leads the Think Local Liberty project at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Kirbie Ferrell is a research associate with the Think Local Liberty project at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. You have sacrificed nothing and no one. These were the words that Khizr Khan, the father of a slain Iraq War soldier, spoke publicly to then-candidate Donald Trump, contrasting his sons national service with Trumps proposed ban on Muslim immigration to the United States in the name of national security. The thousands of transgender people currently serving in the United States military could say the same. Trumps decision this week to bar transgender individuals from serving in the military in any capacity cites the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail but ignores the facts. First, gender variant people are already serving and have done so since at least the American Revolution. Robert Shirtliff served for almost two years in the Continental Army but was wounded in 1783 thats when medics discovered female breasts under the soldiers masculine clothing. Born Deborah Sampson, the soldier was honorably discharged at West Point and eventually awarded a military pension. Another fact President Trump tramples over: Health care for transgender people is not costing the military tremendous amounts. In fact, according to Business Insider, the Pentagon spends five times as much on Viagra as it does providing health care to transgender troops. And readiness? The Pentagon investigation into the impact of trans people on military readiness, which Trump himself commissioned, is not due until December. His recent announcement via tweet, not news conference seems to have caught the military itself off guard. And the RAND Corp., a far-from-liberal research organization, recently found that trans service members posed no threat to military readiness. But, of course, President Trump has never worried about the facts. His success and support have always relied on the crowd-pleasing tactics of the reality TV star and the demagogue: fear and hate. He seeks to appeal to the fears of so many Americans who are experiencing the loss of industrial jobs, the opioid epidemic and a tidal wave of gun violence, all of which grow every year. Trumps strategy is to blame the insecurity of so many American lives on some kind of other who is taking what is yours: those Muslims, those transgender. The cost of making transgender people and their families into the enemy is very real. The Southern Poverty Law Center called 2016 the deadliest year on record for transgender people, and 2017 is already on track to surpass that gruesome milestone. The majority of these victims of fatal violence are transgender women of color, which points to the brutal intersections of racism, sexism and transphobia. The targeting of transgender people also has devastating consequences for mental health. A 2015 survey by the National Coalition for Transgender Equality found that 40 percent of trans-identified respondents had attempted suicide during their lifetime nearly nine times the attempted suicide rate in the U.S. population. A 2016 study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health found that suicidal thoughts and attempts among transgender youths were significantly related to perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. The authors language eerily foreshadows the presidents tweet about the burden of integrating transgender people in the military. Trumps ban is not about keeping the American people safe. Investing in infrastructure and meaningful job creation, increasing access to health care, and stemming the tidal wave of gun violence in this country would have an immediate and palpable impact on our security. Doing so is complicated and its also the presidents job. Thats the kind of national security wed like to see at the forefront of the presidents attention. Lisa L. Moore is the Archibald A. Hill Professor of English and a professor of womens and gender studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Paige Schilt is a learning specialist in the Sanger Learning Center at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of the memoir Queer Rock Love. House Speaker Joe Straus has famously likened this summers special legislative session to a pile of manure. Now Texans will learn if a majority of House members see it the same way. This agenda is packed with unnecessary and controversial legislation, reflecting Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks and Gov. Greg Abbotts priorities. But it doesnt serve Texas well. The senseless and degrading bathroom bill flirts with national scorn and a potential economic boycott. The attacks on cities are unwarranted and potentially crippling. Its an invitation for controversy. With the agenda out of the Senate and into the House, heres our take on how these items should be handled. Bathrooms: Any transgender bathroom bill should be rejected. This is a nonissue. Local school districts are best equipped to address concerns about bathroom privacy, and existing laws adequately address safety. Passage could invite economic boycotts and harm transgender people, often the victims of violence. Vouchers: This is a narrow school choice bill, but one House lawmakers should reject. The legislation would allow private school choice for students with disabilities. Fundamentally, this takes money out of public schools. Its also unclear if private schools can meet the needs of students with disabilities. And it is potentially just a steppingstone for broader voucher legislation down the road. Anti-annexation: This is yet another bit of legislation that House lawmakers should reject because it robs cities of a key tool to help manage growth. That said, anti-annexation legislation easily passed the House in the regular session, only to be filibustered in the Senate. If the House passes this legislation, we strongly encourage lawmakers to grandfather in an existing agreement between the cities of Converse and San Antonio, and to provide adequate zoning buffers around military installations. Capping city and county revenues: This has been billed as property tax reform, but it is not. It does not address the key driver of property taxes, which is school funding. Instead it caps revenues for cities and counties. It wont result in meaningful tax reform, and it could limit city and county services. Teacher pay: This is an unfunded mandate that House lawmakers should reject. While the proposal calls for raising teacher salaries by $1,000, it provides no state funding to achieve this goal. Local control: This includes bills that would limit local government spending, and eliminate local texting-while-driving bans and tree ordinances. Such state meddling is unnecessary. If residents are unhappy about spending or certain regulations, they can vote their elected officials out of office. In the case of the texting ban, we see no benefit to replacing strong local laws with a weaker state law. Abortion: Lawmakers should reject two abortion proposals. One would make women pay more for health plans that cover abortion outside of medical emergencies. Another would require doctors to report key details about women who have abortions in which complications occur. These details include year of birth, race, marital status and county of residence. School finance: Finally, an agenda item lawmakers should support. The state is not adequately funding schools, shortchanging our future while driving up property taxes. The Senate approved a commission to study the issue. But the issue needs no further study. Mail-in ballot fraud: Unlike in-person voter fraud, this is a real issue. Any effort to decrease mail-in ballot fraud is welcome. Maternal mortality: Between 2010 and 2014, maternal mortality rates in Texas nearly doubled. Its unclear why. Extending the Task Force on Maternal Mortality and Morbidity is crucial. We share Straus view about the merits of this special session. It mostly stinks. House lawmakers should do their best to avoid any unnecessary controversy and instead focus on addressing the real issues Texans face. Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged that culprit with power and money will never escape the hands of law. He was speaking at the Kerala Police Associations state meeting. He added that no culprit should escape and no innocent should be punished. The CM also urged not to misuse the freedom. He cleared that corruption in police and third degree punishment will not be tolerated. As per the information, actor Dileeps manager Appunni has been taken in to custody by the police in the actress abduction case. According to reports, he was caught from another state and has been taken for questioning to an unidentified location. Police doubt that the conspiracy was hatched by the trio-Appunni, Dileep and Pulsar Suni. Police strongly doubt that Appunni has got a close connection with goonda gangs in Kochi. Police may question Appunni and Dileep together. Mumbai: Aamir Khan has asked his fans and followers on social media to help flood-stricken states of Assam and Gujarat by contributing in the Chief Minister Relief Fund. The 52-year-old star on Sunday shared a video message on Twitter urging everyone to come together to support those affected by floods. "Some areas of Gujarat and Assam are terribly affected by floods. People are facing a tough time. Many have lost their lives. We are helpless in front of nature, but can surely do something for our brothers and sisters. Let us come together and help the people in Gujarat and Assam. Let us contribute in the Chief Minister Relief Fund of both the states," Aamir said. In Assam, as many as 79 people have lost their lives in the devastating floods, till Saturday. Stock Market SPX Uptrending Again After Minuscule Correction The week started at SPX 2473. With nothing more than a pullback to SPX 2466 on Monday, the market worked its way to a new all-time high at 2484 on Thursday. After opening at the high the market started to pullback, then sold off to SPX 2460 in the afternoon. After that the market rebounded to end the week at SPX 2372. For the week the SPX/DOW were mixed, and the NDX/NAZ lost 0.20%. Economic reports were mostly positive, with no rate increase at the FOMC meeting. On the downtick: existing homes sales, plus jobless claims rose. On the uptick: consumer confidence/sentiment, new home sales, durable goods, and Q2 GDP. Next weeks reports will be highlighted by the ISMs and monthly payrolls. Best to your week! LONG TERM: uptrend After a bull market has progressed for a while, whenever there is a large pullback or a correction, many come out calling the previous high the top. It seems to occur so consistently during bull markets it is nearly predictable. When traders cannot find reasons to satisfy themselves that the market is going higher, the end is always near. What is even more odd, is that you do not find this, in reverse, during bear markets. On every major rally hardly anyone suggests the previous low was the bottom. In fact, even after the bear market low occurs most continue to think it will sell off to new lows yet again. One can only conclude the general tendency for traders is negativity. Even though bull markets are underway 85% of the time. The long term count remains unchanged. A new bull market started in February 2016 at SPX 1810. Since then the market has risen 37% to all-time new highs. The wave pattern suggests the advance has unfolded in three waves thus far, with a subdividing third wave. Int. waves i and ii in the spring of 2016, then a subdividing Int. iii. Minor waves 1 and 2 ended in the fall of 2016, and Minor waves 3 and 4 ended in the spring of 2017. Recently Minor 5 may have ended at SPX 2454 in June, to end Int. iii, and an irregular Int. iv correction has been underway since then. Or, Minor 5 may subdivide itself into five Minute waves. Since the SPX has not exceeded the 2479 pivot range (2472-2486) that debate continues. MEDIUM TERM: uptrend After the SPX/NDX/NAZ topped in June, then confirmed downtrends the most obvious count was that Int. iii had completed and an Int. iv correction was underway. The DOW, however, never confirmed an uptrend top in June or even the downtrend. It just kept working its way higher despite the reversals in the other indices. If you look at the DOW it still appears to be in Minor 5 as it continues to make new highs. If one looks at the NYSE chart it displays a very similar pattern: a 5th wave of a subdividing 3rd wave is underway. Since it takes five completed waves to end a bull market neither chart suggests that this bull market has topped. With the DOW continuing to make new highs, with negative RSI/MACD divergences building across most timeframes. We can easily assume that the DOW in the process of completing Int. iii. Then when it enters a correction, the SPX/NDX/NAZ will head lower as well and complete their Int. iv waves too. This activity would then realign all four indices as they finished the 4th and enter the 5th wave of this bull market. Until this occurs there is the possibility that the DOW will continue to extend, and the SPX will break through the OEW 2479 pivot range, leading to a subdividing Minor wave 5. Either way it is quite clear this bull market has not topped yet. SHORT TERM Tracking this uptrend from the July SPX 2408 low has been somewhat tedious. Volatility is so low that the entire rise to SPX 2484 has hardly produced any quantified short term waves. It just looks like a steady grind higher for nearly the entire month. Our very short-term count displays five waves: 2432-2413-2478-2465-2484, then this weeks decline to 2460. This suggests this uptrend is impulsive and not a B wave after all. Our simpler short-term count displays just three waves: 2432-2413-2484, then the decline to 2460. Suggesting the uptrend is a corrective B wave that may have completed at the high. A rally, however, to SPX 2484+ would suggest it is an impulsive fives waves. Plus, a rally above SPX 2486 would eliminate the B wave scenario too. It appears to be a good spot for bearish traders, with an identifiable stop, while investors await the outcome. Short term support remains at the 2456 and 2444 pivots, with resistance at the 2479 and 2525 pivots. Short term momentum ended the week around neutral. Best to your weekend! FOREIGN MARKETS The Asian markets were mostly higher and gained 0.3%. European markets also gained 0.3%. The DJ World gained 0.1%, and the NYSE gained 0.3%. COMMODITIES Bonds remain in a downtrend and lost 0.3%. Crude is in an uptrend and gained 8.6%. Gold appears to be in an uptrend and gained 1.1%. The USD remains in a downtrend and lost 0.3%. NEXT WEEK Monday: Chicago PMI at 9:45, and pending home sales at 10am. Tuesday: consumer income/spending, the CPI, construction spending, auto sales and ISM manufacturing. Wednesday: the ADP. Thursday: jobless claims, ISM services and factory orders. Friday: monthly payrolls and the trade deficit. CHARTS: http://stockcharts.com/public/1269446/tenpp https://caldaro.wordpress.com After about 40 years of investing in the markets one learns that the markets are constantly changing, not only in price, but in what drives the markets. In the 1960s, the Nifty Fifty were the leaders of the stock market. In the 1970s, stock selection using Technical Analysis was important, as the market stayed with a trading range for the entire decade. In the 1980s, the market finally broke out of it doldrums, as the DOW broke through 1100 in 1982, and launched the greatest bull market on record. Sharing is an important aspect of a life. Over 100 people have joined our group, from all walks of life, covering twenty three countries across the globe. It's been the most fun I have ever had in the market. Sharing uncommon knowledge, with investors. In hope of aiding them in finding their financial independence. Copyright 2017 Tony Caldaro - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. Tony Caldaro Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. COLLINSVILLEA Meadows of Dan woman will serve a year in jail, after the child abuse charge she faced was reduced to one misdemeanor. In Henry County Circuit Court on Friday, Judge David V. Williams changed the original felony charge of causing or permitting serious injury to a child to a misdemeanor of causing a child to be abused. The woman, 24-year-old Casey Lynn Rogers, had been accused of breast-feeding her 5-day-old son after she used drugs. If you are going to use drugs, have you ever thought about using birth control? Williams asked Rogers, a mother of two children, both of whom are now in foster care. Judge Williams told Rogers she wouldnt win a mother of the year award. I am an addict, Rogers had told Williams moments before. Rogers pleaded not guilty to the felony charge during her trial Friday in Henry County Circuit Court. Lt. T.W. Compton of the Henry County Sheriffs Office testified that on July 1, 2016, he responded to a convenience store in the Bassett area where he saw Rogers, her baby and some other people. The baby had a rash or red marks on his body and was acting hysterically, Compton said. (According to the commonwealths summary of evidence, EMS also responded to the convenience store.) Rogers was holding the baby, and Compton asked her what was going on with the child. He added that Rogers had difficulty answering questions and seemed spaced out. An ambulance took the baby to Memorial Hospital in Martinsville, Compton said and he followed soon after. There, Rogers said she had smoked weed, and she had trouble answering questions and her conversation would wander off, Compton said. Mellisa Brumfield, child protective services senior worker for the Henry County-Martinsville Department of Social Services, testified she saw the 5-day-old at the hospital, and he appeared to have a serious diaper rash and an infection around the umbilical cord area, but he had no specific injuries. Brumfield said she Rogers told her the baby had been crying, she didnt know what was wrong with him, and she didnt know what to do. Brumfield said she requested a urine screen be done on Rogers and told Rogers the result. We petitioned for emergency removal of the child, Brumfield said, adding that the child was removed and placed in foster care. Investigator J.D. Ayers of the Henry County Sheriffs Office testified that he went to the hospital. The baby was red in several places on his body, and was crying and shaking, Ayers said. He described Rogers as being spacey when she talked. Sometime later, Ayers took out a search warrant and found Rogers at a residence on Graystone Road in the Bassett area. She was arrested and taken to the hospital in Martinsville for a blood draw and a breast milk sample. Trista Wright, a forensic toxicologist for the Virginia Department of Forensic Science in Roanoke, testified that methamphetamine, amphetamine and an active agent of marijuana were detected in the blood sample from Rogers and methamphetamine and amphetamine were detected in the breast milk sample. (Amphetamine is a product of the metabolism of methamphetamine.) In the breast milk sample, the quantity was insufficient to test for an active agent of marijuana. Wright said she could not speak about how methamphetamine affects a particular person, but she could speak generally about the effects of methamphetamine on people. How methamphetamine affects people can be influenced by such things as tolerance for methamphetamine and how much methamphetamine has been consumed, Wright said. Wright said, in terms of its effects on people, methamphetamine has two stages: a rush (or high) stage and a crash (or coming off) stage. During the rush stage, a person is stimulated and may be aggressive, talkative and sweating. During the crash stage, a person may be depressed, drug seeking, agitated and confused, Wright said. There is very little literature on how methamphetamine and amphetamine into breast milk affect a baby, Wright said. She added that she did find one study, but only two breastfeeding mothers who used methamphetamine recreationally were studied. (According to an article on the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, website, that study recommended a 48-hour withholding period for breastfeeding following recreational use.) Wright also said there have been infant deaths associated with maternal methamphetamine use. After Wright testified, Henry County Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Awbrey Watts called Investigator Ayers back to the stand to testify. Ayers said after Rogers was arrested, she requested to speak to sheriffs investigators. Rogers gave a written statement that on June 30, 2016, she went to an apartment on Grace Drive to visit friends, leaving the baby where his father lived in the Bassett area. Rogers stated that while at the apartment on Grace Drive, she snorted a line of meth. After leaving that apartment, she went to the baby fathers residence, where she and another female went into a room upstairs and smoked a bowl of meth, Rogers told investigators, according to Ayers. After Rogers smoked meth, she went downstairs and at some point the baby started crying hysterically. Others at the residence told her the baby probably needed to be fed, so Rogers and the female she had smoked meth with went upstairs. Upstairs, Rogers tried to get the baby to latch on by placing her nipple in the babys mouth, but the baby wouldnt latch, so Rogers squirted milk into the babys mouth but was not sure if any actually got inside, Rogers told investigators. Rogers told investigators that after that, she and the babys father started driving toward the hospital. According to the prosecutions summary of evidence, they stopped at a convenience store in Bassett to get gas and once inside Rogers called 911 to get help for her child. When the prosecution concluded putting on evidence, Rogers lawyer, Heath Sabin, made a motion for Judge Williams to strike, or disallow, the prosecutions evidence. Sabin argued that the prosecution did not prove that Rogers caused or permitted serious injury to the baby. He said no tests were done to see whether methamphetamine or amphetamine was in the babys body. He said there was no evidence Rogers use of methamphetamine caused injury to the life or health of the baby. He also said Rogers was on the way to the hospital to seek help for the child when she encountered law enforcement. Watts argued, among other things, that Rogers forced breast milk into the babys mouth after Rogers used methamphetamine. Judge Williams reduced the charge from the felony offense to the misdemeanor offense. He noted there was no blood sample showing whether or not there was meth in the babys system. Before she was sentenced, Rogers apologized for all this. She described herself as an addict, coming off meth. She said she didnt recall writing a statement to investigators but does remember talking with them. She said she doesnt recall saying she force-fed the baby. After the trial, when asked why the baby wasnt tested for the presence of methamphetamine or amphetamine, prosecutor Watts said because authorities did not want to cause the child more pain. ATTLEBORO - An Attleboro police officer was injured late Friday night when the cruiser he was driving on I-95 was struck from behind. The Attleboro Sun Chronicle reported that police were looking for a reported naked woman running in and out of traffic in the northbound lanes of I-95 just before midnight Friday. The Attleboro officer was one of several police cruisers involved in the search. Police said that while the cruiser was pulled over into the breakdown lane it was struck by a second car traveling at highway speeds. A police spokesman said the officer involved suffered head trauma and lacerations. The cruiser was extensively damaged. The officer was transported to Providence Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island for treatment. Police said he was released later Saturday morning. The driver of the car that struck the cruiser was arrested by Massachusetts State Police. The naked woman was found was taken to a local hospital for treatment. TAUNTON - A Taunton man was seriously injured when he was struck by a pickup truck as he crossed West Britannia Street Friday afternoon. Taunton Police said Nicholas Fabiano, 49, of airlifted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston after the 10:45 a.m. incident. The Taunton Gazette reported that Fabiano was crossing the street in front of his apartment building when he was struck by the truck operated by Thomas Blackwell, 45, of Taunton. A police reconstruction team was sent to investigate the incident. Witnesses said they heard the screeching of brakes just before the sound of Fabiano's body hitting the ground. Lt. Paul Roderick, Taunton Police Department's accident reconstructionist said Blackwell's truck skidded for about 33 feet before striking Fabiano and continued to skid an additional 17 feet after. Roderick said no charges have been filed agasint the driver at this time. SANDISFIELD - Twenty two people were arrested at a staged protest of the construction of the Kinder Morgan pipeline extension in Sandisfield Saturday morning, police said. The "Connecticut Expansion," an extension of an already extant Kinder Morgan pipeline that will stretch four miles through Berkshire County's Otis state forest, has been the site of repeated protests during recent months, including a recent incident involving the arrest of 98-year-old Northampton peace activist Frances Crowe. Massachusetts State Troopers took the demonstrators into custody Saturday after they refused police orders to leave a restricted area of the construction, police said in a statement. The protesters were charged with trespassing, police said. Arrests have been a common occurrence during recent protests, with activists commonly trespassing onto pipeline property as an act of protest. Many protesters are members of the Sugar Shack Alliance, a Western Massachusetts affiliation of activists that pledges non-violent resistance to the fossil fuel industry. Police noted that the arrests were made "peacefully and without resistance," similar to other trespassing arrests that have occurred in the vicinity of the pipeline project during recent weeks. The activists arrested were taken for booking to a Berkshire Sheriff's Department facility, police said. Afterward, they were released on personal recognizance pending a court appearance, police said. Those arrested were listed as follows: CHARLEMONT -- A couple running a Franklin County animal sanctuary have been ordered to vacate their on-site trailer within 30 days, or face charges in housing court. Patrick and Claudine Veistroffer, along with their menagerie, left Greenfield in 2016 after a lengthy eviction process, and set up a camper in Charlemont at their newly-sited Cloa's Ark Animal Sanctuary, according to the Greenfield Recorder. Now they will have to move again. About 150 "rescue animals" reside at the sanctuary, including birds, cattle, chickens, ducks and geese, rabbits, and sheep. The Charlemont Board of Health last week told the couple that permanent campers are only allowed in the town's four licensed campgrounds. Temporary permits are available for non-commercial activity, such as family visits, for up to 14 days. It's not about the animals, board members said. A health agent and a representative of the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals inspected the premises on Monday and the facility passed muster. The couple said they are exploring their housing options, and want to live close enough to care for the animals on a daily basis. Idaho Power said Thursday it wants permission from state regulators to lump people who install rooftop solar panels starting next year into a new class of energy providers, and may ask later for permission to charge them more money than current solar producers pay to access the states power grid and buy electricity when their panels are not producing. The utilitys request could significantly change the system that compensates users of rooftop solar panels and other renewable sources for their excess electricity. Idaho Power said it needs clearance from the commission to create a whole new customer class before discussing possible rate hikes. BY KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/article164073097.html SBA 504 Loans offered statewide! Real estate and equipment, acquisitions, renovation, and new construction. Low, fixed-rates up to 25 years with as little as 10% down. A man sentenced to life in prison for the murder of an Old Fort man in 1986 has been granted parole. Douglas Paul Olson, 62, has been in prison for more than 30 years after being convicted of murder in the death of 52-year-old James Suttles, of Old Fort. The McDowell News received a notice from the N.C. Post Release Supervision and Parole Commission stating, (the Commission) is notifying you that it has approved (Olson) for parole via the Mutual Agreement Parole Program (MAPP)Under the agreement, the offenders parole release date is 7-20-2019. The MAPP program is designed to prepare selected inmates for release through structured activities, scheduled progression in custody levels, participation in community-based programs and established parole dates. While incarcerated, Olson has been an upstanding inmate, his supervisor told The McDowell News in 2014. He has never had any infractions, and has worked outside of the prison. He also earned his culinary degree from A-B Tech while behind bars, and took many other courses such as computers and horticulture. In 1986, at the age of 32, Olson broke into Suttles home on Catawba Avenue and attempted to steal money and firearms. Olson and Suttles were not acquainted. Suttles was returning home from work and startled Olson, according to court testimony. Olson said he grabbed the gun and started shooting, firing until the weapon was empty and then fled the scene. In 2014, Olson was up for parole review but was initially denied. The McDowell News traveled to Troy where Olson was imprisoned to talk about what he would do if he was granted parole. He told the newspaper then there is no excuse for what he had done, but his life had taken a turn for the better. I am very serious about my sobriety because (drugs and alcohol) destroyed my life, and I have destroyed other peoples lives, Olson said in 2014. Ive got a plan now and Im serious about it. I dont know what I can accomplish, but if I am given the opportunity, I am going to do my best to accomplish something. According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, Olson is currently being held in Orange County. He is expected to be released in 2019 if he meets the requirements of the MAPP program. Click here to read a previous article about Doug Olson. Click here to read an in-depth interview with Olson in 2014. Click here to read about Olson's first parole hearing. From meditation to physical activity, there are various things that we can do to regain control over our emotions during stressful times. But what if there was an easier way of doing that? New research investigates the effect of talking to yourself in third person on emotion management. Share on Pinterest New research shows that talking to yourself in the third person may help to relieve stress and anxiety. A team of researchers, led by scientists from Michigan State University in East Lansing and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, set out to examine the neuropsychological effect of talking to oneself in the third person on controlling ones emotions. The researchers hypothesis was that talking to oneself in the same way that one would about others would provide some much-needed psychological distance, which may help to control emotions. The new study which is published in the journal Scientific Reports consists of two neuroscientific experiments that tested this hypothesis. Using an electroencephalograph In the first experiment which was conducted at the Clinical Psychophysiology Lab and led by Prof. Jason Moser, of Michigan State University participants were asked to look at emotionally aversive images (for example, a man pointing a gun at their heads) and neutral images. They were asked to view these images in both conditions: the first-person condition, and the third-person condition. In the former, the participants asked themselves, What am I feeling right now? But in the latter condition, they asked themselves, What is [participants name] feeling right now? The participants brain activity was monitored using an electroencephalograph. Referring to themselves in the third person reduced the participants brain activity across the neural mechanisms that are known to be involved in emotional regulation and it did so almost immediately, within 1 second. Interestingly, the brain activity as recorded by the electroencephalograph did not show an increase in cognitive control markers, which suggests that the strategy is effective at managing stress in a cognitively effortless way. Advertisement Malaria was not eradicated on Sardinia until the 1950s. Until now, it has been assumed that the disease was only endemic on the island since the Middle Ages (500-1500 CE). Researchers at the Institute for Evolutionary Medicine of the University of Zurich have now studied the history of malaria on Sardinia in greater depth. Since antique DNA (aDNA) of malaria is very difficult to extract, they studied thalassemia and other genetic adaptations in its place. Thalassemias are genetic diseases that interrupt the development of red blood cells. These diseases, however, have the advantage that many people affected lead a healthy life and are bad hosts for malaria pathogens. They are therefore partially immune against infections with malaria. Even today, such thalassemias occur relatively frequently in former malaria regions, such as the Mediterranean.The Romans already suffered from malariaThe researchers headed up by Claudia Vigano and Abigail Bouwman of the human aDNA laboratory at the Institute of Evolutionary Medicine - the only laboratory of its kind in Switzerland - studied a thalassemia allele called cod39 -thalassemia, which is dominant on Sardinia. They were therefore able to prove that, contrary to what has been known until now, malaria was probably already endemic on Sardinia in the Roman period, long before the Middle Ages."This is the very first documented case of the genetic adaptation to malaria on Sardinia," Claudia Vigano says. "We also discovered that the person was genetically a Sardinian in all probability and not an immigrant from another area."Understanding the evolution of today's diseases"Our study shows the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to history," says Abigail Bouwman, head of the project and the aDNA laboratory. "We are researching the evolution of today's diseases such as malaria to explain why the human body becomes sick at all and how adaptations occur."Source: Eurekalert Advertisement "110,000 new patients start dialysis each year in the United States," says Thakar. "Although dialysis affects less than one percent of Medicare beneficiaries, it consumes 9 percent of the Medicare budget. Hence, curbing the epidemic of dialysis and improving outcomes of patients on dialysis is beneficial to the patient as well as the health care system."The incidence of NRSOT has been increasing in the United States and, according to Thakar, NRSOT recipients are at risk of AKI in the short-term, and progressive loss of kidney function in the long-term, leading to end-stage renal disease.Thakar and the team looked at the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, (NIS), the largest publically available all-payer inpatient care database in the United States, containing data on more than seven million hospital stays each year. Using the NIS, researchers evaluated the yearly incidence trends (2002 to 2013) of the primary outcome, defined as AKI-D, in hospitalizations after cardiac and liver transplantation.The research showed that NRSOT patients who experienced AKI-D during hospitalization were nearly three times [2.85] more likely to die than patients who did not have AKI-D.The incidence of AKI-D in cardiac transplantation hospitalizations increased from 1.63 percent to 2.33 percent in the study period while the incidence of AKI-D in liver transplant hospitalizations increased from 1.32 percent to 2.65 percent. Investigating that increase, Thakar says the team found that as anti-rejection medicines and the ability to deliver complex care has improved, they saw a trend of older transplant recipients with an increased comorbid disease burden.The authors interpret this data to suggest one of the factors that may be associated with the increasing trend of AKI is the comorbid and chronic disease burden and severity of illness at the time patients receive heart or liver transplants.Thakar says that AKI associated death in liver or heart transplants is a "double hit" to the patient and the loss of the transplanted organ. "Here's a person who has received a precious organ in a liver or a heart, after going through high risk transplant surgery and the mental anguish that goes along with that," says Thakar. "Now within a few months of that, they get hospitalized and run a higher risk of getting AKI and if they do, there is more than double the chance they won't leave the hospital alive."Thakar says urgent strategies are needed to limit the risk of AKI and mitigate its consequences after heart and liver transplant."Our goal was to demonstrate how the AKI trends have changed over time in the United States and AKI continues to be a vexing and a serious problem faced by non-kidney transplant recipients," he says. "If you want to preserve the intended life expectancy of a heart or liver transplant recipient, you need to find ways to mitigate the risk of kidney injury. If you have NRSOT, you're already on a higher risk trajectory to suffer from chronic kidney disease, and if you get an AKI, that slope just got steeper."Source: Eurekalert It's not a secret that actor Sidharth Malhotra is very particular about his fitness. In fact, Katrina Kaif also mentioned during 'Baar Baar Dekho' promotions that how she often got fitness inspiration from Sid and how he makes sure that everyone around him stays fit. Looking at Sid's perfectly toned body, one can clearly see that he follows a specific workout routine to stay in shape. At present, the actor is busy shooting for Neeraj Pandey's 'Ayiaary' in London, where he plays a military person. Manoj Bajpayee, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Rakul Preet Singh, Anupam Kher are part of the film as well. #AGentleman trailer out now ! #rishi #workout thanks to @rocky_bodytransformer A post shared by Sidharth Malhotra (@s1dofficial) on Jul 8, 2017 at 4:57am PDT Well, we all saw how he was busy sweating it out during 'A Gentleman' but for 'Aiyaary', the actor has gone a step further and is undergoing professional training to get the proper physique and frame of an army officer. Looking at his latest picture, we totally feel like hitting the gym and working out on our fitness as well. Sid is pumping his muscles as per his trainer Jozef Jurik's advice. Flaunting his work, he posted a few pictures on Instagram and captioned them, Keeping #sidfit thanks to jozef @blacklinetraining in London #Shoot #train. Keeping #sidfit thanks to jozef @blacklinetraining in London #Shoot #train A post shared by Sidharth Malhotra (@s1dofficial) on Jul 28, 2017 at 8:42am PDT It wouldn't be wrong to say Sid is trying his level best to do what his character demands, inspiring all of us to do our bit amidst our busy schedule. After all, it is important to stay fit and healthy. Isn't it, Sid? #shoot #train #shoot #london #sidfit @blacklinetraining A post shared by Sidharth Malhotra (@s1dofficial) on Jul 29, 2017 at 4:42am PDT Apart from beefing up, Sid is also busy promoting his film 'A Gentleman' which is set to release on 25th August 2017, while Aiyaary releases on 26th Jan, 2018. The News in Brief European Parliament Members on Georgias EU Membership Perspective The Parliaments of three Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries - Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - released a joint statement on July 3, calling on the European Parliament to adopt a Resolution prior to the EaP Summit reaffirming its appeal to the European Council to opening the perspective of EU membership to the three Associated Countries. Civil.ge reached out to some of the senior MEPs on the matter, asking them to comment on the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels in November, and the Summit expectations of Eastern partners. Five MEPs responded to the query, including two from the European Peoples Party and one member from each of the following political groups: the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, the European Conservatives and Reformists Group and the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance. David McAllister, Group of the European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats), Germany The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has received the Joint statement of the Parliaments of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine of July 3, 2017. We have taken note of their call on the European Parliament as regards the suggested resolution and the issue of EU membership perspective. We have also noted the emphasis on our common values, on the EUs support to our partners territorial integrity and sovereignty and on the importance of the implementation of the Association Agreements which the European Parliament is keen to highlight at every available opportunity. In the run up to the Eastern Partnership Summit scheduled for November 2017, the Foreign Affairs Committee will draw up a report to be adopted by the European Parliament and containing recommendations to the Council, Commission and the External Action Service (EEAS). The content of this upcoming resolution including the issue of membership perspective will be the subject of debates in the Foreign Affairs Committee in September and October 2017. Gunnar Hokmark, Group of the European Peoples Party (Christian Democrats), Sweden The perspective of EU membership is a central component of the Neighborhood policy and the Eastern Partnership. Every European nation has this perspective and it is important for stability and the strengthening of democracy. Even if there may be different opinions of when a country can become an EU member, this is an important foundation of the European project. Urmas Paet, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Estonia The EU has been going through turbulent times in recent years. We have faced many crises such as the refugee crisis, Brexit, and terrorist attacks. Even though there is a strong focus on finding a solution to all these problems, we cannot forget our Eastern neighborhood and its efforts to further integrate with the EU. In this regard I am content that the EU finally approved visa-free travel for Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. It is a step forward in tightening relations and also an important moral message of support. As the Estonian foreign minister from 2005 until 2014 and now as a member of the European Parliament, I strongly support the further political association and economic integration of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova with the EU and the implementation of association agreements. There are also many opportunities to further develop relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus. A clear perspective for EU membership is very important. Every European country which has fulfilled the necessary criteria may apply for EU membership. One of Estonias priorities during its presidency of the Council of the EU is the Eastern Partnership. The objectives of the Eastern Partnership Summit should be ambitious and practical, reconfirming the EUs continued support for Eastern Partners. Attention should be put on sustainable public sector reforms, the development of transport and energy connections, digital society, entrepreneurship and civil society as well as people-to-people contacts. It is also clear that the EU continuously needs to focus on conflict resolution in the neighborhood. Anna Elzbieta Fotyga, European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Poland Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova have all signed Association Agreements (including DCFTA) with the EU and received a visa-free regime with the Schengen countries. These deliverables keep the populations of these countries hopeful that their countries will receive further benefits from EU integration. Countries that will continuously pursue a reform agenda and stronger economic growth must also receive more integration mechanisms from the EU in order to keep these processes alive and create more leverages for reform and further democratization. The upcoming EaP Summit in November will be the best opportunity to lay out the strategic goals of EU-EaP relations. (Civil.ge) MASON CITY | City officials and the Union Pacific Railroad continue to work toward creation of quiet zones at railroad crossings across the city. On Tuesday, the City Council will be asked to set a public hearing for Aug. 22 regarding the vacating a public right-of-way to the railroad as part of the project. Quiet zones are railroad crossings equipped with median strips and other safety devices preventing vehicles from crossing when crossing bars are down. This, in turn, would eliminate the need for use of noisy train whistles every time a train passed through. The quiet zone in Mason City will include five at-grade crossings, extending from 15th Street Southwest to Ninth Street Northwest. The crossings are at 15th Street Southwest, Sixth Street Southwest, Fourth Street Southwest, First Street Northwest and Ninth Street Northwest. The crossings at Fourth Street Southwest and Ninth Street Northwest will be closed. City Administrator Brent Trout said the railroad is preparing the final plans and agreement for the construction and relocation of railroad safety equipment which is currently being used at the Ninth Street Northwest crossing. The council needs to approve vacating the public property to the railroad to allow for the relocation of the equipment. High Line Bike Trail in the works for Mason City MASON CITY | City officials are working with a Des Moines-based foundation to buy five miles Also Tuesday, the council will be asked to approve an application for a Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant of $150,000 to assist with costs to acquire the section of Union Pacific property from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The city has been working with the railroad, the foundation and with BACKTRACK Inc. to purchase unused railroad property to complete the High Line, rail-to-trail project from 19th Street Southeast north ot County Road B20. HAMILTON, Bermuda, July 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two major new insurance-industry events highlighting innovation in the Bermuda market are headed to the island this fall, the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) announced today. The BDA has worked with two London-based organisations to bring both one-day events to Bermuda for the first time. Field Gibson Medias Insurance Risk & Capital Bermuda is scheduled for October 20 at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club; Newsquest Specialist Medias Global Reinsurance Innovation & Insurtech is slated for Rosewood Tuckers Point November 6. One of our agencys major objectives is to bring quality industry events to the island to help attract investors and industry executives, including risk managers and insurance buyers, to explore opportunities in Bermuda, said Jereme Ramsay, BDA Business Development Manager. These events help to fulfill that goal, and also to bolster our fall tourism season. Field Gibson Media is well-known for its InsuranceERM.com online publication, a leading source of information on risk and capital issues affecting insurance companies. InsuranceERM will host its inaugural Bermuda event, sponsored by Aon Benfield, Deloitte, EY and the BDA and expected to attract more than 100 risk professionals. We are delighted to bring this conference to Bermuda in 2017, said Tony Gibson, the groups Managing Director. It is an honour for InsuranceERM to hold its distinctive take on risk, capital and asset management in the Worlds Risk Capital. The Bermuda industry has an enviable reputation for stability in the face of the worlds biggest catastrophesa testament to the strong ethos of enterprise risk management among the islands insurers, and to the islands solid regulatory framework. Bermudas uniqueness comes in matching this constancy with an environment that encourages innovation, the titles Managing Editor Chris Cundy added. Helped by a responsive and agile supervisor [Bermuda Monetary Authority, BMA], Bermudas hotbed of insurance talent has pioneered opportunities and new business models that have been adopted worldwide. The one-day conference will examine topics around innovation in the insurance industry, rigour and robustness around reporting and modelling, the changing role of the chief risk officer, Bermudas regulations for underwriters, new capital standards, cybersecurity, and group supervision in an uncertain geopolitical environment. BDA CEO Ross Webber will be a speaker, along with Craig Swan, Managing Director, Supervision, BMA; Edward Mishambi, Head of Risk & Regulatory Affairs for RenaissanceRe; Elisabetta Russo, ERM Advisor for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC); and Dan Malloy, Chief Underwriting Officer of Third Point Re. InsuranceERM joins three other industry events during a particularly busy 10 days in the islands global business sphere. The World Alternative Investment Summit (WAIS) Bermuda, produced by Radius Financial Education, comes back to the Fairmont Southampton October 1113. Hedge Connections Global Fund Forum also returns to the Fairmont Southampton for the third time October 1618. That will be followed by the annual ILS Bermuda Convergence event October 1819 at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, now in its fifth year. The following month, GR Innovation & Insurtech will examine disruptive global technology trends and how the risk industry can capitalise on these. BDA CEO Ross Webber will again be among top-level speakers and the event agenda is being lined up. Close to 100 delegates are expected to attend. Were excited to be able to contribute to the conversation around innovation in insurtech and all the opportunities this can present to the Bermuda marketwe hope this new event can be a catalyst for new ideas in this fast-developing sphere, said Sophie Roberts, Associate Publisher of Global Reinsurance. Our event is designed to bring an international audience to the island to examine all aspects of insurtech and take lessons from those who are pioneering in this space on the island and around the world. Scheduled during the week of the World Rugby Classic, GR Innovation & Insurtech happens the day before another big annual risk-industry event, the PwC S&P Global Bermuda Reinsurance conference, November 78, at the Hamilton Princess. That forum, now in its 12th year, attracts senior executives to reflect on transformative issues facing the reinsurance industry. CONNECTING BUSINESS The BDA encourages direct investment and helps companies start up, re-locate or expand their operations in our premier jurisdiction. An independent, public-private partnership, we connect you to industry professionals, regulatory officials, and key contacts in the Bermuda government to assist domicile decisions. Our goal? To make doing business in Bermuda smooth and beneficial. New York State's replacement for the 421-a tax credit, a re-branded version of the program named Affordable New York, won't include any units set aside for local residents, the homeless, New York City employees, the disabled or military veterans, according to a new report. The Affordable New York program is similar to the 421-a tax credit, except that this one offers a property tax abatement for 35 years instead of 25 years and keeps the percentage of affordable apartments in a building in the program for 40 years, up from 35 years. Another key difference, Crain's reports, is that developers won't have to include "community preferences," which usually meant half of the units set aside for locals who resided in the Community Board zone where a building went up, in addition to smaller percentages for people like military veterans and municipal employees. The de Blasio administration also required developers receiving the credit to set units aside for residents who were recently homeless. It's unclear who removed the community preference rules surrounding the new tax credit programthe governor's office denied that they were behind the change. Crain's noted that the Department of Housing Preservation and Development could still make their own rules about community preference under 421-a, and that this doesn't impact city-funded affordable housing developments, as 421-a is a state program. Mayoral spokesperson Melissa Grace didn't comment directly on the missing community preference language but did tell Gothamist that the mayor's office "will continue to use the community preference as a critical anti-displacement measure in the affordable housing development that the City is financing at record pace." The militaries of the U.S. and South Korea fired missiles into the territorial waters off South Korea's east coast early Saturday, apparently in response to North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile a short time earlier.. What the U.S. Army described as a "combined training event" also followed North Korea's claim that its weapons were now capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, as Fox News reported. According to Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military usually refrains from disclosing details about its exercises, but a statement by the Eighth Army linked Saturday's drill directly with North Korea's ICBM launch. (The Eighth Army is the U.S. force based in South Korea.) The North Korean missile was launched around midnight Saturday local time in the country's northwest, landing in the Sea of Japan about 620 miles east of the launch site, the Stars and Stripes report said, citing a Pentagon statement. The Eighth Army claimed the exercise involved the use of a surface-to-surface Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and South Korea's Huynmoo Missile II. "The ATACMS can be rapidly deployed and engaged and provides deep-strike precision capability, enabling the [U.S. and South Korea] to engage a full array of time-critical targets under all weather conditions," the Pentagon statement said. Meanwhile, the U.S. military tracked the North Korean missile throughout its flight and determined it posed no threat to North America, Stars and Stripes reported. "We assess that this missile was an [ICBM], as had been expected," the Pentagon statement said, adding that the U.S. remained committed to defending South Korea and Japan, two key allies in the Asia-Pacific region, "from any attack or provocation. 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... MLive photo By JOHN D. GONZALEZ and AMY SHERMAN | @mlive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- On July 26, 2017 we announced our next Michigan's Best search: Best Wings! The reaction has been great! So far we have received more than 100 nominations and they're still coming in. Make sure to comment on our rececent story at: Michigan's Best wings: We will find them and you can help Or email us: Amy Sherman is at asherma2@mlive.com. John Gonzalez is at gonzo@mlive.com. The deadline is 3 p.m. Monday, July 31. Don't Edit Edith Adams/used with permission The Judges Before we get to our ranking, let's meet the judges: George Aquino, aka the Asian Sensation: He is the Vice President/Managing Director Amway Hotel Collection, and a popular food blogger, restaurant critic and general, all-around cool guy! Ben Darcie, aka Chocolate Muscle: He is a craft beer educator, home brewer, and great fun to have at a party. He works at Gravel Bottom Brewery and Supply in Ada. Freddy Shier, aka Chick Magnet: He is a business solutions specialist at Grand Rapids-based food supplier Gordon Food Service. And well-versed on Wings! Amber Stokosa, aka Just Amber: She is the marketing manager at 20 Monroe Live in downtown Grand Rapids. She just moved to Grand Rapids in October, and she's loving it. Amy Sherman, aka The Shermanator: Works at at MLive on the Michigan's Best team; she's not shy. John Gonzalez, aka Gonzo: He also works at MLive, and on the Michigan's Best team. His job is to keep Amy in check. (He doesn't do a good job of it.) Don't Edit Who has the best Chain Chicken Wings? The taste test begins! Posted by MLive.com on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 The Judge's room. Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com Criteria We scored the wings on Appearance, Aroma, Sauce, Meatiness, Greasiness and Overall Taste. Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com The Contenders In Alphabetical Order: Applebee's Buffalo Wild Wings Chili's Domino's Jet's Pizza Kentucky Fried Chicken Pizza Hut Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen Don't Edit Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com 9. Chili's Overall, the Chili's smokey wings scored at the bottom. George Aquinio and Amy Sherman said they left a lot to be desired. Not meaty at all and it tasted like liquid smoke. "Forget about it," George said. On the flip side, Freddy Shier and Ben Darcie said they loved the smoked flavor. Amber Stokosa and Gonzo both said: "Um, gross." We also tried the regular Chili's Wings, which were much better. Pictured: Chili's Wings far right; one regular, one with sauce and smokey. Cost: 8 wings $9.99. Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com 8. KFC George Aquino summed it up best: "Will do, but nothing fancy." Cost: $10.60 for 10 wings. Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com 7. Popeye's "Very generic," "good for the road," was the general consensus. "A little dry." Cost: 5 whole wings, $7.69. Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com 6. Jet's Pizza A little too fatty, but some overall nice flavors. Freddy Shier called it the "Dutch Boy of Wings." We tried both regular and hot wings. Cost: $7.99 for 8 wings Pictured: Jet's wings on the far left. Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com 5. Papa John's Overall, our judges loved Papa John's, but it wasn't unanimous. Amber Stokosa said: Who decided this was a flavor? Pictured: Papa John's at the top. Don't Edit Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com 4. Domino's "Tender and awesome." "Fatty and hot." "Yummy." Pictured: Domino's at the bottom. Cost: 14 wings for $11. Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com 3. Buffalo Wild Wings Overall, it scored well, but George Aquino noted: "Nice piece of meat, but lacking of memorable characteristics." Freddy Shier said it was "well seasoned" and Ben Darcie said "flavorful and not too greasy." We had them with a medium sauce. Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com 2. Pizza Hut We ordered them medium, but they had a big kick, which most of the judges loved! Cost: $12.44 for 10 wings.. Don't Edit John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com 1. Applebee's Surprise! George Aquino said "I would order this at 3 a.m." Jeff Shier said "This wing is what caused addiction." All the judges agreed the flavor, meatiness and sauce all reminded us of what wings should taste like when you need a fix. Give them a try, folks. Don't Edit Blazin' Wings Challenge Ben Darcie, Amy Sherman and Amber Stokosa test Buffalo Wild Wings' "blazin," wings, the hottest on the menu. Don't Edit DETROIT, MI - Called early Sunday to investigate a vehicle stopped on I-94, Michigan State Police troopers discovered the occupants had been shot and killed near Livernois Avenue. At this time, it has been determined multiple shots were fired over a stretch of the eastbound highway, leading to where the vehicle came to rest, state police reported in a brief statement. Troopers were first summoned about 2:45 a.m. July 30. A vehicle was reportedly on the median shoulder. Inside, were a man and woman, both 27 and from the Detroit area. Upon the finding, police closed the highway and detectives from a special investigations unit, a crash reconstructionist, a dog, crime lab representatives and troopers from the Detroit attachment joined the inquiry, state police reported. As of 11:20 a.m., the Michigan Department of Transportation was reporting all eastbound lanes were closed. They were expected to reopen by about noon. No other details, including the names of those who died or from where the shots were fired, were released. The investigation is continuing and additional information will be forthcoming as it is appropriate, state police reported. GRATTAN TOWNSHIP, MI -- Lighting a paper lantern and watching it get carried into the night is a fun, meaningful summer activity for some. Despite the growing popularity of large, organized events where people light and "send off" paper lanterns, some view it as a fire hazard with a negative environmental impact. Both those viewpoints are being taken into account by organizers of a large-scale paper lantern festival is scheduled at 4 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Grattan Raceway, located at 7201 Lessiter Road NE. The Grand Rapids Area Lights Festival offers attendees the chance to ignite a personalized lantern with Tiki torches before letting them drift off into the night sky, according to the event website. Participants receive a packet containing a lantern, marker and keychain flashlight. Live music will also be included as part of the event. Grattan Township has been working closely with organizers of the festival to address safety concerns. They are also taking the precaution of having medical services and fire trucks standing by during the event, said Grattan Township Fire Chief Lou Kirkbride. "My opinion is it will be a totally safe event," Kirkbride said. Similar events have taken place in West Michigan, including lantern festivals in Kalamazoo and one in downtown Grand Rapids as a 2012 Art Prize entry. The Grand Rapids event garnered a mix of positive and negative feedback. The fire chiefs in both Belding and Grattan Township have already received calls from citizens concerned about the safety of the event scheduled in October. Public safety and environmental concerns from residents about the upcoming festival were addressed during a township Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 1, 2017, said Commission Chairman Alan Rumbaugh. A resolution was approved after the meeting to grant a special land permit for the festival. According to the resolution, those requirements include: Health and sanitation facilities and estimated number of attendance A food and water supply located on the site Proof of notification made to fire and sheriff departments Parking and traffic flow patterns along with directional signs in appropriate locations A temporary food license The fire chief reserves the right to cancel the event at his discretion A clean up plan must be in place Liability insurance must be provided by the event organizer with limits of no less than $1,000,000, and property damage insurance must also be provided with a limit of no less than $100,000 Sound suppression if unreasonably loud sounds are expected Drugs and alcohol are not allowed on the site Organizers must provide for police, fire, food and water, health and sanitation and medical services along with emergency vehicles and equipment Ticket prices have not gone on sale yet, but will range from $25-$55, depending on when they are purchased. Children 4-12 years will be charged $8. Any child under 3 can attend for free. The Lights Fest organizers hold lantern festivals across the U.S. and Canada, which are attended by thousands, according to Don Harwood, the Lights Fest director of operations. Harwood said he expects about five or six thousand people to attend the Grand Rapids festival. One of the things that separates events organized by The Lights Fest is that the lanterns used are customized to manage burn time, and can only go a short distance, Harwood said. Lanterns planned to be used at Grattan Raceway in October are designed to go no further than 500 yards. "We take fire very seriously and we've customized (our lanterns) so when they lift off, they will come down being completely burned out and the ember will be cool to the touch," Harwood said. The lanterns are also built from bamboo and rice paper to ensure they break down quickly and are biodegradable, in case cleanup crews don't spot every lantern to dispose of after an event, Harwood said. "They assured us that as far as the show goes it is absolutely safe and as far as fires go they don't expect anything," Kirkbride said. If weather conditions make the vegetation surrounding the raceway extremely dry in the days leading up to the event, the chief said, it could shut down the vent because of a higher than usual fire risk. If the event is postponed due to dry conditions or other unsafe weather, it could be rescheduled within a three month period or cancelled, according to the festival website. Ticket holders will be contacted at the email address given when they purchased their ticket with new of any postponements or cancellations, Harwood said. Ticket holders who paid an entry fee in advance will be reimbursed in situations where an event is cancelled. "We have a very good record and have not had any issues or spot fires anywhere in any of our landing zones because of the ways we've customized lanterns and customized landing zones," Harwood said. All the same, a team of people are prepared with fire extinguishers in case of any spot fires that might occur in the landing zone or surrounding area during the event, he said. Attendees are encouraged to remember the following when arriving at the lantern event: Lanterns will not be lit until nightfall, so blankets and warm clothing are advised Bring chairs and blankets to sit on Food and drinks are prohibited, but food can be purchased from vendors inside the event Alcohol is prohibited Besides being a fun summer activity to enjoy with loved ones, it can also be an extremely moving experience, Harwood said. Markers are handed out with the paper lanterns so people can decorate their lanterns or write tributes, hopes or dreams before letting the luminary fly into the sky. "Sometimes people lost a loved one and want to remember them," Harwood said. "There are many reasons people come and I hope they come, have a good time and are able to be respectful." GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- When Timothy Volkema heard a few years ago that Schuil Coffee Co. might come on the market, he was willing to wait. Volkema, 40, finally closed on that deal last month, acquiring the second-generation roaster from Greta Schuil. Schuil, who has been Grand Rapids company's president for two decades, will assist with the transition. Terms of the deal were not disclosed Her late parents, Garry and Gladys, launched the wholesale coffee roaster in 1981, after spotting the growing trend in specialty coffees. The business was an outgrowth of Garry Schuil's earlier career as a gourmet food broker for stores throughout the Midwest. The company will begin its next chapter under Volkema, a West Michigan native and entrepreneur, who recently returned to West Michigan with his wife and three school-age children. "I've always been a passionate coffee drinker myself," Volkema said. "This is my first time to learn the nuts and bolts." The business's 10-person workforce will remain, as Volkema works to make the transition as seamless and transparent for customers. He appreciates Schuil Coffee's legacy as one of the first Michigan companies to roast, package and sell specialty coffee beans. It now supplies coffee and tea from around the world on a wholesale basis to retailers, coffee shops and restaurants throughout the Midwest. The coffee is carried locally by retailers Forest Hills Foods, Kingma's Market, Ken's Fruit Market and Meijer stores. Schuil Coffee operates its own retail store selling freshly-roasted coffee beans and teas, baked goods, and brewing equipment at its Grand Rapids roasting facility and warehouse at 3679 29th St. SE. Products can also be ordered online through its website at schuilcoffee.com. While Schuil Coffee products have been available online for decades, Volkema sees room to improve the company's e-commerce platforms. The Calvin College grad's work experience ranges from working as a category leader for Amazon in New York City to co-founding Kasa Indian Eateries in San Francisco. He most recently served as an operating partner at The Windquest Group, where he handled board governance issues and stepped into the role of interim chief marketing officer of the biofeedback company, Neurocore. The Grand Rapids holding company is owned by Amway heir Dick DeVos and his wife, Betsy. Earlier this year, she stepped away from the business to become the U.S. Education Secretary. By Mike Clark | mclark10@mlive.com Daredevil David Smith Jr., who goes by the Bullet, performed a death-defying stunt after Saturday's Whitecaps game at Fifth Third Ballpark. He shot himself out of a cannon positioned at second base and flew to a net set up over home plate. Smith said he has been performing as a human cannonball for 20 years and has achieved a Guinness World Record for the greatest height reached by being launched from a cannon, but he said he still gets nervous every time he performs the stunt. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. is shot out of his cannon while performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. climbs on top of his cannon before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. reacts after landing safely in his net while performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Don't Edit Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. runs in place to warm up before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. speaks to the crowd after performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. is shot out of his cannon while performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. checks his notebook before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Smith takes into account things such as the elevation and humidity when preparing for his stunts. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com Audience members look at their phones after David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. performed a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. drives his cannon onto the field at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. makes small adjustments to aim his cannon before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. warms up before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. smiles as he drives his cannon off the field after performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com The front cover of David "the Bullet" Smith Jr.'s cannon before he performs a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. works in the cockpit of his cannon before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com Players from the Whitecaps and the Lake County Captains watch as David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. prepares to perform a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. lands safely in his net while performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. speaks to a member of the grounds crew before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. prepares to perform a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr.'s helmet at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. jokes with members of the grounds crew before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. prepares to perform a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. reacts after landing safely in his net while performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. wipes down the top of his cannon before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. gets ready to perform at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. checks his notebook before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Smith takes into account things such as the elevation and humidity when preparing for his stunts. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com A fan watches as David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. takes the field at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com The grounds crew lays down plywood to prepare the field for David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. makes a final adjustment to one of the pylons holding his net before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. checks the ropes securing his net before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. checks his net before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. climbs on top of his cannon before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. climbs on top of his cannon before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. climbs on top of his cannon before performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Don't Edit Don't Edit Mike Clark | MLive.com David "the Bullet" Smith Jr. reacts after landing safely in his net while performing a human cannonball stunt at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017. CALEDONIA, MI -- Police and firefighters worked to rescue a Caledonia man in his 50s from a grain elevator on Saturday afternoon. The incident is still under investigation, but police think the man was cleaning the Caledonia Farmers Elevator and got stuck in some way, said Sheriff Lawrence Stelma of Kent County Sheriff Department. Stelma said he could not confirm if the man was dead or alive at about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, just that he was stuck in the grain elevator. About 30 people gathered around the farm elevator, located at West Main Street and Kinsey Street SE in Caledonia, as two fire fighters on a crane removed a portion of the roof off the elevator. Rescuers were still on the scene at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The manager of the elevator was driving by the structure in the morning when he noticed something was off and called 9-1-1 at about 3 p.m., Stelma said. The man was the only one working at the time, Stelma said. According to community members, the man stuck in the elevator lived just down the street from the incident and was known as "Lumberyard Dan." GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MI -- Golden Shoes, a fixture on Traverse City's Front Street, is well known to residents and tourists alike. So is Bill Golden, the co-president with his brother Craig of the family-owned business, which succeeded a shoe store dating back to 1883. Golden is also gaining a national reputation for his work advocating for independent retailers. He is one of an elite group of five finalists for America's Retail Champion of the Year, an honor bestowed annually by the National Retail Federation. The announcement came earlier this month at the NRF's Retail Advocates Summit, as small retailers from across the country were honored for their advocacy on behalf of the industry. Retailers, including Golden, were in Washington to meet with members of Congress on a variety of public policy issues. Trudy Trombley, owner of Truly Trudy's Boutique in Stowe, Vt., was named America's Retail Champion of the Year. She was selected from 75 nominees and the group of five finalists who included Golden. The program honors retailers who make their mark on public policy debates. "Going out and advocating for other retailers is satisfying," Golden said in a statement. "To get the recognition is nice and it's good to know there's a voice out there for me and my fellow retailers. We're all champions." The longtime merchant was nominated by Michigan Retailers Association and serves as a director on the board of Michigan Retailers Services, an MRA subsidiary. Golden Shoes was honored as Michigan Retailer of the Year in 2005 in the small retail category. "Bill Golden bleeds retail, and he's a longtime advocate for the independent retailer," said Jim Hallan, chief executive of MRA. "It's good to see him recognized for his many contributions." In 2014, Golden was among a group of Michigan retailers who went to Washington, D.C. to lobby for Amazon and other online retailers to pay sales taxes like brick-and-mortar shops do. A Traverse City native, Golden began working at his family's store at age 14. He is chair of the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority, a member on the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and active with the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. He has advocated on many state issues, including Main Street Fairness and support for Downtown Development Authorities. He is a proponent for MRA's Buy Nearby program, which urges residents to keep their shopping dollars in Michigan and celebrates I Buy Nearby Weekend on Oct. 7-8. ADRIAN, MI - Two Jackson County students have earned Outstanding Undergraduate Student awards from Siena Heights University. Madison Lane of Napoleon and Charles Ludlow of Jackson graduated from the university in May. They are the only students receiving these awards this year. Lane, a Napoleon High School graduate, majored in business administration, and earned her bachelor's degree. She was a member of the Sigma Beta Delta business honor society, vice president of the student activities board and a member of the Greenlight Environmental Club. Lane also received the Commitment to Excellence Award from the Michigan Campus Compact. Ludlow, a Lumen Christi High School graduate, majored in business administration, and earned his bachelor's degree. He was a member of the Sigma Beta Delta business honor society, vice president of student government, a student ambassador and a peer mentor. WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrat Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 election to President Donald Trump, but some Republicans in Congress are intensifying their calls to investigate her and other Obama administration officials. As investigations into Russian meddling and possible links to Trump's campaign have escalated on both sides of the Capitol, some Republicans argue that the investigations should have a greater focus on Democrats. Democrats who have pushed the election probes "have started a war of investigative attrition," said GOP Rep. Steve King of Iowa, a member of the House Judiciary Committee. Several officials from former President Barack Obama's administration and Clinton's campaign have appeared before or been interviewed by the House and Senate Intelligence Committees as part of the Russia investigation, along with Trump campaign officials. The GOP-led committees are investigating whether Trump's campaign had any links to Russian interference in last year's election. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., has continued a separate investigation into whether Obama administration officials inappropriately made requests to "unmask" identities of Trump campaign officials in intelligence reports. The House Judiciary Committee, which has declined to investigate the Russian meddling, approved a resolution this past week to request documents related to the FBI's now-closed investigation of Clinton's emails. In addition, Republican on that committee wrote the Justice Department on Thursday and asked for a second special counsel, in addition to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, to investigate "unaddressed matters, some connected to the 2016 election and others, including many actions taken by Obama administration." "The American public has a right to know the facts -- all of them -- surrounding the election and its aftermath," the lawmakers wrote. Republicans want to investigate the unmasking issue and also Clinton's email scandal that figured prominently in the campaign. They also frequently bring up former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and former FBI Director James Comey's testimony that she told him to call the Clinton email investigation a "matter" instead of an investigation during the campaign. Nunes wrote his own letter to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats last week, saying that his committee has learned that one Obama administration official had made "hundreds" of the unmasking requests. Even though he remains committee chairman, Nunes stepped back from the Russia investigation earlier this year after he was criticized for being too close to the White House. Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, took over the leading role. The committee has conducted bipartisan interviews of witnesses; Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner appeared on Tuesday, a day after talking to Senate staff. But partisan tensions have been evident. GOP Rep. Pete King of New York, who's on the House Intelligence Committee, said after the Kushner interview that the committee investigation into Russian meddling is a "sham." "To me there is nothing to this from the beginning," he said of his committee's own probe. "There is no collusion ... it's the phoniest investigation ever." Sorry, this requested page is unavailble And to unlock the page. You may send and official request to: 920011114 From wandering the halls as a student, then a teacher, and now the principal, Brett Zantohas truly come full circle in his career at Capital High School. Four years ago, Zanto was hired as the principal of his alma mater. Ever since, he has been hard at work building relationships, increasing academic success among students, and transforming Capital into a school that students and staff alike are proud to be part of. After graduating from Capital in 1995, Zanto went on to become a teacher in the small Montana communities of both Outlook and Flaxville and later Bozeman. He later returned to Helena to teach at Capital High and served as the assistant principal of Helena High School for six years. Upon transitioning into his current role as principal of Capital in the summer of 2013, one of Zantos primary goals was to instill a sense of pride in Capital High School and continue building upon the schools history of success. We are continually trying to cast a positive light on Capital High, said Zanto. And I think thats something that weve been doing a really good job of. This past spring, Capital High was honored with the Montana ACT College and Career Transition Exemplar Award for the 2016-2017 school year. The 2017 graduating class had the second highest ACT writing score in 2016 compared to other Montana AA schools. In May, the Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI) awarded Capital an MBI Exemplar School award and platinum status for meeting exemplary standards for promoting positive school climate and school safety. Zanto attributes Capitals successes like these to the students and staff that breathe life into the school. We have great, hard working staff that really care about the students and great students who genuinely want to excel both academically and in extracurricular activities they are involved with, said Zanto. Joslyn Davidson, curriculum and instruction administrator for Helena Public Schools, added that Zantos leadership is another key factor in Capitals success. Brett Zanto is an outstanding, selfless leader who has worked hard to maintain a sense of pride and community at Capital High School, Davidson said. After experiencing the school system from so many vantage points, Zanto admits recognizing that there has been a real shift in student learning in recent years. The current focus is paying attention to both academics as well as student social and emotional needs. Such a balance is important, along with encouraging student involvement in the numerous clubs and activities found at Capital High. Zanto went on to say that in todays academic world there are increased demands placed on students, teachers and the administration alike. Students arent just competing against other kids in their class anymore, but with students across the country and the world for colleges and jobs after graduation. Because of this, Zanto explained that there are plans to increase the element of writing across all curricula as well as the overall level of rigor in all departments. We always have to be changing and trying to improve in order to do what is best for the kids in the community, said Zanto. We have to continue being competitive within this school and the greater community so students are adequately prepared for college and/or careers after graduation. He is a humble, kind and respectful leader who maintains a deep compassion for students, said Davidson. Brett represents the best our community has to offer its students, and its educational community as an alum, a teacher and an education leader. While the classrooms and hallways at Capital currently stand empty and silent, Zanto is still hard at work in his office during the summer months gearing up for the upcoming school year. According to Zanto, 1,315 students are currently enrolled for the 2017-2018 school year, along with approximately 120 staff that keep the school operating smoothly year-round. When the first day of school hits in August, Zanto will be right there at the helm steering Capital into what he believes will be another successful year. It was my dream to return to Helena and give back to the school system that did so much for me, said Zanto. I still cant believe Im back here. Gujarat-based Sheelpe Enterprises, known for its 'Aava' natural mineral water brand, today said it is investing Rs 100 crore for setting up another bottling unit in the state and is looking for strategic investors to expand its footprint. "We are setting up another mineral water supplying unit having capacity of 1.5 lakh water bottles per day near our existing unit at Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 100 crore, of which Rs 25 crore will be invested in setting up of the plant and machinery. "The company is planning to launch flavoured water as well as energy drinks at the new unit," Sheelpe Enterprises Managing Director Behram Mehta told PTI here. "We are also seeking partnership with strategic investors who can invest and take the company to newer heights. A pan- India distribution tops our list of priorities. We are also inviting partners for global distribution to fill the vacuum for quality natural water," Mehta added. Growing at 100 per cent per annum and with a confined aquifer capacity of 4.1 billion litres, it is the only natural mineral water provider centrally located with logistical advantages in Western India. Its Ahmedabad unit has a capacity of 2 lakh mineral water bottles per day. It sources natural mineral water from hills of Taranga, part of the world's oldest mountain range, the Aravallis. The company is presently selling 50 per cent of its products to leading domestic airlines and remaining to luxury hotel chains and retail channel. In terms of international expansion, Mehta believes there is great potential for Aava in the Middle East, South East Asia and Eastern Europe. "We have already expanded to foreign countries by exporting to developed nations like New Zealand, South Africa and have received enquiries from foreign airlines too," adds Mehta. Talking about the bottled water segment on the global front, Mehta said, "While the bottled water market is facing slow growth vis-a-vis growth in the developed countries, in India it is growing at 40 per cent." The company claims to be the first Indian winner at the global 'Bottlewaterworld' awards. Last month, it bagged two gold stars and the Superior Taste Award 2017 held by the International Taste and Quality Institute (iTQi) at Brussels in Belgium. Auto_car_cars_vehicle India has proved to be a robust market for British luxury cars as latest figures released by the UK automotive industry this week indicate a spike in exports from the UK to India. India is now the seventh largest Asian market for UK car exports, according to the latest figures. Indian demand for UK's premium cars rose 8.3 per cent in the first half of 2017. Over the same period, the number of Indian-built models registered by British buyers rose by almost half (48.6 per cent) to 21,135 units. "The demand in India tends to be in the premium segment and the latest figures reflect the growing attraction of Britain's luxury brands in the country," said Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the UK's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). "The UK and Indian automotive industries share a rich heritage of trade and investment and strengthening this relationship through mutually-beneficial trade deals in the future is of the utmost importance," he said. Exports to India grew to 1,650 units this year, moving India up from eighth place in 2016 to seventh for the UK automotive industry as an increasing number of affluent buyers take advantage of a range of all new premium and luxury British-built cars, according to the membership-led trade body. The upward trend vis-a-vis the Indian market contrasts with the overall picture for the industry, with UK car production falling by -2.9 per cent in the first half of 2017, attributed to the uncertainties triggered by Brexit. The European Union (EU) remained the UK's biggest trading partner, accounting for more than half of all cars produced for export (54.6 per cent), with Germany and Italy the UK's second and third biggest single markets. The SMMT found that EU countries make up half of UK automotive's top 10 export destinations, highlighting the importance of continued free trade. "World class engineering and products, strong government collaboration and massive investment have helped UK Automotive become a global success story. At the heart of this has been the free and frictionless trade we've enjoyed with the EU by far our biggest customer and supplier," Hawes cautioned. "Given the deeply integrated European vehicle and component supply chain, we need Brexit negotiators on both sides to recognise the importance of barrier free trade for the European automotive industry. Any disruption to this risks undermining one of the EUs most valuable economic assets. "The industry needs certainty so an interim deal, maintaining UK single market and customs union membership until we have in place the complex new agreement with the EU, must be a priority for the UK in its withdrawal negotiations." Production for export continued to drive volumes in 2017 as global demand for British-built cars dipped by a marginal -0.9 per cent in the first six months, with 683,826 cars shipped overseas. Although UK automotive exports eight out of every 10 cars it builds to customers in some 160 countries worldwide, it is also a major importer. More than 85 per cent of the cars registered by British buyers in the first six months of the year came from overseas plants, and more than two thirds (67 per cent) from the EU, highlighting the importance of mutually beneficial tariff and barrier-free trade. Looking to tap the growing rooftop solar market in the Middle East and South-East Asia, CleanMax Solar is eyeing up to 40 per cent of revenues from overseas business in the next 3 years, a top company official said. "While we continue to grow in India in the rooftop and open access solar power segment, we are pursuing growth in international markets mainly the Middle East and South-East Asia. We are currently looking at the UAE market and soon we will spread our presence in the other countries," the company's Managing Director Kuldeep Jain told PTI here. He said the company expects its international business to contribute nearly 35-40 per cent of its revenues in the next three years. The company recently opened its first overseas office in Dubai Jain further said the recent funding of USD 100 million it received from global private equity player Warburg Pincus would be partly utilised for this international expansion. "We are already enjoying a 24 per cent share in the domestic market. Our aim is to garner a similar share in the international markets as well," he added. With a portfolio of 90 MW of installed capacity, CleanMax is eyeing to reach 250 MW by the end of this fiscal. "We are also expecting to touch revenues of up to Rs 800 crore in this financial year. Thereon, we expect to double our revenues year-on-year every year," Jain added. Diversified conglomerate Indian Tobacco Company (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 its 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-qualityy 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. "This 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. Names and faces Clearwater Properties has announced a new marketing team in Helena -- Darla Oropeza, marketing director, and Kevin Connolly, marketing coordinator. Oropeza comes to Clearwater Properties with more than 19 years of business development, graphic design, marketing, public relations, management, sales and customer relations experience. Oropeza will be responsible for planning, development, and implementation of Clearwaters creative and marketing strategy, both at a corporate level and in service of over 80 agents across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington. Connolly arrives at Clearwater Properties with more than a decade of experience in photography, graphic design, website development, television production (commercial, reality, narrative), and writing (technical, nonfiction). Connolly is responsible for designing and managing Clearwaters print, digital and social identity. Shaun Lewis has been appointed chief operating officer at Clearwater Properties, a new position within Clearwater. Lewis previously served as a strategic adviser and will continue to report to Kevin Wetherell, Founder and CEO of Clearwater Properties. Lewis joined Clearwater in 2016 and previously served in senior management roles with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Justice and as a strategy consultant for BoldIQ. Prior to his work in the public and private sectors, he served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation electronics engineer. Lewis is a recent graduate of the program for Leadership Development at the Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and holds an MBA from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. *** Kevin Braun has been appointed as vice president, general counsel for Montana State Fund. In this role he will oversee Montana State Funds legal department, including the special investigation unit and insurance compliance functions. In addition, Braun will provide advice and counsel to MSFs executive team, departments and the board of directors. He will also lead MSFs legislative duties and ensure compliance with the legal requirements applicable to MSF. Braun is a graduate of Montana State University with a BA in political science and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from the University of Montana Law School. He served as a law clerk for the Workers Compensation Court from 1992 to 1993, was a staff attorney with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry from 1993 to 1995 and served as chief legal counsel for the Department of Labor and Industry from 1995 to 2005. He joined MSF in 2005 as a claims attorney providing legal advice and training to MSF staff in addition to representing MSF before the Workers Compensation Court and Montana Supreme Court. In 2006, Braun was promoted to assistant general counsel. *** Nathan Bilyeu has joined the law firm of Jackson, Murdo & Grant, P.C. Bilyeu joins the firm as a shareholder focused on business and employment law, general civil litigation, and municipal finance. He graduated with honors from the George Washington University Law School in 2013. Prior to attending law school, Bilyeu earned bachelors and masters degrees in political science from the University of Montana. *** Abigail Abby Mertz has joined St. Peters Medical Group Broadway Family Practice. Prior to this position, Abby was a registered nurse case manager for the home health department at St. Peters Hospital. In her new position, she will work with Jessica Bailey, M.D. and Andrew Gilbert, M.D. Mertz's focus is in adult gerontology primary care and family practice. She earned her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), with a focus in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC) from Marquette University Milwaukee, Wis. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with a focus in Health Promotion and Health Behavior from Oregon State University, in Corvallis, Ore. She is certified as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with the American Nurses Credentialing Center and a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) with the Montana Board of Nursing. *** Pediatric endocrinologist Alan Rice, M.D. has joined the staff at Kalispell Regional Healthcare. He joins Dr. Sharon Zemel at the Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Center and specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents with conditions like diabetes, weight management, thyroid disease, bone metabolism disorders, adrenal disorders and other endocrine disorders. After earning his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, Florida, Rice subsequently completed his residency with a focus on pediatric care at Tulane University in New Orleans. He followed this training with a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Yale-New Haven Hospital, part of the Yale University School of Medicine. His home practice will be in Kalispell, however, Rice will see patients at outreach clinics in Polson, Missoula, Anaconda, Bozeman, Helena and Great Falls. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 406-758-7888. *** Montana Audubon has announced the appointment of Larry Berrin as its new executive director. An avid birder, Berrin has dedicated his career of more than 25 years to conservation science and environmental education in multiple states including Pennsylvania, Vermont and Oregon. Montana Audubon is a leader in wildlife conservation in Montana and one of the largest conservation organizations in the state. Berrin comes to Montana Audubon from Asbury Woods Partnership in Erie, Pennsylvania. As president and CEO, he led a major acquisition of the 205-acre Asbury Woods and Nature Center, which included securing over $1.3 million in government grants, representing some of the largest acquisition grants ever awarded to Erie County. During his tenure, he helped launch a $4.5 million capital campaign with $3.6 million raised to date. Berrin holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from the University of Maine and has completed the graduate level program in environmental education at Antioch University. Berrin will begin his duties at Montana Audubon on Aug. 31. *** Rich Aarstad, of East Helena, was elected recently as MEA-MFT secretary-treasurer. Aarstad is senior archivist at the Montana Historical Society. He is a member and leader of the Federation of Historical Society Workers, his local MEA-MFT affiliate. MEA-MFT is the states largest union, representing 18,000 Montana k-12 teachers and support staff, state and local government employees, higher education faculty, Head Start, and health care employees. MEA-MFT is a merged affiliate of the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers and is the largest affiliate of the Montana State AFL-CIO. Awards and honors GarageExperts of Montana recognized GarageExperts announced that Greg Snortland with GarageExperts of Montana has been awarded a Gold Franchisee Badge for the second quarter of 2017. The award recognizes franchisees who have met certain benchmarks designed to help ensure success. Snortland is one of six other franchisees to win the award. GarageExperts of Montana, serves Helena, Missoula, Bozeman and beyond. News and notes Property damaged by wildfire may qualify for tax relief The Montana Department of Revenue reminds Montana property owners whose businesses, homes or other property are damaged or destroyed during wildfire or other natural disaster that they can apply for property tax assistance. A property or land owner whose home, business or office buildings, outbuildings or forest land are partially or totally destroyed by the natural disaster, making the property unsuitable for its previous use, may be eligible. Businesses equipment destroyed may also qualify. The tax relief is prorated based on the number of days the property is unusable. The assistance is available for the current tax year. To apply, property owners need to complete Form AB-25. Forest land owners should do Form AB-26. Application forms are available at all Department of Revenue local offices and on the department's website at revenue.mt.gov. You can find the departments local office contacts, phone numbers and addresses for your area at revenue.mt.gov/property-assessment. For more information, property owners can contact their local Department of Revenue office or the call center at 444-6900, or visit revenue.mt.gov. Guidelines The IR welcomes reports of hiring, promotions, awards, recognition, learning opportunities and other news from local companies and nonprofits. We accept press releases and photos (digital images at 300 dpi or more are preferred). Email your information to irstaff@helenair.com. There is no charge for items appearing in the Business Briefcase. Items are run on a space-available basis, and we reserve the right to edit and use information as we see fit. The deadline is Tuesday at noon to be considered for publication the following Sunday. Japan is already extending financial aid to major infrastructure development projects in India, and is ready to support more ventures in various fields, a diplomat has said. "Japan is very much ready to support India in achieving its 21st goals in various fields," said Japanese Consul General Ryoji Noda. The two Asian economic giants have exchanges in a host of fields like culture, business and education, he said. "To boost the relationship between the two countries, our prime ministers are meeting annually. As part of the initiative, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to visit India later this year." During the meeting of prime ministers of both the countries in 2014, it was decided to double Japan's foreign direct investment (FDI) into India to Rs 2.1 lakh crore in five years' timeframe, he said. "Japan is expected to provide Rs 1.2 lakh crore for the high speed rail project (bullet train) between Mumbai and Ahmedabad," Noda added. Tomato_Vegetable_vegetable Tomato prices, which have skyrocketed up to Rs 100/kg, are more likely to decline over the next fortnight as supplies from southern and other growing states are expected to improve, said a senior ICAR official. Retail tomato prices have gone through the roof for more than a month now in most parts of the country and are still ruling high up to 100 per kg, as per the data maintained by the consumer affairs ministry. Tomato prices in metros were ruling at Rs 95/kg in Kolkata, Rs 92/kg in Delhi, Rs 80/kg in Mumbai and Rs 55/kg in Chennai on June 29, as per the ministry data. In other centres, tomato was sold at Rs 95/kg in Lucknow, Rs 90/kg in Bhopal and Thiruananthapuram, Rs 65/kg in Ahmedabad, Rs 60/kg in Jaipur, Rs 60/kg in Patna and Rs 55/kg in Hyderabad in the said period, the data showed. The rates in producing centres have also gone up sharply. For instance, tomato is being sold at Rs 83/kg in Shimla and Rs 75/kg in Bengaluru. The prices vary depending on the variety and quality. In the year-ago period too, tomato rates had gone up to Rs 65/kg but it had not hit this high. "As per personal assessment, I expect prices to come down in the next 15 days. Supplies from southern states and other growing areas are likely to improve," Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science) A K Singh told PTI. As rains recede, the supplies from southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and even Maharashtra will improve, that will ease pressure on prices, he said. Singh said that heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh and Rajashtan and other growing states have caused some damage to the crop. Even the crop that is harvested has not been able to reach market on time due to transportation woes. That apart, the cost of transporting the produce to the main mandis has gone up as trucks are taking more than the normal time due to rains and floods, he added. The Delhi-based Tomato Merchant Association (of Azadpur mandi) Ashok Kaushik said transportation cost has gone up due to more time involved in getting the produce in rainy season. However, the supplies are expected to improve in next 2 weeks. "We have talked to traders in Karnataka, Andhra and Maharashtra. Harvesting is in progress and we hope rains to recede and trucks reach on time," he said. The supplies have been hit badly in the national capital as the crop in neighbouring states has been damaged due to heavy rains followed by heat. The supplies from Haryana have stopped as the harvesting in the state has been completed early and the current arrival in the market is from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, he said. While the government has pegged the country's total tomato output to be higher by 15 per cent to 187 lakh tonnes in the 2016-17 crop year (July- June), but it is more likely that the output figures could be revised after assessing the current damage. IPO Realty major Lodha Developers is reviving its plans for an initial public offer (IPO) and will approach market regulator Sebi in the next 6-9 months with a draft prospectus, a top company official said. The Mumbai-based company had filed draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with Sebi in September 2009 to raise about Rs 2,800 crore. The company got the Sebi nod in January 2010, but later shelved its plan to launch the IPO due to bad market conditions post the global financial crisis. "We are aiming for listing in calendar year 2018 and shall approach Sebi in the next 6-9 months," Lodha Group Managing Director Abhishek Lodha told PTI. On funds to be raised through the IPO, he said it is too early to comment on the issue. Lodha Group has about 30 real estate projects in London, Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune and Hyderabad covering over 40 million sq ft of area. It has a land bank of 350 million sq ft for future development. The group achieved a sales bookings of about Rs 8,500 crore last fiscal from both domestic market and London despite slowdown in the real estate market. Earlier this month, Lodha had said it has achieved record sales bookings and collection of Rs 2,300 crore and Rs 2,600 crore, respectively, in the first quarter of 2017-18 fiscal. The company launched two projects in the first quarter and plans to have 8-10 projects more by March next. Lodha Developers invested Rs 1,100 crore on construction of ongoing projects during April-June and will invest over Rs 3,000 crore in the next three quarters. The company reduced debt by Rs 400 crore during April- June period to Rs 14,500 crore for India business and targets to cut it further. Separately, the group has a debt of 300 million pounds. In the UK property market, Lodha Group made an entry in 2013 with the acquisition of two prime sites in central London for an investment of about 400 million pounds. The Lincoln Square project was launched last year and the second project No 1 Grosvenor Square, located in the heart of Mayfair, was launched last month. Lodha UK is eyeing a sales revenue of 1.5 billion pounds (over Rs 12,000 crore) in the next three years from these two ongoing housing projects in central London. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The initial public offering of Security and Intelligence Services (India) is set to open for subscription on July 31 and will close on August 2. The issue comprises of fresh issue, and offer for sale by promoter group as well as investors. Bids can be made for minimum 18 equity shares and in multiples of 18 shares, thereafter. The equity shares are proposed to be listed on BSE and National Stock Exchange. SIS has a diverse portfolio of business support services which includes security services, cash logistics services and facility management services. Axis Capital, ICICI Securities, IIFL Holdings, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company were global coordinators and book running lead managers, while SBI Capital Markets, IDBI Capital Markets are merchant bankers to the issue. Here are 10 factors that you should know before subscribing the issue:- About the Issue Private security and facility management services provider Security and Intelligence Services has fixed a price band at Rs 805 to Rs 815 per share for the issue. It aims to raise Rs 774.45 crore at lower end of price band and Rs 779.58 crore at higher end of price band. The IPO comprises of fresh issue of shares worth Rs 362.25 crore and an offer for sale of upto 51,20,619 shares by existing shareholders. Investors, who will sell shares, are Theano Private Limited and AAJV Investment Trust while promoters are Ravindra Kishore Sinha and Rituraj Kishore Sinha. There are 45 other selling shareholders who will also sell shares. Objects of the Issue Security and Intelligence Services (SIS) will receive fresh issue proceeds while offer for sale money will go to selling shareholders. The funds raised through fresh issue would be used for repayment & pre-payment of a portion of certain outstanding indebtedness availed by company (about Rs 200 crore); funding working capital requirements (Rs 60 crore); and general corporate purposes. Company Profile SIS is the second largest security services provider in India in terms of revenue, as of March 2016. It provides a comprehensive range of security services ranging from providing trained security personnel for general guarding to specialised security roles in India and Australia. It also provides cash logistics services (including transportation of bank notes and ATM related services), and electronic security services and home alarm monitoring and response services. Other than security services, the company also provides facility management services including cleaning, janitorial services, electricians etc. Its customers for private security and facility management services include private sector business entities operating in industries ranging from manufacturing and defense to mining, IT/ITeS, airports and aviation. As of April 2017, it has branch network of 251 branches in 124 cities and towns in India. In Australia, it operates in each of the eight states and employed 5,754 personnel servicing 245 customers. Brands - SIS offers private security and facility management services utilising the following brands and trademarks, including trademarks licensed from joint venture partners and licensors:- Strategic Deals In March 2008, SIS entered into an exclusive license agreement with ServiceMaster for the 'ServiceMaster Clean' brand, and associated proprietary processes, operating materials and knowhow in order to develop facility management business in India. In August 2016, acquired 78.72 percent stake in Dusters Total Solutions Services Private Limited (one of the largest facility management services providers), with the agreement to increase its shareholding to 100 percent over the next three years. It has entered into joint ventures with affiliates of Prosegur Compania de Seguridad, SA (a global player in cash management and alarm monitoring); and an affiliate of Terminix International Company, LP (a multinational provider of termite and pest control services). In Australia, it has wholly-owned subsidiary MSS Security Pty Limited that provides security services. It entered in Australia by acquiring Chubb Security's security services business in August 2008. In June 2017, SIS through its subsidiary SIS Australia Group Pty Ltd signed definitive agreements to increase voting rights in Southern Cross Protection Pty Ltd (SXP) from 10 percent to 51 percent, with effect from July 1, 2017. With effect from July 2017, it, through 100 percent subsidiary, SIS Australia Group, acquired an additional 41 percent of the voting rights in SXP. As a result, SXP has become one of its subsidiaries. Effective July 2017, SIS, through its subsidiary, SIS Australia Group Pty Ltd, acquired 51 percent equity for Rs 88.36 crore in Andwills Pty, the holding company of Southern Cross Protection Pty Limited (SXP). As per share purchase agreement, the company has a right to increase its shareholding in Andwills to 100 percent after three years. Andwills is the holder of 85 percent of the equity share capital in SX Protective. Strategy SIS aims to grow its businesses across customer segments; use and upgrade technology to improve productivity and customer satisfaction; leverage existing branch infrastructure to achieve operational synergies; and to explore inorganic growth through strategic acquisitions. While it renders security and facility management services at 11,869 customer premises in India, as of April 2017, the company believes that there is significant opportunity to further increase the services offered to existing customers. Management Promoters, Ravindra Kishore Sinha and his son Rituraj Kishore Sinha, have over three decades and one decade of experience, respectively, in operating this business. Ravindra's wife Rita Kishore Sinha is also a director on company's board. Ravindra Kishore Sinha has over 30 years of experience in fields which company operate. He is a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from Bihar while his son has over 14 years of experience. Company currently has 12 Directors on its board, including six independent directors:- Management Organisation Structure Financials The company clocked revenues of Rs 4,600 crore in financial year 2016-17 employing 1.54 lakh people. Total revenue grew at a CAGR of 14.56 percent to Rs 4,577.122 crore for fiscal year 2017 from Rs 2,657.7 crore for fiscal year 2013. Revenue from operations for fiscal year 2017 from security services, cash logistics, electronic security and facility management businesses (including revenues from pest-control services) were, Rs 3,982 crore, Rs 165.13 crore, Rs 6.93 crore and Rs 394.98 crore, respectively. EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) has grown to Rs 223.38 crore for FY17 from Rs 125.51 crore for FY13. Revenue from operations from security services business in India grew at a CAGR of 29.67 percent and revenue from operations from security services business in Australia grew at a CAGR of 7.7 percent in Australian dollar terms in FY13 and FY17. Shareholding Pattern Top 10 shareholders as on the date of this Red Herring Prospectus are as follows: * 37,10,570 equity shares (comprising of 36,37,098 equity shares by Theano and 73,472 equity shares by AAJV) are proposed to be transferred to promoters (i.e. 18,55,285 equity shares to Ravindra Kishore Sinha and 18,55,285 equity shares to Rituraj Kishore Sinha) by the investor selling shareholders pursuant to the second amendment agreement and the letter amendment, as per company's prospectus. Dividend Policy In FY17, the company has not paid any dividend. The dividends declared by company in each of the fiscal years 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are given below: Risks Brokerage houses listed out some risks, which are:- > Company is subject to several labour legislations and regulations governing welfare, benefits and training. > Company recently acquired Andwills Pty Ltd and Dusters Total Solutions Services Private Limited. Failure to integrate the units remains the key risk. > Political exposure of promoters > Competition from the unorganised sector > SIS is exposed to certain operational risk as it provide private security to sensitive sectors > Less diversified business as significant portion of total revenue comes from security services live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More By Dinesh Rohira Despite a sluggish trade toward the weekend session, Nifty50 managed to hold above a mounting 10K mark indicating a strong sentiment in the market going forward. On the weekly basis, the Nifty50 touched an all-time-high at about 10,110 mark but failed to cohere at that level. However, Nifty breached its three-month ascending price channel on the daily chart, indicating another breakout if it manages to decisively breach above 10,160 mark to extend up to 10,350 level. On the weekly chart, Nifty formed a bearish shooting star pattern, which indicates a weak conviction at the current level and is expected to witness a short-term reversal in the uptrend. On the Moving Average Analysis, the EMA indicates an immediate support level at 9,950 and 9,920, while the resistance level will be tested at 10,090 & 10,110 level. Regardless of closing with a negative bias in Fridays trade, which indicates a short-term consolidation at the sphere, the long trajectory is inclined towards to uptrend regime if it manages to break out through 10,110 level on a closing basis to trade above 10,350 mark. Here is a list of top five stocks which can give up to 10 percent return in short term: V-Guard Industries Ltd: BUY | Target Rs. 213 | Stop-loss Rs180 |Upside 10 percent V-Guard took a reversal trend after persisting at consolidation phase decisively trade on positive trajectory thereon and made high of 197 this week. The stock formed a bullish price pattern on the daily chart which suggests that an upward movement in the upcoming sessions, as price started to trade above its initial closing level. The RSI of stock stood on positive cues at 67.6 which suggests a price trading a resistance level coupled with strong buying sentiment at this level. Similarly, the crossover of MACD at 1.8 of stock from its signal line is giving a strong bullish outlook. On the basis moving average, the stock is currently trading above its 50-days SMA indicating a positive sentiment. The stock will witness immediate support at 183 level while the upper circuit will test at 201 level. The breakout from this level will build next bull rally in next upcoming session to trade at 210-220 mark. We have a BUY recommendation for V-Guard which is currently trading at 193.10 Deepak Fertilizers & Petrochemicals: BUY| Target Rs389 | Stop-loss Rs 330| Upside 10 percent Deepak Fertilizer gained about 14 percent on the weekly basis and closed with positive trajectory on the backdrop of volume growth witnessed during Wednesdays session. The stock traded on sideways direction despite gaining a volume in the earlier trading period but managed to decisively breach its resistance level on a closing basis. The stock formed bullish chart pattern indicating uptrend momentum after registering a sharp rally which is expected to prolong given the volume support. The RSI of stock stood at 70, which indicates a positive sentiment towards price coupled with a bullish crossover of MACD at 15.5 from Signal Line at 9.8. Further, the EMA has strong support for the uptrend movement with next immediate support level seen at 337, while the upper resistance will be tested at 368 level. The breakout from this level is expected to catch hold of its peak at 369 level. We have a BUY recommendation for Deepak Fertilizer which is currently trading at Rs. 355.75 Vedanta Ltd: BUY| Target Rs290| Stop loss Rs. 260|Upside: - 6 percent After consolidating at lower regime towards 217 in the early period, the stock gained an upward reversal movement which contributed the broader momentum in price and volume in current trading session to trade on positive trajectory although it witnessed correction at a certain level. On weekly basis, the stock gained almost 2 per cent despite closing on a negative bias as it failed to sustain early gain. Technically, Vedanta is at uptrend regime with RSI at 62 suggesting a strong buying sentiment at current price band coupled with MACD trading above its Signal Line which supports the bullish regime. Further, the moving average analysis suggests a strong support for upward movement as price started to trade above its 50-day EMA. The stock will witness major support level at Rs265 while the resistance level will be tested at Rs285. The possibility of breakout remains inclined towards uptrend which supports the next leg of the trend. We have a BUY recommendation for Vedanta which is currently trading at Rs. 274.60 Larsen & Toubro Ltd: BUY| Target Rs1220| Stop loss Rs1130|Upside: - 5 percent Ahead of earnings disclosure on Fridays trade, a sell off pressure during the trading session retreated the price towards 1159.10 despite gaining a momentum on the previous session through volume uptick. The stock continued on positive trajectory almost throughout the trading session after consolidating at a lower level during the earlier month. On the daily chart, it is at the edge of forming a Cup & Handle pattern, which signifies a possibility of a major breakout from 1201 level which is an upper base. The RSI at 59.7 indicates a price trading at favorable buy regime, while the crossover of MACD at 7.32 from its Signal Line at 5.1 indicating bullish regime in the upcoming session. Based on EMA, the stock will witness a major support level at 1071, while the resistance level will be tested at 1193. The possibility breakout upon pattern confirmation is expected to lift the price towards 1210 level. We have a BUY recommendation for L&T Ltd. which is currently trading at Rs. 1159.10 Dabur India Ltd: BUY| Target Rs. 325 | Stop-loss Rs295 |Upside: - 5 percent Regardless of trading on consolidation mode over a month, the Dabur India gained its momentum after making low at Rs256 to register a 52-weeks high at a Rs313 level to move on uptrend regime. Although the stock witnessed a marginal correction it gained about 4 per cent on weekly basis. On the daily chart, the stock formed like a bullish engulfing pattern which indicates an uptrend movement to prevail over a timeframe. The technical outlook for stock suggests a strong upward trend with RSI at 70, indicating a strong buy regime, while the MACD at 4.7 shows a crossover just happened from its Signal-Line at 4.5 giving a bullish rally in coming session. According to exponential moving average analysis, it indicates a strong uptrend with a major support level at Rs302, Rs290 with upper resistance level at Rs320. We have a BUY recommendation for Dabur India Ltd which is currently trading at Rs. 310 manufacturer of Titanium alloys in India. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More With an aim to boost domestic steel consumption, state-run Sail has decided to hold a series of workshops in rural areas to create awareness among various stakeholders about use of quality steel products in construction activities, according to the company. At the first of the 100 proposed workshops held last week in Haryana's Rewari, Sail officials urged masons and steel dealers to do quality check to avoid use of low-grade steel in building houses. The country's largest steel maker Steel Authority of India (Sail) also encouraged elected representatives of villages such as gram pradhans and members of panchayats to raise awareness among villagers about the benefits of using steel in construction of homes. "This effort is in line with the government's push for increasing per capita steel consumption in the country and the role of rural India will play a vital role in increasing the domestic consumption of steel," Rakesh Kumar Singhal, executive director (corporate affairs) Sail, told PTI. "We have decided to hold 100 workshops in our four regions. After Rewari, the second conference of the northern region will be held in Badlapur, near Jaunpur, in Uttar Pradesh today. Two workshops will be held every month in all of the four regions," he said. The rural awareness workshop like this will help in increasing production and consumption of steel in the country and also pave the way for rapid growth and modernisation, the company said. India, the world's third largest steel producer, produced 100 million tonnes (MT) of crude steel in 2016 and is looking to overtake Japan to claim the second spot. In this regard, the government is taking lots of measures to treble the steel output to 300 million tonnes (MT) and also increase finished steel per capita consumption of 158 kg by 2030-31, as against the current 61 kg. Online interactive learning solutions platform Talentedge is looking to foray into the Middle East and South Asia, and is targeting Rs 100 crore revenues by the end of this fiscal, a top company executive said. "Talentedge is operationally profitable as of 2017, and we are targeting revenues of Rs 100 crore by the end of this fiscal," Aditya Malik, CEO and MD of Talentedge told PTI here. The company is looking to expand to the Middle East and South Asia, he added. "We are targeting the Indian diaspora in these regions, and have also been getting enquiries from many of these places," he added. He said the company has been seeing 50-70 per cent growth year-on-year since 2012. Talentedge operates in Gurgaon, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Pune with a team of 200 employees. The startup has tied up with institutes like XLRI Jamshedpur, IIT Roorkee, IIFT New Delhi, IIM Kozhikode, MICA and SMU for courses. To accelerate its growth, the company is actively scouting for acquisitions, he added. "We are looking at companies that are a strategic fit, which will help growth, and also with domain-based niche expertise," Malik said. At any given point of time, the platform has about 10,000 people on its network. Talentedge was acquired by Gurgaon-based private equity player Lumis Partners in 2012. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Stepping up attack on Gujarat Congress for shifting its MLAs to Bengaluru amid flood-like situation in the state, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani alleged the decision was taken by party leader Ahmed Patel out of his "greed" to win the Rajya Sabha seat. Rupani alleged that just like Sonia Gandhi's affection for his son Rahul Gandhi sank the Congress in the country, Patel's "greed and desperation" to save his Rajya Sabha seat will eventually sink the party in Gujarat. "Sonia Gandhi's affection for her son has drowned the Congress in the entire country. Though the citizens rejected Rahul Gandhi's leadership, Sonia's 'putra moh' sank Congress. Similarly, Ahmed Patel's greed to save his Rajya Sabha seat here will sink Gujarat Congress," he said. The chief minister today reached the flood-affected Banaskantha district. After interacting with the locals in Kankrej taluka and other affected regions, Rupani decided to stay in Banaskantha and Patan for the next five days to oversee the relief operations, a government release said. According to Rupani, the Congress MLAs from Banaskantha and other affected regions should have stayed with the people in this difficult time. "Out of his greed to win the Rajya Sabha poll, he sent 40 Congress MLAs to Bengaluru. Some of them belonged to those districts which are badly hit by flood. Patel forced them to leave their constituencies, as he was only concerned about his Rajya Sabha seat," the chief minister alleged. "The people of Gujarat are watching this. I believe that the Gujarat Congress will sink only because of Ahmed Patel," he said. The Congress has re-nominated Patel, the political secretary to party chief Sonia Gandhi, to the Upper House of Parliament from Gujarat. Meanwhile, Patel along with state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki and former party chief Siddharth Patel also visited the flood-hit areas in Banaskantha today and interacted with the locals to understand their problems, a party release said. Talking to mediapersons in Palanpur, Patel refuted Rupani's allegation that leaving Gujarat and moving to Bengaluru shows the "insensitive approach" of the Congress MLAs, at a time when the state is facing flood-like situation. He alleged that Congress MLAs from Banaskantha and other flood-affected regions were forced to leave the state by the BJP-led state government. "The allegations against our MLAs are baseless. Before leaving, they started relief camps and also gave instructions to local workers. They are still keeping a close watch on the relief operations from Bengaluru. Our MLAs took all possible steps to help the people," Patel said. "Our MLAs were forced to leave Gujarat as they and their family members were being tortured by the state government," he alleged. "Even now, many Congress workers and leaders are actively involved in helping people. We are also here to help people," he said. Patel exuded confidence of winning the Rajya Sabha election, to be held on August 8. "I am totally confident of winning the poll. Not just those (who are in Bengaluru), some other MLAs are also in my support and I have full trust in them," he said. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel yesterday said that at the time when people of north Gujarat are facing problems due to excessive rains, the entire Congress has gone to Bengaluru to enjoy. The Congress earlier sent 40 of its legislators to a resort outside Bengaluru to prevent desertions from its ranks ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat. In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the strength of the Congress has gone down to 51 from 57 after six of its MLAs tendered their resignations, casting a shadow on the fate of Patel in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls. Of the total 11 RS members from the state, the term of three--Smriti Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel--is ending on August 18. Poster of film Indu Sarkar Renowned filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar organised a special screening of his latest movie 'Indu Sarkar' with some ministers and other politicians gracing the occasion and praising it. Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, MP Amar Singh and Delhi BJP leader Satish Upadhyay were among those who attended the special screening in the Films Division Auditorium last evening. "After 'Pink' I saw #InduSarkar on an invitation. Tempted to rate it high but I'm told a politician has reserved the right of reviewing a film," tweeted Rijiju after watching the movie. In another tweet, he said, "What a film! Purely from the artistic point of view #InduSarkar is a masterpiece. I don't understand why Congress Party is threatening?" Apparently commenting on the opposition to the film by the Congress, he added, "Emergency was a reality, #InduSarkar is a film. No need to politicize. 1975-77 remains the darkest period of Independent India."(sic) Amar Singh also tweeted, "Saw #InduSarkar movie with @imbhandarkar wonderful amazing and touching performance of @IamKirtiKulhari playing Indu is more real than the reel." The film, which depicts the Emergency period under the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is being vehemently opposed by the Congress. Bhandarkar has questioned the Congress opposition, saying he has not mentioned the name of any politician in the movie. "Kudos @imbhandarkar 4 highlighting horrors of emergency in #InduSarkar so vividly. A mst watch performance especialy for d award wapsi gang," (sic) tweeted Upadhyay, former president of Delhi BJP. Bhandarkar has earlier made a number of hit movies like 'Chandni Bar' which had won the National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues. He has also received the National Film Awards for the Best Feature Film and Best Director for 'Page 3' and 'Traffic Signal', respectively. 'Fashion' also was a major hit movie. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said the People's Liberation Army is capable of vanquishing "all invading enemies" and praised its combat readiness as he reviewed a massive military parade to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the world's largest armed force. Dressed in camouflage, Xi inspected 12,000 troops in various formations from an open-top military jeep at the parade held in Zhurihe -- Asia's largest military training centre in the middle of a desert in Inner Mongolia. Over 100 fighter jets flew overhead and almost 600 types of weaponry were on display for the occasion nearly half of which were making their debut in public, according to the Chinese Defence Ministry. In his address to the soldiers, Xi said the PLA should strictly follow the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China and "march to wherever the Party points to." "I firmly believe that our gallant military has both confidence and ability to defeat all invading enemies," said Xi, who heads the Central Military Commission, which holds the overall command of the PLA - the world's largest army. While there was no reference in his speech to over a month-long India-China military standoff at Doklam in the Sikkim section, his remarks came in the midst of shrill official media campaign and assertions by the Foreign and Defence Ministries here accusing Indian troops of trespassing into Chinese territory at Doklam. The Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman said Zhurihe was selected to highlight the PLA's combat readiness, but he emphasised that war-zone trainings had been long scheduled. "They have nothing to do with the current situation in the region," Colonel Ren Guoqiang said in a statement. Training in "realistic conditions" taken by thousands of Chinese troops before the massive parade is "not related to the country's neighbourhood situation"," Ren said, but did not elaborate what was meant by "neighbourhood situation". Clad in camouflage military suit, 64-year-old Xi said the Chinese military has the confidence and ability to safeguard, national sovereignty, security and development interests. "Our military has the confidence and ability to write a new chapter in building of strong military and make new contributions to towards realisation of the China dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and safeguarding world peace," Xi said in his about 10-minute address - an event carried live on state television and radio. The military parade was the biggest since 2015 in which army and air force displayed some of the most modern weapons including a new tank which reportedly held exercises in the high-altitude along the Indian border. The other weapons included long range nuclear and conventional missiles, the new J-15 - the new aircraft based carrier. In his address, Xi asked the military to further improve its combativeness and modernise the national defence and armed forces. The Chinese military has the worlds second largest defence budget of USD 152 billion next to the US military. The PLA was founded on August 1, 1927 when the ruling CPC under the leadership of Mao Zedong carried on with his national liberation movement. It is one of the rare national armies which still continues to function under the leadership of the CPC and not the Chinese government. "Officers and soldiers, you must unswervingly stick to the fundamental principle and system of the Party's absolute leadership over the army, always listen to and follow the Party's orders, and march to wherever the Party points to," said Xi, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. PLA officers and soldiers should firmly adhere to the fundamental goal of serving the people wholeheartedly, and always stand together with the people, Xi said. He also said China needs a strong army more than ever, urging the building of PLA into a world-class military force. Enjoying peace is a bliss for the people while protecting peace is the responsibility of the people's army, he said. "The world is not all at peace, and peace must be safeguarded," said Xi, who is expected to get a second five-year term at the key meeting of the CPC later this year. "Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than any other time in history, and we need to build a strong people's military more than any other time in history," he said. He urged the PLA to fully implement the CPC's thoughts on building a strong military, follow the path of strengthening the army with Chinese characteristics, strive for the CPC's target on strengthening the PLA under the new circumstances, and build the heroic PLA into a world-class military. About 12,000 troops took part in the parade in which 129 aircraft and 571 pieces of equipment were on display. Dongfeng missiles which include short, long and medium rage of rockets, a variety of armoury including light tanks, drones were also deployed. Helicopter borne troops demonstrated in quick landing and taking combat positions. Xi Jinping presided over the military parade, hours after US President Donald Trump renewed his criticism over Beijing's failure to rein in North Korea. North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile on last Friday which it claims could reach all of the US. President Trump has been piling pressure on China, Pyongyang's only major ally that provides an economic lifeline to the reclusive regime, to use its leverage to make North Korea halt its nuclear and missile programs. I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017 "I am very disappointed in China," Trump had said in a tweet yesterday, adding that Beijing could have easily solved the problem posed by North Korea. ...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017 China is also concerned by the tense situation in the Korea Peninsula and the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile by US in South Korea to counter threats from North Korea. The state Department of Environmental Quality has approved exploratory drilling in a controversial gold-mining project in Emigrant Gulch, just north of Yellowstone Park. Lucky Minerals, a Canadian company, has been interested in gold mining around Paradise Valley for several years. The company has bought up old claims and staked new ones covering a total of more than 2,500 acres. It says the acreage holds "a large-scale porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum system that could potentially host a multi-million-ounce gold deposit." DEQ Director Tom Livers said Friday that Lucky Minerals had actually agreed to mitigations associated with the exploration that were above and beyond what the DEQ had the statutory authority to require. "There are things we can require under the Metal Mines Act and other things we can't," he said. "But once further mitigations are agreed to, we can enforce them." One of the things the company agreed to was to use Old Cemetery Road rather than driving trucks and equipment past Chico Hot Springs. Also, the company agreed to monitoring water quality on Emigrant Creek. Lucky Minerals must also come up with a garbage-disposal plan to minimize impacts on wildlife. Livers stressed that the approval is for exploratory drilling only and any expansion of mining activities would require a far more comprehensive environmental review and permitting process. "The reality is we're required by law to consider only what's in front of us," he said. "We can't consider the impacts of an expanded operation in granting this approval. But any further work would require a separate application and a separate environmental review." Local opposition to the project has been fierce. Livingston, Emigrant, and Pray residents have vociferously objected to the project, saying a big mine in the area would risk environmental disaster at the gates of America's most treasured national park and also would have a negative effect on tourism, the lifeblood of the regional economy. Colin Davis, owner of Chico Hot Springs, is leading the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition, a group of 360 businesses and landowners opposed to mining on the edge of Yellowstone. "We're pro-private property rights and not anti-mining at all," Davis says. "We're against industrial-scale gold mining in the Paradise Valley." Last year local writers and editors combined forces on a book, "Unearthing Paradise," encouraging political action to block gold mining near the park. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, in April introduced legislation, the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, to permanently halt mining on federal land surrounding Paradise Valley. At the time, Tester said with more people visiting national parks each year and the reliance of area businesses on the health of the environment, the legislation was needed to protect current and future generations. The Lucky Minerals claims are partly on private land and partly on public land, but the buffer zones in federal land that would be withdrawn from mining under the bill would make industrial-scale mining all but impossible on the site. While U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, has voiced support for protecting the area around the park, he has stopped short of supporting the bill Tester introduced. He is in a position, as a majority member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to help push the bill forward. "We need the help of our entire delegation," Davis said. "This isn't Jon Tester's bill, this is Montana's bill. Its language is pretty straightforward." Davis added that the DEQ approval "points out the urgency for our congressional delegation to unify and act together to shepherd the Protection Act through." On Friday, Tester said, "It makes no sense to mine at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River and on the doorstep of our nation's first national park. These mines will do irreversible damage to Montana's outdoor economy and the jobs it supports." A Daines spokesman said Friday evening, "Sen. Daines opposes mining in this area, but he is still weighing the best way to achieve the withdrawal." Daines said after a committee hearing on the bill, "I am committed to continue to work with Senator Tester and local stakeholders on this important legislation. ... It is important to me that, in any major land decision like this one, that the local community stands firmly behind it. The county commissioners, the other local elected officials, local businesses, and outdoor businesses like the fly-fishing industry support the withdrawal. I can say with confidence that, after the meetings I have had, that most of the community does stand with this mineral withdrawal." DEQ will set a bonding amount for the exploratory work, which must be paid in cash before that work can begin. "That's one hurdle done," Lucky vice president Shaun Dykes told The Bozeman Chronicle Thursday. Efforts to reach Dykes Friday were unsuccessful. On its website, the company says that 10 "highly mineralized breccia-pipes and two porphyry targets exist within the company's property boundary." Breccia pipes are geological formations that can be hosts for metal ore deposits. Porphyry deposits often enclose copper, gold, and molybdenum. A second proposed mine near Jardine, closer to the park's north entrance, has been stalled after DEQ twice rejected applications from a Spokane company, citing multiple deficiencies in its exploration plans. 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. REUTERS/Caren Firouz - RTX2ZI70 Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today vacated the official residence and shifted to the hill resort of Murree along with his family, days after he was disqualified by the Supreme Court A five-member bench of the Supreme Court on Friday disqualified 67-year-old Sharif for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal, forcing the embattled leader out of office. Sharif left the PM House with his wife Kulsum Nawaz, daughter Maryam Nawaz and his son-in-law Captain (Retd) Safdar and shifted to his private residence in the hill resort of Murree near Islamabad. He met the staff before leaving. The luggage of the former first family was already shifted, local media reports said. Ousted finance minister and Sharif confidante Ishaq Dar also left for Murree with the Sharif family. The PM House, nestled in the foothills of Margalla Hills overlooking the capital Islamabad, would be renovated for the new occupant, officials said. It is not known for how long Sharif would stay in Murree, a place he likes a lot and has been visiting frequently since he was the chief minister of Punjab. Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court disqualified him for failing to declare "receivable" salary from a UAE-based company of his son in his 2013 nomination paper. The court termed the salary which was not paid to Sharif as an "asset". Senior PML-N leader and former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will run the PML-N government as interim prime minister of Pakistan until Shehbaz Sharif gets set to succeed his brother Nawaz Sharif as the Pakistan prime minister. US President Donald Trump has accused China of doing nothing on North Korea and said he was "very disappointed" with Beijing, a day after Pyongyang launched an intercontinental ballistic missile test. Trump also said he will no longer allow North Korea to continue with its belligerent behaviour. "I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk," Trump said in two tweets yesterday. On Friday, North Korea fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile that experts say has the potential to reach the US mainland. "We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" said the US President, expressing his deep disappointment over Chinese inaction while North Korea continues with its ballistic missile tests and going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme. Meanwhile, in response to North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, two US Air Force B-1B bombers under the command of US Pacific Air Forces, joined their counterparts from South Korea and Japanese air forces in a sequenced bilateral missions July 29. This mission is in direct response to North Korea's escalatory launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles on July 3 and July 28, the US Pacific Command said. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said Gen Terrence J O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander. "Diplomacy remains the lead; however, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing," he said. After taking off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the B-1s flew to Japanese airspace, where they were joined by two Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defence Force) F-2 fighter jets. The B-1s then flew over the Korean Peninsula where they were joined by four Republic of Korea Air Force F-15 fighter jets. The B-1s then performed a low-pass over Osan Air Base, South Korea, before leaving South Korean airspace and returning to Guam. Throughout the approximately 10-hour mission, the aircrews practiced intercept and formation training, enabling them to improve their combined capabilities and tactical skills, while also strengthening the long standing military- to-military relationships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, a media release said. US Pacific Command maintains flexible bomber and fighter capabilities in the Indo-Asia-Pacific theater, retaining the ability to quickly respond to any regional threat in order to defend the US homeland and in support of our allies, it said. Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity July 30, 2017 Venezuela Coup "Could Blow Up Huge In Many Nations Of The Region" by Debs is Dead lifted from a comment I see somebody has been blathering about the lack of 'democracy' in Venezuela as if it was the Chavezists who were to blame. The president was elected by the people in a fair election and Chavezists also won the majority in the parliament/constituent assembly, the moment that happened the elitists financed opposition coups pushed out propaganda that was no more than libelous lies and began a programe of overt subversion. They have continued this for the last 19 years and the irony is of course that if they hadn't done so and instead conducted themselves democratically they may have had a look in at government or coalition by now, but they chose what they thought was the easy way to gutting Venezuela's economy. The result of the corporate capitalists activities has been the same as it always is when they push illegal acts of insurrection to try and force a reactive oppression - people lose and get hurt. It is interesting to note that when the coalitions of street kids angry at everything and the sons and daughters of the once protected bourgeoisie hit the streets in their tiny bands to throw rocks and Molotov cocktails the police are very muted in their response - police in Venezuela don't normally carry sidearms but the riot police carry weapons that can only fire anti riot projectiles that are designed to hurt but not main or kill, they also have plastic shields but their actions have been much less violent than those of say the amerikan police - especially when you consider that more than 20 police have been killed in these riots. I didn't get this info from RT news or any other oppositional news service I got it from the BBC who were desperate to find a shock horror story. They found a kid who had been arrested for throwing bricks at the police and he said that while he was locked up his interrogators demanded that he tell them the leadership or they would rape him "Did you tell them?" says Mr Beeb, "No" says the kid "so did they rape you?" asks Mr Beeb "NO but one of my cellmates had a black eye!" the kid responds. Yeah right horrible oppression by those commies eh! The fact the beeb were in there trying on this story and running it on englander TV last night suggests that b may be correct when he says amerika is about to try and kick something off. The shots of protesters were all filmed up close - no wide views lest viewers see how few people were protesting, the entire piece could be regarded as a farce except that there is an undercurrent of amerikan violence. As for the military - yes Cubans were brought in to train the army at the start of the Bolivaran revolution because the army was recruited from the ordinary people - not the usual younger sons of the bourgeoisie so outsiders were needed to train them. Some Cubans liked it so much they elected to stay on but the vast majority of Venezuelan military are local and if they seriously wanted to stage a coup it would be trivial to round up Cubans in a night and go in hard, but the military don't have any such intention, they are loyal to the head of state they swore an oath to. I really hope that Trump and co don't decide that Venezuela be the victim of his need to divert attention away from his own travails - the result will be much worse even than the bloodthirsty contras of Nicaragua. The war will be long and bloody and it is highly doubtful that amerika could win without terrible violence. Even though the current governments in Central and South America are more 'sympathetic' to amerikan imperialism than those of a decade ago, it is highly unlikely that many if any will openly assist amerika because their own populations will go ape-shit if they do. This (amerikan interference) could blow up huge and destroy the fragile agreements in place in many nations of the region. For what? So that rich arse-holes can get richer? Posted by b on July 30, 2017 at 10:39 UTC | Permalink Comments next page I am hearing within the Christian community some scandalized comments to the effect that President Trump cannot be a Christian because he has expressed racist thoughts and bullies people. Others are strongly supporting Trump because of his political stance on things like pro-life, eliminating government regulations that are stifling businesses, building the wall to keep out illegal immigrants, etc. So IS Trump a Christian? He claims that he is. The Bible defines a Christian as one who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth to die for the sins of mankind and then rose again from the dead. The true believer commits his life to following Jesus and his teachings. Do all who believe in Jesus go on to live perfect, holy lives immediately after they choose to follow him? No! We do not expect it from others who come to know Christ. We expect that there will be a lifetime of learning that follows conversion. Not one of us will "get it" immediately. Those who have problems with drugs or alcohol, for instance, may take years to overcome their addictions -- or, conversely, they could be miraculously delivered from the addiction. God does different things with different people for various reasons. Within the Christian community there is a rumor that Donald Trump's commitment to Jesus has been recent. So I want to ask those who doubt Trump's Christianity this: Are you applying a standard of behavior to Trump that you would not ordinarily apply to a new Christian? Or are you going to show him grace and pray for God to give him wisdom, as you would for any other new believer? I, for one, plan to reserve judgment on the subject of whether or not he is a true Christian. He has said that he is. He has confessed his belief in Jesus. I will pray for God to help him grow in Christ, in wisdom, kindness, charity -- and humility. I am not expecting instant miracles. But the Bible tells us to pray for those in authority, for our leaders, so that we may live peaceful lives. I am glad that God does not judge me every day for my own failures! I wish to extend the same grace to our new President. Sheri Schofield Helena Maintaining independence and editorial freedom is essential to our mission of empowering investor success. We provide a platform for our authors to report on investments fairly, accurately, and from the investors point of view. We also respect individual opinionsthey represent the unvarnished thinking of our people and exacting analysis of our research processes. Our authors can publish views that we may or may not agree with, but they show their work, distinguish facts from opinions, and make sure their analysis is clear and in no way misleading or deceptive. To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research. Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process. A small, Mojave, California, aerospace start-up called XCOR Aerospace burst onto the commercial space scene in 2008 with plans to develop a vehicle that would rocket tourists into suborbital space. XCOR won a few government and commercial contracts and, for a time, was seen as a rival to British billionaire Richard Bransons space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic. But then the financial reality of the space business -- that its much more capital- intensive than other start-up ventures, such as building a smartphone app -- caught up. Last year, XCOR announced it would suspend construction of its Lynx suborbital space plane and lay off about half of the companys workforce, which at the time numbered 50 to 60 employees. In June, the company said adverse financial conditions forced XCOR to terminate its remaining employees -- 11 in Mojave and 10 in Midland where the company had relocated its headquarters in 2015. As companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and small-satellite maker Planet are notching successes and have fueled interest in commercial space, XCOR must now weigh the options for its future. Those include being acquired by a larger company, finding a financial investor that wants to take on either the companys engine development business or the Lynx, or securing a joint venture partner, especially to resume construction of the space plane. Space always has been and will continue to be a deep-pocket game, said Luigi Peluso, a managing director in the aerospace, defense and airlines practice at New York consulting firm AlixPartners. Its a pretty short list of people that have both the technical chops and the financial depth to succeed. XCOR had been a subcontractor on a propulsion project and thought it had a commitment for funding through the year and beyond, XCORs former chief executive, John H. Gibson II, recently told a Senate committee hearing. The hearing was to confirm Gibson, who left XCOR in June, as President Trumps nominee to be deputy chief management officer of the Defense Department. The technology we had, NASA and the Air Force were very, very high on it, he said. They felt like it was a long-term solution to upper-stage propulsion in a low-cost, high-reusability environment. But with less than 30 days notice, XCOR was told the funding was terminated, Gibson said. He did not name the prime contractor, but XCOR had been working with United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp., on an upper-stage engine for the ventures next-generation launch system. You do your best in a small business, Gibson told the committee. Sometimes external factors are beyond your control. Founded in Mojave in 1999, XCOR had raised at least $19.2 million over the years. But companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin are backed by billionaires who havent been shy about pouring in their own money. In the case of SpaceX, the Hawthorne firm has also lined up several multimillion dollar contracts to launch national security satellites for the Air Force. XCOR planned to slowly and incrementally develop the building blocks of cheaper access to space. The company started out by building rocket engines that could be easily reused, then performed flight tests by incorporating them into airplanes. One of those was the X-Racer prototype, which flew dozens of times, including one instance when it flew seven times in one day. By 2008, the company unveiled plans for the Lynx, a two-seat, reusable space plane with a composite body that would take off from a spaceport runway. It would eventually carry a single pilot and paying passenger into suborbital space, possibly as frequently as four times a day. The plane was to use piston pumps in its engines, utilizing a simpler manufacturing process that XCOR said would make them easier to reuse than the more complex turbopumps employed in other rocket engines. The company said tickets would cost at least $100,000 each. It had the promise of reusability, significantly reduced cost than anyone else had ever thought of, said Chad Anderson, chief executive of Space Angels, a network of angel investors focused on early-stage space investments. The network didnt itself provide backing to XCOR, though some of its members were early investors. All of this combined to build a lot of buzz, Anderson said. In 2011, XCOR won a contract from NASA that did not provide funds, but indicated the agencys intent to purchase flights from the company to take experiments into suborbital space once it had built the necessary vehicle. Over time, though, the company found it had underestimated the complexity of the project and the finances needed to develop the Lynx. XCOR failed to raise further funding. The space tourism market has taken longer to develop than originally thought, said Peluso of AlixPartners. As a result, players such as Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin have expanded their portfolios to include other, non-tourism revenue streams such as launching commercial satellites. XCOR had an engine business, but did not have a diverse customer base, he said. Last year, the company suspended construction on the Lynx at its facility in Mojave, and chose to focus on the contract with ULA to develop an upper-stage engine for the ventures next-generation rocket. Executives saw that as the most promising source of near-term revenue. The ULA contract ended in April. XCOR has suspended development work on that engine. ULA declined to comment. XCOR executives and co-founders began to trickle out of the firm two years ago. The most recent exit came last month when Gibson left. During his Senate committee hearing, Gibson said that although he knew XCOR was high-risk he thought it had a tremendous opportunity in the market for unique propulsion and launch capabilities. I was very happy to take the challenge on, Gibson said. Many of my friends asked me what the thinking was behind that. They said this thing may not make it six months, but I felt it was certainly worth the effort. We did good things in the company. A handful of senior XCOR employees and executives have stayed on to create a road map of possible next steps. Getting the Lynx to flight and into operation would take tens of millions of dollars, said Michael Blum, acting chief executive and a XCOR board member since April. He said the company is still committed to the rocket ship, and early investors and the board of directors are intent on helping XCOR survive. The company is engaged in five to seven serious conversations with possible investors, venture partners or buyers both in the U.S. and abroad, he said. Were hopeful that thats going to lead to a success story here, Blum said. But we have our work cut out for us. Peluso of AlixPartners said the space industry is in a renaissance, with many great ideas and a tremendous amount of innovation emerging. But unfortunately, he said, not everybodys going to make it. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Recent arrests for online solicitation has put into the spotlight the shifting nature of law enforcement in the digital age. Midland County District Attorney Laura A. Nodolf said agencies have responded because some individuals solicit sexual acts on the internet. Theyve changed their game, so weve changed ours, Nodolf said Friday. And so we have to do everything that we can to try and keep up with them. But thats always part of law enforcement law enforcement is ever-changing. The district attorneys office was one entity that partnered this month for an operation involving potential online solicitation of minors and human trafficking in Midland County. Nodolf said the operation serves as a way to educate parents about monitoring their childrens online activities. She also hopes it is a deterrent for potential offenders. We certainly hope that individuals out there in Midland County who think that they want to commit this crime here in this community we hope this deters them from even contemplating doing this in the future because we are out there, Nodolf said. The operation involved undercover stings related to online advertisements, according to arrest affidavits provided to the Reporter-Telegram. The Texas Department of Public Safety announced Friday the arrests of 37 people as a result of the investigation, according to a press release. It is a significant operation for this area, Nodolf said. When you look at some of the larger jurisdictions Dallas, Houston, Austin they have entire units that are dedicated to do this all day long. Offenses included online solicitation of a minor, prostitution solicit person under 18 years of age, prostitution, promotion of prostitution, sexual performance by a minor and distribution of harmful material to a minor, according to a press release. Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division led the Human Trafficking Operation, which received assistance from the Midland County District Attorneys Office, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and Midland Police Department. Nodolf said the 10-day investigation required manpower and advanced planning. Based on prior operations that weve run, we know that there was a necessity to run a long-term investigation to be able to apprehend these individuals, Nodolf said. Brendan C. Griffin, supervisory senior resident agent for the FBI El Paso Division in Midland, said the length of the operation made it different than previous collaborations between agencies. You had charges for soliciting 13-year-olds to meet them for sex, and then you had the prostitution angle of it, Griffin said. So I think the fact that this was a ... long investigation speaks volumes of how we can cooperate together because there were no issues. Future decisions will determine whether cases go to federal or state courts, Nodolf said. During the investigation, she said agencies showed dedication to serving the community. We are blessed to have that here in Midland and to be able to have such a collaborative effort on all operations that we do, but especially to see such results as this one, she said. Those arrested in the operation and their charges are: -- Online solicitation of a minor (second-degree felony): JAIME ADAM CORTEZ, 27, BRUCE ALAN GARAND, 57, EDUARDO JIMENEZ, 23, JUSTIN RYLEY MARTINEZ, 21, GABRIEL C. NATIVIDAD, 63, SHAWN ROY PLATERO, 28, HUGO CIRILO SANCHEZ CAMPOS, 27, JACOB ADAM JOSEPH SMITH, 21, GLENN CURTIS VINYARD JR, 57 --Prostitution solicit person under 18 years of age (second-degree felony): CHRISTOPHER DANIEL NUNEZ, 37, JOHN EDWIN OFFER II, 33, ARON JAMES DOBBINS, 20, CHRISTOPHER CARL DEARMIN, 50, EXIQUIO RAMIREZ, 31, OLUKAYODE OYEWOLE AKINTERINWA, 21, JASON ROBERT CHARRON, 36, DALTON MICHAEL HAWK, 22, DAVID GOMEZ MARTINEZ, 49, SEBASTIAN MENDEZ JR, 35, HECTOR JAVIER MONTOYA, 20, HECTOR PARRA, 36, COLIN JARED TAYLOR, 23, DANIEL TREVINO JR, 28, OSCAR ANTONIO URBINA, 32, EARL WAYNE WADE JR, 59, CHRISTOPHER ALLEN WADLE, 40, JOHNATHON LEE YOUNG, 24 -- Prostitution (Class B misdemeanor): ADRIANNA ELENA CHACON, 19 -- Prostitution enhanced (state jail felony): ASHLEE ELIZABETH THORNTON, 25 -Sexual performance by a minor (second-degree felony): A RON OLIVAS 24, JESSE DON CRAWFORD, 40, PAUL E. MACK, 42, JAVIER SANIEL SALCIDO, 28 -- Provide harmful material to a juvenile (Class A misdemeanor): JESUS CRUZ, 19, JACOB SANCHEZ LARA, 33, ARON OLIVAS, 24, CHRISTIAN RAY WILSON, 31 INDIANAPOLIS The new Roman Catholic leader for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis called on church members Friday to cultivate a culture of mutual respect, mercy and hope. Archbishop Charles Thompson was installed as the sixth archbishop of Indianapolis during a two-hour Mass attended by several hundred clergy and lay people at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Thompson, who had been bishop of the Evansville, Indiana, diocese since 2011, told parishioners that they must dare to counter a growing polarization and division that breeds fear, hatred, prejudice and radical ideologies. "Our role as people of faith and I especially hold myself accountable as bishop is to be willing to stand in the breach of the divide, drawing people back from the ledges of extremism and self-indulgence and self-righteousness, by serving as bridges of unity, ambassadors of hope, instruments of peace," Thompson said. Pope Francis named the 56-year-old Thompson last month to the Indianapolis position as the replacement for Cardinal Joseph Tobin, who became the archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, in January. Tobin; Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich; and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the pope's ambassador to the United States, were among church dignitaries at Friday's Mass. Thompson, previously a priest and the second-ranking administrator for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, concluded the Mass by thanking the pope for his confidence and the people of the Evansville diocese for breaking him in as a bishop. "Please, please pray for me," he asked the congregation. The Indianapolis archdiocese includes about 225,000 Catholics across 39 counties in central and southern Indiana. Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes [] 'The big truck is still on ... GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. LOUISVILLE, Ky. A burst of gunfire turned Luther Brown into an activist on May 18, 2006. Two men shot up a house in Louisvilles West End neighborhood, killing Earon Harper, 41, and nearly killing her 2-year-old daughter, Erica Hughes. Bullets shattered the toddlers teeth and left her blind in one eye. Brown, a retired construction worker who is active in his church, lived down the street, so the rampage literally struck home for him. He researched gun laws. He collected data from Louisville Metro police about the hundreds of shootings around his city and from area hospitals about the millions of dollars in medical costs from gun-related violence. He concluded that Louisville is awash in guns. Were living in a community where theres a shooting every day, Brown, now 57, said recently. These kids know all about guns. They see guns on the streets. Their parents are dragging them to a different funeral every week. Hoping to save the West Ends next generation from prison or early death, Brown created nonprofit educational programs to mentor children, particularly black males. Browns leading effort, Little Hands Little Feet, warns kids to stay away from guns. It urges adult gun owners to use gun locks a steel cable that threads through the guns chamber, preventing it from firing if there are children in their homes. With grants from the city and other sources, he has given away more than 500 gun locks at block parties and other community events. He presses a gun lock on nearly everyone he meets. There are 60,000 people in West Louisville, and we want a gun lock in every house, he said. Not every dope dealer is gonna want to use a gun lock. But the mamas of the dope dealers sometimes insist on it. They know there are children in the house; they know how children are curious. Its the mamas who come back to me sometimes and ask for a lock. If we can get locks on even a few of the guns out there, then you know what? At least thats something. People frequently ask Brown whether locks defeat the purpose of owning a gun. What burglar waits patiently for two minutes while the homeowner unlocks and then loads his pistol? In response, he refers them to statistics showing that guns in homes are more likely to be used against someone living in the home, accidentally or deliberately, than defending the home from criminals. Let me tell you: It is far more likely that your little one is going to come across your gun than it is that someone is going to break into your house in the middle of the night. You need to be realistic in deciding what to worry about, Brown told WAVE-TV anchor Dawn Gee in a live on-air appearance in June to promote gun locks. Statewide numbers show that guns are consistently the leading method of death when children are killed in homicides well above other methods, such as maltreatment and neglect, stabbing, beating or strangulation. From 2010 to 2014, counting homicides and suicides together, at least 86 Kentucky children the equivalent of more than 3 1/2 kindergarten classes died by gun, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Last August, Brown was invited to what he considered sacred ground. Tremain Brown Jr., 12, no relation to him, was accidentally shot and killed by his 11-year-old brother, who was playing with a loaded handgun left accessible in their home. The boys grandmother asked Brown to attend Tremains funeral at New Zion Baptist Church so he could distribute his gun locks and gun-safety pamphlets to the crowd. I didnt want this to happen to other families, said the grandmother, Monica LaPradd. It doesnt have to happen to other families. This is avoidable. Mourners in the church silently lined up for him, Brown said. Id never seen anything like that before in my life, he said. Youre in Gods house, and youre giving away gun locks and gun safety information, and right theres a 12-year-old boy lying in a coffin? Ill take that day with me to my grave. By then, Brown had been personally devastated by gunfire. On Jan. 9, 2016, his 8-year-old grandson Andre ONeal Jr. Baby Dre to his family was accidentally shot and killed inside a Louisville home. The young man who was responsible, Elgin Anders, said he unintentionally dropped his loaded handgun on the ground, where it fired. We was grilling and everything. I came out to the grill. I had barbecue sauce on my fingers. I licked the sauce off my fingers. It just slipped right out of my fingers, Anders told WDRB-TV. Anders, 21, is charged with reckless homicide, a charge that carries up to five years in prison. The case has dragged on for 18 months. Brown gets agitated when asked about his grandsons death. That man might go to prison for a year for killing Baby Dre, he said. The problem is, we dont take these deaths seriously. People leave their guns out, bam, a child is dead, but its just an accident. People drop their guns, bam, a child is dead, but its just an accident. You were careless and now a child is dead, but hey, we wont charge you with a crime, we think youve suffered enough. If we charge you with anything, maybe you get a year. Saving the children of the West End has started to feel to Brown like trying to empty a swimming pool with his two hands. The same day in late May that he talked about losing his grandson, Louisville police were investigating the fatal shooting of yet another boy. Dequante Hobbs Jr., 7, was struck in the head by a bullet that crashed through a window as he ate cake at his kitchen table. Police suspect that the shooter was involved in a fight outside the home that had nothing to do with the boy. Dequantes relatives said he was the third young male in the family to be shot to death in the previous year. We just live in a waiting period now, Brown said. At any given time, were waiting to hear what terrible thing the next person with a gun has done to our community. It might be tonight. It might be tomorrow. But we know as sure as were sitting here that someone is going to pick up a gun soon, and as a result, someone is going to die. DECATUR Lester Morrison was home from the Vietnam War only a few days when he found out that his entire squad had been killed. I felt so guilty, said Morrison, tearing up even all these years later. A member of Charlie Company, the 501st, 101st Airborne, the Macomb man was in Decatur this weekend for the 30th anniversary of Charlie Company's every-other-year reunion. It was started in 1987 by the late David Schniederjan of Decatur, known to his buddies as Snatch. Schniederjan's wife, Sandy, has continued to attend the reunions even though he died 13 years ago. It's a tribute to him, she said. We've lost six (men) that started (the reunions) with the group. This is our chosen family. The Schniederjan children were raised military, she said, and grew up traveling all over the country for the reunions, which are held in different locations each time to accommodate the fact that members of Charlie Company are scattered all over the country. This year, one of the events was a gathering at David Schniederjan's grave in Mount Gilead Cemetery for a memorial service. On Saturday, the group gathered in the grassy park behind the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel to have a picnic, and a table was set up with photos of the members who have passed away. When the reunions started, Morrison said, there was no email and no cell phones, and Schniederjan ran up a $4,000 phone bill tracking everybody down and organizing the event. The bill was so high he couldn't pay it and his phone was shut off. We got together and raised the money to pay it off and got it turned back on, Morrison recalled with a chuckle. Nowadays, of course, the men stay in touch for much less cost via email, and some of them talk to each other regularly between reunions. Two of those are Charles Williams, known to his buddies as Daddy Rabbit, who lives in Georgia, and Darrell McCurry of North Carolina. We talk to each other all the time, Williams said. Through the years, the veterans have brought their spouses, kids and now their grandkids along to the reunions. Keeping in touch with the men they fought next to and lived with during the war, Morrison said, is therapeutic. A lot of the groups it's just the guys who get together, Sandy Schniederjan said. With us, it's the families, too. Family's always been important to us. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 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. GREENWICH The General Assemblys action to make Greenwich and other towns eligible for a moratorium on state affordable housing requirements will not affect plans for a controversial development planned for Sound Beach Avenue, officials said. The recently revamped proposal for a 60-unit apartment complex at 143 Sound Beach Ave. was submitted in late June, before the new moratorium will take effect. Pending applications would not be impacted by this change, because applications are subject to the rules that are in place at the time of submission, Greenwich Planning Director Katie DeLuca said Friday afternoon. The Legislature last week voted to make municipalities including Greenwich eligible for a five-year extension on a reprieve from state affordable housing law Section 8-30g of the Connecticut General Statutes which makes it difficult for any municipality that has less than 10 percent of its housing stock set aside as affordable housing to deny applications to build housing. If a proposed development includes affordable housing, such a town can only deny it if it can prove that it poses a substantial public health or safety risk. Gov. Dannel Malloy had vetoed the extension, but the General Assembly narrowly overrode the veto last week. The developers behind the Old Greenwich proposal want to build a four-story apartment complex of more than 50,000 square feet to replace the one-story medical building that now sits on Sound Beach, just up from the railroad bridge heading into the village. The proposal falls under Section 8-30g because the developers 143 Sound Beach Associates have promised to reserve 30 percent of its units for affordable housing for 40 years. Local opponents of 143 Sound Beach Associates say the builders are the type of developers the moratorium bill was written to stop. This vote emphasizes that (143 Sound Beach Associates) is exactly the type of predatory developer that Sen. Slossberg is referring to, said Potter Street resident Adam Tooter, part of the grass-roots Stop143SoundBeach organization. And their abuse of this law is exactly why this was overridden. He was referring to state Sen. Gayle S. Slossberg, D-Milford, who led the effort to override the veto. She contends developers take advantage of the law to build dense housing complexes contrary to local zoning laws. No other state in the nation gives private developers this ability, Slossberg said last week. Others who support the moratorium bill say it will help towns form their own affordable housing plans that are a better fit. In doing so our towns will continue to further their affordable housing inventory, said Rep. Mike Bocchino R-Greenwich. We will no longer be at the mercy of developers using potential affordable housing units as a strategy to construct oversized developments that are out of character in so many of our quiet neighborhoods. About 4.9 percent of Greenwich housing stock is considered affordable. The attorney for 143 Sound Beach Associates, Chip Haslun, said his clients project would fill a long-unment need in town. The town of Greenwich has not appreciably increased the number of affordable housing units in town since passage of Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-30g by the Legislature in 1989, Haslun said. If the town is genuinely committed to creating affordable housing, it is hard to find a location better suited for it and in keeping both with (town and state regulations) than that which is proposed in a commercial transitionary zone, close to the railroad station and within walking distance to the village, parks and other recreational facilities. Town officials and service agencies have talked about the need for more affordable housing in Greenwich for years. But Greenwich has never approached the 10 percent state threshold. Affordable housing, and housing diversity in general has been noted as something to work towards in every Plan of Conservation and Development dating back to the 1960s, , said DeLuca. And rightfully so, as that diversity is a pillar for a healthy and prosperous community. Chris Collibee, Malloys press secretary, issued a statement last week saying the governor will not stop working toward increasing the amount of affordable housing in the state. Make no mistake, Collibee said, Governor Malloy is undeterred by todays developments and remains resolute in increasing access to affordable housing in all of our communities, because every person regardless of race, ethnicity or socio-economic status deserves the opportunity to live in the communities in which they work. 143 Sound Beach Associates application for final coastal site plan and special permit will be discussed at the Planning and Zoning Commissions meeting in Town Hall Tuesday at 7 p.m. E: JTuriano@greenwichtime.com; T: @jturianoGT; IG: @greenwichgreen China is betting that President Donald Trump won't make good on his threats of a military strike against North Korea, with Beijing continuing to provide a lifeline to Kim Jong Un's regime. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson singled out China and Russia as "economic enablers" of North Korea after Kim on Friday test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the second time in a matter of weeks. While Tillerson said the U.S. wants a peaceful resolution to the tensions, the top American general called his South Korean counterpart after the launch to discuss a potential military response. China on Saturday condemned the latest test while calling for restraint from all parties, a muted reaction to Pyongyang's progress on an ICBM capable of hitting the U.S. mainland. Despite Kim's provocations, analysts said Beijing still sees the collapse of his regime as a more immediate strategic threat, and doubts Trump would pull the trigger given the risk of a war with North Korea that could kill millions. "The military option the Americans are threatening won't likely happen because the stakes will be too high," said Liu Ming, director of the Korean Peninsula Research Center at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. "It's a pretext and an excuse to pile up pressure on China. It's more like blackmail than a realistic option." Relations between the world's biggest economies have soured after an initial honeymoon between Trump and President Xi Jinping. The U.S. last month sanctioned a regional Chinese bank, a shipping company and two Chinese citizens over dealings with North Korea, which could be a precursor to greater economic and financial pressure on Beijing to rein in its errant neighbor. Trump has expressed periodic public frustration with Beijing over the pace of its efforts to curtail Kim. On Saturday he again linked China's actions to the broader U.S.-China trade relationship. "I am very disappointed in China," he said in a series of Twitter posts. "Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" Hours later, Xi called on China to speed up its military modernization, telling troops at an army parade that "the world isn't safe at this moment." "A strong army is needed now more than ever," he said, without specifically addressing North Korea or Trump's comments. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, weighed in with a Twitter posting on Sunday about being "done talking about" North Korea and that "China is aware they must act" with increased pressure from Japan and South Korea as part of an international solution. Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said she was "very disappointed in China's response" and that it wasn't firmer or more helpful. "I think the only solution is a diplomatic one," Feinstein said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. She called North Korea's threat "a clear and present danger" to the U.S. and said she hoped new White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, will be able to help negotiate to stop the nuclear program. China's biggest fears related to North Korea remain a collapse of Kim's regime that sparks a protracted refugee crisis, and a beefed-up U.S. military presence on its border. It has repeatedly called for both sides to step back, proposing the U.S. halt military drills in the region and North Korea freeze weapons tests. The U.S. has dismissed that proposal, saying North Korea must first be willing to discuss rolling back its nuclear program. On Saturday, the U.S. announced that two Air Force B-1B bombers conducted bilateral exercises with South Korean and Japanese fighter jets in response to the ICBM test. North Korea is "probably correct" in its view that it can survive sanctions long enough to build its arsenal to the point where the world has to accept it as a nuclear state, according to Andrew Gilholm, director of North Asia analysis at Control Risks Group. The U.S. is likely to make a "dramatic move" this year against China in a bid to stop that from happening, he said. "If the U.S. really loses patience and moves against major Chinese banks or firms it will certainly impact North Korea's financing, but I don't see Beijing making a radical policy change under that kind of pressure," Gilholm said from Seoul. "It'll likely harden China's insistence that Washington has to deal with Pyongyang, not coerce China into strangling it." China's relations with its neighbor and ally have become more fraught, though China still accounts for about 90 percent of North Korea's trade. North Korea warned China of "grave consequences" earlier this year after it banned coal imports, while Beijing's Communist Party media stepped up criticism of Kim's regime. The latest ICBM test also risks boosting tensions between China and South Korea over a missile shield. Seoul has partially installed the U.S.'s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile shield despite Chinese protests. It had halted that roll out under the new administration of President Moon Jae-in, but after the ICBM test Moon called for talks with the U.S. on temporarily deploying more launchers. China warned on Saturday that Thaad would disrupt the region's strategic balance. The U.S. carried out a test of Thaad on Sunday, the Pentagon said in a statement. A medium-range target ballistic missile was launched from a plane over the Pacific Ocean, then tracked and intercepted by a system located in Alaska. Despite the disagreement over Thaad, on the whole China probably prefers Moon to the conservative government he replaced in May. Since taking office, Moon has sought to engage North Korea, calling for peace talks and saying he'd meet Kim under the right conditions. Moon's dovish views on North Korea make it likely he'll oppose a U.S. missile strike on North Korea. U.S. Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also warned in June that an armed conflict with North Korea would leave Seoul facing casualties "unlike anything we've seen in 60 or 70 years." As relations with the U.S. cool, China has boosted ties with Russia. The countries blocked U.S.-led efforts to expand penalties against North Korea in a draft UN Security Council resolution condemning its first ICBM test on July 4. Those ties are likely to strengthen after Trump said he'd tighten sanctions on Russia for meddling in the U.S. election and aggression in Ukraine. To placate Trump, China will likely take some moderate measures against North Korea without doing anything that could collapse the regime, said Gilholm from Control Risks. "China has a lot of room to step up pressure on Pyongyang while staying well short of a really destabilizing 'cut-off,'" he said. "Personally I don't think North Korea is going to roll over and give up its nuclear survival card even under a life-threatening level of economic pressure." --- --With assistance from Keith Zhai, Heesu Lee and Kanga Kong Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Philippine police fatally shot more than a dozen people, including a mayor whom President Rodrigo Duterte publicly linked to the drug trade, during an early morning raid Sunday. Reynaldo Parojinog, mayor of Ozamiz City in Mindanao in southern Philippines, and at least 14 others, including his wife, are the latest casualties in Duterte's brutal drug war. It has killed thousands of suspected drug users and dealers. Parojinog was the third mayor killed in the government's crackdown on narcotics, specifically methamphetamine, locally known as shabu. Authorities said Parojinog and others were killed in an exchange of gunfire with police. Ozamiz police chief Jovie Espenido said officers went to search Parojinog's house for illegal firearms when they were met with gunshots and were forced to fire back, the Associated Press reported. A grenade held by one of the mayor's bodyguards exploded during the confrontation, Espenido said. "He's a high-value target on illegal drugs," Espenido said, according to the AP. At least five were arrested, including Parojinog's daughter, Nova Parojinog Echavez, who's also the city's vice mayor. Echavez told reporters Sunday that no one from their side fired a weapon. "I am asking President Duterte to investigate this and the Senate of the Philippines," she said, as family members stirred her away from reporters. She also said that she's in fear for her life. Asked what message she has for Duterte, she said, in Tagalog: "Look at this closely. He knows my father. He knows my father." Espenido said during a news conference that police used necessary force during the raid. "There's no extrajudicial killing here," he said in Tagalog, adding that the officers in the field made the right call. Among those killed were the mayor's brother, Octavio Parojinog, a provincial board member, GMA News reported. Police seized several weapons, bags of suspected methamphetamine and cash after raiding the mayor's home and three other residences, according to media reports. Espenido said that Parojinog's family is the main trafficker of drugs in Ozamiz and that drugs that reached the city came from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa city, Metro Manila. Duterte said last year that the majority of drug transactions happen inside the prison. The drug trade has become so rampant that it prompted the resignation of Bureau of Corrections Chief Benjamin Delos Santos this month, the Philippine Inquirer reported. He told reporters that the "resurgence of drug trade has made me irrelevant." Reynaldo Parojinog's name gained national spotlight last year after Duterte accused him and more than 150 politicians, judges and other public officials as being involved in the drug trade. The president read their names during a news conference in August as part of a shame campaign. In November, Rolando Espinosa Sr., mayor of Albuera in the Leyte province in the Visayas region, was reportedly killed in his jail cell during a gunfight with police. Espinosa and another inmate allegedly fired at officers raiding their cell for suspected illegal firearms, according to the Philippine Inquirer. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon questioned the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Parojinog and Espinosa, both of whom were killed during predawn raids. "Why are search warrants, served before dawn as in the cases of Mayor Espinosa and now, Mayor Parojinog, result(ing) in the deaths of the persons being searched? Both are tagged as drug lords. Too much of a coincidence?" Drilon said in a statement, according to Rappler. Just a week before Espinosa's death, another small-town mayor, Samsudin Dimaukom, was killed in what authorities said was a gun battle with law enforcement. Police said Dimaukom and his men fired at officers who had set up a checkpoint after receiving reports that the mayor and others were on their way to transport illegal drugs, according to CNN Philippines. Duterte has publicly linked all three mayors to the drug trade. The controversial president, known to use expletives during interviews and speeches, ran on a promise to eradicate his country's long-standing problem with drugs. More than 7,000 deaths have been reported from July 1, 2016, after Duterte took office, to Jan. 21, according to police. Many of the deaths reportedly occurred during police confrontation, but thousands were carried out by vigilantes. Human rights groups and Western governments have strongly criticized the drug war, citing lack of due process and killings that largely targeted the poor. "We should be clear what an extrajudicial killing or execution is: It is the purposeful killing of a person by governmental authorities without the sanction of any judicial proceeding. No arrest. no warrant. No judge. No jury. Simply, murder," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said during a recent hearing in Congress on Duterte's drug war. McGovern also said that someone with Duterte's abysmal human rights record should not be invited to the United States. President Donald Trump stirred controversy in the spring when he invited Duterte to the White House. In response, Duterte lashed out at McGovern, as he has often done at his critics, including former president Barack Obama. "There will never be a time that I will go to America during my term or even thereafter. So what makes that guy think I'll go to America? I've seen America, and it's lousy," Duterte told reporters, referring to McGovern. MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that the U.S. diplomatic missions in Moscow and elsewhere in the country will have to reduce their staffs by 755 people, signaling a significant escalation in the Russian response to American sanctions over the Kremlin's intervention in the 2016 presidential election. The United States and Russia have expelled dozens of each other's diplomats before - but Sunday's statement, made by Putin in an interview with the Rossiya-1 television channel, indicated the single largest forced reduction in embassy staff, comparable only to the closing of the American diplomatic presence in the months following the Communist revolution in 1917. In the interview, Putin said that the number of American diplomatic and technical personnel will be capped at 455 - equivalent to the number of their Russian counterparts working in the United States. Currently, close to 1,200 employees work at the United States' embassy and consulates in Russia, according to U.S. and Russian data. "More than a thousand employees - diplomats and technical employees - have worked and are still working in Russia these days," Putin told journalist Vladimir Solovyov on a nationally televised news show Sunday evening. "Some 755 of them will have to terminate their activity." Putin's remarks came during a 31/2-day trip by Vice President Pence to Eastern Europe to show U.S. support for countries that have chafed at interference from Moscow - Estonia, Georgia and Montenegro. "The president has made it very clear that Russia's destabilizing activities, its support for rogue regimes, its activities in Ukraine are unacceptable," Pence said, when asked by reporters in Tallinn, Estonia, whether he expects Trump to sign the sanctions. "The president made very clear that very soon he will sign the sanctions from the Congress of the United States to reinforce that. "As we make our intentions clear, we expect Russian behavior to change." On Sunday night, a senior State Department official said, "The Russian government has demanded the U.S. Mission to Russia limit total Mission staffing to 455 employees by September 1. This is a regrettable and uncalled for act. We are assessing the impact of such a limitation and how we will respond to it." The Kremlin had said Friday, as the Senate voted to strengthen sanctions on Russia, that some American diplomats would be expelled, but the size of the reduction is dramatic. It covers the main embassy in Moscow, as well as missions in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok. The U.S. Embassy in Russia has been unable to provide exact numbers on the number of staff it employs in Russia. But according to a 2013 review by the State Department, of 1,200 employees of the American Mission in Moscow, 333 were U.S. nationals and 867 were foreign nationals, many of them probably local Russian support staff, including drivers, electricians, accountants and security guards. That would suggest that the majority of the 755 who must be cut would not be expelled from the country. "This is a landmark moment," Andrei Kolesnikov, a journalist for the newspaper Kommersant who regularly travels with Putin and has interviewed him extensively over the past 17 years, told the Post in an interview Friday. "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 government is also seizing two diplomatic properties - a dacha, or country house, in a leafy neighborhood in Moscow and a warehouse - following the decision by the Obama administration in December to take possession of two Russian mansions in the United States. The move comes as it has become apparent that Russia has abandoned its hopes for better relations with the United States under the Trump administration. "I think retaliation is long, long overdue," deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said Sunday on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." "We have a very rich toolbox at our disposal," Ryabkov said. "After the Senate . . . voted so overwhelmingly on a completely weird and unacceptable piece of legislation, it was the last drop." Hours later, Putin said during his evening interview that he expected relations between the United States and Russia to worsen and that Russia was likely to come up with other measures to counter American financial sanctions, which were passed by the House and Senate last week and which President Trump has said he will sign. The reduction in U.S. diplomatic and technical staff is a response to President Obama's expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats in December in response to the alleged Russian hacking of the mail servers of the Democratic National Committee. The United States also revoked access to two Russian diplomatic compounds on Maryland's Eastern Shore and on Long Island. American officials said they were used for intelligence collection. It is not yet clear how the State Department will reduce its staff in Russia. Some of the local staff were hired to help with a significant expansion of the U.S. embassy compound in Moscow. After the State Department, the next largest agency presence in Moscow in the 2013 review belonged to the Defense Department, which had 26 employees working for the Defense Intelligence Agency (20 of them U.S. nationals) and 10 working for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (of whom nine were U.S. nationals). The Library of Congress had two U.S. staff and two foreign staff, and NASA had eight U.S. staff and four foreign staff members. There were 24 Marine security guards. The move increases the likelihood of new, perhaps asymmetrical reprisals by the United States in coming days. Michael McFaul, former ambassador to Russia, tweeted Sunday: "If these cuts are real, Russians should expect to wait weeks if not months to get visas to come to US." --- Ashley Parker in Tallinn, Estonia, and Madhumita Murgia in Washington contributed to this report. Devastated family members remained on scene after the body of a 55-year old woman who went missing Friday morning on a hike with her husband in Sam Houston National Forest was found. The family of Theresa Kirkpatrick found her body about 10:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Capt. Bryan Carlisle. Michael Kiser, Theresa's brother, described his sister as a loving person always willing to help. However, he said his sister would not have "been out here in these woods" with her medical conditions. "So don't go out in the woods, she don't go hiking, so don't go out of her yard," Kiser told media adding Theresa's husband Allen told him where they could find her body. "Somebody took my sister from me. There is no reason, she never hurt anybody. "She was loved by many friends and her family. She didn't deserve what happened to her." Kiser is hoping to learn what happened in the woods that lead to his sister's death. The Walker County Sheriff's Office has taken over the investigation since Theresa was found in Walker County. MCSO and Texas Parks and Wildlife are continuing to assist with the search. A cause of death has not been determined, but Carlisle said the woman suffered from diabetes. Kirkpatrick was hiking in the forest with her 51-year-old husband Allen Kirkpatrick when the two were separated around 8:30 a.m. Her husband searched for her until about 4 p.m. when he reported her missing to another person, authorities said. Allen remains hospitalized after suffering from heat exhaustion Friday. No other details were available. The incident remains under investigation. "Am I strong enough to beat this cancer?" I wonder if Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., asked himself this question when he was diagnosed recently with a deadly glioblastoma brain tumor. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 1984, that question was certainly at the top of my own list. Just 26 at the time, I was pretty much untested: My greatest challenges so far had been taking the SATs and coming out as a gay man. I certainly was no John McCain, who has survived five years of torture as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, three bouts with melanoma (one of the deadliest of cancers) and three decades in the Senate. If anyone has the strength to prevail over cancer, it's McCain. But is strength, or toughness - or any personality trait - really what it takes? At the time of my diagnosis, a friend gave me a best-selling book, "Getting Well Again," that asked this hard question: "Why do some patients get well and others die when the prognosis is the same for both?" I found the answer deeply upsetting: The authors had identified a "cancer personality (that) can contribute to the onset and progress of cancer." In other words, the onus was on me. If I failed, I had no one to blame but myself. This theory of personality has been much on my mind since McCain's diagnosis became public. Emerging from the outpouring of tweets and statements that followed was the notion that the senator is a warrior par excellence who will surely win his latest battle. For example, Vice President Mike Pence tweeted, "Cancer picked on the wrong guy" because he is "a fighter." Pence's comment reminded me of another book, "The Type C Connection: The Behavioral Links to Cancer and Your Health,"which argues that the personality traits of some people make them prone to cancer. Typically, "Type C" individuals are the antithesis of warriors: They are unassertive people-pleasers who repress their emotions. Warrior or people-pleaser, these character-driven approaches suggest that you are responsible for your outcome. Both are just wrong. "There's been pushback against the idea that this warrior mentality is necessary for a successful outcome," Rohan Ramakrishna, a neurosurgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York who specializes in brain tumors, told me in a phone interview. Putting it bluntly, Ramakrishna said, "Your response to treatment is a biological one, not a psychological one." Instead of focusing on McCain's character traits, Ramakrishna prefers that we take notice of his highly supportive family and that he is being treated by a top team at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, one of the country's best cancer facilities. (McCain's generous congressional health plan is also a likely factor in securing top treatment, which is correlated with longevity.) People use warrior metaphors with good intentions, Ramakrishna explained, but the unfortunate flip side is the implication that it's your own fault if the cancer comes back, or if you die. Those who triumph over more-curable diseases, such as cancers that have effective treatments, aren't tougher than those facing glioblastoma - it's just that the odds are more in their favor. "You don't want people to think that their outcome is in their hands," he said. "If someone's cancer progresses, it's a failure of our treatments, plain and simple." Ramakrishna's assertion reminded me of my friend Jacqueline Zinn, who at 55 was diagnosed with the same kind of brain cancer as McCain's. A wife, a mother of four and a triathlete, Jacquie left no stone unturned in her quest to beat glioblastoma. Over 18 months, she underwent brain surgery, two rounds of radiation, two courses of chemotherapy, and the Gamma Knife's virtual "slice and dice." After the cancer recurred, as glioblastoma almost always does, Jacquie summoned a remarkable inner power - a strength - as she canceled credit cards, gave away her clothes, taught her husband how to pay the bills, wrote future letters to all her kids and planned her memorial service. Jacquie was tough, determined and hopeful - yes, a warrior. But still, she lost the battle against her brain tumor. Ramakrishna's words echo: "If someone's cancer progresses, it's a failure of our treatments, plain and simple. ... Ultimately, the response of cancer to our treatments is biological and not psychological." John McCain, like Jacquie, may be a fighter, but the biological process will play out as it will. And nobody will think any less of his warrior spirit if this usually fatal cancer prevails. Stepan Shakaryan is a famous jazz and classical composer who studied at conservatories in Yerevan, Moscow and Leningrad (St. Petersburg). Shakaryan is the only Armenian student of Aram Khachatryan. Theres a star in his name on Yerevans Teryan Street. Regardless of the weather, you can meet the 81-year-old composer walking briskly down the streets in the center of Yerevan. He strikes an imposing figure with his Caucasian eagle nose, large eyeglasses and inviting smile. If he sees a smiling face, he greets them like an old acquaintance and keeps on strolling. Shakaryans gait reminds one of the Vinik penguin, from the famous Armenian Pingvinashen cartoon, walking in the cold Antarctica. Shakaryan wrote Vinik's song. Stepan Shakaryan is frank, like a child in a conversation. He recounts, in all humility, that he wrote one of his famous works, Retro Quintet, for just $500. I agreed to meet the composer at Yerevans Mashtots Avenue, not far from his home. He comes 3 minutes earlier the agreed time and jokes, "I want to become a German." We talked about the following topics. Yerevan "The past-present-future ties are broken in Armenia. Our nation survived in the USSR; Yerevan became a city. When my mother brought her three children from Baku to Yerevan, there were only three streets here - Astafyan, Alaverdyan and Nalbandyan. There was no city as such. There were separate buildings - the Opera House, the current National Assembly building, the Matenadaran, and so on. Tamanyan was building a museum town from Armenian tuff stone. Foreigners were impressed. They were coming from different countries to see what the tuff stone was. Then everything changed. I dont want to criticize, but. Theres too much noise in the city now. The buildings are heaped one atop another. The yards are filled with cars. Walking has become difficult. 90% of the citys residents, with their mentality and perspective, are villagers. And the real residents of the city - the educated and intelligent ones - have emigrated. " Self-Education "I have received an excellent academic education. At the same time, I believe that self-education has given me more. Today, the youth is being preached about academic education. To get a real education, you need to learn the history and find yourself there. In Moscow, there was a library named after Lenin, formerly the house of Count Razumovsky. There were books that were not given to anyone. Then, they saw that I was a crazy person and allowed me to take those books. I gave chocolate bars to the library staff as gifts. They allowed me to enter the library on my own to study those forbidden books. I dont say that today's youth isnt educated. But times have changed, and we live in the 21st century with the approaches of the 19th century. Its unacceptable. " The Homeland Emigration is similar to genocide. It's not the same thing, but it's just as sad. When I told Aram Khachatryan that I was coming back to Armenia, he got enraged and said I couldnt do that. Because he was clairvoyant. He could foresee the present. [Khachatryan was born inTiflis, Shakaryan in Baku] Today's students are still young, but after receiving their diplomas, they have to make a living and survive. Many people want to leave Armenia. But I think artists should live in their homeland. They shouldnt become captives of another country. Many have gone, living in different ways, just to survive. I have been invited to many different places - Washington, London, Luxembourg. I was even invited to lead the Georgian jazz band. I refused. I have my own country. Josef Strzygowski was a famous Polish-Austrian art historian who wrote a few volumes about Armenian architecture. He has an article in which he says that the influence of the Armenian architecture on the world architecture is infinite. Now we are like a patchwork. Honorifics I am surprised that I still bear the title of Distinguished Artist. Those having a level far below me have that title too. I dont care about titles. The continuation of art traditions; thats whats important to me. I feel bad when I visit Yerevans Vernisage open-air market. Our artists resolve their financial issues there. Isnt it dreadful? For years, our culture ministers have ignored art. Penguin Vinik's Song In 1970, the director of the cartoon, Stepan Andranikyan, called and asked me to go to their house. He lived next to the Pioneer Cinema. When I went there, he said he needed a song for Pingvinashen. He showed me the words. I took out my notebook and immediately wrote down the notes. That was 47 years ago. Children still sing it. The Creator Every morning I approach the window and say thank you to the Creator. People call him God - let it be so. The Creator gives me oxygen every day, he solves the issue of survival. I have become a religious person, because when a window closes, another one opens up. I am grateful. Do you know how many kind telephone calls Ive received today? Im grateful for that kindness. What Fascinates Stepan Shakaryan Village women fascinate me. They boil the milk, add some starter culture, and it turns into yoghurt. This is a philosophy, you know. Adding some yeast turns the milk into yoghurt. This is a symbol of solidarity. I wish we had some starter culture in our country to make yoghurt. Kindness People even dream about money. If we have no more oxygen tomorrow, what will happen to us? We hear about catastrophes taking place every day. There are silver and gold mines everywhere. Evil destroys the world. Jesus Christ says, But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. This is a philosophy, not a religion. Only kindness will save us. Nothing else. From Stepan Shakaryan's works: "The Moon on the Mountains" From Bingyol to Kansas City "On the Wave of Blues" This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate On the morning of July 30, 2016, Patricia Morgan was enjoying a stream of text messages from her daughter and granddaughter, Lorilee and Paige Brabson, who were gleefully taking photos of a giant hot air balloon that was about to ferry them across the Texas sky. Their balloon ride with pilot Alfred Skip Nichols was a bucket-list adventure the family had always dreamed of. I wish I could be there, Morgan told them. But within hours, Morgans pleasant day became a nightmare of panicked phone calls about a balloon crash in Texas, a growing sense of dread as she tried to find out what happened, and the devastating realization that her precious daughter and granddaughter were killed with fourteen others when their balloon struck power lines near Lockhart. An arc of 345,000 volts of electricity had severed the balloons metal cables. The wicker gondola plummeted to the ground and burned in a rural field. Sixteen people. Gone. It was the deadliest balloon crash in U.S. history. RELATED: Investigation into balloon crash shows FAA did nothing to improve safety A year later, relatives of the victims are still grappling with the horrific tragedy as they deal with grief, raise orphaned children who will never see their parents again, and try to make sure no one else suffers the same fate on a balloon ride. Something has to be done so that other families do not have to endure the pain that we have had to, Morgan said. Family members of the victims have become harsh critics of the hot air balloon industry and the Federal Aviation Administration. Morgan is among the most outspoken. A retired purchasing manager and supervisor with Colorado Springs Utilities, Morgan, 68, launched a White House petition calling for greater federal oversight of balloon pilots and sought help from Texas lawmakers. She praised Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for responding to her concerns and filing a bill that would require medical exams for commercial balloon pilots. Unlike other pilots, balloon pilots dont have to undergo medical exams, take drug tests or carry accident insurance. Yet balloons arent any safer than other aircraft. An investigation of the hot air balloon industry published earlier this year by the San Antonio Express-News found that hot air balloons suffer similar fatality rates compared to privately owned planes and helicopters. And the overall crash rate was twice as high for balloons 15 crashes per 100,000 flight hours compared to seven crashes per 100,000 flight hours for other types of general aviation aircraft. In the past year, Morgan and other family members have been shocked by revelations about Nichols, and they blame the FAA for failing to stop him from flying. At a Dec. 9 federal hearing in Washington, the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash and plans to present its findings in October, released documents that show Nichols suffered from a long list of ailments such as depression and chronic pain that should have raised red flags at the FAA but the agency didnt know about his illnesses. On the day of the crash, the pilot had a cocktail of prescription medications in his system that included Prozac, Valium and the painkiller oxycodone. Warning labels on several of the drugs warn users not to operate heavy machinery. RELATED: Heartbreaking selfies emerge of worst hot air balloon crash in U.S. history Nichols had moved to Texas after being arrested for a string of DWI and drug offenses. Legally, he couldnt drive a car because his drivers license was revoked. Yet the FAA allowed him to keep a commercial pilots certificate. I was beyond flabbergasted, said Sue Rowan, whose son, Matt, and his wife, Sunday, were killed in the crash. The newlyweds from San Antonio had married five months earlier. Matt Rowan was a professor at Trinity University and chief of clinical trials at Brooke Army Medical Center overseeing burns and trauma research. They were aware of this man and his problems, and they just turned their back on it, Rowan said of Nichols and the FAA. I think 15 people lost their lives because the FAA turned their back on it. Rejected recommendations The FAA resisted years of efforts to strengthen oversight of commercial balloon operations, saying their risk to the public is minimal. Officials havent budged from that position after the crash near Lockhart. The responsibility for aviation safety does not rest entirely with the FAA, the agency wrote in an April 19 letter to the NTSB that offered lessons learned from the crash. No regulations can completely ensure the safety of balloon passengers, the FAA says. Safety also depends on honest, diligent pilots. Pilots who consistently demonstrate willful noncompliance with federal aviation regulations pose a safety risk that cannot be controlled through additional regulations, the agency told the NTSB. More than three years before the crash, Wayne Phillips, an FAA inspector in Detroit, had proposed greater oversight for commercial balloon operators. Balloons were getting larger and larger, he said, which meant more passengers were at risk. The balloon Nichols piloted was more than nine stories tall and featured a gondola that could fit 16 passengers and the pilot enough to fill a small commuter plane. It may be of some surprise that the largest balloons carry more passengers than a Beech 1900 airliner, Phillips wrote in his proposal, which was circulated internally at the FAA but wasnt made public until after the crash near Lockhart. RELATED: Pilot was told conditions were dangerous before flight Meanwhile, the NTSB began to grow concerned about commercial balloons as well. Officials at the agency learned of Phillips and compared notes with him. In 2014, the NTSB recommended to the FAA that it should require letters of authorization for commercial balloon operations. The letters trigger the possibility of more FAA inspections and they mandate random drug tests for pilots and crew members. Known as LOAs, such measures are required of helicopter and aircraft tours but not balloons. The NTSBs recommendations are nonbinding. The FAA rejected it. Orphaned children At 5:45 a.m. on July 30, 2016, Nichols and his ground crew met the 15 passengers in a Walmart parking lot and drove to Fentress Airpark in Caldwell County where they were scheduled to take off. Six passengers were from the San Antonio area: The Brabsons, the Rowans and Brian and Tressie Neill, of Helotes. They all had children back at home. The youngest was Paige Brabsons baby girl, Marylee, who was nearing her first birthday. Lorilee Brabson had two children in addition to Paige: a teen-aged daughter, Grace, and an adult son, Andrew. Sunday Rowan had a 5-year-old son, Jett. Matt Rowan adored his stepson. The balloon ride was a present Sunday had bought her husband to celebrate their new life together. The Neills had two daughters: Sarah, 16, and Shelby, 20. The couple doted on the girls and enjoyed taking family vacations with them. Brian Neill wasnt a big risk-taker he didnt ride motorcycles or speed in traffic. But he worked up the courage to take Tressie on the balloon ride because he knew it would make her happy. Up early heading out for the anniversary surprise Brian's had planned for months! Tressie Neill wrote on Facebook that morning. I'm super excited! RELATED: Tributes pour in for San Antonio couple killed in balloon crash That morning, Nichols had called Lockheed Martin Flight Service for the weather forecast, which called for low-level clouds and the possibility of fog. Those clouds may be a problem for you, the weather briefer said. I dont know how low you want to stay but Well, we just fly in between them, Nichols replied. We find a hole and we go. Not one balloon expert who testified at the Dec. 9 safety hearing held by the NTSB said they would fly under such conditions. Other local balloon companies opted to stay put that day. But Nichols took off with the 15 passengers at 6:59 a.m. As predicted, fog started to roll in. One member of the ground crew later told NTSB investigators that he could see the gondola hanging under the low clouds but couldnt see the balloon itself. The ground crew lost sight of the balloon and started panicking. They tried calling Nichols and other passengers. No one answered. Faulty data The balloon traveled eight miles, drifting north with the wind. Passengers took photos of the stunning view. You see our shadow, one of them wrote in a text message with a photo of the balloons shadow falling on a cloud. Through a hole in the clouds, a tall, metal tower with power lines could be seen on the ground. At 7:42 a.m., for reasons that still arent clear, the balloon struck the power lines. Based on global positioning system data obtained from Nichols iPad, the balloon had been descending at 7:41 a.m., then began to climb just before impacting the power lines. A March 7 NTSB report about the balloons flight path noted there were inaccuracies in the GPS data some altitude readings on the balloons journey showed it was traveling below ground level. A conclusion cannot be made as to whether the balloon was in a climb or decent trend just prior to the accident, the report notes. But the Balloon Federation of America, the leading trade group for balloon pilots that opposes stricter federal regulations, used the flight data to conclude that Nichols was trying to climb over the power lines a dangerous maneuver. What Nichols should have done was follow the industry-standard practice of ripping out, or opening the deflation system to come to a hard landing and avoid the power lines at all costs, the federations president, Dean Carlton, wrote in a letter to the NTSB. This pilot was a free spirit who shunned advice and offers of support, Carlton told the NTSB. There is no record of him participating in safety seminars, joining industry organizations, or otherwise seeking additional knowledge, training, mentoring, or consultation with peers. The balloon had three propane burners, all of which were operable after the crash when NTSB investigators tested them. NTSB officials havent offered a definitive explanation as to why the crash happened. But the boards acting chairman, Robert Sumwalt, has repeatedly said its clear Nichols shouldnt have been allowed to fly. It really is alarming that this pilot was able to hang out a shingle and fly people for hire, Sumwalt told Senator Cruz at a senate hearing in June. On the morning of the crash, Margaret Wylie, who lives about a quarter mile way from the power lines, said she heard loud popping sounds and went outside to see why her dog was barking. She saw a column of flames in a nearby field and called 911. The Maxwell Volunteer Fire Department and Caldwell County sheriffs deputies were dispatched to what they thought was a vehicle on fire. It was a horrific scene, said Martin Ritchey, chief emergency management coordinator for Caldwell County. Once firefighters extinguished the flames, they initially counted 14 bodies but couldnt make sense of what happened the debris was unrecognizable at first. They finally realized it was an aviation crash when a sheriffs deputy spotted the remaining section of the balloon in another field. This was the single largest loss of life in Caldwell Countys history, Ritchey said. A nightmare That morning, Morgan was in Colorado, enjoying life as a retiree with her husband. She had seen the texts from her daughter and granddaughter that morning showing the giant balloon decorated with a smiley face with sunglasses. She wished she could have been there. But hours later, Morgan received a troubling phone call from Lorilees daughter, Grace. She was worried. No one had heard from Paige or Lorilee, and Paige was scheduled to work that day. They tried texting. They tried calling. No response. Then Grace called again, upset. There had been a balloon crash in Texas. But no one could tell them who was on board. There was no information just a growing sense of panic. Im really afraid, please dont hang up, Grace told her grandmother. I think its them. Morgan never got a knock on the door with official word that her loved ones had died. She finally pieced it together when she saw a CNN story with images of the downed balloon and the smiley face symbol with shades. Morgan checked her text messages to make sure. She saw the smiley face in the pictures Paige and Lorilee Brabson had texted her hours earlier. It was the same balloon. Over the past year, Morgan has mourned the loss of her daughter and granddaughter and worried about the children they left behind. And shes worried about the possibility of other balloon pilots like Nichols who might be flying passengers with little scrutiny from the FAA. He did everything that he shouldnt have been doing because he wasnt being monitored, Morgan said. How many pilots are out there like that? jtedesco@express-news.net PALO ALTO EL LLANO, Mexico Adan Lara Vegas work as a master bricklayer netted him a better salary than the farmhands in this rural town, but he struggled to put food on the table for his wife and two children. Work was intermittent, family members said as they stood outside his long, one-room house facing the pigsty, chicken coops and small fruit trees behind his parents house. When he could find jobs, the pay was meager. He wanted to eat better, to buy a better house, said his aunt, Rosalva Vega Tiscareno, There are days we dont eat. Earlier this month, Lara Vega boarded a bus and began what is a rite of passage for many young men in this region of central Mexico: The trip to the U.S. Illegal immigration from Mexico has plummeted in recent years, driven by a variety of factors, but that didnt stop Lara Vega and at least 13 other men from the central Mexican state of Aguascalientes from taking buses to the border and crossing the Rio Grande, where they boarded a tractor-trailer that would take them to San Antonio. Smugglers there were supposed to take them to other destinations, in his case Florida. Instead, Lara Vega and 28 others ended up in San Antonio hospitals. Ten others died in the oppressive, suffocating heat in the unventilated trailer, which was stuffed with as many as 100 immigrants. The smugglers picked up some of them before police arrived at the Walmart parking lot on the Southwest Side where the truck parked. The truck driver, James Matthew Bradley Jr., 60, was charged with smuggling immigrants and faces up to life in prison or the death penalty. Tiny Aguascalientes, population 1.3 million, is disproportionately represented in the number of people who leave Mexico for the U.S. each year, driven in part by the poverty here and in part by the states history of exporting labor abroad, going back to a WWII program that legally imported labor. In the towns surrounding the state capital, also called Aguascalientes, the impact of this decades-long chain of migration are easy to see. In Palo Alto el Llano, population about 5,000, nicer homes of those with family members in the U.S. rise above the squat concrete and adobe houses lining the mostly dirt roads. In Calvillo, a historic city of 60,000 about 50 miles west of here whose center is crowded with tourists even on a weekday, the legacy of family members in the U.S. can be seen every Monday, when families line up at the bank for remittances, or during the December guava festival, when the large, American-made trucks of the nortenos home for the holidays can be seen on the city streets, officials said. News of what happened after Lara Vega and the 13 others from Aguascalientes crossed the border sent a shock through this region because of how many here were affected. Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez Macias, 42, said her husband has been in Florida for 13 years. Her sons, who are 18 and 24 years old, want to join him. They want to go look for their father, she said. Im afraid because of what happened in San Antonio. But stories of tragic deaths on the trip to the U.S., whether while crossing the cartel-controlled territory near the border, swimming the Rio Grande or hiking through the inhospitable landscape in the American Southwest, are commonplace. If we dont create opportunities, people will continue risking their lives to get a life of dignity they are looking for, said Gabriel Hernandez, Palo Alto el Llanos city manager who himself crossed to the U.S. illegally, became a legal resident, lived there 20 years and graduated college before returning to his home town last year. There have been so many tragedies in the past, and people keep doing it. Border Patrol agents caught fewer than 200,000 people from Mexico crossing illegally into the U.S. last year, down from nearly 1 million in 2006. In that time, the U.S. housing market collapsed, the Border Patrol doubled, 650 miles of border fencing were constructed, Mexicos birthrate continued a decades-long decline and economic opportunity increased in Mexico. Yet Aguascalientes sits in the midst of a region, including the states of Michoacan, Guanajuato, Jalisco and Zacatecas, that has a long history of sending young men abroad to work. Many here go to the U.S. and Canada on temporary visas that allow them to work seasonal jobs. Many more take the dangerous journey to the U.S. illegally. The migration began in the 1940s with the Bracero Program that was enacted by the U.S. government to replace the millions of workers who left their jobs to serve in the military during WWII. Arnulfo Silva Rodriguez, 79, said he went to the U.S. nearly a dozen times as a bracero, starting in 1958. After the program was canceled in the 1960s, he came as many times illegally. Back then, he could cross the river unmolested and walk until he could catch a ride to whatever city needed willing hands. Now theres a lot of crime, he said. There werent cholos (gang members), there werent sicarios (hit men). Now they charge you for crossing the river. Those who cant afford the fee are often kidnapped and sometimes tortured until their families pay ransom. What started with the bracero program morphed into a co-dependence between the two countries. Families in Mexico relied on jobs north of the border and U.S. employers became accustomed to the steady supply of cheap labor, said Doris Meissner, a former commissioner of the now-defunct U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and a senior fellow with the Migration Policy Institute. When the bracero program ended, the relationship continued illegally. Meanwhile, the opportunities to come to the U.S. legally are limited. The wait times for some family visas stretch back decades - in June the State Department was issuing visas for the Mexican citizen children and siblings of U.S. citizens whod applied in the 1990s - and employers complain of an onerous process to bring in legal laborers when they cant find U.S. citizens and legal residents willing to do the work. Todays historically low levels of illegal border crossings are a significant accomplishment, Meissner wrote in an email. But it is unrealistic to expect zero illegal crossings. Enforcement must be combined with a modernized immigration system that makes legal entry more widely available to meet legitimate labor market demands. The lure of the North In Calvillos quiet outskirts, just a few minutes drive from the hubbub of the city center where tourists from around Mexico eat guava ice cream and pose for pictures in a well-kept plaza, Mario Ramirez Mendez, 24, took the same path as the men from Palo Alto el Llano, ending up on the same tractor-trailer to San Antonio. Like Lara Vega, Ramirez was hospitalized after police were called to the Walmart parking lot early on the morning of July 23, then held in a detention facility by U.S. marshals as a material witness against Bradley. Tears streamed down the face of Jesus Ramirez Gutierrez, Ramirez Mendezs father, as he explained that hed had no word from his son for days and knew only that hed been released from the hospital. His son worked in bricklaying. Other young men who work in the surrounding ranches, dairy farms and terraced guava orchards are called peones, a term with feudal connotations. Here, they have very little, so they go looking for a better life, Ramirez Gutierrez, 74, said. Closer to the central square, Jose Antonio Gonzalez de Loera, 44, made a decent life for his three children with a family-run business that buys milk from nearby farms and produces cheese that they sell wholesale. He has a two-story house with a carport for his Ford pickup. That didnt stop his son Antonio, who he wanted only identified by first name because the 20-year-old was not detained by immigration authorities, from leaving for the U.S. On the night of July 22, Antonio called his family frantically from inside the trailer, describing the heat and the lack of air. He later told his mother that he lost consciousness, woke up a strangers house in San Antonio and made it to Colorado with another man whod been in the trailer with him. Antonio had enjoyed working with cattle since he was a young man, and his family was better off than most, but he was frustrated with the lack of opportunity in Calvillo. He didnt want to do any more than work and have a house here, Gonzalez said. But all he could find was work in the countryside. Calvillo city officials noted that with the money immigrants raise and borrow to be smuggled into the country, as much as $7,000, they could open a business and take on something more than farm labor. Low pay in factories Aguascalientes, one of the safest states in the country, doesnt have the same security problems as some of those nearby and the capital is home to new manufacturing jobs, including two Nissan plants. But investment in the city has passed over rural areas still suffering from agricultural reforms in the latter part of the 20th century and industrialized farming brought on by NAFTA, said Maria Eugenia Perea Velazquez, a professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes whos studied migration in the region, including in Calvillo. The return on the investment can be much greater for those who make it to the U.S., She called the decades-long history of migration in the area cultural, and said few here want to open a small store or work six-day weeks of 12-hour shifts at the local factories to make in a week what they could make in a day north of the border. As Hernandez, the city manager in Palo Alto el Llano put it, Companies from other countries move into our territories because the payment they offer our workers is low. Thats the reason they move into Mexico. A good-paying factory job offers 1,500 pesos, a little less than $85, a week, he said. I love my country, Hernandez said. If I could make the same amount of money here, I wouldnt have to move to the U.S. He said it doesnt make sense for the U.S. to spend so much money enforcing its borders when its farms and factories are encouraging foreign labor to enter the country illegally. The U.S. and Canada, they need people to work in their fields, he said. Why not do it legally? The cycle of migration has its negative impacts, Perea said. Areas with high emigration to the U.S. are reliant on remittances and lack young adults who would be contributing to the economy. Many children grow up in single-pare homes, and as soon as young men come of age they follow their fathers to the U.S. She said two-thirds of the population in Calvillo lives in poverty, but emigration to the U.S. isnt limited to the poor. There are middle-class families in Calvillo that have a tradition of emigrating to the United States, Perea said. For them, the dream is to go to the United States, buy a truck, send back dollars, meet a girl and marry her. Part of the blame, she said, goes to Mexicos government, which tolerates human smuggling and trafficking, and does little to help communities stuck in the cycle of migration. In some states, nongovernmental organizations have found success creating cooperatives, often involving the women who are left behind, to create economies not reliant on emigration to the U.S., Perea said. New government administrations, however, are too quick to throw out their predecessors programs and start anew. Reform needed For groups that advocate for allowing more legal immigration, the answer is expanding visas to address what they say is both a humanitarian issue of those in nearby countries and an economic issue in the U.S., where labor is needed. Todays visa quotas were set in 1990, and both immigration patterns and the economy have changed immensely since then, said Michelle Mittelstadt, the Migration Policy Institutes director of communications. MPI has long been on the record that there must be flexibility in the system that allows for the upward or downward adjustment of visas based on actual labor market needs, Mittelstadt wrote in an email. The institute advocates creating a permanent, non-partisan commission staffed with labor market and immigration experts, economists, and other specialists that would advise Congress and the administration annually on what employment-based immigration needs are, based on deep review of labor market sectors at U.S. and local levels. Congress hasnt reformed immigration for nearly two decades, and President Donald Trump used immigration enforcement as a major campaign platform, allying himself with organizations that want to decrease all immigration to the U.S., legal and illegal. Even if we doubled or tripled or quadrupled legal immigration or guest-worker programs, which is a highly unlikely change to the law, still we would not be able to accommodate all the people in the world who would want to come here, Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, one such restrictionist groups, wrote in an email. The demand would not be satisfied, so people would still pay smugglers. Illegal immigration is not a force of nature that cannot be controlled, Vaughan added. We will never stop it completely, but we can reduce it dramatically by forcing more employers to stop hiring illegal workers, by investigating and prosecuting the smugglers, by controlling the physical border and do a better job screening people coming through the ports of entry, by having robust interior enforcement, by denying access to benefits like drivers licenses and welfare programs. For Lara Vega in Palo Alto el Llano, the nuances of Mexicos struggles to address poverty in rural areas and the failure of the U.S. immigration system boiled down to something more basic. They want dollars, Vega Tiscareno, the aunt of Lara Vega, said of the young men who leave for the U.S. Theres plenty of work. Its the American dream. To improve your life. To eat. A VIA bus crashed into a downtown medical building Saturday morning after being hit by a vehicle, officials said. VIA spokeswoman Rachel Benavidez confirmed the accident occurred at about 10 a.m. at the intersection of Quincy and Lexington streets. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Police on Thursday arrested a 21-year-old San Antonio man in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in the parking lot of a South Side motel. Michael Paul Reyes, faces a charge of murder. He remains in the Bexar County Jail on a $100,00 bond. RELATED: Converse teen began sexually assaulting relative when victim was 6-years-old, police say Reyes is the second suspect to be arrested in the murder case. According to his arrest affidavit, an accomplice, Phillip Munoz, was previously arrested in connection with the murder. The two are accused of fatally shooting Albert Lynn Callahan, 21, around 10:45 p.m. on Jan. 28, at a Days Inn in the 13800 block of Interstate 37. Police say Reyes shot Callahan during a drug deal gone bad. The pair had gone to the motel to allegedly sell Callahan two ounces of weed. Munoz, who has also been charged with murder, later told police that Callahan attacked him as he sat in the passenger seat of Reyes' Chrysler 300. Reyes, who was in the driver's seat, then shot Callahan, according to the arrest affidavit. The two fled the scene, and Callahan was later pronounced dead, police said. RELATED: Suspect shot after opening fire on 3 police officers on West Side Police said they were able to tie Munoz to the scene through his Facebook profile and his cell phone data. According to Reyes's arrest affidavit, Munoz and Callahan had communicated through Facebook messenger to set up the alleged drug deal. Police tried to interview Reyes about the shooting on March 26, but he refused to talk and requested an attorney. Officers later arrested Munoz, who named Reyes as the shooter during an interview on July 12. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com cdowns@mysa.com Twitter: @calebjdowns A vehicle came crashing into the yard of a West Side home after the driver's brake pedal became obstructed by a high heel, San Antonio police report. Officers responded to the corner of West Cesar Chavez and Nueces streets around 9:10 a.m. where they found an SUV had crashed into the yard of the home. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A San Antonio man accused of stealing paintings from a neighbor left them lying around in his parents' backyard, according to police. Javier Martinez, 29, was arrested Wednesday evening by San Antonio police in a tent in his parents' backyard. He was held on a $10,000 bond. RELATED: S.A. man allegedly involved in drive-by that killed 4-year-old has lengthy criminal history A resident in the 900 block of Rivas Street told police their home was burglarized twice, first on July 20 and again on July 23, authorities said. In the first break-in, a pressure washer and table saw were taken from the garage. The second time, the residents lost skateboards, paint supplies and paintings valued at more than $3,000, according to an affidavit. One of the burglarized residents told police she could see one of the stolen paintings in a nearby backyard, the affidavit said. When officers checked out the home, they reportedly found the stolen property and found Martinez in the tent. His mother told police he has been living there, despite her filing a criminal trespassing warning against him. Martinez told police he did not commit the burglary, but accepted the stolen goods from someone else. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com fsabawi@mysa.com Twitter: @FaresInSA The events of 9/11 inflicted a terrible injury on our nation, and many years later, that wound has festered with terrible infections: hate, intolerance, suspicion and xenophobia. As a turban-wearing Sikh, Ive seen and experienced a lot of this firsthand and so have my friends and family. Five years ago, the Sikh community was pushed into the national spotlight when a white supremacist a domestic terrorist killed six Sikhs in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. They were killed because they looked different. Racial and religious hatred has a long history in this country, and its as big a problem now as ever. The 2012 attack on the Sikhs stemmed from ignorance, which grew into fear, which escalated into hate. Instead of seeing his targets as the innocent American Sikhs they were, the attacker saw them as the enemy simply because of their appearance. We all agree it is never OK to attack someone based on their looks or beliefs whether Muslim, Sikh or otherwise. And we can all see the dangers arising from not knowing about one anothers diverse cultures and backgrounds. Lets combat hatred by attacking the root of the problem: ignorance. As Americans, we should all know Sikhism is the worlds fifth-largest religion with its own traditions, prophets and places of worship. Maintaining uncut hair is a religious mandate for Sikhs, and the uncut hair is typically covered by a turban. This unique identity reflects a devotion to Sikh values, including equality, service and compassion. Its part of a physical identity that makes us stand out, so you can find us if you need help. For example, after the Oroville Dam Flood near Sacramento, Sikhs were the first to provide shelter, comfort and food while the victims started putting their lives back together. San Antonios diversity is its greatest strength, and our recognition of that helps keep us all safer and stronger. I credit this to entities such as the University of Texas at San Antonios Institute of Texan Cultures, which champions diversity and offers a forum where the voices of all immigrants can be heard. Those who pass along the stories have contributed to battle against ignorance. Those who attended events such as Cultural Conversations and the Texas Folklife Festival have learned about immigrant and minority communities, and come to appreciate and respect them. Sikhs have been part of the American fabric for more than a century, and we have been in Texas for about as long. We love being part of these communities. And we have one request for all of you. In a context where people around the country are being attacked for looking or being different, lets all work together in San Antonio to set an example for the rest of the nation, helping ensure that nothing like the 2012 massacre of Sikhs in Oak Creek ever happens again. GP Singh is the former CEO of Karta Technologies. He is president of the Sikh Dharamsal, a Sikh community center in northern San Antonio. By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She now spends much of her time in Asia and is currently working on a book about textile artisans. The chair of the Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC), Jay Clayton, who assumed his position in May, has lost no time in signing onto a deregulatory agenda, as I discussed most recently in Doubling Down on Deregulation: SEC Extends JOBS Act Benefit in Elusive Quest to Goose IPO Market. As its website spells out, the SEC has a tripartite mission: to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation, according to this basic summary, What We Do, and Clayton pledged in his confirmation hearings to focus on the third, capital formation objective. Regulatory Priorities Like other federal agencies, the SEC is required to submit its regulatory agenda to the Congressional Budget Office twice each year. The WSJ reported earlier this month in Regulators Drop Pursuit of Banker, CEO Pay Restrictions: Several regulators have dropped pursuit of a long-running plan to restrict bonuses on Wall Street, as part of a wider effort to stop working on unfinished rules put in place after the financial crisis. The six agencies delivered a new proposal in April 2016, but that was too late to push through a final version of the rule before President Donald Trump took office in January. New regulatory agendas unveiled Thursday by the SEC and others show leaders excluded any mention of the restrictions, including longer deferment periods for bonuses and the amount of time payouts are subject to potential clawbacks. The proposal had targeted executives at some of the nations largest financial firms, including investment managers and mortgage-finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the stiffest rules were reserved for big banks. Now, this doesnt exactly come as news to anyone whos been paying attention, as I wrote last year in Mary Jo White Leaves Behind a Weakened SEC for Trump to Weaken Further. The ability to pursue a firm deregulatory agenda including ignoring or punting on incomplete initiatives would be seriously complicated if the SEC under previous chairs Mary Shapiro and Mary Jo White had been more vigorous in pressing the agency to make rules. Its far easier not to make rules than it would be to rescind those already in place. Instead, failure to complete regulation in a timely way has handed off an unfinished agenda fto a Clayton-headed SEC. And even before that, I should point out that according to the WSJ account: The SECs updated agenda was crafted in the spring, when an acting executive, Michael Piwowar, ran the commission. Mr. Piwowar, who is back to serving as an SEC commissioner, said earlier this year that he wouldnt prioritize Dodd-Frank rules. The WSJ article also mentions some other significant omissions from the SEC regulatory agenda as set forth when Piwowar was de facto in charge: The newly released SEC agenda also dropped mention of a rule that would require public companies to disclose a standardized metric comparing executive pay with stock performance. It also omits any mention of other unfinished Dodd-Frank rules that govern trading of swaps, a type of contract that allows investors to bet on asset prices without owning the underlying stock or bond. The global swaps market is dominated by large banks such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Citigroup Inc. . The list also dropped two measures that began under former SEC Chairman Mary Jo White, who was appointed by Mr. Obama. One rule would make it easier for shareholders to vote on board candidates nominated by investors, as opposed to the slate backed by the company. Another would have required companies to disclose more about the racial and gender diversity of corporate boards. Ms. White urged businesses to do more to recruit women and minorities to their boards, saying the low level of board diversity in the United States is unacceptable. What Will Clayton Do? Now, I admit that Im not sure exactly what the scope of the agenda will be that Clayton et al will pursue, going forward. Despite his record thus far, he might intend to take up some of these issues (or, for that matter, other pending or long-deferred issues, or even an entirely different set of issues entirely). In fact, I have written that though I myself wouldnt have chosen Clayton as my first choice candidate to head the agency, he certainly was much more qualified to hold his position than many other Trump appointees (see my posts, Taking on Trumps Agenda: Nine Tough Questions for SEC Chair Nominee Jay Clayton on the Eve of His Confirmation Hearings andTrump Selects Jay Clayton, S & C Partner, to Head SEC). As the WSJ points out: Mr. Clayton took office in May, so the agenda could further change in the fall when he issues an update. Lets assume for the sake of argument that Clayton does try and pursue some of these overdue rule makings (of course, as an aside, I must mention that to do this, Trump would likely need have to nominate other commissioners to fill the two empty SEC slots, and each would need to be confirmed, as Piwowar would almost certainly vote against any stringent new rules). But indulge me in my hypothetical: what if Clayton succeeded in getting the agency to make any tough new rules? Well, these would be vulnerable to being overturned by a hostile Congress, using the authority available under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Just last week, the House of Representatives passed a CRA resolution of disapproval repealing the the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau s (CFPB) mandatory arbitration ban, as I wrote in House Votes to Overturn CFPB Mandatory Arbitration Ban. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate, and once that is approved, as expected, Trump has pledged to sign the final bill, thus overturning the agencys ban. Once that happens, as Ive written in Trump and Congress Use Congressional Review Act to Roll Back 14 Midnight Rules; More to Follow?: Crucially and importantly, once the regulation has been successfully voided, the regulatory agency is barred from reviving the rule in substantially the same form foreverin the absence of new legislative authority. CRA authority is the gift that keeps on giving a sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of any regulators who choose to pursue any tough regulatory agency. Enforcement Agenda Its still too soon to expect the two new SEC co-directors of enforcement Steven Peikin and Stephanie Avakian to blaze a clear enforcement trial (although readers might want to refer for more background to my earlier post on this issue, Two Questions for the Next SEC Director of Enforcement). I did want to note, however, that the SEC announced two whistleblower settlements this week. In the first, made public on Tuesday, as reported by the FCPA.blog, SEC announces $2.5 million whistleblower award to government employee, announced Tuesday, the agency made its first ever award to an employee of a domestic agency which is elaborated on in the agencys award order In the second, announced on Thursday, the FCPA blog reported, SEC awards whistleblower $1.7 million; this award went to a company insider. The SEC usually takes a noisy victory lap whenever it makes an award and with the most recent award, has now awarded $158 million to 46 whistleblowers since the first award was granted in 2012. Readers wont be surprised to find that the full potential of the whistleblower program hasnt been tapped no doubt a feature, not a big, as I previously discussed in SEC Takes Victory Lap for Pathetic Performance of Whistleblower Program. Body&Kind is the only Health and Fitness event for women in Ireland, focusing on self care, fitness & food. A high energy inspiring one day event packed with nutritional and motivational talks, back to back fitness classes, cooking demo with expert nutritional therapist Sinead Bradbury, nourishing lunch and snacks, spot prizes, free goodie bag, free nutritional guide and more. Nutritional therapist favourite, Sinead Bradbury, together with her sister former Galway camogie All Star, Aislinn Connolly, have come together to create this event. Body&Kind will be taking over the Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel in Adare, Limerick on 17th September and will feature a stellar line up of fitness and nutrition master classes. You can expect - Food & Self Care master classes; Motivational health talk from Joe O'Connor of Ireland's Fittest Family; Back to back fitness classes; HIIT, strength classes, TRX, Barbell Burn, Ab & Core workouts, Power Pilates, Yoga, Spinning & Post Natal workouts; Live cooking demo; and Nutritious lunch and snacks. Body&Kind is a celebration of women! Our strength, power and unique bond. Body&Kind is about kindness to the bodies we own and to each other. Come along to this full day special health and fitness event. Alone or with your girlsquad. All levels of fitness welcome. Tickets cost 75 and are available now. You can purchase them by logging on to eventbrite.ie. Don't miss out on a great day! (Natural News) Fake science guru Neil deGrasse Tyson will have his voice featured in a new documentary film entitled Food Evolution that claims to provide an independent analysis of the facts on modern food. But a closer look reveals that the entire project is more of an advertising campaign for the chemical industry than it is an honest look at the science. On top of that, it embodies a silent partnership with convicted felon and domestic abuser Jon Entine of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH). Directed by Academy Award-nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy, Food Evolution claims to be objective when, in truth, its the exact opposite. Its intended purpose as an industry-messaging media vehicle is hardly a secret for anyone paying attention, as the film was devised back in 2014 by the Institute for Food Technologists (IFT), an industry trade group that profits from the cultivation and sale of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and their corresponding crop chemicals like glyphosate. As a matter of fact, IFT is funded in large part by big food corporations, and its president at the time when Food Evolution was first hatched in the idea lab was former DuPont and Monsanto executive Janet Collins. Collins has since moved up the corporate ladder even further, and now works for the pesticide trade association CropLife America. IFTs new President-Elect is Cindy Stewart, an employee at DuPont. While IFT hired Kennedy to direct the film, it maintained full control over its direction, which is unabashedly pro-GMO and pro-chemicals. Any science that deviates from this message is omitted from the films content, while anything and everything that might suggest that biotechnology and chemical poisons are necessary to produce food is lauded and praised as truth in the film. The films credibility suffers from their choice to embrace only the science and scientists who side with the chemical industry players who profit from GMOs and the chemicals used on them, while ignoring science and data that doesnt fit that agenda, writes Stacy Malken in an article published by U.S. Right to Know (USRTK). Jon Entines pro-chemical escapades shine throughout Food Evolution propaganda film The film ignores all sorts of pertinent facts, including the inherent dangers of Monsantos Roundup (glyphosate) herbicide, which is sprayed on upwards of 90 percent of all GMO crops. Not only does the film ignore the dangers of Roundup, but it even goes so far as to deny them, quoting an alleged farmer who states that the chemical poison has very, very low toxicity; lower than coffee, lower than salt. As far as Entines involvement with the film, his Genetic Literacy Project (GLP) is credited as having spearheaded the transition from the idea phase to production phase. In a 2014 planning call meeting, the minutes of which were obtained by USRTK, Entine stated that he would be able to garner a personal pledge of $100,000 from a private business person if the rest of the funding could be obtained from elsewhere. Entine is the same corporate propagandist and pseudo-journalist who on numerous occasions has blatantly shilled for Monsanto and other key players in the chemical industry. He also works for ACSH, a known industry front group that SourceWatch describes as holding a generally apologetic stance regarding virtually every other health and environmental hazard produced by modern industry, accepting corporate funding from Coca-Cola, Kellogg, General Mills, PepsiCo, and the American Beverage Association, among others. Entine was also caught up in a lengthy and bitter divorce with his former wife, where he was accused of abusing her as well as threatening his young daughters therapist. Entines ex-wife has pleaded with the court to force Entine into a psychiatric evaluation over his extreme and violent behavior. Sources: USRTK.org TruthWiki.org TruthWiki.org NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Last December, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser officially signed into law the Death and Dignity Act of 2016, which essentially allows doctors and physicians to give terminally ill patients above the age of 18 life-ending medication. Now, roughly seven months later, that law is finally being implemented. Of course, there are some regulations. In order for a person to legally commit suicide in Washington D.C., that individual must be working closely with licensed doctors and pharmacies that are morally okay with the idea of giving one of their patients life-ending medication. In addition to this, patients are required to speak with their doctor and ask for permission to end their life two times, with fifteen days between each request. Before the second request, the patient must fill out an official city form confirming that they do in fact wish to commit suicide. The program, which will be overseen by the Department of Health in Washington D.C., will also not allow a person to take his or her life in public for obvious reasons. To do so would not only be unnecessary, but also very disturbing for those who would be forced to witness it. The debate over assisted suicide has been going on for many years now, and needless to say, there are some significant ethical problems with it. Just because something is legal does not necessarily mean it is moral abortion is legal in all fifty states but it is quite possibly one of the most immoral practices our society takes part in. And if theres one thing that our Founding Fathers made clear during the time of Americas birth, its that our society simply cannot go on unless the people and those who govern them are moral in nature. Human beings should not play God. They shouldnt be the ones that determine how and when someone dies, nor should they support laws that legalize that kind of a process. It is impossible to know with one hundred percent certainty what someones fate will be, even if they are terminally ill and expected to die. That being said, what gives someone the right to prematurely take the life of another human being, regardless of whether or not they are asking for it? In the year 1994, Jeannette Hall of King City, Oregon, voted to legalize physician-assisted suicide in the United States. I thought, hey, I wouldnt want anyone to suffer, Hall said in an interview back in 2015 with The Daily Signal. So I checked it. Then it became legal. Jeanette would never have thought that just six years after voting to legalize assisted suicide, she would be diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer. After hearing the bad news, Hall said that the doctors asked her to choose between chemotherapy and ending her life with a lethal dose of barbiturates, a drug that is most commonly used as a central nervous system depressant. I wasnt going to do it, Hall said of the chemotherapy. I looked for the easy way out. However, Dr. Kenneth Stevens, one of Halls two cancer doctors, was determined to convince her to choose life over death. He believed that Jeanette, who was only in her mid 50s at the time, had so much more to live for. Stevens eventually found out that Jeanette had a son who at the time was going through training to become a state trooper. Wouldnt you like to see him graduate? Wouldnt you like to see him get married? Stevens asked Hall in one last attempt to save her life. Hall later explained to The Daily Signal how the thought of never being able to see her son grow up and live a happy life ultimately deterred her from going through with the assisted suicide. Hall instead chose to fight the cancer with chemotherapy and went on to live for another 15 years. Assisted suicide is not something that our society should be embracing. Instead, we should be encouraging people to live their lives to the fullest and to never give up hope, because as long as there is hope, anything is possible even beating the odds against a terminal illness. Sources include: WTOP.com DailySignal.com (Natural News) Backers of marijuana use for recreational purposes won another court victory this week as a state court ruled that police cannot stop or arrest someone just because they smell pot in a suspects vehicle. As reported by The Grand Junction Sentinel in Colorado, indications by drug-sniffing police dogs that there are controlled substances in a vehicle is in and of itself not sufficient probable cause for officers to then search the vehicle, the state Court of Appeals ruled on Thursdays. The case, which observers said will set a precedent, perhaps beyond Colorados borders, involved a resident of Moffat County. The three-judge appeals panel agreed with the defendant that police need more of a cause to search a vehicle without the owners permission. Why? Because, the court ruled, there could be legal marijuana in the car. Because Amendment 64 legalized possession for personal use of one ounce or less of marijuana by persons 21 years of age or older in Colorado, it is no longer accurate to say, at least as a matter of state law, that an alert by a dog which can detect marijuana but not specific amounts can reveal only the presence of contraband, said Judge Daniel Daily for the panel, a ruling joined by Judges Jerry Jones and Michael Berger. A dog sniff could result in an alert with respect to something for which, under Colorado law, a person has a legitimate expectation of privacy, the court noted further. Because a dog sniff of a vehicle could infringe upon a legitimate expectation of privacy solely under state law, that dog sniff should now be considered a search for purposes of (the amendment) where the occupants are 21 years or older. Recreational and medical use of marijuana in any amount remains against federal law, but neither the Obama administration nor the Trump Justice Department, so far at least, intervened when Colorado and Washington State voters approved measures legalizing its recreational use a few years ago. At the time Obama told ABC News the administration had bigger fish to fry. Thus far, President Donald J. Trump has not given any indication what he will do on the matter, nor has Attorney General Jeff Sessions. And Congress has yet to take up the issue of whether to change the law legalizing recreational pot use in all states. (Related: Could marijuana help fight obesity in America?) As for the Colorado case, the local paper noted further: In this February 2015 case, Craig Police Cpl. Bryan Gonzales had followed a truck driven by Craig resident Kevin McKnight that was leaving a home that had been searched for drugs nearly two months earlier. Gonzales testified that he pulled the truck over because McKnight allegedly made a turn without using a turn signal. He later called in Sgt. Courtland Folks with the Moffat County Sheriffs Office and his drug-detection dog, Kilo. Kilo is trained to detect cocaine, heroin, esctasy, methamphetamine and marijuana. After Kilo detected something in the vehicle, it was searched by police, revealing a glass pipe commonly used to smoke meth. McKnights attorney had filed a motion to suppress the search, but Moffat County District Judge Michael OHara nevertheless allowed the evidence to be entered into the court proceedings. McKnight was later convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia as well as possession of a controlled substance. However, the paper noted, the appeals court ruled that due to state law legalizing a certain amount of marijuana, and since the dog was not able to indicate to officers just what substance he detected, police, therefore, did not have sufficient probable cause to conduct their search of McKnights vehicle. Though Berger and Jones concurred, they each wrote separate opinions in the case. Berger said in his opinion that Amendment 64 handed state residents an enforceable expectation of privacy. However, Jones said the amendment has really added a level of ambiguity for police as they attempt to gather evidence to make drug cases. What really needs to happen is one of two things: 1) The Justice Department should enforce federal law as written, so there is no ambiguity; 2) Congress should pass legislation overturning the current federal marijuana ban and defining how it can be used recreationally. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources include: CannabisCures.news GJSentinel.com (Natural News) Chessington World of Adventures, a theme park, zoo and sealife center at Chessington, U.K., was recently accused of lying to its customers and remaining mum about a recent fox attack that killed eight of its Humboldt Penguins. According to reports, the attack happened at the end of June when an urban fox infiltrated the penguins enclosure. Following the incidence, the zoo management allegedly decided to quietly close off the Penguin Bay and put a sign at the entrance, stating that the unfortunate animals where placed somewhere else as the zoo made alterations to the attraction. The zoo was accused of covering up the attack by using the sign. It was also reported that theme park employees were warned against talking about the incidence. The attack happened at the end of June when the night security and zoo staff were not monitoring as they should have been. There is CCTV footage on site at the park. The male penguins can be seen trying to protect the babies from the attack, sadly all bar one of the males were killed as well as all the babiesNot only are these poor animals are now dead, but the customers are being lied to, a source said in an article on The Telegraph website. However, a spokesperson for the zoo defended the managements decision not to inform the public, stating that Chessington was not under any obligation to divulge the details of the animals. The reports also noted that the officer did not specify the preventive measures in place to protect the penguins. This, despite the zoo insisting that the Penguin bays enclosure met all specifications stated in licensing standards. According to the spokesperson, the alterations on the enclosure were being carried out in order to prevent future incidents. The official also noted that investigations are underway to determine how the fox got inside the enclosure. The attraction was opened in 2015 in partnership with Dreamworks in celebration of the release of the animated film Penguins of Madagascar. (Related: Despite massive petition to free the animal, worlds saddest polar bear remains imprisoned in Chinese shopping mall, longing for natural habitat.) Zoo owns up to the penguin massacre The zoo management eventually owned up to the incident. It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of eight of our Humboldt penguins, which it is apparent were killed by an urban fox that infiltrated their home at Penguin Bay overnight at the end of June. We are investigating why this happened, as Penguin Bay, only built in 2015, had special measures put in place specifically to deter foxes and therefore we are shocked and saddened at this news. The eight Humboldt penguins, five adults and three infants, were part of a group of 28 here at the resortOur remaining penguins have been moved to a secure area while we take additional measures to secure Penguin Bay, which we hope to reopen as soon as possible, Lisa Britton, assistant zoo manager at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, said in an article on The Guardian website. According to Britton, the health, safety and welfare of the animals are a top priority for the zoo. The official also stressed that Chessington is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), both of which maintain strict protocols and ethics in animal conservation, management, operations, and education research. The recent attack was not the first reported incidence of animal deaths inside the zoos parameters. Early this year, a spate of animal killings at Delhi Zoo in India was also blamed on illegal animal capture and negligence by zoo officials. Sources include: Telegraph.co.uk TheGuardian.co.uk (Natural News) There is no question about it: The academic far-Left has lost their collective minds and is now actively trolling for things to be upset/angry/offended about, and this is especially true for many of todays college and university campuses. As reported by Campus Reform, a pair of feminist professors who teach geography yes, geography recently wrote in an actual academic journal that certain citations in scholarly articles do nothing but contribute to white heteromasculinity because they ignore research by minorities and women. You just cannot make this stuff up. Carrie Mott of Rutgers University and Daniel Cockayne made the claim in an article published last month in the Feminist Journal of Geography (I know I couldnt believe there was such a publication, either), noting also that citing works can be a feminist and anti-racist technology of resistance if they are specifically chosen with the intent to promote those authors and voices we want to carry forward. So in other words, scholarly findings by white males are not to be advanced as vigorously as similar scholarly findings by persons of color and women, because if they are, then the author is somehow contributing to the oppression of both. Campus Reform noted further: Mott and Cockayne say citation practices are an issue of scholarly concern because whether a professors work is cited by other scholars has strong implications for hiring, promotion, tenure, and how certain voices are represented over others in academia. To cite only white menor to only cite established scholarsdoes a disservice to researchers and writers who are othered by white heteromasculinism, they actually wrote, further defining white heteromasculinism as an intersectional system of oppression describing on-going processes that bolster the status of those who are white, male, able-bodied, economically privileged, heterosexual, and cisgendered. They also claimed that this oppression only contributes to the marginalization of women, people of color, and those othered through white heteromascline hegemony, further asserting that particular voices and bodies are persistently left out of the conversation altogether. In an interview with Campus Reform, Mott said she and her co-author wrote their piece after they observed that white men tend to be cited in much higher numbers than people from other backgrounds. She said, we started looking into research that had been done in other fields about similar topics, and wanted to write something specifically for geographers to think about the relationship between knowledge production and identity. Mott claimed that women and minorities have contributed a lot to geographic research, but they have mostly been ignored by other researchers. That not only holds individual scholars back but it also leaves their potentially unique perspectives out of the larger body of research. When it is predominantly white, heteronormative males who are cited, this means that the views and knowledge that are represented do not reflect the experience of people from other backgrounds, she said. When scholars continue to cite only white men on a given topic, they ignore the broader diversity of voices and researchers that are also doing important work on that topic. (Related: Brown University Students Claim The First Amendment Doesnt Include ALL Speech, Only Views They Agree With.) As someone who has done graduate-level research, I can say with honesty that I didnt pay any attention to the ethnicity or gender or sexual preference of the researchers I cited; rather, I looked for the quality and appropriateness of research as it pertained to my thesis topic. But beyond that, I am also well aware that for some fields of study, maybe most of the research has been done by white heterosexual males, and that if thats the case, so what, so long as its accurate? To suggest that certain research should not be cited just because it was performed by someone with a specific political view, ethnicity, gender and sexual preference is absurd beyond belief. Worse is to assume that citation of white heterosexual males is racist or bigoted. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources include: CampusReform.org CampusInsanity.com A traffic stop conducted by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) led to the discovery of a Chinese citizen within a locked compartment of a car Saturday. At approximately 1:55 a.m., an officer ordered the impoundment of a 2016 Toyota after a traffic stop on Interstate 15 near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, according to SDPD. Road One Towing took the vehicle to an impound lot at 4955 Ruffner Street, where a tow yard employee reportedly heard screaming coming from the car. The employee found the noise coming from a locked compartment, and San Diego Fire Department officials and San Diego police officers were notified to investigate. At approximately 4:45 a.m., SDPD called U.S. Customs and Border Protection to take the man into custody. The driver of the vehicle was also arrested, according to SDPD. The driver, identified as Salvador Vera, Jr., faces charges of human smuggling according to a federal complaint. Shulin Zheng of China will likely be processed for deportation, according to a statement. The State Bar Court of California announced Friday it has temporarily suspended a former Contra Costa County district attorney who pleaded no contest to perjury over his personal use of campaign funds. The association is also investigating whether Mark Peterson merits further punishment, including disbarment, the East Bay Times reported Friday. Peterson resigned from office in June and pleaded no contest to perjury for filing a false campaign disclosure statement. He was placed on probation. A county grand jury recommended in May that Peterson be removed from his post after he acknowledged spending more than $66,000 of campaign cash on movie tickets, clothes and other personal expenses while serving as treasurer of his re-election campaign. Peterson has said he considered the withdrawals to be loans. Peterson's attorney, Doron Weinberg, was not immediately available for comment Friday. The California Supreme Court will have to sign off on any disciplinary action taken against Peterson. The interim suspension takes effect next month. A man on Saturday was injured in a shooting that led to his SUV plunging into the Berkeley Marina. Officers responded to reports of gunshots on University Avenue near the Berkeley Pier around 3:40 a.m. They found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds and took him to Highland Hospital in Oakland. Police did not specify the man's condition, but said that he is not a Berkeley resident. The man's car had careened off the road and onto the San Francisco Bay seawall. A witness told NBC Bay Area that the white SUV had landed in the water and had been pulled to the shore by a couple of tow trucks. No additional passengers were believed to be in the water, according to police. Officers found numerous shell casings along Seawall Drive, forcing them to shut down the road while they processed the crime scene. "Another group aparantly shot him out because that car was riddled," said witness John Vicars. "All of the windows were taken out, and there were bullet holes at least 30 bullet holes to the car." The investigation also led police to a man who is considered a person of interest in the shooting. This person is also not a Berkeley resident, and was arrested on unrelated charges. Police kept the shooting scene cordoned off for a couple hours. Anyone with information about the shooting are asked to call the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900. San Francisco police suspect that two separate groups of young people have assaulted and robbed Muni riders in the last two weeks. The latest attack in what has now become a worrying trend occurred at Market and Kearney streets during Thursday evening's commute. Young women allegedly surrounded a woman on the 8 Bayshore line, police said. When she tried to call 911, one of the suspects punched her and another stole her phone. The group then ran away. "Thats surprising and concerning," said San Francisco resident and Muni rider, Emily Yu, who expressed surprise that women ganged up on another woman. Yu admits that she is always on the lookout. She may put on her ear buds, but isn't actually listening to music. Why? So I can hear and I am aware of my surroundings, Yu said. Last week, police say a group of 10 young men jumped a Muni rider at Market Street and Van Ness Avenue. They assaulted him and made off with his phone. Investigators are reviewing video from the buses in both cases, hoping to identify suspects. The SFMTA said it is working closely with the San Francisco Police Department. A 4-year-old boy was among at least 36 people shot in Chicago this weekend as violence across the city left four dead and nearly three dozen others wounded. The child was wounded in a shooting that also left a woman dead and a teen injured on the city's West Side Friday, marking the weekend's first homicide and bringing the city to more than 400 homicides so far this year. The shooting occurred at about 5:19 p.m. in the 5200 block of West Kamerling Avenue in the city's Austin neighborhood. The child was shot in the arm and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said. A 19-year-old man was shot in the left arm and taken to Mt. Sinai in good condition and a 27-year-old woman was also shot in the head and taken to Stroger Hospital, police said. The woman was later pronounced dead. Area North detectives were investigating and no one was in custody. Police said the 19-year-old has "gang affiliation." A second fatal shooting happened just after midnight Saturday, when three people were shot in the 2500 block of West Lithuania Plaza. The victims told police they were standing on the sidewalk when they heard shots and felt pain. An 18-year-old man was shot in the head and pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center. A 33-year-old woman suffered a graze wound to the head and was taken in serious condition to the same hospital. A 34-year-old woman was listed in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, police said. At about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, a 20-year-old man was found unresponsive in a backyard in the 9800 block of South Peoria. The man was found with a gunshot wound to the back and was pronounced dead at the scene. The most recent fatal shooting happened just after midnight Monday, when a 21-year-old man was shot in the abdomen while walking on a sidewalk in the 7600 block of North Ashland. The man was shot when a gunman opened fire from a passing black Dodge Charger, police said. He wsa taken to Loyola Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Friday Just after noon Friday, two 24-year-old men were shot in the 1500 block of South St. Louis. The men told police they were standing on a sidewalk when an SUV drove up and multiple gunmen got out and opened fire. One man was shot in the chest and legs and was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital. The other man was shot in the foot and wrist and listed in stable condition. An 89-year-old man was shot sitting in front of a business when gunmen opened fire on another man around 6:30 p.m. in the 4200 block of West Cermak. the gunmen were in a gray van when they fired shots at another man fleeing from the area, police said. The 89-year-old suffered a graze wound to the arm and the business had gunshot damage. The elderly man was treated in good condition at the scene and refused to be taken to an area hospital. A 32-year-old man also wounded in the shooting later walked into Mount Sinai Hospital with a wound to the foot. He was listed in stable condition. Just before 9 p.m., two men were was shot in the 10800 block of South Normal. The men were shot when a dark-colored sedan pulled up next to them and began firing shots, police said. A 20-year-old man was shot in the body and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in unknown condition. An 18-year-old man was shot in the right leg and left arm and transported in stable condition to the same hospital. About three hours later, just minutes before midnight, a 16-year-old boy was shot while standing on a sidewalk in the 2400 block of West Jackson. The teen was shot in the legs and taken in serious condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, police said. Saturday Just after 3 a.m., a 23-year-old man walked into Stroger Hospital with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. The man told police he was walking in the 5000 block of West Madison when he heard shots and felt pain. He was listed in stable condition. Less than an hour later, a 26-year-old man was seriously wounded in a shooting in the 1500 block of West 79th Street. The man, who police say is a documented gang member, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital. Further details on what happened weren't immediately known. At 4:15 a.m., a 42-year-old woman was shot while sitting on a porch in the 1800 block of West 47th Street. The woman said she heard shots being fired from an unknown direction and realized she was injured, police said. She took herself to Oak Park Hospital and was treated and released with a graze wound to the hip. Fifteen minutes later, a 33-year-old man was shot while walking to his vehicle in the 7400 block of South Phillips, police said. The man was shot in the groin and took himself to Jackson Park Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, authorities said. Roughly 12 hours later, a 29-year-old man was shot in the leg in the 7800 block of West Belmont Avenue. The man was taken by an acquaintance to Resurrection Hospital where he was listed in good condition, police said. Just after 8 p.m., a 19-year-old man was shot while standing outside in the 5600 block of South Ashland Avenue, police said. The teen told police a vehicle approached and someone got out and opened fire. He was shot in the arm and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, according to authorities. Around 10:30 p.m., a 28-year-old man was shot while sitting in the driver's seat of a double-parked vehicle in the 2800 block of West 57th Street. The man said a silver Jeep pulled alongside him and someone opened fire, striking him in the hip, police said. He took himself to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Less than an hour later, two people were shot in the 100 block of East 80th Street. Police said two 21-year-old men were walking eastbound on the street when they heard shots and felt pain. One man was shot in the leg and taken to Jackson Park Hospital in stable condition. The second man suffered a graze wound to the left foot and took himself to University of Chicago Medical Center in stable condition. Sunday A suburban Chicago man who posed as the owner of two small dogs, paid a reward to the person who found them and then threw them off the top of a five-story parking garage has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges. The Daily Southtown 23-year-old Edward Hanania of Oak Lawn was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for felony aggravated animal cruelty and six years in prison for violating his probation on an unrelated drug conviction. The two sentences will run concurrently, Cook County State's Attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said. Prosecutors said Hanania obtained the dogs by responding to a Facebook ad from someone who had found the two toy poodles. They contend that Hanania, posing as the dogs' owner, paid the person who found the dogs a reward and then drove them to the top of a parking garage at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and then threw them to the ground. The paper reported that hospital surveillance video shows a man pulling to the top of the parking deck, climbing from his car, looking over the ledge before walking back to the vehicle before the animals were thrown to the ground. One of the dogs was killed. The other suffered broken legs but survived after undergoing surgery. The case was closely followed by animal welfare advocates, who showed up to each of Hanania's court appearances and held a rally. "I think our presence played a part in it, I really do," said Peggy O'Leary, one of the activists. "The state's attorney came out last time and talked to us and said the judge was aware we were here keeping tabs on this guy." Connecticut police say a 12-year-old girl who drove off in her mother's car with her 9-year-old sister has been found and brought back home safe and sound. Hamden authorities say 12-year-old Rebecca Hernandez and her mom's car were found in neighboring New Haven on Friday. Her younger sister, Julianna, was dropped off at home Thursday night, hours after the girls went missing. Police aren't saying how they found Rebecca. Officials say the younger girl had told them after she returned home that Rebecca still had their mother's car and was with three males. Authorities issued statewide alerts for the girls and searched the area for them. The girl's mother told police Rebecca had driven her car before without her permission. Connecticut State Police have arrested two people accused of selling heroin from their home in Killingly. Julia Valetin, 52, and Linda Eldredge, 46, of Prospect Avenue, were arrested after police served three search and seizure warrants at their apartment on Friday and found 60 bags of heroin and $600 in cash. Police said they also found 10 bags of heroin on Valentins person. Both were charged with possession of heroin with intent to sell and possession of heroin. Valentin was held on a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 31. Eldredge was released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 9. The case of a former Connecticut police sergeant charged with stomping on the head of a handcuffed man is returning to court for pre-trial discussions. The talks in the case of former Hartford Sgt. Sean Spell are set for Monday in Hartford Superior Court. Spell has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault and breach of peace charges in connection with an encounter last year with a suspect following a car chase that ended in West Hartford. He denies any wrongdoing. Video from a police dashboard camera appears to show Spell stomping on Emilio Diaz's head as Diaz was on the ground in handcuffs. Spell told authorities he kicked Diaz because Diaz refused to stop spitting blood at him, which Diaz denies. Spell retired last year amid an excessive force investigation. The body of a 33-year-old man was pulled from the water at Millers Pond State Park in Durham on Saturday evening. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the man was last seen swimming in the afternoon. NBC Connecticut spoke with the nephew of the victim, who identified him as Ramiro Bonilla, of Queens. Bonilla was also at the park with his wife. Multiple agencies responded to the emergency call at 5:20 p.m., including State Police, Middletown and Haddam Fire departments and the State Environmenal Conservation (EnCon) Police. The Middletown South District Department Dive Team found the victim's body just before 7:00 p.m. The park is a popular spot for swimming in the summer. However, signs posted at the entrance specifically caution people that it is not a "designated swim area" with no lifeguards on duty. EnCon Police is investigating the incident but no further information was available. Tianna Rooney has already bought the poster board for the sign she'll wave when the 16-year-old refugee boy her family is taking in arrives in the United States. Rooney knows the exact words of welcome she'll write on it, in the teenager's native language from the African country of Eritrea. But Rooney's family is leaving the sign blank, for now. She and her husband, Todd, fear actually writing the words "Welcome Home" could break her heart. The foster son they're waiting for is part of a small, three-decade-old U.S. program for so-called unaccompanied refugee minors that has been halted by a series of new refugee bans and travel limits imposed by the Trump administration in the name of fighting terrorism. By blocking the program, the U.S. travel bans have stranded more than 100 refugee children who were already matched to waiting American foster families. Without parents or other adult relatives, those kids are living on their own in countries of temporary refuge, in limbo while their U.S. foster parents hope for a court ruling that will allow the children to finish their journeys. Since the June day a refugee agency matched the Rooneys with their foster son, which turned out to be the same day of the first Supreme Court ruling barring him, "we have experienced this very unexpected ride of grief in our family," says Rooney, a 39-year-old family therapist and mother of two from Brighton, a suburb of Detroit. Meanwhile, the boy who fled his home country at 13 to avoid widespread forced military conscription of children continues to fend for himself on the streets in his temporary refuge in another African capital, with no phone or internet for the Rooneys to reach him to explain the delay. "There's part of me that really hopes he knows a family wants him," Tianna Rooney says. Since the 1980s, the program for orphaned refugee children has brought in more than 6,000 refugee children, including 203 last year. "These are kids on their own, and struggling to survive," said Elizabeth Foydel, policy counsel with the International Refugee Assistance Project, a Washington, D.C., legal-aid group for refugees. "How long do you feel comfortable with your child not having a caregiver?" Foydel says she asks other Americans. "Trying to manage for themselves?" The program for orphaned refugee children from around the world is different from one started by the Obama administration in 2014 for Central American children fleeing a surge in violence there. In the program for unaccompanied refugee children, kids eking out a living by themselves in a refugee camp or elsewhere must first come to the attention of a U.N. agency, which may choose to refer them for the U.S foster program, especially if the children are deemed to be particularly vulnerable wherever they are now. The children must then pass U.S. security screenings and other requirements, and win a match with an American foster family or group home. But a series of Trump administration orders, and court rulings interpreting them, are now barring refugees with no close family in the United States. That requirement shuts out the refugee children in the foster program, who have no relatives they can turn to anywhere. The child refugees newly blocked from waiting American foster families include five Ethiopian sisters, ages 9 to 16. The girls lost both parents in 2009, and have faced abuse alone in the war zone of neighboring South Sudan and in Sudanese cities, said Jessica Jones, policy counsel for the Baltimore-based Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Along with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Lutherans are one of two U.S. groups running the program on behalf of the U.S. State Department. Other waiting children include a 17-year-old couple originally from the Asian country of Myanmar and the baby they had together in a refugee camp, after fleeing attacks on their Rohingya religious minority in Myanmar. In her home in another Detroit suburb, Sharon Martin, 64, has bought a crib for the young refugee family from Myanmar. But the children's books she bought, Martin said, are really for her. "If they come, I can finally read to a child again," Martin says. Refugee workers say the family faces forced return to Myanmar if their U.S. arrangements fall through. In San Francisco, meanwhile, web designer Julie Rajagopal and husband Mike Gougherty, a senior planner for a regional ferry system, are two of the lucky ones. The 16-year-old boy they are fostering also fled a lifetime of forced military service in Eritrea, at 13. When he landed in March, a slight youth coming off the plane in an ill-made tracksuit, he was among the last refugee foster children to make it into the U.S. Rajagopal, 35, often had stayed up through the night calling government workers and charity officials in the faraway African hub of Cairo to speed her new foster son's paperwork. On a clear day this summer, the teen strolled with the couple at a park overlooking San Francisco. In the city's hip Mission District, he blended seamlessly in a red sweater and shoes he carefully matched himself, and jeans he insisted on lovingly ironing with each wear. Meanwhile, in Brighton, the Rooneys and their 10- and 12-year-old sons stack new socks and T-shirts in the bedroom they've set aside for the boy they nicknamed "Five," meaning the eagerly awaited fifth member of their family. Tianna Rooney recently got out the poster board, thinking to work on the welcome sign. After a concerned look from her husband, she put it away. "We want to think positive thoughts" that their foster son will come safely, Todd Rooney said. "But without endangering ourselves. Without setting ourselves up for a heartache." Attorneys for SoCalGas Saturday filed a successful dispute to a Friday state appellate court ruling that temporarily halted plans to reopen the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility. A day after it handed down the ruling blocking the re-start of gas injections at the facility, the 2nd District Court of Appeals reversed itself, calling off the decision in response to the SoCalGas challenge. "The Request for Judicial Notice is granted. The temporary injunction issued by this court on July 28, 2017, is dissolved,'' the court said in a concise statement released Saturday evening. Among the counterpoints made by SoCalGas lawyers in the 25-page filing obtained by City News Service, the utility argued that the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Department of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources both determined the location is safe to contain natural gas in limited amounts. The decision capped a flurry of legal maneuvers that began early Friday afternoon. That was when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Shepard Wiley Jr. refused a Los Angeles County request to block the re-start of gas injections at the storage site, which has been closed since the largest methane leak in U.S. history temporarily displaced dozens of Porter Ranch residents in 2015-16. Wiley ruled that he did not have the authority to "interfere" in the operation of a facility governed by the public utilities commission. The stay issued just hours later by the 2nd district court followed an emergency filing by attorneys for Los Angeles County. Under that order, SoCalGas was "temporarily enjoined from injecting natural gas into the Aliso Canyon underground reservoir" pending further consideration of the issue. SoGalGas was given until 6 p.m. Saturday to respond to the ruling, which it did by mid-afternoon, utility spokesman Chris Gilbride said. Not long after receiving the response, the appellate court called off the previous day's temporary ban. "(Saturday's) decision by the court of appeals is the right one," Gilbride said. "Aliso Canyon is safe to operate. This is not just our conclusion, but the conclusion of the only state regulators with lawful jurisdiction and expertise to oversee the safety of our operations." According to Gilbride, the CPUC and the DOGGR have said delaying the resumption of injections could pose an energy reliability risk to the Los Angeles Basin. "The CPUC has directed SoCalGas to maintain natural gas inventories at Aliso Canyon necessary to support the reliability of the region's natural gas and electricity systems,'' Gilbride said. CPUC Executive Director Timothy Sullivan said the facility would be restricted to about 28 percent of its operating capacity, "just enough to avoid energy disruptions in the Los Angeles area." Concerns have been raised in the months since the leak about the possibility of electrical shortages due to the lack of natural gas from the Porter Ranch-area facility to operate Southland power plants. Critics have blasted such claims as scare tactics meant to pressure regulators into allowing Aliso Canyon to resume operating -- an accusation SoCalGas executives vehemently deny. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger called the now-defunct appellate court ruling "a victory for the residents of Porter Ranch and the northwest San Fernando Valley. "This ruling recognizes that there are still significant issues that need to be considered by the court before re-injection is allowed at the Aliso Canyon facility," Barger said. SoCalGas officials said the leak was discovered on Oct. 24, 2015 and continued emanating methane until a Feb. 11, 2016 announcement that the leak was capped. At its peak, the escaping gas forced an estimated 15,000 Porter Ranch area residents to temporarily relocate. A study by researchers at the UC campuses in Irvine and Davis determined the leak put enough methane into the air each day to "fill a balloon the size of the Rose Bowl'' and confirmed it was the largest in the nation's history. County officials maintain that the facility should not reopen until a study is completed on the cause of the 2015-16 gas leak. They also contend further study is needed on the possible damage a large earthquake could cause to the storage field. The Aliso Canyon site has been out of use since the nearly four-month leak placed an estimated 109,000 metric tons of methane into the air. In court papers filed Monday, attorneys for the county argued that Aliso Canyon "cannot withstand" a major earthquake, and there is a 60 percent to 80 percent chance of such a temblor occurring in the Aliso Canyon area over the next 50 years. SoCalGas officials said concerns about seismic safety were "carefully considered" by state regulators before they decided the facility is safe to resume limited operations. "SoCalGas has met, and in many cases, exceeded the requirements of the state's year-and-a-half long review," Gilbride told CNS. "In fact, DOGGR says Aliso Canyon 'has undergone more safety and regulatory scrutiny during this period than any of California's 13 other underground natural gas storage facilities, and likely more safety scrutiny from a regulatory agency than any other gas storage facility in the United States.'" An explosive device was detonated as a police convoy was making its way down a street in Caracas, Venezuela, according to the Associated Press. Guardsmen were patrolling the streets of Caracas to stop anti-government protesters, who were clashing with security forces in the Altamira neighborhood. Four police officers were injured in the explosion. Officers were seen setting fire to several motorbikes belonging to journalists covering the clashes after the explosion happened. Residents of Venezuela have started protesting in opposition to President Nicolas Maduros Constituent Assembly. If its assembled, they would then be tasked with rewriting the countrys Constitution. The special assembly is being selected on Sunday. If selected, they would also have powers above other state institutions, including the opposition-controlled congress. Detectives investigating fraud in North Miami Dade hit the jackpot when they executed a search warrant on a suspect's home: he was writing a fraud "to-do" list. The Miami Herald reports that 19-year-old Phyllistone Termine was sentenced last week to 4 years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and access device fraud after investigators found the list among other evidence. Prosecutors say Termine admitted to collecting names and Social Security numbers and submitting fraudulent unemployment benefit claims. When investigators traced the false claims to Internet Provider addresses from Termine's North Miami-Dade home, they executed a search warrant. Termine was in his bedroom writing a list on a legal pad that included "buy 3 phones, 1 clean 2 dirty's" and reminders to buy credit card information from the "dark web." A man was charged with murder after a man was found stabbed to death outside of a New Jersey restaurant Friday night, authorities said. Police responded to a report of a disturbance at Rumba Cubana on Boulevard East at Guttenberg, and found Antonio Bouza, 28, lying on the ground outside of the restaurant with a stab wound to his chest, police said. Bouza was taken to Palisades Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, police said. The mexical examiner has yet to determine the cause of death. Reidel Carrasco, 22, turned himself in for his alleged involvement in Bouza's death a short time after, police said. Carrasco was charged with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon. The Prosecutors Homicide Unit continues to investigate this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345. Authorities have identified a woman who disappeared while swimming in the waters off the Jersey Shore early Sunday. Point Pleasant Beach police say 24-year-old Zuzana Oravcova, from Slovakia, was reported missing around 2:25 a.m. Sunday. She had been swimming with a male friend when both swimmers started having problems and Oravcova was unable to make it to shore. Officials say the 23-year-old man, also from Slovakia, sought help once he made it to shore. The Coast Guard was notified about the disappearance and soon launched a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from its Manasquan Inlet station and a MH-65 Dolphin aircrew from Air Station Atlantic City. A massive search operation was launched and continued through the day. The Coast Guard called off the search before 10 p.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service on Sunday issued a warning about dangerous rip currents along the Jersey Shore. It's due to remain in effect until Sunday night. Forecasters said the currents could potentially be life-threatening, so they urged beachgoers to speak with lifeguards about any concerns they have and to follow all swimming flags and signs. They also warned that a moderate risk for dangerous rip currents may also exist on Monday. Get the Cap Times app for your smartphone Click here for the iPhone version Click here for the Android version An Oceanside-based minister detained two months ago by U.S. immigration authorities is now out on bail and is working toward a path to gain legal status. Jorge Ramirez spoke to NBC 7 on Saturday his first full day out of jail. He said he has a lot to do. On May 31, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained Ramirez in front of his home as he was getting ready to head to work. "It looked like five guys threw me on the ground, put on their knee, grabbed me, picked me up and threw me in the expedition and drove away," he recounted. "It was unreal, one of those things you see in movies." Ramirez said his parents brought him to the United States when he was 11 years old. He also said he had legal status through a work visa in the 1990s but that status only lasted six months. He admitted he's been living in the country illegally for more than 30 years, understanding the reality that he could be detained and deported at any time. Since his arrest he said his initial hearing was delayed but all of his paperwork was submitted by his immigration attorney showing his record in the country an entire life hes built here over the decades. "Twenty years of tax returns, letters from community leaders, pastors from the places that I worked, pretty much everything," Ramirez explained. "I had report cards from when I was in 6th grade; my graduation; my diplomas; my perfect attendance." When asked why he didn't apply for legal residency earlier, he said his lawyers offered a 50/50 chance of gaining legal status or being deported. Faced with the odds, he declined. Ramirez said his path to legalizing his status is clearer now, and hes already started the process. His son can now apply to let Ramirez live in the U.S. legally. "My son turned 21 on July 18," he said. "When he did that, I was able to file under him." Ramirez said he wishes ICE officers wouldve reached out to him with a notice to appear in court rather than detaining him and putting him in jail. He said he wouldve showed up to court. They could have called me; they could have sent a notice, he said. They know me. I live in the same place. I own a house; it's not like I'm going anywhere. Despite prior reports that Ramirez was a supporter of President Donald Trump, the minister insisted that was never the case. A gushing water main break in the heart of San Diego's Little Italy left many streets flooded, and nearby businesses closed, as crews worked to fix the break. The 16-inch concrete pipe broke around 6 a.m. Sunday near Juniper and Kettner Boulevard, San Diego police (SDPD) said. The gushing water blocked southbound Kettner Blvd. from West Kalmia to Juniper. "I saw some of the water, thought maybe it was a water hydrant that busted open," said Manny Delaney, a nearby resident. "As I got closer, I could see the water shooting up from the road, and the water lifted, about a foot, and water gushed down." Public transit in the area was also affected. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) reports the Green Line commute was impacted until about 6 a.m. Monday. Now its running on its normal schedule. After the water was turned off, many streets were still flooded. Joey Vaiasuso works on sculptures and furniture and shares his workspace with a group of artists. He said the damage is extensive to both the property and their work tools. "Lots of machines under water ... lots of works in progress under water, so it's going to be a pretty big deal for all the tenants down here," he told NBC 7. "I know we're going to be put out of business for a good amount of time." The streets were reopened Sunday after being closed for several hours. The Crack Shack and Bird Rock Roasters say they will be open Monday. Montgomery County, Maryland, police detectives are worried there might be more victims after arresting a man in connection with the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl. Police said Charles Ebenezer Berry Jr., 21, from Germantown, Maryland, was arrested on Thursday at his home. He is charged with one count of second-degree rape and being held without bail. The girl was reported missing by her family in Washington County, Maryland on June 23. The next day, police said the victim contacted her family and said she was at a motel in Germantown. Montgomery County detectives spoke with the girl and found out she and Berry corresponded with each other through social media, starting in 2016. She said Berry picked her up from her house in Washington County and took her to the motel, where they engaged in sexual acts. Police said he was charged with second-degree rape, because the victim was under the age of 14, and the suspect was four or more years older. Investigators are concerned there may be other victims that Berry allegedly contacted through social media. Anyone who believes that their child may have corresponded with or met with Berry Jr. is asked to contact the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400. Twitter has made it clear that it won't ban Donald Trump from its service, whether the president follows its rules against harassment or not. That's no surprise: The president's tweets draw attention to the struggling service, even if tweets mocking reporters and rivals undercut Twitter's stated commitment to make the service a welcoming place. The company has been cracking down on accounts that violate its terms, and Trump's critics say he has broken Twitter's rules multiple times. Calls to ban Trump from Twitter, largely by liberal activists, writers and Twitter users, sounded even before he became president. They were renewed recently when the president posted a mock video of him "body slamming" a man whose face was covered by CNN logo. Groups such as the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press condemned the video as a threat against journalists (a White House aide said at the time that the tweet should not be seen as a threat). The Case for Trump Twitter does ban harassment and hateful conduct, but there is a lot of wiggle room as to what constitutes such behavior. For instance, though it may be crude to tweet that a TV host was "bleeding badly from a face-lift," they are at best in a gray area when it comes to violating Twitter terms. When asked about Trump, Twitter says it doesn't comment on individual accounts. But CEO Jack Dorsey told NBC in May that it's "really important to hear directly from leadership" to hold people accountable and have conversations out in the open, not behind closed doors. It also makes business sense: Trump's tweets are constantly in headlines, calling attention to Twitter and, ideally, getting more users to sign up. For now, it doesn't appear to be helping. On Thursday, Twitter said its monthly average user base in the April-June quarter grew 5 percent from the previous year to 328 million, but it was unchanged from the previous quarter. Twitter's stock fell more than 9 percent to $17.75 in pre-market trading Thursday after the numbers came out. Twitter has never turned a profit. On Thursday, the San Francisco-based company reported a second-quarter loss of $116 million, or 16 cents per share, compared with a loss of $107 million, or 15 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue declined 5 percent to $574 million from $602 million, inching past Wall Street's muted expectations. Important Tweets Free speech advocates agree it's better for Trump to stay. Emma Llanso, director of the Center for Democracy & Technology's Free Expression Project, said Trump's tweets are "very clearly politically relevant speech" and are even being cited in court cases challenging the president's policies. For example, a U.S. appeals court used Trump's tweets in June to block his travel ban on people from six predominantly Muslim countries. Llanso said it's understandable why there has been "so much pressure" on social media platforms to crack down on harassment. Long before Trump was elected, users and online safety advocates called on Twitter to do something about abuse on its service. But when it comes to the president's outsized presence on Twitter, she'd rather have a private company avoid deciding what should and shouldn't be allowed. Rather, she said, "we should be looking to the instruments of our democracy as the appropriate place to hold the president accountable." Surviving the Crackdown Twitter appears to agree. Earlier this month, the company announced that it is now taking some action, including suspensions, on 10 times the number of abusive accounts than it did a year ago (though it did not give a number). Trump, of course, was not in trouble. In June, the president defended his use of social media, tweeting that the mainstream media doesn't want him to get his "honest and unfiltered message out." The White House did not immediately respond to a message for comment on Thursday morning. It Works Both Ways Twitter provides a platform for the president to interact with the world directly, without intermediaries such as the news media. But if it's important for people to hear directly from Trump, free speech advocates say, it's also important for Trump to listen and to allow people to see his messages. His blocking of individual users on the service is the subject of a lawsuit. Comedian Dana Goldberg, who says she has been blocked by the president but is not part of the lawsuit, likened it to him "giving the State of the Union and blocking out the TV sets of people who voted for (Hillary) Clinton." Her offense? Goldberg, who has about 7,680 followers compared with Trump's 34.6 million, said it was her tweet calling Trump "a sad man" after he wished Sen. John McCain well following a cancer diagnosis, despite deriding McCain's war record before. "The fact that I was blocked by the president of the United States, it's insane," she said. One man was killed and another injured in a shooting early Sunday morning in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Police were called to the area of Bailey Street around 2 a.m. for a report of shots fired. When they arrived, officers found a crowd of about 15 to 20 people surrounding 25-year-old Jenssy Hernandez who was lying in the street, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken by ambulance to Lawrence General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A second gunshot victim - a 26-year-old male, was also transported to Lawrence General Hospital and later transferred to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He is expected to survive. Police believe a house party in the area was breaking up at the time of the shooting. The Essex County District Attorney's Office, Massachusetts State Police and Lawrence police are investigating. No arrests have been made. The 8-year-old boy who was rescued Wednesday when a powerboat overturned off Wareham, Massachusetts, has died, according to officials with Sudbury Public Schools. The superintendents office made the announcement in a letter on Sunday that Harry OConnor, a third-grader at Nixon Elementary, had passed away. "Nothing compares to the grief and sadness of losing a child. While the family is the most impacted, many others share in the profound sadness of this tragic event," read part of the letter. Coast Guard officials said nine children and three adults were rescued when a power boat near Stony Point Dike capsized. Someone on a nearby private vessel had spotted the boat and called for help, then took people in the water on board. O'Connor had initially been unaccounted for until professional diver Michael Margulis found him unconscious and pulled him to safety. The child was taken to Tobey Hospital then by medical helicopter to Boston Children's Hospital where he remained in critical condition until his death. The other 11 people on board did not suffer serious injuries. Environmental Police are still investigating the exact cause of the accident. Sudbury Public Schools plan to have grief counselors available between 1 and 3 p.m. at Nixen Elementary and Curtis Middle School. The National Weather Service has issued a warning about dangerous rip currents on the North Shore of Massachusetts and in parts on New Hampshire. At Hampton Beach, beach goers have already seen strong rip currents this summer. Last week, dozens of people had to get help from the water by lifeguards because of the currents. Rips occur when a strong, narrow current of water move directly away from the shore. As a result, swimmers can be pulled out to sea. Although it can be scary, experts say to not panic and don't try to swim against the current. Instead, swim parallel to the shore and when you're out of the current, you can swim back to the beach. A teenager faces a manslaughter charge after a hit-and-run crash on July 18 that killed a Hartford woman. Family members said 56-year-old Rosella Shuler died Saturday night. Shuler lost both of her legs when she was hit by Toyota Highlander full of teenagers while she was standing on the sidewalk on Ashley Street in Hartford. A man who was standing on the sidewalk was also hurt. Shulers death was ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Police believe six teens were in the Toyota, which was stolen out of West Hartford, but they all fled the scene of the crash. Through surveillance video police identified the person behind the wheel as 18-year-old Deykevious Russaw. Russaw was already behind bars on an unrelated case. Because he was juvenile at the time, police will not release the circumstances surrounding that arrest. But a source close to the investigation said he was one of two teens arrested for the shooting death of 63-year-old Jeffrey Worrel of Hartford on July 16 in the Westland Street area. He faces a murder charge in that case. Russaw was originally charged with first-degree assault, second-degree larceny, evading responsibility, reckless driving and operating without a license for the crash. Police said a new arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for charges of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree larceny, evading the scene of an accident, reckless driving, and operating a motor vehicle without a license. He was assigned a $1.5 million bond. Police say that a Maine woman was driving under the influence when she hit a bicyclist with her car and left the scene. WCSH-TV reports that 23-year-old Jonathan Menard, of Brunswick, suffered serious injuries late Saturday night and was brought to Maine Medical Center. Law enforcement agencies looked for a car with front end damage and found 35-year-old Kristen Phillips, of Brunswick, in a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. Efforts to reach Phillips were unsuccessful. Police charged the woman with operating under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident and violation of conditions of release. She was released on $1,440 cash bail and expected to be in court September. The Portland Press Herald reports that Menard was in critical condition at Maine Medical Center Sunday morning. Reporter Charlotte Booth looks back at the devastation caused by the flood waters A DECADE ago last week West Berkshire was hit by devastating floods after months worth of rain fell in a matter of hours. Thatcham was among the worst affected areas, but no part of the region escaped unscathed. Stables and houses were under water in Lambourn, where 20 racehorses needed to be evacuated. The River Lambourn burst its banks at Bagnor for the first time in living memory, turning the village into an island and forcing The Watermill theatre to close. The Sulham brook in Pangbourne also flooded its banks, with additional concerns at the time that the River Thames would follow. Elsewhere, 140 stranded schoolchildren and 25 staff had to be rescued from waist-high water at Aldermaston Primary School by boat. They were taken to Aldermaston Parish Hall and provided with blankets and sleeping bags. More than 2,000 staff were also evacuated at Vodafones head offices in Newbury. They waded through deep water as their ornamental lake burst its banks, flooding the site. Hundreds of homes across the region sustained thousands of pounds worth of damage and at least 400 homes had to be evacuated as the floodwaters closed in. Such events always seem bring out the best of British and everyone rallied around to help. Teenagers Melissa Dixon and Leigh Reed dived into floodwaters to rescue a drowning boy near The Swan pub in Station Road, Thatcham. Miss Dixon, of Wordsworth Road, Thatcham, said at the time: Two boys waded in. One of them managed to clamber back out, but the other boy got into difficulty and began screaming for help. She and the then 17-year-old Mr Reed, of Mayfield Road, Thatcham, swam out to the boy. Revellers on their way to the Glade Festival at the Wasing Estate didnt let the water dampen their fun and many danced into the night, standing knee-deep in foul-smelling mud. Leaving the festival, however, wasnt easy as many of the approach roads were flooded and cars at the venue were stuck in the mud. Tractor drivers charged 5 to tow them out so they could get on their way. Robin Crane, from Midland Fire & Protection, said: We arranged for specialised low-level pumping equipment to be sent to the festival, as our Berkshire colleagues were inundated with calls elsewhere. To add to the chaos, the M4 was flooded and further exacerbated by a landslip, forcing the closure of two lanes which left traffic at a standstill. Additionally, the A34 was shut for eight hours and the Chieveley junction with the M4 was closed after a pumping station flooded, creating three-hour delays. Since then, precautions have been taken to ensure that flooding on this scale is not repeated. President Donald Trump salutes as he arrives on Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport, in Morristown, N.J., July 1. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) By PTI MUMBAI: Japan is already extending financial aid to major infrastructure development projects in India, and is ready to support more ventures in various fields, a diplomat has said. "Japan is very much ready to support India in achieving its 21st goals in various fields," said Japanese Consul General Ryoji Noda. The two Asian economic giants have exchanges in a host of fields like culture, business and education, he said. "To boost the relationship between the two countries, our prime ministers are meeting annually. As part of the initiative, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to visit India later this year." During the meeting of prime ministers of both the countries in 2014, it was decided to double Japan's foreign direct investment (FDI) into India to Rs 2.1 lakh crore in five years' timeframe, he said. "Japan is expected to provide Rs 1.2 lakh crore for the high speed rail project (bullet train) between umbai and Ahmedabad," Noda added. MUMBAI: Japan is already extending financial aid to major infrastructure development projects in India, and is ready to support more ventures in various fields, a diplomat has said. "Japan is very much ready to support India in achieving its 21st goals in various fields," said Japanese Consul General Ryoji Noda. The two Asian economic giants have exchanges in a host of fields like culture, business and education, he said. "To boost the relationship between the two countries, our prime ministers are meeting annually. As part of the initiative, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to visit India later this year." During the meeting of prime ministers of both the countries in 2014, it was decided to double Japan's foreign direct investment (FDI) into India to Rs 2.1 lakh crore in five years' timeframe, he said. "Japan is expected to provide Rs 1.2 lakh crore for the high speed rail project (bullet train) between umbai and Ahmedabad," Noda added. M Sathish By Express News Service CHENNAI: Five persons, including four MTC staff, were arrested for selling fake monthly bus passes and siphoning off the fees paid by the bus passengers. It is believed that the gang had been carrying out the fraud for nearly last two years and making out nearly one lakh every month. The fraud was unearthed when in May a ticker checker of the public transport corporation found that the Travel as you please ticket (Rs 1000 per month) bus pass carried by one of the passengers was a little different, though it matched all other features, including the hologram. As the ticket checker alerted senior officials, an internal enquiry was started. We started collecting the passes when passengers come for renewals. Then we caught hold of about 25 fake bus passes, said a senior MTC official. Then the officials started checking the sales figures of the various bus depots in the city when they noticed that the sales have dipped in Thiruvanmiyur and Anna Nagar bus depots. We started finding out the people who were at the counters in these depots and zeroed in on a few suspects. The fake passes are exactly the same as the original and even the hologram was also the same. But they missed the serial numbers, said the official. V Krishnamoorthy, Managing Director of MTC, lodged a complaint with the Chennai city police on July 20 and the Central Crime Branch started investigating the case. Four MTC staff S Krishnakumar, M Jagedesh, D Suresh Kumar, T Prakash and another person S Ramesh Babu were arrested. Police said while Krishnakumar, who is posted in Adambakkam depot, and Jagedesh, posted in Tiruvanmiyur depot, were printing and selling the fake bus passes at the Tiruvanmiyur bus depot, the other three were selling them in the Anna Nagar bus depot. Police said both Krishnakumar and Ramesh Babu were separately having colour xerox and printers to make the fake bus passes. Jagedesh was posted in the counter at the Thiruvanmiyur bus depot and Prakash was posted in the counter at Anna Nagar bus depot. Suresh Kumar was also serving in the Anna Nagar bus depot as accountant and was in connivance with the other two in the fraud. From the date of purchase of these printers, the police suspect that gang had carried the scam for the last two years.We estimate that they were making `1 lakh per month, said a police officer. We constantly change the bus pass colour and also put 3D hologram as an additional safety feature, Krishnamoorthy told Express.All five were remanded and the police are further investigating. CHENNAI: Five persons, including four MTC staff, were arrested for selling fake monthly bus passes and siphoning off the fees paid by the bus passengers. It is believed that the gang had been carrying out the fraud for nearly last two years and making out nearly one lakh every month. The fraud was unearthed when in May a ticker checker of the public transport corporation found that the Travel as you please ticket (Rs 1000 per month) bus pass carried by one of the passengers was a little different, though it matched all other features, including the hologram. As the ticket checker alerted senior officials, an internal enquiry was started. We started collecting the passes when passengers come for renewals. Then we caught hold of about 25 fake bus passes, said a senior MTC official. Then the officials started checking the sales figures of the various bus depots in the city when they noticed that the sales have dipped in Thiruvanmiyur and Anna Nagar bus depots. We started finding out the people who were at the counters in these depots and zeroed in on a few suspects. The fake passes are exactly the same as the original and even the hologram was also the same. But they missed the serial numbers, said the official. V Krishnamoorthy, Managing Director of MTC, lodged a complaint with the Chennai city police on July 20 and the Central Crime Branch started investigating the case. Four MTC staff S Krishnakumar, M Jagedesh, D Suresh Kumar, T Prakash and another person S Ramesh Babu were arrested. Police said while Krishnakumar, who is posted in Adambakkam depot, and Jagedesh, posted in Tiruvanmiyur depot, were printing and selling the fake bus passes at the Tiruvanmiyur bus depot, the other three were selling them in the Anna Nagar bus depot. Police said both Krishnakumar and Ramesh Babu were separately having colour xerox and printers to make the fake bus passes. Jagedesh was posted in the counter at the Thiruvanmiyur bus depot and Prakash was posted in the counter at Anna Nagar bus depot. Suresh Kumar was also serving in the Anna Nagar bus depot as accountant and was in connivance with the other two in the fraud. From the date of purchase of these printers, the police suspect that gang had carried the scam for the last two years.We estimate that they were making `1 lakh per month, said a police officer. We constantly change the bus pass colour and also put 3D hologram as an additional safety feature, Krishnamoorthy told Express.All five were remanded and the police are further investigating. By IANS LONDON: James Bond will battle a blind super-villain in Croatia in the upcoming 25th instalment, tentatively titled "Shatterhand", reports say. The next film in the long-running franchise, which will see actor Daniel Craig fighting a blind antagonist, is based on the 1999 thriller "Never Dream Of Dying" by author Raymond Benson, who also wrote Bond books "Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day" and "The World is Not Enough", reports mirror.co.uk. The novel opens with a police raid on a French movie studio that goes badly wrong, while an actress with a sordid past leads Bond to his final target. "Bond scriptwriters feel it could be the perfect follow-up to 'Spectre'. They are hoping to film in Croatia next year," said a source. The source added that the producers were furious when a local mayor revealed that they had been scouting for locations in the coastal tourist hotspot of Dubrovnik. Craig, who has been playing the famous spy since the 2006 film "Casino Royale", has not yet been announced as being back as the British Secret Service agent. But there are reports that the 49-year-old star is set to return for his fifth stint in the series despite declaring he would rather "slash his wrists than play the secret agent again". The 25th James Bond film will hit cinemas in November 2019. LONDON: James Bond will battle a blind super-villain in Croatia in the upcoming 25th instalment, tentatively titled "Shatterhand", reports say. The next film in the long-running franchise, which will see actor Daniel Craig fighting a blind antagonist, is based on the 1999 thriller "Never Dream Of Dying" by author Raymond Benson, who also wrote Bond books "Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day" and "The World is Not Enough", reports mirror.co.uk. The novel opens with a police raid on a French movie studio that goes badly wrong, while an actress with a sordid past leads Bond to his final target. "Bond scriptwriters feel it could be the perfect follow-up to 'Spectre'. They are hoping to film in Croatia next year," said a source. The source added that the producers were furious when a local mayor revealed that they had been scouting for locations in the coastal tourist hotspot of Dubrovnik. Craig, who has been playing the famous spy since the 2006 film "Casino Royale", has not yet been announced as being back as the British Secret Service agent. But there are reports that the 49-year-old star is set to return for his fifth stint in the series despite declaring he would rather "slash his wrists than play the secret agent again". The 25th James Bond film will hit cinemas in November 2019. Gopinath Rajendran By Express News Service Film: Berlin syndrome Director: Cate Shortland Cast: Teresa Palmer, Max Riemelt, Matthias Habich, Emma Bading Never get into a strangers car and never accept food offered by those you dont know about. These are warnings we have always heard growing up. However, in todays world, ordering food and cab service online has become commonplace. What if our worst fears came true? Thats what Berlin Syndrome is about. Clare, a young tourist backpacking on her own, meets Andi, a puzzling yet charming English teacher in Germany. They hit it off, and in a while, she ends up in his apartment thats in a secluded neighbourhood. It only takes a while for her (and us) to realise that shes walked into a trap, as Andi has no plans of letting her go. The glass windows are reinforced, and anything she can use to escape is locked up. As the film happens mostly within the four walls of Andis cloistered house, it makes the claustrophobe in us squirm. As it progressed I couldnt help but get reminded of the 2015 award-winning film, Room. But the similarities soon stop when we get to see Clare getting adapted to her new environment. She acts delusional, and even consoles Andi when hes down, as she develops Stockholm syndrome (hence the title). Shortland, in order to make up for the scenes inside the apartment, balances it by showing us a good deal of Andis social life. Hes an introvert, who refuses offers from other women, and even considers a friendly touch by a female colleague to be so dirty that he ends up washing his hands. But that doesnt stop him from picking up the women he prefers, whore mostly foreigners as his father reveals. The mood of the film is maintained well with some wonderful music, and scenes like the one in which Clare tries to escape from Andis clutches. These give a little shimmer of hope in an otherwise dark film. While the eerie tone, scenes of physical abuse and gory sequences make it an interesting watch, Berlin Syndrome does make the great performances of the leads no good as the character development lacks clarity. One moment, Clare tries to breakout and get away from her captor, and the next, we see them having consensual sex. We also never get to understand why Andi became an apathetic sociopath. Berlin Syndrome, for the most part, is still creepy and disturbing enough to be a treat for fans of the genre. Film: Berlin syndrome Director: Cate Shortland Cast: Teresa Palmer, Max Riemelt, Matthias Habich, Emma Bading Never get into a strangers car and never accept food offered by those you dont know about. These are warnings we have always heard growing up. However, in todays world, ordering food and cab service online has become commonplace. What if our worst fears came true? Thats what Berlin Syndrome is about. Clare, a young tourist backpacking on her own, meets Andi, a puzzling yet charming English teacher in Germany. They hit it off, and in a while, she ends up in his apartment thats in a secluded neighbourhood. It only takes a while for her (and us) to realise that shes walked into a trap, as Andi has no plans of letting her go. The glass windows are reinforced, and anything she can use to escape is locked up. As the film happens mostly within the four walls of Andis cloistered house, it makes the claustrophobe in us squirm. As it progressed I couldnt help but get reminded of the 2015 award-winning film, Room. But the similarities soon stop when we get to see Clare getting adapted to her new environment. She acts delusional, and even consoles Andi when hes down, as she develops Stockholm syndrome (hence the title). Shortland, in order to make up for the scenes inside the apartment, balances it by showing us a good deal of Andis social life. Hes an introvert, who refuses offers from other women, and even considers a friendly touch by a female colleague to be so dirty that he ends up washing his hands. But that doesnt stop him from picking up the women he prefers, whore mostly foreigners as his father reveals. The mood of the film is maintained well with some wonderful music, and scenes like the one in which Clare tries to escape from Andis clutches. These give a little shimmer of hope in an otherwise dark film. While the eerie tone, scenes of physical abuse and gory sequences make it an interesting watch, Berlin Syndrome does make the great performances of the leads no good as the character development lacks clarity. One moment, Clare tries to breakout and get away from her captor, and the next, we see them having consensual sex. We also never get to understand why Andi became an apathetic sociopath. Berlin Syndrome, for the most part, is still creepy and disturbing enough to be a treat for fans of the genre. By Express News Service Filmmaker Mani Ratnam is eagerly looking forward to the release of upcoming Malayalam-Tamil bilingual drama Solo, directed by his erstwhile assistant Bejoy Nambiar. Going by the first glimpse of the film, it looks very promising. Im looking forward to the film, Ratnam told IANS.Solo, starring Dulquer Salmaan in the lead, is an anthology of four stories with a mythical touch.Its a collection of four different stories on earth, water, fire and wind. I cant divulge more about the plot at this moment, Nambiar had told IANS, reiterating the film is a genuine bilingual. We have shot every scene twice. Once in Tamil and the second time in Malayalam. It was like shooting two films at the cost and time of making one film, he added.Solo, gearing up for September release, also stars Arthi Venkatesh, Dhansikaa, Dino Morea, Neha Sharma and Sruthi Hariharan.The film is jointly produced by Getaway Films and Abaam Films. Filmmaker Mani Ratnam is eagerly looking forward to the release of upcoming Malayalam-Tamil bilingual drama Solo, directed by his erstwhile assistant Bejoy Nambiar. Going by the first glimpse of the film, it looks very promising. Im looking forward to the film, Ratnam told IANS.Solo, starring Dulquer Salmaan in the lead, is an anthology of four stories with a mythical touch.Its a collection of four different stories on earth, water, fire and wind. I cant divulge more about the plot at this moment, Nambiar had told IANS, reiterating the film is a genuine bilingual. We have shot every scene twice. Once in Tamil and the second time in Malayalam. It was like shooting two films at the cost and time of making one film, he added.Solo, gearing up for September release, also stars Arthi Venkatesh, Dhansikaa, Dino Morea, Neha Sharma and Sruthi Hariharan.The film is jointly produced by Getaway Films and Abaam Films. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRI NAGAR: An idea cannot be jailed, said Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti a day after she cautioned New Delhi against any move to alter the special status given to her state by Indias Constitution. She went on to take a nuanced position on the current turmoil in the Kashmir Valley, arguing for more points of trade across the Line of Control (LoC), even nomination of individuals from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to the states legislature and joint sittings of the Assembly in this Kashmir and that Kashmir. All this while keeping to the official line that India was incomplete without Kashmir. Kashmir is the crown of India and it needs to be respected, she said. The speech came at a rally by her People Democratic party (PDP) to mark its foundation day. It was also the first public rally by any mainstream political party in Srinagar since the killing in July 2016 of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by security forces. In a message that was meant as much for her party cadres as decision makers in New Delhi, she said, We have a different challenge today. Todays youth are not afraid of the police, the Special Operations Group and the Army. There is an idea due to which stones are pelted and guns have been taken up. In concrete terms, she appealed to Delhi to tread the path of former PM Vajpayee and revive the Lahore Declaration between India and Pakistan. Apart from an impassioned appeal for more people-to-people contacts between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK, the novel idea Mehbooba proposed was for a joint legislature for the two parts of Kashmir. There are seats reserved in our Assembly for that Kashmir. We should decide together to make nominations for those seats. We should decide that this Assembly meets once in this Kashmir and once in that Kashmir every year so that we can talk about tourism, opening of the Sharda Peeth and travel, she said. Mehbooba questioned why there cannot be more open points of trade on the line separating J&K and PoK. She said the plea that this would open up supply lines for drug trafficking was a specious one. Dont charas and ganja come through the Wagah border (in Punjab)? But nobody talks about closing that border crossing, she asserted The latter was a dig at media reports that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recommended closure of cross-LoC trade on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote routes. SRI NAGAR: An idea cannot be jailed, said Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti a day after she cautioned New Delhi against any move to alter the special status given to her state by Indias Constitution. She went on to take a nuanced position on the current turmoil in the Kashmir Valley, arguing for more points of trade across the Line of Control (LoC), even nomination of individuals from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to the states legislature and joint sittings of the Assembly in this Kashmir and that Kashmir. All this while keeping to the official line that India was incomplete without Kashmir. Kashmir is the crown of India and it needs to be respected, she said. The speech came at a rally by her People Democratic party (PDP) to mark its foundation day. It was also the first public rally by any mainstream political party in Srinagar since the killing in July 2016 of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by security forces. In a message that was meant as much for her party cadres as decision makers in New Delhi, she said, We have a different challenge today. Todays youth are not afraid of the police, the Special Operations Group and the Army. There is an idea due to which stones are pelted and guns have been taken up. In concrete terms, she appealed to Delhi to tread the path of former PM Vajpayee and revive the Lahore Declaration between India and Pakistan. Apart from an impassioned appeal for more people-to-people contacts between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK, the novel idea Mehbooba proposed was for a joint legislature for the two parts of Kashmir. There are seats reserved in our Assembly for that Kashmir. We should decide together to make nominations for those seats. We should decide that this Assembly meets once in this Kashmir and once in that Kashmir every year so that we can talk about tourism, opening of the Sharda Peeth and travel, she said. Mehbooba questioned why there cannot be more open points of trade on the line separating J&K and PoK. She said the plea that this would open up supply lines for drug trafficking was a specious one. Dont charas and ganja come through the Wagah border (in Punjab)? But nobody talks about closing that border crossing, she asserted The latter was a dig at media reports that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recommended closure of cross-LoC trade on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote routes. By Express News Service Human body parts found on Mont Blanc in the Swiss Alps on Thursday open up an intriguing possibility: are these the remnants of victims of one of the two Air India plane crashes that took place more than 50 years ago? What was found? A hand, the upper part of a leg, and the wreckage of a jet engine, which could be from one of the two Air India planes Who found them? Daniel Roche, an amateur airplane accident investigator who has spent years combing the Bossons Glacier in the Swiss Alps looking for remains of crash victims How the crashes happened November 1950: Air India Flight 245 from Bombay to London was flying over France on the morning of November 3 when it went off the radar while at an altitude of 4,700 m. The plane hit the side of Mont Blank 40 Passengers on board. No survivors found January 1966: The pilot of Air India Flight 101 from Bombay to London thought he had passed Mont Blanc and descended to land in Geneva. The plane flew straight into the Mont Blanc massif 117 Passengers, including Homi Bhabha, the father of Indias nuclear programme, on board. All died Homi Bhabha connection? Indias nuclear pioneer was on the Boeing 707 that crashed near Mont Blanc in 1966. Many years later, a team of journalists claimed to have found the wreck and declared to have found debris of an aircraft other than a Boeing 707. Bhabhas mysterious death gave rise to several assassination theories Whose remains are these? The hand and the leg are probably not from the same person, say the local Swiss police. Its not known to which of the two aircrafts the jet engine belonged What now? Roches finds were taken down from the site and will be examined by experts Human body parts found on Mont Blanc in the Swiss Alps on Thursday open up an intriguing possibility: are these the remnants of victims of one of the two Air India plane crashes that took place more than 50 years ago? What was found? A hand, the upper part of a leg, and the wreckage of a jet engine, which could be from one of the two Air India planes Who found them? Daniel Roche, an amateur airplane accident investigator who has spent years combing the Bossons Glacier in the Swiss Alps looking for remains of crash victims How the crashes happened November 1950: Air India Flight 245 from Bombay to London was flying over France on the morning of November 3 when it went off the radar while at an altitude of 4,700 m. The plane hit the side of Mont Blank 40 Passengers on board. No survivors found January 1966: The pilot of Air India Flight 101 from Bombay to London thought he had passed Mont Blanc and descended to land in Geneva. The plane flew straight into the Mont Blanc massif 117 Passengers, including Homi Bhabha, the father of Indias nuclear programme, on board. All died Homi Bhabha connection? Indias nuclear pioneer was on the Boeing 707 that crashed near Mont Blanc in 1966. Many years later, a team of journalists claimed to have found the wreck and declared to have found debris of an aircraft other than a Boeing 707. Bhabhas mysterious death gave rise to several assassination theories Whose remains are these? The hand and the leg are probably not from the same person, say the local Swiss police. Its not known to which of the two aircrafts the jet engine belonged What now? Roches finds were taken down from the site and will be examined by experts By Express News Service MUMBAI: In the biggest ever drugs seizure along the Indian coast, the coast guard, in a joint operation with Intelligence Bureau (IB) and local police, apprehended a Panamanian ship carrying 1500 kg of heroin valued at Rs 3,500 crore off the Gujarat coast, on Sunday. As per reports, the ship MV Henry, was apprehended by Ship Samudra Pavak, a pollution control vessel of the coast guard. Sources said, three days back, the coast guard received information from intelligence sources that a big consignment of narcotic drugs was likely to enter Mumbai via Gujarat. According to the defence spokesperson, while patrolling in the area, Coast Guard ship Samudra Pavak intercepted a merchant vessel on the basis of an intelligence input. "The Indian Coast Guard ship 'Samudra Pavak' intercepted and apprehended a merchant vessel carrying approximately 1,500 kg of heroin.. valued at around Rs 3,500 crore, from a merchant's vessel off the Gujarat coast, a defence spokesperson said in a statement released on Sunday afternoon. "Based on intelligence inputs, the vessel was intercepted at around 1200 hrs yesterday. This is the largest single haul of narcotics seized till date," the statement said. CLICK BELOW TO WATCH VIDEO: Accordingly, a fishing trawler MV Henry was kept under surveillance and was raided on Sunday off the Gujarat coast, the sources have said. EXPLAINER: Why is Panama the go to place for registering ships? IN PICS: Seven things to know about Panama cargo vessel Amber L involved in Kochi shipping collision The vessel, which was found to be registered in Panama, had eight crew members onboard and no cargo. It said it was headed to Bhavnagar for breaking at the Alang yard when intercepted by the ICG ship in the Gulf of Khambat. The claims were denied by the Gujarat Maritime Board, the ICG said. The development comes three days after the ICG was mobilised on intelligence input that an Iranian vessel Prince-II, carrying large amount of narcotics (heroin and chitta), was likely to enter Bhavnagar (Gulf of Khambat) or Jamnagar (Gulf of Kutch) in disguise. Based on intelligence inputs, the vessel was intercepted at around 1200 hrs yesterday. This is the largest single haul of narcotics till date, claimed the statement. The vessel has been taken to Porbandar, and crew members have been detained for interrogation in the presence of intelligence agencies, police, customs, enforcement, narcotics, and the navy. Considered as the most crucial coast belt, Coast Guard has stepped up security across the 1,600-km long Gujarat coastline with deployment of patrolling vessels and Dorniers for aerial surveillance. This is the second instance in two months that a Panama-registered ship has been embroiled in controversy. On June 13, Amber-L, another Panamanian-registered ship, hit a fishing vessel off the Kochi coast killing two fishermen. Considered as the most crucial coast belt, Coast guard has stepped up security across the 1,600-km long Gujarat coastline with the deployment of patrolling vessels and Dorniers for aerial surveillance. On December 31, 2014, a hostile boat from Karachi, Pakistan, was intercepted by ICG about 365 km off the Porbandar coast, before the occupants set ablaze the vessel that later sank with them. MUMBAI: In the biggest ever drugs seizure along the Indian coast, the coast guard, in a joint operation with Intelligence Bureau (IB) and local police, apprehended a Panamanian ship carrying 1500 kg of heroin valued at Rs 3,500 crore off the Gujarat coast, on Sunday. As per reports, the ship MV Henry, was apprehended by Ship Samudra Pavak, a pollution control vessel of the coast guard. Sources said, three days back, the coast guard received information from intelligence sources that a big consignment of narcotic drugs was likely to enter Mumbai via Gujarat. According to the defence spokesperson, while patrolling in the area, Coast Guard ship Samudra Pavak intercepted a merchant vessel on the basis of an intelligence input. "The Indian Coast Guard ship 'Samudra Pavak' intercepted and apprehended a merchant vessel carrying approximately 1,500 kg of heroin.. valued at around Rs 3,500 crore, from a merchant's vessel off the Gujarat coast, a defence spokesperson said in a statement released on Sunday afternoon. "Based on intelligence inputs, the vessel was intercepted at around 1200 hrs yesterday. This is the largest single haul of narcotics seized till date," the statement said. CLICK BELOW TO WATCH VIDEO: Accordingly, a fishing trawler MV Henry was kept under surveillance and was raided on Sunday off the Gujarat coast, the sources have said. EXPLAINER: Why is Panama the go to place for registering ships? IN PICS: Seven things to know about Panama cargo vessel Amber L involved in Kochi shipping collision The vessel, which was found to be registered in Panama, had eight crew members onboard and no cargo. It said it was headed to Bhavnagar for breaking at the Alang yard when intercepted by the ICG ship in the Gulf of Khambat. The claims were denied by the Gujarat Maritime Board, the ICG said. The development comes three days after the ICG was mobilised on intelligence input that an Iranian vessel Prince-II, carrying large amount of narcotics (heroin and chitta), was likely to enter Bhavnagar (Gulf of Khambat) or Jamnagar (Gulf of Kutch) in disguise. Based on intelligence inputs, the vessel was intercepted at around 1200 hrs yesterday. This is the largest single haul of narcotics till date, claimed the statement. The vessel has been taken to Porbandar, and crew members have been detained for interrogation in the presence of intelligence agencies, police, customs, enforcement, narcotics, and the navy. Considered as the most crucial coast belt, Coast Guard has stepped up security across the 1,600-km long Gujarat coastline with deployment of patrolling vessels and Dorniers for aerial surveillance. This is the second instance in two months that a Panama-registered ship has been embroiled in controversy. On June 13, Amber-L, another Panamanian-registered ship, hit a fishing vessel off the Kochi coast killing two fishermen. Considered as the most crucial coast belt, Coast guard has stepped up security across the 1,600-km long Gujarat coastline with the deployment of patrolling vessels and Dorniers for aerial surveillance. On December 31, 2014, a hostile boat from Karachi, Pakistan, was intercepted by ICG about 365 km off the Porbandar coast, before the occupants set ablaze the vessel that later sank with them. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court collegium has recalled its recommendation, made a year ago, to transfer a Delhi High Court judge to the Andhra Pradesh & Telangana High Court, a senior functionary aware of the development has said. The collegium had recommended the transfer of the judge over a year ago. But about four months ago, the government had returned the recommendation. Now, the collegium, a body of top five judges of the apex court headed by the CJI, has recalled its recommendation. The recommendation was recalled in late June-early July, the functionary said. The recommendation was made by the then Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, who had expressed anguish in an open court in August last year, over the delay on the part of the government in processing this and other transfers. Yet another recommendation to transfer Uttarakhand High Chief Justice K M Joseph as Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana High Court is still pending with the government since May, 2016. As per the established procedure, the recommendations of appointment, transfer and elevation of high court and Supreme Court judges are sent to the government. The government can return the file once, but usually agrees to it if the collegium reiterates its recommendation. The Modi government has on a few occasions returned the recommendations despite being reiterated by the collegium. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court collegium has recalled its recommendation, made a year ago, to transfer a Delhi High Court judge to the Andhra Pradesh & Telangana High Court, a senior functionary aware of the development has said. The collegium had recommended the transfer of the judge over a year ago. But about four months ago, the government had returned the recommendation. Now, the collegium, a body of top five judges of the apex court headed by the CJI, has recalled its recommendation. The recommendation was recalled in late June-early July, the functionary said. The recommendation was made by the then Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, who had expressed anguish in an open court in August last year, over the delay on the part of the government in processing this and other transfers. Yet another recommendation to transfer Uttarakhand High Chief Justice K M Joseph as Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana High Court is still pending with the government since May, 2016. As per the established procedure, the recommendations of appointment, transfer and elevation of high court and Supreme Court judges are sent to the government. The government can return the file once, but usually agrees to it if the collegium reiterates its recommendation. The Modi government has on a few occasions returned the recommendations despite being reiterated by the collegium. By PTI GURGAON (HARYANA): At least 15 incidents of women's braids being mysteriously chopped off have been reported from the villages of the Mewat region in last two weeks, police said today. These bizarre happenings have left the villagers in panic. Most women report having fallen unconscious when their braids were chopped off leading to the villagers blaming godmen, ghosts, witches and "cat-like" creatures. Police, however, dismissed these claims and said it was the handiwork of anti-social elements. Yesterday, one such incident was reported from Gurgaon. Sunita Devi, a resident of Ashok Vihar phase-III area, approached the police, claiming that on the night of July 28 she was attacked by a strange-looking man, in his 60s, when she was alone in her house. "While I was preparing dinner in the kitchen, I saw a thin man in a red and yellow outfit on the main entrance of my house. When I went to enquire, I saw he was carrying a trident. I told him to go away. He went away and disappeared only to reappear," she claimed. Sunita said before she could comprehend anything she fell unconscious. "When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying on the floor and my braid was chopped off," she claimed, adding her house, however, was not ransacked. Police said they have made a Daily Diary entry of the incident and launched a probe into the matter. Gurgaon Police PRO Ravinder Kumar said the perpetrator was yet to be identified and the woman has not complained of any external wounds. The woman was in extreme trauma and still terrified. She was admitted to a private hospital and discharged last evening, he said. Another incident was reported in Malhaka village. Aseena had fallen unconscious and when she woke up she found her hair had been chopped off. "I'm feeling scared," Aseena said. A police complaint has been made in the matter. To deal with the rising apprehension caused by these incidents, the village panchayats have asked women to tie their hair in buns instead of braids. Living under a shadow of fear, women are venturing outside to get water and fodder only in large groups and patrol parties have also been formed to nab those responsible. "We have assigned our male members or family heads to patrol on a daily basis in two shifts. They are to stay alert 24X7 in order to combat the gang, animal or ghost, whatever it may be, responsible," Ram Mehar Yadav, a resident of Punahana told PTI. DSP Ferozpur Jhirka Yadram said police has received complaints of 2,3 incidents in Ferozpur Jhirka's Santhwari and Satras villages. They have also been reported from Malhaka village, Punahana, Dallawas, Jharpuri, Hamka, Padhen, Shikarpur, Mohammad Pur Aheer. "Local villagers are saying that women's braids are being chopped off mysteriously. They say a cat-like animal appears and makes them unconscious. It then chops off their braids and disappears. They villagers claim that ghosts are behind it,"Yadram said. It is suspected that a gang of anti-social elements was behind such incidents. They want to terrify villagers and violate law and order situation and harmony of the district, he said. No FIR has been registered in the cases as of now, Yadram said. While Mewat Superintendent of Police Nazneen Bhasin said, "An unknown gang is behind this chopping of women's braids in Mewat. We have earlier detained two persons from a group in Nagana at Barmer district but they were not involved." She, however, cautioned that some cases may have been rumours. Manisha of Haryana's Punahana also claims to have been targetted. She get her braid was cut off two days ago when she went to the jungle to get grass for cattle. "My mother and I had gone to the jungle to get fodder. She says she saw a person for a few moments and lost consciousness," she claimed. Mewat Deputy Commissioner Mani Ram Sharma said the cases would be solved soon. "There is nothing like ghosts...some anti-social gang or group is trying to create panic in the region. Police and administration have beefed up vigil and security and have urged residents and villagers not to spread rumours," he said. This incident brings back memories of the 'Monkey Man' scare in 2001 in Delhi when there were reports of a strange monkey-like creature attacking people at night. GURGAON (HARYANA): At least 15 incidents of women's braids being mysteriously chopped off have been reported from the villages of the Mewat region in last two weeks, police said today. These bizarre happenings have left the villagers in panic. Most women report having fallen unconscious when their braids were chopped off leading to the villagers blaming godmen, ghosts, witches and "cat-like" creatures. Police, however, dismissed these claims and said it was the handiwork of anti-social elements. Yesterday, one such incident was reported from Gurgaon. Sunita Devi, a resident of Ashok Vihar phase-III area, approached the police, claiming that on the night of July 28 she was attacked by a strange-looking man, in his 60s, when she was alone in her house. "While I was preparing dinner in the kitchen, I saw a thin man in a red and yellow outfit on the main entrance of my house. When I went to enquire, I saw he was carrying a trident. I told him to go away. He went away and disappeared only to reappear," she claimed. Sunita said before she could comprehend anything she fell unconscious. "When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying on the floor and my braid was chopped off," she claimed, adding her house, however, was not ransacked. Police said they have made a Daily Diary entry of the incident and launched a probe into the matter. Gurgaon Police PRO Ravinder Kumar said the perpetrator was yet to be identified and the woman has not complained of any external wounds. The woman was in extreme trauma and still terrified. She was admitted to a private hospital and discharged last evening, he said. Another incident was reported in Malhaka village. Aseena had fallen unconscious and when she woke up she found her hair had been chopped off. "I'm feeling scared," Aseena said. A police complaint has been made in the matter. To deal with the rising apprehension caused by these incidents, the village panchayats have asked women to tie their hair in buns instead of braids. Living under a shadow of fear, women are venturing outside to get water and fodder only in large groups and patrol parties have also been formed to nab those responsible. "We have assigned our male members or family heads to patrol on a daily basis in two shifts. They are to stay alert 24X7 in order to combat the gang, animal or ghost, whatever it may be, responsible," Ram Mehar Yadav, a resident of Punahana told PTI. DSP Ferozpur Jhirka Yadram said police has received complaints of 2,3 incidents in Ferozpur Jhirka's Santhwari and Satras villages. They have also been reported from Malhaka village, Punahana, Dallawas, Jharpuri, Hamka, Padhen, Shikarpur, Mohammad Pur Aheer. "Local villagers are saying that women's braids are being chopped off mysteriously. They say a cat-like animal appears and makes them unconscious. It then chops off their braids and disappears. They villagers claim that ghosts are behind it,"Yadram said. It is suspected that a gang of anti-social elements was behind such incidents. They want to terrify villagers and violate law and order situation and harmony of the district, he said. No FIR has been registered in the cases as of now, Yadram said. While Mewat Superintendent of Police Nazneen Bhasin said, "An unknown gang is behind this chopping of women's braids in Mewat. We have earlier detained two persons from a group in Nagana at Barmer district but they were not involved." She, however, cautioned that some cases may have been rumours. Manisha of Haryana's Punahana also claims to have been targetted. She get her braid was cut off two days ago when she went to the jungle to get grass for cattle. "My mother and I had gone to the jungle to get fodder. She says she saw a person for a few moments and lost consciousness," she claimed. Mewat Deputy Commissioner Mani Ram Sharma said the cases would be solved soon. "There is nothing like ghosts...some anti-social gang or group is trying to create panic in the region. Police and administration have beefed up vigil and security and have urged residents and villagers not to spread rumours," he said. This incident brings back memories of the 'Monkey Man' scare in 2001 in Delhi when there were reports of a strange monkey-like creature attacking people at night. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Ten days after the 26-year-old student of Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, went missing on July 18, city police are yet to find any clues about the 26-year-old's disappearance. The institute had lodged a complaint with the police in this regard on July 24. A FIR was lodged on Thursday after three days of search yielded no result. However, the cops are still groping in dark after tracing his last location in Himachal Pradesh. According to police sources, Shubhodeep Das of Kolkata was a 2015-2017 batch student pursuing MBA (II year) at IIM Lucknow. Shubhodeep had reportedly left the campus on July 18 after entering in the college register that he was going to his hometown Kolkata. However, he did not reach there, according to his parents. Shubhodeeps mobile phone was also going switched off and his location was traced to New Delhi on Friday. Das's parents described him as a brilliant student who was suffering from depression because of a personal issue. Shubhodeeps father Uttam Kumar visited the hostel and met his sons friends and acquaintances to get some clues about him but to no avail. We are trying to find the location of the boy but have not been able to succeed," said the SHO of local police station. LUCKNOW: Ten days after the 26-year-old student of Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, went missing on July 18, city police are yet to find any clues about the 26-year-old's disappearance. The institute had lodged a complaint with the police in this regard on July 24. A FIR was lodged on Thursday after three days of search yielded no result. However, the cops are still groping in dark after tracing his last location in Himachal Pradesh. According to police sources, Shubhodeep Das of Kolkata was a 2015-2017 batch student pursuing MBA (II year) at IIM Lucknow. Shubhodeep had reportedly left the campus on July 18 after entering in the college register that he was going to his hometown Kolkata. However, he did not reach there, according to his parents. Shubhodeeps mobile phone was also going switched off and his location was traced to New Delhi on Friday. Das's parents described him as a brilliant student who was suffering from depression because of a personal issue. Shubhodeeps father Uttam Kumar visited the hostel and met his sons friends and acquaintances to get some clues about him but to no avail. We are trying to find the location of the boy but have not been able to succeed," said the SHO of local police station. By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Commenting on the developments in Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav called it political corruption of the highest order that the BJP was indulging in Its just four months since their government came to power in the state and they are shying away from facing the people. I would like to ask my partys MLCs who have quit why they want to help the BJP, he wondered. Similarly, BSP chief Mayawati dubbed it as the BJPs boundless hunger for power. After Goa, Manipur, Bihar and Gujarat, now UP is the BJPs target. I will appeal to my legislators not to succumb to the temptations being extended by the BJP, she stated. However, BJP leaders played coy: Please dont attach these resignations with Amit Shahs Lucknow visit. He has come here as part of his tour which he is undertaking across the country, said BJP spokesman Chandra Mohan, adding that it was a personal decision of the MLCs to defect at this point in time. Five BJP ministers, including Yogi Adityanath, deputy CMs Keshav Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, ministers of state Swatantra Deo Singh and Mohsin Raza need seats in the legislature to keep their posts. As per highly-placed sources, the three defecting MLCs are likely to join the saffron ranks. Moreover, there were strong rumours afloat that certain other leaders Ambika Chaudhary and Naseemuddin Siddiqui, an erstwhile BSP stalwart who was expelled from the blue brigade by chief Mayawati in May, are also said to be in touch with the BJP leadership. Bukkal Nawab, founder president of Rashtriya Shia Samaj, had been with the SP since 1992. He has been general secretary of the party twice and tried his luck in electoral politics twice but failed. He was sent to the Council in 2012 and again in 2016. Yashwant Singh, on the other hand, is supposed to be close to Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya who is believed to have a good equation with the present BJP dispensation. Both Bukkal Nawab and Yashwant Singh have terms in the Council till 2022. Immediately after tendering his resignation, Bukkal Nawab sang paeans of PM Modi And Yogi Adityanath, saying both were doing good work while following the ideal of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. He also supported a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. About joining the BJP, Nawab did not rule out the possibility, saying he had been feeling suffocated in the Samajwadi Party for the last two years as the organisation was reduced to a family akhada. As per SP sources, Nawab belongs to Mulayam faction in the party. The SP has 66 seats in a Legislative Council of 100. That number will now dwindle to 63 and is likely to accrue to the BJP which has just eight seats. As per informed sources, some SP MLAs too may jump the fence soon. That doesnt seem to be out of the realm of possibility in view of Shivpal gravitating to Adityanath lately. Glittering CVs Bukkhal Nawab faces serious charges of land grabbing and has received notices from the Lucknow Development Authority. Yashwant Singh had been marginalized by Akhilesh Yadav of late for allegedly hobnobbing with Yogi Adityanath. Yashwant, despite being an SP MLC, invited CM Adityanath instead of Akhilesh to the launch of his book in the Assembly two months back. LUCKNOW: Commenting on the developments in Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav called it political corruption of the highest order that the BJP was indulging in Its just four months since their government came to power in the state and they are shying away from facing the people. I would like to ask my partys MLCs who have quit why they want to help the BJP, he wondered. Similarly, BSP chief Mayawati dubbed it as the BJPs boundless hunger for power. After Goa, Manipur, Bihar and Gujarat, now UP is the BJPs target. I will appeal to my legislators not to succumb to the temptations being extended by the BJP, she stated. However, BJP leaders played coy: Please dont attach these resignations with Amit Shahs Lucknow visit. He has come here as part of his tour which he is undertaking across the country, said BJP spokesman Chandra Mohan, adding that it was a personal decision of the MLCs to defect at this point in time. Five BJP ministers, including Yogi Adityanath, deputy CMs Keshav Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, ministers of state Swatantra Deo Singh and Mohsin Raza need seats in the legislature to keep their posts. As per highly-placed sources, the three defecting MLCs are likely to join the saffron ranks. Moreover, there were strong rumours afloat that certain other leaders Ambika Chaudhary and Naseemuddin Siddiqui, an erstwhile BSP stalwart who was expelled from the blue brigade by chief Mayawati in May, are also said to be in touch with the BJP leadership. Bukkal Nawab, founder president of Rashtriya Shia Samaj, had been with the SP since 1992. He has been general secretary of the party twice and tried his luck in electoral politics twice but failed. He was sent to the Council in 2012 and again in 2016. Yashwant Singh, on the other hand, is supposed to be close to Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya who is believed to have a good equation with the present BJP dispensation. Both Bukkal Nawab and Yashwant Singh have terms in the Council till 2022. Immediately after tendering his resignation, Bukkal Nawab sang paeans of PM Modi And Yogi Adityanath, saying both were doing good work while following the ideal of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. He also supported a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. About joining the BJP, Nawab did not rule out the possibility, saying he had been feeling suffocated in the Samajwadi Party for the last two years as the organisation was reduced to a family akhada. As per SP sources, Nawab belongs to Mulayam faction in the party. The SP has 66 seats in a Legislative Council of 100. That number will now dwindle to 63 and is likely to accrue to the BJP which has just eight seats. As per informed sources, some SP MLAs too may jump the fence soon. That doesnt seem to be out of the realm of possibility in view of Shivpal gravitating to Adityanath lately. Glittering CVs Bukkhal Nawab faces serious charges of land grabbing and has received notices from the Lucknow Development Authority. Yashwant Singh had been marginalized by Akhilesh Yadav of late for allegedly hobnobbing with Yogi Adityanath. Yashwant, despite being an SP MLC, invited CM Adityanath instead of Akhilesh to the launch of his book in the Assembly two months back. By PTI AURANGABAD (MAHARASHTRA): Controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen was sent back from the airport here to Mumbai after protests by a group of people against her visit to the city, police said today. Nasreen landed at the Chikalthana Airport last evening by a flight from Mumbai. Police stopped the author from stepping out of the airport, where a crowd had gathered shouting slogans like "Taslima Go Back". Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone-II) Rahul Shrirame said Nasreen was sent back to Mumbai by the next flight to avoid any "law and order problem" in this city in central Maharashtra. The author was advised to abandon her visit to the city and she agreed to go back, the police officer said. Protesters had also gathered outside a hostel where Nasreen was to stay during her three-day visit. Police said they had come to know that the writer was planning to visit the world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora besides other tourist spots in Aurangabad. The protest at the airport was led by Imtiyaz Jaleel, the AIMIM legislator from the Aurangabad central constituency. Jaleel said her writings have "hurt" the religious sentiments of Muslims across the world. "We will not allow her to step on the soil of our city," he said. Last month, the Union home ministry hs extended her visa for one year, with effect from July 23, 2017. Nasreen, a citizen of Sweden, has been getting Indian visa on a continuous basis since 2004. The author is living in exile since she left Bangladesh in 1994 in the wake of threats to her by fundamentalist groups. AURANGABAD (MAHARASHTRA): Controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen was sent back from the airport here to Mumbai after protests by a group of people against her visit to the city, police said today. Nasreen landed at the Chikalthana Airport last evening by a flight from Mumbai. Police stopped the author from stepping out of the airport, where a crowd had gathered shouting slogans like "Taslima Go Back". Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone-II) Rahul Shrirame said Nasreen was sent back to Mumbai by the next flight to avoid any "law and order problem" in this city in central Maharashtra. The author was advised to abandon her visit to the city and she agreed to go back, the police officer said. Protesters had also gathered outside a hostel where Nasreen was to stay during her three-day visit. Police said they had come to know that the writer was planning to visit the world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora besides other tourist spots in Aurangabad. The protest at the airport was led by Imtiyaz Jaleel, the AIMIM legislator from the Aurangabad central constituency. Jaleel said her writings have "hurt" the religious sentiments of Muslims across the world. "We will not allow her to step on the soil of our city," he said. Last month, the Union home ministry hs extended her visa for one year, with effect from July 23, 2017. Nasreen, a citizen of Sweden, has been getting Indian visa on a continuous basis since 2004. The author is living in exile since she left Bangladesh in 1994 in the wake of threats to her by fundamentalist groups. Ankur Sharma By Express News Service NEW DELHI: One vehicle is stolen every 15 minutes in the capital, according to the Delhi Police. In one day alone, as many as 109 vehicles go missing from Delhis streets. Ever wondered where these stolen two-wheelers and four-wheelers end up? Take a drive to the hinterlands of Uttar Pradesh. And you will see machines known as jugaad (low-cost assembled vehicles) and generators that help electrify pockets facing acute power shortage. This is where your vehicles are going. And now, with the high number of vehicles stolen from Delhi, more and more machines can be easily made available to people wanting to turn the machines into generators or jugaads. This in turn has drastically brought down the price of such machines. Areas such as Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Sambhal, which are famous for manufacturing such machines, are selling these for 40 per cent less than the original price. After being stolen, the vehicles are quickly dismantled on the Meerut Bypass. In January last year, a Delhi Police team raided a warehouse in Kaveri Colony, near Meerut Bypass and found parts of cars. Four persons were arrested. In July this year, the Delhi Police busted a gang that used to steal vehicles as per demand and sell those to scrap dealers in Meerut. During interrogation, it was revealed that they sold stolen vehicles to scrap dealers in Meerut and to their counterparts in Nepal, DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said. With that the Delhi Police claimed to have solved eight cases and recovered five two-wheelers and two four-wheelers. But the trade goes on unabated. A dealer of local made generators and jugaad claimed that now heavy engines are in demand. Engines of Bullet, or any other 200 cc motorcycles can generate electricity for a larger area than a generator made from 100 cc bike, said the man on condition of anonymity. A local dealer said that now they manufacture generators and jugaad on demand as the engines needed for it are easily available. It takes a week to make one, he added. The Delhi Polices ambitious e-FIR in motor vehicle cases have failed to curb the menace of vehicle theft. Union Minister Hansraj Ahir recently said that the Delhi Police have only managed to solve 27.7 per cent of the cases registered with it in 2016, and around 27.6 per cent cases registered this year as of June. NEW DELHI: One vehicle is stolen every 15 minutes in the capital, according to the Delhi Police. In one day alone, as many as 109 vehicles go missing from Delhis streets. Ever wondered where these stolen two-wheelers and four-wheelers end up? Take a drive to the hinterlands of Uttar Pradesh. And you will see machines known as jugaad (low-cost assembled vehicles) and generators that help electrify pockets facing acute power shortage. This is where your vehicles are going. And now, with the high number of vehicles stolen from Delhi, more and more machines can be easily made available to people wanting to turn the machines into generators or jugaads. This in turn has drastically brought down the price of such machines. Areas such as Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Sambhal, which are famous for manufacturing such machines, are selling these for 40 per cent less than the original price. After being stolen, the vehicles are quickly dismantled on the Meerut Bypass. In January last year, a Delhi Police team raided a warehouse in Kaveri Colony, near Meerut Bypass and found parts of cars. Four persons were arrested. In July this year, the Delhi Police busted a gang that used to steal vehicles as per demand and sell those to scrap dealers in Meerut. During interrogation, it was revealed that they sold stolen vehicles to scrap dealers in Meerut and to their counterparts in Nepal, DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said. With that the Delhi Police claimed to have solved eight cases and recovered five two-wheelers and two four-wheelers. But the trade goes on unabated. A dealer of local made generators and jugaad claimed that now heavy engines are in demand. Engines of Bullet, or any other 200 cc motorcycles can generate electricity for a larger area than a generator made from 100 cc bike, said the man on condition of anonymity. A local dealer said that now they manufacture generators and jugaad on demand as the engines needed for it are easily available. It takes a week to make one, he added. The Delhi Polices ambitious e-FIR in motor vehicle cases have failed to curb the menace of vehicle theft. Union Minister Hansraj Ahir recently said that the Delhi Police have only managed to solve 27.7 per cent of the cases registered with it in 2016, and around 27.6 per cent cases registered this year as of June. Ejaz Kaiser By Express News Service RAIPUR: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh government for depriving tribal people of their rights over jal, jungle and zameen. He blamed the BJP on fomenting unrest and a tussle among the Indians whether it is Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast, Haryana. It is the BJP and RSS who reaped mileage from the conflict in Kashmir where the violence is equally benefitting Pakistan and China, he said while interacting with tribal students and youth in Amcho Haque (My Rights) programme held in Jagdalpur. While addressing a huge gathering of mostly tribals in Bastar on Jan Adhikar Sabha (peoples rights meeting), he trained guns on the BJP and RSS on outsourcing of jobs, unemployment and privatisation. The scope of employment in Chhattisgarh has been outsourced. Why? The deprived poor tribals from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand then move out to work in the homes of rich people in Delhi and big metros. Such is the future given by the RSS and the BJP. Development should be for all and everyone -- tribals, poor, dalits or OBCs should be entitled for employment in Chhattisgarh, he insisted. Citing demonetisation, he said that in the name of curbing black money, PM Modi didnt think of the poor who carry only cash and consequently had to struggle a lot. Everyone knows that the black money stashed abroad either in swiss banks or invested in real estate. The RBI is still unsure how much money it got after demonetisation. So, all the black money (owned by crooks) in the country were changed (replaced) by the Modi government, Rahul Gandhi continued his tirade against the Centre. RSS and BJP show only big dreams. Small traders who always supported BJP are now unhappy claiming that the BJP has ruined their business through demonetisation and Goods & Services Tax (GST), Rahul Gandhi said. On the issue of land aquisition, Rahul Gandhi said that the villagers give their land for the growth of the country but after the project failed to take off the poor tribals didnt get back their land. He cited Tata Group that withdrew their mega steel project from Bastar. RAIPUR: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh government for depriving tribal people of their rights over jal, jungle and zameen. He blamed the BJP on fomenting unrest and a tussle among the Indians whether it is Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast, Haryana. It is the BJP and RSS who reaped mileage from the conflict in Kashmir where the violence is equally benefitting Pakistan and China, he said while interacting with tribal students and youth in Amcho Haque (My Rights) programme held in Jagdalpur. While addressing a huge gathering of mostly tribals in Bastar on Jan Adhikar Sabha (peoples rights meeting), he trained guns on the BJP and RSS on outsourcing of jobs, unemployment and privatisation. The scope of employment in Chhattisgarh has been outsourced. Why? The deprived poor tribals from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand then move out to work in the homes of rich people in Delhi and big metros. Such is the future given by the RSS and the BJP. Development should be for all and everyone -- tribals, poor, dalits or OBCs should be entitled for employment in Chhattisgarh, he insisted. Citing demonetisation, he said that in the name of curbing black money, PM Modi didnt think of the poor who carry only cash and consequently had to struggle a lot. Everyone knows that the black money stashed abroad either in swiss banks or invested in real estate. The RBI is still unsure how much money it got after demonetisation. So, all the black money (owned by crooks) in the country were changed (replaced) by the Modi government, Rahul Gandhi continued his tirade against the Centre. RSS and BJP show only big dreams. Small traders who always supported BJP are now unhappy claiming that the BJP has ruined their business through demonetisation and Goods & Services Tax (GST), Rahul Gandhi said. On the issue of land aquisition, Rahul Gandhi said that the villagers give their land for the growth of the country but after the project failed to take off the poor tribals didnt get back their land. He cited Tata Group that withdrew their mega steel project from Bastar. By PTI JAMMU: The Pakistani army tonight violated ceasefire by resorting to firing on Indian posts along the Line of Control in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. "The Pakistani Army violated ceasefire by using light weapons and MMGs (medium machine guns) along the LoC in the Baba Khori belt of Naushera sector of Rajouri district at 2230 hours tonight", Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Shahid Iqban Choudhary said. There have been 23 incidents of ceasefire violation, one BAT attack and two infiltration bids by Pakistan in June, in which 4 people, including 3 jawans, were killed and 12 injured. In July, 11 people, including 9 soldiers, were killed and 18 injured in ceasefire violation by the Pakistani army along the LoC in J&K. JAMMU: The Pakistani army tonight violated ceasefire by resorting to firing on Indian posts along the Line of Control in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. "The Pakistani Army violated ceasefire by using light weapons and MMGs (medium machine guns) along the LoC in the Baba Khori belt of Naushera sector of Rajouri district at 2230 hours tonight", Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Shahid Iqban Choudhary said. There have been 23 incidents of ceasefire violation, one BAT attack and two infiltration bids by Pakistan in June, in which 4 people, including 3 jawans, were killed and 12 injured. In July, 11 people, including 9 soldiers, were killed and 18 injured in ceasefire violation by the Pakistani army along the LoC in J&K. Soli J Sorabjee By Ram Nath Kovind was sworn in as the 14th President of India. The speech he delivered was excellent both for its content and its underlying spirit. Some extracts of his speech worth quoting are: I grew up in a mud house, in a small village. My journey has been a long one, and yet this journey is hardly mine alone. It is so telling of our nation and our society also. For all its problems, it (nation) follows that basic mantra given to us in the Preamble to the Constitutionof ensuring justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, and I will always continue to follow this basic mantra. The President stressed, The key to Indias success is its diversity. Our diversity is the core that makes us so unique. In this land, we find a mix of states and regions, religions, languages, cultures, lifestyles and much more. We are so different and yet so similar and united Often we agreed, sometimes we disagreed. But we learnt to respect each other. And that is the beauty of democracy. In the list of persons in the category of nation-builders, the President inter alia included the committed and driven public servant who works beyond the call of duty, whether on a flooded road, directing traffic, or in a quiet room, poring over details filed and the selfless teacher who equips young children and shapes their destinies. He emphasised, What must also bother us is our ability to enhance access and opportunity for the last person and the last girl-child from an under-privileged family if I may put it so, in the last house in the last village. In the concluding part of his speech, he made a reference to Mahatma Gandhi and Deen Dayal Upadhyay and stated that these are integral to our sense of humanism. This is the India of our dreams, an India that will provide quality of opportunities. This will be the India of the 21st century. Unfortunately, an unnecessary controversy has erupted over his non-mention of Nehru in the context of his mentioning Deen Dayal Upadhyay. Apparently, some Indians are genetically prone to controversies. Momentous Developments in Pakistan: A five-judge bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court held that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is unfit to hold office, and has ordered his disqualification. Understandably, the Opposition in Pakistan has hailed the verdict. Opposition leader Imran Khan said, The Supreme Courts decision has given hope to the people of Pakistan today, and called the apex courts decision the beginning for a new Pakistan. Sharif promptly resigned after the Supreme Court verdict. His supporters are highly critical of the judgment and accuse the judiciary of political motivation. According to former law minister Zahid Hamid, the judgment was based on weak arguments. In the opinion of former legal advisor Zafarullah, the judgment creates a new system of jurisprudence. General Musharraf is overjoyed. The Army is happy with the judgment. The court ruling helps the military because it has sharply reduced Sharifs influence and serves to shift the balance of power back towards the generals. In my view, the judgment does not affect the vexed problem of Kashmir and Indo-Pak relations. In a sense, it testifies to the independence of the Pakistan judiciary. President Trumps Pardon Power: An interesting debate is raging in the USA on whether President Donald Trump can legally pardon himself or his family. One view is that he cannot; because the fundamental rule is that no one may be a judge in his own case. The pardon provision of the Constitution is to enable the president to act essentially in the role of a judge of another persons criminal case. Supporters of this view say that there is not a single instance of a self-pardon having been recognised as legitimate. Even the Pope does not pardon himself. On March 28, 2014, in St. Peters Basilica, Pope Francis publicly kneeled before a priest and confessed his sins for about three minutes. The critics pungently conclude by saying there is one thing we know that Trump cannot dowithout Soli J Sorabjee Former Attorney-General of India solisorabjee@gmail.com Ram Nath Kovind was sworn in as the 14th President of India. The speech he delivered was excellent both for its content and its underlying spirit. Some extracts of his speech worth quoting are: I grew up in a mud house, in a small village. My journey has been a long one, and yet this journey is hardly mine alone. It is so telling of our nation and our society also. For all its problems, it (nation) follows that basic mantra given to us in the Preamble to the Constitutionof ensuring justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, and I will always continue to follow this basic mantra. The President stressed, The key to Indias success is its diversity. Our diversity is the core that makes us so unique. In this land, we find a mix of states and regions, religions, languages, cultures, lifestyles and much more. We are so different and yet so similar and united Often we agreed, sometimes we disagreed. But we learnt to respect each other. And that is the beauty of democracy. In the list of persons in the category of nation-builders, the President inter alia included the committed and driven public servant who works beyond the call of duty, whether on a flooded road, directing traffic, or in a quiet room, poring over details filed and the selfless teacher who equips young children and shapes their destinies. He emphasised, What must also bother us is our ability to enhance access and opportunity for the last person and the last girl-child from an under-privileged family if I may put it so, in the last house in the last village. In the concluding part of his speech, he made a reference to Mahatma Gandhi and Deen Dayal Upadhyay and stated that these are integral to our sense of humanism. This is the India of our dreams, an India that will provide quality of opportunities. This will be the India of the 21st century. Unfortunately, an unnecessary controversy has erupted over his non-mention of Nehru in the context of his mentioning Deen Dayal Upadhyay. Apparently, some Indians are genetically prone to controversies. Momentous Developments in Pakistan: A five-judge bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court held that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is unfit to hold office, and has ordered his disqualification. Understandably, the Opposition in Pakistan has hailed the verdict. Opposition leader Imran Khan said, The Supreme Courts decision has given hope to the people of Pakistan today, and called the apex courts decision the beginning for a new Pakistan. Sharif promptly resigned after the Supreme Court verdict. His supporters are highly critical of the judgment and accuse the judiciary of political motivation. According to former law minister Zahid Hamid, the judgment was based on weak arguments. In the opinion of former legal advisor Zafarullah, the judgment creates a new system of jurisprudence. General Musharraf is overjoyed. The Army is happy with the judgment. The court ruling helps the military because it has sharply reduced Sharifs influence and serves to shift the balance of power back towards the generals. In my view, the judgment does not affect the vexed problem of Kashmir and Indo-Pak relations. In a sense, it testifies to the independence of the Pakistan judiciary. President Trumps Pardon Power: An interesting debate is raging in the USA on whether President Donald Trump can legally pardon himself or his family. One view is that he cannot; because the fundamental rule is that no one may be a judge in his own case. The pardon provision of the Constitution is to enable the president to act essentially in the role of a judge of another persons criminal case. Supporters of this view say that there is not a single instance of a self-pardon having been recognised as legitimate. Even the Pope does not pardon himself. On March 28, 2014, in St. Peters Basilica, Pope Francis publicly kneeled before a priest and confessed his sins for about three minutes. The critics pungently conclude by saying there is one thing we know that Trump cannot dowithout Soli J Sorabjee Former Attorney-General of India solisorabjee@gmail.com T J S George By In his farewell speech, President Pranab Mukherjee highlighted Indias strong points and said they had become endangered. Multiplicity of culture, faith and language is what makes India special, he said. The soul of India is in pluralism and tolerance, he said. Then he referred to increasing violence in the country and warned: At the heart of this violence is darkness, fear and mistrust. All true, very true. But the question arises: What did President Mukherjee do to use the Constitutional and moral power of his office to protect the soul of India against the forces of darkness? The Bengali intellectual in Pranab Mukherjee paid laudable attention to the culture associated with Rashtrapati Bhavan. His focus during the period of his presidency was on bolstering the grandeur of the placeconverting the old stables into a museum, restoring the building housing the Presidents Body Guard and so on. Reports say that the complex now looks more magnificent than before. But the pluralism, the tolerance, the darkness, the mistrust? That story got lost in translation. Not that the president has powers comparable to the prime ministers. But he has powers that can be usedpowers that come from perceived impartiality, from the exercise of checks and balances. Of the 12 presidents before Mukherjee, nine chose to remain safely inconsequential. (Zail Singh and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed went to the extent of declaring their servitude to the Prime Minister, while V V Giri and Sanjiva Reddy sustained servitude sans declaring itevidence of the overriding power Indira Gandhi ensured for herself). Of the three presidents who dared to plough independent furrows, Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic, was a loner. Firstly, he became president despite PM Nehrus opposition. Nehru was against him because he was Sardar Patels choice and was religiously inclined (though not communally, in todays Hindutva sense). Secondly, he wanted powers the Constitution did not envisage. There was an exchange of letters between the President and the Prime Minister with Rajendra Prasad arguing that he must have the power, for example, to contact any government secretary directly for information and to function as a third arm of the legislature with discretion to sign bills passed by Parliament. He lost out in this argument because Nehru had the Constitution on his side. It was K R Narayanan who brought out the full potential of the presidency. It was a turbulent period with Deve Gowda and Inder Gujral and A B Vajpayee successfully eroding Congress omnipotence. The hour found the man. Narayanan showed his individuality by becoming the first president to exercise his right to vote, and by using his Republic Day address to caution against growing discontent among the deprived sections of society. Narayanan dissolved Lok Sabha twice. He was the first to establish that a person could be appointed prime minister only if he convinced the president, through letters of support, that he could secure the confidence of the House. Vajpayee was the beneficiary of this decision. The president underscored his non-partisan independence by declining the United Front Prime Ministers recommendation to dismiss the BJP government of UP, and later by declining the BJP prime ministers recommendation to dismiss the Rabri government of Bihar. An interesting conundrum rises. The nations first Dalit president, an ardent Congressman, became so impartial as to help the nations first BJP government to power; will the nations second Dalit President, an ardent BJP leader, become impartial enough to decline a BJP governments recommendation? No prize for guessing the answer because there is no need to guess. APJ Abdul Kalam had fewer challenges compared to Narayanan, yet the peoples president became admired for his independence. He demonstrated it when he declined to sign on the dotted line in the office-of-profit case. The government wanted various VIPs to be exempted, but the president would not agree. But there was a more dramatic demonstration of his independence. He was proposed for the presidency by the BJP. But within days of his assuming office, he made the BJP jittery by deciding to visit Narendra Modis Gujarat, then reeling under the aftershocks of communal rioting. Prime Minister Vajpayee tried to dissuade him, but he said he had to go. Pranab Mukherjee, the most political president in our history so far, steered clear of tricky situations in his own way. At least at the moment of saying goodbye, he addressed issues he could have addressed earlier. In the days ahead, even that is unlikely to happen. Where hearts unite, tongues are superfluous. In his farewell speech, President Pranab Mukherjee highlighted Indias strong points and said they had become endangered. Multiplicity of culture, faith and language is what makes India special, he said. The soul of India is in pluralism and tolerance, he said. Then he referred to increasing violence in the country and warned: At the heart of this violence is darkness, fear and mistrust. All true, very true. But the question arises: What did President Mukherjee do to use the Constitutional and moral power of his office to protect the soul of India against the forces of darkness? The Bengali intellectual in Pranab Mukherjee paid laudable attention to the culture associated with Rashtrapati Bhavan. His focus during the period of his presidency was on bolstering the grandeur of the placeconverting the old stables into a museum, restoring the building housing the Presidents Body Guard and so on. Reports say that the complex now looks more magnificent than before. But the pluralism, the tolerance, the darkness, the mistrust? That story got lost in translation. Not that the president has powers comparable to the prime ministers. But he has powers that can be usedpowers that come from perceived impartiality, from the exercise of checks and balances. Of the 12 presidents before Mukherjee, nine chose to remain safely inconsequential. (Zail Singh and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed went to the extent of declaring their servitude to the Prime Minister, while V V Giri and Sanjiva Reddy sustained servitude sans declaring itevidence of the overriding power Indira Gandhi ensured for herself). Of the three presidents who dared to plough independent furrows, Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic, was a loner. Firstly, he became president despite PM Nehrus opposition. Nehru was against him because he was Sardar Patels choice and was religiously inclined (though not communally, in todays Hindutva sense). Secondly, he wanted powers the Constitution did not envisage. There was an exchange of letters between the President and the Prime Minister with Rajendra Prasad arguing that he must have the power, for example, to contact any government secretary directly for information and to function as a third arm of the legislature with discretion to sign bills passed by Parliament. He lost out in this argument because Nehru had the Constitution on his side. It was K R Narayanan who brought out the full potential of the presidency. It was a turbulent period with Deve Gowda and Inder Gujral and A B Vajpayee successfully eroding Congress omnipotence. The hour found the man. Narayanan showed his individuality by becoming the first president to exercise his right to vote, and by using his Republic Day address to caution against growing discontent among the deprived sections of society. Narayanan dissolved Lok Sabha twice. He was the first to establish that a person could be appointed prime minister only if he convinced the president, through letters of support, that he could secure the confidence of the House. Vajpayee was the beneficiary of this decision. The president underscored his non-partisan independence by declining the United Front Prime Ministers recommendation to dismiss the BJP government of UP, and later by declining the BJP prime ministers recommendation to dismiss the Rabri government of Bihar. An interesting conundrum rises. The nations first Dalit president, an ardent Congressman, became so impartial as to help the nations first BJP government to power; will the nations second Dalit President, an ardent BJP leader, become impartial enough to decline a BJP governments recommendation? No prize for guessing the answer because there is no need to guess. APJ Abdul Kalam had fewer challenges compared to Narayanan, yet the peoples president became admired for his independence. He demonstrated it when he declined to sign on the dotted line in the office-of-profit case. The government wanted various VIPs to be exempted, but the president would not agree. But there was a more dramatic demonstration of his independence. He was proposed for the presidency by the BJP. But within days of his assuming office, he made the BJP jittery by deciding to visit Narendra Modis Gujarat, then reeling under the aftershocks of communal rioting. Prime Minister Vajpayee tried to dissuade him, but he said he had to go. Pranab Mukherjee, the most political president in our history so far, steered clear of tricky situations in his own way. At least at the moment of saying goodbye, he addressed issues he could have addressed earlier. In the days ahead, even that is unlikely to happen. Where hearts unite, tongues are superfluous. Prabhu Chawla By Power and principles make strange bedfellows in the politics of negotiation. Show a leader a throne, and Presto!old principles are magically replaced by newly invented values. To stay on his seat, Bihars evergreen Chief Minister Nitish Kumar dumped the tainted Lalu Parivar last week to shake hands with the BJPa party he had vowed to bury just a few years ago. It was just another walk down the alliance aisle for him. For decades, Nitish has never been chair-less. In his hands, resignations turn into inimitable instruments of contradictory compromises to retain the very same job he threatens to quit each time there is a crisis of credibility. He has created a record of sorts by becoming the first political leader to be sworn in six times for the same post in less than 12 years. Somewhere along the journey from a Union Minister in 1998 to chief minister of Bihar from 2005 until now, Nitish picked up the tentative tag of Potential Prime Minister. Today, he has humbled himself by accepting former bete noire Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his national leader. Perhaps, his survival instincts compel him to be reconciled to being just one of the many chief ministers in Indias history. The man en route to becoming a maximum leader has chosen a meaninglessly minimum path, which is sure to degrade his political clout. Unlike other regional satraps such as Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and DMK boss M Karunanidhi who have the clout and charisma to win elections on their own, Nitish needs the crutches of either a regional outfit or a national party to stay in business. Hence he needed to rediscover the BJPs good side, thereby making it his ethically refurbished vehicle of polity. By stooping to conquer, he has allowed the saffron party to regain politically-sensitive Bihar, which it had lost three years ago. The message from Patna is loud and clear. The new BJP, led by Modi and Shah, has mastered the art of expanding its saffron footprint countrywide by winning elections decisively or becoming a favourite destination for opponents. The two leaders have fully understood that every non-BJP leader (barring the Left) is in the market waiting for a political office. Hence, they have made it their mission to convert the entire Indian political spectrum into a Congress-mukt Bharat as soon as possible. Beware! Those who come in the way, can fall in line or fall by the wayside. They dont perceive Lalu as just an obstacle in the BJPs future electoral success in Biharhe is also an instrument for a Congress revival in the country through a shaky Mahagadbandhan. Unfortunately, for the Congress, Lalus insatiable greed for dodgy money drove the image-conscious Nitish Kumar into the BJPs arms. But Nitish is not the only leader to switch sides since NDA came to power. Many others from Indias political universe, mainly from the Congress, have chosen the BJP as their preferred habitat. From Arunachal Pradesh to Kerala, there is hardly a state from where senior and middle level BJP opponents havent abandoned their parent party to leap into the saffron embrace. The majority of them are from the Congress party. Natch. Congress leaders across the country realise their party can no longer win elections. They feel Brand Gandhi has become a victim of the law of diminishing political returns. The partys ownership is closely held; it is unlikely to be listed on the political exchange. In trading jargon, the Congress neither has powerful brand value, nor the clout to acquire new assets. On the other hand, the indomitable Brand Modi leads the BJPthe party of now and forever. It also has the magnetism and goodwill to acquire new assets and persuade the merger of small parties. The BJPs acquisition drive began in Arunachal Pradesh, where it encouraged the conversion of the Congress government into a BJP regime. Then, a dozen prominent Congress leaders in Uttarakhand crossed over, and the BJP won the state election with two-thirds majority. In the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, defectors got over 30 tickets; some of them even got cabinet berths. According to a rough estimate, over 10 per cent of BJPs current MPs and MLAs are crossovers. Even now, a large number of power-hungry saffron baiters are willing to hop over to the BJP to gain political calories. Some months ago, veteran Karnataka Congress leader S M Krishna, former chief minister and Union minister, defected to the BJP at age 85. In Gujarat, just before the Rajya Sabha polls, the Congress has lost its six senior MLAs to the BJP. To add insult to injury, one of them was made a BJP Rajya Sabha candidate. Over the weekend, three Opposition legislators quit their parties in Uttar Pradesh. No guesses to where their tickets are booked. The BJP is not engineering a new law of desiccation through disloyalty. The Gandhisfrom Indira to Soniastarted the defection trend though ironically it was Rajiv who brought in the anti-defection law. Indira had the cynical capability to convert Opposition governments into her own. In 1980, she lured the chief minister of Haryana, Bhajan Lal of the Janata Party, into joining the Congress en masse, with all his cabinet and MLAs. From 1980 to the mid 1990s, the Congress provided offices of profit to its opponents through political seduction. It toppled Morarji Desais government by offering the prime ministership to Chaudhary Charan Singh in 1979. It pulled down V P Singhs government and installed vociferous Gandhi critic Chandrashekar in his place. P V Narasimha Rao bought a majority for his minority government by encouraging defections and breaking regional parties. The Congress forced H D Deve Gowda to resign as PM and replaced him with Inder Kumar Gujral. Historically, Congresspersons have fallen prey to political munificence from the other side. The powerful Maratha leader Sharad Pawar, was conveniently cured of his allergy to the Gandhis when he accepted Indiras invitation to join her government. But now, the Congress is no longer a meal ticket party, which has goodies to distribute to its cadreslet alone to others. Now, many of its luminaries are flapping around like fish out of water, thirsting for sustenance. The BJP is now a great political ocean with enough oxygen to invigorate power-deprived whales and winnows to live happily thereafter. Prabhu Chawla prabhuchawla@ newindianexpress.com Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla Power and principles make strange bedfellows in the politics of negotiation. Show a leader a throne, and Presto!old principles are magically replaced by newly invented values. To stay on his seat, Bihars evergreen Chief Minister Nitish Kumar dumped the tainted Lalu Parivar last week to shake hands with the BJPa party he had vowed to bury just a few years ago. It was just another walk down the alliance aisle for him. For decades, Nitish has never been chair-less. In his hands, resignations turn into inimitable instruments of contradictory compromises to retain the very same job he threatens to quit each time there is a crisis of credibility. He has created a record of sorts by becoming the first political leader to be sworn in six times for the same post in less than 12 years. Somewhere along the journey from a Union Minister in 1998 to chief minister of Bihar from 2005 until now, Nitish picked up the tentative tag of Potential Prime Minister. Today, he has humbled himself by accepting former bete noire Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his national leader. Perhaps, his survival instincts compel him to be reconciled to being just one of the many chief ministers in Indias history. The man en route to becoming a maximum leader has chosen a meaninglessly minimum path, which is sure to degrade his political clout. Unlike other regional satraps such as Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and DMK boss M Karunanidhi who have the clout and charisma to win elections on their own, Nitish needs the crutches of either a regional outfit or a national party to stay in business. Hence he needed to rediscover the BJPs good side, thereby making it his ethically refurbished vehicle of polity. By stooping to conquer, he has allowed the saffron party to regain politically-sensitive Bihar, which it had lost three years ago. The message from Patna is loud and clear. The new BJP, led by Modi and Shah, has mastered the art of expanding its saffron footprint countrywide by winning elections decisively or becoming a favourite destination for opponents. The two leaders have fully understood that every non-BJP leader (barring the Left) is in the market waiting for a political office. Hence, they have made it their mission to convert the entire Indian political spectrum into a Congress-mukt Bharat as soon as possible. Beware! Those who come in the way, can fall in line or fall by the wayside. They dont perceive Lalu as just an obstacle in the BJPs future electoral success in Biharhe is also an instrument for a Congress revival in the country through a shaky Mahagadbandhan. Unfortunately, for the Congress, Lalus insatiable greed for dodgy money drove the image-conscious Nitish Kumar into the BJPs arms. But Nitish is not the only leader to switch sides since NDA came to power. Many others from Indias political universe, mainly from the Congress, have chosen the BJP as their preferred habitat. From Arunachal Pradesh to Kerala, there is hardly a state from where senior and middle level BJP opponents havent abandoned their parent party to leap into the saffron embrace. The majority of them are from the Congress party. Natch. Congress leaders across the country realise their party can no longer win elections. They feel Brand Gandhi has become a victim of the law of diminishing political returns. The partys ownership is closely held; it is unlikely to be listed on the political exchange. In trading jargon, the Congress neither has powerful brand value, nor the clout to acquire new assets. On the other hand, the indomitable Brand Modi leads the BJPthe party of now and forever. It also has the magnetism and goodwill to acquire new assets and persuade the merger of small parties. The BJPs acquisition drive began in Arunachal Pradesh, where it encouraged the conversion of the Congress government into a BJP regime. Then, a dozen prominent Congress leaders in Uttarakhand crossed over, and the BJP won the state election with two-thirds majority. In the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, defectors got over 30 tickets; some of them even got cabinet berths. According to a rough estimate, over 10 per cent of BJPs current MPs and MLAs are crossovers. Even now, a large number of power-hungry saffron baiters are willing to hop over to the BJP to gain political calories. Some months ago, veteran Karnataka Congress leader S M Krishna, former chief minister and Union minister, defected to the BJP at age 85. In Gujarat, just before the Rajya Sabha polls, the Congress has lost its six senior MLAs to the BJP. To add insult to injury, one of them was made a BJP Rajya Sabha candidate. Over the weekend, three Opposition legislators quit their parties in Uttar Pradesh. No guesses to where their tickets are booked. The BJP is not engineering a new law of desiccation through disloyalty. The Gandhisfrom Indira to Soniastarted the defection trend though ironically it was Rajiv who brought in the anti-defection law. Indira had the cynical capability to convert Opposition governments into her own. In 1980, she lured the chief minister of Haryana, Bhajan Lal of the Janata Party, into joining the Congress en masse, with all his cabinet and MLAs. From 1980 to the mid 1990s, the Congress provided offices of profit to its opponents through political seduction. It toppled Morarji Desais government by offering the prime ministership to Chaudhary Charan Singh in 1979. It pulled down V P Singhs government and installed vociferous Gandhi critic Chandrashekar in his place. P V Narasimha Rao bought a majority for his minority government by encouraging defections and breaking regional parties. The Congress forced H D Deve Gowda to resign as PM and replaced him with Inder Kumar Gujral. Historically, Congresspersons have fallen prey to political munificence from the other side. The powerful Maratha leader Sharad Pawar, was conveniently cured of his allergy to the Gandhis when he accepted Indiras invitation to join her government. But now, the Congress is no longer a meal ticket party, which has goodies to distribute to its cadreslet alone to others. Now, many of its luminaries are flapping around like fish out of water, thirsting for sustenance. The BJP is now a great political ocean with enough oxygen to invigorate power-deprived whales and winnows to live happily thereafter. Prabhu Chawla prabhuchawla@ newindianexpress.com Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou, left, and Gov. Scott Walker hold the Wisconsin flag July 27 at the Milwaukee Art Museum to celebrate Foxconn's planned $10 billion investment in a display panel plant in Wisconsin. By Express News Service BENGALURU: The Suburban Rail Policy, announced by the Railway Ministry, does not consider the state governments suggestions and is skewed to the states disadvantage. Hence, it should be revised, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Saturday. In a letter to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, the CM stated that the state government had communicated its suggestions to the Ministry of Railways on January 12 on all important project parameters like funding (both loan and equity), land acquisition and operational losses/gains. The main issue, suggested across several parameters, was that there should be equal participation by the state and Railways. The state had also suggested that creation of exclusive infrastructure may not be insisted upon as this would not only prevent leveraging of existing infrastructure where there is slack but also make the Suburban rail uneconomical. However, the new suburban rail policy has been announced on April 18 without considering these suggestions, the CM noted. Siddaramaiah stated that the policy is skewed to the states disadvantage while referring to the clauses that operational losses are to be borne by state government in case the Special Purpose Vehicle is not able to bear it, whle the final authority on fare fixation has been retained with the Railways. I would request you to relax the provision pertaining to devolving of 100 per cent operational losses on the state government by making it joint responsibility of both equity holders and vest the freedom of fixing the fare with the SPV, he urged. The CM also suggested that equal sharing of all financial burden and use of existing infrastructure, wherever feasible, in consultation with Railways be permitted and the guidelines revised accordingly. Metropolitan cities require multiple public transport solutions to deal with increasing commuting requirements and suburban rail systems play an important role as it complements other urban public transport initiatives in Bengaluru, he added. Chief Public Relations Officer, South Western Railway, E Vijaya said, The letter pertains to the issue of bearing of operational losses and fixation of fare by the Special Purpose Vehicle. As the Suburban Rail Policy has been issued by Ministry of Railways, any changes shall be considered and decided by the Railway Board and approved by the ministry. She also said there is very little scope for using the existing infrastructure for additional services. Railways is already running about 55 pairs of commuter trains in Bengaluru area, the CPRO added. It should be on the lines of Metro rail: Official It is very difficult for the state to fund 80 per cent of the project cost. That, along with the land acquisition, will escalate the cost further for the state government, L K Atheeq, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister said. The Suburban Rail Policy mandates a 80:20 funding pattern between the state and Centre, respectively for suburban systems across the country. The Suburban Rail should be taken up on the lines of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd where both the state and the Centre have 50:50 equity. Even in the case of Metro, our actual contribution increases up to 70 per cent as the operating losses are borne by the state government, he said. BENGALURU: The Suburban Rail Policy, announced by the Railway Ministry, does not consider the state governments suggestions and is skewed to the states disadvantage. Hence, it should be revised, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Saturday. In a letter to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, the CM stated that the state government had communicated its suggestions to the Ministry of Railways on January 12 on all important project parameters like funding (both loan and equity), land acquisition and operational losses/gains. The main issue, suggested across several parameters, was that there should be equal participation by the state and Railways. The state had also suggested that creation of exclusive infrastructure may not be insisted upon as this would not only prevent leveraging of existing infrastructure where there is slack but also make the Suburban rail uneconomical. However, the new suburban rail policy has been announced on April 18 without considering these suggestions, the CM noted. Siddaramaiah stated that the policy is skewed to the states disadvantage while referring to the clauses that operational losses are to be borne by state government in case the Special Purpose Vehicle is not able to bear it, whle the final authority on fare fixation has been retained with the Railways. I would request you to relax the provision pertaining to devolving of 100 per cent operational losses on the state government by making it joint responsibility of both equity holders and vest the freedom of fixing the fare with the SPV, he urged. The CM also suggested that equal sharing of all financial burden and use of existing infrastructure, wherever feasible, in consultation with Railways be permitted and the guidelines revised accordingly. Metropolitan cities require multiple public transport solutions to deal with increasing commuting requirements and suburban rail systems play an important role as it complements other urban public transport initiatives in Bengaluru, he added. Chief Public Relations Officer, South Western Railway, E Vijaya said, The letter pertains to the issue of bearing of operational losses and fixation of fare by the Special Purpose Vehicle. As the Suburban Rail Policy has been issued by Ministry of Railways, any changes shall be considered and decided by the Railway Board and approved by the ministry. She also said there is very little scope for using the existing infrastructure for additional services. Railways is already running about 55 pairs of commuter trains in Bengaluru area, the CPRO added. It should be on the lines of Metro rail: Official It is very difficult for the state to fund 80 per cent of the project cost. That, along with the land acquisition, will escalate the cost further for the state government, L K Atheeq, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister said. The Suburban Rail Policy mandates a 80:20 funding pattern between the state and Centre, respectively for suburban systems across the country. The Suburban Rail should be taken up on the lines of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd where both the state and the Centre have 50:50 equity. Even in the case of Metro, our actual contribution increases up to 70 per cent as the operating losses are borne by the state government, he said. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram has been put under tight police cover with RSS and BJP workers planning to take slain RSS 'Karyavahak' Rajesh's body in a funeral procession. Large numbers of party men, led by BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan, O Rajagopal MLA and district president S Suresh were present at the medical college in Thiruvananthapuram where the post mortem was underway. After it gets over, the body will be taken to Rajesh's home at Sreekaryam. By 4 pm, the body will be taken to the Santhi Kavadam crematorium at Thycaud, a distance of nearly 10 km from Sreekaryam, in a funeral procession, the BJP said. Thiruvananthapuram city police commissioner Sparjan Kumar said police personnel will be deployed to cover the entire route of the procession. In view of the situation, the district administration has banned marches and processions in the city for the next three days. State police chief Loknath Behera said police have been instructed to strictly deal with any attempt for violence and adequate force have been deployed in all sensitive spots. He said spreading rumors and provocative messages through social media would also attract legal action. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, CPM state secretary, denied that the CPM had any role in the murder. Balakrishnan said, the BJP was trying to stir up trouble by accusing CPM of the murder. He said, the murder was prompted by personal enmity and family issues but the BJP was trying to make political gains by calling a hartal. On the other hand, the BJP district president S Suresh alleged that CPM district secretary Anavoor Nagappan was involved in the incident. CPM is trying to transform Thiruvananthapuram into another Kannur, he alleged. Meanwhile, union home minister Rajnath Singh told the Kerala government that political violence was unacceptable in a democracy. Responding to the brutal murder of RSS worker Rajesh, Singh tweeted that he had spoken to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding the ''recent incidents of political violence'' in the state. ''I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy,'' he said, adding that he expected the political violence in the state was curbed and that the perpetrators were brought to justice expeditiously. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram has been put under tight police cover with RSS and BJP workers planning to take slain RSS 'Karyavahak' Rajesh's body in a funeral procession. Large numbers of party men, led by BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan, O Rajagopal MLA and district president S Suresh were present at the medical college in Thiruvananthapuram where the post mortem was underway. After it gets over, the body will be taken to Rajesh's home at Sreekaryam. By 4 pm, the body will be taken to the Santhi Kavadam crematorium at Thycaud, a distance of nearly 10 km from Sreekaryam, in a funeral procession, the BJP said. Thiruvananthapuram city police commissioner Sparjan Kumar said police personnel will be deployed to cover the entire route of the procession. In view of the situation, the district administration has banned marches and processions in the city for the next three days. State police chief Loknath Behera said police have been instructed to strictly deal with any attempt for violence and adequate force have been deployed in all sensitive spots. He said spreading rumors and provocative messages through social media would also attract legal action. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, CPM state secretary, denied that the CPM had any role in the murder. Balakrishnan said, the BJP was trying to stir up trouble by accusing CPM of the murder. He said, the murder was prompted by personal enmity and family issues but the BJP was trying to make political gains by calling a hartal. On the other hand, the BJP district president S Suresh alleged that CPM district secretary Anavoor Nagappan was involved in the incident. CPM is trying to transform Thiruvananthapuram into another Kannur, he alleged. Meanwhile, union home minister Rajnath Singh told the Kerala government that political violence was unacceptable in a democracy. Responding to the brutal murder of RSS worker Rajesh, Singh tweeted that he had spoken to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding the ''recent incidents of political violence'' in the state. ''I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy,'' he said, adding that he expected the political violence in the state was curbed and that the perpetrators were brought to justice expeditiously. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: The State-level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) on Saturday approved three investment proposals worth `1,325 crore. On implementation, the three proposals will create employment opportunity for 665 people. A meeating of the SLSWCA chaired by Chief Secretary AP Padhi cleared the proposal of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) for establishing a 200 MW solar power project in the State. The Mini Ratna central public sector enterprise of the Ministry of Power has proposed to invest `945 crore in the project which will create job opportunity for 205 people. The unit is likely to start operations from December, 2019, sources said. Tamil Nadu-based Chettinad Cement Corporation has proposed to set up a cement factory at Kalinga Nagar Industrial Complex in Jajpur district with an investment of `232 crore. The green field cement project with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity will create employment opportunity for 385 people. The business proposal from Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited was also approved. A leading provider of comprehensive environment management services, the company proposed to set up an integrated common hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility at Katikela in Jharsuguda district with an investment of `148.63 crore. The company has another unit in Jajpur which is already operational in addition to 14 similar facilities with various capacities in different parts of the country. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of implementation of the projects of RSB Transmission, Aditya Aluminium, Odisha Power Generation Corporation, Odisha Coal and Power Limited, Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited, National Thermal Power Corporation, Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. Issues relating to land acquisition, eviction of unauthorised occupants from land allotted to projects, direct land purchase by project proponents from land owners and timely approval of statutory clearances were discussed."It has been our endeavour to make Odisha a business-friendly destination by bringing in key business reforms, developing world class infrastructure and establishing sector specific clusters across the State," Industries Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said. BHUBANESWAR: The State-level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) on Saturday approved three investment proposals worth `1,325 crore. On implementation, the three proposals will create employment opportunity for 665 people. A meeating of the SLSWCA chaired by Chief Secretary AP Padhi cleared the proposal of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) for establishing a 200 MW solar power project in the State. The Mini Ratna central public sector enterprise of the Ministry of Power has proposed to invest `945 crore in the project which will create job opportunity for 205 people. The unit is likely to start operations from December, 2019, sources said. Tamil Nadu-based Chettinad Cement Corporation has proposed to set up a cement factory at Kalinga Nagar Industrial Complex in Jajpur district with an investment of `232 crore. The green field cement project with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity will create employment opportunity for 385 people. The business proposal from Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited was also approved. A leading provider of comprehensive environment management services, the company proposed to set up an integrated common hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility at Katikela in Jharsuguda district with an investment of `148.63 crore. The company has another unit in Jajpur which is already operational in addition to 14 similar facilities with various capacities in different parts of the country. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of implementation of the projects of RSB Transmission, Aditya Aluminium, Odisha Power Generation Corporation, Odisha Coal and Power Limited, Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited, National Thermal Power Corporation, Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. Issues relating to land acquisition, eviction of unauthorised occupants from land allotted to projects, direct land purchase by project proponents from land owners and timely approval of statutory clearances were discussed."It has been our endeavour to make Odisha a business-friendly destination by bringing in key business reforms, developing world class infrastructure and establishing sector specific clusters across the State," Industries Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said. By Express News Service CHENNAI: BJP national president Amit Shah will be visiting Tamil Nadu for three days from August 22. During his visit, he is likely to come to Chennai and also go to Coimbatore, Madurai and, if possible, a few other places. The visit which should have taken place in May was cancelled at the last minute. At a time the BJP is trying its best to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu using prevailing uncertain political atmosphere, Shahs visit is expected to serve as a morale booster to party cadre. Besides, one of the key aspects of his visit is to meet OBC leaders from various pockets of the State. The BJP president will be visiting State headquarters and may address mediapersons here, said party sources. Shah will be reviewing organisational works in Tamil Nadu and will be meeting the rank and file of the State unit of the party in different meetings. However, the complete schedule of his visit is likely to be out in a day or two. In his first ever speech made in Chennai on December 20, 2014, Shah exhorted party cadre in Tamil Nadu to end the cyclical misrule of Dravidian parties and to take Tamil Nadu on board with Prime Minister Modis Mission for Growth. However, the party could not open its account in the State Assembly in the 2016 elections. During the past couple of years, the BJP had made many efforts to increase its cadre base and did membership drive through innovative methods. CHENNAI: BJP national president Amit Shah will be visiting Tamil Nadu for three days from August 22. During his visit, he is likely to come to Chennai and also go to Coimbatore, Madurai and, if possible, a few other places. The visit which should have taken place in May was cancelled at the last minute. At a time the BJP is trying its best to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu using prevailing uncertain political atmosphere, Shahs visit is expected to serve as a morale booster to party cadre. Besides, one of the key aspects of his visit is to meet OBC leaders from various pockets of the State. The BJP president will be visiting State headquarters and may address mediapersons here, said party sources. Shah will be reviewing organisational works in Tamil Nadu and will be meeting the rank and file of the State unit of the party in different meetings. However, the complete schedule of his visit is likely to be out in a day or two. In his first ever speech made in Chennai on December 20, 2014, Shah exhorted party cadre in Tamil Nadu to end the cyclical misrule of Dravidian parties and to take Tamil Nadu on board with Prime Minister Modis Mission for Growth. However, the party could not open its account in the State Assembly in the 2016 elections. During the past couple of years, the BJP had made many efforts to increase its cadre base and did membership drive through innovative methods. Dia Rekhi By Express News Service The ambit and the number of persons detained under the Goondas Act have increased phenomenally in recent years. It has become a tool to put anyone in prison even without giving them an opportunity to explain their side of the story before the courts. CHENNAI: A 23-year-old journalism student who was distributing pamphlets against oil extraction projects. A pro-Eelam activist who organised a candlelight vigil. A man who sold pirated CDs of a few movies. On first sight, there may seem like these people would have nothing in common but they do. They are all goondas. The ambit and the number of persons detained under the Goondas Act have increased phenomenally in recent years just like the full form of the Act itself The Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Forest Offenders, Sand Offenders, Slum-Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982. It was first enacted in 1923 in Bengal and lives on in some form or the other in several States in India, the law aims at a year-long preventive detention of habitual offenders. But the use of the Act is extended so much that now it has become a tool to put anyone in prison even without giving him an opportunity to explain his side of the story before the courts. Preventive detention goes against the grain of a fair trial process, said Geeta Ramaseshan, a reputed Chennai-based advocate. It provides means for those who cant be convicted to be detained which is denial of liberty. Historically, the Act has been associated with detaining those who show political dissent and we could probably see more people being booked under this law for political dissent. J Agnes Sasitha, head of the Sociology Department at Stella Maris College, echoes the sentiment. In a modern democracy, the emphasis should be on restorative justice rather than retributive justice. The Goondas Act which is a form of preventive detention infringes on human rights as well. Its use must be restricted to crises. On July 16, Valarmathi, a journalism student, was detained under the Act for taking part in Kathiramangalams oil pipeline protests. Valarmathi was then accused of being a Maoist sympathiser by the police. The previous month, Thirumurgan Gandhi, the convener of the May 17 movement, was detained under the Act after his arrest for staging a candlelight vigil to commemorate civilian victims in the last phase of the Eelam war. According to the law, a goonda is a person who, either by himself or as a member or leader of a gang, habitually commits or attempts to commit or abets the commission of offences. A perusal of the cases against these two persons clearly points out that all their protests were against the States policies. For example, the protests by Gandhi were on issues like demonetisation and other government policies. One of the cases against him was for waving a black flag during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Chennai. Valarmathis activism showed her leftist leanings. While these two cases have abused the Act, statistics show that around 3,000 persons are detained under Goondas Act every year in the State. This means on an average seven to eight persons are detained every day. Detaining anyone on the basis of mere suspicion is unjustifiable, said A Marx, chairperson of the National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations. The problem with the Act is it can deny the basic rights of freedom of speech and expression and the right to protection of life and personal liberty. The law is a dated one and needs a relook. Incidentally, Tamil Nadu was the first State to add the video pirate clause in 2004. In 2011, a Madras High Court bench ruled that even a single criminal case against a person is enough to detain him under the Goondas Act. With this verdict and the broad spectrum of the crimes covered in the legislation, all that is needed to detain a person in jail for a year is a simple FIR. However, the effectiveness of this move has been questioned by those within the system itself. It is odd for a digital pirate to be termed a goonda, said a senior police officer working in the cyber crime wing, on the condition of anonymity. A goonda by definition is someone who creates unrest or a ruckus in society. I think it is not acceptable for a digital pirate to be clubbed in this category as they only cause financial loss but do not threaten other peoples lives in any way. Bringing digital piracy under the ambit of the Goondas Act does not sit well with a number of activists and cyber law experts too. One must not forget the context in which the Goondas Act was implemented, explained Pavan Duggal, a Supreme Court lawyer and cyber law expert. We should not enact the law beyond the scope of its context. Never in their wildest imagination would the drafters of the law have realised that it would be used in the context of activities in the digital and mobile ecosystem! It is important to interpret these laws logically. There have to be checks and balances that should be established to ensure that such a law is not misused, said Duggal. There is also a lot of ambiguity when it comes to the law because with the digital space in particular, who is to determine what makes a person a goonda? Booking is simple but providing proof and getting conviction is a challenge. There is also the question of how preventive detention laws provide very little room for legal recourse. The right to challenge the detention is limited, Ramaseshan said. The Act is meant to be used as a deterrent. However, it is questionable if it actually proves to be a deterrent. Effective investigation and certain punishment is the best way to look at dealing with people perceived as repeat offenders. Despite the problems that plague the legislation, law enforcement officers feel that they are merely enforcing the law when they detain people under the law. They believe that they are only doing their job. Many even felt that the law, if used effectively, is an important tool that can come in handy for the police. The Chennai police have been using the law effectively to maintain law and order in the city, said a senior police officer who did not wish to be named. There is a lot of deliberation that goes into figuring out who is to be detained. And that is only done by senior level officers and officials as responsibility is left to the person who is executing the detention. Explaining the process of how things are done, the officer said that at the beginning of the year, a list of category A, B and C offenders is drawn up. He said it is generally the category A offenders who are detained and that most detainees are let off in 3-6 months rather than a year. The Act provides law enforcement agencies with the opportunity to ensure that anyone who has committed a heinous crime, like rape, is not let out, he said. But if let unchecked, the Goondas Act could put an end to the need for courts and a fair trial since police can unilaterally decide who must be put in jail and who can go free. 1923 First enacted in 1923 in Bengal, the Act lives on in some form or the other in several States in India. It aims at a year-long preventive detention of habitual offenders 3,000 Statistics show that around 3,000 persons are detained under Goondas Act every year in the State. This means on an average seven to eight persons are detained every day Rs 8,000 A police inspector has to spend nearly Rs 16,000 for paper work to detain a person under the Act. But the government reimburses only Rs 8,000 The ambit and the number of persons detained under the Goondas Act have increased phenomenally in recent years. It has become a tool to put anyone in prison even without giving them an opportunity to explain their side of the story before the courts. CHENNAI: A 23-year-old journalism student who was distributing pamphlets against oil extraction projects. A pro-Eelam activist who organised a candlelight vigil. A man who sold pirated CDs of a few movies. On first sight, there may seem like these people would have nothing in common but they do. They are all goondas. The ambit and the number of persons detained under the Goondas Act have increased phenomenally in recent years just like the full form of the Act itself The Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Forest Offenders, Sand Offenders, Slum-Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982. It was first enacted in 1923 in Bengal and lives on in some form or the other in several States in India, the law aims at a year-long preventive detention of habitual offenders. But the use of the Act is extended so much that now it has become a tool to put anyone in prison even without giving him an opportunity to explain his side of the story before the courts. Preventive detention goes against the grain of a fair trial process, said Geeta Ramaseshan, a reputed Chennai-based advocate. It provides means for those who cant be convicted to be detained which is denial of liberty. Historically, the Act has been associated with detaining those who show political dissent and we could probably see more people being booked under this law for political dissent. J Agnes Sasitha, head of the Sociology Department at Stella Maris College, echoes the sentiment. In a modern democracy, the emphasis should be on restorative justice rather than retributive justice. The Goondas Act which is a form of preventive detention infringes on human rights as well. Its use must be restricted to crises. On July 16, Valarmathi, a journalism student, was detained under the Act for taking part in Kathiramangalams oil pipeline protests. Valarmathi was then accused of being a Maoist sympathiser by the police. The previous month, Thirumurgan Gandhi, the convener of the May 17 movement, was detained under the Act after his arrest for staging a candlelight vigil to commemorate civilian victims in the last phase of the Eelam war. According to the law, a goonda is a person who, either by himself or as a member or leader of a gang, habitually commits or attempts to commit or abets the commission of offences. A perusal of the cases against these two persons clearly points out that all their protests were against the States policies. For example, the protests by Gandhi were on issues like demonetisation and other government policies. One of the cases against him was for waving a black flag during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Chennai. Valarmathis activism showed her leftist leanings. While these two cases have abused the Act, statistics show that around 3,000 persons are detained under Goondas Act every year in the State. This means on an average seven to eight persons are detained every day. Detaining anyone on the basis of mere suspicion is unjustifiable, said A Marx, chairperson of the National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations. The problem with the Act is it can deny the basic rights of freedom of speech and expression and the right to protection of life and personal liberty. The law is a dated one and needs a relook. Incidentally, Tamil Nadu was the first State to add the video pirate clause in 2004. In 2011, a Madras High Court bench ruled that even a single criminal case against a person is enough to detain him under the Goondas Act. With this verdict and the broad spectrum of the crimes covered in the legislation, all that is needed to detain a person in jail for a year is a simple FIR. However, the effectiveness of this move has been questioned by those within the system itself. It is odd for a digital pirate to be termed a goonda, said a senior police officer working in the cyber crime wing, on the condition of anonymity. A goonda by definition is someone who creates unrest or a ruckus in society. I think it is not acceptable for a digital pirate to be clubbed in this category as they only cause financial loss but do not threaten other peoples lives in any way. Bringing digital piracy under the ambit of the Goondas Act does not sit well with a number of activists and cyber law experts too. One must not forget the context in which the Goondas Act was implemented, explained Pavan Duggal, a Supreme Court lawyer and cyber law expert. We should not enact the law beyond the scope of its context. Never in their wildest imagination would the drafters of the law have realised that it would be used in the context of activities in the digital and mobile ecosystem! It is important to interpret these laws logically. There have to be checks and balances that should be established to ensure that such a law is not misused, said Duggal. There is also a lot of ambiguity when it comes to the law because with the digital space in particular, who is to determine what makes a person a goonda? Booking is simple but providing proof and getting conviction is a challenge. There is also the question of how preventive detention laws provide very little room for legal recourse. The right to challenge the detention is limited, Ramaseshan said. The Act is meant to be used as a deterrent. However, it is questionable if it actually proves to be a deterrent. Effective investigation and certain punishment is the best way to look at dealing with people perceived as repeat offenders. Despite the problems that plague the legislation, law enforcement officers feel that they are merely enforcing the law when they detain people under the law. They believe that they are only doing their job. Many even felt that the law, if used effectively, is an important tool that can come in handy for the police. The Chennai police have been using the law effectively to maintain law and order in the city, said a senior police officer who did not wish to be named. There is a lot of deliberation that goes into figuring out who is to be detained. And that is only done by senior level officers and officials as responsibility is left to the person who is executing the detention. Explaining the process of how things are done, the officer said that at the beginning of the year, a list of category A, B and C offenders is drawn up. He said it is generally the category A offenders who are detained and that most detainees are let off in 3-6 months rather than a year. The Act provides law enforcement agencies with the opportunity to ensure that anyone who has committed a heinous crime, like rape, is not let out, he said. But if let unchecked, the Goondas Act could put an end to the need for courts and a fair trial since police can unilaterally decide who must be put in jail and who can go free. 1923 First enacted in 1923 in Bengal, the Act lives on in some form or the other in several States in India. It aims at a year-long preventive detention of habitual offenders 3,000 Statistics show that around 3,000 persons are detained under Goondas Act every year in the State. This means on an average seven to eight persons are detained every day Rs 8,000 A police inspector has to spend nearly Rs 16,000 for paper work to detain a person under the Act. But the government reimburses only Rs 8,000 Richa Sharma By NEW DELHI: Four years, 1,557 lives lost. These are the numbers of a different kind of war zoneone that is created by development and loss of habitat. According to data collated by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), between April 2013 and May 2017, West Bengal lost 367 people to man-animal conflict. The state is followed by Assam with 241 deaths and Jharkhand where 214 human lives were lost in fight for space. Despite the government taking steps to tackle increasing incidents of man-animal conflict, in the last four years alone, at least one person has been killed every day on an average due to attacks from tigers and elephants. The shrinking habitat of these animals thanks to development and encroachment of forest land, has given rise to such unnecessary deaths. What is perhaps more worrying is the fact that with the number of tigers and elephants increasing gradually, the man-animal conflict is also set to rise further. India is home to the largest population of tigers in the world with the Tiger Census 2014 pegging it at a healthy 2,226. Elephant population is also on the rise and the 2012 Census said that 30,000 elephants live in the wild across the country. The new Census is due in another month and conservationists are hoping that the numbers will rise. Despite the number of human lives lost in attacks by animals increasing in last three years, the new National Wildlife Action Plan which was mooted to address and manage the conflict has been on the files alone. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests is deliberating over it for over a year now. The draft action plan clearly outlines reasons for the conflict as loss, degradation, and fragmentation of wildlife habitats. All these in turn increase the chances of wild animals moving out of their natural habitat and encountering cultivation and people. Such conflict situations also lead to growing antipathy among people towards wildlife conservation, resulting in retaliatory killings. Another important factor behind the conflict is imbalance of wildlife species. For instance, killing of big cats, such as deer, wild boar, in the forest results in human-wildlife conflict in the fringe areas due to decrease of prey species. Environment minister Harsh Vardhan agrees that the situation is worrisome but emphasised that the ministry is taking measures. Financial assistance is provided under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) and Project Tiger for voluntary relocation of villages from within Protected Areas to outside. This helps in moving people away from wildlife-rich habitats, said Vardhan. He further said that a network of Protected Areas like national park, sanctuaries, conservation reserves, and community reserve covering important wildlife habitat has been created across the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. This aims to conserve wild animals and their habitats and also aids mitigation of man-animal conflict. But wildlife experts feel that this is not enough. They stress that in case of tigers about 40 per cent live outside the 50 tiger reserves and the approach has to be aggressive. Conflicts also occur more outside Protected Areas and there is need for a human-wildlife conflict management plan. Addressing wildlife human interface requires an aggressive and active co-occurrence agenda which will have pro as well as retroactive measures, based on landscape approach, in ongoing manner with an eye on specially Protected Areas in proximity to human-dominated settings, said Rajesh Gopal, former National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) chief and Secretary General of Global Tiger Forum. The draft action plan recognises that man-animal conflicts are largely a human-induced phenomenon combined with the specific behavioural ecology of animals, and external environmental factors. Long-term conservation measures are only possible through peoples cooperation. Explaining about steps taken jointly by the Centre and states, R K Srivastava, director, Project Elephant, Ministry of Environment and Forests says technology is being used and SMS alerts are sent to people by district committees in areas in vicinity of elephant corridors. Besides, innovative methods like chilly and honey fences are used. Population of elephants in the country is slowly rising, while their habitat is reducing. There is a pressure to come out of the thick forest for food, water, mating. Government can reduce the conflict intensity but it cannot be eliminated, said Srivastava. Apart from the obvious solutions, the government is also looking at out-of-the-box options. For instance, it has suggested using beehive fences and chilli fences to prevent elephants from entering crop fields. The draft plan also ponders the option of euthanasia. The government also has repeatedly suggested to states about importance of involving locals in conservation work. Sandeep Kumar Tiwari, Programme Manager, IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, says that one has to take both short-term and long-term approaches. We should not look at band-aid approach and fire-fighting but work towards long-term mitigation measures like habitat management and protecting and securing wildlife corridors. Development activities through forest areas need to be planned, he said. NEW DELHI: Four years, 1,557 lives lost. These are the numbers of a different kind of war zoneone that is created by development and loss of habitat. According to data collated by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), between April 2013 and May 2017, West Bengal lost 367 people to man-animal conflict. The state is followed by Assam with 241 deaths and Jharkhand where 214 human lives were lost in fight for space. Despite the government taking steps to tackle increasing incidents of man-animal conflict, in the last four years alone, at least one person has been killed every day on an average due to attacks from tigers and elephants. The shrinking habitat of these animals thanks to development and encroachment of forest land, has given rise to such unnecessary deaths. What is perhaps more worrying is the fact that with the number of tigers and elephants increasing gradually, the man-animal conflict is also set to rise further. India is home to the largest population of tigers in the world with the Tiger Census 2014 pegging it at a healthy 2,226. Elephant population is also on the rise and the 2012 Census said that 30,000 elephants live in the wild across the country. The new Census is due in another month and conservationists are hoping that the numbers will rise. Despite the number of human lives lost in attacks by animals increasing in last three years, the new National Wildlife Action Plan which was mooted to address and manage the conflict has been on the files alone. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests is deliberating over it for over a year now. The draft action plan clearly outlines reasons for the conflict as loss, degradation, and fragmentation of wildlife habitats. All these in turn increase the chances of wild animals moving out of their natural habitat and encountering cultivation and people. Such conflict situations also lead to growing antipathy among people towards wildlife conservation, resulting in retaliatory killings. Another important factor behind the conflict is imbalance of wildlife species. For instance, killing of big cats, such as deer, wild boar, in the forest results in human-wildlife conflict in the fringe areas due to decrease of prey species. Environment minister Harsh Vardhan agrees that the situation is worrisome but emphasised that the ministry is taking measures. Financial assistance is provided under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) and Project Tiger for voluntary relocation of villages from within Protected Areas to outside. This helps in moving people away from wildlife-rich habitats, said Vardhan. He further said that a network of Protected Areas like national park, sanctuaries, conservation reserves, and community reserve covering important wildlife habitat has been created across the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. This aims to conserve wild animals and their habitats and also aids mitigation of man-animal conflict. But wildlife experts feel that this is not enough. They stress that in case of tigers about 40 per cent live outside the 50 tiger reserves and the approach has to be aggressive. Conflicts also occur more outside Protected Areas and there is need for a human-wildlife conflict management plan. Addressing wildlife human interface requires an aggressive and active co-occurrence agenda which will have pro as well as retroactive measures, based on landscape approach, in ongoing manner with an eye on specially Protected Areas in proximity to human-dominated settings, said Rajesh Gopal, former National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) chief and Secretary General of Global Tiger Forum. The draft action plan recognises that man-animal conflicts are largely a human-induced phenomenon combined with the specific behavioural ecology of animals, and external environmental factors. Long-term conservation measures are only possible through peoples cooperation. Explaining about steps taken jointly by the Centre and states, R K Srivastava, director, Project Elephant, Ministry of Environment and Forests says technology is being used and SMS alerts are sent to people by district committees in areas in vicinity of elephant corridors. Besides, innovative methods like chilly and honey fences are used. Population of elephants in the country is slowly rising, while their habitat is reducing. There is a pressure to come out of the thick forest for food, water, mating. Government can reduce the conflict intensity but it cannot be eliminated, said Srivastava. Apart from the obvious solutions, the government is also looking at out-of-the-box options. For instance, it has suggested using beehive fences and chilli fences to prevent elephants from entering crop fields. The draft plan also ponders the option of euthanasia. The government also has repeatedly suggested to states about importance of involving locals in conservation work. Sandeep Kumar Tiwari, Programme Manager, IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, says that one has to take both short-term and long-term approaches. We should not look at band-aid approach and fire-fighting but work towards long-term mitigation measures like habitat management and protecting and securing wildlife corridors. Development activities through forest areas need to be planned, he said. HYDERABAD: Much to the delight of Tollywood stars, being questioned in the drugs investigation, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is learnt to have hinted last week that drug addicts will be treated as victims and not criminals. Highly placed sources said Rao told officials to treat only those as criminals who have supplied and sold drugs. Hence, the state is unlikely to register cases against addicts, unless they act as a liaison for peddlers. Criminals will be brought to book, while victims will not be harassed, the CM reportedly told excise officials at a review of the probe last week. Drugs were being supplied from Spain, Thailand, Portugal, Nigeria and Netherlands, he said. Government will not allow drugs into the State for supply. We will check supply of drugs at the origin, he said. Meanwhile, leading Tollywood star Ravi Teja, who was grilled for his alleged links with drug peddlers in Hyderabad, denied having any acquaintance with Calvin Mascarenhas, who had supplied drugs to children. Also, the actor reportedly refused to give his blood, hair or saliva sample. During the 10-hour-long questioning by the SIT officials at Nampally last week, the actor denied the claims made by Zeeshan Ali, one of the arrested drug peddlers. The actor has been facing allegations of being a consumer of various kinds of narcotic and psychotropic drugs, along with 11 other film personalities. Since July 19, the SIT has questioned filmmaker Puri Jagannadh, cinematographer Shyam K Naidu, actors P Subba Raju, Tarun Kumar and P Navdeep, actresses Charmi Kaur and Mumaith Khan, and art director Dharma Rao alias Chinna. A day before Teja was questioned, Kaur had also refused to give her consent for drawing the samples of body fluid, hair and nails when the Special Investigation Team grilled her for over six hours. Few days ago, the two arrested drug peddlers Zeeshan Ali and Noah William had confessed that they had supplied drugs to Teja frequently. The actor was questioned about the claims made by Zeeshan and others. He was also asked about the links his brother had and his relationship with Calvin and other peddlers and also about other stars. The actor has given satisfactory answers to the officials, said sources. The actors driver Srinivasa Rao, who reportedly acted as a courier, was also summoned along with the 10 other film personalities, said excise (enforcement) director Akun Sabharwal. The sleuths of SIT, who arrested 22 people including the Holland national Mike Kamminga, have questioned 27 suspects besides two youngsters Taubeer Ahmed and Syyed Younis. HYDERABAD: Much to the delight of Tollywood stars, being questioned in the drugs investigation, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is learnt to have hinted last week that drug addicts will be treated as victims and not criminals. Highly placed sources said Rao told officials to treat only those as criminals who have supplied and sold drugs. Hence, the state is unlikely to register cases against addicts, unless they act as a liaison for peddlers. Criminals will be brought to book, while victims will not be harassed, the CM reportedly told excise officials at a review of the probe last week. Drugs were being supplied from Spain, Thailand, Portugal, Nigeria and Netherlands, he said. Government will not allow drugs into the State for supply. We will check supply of drugs at the origin, he said. Meanwhile, leading Tollywood star Ravi Teja, who was grilled for his alleged links with drug peddlers in Hyderabad, denied having any acquaintance with Calvin Mascarenhas, who had supplied drugs to children. Also, the actor reportedly refused to give his blood, hair or saliva sample. During the 10-hour-long questioning by the SIT officials at Nampally last week, the actor denied the claims made by Zeeshan Ali, one of the arrested drug peddlers. The actor has been facing allegations of being a consumer of various kinds of narcotic and psychotropic drugs, along with 11 other film personalities. Since July 19, the SIT has questioned filmmaker Puri Jagannadh, cinematographer Shyam K Naidu, actors P Subba Raju, Tarun Kumar and P Navdeep, actresses Charmi Kaur and Mumaith Khan, and art director Dharma Rao alias Chinna. A day before Teja was questioned, Kaur had also refused to give her consent for drawing the samples of body fluid, hair and nails when the Special Investigation Team grilled her for over six hours. Few days ago, the two arrested drug peddlers Zeeshan Ali and Noah William had confessed that they had supplied drugs to Teja frequently. The actor was questioned about the claims made by Zeeshan and others. He was also asked about the links his brother had and his relationship with Calvin and other peddlers and also about other stars. The actor has given satisfactory answers to the officials, said sources. The actors driver Srinivasa Rao, who reportedly acted as a courier, was also summoned along with the 10 other film personalities, said excise (enforcement) director Akun Sabharwal. The sleuths of SIT, who arrested 22 people including the Holland national Mike Kamminga, have questioned 27 suspects besides two youngsters Taubeer Ahmed and Syyed Younis. T Muruganandham By CHENNAI: Karnataka governments recent proposal to have a separate flag for the state did not trigger much discussion in Tamil Nadu. Ironically, considering the state was among the first to raise such a demand nearly five decades ago. In 1970, when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was in power, the then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had wanted a separate flag for the newly christened state, Tamil Nadu. When he met the press in Delhi on August 27 the same year, Karunanidhi even had a design ready. The proposed Tamil Nadu flag had the Indian flag in one-quarter, while the main space featured the state emblem, a temple Gopuram as a symbol of Tamil culture. The then PM Indira Gandhi said she would consult the chief ministers of other states before arriving at a decision. In Tamil Nadu, the TNCC (New) and Congress (O) opposed it. They argued that a separate flag for the state would amount to changing the present national flag as the national symbol. They feared, it would lead to the disintegration of India. However, the Tamil Arasu Kazhagam, led by Ma Po Sivagnanam, welcomed the demand for a separate flag for the state, but suggested incorporating the symbols of three kingdoms that existed in the pastbow, tiger and fish belonging to Cheras, Cholas and Pandiyas respectively. When the issue was discussed in the state Assembly, Karunanidhi had said, I can assure that the demand for a separate flag does not mean that there is a difference of opinion between the Centre and the state in regard to the integrity of India. The national flag will be used forever as we are using it now. There is not the slightest intention to disrespect the national flag. He recalled that the state government had addressed the Centre in June, 1970, seeking approval for the model flag they had proposed as they wanted to include the national flag in it. DMK leader K S Radhakrishnan recalled that when the issue came up for discussion in Rajya Sabha on August 20, 1970, Indira said, the entire question of the use of separate standards by the Union President, Governors and Army regiments would be looked into. Three months after this, when asked about the delay in replying to Tamil Nadu chief minister, Indira said, in India there were different parties in power and there was a delicate Centre-state relationship. With time, Karunanidhis momentum was inexplicably lost. The discussion reached nowhere, and his suggestion remained only on paper. It is not clear as to why he backed out from the proposal for which he had even readied the design. CHENNAI: Karnataka governments recent proposal to have a separate flag for the state did not trigger much discussion in Tamil Nadu. Ironically, considering the state was among the first to raise such a demand nearly five decades ago. In 1970, when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was in power, the then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had wanted a separate flag for the newly christened state, Tamil Nadu. When he met the press in Delhi on August 27 the same year, Karunanidhi even had a design ready. The proposed Tamil Nadu flag had the Indian flag in one-quarter, while the main space featured the state emblem, a temple Gopuram as a symbol of Tamil culture. The then PM Indira Gandhi said she would consult the chief ministers of other states before arriving at a decision. In Tamil Nadu, the TNCC (New) and Congress (O) opposed it. They argued that a separate flag for the state would amount to changing the present national flag as the national symbol. They feared, it would lead to the disintegration of India. However, the Tamil Arasu Kazhagam, led by Ma Po Sivagnanam, welcomed the demand for a separate flag for the state, but suggested incorporating the symbols of three kingdoms that existed in the pastbow, tiger and fish belonging to Cheras, Cholas and Pandiyas respectively. When the issue was discussed in the state Assembly, Karunanidhi had said, I can assure that the demand for a separate flag does not mean that there is a difference of opinion between the Centre and the state in regard to the integrity of India. The national flag will be used forever as we are using it now. There is not the slightest intention to disrespect the national flag. He recalled that the state government had addressed the Centre in June, 1970, seeking approval for the model flag they had proposed as they wanted to include the national flag in it. DMK leader K S Radhakrishnan recalled that when the issue came up for discussion in Rajya Sabha on August 20, 1970, Indira said, the entire question of the use of separate standards by the Union President, Governors and Army regiments would be looked into. Three months after this, when asked about the delay in replying to Tamil Nadu chief minister, Indira said, in India there were different parties in power and there was a delicate Centre-state relationship. With time, Karunanidhis momentum was inexplicably lost. The discussion reached nowhere, and his suggestion remained only on paper. It is not clear as to why he backed out from the proposal for which he had even readied the design. Prasanta Mazumdar By GUWAHATI: After Darjeeling, the demand for a separate state is now gathering momentum in Left-ruled Tripura. A former director of All India Radio is spearheading the movement for a separate tribal state. The N C Debbarma faction of Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) is demanding that the Sixth Schedule areas, which constitute 70 per cent of the state, surrounded on three sides by Bangladesh, be carved out for the tribal state. IPFT workers held the state to ransom for two weeks by enforcing a road and railway blockade. The protests made the Manik Sarkar government accuse BJP of whipping up communal tension. Tribals in Tripura, comprising 19 tribes, are demanding Twipraland. The Gorkhaland movement has given a fresh impetus to this movement. By covertly supporting it, BJP is trying to score brownie points ahead of next years Tripura elections. Our demand has been there since 2009 and it is being backed by 50 per cent tribals. Well intensify the movement through peaceful and democratic means. As the issue is about the creation of a state, the Central government has to address it. Well raise the demand in Parliament, Debbarma said. We are getting all-out support from our apex body, National Federation for New States, where Bimal Gurungs Gorkha Janmukti Morcha or the GJM is a constituent. Earlier, militants in Tripura had waged an armed struggle demanding the sovereignty of tribals but the IPFT says its demand is a separate state within the Indian Union. Recently, an IPFT delegation had held a meeting with senior Central government officials in New Delhi. While the Left Front government is opposed to the demand, BJP endorses a State Council for the tribals. There is no provision for a State Council in the Constitution of India. We have no idea what it is, Debbarma added. GUWAHATI: After Darjeeling, the demand for a separate state is now gathering momentum in Left-ruled Tripura. A former director of All India Radio is spearheading the movement for a separate tribal state. The N C Debbarma faction of Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) is demanding that the Sixth Schedule areas, which constitute 70 per cent of the state, surrounded on three sides by Bangladesh, be carved out for the tribal state. IPFT workers held the state to ransom for two weeks by enforcing a road and railway blockade. The protests made the Manik Sarkar government accuse BJP of whipping up communal tension. Tribals in Tripura, comprising 19 tribes, are demanding Twipraland. The Gorkhaland movement has given a fresh impetus to this movement. By covertly supporting it, BJP is trying to score brownie points ahead of next years Tripura elections. Our demand has been there since 2009 and it is being backed by 50 per cent tribals. Well intensify the movement through peaceful and democratic means. As the issue is about the creation of a state, the Central government has to address it. Well raise the demand in Parliament, Debbarma said. We are getting all-out support from our apex body, National Federation for New States, where Bimal Gurungs Gorkha Janmukti Morcha or the GJM is a constituent. Earlier, militants in Tripura had waged an armed struggle demanding the sovereignty of tribals but the IPFT says its demand is a separate state within the Indian Union. Recently, an IPFT delegation had held a meeting with senior Central government officials in New Delhi. While the Left Front government is opposed to the demand, BJP endorses a State Council for the tribals. There is no provision for a State Council in the Constitution of India. We have no idea what it is, Debbarma added. Pradip R Sagar By NEW DELHI: A population of 2.96 lakh tribals living in five districts along the Arunachal Pradesh-China border is a major threat to national security at a time when the Indian Army and Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) are eyeball to eyeball on Doklam. Eighty-five per cent of males in the areathe majority from Mishimi tribesare drug addicts and traffickers. According to an Army report, Mishimis, who are hostile to India and had helped the Chinese Army in 1962 with information on Indian Army locations, may be aiding the PLA in the region in the same manner. A new threat is that Chinese drug mafia, which is sending refined opium back into India to be sold on the streets, will expand its operations, aided by the Chinese government. The additional terror threat rising from the insurgency-sensitive region could make the state a tinderbox. Intelligence inputs suggest that young Mishimis constantly share inputs with the PLA through relatives in China and Myanmar who are always on the move across the border. The military establishment fears that the vast number of drug addicts among Mishimis can be used by the Chinese against India. We have strong apprehensions that local drug addicts work as agents for the Chinese to get information on the Indian side, said an officer of the Arunachal Narcotics Department. According to the state Narcotics Department, the four districts populated by Mishimis produced nearly 762 tonnes of poppy crop on 1,067 acres last year. This has gone into making Arunachal Pradesh the largest poppy producer in the country with 40 per cent of the total share. Intelligence reports note that commercial poppy farming is done even inside reserve forest areas making traffickers difficult to track and catch. Eighty per cent of poppy goes to Myanmar, where the trade is controlled by Chinese drug mafia. It returns to India as refined brown sugar through the porous Assam-Myanmar border, said a Narcotics Department official. Agencies suspect that by flooding Indian markets with cheap opium, China will be able to strike deep into the heart of urban India. The Drug Enforcement Agency has noticed a surge in illegal poppy cultivation especially in Namsai, Lohit, Longding, Tirap and Anjaw districts sharing a border with Myanmar and China. The state Narcotics Department believes dense forests and low population makes the state a playground for traffickers of opium and heroin. As per NCB report, Large tracts in this state are now being cultivated commercially by the influential people for extraction of opium gum and trafficking. The border belt of Arunachal Pradesh is traditionally known for high-value medicinal plants and herbs. The local population sends the produce to China through Myanmar, since China is the biggest consumer. A recent report shared with the Union Home Ministry by the Arunachal State government cautioned that if the worrying trend is not checked promptly, the situation may take a serious turn not only affecting national security but also have an adverse impact on the health and existence of various other tribes in remote and inaccessible areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Both the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Ayush Ministry headed by Shripad Naik has proposed the utilisation of fertile land to cultivate herbs and medicinal plants. State security and intelligence agencies also warn of a new terrorist threat from Arunachal Pradesh, clandestinely fomented by China as several border districts are prone to insurgency. The Naga faction of NSCN has reportedly recruited drug addicts from Changlang, Lohit and Anjaw. It is significant that poppy cultivation contributes to terror funding in Afghanistan. Fatalities in terrorist violence in Arunachal Pradesh in 2016 were: 14 civilians, 88 security personnel and 165 terrorists. In 2017 till April, 10 civilians, 11 security personnel and 35 terrorists have been killed, according to information submitted by the state government. NEW DELHI: A population of 2.96 lakh tribals living in five districts along the Arunachal Pradesh-China border is a major threat to national security at a time when the Indian Army and Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) are eyeball to eyeball on Doklam. Eighty-five per cent of males in the areathe majority from Mishimi tribesare drug addicts and traffickers. According to an Army report, Mishimis, who are hostile to India and had helped the Chinese Army in 1962 with information on Indian Army locations, may be aiding the PLA in the region in the same manner. A new threat is that Chinese drug mafia, which is sending refined opium back into India to be sold on the streets, will expand its operations, aided by the Chinese government. The additional terror threat rising from the insurgency-sensitive region could make the state a tinderbox. Intelligence inputs suggest that young Mishimis constantly share inputs with the PLA through relatives in China and Myanmar who are always on the move across the border. The military establishment fears that the vast number of drug addicts among Mishimis can be used by the Chinese against India. We have strong apprehensions that local drug addicts work as agents for the Chinese to get information on the Indian side, said an officer of the Arunachal Narcotics Department. According to the state Narcotics Department, the four districts populated by Mishimis produced nearly 762 tonnes of poppy crop on 1,067 acres last year. This has gone into making Arunachal Pradesh the largest poppy producer in the country with 40 per cent of the total share. Intelligence reports note that commercial poppy farming is done even inside reserve forest areas making traffickers difficult to track and catch. Eighty per cent of poppy goes to Myanmar, where the trade is controlled by Chinese drug mafia. It returns to India as refined brown sugar through the porous Assam-Myanmar border, said a Narcotics Department official. Agencies suspect that by flooding Indian markets with cheap opium, China will be able to strike deep into the heart of urban India. The Drug Enforcement Agency has noticed a surge in illegal poppy cultivation especially in Namsai, Lohit, Longding, Tirap and Anjaw districts sharing a border with Myanmar and China. The state Narcotics Department believes dense forests and low population makes the state a playground for traffickers of opium and heroin. As per NCB report, Large tracts in this state are now being cultivated commercially by the influential people for extraction of opium gum and trafficking. The border belt of Arunachal Pradesh is traditionally known for high-value medicinal plants and herbs. The local population sends the produce to China through Myanmar, since China is the biggest consumer. A recent report shared with the Union Home Ministry by the Arunachal State government cautioned that if the worrying trend is not checked promptly, the situation may take a serious turn not only affecting national security but also have an adverse impact on the health and existence of various other tribes in remote and inaccessible areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Both the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Ayush Ministry headed by Shripad Naik has proposed the utilisation of fertile land to cultivate herbs and medicinal plants. State security and intelligence agencies also warn of a new terrorist threat from Arunachal Pradesh, clandestinely fomented by China as several border districts are prone to insurgency. The Naga faction of NSCN has reportedly recruited drug addicts from Changlang, Lohit and Anjaw. It is significant that poppy cultivation contributes to terror funding in Afghanistan. Fatalities in terrorist violence in Arunachal Pradesh in 2016 were: 14 civilians, 88 security personnel and 165 terrorists. In 2017 till April, 10 civilians, 11 security personnel and 35 terrorists have been killed, according to information submitted by the state government. Wisconsin taxpayers could pay a steep price for what state leaders call a transformational prize: a Foxconn manufacturing operation in southeast Wisconsin that the Taiwanese company says could eventually employ as many as 13,000. Last weeks Foxconn news was the rare announcement that won plaudits from both parties at the Wisconsin State Capitol. But the economic infusion promised by Foxconn carries an unprecedented pricetag: $3 billion over 15 years, or $200 million a year, in state tax incentives. That excludes local incentives to fund infrastructure improvements, details for which have not been released. It marks Wisconsins biggest entry yet in the state-to-state bidding war for splashy economic-development deals, in which tax incentives are the chief currency. The incentives would be paid only if the project materializes, which history suggests is not assured. Foxconn has a track record of delaying or failing to deliver on huge projects elsewhere. The company pledged in 2013 to build a large plant in central Pennsylvania that never materialized. It also announced big plans in Vietnam and Brazil, only to build many years later with far-less-than-promised investments. Of the $3 billion incentive package from Wisconsin taxpayers, $2.85 billion would come in refundable income tax credits for the company, according to terms disclosed by Gov. Scott Walkers office last week. The remaining $150 million would be for a sales tax exemption for materials used to build the facility. Under the states manufacturing and agriculture credit, Foxconn even before the credits would pay almost no income tax, meaning the tax credits largely would be paid in cash to the company. Walker has said the incentive package matches similar offers made to land mega-manufacturing projects in other states. But the amount per job that Wisconsin is offering Foxconn dwarfs incentives given for large development projects in many other states, said Timothy Bartik, who has studied state tax incentives for three decades at the nonprofit W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research in Kalamazoo, Mich. The amount theyre paying per job is very, very high, Bartik said. Im skeptical that the benefits justify the cost. The package subsidizes Foxconn by between about $15,000 and $19,000 per job, per year, according to state figures. Bartik said his research shows the average state tax subsidy per job, per year, for large projects is about $2,500. Potential drain on state budget Such incentives could be a drain on the state budget. According to a study commissioned by Foxconn and provided by the states jobs agency, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., the state could pay out as much as $74 million a year more in tax credits than it would collect in new tax revenues from the project. Thats based on the roughly $190 million annual cost of the income tax credits, compared to an estimated $116 million a year in new tax revenue the facilitys operations would generate, according to the study. There would be other benefits to public coffers: $65 million in new tax revenue per year would flow to local governments, the study predicts. It says a one-time windfall of nearly $500 million in state and local tax revenue could come from the facilitys construction. Other questions include how much of the projects benefits would spill over into Illinois its expected to be located in Racine or Kenosha counties and whether it could prompt homegrown businesses to demand their own lucrative tax breaks. The Walker administration argues investing in Foxconn will bring a rich return. It envisions new jobs not just at Foxconn, but for construction workers to build the facility, for Foxconn suppliers and for businesses at which those workers spend their wages. Including all those elements, Foxconn predicts the facilitys ongoing operations could support 35,000 new jobs. Such jobs also could remain long after the 15-year tax incentive period expires, project supporters argue. The administration has stressed the incentives would not be paid unless the company delivers on creating as many as 13,000 jobs and investing $10 billion in the facilities construction. Its not like theyre going to get $3 billion upfront, said Mark Maley, spokesman for WEDC, which would administer the incentives. Theres little doubt state leaders swung for the fences to land what would be the biggest economic development prize in Wisconsins history and what would be one of the largest manufacturing campuses on earth. Walker, speaking Thursday in Milwaukee, called the project bigger than anything weve done before. But if you want to play in the big leagues, its comparable with just about every other major financial incentive like this for a major project anywhere not only in this country, but around the world, Walker said. Chaaron Pearson, an expert on economic development tax incentives at Pew Charitable Trusts, said tax incentives are the most potent tool state officials have to woo potential businesses. But the complexity of such deals makes it virtually impossible to make an apples to apples comparison between them, Pearson added. Broken promises in Pennsylvania Maley cited three projects as comparables for Foxconn: The amount of tax incentives Wisconsin is offering could be the difference between Foxconns latest pledge and ones theyve broken before. In an interview with the New York Times this week, the company said previous projects never came through because Pennsylvania and countries seeking projects had not given the company the incentives it considered necessary. In 2013, Foxconn said it would build a Pennsylvania plant to employ 500 workers at an investment of about $30 million. UW-Madison economist Steven Deller said its encouraging that Walkers office has pledged certain safeguards for taxpayers, including clawback provisions for the state to recoup tax credits if Foxconn stops operating or leaves the state. But other questions remain, Deller said, starting with the facilitys expected proximity to Illinois. Many of its suppliers and workers may come from south of the state line, meaning the economic impact to Wisconsin could be significantly diluted, he said. Deller also said a deal of this magnitude may cause manufacturers already in the state to seek their own incentive package to stay put. I could see Mercury Marine, I could see Ashley Furniture, come in and say: Wheres ours? Deller said. By PTI COATZACOALCOS: Scores of would-be migrants being smuggled from Central America to the United States were rescued from an abandoned truck, officials in the Mexican state of Veracruz said. Authorities said 178 people were found in the tractor- trailer truck in the Mexican town of Tantima. Their rescue comes less than a week after the horrific suffocation deaths of 10 migrants who were trapped in an 18 wheel truck and discovered last Sunday in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio, Texas. Authorities said as many as 200 migrants may have been crammed into the trailer found in Texas, many of whom had to be hospitalized. Some survivors fled the parking lot in waiting cars, according to witness accounts. Officials said occupants of the truck on Saturday narrowly averted tragedy realized at some point that they had been abandoned by the traffickers, and that a few managed to escape the vehicle and enlist the aid of local inhabitants of the town who gave them food and water. The Central Americans were then transported by police to a migration center, where they were given medical assistance before authorities began the process of returning them to their countries of origin. A Mexican military source told AFP that most of the Central Americans were adults, although there were also a handful of minors found in the vehicle. Officials in the United States say fewer migrants are making the perilous overland journey to America from Central American and Mexico in recent months, in large part because of harsh, anti-immigrant rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who came to power in January. Migrants from Central America and Mexico will to make the dangerous trip risk being victimized by thieves, criminal gangs and unscrupulous traffickers who sometimes take their money and abandon them in desperate conditions on either side of the US border. COATZACOALCOS: Scores of would-be migrants being smuggled from Central America to the United States were rescued from an abandoned truck, officials in the Mexican state of Veracruz said. Authorities said 178 people were found in the tractor- trailer truck in the Mexican town of Tantima. Their rescue comes less than a week after the horrific suffocation deaths of 10 migrants who were trapped in an 18 wheel truck and discovered last Sunday in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio, Texas. Authorities said as many as 200 migrants may have been crammed into the trailer found in Texas, many of whom had to be hospitalized. Some survivors fled the parking lot in waiting cars, according to witness accounts. Officials said occupants of the truck on Saturday narrowly averted tragedy realized at some point that they had been abandoned by the traffickers, and that a few managed to escape the vehicle and enlist the aid of local inhabitants of the town who gave them food and water. The Central Americans were then transported by police to a migration center, where they were given medical assistance before authorities began the process of returning them to their countries of origin. A Mexican military source told AFP that most of the Central Americans were adults, although there were also a handful of minors found in the vehicle. Officials in the United States say fewer migrants are making the perilous overland journey to America from Central American and Mexico in recent months, in large part because of harsh, anti-immigrant rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who came to power in January. Migrants from Central America and Mexico will to make the dangerous trip risk being victimized by thieves, criminal gangs and unscrupulous traffickers who sometimes take their money and abandon them in desperate conditions on either side of the US border. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: With an aim to strengthen its multi-utility helicopter fleet, the Indian Air Force is negotiating with the Russian to supply additional 48 Mi 17 military transport helicopter. And according to officials, involved in the negotiations, if everything goes well, deal should be finalized by the end of 2017. Indian forces presently operate more than 300 helicopters belonging to the Mi-8 and Mi-17 family, deployed for troop and arms transport, fire support, convoy escort, patrol, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. Russia has already done an agreement to produce Kamov, light utility helicopters in India. And as per agreement finalized last year, , India is buying 200 Kamov 226 T helicopters of which 60 would be built in Russia and supplied directly to the forces while the remaining 140 would be manufactured in a joint venture between Kamov and HAL along with a private sector partner. So far, for additional fleet of 48 Mi 17 helicopters, talks are at the initial stage to pave way for techno-commercial negotiations. Only last year, Russia had handed over to India the final batch of three Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters under a previously signed contract with Rosoboronexport, a company of the Rostec State Corporation. In 2008, Rosoboronexport signed a contract for the delivery of 80 Mi-17V-5 to India, which was completed in 2011 -2013. In 2012-2013, three additional contracts were signed to supply a total of 71 Mi-17V-5 helicopters to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force. Mi 17 V5 is designed to transport cargo inside the cabin and on an external sling, considered to be one of the world's most advanced military transport helicopters. Rosoboronexport is the only state-owned arms trade company in the Russian federation authorised to export the full range of military and dual purpose products, technologies and services. Helicopter requirement of the Indian armed forces are increasing, as expected demand of over 900-1100 helicopters in next 15 years of timeframe, according to estimate of the ministry of defence. NEW DELHI: With an aim to strengthen its multi-utility helicopter fleet, the Indian Air Force is negotiating with the Russian to supply additional 48 Mi 17 military transport helicopter. And according to officials, involved in the negotiations, if everything goes well, deal should be finalized by the end of 2017. Indian forces presently operate more than 300 helicopters belonging to the Mi-8 and Mi-17 family, deployed for troop and arms transport, fire support, convoy escort, patrol, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. Russia has already done an agreement to produce Kamov, light utility helicopters in India. And as per agreement finalized last year, , India is buying 200 Kamov 226 T helicopters of which 60 would be built in Russia and supplied directly to the forces while the remaining 140 would be manufactured in a joint venture between Kamov and HAL along with a private sector partner. So far, for additional fleet of 48 Mi 17 helicopters, talks are at the initial stage to pave way for techno-commercial negotiations. Only last year, Russia had handed over to India the final batch of three Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters under a previously signed contract with Rosoboronexport, a company of the Rostec State Corporation. In 2008, Rosoboronexport signed a contract for the delivery of 80 Mi-17V-5 to India, which was completed in 2011 -2013. In 2012-2013, three additional contracts were signed to supply a total of 71 Mi-17V-5 helicopters to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force. Mi 17 V5 is designed to transport cargo inside the cabin and on an external sling, considered to be one of the world's most advanced military transport helicopters. Rosoboronexport is the only state-owned arms trade company in the Russian federation authorised to export the full range of military and dual purpose products, technologies and services. Helicopter requirement of the Indian armed forces are increasing, as expected demand of over 900-1100 helicopters in next 15 years of timeframe, according to estimate of the ministry of defence. By PTI ZAMBOANGA: Philippine police fatally shot a city mayor who was among the politicians the president publicly linked to illegal drugs and at least 13 others in gunbattles that erupted today in the south, police said, in one of the bloodiest anti-drug assaults so far under his crackdown. Officers were to serve warrants to Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr of Ozamiz city to search his houses for suspected presence of unlicensed firearms when gunmen allegedly opened fire on the police, sparking clashes that killed the mayor and at least 11 other people, police Senior Superintendent Jaysen de Guzman said by phone. Aside from the mayor's residence, three other houses were raided in the port city in Misamis Occidental province and resulted in the arrests of five suspects. At least one police officer was wounded during the clashes, police said. "We have reports that armed bodyguards are carrying unlicensed weapons," regional police Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said, adding that an undetermined number of assault rifles, grenades, suspected methamphetamine and cash were seized in the raids. Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He was the third mayor to be killed under President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody crackdown on drugs, which has left more than 3,000 dead in reported gunfights with police and thousands of other unexplained deaths of suspects. The police officers were "met with volleys of fire from (the mayor's) security, prompting the Philippine National Police personnel to retaliate," Pacleb said in a statement. Parojinog, his wife and a brother were among the dead, police said. Parojinog's daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested and was to be flown to Manila for security reasons, Pacleb said. The drug killings have been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups that have called for an end to what they suspect were extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign. Last year, police officers shot dead Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte, and a week before that, another mayor and his nine bodyguards were gunned down allegedly during a firefight on a road in the southern Philippines. All three mayors were among more than 160 officials Duterte named publicly as being linked to illegal drugs in August last year as part of a shame campaign. Duterte has vowed not to stop until the last drug trafficker in the country has been eliminated. ZAMBOANGA: Philippine police fatally shot a city mayor who was among the politicians the president publicly linked to illegal drugs and at least 13 others in gunbattles that erupted today in the south, police said, in one of the bloodiest anti-drug assaults so far under his crackdown. Officers were to serve warrants to Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr of Ozamiz city to search his houses for suspected presence of unlicensed firearms when gunmen allegedly opened fire on the police, sparking clashes that killed the mayor and at least 11 other people, police Senior Superintendent Jaysen de Guzman said by phone. Aside from the mayor's residence, three other houses were raided in the port city in Misamis Occidental province and resulted in the arrests of five suspects. At least one police officer was wounded during the clashes, police said. "We have reports that armed bodyguards are carrying unlicensed weapons," regional police Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said, adding that an undetermined number of assault rifles, grenades, suspected methamphetamine and cash were seized in the raids. Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He was the third mayor to be killed under President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody crackdown on drugs, which has left more than 3,000 dead in reported gunfights with police and thousands of other unexplained deaths of suspects. The police officers were "met with volleys of fire from (the mayor's) security, prompting the Philippine National Police personnel to retaliate," Pacleb said in a statement. Parojinog, his wife and a brother were among the dead, police said. Parojinog's daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested and was to be flown to Manila for security reasons, Pacleb said. The drug killings have been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups that have called for an end to what they suspect were extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign. Last year, police officers shot dead Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte, and a week before that, another mayor and his nine bodyguards were gunned down allegedly during a firefight on a road in the southern Philippines. All three mayors were among more than 160 officials Duterte named publicly as being linked to illegal drugs in August last year as part of a shame campaign. Duterte has vowed not to stop until the last drug trafficker in the country has been eliminated. After crossing the finish line with heaving breaths and aching arms, first-time Paddle & Portage participant Betsy Wallace turned to her friend and partner, Melanie Jones, saying, We have to do this again. As participants, rather than timed contestants, Wallace and Jones paddled and portaged their rented canoe in the 38th annual event Saturday just for fun. The journey took them on a 1-mile loop on Lake Mendota, a 1-mile portage across the Isthmus and 2.5 miles on Lake Monona to the finish line and party at Olbrich Park. But Wallace and Jones didnt begin their trek at the beach at James Madison Park. It started in Atlanta, where they both work and have families. Wallace, originally from Wisconsin and an alumna of UW-Madison, said shes wanted to participate in Paddle & Portage for years, and a trip home to visit her parents was a perfect opportunity to get her feet wet. Jones agreed to compete with Wallace, and both made it family vacations they spent Friday with their husbands and children at a water park in Wisconsin Dells. I just got in a canoe for the first time about a month ago with her, Jones said. I didnt even know what portage meant. Jones had never been to Madison, so her first experience of Capitol Square was hiking up Hamilton Street where spectators as well as Farmers Market visitors cheered them on as they portaged their canoe. Its a beautiful city, and what a neat way to see it for the very first time, too, Jones said. Wallace said the event was just as she expected it, and she said she was glad they participated in the mass start because of its more relaxing atmosphere. We didnt worry about our time that much, Wallace said. People were being kind of silly and handing beer to each other out in the water, so that was fun. Dima Llanos decided it would be fun to canoe the total of 3.5 miles and carry the boat 1 mile across the Isthmus. Shes just 11 years old. It was a challenge, Llanos said after returning her canoe at Olbrich Park, but it was a challenge she said shes excited to face again next year. I was kind of expecting it to be hard, but it turned out to be a little easier than I expected, Llanos said, quickly adding, But it was still really hard. Llanos said that while she and paddling partner Jaime Reich, 41, live near lake Mendota, they dont canoe all that often, and she had never carried a boat over land. Carrying the canoe wasnt the hardest part though, the last stretch was, Llanos said, but that was also her favorite part. You just had a sense of like, Were almost there, were almost there, Llanos said. Were almost there. Weve just got to pull through. Reich has competed in Paddle & Portage before and said she took it more seriously last year. This is the first time Ive done it with a whole bunch of sets of friends all doing the canoe with our kids, so that was really a fun way to do it, Reich said. Before Ive tried to do it more competitively, but its just fun to be all together. Asked if she would participate again next year, Llanos said, I sure hope so. First-timer Alex Ostrem made the event a family affair. Ostrem brought along her father, Todd Ostrem, as her paddling partner. The Ostrems decided to participate in the costume tradition of Paddle & Portage as well. Both wore tutus and scale-patterned leggings. Alex wore an Aquaman shirt, and her father wore a shirt featuring a seashell bra. She says, Oh, theres a costume party element to this, Todd said. I said, Ill wear a tutu before I wear a bear costume. And look at me. Although the Ostrems were encouraged by the compliments they got as they portaged up to Capital Square and back down to Law Park, they said it wasnt easy for them. The portage part was hard because neither of us could really see anything because both our heads were in the canoe, Alex said. It was kind of difficult maneuvering that way when you couldnt see anything. She asked her father, Should we do it again next year? to which he replied, Next year, baby. This is the first time Ive done (Paddle & Portage) with a whole bunch of sets of friends all doing the canoe with our kids, so that was really a fun way to do it. Before Ive tried to do it competitively, but its just fun to be all together. Jamie Reich, Paddle & Portage participant One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 Deb Nies of Waunakee is this weeks You Toon winner. Congrats, Deb! Her caption about President Donald Trumps undisclosed dinner meeting with Vladimir Putin beat out more than 60 entries. Nies wins publication of her line with todays finished cartoon. She also will receive a signed print by artist Phil Hands. Runners-up and their suggested captions include: Patrick Flannery of Madison, with Trump saying: Hey, Vlad, hows my family? You seem to know more about them than I do. Tammy Heath of Madison, with Trump saying: I wish ketchup could cover everything. Doug Leonard of Waunakee, with Putin saying: Fake You Tooning! We exile Phil Hands to undisclosed Siberian Gulag. Thanks to all participants. Well play again next Sunday with a fresh cartoon and empty caption. 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. Neuroscience eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today "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. New Delhi: No steps have been taken for the introduction of Sharia-compliant mutual funds in India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said. Replying to an RTI application filed by a PTI correspondent, the central bank said the Government of India had sought its comments on the launch of Sharia-compliant mutual funds by State Bank of India in December 2014. The RBI submitted its reply the same month, it said. The Islamic or Sharia-compliant financial system is based on the principles of not charging an interest on deposits, as it is prohibited under Islam. "The Reserve Bank of India has not taken any step for introduction of Sharia-compliant mutual funds in India," the reply said. The RBI was asked to provide details on the introduction of Sharia-compliant mutual funds in the country. The SBI had in 2014 announced the launch of the same. However, it was deferred to make it a better and more attractive fund in the future, according to an official communication. H Abdur Raqeeb, General Secretary, Indian Centre for Islamic Finance -- an NGO trying to introduce members of the Muslim community to the Sharia-compliant banking system, said the initiation of such special mutual funds for a select group of people would be a much-desired and welcome step. "It is a misconception that Sharia-compliant mutual funds are beneficial to a particular community. These funds will benefit the economy and ensure financial inclusion of those who avoid such investment for religious reasons," he said. Raqeeb has been coordinating with various government and regulatory authorities for the introduction of the Sharia- complaint banking system in India. "When the launch of Sharia mutual fund was announced by SBI, some of the gulf countries were very enthusiastic for investment. It is high time the RBI and the finance ministry instructed SBI to relaunch the same," he said. SBI had rejected an RTI application seeking details on the relaunch of Sharia-compliant mutual funds, saying the "query is vague and not specific". The RBI had earlier proposed opening "Islamic window" in conventional banks for the gradual introduction of the Sharia- compliant banking. On the instructions of the RBI, an Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) has examined legal, technical and regulatory issues for starting interest-free banking in India and has submitted its report to the government. The RBI had in February last year sent a copy of the IDG report to the Finance Ministry. A committee on financial sector reforms, headed by former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, had in late 2008 stressed on the need for a closer look at the issue of interest-free banking in the country. There are two fake notifications dtd 27July being circulated in media about tax rates on branded foodgrains etc. please note they are fake. Dr Hasmukh Adhia (@adhia03) July 29, 2017 Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia issued a caution on the tax rate on branded foodgrain on Twitter.The tax rate on branded food grains is 5% while on unbranded grain is nil. There has been confusion about the tax rates on various items ever since GST was implemented on July 1.Hashmukh Adhia, the bureaucrat most responsible for shepherding the GST, has used social media quite actively to clarify matters regarding GST. He has also held 'masterclass' on the new tax to dispel confusion among stakeholders.The goods and serves tax rolls 17 indirect levies into a single, multi-tiered rate. Most goods and services are now taxed at 4rates between 5% and 28%. #BREAKING -- Indian Coast Guard apprehends a Panama registered ship MV Hennery in a well coordinated 3 day operation at sea pic.twitter.com/4s6XmCxNyI News18 (@CNNnews18) July 30, 2017 The Indian Coast Guard has recovered 1,500 kg of heroin worth around Rs 3,500 crore from a merchant vessel seized off the coast of Gujarat. Eight crew members all Indians have also been taken into custody.The Panama-registered ship, named MV Hennery, was seized after a three-day operation based on intelligence inputs. It was taken to Porbandar on Sunday for further investigation, the Coast Guard said.The joint probe will be conducted by the Coast Guard, the Intelligence Bureau, Customs, Navy, police and other agencies.A Coast Guard official told CNN-News18 that the ship was coming from Iran and was bound for Alang in Gujarat. Conversation among the crew members picked up by intelligence agencies revealed the plan was to sneak heroin into the country via Alang.In a biggest ever haul of narcotics drugs, transported through sea routes in recent times, the Indian Coast Guard ships Samudra Pavak and Ankit intercepted and apprehended a merchant vessel off the coast of Gujarat based on intelligence input, a statement by the Coast Guard said.The search operation for the suspect vessel at sea was commenced by the ships and aircraft of the Coast Guard on 27 Jul 17. A vast area of the sea was kept under continuous surveillance by ROC and ROS at Coast Guard Regional and District Headquarters located at Gandhinagar and Porbandar respectively (sic).The movements of all ships in area including the suspect vessel were minutely observed throughout till its apprehension along with eight crew members by ICG ships on pm 29 Jul 17. The information about the carriage of contraband by the suspect ship was shared by NTRO and other Intelligence agencies with the Coast Guard based on which the operation was planned and executed, the statement said.The apprehended ship has been brought to Porbandar on 30 Jul 17 and will be jointly investigated by the ICG, IB, Police, Customs, Navy and other agencies, it added. Thane: The police have booked a 32-year-old man from Mumbra for cheating after it came to light that he had married five women and was planning to tie the knot for the sixth time. An offence has been registered against the man and his mother under IPC sections 420 (cheating) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), a Thane police official said on Sunday. No arrest has been made so far, she said. The offence came to light when a Mumbra resident was looking for a suitable match for his daughter and came across the accused through an acquaintance, she said. The man and the accused's family then met and discussed about the marriage. The accused claimed to the man he worked with a reputed company and also owned a travel agency, the official said. Later, the man's daughter got engaged to the accused in December last year. However, the marriage could not take place then as the bride's family was facing shortage of money, she said. In the meantime, a caller informed the bride's family that the accused was already married and had five wives, the official said. When the bride's family asked about this, the accused flatly denied it, she said. However, on July 22, four women claimed that the accused had married them and told about the same to the bride's family, the police official said. The aggrieved family filed a complaint on July 28 after which the police booked the accused the same day, she added. : On the terrace of the Baron Hotel in Aleppo, the owner's widow, Roubina Tashjian, sorted through old photographs of its happier past in a more peaceful Syria.Founded by an Armenian family in 1911, the Baron played host to adventurers, writers, kings, aviators, Bedouin chiefs and presidents until war forced it to close five years ago.Tashjian sees the Baron as part of a Syria that values religious and ethnic diversity, openness to the outside world, culture and respect for the country's great antiquities."A Syrian is a mixture of all these ethnic groups and cultures ... this is a big pot and it's all mixed up. But we cook the same kibbeh," she said, referring to a Levantine dish.Trying to revive that vision of Syria amid a war that has aggravated social fractures would involve reconciliation between political opponents, religious sects and economic classes.But with hundreds of thousands dead, more than half the country's pre-war population displaced and fighting ongoing, there seems little hope of that for now.A view shows the bar of the Baron Hotel in Aleppo, Syria July 14, 2017. (REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki)For the Baron, whose business depended on stability, safety and the draw of Syria's cultural treasures, the 2011 uprising was a catastrophic assault on everything that allowed it to thrive.During most of the fighting, Aleppo's government-held western districts were subjected to shellfire, an influx of refugees and shortages of water, electricity and food.East Aleppo, held by rebels until December when the army swept through it after months of siege and air raids, was left all but a wasteland.The Baron, in west Aleppo near the front line, was hit by mortar bombs, including one that sprayed shrapnel across an upper floor and another that crashed through the window of its "Oriental Room" onto delicate floor tiles but failed to explode.The tail fin from that round now sits in the Baron's cabinet of curiosities alongside such relics as pottery given by visiting archaeologists and T.E. Lawrence's hotel bill.In the upstairs room she always took during her frequent stays in Aleppo stands the glass-topped wooden desk where Agatha Christie wrote part of Murder on the Orient Express.For supporters of President Bashar al-Assad it is the fault of rebels they describe as terrorists, viewing them as Islamist militants who despise diversity and criminal gangs who loot cultural treasures.Assad has cast his state as a secular protector of Syria's minorities and cultural heritage against Sunni rebels backed by hostile foreign states whose ranks include many hardliners.It was a view shared by some of the audience at a concert in an Old City church, fluttering fans in the summer heat of the open basilica, its roof ruined by shelling, as they listened to Mozart's Mass in C Minor.But any characterisation of Assad's Syria as diverse, secular, open and tolerant is rejected by the opposition, as well as some Western countries and rights groups. Critics say Syria's government has long been one of the most oppressive in the Middle East and this was a root cause of the war.A view shows the entrance of the Baron Hotel in Aleppo, Syria July 14, 2017. (REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki)The privileged position of Assad's Alawite sect under him and his father, the late President Hafez al-Assad, fed grievances among many in the Sunni Muslim majority even as other Sunnis including urban elites backed the government.While the government has promoted the idea of a secular Syria throughout the war, the conflict's sectarian edge has been hard to miss.As rebels rallied around Sunni Islamist slogans, Assad drew on allies including Shi'ite Islamist militias backed by Iran. They played a big part in the campaign to retake eastern Aleppo.In the city, the conflict's socio-economic dimensions are readily apparent. Areas where the rebellion was strongest included places bypassed by economic growth and poor quarters to which rural people flocked.One west Aleppo resident, who had driven through devastated eastern districts after the fighting ended, said the inhabitants had brought ruin upon themselves by consorting with rebels."Those people were the cause. Yes, it's sad, but..." the person said.In the Baron, the wood-panelled dining room, the bar stocked with antique bottles, the pink furniture of the high-ceilinged smoking room and the bedrooms all seem worn and tired.It stopped taking paying guests in 2012 - bar a few old friends - when Syria's civil war came to Aleppo and mortars and sniper fire began to plague the streets around.Tashjian, a 66-year-old former teacher, chases away street kittens that creep through broken french windows into the dining room and tries to keep the mostly deserted hotel from falling further into disrepair in a city with little electricity or water.Her husband, Armen Mazloumian, the grandson of the hotel's founder, died in 2016, two years after they married following a 30-year friendship. The Baron now belongs to his sisters, who left Syria years earlier, she said.On the terrace from which Egypt's nationalist leader Gamal Abdel Nasser once addressed a huge crowd, the boxes of old photographs were surrounded by other detritus recently hauled from a basement after the fighting abated.Kilims, antique sewing machines, a set of 1950s towels, and mouldering linen imported from Europe and embroidered with the hotel's name, cascaded from large rattan trunks.During the fighting, the hotel took in refugee families from east Aleppo. While they were there they used so much water cleaning the floors of their rooms each morning that the elegant geometric tiles were damaged, Tashjian said.In the late afternoon heat, the hotel is cooled by a breeze that drifts in through broken windows on the ground floor and up the grand staircase."Syria was the most comfortable, the most secular country in the Arab world," said Tashjian. "It was embarrassing if people asked if you were a Christian or a Muslim." Bengaluru: The Congress on Sunday paraded its 44 MLAs lodged in a resort on Bengaluru outskirts before media to scotch reports of disunity in their ranks, and accused the BJP of trying to poach them by offering a bribe of Rs 15 crore each to cross-vote in the Rajya Sabha polls. In a press conference, the 44 MLAs presented a united stand and said BJP had tried to buy off 22 MLAs and had even offered to pay Rs 15 crore to each of them, but they have not succumbed. "The BJP is trying to poach our MLAs for Rs 15 crore, but we resisted them. Our families are being threatened," Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said. Congress had on late Friday night moved 44 of its Gujarat MLAs to a resort in Bengaluru to guard them against "poaching" by the BJP ahead of the August 8 Rajya Sabha polls in the state. The BJP has denied reports of horse-trading and said the Congress' actions has exposed its desperation. Gohil said they only need 45 votes to send Sonia Gandhi's political adviser Ahmed Patel to the Rajya Sabha and they are confident of victory even after the string of resignations. We only need 45 votes out of the 60 that we command. The MLAs had held a meeting on July 25 in Gujarat, where 53 had promised their support, he said. He claimed that even the six MLAs who had resigned in the last few days and joined the BJP were reconsidering their decision. Their conscience is awakening. I request them to not fall for peoples tricky ways and stick to loyalties, the Congress leader said. He also rubbished reports of a divided house and said there had been no disagreements among the legislators. We are like a family, if we would have been individuals we would have got separated, he said, assuring there would be no cross voting in the Rajya Sabha polls. We were being threatened by BJP in Gujarat. The BJP has used the CBI, ED and other institutions to target our MLAs. We came to Karnataka since Congress is in power here, added the Congress leader. Theres no need for us to stay here for even a minute if they say they wont threaten us. As soon as this crisis is resolved, we will all be back in our constituency working for our people, Gohil said. He said the developments of the past few days had shown that the BJP government in Gujarat is not concerned about the flood situations and only Congress is working in the affected areas. BJP MLAs were not worried about the floods. They were busy trying to break the congress. BJP is nowhere to be seen, he said. New Delhi: Speculation is rife that the politically sensitive Rs 64 crore Bofors pay-off case will come up for substantial hearing in the Supreme Court soon, amidst a fresh media report suggesting a financial quid pro quo for the Rs 1,437 crore Howitzer gun deal in 1986. BJP leader and advocate Ajay Kumar Agarwal, who had challenged the Delhi High Court May 31, 2005 judgment quashing all charges against the Europe-based Hinduja brothers in the case, said the matter was listed in the weekly list earlier this month, but could not be taken up. He said the apex court may list the matter after its constitution bench completes hearing on the right to privacy matter and that he was also contemplating filing an application for an early hearing. The apex court had on October 18, 2005 admitted his petition which was filed after the CBI failed to approach the top court with the appeal within the 90-day deadline after the High Court verdict. The hearing will assume significance in the wake of the demand in Parliament by ruling BJP MPs for reopening of probe into the Bofors kick-back scandal after the media reports quoting Swedish chief investigator Sten Lindstrom's suggested payment of alleged bribery at the top level. Agarwal, who had contested the Rai Bareli Lok Sabha elections in 2014 against Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, said he will also draw the attention of the apex court that he has written a letter to the Enforcement Directorate seeking investigation into the trail of the kickback money under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. In the July 28 letter to the ED, he claimed that the alleged crimes were committed continuously till the year 2006 when two London accounts held by Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrochi, who has been accused as one of the middlemen in the deal, were de-freezed. The BJP leader said he is writing a letter to the CBI asking it to file an affidavit about the facts and course of investigation into the case, as during the brief hearing on December 1, 2016, the agency had told the apex court that the authorities had not permitted it to file an appeal against the May 31, 2005 verdict. Agarwal said he will try to convince the apex court through his petition that the "High Court had quashed the charges against the accused persons on technical grounds and the order was totally perverse which is liable to be set aside." Justice RS Sodhi of the Delhi High Court, since retired, had on May 31, 2005 quashed all charges against the Hinduja brothers Srichand, Gopichand and Prakashchand and the Bofors company and castigated the CBI for its handling of the case saying it had cost the exchequer about Rs 250 crore. Before the 2005 verdict, another judge of the Delhi High Court, Justice JD Kapoor (since retired) on February 4, 2004, had exonerated the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the case and directed framing of charge of forgery under Section 465 of IPC against the Bofors company. The matter was last listed on February 28 this year when it was adjourned. The apex court had on October 18, 2005 allowed Agrawal to file an appeal against the high court verdict in the absence of any appeal by CBI. The December 1, 2016 hearing had taken place after a gap of almost six years since August 12, 2010. The Rs 1,437 crore deal between India and the Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155mm Howitzer guns for Indian Army was entered on March 24, 1986. The Swedish Radio on April 16, 1987 had claimed that the company had paid bribes to top Indian politicians and defence personnel. The CBI on January 22, 1990 had registered the FIR for the alleged offence of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery under the Indial Penal Code and other sections of Prevention of Corruption Act against Martin Ardbo, the then President of AB Bofors, alleged middleman Win Chadda and Hinduja brothers. The CBI had alleged that certain public servants and private persons in India and abroad had entered into a criminal conspiracy between 1982 and 1987 in pursuance of which the offences of bribery, corruption, cheating and forgery were committed to the extent of Rs 64 crore in the contracts for the supply of Bofors guns. The first charge sheet in the case was filed on October 22, 1999 against Chadda, Quattrocchi, then Defence Secretary SK Bhatnagar, Ardbo and the Bofors company. A supplementary charge sheet against Hinduja brothers was filed on October 9, 2000. A special CBI court in Delhi On March 4, 2011, had discharged Quattrocchi from the case saying the country cannot afford to spend hard-earned money on his extradition which has already cost Rs 250 crore. Quattrocchi, who fled from here on July 29-30, 1993, has never appeared before any court in India to face prosecution. He passed away on July 13, 2013. The other accused persons who have died are Bhatnagar, Chadda and Ardbo. New Delhi: Has a Swiss expeditioner stumbled upon the remains of a mysterious 1966 Mont Blanc air crash that killed Homi J Bhabha, the father of Indias nuclear programme? This question would interest many in India after reports said Swiss climber Daniel Roche, who has a hobby of combing the Alps for remains of old plane crashes, reported that he came across the remains of an Air India crash on Mont Blanc, either from 1966 or from 1950. I had never found any significant human remains before, Roche told AFP. This time, however, he had found a hand and the upper part of a leg. Roche said the remains he had found could be of a female passenger from the 1966 Boeing 707 flight, as he also discovered one of the planes four jet engines. In January 1966, an Air India Boeing 707 from Bombay to New York crashed near Mont Blancs summit, killing all 117 people on board. Another Air India flight crashed on the mountain in 1950, killing 48 people. If the remains are indeed from the Boeing 707 crash of the Bombay-Geneva Kanchenjunga aircraft, it means he has traced the crash that killed Indias pioneering nuclear scientist. WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH The official explanation for the crash has been a misunderstanding between the pilot and the Geneva airport about the aircrafts position. Conspiracy theories, however, including a CIA assassination plot, abound. width=35%/> A book titled Conversations with the Crow, which contains the transcripts of journalist Gregory Douglass interview with former CIA operative Robert Crowley, claimed the CIA got rid of Bhabha to paralyse Indias nuclear programme. Crowley claims it was a bomb in the cargo section of the aircraft which brought it down in the Alps. Reports in 2009 had quoted Roche as saying he believed that the Air India 101 was intercepted by either a military aircraft or a missile. If Kanchenjunga had crashed in the mountain, there should have been huge fire and explosion as there was 41,000 tonne of fuel in the aircraft, but that was not the case. Just two minutes before the crash, the aircraft was at 6,000 feet above the ground. According to me, it collided with an Italian aircraft and as there is very little oxygen at that height, there was no combustion that could cause an explosion, this report quoted him as saying. FATHER OF THE INDIAN ATOM BOMB Homi Jehangir Bhabha, regarded as father of the Indian nuclear programme, was the founding director and professor of Physics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. width=35%/> Bhabha was the founding director of the pioneering research institutes Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Trombay Atomic Energy Establishment, later named Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Both institutes reportedly played the main role in Indias development of nuclear weapons, which Bhabha also supervised as its director. The nuclear physicist was on his way to attend a seminar in Geneva when the plane crashed. Experts will now confirm whether Roches findings were from the 1966 crash. What wouldnt immediately be known is why the plane carrying Homi Bhabha crashed. And whether the father of Indias atom bomb was cut down in the prime of his career. Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here Seniority isnt what it used to be in many workplaces even in one of the most august, the United States Senate. Thats why were not surprised that John N. Kennedy, just about the least senior among the senators, is already causing trouble in the chamber he entered in January. Kennedy was a longtime head of the Louisiana Treasury, an important office but one with a small staff and with relatively limited functions in state government. For Kennedy, who had started out in the reformist administration of Gov. Buddy Roemer, the office nevertheless gave him a platform to criticize state budgeting practices. His office was in charge of guarding the money, not budgeting, but that hardly phased him. Now, he is almost dead last in seniority among 100 senators. Luther Strange, an Alabama Republican, is No. 100, having been appointed to fill the seat of Jeff Sessions, named attorney general in the new administration of President Donald Trump. Kennedy is just ahead of Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat. Though they entered the Senate at the same time, and neither has any previous federal service or was a governor, he ranks slightly above Masto because hes from the more populous state. That arcane pecking order follows the Senates honored traditions. But as more senior senators have learned quickly, the new fellow from Louisiana is no respecter of traditions, having quickly joined with more senior colleagues to cut back the Senates prized August vacation. I know Im new here and there are a lot of traditions, and people need to do things back home, but we cant pass things back home, Kennedy, a Republican from Madisonville, said during a news conference Tuesday. I dont know any working class Americans who get to take a whole month off. Remarkably, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, has agreed, and the Senate will work until Aug. 11. Officially, the leader of the GOP majority blamed Democrats for slow-walking approval of Trumps nominees for courts and federal offices. This takes some nerve, given McConnells blocking for an entire year President Barack Obamas last nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Merrick Garland. The fact is that neither party has an unsullied reputation in the confirmation process. Less officially, the reality is the tangle over the GOP priority of a new health bill has created a backlog in a chamber as well as the U.S. House across the hall that is barely functioning anymore as a legislative body. When it comes to traditions, were not surprised that Kennedy is willing to disrupt the stately processes in his new office. But we wish that the Senate as a whole would start paying attention to some traditions that the entire body has abandoned, starting with quick and judicious consideration of Trumps nominees. Garland deserved that consideration last year, from Republicans. Another tradition thats gone out the window is the timely approval of federal budgets. Kennedy is well aware of the Louisiana families still struggling with catastrophic flooding from last year, but the Congress and the administration have been mired in other matters, and the budget for federal agencies, including those administering flood relief, is approved only in short-term continuing resolutions and deals among the senators. ... Some practices become traditions because they work. The Senates long history of compromise, the means by which it approved vital services, is an institutional tradition worth reviving. Kolkata: The seizure of 1,500 kg heroin, touted to be the biggest narcotics bust in the country, was done after closely tracking the movement of the cartel members for over two months. According to authorities, the captain of the merchant ship, Suprit Tiwari, came on the radar of the security agencies on May 21 after the arrest of a seaman, Parveen Kumar, from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi for carrying a fake Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), also known as the Seaman Service Book (SSB). CDC is a must for seamen and is issued by the authorities in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Kumar, according to agencies, was about to leave for Iran via Sharjah on an Air Arabia flight. He was to be a seaman with a Panama CDC that was valid till 2021. He broke down during questioning and told the investigators that the fake certificate was given by Tiwari, a captain based in Kolkata. He also disclosed that Tiwari was involved in smuggling drugs into the country, sources said. Since then, various intelligence agencies were keeping a tabs on Suprit and finally he was arrested on Sunday, along with other crew members, police sources said. Suprits brother Sujit, who works with a private firm in Kolkata, has also been detained for questioning. The Indian Coast Guard had seized the contraband worth Rs 3,500 crore off the Gujarat shoreline after intelligence reports. Eight crew members all Indians were taken into custody. The Panama-registered ship, named MV Hennery, was seized after a three-day operation based on intelligence inputs. It was taken to Porbandar on Sunday for further investigation, the Coast Guard said. The ship was coming from Iran and was bound for Alang in Gujarat. This is a biggest ever haul of narcotics drugs, transported through sea routes in recent times. The vessel was spotted around 380km off Dwarka through surveillance mounted by the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), a government intelligence-gathering agency. In the electoral politics unfolding in Bihar, our constitutional values are being subjected to abuse, and secularism is one of the casualties. This episode in Indian politics, where the binary between secularism and corruption is being created, calls for a rewind to the genesis and creation of our constitutional secularism, which was developed as an idea for diverse India, and not as a party ideology in electoral democracy. In Europe, secularism developed in response to the power of the church. After the breakup of Latin Christendom, each society became Anglican, Cavinist, Lutheran or Catholic. Church and state were very closely aligned in most European countries. But soon, the church was seen to become too politically meddlesome and socially oppressive. A movement for un-churching, for curtailing the power of the church, was set in motion. It was a battle between state and the church in predominantly single-religion societies. In India, the situation was completely different because our society has always had deep religious diversity. Our secularism is based on the idea that we should allow all religious groups to coexist. The state should treat them non-preferentially. Under modern conditions, this developed into a defense of religious pluralism. The state had to respect all religions. But though there was no dominant church here to oppress individuals, quasi-religious institutions such as caste were socially oppressive, particularly to Dalits and women. The 19th century saw many movements of social reform in every religious community. Respecting religions entailed the necessity of the state to keep off religion but oppression within religion demanded that the state intervened in those aspects of religion that were hierarchical and coercive. Our constitution makers wished the state to keep a principled, value-based distance from religion. And to interfere in religion only when freedom, equality, fraternity and justice demanded so. Thus we respected religion for the meaning it gave to peoples lives, for its ethics, but were critical of when it was oppressive. Hence, state interference to ban untouchability, or to reform personal laws for gender justice. Our constitutional secularism gives citizens the rights to choose, profess, and move from one religion to another. It also gives rights to communities to establish educational institutions, seek funds from the state, etc. Our secularism helps religion grow but is not uncritical of religion. Critical respect for all religions is the hallmark of Indian secularism. But in last 40 years or so we have developed another kind of secularism, which I call Party political secularism, an odd, nefarious, secularism practiced by political parties, particularly so called secular forces. To make sense of whats happening in Bihar, we have to understand this secularism. This secularism keeps an opportunistic distance from all religious communities; its idea of respect is to make deals with the loudest, most fanatical, aggressive sections of religious groups in society. Thus it keeps off religion or intervenes as and when it best suits its party or electoral interests. This has led to banning of Satanic Verses, unlocking the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and curtailing of womens right to dignity in the Shah Bano Case. Instead of respecting the best in religious groups, political parties hobnob with those least deserving of respect. This, as I said, is not principled but opportunistic distance with religion. This is also a fertile ground for majoritarian Hinduism because when such deals are made, majoritarian Hindutva forces can easily question, You are doing deals with them and, in vote bank politics, ignoring us despite us being the majority. In our practice of party political secularism, we have reached this point. Electoral politics has corrupted our constitutional secularism. Now to be fair, anyone in electoral politics can be tempted to be opportunistic. If your main aim is to win, you would be tempted to use unfair means. But its just here that we need institutions like the courts, a free press, and an alert citizenry to move in and show mirror to political parties. So I am not entirely blaming electoral politics. This is a collective failure. It is for all of us to stop the misuse and abuse of secularism that was fashioned collectively by Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr BR Ambedkar, Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi. In August 1947, when the creation of Pakistan was certain, one member of the Constituent Assembly, Mahavir Tyagi asked whether India should refrain from clarifying its stand on the minority rights till Pakistan decided its position. Ambedkars response was firm and decisive: whatever Pakistan does, he said, our own country should grant minorities unconditional rights. Our own judgment on this issue was not dependent on what Pakistan did. It is sad to see, how in the hunt for votes, secularism is becoming a bad word. But such is the fate of many important values throughout the world. Remember how George Bush abused freedom and democracy when he lied, invaded Iraq, killed its people, all in the name of these values? In its aftermath, the credibility of democracy and freedom have been destroyed in many parts of the world. Here, the same is being done with secularism. If this continues, we will be destroying our civilizational heritage we are a shining example of religious coexistence in the world. We should not destroy our credibility built over thousands of years of inter-religious equality. As told to Eram Agha (The author is professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. Views are personal.) Jammu/New Delhi: Widening its probe in the terror funding case, the NIA on Sunday searched the office and residence of a lawyer linked to hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on suspicion of routing funds to separatists from their Pakistan-based handlers. A spokesman for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the office and residence of Devinder Singh Behal, chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Social Peace Forum (JKSPF), a constituent of Tehreek-e-Hurriayat headed by Geelani, were searched in Jammu. Behal is also a member of the legal cell of the separatist amalgam led by Geelani and a "close associate" of the Hurriyat hawk. Behal, the anti-terror probe agency said, also regularly attends the funeral processions of militants. "The NIA is investigating his role as a courier as he is suspected to be involved in routing funds to separatist leaders from Pakistan-based handlers," the spokesman said. He claimed several incriminating documents, four mobile phones, a tablet computer and a few other articles were seized during the searches, and Behal was being questioned. In a related development, the NIA also issued summons to Naseem, the younger son of Geelani, asking him to appear before it on Wednesday. Geelani's elder son, Nayeem, who was asked to present himself at the agency's headquarters in New Delhi Monday, has been admitted to a hospital in Srinagar after he complained of chest pain, members of the Hurriyat faction said. Nayeem, a surgeon, had returned from Pakistan in 2010 after spending 11 years and is considered Geelani's heir apparent. He was to be questioned in connection with the terror funding case which has named Hafiz Saeed, leader of Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa and banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, as an accused. The NIA has also named separatist organisations like the two factions led by Geelani and moderate leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and all-woman outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat in its FIR. Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh has already been arrested by the NIA and was being interrogated. Besides him, Geelani's close aides Ayaz Akbar, spokesman for Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, and Peer Saifullah were arrested from the Valley last week. Shahid-ul-Islam, spokesman for the moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Nayeem Khan (of the Hurriyat's Geelani faction) and Farooq Ahmed Dar alias 'Bitta Karate' have also been arrested. All of them have been remanded in 10 days NIA custody. The NIA had registered the case on May 30, accusing separatist and secessionist leaders of being in cahoots with terrorist groups. The case was registered over raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including through hawala channels, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in the state and for causing disruption in the Valley by pelting security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India. The NIA conducted searches in several places in the state besides Haryana and the national capital. Electronic devices and valuables worth crores of rupees were impounded. It is for the first time since the rise of militancy in the early 1990s that a central probe agency has conducted raids in connection with the funding of terrorist and separatist groups. The Mumbai University Results 2017 have been delayed by more than 2 months now. Generally, the results of MU are announced in the month of May or June however this time they are expected to be out today i.e. July 31st 2017, however only time will tell if students get a breather or not. Change is good, but this definitely doesnt hold true in case of Mumbai Universitys change from manual correction of examination answer sheets, to the online assessment and checking of the same. Earlier this year, Mumbai University took the decision to change the mode of assessment and checking of answer sheets to online or digital as opposed to the traditional pen and paper system. This seems like a very big step and at first was thought of as a remarkable change, until both the students and the teachers started to suffer. The teachers who are supposed to assess the answer sheets online are suffering due to technical glitches and faulty management of the online assessment system and in turn the students are the ones who are paying the price for this in terms of delayed results due to which they cant appear in the counseling for admissions to their next course. Out 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. MU has already crossed the 45-day deadline in declaring the results but now the deadline issued of declaration of results by July 31 by State Education Minister Vinod Tawde is also around the corner and seems highly unlikely. Protests are being held by students and teachers alike against Mr. Sanjay Deshmukh, VC Mumbai University. The delay in results of MU 2017 has shaken both the houses demanding Sanjay Deshmukhs removal and Vinod Tawdes resignation. Mumbai University had set up 142 assessment centres and they had invited other Universities too who have at least 50 computers in their lab to register as micro centres. The new system required the answer sheets to be scanned and put up on a software which will display the answer sheet on the assessing teachers screen and he/she will be able to mark it and input the marks of the student in the common system. More than 22 lakh answer sheets were expected to be scanned and put into the system starting second week of May. The assessment started in the first week of June. Considering the reality that more than 22 lakh answer sheets were to be scanned using 50 scan machines and 250 employees to scan a 1.50 lakh answer sheets per day, the result had to get delayed especially for streams like B.Sc., B.Com, B.A., etc which have a large number of students enrolled. The inordinate delay is due to many reasons. Firstly, the agency that would set up the online assessment system was not finalized until the examinations got over, tenders sure were invited however the finalization and announcement wasnt done until the last week of April. Once the system was set up, a one day training session was held for the teachers. A new system altogether was introduced but only 1 day of training was held, there was no clarity on the procedure and no instruction manual or any sort of instructions were given to the teachers. A day-long session of teachers training was scheduled somewhere between April 24 to 28 and was held in 50 different centers across all seven districts under the jurisdiction of MU, however there were many teachers who werent called in for the training amongst these were many senior teachers as well and even those teachers who arent tech savvy, also MU didnt hold any further training sessions rather decided that rest of the training will be done on the go i.e. on the job itself while working with the new system. When the system started working, many examiners who were supposed to check English scripts got the scripts answered in Marathi, examiners for the subject English got answer sheets for some other subject and so on. Many examiners were unable to download answer sheets due to low internet speed, they were required to evaluate answer sheets for 3 papers but some examiners have only got the requisite codes for one. There are few problems with the software as well such as the software only allows to save and close the paper that is being assessed and so in the event of power failure, the work done is lost and the teachers have to re-open it all over again and assess it again not only a time consuming process but also double work. In the earlier manual system of answer sheets assessment, teachers used to assess around 30 Answer sheets in a day, however with the online assessment system, they could initially check 8-9 answer sheets as they took time to get accustomed to this transition. In all this chaos, the ones suffering the most are the students, because even when theyve cleared the written exams they cant appear in the counseling process unless their Mumbai University 2017 results are declared. However, MU has given Provisional Mark Sheets based on the results of first five semesters to these students. And the worst part is that MU didnt think all this through and wasted not only time and money but also played with the future of lakhs of students studying in MU. This effort couldve been a remarkable transition however it failed miserably owing to lack of proper planning and mismanagement. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state. 1/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy. 2/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously. 3/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over phone on Sunday and voiced concern over attacks on political workers in Kerala.The phone call comes a day after an RSS worker was hacked to death in Sreekariyam area of state capital. The state unit of the BJP blamed the ruling CPI(M), which denied the allegations."I have expressed my concern over the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy," Rajnath Singh said in a tweet.The Home Minister said he expects that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously.Eight people have been taken in police custody since the killing of 34-year-old Rajesh on Saturday night. His left hand was chopped off in the attack.BJP state president Kummanem Rajasekheran, who visited the hospital, said the attack was state-sponsored violence and blamed the CPI(M)."The CPI-M led government has become a mute witness to the violence going on in the state capital district. Even our state party headquarters was attacked. But we exercised restraint, Rajasekheran said."But now, we are left with no other option but to call for a statewide shutdown tomorrow (Sunday) to protest the killing (of Rajesh). The state government has not even called for a peace talk to resolve issues," he said.Police had clamped prohibitory orders for three days on Friday after BJP's Kerala unit office here was vandalised and the house of CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son Bineesh Kodiyeri was attacked. Crates of beer are stacked up on the yard of Budejovicky Budvar (Budweiser Budvar) brewery in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. Response of the state administration has been very slow. Had the government been proactive the damage could have been minimized pic.twitter.com/J6Wg4w9QqS Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) July 30, 2017 : Amid mounting criticism of Gujarat Congress MLAs, currently lodged in a Bengaluru resort, over their in absence respective constituencies, Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel visited flood relief camps in North Gujarat on Sunday.Patel, who is a political advisor to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, took to Twitter to share photographs of his visit, along with his entourage that accompanied him."Visited various flood relief camps in North Gujarat today," Patel wrote on Twitter.Patel also criticised the BJP-led government in Gujarat for its "very slow" response to a heavy rainfall battering several parts of the state."Response of the state administration has been very slow. Had the government been proactive the damage could have been minimized," he wrote.On the other hand, Congress MLAs holed up in a resort in Bengaluru claimed on Sunday they went to Karnataka of their own accord, as the BJP was using the state machinery in Gujarat to threaten them ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections.In a press conference, the 44 MLAs presented a united stand, saying BJP had tried to buy off 22 MLAs and had even offered to pay Rs 15 crore to each of them, but they have not succumbed. "BJP is trying to poach our MLAs for 15 crore rupees, but we resisted them. Our families are being threatened," Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said.Gohil said they only need 45 votes to send Sonia Gandhi's political adviser Ahmed Patel to the Rajya Sabha and they are confident of victory even after the string of resignations. We only need 45 votes out of the 60 that we command. The MLAs had held a meeting on July 25 in Gujarat, where 53 had promised their support, he said.The Congress party had on late Friday night flown 44 of its Gujarat MLAs to Karnataka, alleging the ruling BJP in the Gujarat was "threatening and bribing" MLAs to join its ranks.Subsequently, a Congress-led delegation on Saturday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging the usage of "money and muscle power" by the ruling BJP in Gujarat to "poach" its MLAs.Tensions in the Congress camp soared after six of its MLAs in the state resigned from the party and joined the BJP, prompting a swift response to shift them outside the state to Karnataka. Patna: A day after he took oath as the Minister of Minority Welfare department in the Nitish Kumar cabinet, a fatwa was issued against Khurshid - alias Firoz Ahmad - for raising 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans. However, the minister has now expressed regret and apologised for the same. The Mufti of Imarat-e-Shariah had earlier issued a fatwa against the minister for chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' and said Khurshid should be ostracized from the Muslim community. According to Mufti Suhail Kazmi, a person who chants Jai Shri Ram and believes in worshipping Ram or Rahim is ostracised in Islam. Reacting to diktat, Khurshid said, "God knows the intention with which I raised 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans. My work will tell who I am... Imarat-e-Shariah should have asked my intentions (before issuing fatwa)." He further said, "I will not hesitate in chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' for the sake of harmony and development of the state." Khurshid, who had shouted 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans in the Bihar Assembly during a discussion over the confidence motion moved by Nitish Kumar, said, "I offered prayers at Manokamna temple for the break-up of Grand Alliance and I am happy that Bihar got freedom from Lalu's family." Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday evening expanded his cabinet with twenty-seven ministers from JD(U), BJP and LJP taking the oath. No minister from Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) was inducted into the cabinet. Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi administered the oath of office to 14 ministers from JD(U), 13 from BJP and One from LJP. Nitish Kumar chose not to drop any of the ministers who were part of the cabinet in the previous government. He added two more ministers from his party Dinesh Chandra Yadav and Ramji Rshidev to the new government. Khurshid, the JD-U MLA from Sikta constituency, West Champaran, was a minister in the Grand Alliance, too. Pune: Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Saturday claimed that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was under pressure from RJD chief Lalu Prasad during the grand alliance rule in Bihar and described his step to walk out of the coalition as a "big step" towards clean politics. Rudy, the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, also expressed confidence that under the new JD(U)-BJP government, Bihar would be transformed. "Bihar's population is 11 crore and Nitish Kumar has forged the partnership with the BJP in the interest of these people and the state. This alliance should have taken place much earlier. With this decision, Bihar is heading towards big transformation," he said. "I feel Nitish Kumar was under huge pressure of Lalu Prasad Yadav during the alliance, but now he is relieved and I think this decision is a big step in the direction of clean politics," he added. Rudy was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of a skill development programme initiated by CREDAI Pune Metro. When asked about the allegations levelled by Lalu Prasad that the new alliance was "fixed", the MP from Bihar slammed the RJD chief over his alleged involvement in various scams. "He was found guilty in fodder scam and cannot contest elections... Now things are coming out that when he was the railway minister, he sold hotels and created shell companies in the name of his family members and now looking at the trail of all these scams, the amount of scam may go up to Rs 10,000 crore," claimed the minister. During his speech, Rudy said the mindset of people in India had always been to make their children engineers or provide good education to them so that they could get better jobs. "Post-Independence, even at the government level, we have never focused on skill development. There are 18 lakh seats in engineering colleges across India, out of which eight lakh seats are empty. If we focus more on skill development, we can really become the leading country in providing the skilled workforce to the world," he said. Rudy further said that the Narendra Modi government was the first in India to have created a separate ministry for skill development. "On behalf of the government, I urge CREDAI to make skill development their mission since the construction industry is one of the largest employment generators and construction workers are the real assets to their business. "CREDAI can train them across India. It has the potential to turn this dream of skilled India into reality," he said. Stating that construction-related deaths was a serious problem, Rudy said something must be done about this. About the Author Marya Shakil Marya Shakil is an award-winning Journalist with over 12 years of experience. Her show on the Muslims yearning to be part of the mainstream earned her ...Read More CHICAGO News headlines are screaming about how fearful Latinos are due to moves the Trump administration is making toward stepping up deportations. These are valid concerns for many Hispanics, a majority of whom have acquaintances or family members who could be at risk. Yet Hispanics always seem to look on the sunny side of life when things are tough. Countless research studies have found they feel better about the economy, their potential to be healthy and their familys long-term financial health than either whites or blacks. This even when they are targeted for abuse or strident discrimination by people with hatred for anyone who they think could be an immigrant. And theres plenty of those incidents, thats for sure. The very latest Ive found was in Lansing, Michigan, where a 47-year-old Hispanic man was allegedly beaten by two white men who stapled a note to his back. The incident is being investigated as a hate crime. These types of crimes and lesser abuses, as evidenced by videos of Hispanics getting yelled at to go back to Mexico or to speak American that have gone viral in the past few months have increased since Donald Trumps election as president. Writing in The New Yorker, the novelist and journalist Hector Tobar nailed the zeitgeist this way: Today, Trumpism hangs over all things Latino. We seek to be, as [W.E.B.] Du Bois wrote of African-Americans, a co-worker in the kingdom of culture. But whether we like it or not, the accomplishments of our valedictorians, our mayors, and our veterans are weighed against the crimes that Donald Trump and Bill OReilly attribute to our alien fathers and sons. And still, Latinos hold their heads high. According to a new national survey by Pew Research Center, while most people find it stressful and frustrating to talk politics with those who differ politically, Democrats feel more negative than Republicans do about talking with people who hold opposing opinions about Trump. Even more interesting, however, is that white Democrats and Democratic-leaners are more likely (74 percent) than black (56 percent) and Hispanic (61 percent) Democrats to say it is stressful and frustrating to talk to people with different opinions of Trump. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaners, whites, college graduates and liberals are among the most likely (40 percent) to say knowing a friend voted for Trump would strain their friendship. Only 28 percent of black Democrats and 25 percent of Hispanic Democrats said the same. Incredibly, the people who are most affected by the ugly, abusive rhetoric Trump has inspired in some and here I can only refer to Hispanics, since the Pew Research Center did not break out numbers for Muslims are the least likely to carry around the fear and bitterness that can alienate those who dont share their politics. How can this be? Its pretty simple, actually. Immigrants from Latin America have, on the whole, escaped desperately poor or violent conditions cultivated by failing or corrupt governments that provide no hope for a decent future for themselves or their children. Here, if they get the worst, smelliest, grossest, most humiliating jobs but are able to eke out a living that includes a home with bare necessities and a decent education for their children, things are looking up. Those who are U.S.-born have seen their parents overcome unbelievable hardships, work miserable hours and toil with little respect to provide the basics of the American dream. Mindful of their parents sacrifices, they know their lives amount to far more than the pettiness and even evil that occasionally comes their way from misguided souls who think Latinos are to blame for their own unrealized potential. Hispanics have been a thriving part of the American tapestry since the country was founded. Weve served in wars, contributed to the economy and helped shape popular culture, so were not going to let post-election anti-immigrant rhetoric, the wall or Trumps executive orders get us down. Were looking forward. According to Florida Atlantic Universitys most recent quarterly Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index, more than three-quarters of Hispanics (78 percent) said they expect to be financially better off over the next year compared with 60 percent in the previous quarter. When asked about the economic outlook of the country in the next five years, 51 percent said they expect good times, up 8 percentage points from the previous quarter. Sounds like old-fashioned American optimism, and that can-do spirit that is precisely what made our country great. New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks of eradicating corruption during his 'Mann ki Baat' programmes but has remained silent on the Panama Paper leaks. Congress leader Pawan Khera asked Modi what action had been taken against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh over the Panama Papers issue, citing the case of Nawaz Sharif who quit as Pakistani prime minister. "The prime minister speaks at length on corruption, but ignores Panama paper leaks. (Yesterday Congress vice- president) Rahul Gandhi mentioned about Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh's son and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek. "His (Abhishek) name appeared in the Panama papers, (but) what action have you taken in this regard," Khera asked, suggesting that Modi should take cue from Pakistan on this. The Supreme Court on July 28 disqualified 67-year-old Sharif for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal, forcing the embattled leader out of office. The Congress leader said the BJP cannot keep "subverting democracy" and "yet come out holier than thou and talk about political integrity". He was referring to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar dumping the grand alliance in the state to come into the NDA fold, and the recent defections of Congress MLAs to BJP in Gujarat, ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls. "Where is the money coming from in Gujarat? Our MLAs said they were offered money (to defect). We are not getting any answers to this in the prime minister's Mann ki Baat," he said. Khera also attacked the prime minister for not doing enough to curb the menace of cow-vigilante groups and "those spreading hate". The Congress leader said Prime Minister's 'Mann ki Baat' appears to be "disconnected" from ground realities as it has failed to address issues like unemployment and agraririan crisis. In his radio programme today, Modi spoke on varied topics ranging from how the new tax reform GST has transformed the economy to extensive relief being provided to the flood-hit states. "The prime minister's speech was irrelevant as it did not touch the fundamental issues faced by the country. We did not get answers to several of our questions and it was completely disconnected with what people are thinking," Khera said. Neither black money slashed abroad returned, one of d main slogans of d ruling party nor anyone caught out of those named in Panama papers. SHARAD YADAV (@SharadYadavMP) July 30, 2017 Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav took potshots at the BJP, his partys new ally, on Sunday, saying it was yet to fulfill its election promise of bringing back black money stashed abroad.Taking to Twitter, Yadav, who is said to be unhappy with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars return to the NDA, also questioned why no one named in the Panama Papers scandal has been caught yet.The tweet Yadavs first reaction to the political drama comes a day after Nitish Kumar formed the cabinet of his new NDA-backed government, giving Finance and Commercial Taxes portfolios to his deputy and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi.The new cabinet has 27 ministers 14 from the JD(U), 12 from the BJP and one from the LJP.Two JD(U) MPs, Ali Anwar and Veerendra Kumar, openly criticised Nitish Kumars move to break away from the Mahagathbandhan and met Sharad Yadav, former chief of the JD(U).Anwar, who said his "conscience does not support" Kumar's action, told reporters that Yadav agreed with their "strong" views against the JD(U)-BJP alliance.Yadav, Anwar said, told them he would take a formal stand on the issue after speaking to other leaders.Kerala JD(U) president MP Veerendra Kumar expressed "shock" over Nitish Kumar's decision and said the state unit would not follow the chief minister into the NDA fold.He appealed to all JD(U) MPs to "denounce the decision and quit the party".Anwar said his reservations over the new coalition should not be seen as a rebellion against the party and he would present his views within the organisation. "He (Yadav) had called us to his residence. He agreed with our views against the alliance with the BJP," Anwar said. Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping has claimed that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies. The premier was inspecting a military parade to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the 2.3-million strong army. "March to wherever the Party points to," said Xi, asking the PLA to follow follow the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). "I firmly believe that our gallant military has both confidence and ability to defeat all invading enemies," said Xi, who heads the Central Military Commission, which holds the overall command of the PLA - the world's largest army, reported PTI. While there was no reference in his speech to over a month-long India-China military standoff at Doklam in Sikkim section, his remarks came in the midst of shrill official media campaign and assertions by the Foreign and Defence Ministries here accusing Indian troops of trespassing into Chinese territory at Doklam. Clad in camouflage military suit, 64-year-old Xi said the Chinese military has the confidence and ability to safeguard, national sovereignty, security and development interests. "Our military has the confidence and ability to write a new chapter in building of strong military and make new contributions to towards realisation of the China dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and safeguarding world peace," Xi said in his about 10-minute address - an event carried live on state television and radio. Earlier, Xi inspected the military parade at China's largest military base in Zhurihe in Inner Mongolia - the biggest parade since 2015 in which army and air force displayed some of the most modern weapons including a new tank which reportedly held exercises in the high-altitude along the Indian border. The other weapons included long range nuclear and conventional missiles, the new J-15 - the new aircraft based carrier. In his address, Xi asked the military to further improve its combativeness and modernise the national defence and armed forces. The Chinese military has the worlds second largest defence budget of USD 152 billion next to the US military. The PLA was founded on August 1, 1927 when the ruling CPC under the leadership of Mao Zedong carried on with his national liberation movement. It is one of the rare national armies which still continues to function under the leadership of the CPC and not the Chinese government. "Officers and soldiers, you must unswervingly stick to the fundamental principle and system of the Party's absolute leadership over the army, always listen to and follow the Party's orders, and march to wherever the Party points to," said Xi, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. PLA officers and soldiers should firmly adhere to the fundamental goal of serving the people wholeheartedly, and always stand together with the people, Xi said. He also said China needs a strong army more than ever, urging the building of PLA into a world-class military force. Enjoying peace is a bliss for the people while protecting peace is the responsibility of the people's army, he said. "The world is not all at peace, and peace must be safeguarded," said Xi, who is expected to get a second five year term at the key meeting of the CPC later this year. "Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than any other time in history, and we need to build a strong people's military more than any other time in history," he said. He urged the PLA to fully implement the CPC's thoughts on building a strong military, follow the path of strengthening the army with Chinese characteristics, strive for the CPC's target on strengthening the PLA under the new circumstances, and build the heroic PLA into a world-class military. About 12,000 troops took part in the parade in which 129 aircraft and 571 pieces of equipment were on display. Dongfeng missiles which include short, long and medium rage of rockets, variety of armoury including light tanks, drones were also deployed. Helicopter borne troops demonstrated in quick landing and taking combat positions. The parade was held in the backdrop of over month long standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam in Sikkim section. Besides Doklam, China is also concerned by the situation in North Korea and the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile by US in South Korea much to the opposition of the Beijing. (With PTI inputs) San Francisco: Tianna Rooney has already bought the poster board for the sign she'll wave when the 16-year-old refugee boy her family is taking in arrives in the United States. Rooney knows the exact words of welcome she'll write on it, in the teenager's native language from the African country of Eritrea. But Rooney's family is leaving the sign blank, for now. She and her husband, Todd, fear actually writing the words "Welcome Home" could break her heart. The foster son they're waiting for is part of a small, three-decade-old US program for so-called unaccompanied refugee minors that has been halted by a series of new refugee bans and travel limits imposed by the Trump administration in the name of fighting terrorism. By blocking the program, the US travel bans have stranded more than 100 refugee children who were already matched to waiting American foster families. Without parents or other adult relatives, those kids are living on their own in countries of temporary refuge, in limbo while their US foster parents hope for a court ruling that will allow the children to finish their journeys. Since the June day a refugee agency matched the Rooneys with their foster son, which turned out to be the same day of the first Supreme Court ruling barring him, "we have experienced this very unexpected ride of grief in our family," says Rooney, a 39-year-old family therapist and mother of two from Brighton, a suburb of Detroit. Meanwhile, the boy who fled his home country at 13 to avoid widespread forced military conscription of children continues to fend for himself on the streets in his temporary refuge in another African capital, with no phone or internet for the Rooneys to reach him to explain the delay. "There's part of me that really hopes he knows a family wants him," Tianna Rooney says. Since the 1980s, the program for orphaned refugee children has brought in more than 6,000 refugee children, including 203 last year. "These are kids on their own, and struggling to survive," said Elizabeth Foydel, policy counsel with the International Refugee Assistance Project, a Washington, D.C., legal-aid group for refugees. "How long do you feel comfortable with your child not having a caregiver?" Foydel says she asks other Americans. "Trying to manage for themselves?" The program for orphaned refugee children from around the world is different from one started by the Obama administration in 2014 for Central American children fleeing a surge in violence there. In the program for unaccompanied refugee children, kids eking out a living by themselves in a refugee camp or elsewhere must first come to the attention of a UN agency, which may choose to refer them for the US foster program, especially if the children are deemed to be particularly vulnerable wherever they are now. The children must then pass US security screenings and other requirements, and win a match with an American foster family or group home. But a series of Trump administration orders, and court rulings interpreting them, are now barring refugees with no close family in the United States. That requirement shuts out the refugee children in the foster program, who have no relatives they can turn to anywhere. The child refugees newly blocked from waiting American foster families include five Ethiopian sisters, ages 9 to 16. The girls lost both parents in 2009, and have faced abuse alone in the war zone of neighboring South Sudan and in Sudanese cities, said Jessica Jones, policy counsel for the Baltimore-based Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Along with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Lutherans are one of two US groups running the program on behalf of the US State Department. Other waiting children include a 17-year-old couple originally from the Asian country of Myanmar and the baby they had together in a refugee camp, after fleeing attacks on their Rohingya religious minority in Myanmar. In her home in another Detroit suburb, Sharon Martin, 64, has bought a crib for the young refugee family from Myanmar. But the children's books she bought, Martin said, are really for her. "If they come, I can finally read to a child again," Martin says. Refugee workers say the family faces forced return to Myanmar if their US arrangements fall through. In San Francisco, web designer Julie Rajagopal and husband Mike Gougherty, a senior planner for a regional ferry system, are two of the lucky ones. The 16-year-old boy they are fostering also fled a lifetime of forced military service in Eritrea, at 13. When he landed in March, a slight youth coming off the plane in an ill-made tracksuit, he was among the last refugee foster children to make it into the US. Rajagopal, 35, often had stayed up through the night calling government workers and charity officials in the faraway African hub of Cairo to speed her new foster son's paperwork. On a clear day this summer, the teen strolled with the couple at a park overlooking San Francisco. In the city's hip Mission District, he blended seamlessly in a red sweater and shoes he carefully matched himself, and jeans he insisted on lovingly ironing with each wear. Meanwhile, in Brighton, the Rooneys and their 10- and 12-year-old sons stack new socks and T-shirts in the bedroom they've set aside for the boy they nicknamed "Five," meaning the eagerly awaited fifth member of their family. Tianna Rooney recently got out the poster board, thinking to work on the welcome sign. After a concerned look from her husband, she put it away. "We want to think positive thoughts" that their foster son will come safely, Todd Rooney said. "But without endangering ourselves. Without setting ourselves up for a heartache." Tehran: A defiant Iran vowed on Saturday to press ahead with its missile programme and condemned new US sanctions, as tensions rise after the West hardened its tone against the Islamic republic. In the latest incident, Tehran and Washington accused each other's naval forces of provocative manoeuvres in the Gulf that culminated in a US helicopter firing warning flares. The US Navy said it had reacted to unresponsive vessels belonging to the Revolutionary Guards closing in on American ships at high speed, a charge denied by Iran which described the American move as unprovoked. "At 4 pm (1130 GMT) on Friday, the supercarrier USS Nimitz and its accompanying warship, while being monitored by the Guards' frigates, flew a helicopter near the Resalat oil and gas platform and approached the force's ships," the Iranian paramilitary force said. "The Americans in a provocative and unprofessional move, sent a warning message to the frigates and fired flares," it said. The Guards "ignored the unconventional move by the US ships and continued their mission". The US Navy said its ships were on a routine patrol when an American helicopter "observed several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval vessels approaching US naval forces at a high rate of speed". "US naval forces attempted to establish communications, with no response from the Iranian vessels. Shortly thereafter, at a safe distance, the US helicopter deployed flares, after which the Iranian vessels halted their approach," it said. The latest incident came after a US Navy ship fired warning shots at a Guards boat in similar circumstances on Tuesday, with each side blaming the other. There have been a string of close encounters between US ships and Iranian vessels in the Gulf in recent months. On the political front, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said Tehran condemned new US sanctions against its missile programme, which US President Donald Trump is set to sign into law, and vowed to press on. "We will continue with full power our missile programme," he said. "We consider the action by the US as hostile, reprehensible and unacceptable, and it's ultimately an effort to weaken the nuclear deal." Ghasemi was referring to the 2015 agreement between Iran and US-led world powers that lifted some sanctions on Tehran in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. "The military and missile fields... are our domestic policies and others have no right to intervene or comment on them," Ghasemi said. The sanctions bill, which also targets Russia and North Korea, was passed by the US Senate on Thursday, two days after being approved by the House of Representatives. Separately yesterday, Washington imposed new sanctions targeting Iran's missile programme, one day after Tehran tested a satellite-launch rocket. Iranian state television broadcast footage of the launch from the Imam Khomeini space center in the eastern province of Semnan. The launch vehicle was capable of propelling a satellite weighing 550 pounds (250 kilos) into orbit at an altitude of 300 miles (500 kilometres), it said. Western governments suspect Iran of trying to develop the technology for longer-range missiles with conventional or nuclear payloads, a charge denied by Tehran, which insists its space programme has purely peaceful aims. In a joint statement, Britain, France, Germany and the US condemned Tehran's "destabilising" action, saying the test violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the nuclear deal. "We call on Iran not to conduct any further ballistic missile launches and related activities," they said. Resolution 2231 called on Iran not to test ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, and an arms embargo has remained in place. The United States has had no diplomatic ties with the Iran since 1980, and Trump has halted the direct contacts initiated by his predecessor Barack Obama. Tensions have mounted between Washington and Tehran since Trump took office six months ago vowing to be the best friend of Israel. At UN headquarters in New York yesterday, US envoy Nikki Haley expressed mistrust of Iran. "Iran's widespread support for terrorists tells us we can't trust them. Iran's breaking its obligation on missile testing tells us we can't trust them. Yesterday's launch proves that yet again," she said. Despite his electoral promise to tear apart what he once called "the worst deal ever", Trump has so far respected the nuclear agreement. The joint US-European statement said that Iran's latest test features technology related to "ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons". Iran insists it has "proven its compliance with the nuclear deal" as repeatedly confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Seoul: Two US Air Force B-1B bombers have flown over the Korean peninsula in direct response to recent North Korean missile tests, the US Air Force said in a statement on Sunday. North Korea has said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday that proved its ability to strike America's mainland, drawing a sharp warning from US President Donald Trump. The B-1B flight, conducted on Saturday, was in direct response to the missile test and the previous July 3 launch of the "Hwansong-14" rocket, the US statement said. Zamboanga: Philippine police fatally shot a city mayor, who was among politicians the president publicly linked to illegal drugs, and six others in a gunbattle that erupted Sunday when they reportedly resisted arrest, officials said. Officers were to serve warrants for the arrest of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr, his daughter, who is the vice mayor, and four other officials of Ozamiz city when they allegedly opened fire. Parojinog, who also faced corruption charges, had denied any links to illegal drugs. He was the third mayor to be killed under President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody crackdown on drugs, which left more than 3,000 dead in reported gunfights with police and has been widely criticized by Western governments and human rights groups. The officers were "met with volleys of fire from (the mayor's) security, prompting the Philippine National Police personnel to retaliate," Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said in a statement. He said that Parojinog and six relatives and bodyguards died in his farm house. The mayor's wife was reportedly among the dead. Parojinog's daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested, Pacleb said. Last year, police officers shot dead Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside a jail cell in the central province of Leyte, and a week before that, another mayor and his nine bodyguards were gunned down allegedly during a firefight on a road in the southern Philippines. All three mayors were among more than 160 officials Duterte named publicly as being linked to illegal drugs in August last year as part of a shame campaign. Duterte has vowed not to stop until, he said, the last drug trafficker in the country has been eliminated. New Delhi: Political uncertainty in Pakistan triggered by the ouster of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be advantageous to its military which may now back terrorism against India more aggressively, foreign policy experts said on Sunday. They also felt that the prospect of Indo-Pak engagement became very dim as the Pakistani military would not like to see any improvement in ties with India. "Political uncertainty and instability in Pakistan will be to the advantage of the military in that country," said G Parthasarathy, who was Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan from 1998 to 2000. Meera Shankar, who was India's Ambassador to the US between 2009 and 2011, echoed similar views, saying internal instability will further consolidate the military's hold over the country. Lalit Mansingh, who was foreign secretary from 19992000, too said political instability in Pakistan will further embolden the Army and in such a scenario, it will more aggressively push terror activities against India. He said India's standoff with China in the Doklam area has further encouraged Pakistan to step up cross border terrorism against India and an internal political structure in Islamabad will be conducive for Pakistani military to pursue its goal. Parthasarathy, too, said the military's domination will mean continuation of the policy to back terror groups against India. Sharif was disqualified from holding public office by Pakistan Supreme Court over undeclared assets relating to Panama Papers scandal. Ruling PML-N has named former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim prime minister until Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz is elected as a member of parliament to succeed him as his eventual successor. Both Parthasarathy and Mansingh said they do not expect any movement in engagement between India and Pakistan after Sharif's resignation. Ties between India and Pakistan nosedived after Pakistani terrorists attacked India's Pathankot air force base in January last year. Following the attack, India had said talks with Pakistan cannot take place unless it stops cross border terror. "In Nawaz Sharif, at least you had a politician who wanted to improve relations with India," said Parthasarathy, adding the prospect of Indo-Pak engagement was dim under a weak government in Islamabad. Mansingh said any kind of dialogue between the two countries was unlikely, adding Pakistani military giving full access to China including to its military personnel in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir was a matter of concern. "I see the state of freeze between India and China continuing until the forseeable future and we might even expect surge in cross border terror activities," said Mansingh, who was also India's envoy to Washington. Shankar said the military was calling the shots even under Sharif's leadership and it used corruption charges against him to pull him down. "It will be interesting to see whether the Army will allow Shehbaz Sharif to take over as the Prime Minister. The judiciary in Pakistan is playing an active role as some people are saying it was a constitutional coup," she said. TCA Rangachari, India's former envoy to France and Germany, said Pakistan's policy towards India has been same irrespective of having internal stability or instability. Rangachari, who had served in Islamabad as Deputy High Commissioner, said Pakistan's approach towards India has been guided by the armed forces and it does not change even though there is any change in the country's political complexion. He also said there was political stability in Pakistan during the the 1965 war. "We will have to wait and watch, how things unfold there. We should not make quick judgement," he said. Mansingh said Sharif was advocating better economic ties between the two countries but the next government in Islamabad is highly unlikely to follow the line. Shankar said though Sharif was for better relations with India, his views did not find space as the Army was influencing foreign policy decisions. Islamabad: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who is set to become Pakistan's interim prime minister, is the former federal minister for petroleum and natural resources, and a businessman who launched the country's most successful private airline. Considered highly intelligent and a long-time loyalist of Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister who was ousted by the supreme court on Friday, the 58-year-old Abbasi will act as a placeholder for the Sharif dynasty. He is due to be rubber stamped by in a parliamentary vote as prime minister until Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz, a provincial minister, can be elected to the national assembly and take over the leadership. Abbasi was appointed oil minister when Nawaz Sharif won his third election in 2013. Educated in the US at George Washington University, he was born in Karachi but is a member of the National Assembly from Murree a hill station that is a favourite holiday destination for Sharif. Abbasi worked in the US and Saudi Arabia as an electrical engineer before joining politics after his father, a minister in General Zia ul-Haq's government, was killed when an ammunition dump belonging to Pakistan's powerful ISI exploded in Rawalpindi in 1988. Abbasi has been elected six times as a member of the National Assembly since then, and has previously served as minister for commerce and defence production. He was the chairman of national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from 1997 to 1999, until General Pervez Musharraf overthrew Sharif's second government. Abbasi was arrested after the coup and imprisoned for two years before being released. In 2003, he setup a private airline Air Blue, the country's most successful private airline and challenger to PIA. Chinhoyi: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe on Saturday said he was not stepping down nor dying and that there was no one with his political stature who could immediately take over from him. The 93-year-old leader has been in charge in the former British colony since independence in 1980. His health is closely watched by Zimbabweans, who fear the country could face chaos if he dies without anointing a successor. Mugabe told tens of thousands of supporters at a rally in the town of Chinhoyi, in his home province, that doctors were recently surprised by his "strong bone system." He has travelled to Singapore three times this year for what officials say is routine medical treatment. "There is the issue that the president is going. I am not going," Mugabe told supporters on the grounds of a local university, 100 km (60 miles) west of the capital Harare. "The president is dying. I am not dying. I will have an ailment here and there but bodywise, all my internal organs ... very firm, very strong," Mugabe said as he leant on the lectern. Mugabe, who looks frail, had walked onto the stage slowly but without assistance. The issue of who will succeed Mugabe has deeply divided the ruling party, with two factions supporting Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Mugabe's wife Grace. On Thursday, Grace challenged Mugabe to name his preferred successor, to end divisions over the future leadership of ZANU-PF. She repeated the call on Saturday, adding that Mugabe would lead the process to choose his eventual successor. Mugabe said although some party officials wanted to succeed him, he saw no one among his subordinates with his political clout to keep the party united and fend off a challenge from the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change. "A new man will not have the same stature and the same acceptance as I have managed to secure for the party over the years," said Mugabe. Many words have been written about Dunkirk, the film by Christopher Nolan about hundreds of thousands of soldiers most of them British trapped on that long beach in Northern France with the German army coming to slaughter them. Riveting and Oscar-worthy and stunning and so forth, and theyre all appropriate for this worthy film. And because it is a great film, it should be seen in a theater. Dont wait for it to show up on your home TV. Youll only cheat yourself. This one requires a theater screen to appreciate the span of it all, that long beach, the tiny men on it yearning for home, and that short ride across the English Channel; the rescue ships of the British Navy smashed by the German bombers, the British Spitfires knifing out of the sky. So, there are many praiseful words for the movie, but after watching Dunkirk, I wanted to add another: Decency. Yes, decency is an odd word to pair with war. Nothing human beings have ever created and unleashed is more murderous than war, with death beyond measure, and so theres nothing decent about the cost of it. And yes, as Dunkirk is a film about the war, there is death in it, death that comes randomly, or is delivered with surgical dispassion, which makes it all the more horrible. But a great film always leaves me quiet and spent when its over, and in a quiet moment leaving the theater, I thought about the decency in what Id seen. The decency of the young British soldiers waiting in impossibly long lines, quietly, standing out in the wind, searching the sky for enemy planes, praying for a chance at a boat to take them home. The decency of their officers, who cared for them and who kept them calm. The decency of British civilians, weekend sailors who answered the call and took their own fishing boats and pleasure craft, crossing the English Channel in a motley armada and approaching the murderous beach to save their soldiers, their countrymen, their boys. The decency of a middle-aged father played by Mark Rylance, the owner of a small yacht Moonstone with his teenage son, played by Tom Glynn-Carney. They crossed the channel because they had a job to do and they werent about to shirk responsibility. They didnt do a lot of talking. They made no big speeches. But they did share a look. And that was enough. And the decency of a British fighter pilot, finally out of fuel, making one last desperate run in the hopes of knocking down a German plane to save more lives. The pilot was played by actor Tom Hardy. The commander who kept them calm was played by Kenneth Branagh. Yes, they are great stars, but they were not the true stars in Dunkirk. The star of Dunkirk is the character of the British people at that time, in the worst days of the war, long before America joined in, when the British Expeditionary Force was humiliated in Europe and almost destroyed. And so it is a movie about a people of a certain time, a people who knew who they were, a people who firmly understood their culture and their obligations to it, and to their nation, and to each other. You dont see or hear Winston Churchill in this film. You hear some of his words read by a soldier on a train, but you dont see his genius. All that happened after the troops were rescued. The withdrawal at Dunkirk and what led to it was a terrible military defeat for the British Expeditionary Force. And yet, Churchill was somehow able to convince the British people they had won a great victory by rescuing their men on the beach. He rallied his people. And that kind of leadership is pure genius, indeed. If you see Dunkirk, please dont go expecting a typical Hollywood formula war film, with plenty of character exposition and back story. This is not a movie about cliched archetypes. You wont find a platoon of Brits passing around photos of their sweethearts. And you wont see the joker, the farmer, the ladies man or the upper-crust failure seeking to redeem himself. You wont see a Cockney urchin who teaches the lads to survive. Dunkirk isnt built that way. It expects more of its audience. It does not condescend. It anticipates your intelligence and respects it. And so it presents stories on the beach, and stories in the water, and stories in the air and expects you to follow without a guide book. Though you wont get to know the men by what they say, youll know them by what they do. Actions, not words. And youll see details as death comes, the sound of paper in the wind, sea foam on the beach, the scratching of chalk on the dashboard of a fighter plane, the ping of a bullet, the panic of those trapped on a ruined ship as it tips, the sound of bubbles underwater, and of boys breaking the surface to find a sea of fire. Not many films are worth the price. This one is. But please dont cram it into the end of a day when youre tired or rushed. See it when youre at your best. Respect it as much as it respects its audience. And I know youll find the decency in it, too. A few months after they were poised against each other as opponents in the race for governor, Republican nominee Ed Gillespie and Nelson resident Denver Riggleman met again Saturday. This time, Riggleman welcomed Gillespie for a Whiskey Rebellion party in support of Gillespies campaign. On the freshly manicured lawn behind Silverback Distillery in Afton, more than 100 people heard about some of Gillespies campaign priorities and promises. Guests also heard from Riggleman, co-owner of Silverback who sought the Republican gubernatorial nomination for about two months before suspending his campaign. According to a Monmouth University poll released last week, Gillespie and his Democratic challenger, Ralph Northam, are tied with the support of 44 percent of likely voters. Libertarian Cliff Hydra had the support of 3 percent of likely voters with 12 percent undecided, the poll shows. Saturdays Afton campaign stop was Gillespies fourth of five on the day. Before speaking in Afton, Gillespie visited Lynchburg and Moneta and was set to appear in Loudoun County later in the day. According to Riggleman, attendees of the Afton event came from across the state, some from as far as four hours away. A number of state legislators, all Republicans Dels. Ben Cline (24th), Dickie Bell (20th) and Nick Freitas (30th) and Sen. Bryce Reeves, who represents the 17th district and was defeated by Jill Vogel in his bid to become the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor also were in attendance. During the 15-minute speech, Gillespie mentioned issues of taxes, education, energy, public safety and others. These differences could not be more clear, and the stakes could not be more high for us, Gillespie said, referring to the contrast in positions between him and Northam. This next governors race, its not just about the next four years; it is about the next 20 to 30 years and what kind of commonwealth we are going to be and what kind of economy we are going to have. Gillespie promised guests he would cut taxes 10 percent across the board and gave an impassioned defense of expanding school choice. I will fight for children trapped in failing public schools, he said. Gillespie bragged about his A rating from the National Rifle Association, saying hed fight to preserve Virginians second-amendment rights. In his comments on the importance of public safety in the commonwealth, Gillespie specifically referred to a March incident that left Lynchburg teen Raymond Wood dead. Three undocumented immigrants, who Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown said are associated with the international MS-13 gang, are charged with murder in connection to Woods death. Gillespie used the incident to explain his view that Virginia must crack down on illegal immigration and the crimes he believes to be associated with the issue. During a brief introduction of Gillespie, Riggleman who has said he likely will run for governor in 2021 said he supports Gillespie for a number of reasons, including the fact he felt listened to by Gillespie during his short run for governor. As a co-owner of Silverback Distillery, Riggleman explained hes been directly affected by what he views is government overreach and said Gillespies views on deregulation will help residents and entrepreneurs. Gillespie promised attendees he will at a minimum repeal [or] modernize two antiquated regulations for every one we impose. Hes talking about everything that Im for for small business creation, Riggleman said after Saturdays event. Riggleman has said he pays what amounts to about a 50 percent tax on every bottle of whiskey he sells. The tax, Riggleman previously explained to The News & Advance, is part of the reason he plans to open another Silverback Distillery facility in Pennsylvania rather than Virginia. Richard Averitt, a Nelson resident who said he supported Democrat Tom Perriello in the primary, said he came to Saturdays event to listen to and speak with Gillespie, hoping to hear his views on the multi-state, 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline slated to cut through Nelson County. As a pipeline opponent, Averitt said he spoke with Gillespie on Saturday about his concerns regarding property rights and eminent domain associated with the ACP. He said Gillespie expressed sincere concern over the issue and was told Gillespie would work with other Republican leaders to get together and look for a solution. Im going to hold them to their word, Averitt said. There is a place where Republicans and centrists like me and also liberals all meet, and thats on a property rights perspective. I think the Republican Party must address this issue. Once named the unluckiest president in America by Fortune Magazine, University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan has been wrapped up fairly or unfairly in several nationally publicized crises since she took office in 2010. But going into the final year of her contract, the turbulence surrounding the university has mostly subsided, and relations with the Board of Visitors have improved since 2012, when the board voted to fire her before public pressure forced board members to reverse their decision. On the eve of its bicentennial, the university is at a turning point in its history. Under Sullivans leadership, the university known especially for its strengths in the humanities and law is attempting to rebrand as a center for health care and scientific research, investing in major technology upgrades and new research institutes. UVa is in the middle of a multi-year push to hire about 400 new faculty members to replace a wave of baby boomer retirees. After cutting financial aid in 2013 to stem out-of-control costs, the university has established a permanent endowment to ensure that AccessUVa, the aid program, can support itself in the future. But rising tuition costs also have drawn criticism from legislators and constituents. The president who has announced she will step down once her contract expires next summer recently sat down with members of The Daily Progress editorial board to reflect on her time at UVa and look ahead to the universitys role in the future of the commonwealth. On the qualities needed in the next president, who will be elected by the Board of Visitors: You need to have a well-honed synthetic ability. You get information from many channels at once. You need to be able to filter out signal from noise. Then you need to be able to figure out how the signals correspond with one another and what the overall picture is. Really, no one can do this for you because everybody else has a partial view of the university compared to the president. That means that the president needs to be somebody whos curious. Somebody whos interested in what might seem kind of out of the ordinary. Bob Bruner used to say he was the dean of the Darden School [of Business] he used to say, 'the faculty are not the employees; theyre the talent.' So the university is not a command-and-control kind of establishment. If you come in as a leader thinking thats how it works, you might be disappointed. I think its also important to be able to synthesize across constituencies. The students will tell you they want something; the parents might want something totally different. The alumni have their point of view; so do the legislators, so do the donors. You need to be able to listen to all that and hear what is the most important underlying value here? And what is the most important thing you can do to help bring this about? Survey respondents favor academic for next UVa president Albemarle supervisors wrote a memo about what they would like to see in the next president, and some potential projects for collaboration. On the debate over whether the next president has to be a career academic: I think lots of different backgrounds can be conducive to the presidency. But I will say this: The university is very different from any other organization because the nature of the employee base is many people who have a lot of expertise in their own area; not only expertise but recognition and standing. If they get angry with you, theyre walking out the door. Bob Bruner used to say he was the dean of the Darden School [of Business] he used to say, the faculty are not the employees; theyre the talent. So the university is not a command-and-control kind of establishment. If you come in as a leader thinking thats how it works, you might be disappointed. A new way for UVa? Rise in private donations could change how the university makes decisions Legislators might have less influence in the future as UVa relies more on private donations to cover operating costs and less on state appropriations. In 2013, a consulting company hired by the university, the Art & Science Group, said UVa was losing its competitive advantage and suggested the university leverage its strengths as an undergraduate institution and focus less on research. Youve gone in a different direction. Why? Do you think that was the right decision? I do think it was the right choice to make, in part because research universities do something different for students. Youre not abandoning the students by being a research university youre giving them opportunities they would not have otherwise. Jonathan Kipnis is the neuroscientist who discovered [in 2015] that the brain has a lymphatic system; amazing discovery that could bring a lot downstream for the 12 undergraduates working in his laboratory. Imagine being one of his undergraduates in that lab. Thats really extraordinary. Thats an experience you cant have if youre not at a school thats doing the cutting-edge research were doing. On researchs role in driving the economy: I think its important for Virginias future. The Virginia economy is not going to be able to rely, long run, on just the federal government. Its going to have to diversify. And the way we diversify will make a big difference in terms of whether this is a prosperous state or a not-so-prosperous state. It is not, in my opinion, a big economic coup to bring in a company from another state who will hire 40 people at minimum wage. But to have a startup here thats going to provide good jobs with benefits and, hopefully, additional jobs every year, as the company grows thats the kind of thing that really helps economic development. Thats the promise and the hope, and I think were beginning to capitalize on it. Author calls on federal prosecutors to investigate UVa admissions UVa spokesman Anthony P. de Bruyn said the university strongly objects to Thomas accusations, which he called unfounded. The universitys fundraising office known as the advancement office kept a list of VIP applicants whose parents are donors or alumni. Emails show the office was meeting with Sean Jenkins, one of Sullivans staffers. Were you aware of this? It is true that Sean in my office serves as a kind of collecting point because he hears from all sorts of people about applicants. We get lots of volunteered advice about students who are in the applicant pool. And Sean makes sure that that information gets fed to the dean of admissions, [Gregory Roberts]. But [the dean] makes the decisions. I get lots of letters from people that say, so-and-so is my constituent and Id like to bring them to your attention, and so on. We send those letters to the file of the student. We do a holistic review. We look at lots of different things. Well look at that letter in the file, just like well look at anything. But that doesnt mean that just because Sean says something, that Dean Roberts automatically does it. In fact, [its] quite the contrary. This year in particular I had lots of conversations with lots of angry and disappointed people whose nominee didnt get in. Its not surprising because a lot of people want to go to UVa. Has anything changed, procedurally, since then? Have you made it clear that theres supposed to be a barrier between admissions and fundraising? There already is. Thats why they go to Sean. But weve also told them we dont want any more lists. On her most memorable achievement in office: First of all, Ive still got 12-and-a-half percent of my term ahead of me [laughs]. So I might give you a different answer next June. But all in all Id have to say Ive loved ever moment of it. Even the times that were turbulent I kind of enjoyed the challenge that represents. I like problem-solving, and I get to do a lot of it in this job. I think we honored the universitys past and traditions in some important ways, including the restoration of the Rotunda, which looked like a pretty daunting project, but the result has been beautiful. But we may have done it in some unexpected ways, too. Im thinking about the Presidents Commission on Slavery and the University. We learned a lot about our university that we didnt know before. And what weve tried to do is present that information in a way that tells visitors to the university a fuller story about who we were and how we got to be where we are. UVa building named for former slave, stonemason When I started reading these letters I stopped everything I was working on and I realized this was a story that needed to be told. On the controversy over public memorials to the Confederacy in Charlottesville: Im not going to try to second-guess the City Council. They spent a lot of time studying this they had their Blue Ribbon Commission [on Race, Memorials and Public Spaces], and so on. I do think its a difficult situation. ... I hate seeing Charlottesville going into the crosshairs as the conflicted grounds on which this gets settled. What can the city learn from UVa about confronting its own history, which is tied with slavery? What can they take away from the process UVa used to plan the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers? We spent a lot of time on it. I think that was important, to give all the people who wanted to talk about it an opportunity. It also wasnt the only thing we did. Weve named two new buildings after people who were enslaved at the university. Weve also found a slave cemetery. Weve created an African-American walking tour of the university. Weve changed the information given on tours by the university guides. Were just trying to recover our history. If its just about the symbols, I dont think its as effective. Not to say that symbols dont matter they do. But I am pleased at how people seem to have come together around the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. One of the reasons they proposed the location [the space between the Corner and the Rotunda] they did is because it is close to the Corner and therefore closer to the city. They saw it as a kind of symbolic link between the city and the university. And I hope it will be seen that way. Dayo Bejide: New Wisdom Through Music Natures Cry, the opening rendition, set the tone for the rest of the groups performance. In a sense, it could be read as an invocation to nature the natural sounds conjured in the music and the natural material calabash, bamboo, seeds out of which the organic instruments were fashioned. It was a sound that sent us back to roots, a pristine sound that invoked all of nature under a night sky surrounded by all the modern amenities of Fiesta Plaza. Rainstick, calabash owls and calabash birds invoked the spirit and the sounds of the forest. It was an appropriate start to a set that would take the audience on a journey that combined nature and technology, a seamless and harmonic merging of two sides of our modern lives that are sometimes at war with each other, sides of our lives that we are constantly struggling to harmonise. The music is not just about music. Its the story of the African people and its about environmental awareness as well, says Baba Onilu, one of the leaders of the band. He and his brother Modupe Onilu are carrying out the legacy of their late father Jajah Oga Onilu, a man who was respected among the music community for his spirituality and his musical innovations. Today, his sons move with the times without losing the philosophy underlying the music the knowledge of self and a rootedness in their own ethnic and spiritual traditions. In the world of the Internet and social media, many get lost in the vast supply of available information while some use it to their advantage. As Baba notes, the music is also about creating new wisdom. Its an important point. No longer is wisdom dispensed only from books. And no longer is it set in stone. Social media and Google searches could bring up any number of motivational ideas and images. We can now take from these, the data that we need to enhance ourselves. Constantly refreshing the store of wisdom that will aid our earthly travels. Dayo Bejides music is based on this ideal. Combining their legacy of organic music with more modern sounds, Modupe and Baba now bring together the sound of a modern generation a combination of jazz, rapso, metal, and the organic. Vocalist John John, with his mesmerising and intriguing song Freedom, an item that combined metal and rapso, joined the group onstage. The heavy guitar of John Hussain combined with the African drums merged as if they belonged together. The idea of bringing in other musicians and vocalists was to give the music some variety. We are an instrumental band and while we are Afro- centric we are also creating music that everyone will appreciate, Baba says. The goal is not lost. The originals like Behind the Bridge, a rhythmic number, and Empowerment followed by an Ella Andall cover Black Woman, rendered by Patrice Inglesbert; the Fela Kuti medley comprising Shakara, Water Get No Enemy and Zombie with accompanying vocals by John John and Ingelsbert, provided a truly captivating experience. The instrumentation, comprising keyboard (Kadeem Alleyne), flute (Mark Brewster), saxophone (Daniel Ryan), electric guitar (John Hussain), bass guitar (Clint Harewood) and organic instruments (Baba and Modupe Onilu), was in no small measure, a perfect harmony of musical colours. The group is certainly on its way to creating a sound that can stand firm on the national and international circuits. Dayo Bejide will perform at Freedom. com - the legacy of Lancelot Layne in commemoration of Emancipation on August 31 at Big Black Box, 33 Murray Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain. The show features new music from 3canal & cut + clear crew, Freetown Collective and Dayo Bejide. Gates open at 8 pm. See Freedom.com on Facebook for more details. Two zebras arrive at Emperor Valley Zoo The Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ZSTT), in a release yesterday, announced the safe arrival of the zebras. The animals landed at 8pm on Friday night and on hand to receive them were Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat and ZSTT president Gupte Lutchmedial. Accompanying the animals on their journey was John Seyjagat, the ZSTTs international director, the release said. Lutchmedial in a statement yesterday morning said: The zebras have adjusted nicely in its enclosure and our thanks to John for looking after their well being on the journey overland from Texas and by air from Miami. The ZSTT is committed to enhancing our guest experiences and this newest arrival to our African Exhibit is in keeping with our strategic thrust. My music is my ordination from God Sandra announced the initiative during an interview last week at her home at Carlsen Field in which she also discussed, her spirituality, crime and her being honoured by the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC). Tomorrow, as part of the Emancipation Day celebrations the ESC will be holding a concert in her honour. She said she will be elated and it is another body of people who are saying thanks to her and recognising her contributions. She thanked the entire ESC and whoever endorsed the idea. I am forever grateful. She said there is not enough recognition of calypso stalwarts. She recalled at the recent funeral for Devon Matthews someone asked her about all the arrangements for Matthews compared to the arrangements for calypsonian Samuel Brigo Abraham. Sandra said she took offence at the statement and pointed out that it was the media who formed themselves into a body and ensured Matthews received the send off that he did and it was not the Government. She said, for Brigo, calypsonians did not take up that mantle for his funeral. She predicted if certain calypsonians like Sparrow, Black Stalin and Calypso Rose got sick or died that the Government would get involved. Sandra said she is up to date with social media and she uses WhatsApp and manages her Facebook fan page. She said her fans are from all over the Caribbean, throughout America and from London. She said in her 34-year career she has been able to travel and spread her wings to many places including England, Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the US Virgin Islands, a visit to Ghana courtesy of the National Joint Action Committee and a visit to South Africa courtesy the Peoples National Movement government. Sandra said she is treated better in these countries than in Trinidad though she does not let it bother her. She said a number of female calypsonians in the country and the region were singing calypso because of her. She explained as she mentors young female calypsonians, she urges them not to be like her but be themselves. She said seeing female calypsonians like Karen Asche, Alana Sinnette and Makeda Darius she can pat herself on the back and say job well done. She also pointed out that Crystal Cummins-Beckles is called the Singing Sandra of Barbados and Singing Althea, who she considers one of her daughters as she worked with her personally, is considered the Singing Sandra of Antigua. Sandra said she is working with the Grenada government to increase the number of female calypsonians. She explained they do not have many in Grenada while in Trinidad we are safe in terms of female calypsonians. She said her father was from Grenada and she views the initiative as her giving back. She said the initiative is on stream and a date has been set for her departure. Grenada provided her with a Masters of Calypso Award. SATURATED WITH INNOCENT BLOOD Sandra released her song Cleansing Fire earlier this year and participated in the preliminaries of the Calypso Monarch but was not selected for the Calypso Fiesta semi-final. She said she was not working on any music presently and until December she is focusing on spiritual things. Carnival 2018 aint nowhere close here right now. God first. She said she does not make Carnival and calypso and competition a big thing. I am out there to do what God has ordained me to do. I look at it as an ordination, not just a job. And I does tell God to use me. She said every time she is on stage she asks God to let her touch someone whether it is to help someone laugh or help change something in their life. The task is mine; the glory belongs to God. In 1999 she won the National Calypso Monarch crown with the songs Voices from the Ghetto and Song for Healing and again in 2003 with For Whom the Bells Toll and Ancient Rhythm. In Voices from the Ghetto Sandra lamented crime and poverty through the metaphor of voices crying out. Asked if the voices were crying even louder now she responded, Where do you live? You dont think its worse now? Its worse now. I do not see it getting better no time soon. She said fish does not rotten from the head and while blame is cast on the young men who are killing each other, she questioned where the guns and drugs are coming from. She said it hurts her when people stigmatise young people. She stressed there were young people who were trying to make a difference in their communities and make a positive contribution but they were discriminated against by other young people. She said people are not looking at where the downward spiral started and she believes it is when they took prayers out of school. She pointed out that now churches were being desecrated and Fr Clyde Harvey, who has contributed so much to the youth in the country, was robbed this year. She said some parents are children themselves and since they have not finished growing and learning, they have nothing to teach their children. She said teachers want to teach but they are afraid of the students whose father is a bad man or are threatened by students. She recalled in her day she could not even steups in front of teacher. She said half of the young boys in crime are involved because their fathers or uncles were involved first and they have to carry on the legacy. No value for life. No respect for God. On the young women, she said some of them were losing morals and dressing where they do not leave anything to the imagination. She said they may tell her this was for her time but she would wonder aloud if they will reach her age and where she is. She revealed she had to leave school to make money to pay for her education and she had to put in hard work, perseverance, fortitude and endurance. She said the nation is very spiritual and that is what is saving us. She pointed out there were many churches, mosques and mandirs in the country and we are a praying people. Sandra recalled when Tropical Storm Bret was coming to this country people created an ID card with a picture of Jesus to make the joke God is a Trini. However she asked if God is a Trini, based on how we are treating God what will happen when he is fed up? If he get fed up, we in serious trouble. She said the country needed Bret and that magnitude of water to wash away all of the innocent blood spilled. Trinidad saturated with the blood of the innocent. She recalled the murder of 13-year-old Videsh Subar. What this child do? she asked rhetorically. She said some people made comments about race but she did not see a little Indian child, just a child. She said her children married Indian women and she has Indian relatives. She said while she is of African descent, she is a Trinidadian. Sandra explained she is Baptist and Orisha and she asks God to fill her mouth with good things so she can help people. If we could unite as a people spiritually we could save the nation. Asked about her health, Sandra said she is good after God. In early 2015 she was in the Intensive Care Unit after hernia surgery. She said after that experience, her course is set by God. If I complain I will be wicked and ungrateful. God is good to me. I wake up in the morning, even if it is with a pain, I am still breathing. I am grateful and thankful. ASP Michael Pierre: 1990 was like being in a war movie Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police Michael Pierre was a traffic officer with a little more than two years experience as a constable. Pierre, now the Police Services public information officer, related to Sunday Newsday the role he had to play in the events of 1990. I was assigned to the San Fernando Police Station, Pierre said. When the take over of TTT (Trinidad and Tobago Television) was happening, I was getting ready to report to duty, so I was getting ready to leave my home in Princes Town. Little did Pierre know he would be instructed to carry out one of the most dangerous missions of his law enforcement career - escorting Anglican canon Reverend Knolly Clarke to the Red House where he would act as a negotiator for the release of hostages. When I saw it (on television) I was alarmed because I realised this was a serious thing and I rushed to work. While I was there, the Assistant Commissioner of Police was Norton Regis. He came to the traffic section where I and Constable Patrick were and asked us if we were armed and who was the driver. He said we would have to escort Mr Knolly Clarke to the Red House. So, based on the little information that I heard through the grape vine, I felt a chill. I was thinking that I had no kind of warfare training and here it is Im going to escort Mr Clarke to the Red House. Pierre said while he was fearful, his sense of service as an officer of the law prevailed. In my heart thats my duty and I took an oath to serve TT as a police officer and if that was a part of it, well then I intended to do my duty. He said while he was aware of the gravity of the situation, the sight of looters along the highway put the situation into context for him. I can recall when we reached the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in the vicinity of Sea Lots I saw this guy with a fridge on his back running across the road. I saw a hub of activity in that area, people running with microwaves, but the size of the fridge was almost the size of the man and here he is running with it. The chill I felt never left because I didnt know if Im driving into my death, but I was very aware of the seriousness of the situation because the looting meant things went topsy turvy. He said he, his colleagues and Clarke arrived at the army base in Chaguaramas from where Clarke would be taken to the Red House. However, this was not the end of his experience as the base fell under siege from insurgents later that evening. I can recall whilst being in the barracks it was like actually being in a war movie. We were hearing gunshots and explosions. I remember at the time I was wearing a standard police-issued tunic and it had these silver buttons coming across like a cross. A soldier came up to me and he said, You crazy! You setting yourself up as a target with a big cross on your chest! Boy take off them buttons or open up the tunic. Pierre explained due to the strict regulations at the barracks in the wake of the siege, he did not hear from his family or colleagues. I was at the army base from the Friday till Sunday evening. I wasnt able to communicate with my family until Sunday when I got a call from a resident over at Flagstaff, so I didnt know what was the state of my family, they didnt know what my state was, whether Im alive or dead. Later on I found out that the people on work were praying for us because they thought since they had no communication with us that something went wrong and we were dead or something. Pierre said while he has gone on to lead a long and eventful career, his involvement in the coup has stood out to him as the most terrifying. Sunday Newsday also spoke with Fuad Abu Bakr, son of the leader of the Jamaat Al Muslimeen, Imam Yasin Abu Bakr. Bakr said while he was only a child at the time, he remembered seeing his father on television announcing the overthrow of the government. I was five-yearsold. All I remembered was seeing my father that evening but then I didnt see him again until he was on television. I was at my maternal grandparents house. At the time, I didnt grasp the seriousness of what was going on. It was only later on after the coup played out I realised how serious this was. Mugabe has resisted calls for reform but we will continue (with the calls). The Constitution says the army should be apolitical and remain in the barracks only to work for the security of all citizens and defence of the country. ZIMBABWE AIRWAYS the new debt-free airline rising out of the ashes of Air Zimbabwe is in advanced talks with a Brazilian company to lease five aircraft to service underserved regional routes, it has been learnt. Government said last negotiations were ongoing but would not name the lessor. However, sources told The Sunday Mail Business that the firm in question could be ECC Leasing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brazils Embraer. Embraer established ECC in 2002 to manage and market its pre-owned aircraft. The Brazilian aerospace conglomerate is the worlds third largest civil aircraft manufacturer, and supplies companies like Fastjet with equipment ideal for budget and low-cost services. The 48-year-old Embraer raked in more US$6 billion in revenues in 2015, and produces the EMB (suitable for the military), ERJ 145 (50 passengers), Legacy 600 (263 passengers), Lineage (21 passengers), LR and Phenom. In 2013, Air Zimbabwe leased its first 50-seater Embraer jet from Johannesburg-based Solenta Aviation and used it for domestic routes. On April 4 the following year, Government announced its intention to lease two more Embraer jets for local and regional destinations. But last week Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said Government had not spoken to Embraer. The issue at hand is that the planes that I think we may lease are Embraers because they are small and they carry about 50 passengers. I cant afford long-haul aircrafts for the region. I am in the middle of negotiations to lease planes; that is a fact. I realised that partnerships may give use headaches . . . I want to keep the national flag (on the planes), so leasing would be ideal . . . The negotiations are very advanced at the moment, he said. ECC Leasings director corporate of communications for Europe, the Middle East and Africa Mr Guy Douglas would neither confirm nor deny any deal. Thank you for contacting me with your questions. However, we do not comment on speculation or rumour. Sorry I am unable to help further, said Mr Douglas. Government indicated last week that it was also looking at long-haul planes. Dr Gumbo said: I am looking for long-haul planes. I want the long-haul planes to do long distance routes such as London-Harare, Harare-Dubai, Harare-Kuala Lumpur, Harare-Cape Town and Harare-Lagos. But as I look for those long-haul planes, I am looking for a minimum of six smaller planes to ply regional routes. These smaller planes would feed passengers into the long-haul aircrafts that would be plying long distance routes. For four years, Air Zimbabwe was considering re-introducing a milk run an air service that includes Harare, Bulawayo, Hwange, Victoria Falls and Kariba to facilitate efficient services. Government has also wants to fly to regional routes like Angola, the DRC, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia; and international destinations the UAE and Singapore. When our flights brought passengers at Harare International Airport, (long haul planes) would carry them to London, Dubai, Singapore, Nigeria and Cape Town. That is what I am trying to do because I cant just have beautiful airports and fail to have a good plan for them. So those are my plans, explained Dr Gumbo. In November last year, Government commissioned the refurbished Victoria Falls International Airport and plans are underway to spruce up Harare International Airport. No One Will Ever Smash Stuff Quite Like He Did The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. The B-1 bombers were escorted by South Korean fighter jets on a low pass over an air base near Seoul before returning to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the US Pacific Air Forces said, in a response to consecutive ICBM tests by North Korea. Analysts say flight data from the North's second ICBM test Friday night showed that a broader part of the mainland United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of Pyongyang's weapons. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, per the AP. He continued: "Diplomacy remains the lead. However ... If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing." The United States often sends powerful warplanes in times of heightened tensions with North Korea. B-1 bombers have been sent to South Korea for flyovers several times this year in response to the North's banned missile tests, and also following the death of a US college student last month after he was released by North Korea in a coma. The Hwasong-14 ICBM, which the North first tested on July 4, is the highlight of several new weapons systems Pyongyang launched this year. They include an intermediate range missile that North Korea says is capable of hitting Alaska and Hawaii, and a solid-fuel midrange missile, which analysts say can be fired faster and more secretly than liquid-fuel missiles. (Read more North Korea stories.) Scotland has found one more thing to fret about as Britain drags it toward a breakup with the European Union: Its precious whisky. Scotland has called for Scotch to be defined in UK law so its vital whisky industryworth about $5.3 billion in exportscan be protected after Brexit, reports the AP. "Aside from being a key part of Scottish culture and identity, our whisky industry supports around 20,000 jobs," Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown has written to officials, per Sky News. A European Union definition of whisky currently protects sales from substandard productsbut EU laws will no longer apply to Britain after the country exits the bloc in 2019. Further, per Brown, "the US made clear in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership discussions that they would support a relaxation of the definition of whisky, which would open the market up to a number of products which do not currently meet that standard. Brown's comments Sunday came after Britain's International Trade Secretary Liam Fox visited the US this week for trade talks. Responds a UK government rep, per the BBC: "Scotch is a UK export success story and we will support the industry so that it continues to thrive and prosper post-Brexit." (Read more Scotland stories.) When 49-year-old widower Craig Sullivan decided to dive back into the dating pool, he went with what he thought was a grand romantic gesture over swiping right on Tinder: The Scot took a week in mid-July and tossed 2,000 message-carrying bottles into waters around the United Kingdom, in the hopes that "you might open one and read a message," he says. But rather than the romantic missives he'd hoped for, many of the responses he received were upset that he was littering, reports CBS News. "Please reconsider putting all of these into the sea, lots of us spend hours picking up beach," read one woman's letter, while another suggested he join "a big beach clean, you may pick up a hobby & meet someone there too?" "The abuse was not very good," says Sullivan. "In several instances it got out of hand. It was never my intent to harm the environment." And though one complainant asked that "we get this half-wit arrested," Scottish environmental officials tell the BBC that Sullivan has stopped and that they have no plans to take action. And all is not lost, as Sullivan says he's actually gotten 50 responses from women more interested in dating him than giving him an environmental lecture. And "Bottle Man" has gotten no small amount of publicity out of the controversy, notes the Scottish Sun, which chortles about Sullivan's quest for a "missus in a bottle." Sullivan writes on Medium that, yes, he was inspired by the Police songalong with this piece a dying woman wrote about her husband. (Read more message in a bottle stories.) One day after North Korea tested a missile that experts say has the range to hit major cities in the United States, President Trump took to Twitter to express his disappointment with China for doing "NOTHING for us" when it comes to the rogue country, CBS News reports. "I am very disappointed in China," Trump tweeted around 7:30 on Saturday night. "Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk." Two weeks earlier a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry said that China does not "hold the key to resolve" the Korea issue, the Atlantic reports. Experts in the US, South Korea, and Japan say the intercontinental ballistic missile launched from near North Korea's border with China on Friday flew about 2300 miles high and for a distance of 621 miles, CNN reports. All told the missile was in the air for about 45 minutes. Had the missile been fired on a flatter trajectory, major US cities like Los Angeles and Chicago would have been in its range, possibly even New York City and Boston. In response to the test the US flew two supersonic B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force Sunday, Reuters reports. The US also hopes to set up an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council this week to discuss the issue. (Read more Donald Trump stories.) A 55-year-old family mystery was finally solved this week just hours after the story appeared on Canadian television, the CBC reports. In 1962, a woodsman searching for timber in the forest of Lutes Mountain in New Brunswick, Canada, found a large white box hanging from a tree by a parachute. Inside the box, David McPherson Sr. and his family found two cameras. A few days later, the Canadian military took the box away, and despite promises from the government and two access-to-information requests to the Department of Defense over the next decades, the McPhersons never saw the box again. Then the CBC reported on the socalled "thing in the woods" on Tuesday, and within hours tips began coming in from viewers, and soon the mystery was solved. Viewers pointed the CBC to the Military Communications and Electronics Museum in Kingston, Ont., and to declassified documents on the CIA website, both of which had photographs of an AN/DMQ-1 gondola, part of American surveillance equipment used in the 1950s to conduct reconnaissance of Soviet Russia and Communist China as part of an operation called Project Genetrix. The project was run alongside a "front" operation involving weather balloons, and the National Reconnaissance Office explains that of the 516 camera-carrying high-altitude balloons launched as part of the program, most weren't recovered by the US; "useful intelligence" was gleaned from just 34 of them. Though the discovery marks the end of a half-century of wondering for the McPherson family, it came too late for the man who found the mystery box in the first place. David McPherson Sr. died 18 months ago. (Read about another mystery that's been solved.) As Senate Republicans go back to the drawing board on the proposed Obamacare repeal, Sen. Bernie Sanders has swung the national healthcare debate to the other side of the pendulum. The Vermont Independent says hell absolutely introduce a single-payer bill to the Senate, reports the Hill. Sanders didnt give a timeline for the proposed bill, but told CNNs Jake Tapper on State of the Union that, Were tweaking the final points of the bill and were figuring out how we can mount a national campaign to bring people together. According to CNN, the senator admitted that the Republican-controlled Congress wouldnt be the only obstacle in passing such a bill. Special interest groups all but sank Vermonts bid to enact a single-payer system, he said, and would make such a proposal difficult to pass. "Taking on the insurance companies and the drug companies, taking on Wall Street, taking on a lot of very powerful forces that make billions of dollars a year from the current health care system is not going to be easy, he said, and it's not going to take place until millions of people get involved in this struggle. Per the Hill, a spokesperson for Sanders called a single-payer amendment attached to the ObamaCare repeal Wednesday a sham. President Trump tweeted support for repeal Sunday morning, writing, Don't give up Republican Senators, the World is watching: Repeal & Replace...and go to 51 votes (nuke option), get Cross State Lines & more. But Sanders isnt taking the bait: "If people don't like the private insurance that they're getting, they should have a Medicare-type public option available in every state in this country. (Read more health care stories.) The office of Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said Sunday that her only child has died of an apparent drug overdose. The office released a statement from Barry and her husband, Bruce, saying 22-year-old Max Barry died Saturday night in Denver. "Early this morning, we received news that no parents should ever have to hear," the couple said. "Our son Max suffered from an overdose and passed away. We cannot begin to describe the pain and heartbreak that comes with losing our only child. Our son was a kind soul full of life and love for his family and friends." Max Barry graduated in June from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, reports the AP. "Our family would greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers, and would respectfully ask for privacy as we mourn the loss of our child and begin to understand a world without his laughter and love in our lives," the statement said. Megan Barry was sworn in as Nashville's first female mayor in September 2015 with her husband and son by her side. Investigator Melinda Rose of the Jefferson County Coroner's Office in Denver told The Tennessean that an official cause or manner of death would not be declared until after the results of an autopsy, which was planned for Sunday. The newspaper reported Max Barry had recently moved to Denver. Condolences for the Barry family poured in on social media. "No parent should ever live to see the passing of a child," Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall said on Twitter. (Read more drug overdose stories.) Nawaz Sharif ousted: How the global media reacted on political turmoil in Pakistan Islamabad : A day after the Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif for being "dishonest" in its decision on the Panamagate case, the global media on Saturday came out with mixed reactions about the political turmoil in the South Asian nation. Ever since the joint investigation team (JIT) submitted its report to the Supreme Court on July 10, both national and international media had speculated about the fate of Nawaz Sharif and his family. Following are a few reactions published in the media around the world. The Guardian in an editorial said that though the court verdict "leaves Pakistan's politics in turmoil, it (Panama Papers) is a very international affair.. Efforts must not stop there. The public register for beneficial owners of UK companies must be extended to British tax havens; it must include trusts; and a proper means of checking it must be introduced. Accountability should not depend on leaks, however effective they have proved this time." The New York Times, in an op-ed article titled "Pakistan's Court Sets a Dangerous Precedent", said the "verdict came as no surprise. Even though Sharif was not named in the Panama leaks, and there is no evidence that he abused public office for private gain, the judges disqualified him for hiding assets, and therefore, not being "honest", (...) Pakistan's politicians are not paragons of probity, but corruption is not the main reason for Sharif's predicament (...) The judges have clearly undermined the perception of justice by deposing Sharif without due process or trial to prove his innocence." The Hindustan Times in an editorial titled "Nawaz Sharif's conviction leaves a political vacuum in Pakistan. This is not good news for India", said Sharif's "departure from the political scene is almost certain to herald a period of volatility within Pakistan and, therefore, greater risk in relations between India and Pakistan". Bloomberg in an op-ed titled "Pakistan's Politics Fail Again", said: "Nobody should be above the law, but the circumstances surrounding the judgement are troubling Pakistan's courts shouldn't do the work of voters. Its anti-graft bodies could use more resources and greater independence, but politicians should resolve their political differences in Parliament and through the ballot box. Removing Sharif may have been the right thing to do, but it's no remedy for what ails Pakistan." The Times of India in an op-ed titled "India keeps close watch as verdict on Nawaz Sharif puts Pakistan in a flux", said: "The (Indian) government has stayed silent, refraining from even categorising this as an "internal matter", which is a stock response by the foreign ministry, but the unseating of the Pakistani leader is not a surprise to South Block. "The possibility of political instability deepening in Pakistan cannot be ruled out and, if that happens, India will take on a more defensive posture." The Gulf News in an editorial, "Nawaz Sharif's ouster will strengthen democratic norms in Pakistan", noted: "It is very unfortunate for the people of Pakistan that none of their country's prime ministers has ever completed a five-year term. But this verdict will go a long way to strengthen democratic norms in the country and pave the way for honest politicians and officials to run the state. Sharif has also responded wisely by announcing to step down even before the Election Commission issued a notification to remove him from his post, following the court verdict." Sorry! This content is not available in your region 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 Mainly cloudy. Low 19F. Winds light and variable. New Delhi: In a heart-wrenching incident, a three-year-old girl on Sunday died at a Kolkata hospital after being pierced with needles by a man practising black magic. The man allegedly made the girl a voodoo doll, inserted seven needles in her body and abused her sexually. Due to the torture and sexual abuse, she went into severe trauma. The girl was admitted to SSKM government hospital where doctors performed a surgery on her to extract seven needles from her body. "The child had a successful surgery and was recuperating at the ICU. She was under observation for 48 hours. But, it seems the trauma was too much for her to bear," a senior doctor of the hospital said. It is confirmed that she died because of the infection caused by seven needles. We are also waiting for other reports which will take another three weeks to arrive," a forensic department official said. Mother of the girl took her to Bankura Medical College and Hospital where doctors after seeing needle wounds informed the police. The girl was then shifted to SSKM hospital where doctors found her organs pierced with needles. Police have arrested mother of the girl on suspicion of her involvement and one more person who is on the run has been booked under POCSO act. New Delhi: Days long wait came to an end as The Indian Institute of Management has already announced the date of India's biggest MBA entrance test, the Common Admission Test 2017 (CAT 2017). Latest media report suggests that IIM, Lucknow is all set to conduct the examination on November 26, 2017 in two sessions. They have also released the notification in newspapers on Sunday, July 30 all over India. The registration process for the same will start from August 9 and will continue till September 20, 2017. "The duration of the test will be 180 minutes," Prof Neeraj Dwivedi, convener, CAT 2017 was quoted while talking about the same. "We will allow use of basic onscreen calculator for computation. Candidates will be allotted exactly 60 minutes for answering questions in each section and they cannot switch from one section to another while answering questions in a section," he said. "We will try our best to assign candidates to their first preferred city. In case it is not possible, they will be assigned a city following their given order of preference. In the rare case that a candidate is not allotted any of the preferred cities, he/she will be allotted to an alternate city," added professor Dwivedi. For further assistance and help students may also go for the registration guide and online tutorial which is going to be released soon. Apart from 20 IIMs institutes around hundread non-IIM B-schools also consider CAT scores to offer admissions to students in various management courses across the country. Also Read: AIIMS paper leak: Delhi HC asks Centre to reply on plea for probe Here we bring you Some important dates and informations students should keep in mind: 1.Graduates with 50% marks or above are eligible only to apply for Common Admission Test 2017 (CAT 2017) while the required percentage is way below for reserved categories which is 45%. 2.Candidates interested for Fellow programmes in management (FPM) also need to hold a valid rank in CAT for which a seperate advertisement will be released soon. 3.Admissions in PGP-FABM & ePGP of IIM Ahmedabad, PGPEM & PGPPM Programmes of IIM Bangalore, EPGP of IIM Indore, EFPM & EPGPM of IIM Kashipur, PGP-ABM & PGP-SM of IIM Lucknow, PGPWE of IIM Raipur, PGDHRM of IIM Ranchi, EPGP of IIM Rohtak, PGPEX of RGIIM Shillong and PGPBM of IIM Tiruchirappalli are also offered through the Common Entrance Test 2017. 4.Registration fee need to be submitted only for once even if they are applying for several institutes in the country. 5. While filling the form, candidates need to mention name of four cities of their choice out of 140 exam cities chosen for CAT 2017. 6.To check the list of non-IIM institutions which also consider a valid rank in CAT students may log in to iimcat.ac.in 7.CAT 2017 scores will be valid till December 31 2018 8.Candidates are allowed to download their admit card online from October 18 to November 26. 9.'Performance in CAT 2017 examination is an important component for consideration in the selection process. IIMs may also use previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience and other similar inputs in short-listing of candidates at various stages of the selection process.' 10.About reservation norm, the official notification reads, 'For the purpose of being considered for reservations, the applicable Central Government list as on the last date of CAT registration shall be binding. No subsequent changes will be effective for CAT 2017 and any subsequent selection process of the IIMs.' Also Read: CU extends date of undergraduate admission till July 31 About The Common Admission Test (CAT): The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer based test held in India. The test scores a candidate on the bases of Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability (VA) and Reading Comprehension (RC), Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR). The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) started this exam and use the test for selecting students for their business administration programs. New Delhi: Niti Taylor has confirmed her exit from Life OK's popular show 'Ghulaam' and said that it is a teary-eyed moment for her. The actress plays the role of Shivaani in 'Ghulaam' and has been associated with the show from the beginning. While the news of her exit from 'Ghulaam' has left her fans disappointed, Niti said it was an amicable decision as per the demand of the script. "Yes, my character is all set to exit from the show Ghulaam. All good things come to an end first and so is my character. As per the demand of the script, the makers and I have decided to amicably part ways," Niti said in a statement. The television actress further asserted that she had a great time being a part of the show and called it a wonderful journey. "I have been associated with the show right from its inception and obviously it's a teary-eyed moment. It has been a wonderful journey for me and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the show. I hope my fans will continue to support me in my future endeavours," Niti added. Reportedly, Niti's character will be killed in the show. According to a report published in India Today, "In the upcoming sequence, Rangeela (Param Singh) and Shivani will be seen fighting a war against the atrocities taking place at Berehampur and will be on a mission to change the fate of the fictional city. Shivani's character will be seen paying the price for fighting against the odds of Berehampur." The media reports also suggest that 'Ghulaam' will have a new female lead in the upcoming episodes and the makers are planning to rope in a fresh face for the show. While the quest for the leading lady is on, the makers are yet to announce the new female lead of 'Ghulaam'. New Delhi: Bihar minister Khurshid alias Firoz Ahmad on Sunday apologised for shouting slogan of "Jai Shree Ram" after swearing-in ceremony which drew fatwa from Imarat Shariah. The minister said, "I apologize to anyone who was hurt. I didn't abuse anyone. No one asked me what's in my heart." He said none has asked him that what was in his heart and jumped to a conclusion on their own. Mufti Suhail A Qasmi who issued fatwa said that Islam does not accept his version as he worships both Rama and Rahim. I apologize to anyone who was hurt. I didn't abuse anyone. No one asked me what's in my heart: #Bihar minister Khurshid alias Firoz Ahmad pic.twitter.com/naZaS7tckn ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 "He raised slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram' and says he worships both Ram and Rahim. Islam doesn't tolerate this," he said. He raised slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram' & says he worships both Ram & Rahim. Islam doesn't tolerate this: Mufti Suhail A Qasmi who issued fatwa pic.twitter.com/lG7PY2V1Db ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 Also Read: Imarat-E-Shariya suggests to outcaste Bihar Minister Khurshid Alam from Islam for chanting Jai Shri Ram For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence over the issue of Panama Paper leaks saying that the PM speaks of eradicating corruption during his Mann ki Baat programmes but no action has been taken against Raman Singh whose name appeared in the case. Citing the case of Nawaz Sharif who was forced to quit as Pakistani prime minister after countrys apex court found him guilty in the Panama Paper leaks. The prime minister speaks at length on corruption but ignores Panama paper leaks. (Yesterday Congress vice-president) Rahul Gandhi mentioned about Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singhs son and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek. His (Abhishek) name appeared in the Panama papers, (but) what action have you taken in this regard, PTI quoted Congress leader Pawan Khera as saying. Did you miss? After Nawaz Sharif's ouster, his brother Mian Shehbaz set to become next Pakistan Prime Minister Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was on Friday, July 28 disqualified from office by the Supreme Court which sent his case to an anti-corruption court for trial in the Panama Papers case. The Congress leader said the BJP cannot keep subverting democracy and yet come out holier than thou and talk about political integrity. Where is the money coming from in Gujarat? Our MLAs said they were offered money (to defect). We are not getting any answers to this in the prime ministers Mann ki Baat, he said. Khera also attacked the prime minister for not doing enough to curb the menace of cow-vigilante groups and those spreading hate. The Congress leader said Prime Ministers Mann ki Baat appears to be disconnected from ground realities as it has failed to address issues like unemployment and agrarian crisis. (With PTI Inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A violent protest broke out between Gorkhaland Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters and police personnel in Alipurduar's Jaigaon. Several police personnel and protesters got injured in the incident. The police personnel fired rubber bullets and used tear gas to contain the mob. Earlier, GJM supporters took out rallies at Chowkbazar area of the hills carrying black flags in protest against the police action on pro-Gorkhaland supporters. Shouting slogans against the state government, the protesters demanded the Centre's intervention in the matter. WB: Violent clash b/w GJM supporters & Police in Jaigaon.Police fire rubber bullets & use tear gas. Many protesters,police personnel injured pic.twitter.com/fCPHwOn1uS ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 Pro-Gorkhaland supporters had yesterday clashed with the police during which, the GJM had claimed, one of its supporters suffered a bullet injury. #WATCH West Bengal: Violent clash b/w GJM supporters & Police in Alipurduar's Jaigaon. Many protesters &police personnel injured #Gorkhaland pic.twitter.com/lYNPcLJb2W ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 The charge was, however, denied by the ADG (Law and Order) who had termed it as "completely baseless". Several protestors and police personnel were injured in the clashes that took place in Sukna area of the hills on Saturday. Also Read | Darjeeling: Army deployed after violence by GJM supporters For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: An IAF Cheetah helicopter rescued a kidney patient in critical condition, needing to undergo an urgent dialysis, from Abiyana village in Santhalpur Taluka of Gujarats Patan district. A distress call concerning an immediate rescue of the kidney patient was received by HQ SWAC Gandhinagar on Saturday morning. Immediately after which IAF Cheetah helicopter was engaged for the patients rescue. According to a written statement released by Defence Wing, Government of India, Gujarat state read, On arriving overhead the site, the pilot Wing Commander Gautam Narain saw the patient on top of the roof of a house completely marooned amidst flood-waters on all sides. The statement further read that the pilot hovered the Cheetah lower and gently rested the helicopter on the the boundary walls of the rooftop. Also Read: Wreckage of missing IAF chopper found in Papum Pare District in Arunachal Pradesh Also Read: IAF MiG-23 trainer aircraft crashes near Jodhpur, 2 pilots eject safely The patient assisted by the family members was lifted up over the wall and was finally carefully pulled aboard the aircraft, read the statement. The patient was flown to the district headquarters Patan from where he was handed over to civil administration awaiting with an ambulance at the Patan University helipad. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Indian coast guard on Sunday morning intercepted Panamanian ship carrying around 1500 kilograms of heroin off the Gujarat coast. Indian Coast Guard officials said that they have apprehended a Panama registered ship MV Hennery carrying 1500 kilograms of narcotics in a well coordinated 3 days operation. Indian Coast Guard officials said that the Sunday's intercept is the biggest drug haul seize in the Indian water. According to officials the narcotics seized by the Indian Coast Guards is worth Rs3500 crore. Officials said that the Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Pavak intercepted and apprehended a Merchant Vessel carrying the narcotics shipment off the coast of Gujarat. Also Read: Pakistan smugglers construct novel ideas to smuggle drugs in India The official added that the interception was based on intelligence inputs. Also Read: 15 Tollywood stars including Ravi Teja, Puri Jagannath involved in drug scandal The vessel was intercepted at around 1200hrs, said the official. A joint investigation has been launched by the Indian Coast Guard, police, Customs department, Navy and other investigative agencies to learn the origin and final destination of the shipment. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Kerala state BJP on Sunday called for a statewide strike over the murder of an RSS worker in Thiruvananthapuram's Sreekaryam on Saturday. The RSS worker, identified as Rajesh, was hacked to death allegedly by a gang led by a history-sheeter near here, police said. They said 34-year-olds left hand was chopped off in the attack around at 9 pm. Police has detained eight people in connection of the murder. BJP state president Kumanam Rajasekharan alleged that the CPI-M was behind the attack, a charge denied by the district leadership of the left party. UPDATE: #I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously: HM Rajnath Singh #Spoke to Kerala CM regarding recent incidents of political violence in the state, expressed my concern with the law and order situation: HM #Kerala: Five more accused taken into custody in connection with a RSS worker's murder in Thiruvananthapuram. Total 8 accused in custody now. Suggested read | CPI (M)-BJP clash in Kerala: Several councillors' houses attacked; vehicles damaged in Thiruvananthapuram The BJP has called for a state-wide hartal tomorrow, the state BJP chief said. Police are maintaining a strict vigil and clamped prohibitory orders for three days from Friday after BJPs Kerala unit office in Thiruvananthapuram was vandalised and the house of CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnans son Bineesh Kodiyeri was attacked. Earlier, 10 people, including four from the student and youth wings of CPI-M, had been arrested in connection with the violence in the city on Friday. (With PTI Inputs) Suggested read | RSS office attacked in Kannur after 9 CPIM workers injured in blast For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Aurangabad: A joint team of CRPF and police on Sunday arrested three Naxalites from Bihar's Aurangabad district. Acting on a tip off that Naxalites are pasting posters in different areas to terrorize people to make their proposed August 3 Bihar bandh a success, a joint team of CRPF and local police raided Sahajpur and Kalidi villages of the district and arrested three naxalites who had come to paste posters, Superintendent of Police, Satya Prakash said. The arrested naxalites have been identified as Ramlagan Singh Bhokta, Kamlesh Singh Bhokta and Mahesh Bhuiya, SP said adding that police are conducting raids to nab their accomplices on the basis of information received from them. These naxalites have been indulging in various naxal activities, he said and added that Kamlesh Singh Bhokta had been in jail for his involvement in naxal activities but atpresent he was on bail. These naxalites were trying to influence and motivate local youths to join naxal outfit, SP said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Thiruvananthapuram: A day after an RSS worker was killed in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Director General of Police Loknath Behera were on Sunday summoned by Governor P Sathasivam. They apprised the governor of the steps taken inconnection with the brutal killing even as the police saidseven persons were arrested. In another incident, an RSS worker was injured tonightwhen he was attacked by some unidentified persons at Pandalamin Pathanamthitta district, the police said. The man, who received "minor injuries", was taken to a hospital, they added. Vijayan and Behera met the governor separately after they were summoned by the Raj Bhavan this morning to ascertain the action taken, following the recent violent incidents, including the killing of RSS worker Rajesh (34). The state has been witnessing a cycle of violenceinvolving the BJP-RSS and CPI(M) workers with the capitaldistrict rocked by incidents of attacks on houses of the rivalpartymen in the last few days. The state BJP office was also vandalised on July 28. Rajesh was hacked to death by a gang, allegedly led by ahistory-sheeter, here last night. His left arm was chopped offand there were several other injuries all over his body. A Raj Bhavan statement said the governor soughtinformation from the chief minister and the DGP in the wake ofthe recent incidents of violence in the state capital and thekilling of the RSS functionary. "Summoned Chief Minister and State Police Chief to know about the action taken by State govt on law and order issues in Trivandrum (sic)," Sathasivam tweeted, adding that Vijayanassured him that the law-breakers would be sternly dealt with, irrespective of their political affiliation. The police said seven persons, including prime accusedManikandan, the history-sheeter, had been arrested inconnection with the killing of the RSS worker. They added that the attack was due to a "personal enmity" between Manikandan and the victim, which had been going on for the last one-and-a-half years. In a related development, Union Home Minister RajnathSingh spoke to Vijayan, voiced concern over attacks onpolitical workers in Kerala and said political violence wasunacceptable in a democracy. Meanwhile, the statewide dawn-to-dusk 'hartal' called bythe BJP in protest against the killing of Rajesh evoked a neartotal response with state-run and private buses keeping offthe roads and shops and business establishments remainingshut. It by and large passed off peacefully, barring some minorincidents of stonepelting, destruction of flag masts anddamage of vehicles. A scooter, which was parked in front of the UniversityCollege here, a bastion of the CPI(M)'s students' outfit, the SFI, was found burnt shortly after the funeral procession of Rajesh passed through the city in the evening. The chief minister met the governor at around 11.30 am, while the DGP met Sathasivam at 12.30 pm, the Raj Bhavan said. It also said the chief minister would soon make a public appeal to maintain peace. Vijayan also told the governor that he would be meetingKerala BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan and the state RSSchief, the Raj Bhavan statement added. The governor asked the DGP to take all possible measuresto book the culprits and maintain peace in the state. Sathasivam also spoke to Rajasekharan about the incidentand the attack on the BJP office here. CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan claimed thatthe RSS worker's killing was a fallout of a personal rivalryand his party had nothing to do with it. He alleged that the BJP was trying to put the blame onthe Left party as part of their "secret political agenda". Rajasekharan, on the other hand, alleged that the rulingCPI(M) in Kerala was trying to "eliminate" its politicalopponents and urged it to refrain from perpetrating violence. Opposition Congress leaders observed a fast in Kozhikode to protest against the "politics of violence" in Kerala. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress is going through the worst in Gujarat as a number of party MLAs are joining BJP ahead of key Rajya Sabha polls. Frightened Congress alleging BJP of horse trading has flown 40 of its MLAs to Bengaluru, the capital of party ruled Karnataka. Now speaking on the issue, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has held Congress President Sonia Gandhis love for her son Rahul Gandhi responsible for the current crisis. "Sonia Gandhi is immersed in the affection towards her son, which has drowned the Congress party in the entire country, news agency ANI quoted Vijay Rupani as saying." Rupani said the condition of Congress party is getting worse and people of this country dont want to accept its rule. Rupani also criticised the party for sending its MLAs to Bangalore in greed of sending its senior leader Ahmed Patel to Rajya Sabha while the state is being hit by floods. Also Read: Cong accuses BJP of destablising grand old party in Gujarat, says will fight to protect democracy "Out of greed to send their senior leader Ahmed Patel in Rajya Sabha, the Congress has sent their 40 MLAs, including those who are from the districts which are being hit the most by floods, to Bengaluru," Rupani said. The Chief Minister of Gujarat accused Congress and its leaders of not caring for the state when it is facing the problem of floods. Soon, the Congress party will also be drowned in the floods," he added For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency on Sunday morning raided several places in Jammu in connection to terror funding. The investigative sleuths grilled Devinder Singh Behl at his residence over his suspected connection with Separatist elements. Behl is said to be associated with Hurriyat The NIA is investigating if funds from Pakistan have been used to fuel unrest in the Kashmir Valley that left 100 people dead in 2016. In the past few weeks, the NIA raided places across Kashmir, New Delhi and Haryana searching for evidence of separatist leaders and businessmen receiving funds from the Jamaat-ud-Dawa group, and other Pakistan-based militant outfits. Earlier, on July 24, the NIA had arrested seven separatists over money laundering charges, for funding terror in the Kashmir Valley. The seven arrested have being identified as Altaf Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehraj Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Naeem Khan and Bitta Karate. The separatist leaders were later sent to 10-days NIA custody. The NIA first visited Srinagar in May to probe the alleged funding by Pakistan for illegal activities in Kashmir and questioned several separatist leaders on transferring funds via the Hawala route. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A group of NASA researchers, including an Indian-origin scientist, said a small asteroid that is expected to fly close to Earth in October this year will help National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to test its network of observatories. The asteroid flyby which is estimated to be between 10 and 30 metres in size would also benefit scientists who work with the planetary defence. According to a press release published on NASAs website, asteroid TC4 will safely fly past the Earth on October 12, and scientists are convinced that it will not come closer than 6,800 km from the surface of the Earth. The asteroid has been out of range of telescopes since 2012 when it sped past the Earth at about one-fourth the distance from the Earth to the Moon. Indian-origin scientist Vishnu Reddy, a Professor at the University of Arizona said, 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 near-Earth object observation capabilities." Scientists believe that asteroid 2012 TC4 may be slightly larger than the space rock that hit the Earth's atmosphere near Chelyabinsk, Russia, in February 2013. NASA will use large telescopes to detect and re-establish the asteroid's precise trajectory. The new observations are expected to help refine knowledge about its orbit, narrowing the uncertainty about how far it will be from the Earth at its closest approach in October. "Scientists have always appreciated knowing when an asteroid will make a close approach to and safely pass the Earth because they can make preparations to collect data to characterise and learn as much as possible about it," said Michael Kelley, Programme Scientist and NASA Headquarters lead for the TC4 observation campaign. "This time, we are adding in another layer of effort, using this asteroid flyby to test the worldwide asteroid detection and tracking network, assessing our capability to work together in response to finding a potential real asteroid threat," Kelley added. Scientists from NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, have determined that while at closest approach, asteroid 2012 TC4 will pass no closer than 6,800 km from the Earth -- it will more likely pass much farther away, as far as 270,000 km, or two-thirds of the distance from the Earth to the Moon. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies, said Chinese President Xi Jinping after inspecting a military parade to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the PLA at the countrys largest military base, Zhurihe in Inner Mongolia. The Chinese president, who heads the Central Military Commission, which holds the overall command of the PLA the world's largest army, stated that the PLA should strictly follow the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China and "march to wherever the Party points to." Xi in his speech gave no reference to the month-long-China military standoff at Doklam in Sikkim section in his address to the chinese soldiers. The PLA displayed some of its most modern weapons in the parade. Around 12,000 troops took part in the parade in which 129 aircraft and 571 pieces of equipment including newly built tanks which reportedly held exercises in the high-altitude along the Indian border, J-15 the new aircraft based carrier long range nuclear and conventional missiles were also on display. Also Read: Chinese jets intercept US Navy plane over East China Sea Dongfeng missiles which include short, long and medium rage of rockets, variety of armoury including light tanks, drones were also displayed in the parade. Helicopter borne troops demonstrated in quick landing and taking combat positions. The 64-year-old Xi clad in a camouflage military suit said that the Chinese military has the confidence and ability to safeguard, national sovereignty and security. In a 10-minute long address to the PLA soldiers the Chinese president said, Our military has the confidence and ability to write a new chapter in building of strong military and make new contributions to towards realisation of the China dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and safeguarding world peace." Also Read: India and China should work together for peace, says US Xi asked the military to further improve its combativeness and modernise the armed forces. He added China needs a strong army more than ever, urging the building of PLA into a world-class military force. He asked the PLA officers and soldiers should firmly adhere to the fundamental goal of serving the people wholeheartedly, and always stand together with the people. The PLA was founded on August 1, 1927 when the ruling CPC under the leadership of Mao Zedong carried on with his national liberation movement and has the worlds second largest defence budget of USD 152 billion next to the US military. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A traditional summer festival featuring samurai on horseback has begun in the Soma region of Fukushima Prefecture. A procession of people dressed as samurai warriors was held for the first time in 7 years in the Odaka district of Minamisoma City. Authorities last year lifted evacuation orders for the district that were issued after the 2011 nuclear accident. Spectators included former residents who had evacuated. Transparent kayaks are exploding in popularity in Tottori Prefecture, with tourists describing the experience as akin "to flying in the sky." Visitors to Tottori, a coastal area along the Sea of Japan known for its jagged coastline and caves hollowed out by waves, can glimpse schools of Japanese horse mackerel, squid and sea anemones through their kayaks while paddling off Uradome Beach in the town of Iwami, where the water is as transparent as the famously clear seas off Okinawa. Visitors can take the 4-meter-long polycarbonate boat through the marine area, which is part of a U.N.-designated global geopark. The local kayaking service is attracting growing numbers of visitors, particularly from Asia, who rave that the experience leaves them feeling as if they had been "swimming with the fish and lying on a carpet of seaweed." The transparency of the water off Uradome beach allows people to see as far down as 25 meters, matching the water off the main island of Okinawa, according to Koji Hasegawa, 55, who heads a group promoting the use of local nature spots for leisure and education. Even holy places have bills to pay, and with traditional sources of income rapidly shrinking, temples in Japan are looking to tourism to make ends meet. To cash in on the recent surge in overseas visitors to the country, a number of temples are offering experiences and amenities tailored to foreign tastes. On a recent summer day, at a temple located in the forest of the famous Koyasan holy mountain area of Wakayama Prefecture, 20 or so people sat meditating, legs crossed, on the tatami mat floor. "This particular breathing method can help reduce your anger and sadness, and calm you down," a priest told the participants. It is the sort of scene anyone would think of when imagining Buddhist temples in Japan. What is unique is that the priest was speaking in English, and most of the practitioners were foreigners staying in the temple's lodging facility. Some struggled to maintain their cross-legged posture, while others seemed to grow a trifle bored with just sitting still, but in the end, they all seemed to enjoy the rare experience of staying in a temple. "I like being here, surrounded by quiet, rich nature and having shojin ryori (Buddhist cuisine)," said a 60-year-old American who came with his wife and their son. According to the Ekoin temple, 60% to 70% of its guests come from overseas. While the entire Koyasan area is seeing a sudden boom in foreign visitors, this particular temple is proving especially popular. A big reason is the temple's focus on making foreign guests feel welcome, with a range of services provided in English. Ekoin runs an English website, and reservations for lodgings can be made through travel websites such as Expedia. Overnight guests can participate in a number of activities unique to temples -- from the morning service to a fire ritual called Goma to meditation sessions. A night tour takes visitors to the cemetery at the back of the temple where the holy area's founder, the priest Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi, is worshiped. Explanations and guidance during these activities are provided in both English and Japanese. Guests also have free access to WiFi and complimentary coffee. One million illegals managed to get drivers licenses in California and of course they illegally VOTE, too The success of Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60) is astounding, with reports suggesting that nearly a million undocumented immigrants would have a drivers license in California by the end of this year. AB 60, which only requires applicants to prove their true identity and California residency without checking for their legal presence, was lobbied for by advocates for more than 15 years before being passed in 2013. It was intended to improve public safety by teaching undocumented immigrants how to drive, thereby reducing penalties and potential accidents made by uneducated drivers. It would also allow undocumented immigrants to be able to apply for a car insurance within the state. When the law took effect in 2015, the response was so immense that the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) had to hire 1,000 temporary workers to keep up with the applications. The DMV was also forced to open four additional processing centers and extend working hours to include Saturdays. The pace has slowed down, with the DMV now operating at normal hours and only employing 200 temporary workers. Around 11,000 AB 60 licenses were issued last June, which the department said was the lowest number recorded since the Bill was passed. Nearly 83,000 such licenses have been issued since the first half of this year. California joins 12 states and the District of Columbia that allows immigrants to receive a drivers license without any proof that they arrived in the country legally. Other states include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. California, however, remains to have the largest percentage of immigrants in our country, accounting for almost 22 percent of the estimated number according to Pew Charitable Trusts. Critics of the Bill say that immigrants should not be rewarded with a government document even as they are consciously breaking the law by being in this country illegally. States like California are only encouraging such ridiculous behavior, regardless of the warning of federal limits apply printed on these licenses. This means that law enforcement outside of California is not obligated by law to accept these documents as valid. That said, supporters of the plan say that the introduction of bills such as AB 60 has lessened the number of hit-and-run accidents in the state. A recent study by Stanford University showed that since Assembly Bill 60 took effect, the number of hit-and-run accidents decreased by around seven percent. This has saved the state an estimated $3.5 million in repair costs. The authors of this research say that this indicates that AB 60 has improved public safety and saved lives. Additionally, as an AB 60 license is considered a legal document in the state, law enforcement officers cannot report carriers of this license to immigration officials. Researchers at Stanford found, unauthorized immigrants with a valid form of in-state driving authorization have weaker incentives to flee the scene after an accident because they are less likely to fear deportation. Moreover, they say that AB 60 makes sense in California, where most workers rely on the cars to go to work. Losing their vehicles because of it being impounded or uninsured would cost the state millions of dollars as well as incentivizing immigrants to flee accidents. According to the DMV, AB 60 applicants need to only submit one document proving they live in California, as well as pass the driving and visual tests. The states of Florida, New Jersey, and Georgia are now considering passing laws that allow immigrants to receive a drivers license. Californias automatic registration law In 2015, the state was in the spotlight again for its new voter registration law which would allow applicants of drivers licenses in the state to be automatically registered as a voter. This was intended to streamline the electoral process and encourage participation. The process was simple. When people would go to the DMV, they would be asked the usual information such as name, date of birth, etc. In addition, they would be asked to affirm their eligibility to vote, with the choice to opt out of registering. Unlike Oregon which also uses automatic registration, Californians could choose not be registered as a voter. Nevertheless, the automation caused a wave of concern, given the enactment of AB 60 back in 2013. (Related: Leftists already organizing illegal immigrant families to skew 2016 election for Democrats, pushing national gun confiscation, open borders and total socialism.) Secretary of State Alex Padilla said these fears are baseless, telling the Los Angeles Times, Weve built the protocols and the firewalls to not register people that arent eligible. Were going to keep those firewalls in place. You can read more stories like this on Liberty.news. Sources include: SacBee.com MercuryNews.com LATimes.com 1 LATimes.com 2 Immigration.ProCon.com Submit a correction >> This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It was a development that went mostly unnoticed when Entrepreneur released its annual Franchise 500 list, topped this year by 7-Eleven and followed by usual suspects McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts but there was a conspicuous omission high on the page. Where was Subway? Down below, as it turned out and well behind the newest sandwich franchise darling Jimmy Johns Gourmet Sandwiches, which placed fifth after leading the list in 2016. Subway ranked fifth among sandwich shops and 35th among all franchises, looking up at 15th-ranked Firehouse Subs, Jersey Mikes Subs at 21 and McAlisters Deli. It was only the second time in a generation Milford-based Subway failed to make the top five on the Franchise 500. It placed ninth in 2011 and was the runaway leader among sandwich shops when Champaign, Ill.-based Jimmy Johns barely cracked the top 40. And for the decade prior, under its legendary, late founder Fred DeLuca, Subway was a fixture at the top of the Entrepreneur list. If not a big thing to the lunch crowd trying to make a snap decision between an Italian B.M.T. or Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki, Subways standing on the Franchise 500 matters no small amount for a company with cash flow pegged to royalties paid by franchisees. For years, entrepreneurs jumped on board Subway for several advantages a McDonalds-like familiarity promising steady, recurring business from its regulars, relatively low startup costs compared to many franchises, massive ad visibility, innovations like baking bread fresh on the premises and keeping its fresh ingredients in full view, and the ability to squeeze shops into tight storefronts, holding down rent. That success had a direct impact on the economic vitality of Milford. The town reported a Subway workforce of between 900 and 1,000 people the past few years, up from 700 five years ago. Subway lists about 75 open jobs in Milford. They want to try it But two years ago, Subway was buffeted by the July 2015 raid on the Indiana home of former Subway guy pitchman Jared Fogle, which helped lead to his conviction that November for having sex with minors and possessing child pornography. In September 2015, DeLuca died of leukemia that had been diagnosed only two years before, only a few weeks after the 50th anniversary of his launch of the company in Bridgeport with backing from co-founder Peter Buck. With DeLuca ailing, in June 2015 Subway had promoted his younger sister Suzanne Greco to president. Greco is a Sacred Heart University graduate who worked her way up the chain, starting in 1973 as a counter sandwich artist and moving through operations and marketing jobs. Under Greco, Subway is attempting to refresh its image for customers and franchisees, first with a major digital initiative launched in June 2016 at its Milford headquarters, and this past June unveiling a redesign of its restaurants signature architecture meant to evoke the Tuscany region of Italy, the first major change to its look in 15 years. Contacted this week by Hearst Connecticut Media, Subway did not make an executive immediately available to share the companys early results from its digital and design initiatives and how it may evolve over time as it gets early feedback from franchisees and customers. From a customer-service perspective, the biggest change will be fixed tablets allowing customers to punch in orders themselves. Subway also plans to update its menu with new sauces and condiments such as pico de gallo. Both initiatives echo efforts by McDonalds to update its menu and order flow in to draw in new customers. According to CEO Steve Easterbrook in a Tuesday conference call, the McDonalds initiative is working. Guest counts are up 3 percent in the second quarter from a year ago, and same-location sales have risen 6.6 percent from the spring of 2016. When weve invested the amount we have and our owner/operators investing the amount they have in the business whether its in core recipe improvements, whether its in the service experience, whether its in technology, its great just to have more customers visit your restaurant to actually notice the investments weve made, Easterbrook said last week. Its getting more people back into our restaurants and seeing the changes were making. Theyre curious, and they want to try it. Good for the whole system Subway restaurants had revenue totaling $17.1 billion last year, the company told Hearst Connecticut Media. The companys primary revenue stream is an 8 percent royalty it levies on weekly gross revenue after sales taxes, with franchisees chipping in another 4.5 percent of that weekly total as their contribution to Subway advertising. Dating back to 1974 when Subway began selling franchises to entrepreneurs $15,000 each today cash flow has not been an issue for Subway. With Greco approaching retirement age and Fred DeLucas son Jonathan not involved in the business, the question remains on whether she, the Deluca family and Buck could cash out of the business by selling it or via an initial public offering of stock. The pace of U.S. IPOs has doubled in the second quarter, according to Stamford-based Renaissance Capital. It is a question Fred Deluca was used to fielding over the years. He said on multiple occasions he preferred to focus on running the business rather than deal with the complexities and distractions of running a publicly traded company. We werent quite sure that the goals of public shareholders would be the same as ours and of the franchisees, DeLuca said during a 2010 interview with Nations Business News. Franchisees goal is to make money at the store level, which is simultaneously good for the whole system. Shareholders may think differently from time to time, so we decided against it. Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Suzanne Grecos relationship to Jonathan DeLuca, who is her nephew. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; www.twitter.com/casoulman Peter Frampton Storms Off Stage After Two Fans Get More Attention Than He Does Guitar legend Peter Frampton irritated some fans after he walked off stage during a concert in Minnesota on Sunday. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Frampton was opening for Steve Miller Band during a concert at the Treasure Island Casino in Red Wing, MN. ______________________________________ At a Peter Frampton concert with Steve Miller in Minneapolis, a fan held up the cover from Frampton Comes Alive, and was featured on two large display screens flanking the stage, drawing a cheer from the crowd. Unfortunately, the cheer came in the middle of a guitar solo, apparently irritating Frampton, which was then compounded by the cameras catching a second fan holding up one of the guitarist's albums. As the Star Tribune reports, Frampton expressed his displeasure in expletive form to the camera operator and then left the stage entirely, only returning later after the displays had been shut off. Casino spokesman Kevin Smith told the Star-Tribune on Monday that Frampton apparently didnt like what was on the video board for one reason or another. That was obvious. Fans took to social media after the show to express their views on Frampton's reaction. "Lost all respect for what you did at last nights concert in Minnesota! Grow up and lose your big ego!" one fan, Sue Hutner, wrote on Facebook. "Saw you last night at Treasure Island Casino in Welch, MN. Your music is better than ever. You stormed off stage because the camera man showed a gal holding her Frampton album instead of showing you during a guitar solo. Your reaction was really unfortunate. He got the crowd going. It was awesome to see that! Didn't you hear everyone cheering? Then you cut the camera all together. This didn't punish him but it did punish your paying audience. We couldn't see a thing then. And that's too bad. We love to see the technique and the expressions and the play between musicians. But you choose to take that away from your paying audience. If we were at a concert hall I might understand your actions better. But an outdoor concert at a casino?" said another Frampton Fan, Tracy Heinze, on the social media service. via CelebrityAccess Share on: A federal grant awarded Friday will allow low- and middle-income families in Brookfield and New Fairfield to apply for interest-free loans to make improvements to their homes. The towns, which received $400,000 each, were two of 20 Connecticut municipalities awarded a total of $11.5 million under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities program. In each town, the grant will be used to set up a loan program that low- and middle-income homeowners can use for housing rehabilitation projects. Both Brookfield and New Fairfield, who applied for the money earlier this year, had received the two-year grant in previous years, most recently in 2013. Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn said the new money will allow residents who didnt get a chance the first time around to apply for the loan. We had used up our entire first program and we still have residents who need help, Dunn said. (The grant) is no cost to the town and we can help our neighbors, so its really one of those few things that is a win-win for everyone. Dunn said about 20 families participated in the 2013 program and the town already has a waiting list of several families interested in applying for the latest grant. The grant is administered by the Connecticut Department of Housing with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To qualify, applicants must meet the HUD income limitsa maximum $54,250 for one-person households and $77,500 for four-person households. They also must have at least 10 percent equity in their homes and be up to date on all local taxes. The loan is repaid interest-free upon the sale of the house or the death of the homeowner. New Fairfield First Selectman Susan Chapman said the town didnt receive the grant in 2015 because there was still money left over from the 2013 program. This year, though, she said the town needs the $400,000 to continue offering the loans. The timing is perfect because we have very little money left in the program, Chapman said. Recently Ive had residents calling...so obviously theres a big need in town for the program and Im happy we got it this round. Chapman said residents have used the money to improve septic systems, repair roofs, update heating systems or make their home handicap-accessible. Both Brookfield and New Fairfield administer the program on a revolving basis, meaning if the loan is paid back to the town it can be used to offer more families a loan. That money comes back to the town so we can keep the program going, Chapman said. If (the house) changes hands, or sometimes people pay it back even without it changing hands, we can use it to help other residents. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who announced the grant awardees in a release, said the program was also a topic of conversation at a Hartford event hosted Friday by the Connecticut Housing Coalition, where lawmakers urged President Donald Trump not to cut housing programs. Trump has proposed eliminating the $3 billion program in his budget for the coming fiscal year. If the federal budget is enacted as proposed, it would have a drastic impact on this and other housing programs, impacting so many individuals who rely on this funding for safe and affordable housing, Malloy said. We must raise our voices to protect and expand access to decent, accessible, and affordable homes - the future of our communities depend on it. HUD gives more than $13 million each year to the state, which then distributes the funds to towns. Since 1982, more than $325.7 million has gone to Connecticut municipalities. aquinn@newstimes.com WATERBURY State police charged a Waterbury man with several driving- and drug-related offenses after they said he drove erratically on Route 8. Jamarle Hill, 34, of Waterbury was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol, failure to drive in a proper lane, illegal possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia, state police said. Connecticut State Police Troop A received calls of a vehicle driving erratically on Route 8 near exit 30 in Waterbury on Friday around 2:20 a.m. Troopers responded to the area and conducted a traffic stop after they noticed the vehicle driving recklessly. Troopers believed Hill may have been intoxicated and asked him to perform a series of field sobriety tests. State police said he did not perform those tests to the set standard. During the course of an investigation, troopers found narcotics and drug paraphernalia in Hills vehicle, state police said. Hill was released on a $2,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on August 8. State police remind drivers to call 911 if they see a reckless, dangerous or suspected DUI driver. State police said Connecticut law allows for 911 calls while operating a vehicle as long as it is done safely. When reporting something to the 911 dispatcher, state police said to remember to provide an accurate location, direction of travel, vehicle description, explanation of the driving and license plate number if possible. State police emphasize the importance of gathering information and descriptions at the callers safety. They also remind residents that not every seemingly dangerous or reckless driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and may be a driver having a medical emergency. Regardless, state police said to call 911. Twice this month at least law-abiding Connecticut residents reported to federal immigration officials, as required, only to be slapped with electronic monitoring bracelets and told they had just weeks to buy one-way tickets to their native country and say goodbye to their families. The crimes that led to such harsh treatment of Nury Chavarria, 43, of Norwalk and to Joel Colindres, 33, of New Fairfield, who separately fled violence in Guatemala, were living in this country illegally. Since Chavarria left in 1993 and Colindres in 2004, they established careers, created families and contributed to the local economies. They have sought ways to become legal. They are not threats to anyone. But, shamefully, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Hartford have no compunction about breaking up families and, in the case of Chavarria, leaving the children to become wards of the state. What good is accomplished? Colindres married a U.S. citizen, Samantha Colindres, and has a 6-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter who are citizens. He supports the family with his carpentry skills. Chavarrias four children, aged 21 to 9, are U.S. citizens; the oldest has cerebral palsy. The mother has supported her family as a housekeeper. There likely are more immigrants like them who face the same dire fate. An unintended consequence of ICEs sudden crackdown could be that illegal immigrants will hesitate to report annually for fear of deportation. Otherwise law-abiding people will be forced to live in the shadows. Reaction to the treatment of the Norwalk mother and New Fairfield father is mostly a mixture of anger and compassion. We agree with Gov. Dannel Malloy, who said the Trump administration is lying that it would focus on deporting only criminals. He was personally assured in meeting with top adminstration officials that those who obeyed the law would not be targets. The heartbreak of Chavarria and Colindres and their families prove otherwise. Compassion, while clearly on shortage in the Trump administration, has been abundant in Connecticut. Hundreds have rallied for Chavarria in New Haven and on Thursday for Colindres in Hartford. A New Haven church and its congregation gave sanctuary to Chavarria on July 20 when she was supposed to return to the country she escaped from long ago. Understandably, she could not leave her children. Now Chavarria has a glimmer of hope. Based on a motion by student lawyers at the Worker and Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic at Yale Law School, a judge on Wednesday agreed to stay the deportation order temporarily and open her case. The eventual outcome is uncertain. A similar opportunity should be given to Colindres, who ICE ordered to leave on Aug. 17. This is the time for people to show support for decency by contacting political leaders, by rallying, by speaking out. This is not the time for silence while families are ripped apart and productive longtime residents are sent off to dubious fates. Silence indicates acceptance of the inhumane treatment by our government. The Nigeria Army has recovered 21 additional bodies in an operation to rescue oil exploration crew abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno.Brig. Gen. Sani Kukasheka, Director Army Public Relations, who disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday, July 29, said he regrets earlier press release about the rescue of all NNPC Staff.Full statement below:The incident of 25th July 2017 where some Boko Haram Terrorists ambushed our troops including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) escorting some staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well as that of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) on oil exploration in Borno Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno state is unfortunate and highly regrettable. Most regrettable also is my earlier release on the said incident about the rescue of all NNPC Staff. The error in the statement was not deliberate.The Nigerian Army in this present dispensation is reputed for timely dissemination of information on activities of our troops in all theatre of operations. We have strived to keep the public informed on our activities with no intention of distorting any fact. Our troops have doubled efforts in the pursuit of the Boko Haram terrorists while search and rescue is still on-going to secure the safe return of the remaining civilians.So far the search and rescue team has recovered additional bodies of 5 soldiers, 11 Civilian JTF and 5 members of the exploration team.Contrary to reports in some media, 6 members of exploration team out of 12 that went out are still missing, while one of the NNPC staff returned to base alive.On the other hand, our pursuit team also recovered 2 of our own Gun trucks and an additional Toyota Buffalo Gun truck from the insurgents. In addition, the team also made the following recoveries; 4 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 4 Rocket Propelled Grenade chargers, 6 AK-47 rifles, 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun,1 Anti-Aircraft Gun Barrel, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, 4 Dane Guns, 8 Tyres and 2 Tyre Rims.Other items recovered include 1 Pumping Machine, 2 Tyre Jacks, 1 Super Battery, 5 Reflective Jackets, 3 Toyota Hilux, 4 Jerry cans filled with PMS, 1 Motorola Radio, 1 Geographical Positioning System (GPS), 21 empty Jerry cans, 2 Shovels and 3 Food Coolers. Troops also recovered 122 rounds of PKM ammunition, 213 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 1255 Anti-Aircraft Guns ammunition, 4 boxes of API 12.7mm ammunition, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine, a Digger, 2 Bows and 13 Arrows, 2 LLG Bombs, assorted drugs and assorted working tools.The Nigerian Army condoles with the families of all that lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident. Search and rescue efforts are on-going. We are counting on the goodwill and support of the populace in volunteering valuable information that could help in the search and rescue operation.What the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists are doing are pure criminal activities of kidnapping to gain funds. This has been noted and will be jointly addressed in conjunction with other Security Services.The Nigerian Army remains resolute in the fight against terrorism and would not relent in its effort to safe guard lives of citizens, properties and the territorial integrity of the country.Thank you so much for your kind support.More photos below... Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has weighed in on the call made by Arewa Youths to the Presidency to order the re-arrest and detention of the national leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.Hide quoted textAccording to the ex-Minister, the youths of Northern extraction need to be stopped and scolded for making such a demand.He stressed that what Arewa Youths are doing is tantamount to stoking a fire that may end up consuming the country.Fani-Kayode said on Saturday: The Arewa Youths that demanded that the Igbo must leave the North by October 1st and that have now given the federal government, an ultimatum to arrest Nnamdi Kanu in the next 10 days are stoking a fire that may end up consuming Nigeria.They must be gagged, put in chains and spanked hard!It could be recalled that the Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), Mohammed Salihu, while addressing a news conference in Abuja accused the federal government of aiding and abetting Kanu to breach his bail conditions. He 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 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.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. AS part of the initiative towards tackling militancy and youth restiveness in the, the acting president,, would be presiding over the first) summit slated for Monday, July 31.The summit, which will hold with the theme, at the(PTI) Conference Centre, Effunrun in Uvwie Local Government Area (LGA),, is being organised by the NDYPD in partnership with theA statement signed by Comrade Fuludu Raphael Peremene, Vice President of NDYPD/Convener of the programme, Comrade Enujeko Mayor and Comrade Kingsley Okes Idisi, Chairman and Secretary of the Local Organising Committee, respectively, stated that Osinbajo would be charting a model for achieving development, empowerment, peace and social stability in theregion at the event.Peremene noted that the peace dialogue would provide opportunity for youths to express themselves and make meaningful contributions towards restoring peace and development in the Niger Delta region.According to the statement, Round Table Dialogue is the high point of the Warri 2017, which brings together all the major youth groups, ex-militants, youth entrepreneurs and scholars alike on a round table to chart the course towards a new model of achieving development, empowerment, peace and social stability in the Niger Delta region.TheCommissioner of Police,, who spoke through the state Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), urged Niger Delta youths to embrace peace and support the programme, stressing that violence would not solve the problems of the region. The Northern Governors Forum at the weekend met with key leaders of coalition of Arewa groups that issued eviction notice to Igbos.The coalition had asked Igbos to vacate the nineteen States of Northern Nigeria before October 1, 2017.Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, led the talks on behalf of his colleagues.The coalition was represented by its leaders including their spokesman, Abdulazeez Suleman who read the eviction notice in June, tagged the Kaduna declaration.Others were Balarabe Rufai, Yerima Shettima, Ashir Sherrif and Aminu Adam.Shettima said the dialogue option was chosen because a political problem often requires a political solution.It is only a fool that doesnt change his mind to review decisions and strategies. There is never a limit to who should be engaged in dialogue no matter what the situation is.After all, even armed conflicts of deaths and destructions often end through dialogue with persons who took up arms against a State.Some people may think the withdrawal of eviction ultimatum by the coalition wouldnt mean so much but to us as leaders and from our experiences, it is always dangerous to underestimate the capacity of any group of youths especially when youths come together and seem determined.There are millions of other youths that might have been following and supportive of the activities of the coalition of Arewa groups and as we know, issues relating to ethnicity and religion mostly get out of control.The youths held prior meeting with His Eminence, the Sultan in previous time. Yesterday (Saturday) and today (Sunday) We had a very fruitful discussion and I believe in the coming days, there will something positive from them.In our dialogue they explained their position and I also explained the position of the Governors and why we differed. They demonstrated patriotism and commitment to the unity of Nigeria and progress of the country Shettima said.Abdulazeez Suleiman, spokesman of the coalition, said the meeting with the Northern Governors was a sign of respect for their leaders.We have listened to Governor Kashim Shettima. This is the first time we are meeting any leader in Government and doing it before the media.It is a major development and we are going to make some consultation with other representatives of different groups in the north after which we will make our resolution known by addressing the media. Two senators from Kaduna State, Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi, were on Sunday attacked in Kaduna.The senators were about to address newsmen when a mob stormed the venue.The incident occurred at the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in Kaduna, Kaduna State.Sani and Hunkuyi were rushed to safety by their security aides and journalists.The assailants destroyed the vehicle that conveyed the senators to the Press Centre.They also damaged properties, including midgets, cameras, tripods for cameras and chairs, at the Press Centre.Last week, the Senate Committee on Foreign Loans, which Sani chairs, deferred the approval of a loan request by the Kaduna State Government. Without Deeper Output Cut, Crude Projected to Fall Below $40/bbl in Q1 2018 Crude Oil, Brent Crude in particular, is projected to fall to $40 per barrel or below in the first quarter of 2018, except the Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) implements a deeper cut in oil production. This is according to the prediction of an oil analyst at JBC Energy GmBH as reported by Bloomberg.JBC Energy GmBH provides consulting, research, and training services for businesses, governments, and organisations operating in the energy sector in Austria and internationally. The company offers analytical and unbiased information, commentary, and advice on current and future developments in oil, gas, and alternative fuel markets; market analysis in a range of regular reports.This is coming on the heels of rise in the cartels output by 340,000 barrels per day in June to 32.6 mbd, which has been described as the highest level in 2017, after Saudi flows increased and Libya and Nigeria, spared from supply cuts, pumped at stronger rates. According to Oil Market Report (OMR) for July, released by International Energy Agency (IEA) higher output from members bound by the production pact knocked compliance to 78 per cent in June, the lowest rate during the first six months of the agreement.According to the analyst, Richard Gorry, who is the Managing Director at JBC Energy Asia, with the momentum of supply flows globally and weak demands months later, additional cut in output may be required to consolidate the earlier ones that had been implemented to avoid the price of Brent crude dropping to $40/bbl or below in the first quarter of 2018. OPEC was reported earlier by Bloomberg to have quietly opened the tap. According to the report, OPECs resolve to stick to promised supply cuts stumbled in June, the sixth month in its long-haul gambit to erode a world oil glut and boost prices. Total compliance within OPEC slipped below 100 percent, back to levels seen in February, dragged down by rising production in Angola, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.The 21 nations participating in supply cuts are collectively trying to reduce output by almost 1.8 mbd, in most cases using October levels as the starting point. Iran was given a target that allowed a modest increase while two other OPEC nations, Libya and Nigeria, are exempt and have steadily ramped up production this year. However, just few days ago, Nigeria agreed to cap its oil production at 1.8m barrels per day after an extensive meeting of OPEC and Non-OPEC members. By so doing, Nigeria cutting off 400,000 barrels per day from its budget benchmark of 2.2 mbd.In his analysis, Gorry estimated that,the benchmark for more than half the worlds oil might end 2017 between $45 and $47/bbl, after which the market might turn very tricky, He posited that, while prices were being supported by recent U.S. inventory draws amid the summer driving season when fuel demand typically peaks, that trend will reverse from early-September as consumption weakens.Brent crude extended gains on Wednesday, trading up 0.4 per cent at $50.39/bbl at 6:32 a.m. in New York, riding a rally as industry data showed U.S. stockpiles plunged last week, Bloomberg reported.Brent could go to $40 and even below, Bloomberg quoted Gorry to have said in an interview in Singapore recently. Thats not necessarily what were forecasting, but we dont know where exactly the market is going to trade and how bearish its going to be.JBC is flagging the risk of a drop in prices as the OPEC and some partner nations grapple with the implementation of output curbs aimed at easing a global glut. At a meeting earlier this week in St. Petersburg, Saudi Arabia promised deep cuts to crude exports next month, emphasising its commitment to eliminating the oversupply even as fellow OPEC members Libya and Nigeria were told they are free to keep increasing production.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, Gorry was quoted to have said. To really tighten the market, OPEC will have to cut more, and I dont know if they want to do that.Oil slumped into a bear market last month, after giving up most of the gains it made following OPECs agreement late last year to begin cuts from January. Beyond the renewed focus on exports, the St. Petersburg meeting made no changes to the supply deal to correct that underwhelming performance.Still, crude has climbed about 10 per cent over the past month as U.S. inventories have shown signs of declining. Demand may slow after September, while oil output from producers in Brazil, Kazakhstan, West Africa and central Europe is set to rise in the first half of next year, Gorry said.U.S. output is continuing to ramp up, with the nation pumping 9.4 million barrels daily, close to the record 9.6 million barrels levels seen in 2015. American production may again rise to 9.6 mbpd by the end of 2017, according to Gorry. Asia-Pacific is the only region that will see output declines as China shuts wells, he said.According to the July OMR, global oil supply rose by 720,000 bd in June to 97.46 mbd as producers opened the taps. Output stood 1.2 mbd above a year ago with non-OPEC firmly back in growth mode. The report noted that the substantial recovery in Libya and Nigeria diluted OPECs actual supply cut of 920,000 bd in June to just 470,000 bd. If Libya can sustain still higher flows during July and Nigeria posts even a slight improvement, OPECs cut could be eroded to less than 300,000bd.The OMR also pointed that, The call on OPEC crude is forecast to rise steadily through 2017 and reach 33.6 mbd during the final quarter of this year, up 1 mbd on June output. Provided there is strong compliance with OPECs cuts, that would imply a hefty stock draw, even if Libya and Nigeria recover further.For the Non-OPEC, their supply rose by 380,000 bd in June on seasonally higher biofuels output and as Canadian oil production recovered after outages, the OMR revealed. At 58 mbd, non-OPEC supply was 1.3 mbd above a year earlier, with gains stemming primarily from the US and Canada, but with significant contributions also from Brazil and Kazakhstan.According to the report, Compliance with agreed non-OPEC output curbs improved to 82 per cent in June, overtaking compliance from OPEC for the first time since the cut took effect in January. Over the first six months of output cuts, compliance for the group of ten, now excluding Equatorial Guinea who joined OPEC from 1 June, has averaged 61 per cent.Nevertheless, non-OPEC supply is seen expanding by 0.7 mbd in 2017 and 1.4 mbd next year, largely unchanged from last months report. Growth will primarily come from the US, which is forecast to expand by 610,000 bd and 1. 045 mbd over 2017 and 2018, respectively. Other notable gains come from Brazil, Canada and Kazakhstan, while Mexico and China are expected to see the largest declines, OMR noted. At least 69 people are known to have died in a Boko Haram ambush of an oil exploration team in northeast Nigeria, as three men kidnapped... At least 69 people are known to have died in a Boko Haram ambush of an oil exploration team in northeast Nigeria, as three men kidnapped by the jihadists made a video appeal.Experts said the attack Boko Harams bloodiest this year underscored the persistent threat it poses, despite government claims the group is a spent force.So far the death toll stands at 69, said an aid agency worker involved in the recovery of bodies after the attack in the Magumeri area of Borno state on Tuesday.The worker, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said 19 soldiers, 33 civilian militia and 17 civilians were killed.The last body was recovered Friday in the bush in the Geidam district of neighbouring Yobe state, which is several kilometres from the scene of the ambush, he told AFP.It shows the victim, who had gunshot wounds, died after trekking a long distance. There could be more such victims in the bush.Another source with knowledge of the rescue operation gave the death toll as 70 or more and also said it was unclear whether all the victims had been accounted for.The attack hit Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation staff.Its a confirmation of the boldness and reassurance that Boko Haram has managed to gain over the last six weeks, said Yan St-Pierre, from the Modern Security Consulting Group.They have been attacking more and more military outposts and more military convoys. For them to go after NNPC personnel just shows they dont fear any military reprisal.Basically they have managed to gain enough resources, enough material, to plan ambushes targeted towards high value targets. Video appeal News of the rising death toll came after Boko Haram published a four-minute video in which three men identified themselves as being from the University of Maiduguri.The trio were part of a NNPC team on a mission to find commercial quantities of oil in the Lake Chad basin.I want to call on the acting president professor Yemi Osinbajo to come to our rescue to meet the demand, one of the men says in the video, which he said was shot on Friday.He attributed the attack to the Islamic State-supported Boko Haram faction headed by Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, which has vowed to hit military and government targets.They have promised us that if their demands are met they will release us immediately to go back to the work we were caught doing, the man added.There was no indication of where the video was shot but Magumeri is some 50 kilometres (31 miles) by road northwest of Maiduguri.University of Maiduguri spokesman Danjuma Gambo confirmed the identities of the three kidnapped men in the video.They are our staff but one more is yet to be accounted for, he told AFP.Five members of staff from the university two lecturers, two technologists and a driver were killed, vice-chancellor Ibrahim Njodi said on Friday.He told reporters the university had been hesitant to send staff with the NNPC team but had been assured about security.Nigeria is searching for oil in the northeast to try to reduce its reliance on supplies from the Niger delta, where militant attacks have slashed production. Suicide bombings Kidnapping has been a feature of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has killed at least 20,000, displaced more than 2.6 million and left millions of others on the brink of famine.Thousands of women and girls have been seized, to be married off to fighters, used as sex slaves or suicide bombers, while men and boys have been made to fight in the Islamist ranks.The al-Barnawi faction differs from fighters loyal to Boko Harams long-time leader Abubakar Shekau in that it disagrees with the indiscriminate targeting of civilians.On Friday, two suicide bombers struck a camp for displaced people in Dikwa, 90 kilometres (56 miles) east of Maiduguri, killing five.Civilian militia member Babakura Kolo said the men disguised themselves as traders wanting to buy grain.In Bama, 70 kilometres (45 miles) southeast of Maiduguri, three young female suicide bombers were killed when their explosives detonated prematurely on Thursday, he added.A fourth bomber, an 11-year-old girl, was too frightened to pull the trigger. She succeeded in removing her vest and sneaked into town. She was found and taken into custody, he said.AFP American news network, CNN, has mocked Nigeria, asking where is President Muhammadu Buhari . WATCH VIDEO BELOW WATCH VIDEO BELOW The Nigerian president has not been in the country for over two months and the news television in a query on its website on Sunday asked which head of state from which country has not set foot in his homeland in over two months?The mockery came in the latest edition of CNNs The Global Public Square (GPS) show anchored by Fareed Zakaria. In an apparent mockery of Nigeria and her President Muhammadu Buhari, CNN, on its programme displayed at 4:59pm local time on Sunday, asked,The head of state from which country has not set foot in his homeland in over two months?It went ahead to tick an option with the name Nigeria as the correct answer. The options were given as Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Nigeria and Syria. A screenshot of the mockery tweeted by Chidi Odinkalu, Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission asked What do you say Nigerians?Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari has been in London since May 7 on a medical follow-up. Some political delegations including the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo have been visiting President Buhari in London and have told Nigerians that the president is doing just fine and will soon return to continue his presidential duties. The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has condemned the attack on Journalists by hoodlums at the state secretariat of the Nige... The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has condemned the attack on Journalists by hoodlums at the state secretariat of the Nigerian Union of journalists in Kaduna. In a statement in Kaduna, the state government also directed security agencies to beef up security at the NUJ secretariat. The statement which was signed by Samuel Aruwan, the spokesman of governor said that nobody will be allowed to stifle freedom of expression. Having been briefed on the situation, the governor expressed sympathy with The NUJ and the persons that were harassed by the hoodlums. The Governor directed that the security agencies should investigate and take necessary action against the hoodlums. The Governor also directed security agencies to beef up security at the NUJ secretariat to protect journalists doing their duty. The media must not be hindered from carrying out their constitutional and professional obligations. The government of Kaduna State upholds the principles of free speech and respects the freedom of expression. Politics should not be a desperate game. And desperation should not be visited on journalists or any citizen. The government of Kaduna State will not tolerate any attempt to muzzle the press and innocent citizens from exercising their constitutional rights he said. Igbo Civil Society Coalition, ICSCO, a group made up of Igbo activists, civil society organizations, professional bodies, faith based organ... Igbo Civil Society Coalition, ICSCO, a group made up of Igbo activists, civil society organizations, professional bodies, faith based organizations and town unions have accused Arewa youths of allegedly driving Nigerians into another civil war with their hate speeches. The group, therefore, urged the Federal Government to avert the ugly situation. They also appealed to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to withdraw its threat to scuttle the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State. These were contained in a communique issued after its general congress in Enugu weekend. The communique jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Prof Obasi Igwe and Convener Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Oji, read, The Igbo Civil Society Coalition, a coalition of Igbo activists, civil society organizations, professional bodies, faith based organizations, town unions, among others, held its monthly general congress in Enugu and after due deliberations resolved as follows: Constitution Amendment: that ICSCO is dismayed at the National Assemblys inability to align itself with the obvious wishes of Nigerians cutting across partisan, ethno-religious and socio-economic lines, which is that Nigeria should be restructured so that there will be devolution of powers from the Federal Government to federating units. Therefore, in the interest of national stability and socio-economic advancement of the country, ICSCO appeals to the National Assembly to re-consider its stand on devolution of powers from the Federal Government to the federating units (regions). Unless that is done, Nigeria will never be able to attain economic advancement or political stability since the feeding bottle federalism practised in Nigeria today is an aberration and does not make room for the development of the federating units based on areas of comparative advantage. Arewa Youths Ultimatum to the Acting President to Arrest Mazi Nnamdi Kanu: ICSCO observes with dismay that Arewa Youths have refused to withdraw the Quit Notice they issued to Ndigbo despite interventions of well-meaning Nigerians, even from their region. Rather, they have continued to issue hate speeches, threats and ultimatums. The other time, they asked the Federal Government to declare IPOB a terrorist organization. Last time, they descended heavily on the Acting President- Prof Yemi Osibanjo, who despite all his humility and loyalty; they claimed was plotting to unseat his principal-President Buhari. Now, they are giving the same Acting President an ultimatum to arrest Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader. It is obvious that these youths want to force Nigeria into war at all cost. If not, what is the rationale behind asking for Kanus arrest because he is asking for referendum when they insist that there will never be restructuring. They should realize that IPOB has the sympathy of a vast majority of Ndigbo as a group, which has stoutly challenged President Buharis policy of Igbo exclusion (no longer marginalization). Anambra Governorship Election: ICSCO is appealing to the IPOB to re-consider its stand with regards to boycotting the election. Secondly, we appeal to all parties involved to come together as Ndigbo in order to build consensus on the issue to engender peace and unity of purpose in Ala-Igbo (Igbo land). The Nigerian Army is to deploy 230 personnel, including 19 officers and 211 soldiers to Liberia, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Bura... The Nigerian Army is to deploy 230 personnel, including 19 officers and 211 soldiers to Liberia, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has said.Speaking in Kaduna at the end of a a four-week intensive training on leadership and peacekeeping for the personnel, Buratai, charged them to shun acts that could tarnished Nigerias image.You must observe human rights, and respect the cultural and religious sensitives of Liberians, he said.The army chief said that since 1960, Nigeria has deployed over 20, 000 troops to 40 peacekeeping missions in Africa and across the world.Earlier the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji was renamed Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, in recognition of his commitment to peacekeeping efforts and excellent service.The centre was established in 2004 by Agwai as a Wing, when he was the Chief of Army Staff.Speaking, Agwai noted that peacekeeping was gradually becoming an intra-country issue with the military at the centre stage following internal conflicts such as ethnic, religious other crises.He, however, noted that Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in Africa and world at large, but had not repeat the economic and diplomatic benefits of such venture.Agwai, who was also a Chief of Defence Staff, called on government and private-owned organisations to partner the centre in leadership training on conflict prevention and management in the quest to achieve enduring peace.He thanked current and past leadership of the army for the honour done him by naming the centre after him.NAN reports that Agwai, was former Deputy Force Commander, United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Chief of Army Staff Nigerian Army, Force Commander of African Union/United Nations Mission Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).He was later Special Adviser to Secretary-General of the UN. NAN) The Nigerian Army has admitted feeding the public with bareface lies over the abduction of NNPC staff by a faction of Boko Haram in the ... The Nigerian Army has admitted feeding the public with bareface lies over the abduction of NNPC staff by a faction of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin on Tuesday, 25 July.The Army had claimed in a statement on Wednesday through its spokesman, Brigadier-General Sani Usman that all the abducted staff of NNPC had been rescued by soldiers during a search and rescue operation in the area. He added that only nine soldiers died during the ambush.To counter the lies, the Abu Musab al-Barnawi led faction of Boko Haram released a video on Saturday showing some of the abducted NNPC staff begging the Federal Government to negotiate with the sect for their freedom.Also, forty-eight corpses of persons killed by the terrorists during the ambush on Tuesday were brought to the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in the Borno State capital on Thursday.The corpses brought include 18 soldiers, 15 Civilian JTF, five university staff and four NNPC drivers.But in a rare show of remorse after the Boko Haram video hit the air waves, Brigadier-General Usman in another statement on Saturday said his initial statement that all the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) workers abducted in the ambush had been rescued was wrong.He added that six members of the NNPC exploration team out of 12 that went out are still missing, while one of the NNPC staff returned to base alive.Usman revealed further that the death toll from the July 25 ambush of oil workers and staff members of the University of Maiduguri in Borno by Boko Haram has risen with the recovery of more bodies.According to him, 21 more bodies of those on the team that was ambushed by the terrorists had been recovered with some persons still missing.So far the search and rescue team has recovered additional bodies of 5 soldiers, 11 Civilian JTF and 5 members of the exploration team, Usman stated.Describing the ambush as as unfortunate and highly regrettable, Usman said his initial statement that all the NNPC workers abducted in the ambush had been rescued was wrong.According to him, the pursuit team also recovered two of armys gun trucks and an additional Toyota Buffalo Gun truck from the insurgents.In addition, the team also made the following recoveries; four rocket-propelled grenade bombs, four rocket propelled grenade chargers, six AK-47 rifles, one anti-aircraft gun, on general purpose machine gun, one anti-aircraft gun barrel, one rocket-propelled grenade tube, four Dane guns, eight tyres and two Tyre Rims, it added.Other items recovered include one pumping machine, two tyre jacks, one super battery, five reflective jackets, three Toyota Hilux vans, four Jerry cans filled with PMS, one Motorola Radio, one Geographical Positioning System (GPS), 21 empty Jerry cans, two shovels and three food coolers.The troops also recovered 122 rounds of PKM ammunition, 213 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 1255 Anti-Aircraft Guns ammunition, 4 boxes of API 12.7mm ammunition, 1 AK-47 Rifle Magazine, a Digger, two bows and 13 arrows, 2 LLG bombs, assorted drugs and assorted working tools.Boko Haram insurgents had on July 25 ambushed troops, including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, escorting some staff members of the NNPC as well as that of the University of Maiduguri who were carrying out oil exploration activities in Borno Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno state. Arsene Wenger has reiterated his determination to hold onto Alexis Sanchez and slammed claims the unsettled Arsenal stars dose of the fl... Arsene Wenger has reiterated his determination to hold onto Alexis Sanchez and slammed claims the unsettled Arsenal stars dose of the flu was part of his plan to engineer a transfer.Sanchez has just one year left on his Arsenal contract after refusing to sign the clubs offer of a new deal and it is believed the Chile forward wants to move to a team in the Champions League.Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all interested in the 28-year-old, who has yet to return to pre-season training with Arsenal as he recovers after playing for Chile at the Confederations Cup.Sanchez was due back at Arsenal on Sunday, but his return to England has been delayed by at least 48 hours after he caught the flu, revealing the illness with an social media picture of himself huddled under a blanket with the caption sick.Some cynical Arsenal fans fear Sanchezs failure to report on time is part of his plan to leave the Premier League club.But Gunners boss Wenger, speaking after his sides 5-2 thrashing of Benfica in the Emirates Cup on Saturday, made it clear Sanchez will not be sold.No development, always the same, He is staying, of course, Wenger said.Asked how he read Sanchezs delayed arrival, Wenger refused to criticise his player.He has flu. He texted me to say he will come back as soon as possible. We are in touch with him and his doctor, he said.Your job is to be suspicious, your job is built on mistrust and mine is built on trust, that is why I prefer my side.There is no basic problem. He would have come back tomorrow but he will be here on Tuesday. He is flying back as soon as he is in a position to.Wenger insisted the uncertainty over Sanchezs future wouldnt prove a distraction in the same way speculation over the managers contract caused such chaos before he signed a new deal at the end of last season.Its not the same. Its different with a manager who has to take a global view of the club. I think the players who have one year on their contract have to respect their contract and play under it, he said.Probed on whether Sanchez had personally told him whether or not he wanted to stay, Wenger added: I cannot reveal to you what he says to me always. It is a secret conversation. I speak to all the players.Wenger also refused to say if he would make another bid for 50 million-rated ($65 million, 56 million euro) Monaco winger Thomas Lemar after having several offers rejected.We dont speak about how our negotiations go. We come out once its done or not done, he said.We are active in the transfer market in general. At the moment there is nothing special to say on this case. MAIDUGURI (Reuters) A suicide bomber killed 14 people in northeast Nigeria, the state emergency agency said on Saturday, in an attack ... MAIDUGURI (Reuters) A suicide bomber killed 14 people in northeast Nigeria, the state emergency agency said on Saturday, in an attack that bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, days after a resurgence in the jihadist groups activities prompted a shift in military tactics.The attack in the town of Dikwa in Borno state came days after suspected members of the group kidnapped an oil prospecting team, prompting a rescue bid that ended in the deaths of at least 37 people including members of the team and rescuers from the military and armed vigilantes, officials say.Three kidnapped members of the oil team appeared in a video seen by Reuters on Saturday, which was provided by suspected members of the militant group.Boko Haram, which seeks to create an Islamic state in the northeast, has stepped up the frequency of attacks in the last few months. The insurgency has killed 20,000 people and forced some 2.7 million to flee their homes in the last eight years.A suicide bomber detonated the explosives in Dikwa on Friday night, after entering a building housing people who had previously fled the insurgency and since returned, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said. We have so far evacuated 38 victims comprising 14 dead and 24 injured, said SEMA spokesman Bello Dambatta. Dikwa is around 90 kilometres east of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. The attack brings the number of people killed by insurgents in northeast Nigeria since June 1 to at least 113.After the kidnapping of the oil workers, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday sent military chiefs to the northeast to help regain control of the situation.The move was a change of tactics since the government and military have repeatedly said Boko Haram which also carries out cross-border attacks in neighbouring Cameroon and Niger was on the verge of being defeated. President Muhammadu Buhari said in December that Boko Harams stronghold in the northeasts vast Sambisa forest had been captured. The federal government plans to pour $125 million into the fight against a mysterious disease that has ravaged corals in Florida and much of the Caribbean, and now poses a dire threat to the treasured reefs off the Louisiana and Texas coasts. Soon, milk and other nutritious foods may not be the only things that do your body good at the West Broadway Hy-Vee Food Store. A new CHI Health Quick Care clinic has an appointment to open Monday at the supermarket at 2323 W. Broadway, CHI Health announced. Weve been looking at that area for quite some time, said Matthew Hazen, director of service excellence for CHI Health Clinic. We have a very busy physicians clinic just down the street, and weve noticed that a lot of the cases coming into urgent care could be treated in a Quick Care setting. Care can be provided at a lower cost in a Quick Care setting than in a regular or urgent care clinic, Hazen said, and that could help people who are uninsured or underinsured. The walk-in clinic, located next to the stores pharmacy, will be staffed by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner and will provide minor medical care to patients 18 months and older, according to a press release from CHI Health. Services available will include sports, day care or camp physicals (private pay only); testing for influenza and other illnesses; immunizations; and diagnosis and treatment of minor conditions. Visits will take an estimated 20 minutes or less. The clinic will not provide emergency care. For patients age 18 and younger, a parent must provide consent for care in person. If a patients primary physician is a CHI Health Clinic provider, he or she will have access to records on a Quick Care visit, the press release stated. If the provider is not with CHI Health, a note can be sent to him or her. Quick Care will have its own waiting area but can also share a few seats with the pharmacy, Hazen said. Patients will also be able to sign in, leave their cell number and wait in the cafe or start shopping. Patients who need to have a prescription filled will not have to leave the store to get their medication, he noted. It will be CHI Healths eighth Quick Care clinic in the Council Bluffs-Omaha metro area, Hazen said. In Nebraska, CHI Health also has two Quick Care locations in Lincoln and clinics in Grand Island and Kearney. Two more sites are in the works in Omaha, he said. CHI Health has been working with Hy-Vee Food Stores for 10 to 12 years, Hazen said. Weve had a really good relationship with Hy-Vee, he said. Most major insurances are accepted. Co-payments or full payment, for those without no health insurance are due at the time of service. Quick Care is open from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. For more information, visit chihealth.com/quick-care. Once vibrant and teeming with activity, the food court at the Mall of the Bluffs boasted fast food choices for nearly every appetite along with a more traditional sit-down restaurant. Today, the food court consists of five coin-operated vending machines, four of which are filled with drink choices and the fifth with snack items. Dearborn Realty Properties LLC, a subsidiary of Namdar Realty Group based in Great Neck, New York, and a partner, Z.E.A. Capital Realty Holdings LLC, purchased the Mall of the Bluffs from General Growth Properties of Chicago in 2013. Public records now showed the purchase price was $8.5 million. The Mall of the Bluffs, which offers 730,000-square-feet of retail space, is located just off Madison Avenue near the Interstate 80 junction. It opened in 1986 to much fanfare, but the mall has struggled in recent years. The mall lost two of its anchors to newer developments across town: J.C. Penney moved to the Marketplace in 2008 and Target moved to Metro Crossing in 2009. Barnes & Noble Booksellers closed in 2011. In 2012, then-owner General Growth Properties reported that the mall was more than one-quarter vacant. Andrea Leinen, property manager at the Mall of the Bluffs, said she and her staff are doing everything they can to keep the mall thriving. That includes their ongoing effort to find tenants to lease the available spaces in the malls food court. Leinen said there are a couple of potential food-court tenants who have expressed interest in the mall location, but they have not yet signed contracts for the spaces. She said for food vendors, especially those starting new businesses, there are a number of advantages to a Mall of the Bluffs location, each of which is set up with a commercial kitchen. There are a lot of perks for a business locating here. Vendors dont have to have the staff to bust tables and clean the dining area, Leinen said. There is ample parking, and things such as snow removal are taken care of by the mall. The issues facing the food court at the Mall of the Bluffs are not uncommon at malls throughout the country. The ease of mobile shopping and two-day delivery is really pushing time-strapped consumers to forgo trips to the mall, said Ken Perkins, president of Boston-based Retail Metrics Inc., which was founded by Perkins in 2004 to provide the institutional investment community with independent research on the retail industry. Declining mall traffic is adversely impacting food court tenants, making it increasingly difficult to turn a profit, Perkins said. Strong food court offerings at the nations malls simply cant stem the tide of declining traffic. Restaurants that draw in people on their own tend to do better. More successful malls seem to have quality restaurant offerings such as a Cheesecake Factory, Legal Seafood, Capital Grill, etc., that are attached to the mall but not enclosed in it, he said. These seem to generate traffic to the mall as they are destination restaurants. While the GGP-owned Mall of the Bluffs was in a state of decline before the sale to Namdar, two other GGP-owned malls in the Council Bluffs-Omaha metro area Westroads Mall and Oak View Mall have remained viable. Jim Sadler, Westroads senior general manager, sees Westroads food hall, Flagship Commons, as an essential element in the malls continued viability. But it has taken a somewhat different approach to the traditional food court model. Opened in late 2015, Westroads Flagship Commons offers sushi, ramen, a bar and other upscale food offerings Sadler terms fast casual compared to the fast food offerings of a typical food hall or food court. The more typical food court featuring fast food doesnt really promote mall traffic, Sadler said. We built a non-traditional food hall, fast casual as opposed to fast food, and people do come to Westroads for the food, he said. We have people coming here for business lunches, to hold club meetings here. While not located within the mall, Sadler, like Retail Metrics Perkins, said he thinks the adjacent locations of two destination restaurants, the Cheesecake Factory and Granite City Food & Brewery, have helped generate traffic at the Westroads Mall. The occupancy of the Westroads Mall currently stands at slightly more than 95 percent. Amber Bakken, general manager of the Oak View Mall, said she was new to the position and unable to comment on the food courts overall role in the viability of the mall, which is currently more than 85 percent occupied. Bakken said, however, that all but two of the food courts spaces are filled, and the two end positions that are vacant have been vacant for some time. OMAHA Sioux City-area farmer BJ Hayes is tired of seeing rain in the forecast only to end up with a few tenths of an inch on his corn crop. There are cracks in his soil, and his corn plants are producing smaller ears and ears with fewer kernels. A deepening drought has become a stressful situation for many western Iowa and Nebraska farmers, made worse by the fact that the price for corn down by about half since it soared in 2012 and 2013 isnt budging. As you see your yields drop, you want that bigger price to make up for that, said Hayes, who farms in Iowa and Nebraska. But hes looking at the one-two punch of less-productive acres and low prices. The picture worsened Thursday with the release of the latest weekly drought map from the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Severe drought now covers 6 percent of Nebraska, concentrated in the northeast and north-central parts of the state, and the only areas with no dry conditions are parts of southeast and south-central Nebraska, and the far northwest corner of the Panhandle. Iowa is faring better, with less than 2 percent of the state in severe drought, about 35 percent in moderate drought and 64 percent abnormally dry. Nearly 11 percent of the continental United States is in moderate drought or worse, said Richard Heim, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in this weeks drought summary. The report is compiled weekly using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and NOAA. About half of the nations spring wheat, 13 percent of winter wheat, 15 percent of corn and 14 percent of the soybeans are in drought, the report said. Consumers could see the price of bread at the grocery counter rise, said Doug Goehring, agriculture commissioner for North Dakota, the nations largest producer of spring wheat and second largest grower of wheat generally after Kansas. There have been people in this business for five decades who have said they have never seen conditions like this, Goehring said. The situation locally is still far better than this week five years ago, when the entire state of Nebraska was in severe drought and more than half was in extreme drought a situation that only got worse from there. Nebraska in 2012 faced the kind of drought conditions that come around only every 25 to 50 years, said associate state climatologist Al Dutcher. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture said its monitoring conditions. It offered some options to help cattle ranchers, whose pastures are hit by drought, to source hay to feed their cattle. The rains that fell Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by cooler temperatures, wont make much of a dent in the problem because the rains fell mostly in areas that werent very dry to begin with, Dutcher said. It would take above-normal rains in drought-affected areas to see relief. There is going to be very limited improvement in areas currently depicted (on the map) in drought, Dutcher said. Rains of about a half-inch or less wouldnt do much to help a corn grower, especially now, the part of the growing season when crops water demands are the highest, Dutcher said. All a sprinkle does is get the surface wet and offset a small amount of irrigation. Some of the areas corn crop is too far gone, he said, for rain to make much difference now. Farmers generally would have planted corn in mid-May for harvest in October, and corn has narrow windows of time when the amount of rain influences the size and number of kernels. July conditions are especially critical. The situation wouldnt be so bad for farmers who are facing big declines in yields the amount of corn theyll produce per acre if they could look forward to a run-up in corn prices to make up lost revenue. But only 15 percent of the U.S. corn crop is in drought conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated in a Thursday report. The big corn-producing areas of eastern Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana are largely untouched by drought. With supply still left in the market from last years huge corn crop, the drought is just not big enough to push prices up much, said Cory Walters, UNL ag economist. Corn markets have been vacillating with weather reports but arent showing big gains, he said. December corn futures traded Thursday around $3.87 a bushel; those contracts have traded as low as $3.59 and as high as $4.17 since August 2016. And farmers hit by drought this year wont make up much ground with insurance payouts because of the way crop insurance programs calculate payments, based on spring market prices, which were under $4 a bushel this year, Walters said. Farmers will react by spending less money on equipment purchases and less on family living expenses, Walters said, affecting their local communities. Those are the kinds of decisions that ripple through Nebraskas wider economy. Its just another low-income year, Walters said. This is projected to be the fourth year in a row of falling profits for the nations farmers. Iowa farmer Matt Chambers, whose corn is suffering in the drought, is looking for profits by selling a portion of his crop at a time, taking advantage of small rallies. Chambers farms with family about 80 miles northeast of Omaha in Audubon. Hes still hopeful for a price boost after this harvest season, expecting lower yields on average throughout the industry. Will he make money this year? Were probably right at the line between red and black, he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Thank you veterans Vietnam Veterans Day was this past Thursday. They fought long and hard for our freedom and earned less respect from all of us here in the great United States. It was a dirty war and our men deserve much praise and recognition. Among our many heroes is a prominent citizen and chiropractor, Dr. R.C. Dahlgaard on East Broadway in Council Bluffs. I have worked with him almost 30 years and he is extremely kind and generous and shows everyone great respect in the almost 50 years he has been in practice. There are many veterans among us and everyone needs to make a special effort to show respect and appreciation for them. Put out your flags and let them know you remember their bravery and the sacrifice they put forth for all of us at home. Our city should make an effort to support gratitude. Thank God for their safe return. Patricia Witthauer, Council Bluffs Exira fire chief thanks community On behalf of the Exira Fire Department, I want to express my gratitude for the outpouring of help on the morning of the downtown fire that ended up claiming four of the buildings on our main street. Heartfelt thoughts go out to the people who lost their business, possessions and/or home in this devastating fire. When paged out early that morning I knew that it was not a good situation. We started paging area fire departments, as we knew that we would need manpower, aerial trucks, pumper trucks, tankers and a lot of water. A big thank you must be given to all the towns that responded with the help and equipment that was needed to fight this fire. Also this could not have happened without the understanding of employers that allow fire volunteers to leave the job or self employed that take time off from their own business. Words cannot express the gratitude that we felt when everyone came rolling in to town that morning to help. Thanks for the help from the Audubon County dispatchers in paging or calling out other departments and the officers from the area and state law enforcement that helped with traffic control. When the call went out to the public for food and water to feed the fire personnel, we were overwhelmed with what was brought in and the people that were there to help anyway they could. This was not just from Exira but came from the many surrounding towns. It is hard to describe what I felt when I saw all the food, water, power drinks, ice, cookies, bars and fruit that was delivered to the volunteers helping to coordinate this task. The two words, Thank you, are not adequate for the feelings I felt at the end of the day for all the volunteers and fire personnel that stepped up to help Exira in time of need. Fire Chief Mike Bintner, Exira Share My Smile thanks community On behalf of Share My Smile, a local nonprofit organization with a mission to help strengthen foster families, I want to thank the community on a couple levels. First, thanks to the entire community for its support of our organization through Pottawattamie Gives on May 24. Those grassroots donations are much appreciated. Secondly, we want to thank the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation for not only initiating Pottawattamie Gives, but for also awarding us a community grant of $500 for family events that we will hold during the holidays later this year. To learn more about us go to sharemysmile.org and get more information on PCCF visit ourpccf.org. We are blessed to be part of this community. Chelsea Taggart, President, Share My Smile Dont let the government test drugs Too many people feel comfortable about drugs being tested by the federal government. They may know of no alternative. Government is a terrible choice for drug testing. When people want something done and they certainly want their drugs tested, at least for safety theres an opportunity for entrepreneurs. Each testing company would value its work by expanding its revenues and limiting its costs, resulting in profits. If a testing company performs poorly, the pharmaceutical company that hired it would turn to a competitor. Profits and competition are not part of the governments world. Government officials value their work by limiting what they can be blamed for, how much power they have over the public, how large their staff, and how big their budget. The bigger the better. Lets say that drug testing is privatized. Pharmaceutical companies arrange for private companies to perform the testing. Some would do a thorough job, charging high prices (but lower than government costs). Others would offer mid-level testing, with modest prices. Still others would do minimal testing, at minimal cost. For each drug, the pharmaceutical company could choose the level of testing it prefers, recognizing that the higher the risks, the higher the liability insurance premiums for the pharmaceutical company. The consumers of drugs and their doctors, working through the courts, would ultimately decide about drug safety. After privatization, the pressure to cut costs would probably reduce the peoples desire for ideal testing. The new standard would be reasonableness, which applies to the testing of most other products. To make sure it cant be blamed, government testing keeps effective drugs off the market for years and years. The delays have caused far more lives to be lost than have been saved by the government making certain that drugs are safe and effective. To perform any service, government is the worst choice. Archie M. Richards Jr., Concord, New Hampshire States get it right on voter information Im 100 percent behind the states that declined to send voter information to the Trump administration; that information could very well be forwarded to Russia. By the way, does Vladimir Putin have something so bad on Donald Trump that Trump is speculating firing Jeff Sessions (Attorney General), Rod Rosenstein (Deputy AG) and Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and also thinking of pardoning everyone? Alfred Waddell, Hyannis, Massachusetts Oversight needed for missile defense In order to make the ground-based missile defense system effective against attacks by North Korea or whoever, we should probably have rigorous Congressional oversight (as well as any extra funding that is needed.). At the very least, we should work on the performance of small thrusters attached to the interceptors, and we should have rigorous testing on those interceptors. Alex Sokolow, Santa Monica, California The time is now to cut out nuclear weapons We have been living with nuclear weapons for 72 years, so that must make them safe and sustainable, right? Wrong. Nuclear weapons are the only way we have of killing most humans on Earth in the space of a few hours far more immediately than global climate chaos, which is itself a dire threat. Reliable astroscientists assure us that they predict no giant meteor collisions nor anything else that can wreck life on Earth for at least millennia, except a self-inflicted nuclear apocalypse. Most of humankind understands this, most of humankind is not defended in any conceivable fashion by the weapons in the arsenals of just nine of the 200 nations on Earth. That is why we are witnessing a political showdown between the overwhelming majority of the planets countries and the nine nuclear powers. Oh, you hadnt heard about this conflict? That is hardly surprising in our strange media and political atmosphere of random bellicose presidential tweets, votes on whether to slash healthcare for our most vulnerable citizens, and narcissistic speeches to the bewildered Boy Scouts. Not to mention the deranged cockfight environment we are witnessing inside the inner circle in the oddest, most dysfunctional White House in history. Far more meaningful in the long arc of human history and certainly in our hopes for future generations is the recently passed treaty to ban all nuclear weapons on Earth. We have seen successful treaties to outlaw both biological weapons (1972) and chemical weapons (1992), neither of which have ever been capable of the immediate and long term threat to life locked and loaded in the arsenals of just nine nations. The 72 years since the atomic annihilation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is nothing more than a quick eyeblink in the long span of human history and prehistory. Nukes are a single incident away from wrecking your life, your great-grandchildrens lives, and those of everyone else. They are now officially criminal and have always been evil. Now is the most opportune time ever to let your federal elected officials know that we stand with the vast majority of people on planet Earth. Its time. Sign that treaty and get it ratified. Save the world, literally. Tom Hastings, director of the Oregon Peace Institute, Portland, Oregon Like a lot of outdoor enthusiasts, Ive been looking for ways to stay out of the heat. With fishing curtained over much of the region it is not that difficult to think of an excuse to stay out of the sun. I was sitting in the shade trying to keep cool and trying to figure out what I was going to write about this week. The idea for this column popped into my head while thinking back to a question I got while conducting a fishing seminar at a Bass Pro Shop in Missouri awhile back. I touched on the topic of bobbers and an individual in the audience asked, You mean it really makes a difference in what type of bobber I use? The type of bobber you use can make a big difference. It literally can mean the difference between catching a fish and going home empty-handed. The use of fishing floats, or what became known as bobbers, is credited to the Norwegians back in the 1840s. I cant help but think that someone long before that used something that would float on a fishing line, but this is what the bobber historians say. The Norwegians used small glass, egg-sized floats that they tied on their fishing lines above a hook and some bait. As the use of fishing nets increased, the Norwegians made bigger floats to hold the nets up. As would be expected, many other Europeans began using glass floats. There were soon markings and what we would call trademarks today being used on the floats to identify the owners or the manufacturers of the floats. Around 1910, Japan began making glass floats for their fishing industry. The Japanese experimented with many different sizes of floats to meet the needs of their fishing fleets, from 2-inches in diameter up to 20-inch spheres. With the Japanese floats, most were made from green glass recycled from sake bottles. Other colors like amber, blue, purple, yellow, orange and even clear floats were produced. Red is the most prized color for a collector today because gold was used to produce that color. Original antique floats are quite rare and quite valuable as collector items. Cork and aluminum floats made their appearance in the market in the 1920s. It wasnt long before they began to replace glass floats because of their more durable design, plus they could be made easily with ways to attach the nets to the float, rather than be woven in as was the practice with glass floats. After World War II, plastic floats virtually took over the market. The Boys Book of Sports, published in 1886, has a description of a unique float in it. It was made like a Jumping Jack, and a figurine would dance when a fish took the bait and pulled on the line. In the chapter Odd Methods of Fishing, there is a description of this Jumping Jack bobber: This little figure is fastened to a stick, which is secured in an upright position on a float made of a piece of board. Through a hole in the float is passed the string attached to the figure, and tied securely to this there are the hook and line. After the hook is baited, the float is placed on the surface of the water and the little man, standing upright, is left to wait in patience. Presently a fish, attracted by the bait, comes nearer the surface, seizes the hook quickly, and darts downward, pulling the string and making the little figure throw up its arms and legs, as though dancing for joy at having performed its task so well. I think everyone who has ever fished has used one of the big plastic round bobbers. Most of them you see are red and white, but red and yellow is another common color combination. They are easy to use and very inexpensive, but have one major drawback. There is so much resistance when a fish tries to pull one of these under that they will often drop the bait before the hook is set. If you want to set up a quick experiment to prove this theory, try pushing a beach ball under water. Tough to do, right? Now try one of the long noodle floats kids use. You can pull these under water much more easily. For fishing, a longer, thinner float, generically called a pencil bobber, has much lees resistance when it is pulled under water so the fish is less likely to feel it. Based on my experiences and testing, I would say that an angler using a pencil bobber probably catches 30-40 percent more fish. That is enough to make most anglers take notice. The next time you go fishing, for whatever species you go after, try a pencil bobber and see what you think. FNRA Banquet The date is getting closer. Sept. 9 will be the next Friends of the National Rifle Association. The event will be held in Ogallala at the Platte River Inn, 201 Chuckwagon Road, in Ogallala. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. MDT, dinner will be about 7 p.m. and an auction will begin about 8 p.m. This years dinner will be a rib eye steak cooked to your preference, a salad, corn, green beans, a baked potato, dinner roll and dessert. All the money raised by the FNRA goes to promote and support the shooting sports. Tickets for the event are $35 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 308-660-1937 or 308-284-8997. Enjoy your time outdoors! Nebraskas state government is in a curious budget situation, with major negatives but also major pluses. The government is going through a troubling financial pinch at present, with revenues falling short of projections. The state closed out its fiscal year on June 30 with $34 million less in tax revenue than projected, stemming from ongoing challenges in the agricultural economy. In the past two years, the state forecasting board reduced its forecasts five times. This year the board lowered its tax revenue projections twice, by $80 million in February and then by $15 million in April. State leaders have a supremely difficult challenge. On the one hand, lawmakers and the Ricketts administration need to try to hold off on increasing the tax burden at a time when the farm and ranch sectors are stressed and as lawmakers are hearing loud complaints about the property tax burden. At the same time, the state must fund a range of important public needs, including schools, prisons, child welfare and the University of Nebraska. In terms of the big picture, Nebraska is getting a lot of the budget fundamentals right a comprehensive new report on the 50 states ranks Nebraska No. 6 for overall state fiscal management. In addition, the report by the Mercatus Center, a free-market think tank with George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia ranks Nebraska No. 1 in long-run solvency (ability to meet its long-term financial obligations) and No. 3 in trust fund solvency. Those scores are in line with Nebraskas rankings in past years by the Mercatus Center. Nebraskas long-term position is especially favorable, the report concluded after studying how all states handled their budgets for fiscal year 2015. Nebraskas state pensions are 90 percent funded overall, compared with a 50-state average of 74 percent. Financial experts recommend funding of at least 80 percent to be fiscally sound. Nebraskas unfunded state pension obligations are 18 percent of total personal income in the state, well below the 50-state average of 35 percent. The unfunded pension liability figures for some states with the most severe problems: New Mexico, 64 percent of total personal income; Ohio, 62 percent; Mississippi, 58 percent; Illinois, 54 percent. The state Constitution requires Nebraska to hold its state government debt to a modest level. That gives it a boost in the Mercatus Center rankings. Nebraska has a debt per capita of $8, compared with the 50-state per-capita average of $1,804. Total annual expenditures by Nebraskas state government are 9 percent of residents total personal income. For the average U.S. state, the figure is 13 percent. The figures for some other states: 19 percent in Vermont, 14 percent in New York, 11 percent in Colorado, 10 percent in both Kansas and South Dakota. As for Nebraskas neighbor to the east: Iowa ranked 28th overall. The states long-run solvency ranking was high (No. 10) and its trust fund solvency was judged average (No. 25). Iowas state pensions are 83 percent funded, compared with the 50-state average of 74 percent. Iowas government spends above the 50-state average when matched against residents total personal income: 15 percent in Iowa, compared with 13 percent for the average state. As the new report shows, Nebraska benefits from important budget advantages, long term. Pensions are well managed. Debt is low. The states ability to meet its long-term obligations is high. In addressing the short-term budget challenges, Nebraska leaders need to maintain that strength, keeping the state on a positive long-term course. The Omaha World-Herald When it comes to the fastest-growing industries in the U.S., few, if any, can top legal marijuana. According to Marijuana Business Daily's newest report, "Marijuana Business Factbook 2017," legal sales of the drug -- including medical and recreational weed -- are expected to grow by approximately 300% between 2016 and 2021 to perhaps north of $17 billion. Depending on your source, legal pot sales are set to grow by around 25% annually in the U.S. and/or North America over the next five-to-10 years. A big reason why legal-marijuana sales are soaring has to do with changing public perception. Back in 1995, the year prior to California becoming the first state to legalize medical cannabis for compassionate use, just 25% of respondents favored the idea of legalizing marijuana across the country. In 2016, that same Gallup poll showed that 60% of Americans now favor legalizing pot nationally. This substantial shift in opinion is a big reason why so many states have been able to push legalization efforts forward over the past 21 years. Today, 29 states have legalized medical cannabis, and eight have given the green light to recreational weed. Five states where a recreational marijuana initiative or bill went up in smoke However, a pretty steady improvement in favorability toward marijuana for two decades doesn't mean cannabis initiatives or marijuana legislation has passed in every instance. Since 2010, five states have seen their efforts to legalize recreational marijuana go up in smoke. Of course, a few of these failures turned into a passed recreational-marijuana initiative a few years later. Let's have a look at five states where voters, or legislators, struggled to get the green light for adult-use pot. California (2010), but it's now legal Though 2012 is often viewed as the defining moment for the recreational-marijuana industry, with residents in both Colorado and Washington state voting to legalize recreational cannabis, California attempted to do the same thing two years prior. California's Proposition 19 wound up falling short of the needed majority, with 46.5% of voters in favor of the measure. The Los Angeles Times pegged weaker-than-expected young adult voter turnout and the inability to sway more moderate voters for the measure's defeat. Mind you, if it had passed, California would have become the first state to have legalized adult-use pot. However, California's pot proponents got their reason to cheer in the Nov. 2016 elections, with Proposition 64 overwhelmingly passing with 57.1% of the vote -- a nearly 2 million vote margin. Pundits have suggested that legalizing recreational weed could generate an additional $1 billion in tax revenue a year for the state. Considering the state's history of having a cash-strapped budget, that dollar figure proved too alluring to ignore last November. Oregon (2012), but it's now legal Oregon, which is often viewed as a progressive haven for the cannabis industry, had a chance to join Colorado and Washington in legalizing recreational pot in 2012, but it was the lone state where voting came up short. Ballot Measure 80, officially known as the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, garnered just 46.6% of the vote in favor of its passage. How on Earth did a marijuana initiative fail in Oregon? Aside from having fewer big donors in support of Measure 80, the bigger issue is how the initiative was written. Rather than following in the path of Colorado and Washington, which issued grow licenses and collected tax revenue from businesses, Oregon's measure would have issued licenses, allowed the state to purchase marijuana from growers, and then let the state sell that product to consumers for a profit. In effect, the state would have been the dispensary. Oregonians didn't seem to care much for that idea, and it was shelved. And it's a good thing, too, because Oregon overwhelmingly passed Measure 91 in 2014, which followed the recreational-marijuana licensing model implemented by Colorado and Washington. Ohio (2015) In 2015, Ohio attempted to do something that no other state had ever tried: legalizing medical and recreational marijuana at the same time. Usually, states pass and establish a medical cannabis presence to "learn the ropes" of how to regulate the industry. Not Ohio. It went for the gusto, and it came up laughably short. The final tally showed the measure, known as Issue 3, losing in a landslide, with only 36.4% support. Considering how popular marijuana has become with the public, the magnitude of the defeat shocked proponents. But the issue wasn't with the drug itself, so much as the way the law was written. Had Issue 3 passed, just 10 growers would have been apportioned licenses, and these growers would have barriers put in place to keep competition out for at least a couple of years. In effect, it would have set up a veritable cannabis oligopoly within the state, which could have had a negative impact on pricing. Voters recognized this and clearly pushed back. Since this vote, Ohio's legislature has passed a medical cannabis law, but recreational marijuana is, for now, off the table. Arizona (2016) If not for Arizona, the 2016 elections would have been a "green sweep" for the cannabis industry. All four medical-cannabis measures wound up being approved last November, and four-out-of-five recreational initiatives got the green light. The exception was Proposition 205 in Arizona, which narrowly missed the mark by 67,000 votes, or a little more than 1.3%. Why no love for cannabis in Arizona? It likely had nothing to do with the way the law was written, which was the issue in Ohio and Oregon. Instead, demographics look like the easy answer. Arizona has a relatively high percentage of seniors over the age of 65 compared to other states. It also has tended to lean toward the Republican vote in recent elections. As Gallup's data has shown, just two groups, as of 2016, oppose the expansion of marijuana: senior citizens and Republicans. The state's demographics appears to be to blame for Prop 205's defeat. However, given how narrowly the measure was defeated, I'd venture a guess that a new proposal with focused support from proponents could have a decent chance at passing in an upcoming election. Vermont (2017) Last but not least, Vermont has joined the list of failed attempts to legalize recreational marijuana. Unlike the aforementioned four states, which offer the initiative and referendum (I&R) process that allows residents to vote in favor or against measures, Vermont is not an I&R state. Essentially, this means all bills are introduced and voted on at the legislative level. Just a few months ago, Vermont's House voted 79-66 in favor of a measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana, and the state's Senate followed with a 20-9 vote in favor. Since Vermont's neighboring states of Maine and Massachusetts legalized recreational weed, its legislators thought it best to move forward with a legalization of its own to avoid possibly losing tax revenue. Unfortunately, Gov. Phil Scott (R-Vt.) didn't see it that way, and he vetoed the bill. Specifically, Scott was concerned about underage access to marijuana, and that the bill didn't go far enough to punish those who drive under the influence of cannabis. As long as Scott remains governor, it looks unlikely that recreational cannabis will be legalized in Vermont. Though expansion is likely within the U.S. in the near term, these states also remind proponents and marijuana-stock investors that it's not a guarantee. 10 stocks we like better than Wal-Mart 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, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Wal-Mart 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 The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Porter Physician Group recently welcomed two new medical oncologists. Janet Retseck and Tareq Braik both specialize in hematology and oncology. Retseck, a Michigan City native, is a graduate of the Ohio State University College of Medicine and has worked in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. She has a special interest in patient-centered care and advances in immunotherapy. Braik earned his medical degree from the University of Baghdad and has worked in the United Kingdom and most recently in Chicago. He treats all types of cancers, but takes a special interest in breast, lung, gastroenterology, and prostate cancers. Valparaiso Police Officer Philip Spence has been promoted to the rank of patrol lieutenant. Spence is a 23-year veteran of the department. He is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University, Northwestern University Crash Reconstruction School and Police Executive Leadership Academy. The appropriations committees of both houses of the U.S. Congress produced 2018 transportation budgets in July that left South Shore Line officials optimistic about funding for the West Lake Corridor and Double Track NWI projects. The South Shore is counting on funds from the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant program to pay half the design and construction costs of the $615 million West Lake extension and the $290 million Double Track upgrade. "The Capital Investment Grant programs have tremendous bipartisan support in Congress," South Shore President Michael Noland said at Friday's meeting of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's board. The Senate committee's bill, in particular, offered railroad officials hope that President Donald Trump's effort to discontinue transit grants would not be successful. The Trump administration's funding recommendation included $1.2 billion for CIG projects, funding only those that have already entered "full funding grant agreements" between the local agency and Federal Transit Administration. It would zero-out the program as those projects were completed in subsequent years. "Future investments in new transit projects would be funded by the localities that use and benefit from these localized projects," according to the administration's funding recommendation. But the Senate bill provides just over $2.1 billion to the CIG program, which includes the New Starts grants that would help fund West Lake and the Core Capacity grants that would help fund Double Track. The $2.1 billion is intended to cover the $1.2 billion for projects already underway, but also provide funding for projects expected to enter full funding grant agreements in fiscal 2018. While the Senate's bill nearly matches previous years' funding level, the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives came much closer to following the president's lead. It issued a budget allocating about $1.8 billion for the CIG programs, only $600,000 more than the administration had recommended, much of that tabbed for a New York and New Jersey bridge and tunnel rail project. The House version also follows the administration's lead in eliminating the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, which has provided $500 million annually to a variety of road and transit projects. The Senate committee included the TIGER program, at $550 million. Noland said TIGER funding could come into play with the South Shore's plan to reroute its tracks into South Bend International Airport. "That's a source of potential federal funds for that project," Noland said of TIGER. The South Shore plans to ask for West Lake and Double Track funding in the fiscal 2019 budget. ROCKVILLE Think of the county seat of Parke County as Crown Point South with covered bridge instead of brewpub tours as one of the county's leading attractions. Antique stores ring the courthouse square in Rockville just as they do in Crown Point. There is a winery in the Old Jail Inn instead of an artisan brewery, but the 36 Saloon is also a popular food and beverage spot on the square's northeast corner. Both municipalities, of course, benefit from their proximity to local parks that beckon boaters, campers, hikers, bikers, canoeists, fishermen and nature lovers as well as those in the market for nostalgia and kitsch. But it is a testament to the popularity of the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, celebrating "The Covered Bridge Capital of the World," that Parke County's vintage wooden spans have been listed among the state's top attractions for the 60 years since the festival's inception. The county's 31 covered bridges the two oldest of which were built in 1856 have kept it on the map as well as kick-started its tourism industry. Festivals have drawn anywhere from 1 million to 2 million visitors depending on the weather for 10 days each October, according to Kelsey Canfield, executive secretary of Parke County, Inc. Her agency promotes the event featuring homemade, hand crafter vendors and nonprofit food shacks on the square. Bus tours of the bridges leave from a nearby tourism information center during the event. How many other tourists view them on self-guided tours, which are possible year round for motorists and bicyclists along five color-coded routes, is anyone's guess. Travel & Leisure magazine once voted the 24- to 36-mile long routes an American Best Winter Drive. Jim Meece, president of the county Convention and Visitors Commission as well as a Parke County commissioner, ensures visitors can reach them along the many blacktop roads and trails. Infrastructure, he says, ranks high among the county's priorities not only for transportation, but tourism. When the 245-foot covered bridge spanning Raccoon Creek in Bridgeton was destroyed by arson in 2005, Meece helped establish a fundraising campaign to rebuild it a year later. He's also overseen construction of new spans at five sites, so aging covered bridges could be bypassed by vehicle traffic in favor of foot. Similarly, he and others have been refurbishing an abandoned railroad bridge near Montezuma to provide a concrete walkway for bicyclists and hikers on the Gateway Trail Association route into Vermillion County. Meece is well aware of the Covered Bridge Festival's economic impact over the decades. His mother, Martha Presslor, was among the first vendors selling maple syrup at the inaugural fest in 1957. She added sassafras candy at the first Maple Syrup Festival three years later (the 2018 event is Feb. 24-25 and March 3-4) as the family business, Sweetwater Farms, continued to flourish. Three other maple syrup camps participate in the fair, and Sweetwater Farms sells literally a ton of sassafras candy in 6-ounce bags for $2 to the thousands who annually attend, Meece says. Being near Turkey Run State Park in nearby Marshall, Shades State Park and the Raccoon State Recreation Area helps attract visitors, Meece says, but the county holds its own despite an annual tourism budget of only $125,000 and the lack of a "sizable, name hotel with someone who could organize events." Parke County is not a destination, but we are doing a better job of becoming a destination, Meece said. Similar rural counties, such as Brown, known for its artist colony and fall foliage, can rely on interstate travelers, Meece noted, but Parke is some 40 miles from the nearest interstate. A living history museum, Billie Creek Village near Cecil Harden Lake (aka Raccoon Lake), which once hosted the largest Civil War re-enactment in Indiana, has struggled to stay afloat. Re-enactors were unable to co-ordinate their annual participation, for instance, and such sites have to have programs going all the time, Meece added. Billie Creek Village's future is uncertain, and plans for a round barn "convention center" there were scrubbed, but Meece hopes a new owner might one day revive the 70-acre site which features 38 historical structures. Meanwhile Raccoon State Recreation Area provides beachfront RV sites as well as boating and fishing. The 36 Saloon is a destination for motorcyclists (You mention Rockville to any motorcyclists and they all say 'Oh, yeah, that's where the 36 Saloon is,' Meece says), and the Heirloom Traders Association has 11 member antique stores in and around Rockville. Shopping, recreation and journeys into the past if Parke County hasn't quite made it as a year-round tourist destination, it's not from lack of trying. HAMMOND City officials in partnership with the local police department are seeking applicants for the new Hammond Academy Bound sponsorship program for individuals aspiring for a career in law enforcement. The $4,500 scholarships are being offered to eligible residents to cover all costs to attend the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, according to a news release. Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, according to a news release from the Hammond Police Department. Aug. 11 is the deadline to apply, the release stated. Applications can be dropped off by 4 p.m. Aug. 11 at the police chiefs office at the Hammond Police Department, 509 Douglas St. Interested candidates must be a U.S. citizen, between the ages of 21 and 25 and have a high school diploma or GED. They must also have been a Hammond resident for at least the past three years and possess a valid Indiana drivers license. To be eligible, applicants must have no felony convictions on their record, domestic battery offenses or a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. military. They must also be able to pass the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy entrance standards for physical agility. Applicants must also meet all other requirements established by the Hammond Police Department and the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Police departments across the nation are struggling to fill their ranks with qualified applicants, Police Chief John Doughty said in an earlier news release. It has especially been difficult to improve diversity under standard test and hire protocols. We want our Police Department to reflect the cultural diversity of our city. We need to offer our citizens a first-chance opportunity to work here with us. Upon academy graduation, the applicant will be hired into the department and will be required to maintain residency in Hammond for three years after the hire date, officials said. Questions should be directed to Candace Porter at 219-852-6329. VALPARAISO The citys advisory Human Relations Council soon will be taking on a more visible role as it attends local events and makes presentations to various community groups. The council, whose members are appointed by Mayor Jon Costas, plans to educate residents about its work, the citys Human Rights Ordinance and the need for a proposed director of housing and community relations. At its recent meeting, the council discussed having a presence at several upcoming events and making a PowerPoint presentation to organizations, students and churches. Members agreed to staff a table at the Unity Day event hosted by the Northwest Indiana African American Alliance on Aug. 6, and to participate in the World Cultural Festival on Sept. 16. The council also plans to become a sponsor of the Valpo Reads a Book program, which promotes conversations about social justice, race and socio-economic issues. The council also is seeking to launch a cultural arts grant program in January 2018, chair Heath Carter said. The grants would support initiatives that promote diversity and traditionally underrepresented groups in the community. Eligible initiatives could be events, speeches, exhibitions, classes or workshops. In other business, the council appointed member Roxanne Mendez Johnson to serve as its representative on the Investigation and Reconciliation Committee, which adjudicates matters pertaining to the Human Rights Ordinance and seeks to bring parties together through mediation or other dispute resolution. Mendez Johnson joins other IRC members who were appointed by the Valparaiso City Council, Valparaiso Community Schools, Valparaiso University and Costas. Mendez Johnson also is working with HRC member John Albers and resident Elizabeth Lynn to research the structure, staffing and funding of various city boards, commissions and councils. This includes learning how the panels are organized, members appointed and terms of service. Also of interest is how the boards derive their authority, whether by state statute or city ordinance. Mendez Johnson said the goal is to identify a model that will help organize the future work of the HRC. Were looking at how the HRC compares with other boards and how best to construct ourselves. Were not trying to recreate the wheel here, she said. CEDAR LAKE The Town Council has agreed to hold a public forum on the new stormwater fee schedule after a Chamber of Commerce official said business owners and chamber members were "shocked" by the bills theyll be facing. The Town Council approved a hike in stormwater fees this past spring. Residential fees doubled, from $5 to $10 per lot. Business stormwater fees are calculated on a more complicated formula. Fees are levied in part per a measurement called an equivalent residential unit (ERU). A business with a lot of pavement on-site may be determined to incur a number of ERUs. Most residential lots incur one ERU. The fee hike was all part of a package meant not only to shore up stormwater infrastructure but to fund three upcoming road reconstruction projects. The fee hike will ensure increased revenue, which will in turn fund the laying of stormwater lines along those roads. The paving will be funded by a lease agreement upon which the council also bestowed final approval in May. The lease is between Cedar Lakes Redevelopment Authority and Redevelopment Commission. It also allows the RDC to collect a special benefit tax in certain commercial areas that will go toward the paving portion of the road construction. Diane Jostes, executive director of the Cedar Lake Chamber of Commerce, said she came to last week's Town Council meeting on behalf of chamber members and business owners, some of whom were in the audience. These changes did not get out to these people, she said. Some business owners are facing bills triple what they paid in the past, she said, and many will face hardship. Jostes came with a list of questions, several of which the council could not answer because of they were technical in nature, Council President Randy Niemeyer said. The public forum, the date of which will be announced, will include the towns engineer, who fill be able to answer the questions, Niemeyer said. Jostes said the chamber fears the fee hikes could be the death knell for some local businesses. Many (local business owners) live here, she said, and the town shouldnt be making the business climate more difficult for them. Councilperson Julie River said that in retrospect its a shame stormwater fees werent raised gradually and incrementally. But a fee hike was necessary and better than the alternatives. We didnt want to (implement) a wheel tax, she said. We didnt want to go to the county and ask (to raise) property taxes. Niemeyer and other council members pointed out that commercial properties, like those owned by businesses, can apply for credits that may lower their stormwater bills. For example, if the business has a stormwater retention pond on-site it may be eligible for credits. CROWN POINT A new trail at the city's Sportsplex that will begin at North Street and head toward U.S. 231 is planned for construction next year. The Board of Works recently approved consulting services to redesign the trail and prepare for construction with civil engineers BF&S, of Indianapolis, for $20,600. BF&S previously developed plans for the trail in 2015. The funding source for the trail is the Redevelopment Commission. The trail project involves the construction of a new 10-foot multi-path from North Street to 113th Avenue, following Indiana Avenue and the southerly boundary of the SportsPlex. The trail will be called the Veterans Memorial Trail, and it will eventually lead to Hebron. The trail will run alongside the planned Lake County World Wars I & II Veterans Memorial that will occupy about five acres at the intersection of U.S. 231 and 113th Avenue, adjacent to the Sportsplex fields. Mitch Barloga, president of the Veterans Memorial Parkway Commission, said the group is pleased the city is partnering with their organization on "this long overdue memorial to our World War I and II veterans." "They are agreeing to install the trail on our property, which is a boon to our project," he said. "We thank Mayor (David) Uran and his staff immensely for helping us out." Barloga said he considers it the first leg of the Veterans Memorial Trail, which will run southwest along U.S. 231 to Hebron for nine miles. The Veterans Memorial Parkway Commission is developing a series of memorials along a 15-mile section of U.S. 231, passing through St. John, Crown Point and Hebron, now designated as the Veterans Memorial Parkway. For more information on the project visit www.facebook.com/VeteranMemorialParkwayCommission or email Mitch Barloga at mbarloga@gmail.com. VALPARAISO Porter County Fairs school bus demolition derby Saturday evening looked like a scene dreamed up by school kids everywhere as several retired buses raced around a figure-eight track. Fire engines hosed down the dirt just after 5 p.m. as the grandstands filled to the brim with families eager to see the derby. While some of the buses featured the standard yellow with additions of color, others were nearly unrecognizable as school buses. One bus was painted entirely pink, one was painted all black and another resembled an American flag, patriotically painted red, white and blue. Ryan Sandberg, of the derby's sponsor, Sandberg Towing in Valparaiso, took the top prize with his all-red bus, winning the final crowd-favorite feature round where nine of the 10 participating buses competed at once. The derby was split into three separate rounds or heats before the final round, with four, three and three buses competing in each. The Steelhorse Motors-sponsored bus won the first round in which another striped bus became stuck in the center of the figure eight early on, making it difficult for the others to maneuver around and leading to several collisions. Crashes were met with the loudest cheers and applause, while the more uneventful second round also won easily by Sandberg incited the crowd to egg on drivers to hit each other. The third round saw a more strategic race, as bus 22 Tee edged in between her two competitors for the win. Between the third and final rounds, the buses took a break while the track was hosed down. The intermission saw a race with bombers, cars that participated in the fairs earlier demolition derbies. The bombers race featured six cars making 20 laps, though only three were able to finish. Though much smaller and faster in comparison to the buses, the cars saw far less-visible damage than the final round of the school bus derby. The last, crowded race got off to a slow start with the buses jostling together, their sheer size making it difficult to gain the lead. But the round soon gave way to mayhem and destructive collisions, with one causing the hood to tear straight off Sandbergs winning bus and bus R22s hood to dangle and later fall off. The derby was shortly paused so payloaders could come in to remove the first fallen hood. Becky Lockett, of Wanatah, came with her family to watch the fairs school bus derby and said she enjoyed the school bus derby more than typical demolition derbies featuring cars. I think it was better, the 53-year-old said. Its exciting with the buses. Its something different to see. Can you hear the Gippers voice from the wayback machine? Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican. It was former California Republican Chairman Gaylord Parkinson who coined the phrase, and it became President Ronald Reagans mantra. What were seeing on an almost hourly basis, from the emerging Indiana U.S. Senate primary between U.S. Reps. Todd Rokita and Luke Messer to the White House, is a complete abrogation of the concept. The Grand Old Party and its big tent are being replaced with virulent fratricide. Messer announced this past Wednesday he would enter the Senate race and pose a challenge to Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly next year. It came after weeks of needling by Rokita, who conducted a whisper campaign against Messer that he actually lives in an affluent Washington suburb and took aim his wifes lucrative legal work for the city of Fishers, where she makes about $20,000 a month. The rumor mill spun that Messer might skip the race to stay on a House leadership track where he is fifth in ranking. In turn, Messer has accused Rokita of planting the Associated Press story of Jennifer Messers part-time income, though my sources tell me the divisions within the Hamilton County Republican Party have become a fountain of innuendo and spite. Tim Edson, a campaign consultant for Hoosiers for Rokita, explained last week, Todd had nothing to do with the Associated Press reporting, and neither Todd nor the campaign has attacked Luke Messers family. Luke Messer is pounding the table and feigning outrage in an effort to distract from an embarrassing fundraising quarter and the negative stories dogging his campaign. Greg Pence, Messers finance chairman and brother of the vice president, told me last week, I am disappointed we have two Republican congressmen, one is attacking the others family and no one has announced anything yet. I think its inappropriate. Todd Rokita has gone ahead and attacked a fellow Republicans wife. I understand once people are in primaries, but nobodys announced anything. So why is he attacking Luke Messer? Asked if Reagans 11th Commandment is now moot, Pence said, All the rules have changed. I cant answer that. Would Messer attack Rokitas family once everyone has declared entry? Hes never mentioned anything like that. I hope not, Pence said. I hope he never goes that way. With the congressional approval 23 percent in a Reuters Poll and 10 percent in an Economist Poll, the rancor between Reps. Messer and Rokita could allow other declared candidates Atlanta, Indiana, businessman Terry Henderson, New Albany educator Andrew Takami, and Kokomo attorney Mark Hurt to make the case that Capitol Hill is the Reagan antithesis, a stinking, belching smudgepot. Attorney General Curtis Hill hasnt ruled out running, noting he launched his statewide campaign from Elkhart and not the Indianapolis power center. I think people are looking for bold, fresh leadership in all areas of government, including the United States Senate, Hill said. And theres state Sen. Mike Delph, of Carmel, and State Rep. Mike Braun, of Jasper, who might jump in. Delph told me in June that a conservative lane exists in the race and added, The U.S. Senate race is wide open. I dont think being a sitting member of Congress is the best advantage. The public is very dissatisfied with Congress. This dissonance is firmly rooted in the White House and Capitol Hill inside the Republican Party. It doesnt get any weirder than the White House weve seen over the past couple of days. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are openly antagonizing the presidents most loyal early supporter, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, with their time will tell job security quotes. New Communications Director Anthony Mooch Scaramucci is targeting White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus on Twitter over leaking his publicly accessible financial disclosures. Folks, you just cant make this stuff up. Are there political ramifications from all this dysfunction? Gallups Trump approve/disapprove numbers from Indiana 47 percent approve, 48 percent disapprove in a survey of 1,596 likely Hoosier voters reveals an erosion of support just eight months after Trump carried the state with a 20-percent plurality. That contrasts with a poll conducted for Messers Senate campaign, which reported an 83 percent job approval, but that poll included only likely Republican voters, who now have a front row seat to the coming civil war. Two well-known columnists Ben Shapiro and Walter Williams criticize the left's love affair with Islam this week. In his column, Shapiro says the left aligns with Islam because both want to destroy western civilization. Williams defends the west's values against those on the left who claim all cultures are equally valid, and he points to slavery, female genital mutilation, anti-Semitism, the stoning of women and the murder of homosexuals in Islamic countries as proof. Both men warn multiculturalism is a threat to the west. That's true, but it's important to understand why multiculturalism has become so destructive. First, multiculturalism has devolved to the point where other human beings are viewed as exotic pets. Some years ago, I attended an academic conference in which scholars discussed the fate of indigenous peoples in South America. Unsurprisingly, speakers denounced the "western patriarchy" that forces our value structure and economic system on these tribes. But their proposed solutions sounded more like "forced" than "permitted." There was to be no cultural exchange with these people including such basics as infrastructure or medicines. As it happened, I had just read articles in National Geographic in which native Amazonians explained their need for paved roads to get crops to market and praised eyeglasses for improving their vision for hunting and fishing. Yes, they wanted to preserve certain aspects of their culture. But they wanted to decide what the best mix of "old" and "new" would be. I asked my colleagues, "Isn't it patriarchal for us to decide how and whether these peoples should advance?" In fact, condescension is behind much of what passes for multiculturalism today. It takes a special kind of cruelty to watch other human beings suffer with afflictions and under conditions that have been solved elsewhere and to call such detachment "cultural sensitivity." Behind the current flavor of multiculturalism for some hardcore leftists is hatred of Judeo-Christianity and rejection of its God. This is evident not only in their treatment of observant Christians and Jews (especially their views on Israel, as Shapiro notes), but in their attack on science and truth. In the absence of an absolute, there is no "truth"; there is only "power" and "personal narrative." Thus does good become bad, wrong become right, ugliness come to be hailed as beauty. A human baby in utero is "just a clump of cells." Killing it becomes a "human right." Teaching small children how to perform sex acts becomes "education." Anyone who says otherwise is the enemy. Why the deference to Islam, then? While there are notable exceptions (Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Bill Maher, for example), Islam is often insulated from criticism by the left out of cowardice. Others, as Shapiro notes, see fellow travelers in Islam's battle with the west. But there are many who afford Islam protection under the label of "multiculturalism" because Allah is no more real to them than are Zeus or Cupid. This is not a godless worldview as much as it is a worldview in which every man is his own God. The Book of Psalms tells us, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" And we wonder why so many in our culture are so foolish. A city council member wants to update a little-known law, which technically makes pet sitting illegal. Apps like Rover and Wag are coming under fire because they allow users to charge customers for services like dog boarding. But the Health Department requires anyone operating a commercial pet sitting business to get a license. City officials sent warning letters to several of these companies. But City Councilman Corey Johnson, chairman of the health committee, says the law is a bit outdated. "These guidelines and Board of Health regulations that exist right now are not workable and are not really realistic given what we know is happening in New York City," Councilman Johnson said. "So we should take a few months, look at the issue, find some appropriate manageable guidelines and enshrine those into local law. That's my plan." A spokesperson for the Health Department released a statement saying: "Commercial boarding of animals in homes is illegal. These regulations do not apply to the average New Yorker who may pet sit for friends, family, and neighbors." Update 10:17 p.m.: The girl has been found. The Macon County Sheriff's Department is asking the public's assistance in locating Neisha Howard, a 9-year-old black female. She was last seen around 4 p.m. Saturday, according to information provided by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. She may be with her non-custodial mother, Jerlean Octavia Scott and an unknown white female who may be en route to the Clear Water, Florida area, according to the information provided. They may be traveling in a Red SUV, make and model and Florida tag unknown. If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of Neisha Howard they are asked to contact the Macon County Sheriff's Department at 334-727-2500. Arshaan and Jahan Adam led the way Saturday morning, the two young brothers setting a speedy pace for the more than 100 people who attended the Jansens Foundation Awareness and Fundraiser Walkathon. The superhero-themed walk around Zorinsky Lake Park was the nonprofits first event. Neena Nizar, the organizations founder and president and the boys mother, got choked up when she saw the crowd of supporters. Im at a loss for words, she said as 9-year-old Arshaan and 6-year-old Jahan comforted her. Moments later, 11-year-old Levi Krystosek from Mississippi stood to join them, followed by 25-year-old Michel Straley. And there, in an Omaha park, were all five of the people in the United States with confirmed Jansens metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. Nizar started the Jansens Foundation earlier this year to raise awareness and funds for researching a treatment for the extremely rare form of dwarfism that affects both her and her two boys. There are fewer than 30 people with confirmed cases of Jansens around the world, and through Nizars work, many of them have started to reach out to one another. The disease, which isnt terminal, causes bones to fray and bend, meaning chronic pain and several corrective surgeries. This disease is gruesome in the fact that it just slowly strips the boys of what they want to do, Nizar said in May, when The World-Herald wrote about her family and her efforts. For Levis mom, Dona Krystosek, seeing the turnout at the walkathon and giving the boys a chance to hang out as Jansens brothers was well worth the trip from Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Its huge to see this many people coming out in support of just five people in America, Krystosek said. Straley traveled from St. Louis for the event after connecting with Nizar online about four months ago. To come and meet someone else with Jansens, let alone four others, is pretty amazing, Straley said. Earlier last week all five Jansens Heroes Skyped with Dr. Harald Jueppner, the researcher leading the way toward a treatment to stop the progression of the disease. Nizar said shell keep hosting events like the walkathon to spread awareness and raise money to support Jueppners work. We are so close, she said, fighting tears. And we are only getting stronger. When federal Judge Warren K. Urbom received a national award for professionalism and ethics in 1995, the presenting organization cited his ability to separate his personal feelings from the law. Urbom, a U.S. District Court judge for Nebraska, was selected to receive the Lewis F. Powell Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics. A spokeswoman for the American Inns of Court Foundation of Alexandria, Virginia, said Urbom was selected as a consistent advocate of enhanced professionalism, civility and ethics in the practice of law. The judge had drawn attention from legal scholars the previous year for his candor in a death penalty case. He opposed capital punishment but ruled that the state did not violate the civil rights of Harold Lamont Otey during a clemency hearing. Otey later was executed. I do not like the death penalty; I would abolish it if I could, Urbom wrote in the Otey ruling. But I am sworn to apply the law as it is, not as I wish it were or as it may become. I have done and shall do as my mind tells me the law is, whatever feeling follows. Urbom, 91, died peacefully Friday in Lincoln, his family said. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Lincolns Trinity United Methodist Church, 7130 Kentwell Lane. He is survived by daughters Kim Rager, Allison Raich and Joy Taylor and a son, Randall Urbom. He was married to his wife, Joyce, for 58 years, until her death. He conducted himself with unparalleled dignity coupled with a gentle spirit, Urboms family said in a statement. Urbom was appointed to the U.S. District Court on May 5, 1970, and served for 44 years longer than any other federal judge in state history. He retired in 2014, although he has been on senior judge status since the start of 1991. Upon his retirement, Urbom was lauded for remarkable service. Bob Kerrey, a former Nebraska governor and U.S. senator, said of him: No one has sat for more important trials than Judge Warren Urbom. And no one has meted out justice with more wisdom, wit and seriousness of purpose. A native of Atlanta, Nebraska, Urbom grew up in Arapahoe and served in the Army during World War II. He used the GI Bill to earn a bachelors degree and graduated with highest distinction from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. After getting a law degree from the University of Michigan, Joyce and Warren Urbom settled in Lincoln, where they raised four children. Urbom worked as a trial lawyer until being elevated to the bench in 1970 by President Richard Nixon. He was the chief judge for the District of Nebraska from 1972 through 1986. His career included presiding over a string of trials arising from the armed occupation of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, by members of the American Indian Movement. The trials have been termed among the most significant of the 20th century. State Sen. Ernie Chambers, who has served more than 30 years on the Legislatures Judiciary Committee, praised Urbom upon his retirement. The judiciary will be diminished without Urbom on the bench, Chambers said. He was an excellent judge. KEARNEY, Neb. A Kearney, Nebraska, teen is being held at the Northeast Nebraska Juvenile Services Center in Madison after allegedly shooting into a crowd Thursday night at the Buffalo County Fair. The 16-year-old male is accused of shooting a handgun into the ground near a crowd of about 10 teenagers and young adults at about 10:30 p.m., said Doug McCarty, a Kearney Police Department investigator. The incident happened as a fight seemed to be starting between some of the teens north of the exhibit center. A handgun was produced, McCarty said, and a single shot was fired. No one was injured in the incident. The teen was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted felony first-degree assault and using a firearm, a handgun, to commit a felony, and the unlawful discharge of a firearm within the city limits, a misdemeanor. He was transported to Madison where he will be held until a hearing is scheduled. A 27-year-old man went to the Nebraska Medical Center by private vehicle after a shooting early Sunday in north Omaha. Wyman Batiste was seriously injured, but the wound didnt appear to be life-threatening, according to an Omaha Police Department spokesman. Police have not announced any arrests. Police were called to an area near 16th and Locust Streets at 3:18 a.m. and located a shooting scene but no victim, the spokesman said. Officers were notified a short time later that Batiste had arrived at the hospital. Anyone with information is urged to contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at 444-STOP, at www.omaha crimestoppers.org or on the P3 Tips mobile app. Any tip leading to an arrest is eligible for an enhanced reward of up to $10,000. Mid-Plains Community College leaders cut the ribbon last week on a new building in Valentine, Nebraska. More than 20 donors provided $2.7 million for the Valentine campus. Mid-Plains, based in North Platte and McCook, will hold a wide range of courses there. Many are academic transfer classes, such as English, American government, business, psychology and human anatomy, and others will provide continuing education opportunities. Courses also will include quilting and photography. Before opening the new building in March, Mid-Plains had operated out of a storefront in Valentine. 6 NU grad students receive presidential fellowships Six students last week were awarded University of Nebraska Presidential Graduate Fellowships. The graduate students, who receive stipends that allow them to pursue their studies full time, were named by NU President Hank Bounds. The students: Jenny Kent of Enfield, England, a doctoral student in exercise science/biomechanics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha; Kristine Langley Mahler of Ralston, a masters student in English at UNO; Fei Yu of China, a doctoral student in pharmaceutical sciences at the NU Medical Center; Brandon Griess of Hartington, a doctoral student in biochemistry and molecular biology at UNMC; Brandi Woodell of Vivian, Louisiana, a doctoral student in sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and Aileen S. Garcia-Avanzado of Philippines, a UNL doctoral student in child, youth and family studies. UNMC, UNO Chancellor Jeffrey Gold to tour three cities Dr. Jeffrey Gold, chancellor of UNMC and UNO, will visit Columbus and Norfolk on Tuesday and West Point on Wednesday. Gold will head a group of administrators from UNMC and UNO. They include Juliann Sebastian, dean of nursing at UNMC, and Dan Shipp, vice chancellor for student affairs at UNO. LINCOLN On Friday, the developer of the Keystone XL pipeline said what more and more people in the oil industry have been saying: that the Keystone XL pipeline might be unnecessary. Some opponents of the controversial tar sands pipeline have suggested this, but more and more people inside the oil industry are saying time has passed by the project. Consider this: A column on oilprice.com questioned whether the Keystone XL had become obsolete due to low oil prices and cheaper sources of oil than Canada. A New Problem for the Keystone XL: Oil Companies Dont Want It was the headline in a Wall Street Journal story last month about the shortage of oil producers willing to sign long-term contracts to finance the XL. Jeff Share, editor of Pipeline & Gas Journal out of Houston, wrote that the revival of the pipeline by President Donald Trump was the biggest fake news story of the year. As much as I would like to see it get built, I have serious doubts that it ever will, Share said in an interview with The World-Herald. Too much time has passed, too much controversy, the economics no longer work, and the need is far less. TransCanada, the company seeking to build the pipeline, acknowledged Friday that the project might be abandoned. Paul Miller, TransCanadas executive vice president and president of liquid pipeline, told shareholders a decision is expected by December. He said it will be based on demand for oil shipments whether shippers sign long-term contracts to use the pipeline and whether Nebraska approves the pipeline. Nebraskas consideration of the Keystone XLs route across the state is entering the stretch run. The legal courtlike hearings to determine whether the 275-mile route will be approved by the Nebraska Public Service Commission are scheduled from Aug. 7 to 11 in Lincoln. By Nov. 23 the five-member elected commission must decide if the pipeline route is in the public interest. State law doesnt appear to require a consideration of the economic viability of the pipeline by the commission. Officials with TransCanada, which is seeking contracts to finance the $8 billion project, have been pushing back against the doubters. They say that oil refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast the end point of the Keystone XL need heavy crude oil, like that steamed and processed out of sticky tar sands in northern Alberta, because of expected reductions in their current supplies from Mexico and Venezuela. A company spokesman said he could not say whether oil producers are turning away from the XL, as is being reported, because the information is proprietary. But Matt John of TransCanada said that talks with producers continue and the company remains optimistic the 36-inch pipeline from Alberta to a junction at Steele City, Nebraska, will be built. If the market says theres no need for this project, then there wont be a need for the project, John said. However, were fairly confident, based on the ongoing demand for this heavy oil. Much has changed since the Keystone XL was first proposed in 2008. Gasoline was selling for record-high prices back then, more than $4 per gallon, about twice todays cost. Oil prices were also peaking, at $147 per barrel in July of 2008, which is about three times todays price ($49 on Friday). Oil prices are predicted to hover around $50 a barrel for the next five years, and theres concern in the industry about slowing demand in the longer term because of the development of electric cars and the growth of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Meanwhile, U.S. production of oil has taken off, rising 77 percent between 2008 and 2016 due to the advent of fracking. And other pipelines have been proposed and built to transport oil. TransCanada completed the southern leg of the Keystone XL considered the more critical leg in 2011 to link Steele City to an oil tank farm at Cushing, Oklahoma. And its Keystone pipeline, which crosses eastern Nebraska, has been hauling crude since June of 2010. At one time the XL was going to haul 100,000 barrels of U.S. oil a day from fields in Montana and North Dakota. But pipeline capacity from North Dakota has increased 500 percent in the past decade. An official with the North Dakota Pipeline Authority said last week that another pipeline isnt needed now, though it might be in the long term. Three other pipelines from Canada have been proposed, and some analysts think that, given the opposition in the U.S. to the Keystone XL and the expected legal battles, at least two of them are on a faster track than the nine-year-old XL, and will fulfill any need for new pipelines. One, Kinder Morgans Trans Mountain, which heads to the Canadian west coast, could be operating by 2020; another, Enbridges Line 3 replacement project, could be pumping oil across northern Minnesota by 2019. TransCanada also is proposing Energy East, a pipeline to Canadas east coast, that could be ready by 2021. Some oil analysts say that leaves the XL as the odd pipeline out, since it wouldnt go into service until 2020 or 2021 if it gets approval for its Nebraska route and overcomes the expected lawsuits. The CEO of a competing pipeline company, Al Monaco of Enbridge, says that only two of the three leading pipelines proposed Trans Mountain, Keystone XL and Enbridges Line 3 project are needed, though youd expect Monaco to tout his pipeline over competitors. One Canadian oil analyst, Mark Oberstoetter of Wood Mackenzie, threw a bit of cold water on the XL not needed bandwagon. He said that while there could be an oversupply of pipelines to the mid-2020s, there is a need for heavy crude oil on the Gulf Coast. He added that of the three leading pipelines, the Trans Mountain likely had the most upside, since it would service new markets in Asia. For almost six years, Paul Blackburn, a Minneapolis environmental lawyer, has been arguing that more pipelines arent needed from the tar sands region of Canada, not only because other pipelines can fill the need, but also because of less interest in the high-cost tar sand oil. Both Shell and Exxon divested their tar sand holdings earlier this year. With a worldwide glut of oil, there are just cheaper and easier sources of oil elsewhere. They pulled out because tar sand oil is an economic dog, Blackburn said. You need (oil prices of) $60 a barrel or $70 a barrel to pay off your debts and youre getting $45. It doesnt work. Forecasts for oil production in the oil sands regions have fallen dramatically since oil prices plummeted in 2014. XL critics, including in the oil industry, point out that TransCanada has bet on some losers in the past. The company was picked by then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to build an 800-mile natural gas pipeline there. But by 2014, natural gas was cheap and plentiful and the project was dead. The same thing happened to TransCanada with the proposed $8 billion Mackenzie Valley Pipeline from Canadas Northwest Territories. John, the TransCanada spokesman, said those projects were different, and the company still sees customer need for the Keystone XL. If the controversial pipeline isnt built because it isnt needed, it wouldnt be the first time such a change has happened in Nebraska. Remember the low-level radioactive waste repository? Nebraska dropped out of the multistate compact that was determined to build the dump in Boyd County. It cost Nebraska $141 million when it lost a lawsuit, but ultimately, the waste repository wasnt built. The reason? Time had passed it by, and other repositories were sufficient. Of course, things could change, oil analysts said. If the worldwide supply of oil is disrupted, particularly the flow of heavy crude oil from strife-torn Venezuela, oil prices would skyrocket, brightening the outlook for the Keystone XL. But right now, observers like Share, the oil industry magazine editor, say that oil producers are shying away from signing up the 20-year contracts required to use and, more importantly, finance the pipeline. Frankly, I dont see it getting built, Share said. The best odds Id give it is 50-50, and that would be very optimistic. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case this fall that has the potential to dramatically change how political redistricting is handled by the 50 states. If a majority on the Supreme Court upholds the lower-court ruling in the case, redrawing political boundaries in partisan elections could become more of a mechanical process, decided by computations, rather than the result of partisan skirmishing and political give and take. Such a change would understandably sound appealing to many; partisan politics is self-serving and often ugly. The central consideration, though, isnt whether such a change in redistricting would be nice to have. Its whether its constitutional. Such a change, after all, would step far beyond what the court has allowed before in regard to redistricting. The Supreme Court should tread carefully in deciding this issue. The matter involves redistricting in Wisconsin, where the Republican majority in the state legislature crafted a redistricting map that resulted in big gains for GOP candidates running for Wisconsins lower house, the State Assembly. In the 2012 elections for the Assembly, Republicans won 48.6 percent of the vote but took 61 percent of the seats. Several Wisconsin residents sued, and in a 2-1 vote, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin concluded that the redistricting maps had violated the U.S. Constitution by deliberately diluting the strength of Democratic voters through invidious discrimination. A key to the courts decision was the judges positive reaction to a mathematics-based concept developed by a University of Chicago law professor to measure wasted votes and the efficiency gap in each political district following an election. The efficiency gap is calculated in this way: First, identify the two parties wasted votes votes beyond those needed by the winning side, and the votes cast by the losing side. Calculate the difference between the two. Then divide the result by the total number of votes cast. In the Wisconsin example, the more wasted votes by Democrats compared to those of Republicans, the greater the efficiency gap. When the efficiency gap for a political map is 7 percent or higher, the redistricting plan warrants scrutiny by courts, it was argued to the Wisconsin court. The efficiency gap for Wisconsins 2012 State Assembly election was 13 percent; in 2014, it was 10 percent. The U.S. Supreme Court has been split for decades over whether courts should intervene in cases of partisan redistricting that put a political party at a disadvantage. Some justices have said the courts should intervene, as they do when redistricting maps violate requirements under the 1965 Federal Voting Rights Act. Other justices have disagreed, saying the courts should stay out of the political thicket of partisan redistricting. Still other members of the court have said intervention is inappropriate so long as courts lack a standard by which political maps could be analyzed. If the high court embraces the efficiency gap as a judicial tool, Democrats would have a major new opportunity to challenge some Republican-drawn maps for state legislatures and Congress, while Republicans would have opportunities in politically blue states. Its not clear what effect, if any, an efficiency- gap approach would have in Nebraska. How the Supreme Court will rule is unclear. A five-member majority on the court last month stayed the Wisconsin courts ruling to strike down the current State Assembly map and redraw a new one by this fall. Among the constitutional questions the Supreme Court will examine in the case: Would the courts be overstepping proper authority by intervening in what is by definition a partisan political process? Should members of a political party be classified as a legally protected class, in the same way that racial minorities are? Would such intervention violate the ample sovereignty the U.S. Constitution gives states over the type of redistricting process they adopt? Is the efficiency gaps relevance exaggerated, given that in many states Democrats tend to be packed in major urban areas, making it difficult to create competitive partisan districts in many cases? Its a complicated legal matter, requiring responsible, careful deliberation by the court. There should be no rush to judgment. The writer, of Gothenburg, represents District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature. Our state is navigating a challenging period. Nebraskas weakened economy requires almost all of us and certainly those of us in elected roles to make difficult choices as we chart a course for the future. Our challenges create a sense of urgency for us to look forward, set priorities and articulate a comprehensive plan to grow Nebraska. Im excited to work with my colleagues in the Legislature and Gov. Pete Ricketts on a vision that will build our states competitiveness in the global economy. One major player in Nebraskas future is our public university a $3.9 billion economic engine that enrolls 52,500 students and has a presence in all 93 counties. The University of Nebraska has a critical role as we join with partners in the public and private sectors to grow a skilled workforce, create high-paying jobs and attract people and companies to our state. My wife and I recently hosted Dr. Jeffrey Gold, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska at Omaha, and members of his leadership team on a visit to Gothenburg. Our community was impressed by what we saw and heard about UNMCs momentum, particularly as it relates to serving rural Nebraskans. We toured one of four emergency medicine training and simulation trucks that will allow rural first responders, nurses and doctors to receive the same training as their urban counterparts. We learned about UNMCs efforts to provide more health care professionals for rural areas. We shared in the excitement about a cancer center that puts Nebraska in the most elite company in the world. Clearly, UNMC and the entire University of Nebraska are focused on what they need to do to meet the pressing needs of our state. The university educates the future workforce. Almost 600 NU students come from my district alone. Many are enrolled at UNMC the next generation of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and medical researchers who will someday improve and truly save our lives. As Gold told us, workforce development is one of the issues he and his colleagues hear about most when they travel the state. Health care in particular is a fast-growing sector in the job market. In rural areas, the needs are especially acute. Consider nursing. Nebraska faces a projected shortage of 4,000 nurses by 2020. All but 20 of our states counties have an RN-to-patient ratio that is lower than the national average. We have similarly high needs for physical therapists, radiographers and other allied health professionals. Thats to say nothing of the agricultural producers, engineers, computer scientists, teachers and entrepreneurs well need as well. Our public university must rise to the challenge. NU is doing just that, graduating 11,000 students each year who power our economy forward. Initiatives like the UNMC- UNK Health Science Education Complex in Kearney a partnership between the Legislature, university, private donors and citizens that has greatly expanded our capacity for educating nurses and allied health professionals will allow the university to grow its impact on our workforce even further. In medical care and research, our university is in the big leagues. The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, the most ambitious public-private partnership in Nebraskas history, is transforming the way we treat cancer for the one of every two Nebraskans who will be diagnosed. The newly established Global Center for Health Security will solidify Nebraskas international leadership in fighting highly infectious diseases like Ebola. Life-changing research is taking place across the university system. Nebraska scientists are on the front lines in feeding the growing global population and improving safety for men and women in uniform, among other areas. From the food we eat, to the education our children receive, to the medical care we receive, the university touches our lives daily. An excellent and accessible University of Nebraska will be increasingly vital to the continued strength of our state and economy. Nebraskas parks, museums, art galleries and other attractions drew more than 20 million visitors last year. Once again, state parks and Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium were the most popular places to visit in 2016, according to the Nebraska Tourism Commission. The agency collects annual attendance data from tourism destinations across the state. Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium attendance topped 2 million visitors for the first time an increase of 22 percent from 2015. The zoo opened its African Grasslands exhibit last spring. Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area near Ogallala had more than 1.3 million visitors. Branched Oak State Recreation Area near Raymond had nearly 1.3 million. Five destinations each recorded attendance of more than 1 million. The top 10 1. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium 2. Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area 3. Branched Oak State Recreation Area 4. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park 5. CenturyLink Center Omaha 6. Wagon Train State Recreation Area 7. Ponca State Park 8. Fremont State Recreation Area 9. Platte River State Park 10. Pawnee State Recreation Area Only attractions that reported attendance to the Nebraska Tourism Commission are listed. Central team roped in as dengue cases in Bihar rise to over 5000 Bihar's Gopalganj by-poll to see a tough fight between BJP and RJD Bihar: Over 200 students sick, claim they saw 'dead lizard' in mid-day meal Bihar minister Firoz Ahmad apologizes for chanting Jai Shri Ram India oi-IANS By Ians English Patna, July 30: Bihar Minister Firoz Ahmad on Sunday apologised for chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans in Bihar Assembly, following which he faced criticism from his community and a fatwa was also issued against him. "In case I hurt people by shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' I apologise for it," said Alam of the Janata Dal-United. Taking an U turn from his earlier stand, he said he did not shout it for a religious purpose. A Mufti of the influential Imarat-e-Shariya here issued a fatwa against Khurshid Alam for shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' deeming him ostracised. Mufti Suhail Ahmad Qasmi however said that it was his personal fatwa against Alam, not of the Imarat-e-Shariya. Alam, who had loudly chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' in the assembly premises on Friday, had earlier told media here that he hardly bothers about any kind of fatwa against him. "I am not at all worried or take it (fatwa) seriously. I am not afraid of such a fatwa... I am true Mussalman and there is nothing wrong in my faith," he said, adding that there is nothing wrong if he has chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' for the sake of harmony and development of the state. "I will chant Jai Shri Ram again if I think it is necessary for peace and harmony," he had added. According to JD-U leaders, Alam's apology came after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asked him to do so in view of growing controversy. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, July 30, 2017, 22:24 [IST] SC notice to Centre on plea against supply of electoral roll to candidates Congress exodus in Gujarat, EC seeks report from govt India oi-Vicky By Vicky The Election Commission of India has sought a report from the Gujarat government over allegations made by the Congress that the BJP was poaching their MLAs ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls. The polls are scheduled to be held on August 8. An EC spokesperson said the Gujarat Chief Secretary has been asked to furnish a report to the poll panel in this context by the evening (5 pm) of July 31. "The report has been sought on the allegation made in the memorandum submitted by the delegation of the Indian National Congress today (to the Commission)," the spokesperson said. He added that the EC has also directed the state government to "ensure proper security to all the MLAs and their family members. The poll watchdog's action came in the backdrop of the Congress party petitioning it and demanding free and fair election to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat as it accused the BJP of misuse of power and authority. A delegation of top Congress leaders met Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti and demanded setting up of a high-powered committee to enquire into charges of money power and muscle power and blatant abuse of government machinery to engineer defections and give a time-bound report. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, July 30, 2017, 7:12 [IST] Gorkhas all over the globe march united for Gorkhaland India oi-Amitava By Amitava July 30, 2017: Gorkhas in over 100 cities and towns across the globe marched for Gorkhaland on Sunday in a first of its kind event "Global Gorkhaland Unity March." Gorkhas have been agitating with the demand of carving out a separate state of Gorkhaland from West Bengal. A violent 28 month long violent agitation is the 1980s had left 1200 dead. With the resurrection of the Gorkhaland demand in North Bengal followed by an agitation since June this year, the movement has earned immense support from Gorkhas residing not only in India but throughout the globe. Events specially rallies have been held in the recent past worldwide in support of the demand. "Rallies were being organized worldwide along with other events worldwide. It was more of group or organizational efforts. It is then we decided that we should do a rally globally on the same day. This would ensure that we would make a loud noise and be heard" stated Siddarth Bhitrikoti, an global coordinator for the march from Bangalore. The main aim of such a rally is to stress on unity and sustainability. "The main mantra now is unity and sustainability to carry the movement forward and not let it die down. The global march is a step in this direction. In future too such global programmes will be organized. Gorkhaland movement is a people's movement now and does not bear the signature of any political outfit" added Bhitrikoti. The idea of the global rally evolved in the United States when Manish Chettri, a Gorkha residing in North Carolina had to drive for hours to participate in a Gorkhaland rally in Washington DC. He then had floated the idea of having a unity rally in different cities of USA on the same day. Others from across the globe pitched in and it was then decided that a global rally would be held on July 30. " The primary objectives of the rally are to unite the Gorkha populace globally; condemn the human rights violation in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts and raise a united voice for Gorkhaland" stated Smriti Rael Philip from Darjeeling. The march also invited supporters from outside the Gorkha community. "We welcomed all who believe in the Gorkhaland dream and want to raise their voice against the human rights violation in the Hills" added Philip. Rallies are being held in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Myanmar, Canada, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Israel, Kuwait, Tanzania, Scotland, Thailand, UAE, USA and other parts of the globe along with cities and towns in India. Owing to the sporadic clashes between security forces and Gorkhaland supporters in Sukna near Siliguri in North Bengal, the organizers have called off rallies in Salugarah, Salbari, Sukna and Mirik in North Bengal. " It was a herculean task to coordinate between different countries in different time zones. It would have not been possible without social network sites. The rallies were perfectly synced through social network sites. Most of the global coordinators are not known to each other in person but only through these social networking sites stated Bhitrikoti. As a database has been created for the global march, in future there will be many such events worldwide. " We are planning different types of innovative protests and programmes, " stated Bhitrikoti. Bangalore has already hosted "Fight with Art" (protests through various art forms along with three rallies. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, July 30, 2017, 14:05 [IST] Gujarat Floods: CM Vijay Rupani assures financial help within two days India oi-Madhuri Every affected will get financial help within two days, we will conduct survey of damaged houses and agricultural land," Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Sunday. #GujaratFloods: CM Vijay Rupani conducts aerial survey of the flood-hit Banaskantha pic.twitter.com/GzP34iUykM ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 Addressing a press conference here, Rupani said the government is working towards bringing things back to normal in flood hit Banaskantha area as soon as possible. Earlier, Rupani visited the flood-hit Banaskantha district to oversee the relief and rescue operations by the administration. He will be camping in the flood-hit districts of North Gujarat for the next five days to ensure faster action. The Chief Minister interacted with the flood victims and the family members of the deceased in Banaskantha and assured them of government support. Over 2 million food packets were distributed in the two districts. Till now during the monsoon season, 145 people have lost their lives, while 1,12,878, were shifted to safer locations during the floods. More than 17,800 people have been rescued so far with the help of Army, Indian Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF, besides police and fire personnel, reports The Hindu. While the Government has ensured faster relief and rescue operations, cleaning and disposal of carcasses has assumed top priority. More than 4,100 animals were dead following the floods. Last week Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rushed to Gujarat and conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit regions and announced Rs. 500 crore as immediate relief to Gujarat. OneIndia News People of Himachal have decided to go with Modi; all other factors irrelevant: CM Thakur In tweets, Sharad Yadav targets Modi government over black money India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav on Sunday took a scathing attack at the BJP, his party's new ally in Bihar, for failing to deliver on its promise of bringing back black money stashed abroad. "Neither black money stashed abroad returned, one of the main slogans of the ruling party, nor anyone caught out of those named in Panama papers," Yadav tweeted without taking any names. He also questioned why no action had been taken against those whose names had appeared in the infamous Panama Papers. Neither black money slashed abroad returned, one of d main slogans of d ruling party nor anyone caught out of those named in Panama papers. SHARAD YADAV (@SharadYadavMP) July 30, 2017 Sharad Yadav's tweet comes days after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar quit the grand alliance and aligned with the BJP, ostensibly over the corruption charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's son and deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. It is said that Yadav was upset with Nitish Kumar's decision to pull out of Grand Alliance and join hands with the BJP. Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad urged Sharat Yadav, who was reportedly upset over Kumar's decision to side with BJP, to lead the fight against "communal forces". On Wednesday, Nitish Kumar had resigned as Chief Minister, citing Lalu's son and his Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav's refusal to step down despite facing a corruption case. But in a span of 14 hours, he was back at the head of a new government, formed in alliance with the BJP. OneIndia News In UP 166 criminals killed in encounters in past five years: Yogi One Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist gunned down in Jammu and Kashmir J&K: Two terrorists killed in encounter by security forces in Pulwama India oi-Madhuri Two terrorists were killed on Sunday during an encounter between terrorists and security forces in Tahab area of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. A counter-operation is currently underway. Forces from Jammu and Kashmir police and army cordoned off Tahab village in Pulwama on specific input about presence of militants in area. Internet services snapped in Pulwama district after two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists were gunned down in Tahab area. On July 12, three terrorists were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The police official said security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Redbug area of Budgam last evening after receiving specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. The search operation turned into an encounter as the search party of the security forces was fired upon by the terrorists. OneIndia News People of Himachal have decided to go with Modi; all other factors irrelevant: CM Thakur JD(U) to support Gopalkrishna Gandhi in Vice-Presidential polls despite BJP alliance India oi-PTI New Delhi, Jul 30: Despite change in political equation, the Janata Dal (United) will support the opposition vice presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi in the August 5 elections. A senior party leader said that the commitment to support Gandhi was made by party president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar prior to joining hands with the BJP. "Nitish Kumar ji had made the commitment to support Gopalkrishna Gandhi prior to joining hands with the BJP and will fulfil it. There is no going back on it and we have not changed our stand," senior party leader K C Tyagi told PTI. The decision of the JD-U will not alter the result of vice president's election as the ruling NDA nominee M Venkaiah Naidu has a big majority in his favour and is likely to sail through easily. On whether its lone MLA in Gujarat would support the BJP or the Congress in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, they said since he is opposed by the BJP, he is free to take his own decision. In the wake of its own legislators switching sides and resigning after Shankarsing Vaghela quit the party, Congress heavyweight Ahmed Patel needs the support of the NCP, the JD-U and other MLAs to win the third Rajya Sabha seat in Gujarat. The JD-U moved out of the 'grand alliance' with the RJD and the Congress and decided to join hands with its old-time ally the BJP to form the new government in Bihar. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, July 30, 2017, 23:08 [IST] BJP shuts down Kerala after RSS man's murder India oi-Madhuri The dawn to dusk strike called by the BJP on Sunday, in protest against the murder of an RSS worker, has come to an end across the state. After being summoned by Governor P. Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan promised that action would be taken against law-breakers irrespective of their status and political affiliation. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also told him to curb political violence. An RSS worker was hacked to death by alleged CPM workers in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Assailants chopped off Rajesh Edavakode, an RSS worker's hand in Sreekaryam. Rajesh succumbed to injuries hours after the attack.All shops and markets across the state were shut and all public vehicles went off the roads, residents and officials said. The few private vehicles which plied faced angry BJP and RSS activists. Kerala Police chief Loknath Behra told reporters that all but one of those involved in the crime has been arrested."Their questioning has started. Preliminary indications are that there was political and also personal rivalry," he said. In another unprecedented development, the Governor, a former Supreme Court Chief Justice, summoned Vijayan and Behra to know the law and order situation in the state. In the last two weeks, there was an attack on the state BJP headquarters and the residence of the son of CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan before Rajesh was murdered. Sathasivam quoted Vijayan as saying that he would meet both state BJP President Kummanam Rajasekharan and the state RSS chief and make a public appeal for peace. OneIndia News (with agency inputs) Lack of development in J&K for decades was one of the reasons behind rise of terrorism: Rajnath Singh His contributions ignored: Why Rajnath Singh said Netaji was first PM of India Rajnath calls up Kerala CM, raises concern over political violence India pti-PTI New Delhi, Jul 30: Home Minister Rajnath Singh voiced concern over attacks on political workers in Kerala and said political violence was unacceptable in a democracy. His remarks came against the backdrop of the deadly attack on an RSS worker in the state. During a telephonic conversation with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Singh discussed with him the recent incidents of political violence in the state. "I have expressed my concern over the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy," he said in a tweet. The home minister's phone call to the Kerala chief minister came a day after an RSS worker was hacked to death by a gang led by a history-sheeter near Thiruvananthapuram. The home minister said he expects that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously. Police said 34-year-old Rajesh's left hand was chopped off in the attack which took place around 9 pm last night. An investigation has been launched and search is on for assailants, they said BJP's Kerala unit president Kumanam Rajasekharan alleged the CPI-M was behind the attack, a charge denied by the district leadership of the left party. The BJP has called for a state-wide hartal today. PTI West Bengal Government provides financial relief to the Hills of North Bengal Saffron ally Gorkha Janmukti Morcha issues deadline to BJP led Union Government India oi-Amitava By Amitava July 29, 2017: Saffron ally Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has issued a deadline to the BJP led Union Government to break their silence on the Gorkhaland issue by 6pm of August 8 or face a "Bhayanak" (fearsome) agitation from August 9. Facing flak from other pro Gorkhaland forces over BJP's calculated silence on the Gorkhaland issues, the GJM has finally decided to pull up the BJP. "Despite 45 days of bandh; Gorkhaland supporters shot dead by security forces; many supporters injured; the food blockade by the State Government along with the internet ban the Centre has preferred to remain silent. This is not a good sign" stated Binay Tamang, Assistant General Secretary, GJM. Backed by the GJM and riding piggyback on the Gorkhaland issue BJP heavy weights Jashwant Singh and SS Ahluwalia had won the Lok Sabha elections from Darjeeling in 2009 and 2014 respectively. However there is a lot of resentment from different pro Gorkhaland camps regarding BJP's silence on the Gorkhaland issue and MP Ahluwalia's absence in Darjeeling during the ongoing crisis. "If the Central Government fails to speak up on the Gorkhaland issue by 6pm on August 8, we will intensify our agitation from August 9. It is the final battle for Gorkhaland" stated Binay Tamang, Assistant Secretary, GJM. GJM President Bimal Gurung held a meeting with the central committee, frontal organizations, GJM MLAs and Municipal Commissioners at Patleybash. Though the GJM is yet to announce the agitation programmes for an intensified agitation, Gurung asked all to follow instructions regarding the agitation programmes when issued. On Sunday rallies will be brought out be the women's wing all over the Hills. "Mushtiddan" (collection of fistful of food grains and vegetables) will be carried out at Motor Stands in Darjeeling and Kurseong; Dambar Chowk at Kalimpong and Krishnanagar at Mirik on Sunday. "The collected food grains will be handed over to the DMs of Darjeeling and Kalimpong along with the SDOs as a symbolic protest against the State Government's food blockade to the Hills from the plains added Tamang. Meanwhile Sukna near Siliguri was a witness of multiple flashpoints with security forces and GJM supporters locking horns on Saturday over a Khukuri (traditional Gorkha sword) rally. Gorkhaland supporters from Tindharia, Rongtong, Mahanadi, and Garidhura took out a rally at around 11am brandishing Khukuris. They were scheduled to march to Darjeeling More on the outskirts of Siliguri. At around 11.45 am police checked the rally's advance at the Rongtong bridge near Sukna. The protestors forced through the police barricade. Police vehicles were vandalised along with stones and bottles were allegedly pelted on the security forces. Police officers including Assistant Commissioner of Police Pranab Sikdar and Sanjay Ghosh, Officer in charge, Pradhannagar police station were injured along with other police personnel. Police resorted to bursting of tear gas shells and firing rubber bullets. 30 year old Ajay Chettri, a GJM supporter from Garidhura received injuries allegedly from a tear gas shell burst. The injured police personnel along with Chettri were rushed to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital at Matigarah near Siliguri. Arrests were also made. At around 3:30pm the protestors made another attempt to march to Siliguri. As the situation turned volatile water cannons were used along with tear gas shells and rubber bullets fired to disperse the crowd. Police claimed that petrol bombs were hurled at them by the protestors. As the Siliguri Metropolitan Police led by Commissioner Neeraj Kumar Singh faced jurisdiction problem, a large police contingent led by ADG Siddhinath Gupta and IG Jawed Shamim rushed to the spot from Darjeeling. However by evening the protestors had dispersed. A large police contingent led by police top brass has been deployed in that area. OneIndia News Came to Bengaluru to save democracy and ourselves: Gujarat Congress MLAs India oi-Anusha Congress legislators from Gujarat addressed the press for the first time after being flown down to Bengaluru. The legislators denied being held against their wishes at a resort. Gujarat Congress MLA and party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said that Rs 15 crore was being offered in bribes by the BJP to lure Congress MLAs. "This press conference is not just to parade the MLAs. We intend to answer all your questions and put to rest any doubts you may have," Gohil told the press. He claimed that the Congress MLAs from Gujarat were fighting for democracy. "There was a conspiracy to buy Congress MLAs for Rs 15 crore each and to defeat the party even before the elections (Rajya Sabha). CBI is being used to threaten our MLAs. Democracy is under threat," Shaktisinh Gohil said. The legislator also rubbished reports of mobile phones being taken away from MLAs. "All our MLAs have their phones with them. It was a united decision to save democracy and protect ourselves. We will not be bought no matter what. We decided to come to Bengaluru to protect ourselves," he added. Gohil claimed that the party was united and even those MLAs who had resigned were in touch with the party. "We are like a family. We are not individuals. BJP's plan was to get 22 Congress MLAs to resign. We could have gone to Singapore or any other country but we decided to come to Karnataka because of the love we have received here," Gohil added. Lashing out at the BJP for accusing Congress MLAs of deserting flood-struck Gujarat, the Congress said that it was the BJP that lacked concern for the state and its people. While Gohil kept telling the media that all MLAs were ready to talk, the press conference only saw the Congress spokesperson speaking. OneIndia News What are the Lingayats demanding in Karnataka ahead of crucial assembly polls India oi-Vicky By Vicky The Lingayats in Karnataka have demanded that they be categorised as a religious group separate from Hindus. Though they worship Shiva, they say that the concept of Ishta Linga or personal God, they cannot be attributed to the Hindu way of life. They cite the rules prescribed by the 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara who had defied the caste system and vedic rituals. A 40 year old demand has been raked up once again in Karnataka. It is significant in a lot of ways considering the assembly elections are round the corner. On July 20 a massive rally of Lingayats had been carried out in Bidar to make this demand. While the centre had earlier rejected this demand, the Akhila Bharata Veerashiva Mahasabha has petitioned the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah. The CM said that if all representatives submit a representation burying their differences, then he would forward the demand to the centre. This demand is significant politically as well. The Lingayats comprise around 17 per cent of the population and their votes matter in over 100 constituencies. The BJP had come to power in 2018 with the backing of the Lingayat votes. In 2013, the BJP lost after B S Yeddyurappa who had broken away from the party took with him most of the Lingayat votes. This is a crucial issue for the BJP. If it gives in, then it would divert from its Hindutva agenda. Not giving in would mean angering a large section of its voters. The BJP would now be faced with the challenge of tiding over this demand. It cannot remain a mute spectator to the issue. The party would have to offer something to keep the Lingayats happy. However for the BJP ignoring the issue is not the solution. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, July 30, 2017, 7:17 [IST] 755 US diplomats must leave Russia, says Vladimir Putin International oi-Oneindia By Oneindia The Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said 755 US diplomats must leave his country. This follows from the earlier announcement that Russia is to cut off US access to certain storage facilities the US Embassy uses in Moscow. "The American side has made a move which, it is important to note, hasn't been provoked by anything, to worsen Russian-US relations, Putin told in an interview with the Rossiya 1 TV channel. "More than a thousand people were working and are still working" at the US embassy and consulates. They must stop their activities in Russia, Putin said. "Putin added that an upturn in Russia's relations with Washington could not be expected any time soon. We have waited long enough, hoping that the situation would perhaps change for the better," he said, reports PTI. On Thursday, the US Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to toughen sanctions on Russia for allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and for its annexation of Crimea in 2014. OneIndia News Imran Khan discharged from hospital, to resume long march from same point where he was shot Can Nawaz Sharif make another comeback? International oi-Vicky By Vicky Is there a possibility of Nawaz Sharif making a comeback. Several experts are confused about for how long Sharif has been disqualified from electoral politics. When the question about the duration of the 67-year-old veteran politician's ouster from Pakistan's active politics was put to seasoned lawyers, most seemed confused. Some said the question needed to be addressed since it has remain unanswered for far too long, Dawn reported. A five-member bench disqualified Sharif under articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, which state that a member of the parliament should be "truthful" and "righteous". Tariq Mehmood, former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, told the newspaper that a larger bench of the Supreme Court was seized with a number of cases, including those of Samina Khawar Hayat and Mohammad Haneef, in which the moot point was to determine whether disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution was perpetual or not. Former chief justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, hearing one of such cases, had wondered how anyone could be disqualified from participating in elections forever on the basis of articles 62 and 63, saying people could reform themselves to be qualified under the provisions at some point of time. Senior lawyer Raheel Kamran Sheikh recalled that former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was disqualified on June 19, 2012, from parliament for committing contempt of court under Article 63, which specified disqualification for five years. Unfortunately under Article 62(1)(f) no period of disqualification has been specified, he said, but endorsed what Mehmood observed. Sheikh said some cases were pending to determine should the application of Article 62(1)(f) be restricted to the current election or to all times to come. He said the Supreme Court was in a "catch-22 situation", since by citing the reasons for disqualification of Sharif, it lowered the threshold for ineligibility of elected members to such an extent that too many heads might roll in future. Through the Panama Papers judgement, he feared, the balance of power had been tilted in favour of the Supreme Court and the qualification of lawmakers had been threatened. He said if the judgement was implemented across the board, the parliamentarians, feeling threatened, might react by getting together for a constitutional amendment aimed at curtailing or restricting the scope of powers under Article 62 of the Constitution. One the other hand, vice chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council Ahsan Bhoon said the disqualification of Sharif was forever. To support his observation, he cited the 2013 Abdul Ghafoor Lehri case in which former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had held that under Article 63, there were certain disqualifications which were of temporary nature and a person disqualified under Article 63 could become qualified after the lapse of a certain period, whereas the disqualification under Article 62 was permanent. Thus, Article 62 did not provide any period after which a person, who had been disqualified under the provision, could be eligible to contest elections of parliament, he said. Former additional attorney general Tariq Khokhar also said that Sharif had been disqualified for life since ineligibility for not being sadiq and ameen was forever. But a senior lawyer, who did not want to be named, said that Article 62 was a qualifying provision and, when originally enacted in 1973, it had qualifications which were all objectively determinable. Later Gen Zia-ul Haq brought in nebulous qualifications in Article 62, which were open-ended and highly subjective. No one has articulated its limitations better than Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who observed in one of the cases that no one should be disqualified on that basis. The provision was largely dormant till it was dusted and brought out by Iftikhar Chaudhry and used to knock out parliamentarians, Khokhar said, adding that even Justice Chaudhry did not disqualify anyone directly, except in the dual nationality cases and that too on the basis of admissions. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, July 30, 2017, 7:04 [IST] Capable of defeating any intruder, Jinping says amidst Doklam standoff International oi-IANS By Ians English The People's Liberation Army is capable of defeating any intruder, Chinese President Xi Jinping said. Jinping who is also the chairman of the Central Military Commission said that he firmly believed that the PLA has the confidence and capability to defeat any intruder. Jinping made the remarks while addressing the 90th anniversary of the PLA, at Zhurihe training base in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The statements come in the midst of the Doklam standoff. Without making a direct reference to the Doklam standoff, Jinping said that the world is far from peace and needs to be safeguarded. Today, we are closer than ever to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. And more than any time in history we need to build strong armed forces of the people," he also said. He indicated that the China plans to expand the international role of the PLA. Our heroic PLA has the confidence and capability to safeguard the nation's sovereignty, security and development interests," Jinping also said. OneIndia News Pak's withdrawal from Gilgit-Baltistan will help resolve Kashmir issue: US Talking Baloch should go beyond Red Fort speech, says ex-RAW spook India will not let go off any part of its territory: Sushma Swaraj Gilgit-Baltistan locals protest against China and CPEC International oi-Madhuri A large number of protesters gathered on Sunday to protest the exclusion of Gilgit-Baltistan from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. #WATCH People in Gilgit-Baltistan protest against China & CPEC which passes through Gilgit, fearing it will create huge ecological imbalance pic.twitter.com/XKdeuYvo3k ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 According to ANI, Locals in Gilgit took to streets protesting against against China & CPEC which passes through Gilgit, fearing it will create huge ecological imbalance. People got together and took out a march raising slogans portraying an elevation in resentment over the situation. CPEC, a part of China's broader One-Belt-One-Road (OBOR) initiative, is widely hailed in Pakistan as a game-changer that is destined to bring considerable economic benefits. OneIndia News Why Shahbaz Sharif as Pak PM is good news for India International oi-Vicky By Vicky Ousted Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif picked hs brother Shahbaz Sharif to succeed him. Until Shahbaz Sharif contests and wins a by-election for parliament, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would be the interim PM. Shahbaz is currently the Chief Minister of Punjab. India is keenly watching the developments in Pakistan and in certain quarters officials have expressed relief over the junior Sharif being picked as the PM candidate. Like his brother Shahbaz has always wanted Pakistan to be de-militarised. He has said back in 2014 that the military was blocking Pakistan-India trade. He had last October pulled up the DG ISI for promoting terror as a result of which Pakistan was facing global isolation. Shahbaz had always been seen as the de-facto foreign minister on Indian affairs. He has conducted diplomatic missions to Delhi on behalf of his brother. He has always distrusted the security agencies and said that they were the main reason why liberalised trade between two countries were blocked. He had told the Guardian that security agencies on both sides need to understand that in today's world, a security-led vision is obviously driven by economic security. Unless you have economic security, you cannot have general security he had said. Both the Sharif brother have for long advocated peace with India. However the military has been wary and has ensured that peace is blocked. For Shahbaz there are several challenges ahead. While the internal rift with the military poses the biggest challenge, he would also have to strike a balance on the Kashmir issue. Indian officials say that the biggest challenge for him would be to reign in the military in Pakistan. His brother too had not had much success in doing so. However when it comes to dealing with the military, the junior Sharif has been seen as more assertive in nature, experts point out. Sharif understands that the jihadis, ISI and the army have ensured that Pakistan is isolated by the international community. For now the only friend that Pakistan has is China. However Sharif would want better ties with the rest of the world including India. For this he has a major balancing act to carry out which would include keeping the ISI, army and the jihadis quiet. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, July 30, 2017, 8:42 [IST] 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Global Novaluron Market Research Report 2017 Novaluron https://www.24marketreports.com/request-sample/global-novaluron-market-research-report-2017D https://www.24marketreports.com/chemicals-and-materials/global-novaluron-market-research-report-2017D This report studies Novaluron in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering MSC Restek Corporation Walterwood XiteBio Cerilliant New DisasterMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Novaluron in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like North America Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into Type I Type IISplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Novaluron in each application, can be divided into Application 1 Application 2Get a free sample copy @Table of ContentGlobal Novaluron Market Research Report 20171 Novaluron Market Overview2 Global Novaluron Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Novaluron Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global Novaluron Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)5 Global Novaluron Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Novaluron Market Analysis by Application7 Global Novaluron Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Novaluron Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Novaluron Market Forecast (2017-2022)13 Research Findings and ConclusionGet access to full report @24MarketReports is the marque of market research industry which identifies massive database of market research reports. We are having a numerous sectors market research gathering which covers diverse verticals around the Earth. Our central focus to make it trouble-free for decision makers to find applicable information and locate right Research reports which can save their time and assist in what they do best.New York City Zone 01, United Stateshelp@24marketreports.comInt'l: (+1) 646 781 7170UK(Toll free): +44 800 088 5734 HIV/AIDS Diagnostics Market Research, New Study and Forecast 2017 - 2025 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1253917 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1253917 Global HIV/AIDS Diagnostics Market: OverviewThis report provides forecast and analysis of the HIV/AIDS diagnostics market on the global and regional levels. It provides historical data of 2016 along with forecast from 2017 to 2025 in terms of revenue (US$ Mn). The report also includes macroeconomic indicators along with an outlook on HIV/AIDS diagnostics globally. It includes drivers and restraints of the HIV/AIDS diagnostics market and their impact on each region during the forecast period. The report also comprises of the study of current issues with end users and opportunities for HIV/AIDS diagnostics manufacturers in the global market.In order to provide users with comprehensive view of the market, we have included detailed competitive analysis and market players with unique selling propositions. The competitive dashboard included in the report provides detailed comparison of HIV/AIDS diagnostics manufacturers on parameters such as product offerings, revenue, key strategies, and recent developments. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, by product type, by test type, by end users and region.Get The Sample Copy of This Report :Global HIV/AIDS Diagnostics Market: Research MethodologyMarket value for global HIV/AIDS diagnostics have been estimated based on utility of HIV/AIDS diagnostics for all product types. The revenue is forecasted through regional pricing trends. Market size and forecast for each segment have been provided in the context of global and regional markets. The HIV/AIDS diagnostic market has been analyzed based on expected demand. Most of the key end users have been considered and potential applications have been estimated on the basis of secondary sources and feedback from primary respondents. Regional demand patterns have been considered while estimating the market for various end users of HIV/AIDS diagnostics in different regions.Bottom-up approach has been used to estimate the HIV/AIDS diagnostics market size, and top-down approach has been used to validate the market number. The market has been forecasted based on constant currency rates. A number of secondary sources consulted during the course of the study include Factiva, NCBI, Google books, company annual reports, websites, white papers, and publications.Global HIV/AIDS Diagnostics Market: SegmentationThe report includes revenue generated from sales of HIV/AIDS diagnostics in all regions and important countries in the regions. By product type, the global HIV/AIDS diagnostics market has been segmented into kits and reagents, instruments and others. On the basis of test type the HIV/AIDS diagnostics market is segmented into rapid tests (POC), ELISA, nucleic acid tests and others. On the basis of end users, the global HIV/AIDS diagnostics market is segmented into hospitals, private diagnostics laboratories, academic and research institutes and others. Geographically, the market is segmented into regions viz. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa.Send An Enquiry :Global HIV/AIDS Diagnostics Market: Competitive AnalysisThe report provides detailed competitive dashboard and company profiles of key participants operating in the global market. Some of the key players in the global HIV/AIDS diagnostics market include Alere, Hologic, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Abbott Laboratories, Siemens Healthineers, OraSure Technologies, Inc., Chembio Diagnostic Systems etc.The global HIV/AIDS diagnostics market is segmented as follows:Global HIV/AIDS Diagnostics Market By Product TypeKits and ReagentsInstrumentsOthersGlobal HIV/AIDS Diagnostics Market By Test TypeRapid Tests (POC)ELISANucleic Acid TestsOthersGlobal HIV/AIDS Diagnostics Market By End UsersHospitalsPrivate Diagnostics LaboratoriesAcademic and Research InstitutesOthersGlobal HIV/AIDS Diagnostics Market By RegionNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyU.K.FranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia Pacific (APAC)ChinaJapanIndiaAustralia & New ZealandRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & Africa (MEA)Saudi ArabiaSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaMRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository.Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Security Market Analysis and Forecast 2017 - 2025 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/394997 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/394997 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/394997/chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-market-research-reports Global Chemical, Biological, Radiological. And Nuclear Security Market: OverviewChemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) security is principally responsible for effective combat against CBRN weapons for mass destruction from various external or internal anti national organizations. CBRN incidents can occur accidentally, intentionally, or naturally. Accidental CBRN incidents are the events caused by human error or technological errors, such as factory spillage, accidental release or leakage of poisonous gas or liquids. Intentional CBRN incidents are those that occur when CBRN materials are released into the environment with the intention of terrorism or war. The deliberate accumulation or discharge of hazardous materials to avoid fulfilling regulatory requirements also counts as intentional CBRN incidents. A natural CBRN incident would be the outbreak of an infectious disease such as Ebola, swine flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (S.A.R.S.), pandemic influenza, etc.Owing to the global increase in terrorist activity and the procurement of mass destruction weapons by anti-state organizations, it has become highly essential for governments, armed troops and civilians to be involved in a strategic recognition, preparation, and prevention of fatal threats. Governments across the world are adopting enhanced technology for the prevention of CBRN attacks by anti-national or terrorist organizations. For example, the recent evidence of the procurement of chemical weapons for mass destruction by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Boko Haram, and Al-Qaeda, signifies a major threat to the international community. Military organizations across the world are demanding special devices, systems and training for CBRN attack response operations.Get The Sample Copy Of This Report :Global Chemical, Biological, Radiological. And Nuclear Security Market: Market DynamicsIncrease in the terrorist activities across the world is one of the key factor driving the demand of CBRN security market during the forecast period of 2017 2025. In December 2016, 145 terrorist incidents were reported. Several countries across the globe the invested in defense for adopt enhanced technology for the prevention of CBRN attacks by anti-national or terrorist organizations. For Instance, the recent evidence of the procurement of chemical weapons for mass destruction by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Boko Haram, and Al-Qaeda, signifies a major threat to the international community. According to Central Intelligence Agency, Al-Qa'ida and other terrorist groups have a lots of agents to choose from for chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) attack. Due to this factor, government of different countries are modernizing their defense and buying new equipment for CBRN security.Additionally, growing unfavorable geopolitical issues between countries also indicate potential threat of CBRN attacks. Repetitive clashes between Russia and Ukraine, India and Pakistan, China and Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia and Iran are a few of the geopolitical issues at present. On the other hand, the economic crisis in Europe has also given rise to various political conflicts among the European nations lately. These unfavorable geopolitical issues also pose threat of CBRN attacks and can affect national economy and security. Growing need for early detection of CBRN incidents and immediate response for protection are the primary concerns for governments worldwide. Owing to these factors, the demand for CBRN security is increasing at a substantial pace globally. The impact of the threat from terrorists and unfavorable geopolitical issues is currently high and is expected to reduce to medium over the forecast period.Send An Enquiry :Global Chemical, Biological, Radiological. And Nuclear Security Market: Market SegmentationBased on the type, the global CBRN security market has been segmented into chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear security. In 2016, among various types, nuclear segment is expected to dominate the market followed by chemical. Based on the function, the global CBRN security market has been segmented into protection, detection, decontamination and simulation. In 2016, among various functions, protection segment is expected to dominate the market followed by detection.By geography, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Based on the type, the market has been categorized into chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear security. Additionally, the market has been segmented on the basis of functions which include protection equipment, detection equipment, decontamination equipment and simulation equipment. The market size and forecast from 2017 to 2025 have been provided in the report.Browse More Details :Global Chemical, Biological, Radiological. And Nuclear Security Market: Competitive LandscapeKey players profiled in this report include Survitec Group (United Kingdom), Tingley Rubber Corporation (United States), W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc (United States), MKU GmbH (United States), Blucher GmbH (Germany) and Supergum International (Israel) for CBRN boots. AVON Protection Systems, Inc (United States), Scott Safety (United States), 3M Company (United States), AVEC CHEM s.r.o (CZECH REPUBLIC) and Respirex International Ltd (United Kingdom) for CBRN filters. HDT Global (United States), Alaska Structures (United States) and Air Shelter USA, LLC (United States) for CBRN shelters. W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc (United States), Blucher GmbH (Germany), Paul Boye Technology SAS (France), Supergum International (Israel) and Dharma Magna (Indonesia) for CBRN fabric gloves. Honeywell International Inc. (United States), Survitec Group (United Kingdom), Respirex International Ltd (United Kingdom), ISOVAC Product LLC (United States) and GOETZLOFF GmbH (Austria) for CBRN ISOPOD. AVON Protection Systems, Inc (United States), Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), 3M Company (United States), Honeywell International Inc (United States), ILC Dover (United States) and Micronel Safety USA, LLC (United States) for CBRN PAPR. AVON Protection Systems, Inc (United States), Scott Safety (United States), Shalon-Chemical Industries (Israel), MSA (United States), Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA (Germany) and Supergum International (Israel) for CBRN mask. Honeywell International Inc (United States), REX-Gummitechniken GmbH Co.KG (Germany), Ansell Ltd (Australia) and Guardian Manufacturing (United States) for CBRN rubber gloves.The segments covered in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Security market are as follows:Global Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Security Market, 2016 - 2025: By TypeChemicalBiologicalRadiologicalNuclearGlobal Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Security Market, 2016 - 2025: By FunctionProtectionDetectionDecontaminationSimulation SystemsGlobal Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Security Market, 2016 - 2025: By GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.Rest of North AmericaEuropeUKFranceGermanyRest of EuropeAsia PacificAustraliaNew ZealandJapanRest of APACMiddle East and Africa (MEA)Saudi ArabiaUAERest of MEALatin AmericaBrazilRest of Latin AmericaMRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository.Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Single-use Bioprocessing Sensors and Probes Market Analysis, Growth and Forecast 2017 - 2025 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1254281 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1254281 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1254281/single-use-bioprocessing-sensors-and-probes-market-research-reports Global Single-use Bioprocessing Sensors and Probes Market: OverviewThis report on single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes 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, commercialization, providing services of single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes products such as pH sensor, valve, bench top control system, spectroscopy, optochemical DO, temperature, pressure 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 in the scope of the study. This section also provides the overall information and data analysis of the global single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes market with respect to the leading market segments based on major applications segment, products segment, and geographies.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 single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes market and could influence the market in the near future. Market attractiveness analysis has been provided in the market overview section in order to explain the intensity of competition in the market across different geographies. The competitive scenario among different market players is evaluated through market share analysis in the competitive landscape section of the report. All these factors would help market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their shares in the global single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes market.Get The Sample Copy Of This Report :Global Single-use Bioprocessing Sensors and Probes Market: SegmentationBased on the product type, the single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes market has been segmented into: pH Sensor, valve, bench top control system, spectroscopy, optochemical DO, temperature, pressure, and others. Each of the market segments have been extensively analyzed based on the market related factors such as increasing demand of single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes worldwide, and technological advancement. Moreover, historical year-on-year growth have been taken into consideration while estimating the market size. The market size and forecast in terms of US$ million for each segment has been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025. The report also provides the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) for each market segment for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year.Single-use Bioprocessing Sensors and Probes Market: Regional AnalysisGeographically, single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes market has been segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The market size and forecast for each of these regions has been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025, along with their respective CAGRs for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year. The report also provides with market size and forecast for major countries in the respective regions. A detailed qualitative analysis of factors responsible for driving and restraining the market growth and future opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. This section of the report also provides with market attractiveness analysis, Porters five forces analysis, and market share analysis by key players, thus presenting a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes market.Send An Enquiry :Single-use Bioprocessing Sensors and Probes Market: Competitive AnalysisThe key findings section included in the report would assist existing market players in expanding their market shares, and new companies in establishing their presence in the global single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes market. The report also profiles key players operating in the single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes market which are Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A., Eppendorf AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Hamilton Company, Honeywell International, Inc., Broadley-James Corporation, GE Healthcare, PendoTECH, LLC, Polestar Technologies, Inc., PreSens Precision Sensing GmbH, and Parker Hannifin Corporation.The global single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes market is segmented as follows:Global Single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes Market, Product TypepH SensorElectrochemicalOpticalSolid-stateValvePneumatic Pinch ValveElectrically Actuated Pinch ValvesOthersBench Top Control SystemDCS - Decentralized Control SystemPLC - Programmable Logic ControllersOthersSpectroscopyRaman SpectroscopyNIRScattering SpectroscopyOptochemical DOTemperaturePressureOthersBrowse More Details :Global Single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes Market, by Application TypeBiotechnology IndustryPharmaceutical IndustryAcademic ResearchOthersGlobal Single-use bioprocessing sensors and probes Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyU.K.FranceItalySpainRussiaRest of the EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaAustralia & New ZealandRest of Asia PacificLatin America (LATAM)BrazilMexicoRest of LATAMMiddle East & AfricaSouth AfricaRest of MEAGCC CountriesMRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository.Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz IPTV Market Size, Analysis and Forecast 2014 - 2020 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/244194 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/244194 The global IPTV market lately has witnessed proliferation in number of subscribers, primarily influenced by enhanced user viewing experience as delivered by IPTV and development of supporting infrastructure in emerging markets. IPTV (Internet Protocol television) is a technique of distributing television content over IP which offers an additional customized and interactive user experience. It delivers video stream encoded as a series of IP packets and is distributed by a service provider to deliver either stored video or live TV. IPTV services can be bundled with other IP services such as VoIP and high-speed Internet access. It enables integration of TV, PC, home phone and wireless devices offering high quality of viewing experience to the end-users.The report includes extensive analysis of the industry drivers, restraints, market trends and market structure. The market study provides comprehensive assessment of stakeholder strategies and imperatives for succeeding in the business. The report helps in understanding driving forces behind the popularity of IPTV services across different geographies, such as North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and RoW (Rest of the World). It includes a detailed analysis of the prevalent market situation, company profiles, and current industry trends for IPTV market prevalent among the various end-users such as small size enterprise, mid-size enterprise, large size enterprise, and residents. The chapter on market positioning analysis points out the leading players across the ecosystem of IPTV market. It provides detailed understanding of the leading players in the market, their business strategies, recent developments, and financial overview.Get The Sample Copy Of This Report :The report includes cross-segment analysis of the global IPTV market and provides estimates in terms of revenue (US$ billion) for years 2012 and 2013, along with market forecast for the period 2014 to 2020. The estimates for the years 2012 and 2013 are actual values, while market size estimates for period 2014 2020 are forecast numbers, assuming market dynamics remain unaffected during the term. The end-users segment includes in-depth analysis and forecast of IPTV market across the different geographies. The high level analyses, such as value chain analysis and Porters five forces analysis helps market competitors to formulate their business strategies at every stage of their business. Moreover, the market estimates have been analyzed keeping in mind different factors including but not limited to technological, economical, social, environmental and legal factors. The market attractiveness tool estimates the attractiveness of this technology across different geographies where they are benchmarked based on their market scope and growth rate.The report also provides company positioning of the various industry participants. Market participants profiled in this report include AT&T, Inc, Bharti Airtel Limited, CenturyLink, Inc., Deutsche Telecom, ARRIS Group, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc, Broadcom Corporation, Ammino Corporation, MatrixStream Technologies, Inc., and Orange S.A.Send An Enquiry :The IPTV Market Segmentation:IPTV Market, by TypeEnterprisesSmall EnterpriseMedium EnterprisesLarge EnterprisesResidentialIPTV Market Revenue, By GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAsia PacificAsia Pacific (excluding Japan)JapanMiddle East and AfricaLatin AmericaMRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository.Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Insurance Company Profile: Vitality https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1256651 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1256651 Insurance Company Profile: VitalitySummary"Insurance Company Profile: Vitality", company profile provides a comprehensive review of Vitality and its UK business. 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In 2015 Discovery bought 100% of the shares and became VitalityHealth and VitalityLife. 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The website announced earlier that it is looking forward to reaching out to a wider consumer base and is more than prepared to provide much better worldwide delivery services. The company, which is a venture of Giftalove.com, has the ability to expand globally as its popularity knows no bounds. Online shoppers are expecting for a grand celebration of Raksha Bandhan as they can send Rakhi gifts to USA or to any foreign land they want to.The online Rakhi business is booming in India. The E-commerce industry has made way for many companies to put up their products online. Gifting services on the Internet are already a peoples favourite. As the unique festival of Raksha Bandhan has been a special occasion for many in the country since ages, it was just a matter of time before Rakhi gifts went online as well. Rakhi.giftalove.com is a company founded on a firm base. By delivering as it promises year after year, the online store for Rakhi gifts has garnered widespread admiration. 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The ornamentation and embroidery on these Rakhis give them a distinct yet beautiful design. The store also has separate sections dedicated to other kinds of Rakhis like Golden Rakhi, Silver Rakhi, Kids Rakhi, and Mauli Rakhi to name a few. All of them make for a perfect gift from sisters to their brothers.Not just the Rakhis but also the gifts at Rakhi.giftalove.com can brighten up the day of the recipients. Exchanging gifts is what Raksha Bandhan is all about. When a brother gifts his sister something in return of the Rakhi thread that she tied on his wrists, it symbolises the strengthening of their bond. At this website, brothers can find the best gifts for their sisters.There are plenty of options for sisters to gift their brothers too. Keeping in mind the variety of items Rakhi.giftalove.com offers, Mr. Kumar commented, It is not a common occurrence for a Rakhi gift store to provide customers with so many different kinds of options. Online shoppers love to spend their time her for this very reason.Rakhi Gifts to USA:Rakhi.giftalove.com is among the best Rakhi gift stores in India. It also caters to the Rakhi shoppers of other countries. Its delivery network spans worldwide, delivering thousands of Rakhis around the world.For more Rakhi Gift ideas visit:Primo Gifts Pvt. Ltd.Mayur Vihar phase-1, New Delhi 110091Mr. Mrityunjay Kumarmritunjay@giftalove.comCall: +91-888-200-1155 You'll never forget your work badge if it's implanted in your flesh. That's the thinking at Three Square Market, a Wisconsin vending machine software firm offering to inject microchips into employees so they can open office doors, log in to computers, share business cards and even buy snacks with just of a wave of the hand. Chief Executive Todd Westby spoke with the Los Angeles Times about his embrace of Radio Frequency ID chips and his company's entirely voluntary Aug. 1 implanting "chipping" event. This interview has been edited for clarity and continuity. Q: How does one get 'chipped'? A: It's like an ear piercing. The procedure isn't surgical; the chip is injected. A licensed professional puts it in the skin between the pointer finger and thumb. If you don't want it anymore, you can remove it like a sliver. Q: Tweaking the human body seems like a big departure from vending machines. Why is your company experimenting with biohacking? A: It wasn't something we went looking for. We were working over in Europe and one of our operators had the chip technology. ... And then the idea of bringing that technology to our company grew from there. We are a tech company so I don't think anyone was surprised by it especially because it can be used with our technology. Chipping is like self-driving cars, who'd have thought 15 years ago those would be around? Q: Do employees have to get chipped? A: It's totally voluntary, the only incentive is we are picking up all the costs associated. There are around 55 people wanting to get chipped next week, but I think with all the buzz around it, it will grow to 100. Q: Will you be able to track employees' whereabouts? Are there concerns about privacy? A: No, absolutely not. It's a passive chip, it isn't like a chip in your dog. There is no GPS tracking. We can't track when you go to the restroom, we can't track when and where you are coming and going it's purely for convenience. Q: Is hacking a risk? A: It's really nonexistent. It's 100 percent encrypted so it's more secure than other things connected to RFID readers, like phones or credit cards. There is 256-bit encryption and the only way you could get close to hacking would to be within six inches of the chip but even then the data would be scrambled. Q: What does your company's health insurer think of this? A: The insurance company doesn't know because it's like getting a piercing. The chip is FDA-approved and so there isn't really a need to involve them. Q: What happens if an employee gets fired or quits the company? A: We would inactivate the person's account. It's no different than a credit card. We won't require people take out the chip because it can be used with different things but it won't grant them access to our building or computers. Q: Do you plan on getting chipped? A: Yes, I do. Actually, my whole family does. My wife, my son who is a junior in college and my daughter who is in high school are all going to get them next week with me. I'm going to use it to turn the lights on in my house our whole house is automated. So when I scan my hand coming in the front door it'll turn on the lights I'll need and turn on my favorite TV station. -- Los Angeles Times Defending integrity: As disappointing as it is that another Oregon law enforcement officer has broken faith with the public by committing official misconduct, there is a silver lining in the case of Woodburn detective Timothy Cobos. Cobos was sentenced in Marion County Circuit Court last week to 18 months of probation and 40 hours of community service after pleading guilty to three counts of official misconduct. The detective, who also surrendered his police certification, had sex on duty multiple times and was also accused of using a law enforcement database to benefit a girlfriend, according to a story by The Oregonian/OregonLive's Carli Brosseau. So where exactly is the good news? It comes in the statement made by Woodburn Police Chief Jim Ferraris at Cobos' sentencing. Ferraris did not mince his words in condemning Cobos' actions. Noting that he was representing the "40 sworn and professional staff men and women who are the Woodburn Police Department," Ferraris observed that "holding Mr. Cobos accountable for his betrayal and the disrespect of our badge and the law, and seeing that he never, ever wears a police uniform again is exactly how I should back my officers." That's a telling statement that shows the chief recognizes that the integrity of his department and his employees depends on their willingness to call out and hold accountable those few individuals who compromise the professional and ethical standards that they hold dear. Giving Cobos a pass for his years of service would only bring down the reputation of the others who represent the Woodburn Police Department. Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts and his top command staff might want to reflect on Ferraris' message. Their relative silence regarding the criminal misconduct by former Det. Jeff Green, who failed to conduct the most basic of investigations on dozens of cases, has been disheartening. It also stands in stark contrast with the strong call for accountability from the Clackamas County Peace Officers Association, the union representing sheriff's office employees. The union knows what its members stand for. Hopefully, Roberts will also figure it out. Fossil fuel ban overturned: The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals recently rejected Portland's ban on building new fossil fuel infrastructure within the city, ruling it violates the U.S. Constitution. The ruling wallops the ordinance that was considered former Mayor Charlie Hales' legacy. It's good that both are out. While Portland leaders should seek ways to soundly address public safety and environmental concerns, creating sweeping, anti-business legislation that bans entire industries doesn't do the city or its economy any favors. In fact, the fossil fuel ban was born after the Canadian company Pembina Pipeline Corp., proposed a $500 million propane export facility on Port of Portland property near West Hayden Island. Hales originally loved the proposal, which would have created jobs, added property taxes to the rolls and increased the city's environmental cred by exporting a cleaner fuel to help Asian markets ease out of coal. Portland could have used all three - and still could. Mayor Ted Wheeler spoke out against the ruling and said the city is "exploring our options," including an appeal of the decision. He went on to say city leaders will "continue to work with environmental, energy, and resiliency experts to ensure Portland remains a leader on these issues." Those are good, tough goals. They're a lot tougher if the city tries to reach them without business partners by their side. - The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board Oregonian editorials Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, Mark Katches and John Maher. To respond to this editorial: Post your comment below, submit , or . If you have questions about the opinion section, contact Laura Gunderson, editorial and commentary editor, at 503-221-8378 or lgunderson@oregonian.com. Reading the letters in The Oregonian, it is obviously time for many Democrats in this state to accept Clinton was so terrible a candidate she could not beat a man with several faults and no political experience. They need to let the current administration try and improve the lives of all Americans. Sure, there was collusion in the election: For example, the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign worked to rig the primaries against Sanders. Or what about the DNC, the Clinton campaign and most of the media trying to defeat Trump? If you want collusion with Russia, how about President Obama in March 2012 telling then President Medvedev during a meeting in Seoul to tell Putin "After my election I have more flexibility." To me, that seems worse than anything Trump is supposed to have done. I also remember during a debate in 2012 with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Obama ridiculed Romney for saying Russia was the USA's major strategic adversary, comparing it to 1980s foreign policy. Why is it the Democrats go in-and-out of love with the Russians so easily? Michael Beard, Northwest Portland Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. By PTI: Srinagar, Jul 30 (PTI) Six people were today injured as protesters clashed with security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district after two militants were killed in an encounter. A police official said clashes erupted soon after the encounter in the Tahab area ended in the killing of two militants. Security personnel lobbed tear gas shells and fired a few shots in the air to restore law and order in the area, he said. advertisement The official said one person, whose identity is being ascertained, was hit by a bullet in the shoulder and rushed to a hospital. Five other persons suffered minor injuries during the clashes, which were going on intermittently till reports last came in, he added. PTI MIJ GVS --- ENDS --- DECATUR The Super Bowl of agriculture is coming back to Central Illinois. Crews are readying nearly 90 acres and more than 2.9 million square feet north of Richland Community College for the three-day Farm Progress show starting Aug. 29. More than 600 exhibitors are expected, along with as many as 150,000 visitors from around the globe. The event billed as the Nation's Largest Outdoor Farm Event combines elements of an international trade show, technology conference and demonstration site. In a maze of tents and buildings known as Progress City USA, vendors show every agricultural and livestock product imaginable, from weed control to gleaming $400,000 combines, often with eye-catching three-dimensional displays. Outside, past the International Visitors Tent, entire fields are dedicated to seeing equipment in action, showing off tillage techniques and the latest in global-positioning systems. Companies like ADM, Caterpillar and Monsanto to smaller agribusinesses exhibit the latest wares and hint at the future of agriculture. Farmers and business executives walk exhibits to climb into the sleek tractors, view what vegetables the newest seeds can grow and learn about advancements to improve yields. The show, which alternates between locations in Decatur and Boone, Iowa, started in Armstrong, Illinois, in 1953 as a way for farmers to see firsthand the progress being made in farming equipment, seed varieties and agricultural chemicals. The parcels near Richland since 2005 have housed the show, produced by London-based Informa Global Events. The site includes permanent structures that are used for each show, as well as various access roads. Greg Florian said work is on schedule to have the grounds ready for exhibitors and visitors. Its gotten easier to prepare as the site has evolved, said Florian, vice president of finance and administration at Richland, which oversees the Progress City site. The last show had visitors from 50 countries. Farm Progress generates an estimated $10 million for the local economy, according to Florian. A big economic driver is in the hospitality field, with hotel rooms across Central Illinois. According to a report put together by the bureau for the 2015 show, Decatur/Forsyth-area hotels had 5,468 room nights for Farm Progress, making $1.3 million on the three-day event. Springfield had a total of 5,800 room nights, also bringing in $1.3 million. That number does not count those that come to Decatur more than a month in advance to start setting up their exhibits and weeks after the show to help tear down. Were talking several extra million there for the local economy, she said. Nearly $500,000 also was spent this year on hiring Decatur-based Dunn Co. to improve roads, fix drainage and shoulders, and patch potholes. It was funded by grant dollars, Informa, money in the county highway fund left over from the sites original construction and Brush College LLC, created by the college to help operate the site. Theyll have the roads all fixed up by the time exhibitors start to set up, said Macon County Highway Engineer Bruce Bird. In 2015, crews expanded the site, added three streets and built 100 more exhibit spots on the southwest side of the venue. Florian said roadwork has not gotten a lot of attention since the first show on the grounds, in 2005. After 12 years of being out there, the vehicles are getting bigger and the exhibits are getting bigger, he said. The roads were really starting to show their age. Some exhibitors have started to begin preparations on plots. Florian says everything will be place for the start next month. The clock is ticking. BLOOMINGTON For some inmates working to reverse their criminal convictions, the legal challenges can outlast their sentences. Donald Whalen, one of three McLean County men whose murder cases are being handled by attorneys with an exoneration organization, is determined to continue to fight his 1991 conviction for killing his father even if the legal battle goes beyond his 2021 release date. Whalen's attorney, Elliot Slosar with the University of Chicago's Exoneration Project, recently filed a request for access to evidence as part of Whalen's ongoing legal challenge. Recent forensic test results excluded Whalen as a contributor to DNA found on knives at the murder scene. The Exoneration Project is also representing Jamie Snow, who is serving a life term for the 1991 killing of gas station attendant Bill Little. Snow claims witnesses at his trial lied in exchange for help with their own pending criminal cases. Bart McNeil's legal team headed by the Springfield-based Illinois Innocence Project is working to gain his release in the 1998 suffocation death of his daughter. McNeil alleges police ignored evidence of a second suspect, his former girlfriend Misook Nowlin, and prosecutors successfully argued that information about Nowlin should be barred from his bench trial. A fourth case involves Alan Beaman, who served more than a dozen years the average for most exonerees in the U.S. before his conviction was reversed in the 1993 strangulation death of his former girlfriend in Normal. Karen Daniel, one of Beaman's lawyers, said "innocent people who spend several years, or decades, in prison before they are freed can never be made whole, although they can and should be assisted. Researchers estimate that as many as 100,000 innocent people may be in prison, said Daniel, "so the need is great for resources not only to assist innocent individuals in obtaining justice, but also to figure out how to prevent wrongful convictions in the first place, because the reality is that most wrongful convictions will never be corrected." Beyond their common representation by teams of pro bono lawyers, the four McLean County cases also share the same prosecutor who oversaw the prosecutions. Reynard declined to specifically comment on the three cases under review, or Beaman's exoneration. The former prosecutor said he supports the concept of Conviction Integrity Units, special teams used by prosecutors in about 30 jurisdictions across the country to review convictions. "All prosecutors are obligated to look skeptically at their own work and not seek to convict the innocent," said Reynard, who handled 35 murder cases during his tenure, 33 resulting in convictions. New technology and the ability to expand forensic testing comes with a balancing act, said Reynard, of protecting the rights of the defendant and the victim. "It's a tight rope that all those players are walking," said Reynard. Four other murder convictions returned under the tenure of former State's Attorney Bill Yoder, now a judge, also are in some stage of post-conviction review. Each allege inadequate assistance by defense counsel. One, the appeal of Misook Nowlin's conviction in the 2011 murder of her mother-in-law, Linda Tyda, is scheduled for a hearing Aug. 15 in Springfield. BLOOMINGTON A dozen years into a 100-year sentence for killing his daughter, Bart McNeil had lost contact with the world and given up any hope that his conviction would be reversed, despite his repeated claims that police ignored evidence pointing to another suspect his former girlfriend, Misook Nowlin, who was later convicted of murdering her mother-in-law. At the time, my life was at a low point. I hadnt had a single visit from anyone in seven years and hadnt made a phone call in over a year. All I had to look forward to was a hopefully early completion of my sentence of death by prison, McNeil said in an interview with The Pantagraph. But now represented by the Illinois Innocence Project, McNeil is encouraged that an expanded team of lawyers is working on potential new evidence that he hopes will exonerate him and reopen the investigation into the 1998 suffocation death of his daughter, Christina McNeil. The new evidence includes the opinion of a defense expert who challenges the conclusion of former McLean County pathologist Dr. Violette Hnilica that Christina was sexually abused before her death. Authorities considered the molestation a motive for the killing. A hair detected through new DNA tests on a pillow case from the child's bed links Nowlin to the crime scene, contends McNeil's team, and is expected to be part of a post-conviction petition the next step in McNeil's exoneration effort. McNeil contends that the bed linens had been freshly laundered and Nowlin had not been at the apartment for several days. Illinois Innocence Project lawyer John Hanlon said McNeil's legal team now includes three Chicago lawyers who will assist with the complex case that involves extensive review of the conviction and possible implication of another suspect. "You can't have enough good minds and enough people to do all the work that's involved in cases that involve thousands of pages of documents," said Hanlon, noting the unique nature of McNeil's case has attracted inquiries from national media. "It's a very compelling story where the alternative suspect has already been convicted of an extremely similar murder. To this date, 19 years later, no trier of fact has ever heard the Misook defense," said Hanlon. Citing a lack of any pending matters in court, McLean County State's Attorney Jason Chambers said he had no comment on McNeil's conviction that has been upheld by the Fourth District Appellate Court. The efforts to revive McNeils long-held claim that Nowlin was responsible for smothering 3-year-old Christina were rekindled in 2011 when Nowlin was charged with the choking death of Linda Tyda, her husbands mother. McNeil, now 58, recalled his reaction when he read about the arrest. Theres Misook staring at me. I thought, 'Oh my God, if this isnt the cats meow here.' Failed connections Shackled to a table in an interview room at Menard Correctional Center in southern Illinois, McNeil talked about the connections he thinks prosecutors and police failed to make during their investigation into his daughter's death, including looking at Nowlin as a suspect. Christina McNeils lifeless body was found in her bed by her father on June 16, 1998 after he went to wake her after an overnight visit to his apartment on North Evans Street in Bloomington. Authorities arrested McNeil the next day, following autopsy results that indicated the girl had been sexually abused. Hours later, McNeil contacted Bloomington police and insisted that detectives return to his home to examine evidence of a potential break-in, namely cuts to a window screen in his daughters bedroom. He also told police he believed his daughter was the victim of a homicide and identified a suspect during several interviews: Misook Nowlin murdered my daughter. Go get her. Police spoke with Nowlin, whose three-year relationship with McNeil had ended in a contentious break-up at a restaurant the night before the childs death. But the focus stayed on McNeil. In an unusual investigative tactic, Bloomington police brought Nowlin to the police station and watched as McNeil confronted her. Nowlin denied any involvement in Christinas death. (Serving 55 years for murder, she did not respond to a recent written request from The Pantagraph for comment on McNeils accusation against her.) McNeil was convicted by now-retired Judge Michael Prall after a three-day bench trial in which defense lawyer Tracy Smith was barred from introducing evidence of a second possible suspect. The judge did not consider Nowlins history of violence against McNeil and his daughter. According to McNeil, Nowlin was angry that he was planning to testify against her at a sentencing hearing the day after Christinas death on unlawful restraint charges related to Nowlin's refusal to leave her apartment after police were called to a dispute between the couple. The judge also ruled that child abuse allegations made against Nowlin two months after Christinas death were not relevant to McNeils case. Court records indicate that Nowlins 9-year-old daughter was beaten with a wooden rod. A school official testified the child also accused her mother of pinching her nose and covering her mouth with her hand. Former Heyworth grade school principal Aissa Frasier told Prall that Nowlins daughter relayed a threat she received from her mother: She needed to behave or the same thing that happened to her sister would happen to her, according to a transcript of the February 1999 hearing. The two girls were not related, but shared a bond similar to sisters, according to the Department of Children and Family Services. My trial was a lightning quick 2 days. I was muzzled because I could not speak of Misook murdering my child, said McNeil. Giving up By 2011, McNeil was ready to throw away thousands of documents he had accumulated in his prison cell when the charges accusing Nowlin of killing Linda Tyda sparked new interest in his case. Armed with a new tip from a Bloomington woman who claims she saw Nowlin in a storage closet outside Nowlin's apartment on Croxton Avenue around 3 a.m. the night Christina was killed, two Bloomington police detectives visited McNeil in prison. The information was not deemed important at the time of the childs murder, the woman told police, because all evidence seemed to point to Barton McNeil, according to a police report. McNeil said he is disappointed that BPD did not reopen its investigation at that time. The BPD said last week that the case remains closed. But McNeil gained an important new ally his cousin Chris Ross with whom he had not spoken to in two decades. The Illinois Innocence Project in Springfield agreed to take McNeils case after reviewing records compiled by Ross who also developed a website, freebart.org, to chronicle the murder case. "This is about saving a man's life," Ross said of his efforts. "Our family hopes and prays for our cousin's freedom so he can live out what remaining years he has left in peace, good health and happiness, and that final justice can one day come about for the other victim in this case, his daughter and our relative Christina McNeil." As he approaches two decades in prison, McNeil clings to his double-sided view of justice that goes beyond possible exoneration. "I'm tired of excuses being made This is about Christina. I'm not going to let justice be denied my daughter any longer." BLOOMINGTON An anniversary, now more than a half century old, is marked by the mayors of Bloomington-Normal and Asahikawa, Japan, traversing the Pacific Ocean every five years to honor a sister cities bond between the communities. It is the Twin Cities' turn to make the trip. Mayors Tari Renner of Bloomington and Chris Koos of Normal are leaving on Sunday to attend a weeklong celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Bloomington-Normal Sister Cities Program with Asahikawa. "It is likely the oldest, continuing sister city relationship under the Sister Cities International Program," said Koos. Former Bloomington Mayor Judy Markowitz was Bloomingtons first "emissary of good will" to Asahikawa in 1962. At the time, she was Judy Stern and a teacher at Naganoshi, Japan. The sister city program later was expanded to include Normal. The municipalities contribute money to the program. "I think these trips are important. In my mind it makes the world a little smaller," said Koos. "It helps us to understand other cultures and the issues they face; things we may not face and things we share in common." Koos first visited Asahikawa in 2007 when he and then-Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton and several Twin Cities residents traveled there for the 45th anniversary of the sister cities program. Renner, who in 2013 succeeded Stockton as mayor, has never been to Asahikawa, or Japan. "It's not so much the trip, it's the relationship," said Renner. "We want to let them know that we want to continue the relationship of educational and cultural understanding. Possibly some economic arrangements are the things that we can work on. "As I understand, in getting the (former) Mitsubishi factory (in Normal), one variable that helped us was that we had a sister city relationship that at that time was 15 years old with a Japanese city," added Renner. Koos noted the importance of the Bloomington-Normal Asahikawa Sister Cities Committee's focus on annual student exchanges at the high school and junior high levels. "Those exchanges have been incredibly successful," he said. In 2012, the Twin Cities hosted a 50th anniversary celebration of the Bloomington-Normal Sister Cities Program with Asahikawa. About 40 residents from the Japanese city, including such dignitaries as Asahikawa Mayor Masahito Nishikawa, the chiefs of the international affairs division, chairman of the city council and vice chairman of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, came for the weeklong event. A variety of activities are planned for the Twin Cities mayors and a delegation of about 17 local residents, who include former exchange students and members of the Sister City committee and their spouses. With a population of about 360,000 people, Asahikawa is the second-largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. It's located in a mountainous area along the Ishikari River. The mayors' airfare is being paid by local government, which Renner estimated at between $1,600 and $1,800 apiece. Asahikawa is paying for the mayors' hotel lodging, meals and other expenses. Asahikawa residents will provide lodging in their homes and meals for other delegation members. Koos does not see a recent disagreement between Twin City elected officials over Bloomington's decision to end the Metro Zone revenue-sharing pact causing any strain for the mayors on the trip. "Tari and I have a very good relationship," said Koos, after having lunch with Renner on Thursday. "We're not 100 percent in agreement on everything, nor should we be. We talk freely and candidly with each other, and it's for the betterment for both communities." 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 of partisan bluster and bickering? Didnt we allow ourselves to think, after a belated budget was finally hatched over the July 4 weekend, perhaps there was a lesson learned about looming cliffs? That we werent going to let this happen again? Didnt we rationalize it, perhaps, was a fluke? Last week shows it wasnt. Were right back where we started from. 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 few weeks before the start of school. Legislators descended on Springfield to address Senate Bill 1 that would overhaul the archaic state school funding formula so poorer districts would get money first. The current calculation used by the state means districts are relying largely on property taxes, and poorer communities suffer. The bill takes into account 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 came with an explosive stipulation: the state would cover $215 million in teacher pension costs each year for Chicago Public Schools. Such an arrangement successfully turned 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 a stubborn GOP governor and the Democrat-controlled Legislature not working together. Gov. Bruce Rauner, elected on a reform and pro-business platform and facing re-election next year, says the language amounts to a poison pill and he will veto that part of the bill. 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 Monday. 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. So, that's 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. It's another 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 at heart 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 doom this legislation. Remove the pension rule. Sign the bill. Lets get back to school. End this deja vu. Havent we said this before? By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 30 (PTI) At least seven people were injured in three separate road accidents in outer Delhi, the police said today. A car rammed into a truck from behind in Mukarba Chowk last night and was dragged for a kilometre without the truck driver realising that a vehicle was stuck to it, they said. He came to know about the incident only when an another car driver alerted him, they added. advertisement Two persons, including a woman, were injured in the accident. They were rescued after their car was cut open using gas cutters, police said, adding they are undergoing treatment at a hospital. In another incident, three persons were injured when four trucks ended up ramming into one another in the vicinity of Mukarba Chowk last night, police said. In the third incident, two occupants of a Maruti Eeco were injured when it overturned after colliding with a Honda City car in Mangolpuri last night, they said. It is suspected that the drivers of both the vehicles were either drunk or had fallen asleep, the added. PTI SLB AQS --- ENDS --- Patently Apple posted three reports mid-month regarding new laws proposed by the Australia government compelling companies like Apple and Facebook to provide access to encrypted messages. Australia's Attorney-General met with Apple Officials to discuss the topics of Cyber Security and Decryption while Apple flew in top brass to lobby against the proposed laws. Australia's Prime Minister spoke about the encryption problem with the Australian press and it sounded as though a showdown on this issue was on the horizon. The heat will now likely be turned up as the Australian authorities foiled a terror plot overnight that was aimed at bringing down a plane. Four individuals associated with the plot have been arrested according to new reports published today. The UK's Telegraph reports that "Police disrupted a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane and arrested four men on Saturday in raids on homes in several Sydney suburbs, the prime minister said. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Sunday that security had been increased at Sydney Airport since Thursday because of the plot. The increased security measures had been extended to all major international and domestic terminals around Australia overnight. 'I can report last night that there has been a major joint counterterrorism operation to disrupt a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane,' Turnbull told reporters. 'The operation is continuing.'" The report further noted that Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin stated that 'There was no evidence that airport security had been compromised. We believe it's Islamic-inspired terrorism. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said police agreed they had to act on Saturday night because the threat was imminent. "The reality with terrorism, ... (is) you can't wait until you put the whole puzzle together," Fuller said. "If you get it wrong, the consequences are severe." Other reports covering this today include: the Weekend Australian, the BBC and France 24 (English video). Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will more than likely use this incident as yet another case as to why they need tech companies to understand that encryption for communication apps are the enemy of law enforcement that must be addressed once and for all. 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. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Iranian Public May Be Turning More Skeptical, Hostile Toward US 07/29/17 By Derek Davison & Jim Lobe (source: LobeLog) The Ramifications of Rouhani's Re-election: A public opinion study The election and subsequent actions of the Trump administration appears to have provoked much greater skepticism, if not hostility, regarding U.S. intentions among the Iranian public, according to a major new poll released here Friday by the Center for International & Security Studies at the University of Maryland (CISSM). The poll, the latest in a two-year series conducted by CISSM on Iran, found growing support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between the so-called P5+1 and Iran, despite the belief by a 63% majority of the 1004 respondents who were interviewed in mid-June that the deal has not yet resulted in hoped-for improvements in the country's economy. The poll, which focused particularly on the dynamics of Iran's May election, also found that some eight in 10 respondents agreed that President Hassan Rouhani's re-election results more from general approval of his foreign policy and the JCPOA in particular than his performance in improving the economy or upholding the ideals of the Islamic revolution. With respect to international relations, however, perhaps the most significant findings included growing popular support for the JCPOA and strong opposition to any possible demands by Washington that the deal be renegotiated in ways that could disadvantage Tehran or its ability to defend itself. Indeed, Iranians do not appear inclined to renegotiate its terms with the Trump administration, nor are they prepared to accept anything that might look like a U.S. violation of the agreement. A large majority-61.6 percent-say that if President Donald Trump attempts to renegotiate the JCPOA, as he has expressed interest in doing, the Iranian government "should not agree" to any increase in the duration of the deal's limits on Iran's nuclear program. Most Iranians are similarly uninterested in making additional concessions to Washington in exchange for additional sanctions relief. One of Rouhani's major campaign promises was to pursue the complete removal of all U.S. and Western sanctions against Iran, but majorities of Iranians say they would reject limiting Iran's missile program (62.6 percent), recognizing Israel (66.3 percent), ending aid to "groups like the Hezbollah of Lebanon" (59 percent), and ending aid to Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria (58 percent) in return for sanctions relief. The prospects of renegotiation aside, there's strong reason to believe that the Iranian public already believes the United States is in violation of the nuclear accord. In the June survey, 49.3 percent of Iranians said that new U.S. sanctions related to Iran's missile development program would be "against the letter and spirit of the JCPOA agreement," while another 23.7 percent said such sanctions would be "against the spirit" of the deal. The Trump administration announced new sanctionsrelated to Iran's missile program in mid-July, and is reportedly considering additional penalties in the wake of a new Iranian missile test on Thursday. Moreover, both houses of Congress this week passed a bill that, unless vetoed by Trump, will impose more punishment against Iran over its missile program. The Iranian public has strong views about how their government should handle any perceived U.S. violations of the nuclear deal. Majority Ready to Abandon Agreement Perhaps the biggest change in results between the May and June surveys revolved around the question of how Iran should respond to any American violation of the JCPOA. In May, 45.3 percent said that Iran should resume parts of its nuclear program that the deal limited while 43.1 percent said that Iran should continue to abide by the agreement and pursue grievances against the U.S. in an international context. But in June, 55.4 percent of Iranians said that they were in favor of resuming a full-scale nuclear program against 41.4 percent who said that Iran should maintain compliance with the JCPOA. This point is particularly salient right now, because a recent flurry of activity from the Trump White House suggests that it is preparing to take drastic steps that could trigger some kind of Iranian response. On July 17, the administration certified Iran's compliance with the JCPOA's terms for the second time since Trump took office in January. But reports quickly emerged that President Trump himself had argued vociferously in favor of decertifying Iran. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal this week, Trump seemed to suggest that he will not certify Iranian compliance when the issue comes up again in 90 days. Although it is unclear on what basis Trump has decided to take this step, he's reportedly tasked a group within his White House with coming up with a justification for decertifying. One step the administration is reportedly about to take involves "testing" the JCPOA by pushing for inspections of sensitive Iranian military sites. Though the administration will need to provide some justification for requesting access to those sites under the terms of the nuclear deal, if it is successful that could challenge the deal's support among Iranians. As Ebrahim Mohseni, one of the co-authors of the CISSM/IranPoll survey, said at a Friday's rollout of the report at the Atlantic Council: The perception of the [nuclear] deal in Iran is somewhat different than the deal itself. People perceive the deal to include all sanctions, not just nuclear-related sanctions. People perceive the deal as blocking any new sanctions in the future. A lot of these misperceptions have been corrected, but there is one that remains, probably because every Iranian official has said "we are not going to do that," and that's allowing inspection of Iranian military sites. The perception in Iran is that the deal doesn't allow inspection of military sites. If that misperception is corrected, I don't know what the support for the JCPOA would be. Of course, the poll was conducted June 11-17, shortly after the June 6 terror attacks on the Iranian Parliament and the shrine to the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. As such, it reflects public attitudes that preceded the Trump administration's more aggressive statements against Iran of the last few weeks. Mohseni did not speculate on how they may have affected the Iranian public attitudes toward Washington's intentions or the willingness to renegotiate the JCPOA. But they are unlikely to help. CISSM's penultimate survey conducted just before the May 19 elections in Iran, found a distinct lack of confidence in the U.S. to comply with the JCPOA. Nearly three in four respondents in that poll (which accurately predicted the final elections results within two percentage points), said that they were not confident that the U.S. "will live up to the obligations toward the nuclear agreement; only 24% expressed confidence that Washington would." That was a dramatic change from the 45% plurality that expressed confidence in Washington's compliance in September 2015. Trump's latest statements have no doubt cast even greater doubt on Washington's future compliance. Despite continued confidence (53%-41%) that the other P5+1 countries would continue to live up to their obligations under the JCPOA, 55% of respondents in the June poll said that they believed that Tehran should retaliate against Washington's non-compliance by restarting its nuclear program rather than seeking a resolution of the dispute through the United Nations (41%). Growing Pessimism According to Paul Pillar, a veteran CIA analyst who served as National Intelligence Officer for the Near East from 2000 to 2006, the latter finding was "striking." Although he had previously believed that Iran would continue to comply with the JCPOA while seeking redress through its dispute-resolution mechanism if Washington violated the agreement, the poll results gave him pause. "This is the political milieu in which Rouhani and the Supreme Leader will have to make decisions," he told attendees at the Atlantic Council. "You can't just brush that off. The calculation may be they want to stand up to the Americans, and (this is) how they may do so." He said he was "extremely pessimistic" about Trump. "The majority [of Iranian respondents] is right to be very skeptical about this administration," he added. "When you get to the inspection gambit, most of the public would correctly see it as precisely that-a gambit-part of an effort to try to get Iran to make the first move ...or declare the agreement dead." Much depends, according to both Pillar and Mohseni, on how the Europeans in the P5+1 respond to any US violation or provocation. If their reaction to Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate accord is any indication, Pillar said, the Europeans may very well stick to the JCPOA and leave Washington Isolated. Significant hostility toward Washington was made evident by some other findings in the latest poll. Asked, for example, who they thought was behind the June 7 terror attacks, 52% named the Islamic State (ISIS or IS), which took credit for the attacks, but nearly one in five respondents (19%) named the United States. Another 17% named Saudi Arabia. Sixty-one percent of respondents said it was "very likely" that the U.S. "provided guidance or support for the perpetrators"-just behind Saudi Arabia (67%) and Israel (65%). In the wake of the terror attacks, two thirds of respondents (68%) said that Iran should increase its support of groups fighting IS-that was up from 56% last December. But 55% said that they would disapprove of "collaborating with" the US to help the government of Iraq fight IS. In CISSM's August 2015 poll, 59% said that Tehran should collaborate with Washington if fighting IS in Iraq. Asked their views about each of the P5+1 countries, 60% of respondents said that they held "very unfavorable views" of the United States, the worst ratings of all six countries. Of the six, China, Russia, and Germany were seen most favorably in that order. About the Author: Derek Davison is a Washington-based researcher and writer on international affairs and American politics. He has Master's degrees in Middle East Studies from the University of Chicago, where he specialized in Iranian history and policy, and in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied American foreign policy and Russian/Cold War history. He previously worked in the Persian Gulf for The RAND Corporation. Iran's IRGC reports 2nd US naval provocation in Persian Gulf in less than a week 07/29/17 Source: Press TV Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has reported a second provocation by US warships in the Persian Gulf waters less than a week after a similar incident in the same region. "At 4 p.m. local time (1130 GMT) on Friday, the supercarrier USS Nimitz and its accompanying warship, while being monitored by the IRGC Nay's missile frigates, flew a helicopter near the Resalat oil and gas platform and approached the IRGC's ships," IRGC Navy said in a statement on Saturday. "The US made a provocative and unprofessional move by warning the Iranian vessels through firing flares," but the Iranian forces continued with their mission "in disregard of the unconventional and unusual behavior of American vessels" that later left the region, the statement read. It came a few days after a similar incident in the northern Persian Gulf, where a US Navy ship sailed toward an IRGC Navy ship, which was patrolling in international waters, and fired two shots into the air. The IRGC said in a statement following Tuesday's incident that it had neutralized the US Navy move, which was made "with the aim of provocation and intimidation." Speedboats belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (Source: Sobh No daily) Iranian naval forces are tasked with guaranteeing security within the country's maritime borders, where they have been involved in a series of face-offs with US vessels for intrusion into Iranian territorial waters. Iran has repeatedly warned that any act of transgression into Iran's territorial waters would be met with an immediate and befitting response. Another news story about an American warship firing warning shots near an Iranian boat in the Persian Gulf. Here's a useful diagram. pic.twitter.com/huWxOK0eCJ Reza Marashi (@rezamarashi) July 25, 2017 In recent years, Iran's Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers. It has also conducted major drills to enhance its defense capabilities. EU Foreign Policy Chief to attend inauguration of Iran's President Rohani 07/29/17 Source: Press TV EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini plans to travel to Tehran to take part in the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Mogherini will arrive in Tehran on August 5 in her capacity as the head of the Iran-P5+1 Joint Commission, which oversees the implementation of the landmark nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in July 2015. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini meets Iranian President Hassan Rohani Tehran, October 2016 (photo by Islamic Republic News Agency) On the sidelines of the inaugural ceremony, the EU foreign policy chief is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Iranian dignitaries. The sides will review the JCPOA implementation and discuss issues of bilateral and regional relevance. Rouhani, who was reelected Iran's president in May, is to be officially inaugurated for another four years as the country's chief executive on August 5. Many senior Iranian and foreign dignitaries will attend the swearing-in ceremony for Rouhani at the parliament. Before the ceremony, a decree by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei will be handed to the Iranian president to officially assign him his duties. Rouhani, first elected Iran's president in 2013, re-ran for office in the May 2017 election, garnering 57 percent of the popular votes to defeat his main rival Ebrahim Raeisi, the current custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH). Iran Condemns Sanctions, Says It Will Pursue Missile Program 'With Full Power' 07/29/17 Source: RFE/RL Iran has condemned new sanctions passed by the U.S. Congress over its missile program and vowed to continue it. "We will continue with full power our missile program," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi was quoted as telling state-controlled television on July 29. "We condemn the hostile and unacceptable action," he said of the sanctions. "The reentrance of refreshing Sanctions" Satire by Iranian daily Ghanoon Ghasemi said Tehran considers consider the action by the United States as "hostile, reprehensible, and unacceptable," adding that "it's ultimately an effort to weaken the nuclear deal." Under the 2015 nuclear agreement with the United States and other world powers, Iran has significantly limited its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran maintains that the missiles that it tests don't violate its nuclear agreement with world powers because they are for defensive purposes. "The military and missile fields...are our domestic policies and others have no right to intervene or comment on them," Ghasemi said. "We reserve the right to reciprocate and make an adequate response to the U.S. actions," he added. The sanctions bill, which also targets Russia and North Korea, was passed by the U.S. Senate late last week, after being approved by the House of Representatives. The new legislation would impose mandatory penalties on people involved in Iran's ballistic-missile program and anyone who does business with them. The measure would designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and enforce an arms embargo against Iran. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders has said that President Donald Trump will sign the bill into law. Separately on July 28, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on six subsidiaries of an Iranian company that it said was "central" to Tehran's ballistic-missile program. Treasury said the new U.S. sanctions announced were in response to Iran's "continued provocative actions," such as the July 27 rocket launch. "The U.S. government will 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," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on July 28. Mnuchin said the sanctions "underscore the United States' deep concerns with Iran's continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and other provocative behavior." Also on July 28, Britain, France, and Germany joined the U.S. in condemning Iran's launch of a satellite-carrying rocket and warned that it runs counter to a UN resolution carrying out the 2015 nuclear deal. In a joint statement, they urged Iran to stop developing missiles and rockets that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads and have "a destabilizing impact on the region." With reporting by AFP and AP Former Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in the erstwhile President Mahama administration, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has alleged that the ransack carried out by the police in the house of former Energy Minister, Hon. Kwabena Donkor was orchestrated by President Akufo-Addo. According to the Juaboso lawmaker, President Akufo-Addo is to be blamed for the raid which took place in the house of Hon. Kwabena Donkor as the police CID acted on the orders of the Executive power to go for court order to search the former Energy Ministers house. Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh claimed it is the hallmark of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to hide behind group of people and state institution to carry out their crimes and then pretend to be innocent and unsupportive of the act which was carried out. He cited "Delta Force" saga as a clear example of how the NPP is deceiving Ghanaians; thus, President Akufo-Addo coming out first to abhor the act of "Delta Force" is a trick the NPP is playing on the minds of the citizens. The NPP is carrying out some tricks in the country. Whenever they commit crime through vigilante groups and the state security, they come out to disassociate themselves from the crime. They tell their communicators to come out to play the innocent and even say they are not in support of the crime whereas they are behind it, he asserted. In the case of former Energy Ministers house raid, Hon. Mintah Akandoh insisted the police CID did not carry out that exercise without the backing of the Presidency; however the NPP communicators are quick to condemn the police for the raid. . . no police can carry out that exercise without authorization from the Presidency; no police can act without instruction and so I will not go and blame the Police for the raid but I blame Nana Akufo- Addo, he accused. He maintained that the court did not out of the blue decided to issue court order to raid the former Energy Minister's home; thus no court searches for a case to adjudicate but rather arbitrate on a case brought before it. Someone sent the motion to court for that order. He said on authority that it is the mindset of the Executive arm of government to send the motion to court for an order; reiterating that the court can also not be blamed for the issuance of the order to the police to act upon it. We have 3 arms of government; the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. The police service takes orders from IGP and the IGP answers to the Interior Minister and then the Minister represents the President; so the bus always stops at the doorstep of the President, he elaborated. He was of the view that as a Member of Parliament, the police should have written to the Speaker of Parliament before making such a move to raid Hon. Kwabena Donkors house to confiscate his laptop and other things. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service raided the house of former Power Minister Dr. Kwabena Donkor in connection with investigations into the controversial $510million Ameri deal. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Pressure is mounting on the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei, to reinstate a senior officer she asked to proceed on leave over alleged misappropriation of the commissions staff welfare fund. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, ECs Director of Finance, has vowed to sue the commission if Mrs Osei does not rescind the decision, claiming that hes being wrongly accused. He has caused his lawyer, Akoto Ampaw of Akufu-Addo and Prempeh Chambers, to write to Ms. Osei demanding his re-instatement, otherwise he would resort to the court of law for redress. Before the ongoing scandal at the commission in which Mrs. Osei stands accused of abuse of office and corruption by some concerned EC staff exploded, the topical issue at the commission was the purported misappropriation of staff welfare fund. Georgina Opoku-Amankwah, a Deputy Commissioner in-charge of Corporate Services, together with Kwaku Owusu Agyei-Larbi, Chief Accountant and Joseph Asamoah, Finance Officer, were asked to proceed on leave over reported missing GH480,000 belonging to the workers. The decision to interdict the officers commenced when the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) wrote to the commission that it had taken over the case and that the suspects are assisting investigations. However, the suspended Finance Officers lawyers said their client demonstrated before the EOCO with ample documentary evidence that he had nothing to do with the subject matter. Our client, Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, has absolutely nothing to do with the matter and should not be made a scapegoat of any boardroom struggles engulfing the commission. We are accordingly instructed to demand you to recall our client from the imposed leave to enable him continue his normal work as Director of Finance of the Commission. Should you fail to do so, we would be compelled to initiate legal proceedings against you to protect our client against any form of victimization and injustice, Mr Akoto-Ampaw stated. The lawyer then attached documents, including letters that showed that their client was innocent, a letter from the Controller and Accountant General to the Bank of Ghana, as well as the ECs Audit Report on the Endowment Fund, which they say were ample evidence clearing Mr. Asamoah. Welfare Schemes The EC Staff Welfare Schemes were inaugurated on 5th June, 2009 to cater for the welfare of those working for the commission and a 13-member board of administrators was set up to administer the management of the Schemes. According to the EC, the schemes included ?Endowment, ?Retirement and ?Funeral and the Board, under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Chairman (Finance and Administration) and assisted by commission members, had its first meeting on 17th June, 2009 and members were appointed to serve on the various schemes. The EC said the Board has a representation from the commission, the directors, Senior Staff Association, the Local Trade Union and two other co-opted members. It said the schemes had been composed such that the ?Endowment Fund has the Director (Finance), Chief Accountant and Local Union Representative as the members while the ?Retirement Scheme has Director (Human Resource and General Services), Senior Staff Representative, Local Union Representative and a Co-opted Member as its composition. According to the commission, the ?Funeral Scheme has Director, Senior Staff Representative, Local Union Representative and a Co-opted Member as its composition and that the commission invested their contributions with NDK Financial Services. According to the EC, the Endowment Committee was supposed to receive monthly deductions of members of staff contributions from the cash office of the commission, for onward submission to NDK Financial Services for investment. The audit team identified during the audit that there was non-release of funds (i.e. staff deductions) by the commission to the Fund Managers for onward submission to NDK Financial Services for the period covering March 2014 to October 2014, and this amounted to Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Seven Ghana Cedis and Eighty-Seven Pesewas. This denied existing members and also retirees of interest on funds if it had been invested for the period stated, an internal audit report revealed. Additionally, those on retirement received their benefits, excluding the interest, on the un-invested funds and this left gaps in the computation of individual staff members contribution. The report said that the audit team noted that monthly cheques issued to the Fund were released very late and in some cases were never released at all. For example, a cheque of GH47,754.54 with cheque No. 922744 meant for payment into the Fund for the month of November 2012 was issued on 31/12/2012, being one month after its due date. Such late submission of cheques denied contributors to the fund the opportunity to earn any interest income had the monies been received and invested earlier. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Vladimir Putin confirmed that he had ordered Washington to cut its diplomatic staff strength in Russia, a move sparked by the American Congress approving new, tougher sanctions against Moscow. By India Today Web Desk: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said that 755 US diplomats must leave his country, Russian media reported. The move is in direct retaliation to the United States Congress unanimously approving new, tougher sanctions against Russia. Putin's comments about the 755 diplomats came in an interview with the state-owned Rossiya 1 TV channel and followed Moscow announcing that it would expel hundreds of US diplomats in retaliation to the US Congress's new sanctions. advertisement According to a Russia Today report of the interview, Putin said, "The American side has made a move which, it is important to note, hasn't been provoked by anything, to worsen Russian-US relations. [It includes] unlawful restrictions, attempts to influence other states of the world, including our allies, who are interested in developing and keeping relations with Russia." "We've been waiting for quite a long time that maybe something would change for the better, we had hopes that the situation would change," Putin reportedly said. "But it looks like, it's not going to change in the near future... I decided that it is time for us to show that we will not leave anything unanswered." "More than a thousand employees - (US) diplomats and technical workers - have worked, are still working in Russia, 755 will have to cease their activities in the Russian Federation," Putin added. The number of cuts ordered by Putin would reduce the US's diplomatic strength in Russia to 455 people - the same number of personnel that Moscow currently has in the US. Notably, the sanctions, which also target Iran and North Korea, passed by US Congress are yet to be approved by President Donald Trump. Ties between Russia and the US became increasingly fraught ever since Washington accused Moscow of meddling in its presidential elections last year. Former President Barack Obama even expelled 35 Russian diplomats and shut down two Russian compounds in the US that American agencies claimed were being used for espionage. US President Trump has often indicated that he wants to improve Washington-Moscow ties, but in his interview Sunday, President Putin suggested that it was unlikely to happen any time "soon". Putin also went on to indicate that he is "against" any further measures against the US for now. (With inputs from agencies) ALSO READ | For Donald Trump, the honeymoon with Vladimir Putin may finally by over Russia did not meddle in US election: Putin to Trump at G20 summit US Senate slaps new sanctions on Putin's Russia, putting Donald Trump in corner --- ENDS --- advertisement O.J. Simpson's release from prison is helping one Pennsylvania business sell more doughnuts - or at least that's the hope. A new billboard from York-based Maple Donuts says "O.J. is FREE! with every dozen donuts" and you can see it below. The play on words is a reference to Simposon's recently granted parole from a Nevada prison after serving nine years for armed robbery. READ MORE: So far, the new ad is getting positive reviews from Maple Donuts fans. "OJ IS FREE!.... with every purchase of a dozen donuts" okay maple donuts u got me there cassie (@Cassie_H12) July 27, 2017 Maple Donuts had a "free O.J." campaign during the landmark trial when Simpson was acquitted in the 1994 murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her boyfriend Ronald Goldman. The doughnut company also had a big ad push in 2007 when Simpson was arrested, charged and found guilty in Las Vegas for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. In any presidential administration there's infighting, jockeying for position and struggles over the levers of power. How skillfully those tensions, the "palace intrigue" of American politics, are handled is the difference between success and failure. Republican strategist Charlie Gerow (PennLive file) If those tensions are handled internally, at the staff level, and with deft managerial practices, they become non-stories. When they are allowed to spill into full public view with sharp elbows flailing in every direction they can have a chilling effect internally, causing paralysis in the daily functions of government. They can also result in real difficulties in staffing the administration with the brightest and best, as folks on the outside become reluctant to be part of dysfunction. As Morton Blackwell has often observed, "Personnel is policy" so the prospect of the best people for a job looking away is troubling for any administration. To advance an agenda requires the most talented people working in as close to harmony as possible. It may not always be possible to get eagles to fly in formation, but they can be kept from attacking each other. Last week, President Donald Trump addressed the Boy Scouts of America. Borrowing from the Boy Scout Law, the president intoned, "As the Scout Law says, a Scout is trustworthy, loyal--we could sure use some loyalty, I will tell you that..." It's not coincidence that the first two laws for the Boy Scouts are trustworthiness and loyalty. Trust and loyalty are inextricably linked. They are vital to any healthy relationship. They are especially vital in the bruising business of government and politics. When members of any team are honest with and loyal to each other the team wins. Knowing that others will look out for you just as you look out for them is essential to the cohesiveness necessary to effectively govern. Loyalty is too rare and trust too easy to lose. Both require daily commitment. Merely mouthing the words isn't sufficient. Actions speak much louder. Conspicuous by his absence at the Boy Scout Jamboree was Attorney General Jeff Sessions, himself an Eagle Scout. For days, Trump had been taking public shots at the Attorney General in his tweets, leaving many to wonder why he was marginalizing and publicly humiliating a man who was his first supporter in the Senate, a key ally and advisor throughout the campaign, and one of his staunchest defenders. Sessions was and is a true believer in both Trump and the Trump agenda. He championed hard-line policies on immigration and trade long before Donald Trump rode them to victory last year. Moreover, he's a solid conservative who has earned the loyalty and trust of the conservative base that is both vital to Trump and restless over his actions. There's wide speculation that the President wants to push Sessions into resigning. That doesn't appear likely to happen. Sessions has made it pretty clear that he intends to stay. The only thing that would cause him to leave is if he was actually fired. Firing Sessions would be the worst possible move for Trump. "If Jeff Sessions is fired there will be holy hell to pay," warned Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., earlier this week. The media's reaction to a Trump firing would be only a part of the equation. Coupled with the Washington, D.C. establishment there would be a firestorm that might rival hell's. The larger problem for Trump wouldn't be the fires of the media or the Establishment. His bigger problem would be the fury from the conservative base, which is already increasingly vocal in its criticism of Trump's approach to Sessions. Sessions has been loyal to conservatives and their agenda. They will be fiercely loyal to him. The treatment of Sessions is unprecedented. It's not simply because Twitter is now available to make caustic comments about his service to our country. Other high-ranking officials in previous administrations have been fired or simply left with empty portfolios. The tack taken with Sessions is far beyond that. Loyalty is, of course, a two way street. In the case of a presidential administration it's not only the personal loyalty to the president, which is required of any good administration, but also the reciprocation of that loyalty. It's also loyalty to the Constitution, to which the oath of office is sworn, and the rule of law. What is getting lost in the internal squabbling is the president's own agenda. The American people want a replacement for Obamacare, tax relief and reform and a safer and more reliable roads and bridges. None of those lofty goals has been achieved yet. In any administration, the departments of Justice ands State are at the top of the "here's where things get done" list. The upheaval surrounding Jeff Sessions has potentially devastating implications for the Trump Administration's ability to move its policy agenda and get things done. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has not been pleased with the internal machinations of the administration, either. He's another Eagle Scout. Charlie Gerow, the CEO of Quantum Communications in Harrisburg, is a PennLive Opinion contributor. His "Elephants & Donkeys" column appears weekly opposite liberal commentator Tony May. FILE Ai In this Aug. 3, 2014, file photo, the water intake crib for the city of Toledo, Ohio, is surrounded by an algae bloom on Lake Erie, about 2.5 miles off the shore of Curtice, Ohio. Researchers are working on creating an early warning system that can spot when algae begins showing up on hundreds of lakes across the U.S., using real-time data from satellites that already monitor harmful algae hotspots on Lake Erie in Ohio and on the Chesapeake Bay along the East Coast. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File) A Canadian flag flaps in the wind behind migrant worker Henry Aguirre of Guatemala during a demonstration in Montreal, Sunday, July 23, 2017. Activists and migrant workers say Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker program doesn't adequately protect the rights of vulnerable workers despite the laws in place. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes Striking workers are seen picketing at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Friday, July, 28, 2017. The union for 700 striking workers at Canada's busiest airport says the strike caused significant baggage handling delays Friday evening. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov FILE - In this Monday, July 24, 2017, file photo, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses thousands of protesters following his state of the nation address outside the Lower House in Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. Philippine police fatally shot a city mayor who was among the politicians the president publicly linked to illegal drugs and many others in gunbattles that erupted Sunday, July 30, in the south, police said, in one of the bloodiest anti-drug assaults so far under his crackdown. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File) BJP MP Ravindra Kishore Sinha, expressed his disappointment over the recent Bihar cabinet reshuffle, as he feels there is no representation of members from the Kayastha community. By Ilma Hasan: Reinstated Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday expanded his cabinet including 12 new members from the BJP. Even though the party got its highest share in the cabinet, many BJP legislators were disappointed with the decision made by the top brass of BJP and JD(U). One such legislator was the BJP MP Ravindra Kishore Sinha, who said, he was upset that the Kayastha community was not given any representation. advertisement Speaking to India Today, RK Sinha said, "I am disheartened to see that the Kayastha community did not get representation in the new cabinet. I have been a dedicated worker of the party, the community has stood by the BJP" The cabinet reshuffle and induction of the BJP leaders in Bihar was approved by the party president Amit Shah. Sinha said he has sought a meeting with the party chief to express his disappointment. Sinha said, "I have asked for Amit Shah to meet me and talk about this. I have dedicated decades of my life to the BJP, the Kayastha community deserved some representation". Alleging that Shah was misled, Sinha said, "He was misguided and fed incorrect information. Don't know who is responsible for this, but I feel disheartened" While Nitish retained Home and Personnel, Monitoring Division portfolios; Sushil Modi was in-charge of Finance, Economics, Forest and IT departments. The new arrangement emerged after Nitish Kumar snapped ties with the grand alliance partners, the RJD and the Congress over corruption charges against former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. Also read: Amit Shah in Lucknow: 2 Samajwadi MLCs quit, 3 MLAs 'waiting' to join BJP LIVE: Nitish Kumar wins Bihar Assembly floor test with 131 votes Also Watch: Nitish's ghar wapsi: India Today's extensive coverage of Bihar politics --- ENDS --- FILE- In this March 10, 2013 file photo, a glass of whisky is held up in front of the Diageo Claive Scotch Whisky collection in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scotland has called for Scotch to be defined in U.K. law so that the whisky industry can be protected after Brexit. (David Cheskin/PA via AP, file) In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, a U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber, left, flies with South Korean F-15K fighter jets over Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Sunday, July 30, 2017. The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP) 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. Madrid has said that such a referendum is wholly illegal and that should it be held and if the majority votes in favor of separation it will be given no credence whatsoever. ON THE POLITICAL FRONT we have written from time to time about the separatist movement in Catalonia, which obviously Madrid abhors and finds anathema. The Catalan government is preparing to hold a referendum on separation October 1st. Madrid has said that such a referendum is wholly illegal and that should it be held and if the majority votes in favor of separation it will be given no credence whatsoever. As one leading member of the Spanish Cabinet said over the past weekend Not a single euro of the Catalans will be directed toward an illegal referendum that is wanted by a few. What the Rajoy Cabinet means is that taxes paid by the Catalans and sent to Madrid will not be transmitted back to Catalonia if this referendum is held. The Generalitat... the name for the Catalan regional government... has said that within 48 hours after a successful vote for separation Catalonia will declare itself wholly independent! Madrid has said that it intends to hold Mr. Artur Mas, the former Catalan First Minister, and others in Mr. Mas' coterie, "responsible" for the vote. This we take as a threat that Madrid will move immediately to jail Mr. Mas, and perhaps will even move against the current First Minister, Mr. Charles Puigdemont. Just when one thinks that all things political in Europe are working well and shaping up nicely, along comes an old problem once again. Dennis Gartman/ The Gartman Letter / June 25 , 2017 The government was applauded for the memorial but it was also criticised for putting the Bhagavad Gita next to the statue of Kalam playing a 'veena'. By Pramod Madhav: After a controversy started over authorities leaving a copy of the Bhagavad Gita next to the statue of former President APJ Abdul Kalam at the memorial built for him at Rameswaram, a Bible and Quran were also placed to end the row. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the memorial at Peikulam, Rameswaram, the birthplace of Kalam, on July 27. advertisement The government was applauded for the memorial but it was also criticised for putting the Bhagavad Gita next to the statue of Kalam playing a 'veena'. When questioned, an official explained that Kalam loved the veena and that he often quoted from the Bhagavad Gita, but no official came forward to prove the claim. The controversy began when MDMK leader Vaiko questioned if Bhagavad Gita is more sacred than the Tamil book 'Thirukural' written by Thiruvalluvar, and alleged that the Centre is trying to saffronize even the legacy of Kalam. Not wanting the controversy to grow bigger, Kalam's grand nephew Sheik Saleem placed a Bible and a Quran next to the Bhagavad Gita, to prove that Kalam was a man who was beyond religion who has a grand dream of a better India. The next controversy waiting to happen is the vast usage of saffron like color in his memorial which can anytime be picked up by Tamil politicians. Also Read: PM Modi inaugurates 'missile man' APJ Kalam's memorial on his 2nd death anniversary Watch Video: Bible and Quran placed at Abdul Kalam's statue following Bhagavad Gita controversy --- ENDS --- When I was younger, I asked my mother if I could add a vowel to the end of my name. "Why," she said, not particularly surprised that her quirky eldest child would make a bizarre statement like that. "Because," I answered, "I want people to know that I'm Italian and with a name like Flowers they won't." The former Lucy Fusco just looked at me and shook her head, which was Italian for "If God made us perfect, we'd have nothing to pray for." I suppose it's also why she named me after the patron saint of the mentally diseased. Really, look it up. I tell you this because I want you to know how proud I am of my heritage. While only 50 percent of my DNA is from the bel paese, I feel completely Italian, despite the freckled white skin which refuses to tan, the inability to cook anything that doesn't come with reheating instructions and an aversion to homemade wine. These are all part of the stereotype of the paisano, along with the certainty that somewhere along the genealogical trail I would have tripped over piano wire. You see what I did there? I made what some would consider an ethnic slur, and what others (the kind of Italians I grew up with) would notice as self-deprecating humor. I was surrounded by relatives who probably knew Mafiosi, and might even have invited them to social events, but who looked at that part of the heritage as an infamia, a disgrace, albeit one that you could joke about. All of this to place what I am about to say next in context: I love my origins. I may not be able to cook, but I know that God created every other cuisine just so that people would realize you can't beat pasta Amatriciana and a Caprese salad. I will never be mistaken for a Mediterranean beauty, but I can explain to you why Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida couldn't stand one another. I have a mediocre voice, but I actually know what Violetta is saying while singing her tubercular lungs out in "La traviata." That's why I'm disgusted with Anthony Scaramucci, Donald Trump's newest hire. As I said on my Facebook page, a communications director who uses four-letter words like a street fighter is good if your boss is the capo of the Genovese family. It is not so good if you work for the President of the United States. And let me be clear. This has absolutely nothing to do with politics. I would say the same thing if Tony the Mooch worked for Hillary Clinton (and he did: John Podesta.) I would say the same thing if he worked for Barack Obama, and in fact, number 44 also had a rank embarrassment in his cabinet. Rahm Emanuel was one of the most profane, obscene, and arrogant people to ever inhabit the White House, and I don't remember the media being particularly hard on him for his rough edges. But two wrongs do not make a right, as Connie Corleone could tell you (if you need a refresher, check out the baptismal scene of "The Godfather.") Anthony Scaramucci has been an obnoxious party crasher from the beginning, using his stiletto-sharp elbows to barge into D.C.'s inner sanctum. Some people think that's dandy, and liken him to Trump's Mini-Me. They share a lot in common in their origin stories, their New York brashness, their absolute inability to feel shame. They are not gentlemen. And yet, I think it was a big mistake for the president to bring this viper into his political family, because he is very clearly interested in making a name for himself at the expense of the cohesiveness and reputation of the White House. Granted, this White House has a very big image problem, one that is not helped by the media's obvious hostility toward Trump. I swear we're one step away from CNN posting "Breaking News: Trump Breaks Wind on Front Lawn." But as I said before, two wrongs don't make a right, and Scaramucci is very, very wrong. He embodies the worst stereotypes of the loud, slick, con man who is as adept with guns as he is with cannoli, a pompous pompadour infected with "Saturday Night Fever," a guy who thinks that you can intimidate with four-letter words. Here is what he said, on the record, to a reporter: "I want to fing kill all the leakers and I want to get the President's agenda on track so we can succeed for the American people." Italians are not the only ones who use the "F" word, not by a long shot. But that kind of Trumpfellas arrogance is disgusting. Some might wonder why Scaramucci's ethnicity is at all relevant. If he were black or Jewish you say, I wouldn't dare write this column. True, but then it wouldn't be my column to write. This one is. I descend from Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Marconi, Vespucci, Verdi, Manzoni and the Medicis. My people are war heroes like John Basilone, sat on the Supreme Court, like Scalia, and revived dying industries, like Iacocca. That future caricature on SNL doesn't represent any of us. Norristown's Maria Bello is joining the most-watched show in the world, CBS' NCIS. The Villanova grad, whose most recent TV gig was playing the lawyer ex-wife of Billy Bob Thornton's character in Amazon's dark Goliath, will make her NCIS debut in the fourth episode this fall. The hit show returns for its 15th season at 8 p.m. Sept. 26. According to CBS, Bello will play an NCIS agent am I the only one who's forgotten that NCIS stands for Naval Criminal Investigative Service? who formerly was commissioned as a U.S. Army second lieutenant and served two tours in Afghanistan. Now she's reputed to be NCIS' top forensic psychologist, someone who "can second-guess and challenge" Mark Harmon's character, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. "We have always been big fans of Maria Bello's work and are excited to be introducing her as an agent who not only has distinct talent, but also a unique relationship with Gibbs," said NCIS executive producers George Schenck and Frank Cardea in a prepared statement released by CBS. Bello, who's also a writer, has long moved freely between movies The Cooler, Lights Out and TV ER, Prime Suspect, Touch while maintaining a busy life as a social activist and supporter of relief efforts in Haiti. In an interview last summer, Bello talked about the difference of working on a show like Goliath, compared to her previous broadcast network work: "We don't have to worry about how many times we say [expletive] or showing a [breast]. But it's so much more than that. I think on network shows, they want people to be likable. On cable and streaming, they don't need to be." Read more: Maria Bello stars in NBC's Prime Suspect Meghan Blickman, here with her dog Buddy, lost her job, but with the help of a Special Enrollment Period and a skilled navigator, she found good health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Read more When she was the training director for a nonprofit that helps educate people about their health coverage options, Meghan Blickman's own insurance was covered by her employer. So when her job with Enroll America ended last month, one of her first priorities was finding new insurance that she could afford, but that would also cover her needs. "I'm not an expert in health care and it's complicated, so I sought out an expert," said Blickman, 29, from Point Breeze. Two days after contacting a health-care advocate, Health Federation of Philadelphia, by phone, she met with a navigator, and together they filled out her Marketplace application, at no charge to Blickman. Now, with premium credits, she has a plan that costs her about $225 a month. "Hopefully, this will be a temporary thing, but the idea of going without health insurance, even to save money, is not an option for me. Having health insurance is the law of the land, and I take that seriously." The national debate about "repealing and replacing" the Affordable Care Act is causing confusion, uncertainty, and misinformation, though even if Congress does agree to changes, they would not affect 2017 policies. President Trump has suggested he will let Obamacare, as the ACA often is known, fail. And even if Congress does nothing, his administration can cut participation in the program, through such steps as shortening enrollment periods, tightening enrollment rules, and ending consumer outreach. But the ACA is still the law. And if, like Blickman, your life has changed recently in a way that affects your health insurance coverage, it may offer you access to needed coverage, provided you follow the rules (more on that later). Losing or changing a job, moving to a new town, getting married or divorced, having a baby, and aging out of your parents' insurance coverage are all life events that entitle you to what is called a special enrollment period, a 60-day window to get new insurance through the ACA marketplace. (You can enroll in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Plan CHIP any time of year.) But not everyone knows about special enrollment periods, or understands why it's critical to act quickly. "People call us every time there's a headline in the newspaper and say, 'Oh no, I just lost coverage,' " said Antoinette Kraus, executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, a statewide advocacy coalition that runs a helpline (877-570-3642) for people seeking services. "Folks don't know when the Special Enrollment Period is, if the ACA still exists, if they're eligible or if it's even worth it." Working with new rules A typical comment Kraus has been hearing as politicians debate various overhaul schemes: "If this passes I won't have health insurance in a couple months anyway, so why bother?' " But as Hilary Young knows, the need for medical care is unpredictable. That's why she insisted on getting a basic insurance plan that cost her $300 a month back in 2011 when she moved to Philadelphia from New York to be with her boyfriend. "I was barely making enough money to cover that and had to dip into my savings," recalled the Queen Village woman. But a few years before her move, she needed emergency surgery for a painful ovarian cyst, and knew she wouldn't risk being uninsured. "It could bankrupt you or put you into debt when you're starting out in your life and career," said Young, who is relieved to now be on her husband's employer plan. Kraus said she fears that more people may risk going without insurance both because of the overall "repeal and replace" debate, and because of two specific revisions the Trump administration made in the ACA. The first, cutting the open enrollment period for coverage in 2018 in half from what it was in the past. So this year, consumers have only from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 to purchase coverage for next year if you don't qualify for a special enrollment period. The second revision is aimed at those special periods. "To be able to enroll in a plan, you have to provide documentation that you are indeed eligible," Kraus said. It used to be that you could choose a plan and enroll first, and submit documentation about your job loss or divorce or marriage later. When eligibility changes were made during the Obama administration, there was a 20 percent reduction in enrollment around those life changes, according to Kraus. "This is tightening it up even further, so we can expect the reduction will go down at least that amount, if not even further," she said. She provided clarity Another reason to act quickly: Most people need expert guidance to make this complicated purchase, and finding the right help can take time. About a year ago, when Jody Applebaum's divorce was finalized, she needed to find her own insurance plan. A self-employed musician on a low income, she went to the Marketplace website and found that "most of the plans were way above what I could afford," she recalled. "I was frustrated because time was running out and it was very difficult to speak with anybody on the Marketplace phone lines. I was sitting and waiting forever." More troubling was the fact that none of the plans she found covers a costly injectable drug she relies on for knee pain from osteoarthritis. "They may not deny you coverage, but they certainly are limiting your access to the things that would make you feel better," said Applebaum, 59, of Queen Village. Blickman said she has had to rearrange her budget to afford her $225-a-month share of the premiums, but believes that the cost is reasonable for what she's getting. She didn't even try to figure out the program herself, preferring to rely on an in-person meeting with a navigator. You can find navigators, agents, and brokers near you by going to the HealthCare.gov site and clicking on the "Find Local Help" link at the bottom of the home page. Her navigator helped her compare available plans, and understand her tax credit eligibility. "She provided me a lot of clarity between the metal levels: bronze, platinum, and silver," Blickman said, referring to how plans are ranked according to how much coverage they provide. "Ones that you would think were better might not actually be the best for you." Blickman also wanted to ensure that her antidepressant medication would be covered, so the navigator helped to call the insurer and confirm that they were. Lawyers for senior Municipal Court Judge Jimmie Moore (right) and U.S. Rep Bob Brady (left) have denied that their clients did anything wrong. Read more In Philadelphia, a mayoral candidate dropped out of the race, handed his campaign operation to the eventual winner, and later landed a lucrative no-bid contract from the administration. In New Jersey, a Democratic governor appointed a Republican senator to a government agency, helping flip Senate control to Democrats. And in Virginia, Republicans persuaded a Democratic state senator to resign, dangling a lucrative job offer on a state tobacco commission and a judgeship for his daughter and leading to a GOP takeover of the Senate. Prosecutors' allegations last week that U.S. Rep. Robert Brady's 2012 campaign paid a challenger $90,000 to drop out of the race may seem like a particularly brazen power play. But it's all part of the art of the political buyout sometimes illegal, sometimes just politics. When candidates seek exit strategies or see the writing on the wall, they often seek some kind of help from the candidate they endorse. Such transactions may look like backroom dealing, but campaign-finance experts agree that the line between the simply unseemly and the outright illegal can be difficult to determine. The losing candidate's friend might get appointed to a government board, for example. "Those discussions are not uncommon," said G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College. "Sometimes you give people a job to shut him up," Madonna added. "All that stuff is commonplace." The documents unsealed last week showed a campaign aide for Jimmie Moore, then a former municipal judge and Brady's rival in the 2012 Democratic primary, pleaded guilty to falsifying Moore's campaign-finance filings to hide the source of the $90,000 payment. For weeks, prosecutors had sought to keep their plea deal with Moore's campaign manager, Carolyn Cavaness, under wraps, citing an alleged attempt by Brady to influence the testimony of another potential witness, whom three sources familiar with the investigation have identified as former Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode Sr. Documents say that witness brokered the 2012 meeting between Brady and Moore that led the challenger to drop out of the primary race. Neither man has been charged with a crime. Lawyers for both say they have done nothing wrong. Authorities have signaled that their investigation continues and have indicated in court filings that Cavaness is cooperating with the probe. Brady's attorney, James Eisenhower, says Brady's campaign paid the $90,000 for valuable polling data and to hire Cavaness as a subcontractor. "Rarely are these situations an explicit quid pro quo: 'I'll give you money so you'll drop out,' " said Kenneth A. Gross, who heads the political law practice of the Washington-based firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. "But there are many shades of gray. There are often agreements to help a candidate retire [campaign] debt." Even the White House can get involved. In the 2010 Pennsylvania Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, for example, the Obama administration dispatched former President Bill Clinton to try to persuade Rep. Joe Sestak to drop his campaign against Sen. Arlen Specter, the longtime Republican who had just switched parties to keep his seat. Clinton offered Sestak a seat on a presidential advisory board. The congressman declined the offer and defeated Specter in the primary before losing the general election. Democrat Joe Torsella briefly ran in that same primary, dropped out early, and was later appointed by President Obama to a job at the United Nations. Torsella is now Pennsylvania state treasurer. Political buyouts aren't limited to campaigns. Savvy operatives pull the levers of government to advance an agenda or eliminate potential threats. In 2003, New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, a Democrat, appointed Republican State Sen. John Matheussen as CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority, then a $195,000 post. State officials also ensured Matheussen would be able to stay in the New Jersey pension system, even though he was moving to a bistate agency. The Senate was split 20-20, and Democrats won Matheussen's old seat in November to take control of the upper chamber. But it was a close race, and when it appeared to be headed for a recount, the McGreevey administration began publicly considering the Republican candidate for a judgeship. More recently, in 2014, Virginia Republicans sank Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe's plan to expand Medicaid to 400,000 low-income individuals under the Affordable Care Act by persuading a Democratic state senator to resign and taking control of the Senate. The GOP's leverage? A job on the state tobacco commission for the senator, Phillip Puckett, and a judgeship for his daughter. For their part, Virginia Democrats tried to persuade the senator to keep his seat with similar enticements. Puckett resigned but withdrew his name from consideration for the tobacco job amid a public backlash. After Puckett left the Senate, the legislature approved his daughter's appointment to the bench. Federal prosecutors investigated the matter but did not file charges. But some think these kinds of deals are ethically dubious. "When you talk about holding up a job that somebody might want for their livelihood as a way of getting partisan gain, that seems a little bit less like regular how-the-sausage-is-made and a little bit more like appealing to people's self-interest and material gain, which is I think more of a problem," said Noah Bookbinder, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which tries to reduce the influence of money in politics. Philadelphia has had its share of questionable arrangements, too. Former City Solicitor Ken Trujillo ran a brief campaign for mayor in 2015. He endorsed then-Councilman Jim Kenney; a political action committee affiliated with Trujillo gave a research book valued at $4,200 to Kenney's campaign, as well as $10,000 to a PAC that supported Kenney; and Kenney scooped up some of Trujillo's campaign staff. Kenney entered the race shortly after Trujillo dropped out. Last year, the Kenney administration awarded Trujillo's law firm an $800,000 no-bid contract to defend the city's sweetened-beverage tax. Mayor Kenney said at the time that the contract wasn't a political favor, calling Trujillo a "great lawyer." The mayor also said that some of the city's big law firms had conflicts of interest, and that the contract was awarded by the Law Department, not him. Trujillo defended the contract, saying he hadn't personally contributed to Kenney's campaign. Then there's Brady. In addition to his campaign allegedly paying his 2012 primary challenger, a former Moore supporter says Brady offered her a job to silence her. Paula Brown, the former mayor of Darby Borough and a current candidate for that office, said she received the unexpected offer in a call from Brady in 2012, shortly after she had posted her support for Moore's campaign on Facebook. When she declined Brady's offer, she said, the congressman pressed: Did anyone in her family need work? "I said, 'No, everyone in my family is fine.' So I turned him down," Brown said in an interview last week. Eisenhower, Brady's attorney, didn't dispute the phone conversation with Brown occurred but said the congressman didn't offer any jobs. He said that Brown actually apologized for having distributed Moore's petitions and that she offered to throw away those petitions and to collect signatures for Brady (the congressman said that wasn't necessary). Told of Brady's account of their conversation, Brown laughed. "Alternative facts," she said. Staff writers Tricia L. Nadolny and Chris Brennan contributed to this article. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated when Democrat Joe Torsella was appointed to a United Nations job. The search continues for a 24-year-old woman who went missing swimming off Point Pleasant Beach early Sunday morning. Read more Update: A body believed to be that of a 24-year-old Slovakian woman who disappeared while swimming early Sunday in Point Pleasant Beach has been found in Lavallette, about eight miles to the south. This story will be updated as information becomes available. Earlier Story: The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a 24-year-old Slovakian woman who disappeared in the the Atlantic Ocean off Point Pleasant Beach in Ocean County, N.J., early Sunday. "Suspending a search is always a difficult decision and it's something we don't take lightly," Capt. Scott Anderson, commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, said in a statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time." The Point Pleasant Beach Police Department identified the missing swimmer as Zuzana Oravcova, 24. She had been swimming with a fellow Slovakian, Thomas Kadlec, 23, when they got into trouble in the water about 2:30 a.m. Kadlec made it to shore, but Oravcova did not, and he immediately notified a boardwalk employee, who called police. At least six other people have drowned at the Shore since Memorial Day. WNBC Channel 4 in New York reported that Oravcova had been working at Jenkinson's Boardwalk, a large amusement attraction in Point Pleasant Beach. A massive search involved the Coast Guard, the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, the Bay Head and Mantoloking fire companies and police, and dive teams from Point Pleasant Beach and four nearby communities. The Coast Guard launched a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from its Manasquan Inlet station and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from its Atlantic City air station. The National Weather Service had issued a warning about dangerous rip currents along the Jersey Shore over the weekend. The advisory had spurred many towns to ban swimming at their beaches. But a Coast Guard spokesman said Sunday there was no indication that rip currents played a part in the Point Pleasant Beach swimmer's disappearance. "That would be pure speculation at this time," he said. The weather service issued a rip current warning for Monday. NH-37 ensconces the park on the southern side while the mighty Brahmaputra river forms the tiger reserve's northern frontier. And when floods hit Kaziranga, they create serious problems. Fleeing animals try to get to the highlands, which lie on the other side of NH 37 By Baishali Adak: A terrified female hog deer with its baby in tow crossing a highway with cars and trucks zooming past makes for nerve-wracking pictures. But anxiety turns to agony when the animal is crushed by a vehicle and is left lying in a pool of its own blood. That's because while rains and flood can be dismissed as routine "natural" events, building a road through a national park with no safety features for animals screams murder. advertisement Welcome to Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Assam - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, residence of our unique single-horned rhinoceros and a famed tiger reserve. But when it comes to protecting its over 60,000-strong population of big and small wild animals, it seems to have one villain still to deal with - the National Highway 37. The route - a popular one that connects parts of Assam with neighbouring Nagaland and Manipur - ensconces the park on the southern side while the mighty Brahmaputra river forms the tiger reserve's northern frontier. But that also routinely leads to the problem of wild fauna being stranded and endangered when floods hit the park every July-October. Fleeing animals try to get to the highlands of Karbi Anglong hills, which lie on the other side of NH 37, and get bludgeoned under the careless wheels of loaded trucks and cars. DEATH TOLL RISES This year, the toll is 13, up from six in 2016. Though built long back by the British, and said to have been widened in the 1970s, experts have since vocally opposed its expansion owing to the spate of deaths every year. Currently, it runs from Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat along KNP. Rohit Choudhary, an RTI activist who has been working alongside the park authorities, says, "We filed a case in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the issue in 2013. As per its order, Section 144 has been imposed along NH-37, according to which vehicle speeds are to be controlled at 30 km per hour. The park authorities are doing their bit." But he is clearly unhappy with the conduct of the state's transport and public works department (PWD), which is not helping to mitigate the issue. "No interceptor vehicles were deployed by the transport department to check the speeding vehicles this time. Rumble strips were not put in by the PWD here. Had interceptor vehicles been deployed round the clock and rumble strips been installed, the casualties would have been far fewer," he complained. Concerned by the issue, a bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar also recently asked the Assam government about installing "speed sensors" to alert vehicles when an animal is approaching. So far only one such speed sensor has been installed at a phenomenal cost of Rs 1.21 crore, that too for only a 300-metre stretch of the NH 37. advertisement In fact, Director of KNP, Satyendra Singh, says, "If we were to instead engage people instead of the sensors, we could have employed 12 people for 10 years at the Rs 1.21 crore cost, and we would have achieved the aim." MIGRATION But clearly, there are more problems than just that. Dr Rathin Barman, Deputy Director of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), who also closely works with the KNP authorities, says, "In the rainy season, when Brahmaputra inundates KNP's low grasslands, wild animals are forced to migrate to the Karbi Anglong hills by crossing NH 37 using specific 'corridors.' There are four - Panbari, Haldibari, Kanchanjuri and Amguri." "But encroachment and tourist facilities have blocked them to a large extent," he says. Activists rue that there are also several stone crushing units, limestone quarries and saw mills, which form a wedge between them and the corridors, leading them to either drown in water or run in unsafe directions where poachers await them. advertisement "It is essential that animals can freely move in a crisis time like flood or it is triple trouble for them," Barman says. More so, the park authorities are yet to build more 'highlands' within the park so that the animals can take shelter within its safe arms. There are 111 such artificial 'peaks' here currently, but most have worn out over time. As a result they do not provide the requisite height or space. Director of KNP, Satyendra Singh, told Mail Today, "This is a requirement and we are looking forward to fulfilling it very quickly using the extra silt taken out of KNP's own wetlands. At least 33 are in the procedure now." ALSO READ Assam: Kaziranga National Park to close for visitors due to increased rainfall and heat Devastating Assam floods put wildlife in peril Assam: Locals protest, block NH 37, after Kaziranga National Park recruitment shuns them ALSO WATCH UK's Royal couple receive traditional welcome at Kaziranga --- ENDS --- The ongoing feud between White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci (left) and former chief of staff Reince Prebius continued Sunday, through a friend of Scaramucci. Read more A man who has been labeled a "publicist" and "spokesman" for new White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci deleted several pointed tweets directed at Reince Priebus. Arthur Schwartz, who denied being either in a contentious back-and-forth with CNN's Jake Tapper Sunday morning, accused the former White House chief of staff of having an affair in an angry tweet that also mocked him for losing his job in the Trump administration. "Keep pushing this crap & I'll start dropping oppo on you. Mistress much, ?" Schwartz's deleted tweet said. Schwartz also appeared to admit he was behind other anonymous attacks of Priebus in the press. "Remember when people told you that it was me that was trashing you in the press?" Schwartz asked, directed at Priebus. "They were right. Happy to start again." Despite denying he was working for Scaramucci, Schwartz himself said on Twitter earlier this week that he was his spokesman. Schwartz also admitted to the New York Daily News that he wasn't sure if his allegation about Priebus was even true. "It's just rumors that have been going around for a while," Schwartz told the newspaper. After deleting the messages, Schwatz said Priebus accepted his apology for the incident. Priebus did not respond to a request to comment. The tweets were in response to a Huffington Post story written by newly-appointed editor-at-large Vicky Ward that reported Priebus blocked Scaramucci from being hired by the White House due to concerns over his business dealings. According to the report, an "adviser to the White House" said Priebus was aware of email traffic that suggested Scaramucci sold his company, SkyBridge Capital, for an inflated price to a Chinese conglomerate that might expect favors from the administration in return. "I sold SkyBridge. I don't work there anymore," Scaramucci said on CNN's New Day on Thursday morning in response to the scrutiny over his personal financial holdings. "There's residual profits that once the sale occurs I am going to receive, but I am not on salary. I do not have a W2 there. What do you want me to tell you?" Schwartz's tweets were noticed by Tapper, and the two got into a heated back-and-forth where Schwartz denied working for Scaramucci and at one point threatened legal action against the Philadelphia native and CNN anchor. Schwartz shared a screenshot of text messages with New York Post reporter Dana Schuster where he denies that he's a client working for Scaramucci. "I'm just a friend helping him out," the message says. Scaramucci has been the center of news attention since accepting the job as White House communications director, replacing Sean Spicer. His profane interview with The New Yorker's Ryan Lizza dominated news coverage last week just as Republicans were attempting to pass a "skinny" repeal of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. During the interview, Scaramucci called former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus " a f paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoid" and claimed chief strategist Steve Bannon was trying to build his own personal brand off "the strength of the president." After the interview was published, Scaramucci said he'd refrain from using "colorful language," but stopped short of apologizing for his comments. On Friday, Priebus was replaces as White House chief of staff by Gen. John Kelly, who has been serving as Trump's Homeland Security secretary. Over the weekend, Scaramucci blasted the "class" of the media after the New York Post reported that his second wife has filed for divorce. Scaramucci didn't deny the Page Six story, which reported that 38-year-old Deidre Ball is ending her 3-year marriage with Scaramucci, 52, over his successful quest to get close to President Trump, whom she reportedly despises. Instead, he called out the coverage of the report, which he said will reveal "who in the media has class and who doesn't." "Family doesn't need to be drawn into this," Scaramucci wrote in a Saturday morning tweet. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trump and his cohorts of the GOP are malevolently complicit in a political assassination attempt, that leaves American citizens as collateral damage. Republicans have engaged in a universal effort to erase the legacy of Barrack Obama and will stop at no cost including the lives of the people that they serve. From the moment that Obama took office the intentions of Republicans were clear. They wasted no time in laying down a political gauntlet conceived to undermine the newly elected POTUS. GOP resident wolf in sheeps clothing, Sen. Mitch McConnell, publicly declared the goal of the GOP when he said The single most important thing we want to achieve is to make Barack Obama a one term president, almost immediately upon Obama being elected. McConnells words were an unprecedented public sign of disloyalty and disrespect to a newly chosen president. It also signaled open season on Barack Obama from all sides, in and out of government. McConnells declaration served as the impetus for the creation of the Tea Party, a political abomination that was determined to submarine Obama and his administration. Additionally, Obama was forced to endure the disrespect of the Birther Movement, spearheaded by none other than Donald Trump. The Liar in Chief propagated a conspiracy theory, claiming Obama wasnt an American citizen and therefore was exempt from serving as POTUS. The striking irony of this bombastic attack is that Barack Obama appeased the blatant racist accusers, unlike Trump, by releasing his birth certificate. Trump has been dogged by his insistence on keeping his tax returns private and refusing their release for public scrutiny to date. The genesis for these unthinkable actions by the GOP and its supporters? Obamacare stands as the inciting incident for GOP unrest. Republicans from day one of the implementation of the ACA, have resolved to repeal and replace it, in its entirety. The GOP was offended by Obamas audacity and determination to provide the comprehensive health care package. Republicans were instructed to disparage the package via television, radio, print and across the internet. This was done in a concerted effort to demean the legislative competency of Obama. Once again, the difference between Obama then and Trump now is revealing. The ACA was met with more than its fair share of naysayers and detractors. However, Obama took those concerns into consideration and traveled across the country, to address the questions of Americans in town hall meetings. In doing so, Obama submerged himself in the details of the package and took ownership of the legislation. Obama stood front and center and answered all the questions with dignity and grace, accepting the ultimate accountability for its failure or success. This is in stark contrast to the truly unqualified and cowardly Lying King Trump, who at the first sign of trouble relinquishes responsibility of his administrations repeal and replace mission. Donald Trump campaigned long and hard on HIS ability to provide affordable healthcare for ALL Americans. He boasted about his business sense and skill at making deals. A large contingent of his support was based on his promise to make a better deal. The truth is Trump knows NOTHING about healthcare and what it entails. Just like every other task in the White House, Trump is inept to serve as a leader in the creation or streamlining of legislation. After promising to lead the way in the repeal and replace agenda, Trump remarkably lays blame at the feet of Democrats, who are the minority and his own sad sack administration. Trump has made no headway in the construction of repeal and replace because hes ignorant to the machinations of government. Once again he has conned simple minded Americans, who foolishly believed that he could lead the country in any meaningful way. The agenda to dismantle the legacy of Barack Obama is backfiring on the Republican party. They are led by a political atrocity, who doesnt possess the intellect, skill or diplomacy to unite both parties for the greater good. Remember the hypocrisy of the GOP and lack of vision, in a plan that centered on hubris and left Americans out in the cold. Make your voices heard in 2018 and beyond. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trump wants a political win so badly that he is begging Republican Senators to take away health care from millions as the impotent president can do nothing but watch his presidency collapse. Trump tweeted: Don't give up Republican Senators, the World is watching: Repeal & Replaceand go to 51 votes (nuke option), get Cross State Lines & more. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2017 What the President still doesnt understand is that the reconciliation process was easier than going to 51 votes. Under reconciliation, Republicans only needed 50 votes plus the Vice President to break the tie. Trump is asking Republicans to adopt a process that would leave them two votes short of passage instead of one. Trumps idea would make it more difficult for Republicans to pass a health care bill. Trump can whine about the process all he wants, but the inescapable truth is that Senate Republicans only had 49 votes of support, and McConnell had to scrape and struggle to get to 49. The problem isnt the 60 vote rule. The problem is that not enough Republicans support taking health care away from tens of millions of people. Donald Trump has gone from tantruming and threatening war on the Republican-controlled Congress to weakly begging Republican Senators to pass a health care bill. As a candidate, Trump promised so much winning. As president, all Donald Trump does is lose. By India Today Web Desk: A Bulgarian woman successfully gave birth to a baby boy on board LH543 on July 26, 2017. The birth took place at 39,000 feet over the Atlantic at a latitude of 49 degrees North and a longitude of 21 degrees West. As the Airbus A340-300 took off from Columbia at 11pm local time, a woman started experiencing premature labor pains. The crew sprung into action and the flight was immediately turned into an emergency delivery room. This week, baby Nikolai was born at 49 N, 21 W, flight level 390. Interested in more infos? Here you go. https://t.co/G2p3GhyiOy #LH543 pic.twitter.com/yHXAe3QnCB- Lufthansa News (@lufthansaNews) July 28, 2017 advertisement Several passengers were moved to the seats at the front while the rear part of the plane was transformed into a labour room covered with a privacy screen as well. The cabin crew and three doctors who were present on board then assisted with the delivery. To make sure the baby and the mother are provided proper care, the captain decided to make a stopover in Manchester. When the plane landed in Manchester the baby and the mother were handed over to the paramedics after which the plane took off for Frankfurt. "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. "We were incredibly happy, hugged each other & shed tears!" says #LH543 crew about the moment when little baby Nikolai was born on board. pic.twitter.com/vH7t9Yrmbh- Lufthansa News (@lufthansaNews) July 28, 2017 This is the 11th birth on board a Lufthansa plane since 1965. "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", Lufthansa said in a statement regarding the incident on their website. --- ENDS --- The Rev. Anthony Thompson's newly created One New Humanity Charleston Foundation will launch its inaugural revival Nov. 19, a two-day event invites people to pray for unity, peace and healing in the Holy City. Read moreHusband of Emanuel AME victim to host prayer walk, revival focused on healing A photo posted on Facebook of Cordelia Wallace, who last lived in Charleston area, after she was found sitting along side an Upstate interstate. Wallace, who says she's been homeless since the start of the year, is now in Columbia seeking shelter. Photo courtesy of Breanna Gillian Language teachers at high schools in Dorchester District 2 are putting on a March Madness-style competition in which students vote for music videos from around the world, all with the goal of promoting Spanish and other languages and cultures. Read moreDD2 teacher encourages learning foreign languages through 'music madness' tournament The main value of Veterans Day is, unlike Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter, not so much in our participating in a particular event or tradition but in our remembering at least once a year the debt we all owe to those who have served our country in uniform. Read moreEditorial: Remember our veterans today and every day We noted here a couple of months back the obvious truth that Chelsea Clinton is a nitwit. Who knew, however, that a leftist would stumble across this fact? Prof. Corey Robin of Brooklyn College, author of a book popular among leftists called The Reactionary Mind that purports to explain conservatism (gee: I wonder if we can figure out the thesis from the title), got into an argument recently with Chelsea. On Twitter. About banality. No, you cant make this up. Chelsea tweeted a link to a story about an arson fire at an LGBT center in Arizona with her coda about how it is an example of the banality of evilthe phrase made famous in Hannah Arendts controversial book Eichmann in Jerusalem. Prof. Robin thought this a gross misuse or misunderstanding of Arendts phrase, and naturally defaulted to the usual mode of progressives everywhere, hectoring Chelsea for her superficiality. And Chelsea responded! You can read the whole delicious saga at Corey Robins website, but here are a few lowlights: I didnt think Clinton was using Arendts concept of the banality of evil correctly. I retweeted her with some snide commentary. There follows a lot of explication about Arendts phrase, but twice Robin describes Chelsea thus: author of a best-selling book; vice chair of a powerful global foundation; former special correspondent to NBC; possible congressional candidate, with a net worth of $15 million; daughter of the former president of the United States; daughter of the former Secretary of State and almost-president of the United States, adding that We have in this country a really weird ruling class. Theres lots more here in the whole post, and Chelsea does not come out well in the exchange. I do especially like this initial response from Chelsea: Thankful to have read Arendt at Sidwell & Stanford is a nice touch, another sign of the total lack of self-awareness of entitled elitist mediocrities of the left. It takes something for me to side with Corey Robin on anything, but thats what makes the ongoing left-on-left action so much fun to watch. Popcorn please! A Chinese national who was on a business trip to Bengaluru was attacked by unknown assailants. The victim has sustained injury on his face. By Rohini Swamy: A Chinese national was attacked in the city of Bengaluru by five assailants. The incident took place on Saturday night. The man identified as Yan, arrived in the IT capital to finalise a business deal. Yan was in Indiranagar waiting for his cab, when five men on bikes came towards him and attacked with knives. The assailants tried to loot Yan, and when he resisted, they stabbed him on the face. advertisement Luckily, Yan escaped with a cut on his face and yelled for help. A police van nearby rushed to his rescue. However, the accused had managed to fled by then. Yan was taken to a nearby hospital and administered treatment in the emergency room. He had sustained a deep cut on his face. All the five miscreants were later arrested by the police. The attack on the Chinese national has once again raised questions about the law and order situation of Bangalore. Also read: Another Bangalore jail official shunted after Sasikala-whistleblower cop Roopa's exit Bengaluru jail atrocities: Human rights commission slaps notices on Karnataka prison officials --- ENDS --- President Trump has decided not to veto the Russia sanctions legislation passed by Congress. The decision was probably an easy one inasmuch as (1) a veto would easily have been overridden, resulting in embarrassment for the president and (2) it would have added fuel to Trump-Russia connection stories. Naturally, Russia is angry about the sanctions. Europe is also unhappy, which is ironic because some European leaders have criticized Trump for being soft on Russia. Lets start with Russia. The Kremlin has announced that, in response to the sanctions, it will expel U.S. diplomats. The U.S. will have to reduce its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia to 455 people. In addition, U.S. personnel no longer will be able to use a posh dacha for parties and vacations. These actions are, at best, symbolic. I doubt that we need 455 diplomats and technicians in Russia and the dacha, though Im sure its nice, is surplus to requirements. The Washington Post reports that, in addition to the response just discussed, Russia is likely to become less cooperative with the U.S. in matters such as Syria, North Korea, and combating terrorism. This concern seems overblown. We can expect the Russians to continue to cooperate with us when its in their interest to do so. For example, it was in Russias interest to reach a deal whereby the U.S. abandoned Syria fighters opposed to Russian interests in exchange for a cease fire that was also in its interest, and which it could break the moment that ceased to be the case. This is the kind of deal Russia will agree to, sanctions or not. Similarly, Putin will not agree to deals that dont advance Russian interests, sanctions or not. The Posts article does not discuss the most serious potential consequence of the U.S. sanctions their implications for Europe. The sanctions allow the U.S. to impose heavy fines on European companies involved in energy infrastructure with Russia. They thus threaten several major projects now in progress. As Noah Daponte-Smith at NRO says: The Continent has long been dependent on Russian oil and gas, and potential stoppages in the westward flow of Russian oil have long caused headaches in European capitals a 2009 dispute between Russia and Ukraine, for instance, caused serious crises in much of southeastern Europe, which relies heavily on Russian gas, and touched even central and western Europe. Of particular concern is the proposed Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a project, controversial within Europe, that would traverse the Baltic Sea on the way from Russia to Germany. The project would be led by Gazprom, which is owned predominantly by the Russian government, and thus within the scope of the new sanctions. EC Commission chief Klaus Juncker recently warned: The U.S. bill could have unintended unilateral effects that impact the EUs energy security interests. If our concerns are not taken into account sufficiently, we stand ready to act appropriately within a matter of days. America First cannot mean that Europes interests come last. What actions might Europe deem appropriate? Daponte-Smith cites the possibility of the same sort of trade-war retaliation that Trump has publicly considered since the beginning of his administration. Alternatively, Europe might invoke its law to prevent the enforcement of U.S. law extraterritorially. A general diplomatic rift between the EU and the U.S. is another possibility. The benefit to Russia of these scenarios seems to outweigh the pain our sanctions undoubtedly would inflict on Russia. Thus, Daponte-Smith argues that we should craft the application of our sanctions around European interests as the Europeans perceive them. The Trump administration should be able to accomplish this. However, efforts to do so will lead to charges from the presidents enemies that he is soft on, or even colluding with, Russia. Republicans ought not join that chorus. The president needs some flexibility. His conduct regarding Russia has caused him to lose a considerable amount of the flexibility a president should normally enjoy in dealing with a foreign adversary. However, with Americas relations with Europe on the line, its important that Trump retain sufficient flexibility to accommodate European concerns regarding the sanctions Congress has passed. Otherwise, Russia will be the winner. Luke Rosiak of the Daily Caller reports that Debbie Wasserman Schultz seemed prepared to pay cyber-probe suspect and IT aide Imran Awan even while he was living in Pakistan, if the FBI hadnt stopped him from leaving the U.S. This is only the latest indication of Wasserman Schultzs immense loyalty to Awan. As we noted here, the IT scandal involving the Awan family broke in February. It centered around the theft of the IT equipment and the serious, potentially illegal, violations of House IT policies. Yet, Wasserman Schultz kept Imran Awan on her payroll until last week. This raises questions. The obvious one is: Why? Wasserman Schultzs explanation is that the Capitol police would not show her the evidence against him. She therefore assumed he might be victims of anti-Muslim profiling. Only after Awan was arrested at Dulles Airport and accused of bank fraud was Wasserman Schultz willing to drop her assumption that he was a victim, and fire him. Wasserman Schultzs explanation rings hollow. According to Rosiak, all other House members who employed Awan or members of his family fired them after the February revelations. This includes Andre Carson of Indiana, who is Muslim. Carson has criticized Wasserman Schultz for blocking police from examining a laptop tied to Imran. Moreover, the fact that she blocked the police undercuts her explanation. If Wasserman Schultz really wanted to know whether the police had a basis, other than bias, for suspecting Awan of wrongdoing, she probably would not have worked to prevent the police from obtaining evidence that would help make this determination. But suppose we take her explanation for continuing to pay Awan at face value. Surely, as a precaution, Wasserman Schultz would have denied Awan access to her computers after House authorities banned him from the network in early February. After all, it would be reckless to assume that anti-Muslim bias was the only plausible explanation for the Houses ban. Yet, Rosiak says that Wasserman Scultz not only kept Awan on staff after the ban, but also had no other IT person to perform necessary work that presumably would have arisen during a months-long period, according to payroll records. This suggests that Awan might well have maintained access to Wasserman Schultzs computers. The congresswomans office did not answer the Daily Callers questions about this. It has said only that Imran Awan was working in an advisory role providing advice on technology issues. It has not said who performed the offices computer work after the ban, if not Awan. Another question is whether Wasserman Schultz would have kept paying Awan while he was in Pakistan for six months, the length of time between his departure and scheduled return date. Her office wouldnt say. However, Awans lawyer says his client told the House that he planned to visit his family in Pakistan, and Wasserman Schultz must have been so informed. Yet, he remained on the payroll until his arrest. This much is clear. Debbie Wasserman Schultz stood by her man a man in a position to know her secrets. Did she do so out of loyalty, out of concern for social justice, or for some darker reason? The Republican Congresss failure to repeal and replace Obamacare is of course embarrassing, and may well be a political blow to the GOP, as most expect. Still, we shouldnt lose sight of the fact that Congressional Republicans actually set out to save Obamacare, and not a single Democrat was willing to join in the effort. The future of Obamacare could be grim. Having run a victory lap or two, the Associated Press now acknowledges that Obamas health care law still needs some patchwork. The health care law of the land has survived for now, but it needs help and it needs it soon. Soaring prices and fewer choices may greet customers when they return to the Affordable Care Acts insurance marketplaces this fall, in part because insurers are facing deep uncertainty about whether the Trump administration will continue to make key subsidy payments and enforce other parts of the existing law that help control prices. Assurances dont look to be coming anytime soon. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch! President Donald Trump tweeted early Friday, soon after the Senate narrowly rejected the latest push to dismantle the Obama-era health care law. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said in a statement after the Senate vote that the Trump administration would pursue its health care goals through regulation. President Trump is threatening to bring Obamacare down administratively: President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened once more to end required payments to insurance companies unless lawmakers repeal and replace the Obama-era health care law. In apparent frustration over Fridays failure by the Senate Republican majority to pass a bill repealing parts of the Affordable Care Act, Trump tweeted: If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon! No Democrats voted for the GOP bill. It should be noted that the subsidies created by rule by the Obama administration are likely illegal: The Obama administration used its rule-making authority to set direct payments to insurers to help offset these costs. Trump inherited the payment structure, but he also has the power to end them. The payments are the subject of a lawsuit brought by House Republicans over whether the Affordable Care Act specifically included a congressional appropriation for the money, as required under the Constitution. Trump has only guaranteed the payments through July, which ends Monday. Trump previously said the law that he and others call Obamacare would collapse immediately whenever those payments stop. Chuck Schumers response to the presidents threat was surprisingly lame: If the president refuses to make the cost sharing reduction payments, every expert agrees that premiums will go up and health care will be more expensive for millions of Americans, Schumer said Saturday in a written statement. The president ought to stop playing politics with peoples lives and health care, start leading and finally begin acting presidential. The fact is that the Democrats need Republicans to prop up their failing, Rube Goldberg-like health care scheme. Congressional Republicans tried to oblige them, but Democrats preferred the presumed political gain that would result from the GOPs failure. Now, the Democrats need the Trump administration to bail out their pet project. I find it hard to see any reason why the administration should oblige them. The lone Muslim leader in the Nitish government faces the Islamic decree for chanting Jai Shri Ram. By India Today Web Desk: The Nitish Kumar-led government finds itself in a controversy again- this time on religious faultlines, after Imarat-Sharia today slapped a fatwa against cabinet minister Khursheed Ahmed. The lone Muslim leader in the Nitish government faces the Islamic decree for chanting Jai Shri Ram. On the fatwa, Ahmed said, "God knows what my intention was behind chanting Jai Shri Ram." advertisement The fiery leader added that he would chant the same slogan 100 times for the sake of Bihar and its development. He further said that the Imarat-Sharia should have cleared the misconception around his intention before issuing the fatwa. The JD(U) MLA from Sikati seat also preached Islam over tolerance and brotherhood. "Islam teaches us to love not hate our brothers," he added. Khursheed Ahmed was sworn in the Bihar cabinet on Saturday and has been assigned the Ministry of Minority Affairs and sugarcane development. Also read: Nitish Kumar inducts 27 new ministers into Bihar cabinet, including 12 from BJP Also read: With Bihar in kitty, will PM Modi oblige Nitish with promised special package? Also read: Nitish resigns, but not really: Bihar Game of Thrones starring BJP isolates Lalu? --- ENDS --- Chronic pain may be added to the list of ailments that qualify for medical marijuana treatment in New Jersey. Alex Bekker, an anesthesiology professor who chairs a state panel thats looking into the issue, made the pronouncement during a hearing Tuesday in Trenton. Bekker feels theres sufficient evidence to add chronic pain, migraines and fibromyalgia all under the umbrella of chronic pain to the states list of ailments eligible for medical marijuana treatment. The meeting marked the first time the state has considered expanding its medical marijuana program since it became law in 2010. Critics say the states list is far too limited. The panel eventually will make its recommendations to state Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett, who has the final say over what ailments get added. Army child-care cuts a mistake: The Pentagon said Tuesday cuts to military child-care programs at two Army bases may have been unnecessary. The bases said they were suspending the services because of the federal hiring freeze President Donald Trump announced Jan. 23. But a Defense Department official said a memo issued this month made clear that child-care workers are exempt. On Tuesday, parents with children enrolled in part-day child-care programs at the U.S. Army garrison in Weis-baden, Germany, were notified the programs will close March 1. Parents were told the closing results from a staff shortage created by the freeze. A Feb. 1 Pentagon memo, sent to the heads of all military departments, listed the many categories of workers who are exempt from the freeze. They include positions providing child care to the children of military personnel. Court victory for service dog: Wonder the goldendoodle will get another shot in court. The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously ruled the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals should reconsider whether Ehlena Fry and her family can sue a Jackson County, Michigan, school district for its decision years ago to tell Ehlena, who has cerebral palsy, that she couldnt bring her service dog to school. In Fry v. Napoleon Com-munity Schools, Ehlenas parents and their lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union argued in October that they shouldnt be required to exhaust ad-ministrative remedies under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) before suing under a separate law involving access to public institutions, as the school district argued. The eight-member court largely agreed not deciding whether the Frys had fully proved their argument but sending it back to the lower court with instructions on a two-pronged standard that could help decide such cases in the future. The Supreme Court said while Congress made clear that disputes over appropriate educational requirements needed to work through the IDEA process, that was not the case in claims involving public access under the ADA, such as the Frys appeared to be. Harrison Fords plane flies over jet: Newly released video shows a small plane piloted by Harrison Ford flying low over an airliner with 116 people aboard mo-ments before he mistakenly landed on a taxiway at a Southern California airport. Authorities have not said how much distance separated the two planes, but Fords aircraft came close enough that its shadow distinctly passed over the jet last week at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. The 74-year-old actor was told to land his single-engine plane on Runway 20L, but he instead landed on a parallel taxiway on Feb. 13. Ex-cop rejects plea in wrong-way crash: A former New Jersey police officer charged with a drunken driving crash that killed a fellow officer and another man has turned down a plea deal and will face trial. Pedro Abads lawyer said after a court hearing Wednesday that prosecutors offered a deal for up to 21 years in prison. He faces up to 25 years if he is convicted. Abads attorney, Mario Gallucci, had sought a prison sentence of five to 15 years. Abad crashed while driving the wrong way on a highway in Staten Island in 2015. Linden Police Officer Frank Viggiano and Linden resident Joseph Rodriguez were killed. Another officer was seriously injured. Authorities say Abad had a blood-alcohol level of .24, three times the legal limit. Second man arrested in Rutgers killing: A second man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Rutgers University student last year. The Essex County Prosecutors Office said U.S. Marshals arrested Fraynned Ramirez on Tuesday in the Dominican Republic. Authorities say extradition proceedings are underway. Ramirez and another man, 25-year-old Marcus Feliz, are charged with murder, felony murder, robbery and weapons offenses in the April 10, 2016, death of 21-year-old Shani Patel. Authorities say Patel was shot to death at his off-campus apartment near the universitys Newark campus. Manjhi, who once rebelled against the Bihar CM, is now lobbying for ministerial berth in the Nitish Kumar government. Manjhi was made the chief minister of Bihar by Nitish Kumar after he had resigned from the post. By Anindya Banerjee: Life seems to have come full circle for former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. Manjhi, who rebelled against Nitish Kumar, is now lobbying for ministerial berth in the Nitish Kumar government. In an interview to India Today, Manjhi said, "I am not upset but I am putting forth a demand just how a family member would. After 20 months a new government has been formed in Bihar followed by much lawlessness and corruption. I congratulate the alliance for that". advertisement He has made a case for himself by saying, "You have given a seat to a person from the Paswan family who is not even an MLA or MLC. Hence, there's nothing wrong if I seek a role. I am disappointed but hopeful". Manjhi was made the chief minister of Bihar by Nitish Kumar after he had resigned from the post owning to responsibility for the party's poor performance in 2014 General Election. However, he tried to establish his own authority and challenged Nitish. After being thrown out of the party, Manjhi formed his own party Hindustani Awami Morcha (Secular) and joined the BJP-led NDA. But ever since the growing animosity between Nitish Kumar and PM Narendra Modi turned into bonhomie with the Bihar CM extending support to BJP on various grounds including demonetisation, it became tough for Manjhi to remain close to BJP. After the Mahagathbandhan divorce, Manhji's view of Nitish has changed from being a cruel to an honest person. "Nitish Kumar is an honest person. He got into wrong friendships and couldn't handle it," Manjhi told India Today, referring to Nitish's erstwhile alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress. "Cabinet roles are not finalised and I will keep demanding that they consider me," said a brazen Manjhi. ALSO READ | Jitan Ram Manjhi is out to win friends to stay in the chief minister's chair Rahul says he knew about Nitish Kumar's plans to join hands with BJP, but what did he do? BJP woos Nitish, credits his image for the rise of RJD in Bihar from 22 to 80 seats ALSO WATCH | Jitan Ram Manjhi disappointed over being left out of Bihar Cabinet expansion --- ENDS --- When Gov. Chris Christie leaves office Jan. 16, he will take his unbending attitude toward legalizing marijuana with him. Christies departure opens the door to expansion of the states current medicinal marijuana program, decriminalization or even a ballot initiative to have Atlantic City serve as a test case for legalization. South Jersey lawmakers are open to having marijuana handled in a less drastic manner, but they are cautious. A study by the Cato Institute, a public policy research organization, examined changes in the rates of marijuana consumption per month in three states where it was legalized: Colorado, Washington and Oregon. The rate of increase in marijuana use didnt change significantly after legalization. The Drug Police Alliance led the campaign to pass legislation that created the states medicinal marijuana program. It is currently working on the New Solutions Marijuana Reform Campaign to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol for adults in this state. Roseanne Scotti, state director of the Drug Policy Alliance, said her organization has been building a coalition within New Jersey while Christie has been governor to have marijuana legalized after his term ends. I think its very possible. ... A bipartisan delegation of legislators went to Colorado, one of the first two states to legalize marijuana, Scotti said. Most candidates running for governor this fall have a more tolerant view of marijuana than Christie. Phil Murphy, the Democratic candidate, wants to legalize marijuana, so police can focus resources on violent crime. Independent candidate Gina Genovese has called for a voter referendum. Libertarian Party candidate Pete Rohrmans platform includes legalizing marijuana. Even Kim Guadagno, Christies lieutenant governor and the Republican candidate, has separated herself from Christie on this issue but she doesnt believe in outright legalization of marijuana, either. Our energy is better spent by improving our medical marijuana program and decriminalizing it in some form or fashion so young people arent thrown in jail for possessing a small quantity, Guadagno said. David Knowlton is the chairman of the Compassionate Care Foundation, the marijuana dispensary in Egg Harbor Township. Compassionate Care is paying attention to what it can do now instead of focusing on what might happen next year, Knowlton said. The state Department of Health has expanded the conditions for which medicinal marijuana can be used. We have been a part of that, and we are expanding to accommodate that, Knowlton said. I guess, we will let the chips fall where they may with a new governor and a new Legislature. Bills have been introduced in the state Senate and Assembly to legalize marijuana. Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, D-Mercer, Hunterdon, introduced a bill last year to place the question on a ballot that would allow Atlantic City to adopt a resolution to legalize marijuana within the resort. Legalization is just a matter of time, said Gusciora, who added a simple marijuana possession arrest can result in six months in jail, a $1,000 fire and loss of driving privileges. We still equate it with heroin in this state. Among South Jersey legislators, state Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, has views on marijuana that closely align with Guadagnos. Whelan was a co-author of the original medicinal marijuana bill and supports program expansion, spokesman Michael Suleiman said. Whelan supports some form of decriminalization, but does not yet support legalization, Suleiman said. State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, said he doesnt think he could vote for legalization, but he would evaluate a bill that dealt with decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. Van Drew said he believes the states medicinal marijuana program is run well, and it is worth evaluating whether to expand it. Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, supports expansion of medicinal marijuana and decriminalization, but would like to see some studies in states that already have approved recreational marijuana use for adults before he could support legalization. I know its great for the states financially but at what cost? Mazzeo said. Assemblyman Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, said he understands the desire to tax marijuana for new revenue and believes it is important to remain open-minded. At a time when we are dealing with widespread opioid addiction, we need to make sure we truly understand all of the implications legalizing marijuana may have on our society, such as those thoughtfully considered by Patrick Kennedy in his book, A Common Struggle, Brown said. Those consequences could include increased substance abuse, an added strain on the health-care system and increased underage use, when childrens brains are still developing and most vulnerable to long-term damage, Brown said. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. MARGATE City residents say they are concerned for their beachfront homes due to an overflow of water created by heavy thunderstorms that rolled through South Jersey. (Sunday) was an overflow and a problem with the flow of the water, said Allen Auerbach, who complained the problem was the result of the ongoing Army Corps of Engineers dune project. It was rushing towards our property in excessive force. Auerbach, who lives on the 100 block of Exeter Avenue, complained to police and eventually got in contact with someone from the Army Corps to stop the flow of water. The water comes right up to the bulkhead, Auerbach said. If we get any more water, its going to go up over it. Theres no drainage. Everything is just laying there. Auerbach, 68, said he paid to have a private bulkhead put in prior to the dunes project. The beach-protection project began July 17, according to the Army Corps of Engineers website. It is expected to last two months. The dune-building and beachfill operation is proceeding south about 100 feet a day in a rolling fashion toward Longport at a cost of about $100,000 a day. About 1,000 feet of beach will be closed as the project moves down the beach. To remain economically feasible and minimize impact on residents, the project must go 24/7, Army Corps officials have said. Margate initially challenged the need for the dunes project. Some residents argued the seawall built in the 1940s has done a better job than dunes would protecting the beachfront properties and roads from flooding and storms. Margate voters approved a ballot question in a nonbinding referendum in November 2013 to stop the project, and the city spent more than $300,000 in attorney fees but eventually lost the challenge in Superior Court last year. A group of homeowners also sued saying dunes would create large lagoons of standing water on the beach that could contain a mixture of trash, oil and other contaminants, providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes. But a judge ruled that any puddles or ponding that might occur following construction of the dunes would not likely to be worse than what is already there without the dunes. OCEAN TOWNSHIP No one has to tell David Mitchell about the positive effects medicinal marijuana can have on a persons quality of life. Mitchell has seen it work wonders for his 7-year-old son, Ashton, who has epilepsy and cerebral palsy, is blind and nonverbal and uses a wheelchair. Prior to the introduction of medical marijuana in the summer of 2015, my son was hospitalized every month in the ICU for a week to two weeks because of seizures. The seizures were uncontrollable once they started. The last one in (August) 2015 lasted over 10 hours, said Mitchell, 63. The 10-hour seizure tweaked something in Ashtons brain, so when he enters the deepest part of his sleep cycle, his brain forgets to tell his lungs to breathe so he is on oxygen and a ventilator, Mitchell said. Ashton has gone into cardiac arrest due to the intensity of his seizures, and his father has had to perform lifesaving CPR on him several times. It was at this point that David Mitchell and his wife, Dana, Ashtons mother, decided to give medicinal marijuana a try. The pharmaceuticals were not working. We talked about it. We talked to his doctors about it. We registered in the (New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana) program. My wife had to register as his caregiver, David Mitchell said. A person with epilepsy, its a struggle every day of their life. The closest marijuana dispensary to where they live is the Compassionate Care Foundation in Egg Harbor Township. The Mitchells had to decide what strain of marijuana to give their son. They picked a strain called Shark Shock, which has medical uses for pain, stress and muscle spasms. Mitchell buys the marijuana as buds. He uses a device called the Magical Butter Machine to extract the essence of the cannabis into coconut oil. He combines the cannabis and coconut oil with chocolate pudding to feed to his son. When Mitchell makes a batch of medicinal marijuana, he ends up with 600 milliliters, which lasts about five weeks. Ashton receives three doses a day: once at breakfast, a smaller dose at 3 p.m. and a nighttime dose at 7 p.m. Ashton has been on medicinal marijuana since August 2015, but he also is still on pharmaceuticals, Mitchell said. From 2015 until now, he still has breakthrough seizures. ... But he has probably had (only) a half-dozen since that time, said Mitchell, who added only two of the half-dozen seizures lasted more than 5 minutes. Mitchell said he has noticed he has been able to sometimes talk his son out of a seizure since he has been taking the medical marijuana, and he could not do that previously. Ashton can hear. He has learned about 40 language signs, using his sense of touch. He can crawl. He can say hi, bye and Mom and Dad. The medical marijuana truly works. It keeps it (the seizures) at bay, said Mitchell, who added his son has the worst type of cerebral palsy. He used to sleep in the fetal position. Three days after introducing medical marijuana, he slept with his legs straight. The Mitchells have a Facebook group page dedicated to their son called givingourallforashton, which chronicles his triumphs and his lulls. The medical marijuana has helped him tremendously, Mitchell said. It (cannabis) is an amazing medicine. Thats what people have to understand. Ocean County residents are being encouraged to drop off their outdated or unused medications Tuesday for safe disposal in Manahawkin. The county is hosting its second Ocean County Prescription Take-Back Day in an effort to combat prescription drug abuse, according to a statement from the county. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Ocean County Southern Service Center, 179 S. Main St. in Manahawkin. It will include health screenings, information tables and refreshments. Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato will be the guest speaker. He, along with other experts in the field, will discuss the opioid crisis. The Ocean County Prosecutors Office is making every effort to prevent pill abuse and theft by not just encouraging residents to get rid of old medications but also by providing a means to properly purge their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs, Freeholder John P. Kelly said in the statement. Prosecutor Coronato is making an effort to reach out to all Ocean County residents by raising awareness and educating them on the hazards of unused and outdated medications. The release encourages residents to look through their medicine cabinets and to bring medication to the service center for disposal. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can pose a hazard to local waterways, according to the release. In the past three years, the Prosecutors Office has collected and destroyed 22,380 pounds of prescription drugs. Prescription Take-Back Day complements programs run by local police departments, the release said. For more information, call the Ocean County Prosecutors Office at 732-929-2027 or your local Police Department. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP Part of the township was turned into a war zone Saturday as rifles and other firearms were aimed, fired, reloaded and fired again along West Jersey Avenue. Soldiers, in full uniform, marched and followed orders, while others set up camp and took time to clean their weapons. The authenticity of the scene was precisely what the members of the Greate Egg Harbor Township Historical Society had hoped for in hosting the annual Call of Duty on the grounds of its museum. The military timeline re-enactment was organized to honor the historical contributions of the American soldier through conflicts including the Revolutionary War, World War I and the Korean War. Call of Duty offers a chance to share the stories of these soldiers through the tradition of oral history, said Ed Davenport, of Tabernacle, Burlington County, who portrayed a Korean War soldier from the Armys 224th Regiment in an encampment on the museum grounds. We think it is important for people to remember the hardships and efforts that our veterans have gone through in preserving our country and keeping us free, said Davenport, whose father served in the same conflict. Inside his cloth tent, pieces of his uniform were set out on a rudimentary cot. Next to the sleeping area was a table with a typewriter and some cooking supplies, authentic artifacts he said help open conversations between the re-enactors and the public. They allow people to get comfortable and to ask questions, Davenport said. It may be something they never saw before that they had wanted to see, and we can have a nice conversation then. The event also included a question-and-answer session with real veterans such as Tony Musarra, 85, of Egg Harbor Township, who stopped into Davenports tent to check out the encampment. Musarra served in the Korean War, and his uniform is on display at the Atlantic County Veterans Museum in Estell Manor. Summer nor'easter brings minor flooding to low-lying areas of Jersey Shore A rare summer nor'easter dropped more than 5 inches of rain over the region Friday into Satu He first joined the National Guard when he was just 16. I lied about my age, and then they drafted me in 1952 for the Korean War, he said. Once there, he was stationed in North Korea with a heavy artillery unit, where he spent 17 months living in a bunker. When youre young, you can live through anything, he said. I was only 18 then. Musarra said he attends the historical societys event every year and enjoys watching the public learn from the presenters. Its very interesting to see people put things together between World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, he said. World War II and the Korean War were very close together, only five years apart. Most of the men that I knew when I first went there were World War II transfers from Germany and Japan. They were the first ones in battle in Korea. The event also offered the public a chance to get to know why re-enactors put the effort into presenting accurate details of the soldiers, from the type of tent that was used to the style of footwear. City officials fend off rumors in federal prescription fraud investigation MARGATE The flow of new information on a federal prescription-drug investigation among cit Donald Maley, 80, an Atlantic City native who now lives in West Deptford, Gloucester County, said he was just there to enjoy the displays as a spectator, but he used to participate in Civil and Revolutionary war re-enactments. I enjoy this hobby, said Maley, who said he appeared as a member of the Union Army in the 1989 Civil War movie Glory starring Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. People dont understand us, he said of re-enactors. They have no idea that we are doing something historic. War is hell. I would never promote war. Its not a good thing. But we are historians, not warmongers. We love history. We hate war, but we like to portray what happened. We feel it is important to preserve that information. BEACH HAVEN A group of volunteers is working to save a small island in Barnegat Bay using recycled clam shells and oyster larvae. If somethings not done, it will eventually disappear, said Jack Duggan, 72, of Brant Beach. For three years, ReClam the Bay has used old clam shells to grow oysters, then transfer those oysters to the bay, where they are building the states first living shoreline at Mordecai Island. The 46-acre marsh island that runs parallel to the bay side of Beach Haven is eroding at a rate of 3 to 6 feet per year, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is also in the midst of a wetlands restoration project there. Mordecai Island is home to many species of wildlife, including endangered birds. ReClam the Bay hopes to help stabilize the wetlands through its project. ReClam the Bay is a grass-roots organization with a focus on education. It was started about a decade ago by a group of people interested in helping save the environment. The name came from a phrase used by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County: The best way to reclaim the bay is to re-clam the bay. In addition to its Mordecai Island project, ReClam the Bay works closely with the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program to help repopulate the bay with oysters and clams. The clams and oysters, were growing them here to plant them in the bay, Duggan said. Its called aquaculture. Stockton Universitys Field Marine Station is also helping to restore the oyster population. In June, 150,000 spat that had been started by partners Parsons Mariculture were planted in the Tuckerton Reef. Changes in the water quality, disease and overharvesting caused the New Jersey oyster population to drop significantly. According to Stockton, the spat used were a combination of whelk shells that were purchased and the first batch of recycled clam and oyster shells from the Old Causeway Steak and Oyster House and Mud City Crab House in Manahawklin. Restaurant owner Melanie Magaziner started a shell recycling project in 2015. Long Beach Township Mayor Joseph Mancini took notice of the oyster harvesting project and reached out to Stocktons Marine Field Station to see how his town could help. Township sustainability coordinator Angela Anderson helped recruit six restaurants to provide discarded shells, and township employee Joe Mangino collects and sorts through 50-pound bushels of shells. These shells should not spend their life in a landfill, Anderson said. They have too important a role here. On a recent Friday afternoon, Duggan met fellow ReClam the Bay volunteers Albert Nitche, 75, of Beach Haven and Roselle Park, Harry Patrick Befumo, 52, of Beach Haven, and Dominic Tumas, 71, of Beach Haven and Little Egg Harbor Township, at the old Coast Guard station at Pelham Avenue. The all-volunteer group gets oyster larvae about 2.5 million in just a small drop from the Rutgers University Aquaculture Innovation Center in Cape May and places them in a 15-by-6-foot tank of water called an upweller. They add several bags of recycled clam and conch shells, giving the larvae three days to attach to the old shells and develop into spat. Duggan said the clam shells come from a clam-processing plant in North Jersey. The group also uses conch shells shipped from Cape May. After two to five weeks, the volunteers move the bags of shells with oyster spat to the bay. Those oysters can be used to build structure, Duggan said. In addition to the bagged shells, the living shoreline is made up of 12-by-12-by-8-inch oyster castles created from cinderblocks with spat attached. ReClam the Bay is completing this project in conjunction with the Mordecai Island Trust. The shoreline, also called a breakwater, will enable tidal exchange, promote sediment transport and support aquatic habitat. Duggan said the project also helps protect homeowners. The bay is very much open here, and when the storms come, theyll be a strong fetch that will rush up against the island, he said. If that island isnt there, Beach Haven gets pounded. For more information, visit reclamthebay.org. By PTI: Patna, Jul 30 (PTI) A Muslim JD(U) MLA of Bihar got so carried away by the new-found bonhomie between his party JD(U) and BJP that he chanted Jai Sri Ram, drawing the ire of a senior cleric who said he stood "expelled from Islam" for his action. Khurshid alias Feroz Ahmad enthusiastically made the chant, a favourite of the Hindu far right that wants a Ram temple at the place in Ayodhya where the Babri mosque stood before being razed down in 1992, after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won the trust vote on July 28. advertisement Khurshid was later inducted into the ministry and now holds the minority welfare portfolio. "I worship both Ram and Rahim. I dont have any hesitation in saying Jai Sri Ram if it is in the interest of the people of Bihar and benefits them," Khurshid later told journalists, proudly displaying the red Hindu sacred thread called Kalawa or Mouli on his wrist. Khurshids secular protestations did not go down well with the Muslim clergy and some politicians but his own party backed him. Sohail Ahmad Qasmi, the Mufti of Imarat Shariah, Patna, said,"Any person who says he worships both Rasul and Ram, bows his head before every faith, then shouts Jai Sri Ram, that person is automatically expelled from Islam." "I have seen his statements in newspapers and also circulating on Whatsapp. In this background I have expressed my opinion ... It is not a fatwa which has been issued by the Imarat Shariah. Considering my responsibility as an Aalim and Mufti, I have expressed my opinion," he said. Khurshid also drew criticism from senior RJD leader and former minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who said it appeared that the minister had got the "badshahat" (kingdom) somewhere. NCP leader and former union minister Tariq Anwar said it showed that the minister can stoop to any level to grab power. "People will teach a lesson to such people," he said. As criticism mounted, Khurshid tendered apology. "If my statement has hurt anyone, then I tender my apology. My statement has been distorted." Khurshid said Nitish Kumar asked him to reconsider his statement if it hurt sentiments of people and tender an apology. JD(U) spokesman Neeraj Kumar defended Khurshid and said the slogan raised by him was not intended to hurt anyones religious sentiments. "This is the country where great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi used to take the name of Ram and Rahim in the same breath. This a conspiracy to finish the Ganga-Jamuni (inclusive) tradition," he said. PTI AR KK SRY SK SK --- ENDS --- ASPEN, Colo., July 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Aspen Institute and Anne Welsh McNulty announced the tenth annual John P. McNulty Prize Laureates, four extraordinary leaders from across the world who felt the moral imperative to act, and who have used their entrepreneurialism and professional expertise to address seemingly intractable challenges in their communities. From training Syrian journalists in objective, reliable reporting on the conflict; to giving Palestinian and Honduran youth experience in governance and holding elections; to extending training and access to markets for formerly displaced Ugandan farmers; to creating a national platform for civic engagement in Panama, the 2017 Laureates are changing the world in innovative, scalable and replicable ways. "These individuals have each used their specific expertise and skills to build world-changing organizations, but what really unites them is that their ventures all put agency, opportunity and self-determination in the hands of the individuals and communities they benefit," said Anne Welsh McNulty, President of the John P. and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation and Trustee of the Aspen Institute. The McNulty Prize is given annually to honor the visionary work of Fellows of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and their social ventures. The 2017 Laureates were announced on July 29 at the Resnick Aspen Action Forum, and each Laureate will receive $25,000 to further his or her venture. An international jury, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, international statesman Olara Otunnu, development expert Brizio Biondi-Morra, and President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker, will select the winner. The winning venture will receive $100,000, and will be announced in November in New York City. The 2017 Laureates: SYRIA DIRECT | AMJAD TADROS Jordan By training new generations of Syrian reporters, entrepreneur and award-winning journalist Amjad Tadros is ensuring that Syrian perspectives are heard, and that the world has access to objective, truthful in-depth reporting on the region. TRAIL (Transforming Agriculture for Improved Livelihoods) | BRUCE ROBERTSON Uganda Following the Lord's Resistance Army's devastation of Northern Uganda, agriculture executive Bruce Robertson is rebuilding the region's economy and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through agronomy training, financial literacy, and access to markets and capital. VOLUNTARIOS DE PANAMA | CAROLINA FREIRE Panama Uniting a broad network of private, public and nonprofit stakeholders, public policy specialist Carolina Freire is shifting the national culture around civic engagement, and propelling citizens to address community challenges by spearheading Panama's first national volunteer platform. YOUTH LOCAL COUNCILS | LANA ABU-HIJLEH Palestine with global replication Building the next generation's experience and faith in peaceful democracy, development expert Lana Abu-Hijleh is enabling youth in places like Palestine and Honduras to hold democratic elections, serve constituent communities, and practice good governance in full-fledged councils. The announcement was celebrated on July 29 at the Resnick Aspen Action Forum. Watch the Laureates pitch their bold ideas: http://agln.aspeninstitute.org/live About The John P. McNulty Prize Founded by Anne Welsh McNulty in honor of her late husband John, the McNulty Prize celebrates the boldness and impact of individuals who are using their exceptional leadership abilities, entrepreneurial spirit and private sector talents to address the world's toughest challenges. Each year, the winner is selected by a jury that has previously included Mary Robinson, Bill Gates, Sr. and Sir Richard Branson. The winner receives $100,000 and each Laureate receives $25,000 to further his or her venture. The Prize is given in partnership with the Aspen Institute, and recognizes exceptional leadership ventures undertaken by Fellows of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. For more information, visit www.mcnultyprize.org. Follow @McNultyPrize on Twitter and join the conversation using #McNultyPrize. The Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) is a growing, worldwide community of more than 2,500 high-integrity, entrepreneurial leaders from over 50 countries who share a commitment to enlightened leadership and to using their creativity, energy and resources to tackle the foremost societal challenges of our times. Fellows convene annually at the AGLN's flagship event, the Resnick Aspen Action Forum. For more information, visit agln.aspeninstitute.org. The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org. SOURCE The Aspen Institute Related Links http://www.aspeninstitute.org If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Gandhinagar, July 26 : Congress President Sonia Gandhi's political secretary and senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Wednesday here filed his nomination for the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections, with the party exuding confidence of his victory. Flanked by state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki and party national General Secretary in-charge of Gujarat affairs Ashok Gehlot, Patel submitted his papers at the state Assembly in the presence of a majority of the 57 Congress MLAs and one each of the Nationalist Congress Party and Janata Dal-United. The 67-year-old Congress leader, who hails from Bharuch in south Gujarat, first became a member of the Upper House in 1993. If he wins, this will be his fifth term. There were apprehensions in the party about Patel being able to get the required 46 first preference votes, given the cross-voting during the July 17 presidential poll when as many as 11 legislators cast their votes for NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind. On July 21, Leader of Opposition and veteran party leader Shankersinh Vaghela resigned. He is believed to have the backing of at least a dozen MLAs. Significantly, though Vaghela quit as Leader of Opposition, he announced he will resign as MLA only after the Rajya Sabha polls. Ashok Gehlot and Bharatsinh Solanki allayed any fears of Patel losing, and claimed the party has the support of two legislators of the NCP and one of JD-U. Solanki added that a whip has been issued to all the MLAs to vote for the official nominee Ahmed Patel, and if any of them fails to do so, he or she could invite disqualification for six years for defying it. Three Rajya Sabha seats from Gujarat have fallen vacant. The term of two others, Union Minister Smriti Irani and Dilip Pandya of BJP, also ends on August 18 along with that of Patel. However, they are yet to file nominations. A decision regarding the BJP members is expected on Wednesday evening during the party's Election Committee meeting. The last date for submitting papers for the elections is July 28. Bangkok, July 26 : A mobile application on the comprehensive history of the Khmer Rouge has been launched in Cambodia to ensure that Cambodian citizens, 70 per cent of whom are less than 30 years old, do not forget one of the darkest chapters in the country's history. The free app, developed by the Bophana Audiovisual Resource Centre, was launched on Tuesday and tells the story of the Pol Pot-led regime since its inception as a Communist guerrilla group in the 1950s, Efe news reported. Around 1.7 million people died between 1975 and 1979 during the reign of the Khmer Rouge in the country from forced labour, disease, starvation and political purges. The Khmer Rouge disintegrated after Pol Pot died in 1998 in a jungle in northern Cambodia. The app, funded by the European Union and the Rei Foundation, will be presented in 80 schools and 20 universities in October. The release of the app, only available on Android devices for now, comes at a time when an international court is prosecuting the last two surviving top leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime. One is the second-in-command and chief ideologist of the regime, Nuon Chea, and the other is its former head of State, Khieu Samphan -- both were sentenced to life imprisonment during the first part of the trial in 2014. The trial was divided into two phases due to the complexity of the charges and fears that the accused, both aged over 80 years, would die before the ruling was delivered. In June, during the second part of the trial, the Cambodia Tribunal adjourned for sentencing the two leaders, indicted for genocide and crimes against humanity. The international court passed its first sentence in 2010 against Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, who managed the S-21 prison and torture site, where between 14,000-16,000 people died. Duch was initially sentenced to 35 years in prison, but the judgement was later changed to life imprisonment. By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) BJP president Amit Shah will be in Uttar Pradesh on a three-day visit from tomorrow to hold a series of meetings with local leaders and state government ministers, as part of his nationwide tour to strengthen the party. Shah is on a 110-day non-continuous tour across states, and UP holds special significance for the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, as it had won an unprecedented 71 of the total 80 seats in the 2014 polls. Its ally Apna Dal had won two seats. advertisement A party statement said Shah will hold meetings with leaders drawn from the state tomorrow in Lucknow followed by interactions with different groups from society and then with allies and other party leaders, including ministers of the UP government. He will continue to have meetings with various party groups to take stock of their work, and will speak at an intellectual summit in the state capital. Shah has undertaken the drive in the birth centenary year of the partys ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyay and the party has deployed over four lakh workers across the country to strengthen its organisation at the booth-level, the statement said. The BJP had swept to a thumping majority in the state following the Assembly election held in March but the possibility of regional outfits, BSP and SP, coming together in the future can make the road ahead more challenging for the saffron party. PTI KR KUN --- ENDS --- New Delhi, July 26 : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday refused to reply to opposition queries whether the government is going to demonetise Rs 2,000 notes or whether it is planning to issue coins of bigger denominations such as Rs 1,000. The issue was raised by Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal during the Zero Hour as soon as the House met for the day. "It's been a tradition that when Parliament is in session, the government has to inform the House of any policy decisions it makes. Now the government has decided to stop printing Rs 2,000 notes," Agrawal said. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad also took up the issue, demanding to know if the government is coming out with high denomination coins. "I would like to know from the Finance Minister who is here. We read in newspapers that the government is going to introduce Rs 1,000, Rs, 100, Rs 200 coins. What is the actual (position)? Are we to go by the media reports or the Minister would enlighten the House?" he said. "We must know what is the truth behind these reports," he added. Tiruchi Siva of DMK and Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal-United too demanded to know the government's position on the issue. "Such reports will give birth to rumours. People may stop transacting in Rs 2,000 notes. The government must put these rumours to rest," Yadav said. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurein, who was presiding over the House, asked Jaitley if he would like to respond to the queries, but he refused. "The Finance Minister does not want to respond. What can I do?" Kurien said. Patna, July 26 : RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Wednesday said Nitish Kumar's resignation as Bihar Chief Minister was "pre-planned" as he has not ruled out the possibility of joining hands with the BJP. Addressing reporters after Nitish Kumar resigned over the corruption allegations against Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad called for a meeting of the MLAs of the Grand Alliance - JD-U, RJD and Congress - to elect a new leader. "Nitish is playing into the hands of the BJP. After resigning as Chief Minister he did not rule out the possibility of joining hands with the BJP. Everyone knows that Nitish is aligned with Modi," Lalu told reporters here. Lalu also said that within minutes of Nitish Kumar's resignation Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted welcoming the move. Lalu said that with the resignation of Nitish Kumar, the whole government including Tejashwi Yadav has gone. "Now let Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi stay out and the MLAs of JD-U, RJD and Congress should elect a new leader. Since we are the single largest party in the Assembly so the claim of legislative party leader goes with us," Lalu Prasad said. He said that Janata Dal-United President Nitish Kumar had asked for the resignation of Tejashwi Yadav. "We were not at fault so why should we (Tejashwi) resign. As far as explanation was concerned, everything was explained to Nitish Kumar," he said. Attacking the JD-U leader, Lalu Prasad said that the JD-U leader was facing "cases under the murder and Arms Act". "He is facing charges of murder, which is bigger than the charges of corruption. He has accepted about the charges in his election affidavit," Lalu said. "We were aware of the case since long but did not find it appropriate to disclose. Nitish Kumar knows about this so he tendered his resignation. He is aligning with the RSS. Everything was set," he added. Patna, July 28 : 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. New Delhi : Nitish Kumar may have won the trust vote in the Bihar legislature, but he is now weaker than what he was during his earlier stint as the Chief Minister. At that time, he had become a larger than life figure because of his success in controlling lawlessness in the state and preparing the ground for development. As a result, he was even seen as a possible player on the national stage. But that aura is gone. The reason is his journey from the "communal" to the "secular" camp and back. Had he moved in only one direction, he would have appeared more straightforward than at present. But trips back and forth tend to undermine a politician's credibility. He is seen then as an opportunist on the lookout for the best chance. If he had wanted to retain his trustworthiness in the wake of the corruption charges against Lalu Prasad and his family, he should have called for fresh elections. That would have been a message to Lalu Prasad as well, for it would have shown him -- as well as other politicians -- that sleaze doesn't pay. As it is, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief is barred from contesting elections because of his conviction in the fodder scam. But switching sides within two years of securing a mandate has put Nitish Kumar in the lowly category of the Congress MLAs in Gujarat who have been lured away to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by the indefatigable Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo. Nitish Kumar's latest manoeuvre may well turn out to be his third political mistake. The first was in 2013 when he hurriedly quit the BJP because he feared that Modi's rise will erode his Muslim support base. As long as Modi did not venture out of Gujarat, Nitish Kumar was happy in the BJP in the company of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani. But Modi's entry into the big league unnerved him. So he ran from the rock of a changing BJP to the hard place of his old friend of the days of the JP movement, Lalu Prasad. This was Nitish Kumar's second mistake, for he ignored the possibility that the hero/villain of the RJD's "jungle raj" in Bihar may ultimately be his nemesis. And so it has proved to be. But the way out for Nitish Kumar was not to retrace his steps, for he has gone back to the same person from whom he ran away four years ago. If the Bihar Chief Minister was afraid in 2013 that Modi would scare away the Muslims, he should harbour the same fear now when the rampaging gau rakshaks have become a frightening menace for the minorities. True, Modi of 2017 is not the Modi of 2002, when he was called a "modern day Nero" by the Supreme Court, because he has been speaking out against the cow vigilantes. Modi has also succeeded in putting an end to the ghar wapsi and love jehad campaigns. But how far the BJP has changed with its veneration for the holy cow and its belief in the therapeutic value of cow's urine is open to question. Nitish Kumar is teaming up, therefore, with a party whose pursuit of Hindutva and ultra-nationalism is far more aggressive at present than in the time of Vajpayee and Advani. Politically, too, the BJP believes that the future belongs to it mainly because of its spectacular success in UP. Now, Nitish Kumar's floor-crossing will convince the BJP that the Hindi heartland is firmly in its grip. It is unlikely, therefore, that it will allow Nitish Kumar to call the shots as before. Instead, the Modi dispensation may placate him with a special financial package for Bihar. What the latest events have shown is that Nitish Kumar's destiny is to be a provincial politician, remaining confined like his friend-cum-foe-cum-friend-cum-foe again, Lalu Prasad, in Bihar. Any hope that he may have had of playing a larger role, which was possible if he had stayed with the opposition, is unlikely to be fulfilled. Bihar itself may gain because of the centre's largesse and Nitish Kumar's administrative capabilities. But the future of his party -- the Janata Dal-United -- is uncertain because its Muslim and Yadav components may drift away. The fading out of the party will make Nitish Kumar even more beholden to the BJP. The RJD, on the other hand, is likely to grow and fill the empty opposition space in Bihar in the absence of the Janata Dal-United and the Congress. Nitish Kumar's well-wishers will hope that with his amiable personality, he will exert a moderating influence on the BJP and be on Modi's side in reining in the hardliners and turning the focus resolutely on development. That is the only way he can redeem himself. (Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com) United Nations, July 29 : United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned the launch of another "ballistic missile of possible intercontinental range" by North Korea. The UN chief said that "this is again a manifest violation of Security Council resolutions," Xinhua quoted UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq as saying. "The North Korean leadership must comply fully with its international obligations and work together with the international community to resolve the outstanding issues on the Korean Peninsula," said Haq. The Secretary-General reiterated his call on Pyongyang to respond to the SOuth Korea's proposals to reopen communication channels, particularly military-to-military, to lower the risk of miscalculation or misunderstanding and reduce tensions, he said. The Pentagon said that an initial assessment showed the missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile travelled about 1,000 kilometres before splashing down into the sea, said Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis in a statement. Washington, July 29 : President Donald Trump has planned to sign a bill approved by Congress which will impose new sanctions on Russia, the White House announced. "President Donald Trump read early drafts of the bill and negotiated regarding critical elements of it," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement late Friday. "He has now reviewed the final version and, based on its responsiveness to his negotiations, approves the bill and intends to sign it," The Hill magazine quoted Sanders as saying. The new legislation will effectively tie the President's hands when it comes to lifting sanctions. The House passed their version of the legislation on Tuesday, while senators voted 98-2 on Thursday night to send the legislation to Trump's desk, The Hill reported. The bill gives Congress the ability to block Trump from lifting the Russia sanctions and also includes new penalties against Iran and North Korea. The new sanctions come as the White House grapples with several ongoing probes into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, which the President has blasted as unnecessary. In response to the bill, Russia announced that it was expelling American diplomats and seizing property, reports CNN. Moscow said on Friday that the US must reduce the staff at its embassy and consulates to 450, the same number Russia is allowed to have in the US. Russia is also barring Americans from using two diplomatic facilities. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that while Moscow has been doing "everything possible" to improve the relationship, "recent events showed that US policy was in the hands of Russophobic forces, pushing Washington to the path of confrontation." Seoul, July 29 : South Korea and the US conducted another round of combined ballistic missile drills on Saturday in a show of firepower against North Korea, their armed forces said. The live-fire exercise held along the east coast involved the South's Hyunmoo-2 and the US Eight Army's ATACMS, Yonhap news agency quoted the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as saying. They fired missiles into the East Sea, where the North lobbed what's believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) hours earlier. The Hyunmoo-2 is a road-mobile tactical ballistic missile with a range of 300 kilometers. The ATACMS, or the Army Tactical Missile System, is a similar-range guided missile. The allies reaffirmed their capabilities for "precise strike on the enemy's leadership," the JCS said in a statement. The US military unit stressed that the ATACMS can be rapidly deployed and provide "deep-strike precision capability." It enables the allied forces to engage a full array of time-critical targets under all weather conditions. The two sides held such joint ballistic missile drills early this month following the communist nation's firing of the Hwasong-14 ICBM. Earlier in the day Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis told media that it has detected an ICBM launch by North Korea at about 10:45 a.m. eastern time. The launch was first reported by the Japanese government which said that the missile flew for about 45 minutes and appeared to have fallen into Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Xinhua news agency reported. According to Japan government spokesman Yoshihide Suga, no damage has 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 move on strongest terms. The South Korean media also reported the missile launch and immediately reported the move to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who convened an emergency security meeting early Saturday. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea fired the missile into its east waters. Yonhap news agency cited JCS as saying that the missile was launched into the East Sea from North Korea's Jagang province. Moscow, July 29 : Seven people from Central Asian countries were detained on Friday on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks on the rail transport system and crowded places in Russia's second-largest city of St. Petersburg, the Federal Security Service said. "The identity of the detainees is not disclosed in the interests of the investigation," Xinhua quoted the security service as saying. On April 3, several Central Asian nationals launched a bomb attack in St. Petersburg's metro system, killing 14 people and injuring more than 50 others. Riyadh, July 29 : 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, Xinhua cited the report as saying. The coalition forces set up the ambush after getting intelligence that the Houthi militants and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh were mobilising 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. July 29 (IANS) A Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader was shot dead on Saturday by unidentified assailants in Bihar's Siwan district, police said. "A group of armed unidentified assailants shot five bullets into Minhaj Khan's head while he was sleeping in his house in Sheikhpura village," district police officer Sanjit Kumar said. According to the police, Khan was a popular leader among youths and he had nearly 5,000 followers on social media. He is also said to be close to former Siwan MP Mohammad Shahabuddin who is currently in prison. The city's civic bodies are planning to make discarding of waste in public places and even allowing mosquito breeding in households a criminal offence. The MCDs have proposed to increase the fine for littering caused by 'langars' to Rs 5,000, while penalty for dumping construction material on roadside could be fixed at Rs 10,000 By Rakesh Ranjan: Trash the city and you may end up behind bars. To deter litterbugs, Delhi's BJP-ruled civic bodies are planning to make discarding of waste in public places and even allowing mosquito breeding in households a criminal offence with appropriate jail terms under the Indian Penal Code. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation has already issued orders in this regard and the two other agencies will follow suit, officials said. Municipal magistrates will keep a check on violators and ensure they are prosecuted. A person can get a maximum jail term of six months for such an offence. advertisement The Narendra Modi government last year directed states to start levying fines for littering, open defecation and public urination as the Prime Minister's flagship Swachh Bharat Mission failed to have the desired effect in urban areas. 'EXISTING PENALTY TOO WEAK' According to MCD officials, the existing penalty on violating sanitation bylaws is too weak to deter people and so it was decided to slap criminal charges on them. The imprisonment would vary from one month to six months depending on severity of the violation. "To keep Delhi free of littering and insanitary conditions, various provisions of IPC and the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act may be invoked against the violators...departments may proceed accordingly," said an order issued by the chief law officer of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation. Public spaces in the Capital often are eyesores full of rotting piles of garbage along the streets, in neighbourhoods, public parks and playgrounds, and outside fancy air-conditioned malls and five-star hotels. HIGH COURT INSTRUCTIONS The move from the corporations follows instructions of the Delhi High Court to maintain proper sanitation in the city. The court had recently pulled up the three civic bodies and had said that even citizens should take the responsibility of keeping their surroundings clean. The HC directed that a time-bound garbage collection system be set up to prevent the piling of waste. A senior MCD official said mosquito breeding in households is a key concern of the civic body as this could result into the outbreak of vectorborne diseases like dengue and chikungunya. "Cases of dengue in recent years have been on the rise, claiming several lives. The occupants of a house where dengue larva is found may be booked for endangering public life and causing health hazards. The provision attracts a fine and imprisonment of up to six months," he said. Similarly, negligence by people that is likely to spread fatal diseases would also be dealt with strictly. The civic body has identified 14 provisions under IPC to deal with sanitation woes. Any pollution that may cause fouling of drinking water has also been put in the category of criminal offences. 'FAILED ATTEMPTS' advertisement Officials said repeated attempts by the MCDs to amend the sanitation bylaws for higher penalty have failed to yield results. The draft of the amendment is pending with the Delhi government for the last seven years. The modified rules would have provision for hefty penalties up to Rs 10,000 and five times higher for repeated offenders. Apart from the fine, the civic bodies have also proposed widening the ambit of the law. Littering caused by distributing food material (langar), illegal burning of solid waste, improper storage of construction material and non-segregation of recyclable and nonrecyclable waste will attract fines. These activities were till now undefined and so exempted from prosecution. The MCDs proposed to increase the fine for littering caused by langars to Rs 5,000, while penalty for dumping construction material on roadside was fixed at Rs 10,000. The proposed amendment prescribed a fine of Rs 500 for littering, spitting and urinating in public places. It also empowers the municipal magistrates to order community services, like road cleaning, garbage and graffiti removal, in case a person fails to pay the fine. The amendment in "Delhi Sanitation and Public Health Bylaws" was proposed by the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on June 23, 2010 and the civic body had adopted it through a resolution passed by the House. advertisement ALSO READ New Delhi: Junkyards of seized vehicles at police stations turning into mosquito breeding grounds Delhi government shores up resources to fight H1N1 --- ENDS --- New Delhi : It reflects on the delicate diplomacy involved that the principal issue in the China-India standoff at Doklam is being mentioned only in muted tones. The problem is the undemarcated boundary between China and Bhutan. This demarcation would require Bhutan and China to settle the matter. The two doing a pirouette is not a good sight for India, which has a special bond with Bhutan sanctified in a treaty signed in 1949. Clause 2 of the treaty amended in 2007 (on which later) stated that Thimpu would be "guided by the advice of the government of India in its external relations". How can Thimpu settle its border, independent of the Sino-Indian boundary? Thimpu needed chaperoning when it took its first baby steps as a sovereign state. But once it came of age and made a formal debut at the UN's great ball (at India's initiative) in 1971, it began to feel the urge to dance with other partners, of course, without rupturing the special bond dictated by the 1949 treaty. India would remain more equal than others but others there shall surely be. India says "fine" but has palpitations when it fears that Bhutan may be groping for China's hand. At the coronation of the present king's father Jigme Singye Wangchuk in 1974, Foreign Minister Dawa Tsering said something that was not honeyed music to New Delhi. India's advice in the conduct of foreign affairs was welcome but "not binding" on Bhutan, he said. Indeed, among those invited to the coronation was China which turned up with a delegation, not a pleasing sight for the Indian contingent. A gentle, feather touch has marked Indo-Bhutanese diplomacy in both the capitals. Years 1978-79, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the External Affairs Minister, were marked by considerable warmth in relations. In August 1978, diplomatic missions in New Delhi received a circular note from the Bhutan mission that henceforth it should be addressed as the Royal Bhutan Embassy. The upgradation of the mission was not without considerable debate in South Block. Prime Minister Morarji Desai downwards there was an entire hierarchy, principally Foreign Secretary Jagat Mehta, endorsing a more relaxed policy towards Bhutan freeing the Himalayan kingdom from the more restrictive interpretations of the 1949 treaty. But there were hawks too. Desai's government fell in July 1979 making way for Charan Singh's five-month rule. More damage was done to New Delhi's relations with Thimpu during this brief period by the new, inexperienced External Affairs Minister Shyam Nandan Mishra than at any other period. He led the Indian delegation to the Havana summit of Non-Aligned Nations where the King of Bhutan took a position on a key issue which was independent to the brief Mishra was carrying. The cold war was at its peak. Indo-China was still at the centre of conflict. The two blocs were in fierce competition on who should occupy Kampuchea's seat at the summit. Pol Pot, backed by the US and China, or Heng Samrin, installed in Phnom Penh after Vietnam ousted Pol Pot. He set up sanctuaries on the border with Thailand. It seems almost comical to reflect that the world was, in the late 70s, riveted on Phnom Penh, Pol Pot and Heng Samrin. But contemplate the global picture, and the chips fall into place. In 1972, Nixon's visit to Beijing, creating a triangular strategic balance disadvantageous to Moscow. In 1978 Communists had come to power in Kabul, paving the way for the Soviet invasion. Next year, the Shah fell in Tehran. A pro-West Morarji Desai lost power in 1979. But in Pakistan, a pro-West Zia ul Haq held on to power. After what I saw at the battle of Lang Son, it was clear as daylight who won, but American media dragged its feet conceding victory to Vietnam in the Sino-Vietnam war of 1979. Vietnam's ouster of Pol Pot, his genocidal record notwithstanding, was, on the global chessboard, a reversal for both China and the US. Their romance was in its 9th year. It was in this tense global situation that Mishra, on his first mission as Foreign Minister, attempted to goad the King towards Heng Samrin (Soviet Union) while his own position was unclear. He must have made for a clumsy diplomat, because the King voted for Pol Pot much to the glee of the US, China and Pakistan. So cross was the King by the indecorous way he had been handled in Havana that, on his way back to Thimpu, he sought me out for what turned out to be a controversial interview. This was the only interview the King of Bhutan had ever granted to the media. I was then the Special Correspondent of the Indian Express. He clarified his vote in Havana. If Bhutan had not asked for Pol Pot's representative to be seated at Havana, it would have been tantamount to endorsing Vietnamese armed intervention in Kampuchea. He then made the allegation: "India took no position at all: Can you blame us if we took one and can our stand be described as being in opposition to India?" India's stand was neither here nor there: Let Pol Pot be seated but not participate -- a non-stand endorsed at an earlier NAM meet. On the relevance of the 1949 treaty, he said: "If you want my candid reply and not a diplomatic one -- the treaty can certainly be brought up to date." The two countries have not had serious differences in the interpretation of Article 2 of the treaty. "But why should we retain a treaty which can lend itself to loose interpretations?" The King was uncomfortable with the expression "close consultations" defining relations. He preferred "close understanding" -- consultations implied advice. The spirit of what the King said in September 1979 influenced the language of the treaty when it was revised in 2007. The new words were, "India and Bhutan will cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests. Neither government should allow its territory for activities harmful to its national security." What will be the upshot of the Doklam standoff? Well, the King's explosive interview (on which more later) did have a ripple effect which, in slow measure, resulted in an amended treaty, freeing Bhutan somewhat. In the given situation, similar advantages will accrue to Bhutan post Doklam. These advantages will not displease China. After his return from Beijing, the National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, must brief the diplomatic corps in New Delhi which so far has heard only from the Chinese here and in important capitals. To my knowledge, only the Americans have been briefed by South Block. (Saeed Naqvi is a commentator on political and diplomatic affairs. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached on saeednaqvi@hotmail.com ) Pyongyang, July 29 : North Korea has confirmed that it has "successfully" test fired a second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and described it as a "stern warning" to the US, the media reported on Saturday. A combination of US, South Korean and Japanese analyses of Friday's launch from Mupyong-ni, near North Korea's border with China, showed the missile flew about 47 minutes, going 3,700 km high and for a distance of 1,000 km before falling into the Sea of Japan, reports CNN. If the missile were fired on a flatter, standard trajectory, it would have major US cities like Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago well within its range, with possibly the ability to reach as far as New York and Boston. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Saturday that the latest ICBM is more advanced than one launched earlier this month based on the range it travelled. Experts had said that test showed Pyongyang had the ability to hit Alaska. A statement from Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Saturday said in a statement that the latest missile launch was a Hwasong-14, the same missile tested earlier in the month. Friday's test was designed to show the Hwasong-14's maximum range with a "large-sized heavy nuclear warhead", the statement said. It said Washington should regard the launch as a "grave warning". US President Donald Trump condemned the launch and said: "Threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people. "The US will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region." South Korean President Moon Jae-in in an emergency meeting on Saturday called for a "stern response" and warned that the latest test could bring about a fundamental change in the security landscape of the region. He also asked his administration to study the possibility of imposing "strong and effective measures" and unilateral sanctions on North Korea "if necessary". Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang on Saturday asked North Korea to respect the resolutions of the UN Security Council and refrain from any actions that could escalate tensions in the region, reports Xinhua news agency. Pyongyang has carried out 12 missile tests since February and conducted its first-ever test of an ICBM on July 4 -- which it claims could reach "anywhere in the world", CNN reported. Less than six years into his reign, Kim Jong-un has tested more missiles than his father and grandfather combined, according to military experts. Tokyo, July 29 : Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said early on Saturday that North Korea's missile launch on Friday underscores grave and real security threat to his country. He also said that Japan will stay alert about possible further provocations by North Korea and Japan has no other option but to increase pressure on Pyongyang with the international community, Xinhua news agency reported. Abe made the remarks after a National Security Council meeting convened following the missile launch. Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said 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 US and South Korea over the issue. Suga said that no damage has reported to any vessel or aircraft, adding that the missile launch was in violation of the United Nations' related resolutions. Earlier in the day, Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis told media that it has detected an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch by North Korea. The South Korean media also reported the missile launch and immediately reported the move to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who convened an emergency security meeting early Saturday. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea fired the missile into its east waters. Yonhap news agency cited JCS as saying that the missile was launched into the East Sea from North Korea's Jagang province. On July 4, North Korea 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. United Nations, July 29 : India is the world's third-biggest exporter of beef and is projected to hold on to that position over the next decade, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation (OECD). OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2017-2026 report released here this week, said that India exported 1.56 million tonnes of beef last year and was expected to maintain "its position as the third-largest beef exporter, accounting for 16 per cent of global exports in 2026" by exporting 1.93 tonnes that year. The type of beef exported was not specified, but the meat exported appeared to be mostly from buffaloes as the report specified the animal for imports by Myanmar from India. According to the OECD database, India imported 363,000 tonnes of beef last year and the amount was projected to stay the same over the decade. The total world beef exports in 2016 was 10.95 million tonnes and was expected to increase to 12.43 million tonnes by 2026, according to the FAO. The Outlook report ranked Brazil as the world's top beef exporter, followed by Australia. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) Los Angeles, July 29 : Actor George Clooney is planning to sue paparazzi for taking illegal photographs of his newborn twins -- Ella and Alexander -- during their vacation in Italy. A French magazine published the images of George and his wife Amal holding their children at their estate in Lake Como, reports aceshowbiz.com. "The very first pictures of the twins in the arms of their parents. Do not miss all our exclusive photos," the cover of the magazine read. "Over the last week photographers from Voici magazine scaled our fence, climbed our tree and illegally took pictures 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," George said in a statement. The statement added: "The safety of our children demands it." In response to George's statement, a representative for the French magazine told said: "George and Amal Clooney have been very public personalities for the last few years. Their wedding in Venice, in September 2014, was a very mediatic event; the pictures of them smiling to the public were seen all around the world. The birth of their twins, Ella and Alexander, had also been commented a lot, by themselves and their families." The representative added: "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." Brasilia, July 29 : Brazilian President Michel Temer has signed an executive order authorising the deployment of 10,240 soldiers and federal law-enforcement officers in Rio de Janeiro state, where violent crime is on the rise. The federal forces will be used primarily for specific operations targeting organised crime, Defence Minister Raul Jungmann told the media on Friday. Even so, the federal contingent will also be available to provide support to the state police in carrying out their ordinary duties, Efe news quoted Jungmann as saying. "The military will not take part in occupations of 'favelas' (shanties), as on previous occasions. They will be used as a last resort when necessary. But we don't rule out their also helping patrol the streets," Jungmann said. The announcement of the federal deployment coincided with the appearance of armoured vehicles as the army established checkpoints on several highways leading into the city of Rio de Janeiro. Published in a special edition of the official gazette, Temer's order authorizes the federal forces to remain in Rio state until Dec. 31. Jungmann, however, said that the President is prepared to extend the employment as long as necessary. Most of the federal troops and police will be concentrated in the Rio city metropolitan area, he said. The federal contingent comprises 8,500 military personnel, 620 members of the elite National Security Force and 380 officers of the Federal Highway Police. Lucknow, July 29 : In a jolt to the Samajwadi Party, three of its legislators quit the party on Saturday, alleging suffocation within the party, even as BJP president Amit Shah arrived here on a three-day visit. The three lawmakers - Bukkal Nawaab, Yashwant Singh and Madhukar Jaitley -- all are members of the Upper House of the state Assembly. Buqqal Nawaab was very close to former party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and owed his prominence to him until he decided to side with then Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in the turf war within the party earlier this year. Yashwant Singh is a close aide of independent legislator from Kunda, Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias 'Raja Bhaiyya'. There is speculation that he may switch to the BJP. Madhukar Jaitley, also a close aide of Mulayam Yadav, was a state minister level functionary in the Samajwadi Party government and was advisor to Akhilesh Yadav on externally aided projects, including Lucknow Metro. Jaitley threw his weight behind Mulayam Yadav after his son overthrew him and took over as national president of the party. Jaitley was one of the few who openly rebuked and challenged Akhilesh Yadav in his hey days as Chief Minister and slammed him for the "shoddy treatment" meted out to the senior Yadav. Buqqal Nawaab is facing many probes currently, specially of land grabbing. On Saturday, he praised the Yogi Adityanath government and said that a lot of good work was being done by the ruling BJP. He also rued that his mentor Mulayam Yadav was being humiliated in the party. He announced that many more SP members would be resigning from the party soon. Nawaab had created waves some time ago by saying he would be happy to carry the first brick to Ayodhya for the construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya and that he would also financially contribute to it. The resignations from the SP coincided with the arrival of Amit Shah in the state capital on a three-day visit to interact with party leaders. New Delhi : The attack on two women in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh suspected of carrying beef (though it turned out to be buffalo meat) was the 25th in 118 days since 55-year-old Pehlu Khan died after a mob attack on April 1, bringing the count to 26 cases of cow-related violence in seven months this year. This is the most in eight years, according to an IndiaSpend database that records such violence in India. We have now recorded as many as 70 cases of cow-related violence over eight years. Created through a collection and content analysis of reports in the English media -- which tend to have the greatest spread of national news -- the database shows that 97 per cent (68 of 70) of such incidents were reported after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government came to power in May 2014. More than half or 54 per cent of the cow-related violence -- 38 of 70 cases -- were from states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), when the attacks were reported, revealed our analysis of violence recorded until July 27. The data shows that Muslims were the target of 51 per cent (36 of 70) cases of violence centred on bovine issues over nearly eight years (2010 to 2017) and comprised 86 per cent (24 of 28) killed. As least 136 people were also injured in these attacks, and more than half (54 per cent) of these attacks were based on rumours. Despite the increase in violence related to bovine issues, particularly over the last three years, the Ministry of Home Affairs does not collect data on lynchings, said a government statement to the Lok Sabha on July 25. National or state crime data do not distinguish general violence from cow-related attacks and lynchings, so the IndiaSpend database is the first such statistical perspective to a growing national debate over such violence. In nearly half the attacks (49 per cent), police register cases against victims Of 70 attacks over eight years, 68 (97 per cent) occurred, as we said, after Modi's government came to power (2014-2017), with most attacks within seven months in 2017. The year 2016 reported the second-most cases of cow-related violence at 25 incidents. In nearly half or 49 per cent (34 attacks) of cases reported, police registered cases against victims/survivors -- as they did in Mandsaur. On June 29, 2017, a day after protests in Indian cities, London and New York against the government's slow response and silence after nationwide attacks against mostly Muslims and Dalits, Modi, speaking at the centenary celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, said: "Killing people in the name of gau bhakti (cow worship) is unacceptable. This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve of." "No one has the right to take law into his/her hands. We belong to a land of non-violence. Violence is not the solution to any problem." On July 16, the Prime Minister, in a series of Tweets, once again criticised cow vigilantes and put the onus on state governments to stringently act against them. As many as 1,235 cases related to offences promoting enmity between different groups -- under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, etc.) and 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) of the Indian Penal Code -- were reported during 2014-16, according to a July 25 Lok Sabha reply to a question on lynchings. "[Under sections 153A and 153B of the Indian Penal Code] the National Crime Records Bureau [NCRB] maintains data on offences promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth etcA However, it does not maintain data on cases relating to cow 'vigilantes', cow trade and trafficking," Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Minister of State for Home, told the Lok Sabha in his reply. "Offences promoting enmity between different groups" increased 41 per cent over three years to 2016, rising from 336 to 475. Uttar Pradesh, India's most-populous state, reported the most (202) cases, registering a 346 per cent increase, from 26 in 2014 to 116 in 2016. It was followed by Kerala (151), Karnataka (114), Telangana (104) and Maharashtra (103), among the top five states, over three years. Cases in Uttarakhand increased at the greatest rate nationwide, 450 per cent, from four in 2014 to 22 in 2016. With mob violence in the name of cow protection rising, the National Campaign Against Mob Lynching, a committee of civil society members, has proposed a new law. The Manav Suraksha Kanoon (MASUKA) suggests no bail for those accused of mob lynching, life imprisonment for those convicted and immediate suspension of the concerned station house officer. An online petition demanding MASUKA has received over 34,000 signatures. IndiaSpend issued a correction later, saying the figure of cow vigilante attacks was 26 and not 27 as previously mentioned. (In arrangement with IndiaSpend.org, a data-driven, non-profit, public interest journalism platform. The views expressed are those of IndiaSpend. Feedback at respond@indiaspend.org) New Delhi : New Delhi, July 30 IANS) China may not have forgiven India for snubbing its mega trans-continent corridor initiative, but in what may rankle more is that New Delhi and Tokyo, Beijing's arch rival, are pushing ahead with a development corridor between Asia and Africa. The announcement of the Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC), made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the African Development Bank (AfDB) meet in Gandhinagar in May, came days after China hosted with great pomp the first One Belt One Road (OBOR) summit in Beijing. The venture is expected to get further impetus in September during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. India has been involved in Africa for many years, in trade as well as capacity-building activities. Japan, which has been working on infrastructure projects in Africa, can help with its advanced technology as well as funds for the AAGC. Japan is reportedly planning to commit $200 billion for the proposed growth corridor. So, is the AAGC meant as a counter to OBOR? "The two are completely separate. OBOR is different. Long before OBOR, India and Japan were individually working in Africa, and were talking to each other about Africa," Rajiv Bhatia, a former Indian ambassador, told IANS. "India and Japan feel that by intensifying cooperation with Africa, they can help each other and Africa. We are working on the AAGC in our own way and at our own pace," said the former High Commissioner to South Africa and Kenya. He said that China's engagement in Africa is extensive, while the India-Japan collaboration is beginning to take shape. The AAGC shows that India and Japan desire to take their cooperation beyond the bilateral sphere, he added. China's OBOR, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, is an estimated $5 trillion connectivity corridor spanning over 60 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. It is meant to be a revival of the ancient Silk Road trading route and is expected to comprise building of roads, bridges, gas pipelines, ports, railways and power plants, besides SEZs. India and Japan had begun a dialogue on Africa in 2010, a continent in which both have much stake. The main objective of the AAGC is to enhance growth and connectivity between Asia and Africa. According to the vision document, the corridor will focus on four areas: Development Cooperation Projects, Quality Infrastructure and Institutional Connectivity, Enhancing Skills, and People-to-People Partnership. Agriculture, health, technology, and disaster management are the main areas of development cooperation. It will focus on boosting skills and research and development capacities in Africa. According to a report by McKinsey, China is Africa's largest economic partner, with goods trade worth $188 billion in 2015 -- compared to $59 billion with India. Since the turn of the millennium, Africa-China trade has been growing at approximately 20 per cent per year, the report says, adding that there are around 10,000 Chinese firms in Africa, Three think-tanks -- India's Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Indonesia's Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and Japan's Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), prepared the vision document for AAGC. They have produced one report on the corridor and another report is due in a few months, said Bhatia. He said that at the corporate level, companies of India, Japan and from Africa are looking at specified sectors of the growth corridor in order to execute projects. "There is seriousness and earnestness" behind the initiative, he added. Bhatia, a former Director General of Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), also feels that giving too much importance to OBOR and China would help Beijing. Speaking on the comparison between OBOR and the AAGC, Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS, told IANS: "The OBOR, it seems, is visualised on the idea of economic corridors and infrastructure development with connectivity as the central focus, while the AAGC is a concept based on the theory of growth poles where several growth triangles and quadrangles are envisaged with different regional production hubs." The proposed AAGC seeks to encompass and integrate Africa, India and South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania. India's increased engagement with Africa comes in the backdrop of the third India-Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in October 2015 when all 54 African nations had sent their representatives. India has also made many high level visits to several African countries, as part of its outreach. India also held the AfDB annual meeting in Gandhinagar this May. (Ranjana Narayan can be contacted at ranjana.n@ians.in) New Delhi, July 30 : A woman member of an inter-state gang of gunrunners has been arrested and 14 semi-automatic pistols seized from her in east Delhi, police said on Sunday. Mobai was arrested on a tip-off on Wednesday evening when she went to the Shastri Park area to deliver the consignment to one of her contacts, the police said. Hailing from Umarti district in Madhya Pradesh, Mobai had entered the world of crime 15 years ago, according to the police. "The sophisticated pistols of 7.65 mm calibre had 'Made in England' and 'Made in USA' markings," Deputy Commissioner of Police P.S. Kushwah said. Fourteen magazines were also seized. Mobai told the police she collected these pistols from a manufacturer in Gandhwani district of Madhya Pradesh and supplied them to various contacts and criminals in Delhi, the National Capital Region (NCR) area and Uttar Pradesh. The result of the CBI investigation will depend on the DNA fingerprinting. The samples collected from the arrested suspects are being tested in two different labs. By Manjeet Sehgal: The CBI probe ordered by the Himachal Pradesh High Court to look into the Shimla gangrape and murder case, which took place on July 4, has entered its last leg. The Court had ordered the CBI to intervene in the matter after several discrepancies were found in police's theory. The premier investigating agency during its week long probe has not only studied the police theory minutely, but also the media reports and the rumours doing rounds on social media . advertisement The CBI sleuths so far have questioned the police officials, parents of the victim, family members of the accused, locals including the victim's class mates and teachers. The officials are also likely to question the digital media team which handles the Facebook page of chief minister in connection with the uploading and deletion of the photos of half a dozen suspects. The police has not yet shared any information on these men who were first named as suspects. However, their mobile phone location will likely establish their involvement. The fire incident at Kotkhai Police Station has also left the investigators worried. The officials on Saturday, questioned some people about the custodial death of an accused, and the incident when the crowd set the police station on fire. There is a doubt that important evidences and documents may have been destroyed in the incident. The result of the CBI investigation will depend on the DNA fingerprinting. The samples collected from the arrested suspects are being tested in two different labs. The reports are expected in a couple of days. WOMEN'S COMMISSION SLAMS POLICE FOR SHODDY PROBE Member of National Women's Commission Sushma Sahu has slammed the State police for shoddy treatment meted out in the entire case. Sahu claimed, she personally collected some facts pertaining to the case which will be shared with the CBI's Special Crime Branch team. She said the facts were shared by the parents of the girl. Sahu said, "The evidences produced by the police lack credibility. Mamta, wife of one of the accused Suraj (died in custody), told that he was at work from July 4 to July 6 and the attendance register will prove it. Other acused Raju, had gone to Shimla with his mother for a medical treatment. These facts should be examined". "The police theory and post-mortem reports appear to be fictitious, as the report says the victim died on July 4 and her body was recovered on July 6 in intact condition. It appeared that the body was dumped on July 6 itself, as not even a single fly was on her body. Her clothes also did not bear any sign that the struggle took place in the forest. If the body was lying in the forest since two days then, how did it remain hidden from the wild animals", Sahu questioned. advertisement Sahu went on to say that, she also inquired about some other cases reported between 2013 and 2017, but the police seems to have turned a blind eye. The State has been rocked by this gangrape and murder case and the Director General of Police is out of town. The ADGP appeared on his behalf who parried questions pertaining to this incident. Also Read: CBI team looking at social media link to crack Shimla gangrape and murder case Shimla rape case: CBI vows to crack case in 10 days as mystery deepens Shimla gangrape: CBI sleuths reach crime spot, loopholes found in police theory Shimla gangrape-murder case: Protests rock hill city, people accuse police of mishandling the case --- ENDS --- Kolkata, July 30 : The Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), that has been a part of the Left Front in West Bengal, on Sunday announced it was severing all ties with it. In a letter to Left Front chairman Biman Bose, DSP General Secretary Probodh Chandra Sinha informed him that the party has unanimously decided not to be a part of the either the state or the district units of the Left Front. "It has been unanimously decided in the party's working committee meeting that DSP would withdraw their association with the Left Front and would not be a part of any programmes organised by either the state or the district units of the Left Front," Sinha said in the letter. Aptus Court Reporting, the west coasts premier deposition and court reporting service, announced today that it is expanding into the California Central Valley market. Aptus Fresno office, which is conveniently located at 516 West Shaw Avenue, Suite 200, will fulfill a need for quality court reporting and litigation technology services that has existed in the area. Earlier this year, Aptus Court Reporting announced a new office in the Pacific Northwest, as well as the acquisition of the well-established Anaheim, CA firm, Barristers Court Reporting. Sandy Waite, Chief Operating Officer for the company, attributes the rapid growth to the continuing commitment to providing the legal community with the expansive services for which Aptus is known. Joining the Aptus team and spearheading the companys new market launch is Jaime Gooch, Director of Business Development. Ms. Gooch served as a Regional Litigation Consultant and Regional Account Manager for Esquire Deposition Solutions prior to joining Aptus. She has years of additional account management experience, making her the top candidate to lead the Central Valley expansion efforts. I didnt think companies like Aptus existed until I met the team. I fell in love with their passion for the industry, the white glove treatment they give all their clients, and the way they valued and respected their employees. The energy was also very contagious and Im so thankful to be a part of the Aptus family now. Jaime exemplifies everything we stand for here at Aptus. The common shared interests will help propel the Aptus brand throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond. We are excited to enhance our footprint and bring on a talent like Ms. Gooch to our team, says President Derek Berg. About Aptus Court Reporting: Since launching in San Diego in 2011, Aptus has expanded its territory throughout the west coast of the US, with local offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Irvine, Riverside, and Seattle. The firm provides a wide range of services globally with clients on five continents. Aptus Court Reporting is a full-service court reporting firm and a leading provider of court reporting services and litigation technology. They provide a one-stop solution for deposition and trial needs with services including court reporting, transcription, videography, video streaming, world-wide conference rooms, and more. The companys mission is to Connect Testimony with Technology. For more information about Aptus Court Reporting, please visit http://www.aptuscr.com. Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation at Lake Arrowhead Thanks to the AS&F Foundation, the Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation will create lasting memories for generations to come. - Gerry T. Morton, Chairman of the Board and Council President The Boy Scouts of America - Greater Los Angeles Area Council (GLAAC)] announced a historic $10 million gift from longtime supporter AS&F Foundation. The donation will endow GLAACs high adventure mountain camp near Lake Arrowhead named the Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation (formerly Forest Lawn Scout Reservation). The camp, offering outdoor opportunities since 1950 and currently serving over 10,000 youth annually, honors the generous and visionary legacy of AS&F Foundations founder, Hubert Eaton. Over the past decade, the AS&F Foundation has given generous camp scholarships and capital improvement grants to GLAAC that have benefited thousands of children, youth, and families. We believe the camping experience provides opportunities for kids to make new friends, gain confidence, acquire new skills, and develop a sense of self that cannot always be learned at home. Weve seen first-hand the transformative impact of Scouting," said AS&F Foundation Chairman John Llewellyn. We are grateful for this incredible gift from the AS&F Foundation that that will ensure the long-term sustainability of this outstanding camp, said GLAAC Chairman of the Board and Council President Gerry T. Morton Llewellyn added, As we sunset the foundation, our trustees wanted to ensure this outdoor laboratory and high adventure resource is available for all Scouts, including those from high-risk, inner-city neighborhoods. For many of our inner-city youth, our camps are their first exposure to a mountain, a lake or the ocean. This experience broadens horizons and empowers youth to explore new territories and take on new challenges, stated GLAAC Scout Executive Jeff Hunt. GLAAC, committed to serving Scouts from all communities, is honored to be among the limited organizations to receive such a major gift from AS&F Foundation which has decided to distribute all its assets after more than 60 years of grant making. AS&F has been a long-time supporter of Scouting. Through their extraordinary investment, the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Los Angeles Area Council will continue to deliver a strong character building and leadership development program to a growing membership of youth. Thanks to the AS&F Foundation, the Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation will create lasting memories for generations to come, stated Morton. AS&F Foundation John Llewellyn is a Distinguished Eagle Scout and past Council President for the Los Angeles Area Council. His great-uncle, Hubert Eaton founded the AS&F Foundation (formerly the Forest Lawn Foundation), dedicated to "God and Humanity." Over the years, contributions to the Foundation were from Eaton's estate and from American Security & Fidelity Corporation (AS&F) and its subsidiaries. AS&F was a development corporation controlled by Eaton. After his death, his nephew, Frederick Llewellyn, assumed the role of CEO and he was followed by his son, John Llewellyn. The $10 million gift and renaming of the camp is in honor of Eatons great legacy and impact on youth. After more than 60 years of grantmaking, the AS&F Foundations trustees decided that the Foundation could have a greater impact by distributing all its assets in transformative grants to a limited number of organizations. The Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation The Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation (formerly Forest Lawn Scout Reservation) is a nationally accredited camp and one of the highest-quality and safest programs in the country. Located 5,300 feet above the San Bernardino Valley near Lake Arrowhead, this residential camp offers everything a Scout desires: 41 merit badges, swimming pool, shooting, trading post, hiking, fishing, zip lining, rock climbing, and a Challenging Outdoor Physical Education (COPE) course. More than 5,000 youth (ages 6 17) attend camp each year. The Foundations endowed gift provides ongoing support for the camps maintenance, operations, and capital improvements. Boy Scouts of America, Greater Los Angeles Area Council Since its founding in 1915, the Greater Los Angeles Area Council has brought the Boy Scouts of Americas purpose and values to millions of youth. The Council has over 26,000 youth members and engages over 11,000 trained adult volunteers. To support all communities, the Greater Los Angeles Area has developed strategic initiatives to serve at-risk, inner-city youth (60% of families live below the federal poverty line). The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. For over a century, the Boy Scouts of America has helped build the future leaders of this country. Through experiential learning opportunities, Scouting instills youth with the virtues of honor, respect, character, healthy living, and citizenship as well as a deep appreciation of the great outdoors, leadership, and team work. Scouting offers boys and girls, ages 6 to 21, activities that are fun and enagaging, based on age-appropriate interests, ability, and maturity through its Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Explorers programs. Bay Area Discrimination Lawyers Pregnant women have enough to deal with and yet they often face on-the-job discrimination. California Civil Rights Law Group, a law firm specializing in employment discrimination, including pregnancy discrimination, is proud to announce a new post to its website on the topic of pregnancy law. Many pregnant women, unfortunately, are not aware of their legal rights related to pregnancy discrimination and may be impacted when their employers take adverse conduct towards them because of their pregnancy. "Pregnant women have enough to deal with and yet they often face on-the-job discrimination," explained Larry Organ, principal attorney at the Bay Area-based law firm. "As part of our outreach strategy, we are announcing a new blog post on the topic of pregnancy discrimination, but we caution any woman who may think she is facing issues to reach out for a consultation with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer either in our Oakland or San Anselmo offices, or over the phone." To view the blog post, visit http://www.civilrightsca.com/2017/07/20/pregnancy-discrimination/. To learn more about pregnancy discrimination, visit http://www.civilrightsca.com/disability-discrimination-empty/pregnancy-discrimination/. Interested persons are urged to reach out to the law firm for a consultation with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer if they feel that they may be experiencing discrimination of any type. No two situations are alike, and only an attorney can give relevant legal advice. Lawyers Focusing on Pregnancy Discrimination in the San Francisco Bay Area A pregnancy should be a joyful event for any woman, even as she continues to work. In fact, pregnant women enjoy specific legal protections against discrimination and retaliation at work. Unfortunately, however, many pregnant women, even in the San Francisco Bay Area, face retaliation or discrimination from employers. The new blog post is a small but important step towards reaching out to the general public to educate them about their legal rights. In addition, the lawyers at the California Civil Rights Law Group stand ready to provide case evaluations to women who feel that they may be experiencing discrimination because of their pregnancies. After visiting the website, interested parties are urged to reach out for a case evaluation with an Oakland or San Anselmo pregnancy lawyer. Those living in San Francisco or on the Peninsula can avail themselves of phone case evaluations as well. 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 Welcome Guest! You Are Here: By PTI: Mumbai, Jul 30 (PTI) Looking to tap the growing rooftop solar market in the Middle East and South-East Asia, CleanMax Solar is eyeing up to 40 per cent of revenues from overseas business in the next 3 years, a top company official said. "While we continue to grow in India in the rooftop and open access solar power segment, we are pursuing growth in international markets mainly the Middle East and South-East Asia. We are currently looking at the UAE market and soon we will spread our presence in the other countries," the companys Managing Director Kuldeep Jain told PTI here. advertisement He said the company expects its international business to contribute nearly 35-40 per cent of its revenues in the next three years. The company recently opened its first overseas office in Dubai Jain further said the recent funding of USD 100 million it received from global private equity player Warburg Pincus would be partly utilised for this international expansion. "We are already enjoying a 24 per cent share in the domestic market. Our aim is to garner a similar share in the international markets as well," he added. With a portfolio of 90 MW of installed capacity, CleanMax is eyeing to reach 250 MW by the end of this fiscal. "We are also expecting to touch revenues of up to Rs 800 crore in this financial year. Thereon, we expect to double our revenues year-on-year every year," Jain added. PTI PSK RSY ABM SRE --- ENDS --- Sam Altman, the 32-year-old president of Y Combinator, the most prestigious startup accelerator in Silicon Valley, has laid out this utopian vision over the years, and most definitively in a job listing posted on YC's blog in June 2016. "We're seriously interested in building new cities and we think we know how to finance it if everything else makes sense," the post read. "We need people with strong interests and bold ideas in architecture, ecology, economics, politics, technology, urban planning, and much more." Free houses, built by robots Like many of his peers in Silicon Valley, Altman believes technology is the way to a better future. But his real-world ambitions are grander than most. He wants to investigate ways to build new cities, give people money for nothing, rethink voter registration, keep politicians accountable, and get new, Altman-approved leaders elected all while running YC, which famously birthed startups like Airbnb and Dropbox. Much like one of his notable colleagues, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Altman is set on turning the ideal into the practical. Both believe they have solid ideas for reshaping society. Sometimes this means executing plans within the next few months. Other times it means roadmapping projects decades down the line, and relying on phrases like "The math should work out" to assuage a wary public. "I have a very strong vision of where I'd like to see the world go," Altman said. "And I don't think it gets there by startups alone." In 2005, at age 19, Altman dropped out of Stanford to found the social-networking app Loopt, which he sold in 2012. In 2014, he replaced Paul Graham as YC president. These days, he says he spends 80% of his 65-hour weeks helping startups sort through their growing pains and get to market as fast as possible. The remaining 20% is dedicated to outside projects. His baby is OpenAI, a nonprofit he cochairs with Musk that searches for benevolent ways to use artificial intelligence in daily life. Altman's vision for how OpenAI could be deployed sheds light on how he wants to help people in real ways. "Let's imagine we get to a world where AI gets so good that robots can mine raw materials out of the ground, refine them, and build them into a house," he told Business Insider. (These robots, he clarified, are solar-powered.) "You can imagine a world where you own a small piece of land, you can say, 'Hey, robot. I would like a house here,' and you come back like a month later and there's a fully constructed house built for you for free." Altman sees that kind of far-future scenario as a boon for towns and cities plagued by a shortage of affordable housing. He's seen the plight firsthand, from his home state of California to middle America. In November 2016, shortly after Donald Trump won the presidency, Altman left YC's headquarters in Mountain View, California, in search of 100 supporters of the president-elect. He asked them about their political views, their fears, and their gripes with America's political landscape. He later published his findings on his blog for the world to see. "People don't believe they have an economic future," he said. Over the past year, Altman has expressed a deep interest in resolving those economic concerns. "[Fifty] years from now, I think it will seem ridiculous that we used fear of not being able to eat as a way to motivate people," he wrote in a January 2016 blog post on YC. "I also think that it's impossible to truly have equality of opportunity without some version of guaranteed income." That blog post announced YC's intentions to launch an experiment in universal basic income (UBI), a system of wealth distribution that pays participants a set amount of money to use however they want. The premise, which is being tested in more than a half-dozen locations around the world, is that UBI can create a social safety net that reduces or even eliminates poverty. Altman's own experiment is small, for now. It's running in Oakland, California, and involves about 100 people getting between $1,000 and $2,000 a month. The goal is to get some practice with delivering the money and collecting data. If that data come back showing basic income has left people better off, both emotionally and financially, YC will expand the project in a five-year, nationwide trial. The same old Silicon Valley? Society is poised to lose millions of jobs to AI, the prevailing research suggests. And it's propelled in part by Silicon Valley-types like Altman, who himself is researching how robotics can replace human labor on a grand scale with projects like OpenAI. In recognition of that responsibility, he believes the tech world should at least be trying something. "I don't know if [basic income] is the answer or not to this massive technological revolution we're in the middle of," he said, "but it is something I'd like to study." But for all his involvement in political issues, Altman doesn't consider himself a political person. He was raised in St. Louis to a pair of Democrat parents, with childhood memories of his time as a Boy Scout, tinkering with his Macintosh, and reading science fiction. He was interested more in computers than current events. It's really only been since 2014, when he replaced Graham as YC's president, that he started to take a serious interest in how technology could improve the political process and the future of humanity. He began thinking of ways to broaden both his and YC's horizons to support more nonprofits, like the ACLU, and startups focused purely on hard science, which he sees as vital to humanity's progress. Some have criticized Altman's larger-than-life goals, claiming they are ambitious to a fault. When news broke last spring that he wanted to build brand-new cities, Allison Arieff, editorial director of the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association, wrote on Twitter, "Y Combinator Aims to Build a New City From Scratch Because No One Has Ever Tried That Before." And writing for Gizmodo, Alissa Walker questioned why YC even felt the need to build a brand-new city, given all that's wrong with existing urban areas. "Why not simply focus on improving the city of Mountain View, California, where Y Combinator is already located," she wrote, "and which certainly needs to find solutions to many of these urban problems (some due to startups like Airbnb which Y Combinator has backed)?" Anand Giridharadas, a writer and political analyst covering technology and society, has written that Silicon Valley in general is obsessed with what he calls "regressive innovation," or the act of creating solutions that don't actually make life better for people. Speaking with Business Insider, he referred to such VCs as "world-changer incubator-messiahs." Altman, for his part, has said he prefers to use the phrase "change the world" only after he's already done so. In most cases, he sees his role more as a facilitator than a doer. He understands the technology side of his projects, but he still relies on people more well versed in economics, public policy, and urban planning to inform them, he said. "I don't think tech is the solution to all problems," he said. "And I certainly don't think startups are the solution to all problems. They're the solution to a lot, but if the tech industry doesn't think about how everybody wins and everybody benefits, then we've kind of failed." Elizabeth Rhodes picked up on that mind-set in her first face-to-face encounter with Altman, earlier this February. Rhodes was wrapping up her doctorate in political science and social work at the University of Michigan and had applied to lead YC's nascent basic-income project. In May, YC announced she had been selected. "He was definitely very passionate about people's struggles," Rhodes recalled of her first meeting with Altman. Now more than a year into the job, she said Altman's interest in solving social problems through policy has come more into focus. "He's able to see more systemic changes that we could make, and he's not afraid to say, 'Let's try testing it out.'" It's easy to compare Altman's outsize ambitions to Elon Musk and his many projects. But Altman calls the comparison "ridiculous," since he considers the serial entrepreneur less of an equal as much as a singular, multi-industry titan. "Elon is in a class by himself," Altman said. The basic similarities are there. Musk has said in repeated interviews that the future grips him so deeply, without a passion for it he would never get out of bed in the morning. Altman envisions far-off societies hiring robots to build houses and giving people free cash from the government. He also shares Musk's view that these kinds of mega-projects aren't crazy. At the 2015 Vanity Fair Summit, the two appeared onstage to discuss, in calm voices, how they might live on Mars or harness the sun for nuclear energy. "I believe that most things I work on are practical and someday will be hugely important," Altman told Business Insider. Rewriting the social contract In May, rumors began to swirl that Altman's political interests had compelled him to run for California governor in 2018. He seemed to be making a familiar transition from the private world into the public spotlight a move Carly Fiorina, Peter Thiel, and other prominent Silicon Valley names had made before him. But Altman ultimately went a different route. In mid-July he put the rumors to bed by issuing an open call on his blog for similar-minded political candidates that he could support. He could offer money, connections, and tech to help them get into the governor's office. His requirements for the candidate: They should believe affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues in the state, because, as Altman put it, "The high cost of living hurts poor people the most, and it's destroying our country." And they should believe in single-payer healthcare, clean energy, skills-based education, and rewriting tax codes that favor the middle class. "It's this pro-growth, pro-innovation, and pro-distribution idea," Altman said, "where we're going to have as we've had after every technological revolution we're going to have to rewrite the social contract." What we're going for is a few really big world-changing hits and a lot of failures along the way. Altman's move into politics reflects the ways philanthropy has shifted in recent years, fusing entrepreneurship with social causes, according to Brooks Rainwater, the director of the City Solutions and Applied Research Center at the National League of Cities. "What you're seeing is the tech mentality of pilot projects being grafted onto the social space," he said. "And I think there's a lot of opportunity here." Critics tend to see that opportunity more as a threat that entrepreneurs have no business in government because they'll focus only on a small group of people, neglecting the masses. Even President Obama expressed doubt that leaders in the tech world could make the leap into the public realm. Pivoting from certain projects or abandoning them altogether isn't a matter of if, but when, Altman said. "We try to make the cost of failing super low," he said. "What we're going for is a few really big world-changing hits and a lot of failures along the way. I view that just as the overhead of doing business." He applies the mentality equally to his day job of helping startups and to his societal-improvement projects. In a suit, he said the continued function of the council was illegal. The court agreed with him and order the Akufo-Addo administration to constitute a new council. READ MORE:Government to reconstitute UEW Council this week Speaking at the 21st Congregation of the University of Education, Winneba on Saturday, the president said: I am aware of recent happenings at UEW. Disturbing, as it were, it is noteworthy that it appears finality is being brought to beware on the matter. The current challenges in my view can be best surmounted if all stakeholders act within the confines of the law and respect the rule of law.He continued: Court decisions are not always pleasant but they are in principle, the surest way to resolve disputes. Let us not through our utterance, actions and inactions undermine the authority of our courts. I am by this urging the newly constituted governing council to do all within its power to see to an amicable settlement of all matters pending before the High Court. READ MORE: University of Education closure: Judge says he was misquotedIn the same vein, Chairperson of the governing council must urgently ensure that the council puts into place measures to seal all loopholes of waste and abuse of public funds. Last month, the Winneba High Court ordered the Vice Chancellor of the univerity, Professor Mawutor Avokeh, to step aside until a case brought against him is determined. Ekeh has admitted releasing the nude photos, saying"its my way of welcoming everyone to the new Christabel." READ MORE: Actress gets family backing over nude photos Her family has also backed her, saying they are not opposed to her actions and that the nude photos were shot for an advocacy project she is yet to unveil. "Those pictures are for a self-employed project my sister intends to embark on. It is for advocacy against plastic surgery," her sister, Tabitha Ekeh, Last week, Rashida Black Beauty, was picked by police in the Brong Ahafo Region for allegedly sharing her nude video online. The 18-year old has denied releasing the video, saying it was hacked. He also intends to venture into trading, and he considers all these a necessary step to having a fulfilled life. I am interested in politics and I see myself becoming a politician in the future. One is not going to do music forever and I need to plan my life properly. "I also love to engage in business, so I see myself doing a lot of that too, the rapper told Punch News in an interview. Reminisce revealed in the chat that he does not believe in living an extravagant life like most of his colleagues do. For him, having a private life is golden, that is why he prefers to keep things on the low and improve the lives of others. I always keep my private life private as I believe that I have the right to my privacy. There is a very big difference between Reminisce, the artiste, and Remi, the family man. "I thank God because Im comfortable and I dont need validation on social media. I dont have to put everything I own on social media so that people would know that I have arrived. "Inasmuch as Im not begging anybody for food, its all good. Instead of flaunting material things, I prefer to invest in people. ALSO READ: Rapper denies bleaching his skin The husky voice music star already has three albums out, "Book of Rap Stories" (2012), "Alaga Ibile" (2013) and "Baba Hafusa" (2015). He was convicted on his own plea. READ MORE: Soldier arrested for blackmailing lover with nude photos He said two months ago, the couple brought the victim from Enyan Brakwa in the Central region to live with the complainant. Mr Toku said on July 10, at about 1500 hours(3:00 pm), whilst the convict was going to Agona Nkwanta to buy some drinks to stock his bar, the complainant told the victim to accompany him so he would buy meat and eggs for her. The Prosecutor said after Essoun had finished buying the items, he took the victim through the Agona Town to show her around. He said in the process the convict lured the victim to a guest house, bought Coca Cola drink for her and allegedly poured some substance into it. Chief Inspector Toku said after the victim had taken the drink, she became drunk and Essoun forcibly had sexual intercourse with her. He said when they returned home, the victim saw blood coming out of her private part and she informed the complainant. The Prosecutor said on July 11 the complainant took the victim to the Nsueam police station and lodged a complaint. He said a medical report form was issued to send the victim to the hospital for examination and report, whilst the convict was arrested for interrogation. Mr Toku said during the investigations the victim accompanied by the convict, led the Police to the guest house and room where the convict defiled her. 1500 Kg of Heroine worth more than Rs 3000 crore was seized from the vessel named PRINCE 2. 1500 Kg of Heroine worth more than Rs 3000 crore was seized from the vessel By Manjeet Negi: In the biggest ever haul of narcotics drugs, transported through sea routes in recent times, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships Samudra Pavak and Ankit intercepted and apprehended a merchant vessel off the coast of Gujarat based on intelligence input. 1500 Kg of Heroine worth more than Rs 3000 crore was seized from the vessel named PRINCE 2. advertisement The search operation for the suspect vessel at sea was commenced by the ships and aircraft of the Coast Guard on July 27. A vast area of the sea was kept under continuous surveillance by Regional Operating Centre and Remote Operating Station at Coast Guard Regional and District Headquarters located at Gandhinagar and Porbandar respectively. 1500 Kg of Heroine worth more than Rs 3000 crore was seized from the vessel The movements of all ships in the area including the suspect vessel were minutely observed throughout till its apprehension along with eight crew members by ICG ships on pm 29 Jul 17. The information about the carriage of contraband by the suspect ship was shared by NTRO and other Intelligence agencies with the Coast Guard based on which the operation was planned and executed. The apprehended ship was brought to Porbandar on 30 Jul 17 and will be jointly investigated by the ICG, IB, Police, Customs, Navy and other agencies. In largest ever narcotics haul, Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pavak intercepted vessel with 1500 kgs of heroine ( ?3500 Cr) off Gujarat coast. pic.twitter.com/7AdJwYlX8m - Manu Pubby (@manupubby) July 30, 2017 2 suspicious ships caught off Gujarat coast, terror link suspected Coast Guard rescues 6 fishermen --- ENDS --- For Rev. Bempah, the special church offering has exposed Pastor Otabil who he accused of calling Prophets in Ghana as fake. I respect Mensa Otabil a lot but I wont have him call all prophets fake, there may be some fake prophets but the same way there are fake bible teachers too, he cant put us all into one bracket, he said. I wouldnt have said anything if Mensa Otabil had said some prophets are fake but putting all of us in the same bracket, I wont allow that. Mensa Otabil has a branch of his church headed by prophet Annor, so is Mensa Otabil saying Christians in that church are foolish?" On the special church offering, he said: Unless Mensa Otabil tells me that he takes money collected in his church to heaven, we all use the monies collected in the church for Gods work, I am asking him to apologise to Ghanaian Christians and prophets by Monday, if not he will have me to contend with." Pastor Otabil has defended the offering, saying belief goes beyond logic. "Believe goes beyond logic. Logic would tell you that if you have a GHC1000 in your account then you can expend a GHC1000 because that is logical. Believe would tell you that if you have five loads of bread, you dont feed five people. Believe would tell you that if you have five loaves of bread, you can feed 5,000. Thats not logical," he said speaking the mammoth congregation at Greater Works 2017. He urged the congregants to believe what the scripture commands and receive their blessings thereof. The request comes as part of Project 75I, a program worth over $12 billion, according to Defense News. New Delhi asked shipyards in Russia, France, Japan, and Germany, among others, for information about six submarines equipped with air-independent-propulsion systems, which allow nonnuclear subs to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen, replacing or augmenting diesel-electric systems. New Delhi is seeking "a proven, effective, state-of-the-art, electric heavyweight torpedo; a land attack missile, and perhaps even an underwater-to-air missile against enemy helicopters and mines," Anil Jai Singh, a retired Indian navy commodore and defense analyst, told Defense News. Once a response is received from interested shipyards, India will issue a formal request for proposal, then put three or four of the shipyards on a shortlist. It will be a multiyear process, in part because of New Delhi's Strategic Partner policy, under which a foreign shipyard will be paired with a domestic one in order to compete for the contract. One contractor told Defense News that the strategic-partner selection should be done by 2019. Another analyst and retired Indian navy officer said it could be "a good seven to eight years after a deal is signed" before the first sub build under the P75I program hits the water. India's interest in submarines comes as China's growth has increased traffic in the Indian Ocean and through the narrow Malacca Strait connecting it to the waters of East Asia, both above and below the water. India has been tracking Chinese submarines entering the Indian Ocean since 2013, and a 2015 US Defense Department report confirmed that Chinese attack and missile submarines were operating there. China has framed its activity in the Indian Ocean and along the African coast as focused on non-military operations, including humanitarian aid, emergency missions, and anti-piracy patrols. Indeed, the 550-mile-long Malacca Strait, bordered by Indonesia's and Malaysia's jungle shorelines, has become a hotspot for pirates eyeing the 50,000 ships that pass through it each year. But that activity coupled with Beijing's growing economic activity in Africa as well as the numerous facilities and alliances it has established along the coast of South Asia have made India and others wary. India has already posted warships near the Malacca Strait to monitor maritime activity and has US-made P-8I Poseidon surveillance planes stationed on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an archipelago northwest of the Malacca Strait where India plans to expand its security presence. The US has agreed to sell New Delhi surveillance drones that could be paired with the Poseidons and used to track Chinese maritime movements in the area including those of submarines. It is also working to build radar stations on islands in the Indian Ocean and an "undersea wall" of sensors between southern India and northern Indonesia. China, which is heavily reliant on imported fuel, got about 80% of its oil imports and 11% of natural-gas imports from ships transiting the Malacca Strait. The Tribune of India reported in June that India's activity around the strait was "part of the target given to the Navy to ensure its dominance in the Indian Ocean by 2020." India's growing focus on submarines and submarine warfare was underscored during the Malabar 2017 naval exercises, conducted with the US and Japan in mid-July. Anti-submarine warfare was one of the exercise's components. Rounding out yet another tumultuous week for his administration, President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he would be replacing chief of staff Reince Priebus with retired marine Gen. John Kelly, who currently serves as head of the Department of Homeland Security. A number of names have been floated to take over Kelly's role, like Rep. Michael McFaul, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, and Thomas Homan, the acting head of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Also in the running is Attorney General Jeff Sessions, according to speculation and some media reports. Dana Perino, the co-host of Fox News' "The Five," said Friday that Kelly could have been named Trump's chief of staff to open up the Homeland Security position for Sessions, who has recently been in hot water with Trump over his recusal from ongoing investigations into the Trump campaign's possible collusion with Russia during the 2016 election. "I think that this was all set up for a few weeks because the president has been so upset about Jeff Sessions and his recusal in the Russia investigation," said Perino, who formerly served as White House press secretary under the George W. Bush administration. She added that if Sessions spearheaded the Department of Homeland Security, it would appease Trump's base, which favors the former Alabama senator's hardline position on immigration and border security. "The Republicans and conservatives that came to Jeff Sessions' defense this week all said, 'But he's doing the best on the issue we care about most, and that is immigration,'" Perino said. "Well, where can Jeff Sessions do even more on immigration? As the Secretary of Homeland Security," she added. "So I think what they're going to try to do is move Sessions over to DHS, and then how can conservatives complain?" Homeland Security staffers have also privately discussed the possibility that Sessions could fill Kelly's position, two sources told Politico, although another source close to the administration told the website such an outcome was unlikely. Trump has fumed, both privately and publicly, about Sessions' recusal from the Russia investigation. He called his attorney general "weak" and "beleaguered" last week, and he told the New York Times the week before that if he'd known Sessions was going to recuse himself, he would have nominated someone else for the position. Rising tensions A new attorney general would have one critical power Sessions does not: the ability to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, who took over spearheading the FBI's Russia investigation after Trump fired former FBI director James Comey in May. But if he is contemplating moving Sessions to the DHS to open the door for an attorney general more favorable to his personal interests, Trump may be disappointed, because replacing Sessions may not have any effect on Mueller's status as special counsel. If Sessions takes over as Secretary of Homeland Security, Trump would have to appoint an acting attorney general before he formally nominates a new attorney general. That acting individual could be deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein or someone else who has been confirmed by the Senate. Since Rosenstein himself appointed Mueller as special counsel shortly after Comey was fired, it appears highly unlikely that he would dismiss Mueller. If someone else took over as acting attorney general, they wouldn't need to recuse themselves as Sessions did, absent any extraordinary circumstances. However, the regulations Mueller is operating under stipulate that he can only be fired with cause. Regardless of who the attorney general is, "there needs to be a basis to fire Mueller," said Andrew Wright, who served as associate White House counsel to former president Barack Obama. If Mueller is removed without cause, "Rosenstein and others would object, and there would be massive backlash from the Hill," Wright said. None of the dynamics of Muellers probe would change If Trump does move Sessions over to the DHS, it's unclear who he would nominate to serve in Sessions' place. Trump has, in recent days, increasingly begun to favor those who have shown him the most loyalty, as demonstrated by his hiring of former Wall Street financier Anthony Scaramucci and the subsequent resignations of White House press secretary Sean Spicer and chief of staff Reince Priebus. Trump had reportedly soured on both Spicer and Priebus long before they resigned, based primarily on what he saw as their lukewarm defense of him and his agenda. In keeping with his tendency to lean on loyalists, Trump could bring on someone like former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani or New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, both of whom were strong Trump campaign surrogates, to take Sessions' place. But even in that case, the attorney general "would be under intense pressure not to communicate with the president who is the subject of the investigation about the nature of the investigation," Wright said. "So none of the dynamics of Mueller's probe would really change, even with a new attorney general," he added. And if the Trump administration "engineers" an avenue through which to fire Mueller, "the president will buy himself an independent counsel statute," Wright said, referring to legal actions lawmakers would likely take to revive the US Office of the Independent Counsel, which reports directly to Congress. Trump's attacks on Mueller began soon after Rosenstein appointed him special counsel. In addition to calling the investigation a "witch hunt," Trump also publicly warned Mueller against delving into his finances when it emerged that the special counsel was examining his past business dealings, which Trump said fall outside Mueller's mandate. In appointing Mueller, however, Rosenstein gave him broad authoritynot only to investigate "any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated" with Trump's campaign, but also to examine "any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation." Rosenstein also gave Mueller the power to investigate "any other matters within the scope of 28 C.F.R. 600.4(a)" including perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, and intimidation of witnesses. The mandate's scope is similar to that given by then-Acting Attorney General James Comeyto special counsel Patrick Fitzgeraldin 2003 to investigate who leaked the identity of former CIA operative Valerie Plame. In the wake of Mueller's expanding investigation, Trump has reportedly considered the possibility of pardoning those close to him, as well as himself. Business Insider spoke with Emma Stewart, chief business development officer at Impact Infrastructure to find out what could be done around an office building to increase productivity. Impact Infrastructure runs simulations to find out how a company can alter its offices in a way that benefits both the environment and worker productivity. Impact Infrastructure uses Autocase software to customize recommendations for each company, because not every company has the same building size or materials to work with. Some suggestions might work for certain companies, but not other companies, which is why customization is so important. We asked Stewart to run a few simulations of changes companies can make to yield higher productivity, using an average office building in San Francisco as her example. Here's what she came up with: 1. "Is it just me or is it cold in here?" says everyone at some point. 2. Let there be light! 3. People like pretty views. 4. Get those wall-to-wall windows installed; it may just be worth it. studyNeuroscience 5. Workers want to breathe easy. Vanguard News reported that two accomplices named Emeka and Baba Eko have been arrested due to their connection with the suspect's shady business. It was alleged that the pair supplied Evans with information that led to different attacks on Chief Obianodo, the owner of Young Shall Grow (YSG) transportation company and Chief Donatus Dunu respectively. Meanwhile, the notorious kidnapper who has been slammed with 40 counts charges bordering on murder, armed robbery and other crimes, has pleaded with the police to be pardoned and have the list of charges reduced. In return, he promised to be of a more responsible behaviour. A statement signed by Brig. Gen. Sani Kukasheka, Director Army Public Relations, released in Maiduguri, said that the army recovered vehicles and various calibres of weapons in the operation. So far the search and rescue team has recovered additional bodies of five soldiers, 11 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and five members of the exploration team. Contrary to reports in some media, six out of the 12 members of the exploration team that went out are still missing, while one of the NNPC staff returned to base alive, Kukasheka said. Kukasheka, who described the incident as unfortunate, said that the error emanated from the statement issued by the army on the rescue mission was not deliberate. The incident of 25th July 2017, where Boko Haram insurgents ambushed our troops including members of the CJTF) escorting some staff of the NNPC as well as that of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) on oil exploration in Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of the state is unfortunate and highly regrettable. Most regrettable also is my earlier release on the said incident about the rescue of all NNPC Staff. The error in the statement was not deliberate, he said. It will be recalled that the Nigerian Army had earlier claimed to have rescued all the abducted universitys personnel. However, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibrahim Njodi, said the army only rescued five dead bodies while four staff were still missing. The army spokesman said the Nigerian Army was reputed for timely dissemination of information on its activities in the counter-insurgency operations. He reiterated the readiness of the army to always inform Nigerians of its activities. Kukasheka said the army had redoubled efforts in the pursuit of the insurgents to rescue the abducted personnel. Search and rescue is still ongoing to secure the safe return of the remaining civilians. The Nigerian Army condoles with the families of all that lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident, the statement said. According to him, the army has recovered three of its gun trucks from the insurgents, in addition to four Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG), four RPG chargers, six AK-47 rifles, one Anti-Aircraft Gun, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one Anti-Aircraft Gun Barrel, one RPG tube, four Dane guns, eight tyres and two rims. Other items recovered include one pumping machine gun, two tyre jacks, one super battery, five reflective jackets, three Toyota Hilux, four jerry cans filled with petrol, one Motorola radio, one Geographical Positioning System (GPS), 21 empty jerry cans, two shovels and three food coolers. Troops also recovered 122 rounds of PKM ammunition, 213 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 1255 Anti-Aircraft Guns ammunition, four boxes of API 12.7mm ammunition, one AK-47 Rifle Magazine, a digger, two bows and 13 Arrows, two LLG bombs, assorted drugs and working tools. A press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa in Jalingo on Saturday said the new date followed the governors consideration of the report submitted to him by the steering committee for the burial of the late governor. Other activities lined up for the funeral ceremony will be announced soon, Mijinyawa said. He quoted Gov. Ishaku as describing Suntai as a great leader who impacted positively on the lives of Taraba people and therefore, deserved to be honoured. Ishaku also urged them to keep praying for the repose of the soul of Suntai and his family. Fayose said this while commenting on the recent ambush launched by the terror group, which left many soldiers and civilians dead. The Governor also criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) government for telling Nigerians that it has won the battle against terrorism in the North-East. Fayose said The battle is not over yet. In fact, it is raging fiercer than ever before. The gory killing of the oil workers confirms this. The wanton destruction of lives and property all over the place by Boko Haram also testifies to this fact. Like the ostrich, this government is trying hard to cover what cannot be covered. Boko Haram ambushes and kills soldiers at will. Gallant officers and men continue to fall in battle to the superior firepower and higher morale of the insurgents. ALSO READ:Osinbajo mourns victims of Dikwa bomb blast Boko Haram invades and sacks communities at will, carting away human beings and other resources. The insurgents throw bombs with reckless abandon. Is this the evidence of a degraded or defeated Boko Haram? The Congress today accused the BJP of trying to bribe its MLAs into switching loyalties ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat and said that it had to move its legislators to Bengaluru in order to save democracy. By India Today Web Desk: Senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil today accused the BJP of trying to break the party and said that its MLAs from Gujarat had to be moved to Bengaluru to fend of the Bharatiya Janata Party's poaching attempts. Gohil paraded the Gujarat Congress MLAs before mediapersons in Bengaluru. The MLAs were flown to Bengaluru after six legislators resigned from the Gujarat Assembly just ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls. advertisement "Our legislators have not come here to enjoy. We brought them here to save democracy as they were being poached by BJP, using money and muscle power," Shaktisinh Gohil in response to the BJP's allegations that the MLAs are 'relaxing' in Bengaluru while their home state battles the aftermath of widespread flooding. Gohil went on to slam the Vijay Rupani BJP government in Gujarat for ignoring the people affected by floods in the states, Shaktisinh Gohil said, "The BJP MLAs were not worried about the floods. They were busy trying to break the Congress." Gohil further alleged that the BJP had tried to bribe its MLAs in an attempt to get them to switch over their loyalties. "Ask these (Congress) MLAs (present at the Bengaluru resort) the way they were threatened. They chose to stand by party even when offered Rs 15 crore (by the BJP)." The BJP, however, rejected the allegation that it was behind Congress MLAs walking out of the party. Union minister Prakash Javadekar also wondered if Congress lawmakers quitting the organisation were "purchasable". "Gujarat Congress leaders are levelling allegations at the BJP in Bengaluru. It is like a thief criticising a cop. If their leaders are leaving them, it has nothing to do with us," Javadekar told news agency PTI in New Delhi. "The Congress should look inwards and think why such senior leaders are leaving it. The truth is that its only goal is to save Rahul Gandhi in the country and Ahmed Patel in Gujarat," he said, refering to the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in which Congress loyalist Ahmed Patel is up for re-election. 'CONGRESS'S GREED' Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who reached flood-hit Banaskantha today, too criticised the Congress decision to fly MLAs out of the state and said that the move was made by Ahmed Patel out of his "greed" to win the Rajya Sabha election poll. "Sonia Gandhi's love for her son Rahul has drowned the Congress across the country. Similarly, Patel's greed to save his Rajya Sabha seat will sink Congress in Gujarat," Rupani said. Rupani claimed Patel "forced" Congress MLAs from areas hit by floods to fly to Bengaluru. advertisement Patel, who also visited flood-affected Banaskantha district today, mounted a counteroffensive against Rupani, alleging, "Our MLAs were forced to leave Gujarat as they and their family members were being tortured by the state government." The Congress heavyweight said before the MLAs from flood ravaged areas flew out of the state they had started relief camps and were still keeping a close watch on the situation from Bengaluru. RAJYA SABHA ELECTION AND GUJARAT Six of the Gujarat Congress MLAs had resigned last week following which the party sent 44 of its legislators to the Eagleton Gold Resort outside Bengaluru city. Of the six who quit the party, three have joined the BJP. In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the strength of the Congress has gone down to 51 from 57. The resignation of the Congress MLAs came just ahead of August 8 election for three Rajya Sabha seats in Gujarat. Shaktisinh Gohil claimed that Congress has 60 legislators including three "others" supporting it. Gohil ruled out that the BJP would win all the three Rajya Sabha seats from Gujarat. BJP has fielded party president Amit Shah, Union minister Smriti Irani and former Congress MLA Balwantsinh Rajput who joined the BJP last week. advertisement Of the total of 11 RS members from the state, the term of three - Smriti Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel- will end on August 18. (With inputs from agencies) ALSO READ | Gujarat Speaker denies horse trading claims as Congress knocks Election Commission's door ALSO WATCH | Gujarat MLAs exodus: Congress leaders approach Election Commission --- ENDS --- Speaking at the meeting in Yola, the state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Umar Bello said that the party was the new messiah for Nigerians. Bello said that as a new political party that was committed to taking power at all levels, members must be ready to prove to Nigerians that it was committed to bringing the needed change. The success of any brand lies in the strategic approach of its handlers to articulate a massive campaign programme aimed at creating awareness about its effectiveness, reliability and most importantly its quality which in turn leads to its acceptability. As a new political party which strives to clinch power both at the centre and in most or all the Nigerian states, a concerted effort must be dissipated to convince Nigerians that APDA is their new messiah and the only viable alternative, Bello said. He said that the party would commence mass mobilization and sensitization in Adamawa by going from ward to ward. We are going to embark on mass mobilization campaign down to unit level across the state so that victory shall be ours in 2019 by the grace of God," Bello said. This is contained in a statement issued by the spokesman to the Acting President, Mr Laolu Akande on Sunday in Abuja. Akande said the acting President commiserated with bereaved families and victims of the attack and ordered immediate search and rescue of the persons abducted. It will be recalled that Boko Haram insurgents attacked oil workers carrying out exploration activity in the Lake Chad Basin area and members of the civilian JTF providing security for them particularly around Jibi village situated between Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno state. The attack left in its wake a number of innocent Nigerians dead with several others abducted. According to Akande, the acting President also wished the injured speedy recovery. He noted that the exploration activity was to open up new sources of oil for the common good of Nigerians. NAN also recalls that after an emergency meeting with military chiefs on Thursday, the acting President issued fresh directives to the security agencies to strengthen security in Borno State to maintain strong and effective control of the situation and secure lives and property. He commended the military for the progress already recorded in the rescue of some of the abducted persons. He said that Osinbajo, however, ordered the continuation of search and rescue missions to locate and ensure the freedom of all remaining abducted persons as soon as possible. According to Akande, the acting President urged them to use all available and expedient means in the circumstances. He added that justice would be pursued for the victims and against those who engaged in this kind of unacceptable, criminal and terrorist conduct. He also paid tribute to the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience, courage and bravery. Akande said that the acting President commended the armed forces gallant endeavours and sacrifices toward maintaining the peace, security and territorial integrity of the country. He eulogised the Nigerian soldiers who had paid the ultimate price in that mission and others linked to the current insurgency and gave the assurance that the welfare of the families of the soldiers would be prioritised. Akande said Osinbajo lauded the diligence of the management and staff members of the NNPC and the lecturers/consultants from the University of Maiduguri in pursuing Federal Governments resolve to grow the countrys current crude oil reserve base. According to him, the Federal Government will by no means be dissuaded in potential exploration in the Lake Chad Basin. Some of these extraordinarily selfless Nigerians from the NNPC and the University of Maiduguri put their lives on the line that we and generations to come will enjoy the resources of this land. We will never forget that sacrifice, he quoted the acting President as saying. Although pockets of terrorists had launched attacks recently in Borno State, the Acting President assured the people of the State, the region and indeed Nigerians of triumph. Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Bello, commended the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and aviation agencies for the arrangement being put in place. He said the inaugural flight was the beginning of the hard work to be done by the officials at the holy land in guiding the pilgrims to perform the hajj. Osinbajo commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for ensuring that all obstacles to 2017 Hajj pilgrimage were removed as well as the aviation agencies for ensuring smooth flight operations during the exercise. According to him, airlifting is the beginning of the tasks to be carried out by the officials during Hajj operation. As you are all aware, what we are witnessing today is a culmination of intense hard work, dedication and commitment by Hajj officials. The work commenced when the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajia Khadija Abba-Ibrahim led a delegation to Saudi Arabia where the MoU for the 2017 Hajj was signed. This inaugural airlift is the beginning of the intense hard work to be done because you cannot say that the work is done until the pilgrims going to Saudi have an acceptable hajj and return back safely. So, I want to commend the agencies of government particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the effort in ensuring that Nigeria got back the 20 per cent quota lost years ago, he said. He also commended the Ministry of Aviation and all its agencies for the support given to pilgrims. The Acting President urged the pilgrims to pray for the peace and prosperity of the country while in the holy land. Osinbajo also called on the pilgrims to represent Nigeria properly within the short period in the holy land. So each and every one of you is an ambassador of this beautiful country and I urge you to conduct yourself and I pray that when you go you will have a rewarding pilgrimage. Earlier, Sen. Hadi Sirika , Minister of State for Aviation, said that pilgrimage was a journey that encompassed all aspect of lives of Muslims. Sirika called on the pilgrims to maintain peace and avoid rancour with their fellow pilgrims during the pilgrimage to enable them reap the benefits thereof. The Minister also admonished them to ensure that they understood the practice of hajj before they arrived there, adding that there were books written in different Nigerian languages to guide them. He also advised them to avoid carrying items that were prohibited on aircraft and in foreign land to avoid embarrassment. Do not engage in things that would cause conflict between you and your fellow pilgrims,this is a command, so go to Hajj and return safely, it will be as if you are born newly. This rancour that occur between you and your fellow pilgrim is what destroys your exercise. What makes your pilgrimage a success, is your ability to be in harmony with everybody, he said. He gave assurance that the government had put in place adequate logistics that would ensure smooth transportation of all pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 hajj. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that the Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Saleh Dunoma, has assured of adequate preparation for the airlifting of pilgrims across Nigerian airports. ALSO READ: How Senate tried to impeach Osinbajo Dunoma disclosed that the 2017 Hajj operations would commence in Abuja with FlyNas Airline, Azman Airline and Max Air, the three carriers that were licensed to airlift pilgrims from July 31. He urged pilgrims to get to the airport early to avoid missing their flights, adding that every requirement aimed at ensuring the safety, security and comfort of pilgrims had been met. This is following a Premium Times report alleging that Senators were given cash rewards and job slots to facilitate the passage of the Peace Corps bill. According to the report, lawmakers openly accused each other of receiving bribes. Akor, while reacting to the allegations, said it is false, and called on Nigerians to disregard the report. The Peace Corps boss also said My attention was drawn to the article on social media that cast the PCN in a contemptuous light, but on a second thought, they may be referring to a rival organization, National Unity And Peace Corps led by one Mr. Chinedu Nneji, whose Bill was nipped in the bud by the National Assembly. The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), as the largest youth organization in Africa, has a well-structured network of branches in all the States Capital in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with current membership strength of over 157, 000 comprising of both regular members and volunteers. PCN and its activities, established since 1998 in the ancient City of Kaduna, was accorded Federal Government recognition, under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, since 2004 and is a member of the National Youth Council of Nigeria. The Corps was in 2012 accorded a Special Consultative Status by the United Nations and assigned desk offices at the UN Headquarters in New York City, USA and regional offices in Geneva, Switzerland and Vienna, Austria. The African Union, in the same vein, accorded PCN a special Conservative Status in 2016 on the occasion of its 18th Anniversary. Also, the Federal Ministry of Education granted PCN approval to establish its activities in all the Federal Government Colleges (Unity Schools) in the Federation since 2011. It is also affiliated to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide emergency relief and humanitarian services. Akor also went ahead to talk about the achievements of the Peace Corps locally and internationally. He said The Corps and its leadership has received over 70 Awards, Locally and Internationally. Does it mean this Organization bribed its way to have recorded all these achievements and recognition, including bribing its way to the hearts of African Union and United Nations. From the foregoing, I wish to posit that it is most unfortunate that it has become a trade in stock for some individuals or groups, nowadays, to pre-occupy themselves with character assassination and distortion of obvious facts and figures against this noble objective. We recall too that the two Chambers of the National Assembly, as part of the legislative processes, organized Public Hearings in their respective Chambers in respect of NPC Bill. Over 570 Memoranda were received and 300 oral submissions made during the Public Hearings. In all of these, it was only 4 submissions and presentations that were against the passage of the Bill. Public Hearing is one of the most important part of Bill making processes. Does it mean Peace Corps bribed its way into the hearts of all individuals and institutions, including Federal Government Ministries/Agencies, Traditional and Religious Institutions that all advocated for the passage of the Bill? Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida once said, If our Lord Jesus Christ was misrepresented, Prophet Mohammed too misrepresented in Their days of ministrations, then to be misrepresented is to be great. Certainly, NPC is on the part to greatness. The question now begging for answers from every rational mind is that can any youth based Organization has the financial capacity or wherewithal to bribe a single Senator or House of Representatives member, how much more of the entire National Assembly members and its leadership; some of whom where former Governors, Ministers, Business moguls, Retired Generals, e.t.c. After the Passage of the Bill, we do expect deliberate and calculated campaign of calumny by those who want to truncate it being assented to by the Mr President. This is coming after Fayose alleged that OBJ knew about former President Umar Yaradua's ill health, but insisted on fielding him because he wanted somebody he could control. The Ekiti state Governor also accused Obasanjo of deliberately frustrating the presidential ambition of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. He also said OBJ was angry with George, because the PDP chieftain wanted to become the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Punch reports. In his reaction, George said My advice to my younger brother in Ekiti State is that it is time for him to forgive and forget and let sleeping dogs lie. He was impeached but God reinstated him as governor after eight years. What more can a man ask for? I have always said that my imprisonment was nothing but persecution and I have been vindicated by the highest court in the land. I never wanted to become BoT Chairman, so I doubt if that was the reason why I was treated that way. The BoT chairman is chosen from among the elders within the party and not by other organs. Sagay had earlier told newsmen that the Bukola Saraki led Senate is theworst in Nigerias history. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) also accused the lawmakers of passing laws that serve their personal interests. In its reaction, the Senate, through the Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi-Abdullahi said He (Sagay) is entitled to his opinion. That people can make nonsensical statements is the beauty of democracy but to be totally irresponsible in denigrating state and democratic institutions is definitely unacceptable. He is not speaking as a private citizen, given his position in this government. He needs to guard his utterances. He is in a democratically elected government brought about by the electoral victory of our great party made possible by the collective efforts of party members, including members of the Senate and House of Representatives. ALSO READ:Sahara Reporters ordered to pay Senate President N4 billion If he does not understand the decorum and values of democracy, let him go back to the classroom; if he is still needed there. His disdain for the National Assembly surely makes him anti-democratic. In the alternative, I challenge him to contest in 2019 or forever remain silent. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! In addition to upholding the conviction, military judges also rejected an appeal by prosecutors to increase the sentence for Azaria, a sergeant and military medic at the time of the incident, Israeli media reported. "My opinion has not changed when it comes to granting pardon to Elor Azaria and remains consistent to what I said after the verdict," Netanyahu said on Twitter. "When the subject is discussed concretely, I will give my recommendation to the competent authorities." The 21-year-old French-Israeli was convicted in January and sentenced the following month. He later appealed the verdict, while military prosecutors asked for an increased sentence after having initially requested between three and five years. Azaria arrived at the military court in Tel Aviv on Sunday in a white V-neck shirt, smiling and hugging family members as he has done at previous hearings. He completed his mandatory three-year military service on July 20 and was moved from confinement to his base to house arrest. His imprisonment had been postponed pending his appeal. He can still appeal to the country's supreme court, though Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman called on him not to and to request a pardon from the military chief of staff. Captured on video Azaria can also ask for a pardon from President Reuven Rivlin. A source close to Rivlin said that no request had yet been filed. "This is not an easy day, but it is the verdict, and the court must be respected," Lieberman said. "I am asking the Azaria family not to continue the appeal process... and to bring an end to this matter as quickly as possible for the good of Elor, his family and the Israeli people." The March 2016 shooting in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron was caught on video by a rights group and spread widely online. It showed Abdul Fatah al-Sharif, 21, lying wounded on the ground, shot along with another Palestinian after stabbing and wounding a soldier, according to the army. Azaria then shot him in the head without any apparent provocation. He said he feared Sharif was wearing an explosive belt and could blow himself up, a claim judges rejected. "His motive for shooting was that he felt the terrorist deserved to die,"Judge Colonel Maya Heller said when reading out the verdict in January. The trial captivated Israel and highlighted deep divisions in public opinion between those who decry the shooting and those who say he was justified. Military leaders have sharply condemned Azaria's actions. However, right-wing leaders, including Netanyahu, have called for him to be pardoned in an extraordinary public rift between politicians and the military. Ruto condemned the violence at a campaign rally on Sunday. "Those who seek to frustrate our unity, undermine our progress or work towards destroying our nationhood will not succeed," he told supporters in the town of Murang'a. There are differing accounts on how many attackers were involved but the incident appeared to have ended Sunday when Kenya's police chief Joseph Boinnet said one assailant was shot and killed. "The situation is under control," he said, noting that the drama started when a machete wielding man attacked and badly injured a police officer guarding Ruto's home, before storming the compound. Regional security coordinator Wanyama Musyambo said the assailant then took one officer hostage in a room used as an armoury by police guards. "It was a very delicate operation because, being in the armoury, he was at an advantage and was firing various weapons, and this caused confusion because you would think there was more than one person firing," Musyambo said. Both the officer taken hostage and the gunman were later killed, Musyambo said. Several security sources had earlier told AFP that the assault was staged by several people using guns, raising the possibility that some of the attackers remain at large. "There are armed people who staged the attack and have shot the GSU officer and stolen his gun," one security official said, referring to the elite police General Security Unit deployed to guard Ruto's house. Tensions mounting ahead of vote The deputy president had left the house shortly before the attack to attend rallies alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta, his running mate who faces a re-election contest on August 8 against longtime opposition leader Raila Odinga. Saturday's attack occurred despite the round-the-clock presence of GSU guards at the property, near the town of Eldoret, some 300 kilometres (200 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi. Moses Wetang'ula, leader of one of five opposition parties in the coalition backing Odinga, called the incident "unfortunate" in comments to The Standard newspaper, but questioned if it wasn't also an attempt to heighten security fears ahead of the vote. "We hope it is not a ploy to play victim," Wetang'ula said. Ruto's home sits in Kenya's western Rift Valley area, the flashpoint for an outbreak of election violence after the disputed 2007 polls that killed 1,100 people and tarnished Kenya's image as a regional beacon of safety and stability. According to opinion polls, this year's election will be close and tensions have been rising. Odinga has repeatedly claimed the government is scheming to steal the election, while Kenyatta has accused Odinga of trying to delay the polls. Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch said it had received reports of threats and voter intimidation in Naivasha, a hotspot town in 2007 and one of the potential trouble spots in this year's election. In the Rift Valley, hate speech flyers have been circulating and some local residents have already left their homes. The 2007 bloodshed haunted both Ruto and Kenyatta long after it ended, when the International Criminal Court put both on trial for orchestrating the violence. The picture shows, presumably a Hindu CRPF officer standing guard for his fellow Muslim officer while he offers namaz during duty hours in Srinagar. By India Today Web Desk: Captioned 'Brothers-in-arms for peace', the picture tweeted by the official CRPF handle on Saturday has Twitterati swooning over the humble comradery of two officers. The picture shows, presumably a Hindu CRPF officer standing guard for his fellow Muslim officer while he offers namaz during duty hours. The post went viral for all right reasons, with people hailing the harmonious sociability, religious coexistence and brotherhood between the two CRPF officers. Photo tweeted by @crpfindia heart filled with joy after seeing this pic...jai hind brothers ????- SaswataBiswas (@jewel_rimo) July 30, 2017 A J&K policeman offers Namaz while a CRPF Jawan stands guard. Together they fight terrorism.#BrothersInArms pic.twitter.com/NrgAascAgW- Sidharth Gehlawat (@GehlawatSid) July 29, 2017 Pic wid million of words n msg, it represnt what we're n real sprit of Harmony. Salute to armd force personal dat how dey save us @ any cost- Prateek Asthana (@prateekasthana) July 29, 2017 advertisement It also assumes added significance as the Valley has been reeling under enormous unrest and bellicose sentiments for over an year now, with curfews being imposed regularly. The post sits atop the garb of how Kashmir is polarised on religious lines- with a Hindu cop shielding his Muslim colleague while the latter offers his prayers. Meanwhile, two militants were gunned down today in encounter with the security forces Tahab village in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. Also read: 20 arrested for Kashmir police officer's lynching Also read: CRPF draws inspiration from Punjab Police, builds its own bullet proof vehicles for Kashmir --- ENDS --- The four latest arrests were of dissidents who had previously served jail sentences for anti-state convictions. But the current charge they face is much more serious and can carry the death penalty. Prominent dissidents Pham Van Troi and Nguyen Bac Truyen, freelance writer Truong Minh Duc and Protestant pastor Nguyen Trung Ton were all arrested at their homes on Sunday, their wives told reporters. In an online statement the Ministry of Public Security said the four were arrested under Article 79 of the criminal code -- trying to "overthrow the people's administration". They are connected to lawyer Nguyen Van Dai and activist Le Thu Ha, who have already been detained on the same charge. "My husband fought against social injustice and China's invasion of the East Sea," Troi's wife Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang told AFP, using the Vietnamese name for the South China Sea. "He did not have any move to try to overthrow the state." Ton's wife Nguyen Thi Lanh said her husband was already recovering from a recent assault by plainclothes police when he was arrested. "Voicing support for the people cannot be called trying to overthrow the administration," she told AFP. Vietnam has competiting claims with China in the South China Sea but Hanoi is extremely sensitive to any criticism about how it handles the issue. John Sifton, from Human Rights Watch, said 2017 has been "a terrible year" for human rights in Vietnam. "More cases of government thugs beating up dissidents, longer and longer jail sentences, and now, more arrests," he said. "Vietnam's allies and donors, especially the EU and Japan, need to speak up," he added. Last month prominent blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, known as "Mother Mushroom", was jailed for 10 years for Facebook posts about politics and the environment. Anti-China activist Tran Thi Nga, 40, was imprisoned for nine years for anti-state activities after a one-day trial last week in the northern province of Ha Nam, to which media access was restricted. ALGONQUIN (AP) Sandbags have been provided by local government to Illinois counties that have been affected by recent floods. Sandbags are cheap to make thanks to economies of scale, the low cost of materials and the help of thousands of volunteers in Lake County, the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reported. However, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency warns that once the sandbags have come into contact with floodwater, they can't be reused. Floodwater can be contaminated with human and animal waste, oil and gasoline residue, and farm chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. The IEPA said sandbags with visible signs of contamination should be disposed as waste at a landfill. Sandbags are typically made of polypropylene plastic, while others are made of canvas. IEPA Spokeswoman Kim Biggs says the sandbags made with canvas can be burned with an open burn permit from the agency. Local governments, such as Lake County, are allowing residents to return them by dropping them off at their public works facilities. "The sand can be reused; public works can use it for backfill excavation. But the bags degrade over time, so we throw those out," West Dundee Public Works Director Eric Babcock said. "They can be stockpiled for future use if you keep them dry and out of the sun, tarped and off the ground." Many people recognize the name of Jane Addams from high school history textbooks, but few know much else about this incomparable woman of 19th century Illinois history. And she was hardly the only one. Few opportunities awaited Illinois women in the era. In 1900, only 16.3 percent of all Illinois women were employed, with the exception of housekeepers. Women were clustered in a handful of occupations, including teaching, which was 74 percent female. Still, women made a noticeable impact. Social clubs to promote reading, art and education were common, and the Womens Christian Temperance Union, headquartered in Evanston, called for limits on alcohol. Monmouth is believed to have been home to the earliest women's political club in the nation. The Illinois Federation of Womens Clubs, established in 1894, called for free access to reading for all citizens and created small traveling libraries in storage trunks that were shipped to communities without public library service. Despite these efforts, many women struggled in poverty and social degradation. Jane Addams, who was born in Cedarville in 1860 to a privileged upbringing, was one of the few to recognize this. On the second of two European excursions, she was drawn to the first settlement house in the world, which served the citys poor in London. On Sept. 18, 1889, Addams and a college friend, Ellen Gates Starr, acquired an 1856 mansion on Halsted Street on Chicagos immigrant-laden west side and established Hull House. Over the next 20 years, Hull House grew into a 13-structure complex that included educational facilities, gymnasium, theater, cafeteria, nursery, and art and music studios. Hull House quickly became a national model, and one modern writer called Addams the most famous American woman of the 20th century. Addams frequently lectured on the needs of the poor and wrote a string of books and articles, including her 1910 classic "Twenty Years at Hull House." In 1931, she won the Nobel Peace Prize. She also advocated better factory conditions and womens suffrage, which was nothing new. Female suffrage groups had dotted Illinois for decades, beginning with a club in Earlville in 1855. Another suffrage advocate was Myra Bradwell, an attorney's wife who founded the Chicago Legal News, the first weekly Midwestern law journal and the largest in circulation of its kind. In August 1869, Bradwell was recommended for a law license, but the Illinois Supreme Court twice dismissed her attempt, finally asserting that God designed the sexes to occupy different spheres of action. Bradwell appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld the decision in 1873. However, a year earlier, Illinois passed a law preventing women from occupational exclusion. In June 1873, Alta Hulett, 19, became the first female lawyer in Illinois. Meanwhile, Bradwell remained an active political and social activist and aided Mary Todd Lincoln in her insanity trials of 1875-76. In 1890, she was finally admitted to the bar. Other influential Illinois women rose from Hull House, including Julia Lathrop, whose father, William, had been a mentor to Hulett. Julia Lathrop later helped write the state juvenile court law, the first of its kind in the world, and in 1912, she was appointed the first female chief of the national childrens bureau. She eventually was succeeded by another from Hull, Grace Abbott. Another Hull resident, Florence Kelley, became the states first factory inspector, while her assistant, Alzina Stevens, was also from Hull. Mary McDowell, a former kindergarten teacher at Hull House, earned the nickname Angel of the Stockyards for establishing her own settlement house in that region of the city. Ex-Hull resident Dr. Alice Hamilton became the first female faculty member at Harvard. Womens rights in Illinois, as elsewhere, still lagged, and the state would not elect a female representative to Springfield until 1922. But the work of a handful of remarkable women in the late 1800s put Illinois at the forefront of national reform. Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here. OK Currently, 85% smartphone users are using Android OS and Google Play Store is the home of all Android apps, games, movies, books. You can download almost anything from Play Store. Some items are free to use while some of them are paid. This is the biggest app market now and all Android smartphones come with Google Play Store pre-installed if you live outside China. The Play Store app is getting better and smarter day by day with new smartphones. Three four years back the app wasnt as stable as it is now. Now we have so many good smartphones to use and some upcoming smartphones coming in later 2017 or in early 2018 will be beast in terms of performance. Alongside smartphones, the Play Store apps UI and UX are also better now. We have so many new features to use. Behind the app, developers are working hard to fix all the bugs and making it stable with every update. Almost every week Google push new updates for Play Store but until theres any big update they dont disclose the changelogs. We have got a new update last week. You can download the updated APK directly from APKMirror or you can also update it through Google Play itself if any update is there. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Property details: Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge NEVADA LAND FOR SALE 40 ACRES NEAR WINNEMUCCA BID IS FOR THE DOWNPAYMENT WHICH WILL BE SUBTRACTED FROM THE PURCHASE PRICE OF $13,900 THE BALANCE PAID WITH MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS OF $215PAID IN FULL IN 64 MONTHS OR $12,510 CASH Very little land is available in Elko County. The property's southern border is shared with BLM land. There is a seasonal stream on the property. An unimpro... Price: $ 100 Seller State of Residence: Wisconsin State/Province: Nevada Type: Homesite, Lot, Recreational, Investment land Zoning: open space (os) Location: 895**, Reno, Nevada You will be redirected to eBay Nearby open space (os) According to police, the woman belongs to Madhya Pradesh and has been allegedly trading in illegally acquired weapons for the last 15 years. The woman arms smuggler was arrested by Delhi Police's special cell. Photo credit: India Today. By Puneet Kumar Sharma, Chirag Gothi: Before Independence Day celebrations on August 15, Delhi Police's special cell today arrested a woman and seized 14 pistols and 14 magazines from her. According to Delhi Police, these arms were meant for supply in Delhi-NCR area. The woman, an alleged arms smuggler, was arrested from Delhi's Shastri Park area and has been identified as Mobai. advertisement According to police, the woman belongs to Madhya Pradesh and has been allegedly trading in illegally acquired weapons for the last 15 years. The woman, along with an accomplice, would illegally buy weapons in Madhya Pradesh and sell them off to people in Delhi-NCR. The woman has been arrested before and was declared absconding in 2014, according to officers of Delhi Police. While travelling in a train or bus, she would always get down at the station prior to her destination to avoid getting arrested. Delhi Police's special cell is questioning the woman to get information about people who have bought illegal arms from her. ALSO READ: Illegal arms racket: Indian shooter, Slovenian arms dealer arrested Delhi: 2 arms dealers arrested with 18 sophisticated pistols, 25 magazines Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, linked to Rajiv Gandhi and Chandra Shekhar, dead --- ENDS --- Property details: INVEST IN THE WEST! We are constantly adding to our inventory of quality, cheap vacant land in the Western U.S. We take pride in offering you properties priced well under the competition. We offer prompt, professional and friendly customer service, easy and flexible payment terms, and we never charge you any processing fees or interest. It's time to invest in the west! You're bidding on the full cash price for 5 acres of land in Navajo County, Arizona, just north of Herber-Overgaard and the Apac... 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Cash price for the lot is $6,954, but financing is available for just $142/month (60 mos) for this 5 acre lot...(a sales contract will be drawn up for all purchases - cash or carry). (CREEK FRONTAGE) - 5ac W of Smith Reservoir. $6,954 (cash) or $8,6... Price: $ 76 Seller State of Residence: Colorado State/Province: Colorado City: Blanca Zoning: Vacant Land Type: Recreational, Acreage Zip/Postal Code: 81123 Location: 811**, Blanca, Colorado You will be redirected to eBay Nearby 81123 , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Chinese President Xi Jinping today said that the PLA was capable of defeating all invading enemies. Claiming Doklam as its own land, China earlier accused India of invading its territory. By Prabhash K Dutta: What appeared as a response to Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remark, Chinese President Xi Jinping today said that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China was capable of defeating all its enemies. The statement of Xi Jinping assumes significance in the backdrop of the references to 1962 war made by Chinese foreign office spokespersons over Doklam standoff with India. advertisement In an interesting development, the PLA soldiers called Xi Jinping "Zhu Xi Hao" meaning "Hail the Chairman" or "Salute to the Chairman." XI JINPING NEEDLES INDIA? Chinese President made the remarks at the military parade held to celebrate the foundation of the PLA. This was the first occasion since the PLA was set up in 1927 that the Army Day parade was held in China. According to a Xinhua report, Xi Jinping said, "The People's Liberation Army has confidence and capability in defeating all invading enemies and protecting China's national sovereignty, security and development interests." Earlier in June, as the Indian Army and the PLA soldiers jostled with each other at Doklam plateau in Bhutan, Bipin Rawat had said that his forces were "ready for a two-and-a-half front war." On his party, Xi Jinping may just have betrayed China's nervousness over Doklam standoff. There is huge domestic pressure on Xi Jinping which stops him from asking the PLA troops to withdraw. Jinping does not want to show any sign of weakness ahead of the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China. Military parade at Zhurihe traning centre to mark 90th anniversary of the PLA. (Photo: AP) THE ARMY DAY PARADE The official foundation day of the PLA falls on August 1, when a grand celebration is planned for the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Army. It was the first time that a military parade was held at the Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. However, this is not the first time that China held a military parade. But, most of previous military parades of Chinese Army were at Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing. A similar parade is still expected in Beijing on August 1. It was also the first time, when a Chinese President inspected the army at Zhurihe and was the guest of honour at the celebration. China has developed Zhurihe training centre as an answer to the Fort Irwin National Training Centre of the United States. advertisement CHINA SHOWS ITS MILITARTY MUSCLE At Zhurihe, Xi Jinping rode a roofless military vehicle wearing a camouflage uniform while he inspected about 12,000 military personnel of the PLA. The original plan, as some Chinese media reports suggest, was to have greater participation of the PLA officials and soldiers, but number was curtailed down to 12,000 in the wake of Doklam standoff. Military parade at Zhurihe traning centre to mark 90th anniversary of the PLA. (Photo: AP) More than 3,000 soldiers each of the Indian Army and the PLA are in eyeball encounter at the Doklam plateau in Bhutan. China has accused India of challenging its sovereignty by sending its soldiers to Doklam. India, in turn, has said that China has violated the 2012 understanding whereby the three countries of the region including Bhutan will not try to alter the status quo on the border unilaterally. The soldiers are staying put at about 150 metres from one another. With this in background, Xi Jinping became the first Chinese President to wear PLA uniform during a military parade, where China showcased its latest military devices. One report suggests that about 40 per cent of the modern military devices of the PLA were displayed to the public at Zhurihe for the first time. advertisement XI JINPING, THE CHAIRMAN Xi Jinping has been consolidating his power in the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government ever since he became the general secretary of the party in 2012 and country's President the next year. In the party, Xi Jinping removed Sun Zhengcai, who was considered as a potential successor. Zhengcai was close to former premier Wen Jiabao and one the youngest members of the politburo of the Communist Party of China. Jinping wants greater control over the party and is expected to get what he wants in the 19th Congress of the CPC later this year. On military front, Xi Jinping carefully planned the transition from "Shouzhang" (core leader) to Zhuxi or Zhu Xi (the chairman). Today's was the third occasion when Jinping presided over an unusual military parade. It started with a military parade in Beijing in September 2015 to mark 70th anniversary of China's victory against Japan. Back then, Xi Jinping was called 'Shouzhang'. Jinping inspected another military parade in June in Hong Kong to mark the 20th anniversary of its handover from the United Kingdom to China. During this event, Jinping had conveyed the message that at the next military parade, he should be called Zhu Xi or the Chairman. advertisement No leader since Mao Zedong has been addressed as the chairman in China. The PLA soldiers today addressed Xi Jinping as the Chairman - an acknowledgment that he is the most powerful Chinese President since the founder of Communist China. ALSO READ | Xi Jinping urges army to forge elite force to win wars on PLA's 90th anniversary Why India, China have failed to resolve Doklam standoff ALSO WATCH | Chinese daily calls NSA Ajit Doval the villain of Doklam --- ENDS --- By PTI: New York, Jul 29 (PTI) Astronomers have found evidence for the first known moon beyond our solar system, orbiting a planet around a star about 4,000 light-years away. Researchers from Columbia University in the US analysed the dips in light from exoplanets passing in front of their stars in data from the Kepler space telescope. A second, smaller dip that appears ahead of or behind the planet could reveal a moon, they said. advertisement Researchers David Kipping and Alex Teachey of Columbia University have now found the first evidence for an exomoon candidate named Kepler 1625b i. They analysed 284 planets that seemed like good candidates for hosting detectable moons, New Scientist reported. "Out of those, this object popped out," Kipping said. Researchers said if the object exists, it orbits a planet slightly larger than Jupiter around a star about 4,000 light-years away. Since the potential moon is probably about the size of Neptune, the team nicknamed it "Neptmoon." Researchers plan to check if the moon is really there by using the Hubble Space Telescope to watch for another transit on October 29. PTI SAR SAR --- ENDS --- Australian authorities have arrested four men as they foiled an Islamist-inspired terrorist plot to bring down an airplane. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed the development at a news conference Sydney on Sunday, reports the ABC news. The arrest was made on Saturday after the authorities seized material that could be used to make an improvised bomb, which the perpetrators intending to smuggle onto a plane in order to blow it up. Police said it was an Islamist-inspired plot, but they did not link the plan to a specific terrorist group. Meanwhile, Turnbull said the 'major counter-terrorism operation' was ongoing. The prime minister said extra security measures have been in place at Sydney Airport since Thursday and have since been put in place at the country's other major airports. Transport security officials advised travelers to get to their airports two hours before their scheduled flight departures. Last month, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack at a suburban Melbourne apartment building where one man was killed and three police officers were wounded. IMAGE: Australian Federal Police officers talk with passengers near the check-in counters at the Sydney Airport Domestic terminal in Australia. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters The Congress today paraded all its legislators from Gujarat, who have been lodged in a resort near Bengaluru, before the media, in an effort to quell speculation of dissension in the party ranks. Congress spokesperson Shaktisinhn Gohil claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party tried to 'buy' 22 of its MLAs by offering Rs 15 crore for cross-voting during the elections to Rajya Sabha from Gujarat, to be held on August 8. "Our legislators have not come here to enjoy. We brought them here to save democracy as they were being poached by BJP, using money and muscle power," Gohil told reporters at the resort, as 44 Gujarat MLAs sat behind him. Of the initial strength of 57 in Gujarat, six MLAs resigned from the party in the last two days. Three of them joined the BJP on July 28. Seven other MLAs are not part of the group in the resort near Bengaluru but Gohil hoped they would listen to their 'inner voice' and not vote against the Congress. The seven MLAs should not forget that they were elected on a Congress ticket, he added. "We have 44 legislators here, and we are also in touch with seven legislators, who are not here with us, and a few others from other parties including NCP are also voting for us. All in all, we have 60 legislators voting for our candidate," he said. Gohil rejected the charges of the BJP that the Congress legislators were enjoying their stay at the Egleton Golf Resort, neglecting their duties back home at a time when North Gujarat is reeling under floods. All Congress legislators had visited their constituencies in North Gujarat on July 25 to be among the affected people on party leader Ahmed Patel's urging, the spokesperson said. He also alleged the BJP was using the Central Bureau of Investigation to target Congress leaders. Earlier, Gohil had said the legislators put up in the resort were living like a family and there was no disharmony or bickering within the party. "I am here since last night with my colleagues. We are living like a family. You (BJP) are talking about internal problem? Just see how we respect each other. There is no internal problem or bickering between us," he had said. Gohil was reacting to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's charges of internal problems in Congress triggered by the quitting of its leaders, including Shankarsinh Vaghela and Balwantsinh Rajput. "They have taken their MLAs to Bangaluru as they do not have faith in their MLAs," Rupani had said. The Congress has re-nominated Patel, political secretary to party chief Sonia Gandhi, to the Upper House of Parliament from Gujarat. The desertions have cast a shadow on the fate of Patel in the coming Rajya Sabha polls. The BJP has fielded party president Amit Shah, Union minister Smriti Irani and former Congress MLA Balwantsinh Rajput who joined the saffron party on Thursday. Of the total of 11 Rajya Sabha members from the state, the term of three -- Smriti Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel -- will end on August 18. IMAGE: Congress MLA Shaktisinhn Gohil addresses the media in Bengaluru on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Russia and India are holding negotiations for the supply of 48 Russian Mi-17 military transport helicopters with Moscow hoping to seal the deal by the year end, a top Russian official has said. Russian arms supplier Rosoboronexport's Chief Executive Officer Alexander Mikheev said India has more than 300 helicopters belonging to the Mi-8 and Mi-17 family, which are deployed in troop and arms transport, fire support, convoy escort, patrol, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. He said India knows their specifications well. Mikheev said Russia and India are holding talks with a view to sign a contract for 48 (Mi-17V-5) helicopters and the techno-commercial negotiations are set to commence. "We hope that we will reach an agreement before the end of this year," he told a select group of journalists in Zhukovsky on the sidelines of Russia's premier air show MAKS 2017. Last year, Russia had handed over to India the final batch of three Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters under a previously signed contract with Rosoboronexport, a company of the Rostec State Corporation, that entailed a total of 151 units of the Mi-17V-5 helicopter, produced by the Kazan Helicopter Plant. Designed to transport cargo inside the cabin and on an external sling, the Mi-17V-5 is considered to be one of the world's most advanced military transport helicopters. Mi-17V-5, supplied to India, ranks among the most technically advanced helicopters of the Mi-8/17 type, incorporating the best engineering solutions of previous generations. In 2008, Rosoboronexport signed a contract for the delivery of 80 Mi-17V-5 to India, which was completed in 2011-2013. In 2012-2013, three additional contracts were signed to supply a total of 71 Mi-17V-5 helicopters to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force. Talking about the S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems, Mikheev said Russia and India are holding 'technical consultations' for their supply and Moscow aims to sign a contract 'as soon as possible'. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that could be a game changer for India's anti-aircraft defence capability. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over $5 billion (Rs 32,500 crore). "As of today, we are carrying out technical consultations with India. We have already shown our equipment - both in the field, testing, range-practice conditions and in conditions of production plant and design bureaus," Mikheev said. "Rosoboronexport is performing all the works aimed at signing of the contract as soon as possible, based on the feedback from India," he said. Talking about other projects that are under discussion between Russia and India, Mikheev said, "We are discussing a programme for modernisation of SU-30 with our Indian partners. The aircraft park is quite large." "During a period of 15 years, we have fulfilled all our obligations to the Indian party, the HAL Corporation -- supplied quite a large aircraft park, over 200, under the license agreement -- and we are offering new developments of our design bureaus. "Moreover, the Indian Air Force has some requirements for improvement of performance and operational characteristics, mainly with regard to avionics, electronic warfare systems, as well as updates of weapon systems by both Indian and Russian companies," he said. Mikheev said Russia was already considering the capabilities of the Indian industry within the framework of the 'Make in India' programme and noted that under it a well-known project was the joint venture for Kamov 226T helicopters. Asked about the first Russia-India military-industrial conference in March where some questions concerning the problem with spare parts were raised, Mikheev said the industrial conference was jointly held by Russia's Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Valentinovich Manturov and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley during which both sides reached an agreement on the issue. "I think that it's actually a big plus in our relations. We have agreed that the programme of after-sales services will be participated by Russian dedicated holding companies, in order to ensure the operation of previously supplied equipment throughout its lifecycle. It's 20, 30, 40 years -- whether it be a submarine, a helicopter, a tank, etc.," Mikheev said. "We have specified six companies that will carry out direct cooperation with both operators of Russian equipment and Indian companies that will be charged with operating this equipment and manufacturing its spare parts," he said. Mikheev named the six companies that will carry out direct cooperation as -- the United Shipbuilding Corporation, the United Aircraft Corporation, Russian Helicopters, the United Engine Corporation, Almaz Antey and Tactical Missile Corporation. Rosoboronexport is the only state-owned arms trade company in the Russian federation authorised to export the full range of military and dual purpose products, technologies and services. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said the Peoples Liberation Army has the confidence and capability to defeat all invading enemies as he inspected a massive military parade at the countrys largest military base to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the 2.3-million strong army. IMAGE: Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army get ready for the military parade to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the army at Zhurihe military training base in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Photograph: China Daily/Reuters Xi also said the PLA should strictly follow the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China and march to wherever the Party points to. I firmly believe that our gallant military has both confidence and ability to defeat all invading enemies, said Xi, who heads the Central Military Commission, which holds the overall command of the PLA -- the worlds largest army. While there was no reference in his speech to over a month-long India-China military standoff at Doklam in Sikkim section, his remarks came in the midst of shrill official media campaign and assertions by the foreign and defence ministries accusing Indian troops of trespassing into Chinese territory at Doklam. Clad in camouflage military suit, 64-year-old Xi said the Chinese military has the confidence and ability to safeguard, national sovereignty, security and development interests. Our military has the confidence and ability to write a new chapter in building of strong military and make new contributions to towards realisation of the China dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and safeguarding world peace, Xi said in his about 10-minute address -- an event carried live on state television and radio. Earlier, Xi inspected the military parade at Chinas largest military base in Zhurihe in Inner Mongolia the biggest parade since 2015 in which army and air force displayed some of the most modern weapons including a new tank which reportedly held exercises in the high-altitude along the Indian border. The other weapons included long range nuclear and conventional missiles, the new J-15 -- the new aircraft based carrier. IMAGE: The Chinese military has the worlds second largest defence budget of $152 billion (Rs 9.7 lakh crore) next to the US military. Photograph: China Daily/Reuters In his address, Xi asked the military to further improve its combativeness and modernise the national defence and armed forces. The Chinese military has the worlds second largest defence budget of $152 billion (Rs 9.7 lakh crore) next to the US military. The PLA was founded on August 1, 1927 when the ruling CPC under the leadership of Mao Zedong carried on with his national liberation movement. It is one of the rare national armies which still continues to function under the leadership of the CPC and not the Chinese government. Officers and soldiers, you must unswervingly stick to the fundamental principle and system of the Partys absolute leadership over the army, always listen to and follow the Partys orders, and march to wherever the Party points to, said Xi, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. PLA officers and soldiers should firmly adhere to the fundamental goal of serving the people wholeheartedly, and always stand together with the people, Xi said. He also said China needs a strong army more than ever, urging the building of PLA into a world-class military force. Enjoying peace is a bliss for the people while protecting peace is the responsibility of the peoples army, he said. The world is not all at peace, and peace must be safeguarded, said Xi, who is expected to get a second five year term at the key meeting of the CPC later this year. Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than any other time in history, and we need to build a strong peoples military more than any other time in history, he said. He urged the PLA to fully implement the CPCs thoughts on building a strong military, follow the path of strengthening the army with Chinese characteristics, strive for the CPCs target on strengthening the PLA under the new circumstances, and build the heroic PLA into a world-class military. About 12,000 troops took part in the parade in which 129 aircraft and 571 pieces of equipment were on display. Dongfeng missiles which include short, long and medium rage of rockets, variety of armoury including light tanks, drones were also deployed. Helicopter borne troops demonstrated in quick landing and taking combat positions. The parade was held in the backdrop of over month long standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam in Sikkim section. Besides Doklam, China is also concerned by the situation in North Korea and the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile by US in South Korea much to the opposition of the Beijing. A day after a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker was hacked to death in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state police chief Loknath Behera on Sunday met Governor P Sathasivam in response to a Raj Bhavan summons to ascertain the action taken by the government in the case. A Raj Bhavan statement said the chief minister and police chief were summoned in the wake of recent incidents of violence in the state capital, including the murder of an RSS functionary on Saturday. 'Summoned chief minister and state police chief to know about action taken by state govt on law and order issues in Trivandrum,' Sathasivam tweeted. 'Chief Minister informed that culprits in murder of RSS worker in Trivandrum arrested & that lawbreakers will be sternly dealt with,' he said. The governor said the chief minister assured that law breakers would be sternly dealt with, 'irrespective of status or political affiliation'. Vijayan met the governor around 11.30 am, while the DGP met Sathasivam at 12.30 pm, the governor's office said. The Raj Bhavan statement also said the chief minister would soon make a public appeal to maintain peace. Vijayan also informed that he would be meeting state Bharatiya Janata Party president Kummanam Rajasekharan and state RSS Chief, it said. The governor asked the DGP to take all possible measures to book the culprits and maintain peace in the southern state. Sathasivam also spoke to Kummanam Rajasekharan about the incident and the attack on the BJP party office in Thiruvananthapuram. According to the statement by the Raj Bhawan, the governor also spoke to Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to enquire about stone pelting at his son's residence in Thiruvananthapuram. Sathasivam also had a word with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and apprised him of the situation and measures taken by the state government. Police have so far taken six persons into custody in connection with the slaying of the RSS worker even as the BJP called for a dawn-to-dusk state-wide hartal on Sunday to protest the incident. The hartal has been incident free. Earlier, the Kerala Police detained six people in connection with the murder of 34-year-old Rajesh allegedly by a gang led by a history-sheeters. Police said Rajeshs left hand was chopped off in the attack which took place around 9 pm on Saturday night. Rajasekharan alleged that the CPI-M was behind the attack, a charge denied by the district leadership of the Left party. "Probe shows the attack on RSS worker isn't political killing. Main accused isn't a CPI-M member," Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, CPI-M state secretary said. "In last two weeks, two cases were registered against the victim and the main accused over personal rivalry. The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is creating law and order problems," Balakrishnan said. Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh voiced concern over attacks on political workers in Kerala and said political violence was unacceptable in a democracy. During a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Singh discussed with him the recent incidents of political violence in the state. 'I have expressed my concern over the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy,' he said in a tweet. With inputs from ANI IMAGE: NIA officials conduct a raid at the residence of Devinder Singh Behl, a close aide of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, in Jammu on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo Widening its probe in the terror funding case, the National Investigation Agency on Sunday searched the office and residence of a lawyer linked to hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on suspicion of routing funds to separatists from their Pakistan-based handlers. A spokesman for the NIA said the office and residence of Devinder Singh Behal, chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Social Peace Forum, a constituent of Tehreek-e-Hurriayat headed by Geelani, were searched in Jammu. Behal is also a member of the legal cell of the separatist amalgam led by Geelani and a 'close associate' of the Hurriyat hawk. Behal, the anti-terror probe agency said, also regularly attends the funeral processions of terrorists. "The NIA is investigating his role as a courier as he is suspected to be involved in routing funds to separatist leaders from Pakistan-based handlers," the spokesman said. He claimed several incriminating documents, four mobile phones, a tablet computer and a few other articles were seized during the searches, and Behal was being questioned. In a related development, the NIA also issued summons to Naseem, the younger son of Geelani, asking him to appear before it on Wednesday. Geelani's elder son, Nayeem, who was asked to present himself at the agency's headquarters in New Delhi on Monday, has been admitted to a hospital in Srinagar after he complained of chest pain, members of the Hurriyat faction said. Nayeem, a surgeon, had returned from Pakistan in 2010 after spending 11 years and is considered Geelani's heir apparent. Nayeem was to be questioned in connection with the terror funding case which has named Hafiz Saeed, leader of Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa and banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Tayiba, as an accused. The NIA has also named separatist organisations like the two factions led by Geelani and moderate leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and all-woman outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat in its FIR. Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh has already been arrested by the NIA and was being interrogated. Besides him, Geelani's close aides Ayaz Akbar, spokesman for Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, and Peer Saifullah were arrested from the Valley last week. Shahid-ul-Islam, spokesman for the moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Nayeem Khan (of the Hurriyat's Geelani faction) and Farooq Ahmed Dar alias 'Bitta Karate' have also been arrested. All of them have been remanded in 10 days NIA custody. The NIA had registered the case on May 30, accusing separatist and scessionist leaders of being in cahoots with terrorist groups. The case was registered over raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including through hawala channels, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in the state and for causing disruption in the Valley by pelting security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India. The NIA conducted searches in several places in the state besides Haryana and the national capital. Electronic devices and valuables worth crores of rupees were impounded. It is for the first time since the rise of militancy in the early 1990s that a central probe agency has conducted raids in connection with the funding of terrorist and separatist groups. Floods have thrown life out of gear in Gujarat, Assam, parts of West Bengal and Rajasthan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke on the same in his Mann ki Baat speech. By India Today Web Desk: Expressing concern over the floods in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam and parts of West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that flood-affected areas are being closely monitored and relief operations are being undertaken on a massive scale. "Wherever possible, my colleagues in the Council of Ministers are also personally visiting affected areas. State governments too are making maximum possible efforts to provide relief to the flood-affected people," Narendra Modi said in his Mann ki Baat address to the nation today. advertisement "A 24x7 control room helpline number 1078 is functioning continuously to deal with the flood situation," the Prime Minister said. Yes, monsoon is enjoyable but this season also leads to floods. We are doing everything to help in relief & rehabilitation. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/CUEoyWNGf5- PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 30, 2017 THE SITUATION IN GUJARAT In Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will be camping in Banaskantha for five days and oversee the rescue and relief operations in the worst-hit district. The Gujarat Chief Minister today conducted aerial survey of flood-hit Banaskantha district where the death cross has reached 60. "I visited Dhanera which has suffered heavy losses. We are working on schemes to help farmers and traders," Vijay Rupani said. On Saturday, three Union ministers visited Gujarat to take stock of the flood-hit areas. Union ministers Radha Mohan Singh and Parshottam Rupala visited Banaskantha district while Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya met officials to assess the damage caused to state and national highways due to floods. As many as 80,000 people have been relocated to safer places, including 38,241 in Banaskantha and Patan, an official release said on Saturday. Till Saturday, the death toll in Gujarat floods stood at 142. THE SITUATION IN OTHER STATES Rajasthan Chief Minister reviewed the situation in the flood-hit areas on Saturday. She conducted aerial surveys of Pali and Sirohi districts and then held a meeting at her official residence in Jaipur. Sixteen people have been killed in rain-related incidents in Rajasthan while another 12,000 people were relocated from flood-hit areas in the state till Saturday. In West Bengal, the floods claimed 31 lives in the last 10 days. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the flood situation has improved in the last few years. Nearly 45,000 people are taking shelter in more than 2,000 relief camps set up in the flood-hit districts. In Assam, the two waves of floods have affected 25 lakh people in 29 districts of the state this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the state on August 1 following criticism from Opposition that he did not visit the flood-hit state even as he managed to conduct an aerial survey of Gujarat after floods. advertisement The floods have killed 79 people in Assam while 2,000 people are taking shelter in relief camps. ALSO READ: Help those affected in Gujarat, Assam floods, Aamir Khan appeals on Twitter To check Assam floods, 800-mile highway embankment on Brahmaputra planned Tale of two floods: Assam continues to wave for help while Gujarat gets Rs 500 crore ALSO WATCH: Image of the day: Gujarat faces flood fury --- ENDS --- By India Today Web Desk: Former Bigg Boss contestant Nitibha Kaul is the latest victim of social media bullying. Nitibha recently posted a video on her Instagram account where she was dancing to few popular numbers but removed the post after people started posting nasty comments on her video. Later, she reposted the video with a long note shutting down her haters. advertisement She wrote, "Had deleted this same post i'd made a few hours back owing to all the crappy comments I was getting. But then, I watched the third episode in Season 1 of the amazingly haunting @blackmirrorseries and realised- how social media perception is really messing our reality up. And then I realised- this is me, the real me. My expressions might seem like overacting to you, but they're me, MY expressions. You feel like I raise my tattooed wrist up a lot more than I should in pictures and videos- to show off, but that's my wrist, MY movement. You feel like i'm trying too hard, wearing too much makeup, MY body, MY face. Don't like it? I'm not here to please you, but I surely am here to not loose myself, my free spiritedness and my identity because of what YOU say. After all, its ME that matters for myself. Love me for that? I'll love you right back- why else would 350k of you want to know what i'm upto? Hate me for it? Too bad. It won't be enough to stop me. #saynotosocialmediabullying #berealinthisvirtualworld #hatersgonnahate #dontlooseyourself #unfiltered #loveyourself #morepowertoustosurvivethisdigitalage." (sic) Nitibha rose to fame with Bigg Boss 10 and has 360K followers on Instagram. This is not the first time when Nitibha has been trolled by haters. Earlier, Nitibha had been body-shamed when she posted swimsuit pictures, where she looked gorgeous. But we are glad that Nitibha stood up for herself. Inner water baby happiest #waterwatereverywhere #oceanview #infinitypoolsaremything #soakinginthesun #poolside #travelmode #naturemeetsman A post shared by Nitibha Kaul (@nitibhakaul) on Jun 30, 2017 at 6:11am PDT Also read: Nitibha Kaul to Aneri Vajani: It's a shame that these TV stars were body-shamed on social media --- ENDS --- By PTI: Nashik, July 30 (PTI) The Maharashtra government is working on a three-point agenda that includes providing uninterrupted power, water and stable market to strengthen farmers in the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today. "The state government is working to provide farmers electricity, water and stable market to strengthen them and bring positive changes in their life," the chief minister said after laying the foundation stone of a multi-purpose cold storage plant in Lasalgaon village in the district. advertisement Once completed, the 2,500-tonne capacity cold storage plant will be able to store 1,500 tonnes of onions and 1,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetable for export. The plant is being jointly developed by the Railways and the Lasalgaons Cooperative Kharedi Vikri Sangh, said Nanasaheb Patil, Chairman of Kharedi-Vikri Sangh. Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, MoS for Defence Subhash Bhamare, Nashik district Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan, Tourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal were present on the occasion. "Famers should store onions and other agri products in the cold storages so that their agri produce will fetch good rates," he said, adding that Central government will set up 227 cold storages across the country, of which 52 will be in Maharashtra. Prabhu said the Centre and state governments are working together to ensure that farmers get benefited from their policies. "The government has taken a string of important decisions, including setting up multi-purpose cold storage projects. The Container Corporation of India (CCI) would assist farmers by using a high technology so to as bring their agri produce in the market," he said. Prabhu said Kamayani Express will stop at Lasalgaon stationas per demands of the local people. Later, Fadanvis laid a foundation stone of the project that envisages modernisation of Mela Bus Stand in Nashik. The project envisages development of the bus stand, owned by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, on the lines of an airport. PTI CORR NSK --- ENDS --- Body cameras for the Mooresville Police Department have arrived. Find out when they will be used. Mooresville-Decatur Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. With a buzzing sound like a swarm of bees, a flying device resembling a miniature helicopter lifted off from the ground at Luck Stone Corp.s Boscobel quarry one day this spring. Piloted by Eric Warinner, an engineering technician at Luck Stone, the device small enough to be held in a mans arms hovered above the companys crushed stone operation, then zoomed like a hummingbird around a massive pile of crushed stone and the rail cars at the Goochland County quarry. The purpose was to get the devices cameras to spots where it can be difficult for a person to go, such as the top of a towering conveyor machine that moves crushed stone near the quarry. We can put our eyes on anything we need to put our eyes on, Warinner said. Most people would call the device a drone. It is a popular term, said John Blackmore, a surveying and mapping supervisor for Luck Stone. But its not the word he prefers to use. Instead, Warinner and Blackmore, who manage the companys drone program, prefer the more technical term unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV when discussing the flying tools they deploy to gather all sorts of data from Luck Stones quarrying operations. The Goochland-based company then analyzes that information for planning and to bring greater efficiency to its business. The company, a major producer of stone, sand and gravel products for construction and other industries, has been using UAVs for about three years to do a variety of jobs at its quarries and distribution centers in Virginia and North Carolina. To us, this is a tool and a way we are doing our job better, Blackmore said. It has really changed our business to have this technology. For Warinner and Blackmore, an even better way to refer to the technology is UAS, for unmanned aerial system, because the aerial vehicles themselves are only part of the technology. It also includes the tools for programming the aerial devices and organizing, analyzing and sharing the data they collect. It is a system of aircraft, and software with very complex math computations, that makes this very useful for us, Blackmore said. Luck Stones use of UAVs is one example of how drones, often thought of primarily as military tools or novelties for hobbyists, can be used in a commercial setting to improve business outcomes. Dominion Energy, Virginias largest utility, is another example. The company has been using drones since 2013, mainly for transmission line inspections in hard-to-reach places such as water crossings. We typically do a lot of these inspections with helicopters, said Steve Eisenrauch, the companys manager for transmission lines and forestry, who leads its UAV program. We have been able to offset some of that with drones. When we do that, there is a much smaller environmental footprint to be able to use a drone instead of a helicopter. There is an added level of safety. Since 2015, the company has used UAVs to inspect nearly 5,000 transmission line structures, he said. To conduct its drone program, Dominion has partnered with Hazon Solutions, a Virginia Beach-based provider of small UAV inspection service operations. At least for now, there remain some limitations to the commercial operation of drones imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Those include restrictions on flying the devices beyond the operators line of sight and restrictions on nighttime use. David A. Culler, Hazon Solutions co-founder and CEO, said he believes that as the technology develops and safety concerns are addressed, those and other restrictions will be eased and UAVs can be put to use in a wider range of industries. The FAA does not provide state-level information on how many commercial operations are using drones, a spokeswoman for the agency said. *** In April, Luck Stone took another step to develop its use of aerial systems. It announced a partnership with Airware, a California-based company that develops software for businesses to digitize and analyze aerial data collected from UAVs. Luck Stone is now using UAVs to create detailed, 3-D maps of its quarrying operations and to keep track of its product stockpiles. The UAVs capture hundreds of images from different vantage points around a quarry, then computer software stitches the images together to create a 3-D map. Airwares technology enables the company to analyze the data and share it among managers. They have a lot of analytic capabilities in their software, Blackmore said of Airware, and the company has customized it specifically for Luck Stones quarrying operations. Aerial mapping of quarry operations previously was far more labor-intensive. Before, we were actually flying an airplane a manned aircraft over our locations, Warinner said. The aircraft would take numerous pictures that the company could use to calculate inventories of crushed stone, or to monitor quarries. Now, we are just arriving on scene, putting a UAV in the air, and taking care of it there, he said. Warinner and Blackmore regularly travel to Luck Stones 22 quarries and distribution operations and fly the UAVs. Besides 3-D mapping, the devices can be used to inspect equipment, as well as to check whether there is any undesirable foreign matter in the stone material that is loaded onto rail cars at the companys sites. We want to make sure that before we put our product in the rail cars, that there is not tree limbs or dirt, or some other contaminant, Blackmore said. A birds-eye view is useful for that. The company has invested in several UAVs, including a small, fixed-wing device that flies like an airplane, rather than a helicopter. All the devices are FAA registered and have tail numbers, as the federal government requires for commercial use. Warinner and Blackmore are also licensed UAV pilots. When flying the UAVs, they follow a list of safety protocols. For instance, if we are flying for mapping purposes, then 400 feet is our max, Blackmore said. Warinner is an Army veteran who was working at Luck Stones Boscobel quarry when he first took up drone-flying as a hobby, then realized its potential use in the companys operations. Blackmore has training in engineering, geography, surveying and GIS mapping. The biggest driver for UAVs for (Luck Stone) is that an operation like ours is changing so fast, it is really beneficial to have frequently updated imagery, Blackmore said. We can get imagery through the state of Virginia or Google maps and other places, but it might be a few years old, and that is not good enough. We can go out now and fly a UAV and get the imagery on the same day, and it is as near as you can get to real time, he said. Gujarat Assembly speaker Ramanlal Vohra today attacked the Opposition for not only blaming BJP for their resigning MLAs but also flocking them to Bengaluru when the state is facing a calamity. By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Speaker of Gujarat Assembly Ramanlal Vohra today criticised the Opposition for pinning the blame on BJP after six Congress MLAs resigned this week just ahead of Rajya Sabha polls. Speaking to India Today, Vohra said "I am performing my duty properly and before accepting the resignations of all 6 MLAs, I had word with them and asked them specifically is there any pressure on them? Or has someone offered them money to resign? I got answer from them that they are tendering resignation by their own will and not under any pressure." advertisement Vohra also added that he is getting unknown phone calls, "They are asking me to accept resignation whichever comes to me. I told them that I will follow my duties properly and will ask them few questions before accepting their resignation." 'NOT THE TIME FOR POLITICS' No new resignation has been tendered since late Saturday, July 29, but Congress did send two more MLAs to the Bengaluru resort, joining the other 40 there. MLAs Shaktisinh Gohil and Jitu Chowdhary are the latest entrants to the 'safekeeping' mission in Bengaluru. Vohra furthermore slammed Congress for taking their MLAs to Karnataka when Gujarat is battling severe flood situation. "You know what is the situation in Banas area. I don't know what MLAs are doing there in Karnataka. In such situations we should pay more attention to improve situation and not to play politics." --- ENDS --- (Editors note: The following was submitted by Hanover County Commonwealths Attorney R.E. Trip Chalkley III.) As always, on July 1, 2017, new legislation took effect in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The following article is a summary of new legislation that I believe is of interest to the citizens of Virginia. Not every piece of new legislation is addressed and those laws noted are only summarized. Please contact your local Commonwealths Attorneys Office should there be any questions. A law enforcement officer or animal control officer may now determine if a dog is dangerous. The owner now has 30 days time to secure the dangerous dog registration certificate and comply with other provisions. When a defendant owes restitution to a victim of a criminal offense, money collected from the defendant will be applied to restitution first, then to fines and costs. To assist in combating the opioid problem, the Department of Health is permitted to distribute naloxone to drug treatment providers after training has been received. A pharmacist may dispense naloxone to one who has a standing order although there is no patient-specific prescription. A prescriber registered with Prescription monitoring Program (PMP) must check PMP prior to issuing an opioid prescription that will last more than 7 days (was 14). Opioid prescriptions must be submitted electronically. No longer is the drivers license suspension mandatory for one convicted of 1st offense possession of marijuana unless the possessor was driving. In response to the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Burchfield v. North Dakota, wherein criminal penalties for a refusal of a blood test were found unconstitutional, amendments were enacted to Virginias D.U.I. laws that took effect on March 16, 2017. There is no longer a criminal penalty for refusal of a blood test. However, one may consent to the test or the officer may secure a search warrant to obtain a blood sample. The breath test is legally permissible as it is a search incident to the arrest and criminal prosecution is permissible for refusal to submit to a breath test. The refusal may be used as evidence in the D.U.I. trial. A second offense of refusal of a breath test is reclassified to a Class I misdemeanor from a Class II. This increases the financial penalty and doubles the possible jail sentence. The loss of license for refusal of a blood or breath test, second offense in 10 years, remains at 3 years. Presumptive levels of intoxication will apply to blood obtained by a search warrant. Search warrant applications for blood test are to be given priority by magistrates. All of the amendments to driving under the influence statutes will now be conformed with sections dealing with juvenile DUI, commercial driver DUI and boating DUI. The business records hearsay exemption has been expanded to criminal cases. This change permits business records to be introduced by written certification as opposed to live testimony. Government records may now be authenticated by digital signature. Hunting licenses may now be carried by electronic or computerized means. A state junior bear hunting license was created for those under 16 years of age. A sling bow can be used to hunt deer and small game when the hunter is licensed to hunt with bow and arrow. Hunters may wear blaze pink instead of previously required blaze orange. An individual who agreed to a first offender disposition on a domestic violence charge may no longer appeal a conviction resulting from violating the terms of first offender agreement. A defendant has 14 days to withdraw from his initial plea. Protection for health care providers against assault and battery was expanded to include personnel of any clinic or facility rendering emergency care. Persons with violent felony convictions are not eligible for first offender domestic violence disposition without the approval of the prosecutor. Retained lawyers in criminal felony cases may withdraw within 10 days after charges are certified from the district court. Written notice must be provided to the client, the Commonwealths Attorney and the Circuit Court. The court or the clerk is required to issue a transportation order for a defendant to be brought to court from a correctional facility upon request of the Commonwealths Attorney or counsel for the defendant. Testimony in a preliminary hearing or sentencing hearing by an analyst for results in a certificate of analysis may be conducted via two-way video. The requirement that a building be public has been removed for purposes of charging maliciously activating a fire alarm. Sub-contractors are permitted to work without a license if the job is valued at less than $2,500 and does not require a specialized license. It is a Class I misdemeanor (up to $2,500 fine and/or up to 12 months in jail) to use an electronic device to trespass on property to peep or spy into a dwelling or occupied building. This prohibits the use of a drone to perform what one cannot do in person. It is permissible to use electric personnel delivery devices (robots) on sidewalks, shared-use paths and crosswalks unless prohibited by the locality. Virginia is the first state to pass such a law. The fine for a second or subsequent farm use vehicle violation is now $250. Previously, it was up to $250 regardless of the number of previous violations. Drivers are now required to move a vehicle to the side after a breakdown/accident/emergency that did not result in an injury and driver is capable to do so. Failure to drive on the right side or observe traffic lanes will result in a set fine of $100. Purpose is to address left-lane bandits who drive too slowly in the left hand lane. Maximum allowable distance to qualify for farm use registration exemption was increased to 75 miles. Law enforcement officer may require suspected violator to provide address or parcel identification number of qualifying farmlands. License suspensions for failure to pay fines and costs shall run concurrent with any other license suspensions. License suspension for convictions of driving while suspended because of nonpayment of fines and costs are to run concurrent with the underlying suspension. Previously, the suspensions were consecutive. Few local stories in recent memory are so tragic as the death of Herbert Ross. Ross was headed to the hospital several days ago to visit his son Shawn, who was in intensive care after a fire that killed the three young children of Shawns fiancee. Ross didnt make it. He was killed when his Kia Sorento was struck by the vehicle of another man who was traveling the wrong way on I-95. The second man, Wilber Lee Jr., also died. He was 75, and apparently suffered from a cognitive disorder severe enough to require his use of a caregiver. That makes the story somewhat unusual. But the nature of the tragedy is not unusual at all. In Virginia, dozens of people die each year as the result of somebody driving the wrong way on a thoroughfare. The numbers are surprisingly high. In 2013, 54 traffic fatalities were caused by wrong-way driving, out of a total of 741. In 2014, 46 out of 700 traffic fatalities were caused that way. Perhaps that is not out of line with the rates nationwide. But the data and the reasons behind them merit looking into. Do Virginias wrong-way fatalities fit the national norm, or are they higher? Or lower? Either way, what can be done to reduce such deaths? Could better signage help? What about better designs for on- and off-ramps? 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 historys sublime romances Abelard and Heloise, Romeo and Juliet, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy add the torrid affair between Anthony Scaramucci and Donald Trump. The formers 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 ones 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 nations 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 Constitutions 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, todays president is so innocent of information that Congress cannot continue deferring to executive policymaking. 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, todays 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 presidents 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 presidents 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 publics 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 countrys 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 Mnuchins comparatively pallid testimonial to the presidents superhuman health. Scaramucci grew up in Port Washington, the Long Island community that is East Egg in F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby. Gatsby lived in West Egg, yearning to live across the water, where shone the beckoning green light at the end of Daisys dock. Scaramuccis 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. By Emma Ashford As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump made waves when he publicly declared that the Iraq War had been a disaster for America, causing chaos in the Middle East. With the rise of ISIS, a refugee crisis, and substantial unrest across the region, its not hard to see why the majority of Americans now agree with him. Yet the Trump administration appears poised to make many of the same mistakes in its increasingly belligerent approach to Iran, a strategy virtually guaranteed to increase tensions and worsen regional conflicts. This months internal turmoil inside the Trump White House over whether or not to recertify Irans compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal is only the most recent example of the administrations steps towards a tougher approach against Iran. In reality, Iran is complying with the terms of the deal. But administration officials have repeatedly sought to shift the goalposts, arguing that Iran is instead violating the spirit of the agreement. Indeed, though the details are not yet clear, the administrations ongoing Iran policy review is widely expected to result in a more assertive and belligerent approach to Iran. In recent testimony, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told Congress that the administration intended to support elements inside of Iran that would lead to a peaceful transition of that government. And while others have refuted the idea that regime change is under consideration, the administrations Iran hawks from Secretary of Defense James Mattis to CIA Director Mike Pompeo have repeatedly described Iran as the single most enduring threat to stability and peace in the Middle East. *** Whether it takes the form of ripping up the nuclear deal, adding new sanctions, or pushing back militarily against Iran in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, or Yemen, it seems likely that the new administration is headed for a collision with Iran. Yet the assertions and arguments made in favor of taking a harder line against Iran are profoundly misleading. For starters, the idea that Iran is a threat to the United States comparable to that of the late Soviet Union an idea expressed in several recent articles is laughable. The Soviet Union was a suprastate of almost 300 million people with a massive army and civilization-ending nuclear arsenal. Iran, by comparison, has around 82 million citizens and no nuclear weapons. Iran may be able to threaten American citizens abroad, but it is fundamentally unable to harm the U.S. through military means. Another common misconception is the idea that Iran is the root of all regional problems. It is certainly true that Irans regional influence has grown in recent years, particularly in Iraq. But that growing influence is due less to Iranian revisionism and more to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, which removed a regime that acted as a check on Tehran. And while Irans behavior in regional conflicts like Syria is reprehensible, it has not alone caused the chaos currently gripping the Middle East. A variety of factors, including the failed Arab Spring revolutions, the U.S. War in Iraq, and malicious meddling by other regional states from Saudi Arabia to Qatar, have all contributed to todays turmoil. Even the idea that the Iranian people seek external support for regime change is flawed. Certainly, many Iranians are hungry for more democratic rights. But the leaders of Irans 2009 Green movement protests have been clear that they want to improve the system from inside, not overthrow it. There is no true domestic support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the group most commonly presented as an alternative by regime-change hawks. *** In the absence of domestic support, attempts to conduct regime change from within, as some administration officials have suggested, is a recipe for failure at best, and disaster at worst. Ultimately, it remains baffling that the Trump administration faced with historically high levels of unrest in the Middle East would voluntarily seek to undermine one of the regions few relatively stable and semi-democratic states. Donald Trump was right about Iraq during the campaign: the 2003 U.S. invasion was a massive, unforced strategic error. Yet it is a mistake his administration seems poised to make again, albeit on a smaller scale. If the president forgets history, he is likely only to worsen the chaos in the Middle East. By Mark J. Rozell Using race as a political wedge issue is as old as the republic. In 1800, allies of John Adams scorned Thomas Jefferson as the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father. In the modern age, Donald Trump, in a barely disguised appeal to white prejudice, falsely claimed for five years via his birther campaign that Barack Obama was not qualified to be president because Obama was not born in in the U.S. Virginia, of course, has had its own sordid history of race-based politics. For much of the previous century, the Old Dominion enforced Jim Crow laws to subjugate African Americans, and Virginias Democratic establishment, led by the Byrd Machine until the late 1960s, enthusiastically embraced Massive Resistance to school desegregation. In recent times, playing the race card openly here has become risky business for politicians. In 2006, then-U.S. Sen. George Allen saw his political future unravel after he off-handedly, but on-camera, mocked a Virginian of Indian descent as Macaca. So it was noteworthy, to say the least, that during Virginias 2017 springtime statewide primary campaigns not one but two Virginia politicians openly seized upon the racially divisive question of how the Old Dominion should memorialize its Civil War history. Both saw political advantage. One almost won. They had very different messages. *** After the Charlottesville City Council voted to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee from a city park, Corey Stewart mounted an unapologetic defense of Virginias Confederate Civil War heroes. Despite his own Minnesota roots, Stewart became a vocal disciple of the Lost Cause version of history, which views the Civil War as an honorable struggle to preserve the southern way of life. Stewart, the pugnacious at-large chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, came within a whisker of beating Ed Gillespie for the Republican nomination for governor. The other Civil War candidate in the mix this spring was Susan Platt, a longtime Democratic political operative who unsuccessfully sought her partys nomination for lieutenant governor. Late in the primary campaign, Platt argued Virginia should remove all public monuments honoring the Confederacy and rename all highways and buildings named for Confederates. Said Platt, Our taxpayer dollars should not be used to celebrate a rebellion against the United States of America, a rebellion intended to maintain slavery. She lost badly. So, neither Stewart nor Platt will appear on the November ballot. *** No doubt there are people who will regard their absence with a sigh of relief. Plenty of well-meaning Virginians believe history is history and tearing down statues doesnt accomplish anything. There are also Virginians who would admit being embarrassed by our past, but wish we could all just get along and get past it. But theres another well-meaning crowd out there that feels Virginians are long overdue in facing up to some of the shameful aspects of our shared history, including government-sanctioned race discrimination, lynchings, persistent poverty, and disproportionate incarceration rates, just for starters. The fact that Stewart and Platt were willing to wade intentionally into the tricky waters of Civil War commemoration should alert us that painful conversations about history and race relations still loom ahead. Note also that Stewart has announced hell challenge Tim Kaine in Virginias U.S. Senate race in 2018, and who knows what Stewart might hang his political hat on next year? Lets be honest with ourselves. Our troubled history tells us that racially charged issues will continue to poison our political life. Maybe thats just the way were destined to work things out. But the heat of a political campaign hardly seems like the best venue to seek justice, especially knowing that politicians are so willing to use race to divide us for their partisan gain. We deserve better. Leaders from both parties could get ahead of this issue by having a statewide commission on Confederate memorials, and on other aspects of Virginias racial past. The discussion will be painful, risky, and unpredictable in its result. But it will be preferable to letting this issue be decided in the white-hot heat of a political campaign, where racial wounds are far more likely to be inflamed than healed. Truth and reconciliation-style commissions have worked, here and abroad. Virginia is due actually, long overdue. "I was lying on the floor for some time unconsciously. I don't know what happened to me at that time but when I gathered consciousness, I lost my hair," a victim said. By Ajay Kumar: After at least 15 incidents in different parts of Mewat, a hair-chopping gang struck in Gurgaon's Ashok Vihar phase 3 area on Friday night and cut down the braids of a 50-year-old woman. Victim Sunita Devi was alone at her home when she was attacked. "I was in the kitchen and preparing dinner. Suddenly, I realised that that someone standing at the main gate of my house. I went there and found a person in a red and yellow outfit, standing there with a trident in his hand. I asked him to go away," she said. advertisement After instructing him, she went inside the house. The accused disappeared for a while but he followed her mysteriously and somehow entered her house. The accused probably attacked her from behind and also made her unconscious and when she came back in her senses, her hair was chopped off. The victim had no external wound. "I was lying on the floor for some time unconsciously. I don't know what happened to me at that time but when I gathered consciousness, I lost my hair," Devi said. 'POLICE TRYING TO FIND CONCRETE PROOF' The victim was admitted in a private hospital after the incident and she was discharged on Saturday evening. When contacted, Ravinder Kumar, spokesperson of Gurgaon police, confirmed the incident in Ashok Vihar under Sector 5 police station. "The victim's husband has filed a complaint in the police station but as there is no such criminal part appeared in this incident, we have registered it a daily dairy (DD) and enhanced the patrolling in night," Kumar said. He added that the matter is quite complicated and no one has concrete proof about any such incident earlier in Gurgaon or parts of Mewat and other rural districts. "In all the cases, the victims are getting unconscious at the time of chopping hair and all of them are claiming phantasm kind of people. Still, Gurgaon police are trying their best to find out concrete proofs," Kumar said. MALE VILLAGERS ON PATROL IN MEWAT In Mewat, the situation is more serious and hence the village head and male members are patrolling in the night to catch an accused. "We have received complaints of two-three such incidents in Ferozpur Jhirka's Santhwari and Satras villages, Malhaka village, Punahana, Dallawas, Jharpuri, Hamka, Padhen, Shikarpur and Mohammadpur Aheer, where villagers have said braids of women being chopped off mysteriously. They said a cat-like animal mysteriously appears and makes women unconscious. It chops off their braids and disappears in seconds. They also claimed a ghost is behind it," said Yaad Ram, DSP Ferojpur, Jhirka. advertisement Prima facie, the ghost part is found to be a rumour but such incidents have been occurring, the DSP said, adding "We suspect, a gang of some anti-social elements behind such incidents to terrify villagers. No FIR has however been registered so far." ALSO READ MAGAZINE | Noir drama Gurgaon shows perils of development and dirty nexus between politics and business Gurgaon: Darjeeling woman molested 300 metres away from police commissioner's office ALSO WATCH Gurgaon: 6 held for raping girl in guest house --- ENDS --- From where I normally sit in France (Im currently visiting Canada), the ongoing Trump-Russia fever dream that has played out in the U.S. over the past year barely qualifies as background noise. I guess the world has more important things to worry about than whether Russian President Vladimir Putin zombified the nearly 63 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in Novembers election. Not so here in North America, where up close it comes across as a form of psychosis. All of this started last summer, when a collection of Democratic National Committee emails were published by WikiLeaks. Many of those emails exposed underhanded political maneuvering within the DNC to benefit Clinton in her primary campaign against Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Clinton beat Sanders for the Democratic nomination, then Trump beat Clinton in November, and both establishment and opposition critics accused Russia of hacking the election to benefit Trump. Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who served under former President Barack Obama, told the House Intelligence Committee last month: I know of no evidence that, through cyber intrusion, votes were altered or suppressed in some way. The issue really should have ended there. But of course, it didnt. So now weve fallen down the conspiracy rabbit hole, with recent media coverage desperately trying to keep the Russia-Trump smear alive in the public conscience. Trump has long been an international real estate magnate, and now were told that there are rich Russians in New York and Atlantic City who have lived in Trumps skyscrapers, some of whom might be shady. Yeah? At least one senior member of the Saudi royal family lives there as well and Saudi Arabia funded the Islamic State. So why isnt there any investigation into Trump-Saudi collusion? Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the Saudis and the CIA have collaborated on some projects, such as the attempt to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by arming and training local rebels, some of whom morphed into the Islamic State. Why is it perfectly acceptable to collude with the Saudis and other countries while Russia and the U.S. are expected to behave like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt during the 2005 press tour for Mr. and Mrs. Smith, standing apart from each other during photo ops to avoid any hint of closeness? Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and adviser, appeared before congressional investigators on Monday to explain why he failed to list Russians hed met with (and other foreign contacts, for that matter) on his SF-86 security clearance application. The form is 127 pages long and necessitates the detailing of all foreign contacts of both applicant and spouse going back seven years. An international businessperson could spend weeks filling out the foreign-contacts section of the application. Silly Jared. Dont you know how Washington works? Of course no one wants to fill out these forms. Thats why establishment politicians typically hire expensive consultants to meet with foreigners then they can safely say they havent met with any. Donald Trump Jr. was also called on to explain a meeting with a Russian lobbyist last year. Trump Jr. had been invited via a third party to meet with a Russian attorney, Natalia Veselnitskaya, during the campaign because she supposedly had dirt on Clinton. (Veselnitskaya reportedly failed to deliver and was more interested in discussing adoption issues.) When Washington elites say they never would have taken such a meeting, what they really mean is that they wouldnt have done so personally. They would have hired someone to take it for them someone whos contractually obligated to keep their yap shut about it for eternity. Some might even retain a political event operative to create a customized international forum as a cover for any sensitive discussions. If Trump wants to kill this Russia nonsense, he should threaten to sign an executive order making it a criminal offense for any elected official to engage with any domestic representative of foreign interests. Want to bet on how fast the establishment types would drop the Russia obsession? And if the criticism persists, Trump should sign the order. Then well quickly find out whos really colluding with foreign interests. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Richard Beasons fax machine works pretty hard, spitting out documents regularly. One that came in July 13 was from a Roanoke cardiology office. He read part of that to me over the phone. Patient has been complaining of fatigue and daytime somnolence, it reads. We have obtained nocturnal pulse oximetry. That same day Beason received a report on a colonoscopy that was done at a surgery center in the New River Valley. It indicates the doctor found a polyp in a patient with a history of colon cancer, Beason said. On July 17 came a prescription refill request from a local pharmacy. It was marked second request. Beason received the first request on June 24. Both were intended for a family practice doctor in Daleville. And then there was the May 12 fax regarding medication changes for a resident at a Roanoke assisted living center. It said epilepsy, hypertension and gastro something or other, Beason told me. He got another one July 21 listing the same patient. Beason gazes at these papers with no small amount of wonder. To him, they all might as well be written in Greek. His business isnt medicine; its numbers. For 40 years, hes worked as a certified public accountant. His office is in his Botetourt County home. I do taxes for businesses and individuals, consulting and accounting work, financial planning, he said. Somehow, his fax machine number has wormed its way into certain elements of the local health care system. How and why is unclear, but its been going on for at least four years, Beason said. Since it started, hes received at least 100 medical-related faxes. Generally, theyre two to five pages. The information in the documents gets pretty personal, Beason said. All the recent faxes hes received contain patient names. Some have birth dates and addresses. A few list medications patients are taking. A couple of them are medical test results. One had a long list of diagnoses. Its not the kind of information anyone would want floating around. Beason said he used to get them more frequently. For a while about two years ago, medical faxes were coming in weekly, occasionally daily, he said. Back then, much of the traffic seemed to come from different Carilion Clinic offices, Beason told me. So he called Carilion. The first four or five [calls], the lady I talked to sloughed it off, he said. Then, somehow, it got back to the attorneys for Carilion. Until the Carilion attorneys jumped all over it and said, you cant let this happen, they didnt do anything. At that time, Carilion asked him to sign some documents promising he hadnt shared the information and that he would shred any more inadvertent medical faxes to his office. I asked him to show me the documents he signed, but he was unable to find them. After that, I stopped getting stuff from Carilion, he said. It slowed down considerably. But by then, medical entities outside Carilion had his fax machine number, so Beason continued to get occasional medical faxes. In many of the instances, Beason has contacted the errant sender. But that can be time consuming. First, he has to figure out whom to call. Sometimes, but not always, thats clear from the fax cover sheet. On some occasions faxes have arrived with no cover sheet, he said. When Beason calls, he usually gets an answering system that says, Dial 1 for this person, and 2 for that. And when you finally get somebody, you find out you should be talking to somebody else. When he gets the right person on the line, he tells them, you all realize thats private information youre not supposed to be sending around? The typical response is oh, yeah. It can easily be an hour, Beason said. Im busy. Im a solo practitioner. It gets irritating after a while. On some occasions, he has not contacted health providers who mistakenly sent faxes. Thats because Beason spends about half his time at a home he owns in South Carolina. When hes there and medical faxes come into his Botetourt office, an aide shreds them, he said. In recent weeks, Beason started getting documents from or intended for Carilion again. And he fears its going to snowball and become a regular thing, like it did last time. Like a virus, it starts back up again, he said. This time around, all the errant faxes seemed destined for Carilion Family Practice in Daleville. Most of them were addressed to the same physician. It turns out that the last four digits of fax numbers for Beasons office and the medical office are identical. The first three digits are different, though. The cardiology report was from a Carilion cardiologist to a Carilion family practice doctor. The two prescriptions refill requests, from Kroger pharmacy in Daleville, were addressed to that same Carilion family practice doctor. Two faxes regarded medication changes for a patient. They were from North Roanoke Assisted Living Center and were also addressed to Carilion Family Practice in Daleville. Beason said he received no cover sheet for the colonoscopy report, so its unclear who was supposed to get that. It was sent by a Carilion surgeon in the New River Valley. All of this is pretty important stuff because of a 1996 law known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, aka HIPAA. It sets nationwide privacy standards for health information and holds health care providers responsible for safeguarding such information. It also sets standards for protecting health information thats transferred in an electronic form. Such as by fax machine. According to the U.S. Health and Human Services website, the law holds violators accountable, with civil and criminal penalties that can be imposed if they violate patients privacy rights. It also sets standards for reporting breaches. Christen Church, an attorney at Gentry Locke whose practice areas include intellectual property, health care regulation compliance and data privacy and security, said what I described seemed to clearly fall under the category of inadvertent breaches, rather than malicious ones. But either way, under the law it sounds like a breach, she said. In the early days of HIPAA, its security rules included exemptions for information transmitted between two actual fax machines. The law considered such data telephonic, rather than electronic. And in that case, errant faxes were not necessarily a breach, particularly if there was little risk of harm to the patient, Church said. But if the fax originated from a computer which is more likely these days the exemption doesnt apply. HIPAA breach notification rules, finalized in 2013, also removed much of the discretion health care entities have in determining the risk of harm to the patient, Church said. Now, any unauthorized disclosure of protected health information, in paper or electronic form, is presumed to be a breach unless it meets limited exceptions, she added. Health care entities covered by HIPAA are obligated to notify affected patients when breaches are discovered, Church said. Both Carilion and Kroger said they were investigating the faxes to Beason, and he said Carilion has contacted him. On July 21 and again on Thursday, I called North Roanoke Assisted Living to ask them about faxes they had mistakenly sent Beason. The administrator there, who identified himself only as Jaron, said he would pass my messages along to the facilitys owner. But no one got back to me. In an emailed statement, Vicki Clevenger, Carilions chief compliance and privacy officer, said: Carilion takes its obligation to protect patient privacy very seriously. We have initiated an investigation of this issue, which is standard protocol whenever we discover or learn about a patient privacy concern. Clevenger noted that federal law allows up to 60 days to conduct a thorough investigation. As needed based on the results of the investigation, we will follow the requirements in state and federal law related to reporting and disclosure. As you might expect, our commitment to our patients privacy precludes us from commenting on specific cases, she said. Chris Turnbull, a Carilion spokesman, said the health care organization has reviewed its internal databases and had an outside contractor sweep its external websites. Those turned up no mistaken listing of Beasons fax number by Carilion entities. We also continuously monitor our online listings to ensure that telephone numbers (and fax numbers, when appropriate) are up-to-date and accurate for anyone searching the internet for a number. This week, we double-checked 21 such sites and all of the numbers listed for the Daleville practice are accurate. Theres also a potential the mix-up is the result of human error, he said. Any number of scenarios could have resulted in Mr. Beason receiving misdirected faxes, and its premature to speculate on why without having all the facts, Turnbull said. He added that Carilion fax cover sheets contain a confidentiality notice and a request that people who receive faxes sent in error contact the sender. Or, Turnbull added, people who receive erroneous Carilion faxes can call the hospital corporations main phone number at (540) 981-7000 and ask for the Privacy Office. Kroger spokeswoman Allison McGee said the grocery chain first learned of the issue when I called their Daleville pharmacy. At this point, Kroger has no documentation of any error. Kroger is investigating the matter. Krogers facsimile form contains a confidentiality statement, asking any unintended recipient of a fax to notify us immediately and destroy the fax. Krogers Confidentiality Coordinators phone number also is listed, she said. Beason just wants the errant medical faxes to stop. Its been going on for years, he reminded me. Hes spent hours trying to get the attention of errant senders, and hes still receiving medical faxes. All the calling weve done, and all the fooling weve done, nothing was happening, Beason said. So I called you, hoping to get their attention. Beason hasnt yet notified any patients that hes receiving their confidential health information. I guarantee you, if I did, theyd go crazy, he told me. CHARLOTTESVILLE Once named the unluckiest president in America by Fortune Magazine, University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan has been wrapped up fairly or unfairly in several nationally publicized crises since she took office in 2010. But going into the final year of her contract, the turbulence surrounding the university has mostly subsided, and relations with the board of visitors have improved since 2012, when the board voted to fire her before public pressure forced members to reverse their decision. On the eve of its bicentennial, the university is at a turning point in its history. Under Sullivans leadership, the university known especially for its strengths in the humanities and law is attempting to rebrand as a center for health care and scientific research, investing in major technology upgrades and new research institutes. UVa is in the middle of a multi-year push to hire about 400 new faculty members to replace a wave of baby boomer retirees. After cutting financial aid in 2013 to stem out-of-control costs, the university has established a permanent endowment to ensure that AccessUVa, the aid program, can support itself in the future. But rising tuition costs also have drawn criticism from legislators and constituents. The president who has announced she will step down once her contract expires next summer sat down with members of The Daily Progress editorial board to reflect on her time at UVa and look ahead to the universitys role in the future of the commonwealth. On the qualities needed in the next president, who will be elected by the board of visitors: You need to have a well-honed synthetic ability. You get information from many channels at once. You need to be able to filter out signal from noise. Then you need to be able to figure out how the signals correspond with one another and what the overall picture is. Really, no one can do this for you because everybody else has a partial view of the university compared to the president. That means that the president needs to be somebody whos curious. Somebody whos interested in what might seem kind of out of the ordinary. I think its also important to be able to synthesize across constituencies. The students will tell you they want something; the parents might want something totally different. The alumni have their point of view; so do the legislators, so do the donors. You need to be able to listen to all that and hear, What is the most important underlying value here? And what is the most important thing you can do to help bring this about? On whether the next president has to be a career academic: I think lots of different backgrounds can be conducive to the presidency. But I will say this: The university is very different from any other organization because the nature of the employee base is many people who have a lot of expertise in their own area; not only expertise but recognition and standing. If they get angry with you, theyre walking out the door. Bob Bruner used to say he was the dean of the Darden School [of Business] he used to say, The faculty are not the employees; theyre the talent. So the university is not a command-and-control kind of establishment. If you come in as a leader thinking thats how it works, you might be disappointed. In 2013, a consulting company hired by the university, the Art & Science Group, said UVa was losing its competitive advantage and suggested the university leverage its strengths as an undergraduate institution and focus less on research. Youve gone in a different direction. Why? Do you think that was the right decision? I do think it was the right choice to make, in part because research universities do something different for students. Youre not abandoning the students by being a research university youre giving them opportunities they would not have otherwise. Johnny Kipnis is the neuroscientist who discovered [in 2015] that the brain has a lymphatic system; amazing discovery that could bring a lot downstream for the 12 undergraduates working in his laboratory. Imagine being one of his undergraduates in that lab. Thats really extraordinary. Thats an experience you cant have if youre not at a school thats doing the cutting-edge research were doing. On researchs role in driving the economy: I think its important for Virginias future. The Virginia economy is not going to be able to rely, long run, on just the federal government. Its going to have to diversify. And the way we diversify will make a big difference in terms of whether this is a prosperous state or a not-so-prosperous state. It is not, in my opinion, a big economic coup to bring in a company from another state who will hire 40 people at minimum wage. But to have a startup here thats going to provide good jobs with benefits and, hopefully, additional jobs every year, as the company grows thats the kind of thing that really helps economic development. Thats the promise and the hope, and I think were beginning to capitalize on it. The universitys fundraising office kept a list of VIP applicants whose parents are donors or alumni. Emails show the office was meeting with Sean Jenkins, one of Sullivans staffers. Were you aware of this? It is true that Sean in my office serves as a kind of collecting point because he hears from all sorts of people about applicants. We get lots of volunteered advice about students who are in the applicant pool. And Sean makes sure that that information gets fed to the dean of admissions, [Gregory Roberts]. But [the dean] makes the decisions. I get lots of letters from people that say, So-and-so is my constituent and Id like to bring them to your attention, and so on. We send those letters to the file of the student. We do a holistic review. We look at lots of different things. Well look at that letter in the file, just like well look at anything. But that doesnt mean that just because Sean says something, that Dean Roberts automatically does it. In fact, [its] quite the contrary. This year in particular I had lots of conversations with lots of angry and disappointed people whose nominee didnt get in. Its not surprising because a lot of people want to go to UVa. Like any massive, opaque object exposed to full sunlight, the moon casts a shadow. In its case, its a very, very long shadow. It always stretches directly away from the sun, extending just over 230,000 miles across space, about the same distance the moon lies from Earth. Its presence is not really of any consequence to us unless the moon happens to move exactly between the sun and Earth, giving a total solar eclipse along a narrow path on our planets surface. This happens Aug. 21 when the moons 70-mile-wide shadow crosses the United States from Oregon to South Carolina. NASA predicts that it will be the most viewed celestial event in history, with more than 100 million people personally witnessing some aspect of the moons three-hour trip across the face of the sun. From a cosmic skywatching perspective, why is this event so notable? The relative sizes of the moon and sun, and their relative distances from Earth, make the sunmoonEarth alignment unlike any other in the solar system. Our moon is 400 times smaller, but 400 times closer than the sun. This means that for an observer on Earth, the silvery orb appears in the sky to be nearly the same size as the blinding sun. It also means that when the moon moves exactly between the sun and Earth, it covers the sun exactly, revealing previously unseen red eruptions (called prominences) hugging the solar rim, and the suns pearly atmosphere (called the corona). No other sunmoonplanet relationship in the solar system allows such an incredible scene. Venus and Mercury have no moons. Mars has two tiny moons, moonlets really, which cannot give a total solar eclipse on the surface of the Red Planet. (See NASAs website: https://go.nasa.gov/2v78VXO). Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all have a bevy of similarly small moons not capable of giving anything close to a total eclipse. However, they have a few large, round moons, some of which cast shadows on those giant worlds. For an observer floating just above the planetary cloud-tops, those moons not only cover the sun, but do so many times over, easily blocking any spectacular solar features. The path along a total solar eclipse on Earth is the only place in the solar system where you could see, without optical aid, feathery red prominences and the glowing corona portrayed in one dramatic scene that lasts, in this case, a short 2 minutes, 20 seconds. Unfortunately for area skywatchers, the Aug. 21 lunar shadow misses the Roanoke Valley by 250 miles. It moves over Nashville at 1:27 p.m. CDT, then continues across eastern Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains, and sweeps through much of South Carolina, before it heads out to sea near Charleston at 2:49 p.m. EDT. (See NASAs https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/) Since Roanoke completely misses out seeing the corona and any prominences, what will skywatchers in our area see? The sun is more than 400,000 times brighter than the full moon, so any part of the solar surface is incredibly bright, and must be viewed with either number 14 welders glass or special solar eclipse glasses. (Do not use these in combination with binoculars or a telescope, as they and your eyes will be quickly damaged.) Never directly look at any portion of the sun without the proper eye protection! The moons slow eastward progress can also be safely viewed simply by punching a small hole in the wall of a cardboard box and projecting the incoming sunlight onto the opposite wall. The shape of a small sun with a bite taken out of it can be seen. As before, never look directly at the sun while doing this. Sequence of important eclipse times as seen from Roanoke, Aug. 21: 1. At 1:11 p.m., the moon starts moving across the sun. 2. By 1:20, a black bite will be noticed by most observers. 3. At 2:42 that bite will have taken away 90 percent of the sun. At this point, the brightness of the surrounding landscape will have dimmed, as if thin clouds have come over the sun. Daytime contrast will have increased and shadows will have grown sharper. Filtering through leafy branches, sunlight will be projected onto the ground showing numerous crescent suns. 4&5. As the moon continues creeping across the face of the sun, the bite becomes smaller, eventually disappearing at 4:03 p.m. Of course, seeing this unique event depends on clear weather on this particular August afternoon! Goss is president of the Astronomical League, www.astroleague.org, the nations largest federation of astronomical societies. The public is still being warned to stay out of Tinker Creek after an herbicide spill on Saturday. The Virginia Department of Environmental Equality continues to test the water and assess the damage from the incident, which resulted in large fish kill. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management was notified of foam on the water in the creek at Cloverdale in Botetourt County on Saturday morning. The spill was contained later that day. However, DEQ is still surveying the damage and is expected to give an update later this week. VDEM spokesman Jeff Caldwell said the spill has caused death of tens of thousands of fish at Tinker Creek. It stretches several miles long, with foam from the herbicide reported across eight to 10 miles. So far there are no confirmed issues with wells or drinking water. DEQ is testing public water sources to make sure there is no infiltration, Caldwell said. People are advised not to swim or fish in Tinker Creek and from the creek should not be used to water crops or animals, authorities said. After being notified of the spill on Saturday, DEQ and VDEM tracked the trail of foam and dead fish to a company called Crop Production Services on Simmons Drive in Cloverdale. They discovered an herbicide called Termix had spilled from a 275-gallon caged, plastic tank. Caldwell said an estimated 150 gallons of Termix leached into the creek. DEQ is working to determine the exact amount that spilled in the water and how quickly it will dissipate. Rain that fell Saturday could help flush the situation, he added. By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 30 (PTI) Indias second largest software services firm Infosys is hiring more locals and investing heavily in Europe as it looks to tap into "greenfield" opportunities in its second largest market. The company is yet to see any impact of Brexit on tech spends and is witnessing a broad-based growth across sectors in Europe, a market that accounts for over 22 per cent of its revenues. advertisement "We are continuing to invest fairly heavily in Europe in terms of local hiring, in terms of beefing up our hunting and our farming teams for our accounts," Infosys President and Head (Financial Services) Mohit Joshi said on an investor call. He added that growth in Europe has been broad-based across all sectors and reasonably spread out. Joshi, however, did not specify the quantum of investments for Europe. On Brexit, Joshi said: "If you recollect about a year ago, people had concerns about what impact Brexit, for instance, would have on European technology spending, on our revenues. We have not seen that impact so far." Highlighting the importance of the European market, Joshi said it does not have the same degree of saturation as the US market. "We also have a lot of greenfield opportunity in Europe ...whether it is in the Nordics or in Southern Europe or even in the Benelux region, we still have a large number of prospects and the opportunity to mine existing clients very deeply...very optimistic about our long-term potential in this region," he said. Europe accounted for 22.4 per cent of the companys USD 2.65 billion (Rs 17,078 crore) revenue during April-June 2017 quarter. The US, which is the largest market for Infosys much like its peers, accounted for over 61 per cent of the topline. Compared to the US that grew 1.3 per cent on a sequential basis, Europe expanded by 4.7 per cent during the June quarter. IT firms, including Infosys, are hiring locals in foreign markets to ensure compliance with laws amid growing scrutiny by many countries on work visa usage. There is a fear that foreign workers are taking away jobs from locals, and governments in countries like the US, the UK, Singapore and Australia have expressed concern on the matter and are seeking to tighten controls. PTI SR MBI ABM SRK --- ENDS --- CHARLOTTESVILLE The limits of constitutionally protected speech and freedom of assembly are being put to the test in Charlottesville. In less than two weeks, members of the National Socialist Movement, the pro-secessionist League of the South and hundreds of their allies in the Nationalist Front and alt-right movement will gather in Emancipation Park for the Unite the Right rally. Arranged by self-described pro-white activist Jason Kessler, the rally is expected to also draw hundreds of confrontational counter-protesters who will be able to gather at McGuffey and Justice parks, per event permits recently secured by University of Virginia professor Walt Heinecke. While the stage for Aug. 12 is nearly set, with massive demonstrations and protesters expected, questions regarding the enforcement of law and order remain. City officials said they have been working with Kessler to relocate the rally elsewhere, because of the number of people the event is expected to draw to the downtown area. Kessler, however, does not want to change venues, according to authorities. The director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression says the city is allowed to move the event in order to maintain public safety and prevent disruption to traffic and business downtown. They should be able to relocate it to a more suitable location, said the centers director, Clay Hansen. As long as its for legitimate reasons and they dont try to minimize or hide the rally in some far-off corner. An attorney supporting Kessler says the city is prohibited from doing so. It would be ridiculously unconstitutional for the city to try to move the event elsewhere on that basis, said Kyle Bristow, an attorney and director of the Michigan-based Foundation for the Marketplace of Ideas, a self-described nonpartisan civil liberties nonprofit. The groups board of directors includes Mike Enoch, a white nationalist commentator and podcaster. Enoch will be one of the featured speakers at the Unite the Right rally. In an email last week, Bristow said his recently founded legal network is quickly becoming the legal muscle behind the alt-right movement. The alt-right is a far-right movement that combines elements of racism, white nationalism and populism while rejecting mainstream conservatism and multiculturalism. Earlier this year, according to Bristow, his organization helped coordinate the legal case that led to an Alabama court requiring the University of Auburn to let white nationalist Richard Spencer speak on campus. Auburn settled the case earlier this year with a $29,000 payout to cover the legal fees of the student who filed the suit, according to the universitys student-run newspaper, The Auburn Plainsman. In recent weeks, business owners, activists and others have commented on the possibility of violence at the rally, sometimes comparing it to the melees between self-styled anti-fascist protesters and alt-right ideologues at protests in Berkley, California, earlier this year. In a letter to city officials last week, Bristow said law enforcement officials could potentially deprive the right-wing activists of their constitutional rights if authorities do not prevent leftist thugs from attacking the rally. If the Charlottesville Police Department stands down on Aug. 12, it would not be farfetched to postulate that the alt-right rally participants will stand up for their rights by effectuating citizens arrests or by engaging in acts of self-defense, Bristow said. It would be imprudent, reckless, unconstitutional and actionable for the Charlottesville Police Department to not maintain order. Bristow alleged in his letter that Kessler recently was told that law enforcement officials would not have to intervene should left-wing protesters attack the rally attendees. A police spokesman refuted that claim Friday, saying that the department officials met with Kessler and a representative of his security staff earlier this month and discussed several security concerns. At no time was Mr. Kessler informed officers would not take action against those that attempted or committed violence towards another, said Lt. Steve Upman. Kessler did not reply to calls and messages last week. Some suspect that the possible violence could be the result of intentional right-wing agitation, as local activists with Solidarity Cville have recently exposed posts on social media and far-right blogs in which supporters of Unite the Right rally seemed to revel in the possibility of violence and call on others to prepare for a fight. Denounced by both parties Republicans and Democrats alike have cast the hardcore conservatives and populists associated with the alt-right movement as racist for its provocative leaders explicit anti-Semitism and unabashed calls for a white-ethno state. While their beliefs and activism have turned off many, the rallys primary goal of protesting the citys effort to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee has caused some Southern heritage supporters and political moderates to become sympathetic to Kesslers cause. But the slow revelation that the events extreme far-right elements will be met by liberals, leftists and anti-racists has scared others away. According to Albemarle County spokeswoman Lee Catlin, the organizers of the Patriot Movements planned 1Team1Fight event in Darden Towe Park, which was being relocated from Greenville, South Carolina, have called it off. Catlin said the organizers reportedly canceled their event because of unknown variables with the opposition. Earlier in the week, an organizer for the event, who goes by the name Chevy Love on Facebook, said the event was not affiliated with the Unite the Right rally, saying that she did not want to associate with any of the hate groups expected to attend, listing both left- and right-wing activist groups. Earlier in the week, before the organizers canceled the event in Darden Towe Park, the National Socialist Movement announced that members will be in attendance at the Unite the Right rally to defend Free Speech and our Heritage at the Lee Monument. In an interview, Butch Urban, the movements chief of staff, said the organization had been planning to attend the event after it was arranged by Kessler earlier this summer. The event also will draw leaders and followers of other groups in the Nationalist Front, an alliance of groups such as the Traditionalist Worker Party and The League of the South all of which are united in working toward the creation of an ethno-state for white people. Although National Socialism is typically cited as the definition of Nazi ideology, Urban said his organization is not a neo-Nazi group. Thats what everybody takes it to be. Thats not what it is, Urban said. National Socialism is about your country and your people come first. You dont support wars around the world and giving billions of dollars to other countries. As for the calls for a white-ethno state, Urban said multiculturalism has only been pushed down everyones throat in the last 30 to 40 years. Thats not what everyone wants, he said. Take a look at Chicago, theres a prime example of multiculturalism, he added, citing the citys reputation of having high murder and unemployment rates. First Amendment U.S. courts have grappled with the First Amendment questions involving Nazi demonstrations and displays. Many of those cases have determined that Nazi and white supremacist rhetoric is constitutionally protected. And while many object to those ideals, authorities cannot justify restricting speech despite the threat of violence and public disorder a principle known as the Hecklers veto. Both Bristow and local attorney Lloyd Snook recently mentioned the doctrine in comments about the upcoming rally. In First Amendment theory, it is fundamental that a government cannot regulate speech based on its content, including on the fact that some people may be hostile to it, Snook wrote on his law firms website. About two weeks after a North Carolina chapter of the Ku Klux Klan held a rally in Justice Park to protest the planned removal of the Lee statue, Snook wrote that there has been a disturbing complaint about law enforcement being hand in hand with the Klan and white nationalists. In fact, the city police department is required to preserve order to allow the demonstration to go forward, Snook said. This is not a matter of choice, but of constitutional law. Snook cited the 1992 Supreme Court decision that invalidated an ordinance in Forsyth County, Georgia, that required fees for any parade, assembly or demonstration on public property. According to Snook, Forsyth County passed the ordinance after a violent civil rights demonstration in 1987 cost the county over $670,000. Two years later, when the Nationalist Movement had to pay fees to hold a protest against the federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the group sued the county. In a 5-4 opinion, the Supreme Court decided that the countys ordinance violated the First Amendment. In recent weeks, some opposed to the Unite the Right rally have called on the city to ensure Kessler pays the fees and obtains liability insurance of no less than $1 million that the city requires for special events. In an email last week, city spokeswoman Miriam Dickler clarified that the city makes distinctions between demonstrations and special events, and that the two are not interchangeable under the citys regulations. The differences are attributable to United States Supreme Court decisions involving the First Amendment, Dickler said. According to the citys Standard Operating Procedure for special events, a demonstration is defined as a non-commercial expression protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution (such as picketing, political marches, speechmaking, vigils, walks, etc.) conducted on public property, the conduct of which has the effect, intent or propensity to draw a crowd or onlookers. Regardless, she said, Kessler has voluntarily provided a certificate of insurance. 1977 Skokie decision Looking at another Supreme Court case, Hansen, of the local Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, said the courts 1977 decision in the National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie case feels closest to what were dealing with here in the city. The case centered on a planned National Socialist demonstration in Skokie, Illinois, which at the time had a large population of Jewish residents who survived detention in Nazi concentration camps or were related to Holocaust survivors. Fearing violence would be directed at the demonstrators who were planning to dress in Nazi-era uniforms with swastika armbands, a local court prohibited the event, an action that the U.S. Supreme Court later found to be unconstitutional in a 5-4 opinion. In particular, the litigation in that didnt have to do with the march and the gathering itself it was more about symbols, Hansen said. The Supreme Court had to decide whether Nazi imagery could constitute fighting words, a legal distinction that prohibits some forms of speech that are likely to incite violence. The court found that those symbols do not pass that threshold, which has in recent years largely fallen out of favor as doctrinal tool, Hansen said. Instead, the doctrine in recent years has morphed into a new rationale thats based on allowing authorities to stop speech that could lead to imminent lawless action, he said. Its useful if something goes wrong. While the city could theoretically stop the Unite the Right rally as its happening, according to Hansen, its not a decision to take lightly. Its a high hurdle to legally justify stopping a demonstration, Hansen said. The city has an obligation to handle any crowds that are on site as a result of a lawful and protected speech activity, he said. In a public park, and given the proper permit police are obliged to make sure that the event goes unimpeded. Free-assembly zones Concerned that people protesting the Unite the Right could be arrested for participating in an unlawful assembly, Heinecke earlier this month applied to hold demonstrations at McGuffey Park and Justice Park. At the Klan rally earlier this month, 22 people were arrested on various charges. About half of the arrests occurred after the rally had ended and authorities declared that the hundred or so people still on the street were illegally gathered. Authorities used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The best way to avoid that is to have some free-assembly zones at the parks, Heinecke said. He said the permits will allow the protesters to gather from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 12. The Unite the Right rally is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Heinecke said there will be programming at the two parks. He declined to say which activist groups and organizations hes collaborating with to contend with Kesslers rally. He said Charlottesville in particular has unfinished business in regard to racial justice. I think the city will be the epicenter of a conversation about racial justice in a new era were going toward with changing racial demographics, he said. Asked about the alt-right activists concern that the nations changing demographics are tantamount to a displacement of white people, Heinecke said it saddens him that they are so fearful. I think theyre operating out of fear rather than seeing an opportunity to create a diverse and equal society, he said. Thats a sad thing when theres an opportunity to think about what the United States of America really means. March 23, 1913 July 19, 2017 Alma Margaret Jordahl Boesewetter, 104, formerly of Radford, Va., passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at her assisted living home in Danville, Calif. She was born on March 23, 1913 to the late Amund and Gertrude Jordahl at the family farm in DeForest, Wis. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Dianne Temkin of Danville, Calif.; son, Carl Boesewetter and wife, Joan, of Tucson, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Boesewetter; her parents; her daughter Jean Colburn; her sisters Sadie Blakely, Myrtle Scalissi and Sylvia Manthe; and brother Ivan Jordahl. She and her husband Chester married in Madison, Wisc. in 1936. They lived in Downers Grove, Ill., Erie, Pa., and settled in Radford, Va. in 1960 with the relocation of Inland Motors. She worked in tax preparation, was active with the bridge club and with many civic organizations. They were members of Christ Lutheran Church. Private services for the family will be held in Danville, Calif. She will be interred with her husband in Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. On-line tributes can be submitted at www.chapelofsanramonvalley.com. For Americans who lived in Europe or served there with the military since 1945, the Memorial Day headlines were startling: Merkel: Europe must go it alone (Washington Post); Wary of Trump, Merkel says U.S. is less reliable (New York Times). The German chancellor modified her remarks a day later, but her call for Europeans to take seriously President Trumps threat to limit Americas defense commitment to NATO resonated across Europe. When Trump pledged a week later to disavow U.S. participation in the Paris Climate Accord, another headline proclaimed Europes view of U.S. ties darkens: Paris deal pullout jolts continent (The Washington Post). How should we assess this rupture in U.S.-European relations? Optimists suggest that NATO has been through other crises since its formation in 1949 and survived because all its members understood they could not go it alone in a dangerous world. They admit U.S. economic relations with Europe are contentious and think Trump was justified in criticizing Europe, specifically Germany, for promoting exports and building large trade imbalances with the U.S. However, optimists seem confident that a growing U.S. economy will ameliorate many economic problems with Europe. Pessimists charge that Trump is destroying the liberal world order that kept the peace in Europe and held the NATO alliance together for seventy years. They fear that nationalist and populist pressures are driving the world apart and cite Britain decision a year ago to leave the European Union and Donald Trumps proclamation of America first as evidence. These events threaten the European Unions future, they argue, while conceding that Emanuel Macrons election as Frances new president provides some hope that the EU will hold together. Trumps scolding of NATO allies for being laggards on defense captured the headlines, but his strong criticism of Germanys economic policies dominated the subsequent G-7 meeting in Sicily. Not only had Europe become complacent, he argued, under the U.S. defense umbrella, but Germany has emerged as an economic superpower at the expense of the U.S. and its EU partners. In its gross domestic product (GDP), Germany clearly outdistances two European powers, Britain and France, and dwarfs those of Italy and Spain. In 2015, Germanys GDP totaled $3.36 trillion; Great Britains was $2.85 trillion, and Frances totaled $2.4 trillion. If Britain exits the EU as planned in 2019. the German economy will dominate continental Europe in economic output and trade. Trump argues that Germanys unwillingness to alter its conservative economic policies makes it nearly impossible for some EU members to grow their economies. A few experts suggest that the euro, Europes common currency, is responsible for this situation and should be scrapped. We are witnessing what some call a paradigm shift in U.S. international relations, a move away from globalism and multinational organizations and reliance instead on our national interests. This shift was underlined in a recent Wall Street Journal op/ed by two of Trumps top aides: National Security advisor H.R. McMaster, and Gary Cohn, director of his National Economic Council. They argue that Trump doesnt believe the world is a global community. Instead, its an arena where nations, non-governmental actors, and businesses engage and compete for advantage. Rather than deny this elemental nature of international affairs. we endorse it. If the world, according to Trump, is an arena in which nations compete continuously for advantage, America will pursue different foreign policy strategies than it has since the 1940s, when Franklin Roosevelt was president. Nationalism, not internationalism and globalism, is the new Trump doctrine for dealing with the world. This defines U.S. interests narrowly, with emphasis on economic interests and military power, and less on international security and promotion of values. Like Richard Nixon, Trump places emphasis on great power politics, with Russia and China, But unlike Nixon, he gives less attention to relations with Europe We wait for Congress to decide how far it should go to support Trumps nationalist policies. For the present, Capitol Hill will give the president leeway to decide U.S. foreign policy. But the 2018 elections may be a test. Nuechterlein is a political scientist and author who lives near Charlottesville. Contact him at nuechtd@cstone.net. The ceasefire violation began at Baba Khori in Nowshera sector of Rajouri around 10.30 pm to which the Indian Army responded in equal caliber. By Ashwini Kumar, Shuja-ul-Haq : Pakistan violated ceasefire on Sunday by firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Jammu of Kashmir. The ceasefire violation began at Baba Khori in Nowshera sector of Rajouri around 10.30 pm to which the Indian Army responded in equal caliber. Ceasefire violation using light weapons and MMG in Baba Khori area of sector Nowshera: DC Rajouri #JammuKashmir&; ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2017 advertisement In an encounter earlier today, two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Tahab village of Pulwama district in South Kashmir. The local militants were identified as Irfan Ahmad Sheikh and Abid Magray. Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces in Pulwama following the killing of two militants. ALSO READ | Kashmir: Encounter in Pulwama, 2 militants killed J-K: Pakistan continues to violate ceasefire, Indian Army gives befitting reply Pulwama encounter aftermath: Clashes erupt in Tahab village, youth injured ALSO WATCH | Pakistan violates ceasefire in Balakote area along LoC, India retaliates --- ENDS --- The tailing dump was started in the early 1960s during the development of the Malyshevsky and Aulsky quarries. When mining was over, the wastes (middlings) formed at the beneficiation plant, waste rocks and substandard ores from the Malyshevskaya mine were dumped there. Two dumps were made: one for waste rocks and the other for substandard ores (poor in beryllium oxide). The sampling results and their appraisal showed the following inferred resources: - the ore content in the waste dump is 6 mln tonnes; - crystal raw materials: emeralds 9,154 kg, alexandrites - 294 kg, phenacites - 435 kg; - the in-place reserves do not include the quantity of beryl that can be extracted and converted into the gem-quality raw materials using the up-to-date technologies. It is an advantage that the ore-bearing rocks has already been unearthed to the surface and is ready to be processed. As in the calculation of reserves, the extraction of crystal raw materials was carried out by crushing in a jaw crusher and a scrubber followed by handpicking, so in-place reserves show not the real content of the precious gem crystal raw material but its quantity actually extracted using the then existing methods. In the early 1990s, an experiment was carried out to identify the beryl crystals labeled and placed in an sub-grade rock. After the crusher and scrubber, it was possible to find one half of a crystal and several small debris from 8 crystals. In total, about 12% of the initial amount. Another example: the in-place reserves of emeralds in the waste dumps are 9,154 kg, and those of alexandrites are 294 kg. But according to the statistics related to the field, as per the data of GRP Uralkvartssamotsvety, the alexandrites account for up to 10% of the emeralds. That means they should be 915 kg. It is the low efficiency of the existing methods used to extract the precious gems from the host rocks that were the main reason for the active search of alternative methods. Many various ways of crushing a host rock were studied from hydrofracturing using high-pressure water jets to hydraulic impact techniques. After all, all the methods based on the rock destruction of the host rocks have one disadvantage: the minerals to be extracted are also crushed. The first efforts to dissolve the host rocks were not successful because of chemical problems and the physical crystal disintegration due to Rehbinder effect. In spite of the fundamental unavoidability of the Rehbinder effect, the decision was taken to focus mainly on dissolving. Over several years of experiments, such chemical agents were found and procedures for their use were developed that allow the extraction of precious gems without losses, preserving 100% of their size, shape and weight. These studies resulted in the following procedure. At the very beginning of the beneficiation process, it is necessary to refuse from crushing the rocks. Crushing is used just to see what is inside the piece of rock. In all the cases of interest to us, we are looking for a beryl-containing mineral inside the piece of rock. But beryl can be diagnosed using a beryllometer without opening a host rock. This can be done automatically and much faster than doing it manually. It ensures 100 percent accuracy. On top of that, since the beryllometer is based on radiation effects, the personnel cannot be present during the sorting process. It also means that no theft is possible at this stage. After the initial sorting, the waste rocks go to the dumps, and the ore containing crystal raw materials is packed into containers (that can be closed automatically) and is transferred to the storage. Further, when the rocks are obtained that definitely contain crystal raw materials in each piece of a rock it is not necessary to crush those rocks to extract the crystal raw materials. It is much more practical to use the proven procedure to dissolve the host rocks and select the precious gem crystals that remained undamaged. During the dissolving process, the personnel has no contact with raw materials, and this also prevents any theft. Rare elements can be extracted from the spent solutions. It is easy and cheap as they would be already dissolved. The raw materials obtained are sorted, sized, if necessary, cut or used to produce souvenir minerals. On the basis of the waste dump processing, it is possible to set up a mineralogical and local lore tourism. In addition to tourism, it is possible to sell minerals specimens - both those from the concentrated raw material storage and ready-made ones produced at the factory. There are also great opportunities to make mineral collections: for amateurs, schools and academic institutions collections can be of any level of complexity. To sum up the technological part: 1. Identification of the beryl-containing crystal raw material in the source rock. 2. Storage of ore containing crystal raw material. 3. Ore goes from the storage to the dissolution workshop. 4. The extracted crystal raw material undergoes sorting as follows: 4a) fit for cutting; 4b) fit for sizing and cutting, if necessary; 4c) fit for color improvement/modification to remove 'beryl grey-yellow hues and make green and blue main colors more intensive, and then for sizing and cutting. Additional technological equipment The standard equipment for loading, transportation and classification of the mined rocks can be added: a sorting machine with radiative light and the equipment for dissolving the host rocks. Sorting lines for crystal raw material during the dissolution process can also be added, for sorting the selected crystal raw material, as well as for sorting the treated raw material (color improvement, sizing, etc.). Radiation backlighting is only necessary for the initial sorting of the incoming ore. The rest sorting lines use conventional lighters. The equipment for the raw material treatment (color improvement, sizing, etc.) can be added as well. What are the expected results? While processing the waste dumps, it makes sense to expect exactly that quantity of crystal raw material that was specified in the inferred resources. Using the existing technologies, there is no doubt that these quantities can be achieved, because the reserves were calculated using this very existing technological process comprising the crusher, scrubber and manual sampling. However, calculations can be made in a different way. For example, the quantity of beryl stones is 100 times more than that of emeralds. It means that for every tonne of emeralds there are 100 tonnes of beryl stones, with 25% being the green beryl of various grades. The experiments carried out showed that up to 20% of the green beryls turn into emeralds after treatment. It makes 5 tonnes of additional emeralds per one tonne of the approved reserves. Moreover, about 70% of the remaining 80% of green beryls have a beryl hue that significantly decreased their value it can even exclude them from the commercial turnover. After improving the color and transparency, the average price of the green beryl stones is up to $100-plus and even up to $1,000 per one kilogramme. With the average price for the emeralds of $10/gr, the beryl price of $1/gr with the 20 tonnes available gives additional twofold sum to the value of the raw material mined. So, just due to improving the color and transparency, the value of the emerald and beryl raw materials increases by 8 times. Unfortunately, it is not possible to accurately compare the yields of the crystal raw material during crushing and dissolving of the source rock. For obvious reasons, these experiments could not be carried out. However, by indirect evidence and based on the practical experience to date, it is possible to tell that in case of dissolving method the yield of the crystal raw material is at least two times higher than when crushing is used. without carrying out large-scale work it is not possible accurately take into account many important nuances influencing the cost of the ready products, such as the increase in the average size and weight of the raw material pieces and cut stones, color and transparency improvement and commercial use of the raw materials with various decorative features like moonshine effect, Venus hairstones, aventurescence, cats eye effect, etc. But even taking into account the improvement of transparency and color enhancement in the treatment of emeralds and beryls, we finally get a 30-fold increase in the cost of extracted crystal raw material in comparison with the forecast one. New technologies make it possible to manufacture various unique products that cannot be made with the current technology. The controlled dissolving of the run-of-mine ore also enables to extract mineral samples from the ore and make souvenir products. Their cost fully covers the expenses for the whole cycle of the crystal raw material production. It means that it allows to arrange the systematic operation of the enterprise and not hope for any occasional lucky discovery of very expensive crystals. Legislation As per the current russian legislation: Under the effective Russian legislation, the treatment within the framework of the declared technological process - up to the final sorting and evaluation - is quite possible, but under the mining license only. The sale of the sorted-out and evaluated raw emeralds and alexandrites is only possible if the buyer is registered at the Assay Chamber. It is not allowed to sell not open mineral samples; It is not allowed to sell not open emeralds, alexandrites in the rock; It is not allowed to sell mineral samples of emeralds, alexandrites; It is not allowed to sell souvenir products containing precious stones. It must be noted that the quantity of the alexandrite stones obtained as a result of dissolving the ore is hundred times higher than when using crushing. And it also ensures that the stone is practically not damaged. The Malyshevskoye deposit has a global monopoly on this product. So, the financial component of this statutory bar is rather significant. The price for a small-size alexandrite stone (non-gem quality) starts from several hundred dollars. The value of unique stones can be higher - up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Due to great rarity of alexandrite on the world market, the cost of a raw material stone in an intact rock is much higher than that of a crushed gem quality raw material or a cut stud. While alexandrites are found in insignificant quantities in several deposits in the world, the combination of an alexandrite and an emerald or a phenacite in one stone does not occur anywhere else in the world. And these are not uncommon at the Malyshevskoye field. The situation with the sale of collections is vague. It is possible to sell collections without precious gems, but the price would be lower. It is not possible to sell collections with the precious gems. It is not allowed to sell the mineral collections to foreigners as this is governed by the state secret regulations. And how to differentiate them? Alexander Bogolyubov, Viktor Bogolyubov and Oleg Sharovatov After four years of discussion and deliberation, in May 2017 the European Council and European Parliament provided overwhelming approval to Regulation (EU) 2017/821, which will regulate minerals from conflict areas into the European Union. The new legislation will significantly impact the operating procedures of jewellery companies in the European Union, as well as companies that supply them from outside the EU. On Sunday, September 24, 2017, CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, and the Italian Exhibition Group, will present a seminar to provide members of the jewellery trade background on the new legislation and its impact, and present strategies for incorporating the new regulations in their businesses. The seminar will take place at Fiera di Vicenza on the second day of the VICENZAORO September jewellery show. The new EU regulation imposes certain due diligence obligations upon companies importing gold, tin, tantalum or tungsten from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. While the legislation has already been approved, the EU lawmakers provided a four-year phase-in period, which gives companies until January 1, 2021, to adopt the due diligence and other procedures that are part of its requirements. "This is an extremely important seminar," said Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO. "The new EU regulations are going to affect a substantial number of the jewellery companies doing business in Europe, and it imperative that they be properly prepared. Our goal is to provide a them with an initial roadmap, and to present the various alternatives that they will have at their disposal." Alex Shishlo, Editor of the Rough&Polished European Bureau in Brussels Zimbabwes mines minister Walter Chidakwa has sensationally claimed that a group of suspected diamond looters once plotted to assassinate him when he stopped mining operations in Marange last year. Its difficult to manage diamonds. There are some people, who benefited from diamonds. Some are Zimbabweans, he was quoted as saying by NewsDay. Its not me who stopped diamond mining of companies in Chiadzwa. It is President Robert Mugabe. Even minister Mushohwe knows that we sat after a Cabinet meeting and the President asked me if I feared dealing with these mining companies and you know when the President says that, I had to take action. Today, I want to make it clear that if you were part of the looting, please stop it. After I stopped them (diamond companies), they reported to other ministers, but the ministers referred them back to me. Some even cried in my office and I had to give them tissue paper (to wipe away tears). Some even suggested taking me out, but God protects us. The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) was currently mining diamonds in Marange after taking over from the firms that were removed amid revelations that they were involved in underhand dealings which prejudiced the State. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished By PTI: Mumbai, Jul 30 (PTI) Japan is already extending financial aid to major infrastructure development projects in India, and is ready to support more ventures in various fields, a diplomat has said. "Japan is very much ready to support India in achieving its 21st goals in various fields," said Japanese Consul General Ryoji Noda. The two Asian economic giants have exchanges in a host of fields like culture, business and education, he said. advertisement "To boost the relationship between the two countries, our prime ministers are meeting annually. As part of the initiative, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to visit India later this year." During the meeting of prime ministers of both the countries in 2014, it was decided to double Japans foreign direct investment (FDI) into India to Rs 2.1 lakh crore in five years timeframe, he said. "Japan is expected to provide Rs 1.2 lakh crore for the high speed rail project (bullet train) between Mumbai and Ahmedabad," Noda added. PTI PSK RSY JMF --- ENDS --- (Agencia CMA Latam) - Argentina's YPF will start exploration in the Charagua area, in Bolivia, after signing an investment agreement with the Bolivian state-owned YPFB. The area could hold more than 2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to the Bolivian oil ministry. YPF CEO Ricardo Darr? said the Argentinean oil company is "very pleased to be able to work on this Charagua exploration project jointly." "Through the next few years, we will have investments in the field, operational, seismic and everything needed to drill the well. Hopefully, this great venture will be successful for all Bolivians and YPF Argentina," added the CEO. by Agencia CMA Latam For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. (Agencia CMA Latam) - The Brazilian Congress will return from recess next week and could bring back political uncertainty fears to local , as lawmakers are set to decide on Wednesday if the Supreme Court should trial President Michel Temer for corruption. Temer was formally charged with passive corruption by the prosecutor-general Rodrigo Janot at the end of last month. However, the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court must accept the charges against the president before any trial can begin. Earlier in July, a report from Sergio Zveiter, the congressman in charge of guiding the House of Representatives vote on Temer's corruption charge, said that lawmakers should allow Temer to be accused and trialed. Temer's allies, however, replaced 17 of the 66 members of the committee that would vote on the report and managed to change that guidance today. Now, the report says that lawmakers should dismiss the charges. Analysts believe that lawmakers would hardly confront their voters to save the president, whose approval rate is at 5%. Even so, the government seems confident that the opposition will not gather the 342 votes - from a total of 513 - required to advance with the corruption charge. On Wednesday, two lawmakers allied to Temer will defend him on the House floor, while two opposition representatives will argue in favor of authorizing the Supreme Court to trial the president. After that, lawmakers will vote to end the debate. The corruption charge against Temer is blocking votes on other legislation, like the pension system reform bill. Experts believe that the government could lose support for the reform if the political turbulence persists - particularly if new charges involving corruption target Temer. Another bill waiting for a House vote would allow foreign companies to hold a controlling stake in Brazilian airlines. The current law limits the share of foreign companies in local airlines to 20%. In the Senate, the end of the recess means the resumption of congressional investigations aimed at financing decisions from the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and potential corruption in the world-class meat packer JBS. Senators are also set to debate the political reform bill, which intendeds to change the election's financing system, the functioning of parties and even the voting model. by Agencia CMA Latam For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Activists, writers and pro-Kannada organisations have decided that they will protest across the state against imposition of Hindi in the guise of a third language option in schools. By Rohini Swamy: The Kannada development authority (KDA) after having been a part of the campaign that demanded that Hindi signages be removed from the Namma metro, have now decided that they will write to the state government saying that there is no need for the imposition of Hindi in schools and they need to follow just the two langauge policy which includes Kannada and English. advertisement Activists, writers and pro-Kannada organisations have decided that they will protest across the state demanding the two language policy in schools. The KDA chairman S G Siddaramaiah has said that they feel that Hindi is being imposed upon students in the guise of a third language option and that there was no need for a third language option at all. They also said that they will be impressing upon the government to do away with the need for Hindi language as the third option as many school provide only Hindi and not any other language, thus leading to forcibly making students learn the language. Earlier the CM of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah had told India Today that he was not Anti-Hindi but against the imposition of hindi in the state.As of now, officially Hindi is an optional third language provided by several schools and they have to do so while providing choice of several other languages. 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 WATCH| Language war intensifies in Karnataka as pro-Kannada groups make fresh demands --- ENDS --- As the cordon and search operation continued from house to house, militants hiding in one of the house fired on the forces. Two militants were killed in the encounter By Ashraf Wani: Two militants were killed in an encounter between security forces and militants in Tahab village of Pulwama district in South Kashmir today morning. The local militants have been identified as Irfan Ahmad Sheikh and Abid Magray. "The situation is under control, initial reports indicate that they (militates) are from Hizb-ul-Mujahideen," said Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid. advertisement Forces from Jammu and Kashmir police and army cordoned off Tahab village in Pulwama on specific input about presence of militants in area. Two militants were killed in the encounter As the cordon and search operation continued from house to house, militants hiding in one of the house fired on the forces. Combing operations are on to flush out more militants who could be hiding in the region. Security forces have cleared the area for civilians and operation is underway. ALSO READ: Anantnag encounter: Top Lashkar commander among 2 militants killed, 2 civilians die in clashes Encounter to flush out 3 Hizb militants in Pulwama; stone pelters urged to 'save brothers' WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: 2 terrorists killed in Tahab village of Pulwama --- ENDS --- Two militants were killed on Sunday by the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, a defence official said here. Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said: "Two militants were killed in an ongoing security operation in Tahab village." According to the police sources, the two victims were identified as Irfan Sheikh and Abid. The identity and group affiliation of the slain militants was not known immediately as the search operation was still in progress, the official said. Dear Editor, Mataafa Keni Lesa you are not a journalist. This piece is in reference to the title in your newspaper: THIS IS SAMOAS AWARD. To be truthful, what follow this title does not address the meaning of it. You tell me in what way Samoa deserve this award? When I saw the title I thought it was because Samoa is the incest capital of the world, or that its rugby team does not win when it is needed. Lo and behold it was about just one man; not the whole country! For those not familiar with the term food security (in Samoa), what it means, and what it entitles to be called a country with safe food; it makes them feel proud of Samoa wining something. Doesnt it? But the naked truth is- albeit it was not told. It is because Samoa, in plain words has the dirtiest and very unsafe food in the whole wide world. Not just lately, but way back as far as we can remember. Neither the Germans nor the New Zealanders cared what the Samoans were eating on a daily basis. That is something that Samoans as proud people as they are, should be tagged with that designation: A country that has the un safest food to feed its citizens. This worthless distinction is shared by Kenya, Africa in the person of journalist Zeynab Wandatis Food Friday TV program. I say this with the authority it gives me by reporting (the only one) on the food safety in Samoa since 2007 (and all my 34 articles published in your newspaper for everybody to read and meditate about them.) In fact, with my first article on 03.16.07: Food expert says: Unhygienic conditions widespread in Samoa. The sad truth was that those in charge of keeping the food clean were those who attacked me for telling the truth and shaming them for not doing their job-and still do not. In reading the newspaper on 03.21.07: ACEO Pelenatete Stowers said; I was irresponsible and unfounded and I lacked evidence. The rest: the CEO Palanitina Toelupe, the General Mgr of N.H.S. Dr. S.Dean and Lemalu Dr. Limbo were conveniently busy to confront me and my article. Nothing has been done ever since and the award given to the editor of the newspaper (even though the Award description says to a journalist) proves that I was right and will be until something is done to improve the security of our food in Samoa. If indeed Samoa won the Award, those USD10,000 could have done nicely to provide a good sorely need of water tanks to our poor fellows up at the plantations. Wouldnt you think? 4 years back the unsafe condition is still the same. Why 4 years? because the condition given by F.A.O. to give an award have to be that bad for the 4 previous years. And Samoa was highly qualified for it. In fact, 10 years back. Now here is the hardest part to swallow. Sorry about that, but the truth must be told; unless proved that I am wrong, I usually am! If you type in your computer F.A.O. Awards and click on A.H. Boerma Award it reads: A.H. Boerma Award for JOURNALISTS (my capitals) who have successfully steered public attention toward food security topics blah, blah. (It does not say to EDITORS) Further it reads referring to Mataafa The award recognizes his work to address food securityhis strong ability as an Editor to communicate complicated issues through an ACCESSIBLE WRITING STYLE whose writing style may I ask? His or mine? As far as I know he has not written one article, like mine, about food security in Samoa, less 34 articles in 10 years. By the way the Award consist of: an inscribed medal, a scroll describing the winners achievement and a cash prize 0f USD 10,000. None of these was reported in the newspaper. All the country wants to know what they won, they sure can use the USD 10,000 as explained above. First and foremost I want to make absolutely clear, to everybody concerned with this topic, that I was and I am the only one who writes about the food insecurity in Samoa. If anybody else does, I would like to see his/her article(s).. Here is also another part hard to swallow. How did it happen that F.A.O. got hold of my articles about food safety in Samoa, specially in the las 4 years? A little bit of history here: In 2006, when Mr. Dirk Schulz left the F.A.O. Sub Regional Office in Apia, after 20 years here, he was replaced by Ms. Ann Hayman, from Australia. And for two years. Being as she is a food technologist like myself, I wanted for her, and as a token of welcome, to present her with my memory stick containing my 34 articles dealing exclusively with food safety in Samoa up to that date, 2006. To clarify this Mataafa says in his speech, while receiving the award. His words: I want to thank the F.A.O. Office in Samoa for the secret nomination. You sure did an excellent job in keeping it a secret Sure, he is quite right in saying that. Because when nomination were asked worldwide from all the F.A.O. offices Ann was ready to nominate Samoa as an unsafe food country. I have asked Ann to clarify this sticky point. No answer, so far. Why? because to stick to the definition who is qualified to receive it, me as a journalist, who wrote all the articles my name was mysteriously vanished up in the air. By whom? I would like to know.But Ill find out. Ann could have said in nominating Samoa; Here are the articles in the last 4 years written (and published by the Samoa Observer editor Mataafa Lesa Keni) by Orlando Huaman, a retired American food technologist residing in Samoa. But sad to say, neither Ann nor Dr. Graziano da Silva (F.A.O. General Director) have answered my question as how F.A.O. got hold of my articles. Nothing was done in that regard. With the question mark in my mind or anybody else who is concerned about the safety of our food in Samoa: Who wrote the articles, was the editor himself as is implied in: an accessible writing style. Whose writing style mine or Mataafas? Mataafa in his acceptance speech proclaim his thanks to: God Almighty, his Samoan team, his parents, of course; his church, and everybody else BUT ME, who wrote all the articles. Why I was left out? And, I am a collaborator for the newspaper for the last 10 years. Of course that didnt count when thanking everybody. Doesnt it Mataafa? Was it temporary amnesia, ignorance or selective forgetfulness, or all of the above.? Your bible says: Give to Caesar what belong to him and to God what belong to him. If I (Orlando Huaman) did not write anything about food safety in Samoa, he would not have been in F.A.O.s Rome office to receive the A.H. Boerma Award. Is that true Mr. Mataafa Keny Lesa.? Of course it is! Well, acknowledge it. In so doing I will feel vindicated. As an afterthought to the above, being myself always mindful of unsafe food. Would somebody rationalize for me-especially those at the M.O.H. who suppose to know about food safety, but dont. Why do I say that? Because if they did the editor of the Samoa Observer would never had been awarded the A.H.Boerma prize. For what? For the country having the unsecured food in the world, shared by Kenya, in the person of Zeynab Wandati, a journalist (not a editor, mind you) with her Food Friday TV program. Here is the dilemma. Science tells us that COOKED FOOD IS PERISHABE. Period. Why then the Samoan people eat cooked food at room temperature, 2 hours after they are supposed to be eaten? Tradition or what? Also how can you rationally justify washing your hand with a bowl of plain water and a rag AFTER a big meal at a village meeting? Obviously, they ate with their hands dirty. Would the MOHs Ministry do the same if invited there? Of course, he would. By not doing it would be against the villages protocol. The question is: Would he correct it?. i.e. wash your hands BEFORE eating. The following cooked foods are supposed to be sold under refrigeration: Cooked taro, cooked banana, cooked breadfruit, keke puua, German buns, roti, boiled eggs, sandwiches that contain cooked meat, even palusami. Why I include palusami? Because one time I was poisoned by eating palusami brought to me by my wife from her church. E.coli? of course. You know why? all those people that prepare food, like above mentioned, do not know how to wash their hands. Do they know about the 20 seconds rule? Water temperature? I doubt it. And that include all the high class restaurants and fast food outlets, bakeries and all. Luckily the infamous Food Court is gone. Also, this what the M.A.F. does not understand regardless of my saying: that fish at the Savalalo fish market are supposed to be sold covered with crushed ice or brine water. Just like in any developed country. Would M.A.F. make a move and change it? No wonder the main hospital looks like the town people doing their shopping before Mothers Day celebration or White Sunday. My wife and I after almost 4 hours wait were told that her scan of head and neck was not needed according to a second opinion by her principal doctor; and my 110 tala gone forever.. Those who are not sure that the country is going to pot, better think again and do something about it. Due to: Addiction to power (you know by whom), forgery (you know by whom), corruption, incest, mismanagement, white elephants, ineffective churches, unemployment at galore. Etc., etc. Hard to move forward, if you ask me. Orlando Huaman Malololelei EDITORS NOTE: Orlando Huaman, of Malololeleis letter, has been published verbatim. God bless you, Orlando! The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, launched four major initiatives to boost the development of the Fisheries sector last week. Held at the Fisheries Wharf, the initiatives included: Launch of Samoas Tuna Management and Development Plan 2017 2021 Revival of the Fish Aggregating Devices (F.A.Ds) Project Dedication of the repair work of research vessel the FV Ulimasao Provision of 20 tablets to monitor soon to be deployed F.A.Ds Speaking about the National Tuna Management and Development Plan, Laauli acknowledged that the industry is facing major challenges to realise its desired benefits and returns. These challenges include increasing fishing effort throughout the tuna fishery uncontrolled fishing on the high seas and illegal, Unreporting and Unregulated, or IUU fishing operations having an impact on the vulnerable fishing industry, he said. We have been experiencing fluctuations in catches over the past years with our Government providing support to the industry many factors contribute to the various levels of catches especially the amount of fish available in our small EEZ, and most importantly the biological and migratory nature of tuna stocks. Changes in technology and the ability to apply more pressure on the stocks, initiated regional and global mechanisms to manage the tuna stocks. Our National Tuna Management and Development Plan 2017 2021 is our commitment to that course. The Minister said the Plan outlines the governments commitment over the next five years to develop and manage tuna resources to maximize economic and social benefits. The plan generally covers two key areas. Firstly the management of our tuna resources particularly the licensing arrangements for the tuna long line fishery. Secondly the future development of our tuna industry to sustain and maximize the economic benefits and participation of Our People in the fishery. It provides a policy framework for sustainable development and effective management actions. For the first time, a harvest strategy is being developed as a management tool for our country to meet our regional obligations under regional arrangements and more importantly controls tuna catches for our country. Also mitigation measures are being put in place to minimize incidental catches of sharks and species of special interest in ensuring they are safely released back into the ocean. Our tuna fisheries are based on stocks that range widely through the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Therefore, we must cooperate with other Pacific Island countries fishing in these waters, in managing tuna stocks so our hopes could be realized. The F.A.Ds Project is equally important. F.A.Ds improve primary production leading to the coming together of tuna species around them. Our government through the Ministry has been involved with the F.A.D. Programme supporting the artisanal fishing sector, mainly the alia fleet since 1980. It served to increase the production and catches form the tuna fishing fleet at low operational costs Despite the positive outcomes of F.A.D. deployments in our waters, the programme was costly and difficult to maintain as most F.A.Ds were lost due to poor designs and at most times destroyed by our own fishers. The participation of our village communities in the management of our coastal fisheries resources with the creation of no take zones in adjacent waters is a great achievement for us. To support these villages communities a new near shore and shallow water F.A.D. design is developed so fishers could reach by paddling canoes and smaller crafts. Equally important is the need to divert some of the fishing pressure from the heavily fished lagoons and reefs to offshore waters where F.A.Ds are anchored. The Minister also commended the return of F.V. Ulimasao. The vessel was built in 2000 to conduct fisheries scientific and biological studies to train fisheries personnel and test new fishing gear and technology. After 17 years since it was built, surviving few cyclones and many trips of research and fishing trials major repair and maintenance work was needed, said the Minister. Today I wish to acknowledge with great appreciation the funding assistance provided by the World Bank through the Samoa Agriculture and Fisheries Cyclone Recovery Project, that has enabled us to bring the old fella back to life. Lastly, the Minister said the procurement of 20 tablets will be used by the Fisheries Division to monitor and review the contribution and impact of the soon to be deployed F.A.Ds on food security and the livelihoods of our People. I wish to acknowledge F.A.O. and especially my dear friend MS Eriko Hibi the F.A.O. Sub regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and F.A.O. Representative in Samoa for the technical assistance that realized the procurement of these 20 tablets for their intended purposes. This technical assistance is part of an F.A.O. project Inking Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2 through inclusive value chain development in the context of Small Island Developing States. By PTI: Agartala, Jul 30 (PTI) Land acquisition for the 15 km long Agartala-Akhaura rail project to link Indian Railways with Bangladesh Railways, has started, officials said today. "We have served notices to 257 families to acquire 66 acres of land for the rail project and the land would be handed over to the railways by August end", West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Milind Ramteke told reporters. advertisement He said, the Central government has already released Rs 97.63 crore to acquire the land. The process of laying the 15 km long railway tracks to connect Agartala with Akhaura in Bangladesh will be completed in two and half years time after laying of tracks begin. Out of the 15 km track, 5 km would be on Indian side and the rest in Bangladesh. Ramteke said that the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is the nodal agency for implementation of the project in Indian side. Bangladesh government has also started acquiring around 70 acres of land for the project, NFR officials said. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu and his Bangladesh counterpart, Majibul Haque had jointly laid the foundation stone here on July 31 last year. A flyover of 3.7 km would be constructed on the Indian side to save cultivable lands and the entire project cost would be borne by the government, he said. New Delhi is keen to establish the rail link as it would connect West Bengal and Tripura through Bangladesh. During Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina?s visit to New Delhi, the two neighbours had agreed to lay the tracks between Akhaura and Agartala. The Agartala-Akhaura railway route would connect Indian Railways with Bangladesh Railways which would improve connectivity and boost trade between the two countries. The 1,700 km distance between Agartala and Kolkata which goes through the ?chicken?s neck? in Siliguri would be reduced by 350 km if passengers could move through Bangladesh, officials said. PTI JOY RG --- ENDS --- Faith and Prayers. These words were Sister Palepa Alonius foundation in her 25 years of service as a Missionary Sister of Faith. Families and friends gathered in honour of her long service to the Catholic Church, at a service led by Archbishop Alapati Lui Mata'eliga at the Sisters of the Missionary of Faith at Moamoa. The celebration then shifted to Robert Louis Stevenson Museum where they were hosted by the family of Sister Palepa. The audience was entertained with Samoan Siva performed by the Leauvaa Catholic Youth Choir, which is where Sister Palepas sister Sina and her husband Falanisisi are Catechists. During her special remarks, Sister Palepa reflected back 25 years ago on the difficult path she undertook. However everything was possible with God leading the way, she said. Although my actual 25 years of service should have been celebrated in October, however due to other obligations, the celebration had to be conducted earlier. My calling to Gods work is now 25 years. Its a lot of years faced with difficulties but at the same time, these years are blessings as well. I want to give thanks to God for his guidance, otherwise I wouldnt have made it this far, said Sister Palepa. She thanked for her Missionary Sisters of Faith, her Priest brothers for their prayers and most of all their words of encouragement. This gave me strength to carry on with my calling, I cant thank you enough. Sister Palepa also dedicated this milestone to her late parents, Aloniu and Aifai, who were her main supporters since the beginning. She thanked her family for their never-ending love and support. When times were tough, you never ceased to lend a hand for me, she said. Sister Palepa noted that while her 25 years of service is up, she ready for another 25 years in her journey as a Sister of the Missionary of Faith. The Pacific Society for Reproductive Health (P.S.R.H.) successfully concluded its 12th biennial meeting in Port Vila Vanuatu last week. The much-anticipated meeting ran a suite of six skills workshops for three days followed by three days of a scientific conference. The meeting brought together doctors, specialists, midwives, nurses and health workers from all over the Pacific including stakeholders and partners from New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. It is the most important professional development event in the reproductive health calendar for the region. P.S.R.H. received funding assistance from the United Nations Population Fund, the Pacific Community and the Vanuatu government. There were six clinician representatives from Samoa and leading the delegation was Salausa Dr John Ah Ching, the Associate Minister of Health. Dr Ah Ching was invited to attend as he was being awarded the Societys Presidents Medal. The medal was awarded in recognition of Dr Ah Chings distinguished service to the Pacific Society and to honour his significant contribution in building leaders in reproductive health and for innovative services to improve patient care. Only six other individuals have received the award which includes Prof Glen Mola of Papua New Guinea, Prof Rajat Gyaneshwar of Fiji and Dr Rufina Latu of the World Health Organization. Dr Ah Ching presented a paper at the conference on his project in training midwives in the district hospitals in Samoa to do basic ultrasound scanning in order to detect problems early and effect timely referrals to the national hospital. The President of PSRH, Dr Pushpa Nusair of Fiji, in congratulating Dr Ah Ching, said that the region watches such developments in Samoa with interest. CITY COUNCILS CARLSBAD The Carlsbad City Council met July 18 for its final public hearing on the move to by-district elections. The council met Tuesday to give final approval, 4-1, on the resolution establishing the new election process. A proposal to allow distilleries and restaurants within Land Use District 6 (outside the Coastal Zone) of the Village Review Zone, and to permit distilleries downtown, failed. Staff was directed to bring back a consent calendar resolution allowing restaurant use in District 6. The council approved the establishment of an electric vehicle charging fee. Christy Randal was appointed to the Housing Commission, and Fred Muir and Chuck Hunter were appointed to the Traffic Safety Commission. An appeal hearing on permits for K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing was moved to the Aug. 22 meeting. Advertisement DEL MAR The Del Mar City Council met in special closed session Thursday to discuss litigation. The council hired an outside firm to advise the council and oversee a confidential personnel investigation. ESCONDIDO The Escondido City Council met July 19 in closed session to discuss property negotiations. In open session, the council approved memorandums of understanding with the Escondido City Employees Association Administrative, Clerical, and Engineering Bargaining Unit and with the Escondido City Employees Association Supervisory Bargaining Unit for a three-year term starting July 1, 2017. The council also voted to amend the city zoning code to bring regulations for second dwelling units into compliance with state requirements. OCEANSIDE The Oceanside City Council met in special session Thursday to introduce an ordinance establishing by-district elections for city council members, and an election calendar for the newly created council districts. SAN MARCOS The San Marcos City Council met Tuesday and approved a resolution supporting the San Diego County Water Authoritys rate lawsuit against Metropolitan Water District to recover illegal rates and charges, and supporting the SDCWAs efforts to keep diversifying the countys water supply and making it independent of MWD. The council also held hearings and approved a resolution amending city code on transient lodging facilities to allow police to see a registry of guests, and one amending city code to align with state laws restricting sex offenders. VISTA The Vista City Council canceled its Tuesday meeting. SCHOOL DISTRICTS CARLSBAD The Carlsbad Unified School District board met July 19 for a study session to focus on effective district communication. In regular session, the board held hearings and adopted the draft Green Map of proposed trustee district areas as it transitions to a by-district election process. The board also approved the 2016-17 tentative agreement with the Laborers International Union of North America. DEL MAR The Del Mar Union School District board met Wednesday and heard a report on lead testing of water at the districts schools. All values tested were under the states detection limit for reporting. The board also approved employment agreements with the superintendent and with the assistant superintendents of human resources, business services and instructional services. ESCONDIDO The Escondido Union School District board met in closed session July 20 to discuss personnel and labor negotiations. In open session, the board approved a revised contract for the superintendent through 2021, and extended contracts for assistant superintendents to 2020, and approved 2 percent raises for certificated and classified management employees, assistant superintendents, and classified supervisory and confidential employees. The council also agreed to give stipends of $1,500 to certificated and classified management employees and assistant superintendents for masters and doctoral degrees, and $500 stipends to classified supervisory and confidential employees for associate degrees. OCEANSIDE The Oceanside Unified School District board met in special session Tuesday and approved a resolution requesting a waiver from the state so it can begin the process of establishing districts for its new election process without holding an intermediate election. The board also approved the Long Range Facilities Master Plan and directed staff to select architects for modernization of the Garrison and Jefferson campuses. The board then went into closed session to discuss litigation and personnel. SAN MARCOS The San Marcos Unified School District board met in closed session July 18 to discuss labor negotiations and personnel. In regular session, the board held a hearing and approved requesting a waiver from the state board of education as part of its transition to a by-district election system. The waiver will exempt the district from having to hold an intermediate vote so that the new system can be in place by the 2018 election. The board also held a hearing for public feedback, and adopted the orange map plan of election districts. Tiffany Campbell, principal of San Marcos High School, was appointed as the districts director of secondary education. laura.groch@sduniontribune.com Twenty-eight years after inspiring the title character in Greg Evans long-running comic strip Luann, the San Marcos cartoonists daughter, Karen, is working by her fathers side as the strips co-author. Although he has no immediate plans to retire, the 65-year-old Evans says he takes great comfort in knowing that Luann a dreamy, overdramatic high school senior will carry on without him one day in very safe hands. I grew up with these characters, said Karen Evans, a 34-year-old San Marcos resident whose day job is dean of students at Magnolia Science Academy, a charter middle school in La Mesa. When I think of Luann and Brad and the others, they are like family members who I have known my entire life. Advertisement Evans said he always dreamed of being a cartoonist, but couldnt find a buyer for his hand-drawn strips in his 20s and early 30s, so he bounced around in a series of jobs high school art teacher in El Centro, TV news camera operator in Colorado Springs and talking-robot operator at the San Diego Zoo and Seaport Village. Then one day in 1984, he saw 5-year-old Karen, the youngest of his three children with wife, Betty, walking around their Twin Oaks Valley home dressed in her moms clothing and jewelry. I saw her and I got the idea for a strip about a little girl, and for once it struck a chord because it wasnt a contrived subject. It was drawn from real life, said Evans, who decided to name the character Luann and aged her to 13, because teen angst would provide more fodder for storylines. On March 17, 1985, Luann launched and is still going strong. The syndicated strip now appears in 450 newspapers and websites (gocomics.com), and it is read by more than 600,000 online visitors each week. In 2003, Evans won the industrys highest accolade, the National Cartoonist Societys Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year. And in 2006, Evans premiered a musical based on the strip, Luann: Scenes in a Teens Life. In the early years of Luann, Evans said he drew plot ideas from teen magazines and, later, Karens own experiences getting her ears pierced, wearing braces and entering high school. Betty served as a constant sounding board for plot and character ideas, and Karen said she would occasionally see names of friends and funny stories from the dinner table end up in her fathers strip. But Evans said he was always careful to give Luann and her cartoon family goofy older brother, Brad, and parents, Frank and Nancy DeGroot lives of their own. Twelve years ago, Luann matured to the age of 16, and this year, she entered her senior year of high school and got her first steady boyfriend. Meanwhile, Brad became a fireman and, after a long, stormy courtship, is now engaged to fellow firefighter, Toni Daytona. For several years, Evans said he had wondered what would happen to Luann when he eventually retires. He considered ending the strip as Charles M. Schulz did with Peanuts, or contracting an illustrator/writer to take over. He also considered having his children carry on the legacy, but Karen said she and her siblings sister Rhonda, 44, of Texas, and brother Gary, 37, of Ventura didnt inherit their fathers artistic talent. I can do some pretty good stick figures, but the artist gene skipped a generation in our family, she said. Then one day in June 2012, father and daughter hit on the idea of separating the writing and drawing of Luann and a partnership was born. Karen, who holds a degree in writing and literature, agreed to take an active hand in helping her father create the plots and character arcs in the story and he would carry on drawing the strip. On Sunday afternoons, they meet for story sessions, and, with Betty, they critique the drawn panels that Evans produces after each session. Evans said he has found his wife and daughters input invaluable to both long-term planning and character development. Before it was always just me and now its three of us and two of them are women, he said. They bring a whole other layer of detail, subtlety and nuance to the project. Luann has a lot more meat on her bones and complexity than she did before. One recent plot development that Karen had a hand in was the return of Quill, Luanns exchange student boyfriend. Greg said hed sent Quill back to Australia last year because he (and some readers) were bored with the character. But Quills departure upset a multitude of fans who comment daily about the strip on Facebook and gocomics.com. Karen said she liked the idea of Quills comeback because the relationship is a milestone for Luann. Luann has always been dramatic and overemotional about boys, Karen said. Because shes a high school senior now, we feel like its time for her to start growing up and maturing, and having her first stable boyfriend is an important part of that process. Where he used to map stories out just a few weeks in advance, Evans said he and Karen are now doing story projections as far as a year ahead. They wont divulge any future plot twists, though he said readers should prepare for some drama and trauma with Brad and Tonis wedding. He also said they have to figure out how to transition the strip after Luann graduates from high school and heads for college. That might be an opportunity for us to retire some characters and introduce some new characters, he said. Evans is still happily drawing the strip each day on a computer in his home office, but one day he would like to turn the job over to another illustrator, hopefully another family member. Jonathan Upchurch, Evans 27-year-old grandson by daughter, Rhonda, said he is excited about the prospect of one day following in his grandfathers footsteps. Im definitely up for it, said Upchurch, who now works for United Parcel Service in Irving, Texas. But fans who worry about change or the loss of Evans signature jokes and style can rest at ease for now. The artist said hes not going anywhere for a while. I still enjoy it and I look forward to it every day, he said. Until that changes, Ill keep at it. Dubbed the 9,250-ton greyhound of American military power and high-tech wizardry, the $1.5 billion guided-missile destroyer Rafael Peralta was commissioned on Saturday morning at Naval Air Station North Island, within gunshot of the carriers it will protect for the next four decades. The warship bears the name of Sgt. Rafael Peralta, a Marine who posthumously received the Navy Cross the nations second-highest award for battlefield bravery. Our allies will see the name of this ship in ports around the world, said Gen. Robert Neller, the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps. And our adversaries, if they so wish to test it, may learn the power of this ship and the spirit and confidence of its crew. Advertisement Saturdays formal commissioning ceremony officially placed the warship into active service. It was the culminating event in a string of maritime rituals ship naming, keel laying, christening and launching that hearken back to 1775, when the Continental Navy commissioned the Alfred for combat duty against the British. The event drew not only Neller but three members of San Diego Countys congressional delegation Reps. Scott Peters, Darrell Issa and Susan Davis plus San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Navy Vice Adms. Nora Tyson, commander of the Third Fleet, and Tom Rowden, commander of Naval Surface Forces. Each of the 2,400 white seats set out for the commissioning was filled, and hundreds more stood behind the rows, including the ranks of the Peraltas crew. In halting English, Rosa Maria Peralta, the San Diego mother of the destroyers namesake, ordered the crew to Man our ship and bring her to life! a command that sent the crew of 290 sailors dashing aboard the vessel. Above them, radar dishes spun, horns blared and the gun at the bow turned, signaling that it was ready for duty in the spirit of Rafael Peralta. 1 / 14 USS Rafael Peralta crew members line the gangway the end of the commissioning ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island for the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the Navy. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 14 USS Rafael Peralta crew members man the rails of the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer at the conclusion of the commissioning ceremony for the ship at Naval Air Station North Island. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 14 USS Rafael Peralta crew members run up one of the the gangways after Rosa Peralta, mother of Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta, for whom the ship is named, gave the traditional first order as an active Navy ship to: Man our ship and bring her to life, during the commissioning ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island for the Navys newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 14 Guests listen to the speakers at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Rafael Peralta, the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the Navy, at Naval Air Station North Island. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 14 USS Rafael Peralta crew members lower their heads during the benediction as they man the rails of the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer at the conclusion of the commissioning ceremony for the ship at Naval Air Station North Island. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 14 U. S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peraltas brother and mom, Ricardo and Rosa Peralta, along with others, place their right hand over their heart or salute during the singing of the national anthem at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Rafael Peralta, the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the Navy. Peralta was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 14 Guests at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Rafael Peralta, the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the Navy visit the ship at the end of the ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 14 Guests at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Rafael Peralta, at Naval Air Station North Island, the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the Navy. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 14 USS Rafael Peralta crew members lower their heads during the invocation at the commissioning ceremony for the Navys newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, at Naval Air Station North Island. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 14 Some of the guests at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Rafael Peralta, the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the Navy, at Naval Air Station North Island, use the commissioning program to shield themselves from the sun. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 14 The commissioning ceremony for the USS Rafael Peralta, the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the Navy was held at Naval Air Station North Island. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 14 Guests at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Rafael Peralta, the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the Navy, wait to go onboard the ship at the end of the ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 14 Guests at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Rafael Peralta, the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the Navy, wait to go onboard the ship at the end of the ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island. Peralta, a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. was killed in 2004, during the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 14 Austin Cusack wears a USS Rafael Peralta ball cap during the commissioning ceremony for the ship at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) Born in Mexico City in 1979, Sgt. 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, a barrage of enemy bullets hit him. 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 Navy Cross citation. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. Echoes of both his combat valor and story from immigrant to American hero rang throughout the commissioning ceremony. Cannons fired a thunderous salute to the warship and the dignitaries who boarded it, the smoke curling silver and black through the packed crowd, a reminder of the din of battle Peralta faced in Iraq and what the warship might sail toward in the future. The color guard toting the flags of the United States, Navy and Marine Corps for the national anthem came from Camp Pendletons Wounded Warrior Battalion. The headquarters building there is named after Peralta and his portrait hangs on its wall. Every year at the units ball, the guest of honor is Rosa Peralta. During the commissioning, she sat near her daughters Icela and Karen and son Ricardo, who also served as a Marine. In his speech, Faulconer remembered Sgt. Peralta as a hometown hero whose message courage to the end will be carried across the globe by the warship that bears his name. Where it sails, so sails his story. Peters address focused on the new warships vital role in the American militarys pivot to the Pacific Rim, while noting that San Diego boasts the nations largest concentration of veterans who served after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The Peralta is ready for combat, just as her namesake was when he stepped into battle in Fallujah 13 years ago, Peters, D-San Diego, said. Issa, R-Vista, turned to the Peraltas crew and said that they and their warship were part of an idea that he died for, that he lived by, that he wasnt an American by birth but an American by choice. Davis addressed Peraltas loved ones in her speech. A fierce advocate in Congress for military families, the San Diego Democrat said that while the sergeant made a split-second decision, you live with that sacrifice today. We know that you served, Davis continued. I believe that all of our families also serve. Davis fellow member on the powerful House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-Alpine, did not attend the commissioning. His father, Duncan L. Hunter, took his place. A former U.S. Army Ranger who served in Vietnam, the senior Hunter chaired the powerful House Armed Services Committee during the Second Battle of Fallujah. The elder Hunter castigated former President Barack Obamas administration, Pentagon bureaucrats and Navy leaders who cast doubt on the gravely wounded Peraltas ability to clutch the grenade to his chest. That triggered former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to downgrade Peraltas proposed Medal of Honor to the Navy Cross. Reading often from a note sent to him by his son shortly before the commissioning, the elder Hunter said his son would keep fighting to upgrade the commendation: Duncan closed his message to me with these words: When America has no more Rafael Peraltas, we will have no more freedom, he said. Gen. Nellers keynote address reminded the audience that every Navy warship is sovereign American territory. Like any destroyer, however, it needed three things: A hull bearing its weapons, a name to give it the spirit of its legacy, and a crew to man it. And when you put those three things together, you create more than just a ship, he said. Its, well, its a life form. In the closing remarks, Navy Cmdr. Brian Ribota, the destroyers skipper, vowed to make his crew ready for any tasking we receive in the future including swatting any missiles fired on behalf of a rotund child with anger management issues, a veiled reference to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Ribotas warship is the 65th guided-missile destroyer in the Arleigh Burke class and the 35th built by the Maine-based Bath Iron Works division of General Dynamics. The composition of the Peraltas crew mirrors the nation, the larger Navy surface warfare community and Sgt. Peraltas family. Sailors aboard the warship hail from 43 states, the District of Columbia and the American territory of Guam, plus six foreign nations. Like Sgt. Peralta, the warships senior enlisted leader Command Master Chief German Lira was born in Mexico and raised in California. Ribota told the audience that his warship would always solemnly and silently man the rails when passing near Sgt. Peraltas grave at Fort Rosencrans, an honor to the Marine hero. But Ribotas crew told The San Diego Union-Tribune that they also bestow a similar nautical tradition of honors for Rosa Peralta whenever she departs the warship, much as they would for an admiral. 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 At a sensitive moment in U.S.-Mexico relationship, San Diego and Tijuana hosted a binational gathering of mayors last week. The U.S.-Mexico Border Mayors Association brought together leaders of about 20 border communities for two days of meetings that touched on subjects such as trade, the environment, health, and border infrastructure. Four of the mayors came from Mexico, the remainder from the United States. In separate interviews, a half-dozen U.S. border mayors participating in the conference spoke of their common concerns. A desire to improve the North American Free Trade Agreement. The need to upgrade ports of entry. And frustration over President Donald Trumps plans for a fortified border wall. Advertisement James Darling, McAllen, Texas, population 150,000. Across from Reynosa, Mexico, the city in 2014 became ground zero for the surge of Central American immigrants. Mayor Darling said that McAllen, a center for ecotourism, already has a natural boundary with Mexico the Rio Grande and said building the wall is going to separate some of our natural sites. This week, theyre drilling sample holes for a new wall, said Darling. I dont particularly like the wall...Its not fair to the property owners of the city. I think the Border Patrol does a good job. I would listen to them rather than listen to politicians. As for NAFTA, its very important to us, Darling said. We have a very active trade zone in our city, and we realize the benefits. We want to tweak it and make it better. Andres Ramos, Alpine, Texas, population 6,000. Located in the Big Bend region, a sparsely populated area about 80 miles from the Mexican border and the city of Ojinaga. Wed like to see more trade with Mexico, Mayor Ramos said. We need to have a steady, aggressive income. He sees potential in importing produce from Mennonite farms in northern Chihuahua. As for the border wall, Ramos said the funds could be better spent on local law enforcement agencies. I dont care for the border wall, and neither does our county sheriff. The Rio Grande is a natural barrier with Mexico: We have some high cliffs and canyons which make it impossible to cut a wall there,: Ramos said. Leave it alone, just give us better equipment for our police force. Javier Perea, Sunland Park, New Mexico, population 16,000. The community borders El Paso, Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico. The symbolism (of a wall) is just terrible, Perea said. Where we live theres not a lot of cross-border immigration. Its desert, its mountainous, sparsely populated. its easy to cross the border, but theres nowhere to go. Instead of investing money in a wall, they should invest money on technology and improve border security through technology, said Perea. Gerardo Sanchez, San Luis, Ariz., population 35,000. Located near Yuma and San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora. My biggest concern is infrastructure, economic development, Sanchez said. I think we need to unify, we need to use raw numbers, we need information, we need figures, to make a strong case to federal agencies. Sanchez wants to upgrade the seven-lane port of entry, built in the 1980s. There is already a wall, and reinforcing it would not make his community safer, he said. Do we want to isolate ourselves? No we dont. We have neighbors, we have families, we have business partners...this wall is creating more animosity against Mexico and I think more fear in the United States. Jose Yepez, mayor of Somerton, Ariz., population 17,000. Located west of Yuma. Expansion of the port of entry is a major concern for his city, which is part of an agricultural region that relies on labor from south of the border. We have workers that live in Mexico, and they cross over to harvest our lettuce and stuff like that, he said. They get up at two or three oclock in the morning, for a two- or three-hour long wait in line, and then an hour to go to the fields, and work the whole day. The border wall, thats not going to do anything, he said. They can build it as high as they want to, supply and demand, simple economics. Maritza Hurtado, mayor of Calexico, Calif., population 40,000. Across from Mexicali, Baja California. Born in Calexico, Hurtado is a U.S. citizen who also holds Mexican citizenship. She said her city has a big problem as the presidents 2018 budget left out funding for the second phase of the Calexico West Port of Entry a project that would add a pedestrian processing facility as well as six additional northbound vehicle inspection lanes. She is totally against, plans for a border wall. It divides us, there is no need, we are one community divided by a wall. RELATED sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com @sandradibble With his neck cranked back, Joshua Chavarria, 7, struggled to balance a 10-foot fruit picker about twice his size. Moments later, he broke into a smile. I got one! I got one! he shouted, showing off the orange in the pickers net as his mother cheered. Chavarria was one of about 130 volunteers who spent Saturday morning yanking Valencia oranges off trees at Cal State Northridges grove, which were then shipped to food charities throughout the county. Since 2010, the Universitys Institute for Sustainability has partnered with Food Forward, a food recovery nonprofit, to make use of the unpicked fruit from the more than 7-acre grove. Advertisement On Saturday, volunteers collected 5,000 pounds of oranges, a smaller harvest than previous years due to a fruit fly quarantine that had been in place in the spring. According to Food Forward Executive Director Rick Nahmias, volunteers once collected over 22,000 pounds of oranges from the grove. Before we had this partnership with Food Forward, the fruit was being unutilized, said Sarah Johnson, the Institutes coordinator. Now we found this great use of it where the campus benefits because were providing this service to the community and the community benefits. When the University was built in the late 1950s, it inherited the grove, which is considered a relic of the 15,000 acres of citrus that once covered the San Fernando Valley. From the early 1920s to the late 1950s, citrus farms thrived until urbanization took over. [It] pushed citrus out until there was no citrus at all, said Richard Barker, founder of Citrus Roots, an organization that educates about Californias citrus industry. Today, most of the states approximately 30,000 acres of Valencia orange groves are in the Central Valley, according to Bob Blakely, the vice president of California Citrus Mutual, an industry advocacy group. A lot of the growers who are farming in Kern, Tulare [counties], their parents came from L.A. County and started farming up here, said Blakely. At one point, the university had considered building over its grove. Robert Gohstand, a retired CSUN geography professor and self-described daddy of the grove, fought to save it in the early 1990s when the university proposed constructing a parking structure in its place. Resolutions were passed to preserve the grove, and over the years, the university has replaced its dying trees with new ones. Today, the grove contains a pond and two solar observatories. A new campus hotel will be built nearby. My objective was, make compromises and save the bulk of the grove, said Gohstand. I think we preserved a bit of the agricultural past in the Valley. Parents at the picking event used the outing to teach their children about volunteering. CSUN accounting student Stephanie Gonzalez, 25, teamed up with her 5-year-old daughter, Emily. Gonzalez handed the oranges off to Emily, who picked off stems and leaves before placing them in a box. I thought it was a really good way to help out, Gonzalez said. Over 50 boxes of oranges will go to MEND food bank in Pacoima, which will place the fruit in care packages to give to homeless next week. We struggle to give our homeless clients something great and think that fresh oranges picked from the tree are as good as we can get, said its food bank director Richard Weinroth. leila.miller@latimes.com Twitter: @leilamillersays The outcry in Escondido over the possible outsourcing of the 119-year-old citys public library system is new to North County. In other parts of California and the rest of the country, however, its a familiar script. Six years ago, for example, a few dozen librarians made a telegenic splash in Sacramento by reading from a handmade book titled The Privatization Beast Comes to Our Town. To draw attention, a yellow Sesame Street-like character played the part of the super-scary Privatization Beast. Advertisement The librarians were demonstrating on the steps of the state Capitol in support of AB 438, a bill that made it more difficult for cities or counties to award library management contracts to private firms. Specifically, involuntary employee displacement (a sweet euphemism) was discouraged in the legislation as well as private contracts based solely on savings from lower wages. Unsurprisingly, 438, which Gov. Brown would sign into law, was backed by worker organizations like the Service Employees International Union and the California Labor Federation. In opposition was the League of California Cities as well as conservative groups that look favorably upon outsourcing public services when it makes pragmatic sense, either in terms of lower operating costs or the avoidance of long-term pension obligations. Up Interstate 15, Riverside County some two decades ago contracted with Maryland-based LS&S, which now manages 83 public library systems. Santa Clarita, a city nearly the same size as Escondido, made the switch seven years ago. In a 2011 Union-Tribune editorial, this prediction was thrown out: There may come a day when, for financial reasons, San Diego Countys various library systems are either consolidated or, possibly, outsourced. Such momentous decisions would not be undertaken lightly. The analysis would be intense. The public debate noisy. Thats as it should be. Well, it appears that Escondido may be jumping into the hot water. So why is a critical (very critical) mass of librarians and patrons so worked up? Theres this American flag, apple pie kind of thing about libraries, an LS&S official told the New York Times. A lot of libraries are atrocious. Their policies are all about job security. Thats why the profession is nervous about us. You can go to a library for 35 years and never have to do anything and then have your retirement. Were not running our company that way. You come to us, youre going to have to work. No wonder librarians resent the implication that they dont work hard for their paychecks and defined-benefit pensions. (Employees of LS&S receive a 401k.) But theres something else going on in Escondido that adds a bellicose edge to the dog-eared conflict. Councilwoman Olga Diaz, the lone Democrat on the council, is linking arms in solidarity with privatization resisters. In an op-ed essay, Diaz pulls the scab off a sore point, the 2011 shuttering of a beloved branch library on East Valley Parkway. The vote (to close the library) came about as part of a budget discussion, not a discussion about library services specifically. The topic was obscured by a tangential agenda item with little public scrutiny or opportunity for discussion. No other city in San Diego County closed a public library during tough financial times. This bitter history heightens the suspicion that, once again, Escondido is engineering a change in library service without public debate. Of the privatization strategy, Diaz writes this: Although I insisted on a public process, staff has already met several times with the vendor (i.e., LS&S), contending that the public does not need to be involved until the review is completed. Reference to this effort is tucked away in public documents where presumably no one would notice all the more reason why you should be suspicious of how the city of Escondido navigates this issue. Theres yet another unique factor that complicates the Escondido plot. In her op-ed, Diaz notes that the old downtown library is scheduled for replacement. A voter-approved bond will be necessary to follow through with the slow-moving vision of a new state-of-the-art library in an expanded Grape Day Park. If the City Council majority struggles to see the value of operating a public library, then I question how any taxpayer could trust city officials by supporting a large library bond measure for a private company to operate. Assuming the city can navigate the fine print of AB 438, a bond election could be about a lot more than a new building. It could be about the soul of the library. A public debate over privatization could be a healthy thing for Escondido, an instructive soul-searching. LS&S may offer more hours, lets say, but what is the track record with culturally enriching programs, book circulation, attendance? Is LS&S at profit-driven heart an employment agency that hires X number of employees, as some critics contend? Or does it deliver the rich and diverse experiences that the best public libraries traditionally have? But whats worrisome is that the focus on privatization and budgets could distract Escondido from a solution that would make history. As Jose Aponte, recently retired director of San Diego County library system, has been saying for years, consolidation of ALL the regions libraries under one streamlined (and enlightened) management is the ultimate answer, financially and intellectually. Why not have the county and library-owning cities form a joint powers authority and make ALL libraries equally great. Now thats an ending to the story that would allow everyone to read happily ever after. logan.jenkins@sduniontribune.com Dr. Shawn Evans scrolled through the list of patients booked into the emergency department at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla on a recent morning. Of the 18 patients on the intake screen, a third were 65 or older. Three were over 80. There is seldom a day when were not seeing five, 10 or 20 people over 90 years old in here. Its incredible, said Evans, who as a longtime emergency physician has a front-row seat to a dramatic shift in Americas demographics. Advertisement As the nations population ages, hospitals in California and across the country are bracing for ever-increasing numbers of elderly people landing in the emergency room. These patients often require more complex care than younger adults, yet emergency departments are typically ill-equipped to handle their special needs. In San Diego County, however, thats starting to change. In fact, San Diego-area hospitals are at the forefront of what amounts to a grand experiment to overhaul geriatric emergency care on the West Coast. Its an experiment because the trend of customizing ER treatment for older patients hasnt existed long enough for a comprehensive assessment, and the studies conducted so far have yielded mixed results in terms of whether such efforts boost recovery times, lower hospital readmission rates and ultimately save taxpayers money. Within the past two years, local hospitals have launched multiple senior-friendly improvements to their emergency facilities and procedures. These include: *Kaiser Permanentes San Diego Medical Center, which is the citys newest hospital and features nonslip floors, adjustable lighting and a computerized guardrail system to reduce the risk of falls and delirium, dangers common among older patients. Kaiser has also launched a hip-fracture program that uses high-tech ultrasound machines to pinpoint the fracture area in older patients and provide local anesthesia instead of delirium-inducing painkillers, helping to speed up recovery. *Palomar Health, which serves communities has unveiled a new hip-fracture pathway for seniors as well. When hip-fracture patients arrive in the emergency department, a team of specialists works to provide local anesthesia (instead of narcotics) for pain relief and streamline the patients admission to the operating room. The goal is to help elderly patients recover faster from hip surgery and spend less time in the hospital. As part of its undertaking, the health system has created a 30-page informational booklet for patients and developed tools to measure the programs results. *UC San Diegos medical campus in La Jolla, which is constructing the regions first emergency department specifically for geriatric patients, set to open in 2018. The university has already implemented new screening procedures for seniors and a program that allows some elderly patients to receive emergency care at home. Its also conducting research as part of a national push to find the most effective strategies for improving emergency department care for seniors. *Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla recently opened a 33,000-square-foot emergency and trauma center designed with elderly patients in mind. The center has glass doors for its patients rooms (instead of open entrances) to reduce noise and maintain privacy, beds with extra-thick mattresses, alarms that alert staff of potential fall risk and a 16-bed clinical decision area where mostly older patients receive specialized support from staff members trained in geriatric medicine. In California, San Diego is the leader in terms of geriatric emergency medicine, said Aimee Moulin, president-elect for the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. She said specialized geriatric emergency care is more common in the Midwest and on the East Coast, but progress has been slower in the west. Theres a growing recognition of the special needs of the geriatric population (in California) but certainly its not the majority, Moulin said. San Diego certainly is well ahead. A demographic shift San Diego-area hospitals bid to reshape emergency care for older patients is driven in large part by demographics. People 65 or older made up an estimated 13 percent of the countys population last year about 445,000 people. By 2030, that number is expected to increase to 724,000, according to the San Diego County Senior Heath Report. The fastest-growing age group: residents 85 years or older. That population is forecast to jump to 84,000 within the next 15 years, up from 60,000 in 2012. RELATED STORY How seniors can avoid the emergency room and what to do if they end up there Older people tend to be heavy users of the emergency room. More than one in five people who visited a hospital E.R. in San Diego County last year were 65 or older. Thats higher than the state and national average. These patients frequently require complex care. Seniors are more likely to have multiple chronic conditions, take a smorgasbord of potentially conflicting medications and frequently suffer from hearing loss, vision difficulties, dementia and mobility problems. They may be struggling to live independently and in need of caregivers. Once in the emergency room, older patients are at greater risk than younger ones of falling and becoming confused and delirious because of bright lights, unfamiliar surroundings, noise, bustle and pain medications. If admitted to the hospital, days of bed rest and interrupted routines can lead seniors to deteriorate further, even if they recover from their original ailment. One-third of patients over 70 years old and more than half over 80 years old are more disabled at discharge than when they entered, research shows. (Seniors) are not like older, middle-aged people, just like kids arent small adults, said Evans, who as a former Scripps chief of staff helped lead improvements in geriatric emergency care for that health system. Theyre the most vulnerable, the most sensitive, require the most input. By providing senior-specific care in the emergency room, health providers hope to reduce the number of seniors who get admitted to hospitals, help them avoid having to return to the emergency department and support independent seniors in their desire to continue living at home instead of a care facility. A new approach Though a new geriatric emergency department for UC San Diegos La Jolla medical campus is still being built, some senior-specific protocols are already underway inside the new Jacobs Medical Center. Since Dec. 1, Thomas Crisman has been filling the newly minted role of geriatric resource nurse. He tracks his patients by age, typically putting the oldest ones at the top. He pops into room after room to conduct a series of assessments that gauge patients mobility, nutrition and cognition. On a recent day, one of those patients was 94-year-old Elnora Astor, who came to the hospital with abdominal pain. After reading through her chart, Crisman asked whether Elnora had fallen at home. Family members shared that yes, she had taken two or three tumbles at home, though none had resulted in an injury. That report, combined with accounts of vertigo, were enough for the nurse to move to the next level. Elnora, could you get up and walk with me a little bit? he asked. I could give a good try, couldnt I? she responded. Soon nurse and patient were holding hands face-to-face, slowly moving past the exam rooms wide sliding glass door, out into the hallway then back to the bed. The process ended with cognitive tests that showed some signs of dementia. The work-up spurred Crisman to order physical therapy for Astor once she returned home. Back in her bed, Astor said she didnt mind the extra attention. They take an interest in you. They listen to what you say. They dont just say yes, yes and mark it down, she explained. At Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, the Barbey Family Emergency and Trauma Center feels more like a retreat than an emergency department. Soft music plays in the sunlight-filled waiting area. Photos of flowers, seashells and the ocean adorn cream-colored walls. Inside, the 51-private-bed facility is disarmingly quiet. Glass doors shield each patient room from outside noise, and alarms alert nurses to a potential fall if a patient tries to get up without assistance. The emergency department has nurses, pharmacists, a social worker and case manager trained to screen and work with geriatric patients. Are they at risk of falling? Do they show signs of dementia? Could they be taking too many or the wrong mix of medications? Are they physically able to take care of themselves outside the hospital? Do they have the necessary caregiving support at home? If necessary, patients stay in the departments observation area for up to 48 hours so they can be fully evaluated and have necessary interventions set up, Evans said. Sometimes we get patients who, for example, come in and have had a fall at home and there are no other issues. But one of the things in the examination is that you may notice that their nails are unkempt or you look at their feet and you can tell that the self-care is not there, said Nancy Coleman, a clinical social worker who works in the emergency department. What that does is raise the red flags. Were able to assess that and begin to be proactive to provide services for them so that when they go back home, theyre not in a (bad) situation. In North County, Palomar Health is trying to keep seniors time in the hospital as short as possible through its new hip-fracture pathway. The program fast-tracks the process of getting older hip-fracture patients admitted for surgery, and the local-anethesia protocol instead of using narcotics is meant to accelerate recovery times. The health district is still collecting data to measure the programs effectiveness, but the impact seen so far has been encouraging, said Palomar Health medical director Jaime Rivas. We know anecdotally from talking to a number of anesthesiologists that these patients are doing very well. Eighty-nine-year-old patients are coming out of the surgery just fine and up and about, Rivas said. Theyre recovering quicker, theyre awake, and when you start to get them out of the hospital sooner and they can begin their rehab sooner, theyll recover sooner. From east to west Specialized geriatric emergency departments are relatively new. St. Josephs Regional Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey built one of the first and most widely recognized in 2009. By 2013, a national survey of hospitals revealed that just 36 emergency departments were catering to older adults, mostly in the nations Northeast and Midwest regions. Dr. Tess Hogan, director of geriatric emergency medicine at the University of Chicago and co-author of the 2013 survey, said the number could be as high as 150 today, although she doesnt have an updated count. Unfortunately, some hospitals claim to provide geriatric emergency care but in reality offer none of those services, she said. To encourage best practices, the American College of Emergency Physicians, in collaboration with other medical and geriatric organizations, published guidelines for geriatric-friendly emergency departments in 2014. Theyre now working on an accreditation system for these facilities. Kimberlee Roberts, senior director for clinical services at Scripps and a member of the hospitals design team, said the group came up with its own geriatric-friendly design by consulting the guidelines from the American College of Emergency Physicians, gathering staff input and amassing ideas from tours of 12 hospitals in California and one in Chicago. She said most of these sites didnt have emergency departments designed specifically for geriatric patients, but were newer hospitals with features that worked well to improve senior care, such as natural lighting and a separate observation area. Does it work? So far, research on geriatric-focused emergency departments is thin. A 2014 study of one department in Michigan found geriatric-specific emergency practices did nothing to stop seniors from returning to the emergency room within 30 days or decrease their average time spent in the hospital. In contrast, research out of Northwestern Universitys geriatric emergency department in Chicago has shown that hospital admissions of seniors receiving specialized emergency care decreased by almost half compared to a control group, and that readmissions to the emergency room within 30 days of discharge dropped dramatically. Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and St. Josephs geriatric emergency departments also report positive results, Hogan said. UC San Diegos research is expected to contribute important data on the effectiveness of senior-specific emergency care, said Moulin with the American College of Emergency Physicians. Once other hospitals see quantifiable results, she said, the hope is that more administrators will want to invest in geriatric-friendly practices, especially if they can save money by reducing hospital admissions and readmissions. Indeed, keeping seniors out of the hospital and improving their experience in the emergency room could benefit hospitals financially. Medicare penalizes hospitals that fail to reduce the number of patients repeatedly returning to the hospital and alters reimbursement rates based on patient-satisfaction scores. There are also financial incentives for some hospitals that prevent patients from being admitted to hospital unnecessarily. The idea is, if you give better care earlier, then it costs you less, Hogan said. But could these senior-centric emergency facilities actually drive up the cost of care for patients? Dr. Daniel Waxman, a UCLA emergency department doctor and health policy researcher, said reducing unnecessary hospital admissions would drive down health-care costs in general. There are a substantial proportion of patients who are admitted to the hospital because other potential alternatives are not available, Waxman said. First among the top 10 priorities for controlling health-care costs should be keeping patients from getting admitted to the hospital, because everything else is chump change. Hogan, who is part of the collaborative working on the geriatric emergency department accreditation system, said hospitals dont have to spend a lot of money to improve care for seniors. She said for a few thousand dollars, they could invest in geriatric training for staff members. And while implementing new senior-friendly policies requires time and discussion, theres essentially no other cost involved in the process, she added. Regardless of the amount of investment, reimbursement rates from insurers wont change simply because a hospital has new facilities, said Evans at Scripps. Were a slave to Medicare and third-party payers, he said. How this could benefit the hospital financially is well see more patients because weve got a bigger department and platform, but in terms of the rates or the fees for patients, none of that changed. Ultimately, its up to hospitals to decide what kind of investment makes sense based on their location, budget and demographics, Hogan said. But given the rising tide of baby boomers hitting their older years, she said, health providers need to start making those decisions soon. The huge demographic demand is now, and if it takes 20 years to get this up and running, there will be 20 years of older people that dont get the care that they deserve, Hogan said. We cant just let the wheels roll slowly. Boyd-Barrett writes for the Center for Health Reporting at USCs Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics. Sisson is a staff writer for The San Diego Union-Tribune. * EDITORS NOTE: Journalists with the Center for Health Reporting, based at the University of Southern California, have for years partnered with media organizations statewide to highlight important trends and issues. Those partners have included The San Diego Union-Tribune, which co-produced several in-depth stories about efforts to provide food, housing and addiction-recovery services to serial users of emergency-room services so they dont end up in the hospital again. The center currently concentrates on the health needs and concerns of older people. It receives funding from West Health in San Diego, a nonprofit underwriter of projects aimed at helping seniors and the elderly maximize their well-being as they age. Mentioned in todays story is the geriatric-focused emergency department being developed at UC San Diego, a project thats receiving financial support from West Health. 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 By PTI: Agartala, Jul 30 (PTI) Land acquisition for the 15 km long Agartala-Akhaura rail project to link Indian Railways with Bangladesh Railways, has started, officials said today. "We have served notices to 257 families to acquire 66 acres of land for the rail project and the land would be handed over to the railways by August end", West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Milind Ramteke told reporters. advertisement He said, the Central government has already released Rs 97.63 crore to acquire the land. The process of laying the 15 km long railway tracks to connect Agartala with Akhaura in Bangladesh will be completed in two and half years time after laying of tracks begin. Out of the 15 km track, 5 km would be on Indian side and the rest in Bangladesh. Ramteke said that the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is the nodal agency for implementation of the project in Indian side. Bangladesh government has also started acquiring around 70 acres of land for the project, NFR officials said. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu and his Bangladesh counterpart, Majibul Haque had jointly laid the foundation stone here on July 31 last year. A flyover of 3.7 km would be constructed on the Indian side to save cultivable lands and the entire project cost would be borne by the government, he said. New Delhi is keen to establish the rail link as it would connect West Bengal and Tripura through Bangladesh. During Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina?s visit to New Delhi, the two neighbours had agreed to lay the tracks between Akhaura and Agartala. The Agartala-Akhaura railway route would connect Indian Railways with Bangladesh Railways which would improve connectivity and boost trade between the two countries. The 1,700 km distance between Agartala and Kolkata which goes through the ?chicken?s neck? in Siliguri would be reduced by 350 km if passengers could move through Bangladesh, officials said. PTI JOY RG SNP --- ENDS --- San Diego medical marijuana advocates joined a series of lawsuits Monday seeking an immediate stop to the federal governments statewide efforts to close dispensaries. A coalition of patients, storefront collectives and their landlords began to file lawsuits Friday in all four federal judicial districts in California Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego where U.S. attorneys have set various deadlines for dispensaries to shut down or risk criminal prosecution and forfeiture of their properties. Briana Bilbray, the 25-year-old daughter of Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-San Diego, is among the plaintiffs in the suit filed in U.S. District Court in San Diego that, among other claims, accuses the Department of Justice of entrapping marijuana providers by reversing its own policy. Advertisement That lawsuit names as defendants U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Drug Enforcement Administration head Michele Leonhart and U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy of San Diego. Briana Bilbray said she used medical cannabis after being diagnosed with Stage III melanoma. She said patients were being unfairly punished by having access to their medication cut off and added that federal prosecutors were infringing on their rights as Californians. I am convinced completely that it works, she said, contrasting her personal experiences with federal statements questioning the medicinal value of marijuana. I really want to know how many people they talked to that have had chemo. I feel like people are listening now. People are paying attention. Asked about his daughters involvement, Bilbray issued the following statement: Karen and I raised our children to be strong individuals who think for themselves. I respect my daughters right to fight for what she believes in based on her personal experiences. We may not agree with our children on every issue, but Karen and I are very proud parents. Bilbrays son, Imperial Beach City Councilman Brian Patrick Bilbray, recently cast the lone dissenting vote against a citywide ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, saying he supports marijuana access for patients but also was concerned about legal repercussions for the community. The Justice Department and Duffys office declined to comment on the lawsuits Monday. Other local plaintiffs in the 13-page lawsuit are Joy Greenfield, Light The Way, American Treatment Advancement Cooperative and Mother Earths Alternative Healing Cooperative, the first and only legally permitted dispensary in the region. An attorney for the El Cajon-based co-op referred questions about the case to P.J. Johnston, a San Francisco consultant speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs statewide. Johnston said the lawsuit called on the courts to put an immediate stop to the crackdown, citing an agreement between federal prosecutors and a medical marijuana collective in Santa Cruz. There, collective patients agreed to allow a federal judge to dismiss their case against the government after the Justice Department said it would not use federal resources against medical marijuana patients who complied with state law. The conduct of the government officials and their statement led the nation to believe that the government had changed its policy in 2009, ensuring that those who comply with state medical cannabis laws would not be subject to federal prosecution, the lawsuit states. In announcing the cases Monday in San Francisco, lead attorney Matt Kumin said his goal was to bring the federal government to the negotiating table to reach a compromise that allows a state medical marijuana program. The cases claim that California has an entrenched cultivation and distribution network of medical cannabis supplying about 1 million patients. Advocates estimate its annual revenue at between $1.5 billion and $4.5 billion. It is readily apparent, and there is no doubt, that the lawful medical marijuana program is a stimulus in an otherwise bleak economic picture, the lawsuit states. In addition to claiming the government is reneging on its promise, the lawsuit asserts that: Prohibiting medical marijuana in California violates the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment guaranteeing equal protection under the law because the federal government allows it in Colorado and provides the drug to patients through its own Compassionate Investigational New Drug program. Plans to raid, arrest, prosecute, punish and seek civil or administrative sanctions against the plaintiffs and confiscate their marijuana and property violate states rights under the 10th Amendment. Interference with Californias regulation of the medical marijuana industry violates the commerce clause of the Constitution. Hampering patients ability to consult with their doctors violates the Ninth Amendment, which retains rights for citizens not spelled out in the Constitution. The announcement came two weeks after the advocacy group Americans for Safe Access filed a federal lawsuit arguing the Obama administration was attempting to subvert state and local medical marijuana laws. The 17-page lawsuit seeks an injunction barring the Department of Justice from interfering with collectives that meet state and local laws. Californias four federal prosecutors launched their campaign last month to shut down profit-making marijuana dispensaries, accusing producers and distributors of using the states medical marijuana law as a cover for pushing illegal drugs. Duffy mailed hundreds of letters beginning Oct. 4 warning collectives and their landlords to permanently close their doors within 45 days or risk criminal prosecution and property seizures. Her counterparts also fired off warnings to several municipalities targeting medical marijuana regulations that provided a path to legitimacy. Duffy has characterized the states marijuana industry as pervasive and profit-driven. Other local officials have waded into the federal-state conflict. Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, and several congressional colleagues wrote to President Barack Obama on Oct. 28 urging him to reclassify marijuana as a legitimate controlled substance for medicinal purposes under federal law. Californians voted in 1996 to allow patients with a doctors approval to use marijuana and receive it from their caregivers. The measure passed 56 percent to 44 percent statewide and 52 percent to 48 percent in San Diego County. However, its use remains illegal under federal law, which also does not recognize the need for medical marijuana as a defense in criminal cases. We are all to blame for Trumps Scout rant Regarding Trump embarrassed himself and Boy Scouts (July 25): A Scout is: Trustworthy; Loyal; Helpful; Friendly; Courteous; Kind; Obedient; Cheerful; Thrifty; Brave; Clean, and Reverent. Each of these traits is antithetical to the Trump persona. He might have taken the opportunity to learn something about Scouts honor, but he appears unable to hear anything that doesnt massage his delicate ego. Shame on him for ranting such vitriol in the presence of our American youth. And shame on us for electing him to the highest office in the land. Advertisement Emery J. Cummins San Diego Accepting pardon is an admission of guilt Regarding President Trumps hiring of lawyers to research his authority to grant pardons to himself and family, I invite them to read United States v. Burdick. In Burdick, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that A pardon carries an imputation of guilt; acceptance a confession of it. The Burdick case was decided in 1915 and has been cited and upheld in numerous subsequent cases. By raising the possibility of pardons, he is implying guilt of his family and himself. According to Burdick, acceptance of a pardon admits guilt and arguably could lead to impeachment. Frank V. Puglia San Diego Boy Scouts seemed to love Trumps speech Kudos to President Trump for going to and speaking at the Boy Scout Jamboree in West Virginia on Jan. 24. It is no surprise that the mainstream media found fault with his speech, but when you listen to it, it is apparent that the Boy Scouts, etc., loved it. Daniel R. Collins San Diego Women being left out of Trumps agenda While the military spends $41.6 million annually on Viagra, (our tax money), the Republicans with Trumpcare want to charge women for birth control, defund Planned Parenthood, make abortions illegal and charge extra premiums for maternity care. Also, they would give little or no family leave and no subsidized child care. So, to Make America Great Again (for males only), women are heading back to being just sexual objects. Val Gilhooly Point Loma Attack on transgender troops is shameful Regarding How is Trumps new transgender troop policy sitting with Americans? (July 26): Duncan Hunters claim that transgender service members reduce the warrior culture of our military is so off base. The Israelis have allowed transgender soldiers since 1998 and require all citizens to serve two years upon turning 18. Does the Israeli military lack a warrior culture? Hunter seems to forget that there are thousands of jobs in the military that may not require the warrior culture he so desperately clings to. There are also front-line positions that transgender folks should be able to do if they meet the physical requirements. The fact that Hunter is a former service member, and cant see that there were thousands of non-warrior types that supported his service, speaks volumes of his ignorance. If he is so gung ho on supporting the troops, he should support all of the troops, not just the ones he thinks are manly enough to serve. There is room for everyone who wants to serve this country, no matter their situation. Shame on Hunter. Cory Fish Chula Vista Theres a long history of transgender service Regarding transgender and gay service personnel, it is pertinent to remind Gary Gilbert (Trump made right call on transgender troops, July 28) that in World War II the percentage of American gay soldiers was around 3 percent to 4 percent. By the way, we won that war. And I doubt our president has any knowledge of that, and I hope his bone spur, which kept him safe in the United States in Vietnam, has healed. Robert Bridge Carlsbad 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. Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. Prosecutors called their star witness Friday in the murder trial of a woman who claims she killed an Iowa neighbor in self-defense: a former close friend who initially believed her account but came forward a decade later to provide key evidence against her. Farmer Mary Higgins provided critical testimony to back up the prosecutions claim that Tracey Richter killed 20-year-old Dustin Wehde in a plot to frame her ex-husband and then falsely claimed she was the victim of a home invasion. Richter has insisted the shooting at her home in Early, a small town in northwest Iowa, was in self-defense after Wehde and another man broke into her home. Advertisement Higgins described herself as a reluctant witness who once enjoyed Richters company but later saw her as a dishonest woman who treated her children poorly and could explode in anger. She said she and Richter became friends after Richter and her second husband moved to Early in 1998. They often spoke on the phone, had coffee together and she drove Richters son home from school. Richter flew to Australia for a planned family vacation days after Wehde was shot in December 2001. Higgins said they got together in January or February after she returned. I wanted to let her know that I stand by her, Higgins recalled. But she said Richter showed no emotion and acted like she was telling me her grocery list when she recounted her version of events: that two men broke into her home and one choked her with pantyhose before she broke free, unlocked her gunsafe - without her glasses in the dark - grabbed two guns and shot Wehde while the other man fled. Police never found a second intruder. Defense attorneys have suggested the second man was an ice cream delivery driver who was having an affair with Wehdes mother. The man, Iraq war veteran Jeremy Collins, testified Friday afternoon he had nothing to do with any home invasion and did not know Wehde well. Richter cried during his testimony and left the courtroom in tears. Higgins said that while Richter was retelling her story, her 11-year-old son walked in and banged his head on the table. He said, `Why did you go back up there? Higgins recalled. You didnt have to shoot him. You didnt have to kill him. Richter screamed her sons name, and he left. Higgins said Richter told her police found a pink spiral notebook in Wehdes car and it would prove that John Pitman did this. But two years later, in 2004, Higgins said Richter pointed her finger and told me that I needed to forget about the pink notebook, and it frightened me. Tracey could explode and then be calm. Law enforcement officials have testified they kept the notebook a secret until this year because anyone who knew about it would have knowledge of the crime. Prosecutors say Richter, now 45, forced Wehde to write the notebook claiming Pitman, her ex-husband, hired Wehde to kill her and their son. They say she killed Wehde to keep him quiet and then planted the notebook in his car. Pitman, a Virginia plastic surgeon, testified earlier Friday that he had nothing to do with the notebook. Richter and Pitman were fighting at the time over custody of their son, Bert Pitman. Higgins said she didnt tell a detective who interviewed her in April 2002 about the notebook because she assumed investigators knew about it and they did not ask her. She said she was contacted in March 2011 after investigators re-examined the case and her husband had become church friends with the new Sac County prosecutor, Ben Smith. Smith met with her at their home, and she told him, I didnt want any part of this. But when he asked if she knew about details, she responded, Do you mean that stupid notebook? The blood drained from his face, she testified. Id never seen anything like that before. He just went on the ground and sat on the floor and leaned against the kitchen cupboards. Division of Criminal Investigation agents then interviewed her, and Higgins said she told them about the notebook but not share the full details because she was afraid for herself and Richter. She was my friend and I didnt know where it was going, she said. I didnt know what the notebook meant. I knew it wasnt good. She said she went into more detail in a second interview with investigators. She said she asked Richter why a 20-year-old man would have a pink notebook and Richter responded that Wehde must have gotten it from one of his sisters. Higgins also recalled how, months before the shooting, Richter told her about buying Bert a pink notebook for school, and Higgins said her sons would never use one like that. Her statements and other evidence were used to draft a complaint charging Richter with murder and leading to her July arrest in Omaha, where she was living. Higgins occasionally glanced across the courtroom at Richter, who looked away during her testimony. Prosecutor Douglas Hammerand gave jurors photocopies of the journals five pages written in Wehdes sloppy handwriting, and they followed along as he read aloud. The journal said Wehde wanted to make a record of a mysterious fellow who asked me to work for him (John Pitman). Pitman wants me to get/force Richter to kill Bert and then commit suicide, or make it appear as though T.R. had committed the murder of her son & then committed suicide, it said. Pitman testified the journal described him accurately: a doctor from Virginia who wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, also a surgeon, and take over his practice one day. The diary describes him as a white male in his 40s who was in the Army. It named Pitmans divorce attorney, Stephen Komie. Only Richter and his family knew that much detail about his personal life, Pitman said, although he acknowledged on cross-examination that he had conflict with Richters second husband, who could have gotten personal information about him from her. The doctor said that he never met Wehde, did not hire him and did not want his son dead. Did your ex-wife Tracey Richter despise you? Hammerand asked. I think so, Pitman responded with a laugh. By PTI: New York, Jul 30 (PTI) Ladies, take note! Wearing lipstick may help you feel smarter and boost cognitive performance, say scientists who found that women who wear makeup are more likely to score higher academic grades. Researchers, including those from Harvard University in the US, studied how academic performance were affected by the so-called "lipstick effect" - a psychological phenomenon in which wearing cosmetics can make an individual feel a sense of overall enhancement in self-esteem, attitude, and personality. advertisement Cosmetics have a well-documented effect on wearers psychology, in that the wearer feels more physically attractive and enjoys a consequent higher sense of self- esteem, researchers said. However, a less well-known effect of this boost in self- esteem is that cognitive abilities may also be influenced, in that they are improved by positive emotions. Researchers devised a psychological experiment in which female undergraduates were sorted into groups and given a series of tests. The test comprised of answering multiple choice questions about a chapter from a general psychology textbook. Before each of the three groups took the test, they all undertook a different mood-influencing task. One group applied makeup, another listened to "a positive music excerpt" and a third coloured a drawing of a human face. The team found a significant increase in cognitive performance from the group who listened to positive music however, the makeup group performed the best. Test scores were significantly higher compared to those obtained after listening to positive music and therapeutic colouring, researchers said. The study was published in the journal Cogent Psychology. PTI APA MHN MHN --- ENDS --- By PTI: Mumbai, Jul 30 (PTI) The Maharashtra government is set to implement Streets With Cycle Track policy in 10 districts of the state on a pilot basis to provide alternate mode of transport to locals. The project comprises cities Pune, Nagpur, Amravati, Chandrapur, Kolhapur, Solapur, Nashik, Latur, Aurangabad and Jalgaon, according to a GR (Government Resoltuion) issued by the government here yesterday. advertisement The GR stated that the concept would be implemented on a pilot basis, which would enable employees travelling around 7-8 km to their work place daily to use cycle as an alternate option of commuting. There are no dedicated cycle tracks in most of the cities in Maharashtra. Hence, people do not dare to use cycle to commute to the work place, the GR said. In many cities, the labour class travel some 7-8 kms to industrial towns. If the existing major roads get parallel cycle tracks, some of the load on roads can shift. It would also reduce traffic congestion and keep a check on pollution, it stated. PTI ND ARS --- ENDS --- By PTI: London, Jul 30 (PTI) Male infertility was recognised, diagnosed and treated as far back as the 13th Century, say scientists who found medieval texts describing medical tests and cures for childlessness for men. Researchers from University of Exeter in the UK analysed popular medical and religious books from the 13th century, and found that widely-circulated medical texts recognised the possibility of male infertility, including sterility and unsuitable seed. advertisement A urine test to determine if a husband or a wife was to blame for the absence of children in a marriage was devised, and medical recipes drawn up as a treatment for men. It has been widely assumed that women in medieval England were blamed for childlessness and religious discourse about infertility focused on women. If men were deemed responsible for the failure of a couple to produce children, this was in cases of sexual dysfunction where it was obvious the man was unable to have intercourse. Researchers found that in 13th-15th century England male infertility was viewed as a possibility, not only among those who had studied medicine at a university and could read Latin but among less-educated sections of society reading texts in English. "Although medical texts tended to devote most space to female infertility, male infertility was nonetheless regularly discussed as a possible cause of childlessness in academic texts and by educated medieval medical practitioners," said Catherine Rider, a historian at University of Exeter. Researchers found texts written in the vernacular contained references to male sterility as a possible cause of a woman failing to conceive. Learned Latin texts were translated, adapted and added to, even influencing English recipe collections which included remedies for childlessness. For example a 12th century gynaecological treatise entitled the Trotula, by an anonymous author, was circulated widely and translated into English and French. It states that "conception is impeded as much by the fault of the man as by the fault of the women". This widely read book on womens medicine went on to describe male reproductive disorders as being about less visible forms of "sterility" as well as problems relating to erections and emission of sperm. The book also includes a test to see if the defect lay in the man or the woman, which had also appeared in earlier medieval texts. Both should urinate into a pot of bran and the pots should be left for nine or ten days. If worms appeared in one of the pots than he or she was the infertile partner, the book stated. advertisement "We cant fully understand what attitudes were like towards male infertility in the Middle Ages because we have so few records which describe the experiences of people who had reproductive disorders," Catherine said. "It is hard to know whether men or women were more likely to seek treatment for infertility in practice. Most of our evidence comes from doctors who discussed what might happen and how to treat these problems," she added. PTI APA MHN MHN --- ENDS --- A man was caught with live bullets at Delhi's Kailash Colony Metro Station. By Asian News International: A man was caught carrying 3 live (7.62 mm) rounds of bullets in Delhi Metro. The incident took place at Kailash Colony Metro Station. The CISF personnel deployed at the station, caught the passenger during screening of the bags. The recovery was made at 12.25 PM today, and the suspected passenger was handed over to the Delhi Metro Rail Police Okhla Vihar for further questioning. advertisement Also Read: Big relief for commuters, Delhi Metro staff call off strike Coming soon on Delhi Metro: Automated driverless trains --- ENDS --- Ferreira said newbuild World Explorer is the first of what could stretch to 10 expedition ships for Mystic Cruises, a division of his Portuguese company. 'Our aim is one per year for the next four years,' Ferreira told Seatrade Cruise News in a wide-ranging interview. 'We could go to 10. They are only 200-passenger ships, the perfect size for our management company.' Ferreira isn't daunted by the fact that Hapag-Lloyd, Ponant and many others are building, too, since he doesn't think all the tonnage on order is enough to replace the older ships going out. 'There is huge demand,' Ferreira said, citing natural market growth and the fact that of the current fleet of 40 or so approximately 10,000gt expedition ships, the average age is 25 years. It will be too costly to update those for new safety and environmental standards. The 9,300gt World Explorer, under construction at Portugal's WestSea Viana Shipyard, is set for a November 2018 crossing from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro. Quark Expeditions has chartered the ship for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Antarctica seasons. The rest of the year World Explorer will sail for another Mystic Invest company, Germany's Nicko Cruises, to places like the Arctic, Norwegian Fjords and Mediterranean. Ferreira hopes Quark will extend beyond its two-season charter but he's had inquiries from several companies for Antarctica and other destinations. Another Mystic Invest division, DouroAzul, is the largest Douro River operator with 16 vessels and 500 crew sailing for companies like AmaWaterways, Avalon, Jules Verne, Riviera, Scenic, Uniworld and Viking. Four more newbuilds are coming by 2019. Ferreira builds them at WestSea in Viana de Castelowhere World Explorer is under construction and he and the Portuguese navy are the top two customersand at Navalria in Aveiro. Both yards are part of the Martifer Group. Nicko Cruises, which Mystic Invest acquired in its insolvency in 2015, fields another 20 river vessels around the world, from the Danube, Rhine and Elbe to the Yangtze, Mekong and Nile. Ferreira installed new management in Stuttgart, led by Guido Laukamp, a Viking River veteran, and Nicko is expanding with one newbuild each on the Danube and Rhine. 'I'm very happy. The company's doing very well,' Ferreira said. 'Bookings are going up and up and up.' When the new World Explorer and any future expedition ships are not on charter they'll sail for Nicko, targeting Germans with departures from ports like Hamburg and Kiel. Per diems are expected in the 450 to 500 range. Before landing on this concept, Ferreira poured several years into planning a vessel for the upper Amazon that would spend part of the year in Antarctica. Instead, what Mystic Cruises is doing will be 'much more interesting,' he said. Branching out into the oceans wasn't driven by Quark's need, but his own ambition. 'The Douro cannot grow much more. We are almost at the limit due to the infrastructure of docks and locks,' Ferreira said. Some 210 kilometers are navigable, all the way to Spain, so round-trips from Porto span 420 kilometers. But there are five locks that handle just one vessel at a time and navigation is permitted in daylight only. With 80 day cruise vessels and 22 hotel ships in service, the Douro is busy. In expanding to the oceans, Ferreira is coming full circle. He began his career with Cunard, working in a variety of hotel positions and sailing the world on Vistafjord. Returning home to Porto, he bought a day cruise vessel on the Douro, then a historic chateau he turned into a hotel and winery. Next he converted a vessel into a 40-room hotel ship. His business went international when he converted a vessel for Uniworld founder Serba Illich, a project Ferreira worked on with Uniworld operations chief Rudi Schreiner, who went on to co-found AmaWaterways. The four-night Majesty voyage sails from the central Florida port on March 25, 2019, and spends a full day in Havana (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), sandwiched between two sea days. Fares start at $540 per person, double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are an additional $90.86. This is a nonrefundable deposit booking; cancellations prior to final payment due date will receive a future cruise credit in the amount of the deposit minus a $100 per person service fee. Via Royal Caribbean's short 'Explore More Sale,' bookings by close of day on July 31 are eligible for a 50% discount for the second passenger and 25% off for third and fourth passengers sharing the same stateroom. Plus, passengers will get an on-board credit of $25 in inside and ocean-view rooms or $50 in balconies and suites. By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 30 (PTI) The Ministry of Corporate Affairs will set up two committees to look at possible withdrawal of court cases related to it pending for 10 years or more. The review would also be carried for cases pertaining to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). The ministry, which implements the companies law, said it has decided to constitute two committees here for "reviewing 10-year-old and above cases of different regions and in office of the SFIO for withdrawal of prosecutions". advertisement "The committees would review and recommend the details of cases in which prosecutions are required to be withdrawn, including the reports submitted by the regional directors," the ministry said in a circular dated July 25. The Director General of Corporate Affairs would chair both the committees to be constituted at the headquarters here. These panels can invite experts to discuss matters and are "free to meet on Saturday and Sunday to expedite and complete their task," it noted. According to the ministry, the special arrears clearance drive has been initiated following a reference from Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad regarding reducing all pending court cases. The ministry implements the companies law and there are more than 16 lakh registered firms in the country. The SFIO is a multi-disciplinary organisation that mainly probes white- collar crimes. As per the ministrys administrative framework, there is a Registrar of Companies (RoC) for each state or union territory and that RoC reports to the regional director concerned. There are regional directors for seven regions. PTI RAM ABM SRK --- ENDS --- Press Release July 30, 2017 Trillanes to review implementation of professional development law After getting a number of complaints from various stakeholders on the implementation of Republic Act 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act, Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV has filed P.S. Resolution 441 or the resolution seeking to conduct an inquiry on the law's implementation. According to Trillanes, chairman of the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, "More than a year after the said law took effect, numerous stakeholders have raised pressing issues regarding its implementation, foremost of which are the affordability and accessibility in acquiring CPD units." Trillanes explained that numerous professionals, especially those who are unemployed, underemployed or who receive low wages, and casual or contractual employees, may not be able to afford to pay the training, seminar, or courses needed to renew their licenses. He added that others have less access to Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)-accredited institutions, especially those assigned in far-flung areas who are compelled to travel to major cities just to process their applications and complete the required CPD units. The CPD law was enacted to upgrade the practice of Filipino professionals in line with the integration of economies of the member countries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as required by the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements, the Philippine Qualifications Framework, and the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework. It mandates all professionals to take additional formal and non-formal training through CPD for the renewal of their Professional Identification Card every three years, effective July 1, 2017. Trillanes also pointed out other issues of various stakeholders such as: the PRC-accredited CPD providers are limited to current providers which are private institutions and the Accredited Integrated Professional Organizations (AIPO), allegedly offering expensive training and seminars; and the PRC does not recognize in-house training by government agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd) and other companies, which are already instituted and are usually free. "Prior to the issuance of the General Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) by the PRC, I have proposed measures on how they can implement the law without it becoming a burden to our professionals. Among these are the offering of affordable online courses, so the professionasl won't have to travel in order to gain their units; inclusion of annual seminars of teachers and other professional annual conventions in their CPD units; and providing additional leaves to our professionals so they can attend training and seminars for their units. But to my dismay, I have been informed that the training and seminars they provide remain costly and limited to few accredited training institutions." "Obviously, these problems are not the intention of the CPD law. It was created to help our professionals cope with their respective globalizing field; thus, we want to call the attention of the PRC and Professional Regulatory Boards, so they can review and amend their implementing or operational guidelines, which should not be burdensome to our professionals," Trillanes further explained. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today met the Dalai Lama in a development that, though unconnected to the India-China Doklam standoff, is unlikely to go down well in Beijing. By India Today Web Desk: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in Leh. Mufti attended a Buddhist function at the Himalayan desert city and vowed to make Leh one of the best tourist destinations in the Mufti's meeting Dalai Lama, though unconnected to the ongoing Doklam border standoff between India and China, is bound to raise hackles in Beijing, which views the Tibetan spiritual leader as an extremist. advertisement China has always taken strong offence to any foreign leader meeting with the Dalai Lama, and just this week warned Botswana over the Tibetan leader's upcoming visit to the southern African country for a human rights conference. Mufti's meeting with the Dalai Lama also comes as soldiers from the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army continue their over-a-month-long standoff in Doklam. Armies of the two nuclear-armed countries have been engaged in a non-violent but volatile stand-off over disagreements relating to the trijunction point between India, China and Bhutan. The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister made absolutely no reference to the border standoff while in Leh, choosing to talk about the need to strengthen the bond between various sections of the society. According to a statement released by the Jammu and Kashmir government, Mufti "praised Dalai Lama for his recent statement in which he had criticized the elements who were out to label Muslims as terrorists". Mufti also advocated opening up a Mansarovar Yatra route through Leh, which she said would increase footfalls to the area. This is the same Mansarovar Yatra that was among the first casualties of the Doklam standoff. Mehbooba Mufti and the Dalai Lama also had a one-on-one interaction (Photo: Facebook/Jammu and Kashmir information department) Click here to Enlarge Mehbooba Mufti and the Dalai Lama also had a one-on-one interaction (Photo: Facebook/Jammu and Kashmir information department) STAND-OFF Between June 19 and 23, China shut down the Nathu La pass on the Sikkim border, denying entry to a bunch of Indian pilgrims on their way to Kailash Mansoravar (located in Tibet). Beijing later confirmed that the Nathu La pass was shut down because of the military stand-off with India. That stand-off was sparked after Indian Army soldiers intervened to help their Bhutanese counterparts prevent the PLA from constructing a metal road in Doklam. Ever since then China, which accused India of transgressing into its territory, and India, which demanded a return to status quo, have refused to back down in the high-altitude face off. Simultaneously, Chinese media, which is state-controlled, has taken a particularly aggressive stand on the stand-off, with the Global Times being its hawkish best, at times hinting at a military escalation that may lead to war. The Mehbooba Mufti -Dalai Lama meeting, while not connected to what is happening in Doklam, is unlikely to go down well in China. advertisement Beijing most recently took great offence to the Dalai Lama's April visit to Arunachal Pradesh. China had then warned of diplomatic consequences of India allowing the Tibetan leader to visit the state. New Delhi had dismissed Beijing's objections saying that China had no right to interfere in India's internal affairs. The Dalai Lama has been living in Dharamshala having exiled himself from Tibet in 1959. He was granted political asylum by the Jawarharlal Nehru government. (With inputs from Ashraf Wani in Srinagar) ALSO READ | Doklam border standoff: Will there be an India-China war? ALSO READ | Doklam standoff: Did Chinese President Xi Jinping just call India an invading enemy? ALSO WATCH | Chinese daily calls NSA Ajit Doval as the villain of Doklam standoff --- ENDS --- Anti-abortion protesters upset over the San Francisco Planning Commissions approval of a Planned Parenthood center on Bush Street used military-like precision in protests the other day in neighborhoods where four of the commissioners live. In each case Tuesday, four vans pulled up to the commissioners homes. About 50 people piled out and, using chalk, scrawled such messages as, Life is a gift, Stop Planned Parenthood and Stop killing babies on the street and sidewalk. Some of the graffiti called out the commissioners by name. I can differ with you on opinions, but you dont have to come and terrorize my neighborhood about it that steps over the line, said Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards, who was targeted along with Commissioners Rich Hillis, Rodney Fong and Christine Johnson. Richards neighbor Paige Grey said that when she confronted a chalker who was writing, Dennis Richards kills babies, on the sidewalk outside her home, the woman got in my face about her First Amendment rights. Then the main guy said, In the vans lets go, and they were gone, Grey said. But he did say goodbye and have a nice day, she said. It was all over within about five minutes. Richards said he was upset that that the protesters included teenagers and that there were gay slurs among the scrawled messages, including, This car is gay and Richards kills gay babies. They didnt break any laws, said Richards, who is gay. The thing for me is, this could escalate. The protest was the work of a group called Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust. We call it chalk and awe, said organizer Jeff White. The participants were part of an anti-abortion activism boot camp being held at a local church, White said. He declined to say which church. 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. On Wednesday evening, the protesters returned to Richards neighborhood with a megaphone and were met by the planning commissioner himself. I said, Hey, lets talk and we did, Richards said. White said, It was an open discussion, and he was very professional. Group members also apologized for the antigay slurs, adding that they were the work of a younger teen. I appreciated that, Richards said of the apology, This is what democracy is all about. One of the teens even told me they were bisexual. Wow! San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross Army Maj. Charles McGrue barely blinked when he met Capt. Sage Fox near their post in Sacramento for lunch in 2012 after not seeing her for a couple of months, even though there was one big difference. The Capt. Fox he had talked to a couple of months before was a man. Now she was a woman. No problem, McGrue recalled last week. Male, female, transgender, whatever if you are capable of doing the job youve been assigned, thats what matters. And Sage is great at her job. In the wake of President Trumps tweeted declaration Wednesday that he intends to ban transgender people from serving in the military, interactions like McGrue and Foxs are at the center of national debate about whether serving alongside transgender people is an expensive distraction. For Fox, who had transitioned from male to female not long before that lunch with McGrue, and several soldiers who have served with her, the answer to that question is an emphatic no. Fox, a 44-year-old Army Reserve officer in her 14th year of service, realized she was a woman in a mans body while on deployment in Kuwait five years ago, and after taking a brief break to make adjustments including hormone treatment, she reported back to duty. Her commander told her it was fine to serve as a female officer, and her troops accepted her well, she said. It all seemed to fall in line with military tradition that what matters most is obedience and competence. It was like, OK, youre an asset, and thats what counts, said Fox, who lives in Elk Grove (Sacramento County). And I have to say, I specialize in information technology, and Im good at my job. Any possibility of continuing to do that job may soon end. Trumps tweets carried no official weight, and though Defense Department officials have said any ban wont be enacted until they receive formal notice, transgender service members, veterans and their advocates are on high alert. They are braced for a return, for trans people, to what military life was like before the dont ask, dont tell policy that barred gays and lesbians from serving openly ended in 2011 and before last July, when then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter set policy allowing service members to transition genders in the military. Fox said she is telling transgender active service members not to lose hope and to be patient and maintain their professionalism. But conservatives who have been pushing not only to bar transgender people from the armed forces but to return to a ban on gays and lesbians in the military say they hope Trumps tweets lead to a mass exodus. The science doesnt back up the notion that if youre a man, you can suddenly decide to be a woman, said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage. Everybody knows this policy of allowing transgenders in is not about military readiness, and were not going to stand for it. Next, he said, the permission for gays and lesbians to serve needs to be readdressed. Foxs experience to date speaks of both hope and caution for the transgender military experience. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 2 1 of 2 Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Show More Show Less On one hand, she was welcomed back to duty after openly transitioning to female in 2012. But on the other, that active duty only lasted about two weeks. Then her superiors suddenly put her on inactive status not discharged, but in a holding pattern waiting to be called back and have not answered her queries for explanation. Army representatives didnt offer any comment in response to Chronicle requests for details of Foxs service. My sexuality was never an issue in the Army except for one thing, Fox said. I had one woman tell me after I transitioned, Capt. Fox, Im not comfortable using the restroom next to a trans person. I said, Im not comfortable using the restroom next to a bigot, but were both going to have to suck it up and use the bathrooms the way they should be used. And that was the end of it. Maj. McGrue, who outranks Fox, was joined by several of the captains subordinates in saying they didnt find her transition to be a disqualifying issue. She was one of my squad leaders in the late 2000s, and she was very reliable, intelligent, trustworthy everything youd want to see in a CO (commanding officer), said Master Sgt. Alan Shanahan, 47, of Sacramento. Her transition did not make her less competent. They dont take away your brains and your courage when you change your gender. In one of his tweets, Trump cited the tremendous medical costs of transgender troops, but trans advocates dismiss that. The medical costs of her transition, Fox said, were carried by a civilian medical insurance policy bolstering her contention that the idea of going to all the trouble of enlisting, putting oneself in harms way for ones country, purely to get medical costs of transition paid, doesnt reflect reality. Estimates of the number of transgender people in the military range from 6,000 to over 15,000, and the nonprofit Rand Corp. determined that the cost of gender-transition procedures is relatively low. The total cost of medical care for transgender troops would increase annual health care costs by $2.4 million to $8.4 million, Rand said a pittance by Pentagon standards. Saying health care costs are a reason for banning transgender people from service is just ridiculous, Fox said. This is all purely based on discrimination. Twenty of our allied countries allow transgender soldiers Britain, Argentina, Australia and more but then Trump knows more than anybody, right? Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle She exhaled derisively. What do I know? Im just a soldier, she said. All I ever wanted to do was serve my country. I love the camaraderie of it, the esprit de corps. There are very few environments where you have this brotherhood, sisterhood, the Ive got your back mentality that exists in the military. In the time since being put on inactive status, Fox has built a full civilian life. She expanded on her military expertise as an IT engineer and manager a geeky computer nerd as a kid, she has a bachelors of science degree in technology and is now a manager at an engineering firm in Sacramento. She married 45-year-old Olga Evans a year ago, and they live in a spacious suburban ranch home in Elk Grove. With six children, they stay busy with the normal life you have with a big family. I come home, take out the trash, play with the kids and our two dogs do all those things, Fox said at home while she, her wife and their 10-year-old son prepared to go out for dinner. What do people think that we have a dungeon or something? she said, laughing. No, we live a pretty quiet, nice life. Whats missing, though, is the active military life she loved, the steadiness of its fellowship and service to country. Shes got a uniform in the closet with a chestful of commendations two meritorious service medals and two expeditionary medals among them that she would quickly put on again if the way back were warmly welcoming, she said. But thats not on the near horizon. The Army has been grindingly bureaucratic about granting a medical review that could qualify her for disability payments for shoulder injuries unrelated to her transition, Fox said, and she is contemplating resigning my commission. At this point ... if Im honest with myself, Ive been more effective in creating change out of uniform than I could have in uniform, said Fox, who has advocated for transgender rights at national conferences and gatherings of advocates and veterans over the past few years. She stopped to look at a collage on a wall in the living room that shows the younger, rugged Fox with a motorcycle, sporting a beard, posing in camouflage. Its a sharp contrast from the Fox of today. She is still a black belt in karate and can bench-press hundreds of pounds, but her body contours, extravagantly colorful tattoos of a fox and an angel on her shoulders, and red hair stylishly swept to the left proclaim womanhood. That feels like a million years ago, a different life, she said, touching the collage. After transitioning, Fox said, suddenly I could feel more emotions, hear things and see things more clearly. I was so much more myself. I would describe it like, if youre in a house and you can hear a radio way in the back somewhere, hear the music but you cant quite make out the words. That was my emotions before. And once I started on estrogen, it was like somebody suddenly cranked it up. And rather than listening to this scratchy little thing in the back room, Im now sitting in the middle of an orchestra and theyre playing this amazing thing Beethovens Fifth. It was just so emotionally impacting. The transformation cost Fox some old friends, triggered a divorce and chilled relations with some family members. But her 23-year-old daughter, Mystic Wells, said she appreciated the difference right away. And still does. We talked when she was male, but she listens better as a woman, Wells said. Shes been in the military for so much of my life, Id have to say she would be a better soldier because she is more herself. Anyone whos living in a different skin cant really be themselves. Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron Virtually all of BARTs 3,600 employees will get a $500 ridership bonus in their August paycheck even though ridership is down systemwide. BART employees have long been guaranteed bonuses of up to $1,000 under their labor contract if ridership exceeds expectations. This year, ridership is down 3 percent from 2016. Still, the average weekday ridership total of 373,225 in what BART calls the core system excluding some recent extensions is 1 percent above what the agency predicted for 2017 in long-range plans that date back several years. The upshot: Workers will get half the $1,000 bonus they received last year. Its a lump sum payment called for in the contract, BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost said. And it is based on long-term ridership projections, which weve exceeded. The only people who wont be getting the bonus are about a dozen executive managers who report directly to BART General Manager Grace Crunican. Crunican wants the brass to do more to make stations clean, keep homeless people away, cut crime and reduce fare evasion problems that have brought plenty of unwelcome scrutiny to BART in recent months. If they make progress, Trost says, theyll get their $500. The idea here is that she is holding her executive managers to task, she said. Michael Macor/The Chronicle Chalk it up: Antiabortion demonstrators upset over the San Francisco Planning Commissions approval of a Planned Parenthood center on Bush Street used military-like precision in protests the other day in neighborhoods where four of the commissioners live. In each case Tuesday, four vans pulled up to the commissioners homes. About 50 people piled out and, using chalk, scrawled such messages as, Life is a gift, Stop Planned Parenthood and Stop killing babies on the street and sidewalk. Some of the graffiti called out the commissioners by name. I can differ with you on opinions, but you dont have to come and terrorize my neighborhood about it that steps over the line, said Commissioner Dennis Richards, who was protested along with Commissioners Rich Hillis, Rodney Fong and Christine Johnson. Richards neighbor Paige Grey said that when she confronted a chalker who was writing, Dennis Richards kills babies, on the sidewalk outside her home, the woman got in my face about her First Amendment rights. Then the main guy said, In the vans lets go, and they were gone, Grey said. But he did say Goodbye and Have a nice day, she said. It was all over within about five minutes. Richards said he was upset that the protesters included teenagers and that there were gay slurs among the scrawled messages, including, This car is gay and Richards kills gay babies. They didnt break any laws, said Richards, who is gay. The thing for me is, this could escalate. The protest was the work of a group called Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust. We call it chalk and awe, said organizer Jeff White. The participants were part of an antiabortion activism boot camp being held at a local church, White said. He declined to say which church. On Wednesday evening, the protesters returned to Richards neighborhood with a megaphone and were met by the planning commissioner himself. 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. I said, Hey, lets talk and we did, Richards said. White said, It was an open discussion, and he was very professional. Group members also apologized for the antigay slurs, saying they were the work of a younger teen. I appreciated that, Richards said of the apology, This is what democracy is all about. One of the teens even told me they were bisexual. Wow! Buddy-buddy: Arnold Schwarzenegger was really enjoying himself at the cap-and-trade deal signing out at Treasure Island the other day, even spending a bit of personal time with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. He was concerned about the impact of the new rules against sanctuary cities on us, Lee said. At first I thought it was a bit strange because Arnold is a Republican, but then I remembered that he actually supported sanctuary cities when he was governor. The towering Terminator looming over the diminutive Lee looked like an outtake from Twins, the buddy movie that starred Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. At one point, Schwarzenegger gripped the mayor by the arm. Hey, you seemed pretty pumped up, the former bodybuilding champ said. Yeah, Lee replied, Ive been getting in shape for when we do a movie. San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The San Francisco Police Department must submit public reports twice a year documenting the agencys collection and analysis of rape kits, according to a resolution passed by the Police Commission. Under the resolution, passed unanimously Wednesday night, police will be held to deadlines recommended by the state Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights, which calls for law enforcement agencies to submit forensic evidence to a crime lab within five days of collecting it and for the crime lab to finish processing and uploading the evidence to national crime databases within 120 days of receiving it. The resolution came after the police force was criticized for a backlog of unprocessed rape kits. The civilian Office of Citizen Complaints, responding to a complaint made by a sexual assault victim, recommended the reforms after investigators found that the victim had received no follow-up on the results of her rape kit for almost two years. The resolution is a way to give more transparency and to look through and make sure there is compliance with the deadlines and make sure the victims are notified, said Samara Marion, a policy attorney with the Office of Citizen Complaints who helped draft the resolution. Under the shift, the police chief will be required to submit and post reports on the departments website in the first and third quarter of each year containing breakdowns of rape kits tested by the departments forensic services division. Rape kits are the compiled evidence taken from victims. Hospital staff collect evidence such as the victims blood, fingernail clippings, hair, urine and swabs from the mouth, genitals and anus, with the hope that crime lab analysts can find a DNA profile of the assailant and spur an arrest. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The Police Department announced in 2014 that the forensic services division had cleared a backlog of kits that could still be prosecuted under the states 10-year statute of limitations on sexual assault cases. But in January, a woman filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against police, saying she had not received the results of her rape kit six years after she reported her assault. Police said in 2015 that there were an additional 437 untested kits, collected from before 2003 and thus beyond the statute of limitations. Chief Greg Suhr said the department would finish going through those kits by the end of 2015. The first report on rape kits is to be submitted in July. Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo In our Summer of Discontent, what can we learn from the Summer of Love? Since the Summer took place before I was born, I have no nostalgia, passions or bad memories about anything that happened in San Francisco in 1967. I can tell that for some people it was a seminal event, judging by the extent of attention Ive seen around the 50th anniversary. There have been at least 10 Bay Area museum exhibits celebrating some aspect of the Summer of Love this year. There have been endless free concerts, tours and tie-dyed public posters. Theres been even-more-extensive-than-usual glorification of the Grateful Dead. I appreciate how all of this is an opportunity for a segment of Bay Area Baby Boomers to indulge in youthful memories of the good times. (Have fun, kids!) But for those of us far too young to have been there, the Summer of Love has never felt as far away as it does in 2017. On my way to the de Young Museums Summer of Love Experience exhibit, in Golden Gate Park, I traveled through the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. My misgivings began there. San Franciscos advanced state of economic inequality and neighborhood gentrification have led to strange street-level juxtapositions all over town. But the Haight is still a special place; these juxtapositions maintain a hard edge. As I walked past the multimillion-dollar homes flanking Buena Vista Park, I passed a group of young people who appeared to be camping there. Their faces were red from substance abuse and sun exposure. Several large dogs were in their care. As these dogs snarled and strained toward passersby like myself, they laughed and mimicked them. I crossed the street to avoid further confrontation, but I couldnt help thinking about them for the rest of the afternoon. The Summer of Love is in a museum, I thought, but San Francisco still hasnt figured out what to do with the burnout children left behind. The answers as to why can be seen in the exhibit itself, if you look closely. You do have to look very closely, though. The first thing I saw, walking in among a horde of foreign tourists, was a selection of hippie-child clothing against a flower-powered background. Huh, I thought, looking around for context. I found a little bit at the very beginning: a small display case of books, from writers like Thoreau and Allen Ginsberg, that supposedly inspired the Summer of Love. There was also a newsreel, offering one of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s stirring speeches. (I know the good reverend dropped by the Bay Area during the summer of 1967, but I only counted one other image of an African American adult in all of the exhibitions photos, videos and documents, so it seems facetious to claim him as the Summers animating force.) Still, the Summers animating force, according to the rest of the exhibition, wasnt peace at all. It was friction-free fun. When I walked into the next room, the wall text receded and the room decor turned increasingly psychedelic. The other exhibits were a kaleidoscope of drugs, concert photographs, music posters and plenty more wild-child clothing. There was no indication that the United States was engaged in a war in Vietnam, or that cities were burning across the country, or even that the Black Panthers were massing across the bay in Oakland. All was gauzy and dreamy and aspirational for the other visitors, who happily snapped selfies of themselves among the paisley. I get it. During tough political times, like, say, the United States in 1967 or 2017, we all want a little glamour and fun. I, too, am susceptible: I couldnt help but smile when I heard Timothy Leary exhorting me to drop out in one of the rooms. The idea of taking time for mind expansion in an era of $3,000-a-month rent it seemed so innocent and hopeful. I wanted to be the kind of kid who could believe in the idea of free love and good times. Alas, I live in the Summer of San Franciscos Discontent, and what enlightened me the most was not the music posters or the photographs of drug-enhanced concerts in Golden Gate Park. It was, instead, a poem toward the end of the exhibit. It had apparently been pinned to a community board at the Psychedelic Shop in the Haight, and it was the only time I felt a connection between the kids left behind by the Summer of Love and the ones Id just left behind in 2017-era Buena Vista Park. There are no meth freaks, no speed freaks, no freaks, it read. We are not freaks. We are frightened. Fifty years on, and some things about San Francisco havent changed one bit. Caille Millner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cmillner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @caillemillner By India Today Web Desk: Nitish was under pressure from Lalu during alliance with RJD, says Rajiv Pratap Rudy JD(U) Chief Nitish Kumar has found support from BJP and a vocal proponent in Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy who hailed his decision to break away from the Mahagathbandhan. US bombers fly over Korean peninsula after North Korea's missile tests advertisement Two US Air Force B-1B bombers flew over the Korean peninsula in direct response to recent North Korean missile tests, the US Air Force said in a statement on Sunday. On Sanjay's 58th birthday, Bhoomi first poster unveiled The first look poster of Sanjay Dutt's Bhoomi is out. It marks the return of superstar Sanjay Dutt, who's loved by the masses across India. Hardik Pandya can do for India what Ben Stokes does for England: Virat Kohli Virat Kohli singled out Hardik Pandya for special mention, praising his second innings bowling apart from his debut half-century in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. --- ENDS --- The children enrolled at Belvedere Montessori in San Francisco were probably the youngest members of the audience at the Iron Science Teacher competition at the Exploratorium on June 30. They were being shepherded by Barbara Alexander, who has been taking her charges to the event for a few years. Modeled after TVs Iron Chef contest, organizers present identical materials to four teachers participating in the Exploratoriums summer Teacher Institute, a three-week program that trains and inspires science teachers. The competition challenge is to use those materials to build something that will serve as the basis for a science lesson. The event is a serious exercise, and its also a lot of fun, said Alexander, who contacted me after this years outing. She loves the Exploratorium, she said, because kids run around shrieking, using up all the equipment ... and nobody says Dont do that. A few days before, the Iron Science Teacher competitors had been given piles of packing materials to work with: Styrofoam peanuts, cardboard tubes, newspaper, bubble wrap, tape, wooden shims. Construction took place in a workshop stocked with a few other materials, including wooden dowels and screws, and tools. On competition day, the last teacher up was Alexandra Graham, 25, who is going into her third year teaching math and science to sixth graders at Creative Arts Charter School in San Francisco. She began by talking about the uses of feet to stand and to balance and then donned an eye patch to talk about pirates and peg legs. She talked about the challenges faced by amputees: A set of legs and feet costs about $50,000, she said, and for adults, they need to be replaced every three to five years. Graham showed the audience how shed constructed a prosthetic leg and foot. A packing tube was the basis for the leg, which was reinforced with wooden splints and attached with a dowel to a movable foot. The leg went above the knee, had an adjustable top to be fitted to the remainder of the amputees leg. She held up the completed leg. And then she rolled up one side of her blue jeans and removed the prosthetic leg she was wearing, replacing it with what she built. She walked out from behind the counter so the kids could see it being used. All the participants projects were imaginative and resourceful, but she won the competition, judged on the basis of applause, easily. It was a dazzling display for an adult to watch. But Alexander, who was there with the youngest kids, said they didnt seem surprised at either Grahams disability or her ingenuity. They just accepted her situation and liked what she did. A few weeks later, after Alexander called me to describe Grahams demonstration, I looked at the video (Graham is about 26 minutes into it) and talked with Graham. Her gait, as shown during the introductions of competitors, is smooth. But as part of getting to know her students and them getting to know her, she said, she usually tells them about her amputations. At 18 months, she contracted meningococcemia, a blood infection that resulted in the stoppage of circulation to her feet. When she was 2 years old, both feet and legs below the knee were amputated. With the health care debate raging in Congress, I couldnt resist asking her about the economics of her situation. Until she reached her full adult growth, the prostheses needed to be replaced pretty much every year, which was done through a program at a Shriners Hospital for Children. Nowadays, she goes to UCSF, and I go through my insurance, and then I pay a portion out of my pocket, she said. We talked for a moment about proposed changes in insurance coverage. Hers is a preexisting condition. At the end of her demonstration, she told the audience that shed built the leg for $10 to $20, in hopes of inspiring the making of cheaper prostheses. No matter how complex it is, she said, referring to every challenge, you can make it out of materials you have. Whatever you can think of, you can build it. No big deal that we cant be firsthand witnesses to the solar eclipse on Aug. 21? Steven Short of KALW doesnt understand the disappointment. Anyone living in San Francisco regularly experiences an obstruction between us and the sun, he says. As to the Millennium Tower and its problems, Richard Macias suggests that brokers put a large banner on its outside: Now listing. Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @leahgarchik Public Eavesdropping Ive looked everywhere. Theres nothing in this place I would ever put in my body. Man to woman, overheard at Whole Foods Market in West Berkeley by Paul Dalmas Russia's deputy foreign minister said Sunday that his country was poised to retaliate aggressively against any new U.S. sanctions on Moscow. "I think retaliation is long, long overdue," Sergei Ryabkov said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos. "We have a very rich toolbox at our disposal." His comments come as Russia announced Friday that it would seize U.S. diplomatic properties and expel scores of U.S. diplomats and other staff members. The steps were described by Ryabkov as retaliation for the punitive sanctions bill passed by Congress on Thursday, an effort to address Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. On Friday, the White House said President Donald Trump plans to sign the legislation. "After the Senate ... voted so overwhelmingly on a completely weird and unacceptable piece of legislation, it was the last drop," Ryabkov said. "If the U.S. decides to move towards further deterioration, we will respond in kind. We will mirror this, we will retaliate." He added, "My whole point is - don't do this, it's to the detriment of the interests of the U.S." When asked what sort of retaliation the United States could expect, Ryabkov wouldn't elaborate but added, "I can assure you different options are on the table, and consideration is being given to all sorts of things, both symmetrical and asymmetrical." Experts predict it could lead to all-out economic war. "If the bill is approved, and most probably it will be adopted, then we will inevitably enter the stage of what we call the Cold War," Andrei Sidorov, an expert on international politics at Moscow State University, told The Washington Post last week. "And the Cold War means various responses." In a statement on Saturday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said, "The near unanimous votes for the sanctions legislation in Congress represent the strong will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. "We hope that there will be cooperation between our two countries on major global issues and these sanctions will no longer be necessary." The Russian Embassy in Washington didn't seem to buy the attempt to make nice, tweeting, "Washington still doesn't get the fact that pressure never works against @Russia, bilateral relations can hardly be improved by sanctions." Sorry, Utah. Californias epidemic shortage of housing hasnt just sickened our own state driving up prices, forcing residents into rentals and putting a $140 billion annual drag on our economy. The disease is spreading to our neighbors, too. Today, nearly every major Western city from Seattle to Denver to Boise is experiencing a minor-league version of the California housing crisis. This regional housing crisis shares some causes: lack of water sources, shortages of skilled construction workers, and the rising price of scarce land near job centers. But our Western neighbors face an additional challenge: the influx of Californians who are unable to find housing in their own state. I witnessed the California epidemics spread recently in Utah, where the housing shortage is considered historic. For the first time since the 1970s, Utah, growing because of births and the arrival of job seekers, is adding more households than housing units. So homeownership rates are falling, homelessness is rising, and the Salt Lake City Council has declared an affordable housing emergency. Facing these challenges, some Utahns are seeking to learn from Californias mistakes so their crisis doesnt worsen. A recent assessment by the nonprofit Envision Utah found: Faced with rapid growth, many California communities, and even the state, imposed ever-more-stringent regulations designed to curb development, believing that if they slowed development it would put the brakes on growth. But, said Envision Utah, Californias constraints didnt slow growth, so demand for housing stayed high. Instead, those regulations simply diminished the supply, and we know what happens next. By the same token, Utah holds lessons for California. Most intriguingly, Utah and California are distinguished by their lack of housing. California is ranked 49th in the country in the number of housing units per person. Utah is 50th. But Utah, for its housing struggles, hasnt had a shortage as deep or long-lasting as ours, or prices that exceed the national average by 2 times. Why? One part of the answer might sound obvious: Utah doesnt need as many housing units because it has the countrys largest families, a product of the prevalence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That suggests one wildly impractical solution to the housing crisis California embracing Mormonism as its state religion. But its no more far-fetched than the 50-plus bills in our Legislature that offer minor or counter-productive changes to Californias housing markets. Putting religion aside, the most serious difference between Utah and California housing involves local government. Utah is a place where state government defers to local government, and local communities retain control over their destiny. California is not. Its hard to exaggerate how little control California communities have over their fate. For 40 years, the state government has continued to concentrate its power at the expense of locals, discouraging housing in the process. Environmental regulations make it slow and costly to build housing. State limits on local taxes, especially Proposition 13, create incentives that encourage retail and commercial development, not housing. This state of affairs fuels NIMBYism. With their representatives having relatively little power, local officials cling to the power they do have: saying no to change in their communities. Utah, a straitlaced place, has almost none of Californias restrictions on growth and local control. It takes years, even decades, for brave developers to navigate Californias antihousing rules and build something. In Utah, housing comes together in a matter of months. We dont have the problem you have with widespread antigrowth sentiment, says economist Robert Spendlove, a member of the Utah Legislature. That culture has made it easier for Utah to respond to its housing problems. Theres momentum to lift limits on housing density and streamline the permit process. Utah builders are also increasing production of more moderately priced homes. In California, the response is very different. Gov. Jerry Brown and leading legislators want to impose even more rules on local governments, with the goal of forcing the construction of more housing. But local governments are already weary of state mandates. Might new housing ones only encourage more defiance and NIMBYism? Of course, reforming Californias system of government to restore local control and eliminate antihousing incentives would be extremely difficult. But how easy is it to live under a miserable housing shortage that exports our people and our housing challenges to states like Utah? Failing to address our housing crisis is bad for California. And it isnt very neighborly. Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zocalo Public Square. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at www.sfchronicle.com/letters. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Conservatives may bristle at the Golden States newfound vigor in standing against governmental action that it views as insufficiently progressive but they shouldnt. In fact, they should encourage California to continue in its resistance and persistence. While Californias opposition to the federal government is probably rooted in opposition to President Trump, that shouldnt stop conservatives from cheering them on. Yes, if a Democrat sat in the Oval Office, California would probably be much less inclined to oppose increases in federal power, as it was during the Obama administration. But for the purposes of our system of shared governance, federalism, the motivation matters less than the effect. Americas governing structure allows individual state governments to control all matters of health, safety and welfare policy that address their citizens. Under the tenets of federalism, the federal government should legislate only according to the limited grants of power provided to it under the U.S. Constitution. By protecting its policy goals against encroachment from both the federal government and its sister states, California is operating exactly as federalism intended. Theres precedent for its approach as well: Texas adopted a similar approach during the Obama years, suing the federal government 48 times. Agreeing that California may use its state power to forward its legitimate policy aims does not entail agreement with those aims. The wonderful thing about federalism is its allowance for states to serve as true laboratories of democracy, pursuing progressive and conservative policies that the national government would not stoop to favor. Federalism dictates that if California bankrupts its state with astronomically high taxes, strict environmental regulation and $15 minimum wages, then California will rightly bear all responsibility for its debt. As harsh as that may sound, in such an instance California would serve as an oracle of caution for other states that might wish to adopt progressive policies. The only way that the country will finally learn whether progressive policies lead to cultural ruin or advancement is to see them work in our own backyard. Perhaps Californias approach will work. We will never know until we allow California to try, without interference by other federal or state governments. The same principle applies to the efforts of other, redder states. Last month a federal appeals court upheld a Mississippi law allowing business owners to refuse service to customers based on sincerely held religious beliefs. And despite strife in the state Capitol, Texas lawmakers are committed to lowering taxes, attracting jobs, reforming property taxes, and increasing family choice in education. Conservative policies can improve the lives of American citizens, and Texas can show other states how. Conservative onlookers should, of course, try to persuade liberals that federalisms benefits extend beyond state-level opposition to Republicans in Washington and other states. Even if their arguments dont succeed, federalism is a net good regardless of the reasoning behind our left-wing friends pursuit of it. States should govern themselves on matters of public welfare. They know their citizens better than the Washington monolith. Erin Wilcox is an attorney with the Center for the American Future at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Connor Mighell is a law clerk at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at www.sfchronicle.com/letters. Californias record on federalism Green-lighted an effort to put an initiative on the ballot that would require the governor negotiate more autonomy, including secession. Hired former Attorney General Eric Holder to represent the states interests before the federal government. Signed separate climate agreements with foreign countries after the U.S. pulled out of the Paris climate accords. Sued the administration for withholding funding from sanctuary cities. Texas record on federalism Disputed federal directives to let transgender students use public bathrooms that corresponded to their stated gender identity. Proposed and passed voter ID laws to combat voter fraud. Challenged Obamas executive orders on immigration. Won when Supreme Court justices deadlocked, leaving lower court rulings in place. Sued Obama administration for its refusal to fund a Texas womens health program. Funds were withheld because Texas bans spending on abortion. By PTI: Washington, Jul 30 (PTI) NASA has released stunning dark images which show the movement of the trillion-tonne iceberg - one of the largest ever recorded - that recently broke off from Antarctica. As Antarctica remains shrouded in darkness during the Southern Hemisphere winter, NASAs Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) on Landsat 8 satellite captured a new snap of the 5,800 square kilometre iceberg that split off from the Antarctic Peninsulas Larsen C ice shelf on July 10-12. advertisement The satellite imagery is a composite of Landsat 8 as it passed on July 14 and July 21 and shows that the main berg, A-68, has already lost several smaller pieces. The A-68 iceberg is being carried by currents northward out of its embayment on the Larsen C ice shelf. The latest imagery also details a group of three small, not yet released icebergs at the north end of the embayment. The calving of the iceberg left the Larsen C Ice Shelf reduced in area by more than 12 per cent, and the landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula changed forever. Icebergs calve from Antarctica all the time, but because this one is particularly large, its path across the ocean needs to be monitored as it could pose a hazard to maritime traffic. PTI MHN MHN --- ENDS --- SACRAMENTO San Francisco police collected 178 rape kits during the first six months of this year an average of one a day and sent all of them to be tested for DNA evidence. Its a high standard that lawmakers want to replicate statewide. The push stems from public outrage over the thousands of untested rape kits found in police storage rooms across the country in recent years, many having languished for more than a decade as victims remained in the dark about the status of the physical evidence taken from their bodies. After years of unsuccessful or watered-down legislative efforts in California, advocates say the state has failed to make rape-kit testing a priority. Now lawmakers are again pushing bills to make it happen starting with a proposal to require law enforcement to track and report the number of rape kits they collect and test, similar to what the San Francisco Police Commission forced the citys Police Department to begin doing last year. There are a lot of states that have been far more progressive than California on this, said Ilse Knecht, director of advocacy and policy at the Joyful Heart Foundation, a national victims-rights group and proponent of clearing the national rape-kit backlog. We think its time for California to step up and join the states that are doing something to address this issue. The U.S. Department of Justice estimated in 2014 that as many as 400,000 rape kits sat untested in police evidence rooms. Some law enforcement agencies argue there are valid reasons for not testing kits such as when the victim declines to pursue charges or the suspects identity is known. But departments that test their backlog of rape kits increasingly discover DNA from a known suspect that links to multiple cases. Kentucky is an example of one state pushing reforms. In 2015, lawmakers there ordered an audit of untested rape kits sitting in evidence rooms. The audit showed the state had more than 3,000 untested rape kits, and helped Kentucky apply for grant funding to test the evidence. This month, the state brought new charges against a convicted rapist after police discovered his DNA in an old rape kit. That was Kentuckys first indictment from backlogged sexual assault evidence. Similar charges have been brought against suspects in states across the country, including California. The Chronicle broke the story of a case last year in which Alameda County prosecutors filed charges against a career criminal accused of sexually assaulting two teens in Berkeley. In that case, a 15- and 19-year-old reported that a stranger abducted them at gunpoint in 2008 near Berkeley High School, raped one and sexually assaulted the other. The Berkeley Police Department could not explain why it took six years to send the evidence to a laboratory to see if DNA in it could help identify the unknown assailant. The department tested the kit only after District Attorney Nancy OMalley began a county-wide audit of untested rape kits. Peter DaSilva/Special to The Chronicle Once tested, DNA evidence from the rape of the 19-year-old linked to Keith Kenard Asberry Jr., an Antioch man with a lengthy crime record. Asberrys DNA had been in the national and state databases of known and unknown suspects since a 2005 felony firearm conviction. Before his arrest in 2015, Asberry was accused of assaulting another woman in Berkeley, also discovered through DNA. He has pleaded not guilty. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for September. OMalley said her office has eight pending cases involving DNA evidence from previously untested rape kits. In 2014, when she first asked law enforcement agencies in Alameda County to inventory their untested rape kits, they found 1,900 stored in evidence rooms. She said the final 200 rape kits will be sent soon to be tested. Now, she said, new rape kits are sent for testing within days. Because of this, we are starting to identify serial rapists, OMalley said. OMalley said that when a victim undergoes the lengthy and unpleasant exam needed to provide material for a rape kit where blood, urine, fingernail clippings, hair and swabs from the mouth, genitals and anus are collected as evidence they expect that evidence to be tested. Shes talked to victims who were angry that their rape kits werent tested for so long. Shes talked to victims whose rape could have been prevented if only an earlier case had been pursued. This is about justice and fairness for them, OMalley said. But laws to strengthen requirements for handling rape kits have fallen short in California, often because of pressure from groups such as the California State Sheriffs Association. They argue that the state shouldnt set new mandates without paying for the expenses that come with them. In 2014 facing opposition from crime labs and the sheriffs lobbyists lawmakers watered down a bill that would have required police to submit rape-kit evidence to a crime lab within five days of collection, and require the lab to process and upload the evidence to national crime databases within 30 days. To get the bill to pass, then-Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, extended the timelines 20 days for police to send the evidence to crime labs and 120 days for crime labs to process it and made it a recommendation-only deadline. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill into law. Advocates say the bill has helped, even if it fails to require such deadlines. They also praised the state for eliminating its 10-year statute of limitations last year on new sex crimes. But they say more changes are needed. Lawmakers are considering three new bills. One would expand services to victims and ensure their evidence cant be destroyed for 20 years. Another would ask taxpayers to contribute part of their state tax return to fund rape-kit testing. And Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, is trying for a second year to pass a bill to require law enforcement agencies to report how many rape kits they have collected and examined, then disclose why any kit is not being tested. AB41 applies only to new rape kits, and would not require agencies to do an inventory of their evidence rooms. A similar bill Chiu carried last year failed in a Senate fiscal committee, where AB41 is scheduled to be heard next month. My bill is part of a long line of failed bills over the past decade to address this issue, Chiu said. Weve counted a half dozen bills attempting to address the rape-kit backlog that have stalled, been vetoed or been watered down. The only opposition to AB41 is the California State Sheriffs Association, whose lobbyist Cory Salzillo said the bill is yet another unfunded state mandate. For the sheriffs, this breaks down to a fiscal and workload issue, Salzillo told lawmakers at a hearing last month. District Attorney OMalley brushed off those concerns, saying millions of dollars in grant money is available to help agencies offset the cost. Also, she said, literally, this would mean a few more keystrokes to create this data. Last year, the San Francisco Police Commission required local police to publicly report twice a year how many rape kits they collect and send to labs, and how they notify victims about their case. The action followed criticism over the Police Departments backlog of unprocessed rape kits and its failure to notify victims about the results when evidence was tested. As part of the commissions directive, the department also adopted a policy last year to send every rape kit to a lab within 24 hours. The crime lab averages 25 days to complete the cases, said department spokesman David Stevenson. Two years ago, the Police Department reported having 437 rape kits that sat untested for more than a decade and were beyond the statute of limitations. Stevenson said last week that those have all been tested and the agency no longer has a backlog. Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez Theres a prevailing belief in Silicon Valley that technology can improve almost anything. So in that spirit, some prominent tech leaders are launching plans to disrupt the Democratic Party, which has plenty of problems. So far, theyre finding it may be easier to diagnose those problems than hack the party. While many tech leaders agree with Democrats on social issues, some of them are tired of serving primarily as an ATM for politicians who cruise through the Bay Area for fundraisers. Theyre frustrated that those politicians then march the same failed path that has led to minorities in Congress and in state legislatures across much of the country east of California. For some, the election of Donald Trump was the final insult, and they decided to take matters into their own hands. That means rebooting the party and the ideas it stands for. I think disrupting Democratic Party politics not just for the sake of disrupting, but to better represent its constituents is a good thing, said James Rucker, the San Francisco co-founder of Color of Change, which works for racial justice. Rucker is advising Win the Future, which is described on its website as a peoples lobby and prefers the nickname WTF. Im not convinced that investing directly in the party will get us anywhere. People are looking to get engaged, said Rucker, who also is a board member of MoveOn.org Civic Action, and the current infrastructure isnt capable of leading that. Tech leaders including LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, Zynga co-founder Mark Pincus and Sam Altman, leader of incubator Y Combinator, are starting to develop ideas on how they might offer better solutions than the political pros. While these efforts are still largely in the formative stages, theyve already been ripped privately by partys establishment and publicly in the tech press. (Is Win the Future the dumbest idea in the history of Silicon Valley? a Venture Beat headline asked.) But they have to be taken seriously, given the money and influence behind them. Plus, tech workers have been innovators of progressive ideas. MoveOn, the 5 million-member, liberal online organizing site, was started nearly two decades ago by the owners of a Berkeley software company who were frustrated with the political system. Rucker was a technology consultant who co-founded Color of Change with activist and now CNN commentator Van Jones. To learn why Trump won the election, several of these executives have traveled outside the Bay Area bubble to talk to people. They got an earful about why Democrats have whiffed. What I heard over and over was profound dissatisfaction with politics right now, said tech entrepreneur Adam Werbach, the former Sierra Club president who is a co-founder of Win the Future. During a tour of colleges around the country, Werbach regularly heard that the Democratic Party totally didnt serve them. Altman, who has registered as both an independent and a Democrat over the years, has been traveling around California in recent months. One of the things that surprised me, he said, was that (home) affordability was an issue everywhere. Thats not just a San Francisco thing. The tech leaders returned home with big ideas and a lot more questions. Spurred on by what they heard from voters, they are even musing about finding and funding a challenger to Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who is up for re-election next year. But thats not their priority. Armed with $500,000 in initial funding from Hoffman and Pincus, Werbach envisions Win the Future as a virtual political party thats there to help Democrats to win. Its website said it will be a peoples lobby where the members set the agenda thats within the parameters of being pro-social, pro-planet, and pro-jobs. Nicole Boliaux/The Chronicle Translation: Win the Future hopes to be an online platform to generate support for new ideas the Democratic Party might not generate. However, there were several stumbles at the start this month. Pincus drew criticism for telling tech news site Recode that the group aspires to be pro-social (and) pro-planet, but also pro-business and pro-economy. Progressives howled, worried that a wealthy tech executive was overlooking working-class voters. Rucker conceded that while the groups initial efforts may have been a little rough ... I think that would be a good conversation to have. What does it mean to be pro-business? He added that Pincus would be a great person to lead that conversation. Altman, through his new political venture United Slate, has fleshed out his policy goals more definitively. His top 10 priorities lean toward the Sen. Bernie Sanders side of the progressive spectrum. Among them: Move to a Medicare-for-all system over time by gradually reducing the age of eligibility and set a target of 90 percent clean energy in the country by 2050. On taxes, Altmans plan prefers to tax wealth and not work. We should also consider a nationwide land tax. Land ownership seems to be the fundamental way that inequality builds up over time; in general, Im in favor of taxing wealth, not work, he wrote. People like me should pay more taxes. But is a 32-year-old Silicon Valley millionaire really the best person to talk about income inequality and affordable housing? Altman said some people asked him that during his statewide tour, but not as many as I thought would. He said that hes only a few years removed from eating ramen. And as for affordability, Altman said two of his siblings are living with him in his San Francisco home, because theyre victims of this housing crisis, too. Over the past several months, Altman said, hes met with more than 500 people from the political world like 10 at a time, I have them over for dinner. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 2 1 of 2 Nicole Boliaux/The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Nicole Boliaux/The Chronicle Show More Show Less Invariably during these meetings, Altman is asked if he wants to run for office, a question he shrugs off. Apparently he didnt shrug it off convincingly enough, as word spread that he was considering a run for governor next year when Gov. Jerry Brown is termed out. Altman isnt running, but he is recruiting candidates to run for governor, lieutenant governor and Congress. He asks every candidate a simple question: Paint me your optimistic vision of the future, and how will you get there? Hes been disappointed in the answers. And the political system that inspired them. People just want to talk about, Heres my fundraising strategy. Heres my Excel spreadsheet, Altman said. Its like they havent thought about that question before. Its pretty disappointing, Altman said, that the system has gotten so far away from what it should be. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli The death of a 54-year-old man whose body was found early Saturday is being investigated as a homicide, Milpitas police said. Officers and fire crews responded to a medical aid call to a business on Winsor Street at 12:53 a.m., police said in a statement. On Aug. 21, many lucky Americans will witness a total solar eclipse. In California, we'll get to see just a partial eclipse. But not to worry, Bay Area eclipsophiles there are plenty of ways to see the total eclipse from home. It is, after all, the first total solar eclipse to cut across the continental U.S. in nearly a century. The Exploratorium will be livestreaming the eclipse from two points on the so-called path of totality, a 70-mile-wide stretch of land that diagonally bisects the country and forms an arc from Oregon to South Carolina. Video feeds from the Exploratoriums telescopes in Madras, Ore., and Casper, Wyo. will be available on a shiny new smartphone app, which the museum developed for the occasion. In addition to the eclipse itself, the Exploratorium will be broadcasting a sonification of the eclipse, as played live by the Kronos Quartet. Museum visitors will be treated to a piece of music arranged by data from the light of the sun (and by Bay Area composer Wayne Grim). The sonification process is described below: The sun over our beloved bay will never darken more than 76 percent of the way, according to Googles eclipse simulator. Unless youre planning on trekking out to the Midwest, where most of the path lies or youre willing to shell out $1,000 or more for an Airbnb in Oregon youll have to settle for experiencing a partial eclipse. (Thats still enough to worry California energy regulators, who have been urging people to turn off their lights during the three-hour span of darkness.) If you want to watch the celestial happenings yourself, youll need a pair of eclipse-viewing goggles. Theyre about as fashionable as the 3D glasses you might get at a movie theater, but looking at a partial eclipse without them can seriously harm your eyes. See what they look like in this news clip: The Exploratorium will have glasses available as part of the museums eclipse-themed programming. Libraries around the Bay Area will also be distributing thousands of pairs to the masses, compliments of the nonprofit Space Science Institutes StarNet initiative. Notable locations include the Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco (Ortega branch) public libraries, though the glasses are first-come-first-serve, and library officials warn that the promotion looks to be a popular one. If you want a better shot at getting a pair or you just cant get enough eclipse hype the libraries are also planning an assortment of pre-eclipse events. The Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco libraries will all be hosting non-technical science talks with astronomer Andrew Fraknoi. The Oakland library will also hold a viewing party, and in San Francisco, little scientists and their parents can snag a pair at the Ortega branchs special storytime event. If all else fails, eclipse glasses have become ubiquitous on Amazon. You can even get them in a flashy patriotic print. UC Berkeley and Google have also teamed up to launch another eclipse app. The idea is to recruit smartphone owners to help make a megamovie of the darkened sun as it makes its way across the country. The project is only open to those who will be in the path of totality which, alas, will never cross California. The California Academy of Sciences is getting in on the science app game too, inviting citizen-scientists to observe how animals respond to the solar event. LOS ANGELES Bruce Bochy did not hesitate a second when asked Saturday if Mark Melancon will be the closer as soon as he returns from his forearm injury. Yes, Bochy said, scotching any notion that Melancons injury and Sam Dysons perfection in save chances would place Melancons role at risk. Bochy did not say it, but the Giants paid Melancon $62 million to be their closer for four years and will not demote him to the eighth inning in his first season in San Francisco. Melancon is almost ready to come back from his second disabled list stint, which has lasted a month. He is scheduled for a rehab appearance Sunday at Class A San Jose. Dyson, who saved 38 games for the Rangers last year, has a 2.33 ERA and has converted all six save opportunities since the Giants acquired him from Texas in June. Where the outside world sees a potential closer controversy, Bochy sees a bullpen strengthened all the way down the line, beginning with Melancon pitching the ninth and Dyson the eighth. Its going to be good to see how that goes, Bochy said. It will put (Hunter) Strickland down into the seventh inning. This is going to tighten up the bullpen, strengthen us and give us a better idea of where were at for the future. That future includes left-hander Will Smith, assuming hes back from Tommy John surgery in April as he hopes. Bochy also has slowly raised rookie Kyle Cricks profile in the bullpen. He might get some more dangerous roles, for instance with runners in scoring position when a strikeout is needed. Briefly: Catcher Nick Hundley was scratched because he was dizzy a day after taking a foul ball to the mask. After Saturdays game he said he felt better. First baseman Brandon Belt missed his second consecutive game with right-wrist soreness and said he still did not feel great swinging a bat in the cage. But he still hopes to be available Sunday. The Giants signed right-handed pitcher Casey Kelly to a minor-league deal. Kelly was a first-round pick for the Red Sox in 2008 but has thrown only 62 big-league innings with a 6.39 ERA. The Dodgers won their 51st consecutive game when leading at any point, a big-league record. Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Leading off Bullpen letdown: George Kontos allowed the Giants 58th and 59th inherited runners to score Friday. Entering Saturday, the team ranked last in the NL in inherited runners stranded at 61.9 percent. Henry Schulman On deck Sunday at Dodgers 5:05 p.m. ESPN Bumgarner (1-4) vs. Ryu (3-6) Monday at As 7:05 p.m. NBCSBA Cain (3-9) vs. Gray (6-5) Tuesday at As 7:05 p.m. NBCSBA Samardzija (5-11) vs. Blackburn (1-1) The National Investigation Investigation on Sunday continues its crackdown in he Hurriyat terror funding case, raiding the home and office of Devinder Singh Behal, a top Geelani aide believed to be a member of the legal cell of the Hurriyat. By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday conducted raids at the residence and office of Syed Ali Shah Geelani's close aide, Devinder Singh Behal. Behal was later detained, news agency ANI reported soon after news of the NIA raids first broke. Devinder Singh Behal, a small time advocate, is believed to be a member of the legal cell of the Hurriyat. Behal, is a close associate of top Hurriyat leaders and regularly attends funerals of militants. advertisement A frequent visitor to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, Behal is suspected to be involved in routing funds to the separatist leaders from their Pakistan-based handlers. A DIG woman officer Sonia Narang, is said to have led the NIA team amidst sloganeering by locals supporting Agency's crackdown on separatists. The team has recovered 4 mobile phones, 1 tablet, electronic devices, incriminating documents, financial papers and some other articles. The recoveries will be sent to Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) which will analyse the forensic and technical data. Behal is said to be the new rich, and lives a lavish life. Sources say he will be questioned regarding the source of income too. Behal was once a National Conference supporter, but crossed over to the separatist faction to earn money. He then tried to form links with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's Awami Action Committee, but found no takers. According to the sources, Behal then made himself useful to Geelani, who gave him a role. Also Read: Terror funding case: NIA finds evidence against Syed Ali Shah Geelani, action likely soon Kashmir: Encounter in Pulwama, 2 militants killed Terror funding in Kashmir: NIA conducts raids at more than 20 places Also Watch: NIA crackdown on separatists continues, Geelani's close aide Devinder Behl raided --- ENDS --- Firefighters temporarily evacuated homes along several rural roads Saturday after a fast-moving brush fire erupted near Jamestown in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The fire began about 1:50 p.m. off Jacksonville Road just south of the Tuolomne County town, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Nitish Kumar will seek a trust vote during a one-day special session of the Bihar Assembly convened at 11 am today after Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi asked him to prove his majority on the floor of the House. By India Today Web Desk: Backed by the BJP, Nitish Kumar returned as the Bihar chief minister for the sixth time barely 16 hours after his dramatic resignation that dented Opposition's unity which could have a bearing on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi was also sworn in, and would be the deputy chief minister. Kumar, 66, will seek a trust vote during a one-day special session of the Bihar Assembly convened at 11 am today after Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi asked him to prove his majority on the floor of the House on July 28. advertisement LATEST UPDATES: Asked several questions in Assembly today, but BJP and Nitish Kumar had no answers to them: Tejashwi Yadav after Nitish Kumar won the floor test Nitish Kumar wins Bihar floor test, 131 votes in favour, 108 against. Secularism should not be used to justify corruption. Won't support people who make money through wrong ways: Nitish Kumar Would like to thank Congress and RJD, if Tejashwi had resigned I would not have been here: Sushil Modi Floor test begins in Bihar Assembly. Yogi Aditynath and some BJP leaders have serious cases registered against them, Nitish ji will you ask all of them to resign: Tejashwi Yadav Nitish Kumar never spoke to me about my resignation,I too was thinking that he does not want me to resign: Tejashwi Yada We did not put any pressure on the Chief Minister ever: Tejashwi Yadav Everything was completely planned, the way Nitish Kumar gave resignation is saddening: Tejashwi Yadav People of Bihar have suffered immensely: Tejashwi Yadav Ruckus inside Assembly. Sushil Modi should be ashamed of what he has done: Tejashwi Yadav Nitish Kumar got seven seats in 1995 when he fought alone and in 2014, he was reduced to two seats: Tejashwi Yadav RJD and Congress tried to save the political image of Nitish Kumar: Tejashwi Yadav Nitish Kumar has betrayed the 2015 mandate. Mandate was for 5 years and it was against the BJP: Tejashwi Yadav All this drama to protect image of one person: Tejashwi Yadav Stormy scenes being witnessed both inside and outside the Bihar Assembly. Voting to happen through voice vote. This is death of democracy. All that is happening is against the mandate: Tejashwi Yadav Nitish Kumar presents trust vote. Patna High Court said, on petition challenging formation of a new government by Nitish Kumar's JDU with BJP, hearing not possible before July 31st, Monday. Lalu's RJD to seek ballot vote. Tejashwi Yadav reaches Bihar Assembly, will speak before Nitish Kumar. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi reaches Bihar Assembly. Nitish Kumar reaches Assembly. RJD MLAs protest outside Bihar Assembly. Shouting slogans and carrying placards, the Rashtriya Janata Dal legislators stood at the main entrance of the assembly, protesting against Nitish Kumar. JD-U's Ajay Alok said that no leader unhappy. Ali Anwar issued a statement but he has also said that this is not a revolt and that he will speak in party forum. RJD may protest at Vidhan Sabha today. According to sources, around 18 Congress MLAs could switch to NDA in coming days. JDU is conffident that there will be massive cross-voting from opposition lawmakers in favour of Nitish Kumar. Congress Bihar in-charge CP Joshi chaired a meeting of Congress MLAs in Patna. Security tightened outside Bihar assembly as CM Nitish Kumar will face floor test shortly. RJD: 80 JDU: 71 NDA: 58 (BJP- 53, LJP-2, RLSP- 2, HAM- 1) Congress- 27 CPI: 3 IND: 4 JD-U's return to the NDA fold after four years by walking out of the Grand Alliance less than two years after being in power did not go down well with a section of the party with two MPs including MP Veerendra Kumar openly criticising Kumar's decision. 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. Also Read Bihar Assembly floor test at 11 am: There could be cross-voting in Nitish Kumar's favour, says JD-U 3 reasons why Nitish Kumar's swearing-in happened so quickly after resignation Why Nitish Kumar has almost killed Opposition chances to challenge Modi with a Grand Alliance in 2019 --- ENDS --- JD(U) Chief Nitish Kumar has found support from BJP and a vocal proponent in Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy who hailed his decision to break away from the Mahagathbandhan. By India Today Web Desk: Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Saturday came out in support of JD(U) Chief Nitish Kumar's decision to break away from the grand alliance or Mahagathbandhan and join hands with the BJP. Walking towards 'cleaner politics', Rudy added that the JD(U)-BJP coalition is a big positive step for Bihar and the Nitish-led party itself. advertisement He also exclaimed that Nitish Kumar was under tremendous pressure while in alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav led RJD. The Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said, "Bihar's population is 11 crore and Nitish Kumar has forged the partnership with the BJP in the interest of these people and the state. This alliance should have taken place much earlier. With this decision, Bihar is heading towards big transformation." "I feel Nitish Kumar was under huge pressure of Lalu Prasad Yadav during the alliance, but now he is relieved and I think this decision is a big step in the direction of clean politics," he added. Rudy was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of a skill development programme initiated by CREDAI Pune Metro. When asked about the allegations levelled by Lalu Prasad that the new alliance was "fixed", the MP from Bihar slammed the RJD chief over his alleged involvement in various scams. RUDY FIRES SALVO AT LALU "He was found guilty in fodder scam and cannot contest elections... Now things are coming out that when he was the railway minister, he sold hotels and created shell companies in the name of his family members and now looking at the trail of all these scams, the amount of scam may go up to Rs 10,000 crore," claimed the minister. During his speech, Rudy said the mindset of people in India had always been to make their children engineers or provide good education to them so that they could get better jobs. "Post-Independence, even at the government level, we have never focused on skill development. There are 18 lakh seats in engineering colleges across India, out of which eight lakh seats are empty. If we focus more on skill development, we can really become the leading country in providing the skilled workforce to the world," he said. Rudy further said that the Narendra Modi government was the first in India to have created a separate ministry for skill development. "On behalf of the government, I urge CREDAI to make skill development their mission since the construction industry is one of the largest employment generators and construction workers are the real assets to their business. "CREDAI can train them across India. It has the potential to turn this dream of skilled India into reality," he said. Stating that construction-related deaths was a serious problem, Rudy said something must be done about this. advertisement With inputs from PTI Also read: 5 reasons why Nitish Kumar will be called a weak chief minister Also read: With Bihar in kitty, will PM Modi oblige Nitish Kumar with promised special package? Also read: How will Modi and Nitish explain their past hatred, asks Shiv Sena --- ENDS --- Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav may follow the path taken by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and join the NDA camp. Shivpal Yadav is said to be weighing his options. By Himanshu Mishra: Janata Dal-United chief Nitish Kumar's decision to snap ties with the Congress and the RJD and move away from the grand alliance seems to have set a trend in the Opposition ranks. Uttar Pradesh may soon witness the ripple effect of Nitish Kumar's joining hands with the BJP and form NDA government in Bihar. According to informed sources, sulking Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav may join the NDA camp. advertisement Shivpal Yadav is said to be rethinking his political strategy in Uttar Pradesh in the aftermath of the JD-U's alliance with the BJP in Bihar following a rather prolonged crisis in the grand alliance. Nitish Kumar, while walking away from the grand alliance, slammed the Congress for not setting any agenda for the Opposition parties to stay united and focused. The Gujarat Congress has already seen open rebellion while Nitish took on the party leadership. At least six MLAs have left the Congress party at a time when political advisor to party president Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel is seeking reelection to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat. Another rebel Congress leader claimed that about 20 more party MLAs were ready to quit. SHIVPAL CONSIDERING OPTIONS Now, Shivpal Yadav is weighing his options, according to sources. Shivpal Yadav is said to have discussed his options with Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. One of the options considered by the younger Yadav is to join the JD-U of Nitish Kumar and become part of the NDA. Shivpal Yadav, sources said, has already held preliminary talks with some of the JD-U leaders. The other option is to float a new party of his own and ally with the NDA. Earlier in the day, Shivpal Yadav met Mulayam Singh in New Delhi today and discussed both the options. Both Shivpal and Mulayam Singh Yadav were engaged in a bitter fight with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. Akhilesh Yadav firmly held control the party while Mulayam Singh Yadav was replaced as the SP president in national convention called by Ram Gopal Yadav, the cousin of party founder. --- ENDS --- North Korea said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday. By Reuters: The United States flew two B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force after recent North Korean missile tests, the US Air Force said in a statement on Sunday. North Korea said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday that proved its ability to strike America's mainland, drawing a sharp warning from US President Donald Trump. advertisement The B-1B flight, conducted on Saturday, was in direct response to the missile test and the previous July 3 launch of the "Hwansong-14" rocket, the US statement said. The bombers took off from a US air base in Guam, and were joined by Japanese and South Korean fighter jets during the exercise, according to the statement. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy said in the statement. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing". The US has in the past used overflights of the supersonic B1-B "Lancer" bomber as a show of force in response to North Korean missile or nuclear tests. 'STERN WARNING' North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the midnight test launch of the missile on Friday night and said it was a "stern warning" for the United States that it would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. North Korea's state television broadcast pictures of the launch, showing the missile lifting off in a fiery blast in darkness and Kim cheering with military aides. China, the North's main ally, said it opposed North Korea's missile launches, which it said violate United Nations Security Council resolutions designed to curb Pyongyang's banned nuclear and missile programmes. "At the same time, China hopes all parties act with caution, to prevent tensions from continuing to escalate," China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. TRUMP 'VERY DISAPPOINTED' IN CHINA However, Trump said he was "very disappointed in China". I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet...- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017 ...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017 The Hwasong-14, named after the Korean word for Mars, reached an altitude of 3,724.9 km (2,314.6 miles) and flew 998 km (620 miles)for 47 minutes and 12 seconds before landing in the waters off the Korean peninsula's east coast, KCNA said. Western experts said calculations based on that flight data and estimates from the US, Japanese and South Korean militaries showed the missile could have been capable of going as far into the United States as Denver and Chicago. advertisement David Wright of the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists wrote in a blog post that if it had flown on a standard trajectory, the missile would have had a range of 10,400 km (6,500 miles). North Korea refers to the United States as its sworn enemy in its propaganda, and has done so since the 1950-53 Korean War in which the Soviet and Chinese-backed North fought against the US-backed South. The isolated country often shows mockup images of a missile hitting key US landmarks in its media. ALSO READ North Korea threatens US of a 'merciless blow' in the heart if it tries to remove Kim Jong-un Tour operators say US to ban citizens from travel to North Korea North Korea issues stern warning, says US is in missile range China urges North Korea to stop acts that could worsen tensions WATCH US, South Korea Test Missile As A Reply To North Korea --- ENDS --- advertisement Amari Cooper is a man of few words, so his conditioning tips arent going to fill up a how-to book. If you go to the gym every day, you are going to get stronger, the Raiders receiver said Saturday in Napa. Six years ago, as a high school senior, the 6-foot-1 Cooper weighed 183 pounds. At Saturdays first training camp practice, he came in a rock-solid 217 pounds, up from 210 last season. I always get bigger in the offseason because Im training, he said. Hopefully, it translates on to the field. In 2016, Cooper and Michael Crabtree became the third Raiders duo to each record 1,000 yards receiving in one season, and this year Cooper seems poised to be a bigger red-zone target. As a skill player on offense, you want the ball, Cooper said. Every play, if you can. Alumni weekend: The Raiders claimed running back George Atkinson III off waivers from the Browns. Atkinson, the son of legendary Oakland safety George Jr., has spent parts of three seasons with the Raiders and led them in rushing last preseason. His only ticket on the 53-man roster would seem to be on special-teams coverage. Briefly: Besides rookie cornerback Gareon Conley, guard/backup center Jon Feliciano and defensive tackle Jihad Ward also started out camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Feliciano injured his knee during offseason workouts, and Ward had offseason foot surgery. Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Oakland topped the list of worst cities for renters in the Bay Area, according to a new study. A report by WalletHub analyzed 150 cities across the nation to determine the best and worst cities for renters. The six Bay Area towns included in the findings were among the worst U.S. cities, based on their scoring. Each city was given an overall score of one through 150, where the No.1 ranking is the best and No. 150 is the worst. To determine their results, WalletHub looked at several factors that included narrowing down major U.S. cities based on 21 indicators of rental attractiveness and quality of life. These included cost of living, safety, median rent growth forecast, vacancy rate, rent-to-price ratio, and affordability. Oakland's score of 148 was so bad that it only topped two other cities, Cleveland and Detroit. San Francisco fared a little better it was considered the No. 70 best city for renters, ranking higher than three other Bay Area cities. RELATED VIDEO: These Are the Cities Where Millennials Can Actually Afford to Buy Homes While nowhere near the cities that are the "best," Sacramento claimed the No. 53 spot, the highest of any Northern California municipality. In fact, not a single California city was among the top 30 cities in America considered the "best." San Diego was the first California city referenced in the report but it only made the No. 43 spot, followed by Bakersfield at No. 46 and Irvine at No. 49. In March, SFGATE wrote about Bay Area cities that had year-over-year one-bedroom rent decreases that included Oakland. Still, despite a decline in rent, affordability is still an issue. According to that report, the average Oakland rent is a little less than $2,250. Comparatively, Nerdwallet estimated that the average 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home costs around $752,413. Take a look at the slideshow above to see the worst cities for renters in the Bay Area, plus the best and worst cities for renters nationwide. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Tara Duggan Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Tara Duggan Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Tara Duggan Show More Show Less 5 of 5 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. China appears to have received help Saturday from an unlikely source in its fight against tools that help users evade its Great Firewall of Internet censorship: Apple. Software made by foreign companies to help users skirt the countrys system of Internet filters has vanished from Apples app store on the mainland. One company, ExpressVPN, posted a letter it had received from Apple saying that its app had been taken down because it includes content that is illegal in China. Another tweeted from its official account that its app had been removed. A search Saturday showed that some of the most popular foreign virtual-private networks, also known as VPNs, which give users access to the unfiltered Internet in China, were no longer accessible on the companys app store there. ExpressVPN wrote in its blog, Were disappointed in this development, as it represents the most drastic measure the Chinese government has taken to block the use of VPNs to date, and we are troubled to see Apple aiding Chinas censorship efforts. Sunday Yokubaitis, president of Golden Frog, a company that makes privacy and security software including VyprVPN, said its software, too, had been taken down from the app store. We gladly filed an amicus brief in support of Apple in their backdoor encryption battle with the FBI, he said. So we are extremely disappointed that Apple has bowed to pressure from China to remove VPN apps without citing any Chinese law or regulation that makes VPN illegal. We view access to Internet in China as a human rights issue, and I would expect Apple to value human rights over profits. In a statement, Apple noted that the Chinese government announced this year that all developers offering VPNs needed to obtain a government license. We have been required to remove some VPN apps in China that do not meet the new regulations, the company said. These apps remain available in all other markets where they do business. This is not the first time that Apple has removed apps at the request of the Chinese government, but it is a new reminder of how deeply beholden the tech giant has become to Beijing at a moment when the leadership has been pushing to tighten its control over the Internet. Paul Mozur is a New York Times writer. By PTI: Islamabad, Jul 30 (PTI) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the nominee for the post of interim Pakistan Prime Minister, today denied possessing illegal wealth and challenged his critics to prove irregularities in his finances. Abbasi, 58, was speaking to the media here after meeting Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Speaking on Nawaz Sharifs disqualification by the Supreme Court, the former petroleum minister said, "To my understanding of legal matters, there is no harm in possessing an iqama ? its just a visa ? but nowadays, laws are being interpreted in ways that are stranger than ever." advertisement "I have disclosed all my assets and their details are published in the Pakistan Gazette. So those levelling baseless allegations (against me) should check their own acts first," he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. When asked about the speculations regarding the involvement of the military in Sharifs ouster, Abbasi said, "There are no two sides in this country; we all are one and work for the betterment of this country in a united way." Responding to a question on whether Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan would be included in the next cabinet or not given the recent rifts, Abbasi said that the decision had not been taken as yet, the newspaper reported. "Chaudhry Nisar has always been a part of PML-N and it will always be that way for us," he said. Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) has nominated Abbasi, a loyalist of Sharif as prime minister for now but later he would make way for Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister. Abbasi is a veteran party worker and hails from the famous hill resort of Murree which is part of Rawalpindi district in Punjab province. Abbasi, during the meeting, said the party had made a decision and everyone had acted on it. "There is no conflict in the party. We may have given in, but history will not accept this decision (to disqualify Nawaz Sharif) ? the nation has not accepted this decision," he said. PTI AJR NSA AJR --- ENDS --- 1 Syria fighting: Hezbollah and a Syrian affiliate of al Qaeda began exchanging the bodies of dead fighters along the Lebanese-Syrian border on Sunday in the first stage of a settlement to restore order to a contested frontier zone. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was handing over the bodies of nine al Qaeda fighters in exchange for the bodies of five of its own, after two weeks of battles along the rugged border, its Al-Manar TV station reported. The Syrian military provided air support to Hezbollahs ground operations around Arsal. Twenty-six Hezbollah fighters and as many as 90 al Qaeda members were killed in the fighting. Lebanon has been buffeted by the fallout and occasional spillover of the civil war next door. It has suffered several bomb blasts claimed by the Islamic State group and al Qaeda-affiliated groups. 2 Qatar crisis: Four Arab states that cut ties with Qatar are refraining for now from imposing more punitive measures against the gulf state. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain met in Bahrains capital, Manama, on Sunday to discuss the nearly 8-week-old crisis. The four cut diplomatic ties and transport links with Qatar in early June, accusing it of supporting extremists and interfering in the affairs of other Arab states. Qatar denies the charges and sees them as politically motivated. MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that the U.S. diplomatic missions in Moscow and elsewhere in the country will have to reduce their staffs by 755 people, signaling a dramatic escalation in the Russian response to American sanctions over the Kremlins intervention in the 2016 presidential elections. The United States and Russia have expelled dozens of each others diplomats before. But Sundays statement, made by Putin in an interview with the Rossiya-1 television channel, indicated the single largest forced reduction in embassy staff, comparable only to the closing of the American diplomatic presence following the Communist revolution in 1917. This is a regrettable and uncalled for act, the State Department responded in a statement late Sunday. In the interview, Putin said that the number of American diplomatic and technical personnel will be capped at 455 equivalent to the number of their Russian counterparts working in the United States. Currently, close to 1,200 employees work at the United States embassy and consulates in Russia, according to U.S. and Russian data. More than a thousand employees diplomats and technical employees have worked and are still working in Russia these days, Putin said on the nationally televised news show Sunday evening. Some 755 of them will have to terminate their activity. The Kremlin had said Friday, as the Senate voted to strengthen sanctions on Russia, that some American diplomats would be expelled, but the size of the reduction is dramatic. It covers the main embassy in Moscow, as well as missions in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok. This is a landmark moment, Andrei Kolesnikov, a journalist for the newspaper Kommersant who regularly travels with Putin, told the Post in an interview Friday. His patience has seriously run out, and everything that hes been putting off in this conflict, hes now going to do. The Russian government is also seizing two diplomatic properties a dacha, or country house, in a leafy neighborhood in Moscow, and a warehouse following the decision by the Obama administration in December to take possession of two Russian mansions in the United States. The move comes as it has become apparent that Russia has abandoned its hopes for better relations with the United States under a Trump administration. Andrew Roth is a Washington Post writer. 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"The judgment from March 2017 and penalty decision from June 2017 stand and this brings these civil proceedings to a close," the FMA said in a statement. In March, Chief High Court Judge Geoffrey Venning found Warminger manipulated the market in two trades while rejecting eight other instances brought before the court by the FMA. The hearing was a civil case, meaning the judge had to decide on the balance of probabilities. Warminger was then ordered to pay $400,000. As a result of the pecuniary penalty order, Warminger automatically received a five-year management ban. Had Warminger been prosecuted, the criminal penalty for his actions would have been a maximum fine of $300,000, or five years imprisonment for each contravention. "This result demonstrates there are serious consequences for this type of misconduct. Market participants and the public want to know that the law is being upheld, and where there are instances of market manipulation and misconduct, those responsible will be held to account. We are satisfied that our regulatory objectives have been achieved in taking these proceedings," said Rob Everett, FMA chief executive. Warmingers employer at the time, Milford Asset Management, settled with the FMA before the trial. It paid $1.1 million in lieu of a pecuniary penalty, along with $400,000 in costs. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: The Warehouse Group FY23 First Quarter Sales Update PEB - Interim Financial Results to be Announced 24 November 2022 EROAD H1 FY23 Results and Conference Call Details MFB - Appointment of Chief Executive Officer HFL - Annual report for the year ended 31 August 2022 November 11th Morning Report GMT - Customer demand supports strong first-half operating result EVO - Embark Education announces Special Dividend BLT - Strategy reset and revenue growth Mainfreight Half Year Financial Results 30 September 2022 Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party holds a majority with 188 seats in the 342-member parliament, so it should be able to swiftly install its choice. By Reuters: Pakistan's lawmakers will elect a new prime minister on Tuesday to replace ousted leader Nawaz Sharif, with ruling party stalwart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expected to become interim leader until Sharif's own brother is eligible. The confirmation from parliament came after Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain convened a special session after Sharif decided to put forward his ally Abbasi as interim leader and named his brother Shahbaz, 65, as long-term successor. advertisement Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party holds a majority with 188 seats in the 342-member parliament, so it should be able to swiftly install its choice, barring any defections from its own ranks. A quick handover could ease the political upheaval sparked by a Supreme Court decision on Friday to disqualify Sharif for not declaring a source of income. The court also ordered a criminal investigation into him and his family. Abbasi on Sunday vowed to continue Sharif's work. "I hope that God will help me in furthering Nawaz Sharif's policies," Abbasi told reporters in Islamabad, adding to speculation that Sharif will continue to run the show behind the scenes. The turmoil and the premature end to Sharif's third stint in power has also raised questions about Pakistan's democracy. No prime minister has completed a full term in power since the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947. "We wanted to make sure there is a smooth transfer of power and no constitutional crisis," said Miftah Ismail, a senior PML-N official and Sharif ally. SUCCESSION PLAN On Sunday evening, thousands of supporters of opposition politician Imran Khan held a celebration rally in Islamabad, waving flags and cheering Sharif's ouster. Khan, who spearheaded a campaign for the Supreme Court case that removed Sharif, has said he expects to win the next general elections in 2018. Meanwhile, Sharif loyalists incensed by his ouster cheered his arrival in the hill town of Murree. Sharif has lashed out against the court's decision and opponents who used the Supreme Court to topple him. He has vowed his party would continue to focus on development, touting a faster-growing economy as proof of his success. "Wheel of development is moving and may God keep it rolling and may it never stop," he told members of PML-N on Saturday night. On Sharif's arrival, supporters chanted: "The Lion is here". But his foes slammed PML-N's plans as dynastic and undemocratic. Khan called it a form of "monarchy". Sharif said the plan is for former petroleum minister Abbasi to stay in power for less than two months until Shahbaz, who is the chief minister of the vast Punjab province, wins a by-election to the national assembly and becomes eligible to be prime minister. advertisement Abbasi and Shahbaz will have to work fast to tackle Pakistan's worsening ties with the United States, frayed relations with India, and persistent attacks by Islamist militants, including the Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State. They will also need to boost economic growth above the current rate of 5.3 percent to find employment for millions of young people entering the job market every year in a nation of nearly 200 million people. Economists say this will prove tricky, with the current account deficit is ballooning and an overvalued currency is hurting exports. COURT RULING Sharif, whose PML-N party won elections in 2013, said he was shocked by Friday's Supreme Court ruling disqualifying him from office over unreported income from a company owned by his son in Dubai. Sharif said the monthly salary - equivalent to $2,722 - was nominal and he never actually received any of it. The Supreme Court employed little-used Article 62 of the Constitution, which calls for the dismissal of any lawmaker deemed dishonest, to dismiss Sharif. His allies believe the verdict smacks of judicial overreach. Others say privately elements of the military had a hand in the process. advertisement "People of Pakistan haven't accepted the decision," Abbasi said. The army has not commented on Sharif's departure, or on allegations they were involved. It has also dismissed claims in the past that they were behind the Supreme Court's push. Sharif's two previous stints in power were also cut short, the second ending in a military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999. Shahbaz Sharif, who has been in charge of Punjab since 2008, has better relations with the military than his brother. He has built a reputation as a competent administrator focused on building infrastructure. Also Read: Nawaz Sharif was a liar, deserved to go: Pervez Musharraf to India Today Story of Nawaz Sharif's ouster: From Panama Papers to Supreme Court, a timeline No Pakistani PM has completed full term, Nawaz Sharif too failed to break jinx Panama Papers case: How Nawaz Sharif was convicted in 50 hearings over 273 days advertisement Also Watch: It's a very good verdict, says former Pakistan PM Pervez Musharraf on Nawaz Sharif's ouster --- ENDS --- By PTI: By Natasha Chaku Melbourne, Jul 30 (PTI) Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull today said that anti-terror raids carried out in Sydney yesterday "disrupted" an alleged plot to bring down an aircraft, even as four people were held in this connection. According to media reports yesterday, four men were arrested during anti-terror raids carried out by Australian federal police, New South Wales police and ASIO at five properties in Sydney. advertisement "We face a range of terrorist threats. Some of them are lone actors, who activate very quickly with very little warning. On other occasions you get quite elaborate conspiracies ? this appears to be in that category," Turnbull said. Police allege the group of Sydney men were planning to use an "improvised device" to carry an attack to bring down aircraft butno details on a particular target, location, time or date were uncovered. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said they had no reason to believe airport security had been "compromised" but a heightened state of security has been implemented. Police said that theyfound the material and items that could be used to make a homemade bomb, when they raided the house at Surry Hills yesterday. Turnbull said the "major counter-terrorism operation" was underway and extra security measures had been put in place at major airports. He said those with plans to travel should do so with confidence, but allow extra time for security screening because of the threat. "Some of the measures will be obvious to the public, some will not be ? those travelling should go about their business with confidence," Turnbull said. "Travellers should arrive at terminals at least two hours before flights to allow ample time for screening. "They should limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage, as this will help to ensure that security screening is efficient," he said. Reports said that authorities had received an information on the alleged plot on Wednesday and beefed up security at Sydney Airport on Thursday. NSW joint counter-terrorism team decided toraid last evening following whichfour men were in custody at the Sydney Police Centre in Surry Hills. The men could be held without charge for around a week. Five properties were raided were in Surry Hills, Punchbowl, Wiley Park and Lakemba. Meanwhile, screening at all major Australian airports has been ramped up overnight and air travellers have been warned to expect delays. advertisement Virgin Airlines and its subsidiary Tigerair released a statement confirming the additional security measures. "The travelling public can expect to experience an increased level of security scrutiny at the airport but they should not be concerned about these precautionary measures," the statement read. "As the measures place an additional burden on the screening system, it may take a little longer than usual to get through the process," it read. PTI NC ARK --- ENDS --- STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Susan Raisch remembers the day she and her 16-year-old son Peter were watching live coverage of the Columbine High School massacre in their New Dorp living room. "They must have been bullied," Peter said about the two Colorado shooters, who killed themselves after killing 13 others. "It happens all the time." But investigators would later reveal that mental illness was behind the 1999 tragedy, not bullying as so many teens like Peter assumed. Her son's assumption inspired Raisch to explore the root causes of bullying and help parents develop the awareness, empathy and skills needed to handle it. "Bullying issues start young," as early as pre-school, she points out in her recently published book, "Superheroes Wear Mom Jeans: The Tangled Ball Guide to Anti-Bullying for Parents of Young Children." Most initiatives are focused on middle and high school, but her research has found that bullying behavior can start as young as 4. "We should be paying attention to this group and reaching out to the parents of young children," she insists. UNRAVELING THE BALL Raisch calls bullying a "tangled ball of unpredictable behavior - perpetually challenging for children and parents alike." In the book, written for parents, she unravels the bullying ball one string, or chapter, at a time with empathy, empowerment, education, communication, parent involvement and skill development. Each chapter includes a worksheet with questions to stimulate discussion about the issue. A mother of four and grandmother of two, Raisch points out that bullying can take many forms, from physical (hitting or kicking) to verbal ("You're ugly!") to exclusionary ("You can't sit here!"). Solutions to bullying come in different shapes and sizes, the author says. "There's no such thing as one size fits all." It's up to adults, the "superheroes" in her book, to be vigilant and responsive, to notice the warning signs and take action. She describes a second-grader who was moody, constantly tired and not doing well in school, all signs of victimization. After his parents worked with his teacher toward a solution, the decision was made to transfer the boy to another class when the new school year started. Raisch lauds the parents in this scenario for intervening when necessary, but points out a transfer is not always recommended. "Whether you realize it or not, you are a role model for your children," she writes in the book, "and if you keep your cool and demonstrate some perspective, chances are your child will, too. So hike up your mom jeans and get behind the wheel." LEFT ON THEIR OWN More than 67 percent of students believe that schools respond poorly to bullying, Raisch points out. By the time they reach middle and high school, most kids being harassed are trying to handle abusive behavior on their own, she adds. Adults are most often the advocates, but children can sometimes confront a bully on their own. She cites a fourth-grader who came to another student's aid by taking the tormentor aside. "Stop that," she told the boy who was bullying her friend. "That's mean, and that will hurt her feelings." A native of Michigan City, Indiana, Susan Raisch grew up bully-free but experienced the vulnerability of being the new kid in class. Her family moved to Puerto Rico when she was 13 and to Pensacola, Florida, when she was entering her senior year of high school. She earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Marymount College in Tarrytown and moved to Manhattan for a job with CBS. Her public relations work with HBO, MTV, VH1, Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon fueled her passion as an advocate for children. With "Superheroes Wear Mom Jeans" - available on Amazon for $14.95 -- Raisch hopes to empower parents and teachers to be "go-to trusted adults" who can help bullied children. She is working with parents and teachers at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in New Dorp and St. Adalbert's School in Elm Park to incorporate the book's tenets into the curriculum, and plans to work with other Island schools this fall. A companion website, TangledBall.com, offers resources and discussion points. "No child should feel alone - and it's within our reach to help them feel valued, mentored and protected," Raisch emphasizes. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York City's Department of Administrative Services (DCAS) has released its examination schedule for August. Open, competitive, computer-based tests will be administered throughout the month for positions, such as correction officer, environmental police officer, school safety agent, child protective specialist and traffic enforcement agent. Applications for some positions begin July 26, and the the testing period runs through August 31. New York City employs hundreds of thousands of people in its 80 agencies. Taking a test is the way to get started in the hiring process for most of these positions. Application fees range from $40 to $101. For more information about registering for these and other tests, log onto the DCAS website. The following is a list of things to know when taking an exam at a DCAS Computer-based Testing and Applications Center (CTAC). Electronic devices, including cell phones, are not permitted in the testing areas. Check the Notice of Examination for the test you will be taking to see if calculators are permitted. If you are requesting a fee waiver, you must provide a copy of acceptable documentation. DCAS staff cannot make copies of your documentation. Seating is limited. Once the CTAC is filled to capacity, no more candidates will be admitted. You are encouraged to apply and schedule yourself to take a test earlier in the month since there is generally more seating available at these times. You may not have any other person, including children, present with you while you are applying for, being processed for, and/or taking a test, and no one may wait for you inside a CTAC. Testing centers are located at 2 Lafayette St. in Manhattan and 210 Joralemon St. in Brooklyn. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With just 100 days until Election Day, Democratic candidate for the South Shore Council seat, Dylan Schwartz, celebrated the opening of his campaign headquarters on Sunday. Schwartz, a 25-year-old Bay Terrace resident will be challenging Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore) on Nov. 7. "This day let's the community freely share their ideas," said Schwartz. Several signs with the words, "People over Politics," were hung in each room in the new headquarters. An oversized map of the 51st district was placed on the wall, that was also filled with post-its indicating South Shore neighborhoods. Residents from both the North Shore and the South Shore traveled to the new headquarters in Great Kills located at 55 Lindenwood Rd. Schwartz also filed 2,829 signatures with the NYC Board of Elections. "I am humbled and honored to receive such strong support from the community, our campaign is powered by people who are tired of politics as usual and my strong filing is proof of that," Schwartz said. "I will be a full-time council member who will always put people before politics and I will fight for your family the way I fought for mine." Some issues Schwartz is advocating for are: * Dealing head-on with drug and opioid overdoses by creating the "Narcan Emergency Responder Volunteer" (NERV) program in the city. The program would alert first responders via text message when there is an overdose in their proximity so they can quickly get to the scene and administer life-saving treatment. * Secure funding for a permanent South Shore ferry with a park-and-ride for residents commuting to lower Manhattan. * Fighting back against overdevelopment by rezoning the community to protect family homes and work with community groups to stop unsafe non-union development. * Advocating for more education funding for our public schools to reduce class sizes as well as to upgrade classrooms with the latest teaching technologies. Schwartz spent time working with homeless LGBTQ youth in central Florida, is involved in local Democratic clubs and worked on Barack Obama's re-election campaign and those of local Democratic candidates. He is hoping the solidly Republican South Shore considers more than his party affiliation when voting months from now. A native Staten Islander who attended college in Florida and returned to the borough after graduating, Schwartz founded Rose and Thorn Consulting and Election Technologies LLC, working mostly in the medical marijuana industry, an issue that hits close to home. "I'm trying to help out any way I can," said Chepe Gonzalez of Arden Heights. "I'm an LGBT activist so I'm happy to see our community members run for some type of office." The celebration offered refreshments, pizza and snacks to residents who stopped by to show support. Residents were also encouraged to write their name, phone number and email under their neighborhood to act as volunteers during his campaign. "I came to support him and the democratic candidates on Staten Island," said Barbara Kent of Silver Lake. For more information on Dylan Schwartz and his campaign, visit his website at www.dylanforcouncil.com. Donald Trump President Donald Trump speaks to law enforcement officials on the street gang MS-13, Friday, July 28, 2017, in Brentwood, N.Y.(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Police leaders across the country moved quickly to distance themselves from - or to outright condemn - President Donald Trump's statements about "roughing up" people who've been arrested. The swift public denunciations came as departments are under intense pressure to stamp out brutality and excessive force that can erode the relationship between officers and the people they police - and cost police chiefs their jobs. Some police leaders worried that three sentences uttered by the president during a Long Island, New York, speech could upend nearly three decades of fence-mending since the 1991 Los Angeles Police Department beating of Rodney King ushered in an era of distrust of police. "It's the wrong message," Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, told Washington, D.C., radio station WTOP while speaking of the trust-building work that departments have undertaken since King's beating. "The last thing we need is a green light from the president of the United States for officers to use unnecessary force." Trump made the comments at a gathering of law enforcement officers at Suffolk County Community College in New York. "When you guys put somebody in the car and you're protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over?" Trump said, miming the physical motion of an officer shielding a suspect's head to keep it from bumping against the squad car. "Like, don't hit their head, and they just killed somebody - don't hit their head," Trump continued. "I said, you can take the hand away, OK?" Trump's remarks came after he spoke about local towns ravaged by gang violence. Across the country, police department leaders said the president's words didn't reflect their views. "The Suffolk County Police Department has strict rules and procedures relating to the handling of prisoners, and violations of those rules and procedures are treated extremely seriously," the department said in an emailed statement. "As a department, we do not and will not tolerate 'rough(ing)' up prisoners." Trump's comments also drew a rebuke from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In a statement Friday, the group did not specifically mention Trump by name but appeared to respond to his speech by stressing the importance of treating all people, including suspects, with respect. Mike Lopez, a Los Angeles police spokesman, told CNN that the department will "treat everyone with integrity and respect." "We work with partnerships in our community and continue to do that to keep our communities safe and secure from crime," he told the news network. "With the help of our community we will continue to do this." Darrel Stephens, a former police chief who is now the executive director of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, told The Washington Post that the president's words were a step back for police departments. "Over the past two or three years, police departments have worked very, very hard to restore the loss of confidence and trust that people, particularly in the African-American community, have in the police, based on what happened in Ferguson and the other high profile shootings," Stephens said. "Maybe not just what the president said, but the reaction of the police officers standing behind him, I think that complicates that. "It sort of reinforces that there's sort of a wink and a nod about these things, when that's simply not the case." Statements from other police leaders followed. In a statement to Patch.com, Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole said: "Seattle's police officers have embraced reform and have worked incredibly hard to build community trust. We do not intend to go backwards. It is truly unfortunate that in today's toxic environment, politicians at both ends of the spectrum have sought to inflame passions by politicizing what we do. We remain committed to our principles and reject irresponsible statements that threaten to undermine our relationship with the community." A Boston Police Department statement obtained by CNN said the department's "priority has been and continues to be building relationships and trust with the community we serve. As a police department we are committed to helping people, not harming them." In New York, Police Commissioner James O'Neill told the network that to "suggest that police officers apply any standard in the use of force other than what is reasonable and necessary is irresponsible, unprofessional and sends the wrong message to law enforcement as well as the public." [enhanced link] But the group Blue Lives Matter insisted that the president's remarks were a joke, tweeting:"Trump didn't tell police to go out & brutalize people as the media would have you believe. It was a joke."Jim Bueermann, who heads the nonprofit Police Foundation, told CNN that the organization welcomes Trump's support for law enforcement but "we cannot support any commentary - in sincerity or jest - that undermines the trust that our communities place in us to protect and serve."Police departments are under increased scrutiny for violent, often fatal interactions with suspects. So far this year, 574 people have been shot and killed by police, according to The Washington Post's Fatal Force database. Last year, police shot and killed 963 people.This year's killings included the Minneapolis police shooting of Justine Damond, an Australian woman who called 911 to report a possible rape in the alley near her home and ended up shot dead by the responding officers.The department's missteps - neither officer had activated his body camera, so there's no video evidence of the fatal encounter - resulted in international criticism and the ouster of Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau.She was the fourth chief in recent years to lose her job after a controversial fatal shooting. (c) 2017, The Washington Post. Cleve R. Wootson Jr. and Mark Berman wrote this story. By PTI: Visakhapatnam, Jul 30 (PTI) Experts in the field of Nephrology have said that a research institute should be set up either in Uddanam region or in Srikakulam district to find out the exact cause of the prevalent chronic kidney disease. Several cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) known as Uddanam Nephropathy have been reported in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Uddanam region, in the last 10-years. advertisement Joseph V Bonventre of Harvard Medical School (HMS), along with Venkata Sabbisetti of HMS and few other experts today visited parts of Uddanam region to take stock of the ground situation. "As far as kidney ailments in the Uddanam region are considered several theories such as heavy metals in water, high usage of pesticides, silica in water, prolonged dehydration, heat stress nephropathy, genetically predisposed to developing kidney disease and few others have been considered. "But, it is not so easy to come to a final conclusion without comprehensive study of the issue. We are learning and studying the prevalence of the disease and suggested to set up a world class research institute," said Bonventre speaking at the Symposium on Uddanam Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) organised by Jana Sena Party (JSP) here in Vizag. Sabbisetti, a renowned instructor in medicine, said they will continue their study on the CKD in Uddanam region to find out the exact reason if the government funded and set up the world class research institute. "We will suggest to the Andhra Pradesh government the need to set up an institute and we will have to do a lot of research and also study multiple dimensions to establish the cause of kidney disease in Uddanam region," Sabbisetti said. Dr NTR University of Health Sciences vice-chancellor Dr T Ravi Raju said the prevalence of CKD is high in Uddanam region when compared to Goa, Odisha, Sri Lanka and few other countries. In Uddanam region the prevalence of the disease was around 15 per cent where as in other regions in the country and around the globe it was around 5 to 7 per cent, Raju added. Actor turned politician and chief of Jana Sena Party (JSP) Pawan Kalyan said the health crisis in Uddanam needs immediate attention. "I tell others dont politicise, dont divert the Uddanam issue in the name of politics. I want to find a solution for the Uddanam issue," Pawan said. Kidney disease in Uddanam region has officially claimed more than 4,500 lives in the past one decade and an over 35,000 people in the region are presently suffering from the serious ailment, Pawan added. PTI COR RMT --- ENDS --- advertisement The incident has led to the BJP calling for a statewide strike, with its state president Kumanam Rajasekharan alleging that the CPI-M was behind the attack. By India Today Web Desk: Police have arrested 5 more people in connection with the murder of RSS worker Karyavahak Rajesh, who was hacked to death in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. The total number of people arrested is now 8. Among the arrested is Manikuttan, who police said has a criminal background and is a close neighbour of Rajesh. A case had earlier been registered against Manikuttan for allegedly hurling crude bombs at a CPI-M local committee member's house. advertisement The incident has led to the BJP calling for a statewide strike, with its state president Kumanam Rajasekharan alleging that the CPI-M was behind the attack. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the recent political violence in the state and expressed his concern with the law and order situation. "I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously," Rajnath said on the killing of the RSS worker. According to the police, 34-year-old Rajesh's left hand was chopped off in the attack which took place around 9 pm last night, and reports said there were over 20 wounds on his body. Police are maintaining a strict vigil and have clamped prohibitory orders for three days from July 28 after BJP's Kerala unit office was vandalised and the house of CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son Bineesh Kodiyeri was attacked. Earlier, 10 people, including 4 from the student and youth wings of CPI-M, were arrested in connection with the clashes in the city on Friday. CPI-M DENIES INVOLVEMENT The CPI-M has in a press statement denied that the party had any connection with the incident. It is pertinent to mention here that RSS and CPM workers have had a history of violent clashes in Kerala. In the most recent of such confrontations, clashes broke out between workers of the two communities in Kannur district's Payyanur area on July 11 earlier this month. Kannur district has been particularly volatile since the murder of CPM worker Dhanaraj last year. Also Read: Kerala: Payyanur tense after clashes between RSS, CPI(M) workers Kerala: RSS leader, accused of murdering CPM activist, hacked to death in Kannur Watch Video: Kerala: RSS worker hacked to death in Thiruvananthapuram --- ENDS --- By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree By PTI: to ICICI Pru New Delhi, Jul 30 (PTI) Embattled Sahara group today said it will approach court of law against IRDAI order directing transfer of its life insurance business to ICICI Prudential and alleged that the insurance regulator has "wrongly concluded" that the promoter was no more fit and proper and a sum of Rs 78 crore was siphoned. advertisement In a statement following IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) order dated July 28, the group said Sahara Life business is being "wrongfully" given to ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. "Sahara Life is doing business since 2004 and since last 7 years running continuously in profit and has been in absolute and strict compliance of all regulatory norms and directions issued by IRDAI," the group said. It further said Sahara Lifes asset is more than its liability and there is not a single complaint of non-payment by any policy holder. "However it is unfortunate that IRDAI has handed over Sahara Life business to other insurance company ICICI Prudential," the group alleged. Giving a point-wise rebuttal to the charges og IRDAI, the group said the main allegation talks about the promoter companys promoter shareholder Subrata Roy Sahara, having been incarcerated, which was a judicial custody, and therefore the promoter company of life insurance venture is no more "fit and proper". This was also the reason of action against Sahara Mutual fund by another regulator SEBI. The group had challenged this SEBI order before the Securities Appellate Tribunal which last week upheld the regulators order but granted a stay of 6 weeks to allow the company file an appeal before the Supreme Court, which is already hearing a long running case regarding the group. On IRDAI action, the group said the second allegation is that a sum of 78 crore has been siphoned, "which is wrongly concluded". "In fact this amount was kept as security deposit to one entity Sahara India who has provided furnished, computerised office accommodation in around 150 places," the group said. It further said the security deposit is there since Sahara India is not charging any rent, electricity charges etc and this arrangement is very beneficial for Sahara Life, whereas IRDAI has concluded in "such unwise manner". "This security deposit amount is absolutely repayable to Sahara Life," the statement added. The group further alleged, "On one hand IRDAI didnt give permission for branch expansion and now IRDAI is alleging that business is not increasing. "IRDAI appointed administrator for the reason best known to them and the said administrator secretly submitted a report to the IRDAI for transferring the business of Sahara Life to any other entity," it added. advertisement The group further alleged that any copy of the administrator?s report was neither provided to Sahara Life, nor was it granted any opportunity of hearing on such report or before passing the order of transfer of business to any third entity. "The company has never acted in any manner prejudicial to the interest of the policy holders. Sahara will pursue its remedy, against such approach of IRDAI, in the court of law," the statement added. Insurance regulator IRDAI on Friday asked leading private sector life insurer ICICI Prudential Life Insurance (IPRU) to take over the business of beleaguered Sahara India Life Insurance with effect from July 31. ICICI Prudential was asked to ensure that systems are integrated within a period of one year from the appointed date. Sahara group chairman Subrata Roy had met IRDAI chairman to seek more time to resolve the crisis at his life insurance arm on July 24. ICICI Prudential had submitted a valuation report to the regulator to take over the company on the same day. advertisement It was last month that IRDAI had appointed an administrator to run Sahara Life, alleging governance-related issues at the company. Based on the administrator report dated June 22, IRDAI came to the conclusion that continuation of Sahara India Life to transact life insurance business is not in the interest of the holders of life insurance policies in general, and considered it to be a fit case to transfer the life insurance portfolio of Sahara India Life to some other insurer under section 52B (1) of the Insurance Act, 1938, the order said. According to IRDAI, the report of the administrator indicated that there is total failure of the governance system of Sahara India Life and the interests of the policyholders are at stake. Promoters of the company are no more ?fit and proper?, a sum of Rs 78 crore has already been syphoned off in name of security deposits, and the shareholders and board of directors are not keen on recovery plan, the report said. Moreover, the IRDAI report said, the company is mainly surviving on release of reserves and the situation may not continue for long as the new premium of the company has come down significantly. advertisement ICICI Prudential has been asked to assume the insurance liabilities of Sahara India Life as per the valuation of the independent actuary as on the appointed date. The order said Sahara India Life shall transfer the assets/investments to ICICI Prudential on irreversible basis. ICICI Prudential Life on Friday said in a statement that it has received an order from IRDAI directing it to take over the assets and policyholder liabilities of Sahara Life Insurance. The company clarified that this is not a merger between the two companies but purely a transfer of customers to ICICI Prudential Life. ?We are pleased to welcome the new customers to the ICICI Prudential Life family. We would like to assure them of high levels of service and commitment,? it said. PTI BJ JM --- ENDS --- When all was done and dusted, Mario Mola of Spain won a very predictable 4th WTS win in a row at Edmonton. But midway through the 5 kilometer run leg, Jacob Birtwhistle of Australia really shook things up. For the first 1.66 kilometer run lap, 2016 WTS World Champion Mola, 2-time ITU World champion Jonathan Brownlee of Great Britain, Richard Murray of South Africa and 5-time ITU World Champion Javier Gomez of Spain broke away to a four-man lead pack 25 meters ahead of a chase group including Birtwhistle. Approaching halfway through the second of three laps of the run, Gomez started to fade a few meters and Mola edged a few meters in front of Brownlee and Murray. Suddenly, Birtwhistle, a tall, up-and-coming super-runner who took 2nd at the WTS Hamburg two weeks ago, took off like a rocket. He passed a fading Gomez just as Mola surged ahead of Brownlee and Murray. Birtwhistle did not stop there as he slashed his way past Brownlee and Murray as if they were standing still. Shocking ITU online commentator Barrie Shepley, Birtwhistle continued his charge and passed the accelerating Mola the fastest man in the sport. Birtwhistle must have miscounted, exclaimed Shepley. Shepley said Birtwhistle must think this is the last lap and he still has a lap and a half to run. Running as if possessed, Birtwhistle continued his adrenaline-fueled move and opened a 20-meter gap on the Spaniard. If there was any question whether Birtwhistle miscounted, the Australian answered when he ran into the usual final lap lane straight to the finish line then hurdled over the concrete barrier back into the proper lane for runners still approaching the final lap. Cool as a cucumber, Mola continued on his steady state race pace and passed Birtwhistle on the final lap. Birtwhistle attempted to regain equilibrium as Murray came up hard. If history would script it, Birtwhistle very likely shot his bolt and Murray would roll on by for the silver. Not so fast. Birtwhistle gathered himself and held off Murray all the way to the line for his second straight silver medal performance at a WTS race. Mola finished off the tough Edmonton run course it included a gradual but grinding hill which rewarded strength runners in a race-best 14:36 split which brought him to the line in 54:51 which gave him a 10 seconds margin of victory over Birtwhistle (14:45 run) and 15 seconds over Murray (14:50 run). I saw Jake moving on the second lap and I thought it was the end of the world, but I could get back to win, Mola told ITU media. I got to the front a bit too early, and suffered for another whole lap, I guess that it was a bit too much, said Birtwhistle. I gave anything I could at the end and managed to keep the second place After a 14:59 run, Brownlee took 4th place, 9 seconds behind Murray and 4 seconds ahead of 5th place Raphael Montoya of France. Gomez took 6th in 15:08. After his win, Mola stood atop the WTS points chase with 3,664 points, followed by Fernando Alarza of Spain (3,172), Gomez (2,990), Murray (2,512), Birtwhistle (2,132) and Kristian Blummenfelt of Norway (2,120 points). WTS Edmonton Edmonton, Alberta, Canada July 29, 2017 S 750m / B 21k / R 5k Results Elite Men 1. Mario Mola (ESP) 54:51 2. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 55:01 3. Richard Murray (RSA) 55:06 4. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 55:14 5. Raphael Montoya (FRA) 55:19 6. Javier Gomez (ESP) 55:24 7. Pierre Le Corre (FRA) 55:28 8. Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) 55:31 9. Fernando Alarza (ESP) 55:36 10. Grant Sheldon (GBR) 55:39 The U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said the incident happened while one of its helicopters was on a routine patrol in international airspace. The aircraft saw several Guard vessels approaching American ships "at a high rate of speed" and sent out flares after receiving no response when it tried to establish communications, the Navy said. That prompted the Iranian boats to halt their approach. Best Canadian Blog 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 About Kate Why this blog? Until this moment I have been forced to listen while media and politicians alike have told me "what Canadians think". In all that time they never once asked. This is just the voice of an ordinary Canadian yelling back at the radio - "You don't speak for me." (goes to a private mailserver in Europe) I can't answer or use every tip, but all are appreciated! Katewerk Art Support SDA I am not a registered charity. I cannot issue tax receipts. Want lies? Hire a regular consultant. Want truth? Hire an asshole. The Proper Procedure Poor Richard's Retirement Polar Bear Facts & Myths Polar Bears: Outstanding Survivors of Climate Change. Pilgrim's Progress Trump The Establishment Weather Shop Click to inquire about rates. Dow Jones What They Say About SDA "Smalldeadanimals doesn't speak for the people of Saskatchewan" Former Sask Premier Lorne Calvert "I got so much traffic after your post my web host asked me to buy a larger traffic allowance." Dr.Ross McKitrick Holy hell, woman. When you send someone traffic, you send someone TRAFFIC. My hosting provider thought I was being DDoSed. - Sean McCormick "The New York Times link to me yesterday [...] generated one-fifth of the traffic I normally get from a link from Small Dead Animals." Kathy Shaidle "Thank you for your link. A wave of your Canadian readers came to my blog! Really impressive." Juan Giner - INNOVATION International Media Consulting Group I got links from the Weekly Standard, Hot Air and Instapundit yesterday - but SDA was running at least equal to those in visitors clicking through to my blog. Jeff Dobbs "You may be a nasty right winger, but you're not nasty all the time!" Warren Kinsella "Go back to collecting your welfare livelihood."Michael E. Zilkowsky Intelliweather Seismic Map Comments Policy Read this Best Of SDA Hide The Decline The Bottle Genie (ClimateGate links) You Might Be A Liberal Uncrossing The Line Bob Fife: Knuckledragger A Modest Proposal (NP) Settled Science Series Y2Kyoto Series SDA: Reader Occupation Survey Brett Lamb Sheltered Workshop Flakes On A Plane All Your Weather Are Belong To Us Song Of The Sled The Raise A Flag Debacle (Now on Youtube!) (.mwv Video) Abuse Ruins Life Of Girl Trudeaupiate Kleptocrat Jeans Child Labour I Concede Small Dead Feminist Protein Hoser: THK Interview The Werewolf Extinction Dear Laura (VRWC) We Wait Blogging The Oscars Jackson Converts To Islam Just Shut The HELL Up Manipulating Condi Gay Equality Rights Canberra's drug and alcohol sector risks falling into a "policy vacuum", with the ACT's peak alcohol, tobacco and other drugs strategy now three years' out of date. Despite extensive consultations to review the strategy in 2015, the key document the government and community sector uses to manage complex drug and alcohol patients has not been updated since 2010. Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris, left, last week pledged to investigate a years-long delay to a review of methadone guidelines. Credit:Karleen Minney It is one of a number of key health policies or guidelines years' out of date, with Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris last week pledging to address a years-long delay to a review of the ACT's methadone treatment guidelines. Then-Health Minister Simon Corbell cited the rising tide of treatment episodes for methamphetamine use when launching the 2015 review of the drugs strategy. Canberra's chess queens and kings battled it out at the Australian National University Chess Open at the weekend, marking the competition's 25th anniversary in style. ACT Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson became the first politician to take part in the event, but Canberran Fred Litchfield was declared the overall winner on Sunday after scoring six points from seven games. Labor MLA Michael Pettersson taking on 7-year-old Garran primary school student Hannah Ni on Sunday. Credit:Rohan Thomson More than 40 players joined the competition at the ANU School of Art, played across seven rounds, with players given 60 minutes per game and 10 seconds per move. Mr Litchfield defeated international master Andrew Brown in the sixth round, before drawing his final game against womens' international master Emma Guo. "It's never too late to find your missing person." That's the message Melissa Pouliot has for suffering families after her missing cousin, Ursula Barwick, was recently found following a 30-year search. Crime writer Melissa Pouliot wrote a book loosely based on her cousin's disappearance - which sparked a new investigation by police and discovered the girl had been killed in a car accident. Credit:Karleen Minney Ursula, aged 17, had died in a car accident on the Hume Highway, near Tarcutta, in 1987, only weeks after she went missing. Ursula had been living in Sydney under a new name, Jessica Pearce, and it was that name her new friends provided to investigators after the crash. The number of inmates at Canberra's adult jail with Hepatitis C has fallen more than 20 per cent in the past seven years. But community health advocates have urged the territory to keep its eye on prevention as well as treatment. New treatments have helped cut hepatitis c rates in Canberra's prison from 30 per cent to three per cent. Credit:Rohan Thomson Justice Minister Shane Rattenbury on Friday released new figures showing how new drugs for the virus had helped reduce the number of Hepatitis C-positive inmates from 30% of the prison population in 2010 down to just three per cent this year. He said in the year to March 2017, another 58 detainees had also started the expensive treatments, which were approved by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme last year. NSW Police have arrested and charged five teenagers after they allegedly travelled more than 600 kilometres in a car stolen from Amaroo in Canberra. The black Mercedes Benz sedan was allegedly stolen from a home on Friday morning, before being driven by a 16-year-old boy, accompanied by two other boys aged 13 and 15 and a 14-year-old girl. The five teenagers traveled more than 500 kilometres across NSW. Credit:NSW Police About 7am on Saturday, the driver of the car refuelled at a service station at Molong and left without paying for the fuel. Police received several calls from members of the public who saw the car travelling at speeds of more than 150km/h along the Mitchell Highway towards Dubbo. Jan Cameron has worn many hats over the years: Kathmandu founder, philanthropist, conservationist and more recently corporate agitator at Bellamy's. Easy touch is not on her CV, just ask the casualties from Bellamy's board spill in February. Or the 1000-plus staff who lost their jobs at the misadventure she had at Retail Adventures, which collapsed twice under her watch and cost the Kathmandu founder most of her fortune roughly $200 million according to some counts. And that figure does not include the $13.8 million she had to pay Retail Adventures' liquidators in August 2014 to settle claims of insolvent trading. By India Today Web Desk: Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo actor Manoj Goyal's wife Neelima Manoj Goyal committed suicide on Saturday by hanging herself from her bedroom's ceiling fan. According to reports, Neelima was depressed and has left a note, which said that no one should be held responsible for her suicide. Neelima was reportedly alone at her Kandivali home, when she took such a step. Manoj was out for work and their eight-old-daughter had gone for tuition. When her daughter returned and no one answered even after repeated knocking on the door, she took help from the neighbours and called police. The police broke the door and entered the house and found Neelima hanging from the ceiling fan. advertisement A case has been registered in Samta Nagar police. The police has started its investigation and will soon record Neelima's family's statement. One of Manoj's co-star on the account of anonymity spoke to indianexpress.com and said, "One doesn't get to know the family too personally while working. Manoj and Neelima were a happy couple and it's shocking to hear the news. My condolence to the family and hope god gives strength to Manoj and his daughter to overcome the loss." Manoj has been a part of shows like Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo, Burey Bhi Hum Bhale Bhi Hum, Tu Mere Agal Bagal Hai and Khidki. Also read: Parichay actress Kritika Chaudhary found dead in her apartment --- ENDS --- Bill Shorten says he will introduce a 30 per cent tax rate on discretionary trust distributions to people over the age of 18 if he wins power. Credit:Tracey Nearmy Clearly it matters quite lot for the living standards of a household with an income of $100,000 a year if that income is spread across a family of six, or just one adult. The bureau adjusts for this to get a measure of "equivalised disposable household income". The bureau conducts its survey every two years. The latest figures we have are for 2013-14. They show that the average equivalised household disposable income in 2013-14 was $998 a week. The median was somewhat lower $844 thanks to the asymmetric shape of the distribution, that is, the relatively small number of households who have relatively high incomes, and the relatively large number of households who have relatively low incomes. The bureau's data allows us to consider the distribution of income and wealth between "quintiles". That is, if you ranked all households from lowest to highest, and then divided the population into five equal-sized groups. Let's start with income. After taking account of the number and age of people in the household, households in the highest-income quintile in Australia received over 40 per cent of total income in 2013-14. By comparison, households in the lowest quintile received 7.3 per cent of total income. This pattern has remained relatively stable over the past 20 years. While the average household income is now close to $1000 a week, the average for the lowest quintile is just $375, and $2037 for the highest quintile. Since 1994-95, the average household disposable income has grown by 67 per cent in real terms. But, while income in the lowest quintile grew by 58 per cent, income in the highest quintile grew by 80 per cent. So the poor didn't get poorer, but the rich got richer a lot faster than the poor got richer, thus widening the gap between rich and poor and increasing inequality. But the bureau also measures the distribution of wealth, which is even more unequally distributed than income as it is in most countries. Income, of course, is a flow. Wealth is a stock. For its measure of wealth, the bureau uses a measure of "net worth", being the sum of a household's assets (property, shares, superannuation) minus its liabilities (home loans and other debts). In 2013-14 the average household had assets of $954,800 and liabilities of $144,900, giving an estimated average net worth of $809,900. When ranked by their level of wealth, the top 20 per cent of Australians owned 62 per cent of total household wealth in 2013-2014. By comparison, the bottom 20 per cent of households owned less than 1 per cent of all household wealth. Housing makes up 60 per cent of all assets owned by Australian households (split between owner-occupied housing at 43 per cent and investment property at 15 per cent), and superannuation makes up a further 15 per cent. Although declining rates of home ownership are deepening wealth inequality, Australians' growing superannuation nest eggs have helped to limit the increase in wealth inequality overall. Of course, different types of households have fared differently. Lone person households of prime working age fared particularly badly over the decade and a half to 2009-10. This is due in large part to less generous increases to the Newstart Allowance relative to the age pension (Newstart is indexed to consumer prices, and pensions to the more generous measure of wages). Households in the 55 to 65 age bracket have fared the best. They are more likely to be working than previous generations, while also drawing an income from investment housing (rent) and dividends from share ownership. Another important indicator of inequality is a "Gini coefficient". Gini coefficients range from 0 (perfect equality everyone has the same) to 1 (perfect inequality one person has all the income or wealth). It is possible to construct Gini coefficients for the distributions of both incomes and wealth. The bureau's figures reveal that Australia's Gini coefficient for income has risen from 0.302 in 1994-95 to 0.333 in 2013-14. The Gini coefficient for wealth in 2013-14 was 0.605 almost double the inequality of incomes. Inequality, on the Gini income measure, did not increase greatly from 1994-95 to 2003-04, as the Howard government's significant increases in the family tax benefit offset the effect of greater dispersion in market incomes. Between 2003-04 and 2007-08, however, income inequality worsened by almost 10 per cent, from 0.306 to 0.336, due to continuing dispersion in market incomes, plus a series of annual tax cuts favouring higher income earners. Between 2007-08 and 2011-12, in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, the income Gini fell by about 5 per cent to 0.320. Unfortunately, this decline in inequality was almost entirely reversed in the latest survey for 2013-14, coming in again at 0.333. Overall, Scott Morrison is fairly correct to say that inequality of incomes has not changed dramatically since the GFC. Loading They say no one on their deathbed ever regrets not spending more time at the office. Which is not to say we don't have other regrets, nor that we have to wait until we're drawing our last breath to have them. This column will tell you nothing about the state of the economy, or business or the financial markets, but that's its attraction. Maybe there are other things you should be paying attention to, so as the cut the number of unticked items left on your lifetime To Do list. I can't tell you what you most regret or will come to regret but I can give you some big hints, using a study by two professors of psychology, Mike Morrison, of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Neal Roese, of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Illinois, which I learnt of through the PsyBlog website. On Tuesday, the results of the largest ever student survey into sexual assault and sexual harassment on universities campuses in Australia will be published. . That survey has been run by the Human Rights Commission, commissioned by Universities Australia, but advocated for by our students who want to see real change. For the first time, we will know the full extent of sexual assault and sexual harassment affecting young people at Australian universities. The results will be shocking, and we should be shocked. They will tell us an ugly truth about how young people in particular are affected by sexual violence. It is not an issue that we can simply acknowledge, then move onto the next thing. It is an issue that we must deal with. We know that for survivors and people who have been affected by sexual assault and harassment, the coming weeks will be very traumatic. For all her talk of restoring democracy, Premier Gladys Berejiklian's council merger backflip revealed a dark truth about how politics in NSW now works: the best outcomes go to those with the deepest pockets. Councils with substantial financial resources mostly from affluent areas were able to launch costly legal battles that eventually forced a policy reversal. Meanwhile, other communities across Sydney where working-class ratepayers didn't have the same financial resources have been told the forced mergers that occurred against their will are here to stay. This is no outlier. The NSW government is increasingly having its policies driven by those with money, power and influence, while ordinary voters the very people impacted by changes are shut out of the process. Premier Berejiklian defended her backflip by saying: "I want every single person, when they go to the ballot box on September 9, to have confidence that whoever they elect will be their local representatives." Yet just a year ago her government sacked hundreds of elected councillors across the state, replacing them with appointed administrators. There are two choices. Taking the bashing, or losing your kids. That's it, the choice for some Indigenous women in Australia, says the chief executive of the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service, Antoinette Braybrook. It is entirely understandable that many Indigenous Australians feel they have not been well represented in and consulted by the political system in the past. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Indigenous women are so afraid their children will be removed they continue to endure violence just to keep their families together. They've seen what happened to their own mothers torn from their mothers. And they don't want it to happen again. Braybrook's been in this struggle for decades and can tell you that these women are too frightened to call for help. If they call the police, they know the police will end up notifying child protection. "And then your kids will be taken from you, just like that," she says. "There are more kids being removed now from their mums and their families than at any time since settlement." He made his commitment before a dinner of more than 800 republicans the largest gathering of Australian republicans since the Eureka Stockade, all together in the building where Australia's first Parliament met. He far exceeded their expectations. If Labor wins the next election, then Australians will be voting on an Australian republic by 2020. Bill Shorten: 'First, he has transformed the politics of patriotism in this country..' Credit:Janie Barrett First, he has transformed the politics of patriotism in this country. In thedivisive debate about "Australian values" that has dominated Australian politics in 2017 and in some respects, in the 21st century there is suddenly a new voice. What could be more "un-Australian" than the monarchical principle? Our political system enshrines inherited privilege at its highest point, in the head of state. What better way to share the ideals of citizenship and to ask everyone who lives here to 'sign up' than by saying the head of state is signed up too? This is a big deal. Where 20 years ago the republic was seen as a distraction from bread and butter issues of jobs and the economy, today's daily politics and news is dominated by identity and nationhood as never before. By explicitly positioning the republic as an inclusive response to the deep anxiety in the community about how our society can remain cohesive in future years, Shorten turns the slightly abstract idea of an Australian head of state into an urgent social argument and a relevant political debate. Second, this Labor leader has gone where Prime Minister Rudd at his most popular and Prime Minister Gillard at her most determined would not go. In the post-9/11 era of tight security in which the so-called Islamic State has urged followers to grab whatever they can find as a weapon and just go for it, public attention has been diverted to low-tech, unsophisticated terrorism plots. Knives, cars, trucks, small arms in countries where they are relatively easily available, which thankfully does not include Australia have been the trend. Capture it on a mobile phone and you get high impact for relatively little investment. Yet authorities have been warning all along that this doesn't mean they've taken their eye off the threat of more elaborate plots. Small business groups have rounded on the federal opposition for its proposal to tax discretionary trusts at a flat 30 per cent rate, saying it is vote-buying that will sweep up many legitimate small businesses using the facility for asset protection and income security. Council of Small Business Australia head, Peter Strong, said the policy was a blunt instrument, and while it was appropriate for the tax office to "go get" wealthy individuals using the trust loopholes to avoid tax, it was wrong to hit everyone. "What Labor's got to look at is stopping people rorting the system, not looking for votes by pretending that they dislike and hate rich people ... the trouble is this picking everybody up," he said. The move to legalise gay marriage in Australia is gaining momentum and likely to happen before the end of the year, with another government MP signalling he is willing to cross the floor to support change, and a Liberal senator warning failure to recognise marriage equality would be "political suicide." On Monday, the federal Liberal MP for Brisbane, Trevor Evans, said he supported a free vote. His comments are being interpreted by supporters of gay marriage as a coded signal that he would be willing to cross the floor to help bring on a vote and force the issue to be dealt with by Parliament. Mr Evans - who is openly gay - told News Corp the Coalition should dump its policy to hold a plebiscite on the issue given it has been rejected by Labor and the Greens in the Senate. A director of a tobacco company that is suspected of smuggling cigarettes has donated $400,000 to the Labor Party, possibly breaching NSW law and the ALP's own ban on taking tobacco industry funds. Peter Chen, the sole Australian director of Sydney tobacco company ATA International, donated to the NSW and federal Labor parties via another of his companies, Wei Wah, which retails the cheap Chinese brand cigarettes ATA imports. The revelations come as Labor's Senator Sam Dastyari, who oversaw one of Mr Chen's donations, has called for a ban on donations. "I was one of the weapon suppliers in this [donations] arms race and responsible for fundraising I'm telling you it needs to come to an end, and the time for that is now," Mr Dastyari told the ABC's Australian Story in an episode to be screened on Monday night. By PTI: lacks it Lucknow, Jul 30 (PTI) BJP chief Amit Shah today targeted the Congress over dynasty politics and said lack of internal democracy in a political party results in it being dominated by caste or family. Addressing a meeting of intellectuals here, Shah drew parallel between the BJP and the Congress over who will be the next chief of the two parties. advertisement He asked the audience that who will succeed Sonia Gandhi in the Congress, to which the people responded saying Rahul Gandhi. He then posed the same question about the BJP. "Can anyone tell me who will be the next president of BJP?, No one knows. A person with nirmal charitra (pious character) will head the BJP. The president of BJP is not elected on the basis of dynasty, caste or religion, but on the basis of merit," Shah said. "Internal democracy provides an opportunity for talent to develop naturally. In the absence of internal democracy in any political party, it ends up being run by gharanas (families). Among the 1,650 political parties in India, very few have internal democracy, and BJP is one of them," he said. He said in the absence of internal democracy, a party cannot serve the purpose of democracy and incompetent heirs are chosen to head them. "...Then these political parties become family-based or caste-based. Talent is not given any importance there, and talented people are sidelined. Parties like the SP and the BSP decide their waaris (heir). Sometimes there is a mistake in deciding the heir as well," the BJP chief said, apparently hinting at the falling out of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. He said principles and development should also be two vital characteristics of a political party. "In absence of principles in a political party, casteism and family politics take over," Shah said. He said the BJP is a party which follows "cultural nationalism", both in letter and spirit, and also believes in Antyodaya - a model which touches all sections of the society, and aims to disseminating the benefits of development to the last strata of the society. "Since 1950 to 2017, in the journey from Jan Sangh to the BJP, the basic principle has been Antyodaya, integral humanism and cultural nationalism," Shah said. advertisement He claimed states without a BJP government have been "taken over by scams, corruption and dynasty politics. Talking about Uttar Pradesh, he said the BJP will script history in terms of development. "Owing to financial indiscipline, a term Bimaru (laggard) states was coined in the 1980s for Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and UP. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have come out of the Bimaru bracket. Bihar had shed the tag, when we were in government. There were some roadblocks, but day before yesterday things have moved in the right direction. "We want to promise that UP will be out of the Bimaru bracket in the next five years. I assure you that under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, we will script a new story of development of UP and make it the best state," Shah said. He also claimed that the countrys growth came down to 4.4 percent under the previous Congress-led UPA government. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it went up to 7 percent. Taking a jibe at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the BJP chief said his government suffered from "policy paralysis". "Every minister assumed himself to be the prime minister and no one considered him as the PM. Today under Narendra Modi, the BJP has completed three years in government, but even the rivals could not level allegations of corruption against us," Shah said. advertisement "Wherever the BJP forms the government, it works for the welfare of the people, is transparent and decisive," he said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya also addressed the meeting. PTI NAV ASV SK ASV --- ENDS --- Former foreign minister Bob Carr has accused his erstwhile cabinet colleague Mark Dreyfus of an extraordinary attempt to "silence" him over his criticism of Israeli settlements on the West Bank. Mr Carr says early in the 2016 federal election campaign, Mr Dreyfus, a former attorney-general and member for the Victorian seat of Isaacs, along with the member for Melbourne Ports, Michael Danby, sought a meeting with wealthy businessman Huang Xiangmo. Mr Carr had left politics and was director of the Australia-China Relationships Institute, at the time funded by Mr Huang. According to Mr Carr, the purpose of the visit "was to protest that I had the audacity to occasionally criticise Israel for spreading settlements on the West Bank", he told journalist and former Middle East correspondent John Lyons for his memoir Balcony Over Jerusalem. A 15-year-old girl picked up a long glass shard from a shattered photograph frame and slashed her youth worker across the neck. But in sentencing her for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, a judge has found the girl was not the only one to blame. A 15-year-old girl living in a Guardian Youth Care house was allegedly sexually assaulted when she was allowed to go out at night. Credit:Louie Douvis District Court Judge Martin Sides has found "significant moral culpability" on the part of the Sydney not-for-profit company providing the girl's full-time care on behalf of the Minister for Family and Community Services. Run by former Wallaby Glen Ella, Guardian Youth Care has come under sustained scrutiny in recent months, facing accusations by the government of misappropriating nearly $20 million. Opposition resources and energy spokesman Adam Searle says he "can't see a circumstance" where a NSW Labor government would subsidise new coal or other fossil fuel projects such as the proposed $1 billion federal loan for the controversial Adani mine in Queensland. The comments come as a package of environment measures were passed by the weekend's NSW Labor conference including creation in government of a state-owned corporation, NSW Renewable Energy Futures. The corporation, to be funded by the sale of NSW's share of the Snowy Hydro to the federal government and green bonds would "build, invest, own, and operate large-scale renewable energy and storage technologies, whilst modernising the grid". The motion says the corporation "will maximise the speed and efficiency of the energy transition, reduce prices for consumers, maximise job opportunities in the future economy for regional NSW, and deliver dividends for the people of NSW in a shared and decentralised energy future". The NSW Labor conference has passed what is being hailed as a "historic" motion that urges the next federal Labor government to recognise Palestine. The motion, put by former foreign minister and NSW premier Bob Carr, passed the conference on Sunday night. Bob Carr moves his motion at the NSW Labor conference on Sunday. Credit:AAP The original motion had sparked opposition from some pro-Israeli members of the ALP right faction, prompting a meeting last week between Mr Carr, general secretary Kaila Murnain and others, including former NSW union chief Michael Easson. Following discussions, the motion was extended to also support "the recognition and right of Israel and Palestine to exist within secure and recognised borders". Police are searching an area of bushland south-west of Sydney in a bid to find the body of 12-year-old schoolgirl Quanne Diec, allegedly murdered almost two decades ago. The three-day search of dense bushland off Appin Road at Cataract starts on Monday, following information about the potential location of her body. On Monday, Quanne's father Sam Diec visited the bushland site, where police were digging for her remains. Addressing reporters, Detective Inspector Glen Parks said the search was a difficult time for the family. Travellers are being urged to limit the amount of baggage they take on flights to help speed up the screening process as security at Australian airports is intensified. Passengers are now also being told to arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours for an international flight. There are no changes to what can and cannot be carried on-board an aircraft. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and law enforcement agencies announced screening at all major airports had been ramped up overnight following the discovery of a terrorist plot to bring down an aeroplane with a bomb. Major airlines contacted passengers via text messages on Sunday morning to alert them that the government had now introduced "additional aviation security measures". The Queens Wharf development and a high-rise crane caused significant traffic problems on Sunday, with congestion clogging inner-Brisbane roads. Demolition works on the $3 billion complex saw the closure of the Margaret Street off-ramp on the Riverside Expressway during the weekend. Inbound motorists on the Riverside Expressway hit almost nine kilometers of delays, created by Queens Wharf demolition work. Credit:Glenn Hunt Australian Traffic Network reporter Olympia Kwitowski said throughout the morning, inbound congestion on the Riverside Expressway was back to the Pacific Motorway in Greenslopes - about seven kilometres of delays. However, these delays cleared just after 2pm. She added that motorists were also trying to avoid the gridlock by using the Stanley Street off-ramp, however they were then hitting congestion on Vulture Street, caused by a construction crane being dismantled. This gridlock remained beyond 3pm. Fire has engulfed an inner-Brisbane home on Sunday morning, sending plumes of smoke into the air and causing police to close the street. Emergency services were called to the single-storey brick house on St Pauls Terrace about 7.20am, to find the building "well-involved". Fire crews were battling the blaze at Spring Hill on Sunday morning. Credit:Dominic Geiger - Twitter Six crews, about 20 firefighters in total, battled the blaze externally, due to concerns about structural damage to the property. They also managed to protect a neighbouring property, which was under threat from the fire at one point. By 8am, the fire was under control and soon crews were dampening down hotspots. A search of the building, which was at least 29 years old, was later conducted and found the home was vacant. The first time war veteran Victor Power shot at his enemy during World War II he cried. The 98-year-old man served six months in the war and was on the beaches as German troops advanced into France in 1940, trapping Allied forces on Dunkirk beach. Dunkirk survivor Victor Power. Credit:Amy Mitchell-Whittington "I don't like war, I hated what I did," he said. "To pick your rifle up and go 'bang' and shoot a man down, that is not normal. The first time Kerry Moore heard about fragile X syndrome she was sitting in the developmental paediatrician's office with her 12-month-old son. Her first-born, Oliver, had missed important milestones he was slow to crawl, walk and speak and Ms Moore had just learnt what was wrong. "I had no idea. It came out of nowhere," Ms Moore said. "I was in complete and utter shock and there were so many emotions that I was feeling. Guilt was a big one, because I passed it on to my baby." By India Today Web Desk: A week after Linkin Park's frontman Chester Bennington committed suicide his wife Talinda Bennington has finally spoken up about her loss. In a tweet posted on July 28, Talinda expressed grief over her husband's death and also thanked the world for the love, condolences and support she got. One week ago today, I lost my soulmate and my children lost their hero-their Daddy. We had a (cont) https://t.co/hkutVhlJzR- Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) July 28, 2017 advertisement The full text of the long tweet reads: One week ago today, I lost my soulmate and my children lost their hero-their Daddy. We had a fairytale life and now it has turned into some sick Shakespearean tragedy. How do I move on? How do I pick up my shattered soul? The only answer I know is to raise our babies with every ounce of love I have left. I want to let my community and the fans worldwide know that we feel your love. We feel your loss as well. My babies are so young to have lost their daddy. And I know that all of you will help keep his memory alive. He was a bright, loving soul with an angels voice. And now he is pain free singing his songs in all of our hearts. May God Bless us all and help us turn to one another when we are in pain. Chester would've wanted us to do so. Rest In Peace, my love. Always, Mrs. Talinda Bennington FYI || Chester Bennington's suicide: Tributes pour in on Twitter for Linkin Park frontman || FYI || Chester tried so hard, but it didn't matter in the end: A rant on suicides || --- ENDS --- Which countries, if any, should the UK focus increasing its trading links with? Credit:BMG Research Mr Turner said this showed how important people-to-people links and travel were to how voters think about foreign policy issues. "A lot of older people from focus groups that we conducted said that they spent time in New Zealand and Australia and much fewer younger say the same." Which countries, if any, should the UK focus increasing its trading links with? Credit:BMG Research "The young people go to Spain more and they're more likely to say that something's of a strategic importance to them if they've been there and they're familiar with it," he said. "And actually what you really need to do to raise the Australian profile and the strategic importance is get more young people going to Australia. So that is clearly an effect." British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson met with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop in Sydney last week. Credit:Rick Rycroft He said the debate about whether Britain should adopt an "Australian-style, points-based" immigration system during the EU referendum campaign would also be a factor driving pro-Australian sentiment amongst Leave voters. Other Commonwealth countries, Canada, India and New Zealand also featured in the top ten. The chair of the Commons International Trade committee Angus MacNeil, a member of the Scottish National Party which opposes Brexit, said the results showed the misguided nostalgia for a revival of the British Empire, driving Brexiters. "There's a lot of nostalgic thinking going on with Britain's trading arrangement's at the moment because of this nostalgic view about recreating the empire," Mr MacNeil told Fairfax Media. "Perhaps this view exists among the older generation in England due to an inferior education system 60 years ago," he said. He said Britain leaving the common market would be the equivalent of "putting trade barriers up". In 2016, Australia accepted just 1.3 per cent of British exports and was ranked 21st in the list of top UK export destinations. The United States is ranked first and received 15 per cent of Britain's total exports. France and Germany accounted for 17 per cent of Britain's exports combined. Similarly, Australia is ranked 21st as an import source, with just 1.1 per cent of goods and services originating from Australia. Germany is Britain's largest supplier of imports into Britain, accounting for 14 per cent, followed by China and the United States. In 2015-16, two-way trade was worth around $27.0 billion, with Australian exports worth $12.1 billion and imports from the UK $14.9 billion. By contrast, in 2015, UK exports to the EU were valued at 223.3 billion ($367 billion), while UK imports from the EU stood at 291 million. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in Sydney this week, that Australia would be "at, or near, the front of the queue for a new Free Trade Agreement with Britain". On his recent visit to London, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia would strike a free-trade deal with the United Kingdom "as soon as possible". Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, a member of Open Britain which is campaigning for a soft Brexit, said any trade deal with Australia would be welcome but would only be a "drop in the ocean" compared to Britain's trade with the EU. "As keen as Malcolm Turnbull is on a deal with the UK, he actually wants one with the EU first and before the UK leaves. So we are behind the EU in the queue for a deal with even our Antipodean allies." "This demonstrates the foolishness of betting the house on trade deals which may not happen for years," he said. But the chair of the British parliament's all-party parliamentary group for Australia and New Zealand, Andrew Rosindell, said the findings showed Britain had not forgotten its true friends. Washington: North Korea says its successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile proves its ability to strike America's mainland, drawing a sharp warning from US President Donald Trump and a rebuke from China. However, later on Saturday Trump wrote on Twitter that he was "very disappointed" in China and that Beijing had done "nothing" for the United States in regards to North Korea, something he would not allow to continue. North Korea's first launch of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile, which took place in early July. Credit:Korean Central News Agency via AP North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the midnight launch of the missile on Friday night and said it was a "stern warning" for the United States that it would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. North Korea's state television broadcast pictures of the launch, showing the missile lifting off in a fiery blast in darkness and Kim cheering with military aides. The Tyne Cot Cemetery in Passchendaele, Belgium pictured in an undated photo taken either during or after the Passchendaele battle. Credit:Australian War Memorial The aim was to capture high ground of the Gheluvelt Plateau, east of Ypres, although the term high is relative no point is more than 50 metres higher than another. Haig's plan was to cut German supply lines and swing to the coast, and, in conjunction with an amphibious assault, seize ports from where German U-boats were raiding allied shipping. Those ports could then be used to land supplies for future operations. Poppies each with a personalised message from a member of the British public are currently on display at Tyne Cot Cemetery to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele in the fields near Ypres, Belgium. Credit:Getty Images Well before the battle proper, the allies undertook preparatory operations, with an attack on Messines Ridge on June 7, featuring the detonation of 19 huge mines in tunnels beneath German lines. The movie Beneath Hill 60 tells of the role of Australian tunnellers in this multinational venture, which produced some of the then-biggest explosions in human history. German defences were devastated. Tourists visit World War One trenches in Ypres. Credit:Getty Images Haig's commander General Hubert Gough needed time to prepare and the offensive kicked off on July 31, with more than 250,000 British, French and Commonwealth soldiers attacking on a 13-kilometre front. Gough's "bite and hold" tactics proved effective. There was no thought of the great breakthrough rather the idea was to seize a couple of kilometres of enemy territory, hold against inevitable counter-attacks, then repeat. Actors recreate the Battle of Passchendaeale for visitors. Credit:Getty Images This required all objectives to be within range of massed allied artillery. After initial progress, the offensive stalled in August and Haig replaced Gough with General Hubert Plumer, who proposed step-by-step assaults with six-day pauses to allow artillery and supplies to be brought forward. The New Zealand memorial at the Tyne Cot Cemetery in Zonnebeke on the old Ypres Salient battlefields. Credit:Getty Images For the Anzacs, the first significant actions were Menin Road on September 20, followed by Polygon Wood on September 26 and Broodseinde on October 4. All were notable successes, though as always with significant casualties. But the night before Broodseinde, fine weather ended and what followed was the wettest autumn anyone could remember. If that wasn't bad enough, months of shellfire had churned up the battlefield, destroying the drainage system which had kept this sodden area of northern Europe adequately dry for centuries. Australian War Memorial senior historian Ashley Ekins said as the front line advanced, mud made it progressively more difficult to bring forward the guns and the huge quantities of shells needed to obliterate German defences. Men and horses drowned in the quagmire. Evacuating a wounded soldier required multiple stretcher bearers and could take a day. Both sides had resorted to gas earlier in the war but for Passchendaele, the Germans employed a new horror: mustard gas. The attack on Poelcappelle on October 9 foundered in the mud, with 1250 Australian casualties for no gain. Then on October 12, Australian and New Zealand troops sought to seize Passchendaele, an attack which historian Chris Clark said had practically no chance of success. In the mud, soldiers struggled just to remain on their feet, let alone keep pace with the advancing artillery barrage and assault German strong points. The result was 7000 dead and wounded, and the withdrawal of the battered Anzac force to recuperate. With 2700 dead, wounded and missing in a morning, October 12, 1917 remains New Zealand's darkest day. After five more costly attacks, Canadian troops finally took Passchendaele. With fighting bogged down and further objectives unattainable, Haig called off the offensive. He subsequently justified this as all about attrition killing more Germans than they killed allies. The final toll remains disputed but current estimates suggest around a quarter million dead on each side. Official war correspondent Charles Bean wrote angrily at the time of what men were asked to do in these conditions. "He was right. It was pushing soldiers beyond what they could possibly achieve," Ekins said. It's still asked why Haig insisted the battle continue. One reason is that high command never understood the conditions those at the front were confronting. British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, who had the ultimate authority, failed to act despite knowing the casualties. "They are all damned by the cost and futility of the campaign," he said. For the Australians, this was their lowest ebb. Units were depleted and exhausted, morale was low. Some thought the AIF could never again become an effective fighting force. Loading New York: US President Donald Trump's admonition that police should not be "too nice" while transporting suspects drew laughter and cheers from a crowd of officers on Friday, but police officials swiftly made it clear that they did not find the words funny. From New York to Los Angeles, law enforcement authorities criticised the President's remarks. Experts worried that his words could encourage the inappropriate use of force. A defence lawyer even signalled that he might use video of the speech in court. Police departments have distanced themselves from US President Donald Trump's remarks at an event on Long Island in support of police fighting the MS-13 gang. Credit:New York Times The criticism online started shortly after Trump's comments, which came at an event in Brentwood, New York, which was intended to support police in their fight against La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, a gang that has been accused of several killings on Long Island. After calling for more immigration officers to help arrest the gang members, Trump told officers: "Please don't be too nice." Washington, DC: Republicans are urging President Donald Trump's new chief of staff John Kelly to rein in the chaos within the White House but say the retired Marine Corps general will be challenged to assert control. In his first six months in office, Trump has upended White House convention with a loose decision-making style and an open-door policy to his Oval Office for advisers, both internal and external. Infighting among his senior staff has become bitter and public. "He's going to have to reduce the drama, reduce both the sniping within and reduce the leaks, and bring some discipline to the relationships," Karl Rove, a Republican strategist and former White House adviser to George W. Bush, said on Fox News Sunday. Trump announced Kelly would replace his embattled chief of staff Reince Priebus at the end of a particularly chaotic week that saw his first legislative effort - healthcare reform - fail in Congress. Dublin: The Sunday Times of London has fired the writer of an op-ed article denouncing the campaign by women of the British Broadcasting Corp. for equal pay after the column sparked widespread accusations that it was anti-Semitic and misogynistic. The move came after the article, by Kevin Myers, an Irish journalist with a record of provocative right-wing statements, was pulled from its website and the editor of The Sunday Times and the editor of the paper's Irish edition apologised for the column. Framing his piece as an attack on the push to close the pay gap at the BBC, Myers wrote: "I note that two of the best-paid women presenters in the BBC -- Claudia Winkelman and Vanessa Feltz, with whose, no doubt, sterling work I am tragically unacquainted -- are Jewish. Good for them. Jews are not generally noted for their insistence on selling their talent for the lowest possible price, which is the most useful measure there is of inveterate, lost-with-all-hands stupidity. I wonder, who are their agents? If they're the same ones that negotiated the pay for the women on the lower scales, then maybe the latter have found their true value in their marketplace." Seoul: The United States has sent two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. The US Pacific Air Forces said the B-1 bombers were escorted by South Korean and Japanese fighter jets on Saturday as they performed a low-pass over an air base in South Korea before returning to Guam. It says the mission was a response to the consecutive ICBM tests by North Korea this month. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence O'Shaughnessy said. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing". PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in an urgent plenary public session on July 31, 2017. The Minister of Justice will be present. This meeting was requested Members of Parliament, F.A. Meyers, F.G. Richardson, drs. R.E. Samuel, and P.F.M. Geerlings, is a continuation of the meeting that started on Monday, May 22, 2017, with a continuation on May 23, 2017. The urgent plenary public meeting will reconvene on Monday, July 31, 2017, at 15.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The agenda point is: Recent developments within the Justice Ministry including the installation of an Asset Recovery Team by the Minister of Justice and Public Prosecutor. Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 120, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the Internet www.pearlfmradio.sx and via www.sxmparliament.org. The police stopped the controversial author from stepping out of the airport as there were several people protesting against her visiting the city. Taslima Nasreen was sent back from Aurangabad airport after protests By Press Trust of India: Controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen was sent back to Mumbai from Aurangabad airport after protests by a group of people against her visit to the city, police said today. Nasreen landed at the Chikalthana Airport last evening from Mumbai. Police stopped the author from stepping out of the airport, where a crowd had gathered shouting slogans like "Taslima Go Back". advertisement Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-II), Rahul Shrirame said, Nasreen was sent back to Mumbai by the next flight to avoid any "law and order problem" in this city in central Maharashtra. The author was advised to abandon her visit to the city and she agreed to go back, the police officer said. Protesters had also gathered outside a hostel where Nasreen was to stay during her three-day visit. Police said they had come to know that the writer was planning to visit the world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora, besides other tourist spots in Aurangabad. The protest at the airport was led by Imtiyaz Jaleel, the AIMIM legislator from the Aurangabad central constituency. Jaleel said her writings have "hurt" the religious sentiments of Muslims across the world. "We will not allow her to step on the soil of our city," he said. Last month, the Union Home Ministry had extended her visa for one year, with effect from July 23, 2017. Nasreen, a citizen of Sweden, has been getting Indian visa on a continuous basis since 2004. The author is living in exile since she left Bangladesh in 1994 in the wake of threats to her by fundamentalist groups. Also read: Taslima Nasreen: India needs uniform civil law. Muslim groups: She has got too much freedom Self-censorship is worst form of censorship: Taslima Nasreen Also Watch: Protesters block Taslima Nasreen's entry into Aurangabad --- ENDS --- Everything you need to know about No. 20 Notre Dame's game vs. Navy Saturday in Baltimore Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 77F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 56F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. The NIA has found evidence against separatist leader SAS Geelani for instigating people against the security forces in the Kashmir Valley last year. By Jitendra Bahadur Singh: The NIA sources have said that the agency has found evidence against separatist Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for instigating general public in the Kashmir Valley. The NIA sources said that the incriminating evidence was found in the documents seized from the residence of Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Fantoosh. The NIA had conducted raid at Fantoosh's residence on June 3. advertisement This raid was part of the series of raids conducted by the NIA in the terror funding case after an India Today expose in which a number of separatist leaders admitted on camera that they received money from across the border to foment trouble in the Valley. Among the documents seized by the NIA is a protest calendar signed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who planned to instigate the people in the Valley to taken on the security forces and government establishment. WHAT IS IN GEELANI'S CALENDAR: THINGS TO KNOW August 4, 2016: Calendar talks about the conspiracy to instigate people against the government and stage protest against the Army and other security forces. August 6, 2016: People were asked to gather at the Lal Chowk in Srinagar and other places and stage protest. August 8, 2016: Geelani appealed his supporters to block all the roads leading to Srinagar, to stop the government officials from joining their duties and build pressure on working people not to attend their offices. August 9, 2016: Geelani asked women to stage protest from dawn to dust and play Islamic and pro-independence songs at various places and mosques. August 10, 2016: Geelani planned to send letters to all the security forces asking them to go away from the Valley. August 11, 2016: Geelani asked all the mainstream politicians and village heads (sarpanch) to resign from their posts and past copies of their resignation letter at public places. August 12, 2016: Geelani asked all the Imams to build public opinion in mosques in favour of independence of Kashmir and paste pro-independence posters on the mosque walls. SAS Geelani signed protest calendar. August 13, 2016: Geealni asked supporters to join the protests bearing black flags. August 14, 2016: Geelani gave a call to celebrate the Pakistan Day with special namaz and to play pro-independence song the whole day. August 15, 2016: Geelani asked his supporters to observe black day in Jammu and Kashmir. He asked his men to stage protest waiving black flags outside government buildings and to hoist the same above their homes, shops and at public squares. August 16, 2016: Geelani gave a call to include women in the protests and play pro-independence songs in mosques. ALSO READ | Kashmir: Encounter in Pulwama, 2 militants killed Terror funding in Kashmir: NIA conducts raids at more than 20 places ALSO WATCH | --- ENDS --- The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement By Srijani Ganguly/Mail Today: In the early stages of writing In The Name of God (Penguin Random House; Rs 299), author Ravi Subramanian had several worries weighing on his mind. And they all had to do with the setting of the story: the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The first was to do with the pace. Before the book's plot came into his mind, Subramanian was used to churning out a single book every year, so comfortable was he with his bank-themed thrillers. But then In The Name of God came along, and changed the entire working of his well-oiled storytelling machinery. advertisement "For me to do research and write about the temple," says the author, "and capture the essence of the temple was difficult. Also, when you write a story about a bank, and feel the pace slackening you know what to do to quicken it up. And with this book, I struggled. I had to work really hard at it to make sure the pace was fast." In a matter of a few pages, therefore, the reader jumps from a murder at the temple, a heist at a mall in Dubai to high-intensity explosions in Mumbai. In the midst of it all is Kabir Khan, additional director of the CBI, who must figure out the connections between these incidents - if there are any. The two other major worries had nothing to do with the imaginary plot but everything to do with the religious context of the novel. Also Read: This award-winning artist draws inspiration from William Blake "People take offense to everything these days," says Subramanian, "but they won't find anything wrong with this book in that regard. My conscience is clear." What was disturbing his conscience during the writing process instead, was the plausibility of a curse. "My wife will kill me if I tell you this," the author says, before going on to describe his fear. "But the fact is that God is supposed to be very powerful there (at the temple). Legend goes that anyone who goes against the will of the God suffers ill fate. I was worried if I write a story on the temple, will the same happen to me? There were instances when I had a shoulder ache and I thought I was having a heart attack." Ultimately, all his fears turned out to be unfounded. And now Subramanian is extremely happy with the outcome. "My books in the past have received extreme reviews. But this one has got only four to five stars online," he reveals. --- ENDS --- Madrid, July 30, 2017 (SPS) - The Grand Canary City Council, headed by the political parties of the Canary Islands and the Socialist Party (PSOE), rejected during its plenary meeting on Friday the decision of Morocco to delimit its maritime borders off the Canary Islands by integrating the waters of Western Sahara, said the head of international solidarity, Carmelo Ramirez. This decision "seriously affects the Canary Islands by the proximity of Western Sahara, about 100 kilometers, with the consequences it can have on the economy and the stability of the territory of the islands," Ramirez said. He also referred to the probable existence of rare hydrocarbons and minerals such as tellurium in the waters between the Western Sahara and the Canary Islands "which arouses interest in Morocco, He underlines. The Government of Morocco seriously infringes international law since the territorial waters of Western Sahara do not fall under its sovereignty, as it is considered a non-autonomous territory illegally occupied by Morocco. In its motion the Council of Grand Canary emphasizes that the Moroccan decision "violates several resolutions such as UN resolution 1514 which recognizes the right of self-determination of the Sahrawi people and several other resolutions of the UN Security Council which recognize the right of self-determination of the Sahrawi people in addition to the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union which has excluded trade agreements between the EU and Morocco which are not applicable to Western Sahara. "These repeated violations of international law," Ramirez said, "demand a response from the UN and the EU, which must force the Moroccan government to abide by the rules." While rejecting in its motion this Moroccan decision, which includes the territorial waters of Western Sahara, which is not within its sovereignty, the Council of Grand Canary demands the Spanish government to "denounce this situation and force Morocco to comply with international law". The approved motion also urges the Government of the Canary Islands to "monitor this issue closely" and calls for respect for the rights of the Sahrawi population, in particular its request for a referendum on self-determination. The text adopted by the Grand Canary Council also calls on Morocco to "stop violating the human rights of the Sahrawis living in the occupied territories and stop the plundering of the natural resources of Western Sahara". At the beginning of July, the Moroccan government approved a bill and a decree to delimit the maritime border off the Canary Islands by integrating the waters of Western Sahara. This decision unilaterally initiated by Morocco has been strongly criticized and denounced by many personalities and Spanish political parties. (SPS) 062/090/TRA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Christa Forrest exhibited her oil and pastel paintings of local New England and Hudson Valley landscapes, including a large oil canvas depicting Cove Island Beach against the backdrop of a sunset. Forrest, 47, of Stamford, who teaches at Stamfords Pinots Palette a paint and sip studio at Harbor Point where students can learn to paint while drinking wine quit a career in finance three years ago to go professional as an artist. I hated my job (in finance), said Forrest. Now when I get up in the morning I do art and I love it. Forrest said the festival has been an opportunity to find new prospects who signed up for her newsletter. Its a nice day out today, and Im getting to interact with people, said Forrest. It gets me out of the studio. A steady stream of aficionados met artists and browsed a pavilion of tents showcasing the handiwork of more than 130 juried artists and craftspeople from up and down the eastern seaboard at the third annual Stamford Arts Festival at Harbor Point. Admission to the festival was free. The roster of artists came as far north as Nashua, N.H., and south to Florida , including artists from Canada. Sue Brown Gordon, of Gordon Fine Arts Gallery in Stamford who coordinated the festival. This years attendance was estimated by Brown to be several thousand, with the event running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, Brown said. A growth in attendance since last year reflects the shows increasing presence on the radar of the regions art collectors, who are taking note of the opportunity to discover little or lesser known artists producing a high caliber of work, Brown Gordon said. Under the rules of the festival, artists were also required to be on hand during the weekend to represent themselves and their work. The reputation of the event is drawing strong patronage and people are waiting to spend on arts because they know they can come here and get something great that is original, Brown Gordon said. Some of the patrons collect these artists work seven or eight times Artists paid a fee of $365 to occupy a booth for the weekend. Under one of the tents, Amy Kaplan, of Westport displayed a diverse selection of her work including a 30-by-60 canvas of a shoreline scene of Treasure Beach, Fla., called Family Day which was on sale for $3,400. Kaplan studied Fine Art at Syracus University. The 49-year-old also creates so-called dreamweaves, geometric arrangements of slivers of her painting palettes encased in an epoxy resin. I just loved the way my palettes looked so I started cutting them into strips, Kaplan said. The land sea and sky are also really important to me and I often see in terms of landscapes when I am looking at things. Jen Glover Riggs, a preschool teacher at Side by Side Charter School at Norwalk, said her journey as a self-taught artist creating abstract canvases using encaustic and acrylic paints about three years ago. Riggs said she, hits, the canvas with various tools to create abstract patterns similar to artists like abstract Impressionist Jackson Pollock, one of the artists While she often starts with a strong idea in mind, she re-evaluates the composition of paintings if they evolve in unexpected ways, Riggs said. This has been a good show, said Riggs, 40. It is always great to get tips and ideas for how to do things differently. Hillary Weinroth, 60, and her mother-in-law, Luba Weinroth, of Stamford, said the waterfront outdoor setting of the festival helped make it a pleasure. There are a lot of very pretty things, Hillary Weinroth said. It is also nice down here. I like it and you get to see a lot of different things, 85-year-old Luba Weinroth said. T wo people have been killed and three seriously injured in a shooting in a German nightclub, police have said. Panicked revellers at a nightclub in the lakeside city of Konstanz ran and hid after a gunman opened fire at about 4.30am. German news agency DPA identified the venue as nightclub Grey, which lies close to the city's airport. Several media reports in Germany claimed one of the victims was a club-goer. Police dashed to the scene, shooting and injuring a 34-year-old suspected shooter. The gunman was rushed to hospital but later died. He was identified by police as an Iraqi citizen who had been living in Konstanz for some time. The man, who has not yet been named, was known to the police. A police officer was injured in the shoot-out but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Special commando forces and a police helicopter were deployed in the town, which lies close to the Swiss border, as police worked to establish if the gunman acted alone. Police said the motive for the shooting is not yet clear. A south London gangster who hid a gun linked to two murders has been jailed after a three-year man hunt. Andre Chambers, from Woolwich, was sentenced to a decade behind bars for possession of a firearm and intent to supply Class A drugs. He had evaded detectives for three years before his capture, finally admitting the charges at Croydon Crown Court on Friday July 28. In September 2013, officers found a hidden 9mm Glock handgun, eight bullets and hundreds of grams of high-purity cocaine at a property in Southwark that Chambers was living in. The handgun recovered from the property Chambers was living in / Met Police Forensic analysis found it was used to murder 24-year-old Errol Davis at a nightclub near London Bridge in 2008. It was also linked to the murder of 25-year-old Larry Safie in East Dulwich in 2009. It was further found to have been used in two attempted murders in both 2007 and 2009. Drugs recovered from the home / Met Police Scotland Yard said Chambers did not commit the killings, but was holding the gun for other gang members. A man was arrested and charged over the murders of Safie and Davis but was acquitted following a trial. Inquiries continue in both investigations, the Met said. Chambers admitted to intent to supply Class A drugs (pictured) / Met Police Chambers was caught in a minicab near Woolwich Ferry in October last year, more than a year-and-a-half after a 20,000 reward was offered for information on his location. Acting Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe said a "dangerous man" was off the streets following the three-year hunt. He added: "Chambers did everything he could to evade capture and no doubt got complacent and thought he had got away with the offences committed in 2013. "I hope his sentence serves as a warning to those intent on concealing weapons and dealing drugs, we will continue to pursue you no matter the length of time." A teenager has been charged with attempted GBH after police officers were attacked when a protest over the death of Rashan Charles turned violent. A gang of protesters - many of whom had their faces covered - clashed with riot police as tensions came to a head in Dalston on Friday night. The group threw bottles and stones and set fire to mattresses as violence broke out in Kingsland Road following a peaceful protest earlier in the day. It came after Mr Charles, 20, was chased into a shop by officers in Dalston last Saturday. 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. Following Fridays unrest, a 17-year-old boy from Islington was charged on Sunday with two counts of attempted GBH against two separate police officers and affray. He will appear in custody at Stratford Youth Court on Monday, July 31. By PTI: Ahmedabad, Jul 29 (PTI) Three Union ministers today visited Gujarat to take stock of the situation in the flood- affected areas and assess damage caused by the deluge in the state where 142 people have lost their lives. Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Union Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala visited Palanpur and Deesa in Banaskantha, one of the worst-affected districts, and were briefed about relief measures being taken, an official release said. advertisement Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Mansukh Mandaviya also met officials to assess damage caused to the state and national highways and action plan to restore them, it said. Singh and Rupala were briefed about rescue and relief operations being undertaken in different parts of the state, including Banaskantha and Patan, the release said. They were told that so far 142 people have lost their lives in flood-related incidents, including the 46 in Banaskantha alone, it said. Army, Air Force and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel rescued 12,798 people, of which 825 were airlifted by the IAF, said the release. As many as 80,000 people were relocated to safer places, including 38,241 in Banaskantha and Patan, it said. Singh also visited Banaskantha to take stock of relief and rescue works going there, accompanied by Rupala and Gujarat Agriculture Minister Chimanbhai Sapariya, the Union minister informed on his Twitter handle later. Mandaviya also assessed damages caused to highways. He was told that several state highways and nine national highways have been damaged, the release said. Several of these affected roads are still under water which will delay the construction work, it said. The damage is assessed at Rs 10 crore for national highways and Rs 26 crore for state highways. Mandaviya asked officials to ensure that all highways are immediately restored to a condition so that vehicular movement is not affected, and asked speedy construction of damaged roads, the release added. PTI KA PD RMT TIR --- ENDS --- B rexit is causing a crisis in the hiring of bar and restaurant workers, a top hospitality boss has warned. Leslie Kwarteng, a senior general manager at three of central Londons most popular restaurants, said it is becoming increasingly difficult to hire waiting on and bar staff since the Brexit vote. The 29-year-old runs the iconic Quaglinos restaurant in the heart of Londons Mayfair, rooftop venue Madison, which has terraces looking out onto St Pauls Cathedral, and swanky eatery and lounge bar 100 Wardour Street in Soho. Mr Kwarteng, who started out in the hospitality industry as a waiter in his teenage years, told the Standard the UKs vote to leave the EU had made it more challenging for recruiting bar and restaurant workers. Top hospitality boss Leslie Kwarteng We are struggling to get staff in to fill the positions like waiters and waitresses and bartenders, he said. Before, we would have lots of students from France and Italy as staff but that has changed. Its made it more challenging. He said he believes the key to combatting the problem is ensuring his employees are given the right training and development opportunities to want to stay in their roles. One thing we can do to combat it is making sure we are developing our teams and actually training them, Mr Kwarteng said. The bar at 100 Wardour Street We need to make sure we have very, very strong training programmes and that we are training them to a level where they see it as more of a career opportunity. Mr Kwarteng started his career with restaurant group D&D in 2007 and believes that Londons hospitality industry can still offer young people the same opportunities that were open to him more than 10 years ago. He said: It was never really the plan, when I was 16 or 17, I didnt know what I wanted to do. I realised that I had a genuine passion for the hospitality industry. There is a lot of people within this business who have no passion and at the end of the day you are dealing with people. You have to like people. I deal with about 2,000 guests a week. London's iconic Mayfair restaurant Quaglino's You have to impress people. With the demands of this industry, you really need to love it. I was 23 years old when I was first a restaurant manager. I have never been shy of taking on the big challenges. I think there are good opportunities for young people. London is one of the best cities in the world. There are good opportunities for young people to progress but they need to be willing to put the effort in. You have to get your head down at the weekends. Mr Kwarteng, who spent his childhood living between London and Ghana, said customers now have astronomically high standards when visiting restaurants in the capital compared to when he first started out. He said: Ten years ago, people were happy to top up their own wine glass. Now, we have to try and achieve perfection from the minute they pick up the phone to make the reservation to the minute they walk out the door. Customers need to be made to feel special. Its changed a lot. Londoners know a lot more about food than they did too. Mr Kwarteng, who lives in Battersea, said the Night Tube had also made a huge difference to Londons hospitality industry and that he had seen an 80 per cent increase in revenue at Madison. He said: What we have seen is more people staying later to the area until we close and until the early hours of the morning. At 100 Wardour Street, we have seen a great uptake in revenue between the hours of 1am and 2.30am definitely. A warning has been issued over fears intruders are plotting raids on peoples homes under the guise of fire officers checking safety measures in the wake of the Grenfell Tower inferno. Notes were posted through the doors of residents of a tower block in Camden warning them they would need to make their homes available to a fire safety officer. But the boroughs council and London Fire Brigade revealed the apparent checks had not been authorised by officials. The notes - delivered after at least 80 people were killed in the Grenfell Tower fire have been labelled despicable for targeting vulnerable people in a state of fear following the tragedy. The suspects are believed to have been trying to prey on tower block residents concerns after it emerged many of the buildings may not meet fire safety standards. Scam: A picture of the note posted through the doors of Camden residents The note said: Dear Resident, as a precaution against fire, a fire officer has requested for access to all rooms and flats on Saturday 22nd July 2017. Your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Moyra Samuels, one of the co-founders of Justice 4 Grenfell a group representing survivors of the horrific fire condemned the scam She said: It is absolutely despicable to use an atrocity like Grenfell Tower to prey on vulnerable people when people are so scared. Cladding: Since Grenfell Tower there have been cocerns over the safety of the buildings / Jeremy Selwyn She added that she would be alerting people in other boroughs about possible confidence tricksters. The local authority said it sent out alerts to housing companies and charities warning of the scam. We alerted a range of partners to the fact that a suspected scam letter had been sent to a property in NW3, a statement said. The alert list included colleagues in the police and fire services, as well as the likes of Age UK, and public and private housing providers. Our Trading Standards service also provided guidance to some organisations, should they wish to issue it, in order to help residents identify whether doorstep callers are genuine. The doorstep safety advice would be the lock, chain, check message. Residents evacuated Chalcots Estate tower blocks in Camden after the buildings failed safety tests / EPA Dial 999 if youre suspicious or the caller wont leave. Call the police non-emergency number 101 if youre not in immediate danger but want to report an incident. Camden became the first authority in London to evacuate entire buildings after fears were raised about the safety of external cladding. Camden Council has issued advice to residents around doorstep safety and urged them to ring London Fire Brigade on 0208 555 1200 if they were concerned someone may be posing as a fire officer or fire-fighter. T he Sunday Times has apologised after a furious backlash against "anti-Semitic" comments contained in an article about women's pay. In a column titled "Sorry ladies - equal pay has to be earned", Irish journalist Kevin Myers remarked that some of the BBC's best-paid women had Jewish roots. He wrote: "I note that two of the best-paid women presenters in the BBC - Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz, with whose, no doubt, sterling work I am tragically unacquainted - are Jewish. Good for them. He went on: "Jews are not generally noted for their insistence on selling their talent for the lowest possible price, which is the most useful measure there is of inveterate, lost-with-all-hands stupidity." The article, which appeared in the Irish edition of The Sunday Times, had been removed from the newspaper's website by mid-morning on Sunday. Twitter users slammed Mr Myers's column as anti-Semitic. "This is utterly disgusting," wrote one. "Kevin Myers (writer) must be sacked. Any editors who let this get through must be investigated and asked how this was published. Disgrace," wrote another. "Shame on @thesundaytimes for this vile anti Semitic rant," wrote another. Mr Myers also commented in the controversial article that men were "possibly" more charismatic, hard-working and driven than their female counterparts. He wrote: "Only one woman is among the top 10 best-paid BBC presenters. Now, why is this? "Is it because men are more charismatic performers? Because they work harder? Because they are more driven? Possibly a bit of each." The newspaper apologised for the article on Sunday morning. The Sunday Times editor Martin Ivens said: "The comments in a column by Kevin Myers in today's Irish edition of The Sunday Times were unacceptable and should not have been published. "It has been taken down and we sincerely apologise both for the remarks and the error of judgement that led to publication." Frank Fitzgibbon, editor of The Sunday Times Ireland, said: "On behalf of The Sunday Times I apologise unreservedly for the offence caused by comments in a column written by Kevin Myers and published today in the Ireland edition of The Sunday Times. "It contained views that have caused considerable distress and upset to a number of people. As the editor of the Ireland edition I take full responsibility for this error of judgment. "This newspaper abhors anti-Semitism and did not intend to cause offence to Jewish people." Kevin Myers, who has written for the Belfast Telegraph and Irish Times among others, has previously come under fire for an article entitled "Africa is giving nothing to anyone apart from AIDS", as well as comments that there "was no Holocaust". The Campaign Against Anti Semitism said it would report the "brazenly anti-Semitic" article to the Independent Press Standards Organisation and asked for confirmation that Mr Myers will not write again for any News UK title. It said in a statement: It is clear that Kevin Myers should not have been invited to write for the Sunday Times, and his editors should never have allowed the article to be published. "That they removed the article within hours of publishing it is proof that the decision was irrefutably wrong." The Standard has approached Mr Myers for comment. A critically-injured pedestrian flown to hospital by Prince William on his final shift as an air ambulance pilot has died. 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. William's 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. Prince William pilots the helicopter during his final shift for the East Anglian Air Ambulance / AFP/Getty Images The woman was then taken by air ambulance to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Norfolk Police said the woman died on Saturday and the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. 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. 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. T he editor of the Sunday Times has been forced to apologise personally to Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz over an anti-Semitism row. The newspaper said journalist Kevin Myers would never write again for its Irish edition after it printed a column in which he suggested the two stars were well-paid because they were Jewish. In a column titled "Sorry ladies - equal pay has to be earned", Mr Myers wrote: "I note that two of the best-paid women presenters in the BBC - Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz, with whose, no doubt, sterling work I am tragically unacquainted - are Jewish. Good for them. He went on: "Jews are not generally noted for their insistence on selling their talent for the lowest possible price, which is the most useful measure there is of inveterate, lost-with-all-hands stupidity." Vanessa Feltz was also referenced in the widely criticised article The article, which appeared in the Irish edition of The Sunday Times, had been removed from the newspaper's website by mid-morning on Sunday. In a statement issued soon afterwards, editor Martin Ivens apologised, admitting that comments made in the column were "unacceptable and should never have been published". Frank Fitzgibbon, editor of The Sunday Times Ireland, added: "It contained views that have caused considerable distress and upset to a number of people ... This newspaper abhors anti-Semitism and did not intend to cause offence to Jewish people." But campaigners demanded the newspaper go further. The Campaign Against Anti Semitism said it would report the "brazenly anti-Semitic" article to the Independent Press Standards Organisation and asked for confirmation that Mr Myers would not write again for any News UK title. It said in a statement: It is clear that Kevin Myers should not have been invited to write for the Sunday Times, and his editors should never have allowed the article to be published. "That they removed the article within hours of publishing it is proof that the decision was irrefutably wrong." In response to the growing row, a spokeswoman for the newspaper said: "Further to our earlier statement we can confirm that Kevin Myers will not write again for The Sunday Times Ireland. A printed apology will appear in next weeks paper. "The Sunday Times editor Martin Ivens has also apologised personally to Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz for these unacceptable comments both to Jewish people and to women in the workplace." The bid to appease furious readers came after a backlash against Mr Myers's article unfolded on Twitter, slamming the column as misogynistic and anti-Semitic. "This is utterly disgusting," wrote one Twitter user. "Kevin Myers (writer) must be sacked. Any editors who let this get through must be investigated and asked how this was published. Disgrace," wrote another. "Shame on @thesundaytimes for this vile anti Semitic rant," wrote another. Mr Myers also wrote in the controversial article that men were "possibly" more charismatic, hard-working and driven than their female counterparts. He wrote: "Only one woman is among the top 10 best-paid BBC presenters. Now, why is this? "Is it because men are more charismatic performers? Because they work harder? Because they are more driven? Possibly a bit of each." Mr Myers, who has written for the Belfast Telegraph and Irish Times among others, has previously come under fire for an article entitled "Africa is giving nothing to anyone apart from AIDS", as well as comments that there "was no Holocaust". The Standard has approached Mr Myers for comment. T he Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have led official commemorations marking the 100th anniversary since the Battle of Passchendaele began. Prince William spoke at the Menin Gate monument in Ypres, Belgium, as the daily Last Post was played ahead of Monday's centenary of the start of the bloody First World War British assault. Prime Minister Theresa May and Philippe and Mathilde, the King and Queen of the Belgians, were also in attendance. William said Britain and Belgium "stand together" to remember those killed during weeks of heavy fighting in the summer and autumn of 1917. Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge makes a speech during the Last Post ceremony / REUTERS The offensive, which comprised eight battles over three months, saw more than half a million Allied and German casualties. Watched by some 200 descendants of those who fought, he said: "Today, the Menin Gate records almost 54,000 names of the men who did not return home; the missing with no known grave. Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe of Belgium arrive / EPA "Members of our families; our regiments; our nations; all sacrificed everything for the lives we live today." He added: "During the First World War Britain and Belgium stood shoulder to shoulder. Prime Minister Theresa May at the ceremony / EPA "One hundred years on, we still stand together, gathering as so many do every night, in remembrance of that sacrifice." Sunday's poignant Last Post was the 30,752nd time it has been played since 1928. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge arrive / EPA The towering Menin Gate in the Belgian town is covered with the names of 54,391 British dead who have no known grave, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In just over three months of conflict there were more than half a million casualties - 325,000 Allied soldiers and 260,000 to 400,000 Germans - in the Belgian battlefields. William and Kate are met by an official / REUTERS It was fought between July 31 and November 10 1917 in battlefields that were summed up in poet Siegfried Sassoon's line "I died in hell, they called it Passchendaele". Those who fought there included Harry Patch, the "Last Tommy" who died aged 111 in 2009. Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe of Belgium / EPA Kate, dressed in a cream Alexander McQueen dress, stood between William, who wore a blue suit with medals, and a more sombrely dressed Prime Minister Theresa May. They watched as thousands of paper poppy petals, one for every name on the Menin Gate, fluttered to earth from the roof above the gathered crowd. Four thousand people were chosen by a ballot to attend events in Ypres on Sunday and the larger event centred on nearby Tyne Cot military cemetery on Monday. E asyJet has launched an investigation after a man holding a baby was apparently punched by a worker at Nice airport after complaining about a delayed flight. A spokesman said the airline is "very concerned" after a picture was circulated online of the incident, which occurred as passengers waited for 14 hours for their flight to Luton airport. Arabella Arkwright, who took the photograph, described the moment a man holding a nine-month-old baby was hit on Saturday. "The man with the baby... went over and talked to the Frenchman and the Frenchman didn't reply, he just smiled and smirked and then whacked this guy on the left side of his face," she told BBC Radio 5. She said her 6ft 4in husband pulled the man off the apparent victim and "frogmarched" him away before police were called. Both men were taken away, but fellow passengers demanded the man with the baby was allowed to board his flight, Ms Arkwright said, adding: "When he arrived on the plane, all the plane clapped him." An easyJet spokesman said the person in the photograph is believed to work for Nice Airport's special assistance provider Samsic. A statement said: "EasyJet is very concerned to see this picture and can confirm the person in the photo is not an easyJet member of staff and they do not work for easyJet's ground handling agents in Nice. "We are urgently taking this up with Nice Airport and their special assistance provider Samsic, who we understand the person photographed works for." The airline apologised for the delay to flight EZY2122 from Nice to London because of a "technical issue with the aircraft". The statement released on Sunday said: "Passengers were provided with updates and refreshment vouchers during this time and the flight landed in London Luton last night. "The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority. "EasyJet sincerely apologises for the delay and thanks passengers for their patience." A British man holding a nine-month-old baby was subjected to "proper whacking" by a member of staff at Nice Airport, according to a shocked witness. The man was speaking to the airport worker about a 14-hour delay to his easyJet flight to Luton Airport when he was apparently punched in the face. Arabella Arkwright, 49, who posted a photograph of the incident online, described the incident as completely unprovoked. Mrs Arkwright was returning from holiday with her husband, Johnnie, 64, their son Harry, 16, and daughter Violet, 13, when the drama unfolded. She said: "This guy literally smirked, smiled as if, excuse my French, basically 'f*** you,' and then whack. It was a proper whacking. "My husband pulled him off. You can see my husband's face, he's absolutely appalled. He's the most unconfrontational man in the world." She said her fellow passengers "couldn't believe it", adding: "They were yelling, 'get the police, how dare you."' Mrs Arkwright said passengers' frustrations grew during the delay to their flight. "These were people who had had a lovely family holiday, who will remember this and think, 'oh my God,' - children crying, no nappies, no formulas, nobody allowed out," she said. "All the easyJet employees at the airport were perfectly nice, very young, perfectly nice, they were non-aggressive. "It wasn't their fault. The structure does not work. Basically, they were cannon fodder." EasyJet said the person in the photograph is believed to work for Nice Airport's special assistance provider Samsic. A spokesman for the airline said: "EasyJet is very concerned to see this picture and can confirm the person in the photo is not an easyJet member of staff and they do not work for easyJet's ground handling agents in Nice. "We are urgently taking this up with Nice Airport and their special assistance provider Samsic, who we understand the person photographed works for." The airline apologised for the delay to flight EZY2122 from Nice to London Luton because of a "technical issue with the aircraft". The statement released on Sunday said: "Passengers were provided with updates and refreshment vouchers during this time and the flight landed in London Luton last night. "The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority. "EasyJet sincerely apologises for the delay and thanks passengers for their patience." But Mrs Arkwright has penned an open letter to easyJet boss Dame Carolyn McCall, demanding she write personally to every person on the flight with an explanation. By PTI: New Delhi, July 30 (PTI) Ahead of the 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today invoked the Quit India Movement and exhorted the countrymen to use the same spirit to expel problems of communalism, casteism, corruption, terrorism, poverty and dirt from the country by 2022. He asked the people to take a pledge to contribute in some way or the other to create a "New India". advertisement In his monthly radio programme "Mann Ki Baat, Modi referred to the Quit India Movement launched on August 9,1942 by Mahatma Gandhi and the subsequent developments which resulted in the Britishers leaving India and the country getting freedom on August 15,1947. "Just like five years between 1942 and 1947 became the decisive period, I can see another five-year period from 2017 to 2022 to make a resolve to end the problems of our nation," he said. He identified these problems as communalism, casteism, corruption, terrorism, poverty and dirt and asked people to work for their removal in the same spirit of "Quit India". "It is 70 years since we got Independence. Governments came and went, systems emerged and developed. Everyone contributed in own way to end the problems, raise employment, remove poverty and make the country progress. Successes were achieved but the expectations were also raised," the prime minister said. He said this Independence Day should be celebrated as one of resolve to end the problems in next five years. "If 125 crore people, remembering August 9, 1942, make a pledge on August 15 to contribute something as an individual, as a citizen, as a family person, as a person from a city or a village, as a member of a government department, there will be crores of pledges," Modi said. He exhorted the citizens to use all kinds of fora to undertake this task, including through the online mode. The prime minister also sought ideas from the public which could be incorporated in his Independence Day speech that he will deliver from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort. Interestingly, he said he has heard about "complaints" that his previous Independence Day addresses were long and that he will try to keep it short this time. "I will try to finish it in 40-45-50 minutes. I have tried to make a rule for myself. I dont know whether I will be able to do it or not," he added. He also referred to the upcoming season of festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Janam Ashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali and urged the people to use the items made by the poor people of the country as it is relates to their economic empowerment. advertisement "Our festivals are not only for celebrations. Our festivals are also an instrument of societal improvement. Also, it has direct relation to the economic condition of the poor people," Modi said. "This is the time when the poor people get an opportunity to make an earning," he said. Giving the example of Diwali, he said the people should use environment-friendly diyas (small oil lamps) only. Such things, he said, will give work to the poor people and help in their empowerment. PTI AKK AKK --- ENDS --- President Xi Jinping urged the PLA to enhance its combat readiness and forge an elite force that is able to win wars whenever it is needed. Soldiers of People's Liberation Army (PLA) get ready for the military parade to commemorate its 90th anniversary. By India Today Web Desk: Inspecting the massive parade at the military base in Zhrurihe in Inner Mongolia as part of celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of People's Liberation Army (PLA), President Jinping today lionized the men for their valiant endeavours. Clad in camouflage military suit, 64-year-old Xi stood in an open-roof jeep that drove slowly past formations of troops as military music was being played through loudspeaker. advertisement While moving past the fleet of jets and troops, Xi repeatedly shouted, "Hello comrades!" and "Comrades, you are working hard!" into four microphones fixed atop his motorcade. And the troops bellowed back, "Serve the people!", "Follow the Party!", "Fight to win!" and "Forge exemplary conduct!". 'JUST BE BATTLE READY' President Xi Jinping also urged the PLA to enhance its combat readiness and forge an elite force that is able to win wars whenever it is needed. "History has proved that the PLA is a heroic force that has followed the Party's command, served the country with loyalty, and fought for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Xi added. About 12,000 troops took part in the parade in which 129 aircraft and 571 pieces of equipment were on display. It is the first time China has marked Army Day, which formally falls on August 1, with a military parade since the Communist revolution in 1949 The parade comes in the backdrop of over a month-long standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam in the Sikkim section. China has not fought a war in decades and the government insists it has no hostile intent, but simply needs the ability to properly defend what is now the world's second-largest economy. However, China has rattled nerves around Asia and globally with its increasingly assertive stance in the East and South China Seas and its military modernisation plan. With inputs from agencies Also Read: Chinese Army strategist warns of Jammu and Kashmir intervention after Doklam Now, China moves tonnes of military equipment to Tibet. Should India be scared? Also Watch: Chinese president Xi Jinping asks Army to be ready for war --- ENDS --- By PTI: By K J M Varma Beijing, Jul 29 (PTI) President Xi Jinping will inspect a military parade at Chinas biggest base at Zhurihe in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region tomorrow as the country gets set to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the worlds largest 2.3 million-strong Peoples Liberation Army. Xi, 64, who is also head of the military and the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), will inspect the troops and also deliver an important speech. advertisement The event will be broadcast live by state-run TV and Radio, official Xinhua news agency reported. The PLA was founded on August 1, 1927 when the ruling CPC under the leadership of Mao Zedong carried on with his national liberation movement. It is one of the rare national armies which still continues to function under the leadership of the CPC and not the Chinese government. Xi heads the Central Military Commission (CMC), which holds the overall command of the PLA. Earlier, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported that PLA was planning to hold the biggest drills at the Inner Magnolia base which is also regarded as Chinas biggest military base. The Xinhua report, however, did not refer to any such plans. This years August 1 anniversary will be held amid an over a month long standoff with India at Doklam in Sikkim section. Besides Doklam, China is also concerned by the situation in North Korea and the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile by the US in South Korea much to the opposition of the Beijing. The biggest military parade in Chinas modern history was held in Beijing on September 3, 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II. More than 10,000 servicemen and servicewomen marched down Changan Avenue past Tiananmen Square, along with about 500 military vehicles, as nearly 200 PLA aircraft flew overhead. PTI KJV MRJ AKJ MRJ --- ENDS --- SCOTTSBLUFF Mike Johanns has worn many hats. He was governor of Nebraska, former Secretary of Agriculture, and a U.S. senator. Johanns has now joined Houston-based tax consultancy firm alliantgroup, as its chairman of agriculture. The firm specializes in the area of government-sponsored credits and incentives, and in his new position, Johanns hopes to play a key role in guiding alliantgroups outreach on the various tax credits and incentives available for the benefit of the agricultural industry. His main focus now is spreading the word to producers and ag innovators that they may be eligible for the Research and Development tax credit. The R&D tax credit dates back to the early 80s, Johanns said in a phone interview Wednesday. It was put in place when Congress expressed concerns that we were losing ground to Japanese automakers. Johanns said that the R&D tax credit used to require renewal by congress every year, where there was usually a bipartisan discussion about where the tax credit was needed. After Johanns left the U.S. Senate in 2015, Congress passed legislation improving and making the R&D tax credit permanent. Although this has been overlooked substantially in agriculture, the R&D tax credit works for agriculture, Johanns said. In some respects, its nearly hand in glove in terms of how well its designed to cover some of the normal things that happen in the agriculture community. It could be available to a sugar beet plant, which youd be familiar with in Scottsbluff, or to co-ops, Johanns said. Or it could be available to somebody in the cattle industry that is working with animal genetics, which is very common. Ranchers have been trying to improve the genetics in their cattle herd for a hundred years. Johanns said that other applications of the R&D tax credit could be breweries, people who work with corn hybrids or people who work with precision fertilizer, planting and pesticide application. If theyre investing money and time to do that, it really has a broad sweep across agriculture, Johanns said. Unfortunately, most people who are involved in agribusiness, if you ask them about the R&D tax credit; theyd say, Yeah that works for General Motors, but it doesnt work for me. Well, it does, and were trying to tell the story that its available. Johanns also clarified that it is a tax credit, not a tax deduction. Its a dollar-for-dollar credit against taxes, he said. And in some cases, typically where the company is less than five years old, once that dollar-for-dollar credit is exhausted on income tax, it can be applied to payroll taxes, so its really got some benefits for small and medium-sized businesses. Johanns encouraged producers and agribusiness leaders to reach out to him through alliantgroup.com. It doesnt cost anything to ask and we can get good information in peoples hands immediately, Johanns said. I want them to have this resource on their radar so that I can be that bridge between alliantgroup and agriculture. Gering firefighter Jay Templar extinguishes hot spots on a porch at a fire in Scottsbluff Saturday evening. The cause of the fire, at 817 W. 24th St., had not yet been determined, according to Scottsbluff fire marshal Anthony Murphy. Scottsbluff Fire Chief Dana Miller said the residents were not home at the time that the blaze started. Arriving firefighters found the front of the home totally engulfed by flames. Carissa Smith, of Firefighter's Ministry said the organization is assisting the residents, who were renting the home, with hotel and food vouchers until they find another home to rent. A Scottsbluff High School graduate Laura (Slater) Matisse, currently living in Los Angeles, will return to have a book signing at the Prairie Studio on Aug. 5 and showcase her artwork at West Nebraska Arts Centers upcoming art show. Growing up, Matisse claims she had a premonition that she could become an artist and a writer. Matisse found inspiration and guidance in Scottsbluff High Schools art classes and from numerous teachers. After graduation, she also took numerous classes at WNCC. Growing up in the Scottsbluff community helped her build a foundation for herself and her work. Now a successful author, artist, musician and architect, Matisse is excited to bring her work back to where she began to grow as an artist. Its a real honor because living in Nebraska was such a great experience. ... It gives you a good sense of yourself growing up in a small town compared to living in a big city. The gallery that Matisse will be debuting at WNAC is titled Mystik Earth and has been a work in progress for over a decade. Made up of mostly large oil paintings, sketches, water colors and etches, the gallery is described as unique, profound pieces that helped Matisse tap into another realm. One of the oldest pieces of the collection was created in 2000. The piece depicted the Statue of Liberty in post apocalyptic world. Matisse said she didnt mean to take a dark twist on the piece, but she believes it was a premonition of 9/11. After 9/11 occurred, Matisse created her piece titled Rain in memoriam. I encourage young people interest in art to come because they may see new techniques, said Matisse. While each piece may have been displayed in other galleries, this is the first time the gallery has come together as a whole. It took a lot of effort to bring the entire gallery to Scottsbluff, and Matisse said she could not have done it without her sister and her mother, Bunni Slater. Slater owned the art and book store, the Cats Meow in Scottsbluff, while Matisse was growing up. Matisse and her sister bought the building later and it is now known as Prairie Studio. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Matisse will be signing copies of her books, I was thinking of you: The Passion of Jesus and Eves Memoirs, at Prairie Studio. Matisse describes her books as personal and uplifting as well as historical fiction. The Passion of Jesus was written to give Jesus thoughts and perspective while he journeyed to the cross. Eves Memoirs gives a view of the life of Adam and Eve through her diary. Along with her gallery and book signing, Matisse will be doing a live painting in front of Prairie Studio during Scottsbluffs National Night Out on Broadway. The profits from the live painting will be donated to the International Justice Mission, a charity to which Matisse often donates. To have three major and profound works to be showcased in a place that was very important to me growing up make me feel very blessed. A reception will be held at 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3 at WNAC to debut Matisses gallery. The Mystik Earth gallery can be viewed during WNACs hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Those interested in Matisses art can also view and purchase prints and art at the galleries and her book signing. Her art may also be seen, along with her other family members, at the WNCC Art Gallery Opening each fall. SCOTTSBLUFF Kaylee Gannon and John Spehar both describe riding horses as relaxing, though Saturday the two were competing in the Scotts Bluff County Fair horse show. I feel like horses are therapeutic animals, Gannon said. I get on them and I relax, let everything go. Spehar agrees and says he just enjoys riding. This is the 10th graders eighth year competing at the horse show. Gannon, an 11th grader, is in her seventh year. Both have a close bond with the horses they show. Though Spehars family has 18 horse, Mayanna, is his favorite. Mayanna listens to me, he said. If anyone else in the family tries to get him to do anything Mayanna will run away. However, When I approach him he comes right to me. He and Mayanna compete in most of the events together. However, he does switch for a few events. Gannon has two horses, the one she shows in the majority of the events is Ziggy. Ziggy is his nickname, his real name is A Fantastic Addiction. I have only had him since May, but I can say we have a bond, Gannon said. He follows me around and we get along pretty well Gannon will also be showing a Guinea pig at this years fair. I go from horses to a Guinea pig, she said with a laugh. Guinea pigs are cute. Spehar will be showing a pig. Both thought enjoy their time competing with their horses and their time with them in and out of the show ring. Sometimes, I have some very long (unwinding) conversations with my horse, Gannon said. I recently spent a week in Washington D.C. I saw a lot of what I wanted to see, like the Lincoln Monument and the Newseum. I saw a few protesters as expected, but what I didnt see as we took the Metro into the city was a flashing red sign that should have said, Caution, you are entering a war zone! Make no mistake about it. Under the Capitol dome there is an all-out political war with Republicans and Democrats pitted against each other in a fight to gain or regain power. Is there a clearer example than the futile attempts to repeal and replace Obamacare? The Democrats passed Obamacare without a single Republican vote. Republicans tried to repeal it and failed, without a single Democratic vote. It is also very clear to everyone who is not working under that soundproof dome, that the people dont give a darn who passes this or who repeals that. What we want is affordable access to quality health care. What we want are the folks we elected to work together to make this happen. What we dont want, and what Congress cant seem to understand, is a bunch of whiny partisan finger-pointing ding-dongs who put their party over the peoples wishes day after day, year after year. Its true what we hear, that Washington is broken, and we know who broke it, the bunkered-in, mentally challenged die-hard partisan leaders we got fooled into voting for. Thank goodness we do things differently in Nebraska! Or do we? We have the nations only Unicameral, one-house legislature that is full of senators who run without party designation. This goes back to the George Norris days when he correctly believed we should vote person over party. It is a far cry from what we see coming from Gov. Ricketts these days who is spending his way to the best government money can buy with his thousands of dollars in campaign contributions he funnels into Republican candidates coffers. But now, we see some refreshing news. Sen. Bob Krist, a Republican from Omaha is planning to leave the Republican Party to challenge Ricketts, and he plans on doing this independent from any party affiliation. Krist wants to restore a non-partisan attitude in Lincoln. In an Omaha World Herald interview, Krist said, Back then, the Legislature was truly a nonpartisan body. But thats not the case today, he said. Its the party highway or no way. Its divisive, Krist said. Its counter to everything we need to do right now. I believe the emphasis should be on working together. Krist also said he would aim to restore a separation of power between the executive and legislative branches. The line between the two has blurred during Ricketts time as governor, he said. Folks, we have a front row seat at our nations partisan wars. We see it every day and no one likes it. And why dont we like it? Because it doesnt work. Washington plays political games and we get caught in the wake of their war, only to be pushed off to the side until the next election, when they abandon Washington to campaign at home, telling us Washington is broken and only they can fix it if we reelect them. This must end. I dont know Krist, but I would bet my next paycheck he feels much the same. He also probably knows the fastest growing party in the state are the non-partisans, who are increasingly getting fed up with the partisan stalemate of government. I have never been more proud to be an independent than I am right now. I can look at candidates and issues without peering through shades of red or blue. It is in one way, the Nebraska way. We are independent and unique in the way we govern our state. Its too bad our governor doesnt see it that way. Ricketts got upset when he lost his attempt to retain the death penalty. So what did he do? He dipped into his pockets filled with Ameritrade and Chicago Cubs money and forked out $300,000 to help fund a statewide ballot drive. Or this past year when he contributed thousands to state senate candidates in hopes to turn the Unicameral more partisan. Can Ricketts not see what partisanship is doing to our nation? Why would he want to bring that war to Lincoln? Could it be because he too is a partisan zealot who contributes to this great divide? We should elect folks on where they stand, not on the size of their campaign war chests. They should govern without stacks of political I.O.Us stuffed in their desks. It is with this in mind I salute Krist for doing whatever he can to pull us together, and I wish him luck. Will I support Krist when he becomes a non-partisan? Not necessarily, because the comfort of being a non-partisan is being able to vote on the person, not the party. But, I will be watching his campaign closely, and listening to his ideas intently, as anyone who openly acts to disrupt the self-serving partisan political battles is already a rung up on my political ladder. Now, heres an easy one this week. Should the Democrats and Republicans work together, or should they stay entrenched refusing to compromise? Your thoughts? Greg.awtry@starherald.com. 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. History teaches us though that the longevity of any regime born out of violent conquest is ultimately short-lived. The Iranian regime that was born out of a revolution overthrowing the Shah, which was in turn hijacked by the mullahs and turned into a religious oligarchy. The original aim of the revolution was the formation of a secular, pluralistic democracy. That dream still exists in the hearts and minds of the overwhelming majority of the Iranian people and resonates in the various forms of protest in Iran, despite the repressive measures by the regime. Therefore, the call for regime change is primarily the Iranian peoples demand. Since the early days after the 1979 revolution, the mullahs have relied on the typical tools of oppression to keep their grip on power, including the creation of a paramilitary and judiciary system so vast, it touches nearly every sector of Iranian society. At the same time, the Iranian regime and its apparatus (including the regime lobbies and appeasers) have been quick in attacking any publication or personalities who dare speaking about the Iranian peoples quest for freedom and particularly regime change in Iran. It goes without saying that those more in line with the regime have targeted MEK/PMOI, since MEK/PMOI is the most dedicated and the organized opposition with extensive routes and support at home, that can materialize the regime change. The peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran, PMOI (usually referred to as MEK) has therefore been the subject of dubious propaganda campaigns by the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) at home and by the regime lobbies and appeasers abroad. The idea is to say that there is no democratic alternative to this regime. Hence, the only option is to put up with the dictatorship in Iran, otherwise there will be war! A look at the back ground of the MEK/PMOI, Irans democratic opposition can be helpful in shedding light on the reasons for sometimes unprecedented campaigns against them. The Peoples Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK) is the oldest, largest, and contrary to the mullahs propaganda, the most popular resistance organization in Iran. The PMOI/MEK was founded in September 1965 by three Iranian engineers, who sought to replace the Shahs repressive monarchy with a democratic government. The PMOI/MEK enjoys broad popularity in Iran because of its longstanding support for democracy and its modern interpretation of Islam. The MEK/PMOI believe Islam is inherently tolerant and democratic, thus fully compatible with the values of modern-day civilization. This vision is in fact the cure to the growing expansion of Islamic extremism funded and supported by the mullahs in Iran. The MEK/PMOI participated in a united front against the Pahlavi monarchy, which violently opposed democratic reforms and had one of the worst human rights records in the world. After the Shah fled Iran, the MEK/PMOI worked to establish a democratic government, but Ayatollah Khomeini hijacked the Revolution and instead created an Islamic theocracy. The MEK/PMOI shifted course and directed its opposition against the Ayatollah, continuing its struggle to restore democracy in Iran. In June 1980, the PMOI/MEK organized a rally in Tehran to protest Khomeinis escalating despotism. More than 200,000 people participated in the demonstration. With each passing day, the PMOI/MEK gained strength and, in July 1980, Khomeini openly considered the possibility of defeat, stating, Never have I so much feared the Islamic Revolution end in failure. He lashed out at the PMOI/MEK, declaring the resistance organization as the main enemy. Khomeini said, Our enemy is neither the United States, nor the Soviet Union, nor Kurdistan, but sitting right here in Tehran under our nose [the PMOI/MEK]. Revolutionary Guards escalated their attacks on the PMOI/MEK, which continued to promote its pro-democracy campaign. The turning point came on June 20, 1981. The MEK/PMOI organized rallies across Iran to protest Khomeinis oppressive rule. More than a half million Iranians attended the demonstration in Tehran. On direct fatwa by Khomeini, the Hezbollah blocked off streets and fired weapons into the growing crowds, killing hundreds of Iranians and injuring many more, with thousands arrested. The reign of terror had begun. The following day, Khomeinis henchmen executed hundreds of PMOI/MEK supporters who had been arrested, including young girls. The bloodbath was unrelenting. In the months and years that followed, more than 120,000 PMOI/MEK members and supporters were killed by Khomeini and the ruling mullahs. In only one occasion in summer of 1988, over 30,000 political prisoners (mainly members and supporters of the MEK/PMOI) were mass murdered in Iran, based on a direct fatwa of the mullahs Supreme Leader, Khomeini. The savagery removed any legitimacy the Islamic Republic may have once had. The regime is now viewed by the people of Iran as fascist, maintaining power through fear and brutality. Members and supporters of the PMOI/MEK have suffered greatly in their struggle to restore democracy to Iran. Iranians respect the many sacrifices made by the MEK/PMOI and revere its martyrs. Through the years, the MEK/PMOI has been steadfast in its battle to rid Iran of the mullahs nightmare regime, overcoming severe hardships and setbacks. Contrary to the Iranian lobbys claim, the support by the Iranian people for the PMOI/MEK is also steadfast. The resistance organization has earned their respect and trust and it gives voice to their aspirations for a free and democratic Iran. This can be seen in the latest activities of the supporters of the MEK/PMOI, in Tehran and other major cities across Iran, during the election show and in solidarity with the Free Iran gathering in June and July 2017. Hundreds of video clips and photos of banners and placards hanging from pathways over highways and auto routes on billboards, or in the shape of graffiti on walls in Tehran and other major cities, are published on various Telegram and YouTube channels, showcasing the vast magnitude of these activities. This is while activists have been prosecuted and some even executed for far less crimes in the past decades. To an extent that the regimes supreme leader had to change plans and give in to a second term for Rouhani as president to end the spreading protest and infightings in fear of a similar 2009 uprising that could sweep his regime, was the result of the MEK/PMOIs presence and their activities. Activities seen in cities across Iran during the election season, were all following a call made by the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), who spread the slogan My vote is regime change across the country. This brought the mullahs to the conclusion that the dangerous consequences of deepening divides amongst the regimes senior elite were paving the path for nationwide uprisings similar to those seen in 2009. As a result, the mullahs ruling elite decided to quickly bring an end to the election farce in the first round and prevent any further opportunities for protests and possible uprisings. Dr. Rafizadeh, a leading Iranian-American political scientist, president of the International American Council on the Middle East, and best-selling author in an opinion piece in Huffington post publishing 8 video clips of MEK/PMOI activities inside Iran, wrote: The activists of the network of the Iranian opposition movement, the National Council of Resistance of Iran and its group the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK/PMOI), inside Iran have been engaged in an extensive campaign nationwide, calling on Iranians to boycott the elections. Their activities involved hanging huge portraits of the Iranian opposition leader, Maryam Rajavi from overpasses or bridges in major freeways in Tehran and other cities, posting her pictures on walls in different streets and other public locations, such as in the bazaar or outside the paramilitary Bassji headquarters, or placing them on the windshields of cars, and distributing flyers and T-shirts with the MEK/PMOI emblem and calling for government change. He concludes: Finally, from my perspective, it is critical to point out that Iranian leaders fear the soft power of oppositional groups more than the military and hard power of foreign governments. That is why Iranian leaders and media outlets normally react forcefully and anxiously to activities by the opposition, such as the recent critical move where Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently met with Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), in Tirana, Albania. Irans oppositional groups can be a very powerful tool to counterbalance the Islamic Republic. Some of the MEK/PMOI affiliates activities reflected on the opposition media outlets include: In Tehran: Haghani cross section, activists of PMOI/MEK put up a poster in a major cross section reading: My Vote Overthrow, Big No of the People of Iran to Election Farce in Clerical Regime. Down With Khamenei, Hail to Rajavi (the leader of Iran opposition). Iran, Tehran and Azarbaijan, in the run up to the sham presidential election, activists of MEK/PMOI in the capital Tehran, and Azarbaijan province Notrh in Western Iran put up posters against Iran regimes sham election written: Our vote is for Maryam Rajavi. Iran, Uremia , in the run up to the sham presidential election, activists of MEK/PMOI in Uremia Azarbaijan province North- West Iran put up posters against Iran regimes sham election written: Our vote is for Maryam Rajavi. Iran, Marvdasht, in the run up to the sham presidential election, activists of MEK/PMOI in Fars province Central Iran put up posters against Iran regimes sham election: No to Rouhani the imposter , No to Raisi the murderer. Supporters of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK) have filmed and photographed themselves holding up photographs of Iranian Resistance President-elect Mrs. Maryam Rajavi and slogans in support of the Free Iran rally. Another hallmark for understanding the extent of activities of MEK/PMOI and its popularity among youth, is the recent expressions of concerns followed by crackdowns on the youth under the pretext of cybercrimes. Recently, Abdolsamad Khoramabadi, regimes deputy public prosecutor said that cyberspace have become extremely worrisome for Tehran. Referring to Telegram, by far the most popular social media platform in Iran with over 20 million users, he said: More than 30% of these Telegram channels are involved in criminal activities against the countrys security and disrupting the entire nation. The MEK Telegram channel inside Iran is very active all the regimes opponents are providing the people all their books and written material through this online platform. If you sought to purchase them you have to pay huge amounts of money. If you wanted to publish a book, it would be very demanding, but on the Internet it is quite easy, added the regimes deputy public prosecutor. The Iranian regime has time and again negotiated with Telegrams managers to block the MEK/PMOI website and associated channels, only to be rejected each time. This has left Tehran facing an impasse. Either accept the MEK/PMOIs vast network with all its grave consequences or pay the ultimate price of blocking Telegram. The latter, however, will raise even more dissatisfaction that can even trigger a protest. The 2009 uprisings and massive protests that were viciously put down sent shivers down the mullahs spines and served as a sharp reminder that their hold on power is tenuous at best. Hence, they actively repress a free press, continually arresting and imprisoning journalists, editors, photographers, and now bloggers, who voice, print, transmit or illustrate any hint of dissent. Dictatorships that stand on fragile ground are always more oppressive. The Iranian regime fits that bill to a T. In addition to using blunt force on people, the regime invests heavily in the massive propaganda effort it mobilizes through state-controlled media and via its lobbies and paid agents abroad, in order to discourage more support for the MEK/PMOI, which is the main driver for regime change in Iran. The extent of the anti MEK/PMOI propaganda has increased, particularly after the July 1, 2017 gathering in Paris, which had a clear message: Regime change in Iran is within reach. Some 100,000 Iranian diaspora and supporters of MEK/PMOI gave energy to it. A nightmare for the criminal mullahs that cannot be avoided. This is why it serves the regimes purposes to continually dangle the threat of war over the heads of its people. It also helps the Iran lobbys PR efforts to cast Iran like some poor, defenseless nation under threat by the big bad U.S. and its allies, such as Saudi Arabia or the Iranian resistance movement, the MEK/PMOI. Trita Parsi, the head of the National Iranian American Council and staunch advocate for the Iranian regime, appeared on Bloomberg to beat the war drum again, as well as attack the Trump administration for not living up to the Iran nuclear deal, even though Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced the renewal of the compliance certification for another 90 days. But the Trump administration also is asserting that Iranian regimes development of ballistic missiles; support of terrorism and militancy; complicity in atrocities by the government of Syrian dictator, Bashar Assad; cyberattacks on the U.S.; and other actions severely undermine the intent of the nuclear accord. Based on those actions, Trump is announcing an additional package of sanctions against 16 Iranian entities and individuals found to be supporting Tehrans activities in the region, according to the Washington Times. The real threat to the Iranian regime though lies not within sanctions, but in the simple acts of defiance that the Iranian people undertake themselves, such as the hanging of banners on Tehran overpasses bearing the image of MEK/PMOI leader Mrs. Maryam Rajavi; an act punishable by death if the perpetrators were caught. The regime is also threatened by every protest over low wages or unsafe working conditions. In many ways large and small, the process of regime change can happen slowly, methodically, and inexorably. Mrs. Rajavi, in a recent speech at the annual gathering of the Iranian resistance movement and supporters of MEK/PMOI, opined that the movement did not require outside assistance from governments, such as the U.S., to succeed. It only needed the recognition by governments to be empowered. The heavy lifting of pushing for regime change must come from within Iran from the Iranian people, said Mrs. Rajavi. So long as the Iranian regime keeps trying to place a tight lid on the simmering pressure for change by the Iranian people, the harder it will be to prevent the inevitable. 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Quizzed in a news conference how he comments the PNL stance toward "the taxation of the part-time labour contracts", Fifor denied an answer, saying that he is not that interested in the doings of the opposition's leaders, of whom he added that "they are very much bored during holiday." Fifor stressed that the Social Democratic Party (PSD, main at rule) has a governing programme that it is enforced "by the letter", which he sustains "could be seen in the Romanians' pocket." At journalists' persistency, who have readdressed the question, Mihai Fifor replied: "The answer is no." PNL has submitted a notification to the Ombudsman to challenge at the CCR the Ordinance 4/2017 regarding the over-taxation of the part-time labour contracts, the Liberals' president, Ludovic Orban announced, adding that the piece of legislation violates five articles of the Constitution. Among others, the Liberals say that through this Ordinance, the right to work is hampered, because a discrimination among the employees and also between the employees and employers, is created. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy When Eric Greitens was seeking the Republican nomination for governor last year, he claimed to support transparency in the funding of political campaigns. He said in one interview, What Ive found is that the most important thing is that theres transparency around the money, continuing, Ive been very proud to tell people, Im stepping forward, and you can see every single one of our donors, because we are proud of our donors and we are proud of the campaign that we are running. Since that time, Greitens has turned his back on transparency, accepting millions of dollars from undisclosed donors and now disavowing donor disclosure altogether. With this reversal, he has betrayed the Republican Party and the people of Missouri. His new stance threatens the integrity of our republic. In every republic, there have been those who would use the powers of their office to purchase political support, granting favors, reprieves and public funds to those who delivered them votes. Such corruption has at times led to enormous waste, stood in the way of justice and undermined the rule of law. Today, in this age of multimillion-dollar campaigns, the threat of such corruption looms large, and transparency around the money is our first line of defense. Here in the Show-Me State, voters have long supported transparency, overwhelmingly approving ballot measures in 1974, 1994, and 2016 to create and then strengthen Missouris campaign finance disclosure laws. However, some in power oppose such transparency and have sought a return to secrecy. On their watch, political operatives have been allowed to use corporate vehicles like 501(c)4 nonprofits to bypass Missouris transparency laws, accepting and spending political donations without disclosing those donations sources and amounts. Several of us in the Missouri Senate have fought to restore transparency, proposing common-sense legislation that Missourians widely support. However, those who prefer secrecy have blocked this legislation, and the governor has chosen to take their side, claiming that transparency can expose political donors to ill treatment by those who disapprove of their donations. He now calls supporters of transparency people who support donor intimidation, slandering the millions of Missourians who support transparency but obviously oppose donor intimidation. Stories of donor intimidation in Missouri are few: I have yet to hear of even one from recent decades. Today, Missouri has strong safeguards against such intimidation. For instance, Missouri statute makes it a felony for employers and membership organizations to discriminate against employees and members on the basis of their political giving. Also, case law allows for anonymous donations to political groups whose supporters can be shown to be at risk of real intimidation. All the same, Gov. Greitens insists that political donations must not be subject to disclosure especially donations to groups like the ones that launder secret money for Greitens himself. Some of my colleagues and I have offered a compromise, proposing that small donations to such groups be exempt from disclosure and that only the largest donations to such groups be disclosed those exceeding $5,000 per person per election cycle. Under this plan, at least those donations that most threaten to corrupt the political process would be disclosed. But Gov. Greitens refused to support even that most basic of measures. In his view, Missourians have no right to know who is bankrolling the careers of their representatives in government. Instead of working to find a solution that restores Missourians faith in the political process, Gov. Greitens is further undermining that faith, collecting untold riches from secret donors and using those riches to advance his political career. And as he solicits potential donors, he wields in his hand the governors pen and, with it, the coercive power of the state. Does he withhold government contracts from those who do not donate, granting them instead to those who do? Does he withhold his support from legislation favored by those who do not donate, supporting instead the legislation of those who do? Such behavior would constitute true intimidation, and intimidation of a sort far more common than that of which our governor so vehemently warns. However, without disclosure, the public cannot monitor for such behavior among Missouri politicians, nor can Missouris voter-enacted contribution limits be effectively enforced. What results is a deluge of big money in politics, an onslaught of corrupt deal-making, and a loss of public trust in Missouri government. State Sen. Rob Schaaf is a Republican from St. Joseph. CB says further probe on leakage of HNB customer info View(s): Sri Lankas Central Bank (CB) said this week that it was further investigating the leakage of confidential customer information by the Hatton National Bank and action is to be taken against those responsible. The information, in which details of bank accounts of several high-net HNB customers were received by email to other customers, shocked the banking sector urging calls for better safeguards and stringent action against the leakage of confidential customer details. In a statement on Thursday, HNB said the account details of some priority banking customers have inadvertently been compromised by a promotional mailer sent to the priority banking customers on July 12. The CB, issuing a statement on Monday, said the matter is further investigated by the banking regulator and HNB. The Central Bank wishes to inform the general public that a preliminary investigation was conducted by the CB and as per the information available at present, it appears that this incident had occurred inadvertently relating to certain banking information of 4,630 customers. It is also observed that this incident is attributable to internal lapses in managing and using customer information within HNB, it said in a media statement. The CB said interim supervisory measures have already been initiated to take action against those who are responsible for the incident in terms of legal provisions as well as relevant supervisory standards. HNB said that it has withdrawn the promotional e-mail (in question) and the Board of Directors and the management has initiated an internal investigation on this issue. We are directly in touch with the customers and certain safety measures have already been taken to safeguard the interest of the customers. We have also kept the Central Bank informed of the measures taken. HNB allocates highest priority to this issue and regrets any inconvenience caused to its esteemed customers due to this inadvertent information release. The bank will do its utmost to safeguard the interest of the affected customers, it said. SEC reopens eight pump & dump cases By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s): The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), has dealt a tough blow against pump and dump operators of the past, reopening eight cases. The regulator, under fire for not doing much during the past three years, is now flexing its muscle, according to the SEC Annual Report for 2016. Amidst implementing and shoring up the capacity to implement structural changes, governance practices and many other changes, the regulator has completed three probes into market manipulations while 26 cases are in progress, it said. Among these, eight previously concluded cases during the infamous pump and dump era were re-opened amidst further investigations into three cases which were reopened in 2015 are being conducted. As at end 2016 further investigations into these cases were in progress. Certain cases were awaiting the Attorney Generals (AG) opinion, the SEC report revealed. We continued to upgrade our investigative skills in order to effectively detect and investigate potential securities law violations. During the year, the new investigation team was able to complete three investigation and four others are at different stages of completion, SEC chairman Tilak Karunaratne has said in his annual statement. Being a signatory to the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU), the SEC successfully sought assistance from several jurisdictions to conduct investigations, he said. The SEC in 2016 revisited a number of recently concluded investigations, and, finding them to have been summarily assessed and prematurely concluded, decided to subject them to further scrutiny, the SEC Director General Vajira Wijegunawardane has said in his statement. Our Investigations Division in now entrusted with a larger-than-usual caseload, the handling of which, to date, has been laudable, he has added. Investigations of a criminal nature are often long-drawn and time-consuming, but these investigations are being duly conducted, he has said noting that with enforcement actions in several cases are imminent over the next year. We are well-prepared for the journey ahead and prevail upon regulatees and participants alike for their cooperation in ensuring that the capital market of Sri Lanka is at its safest-year for investors. The SEC aims to install a technologically advanced system for market surveillance and regulatory reporting to ensure that transactions are carried out in compliance with the rules governing capital market activity, the report alluded noting that such a system would enable the regulator to detect and deter potential market abuse and enhance its ability to pre-empt the occurrence of disruptions in the market as a result of irregular trading activity. Not only direct participants, but others in the periphery will also be scrutinised by SEC in the future. It is also proposed to cast duties on supplementary service providers including those hitherto unregulated by the SEC. This is to ensure that such persons remain accountable for the scope and quality of work performed in relation to the capital market. The SEC also hopes to extend its regulatory reach to encompass other hitherto-unregulated entities and instruments, the report said. During the past year the regulator handled 52 complaints, conducted 93 On-site inspections, 2,347 off-site reviews, provided 13 analytical trading reports to law enforcement agencies, sought clarifications / cautioned 36 brokers / traders and 23 investors through market monitoring and compiled 7- surveillance referrals, the report added. Sri Lanka designs aircraft solutions for the world By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s): Sri Lanka is the proud home to AmSafe Bridport, one of the leading manufacturers and designers of complex aircraft solutions which has expanded continuously since starting in 2001 with an initial investment of Rs. 500 million. Providing solutions from fueling an aircraft in-flight to fire containment covers that could resolve the issue of laptop bans on airlines in the US, this US owned company by Transdigm is today given autonomy in running its operations from Sri Lanka, AmSafe Bridport Sri Lanka General Manager Chandani Ekanayaka said in an interview with the Business Times. All major aircraft manufacturers and a number of international airlines are customers of this company including carriers like British Airways, American Airlines, KLM, Air France, Japanese Airlines and All Nippon Airlines, she said. The company is located at the Wathupitiwala Export Processing Zone at Nittambuwa. Aviation products like cargo pallet nets are manufactured here to hold a pallet including tie-down straps used to transport cargo, it was explained. These products required European, American and Chinese regulatory bodies approvals that is obtained independent of the parent company to design these to the required international standards, Ms. Ekanayaka said. This company has been able to provide solutions like fore containments that could help in using a cover that can hold 800 degrees Celsius inside the cover and with the recent ban people come to us for the solution that has gained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) having entered the market after eight years of research, the Sri Lanka GM said. Five years back they entered the market with the product as a result of which the market is growing, she noted. Ms. Ekanayake said that while for some products they do have competitors on the other hand they work on giving customized solutions designed by their engineers working closely with the aircraft manufacturers understanding their complicated solutions. In the case of certain aircraft manufacturers designing a new carrier, AmSafe would provide a new design solution to their varied requirements that would take from three to six years for project completion, the GM noted. One particular aircraft manufacturer had required a design solution from AmSafe which is a Tier one supplier to them, for refueling an aircraft by another aircraft. She noted that for this they needed to provide the required capacity to carry a lot of fuel and fire protection solutions between the pilots and the goods with a barrier net. The barrier net was designed in the UK and manufactured in Sri Lanka and that which could hold the moving load affecting crew. These were specifically for military aircraft that the aircraft manufacturer had taken a contract on producing. They manufacture some of the products to do finishing and then gradually the company expanded taking over design and currently AmSafe is directly dealing with almost all customers. She explained that in this respect, they have obtained aircraft manufacturers approval and the required regulatory approvals to deliver to airlines and can work independently. AmSafe is built to design solutions to securely transport cargo and people by air, Ms. Ekanayaka said. The Sri Lanka unit is part of UK-based AmSafe Britport which is turn is owned by Transdigm based in the US. Sri Lanka to clear Google Loon Project impasse with ITU By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s): Sri Lankas ambitious Google Loon Pilot Project initiated almost two years ago to determine this innovation as a viable project for the increasing of the countrys Internet penetration is on the verge of clearing the hurdle of spectrum issue through negotiations with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), official sources said. Sri Lankan Ambassador/Resident Representative to UN has had several rounds of discussions with ITU authorities in Geneva to finalise the project Loon which was still in the testing phase for providing Internet access to the whole of the country, Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) CEO Muhunthan Canagey told the Business Times. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) has directed the Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernanado to visit Geneva for further discussions and negotiations with ITU to finalise this pilot project by allocating the required spectrum. Mr. Canagey noted that the ITU will have to take up the issue of allocating 700MHz spectrum for high altitudes enabling Sri Lanka to test the Loon project as the island is a member country of this union. In Sri Lanka 700MHz spectrum is used by TV broadcasters, radio broadcasters and mobile operators. Mobile operators especially find the spectrum was important as it will be necessary in the future for high speed Internet. Sri Lanka, a member country of the ITU, has to abide by the Geneva-based agencys regulations for the allocation of 700MHz spectrum for high altitudes such as used in the Google Loon project as it may interfere with telcos, TV and other signals operating in relatively low altitudes, he said. Sri Lankas Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), having sought clarification from the ITU, has already informed that the required spectrum cannot be allocated for the proposed pilot project testing of Google Loon, he revealed. However, for Government projects, the TRC would have to give free spectrum without going for the auction process. So a project such as Loon should be given the spectrum, without going through the auction process, he claimed. Sri Lanka announced plans in February 2015 to take a 25 per cent stake of the project which uses balloons to provide high-speed Internet connectivity, in exchange for the spectrum the government will allocate for the project. On July 28, 2015, an MOU was signed between ICTA, Google Loon and two of its affiliates Lotus Flare Holdings Ltd and Rama Co for the purpose of formalising working relationships and facilitating pilot project implementation. This project aimed at expanding Internet penetration in Sri Lanka to 50 per cent from 22 per cent over the next two years as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) a standard for high-speed wireless communication for mobile phones and data terminals will now have to be negotiated with the ITU for its spectrum clearance. In the meantime, Sri Lanka would provide facilities for one million free Internet users by the end of this year through the Free Public WiFi programme, Mr. Canagey disclosed. 500 more free public WiFi Hotspots are to be set up by the end of this year and provide WiFi coverage to all Grama Niladhari divisions and 3,000 more schools countrywide during this period. Under the Google Loon project, Google has offered their unique network of balloons which have the ability to extend 4G LTE data coverage throughout Sri Lanka in collaboration with local mobile networks. Mr. Canagey noted that Google gave the Sri Lankan Government these balloons without any charge to conduct a test to confirm if Sri Lanka would provide an adequate environment for Loon and for their new innovations. State intervenes to settle Dialog licence dispute with SLT By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s): The Sri Lankan Government has proposed a resolution for settling a dispute between the countrys two telecommunication giants ending long, dragging legal acrimony. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) has directed Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) to settle the legal dispute regarding the renewal of a proposed integrated transmission network licence to Dialog. SLT filed a fundamental rights case at the Supreme Court last year against TRC and Dialog Broadband Network with regard to the renewal of Dialogs operator licence. Under Section 17 (3) (a) of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act, No 25 of 1991, the Commission has recommended to the President the renewal of Dialogs licencefor a further period of 1o years with effect from November 10, 2015. However, the SLT FR petition alleged that its rights had been violated when the TRC recommended the renewal the of operator licence. The petition had citied TRC, Dialog and the Attorney General as respondents in their fundamental rights petition. The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed in this case for the alleged violation of the SLTs fundamental rights to equality by TRC and the second respondent Dialog Broadband Network (Pvt) Ltd. The CCEM has directed the SLT and TRC to settle the Dialogs operator licence dispute amicably, in an out-of-court settlement. This follows a meeting with all sides of the conflict at the CCEM. Meanwhile Dialog Broad band filed a case at the Colombo High Court recently against SLT for acquiring its confidential information containing the companys planned future services including comprehensive network architecture and service delivery architecture design specifications. The court has ordered SLT to disclose the source of confidential information of Dialog and show cause as to why the interim injunction restraining SLT from using or disseminating this information contained in the request for proposals, pending the hearing and determination of the action, should not be granted. Unfair pricing, claims Piramal over furnace oil sold by CPC View(s): Unfair pricing, claimed Piramal Glass Ceylon PLC this week referring to unchanged furnace oil prices by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) over the past few years. In releasing its quarterly results for April-June 2017, the company reiterated earlier concerns that furnace oil prices have remained unchanged despite crude oil pricing crumbling overseas. There is concern that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has not revised the rates of furnace oil for the past four years. Crude oil prices which hit a US$120 a barrel in 2011 is now hovering below $50 in the past four years and as at date is a more than 50 per cent reduction in the prices. However the corresponding furnace oil prices and the need for a reduction based on international prices hasnt been properly addressed. This state of affairs is affecting our competitiveness in the international market. The company has been requesting the government to introduce a pricing formula based on international crude oil price which will be a fair transparent pricing mechanism, the company said in a media release. Meanwhile, its first quarter 2017-2018 earnings fell marginally with revenue recorded at Rs. 1,403 million and post-tax profit at Rs. 105 million. Sales during the first three months (April to June) was Rs. 1,403 million, down by 17 per cent from the same period in the earlier financial year. The company said there was a major decline in the export market as per sales to India due to the changes in the tax structure with the announcement of GST implementation country wide. However ,all other geographical locations Australia, US and Canada showed positive growth figures during the period under review. Increase in the operational profit margin was possible due to the reduction of trading sales. With the new facility now well stabilised the domestic market is being supplied mainly with in house manufactured bottles which has replaced the imported bottles. Last year due to capacity constraints a considerable portion of the domestic sale was done through imports, the company media release said. Even though operating profit rose, post-tax profit fell, affected by the high interest cost resulting from the long term loan of Rs. 3 billion borrowed to fund expansion. What ..airport in a port? View(s): It was like watching a recent clip on cable TV where, during a programme titled Funniest moments, a baby is seen laughing uncontrollably, gurgling with glee. Thats one way to describe Kussi Amma Sera who was in peals of laughter in the kitchen while reading the newspaper. It was so loud that I rushed into the kitchen to find her holding her hips and shouting, Mahattaya, buddu ammo through the fits of laughter. Mokkak de mokkak de? I ask. Mey balanna mey balanna . Apita guwan thotupolawal dekkak balaganna be, dang thava ekak hadanawa. Searching the newspaper, I find an article about a proposal for a second airport in the Colombo district, this time within the perimeter of the Colombo Port. It appears that the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry has issued a statement to local media that it has submitted a proposal to the government to build an airport within the Colombo Port premises. The ministry believes that if this project becomes a reality, it would be the strongest port in the region, the report goes on to say. And whose hare-brained idea is it? Minister Champika Ranawaka! He says that if the proposal is implemented within the next 10 years, people can get on a flight from Colombo Fort instead of going to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at Katunayake. This proposal is not even worth examining if not for the fact that many hare-brained schemes of politicians often get implemented just like the Mattala International Airport, described as the loneliest airport on the planet. Many people are on the same page as Kussi Amma Sera, I discovered, talking to others who too find this not only funny, but stupid and coming at a time when the Government has far more pressing needs than another airport. Airport at the Colombo Port? Its beyond anyones imagination when you consider the kind of land area required for an international airport. Consider this: The BIA is 438 hectares in extent, while the Mattala Airport is almost double that at 800 hectares. Both have just one runway. In the region, Bombay Airport with two runways has around 800 hectares, while Delhi International Airport with three runways is on 2,023 hectares. Dubai International, the worlds busiest airport, has two runways on 2,900 hectares of land space. Now the total size of the Colombo Port is 550 hectares land area and 450 hectares (water area), while the under-construction Colombo Port city will have 233 hectares on completion. The examples listed above show that a large land area is required to build an international airport. To take up Ranawakas proposal, is he inferring that the proposed airport which would require at least a minimum 400 hectares be built within Colombo Ports 550 hectares of land space or is he suggesting that Sri Lanka create another (costly in terms of not only money but ecological repercussions) island like the Colombo Port city? While the suggestion to build a new airport (probably turning the BIA into another lonely airport with not a soul in sight like Mattala) is to help people in the city, the fact is that airports are never located near major cities for the simple reason that it needs a lot of space for landing, take-off and high-decibel sound impacts on residents. Travelling distances of 30 to 50 km to board a flight is not a problem in todays technology-driven era of transport. In most cities, high-speed trains cover such distances in 10 minutes while expressways cover the distance in the same time. In Kuala Lumpur, you can board a train with your luggage and comfortably get to the airport rather than take the highway. If Ranawakas concern for his fellow travellers is to reduce their travel time from Colombo to Katunayake (in the first place why have an expressway?), then the best solution is to create the infrastructure in the city for a pick-up point and an airport transfer by train which should take less than 20 minutes, just like the temporary facilities created for the Commonwealth Heads of State or Government meeting held here a couple of years ago. Having a high-speed rail service to the airport with a pick-up point in Colombo is a far less costly and more practical solution to reduce travel time than building an airport in the city. Imagine planes landing at the Colombo Port in the midst of towering new and old skyscrapers? Galle Face Green patrons will be swept off their feet while koththu sellers will have to run for cover! On the other hand, why is the Minister only concerned about Colombos mega-class residents? What about thousands of others who travel distances of more than 100 km to get to the airport, like Sri Lankan migrant workers for instance? What about their rights and needs? Thank heavens, the proposal was not presented to the Cabinet which ironically this week turned down a couple of proposals which bordered on nonsensical needs or ego trips of ministers, like the one by Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake to create an office of Chief of Staff (COS). The western-styled Chief of Staff (COS) concept was introduced by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe whose COS is Sagala Ratnayake. While President Maithripala Sirisena has a COS division, there is no COS position appointee as yet. When Karunanayakes proposal was examined by the Cabinet, it was rejected but not before the President asked his ministers as to how many would like a COS. The response all hands go up! Whether the President was trying to be funny or serious, one would never know. Another silly comment came from Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Development Harsha de Silva. He told participants at a Colombo business gathering that he has never paid a bribe to a government or local government agency and faulted the business community for complaining about corruption when they were part of the problem (paying bribes). The reality is that nothing moves in the city if businesses dont pay bribes and one company that learnt this the hard way is Hayleys. For years, while others got things done with a little something to get a contract, Hayleys stayed clear but wasnt getting the business it needed and deserved (based on merit). One fine day, the Hayleys annual report alludes to this bribe culture and raises alarm bells saying it was losing deals because it refuses to pay. Times have changed at this once, staid and ethically correct establishment which is now moving with the times after powerful and influential businesses took control. The reality is also that the buck must stop from the top itself the politician and the public servant. If these people are honest, everyone else would follow suit. Back to the hare-brained idea of an airport within the Colombo Port, the Government is already struggling financially and politically to resolve the Mattala Airport and Port, two white elephants. Any new airport will become another white elephant (Mattala cost the country US$270 million in loaned cash), with generations called upon to pay through their noses to settle loans. So, listen to Kussi Amma Sera, she has some good points on extravagant spending. Take a cue from the Perera family of Gypsies fame who, probably taking a lesson from Kussi Amma Sera, came up with a stunning new song titled Kussiya. At least, someone is listening to some good, old advice from the kussiya (kitchen). Govt uses Joint Opposition theatrics to rush through Legislation By Chandani Kirinde- Lobby Correspondent View(s): View(s): More and more people view the countrys Legislature with skepticism and that too, with good reason. This is mainly due to the lack of seriousness with which some of those elected to such high office, choose to conduct themselves, over and over again. This week saw a repeat of some of the disruptive methods that the Joint Opposition (JO) group has now got accustomed to doing on a regular basis, to get their point across. This led to House proceedings winding up abruptly on two days. But, what followed the sudden ending of sittings on Friday is what is more disturbing, than all the chaos that took place when the House was in session. JO members who remained in the Chamber, after Speaker Karu Jayasuriya adjourned the House, decided to conduct a mock session ridiculing the very institution they are members of. Mocking the Speaker and insulting the traditions on which the countrys Parliamentary democracy has been built upon. Among their rather juvenile actions were ringing the Quorum bell, occupying the Speakers chair, as well as the Chair reserved for the President. While Opposition MPs have every right to be displeased with the Gazette issued, declaring work in the Petroleum sector an Essential Public Service, and the manner in which trade union workers were manhandled and detained by the Police, their actions to bring into disrepute the very institution of which they are elected members, cannot be excused. While all this can sound like lot of fun and games by such actions, Parliamentarians only pour scorn on themselves and make the public lose faith in them. On the other hand, all disruptive activities in Parliament this week only deprived Opposition members of an opportunity to debate very important issues. On Wednesday, amidst chaotic scenes in the Chamber, the Govt rushed through seven Finance regulations and one Bill, in record time of less than 10 minutes, while on Friday, the Gazette notification on the Essential Services declaration too, was rushed through in a similar manner. The end result was a lost opportunity to debate the economic situation in the country and more importantly, discuss the contentious Hambantota Port Agreement which was scheduled for debate on Friday. Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe tabled the Agreement in the House on Tuesday and a full day allocated to debate it on Friday, but it was not meant to be. While its time for JO MPs, many of them senior Parliamentarians, to introspect, to see if their actions are actually helping the Govt escape scrutiny, the problems for the ruling side may just be starting. For a Govt thats taking a beating from all fronts, the evidence unravelling before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) looking into issues of Treasury Bonds couldnt have come at a worse time. And, at the centreof the political storm is former Finance Minister, now Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake who, despite summons to appear before the CoI, sounded defiant in Parliament on Tuesday, when he told Speaker Karu Jayasuirya that his Parliamentary Privileges have been breached by the CoI, which had summoned him to appear before it on a day that the Legislature was in session. Everybody knows very well that I am a senior Cabinet member in the Govt and Cabinet meetings take place on Tuesdays. Furthermore, they also know it is a Parliament day Minister Karunanayake said. And while the Speaker, in his usual congenial manner said he would look into it, it is hard to see how the Ministers parliamentary privileges could have been breached by the CoIs summons. Under the Parliament (Powers & Privileges) Act, what constitutes a breach is the willful obstruction of any member coming to or, going from Parliament, but a summons by a CoI to appear before it cant be construed as a willful obstruction. He also took a dig at the former regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa, saying, those who robbed the country for 11 years are going scot free, and said he would appear before the CoI as soon as his parliamentary duties permit him to do. He is now slated to appear before the CoI next Wednesday. What many in the Govt must understand is that, two wrongs dont make a right and, however corrupt those in the former regime were, that will in no way absolve this Govt from its wrongdoings. Inland Revenue Bill: Higher revenue through progressive taxation View(s): The proposed Inland Revenue Bill would increase government revenue, simplify the tax system, broaden the tax net and make it more equitable. Revenue would be increased by eliminating tax exemptions, reducing tax evasion and tax avoidance and increasing certain tax rates. The new tax regime is a step towards a more progressive tax structure in which direct taxes would become more significant. Economic rationale The fundamental economic rationale for this Inland Revenue Act is the vital need to garner adequate revenue for the countrys economic stability and development. There is a pressing need to increase government revenue through taxation for fiscal consolidation, macroeconomic stability and economic development. Government revenue is inadequate to even meet its committed current expenditures. In certain years, government revenue has been inadequate to even meet debt servicing obligations, and in others, as much as 90 percent or more of revenue has been used for debt servicing alone. Consequently the government has had to borrow to meet its current and capital expenditure. This continuous need for the government to borrow to finance even its current expenditure is an underlying reason for the increasing public debt. If the country is to resolve many of its fundamental macroeconomic problems, it requires to increase its revenue collection as well as enhance its expenditure on education, health and social and economic development. Reducing the fiscal deficit to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2020 as targeted by the government is imperative. Inadequate revenue Sri Lankas tax revenue has been well below what it should be at this stage of development. In fact tax revenue has decreased with increasing per capita income. In 1990, government revenue was 21 percent of GDP. At the turn of the century the tax to GDP ratio had fallen to 16.8 percent of GDP. By 2015 it had fallen further to 13 percent of GDP. In 2016 there was an increase in revenue to 14.3 percent of GDP. That is still much below other middle income countries with Sri Lankas per capita income that collects around 20 percent of GDP as revenue. Features Key provisions of the bill are the elimination of tax exemptions, introduction of a capital gains tax and new withholding taxes on income sources. Most corporate taxes have been increased. An important feature of the new law is that income tax exemptions are limited. Numerous tax exemptions have been a significant reason for the fall in government revenues. This move should enhance tax revenue. Tax rates are streamlined with the present 10 sources of income regrouped under four sources: employment income, business income, investment income and other income. The progressive tax slabs for individuals have been revised. The tax free allowance of Rs.500,000 will remain the same for all citizens and residents. Capital gains tax has been introduced at 10 percent with some exemptions such as for share transactions. Employment income The present maximum tax rate of 16 percent on employment income has been removed and employed individuals will fall in line with the standard progressive tax slabs. However, qualifying payment relief on employment income of an individual has been increased from Rs.250,000 to Rs.700,000. Therefore employment income of Rs.100,000 per month is tax free. Withholding taxes The tax rate on interest of 2.5 percent on bank deposits for resident individuals has been increased to 5 percent and the exemption of interest income of senior citizens has now been deemed a qualifying payment subject to a ceiling of Rs.1.5 million. Rent, interest on loan and partners share of any partnership income would be liable to withholding tax. The withholding tax on dividends and interest has been increased from 10 percent to 14 percent. Exemption granted to specific institutions have been removed. Withholding tax on service payments have been introduced at the rate of 5 percent and 14 percent subject to certain conditions. Tax rates have been revised under three tiers structure as, lower rate of 14 percent, standard rate of 28 percent and higher rate of 40 percent. The 10 percent rate for non-corporate entities such as charitable institutions, employee trust funds, provident or pension funds and termination funds has been increased to 14 percent. The present threshold to Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) of Rs.750 million has been reduced to Rs.500 million. Impact Overall the incidence of direct taxes are likely to be heavier except in the case of employment income, where the income tax threshold has been increased to Rs. 100,000 per month or Rs.1 million a year. The enhanced taxation will no doubt attract much criticism. The opposition is likely to make a hue and cry about it to gain popularity. Government revenue is likely to increase owing to the higher rates of taxation, but the extent of the increase would depend on the efficiency of the tax administration. Criticisms Tax experts have pointed out that there are weaknesses in the legislations administrative procedures and have suggested that time tested procedures of the Inland Revenue administration be continued. The minister and state minister of finance, and officials have been very amenable to suggestions for the improvement of the bills provisions. The Finance Ministry has been in discussion with tax experts, chambers of commerce and professional bodies and their suggestions are likely to be incorporated. These discussions have already led to some needed changes, while some others are likely to be made. In any event, this is a bill whose content and provisions would be discussed in parliament and suitable amendments made. It is therefore very likely that there would be some revisions in the new bill. On the other hand, most of the critique of the bill has been based on a lack of knowledge of the bill, ignorance of the broader economic perspectives and political opportunism. One criticism of the bill has been that it is a carbon copy of the inland revenue legislation in Ghana. This is indeed correct. However what matters is whether the content of the bill is appropriate and adapted to Sri Lankas fiscal needs. Conclusions The new legislation should bring revenue collection in line with modern practices. Its objective of increasing tax revenue and reducing regressive indirect taxes is a move in the right direction. The increase in tax rates and elimination of tax exemptions should yield higher revenue. This in turn would assist in decreasing the fiscal deficit. The success of the new tax law would depend very much on the efficiency, integrity and vigilance of the tax administration. President wants to take control of economy through national council By Our Political Editor View(s): View(s): Proposal placed before Cabinet, but deferred till talks are held between Sirisena and Ranil Hambantota port deal signed yesterday; security matters will be strictly under the SL, says Govt. Bombshell at bond commission hearings; Ravi vows to fight back, says interested groups want to make him fall guy The ruling coalition, now in its mid-term rule, faced some of its worst moments this week. One that sent shockwaves countrywide were revelations before the Commission of Inquiry probing the Central Bank bond scam. A witness declared that the rent for the luxury apartment was paid by Arjun Aloysius until it was purchased by a company associated with Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayakes family. Aloysius firm Perpetual Treasuries is at the centre of the Commissions inquiry where mounting evidence is unfolding about serious irregularities and the plunder of state funds. Petroleum sector trade unions went on strike urging the Government not to go ahead with the Hambantota Port project. State run hospitals came to a standstill as doctors also went on strike. The Cabinet of Ministers, notwithstanding opposition, on Tuesday approved the controversial Concession Agreement with China Merchants Ports Holdings Company Ltd. The term of the Concession Agreement remains unchanged with 99 years. It is only at the expiry of 70 years that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) could purchase shares and transfer of majority (60%) ownership at the end of 80 years. The share composition has been worked out with the formation of two companies Hambantota International Port Services Co. (Pvt.) HIPS Ltd. (SLPA 50.7 % directly and a further 8.7 % indirectly through the second company) and CM Port (the Chinese Company) holding 49.3 percent and Hambantota International Port Group (Pvt.) Ltd. for projects in the Port of Colombo. They cover the South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) and the Colombo International Container Terminals where the SLPA will hold 15 percent as against CM Port 85 percent. An equally important development this week came as further proof of the mounting tension between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP). President Sirisena now wants to set up a National Economic Council (NEC). Chaired by him, it will be an advisory body on economic policy in the country to further strengthen policy coherence in the present consensus government. According to one government source, this new body will be above the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) which is chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. When President Sirisenas proposal came up before the weekly Cabinet meeting last Tuesday, Premier Wickremesinghe sought to defer the matter. He said he wanted to discuss the subject first with President Sirisena. Hence, no discussion ensued and the source said the matter would be placed on the agenda after Wickremesinghes talks with Sirisena. The Karunanayake saga Muthukuda Arachchige Vinodhani (later identified as Anika Wijesuriya), a Director of East West Properties Ltd. testified before the Commission of Inquiry probing the bond scam last Monday. Here are edited excerpts where evidence was led by Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda: Q: Are you a Sri Lankan citizen? A: Yes. Q: Have you been educated in any Sri Lankan school? A: Yes at Colombo International School and Buddhist Ladies College Q: Where did you carry out your higher studies? A: I studied in UK and graduated in Business Management studies. Thereafter I returned and joined my father who was involved in business. I was supervising a project in Weligama. Q: Do you know Arjun Aloysius? A: Yes Q: How do you know him? A: I came to know him through one of my close friends while studying at the Colombo International School during 20112012 period. Q: Does that friendship remain? A: No. That ended in 2012. Q: Do you know the wife of Arjun Aloysius Ms Natasha Anjali Mahendran? A: Yes by October 2012 I knew her. Q: Have you spoken to Arjun Aloysius? A: Yes Q: Have you spoken to Ravi Karunanayake? A: Yes. Q: Do you know Mr Karunanayakes daughter Onella? A: Yes, she too studied at the Colombo International School. Q: Do you know Karunanaykes wife Mela ? A: I came to know her in February 2016. Q: Do you have a house in the Monarch apartments, Kollupitiya ? A: Yes at 5 P-H-2 Q: Did you purchase it? A: Yes I purchased it from Susantha Ratnayake. Q: Did you renovate it, after purchasing it? A: Yes I spent one million rupees for renovation. Q: Did you occupy it? A: During that period around January 2010 I needed to visit the Weligama project regularly and therefore needed to lease it out. I told my elder brother about it. Q: What happened thereafter? A: He informed me that Karunanayake was looking for a house. His wife called me. Later she visited the place. Q: Whom did she call from there? A: She told that a friend will be visiting the apartment. Q: Did he come and who was he? A: He was Arjun Aloysius. Q: Did he come on his own A: Yes Q: What was your response? A: I was surprised Q: What was his requirement? A: He wanted to rent the place. Q: Did you speak to him? A: Yes, I informed him of my final decision. Q: Does this mean it was a tripartite agreement? A: Yes. Q: What happened here? A: Arjun Aloysius obtained this house on lease from me and gave it to Minister Karunanayake and his family to live there. Q: For how long was this lease from you? A: For six months. Q: At what cost? A: Rs. 10.2 million. Q: Who were the lawyers who were party to this agreement? A: F.J.&G. de Saram and Walt & Row Associates did the Lease Agreement. Q: Who are the directors of Walt & Row Associates? A: Geoffrey Joseph Aloysius, Arjun Joseph Aloysius and Suren Muthurajah. Q: Isnt Geoffrey Joseph Aloysius his father? A: Yes. Q: Did Arjun Aloysius contact you after this agreement? A: Yes he did. He told me there are social media reports that the rent on the apartment that Ravi Karunanayake lived in was being paid by him (Arjun). Q: Did you also read them? A: I got the stories that were in the Sinhala language websites translated to English and read them. Q: Did you contact him again after that? A: Yes. I asked him about the Lease Agreement. Q: What did he say then? A: He said that he had destroyed that Lease Agreement. Q: Did you ask him why he destroyed the Agreement? A: No I did not. Q: Did you tell about this to Mela Karunanayake? A: I asked her about the media reports .She said they have done no wrong. Q: When did this happen, how long was this since the lease agreement had been signed? A: By then the six month lease period had lapsed. There was two months rent left in lieu of the advance money. Q: What did you do then? A: I called Mela Karunanayake and asked her to purchase the apartment. Q: What did she say in response? A: She said to give some time for them to purchase the apartment. Q: Justice Prasanna Jayawaradena: At this point did you extend the lease agreement by two more months? A: Yes Q: Did you discuss this matter with them? A: Yes I did discuss it. Q: Did you tell her how much the apartment would cost? A: Yes I said I would need Rs 180 million for the apartment. Q: Did she agree to that amount? A: No .Finally we reached an agreement to sell it for Rs. 165 million. Q: How did she find funds for it? A: She said they would obtain a loan and pay for it. Q: In whose name was this apartment purchased? A: Global Star Logistics Private Limited Q: Justice Prasanna Jayawardena: Who are the directors of this company? A: Meralise Karunanayake, Onella Karunanayake Q: When was it purchased? A: September 6, 2016. The witness was cross examined by Counsel Kalinga Indatissa who watched the interests of Arjun Aloysius at the Commission. Q: Did you know Arjun Aloysius when you were studying in an international school in Colombo? A: Yes he is three years older to me. Q: Are Arjun Aloysiuss wife, Punchihewa, Jude Sharmantha Jayamaha your contemporaries in the international school? A: Yes. Q: Do you know about bond issues? A: No I dont know. Q: Do you know that this commission has been set up to inquire into bond issues? A: Yes. Q: Did you agree to give your apartment on lease to Arjun Aloysius? A: Yes. Q: Did you have faith in Arjun Aloysius at the time? A: Yes. Q: Did you know that Ravi Karunanayake was living in this place after it was leased from you? A: Yes I knew it. Q: Did you want money at that time? A: Yes. Q: Then you must be aware of the difference between lease agreements and sales? A: No I am not. Though expected to appear before the Commission on Tuesday, Karunanayake did not. He was reported as telling journalists, after meeting with his party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, that he had to attend the Cabinet meeting and later Parliament on that day. His attorney Sadun Gamage conveyed this to the Commission. Karunanayake did take part in the ministerial meeting where some of his own proposals were to come up for discussion. One was a request for Visumpaya, former Acland House, to be released for use as the official residence of the Foreign Minister. President Sirisena declared that the premises was once under him and was later brought under the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development. They were now converting it into a state guest house, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka pointed out. Striking a humorous note, Sirisena said going by the previous occupants of that residence, it was not a place that augured well for politicians. Sirisena was also not in favour of a proposal to appoint a Chartered Accountant as the Chief of Staff of the Foreign Ministry. He noted that his recommended salary of Rs 250,000 was even above a Secretary. However, ministers gave approval the previous week to a proposal by Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera to employ Razeen Sally, Associate Professor of Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore as Economic Advisor to his Ministry for one year on a monthly allowance of Rs 250,000. On Wednesday, Rienzie Aresacularatne PC, now counsel for Karunanayake, appeared before the Commission and assured that his client would appear on August 2. He was unable to take part on Wednesday since he had to attend a meeting of the National Security Council. Sources close to Karunanayake said he would lay bare before the Commission more details of the circumstances under which he came to rent the apartment and later purchase it. Karunanayake, however, declined comment. I cannot say anything about my appearance before the Commission of Inquiry or on what I am going to testify. All I can say is that I have done no wrong, he told the Sunday Times. He noted that some interested groups backed by some media were out to make me the fall guy for a long time now. Whatever Karunanayake says before the Commission to exculpate himself will still do no good to the United National Party (UNP). The issue has come in the backdrop of the bond scam which the UNP leadership went to great lengths to defend and declare there was no wrong doing. The first parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) ended inconclusively due to the dissolution of Parliament. The second Committee was able to carry out what now seems a very limited probe paling into insignificance when compared to the revelations that have unfolded so far before the Commission of Inquiry. Matters have been made worse by the testimony of B.R. Chinniah who testified before the Commission on Friday. He is Chief Financial Officer of Global Transportation and Logistics Private Ltd., the firm from whom the funds had come for the purchase of the apartment. He testified that Company Chairman Lakshmi Kanthan had come to Sri Lanka on two occasions and placed cash amounting to Rs. 145 million in his safe in the company office. These funds had been used though he was unaware from where it came. The strike in the petroleum sector Trade unions in the petroleum sector struck work at midnight Monday to protest against the Hambantota Port project with China. Their actions paralysed the distribution of fuel and saw long winding queues outside city fuel stations. The unions were aware that the subject would come up for discussion at Tuesdays cabinet meeting together with the Concession Agreement, a legal document that is binding on the Government. The strike continued until Wednesday when President Sirisena met representatives of trade unions. By then the petroleum sector had been declared an essential service. Sirisena told the unions that a strike while an essential service order has been declared was illegal. As for the Unions request not to go ahead with the Hambantota Port project, Sirisena said he would await the outcome of the Parliament debate on the matter. It took place on Friday. Trade union representatives declared that Sirisena would meet them on Tuesday and the Concession Agreement would not be signed until then. However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe declared it would be signed on Saturday. It was in fact signed yesterday amidst contradictory remarks by the President and the Premier. The unions were represented by D.J. Rajakaruna, secretary of the Ceylon Petroleum Common Workers Union. Thereafter, a second meeting was held with President Maithripala Sirisena later on the same day, Wednesday. Six unions took part in the discussions. They were the Petroleum Operators Union, the All Ceylon Petroleum Workers Union, the Executive Officers Union, the Engineers Union, the Sri Lanka Nidhas Sevaka Sangama and the Ceylon Petroleum Common Workers Union. Trade unions opposed to the Hambantota Port project have now formed a new front. Joining them was the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) whose members struck work for a few hours on Tuesday. The GMOAs demand this time was an inquiry into the attempted White Van abduction of a student leader. The move reportedly by the Police received strong condemnation. In a related development, university students are planning for an anti-SAITM protest march starting from Kandy tomorrow and to reach Colombo on August 4. The Hambantota Port project On Tuesday, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe sought approval from the ministers for the Concession Agreement (CA) with China Merchants Ports Holdings Company Ltd. (CM Port). Unlike during the previous cabinet meetings where proposals placed by then minister in charge, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema for a CA drew dissenting memoranda from different ministers, there was none this time. As one minister, who spoke on grounds of anonymity said, the CA had come from Presidents own man. Heaping praise on Minister Samarasinghe were Premier Wickremesinghe, Sarath Amunugama and Mahinda Amaraweera. Sirisena then suggested a departure from the normal procedure table the CA before Parliament and obtain approval before signing. The Ministry of Ports and Shipping released a draft text of the CA together with a news release. Though some of the most salient features were given in the news release, there were also other aspects in the 119 page draft Concession Agreement. A provision declared that Strict prohibitions are included in the Concession Agreement to prevent engagement by the HIPG and the HIPS (the two companies) in any form of military related activities. The sole responsibility and authority for such activity and for National Security of the port of Hambantota is with the GOSL (Government of Sri Lanka). Unlike in the previous drafts, there is an additional provision which reads that GOSL will have the right and authority to grant permission, clearance and approval to berth naval vessels in the port, on mutually agreed payment terms. In other words, China or for that matter any country accepted by the government could pay a fee and use the port for their militaries. This no doubt places China at a more advantageous position since the port was built by it and it is now the partner in a Public-Private Partnership. Sections of the government believe that all military activity should have been prohibited in the Hambantota Port. This is particularly in view of fears entertained by western powers of Chinas military intentions. Diplomats of at least two important countries have briefed many ministers in the government about these fears and their concerns. According to Minister Samarasinghes memorandum, the Hambantota Port was constructed with an investment of around Rs 193 billlion (US$ 1,519,893,773.44) primarily through commercial loans taken by the Government of Sri Lanka from the Exim Bank of China. Further investments of around US$ 600 million are needed to equip the said port and make the port fully operational. The annual loan repayment commitment for the Sri Lanka Ports Authority is around Rs 9.1 Billion. He notes that the restructuring will be done on the basis of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) where the GOSL (in this case the SLPA) becomes the public equity partner and the Investor becomes the private equity partner. In terms of the CA, there will be an Oversight Committee convened by the Ports Authority and including the Sri Lanka Navy, Police and a representative of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence to manage security within and outside the port. All personnel involved in security services and related matters by the two companies shall be Sri Lankan Nationals, according to the CA. A National Economic Council In what seems a significant political development, President Sirisena has said in a Note to the Cabinet! that he wants to set up a National Economic Council. This is what his note says: I propose to establish a National Economic Council (NEC) as an advisory body on economic policy in the country in order to further strengthen policy coherence in the present consensus government, harness the existing talent of this country for national development and to meet the need for such a national body under the head of the Government in the Presidential Secretariat. The NEC will be a professionally-managed, high-level, national advisory institution reporting directly to the President of Sri Lanka. This body will consist of various divisions in charge of key economic areas related to development plans and priorities of the Government. The NEC will make recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers on economic policy. The principle roles and responsibilities of the NEC, among other functions, include the following: 1. Advise and guide the Government on matters relating to economic policy, plans, programs and management. 2. Advise the Government on the formulation of economic policies and plans that are appropriate for the economic development in a holistic and fiscally-sustainable framework. 3. Co-ordinate economic policies across different institutions to ensure that they are consistent with the Governments economic plans and priorities. 4. Review and evaluate the institutional structures and quality of economic policy making across the Government ministries and institutions and advice on their appropriateness and changes needed to strengthen policy making across government institutions. 5. Advise on appropriate mechanisms to ensure that economic policy decisions and programs are implemented effectively in a timely manner by the responsible implementation agencies. 6. Compile and where appropriate make publicly available information on economic policies of the country. The NEC functions as the Secretariat of the President responsible for economic policy formulation, co-ordination and monitoring of the implementation according to the economic and development priorities of the Government. The President may refer any economic matter to the NEC for its review and advice. The NEC will be headed by the President. The other members of the Council will comprise the following nine members: The Prime Minister Minister of Finance Secretary to the President Secretary to the Prime Minister Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary-General of the NEC Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance Secretary to the Ministry of National Policy and Economic Affairs The NEC will be supported by competent and experienced staff under a Secretary-General appointed by the President. The Secretary-General represents the NEC in the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) and other relevant bodies in respect of economic and financial matters. The NEC will have a core group of people with expertise in relevant areas of economic policy. Other than a representative of the proposed NEC sitting at proceedings of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Matters, there is no formal mention about the modalities that will link the two bodies. However, a source familiar with the proposal said the CCEM will function under the NEC and will be required to follow policy guidelines and other matters it may lay down from time to time. The CCEM was established on September 23, 2015 through a Cabinet decision. The minutes of its meetings, more often sketchy in content, are later presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for covering approval. The two main movers in the CCEM are Charitha Ratwatte, an Advisor and close associate of the Premier and 80-year-old R. Paskaralingam, a retired state service officer. Most follow-ups as well as other action to be taken are directed to them. The latter served under late President Ranasinghe Premadasa. There has been criticism, particularly among SLFP ministers, that the CCEM has been functioning as a parallel cabinet where they seldom had a say. During recent discussions with President Sirisena, they raised the same issue and complained that it was difficult for them to have the Committee address their needs. Earlier, following criticism, President Sirisena declared that he would sit at an apex meeting every fortnight where discussions and decisions of the CCEM would be reviewed. This weeks developments, particularly in respect of bribery and corruption, are bound to snowball as more details unfurl before the Commission of Inquiry. This is at a time when President Sirisena has publicly accused his coalition partner the UNP of stalling cases against former President Rajapaksa and members of his family. In that backdrop pressure is mounting on the UNP over new revelations before the Commission. This comes at a time when relations between the two coalition partners the SLFP and the UNP are strained somewhat irrevocably as the move to set up the NEC reveals. Hence more decisive moments could be expected in the coming weeks. Needless to say, the new developments have won the government a bad image and made foreign investors think twice. Adding to the growing public discontent is the latest move unannounced daily power cuts after a reported breakdown at Kerawalapitiya power installation. One is not wrong in saying the absence of governance or the lack of it is forcing the public to pay a heavy price. The long and winding forty year quest to reach the elusive presidential door View(s): Ranil Wickremesinghe was born on 24th March 1949 with the proverbial silver spoon awkwardly stuck between his toothless gums which his father carefully extracted and thus freed the new borns silver tongue for future use on the nations behalf; and which spoon was, thereafter, used by the family to dish out to him all the delicacies life had to offer. They did a pretty good job of it; and Ranil Wickremesinghe could have supped life to the full, enjoying all the comforts and riches privileged birth afforded. But he didnt. Instead he chose to tramp the murky streets of politics where the spectator sport was to hurl rotten eggs and quashed tomatoes from the sidewalks to all who dared to take that road. Especially to rich upstarts on a public highway, willing to be exposed to the slings and arrows of mass outrage. Like Siddhartha who renounced his worldly kingdom and wealth to trod the path of his ancestors, the twenty seven Buddhas before him, Ranil forsook a life of sloth and private indulgence; and, though diapered in a continent of great wealth and privilege which would have enabled him to remain cocooned in a world of endless pleasures and live the heady life of the lotus eater, took to the long and winding graveled road, as some of his illustrious forefathers had done before him, to answer the call of his genes and to discharge the inborn duty that beckoned to sacrifice his private idyll and sweat and tear and even become the target of scorn, ridicule and hate, to serve his fellow countrymen as best he could and to proffer them the leadership a civilised race with a recorded history of over 2000 years deserved. Unlike Siddhartha, however, he did not embark on his chosen road leaving a kingdom behind him but only to gain the political kingdom of Lanka and to hold court thereat as the lord of all he surveyed. Birth had given him a head start. His mother Nalini was the eldest daughter of Lankas first press baron D. R. Wijewardena who founded the Lake House Group of newspapers and was a key figure in the independence movement. Ranils father was Esmond Wicremesinghe; winner of the prestigious Golden Pen of Freedom awarded by the reputed International Press Institute and was a powerful member of the Working Committee of the United National Party from 1973 to 1985. He has been widely credited as being the brains behind the Brains Trust of the UNP to bring down the Bandaranaike regime from power in 1977. As the Editor of the Sunday Times Sinha Ratnatunga described in an article written to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Esmond Wickremesinghes death: In 1976, I found myself with the UNPs apex decision-makers of the time; the Brains Trust; the team that was plotting the return of the UNP to office. It was clearly Mr. Wickremesinghe who ran the meeting. My assignment was to do some research. All I recall JR saying was something profound like; We must convert the un-convinced and convince the converts. A man of few words, he seemed to sum it all up. Needless to say, the UNP won that by-election Joseph Michael Perera going on to become a Cabinet Minister and Speaker of Parliament later in his political career. In a years time, the UNP was returned to the seat of Government a landslide victory with a whopping 5/6th majority. After Dudley Senanayakes death, Esmond Wickremesinghe worked solidly behind the scenes for JR Jayewardene and his plan to return to power and what the new government should do. A free economy had first been mooted in the Daily News in the late 1960s and was to be the model for the 1977 UNP government. Because Mr. Wickremesinghe had such an insight into UNP decision-making, Lake House had earned the reputation; what Lake House says today, the Government does tomorrow. One of Ranils uncles was J. R. Jayewardene, the rising star at the time of Ranils birth, in the UNP firmament. He himself had patiently borne his time and waited till Dudley Senanayakes demise in 1973 to take over the reins of the UNP. Thus in that summer of 1977 when Mrs. Bandaranaike finally decided to throw in the towel and give relief to the peoples ache for regime change, both his father Esmond as the dynamic energy marshaled to create UNP resurrection from its seven year moribund state and his uncle J. R. Jayewardene as the UNPs prime ministerial candidate were positioned to herald Ranils advent to the political road. It almost seemed as if the planets had been propitiously aligned to pave with gold Ranils pathway to the heady heights of Lankas political Everest. Even as his birth had given him a head start to gain an honoured seat in J. R.s UNP Camelot, his own perseverance and inherent intelligence had rewarded him with the educational armour necessary to lance down any accusation that he had gained the opportunity to pursue his quest to find Lankas political Holy Grail through nepotism. Having cut his teen teeth on the Learn or Depart anvil of his Alma Mater Royals motto, he had progressed to be tattooed with the LLB of a law degree from the Colombo University and thereafter had been called to the Bar as an Attorney- at- Law of the Supreme Court. He had earned his credentials on the educational battlements and emerged triumphant as a knight of the homeland before adventuring to take his deserving place at the privileged round table where his uncle JR who wherever he sat at that round table all hailed him as Arthur held supreme sway with the five sixth majority the masses endowed him with on election day 1977. Ranil Wickremesinghe had just won his first election and was now a Member of Parliament. And his uncle JR was prime minister. What more could a young buck, with all the promise of a brilliant future before him, ask his household gods to render unto him? Merit amassed in previous lives had blessed him with a privileged birth. Perhaps the samsaric practice of service to his fellowmen had subconsciously driven him to repeat the habit. At the age of 28, he was called to pledge his life in the cause of his people. To uplift them from their myriad woes and offer them hope to transcend the perpetual nights of darkness and witness a new dawn breaking with the rise of a new sun. His uncle J. R. Jayewardene, billed the Twentieth Century Fox by his detractors, was a shrewd judge of character. Recognizing, perhaps, a star born, a new northern star to direct Lankas ship of state in the future, the wise wizard however did not rush to spoil the young political brat by adorning him with high political office. Instead he chose, in the manner of a self made father of a successful private business concern to put him through the ropes, to make the son first sweep the premises floor clean; and, depending on his willingness to obey for one must first follow orders before one can issue them to others and his competence in ridding the place of dust, to expose him to see the world as the Deputy Foreign Minister and then return from his Sinbad Travels with a luggage of experiences to set Lankas world aright. Once he had done his devilling at the foreign office and traversed the world and the seven seas, JR appointed Ranil as the Cabinet Minister of Youth Affairs. It was clear then that Ranil was being trained, brushed and groomed in the UNP stable to sit on the saddle when Uncle Dickie chose to dismount the rocking horse of political power. But the best laid plans of uncles and nephews can be disposed by unfolding events. And, perhaps the duo both realised it was premature to ride the UNP mare. And thus when Uncle JR ended his second year term and Premadasa rose from the grassroots to bag the UNP presidential nomination which JR endorsed, Ranil dutifully took a back step and remained in the wings, patiently waiting for his cue to be summoned to the stage. Even when the senior UNP stalwarts Gamini Dissanayake and Lalith Athulathmudalie rose in revolt and broke away from the UNP to form their breakaway group the DUNF and sought thereafter to impeach President Premadasa in 1992, Ranil Wicremesinghe to whom the Gamini Lalith camp would have been natural terrain and liberal habitat, chose not to stray but to stay put and stay loyal to the tempered way of his then leader Ranasinghe Premadasa. It confirmed him as a team player, gifted with patience, one who will bide his time to reach his goal post when the moment was opportune and not stab his leader in the way Brutus plunged the knife into Caesars back. Heavens malice grants ambitions prayers but unlike former President Premadasa who lost his life, unlike former President Chandrika who lost her right eye and nearly her life; and unlike like former President Rajapaksa who lost his throne and sceptre in his quest for a third term and earned instead the peoples opprobrium for reigning over a corrupt regime, Ranil Wickremesinghe, like his uncle Dickie, JR, did not pray at heavens gate for entry but patiently stood in line for his turn to gain entrance, in the belief that everything comes to he who patiently await. That did not mean he was a nitwit or that he was shorn of ambition. Nay, he also possessed shrewdness in good measure. Perhaps he thought that the exit of the party seniors Gamini and Lalith from the UNP to form their own party, left the field wide open for him to stake his claim to the party leadership once President Premadasa finished his term of office. Even if Premadasa was to be reelected for a second term, Ranil would still be 50 when the Presidential elections had to be held. If that was his thinking, events were to upset his calculations. Fates held otherwise. And offered him the presidency on a platter at the age of 44. But such was the calibre of the man that he was in no hurry to pick the crown that had tumbled down into a wayside gutter down Armour Street in Colombo 13 on that momentous May Day 1993 when President Premadasa was killed in a Tiger bomb blast. Ranil did pick it up. But ever the stickler to protocol, given to follow procedure to the letter and to place the nations welfare first before his own personal ambitions, and conditioned from birth to do the right thing, he did, indeed, pick it up. But not to place it upon his own head as he could easily have done as the undisputed heir to the UNP throne. Nay, he picked it up only to crown the then Prime Minister D. B. Wijetunge with the presidency, in the manner the constitution dictated and his own conscience commanded. When he held in the palm of his hand the near absolute power to anoint himself as Lankas new president, what did the man do? Like Siri Sangabo in the Jatakas, he cut his own neck and offered it to D. B. Wijetunge who did not even ask him for it. In that shining hour, Ranil proved his mettle and demonstrated that the strongest steel is that which had gone through the hottest furnace and emerged strengthened. And that was only for starters. He was to prove his selflessness a year later now he was the prime minister for the first time when the presidential election came around. The then UNP president Wijetunga had announced his intention to retire with grace from politics and Ranil was the chosen one to contest it as the UNP candidate. But when Gamini Dissanayake who had returned to the UNP fold and turned up at his door step and demanded that he be appointed instead, Ranil graciously surrendered in the interest of the partys unity and placed the mantle of the UNP leadership on the fated head of Gamini Dissanayake. And when Gamini fell victim to an LTTE blast in the same manner both President Premadasa and Lalith had, Ranil acquiesced in the partys decision to make Gaminis widow Srima the UNPs presidential candidate. This decision, of course, may have been prompted by the realization that the mercurial charismatic Chandrika was an unstoppable force and that not even the best of men could compete on equal terms with her winning smile and charm. If Chandrikas ivory was her fortune whenever she flashed her winsome smile with a twinkle in her eye, Ranils strength lay in his patience till the sun rose to dawn on his dwindling political hopes. In the year 2001 the sun did rise and shed its rays indeed on Ranils political fortunes for the world to glimpse his second coming as Prime Minister, but, alas, only to set three years later when Chandrika opted to dance the kaffringa with the JVP and leave Ranil in the lurch, stranded in the midst of the waltz. But her own two terms was up in 2005 and when she retired as President and the Rajapaksa orchestra started to play, it was clear following the universal truism that no woman or man can ever forget their first love that Ranil and Chandrika were destined to meet again. And their shaking a leg on the political dance floor had not been their last waltz. Their entwined fates to keep their tryst with their political destinies would happen again. But it would take another nine years. And the lady would take the first step to woo the hand of the man she had once spurned and dismissed with scorn and left power lorn. Enter the monk Sobitha. With his crusade to abolish the presidency. And Chandrika to sate her justified craving to turn the tables on the Rajapaksas for all the humiliations she had suffered under their regime. The mascot came in the form of Maithripala Sirisena. But the entire game plan, the play itself could not be staged without Hamlet. The prince who had long remained in the wings to answer destinys call had to be courted to make the supreme sacrifice. And Ranil Wickremesinghe, having made a realistic assessment of the situation, was ready and willing to forego the opportunity and forfeit his right to become the executive president. And, in an act of humility, agreed to play second fiddle for the nations good and offered the entire UNP voter base to topple the Rajapaksas from their pedestals and to usher in a Maithri era of just governance. Thus was it that on 9th January 2015, Ranil became Prime Minister for the third time. Even though the UNPs representation in Parliament was dwarfed by the number of seats the UPFA held, the newly elected Sirisena felt duty bound to repose his belief that the man who had just crowned him king had the confidence of the majority of the House to be the new prime minister. In August, however, when the new general elections were held and the UNP garnered 109 seats only five short of a commanding majority Ranil became Prime Minister for the fourth time. Had he wished, he could have with some political horse dealing, gained the balance seats from all sides of the house. But he didnt. Always the gentleman, he extended his continued support to President Maithripala Sirisena and agreed to serve as his prime minister till the inevitable day dawns when their paths must cross and the parting of their ways must be enacted in public. As Ranils childhood friend and classmate at Royal, Anura Bandaranaike wrote of him in 1999, As I see it the outstanding characteristics of his leadership is the ability he has of taking decisions at the right time. He is in no hurry or impatient for the realization of an objective. What I find is that many have not properly understood the ability he possesses of biding his time to arrive at a correct decision. I think that he decides at the correct time and that is a potent factor in arriving at proper decisions. It must be said that one of the most outstanding characteristics of Ranils leadership is his ability to look at any question before from all angles and in a balanced manner, understand it well and then come to a decision. Ranil does not have the habit unlike many others, of taking a decision on anything impulsively. Ranil Wickremesinghe was blessed at birth as few men ever are. But thereafter, by his own efforts, he has achieved every goal he had set eyes on. Except the elusive presidency. Apart from popping out on the political stage intermittently as prime minister like a Jack in the Box at a Punch and Judy show to briefly entertain the audience or like an avatar of Vishnu in Hindu mythology to grant relief to a trouble stricken world, the ultimate crowning glory of the presidency has eluded him. That was something that lay in the hands of the Gods or etched in the fate line of his right palm. But if he didnt take his pocket pen knife and slash his fortune line in the manner old Sinhala King Vattagamani Abhaya, better known as King Walagambha, did 2000 years ago when, on the run as a fugitive hiding in many a cave, he was told by an astrological monk that he will never be king since his palm did not have the necessary line to rule the land . The king pulled out his knife and cut his palm with the line and then asked the monk, now do I have the line to be king? And maybe that its to the good of this nation that he has so far not become president. Had he become president in 1993 when the going was good and it was up for grabs and he held it in the palm and power of his hands, he would have finished his tenure by now and be condemned to the knackers yard to graze the grass with Chandrika. And even as the Prime Minister celebrated cutting his 40th political cake, holding the knife hand in hand with his present political stable mate President Sirisena, at least it must be to the nations relief to know that there are men of such character, such background, such breeding, possessed with such moral rectitude still left in Lanka to give the people leadership and bless them with the hope that from Ranil Wickremesinghe the best is yet to come. Perhaps the time has come for Ranil to use his knife of many uses not only to cut his birthday cake but to do a Walagambha with it. For he has many miles to go and many promises to keep before he can afford his sleep. The Octopus-Like Tentacles of High Corruption in Lanka View(s): For decades since independence, Sri Lankans were wont to look over the Palk Strait and enviously compare the strides that the Indian legal system had been taking in regard to protection of the Rule of Law. True, serious blimps were evidenced on the radar in regard to practical implementation of good judicial decisions. Allegations of corruption were intermittently made against Indian judges themselves. However, despite these negatives and even notwithstanding the alarming undermining of a once vibrant public intellectual culture in recent times, the judicial system and the Constitution of that country still retain the respect of the teeming Indian multitudes. A powerful lesson for the region Now we can look equally covetously elsewhere as yet another neighbouring country holds out an example that we may justifiably yearn for. This week Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigned from office after the countrys Supreme Court unanimously declared him as not honest and disqualified him from elected office. Sharif was ruled to have been dishonest in not disclosing his earnings from a Dubai-based company in his nomination papers during the 2013 general election. The 2016 disclosures in the Panama Papers that three of Prime Minister Sharifs children had used shell companies to buy properties in London were pivotal to the case. The former Prime Minister has refuted any allegation of wrong doing but stated that he will respect the Courts decision. Certainly the ruling will potentially wreak more havoc on Pakistans tumultuous political systems. And it is doubtful if a single ruling of this nature will suffice to cleanse the notoriously corrupt political culture in the country. Even so, the stark fact of a Prime Minister forced to a measure of accountability stands as a potent and powerful lesson for other political leaders in this region. In contrast, what do we have in Sri Lanka? The dismal fate which has now visited the 2015 rainbow coalition as public disillusionment if not fury grows is clear. A core component of that anger is the complete inability of the unity alliance to bring previous corrupt politicians to justice as well as maintain minimum standards of anti- corruption by its own members. Both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe appear to be engaging in typical party politics at the expense of their campaign promises to bring about a change from the past. This is certainly not a simple matter Soon after it came to power, the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe alliance announced that major anti-corruption bodies will be re-structured and current legislation will be amended. Amusingly it was claimed that the biggest challenge crippling anti-corruption investigations is the lack of expertise on the part of local officials, investigators and lawyers. One time corruption crusaders backing the Government declared with a flourish that anti-corruption investigations against the former leadership of the Rajapaksa Government were going just as they ought and that the people would see the results soon. This was, of course, not to be the case. But the irony was that such sweeping promises were made at the very same time that the United National Party Government was embroiled in the Perpetual Treasuries bond controversy with its top leadership fighting tooth and nail to protect the former Governor of the Central Bank, Arjuna Mahendran whose son-in-law Arjun Aloysius was the owner of Perpetual Treasuries which benefited from the bond deal. Parliamentarians from whom one would have expected better standards of reticence such as Eran Wickremeratne and Harsha de Silva protested before the national media that if at all, what was in issue was a simple conflict not financial irregularities. Now, as this scam disentangles itself into its several scandalous components before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Perpetual Treasuries bond deal, we can see that this is not a simple matter after all. Rather, it is octopus-like with its tentacles extending into the highest reaches of the Government. The appearance of impropriety Recent testimony before the Commission has put on record that a massive sum of Rs.145 million, used for an initial payment and thereafter for a monthly loan installment to purchase a luxury penthouse for a company owned by family members of the current Minister of Foreign Affairs Ravi Karunanayake, had no source of origin nor was it accounted for. Previous testimony was to the effect that the lease of the penthouse occupied by the Minister and his family members had been paid by Arjun Aloysius, son-in-law of Mahendran and owner of Perpetual Treasuries. No doubt, these allegations will be inquired into further once the Minister himself appears before the Commission as summoned in the coming days. But the appearance of impropriety is too high for many not to be shocked even when the level of shock was thought to have already been transcended. In sum, a contemplative look back at the past two years shows that the gains of the 2015 peoples rejection of the Rajapaksa brand of non-governance were frittered away as a result of major mistakes made by this Government. Fundamental to this is the apparent thinking, born (it seems) of a deep cynicism at the highest levels of the unity administration, that nothing really needs to change all that much. What is needed is that the appearance of change is maintained and abuses of the law are adequately whitewashed. This reasoning is not singular to the fight against corruption. It is the same thinking which applies to other areas of reform, including transitional justice and constitutional reforms. A complete betrayal This is unforgivable. It is a complete betrayal of the trust and the hope placed by hundreds and thousands of courageous Sri Lankans who believed (against all expectations) that the country would take a turn for the better in 2015. As a result of this bitter betrayal, the possibility of another reform movement being accepted in the near future with sincerity and genuineness by ordinary people had dwindled to nothingness. This is the ultimate result of the political charade that was permitted to take place during the last two years. If there is even a modicum of shame in the current political leadership, it will take serious measures towards reversing mistakes of the past. It will do so, in the minimum, with the understanding that if not, its own fate will be irreversibly sealed. Bring in the Animal Welfare Bill View(s): It was only last week we wrote in this space about the culture of torture prevailing in Sri Lanka. Just then, news broke out that there was cruelty to animals taking place as well following the extermination of stray cats and dogs within the premises of the University of Moratuwa. The incident brought into focus, once again, the rights of animals and the attendant issue the spread of disease, especially rabies. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and others have an alternative policy in CNVR (Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release) where the need to eliminate stray animals is passe, a thing of the past. What is lacking, however, is the political will by successive Governments to get the necessary legislation into place, and put in place an administrative mechanism throughout the countrys local government councils to tackle these issues. The delay in holding local polls is only adding to the problem. On the one side, the Government is still finding ways and means to find a solution to the garbage crisis, which is contributing to flies and mosquitoes and street dogs, cats and even elephants in rural areas, eating garbage and dying of polythene poisoning. On the other, despite this island-nations rich animal friendly cultural heritage, from slaughterhouses to livestock farms, laboratories, zoos, homes, streets and even places of religious worship, animals are used and abused. While many nations without such a socio-cultural heritage recognise animals as sentient beings with a Right to Life by law and judicial determinations and even Constitutional status, Sri Lanka lags way behind.The Law Commission drafted an Animal Welfare Bill and it was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2006. Like the Right to Information (RTI) Law, this Bill too got stuck in the legislative pipeline during his tenure even though for the 2600 Buddha Jayanthi he introduced a No kill policy which had no legal effect. Vested interests like those in the poultry business argued that poultry was not animal and lobbied politicians. In 2015, the new Government brought forth this Bill under its 100-day programme, but it took another year (2016) to get it approved by the Cabinet. Now yet another year (2017) is half gone and the draft Bill is yet to be presented to Parliament. So much for change from the Rajapaksa Administration. It is the business lobby that is blocking this proposed law not so much the issue of rabies control which itself is governed by an archaic Rabies Ordinance of 1893 reflecting an age when animals were considered chattel (moveable possessions). Local councils have been given the authority to catch street chattel and destroy them by gassing. Mans Best Friend is used by armies, customs, police and today, stray dogs are referred to as community dogs as they are very much part of the community in many ways. But when a Government wants to beautify a city for an international conference, local councils are ordered to take a different approach to these animals. Sri Lankas dog population estimated at three million in 2008 has reduced to 2.2 million and while a successful CNVR policy is in force, the number of rabies cases has declined. According to the Public Health Veterinary Department, deaths from dog bites came down to 51 in 2008 to 19 in 2014. Neighbouring India has made vast strides in animal welfare legislation and effective mechanisms to implement laws. Indias Supreme Court last week allowed only irretrievably ill or mortally wounded street dogs to be eliminated but that too in a humane manner ordering all states and territories to comply with the ruling. No doubt, the Government has many issues on its plate but a Government is supposed to govern and enacting modern legislation is a prerequisite of governance. Bring in the Animal Welfare Bill incorporating the 1907 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Law to replace the archaic laws and establish a National Animal Welfare Authority without any further delay. Enlightened Constitutional-makers can even give these Rights to animals in the new Constitution they are drafting and bring to speed this country with the modern world given its rich heritage on the subject. The LTTE is not dead in Europe A Luxembourg datelined news item ought to have caught the attention of the Government, surely. The item referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) de-listing the rump LTTE as a terrorist organisation. While the 28-nation European Union (EU) was quick to say on Friday that its ban on the LTTE, first imposed following the assassination of the then Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in 2005 continues to be in force, Europes highest judicial body kept the Palestinian Hamas group as a terrorist organisation, but not the LTTE. While the quizzical judgment only illustrates the double-standards prevalent in Europe on terrorism, the Sri Lanka Governments almost pathetic efforts at challenging this case filed by the LTTE which retained top Dutch lawyers way back in 2010 (after its crushing military defeat), is inexcusable. The Rajapaksa Government ignored this case till 2012 when it was too late to intervene as a Third Party. The General Council lifted the ban on the LTTE in 2014, and this Government tried to retrieve lost ground and lobbied the EU member states simultaneously with the GSP + trade concessions lost by the former Government abandoning its ties with Europe. The EU member-states appealed on behalf of Sri Lanka, but the ECJ this week rejected that appeal. Fortunately, the EU member-states have adopted new reasons to ban the LTTE, which ban needs to be extended every six months. It is time the Government realised that the LTTE is not quite dead. In Jaffna, Police reports that it was an un-rehabilitated LTTE cadre who shot at a judge last week. Abroad, the Diaspora is still at work retaining lawyers and funding politicians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has launched a commercial diplomacy campaign worldwide. But political appointees heading missions in Europe are at sixes and sevens, and career diplomats have been sidelined from the decision-making process by politicians in Colombo. A circular sent out just this week (on Thursday and after the ECJ order) to Sri Lankan missions abroad has no mention of monitoring LTTE activities abroad. Foreign Governments are preaching reconciliation in Sri Lanka while their judges are de-listing the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. The new statement of reasons that keeps the LTTE banned in Europe, if it is to be challenged, should be counter-challenged by Colombo. Wake up the MFA and the MoD (Ministry of Defence) to these realities. Cut for a cause By Oshani Alwis Ramani Fernando Salons partners with the Cancer Care Trust in an effort to aid cancer patients View(s): View(s): We all know how a good hair cut can give you a boost. What if you could get a haircut for a good cause and rather than just letting the strands fall to the ground to be swept up and thrown away, donate it to someone in need? Your lovely locks could be turned into a wig for a woman battling cancer who is undergoing chemotherapy that can cause hair loss. The Cancer Care Trust, an associate organization of Cancer Care Association has teamed up with Ramani Fernando Salons to aid cancer patients by providing them a wig free of charge. Anyone who has at least 8 inches of hair in length (if layered, the shortest layer should be 8 inches) can walk into any of the 14 Ramani Fernando Salons in Sri Lanka and avail themselves of a free hair cut and blow dry their cut hair would then donated for this cause. They will receive a certificate of appreciation on the day of the donation. The hair has to be clean, free of oil, hairspray, gel, mousse or any other material; all types of hair are accepted including coloured, straightened, permed or even grey. The official launch of the hair donation campaign on July 20 saw 12 hair donors and volunteers from Cancer Care Trust leading the way by getting their hair cut for the cause. Also present were founder of Cancer Care Trust Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksha, CEO and founder of Ramani Fernando Salons Ramani Fernando, the only human hair wig manufacturer in Sri Lanka Lalith Dharmawardana, along with Dr Wasantha Jayasuriya and Dr. Lanka Dissanayake, wife and the eldest daughter of the Speaker of Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya. Dr. Jayasuriya and Dr. Dissanayake were representing the family, collaborating with the Cancer Care Trust in supporting cancer patients in Sri Lanka in memory of their daughter/ sister Indira Jayasuriya, who passed away from breast cancer. The first wig of the hair donation campaign was offered to a 13-year-old from Pudalu Oya, Nuwara Eliya who had undergone chemotherapy. She attended the event with her family. My staff has been very supportive and excited to contribute to the programme. Endless inquiries came in from volunteers who were willing to donate their hair right away, said Ramani Fernando, confident of the success of the campaign. This hair donation programme is the greatest challenge he had to face in his 40 years in the field as a wig maker, said Lalith Dharmawardana. Under the special requirement of the Cancer Care Trust, I had to complete a wig in 2-3 days, which usually takes 14-15 days. Yet Im proud to be a part of a campaign where a woman would sacrifice her beauty on behalf of another, he says. He makes the wigs for a concessionary price of Rs. 25,000 instead of the normal cost of Rs. 190,000. This event would be an opportunity not only to donate hair but also to help cancer patients by sponsoring a wig. Dushani Kodithuwakku, 20, who was bold enough to shave off all her waist length hair expressed her satisfaction in giving it away. Im glad that I could donate my hair for cancer patients. Its good to be able to donate something when you are alive rather than when you are dead, said Dushani, wrapping a scarf around her bald head. The only male donor on the campaign so far, 25-year-old Mahesh Madushanka donated his long hair more than 18 inches in length. Women especially undergo psychological traumas over losing hair. The next target of the Cancer Care Trust would be to provide a wig to the patient who is diagnosed with cancer, before starting the chemotherapy treatments. Then she would not have to be worried about losing her hair while undergoing treatment and society would not notice anything strange in her appearance, said Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksha. Sporting a sophisticated short cut after donating her hair, Nisansala Rajapaksha, trustee of Cancer Care Trust and wife of Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksha, spoke of her conviction in making the decision. Lord Buddha is the teacher who taught us the happiness of giving and now I truly experience the feeling. This is a step ahead from giving materialistic things where you actually donate one of your body parts. The hair donation campaign is an ongoing programme. Anyone interested in donating hair, in sponsoring a wig or in need of a wig, can call the HopeLine-0112363211 of the Cancer Care Trust or contact any branch of Ramani Fernando Salons for more information. CEB, PUCSL wires cross over long term power generation By Sandun Jayawardana View(s): View(s): Plans to avert an impending power crisis have been thrown in doubt after the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) this week objected to the countrys Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP) approved by the nations power sector Regulator, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). The war of words between the PUCSL and the CEB comes at a particularly difficult time for the countrys power sector, with at least 300 Mega Watts (MW) of additional power needed for the national grid next year, according to PUCSL estimates. The Regulator has insisted on the speedy implementation of its approved plan, to avoid significant electricity shortfalls. In the CEBs official response to the PUCSLs approved LCLTGEP 2018-2037, General Manager A.K. Samarasinghe on Tuesday (25) accused the PUCSL of exceeding the powers vested in it, under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act (SLEA), and of violating the Regulators own planning code. The PUCSL last week approved the plan sans any coal power plants, and with emphasis on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and renewable energy plants. The CEB, by contrast, had recommended its base case plan which included six coal power plants, to be built in the next 20 years. The CEBs letter, sent in response to the PUCSL decision, seen by the Sunday Times, objects to the PUCSLs decision, alleging that, what has been approved was not the plan submitted by the CEB. The CEB insists that, under the SLEA, the PUCSL cannot amend the LCLTGEP, except on the basis of submissions made by generation or distribution licensees. It further points out that, the PUCSLs own Least Cost Generation Expansion Planning Code notes that, what the PUCSLs role was to review the plan for compliance to guidelines provided therein and to request for clarifications and amendments. With the CEBs insistence it cannot accept the PUCSLs decision on these grounds, the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy has now stepped in to mediate. Ministry Secretary Dr. B.M.S. Batagoda told the Sunday Times he aims to arrange a meeting between the CEB and the PUCSL officials next week, in an attempt to resolve their issues. Meanwhile, the CEB Engineers Union has written to Minister of Power and Energy, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, urging him to intervene and get the CEBs long term generation plan approved. The CEBEU has warned it would have no option but initiate trade union action, if there was no such intervention. Govt. calls tenders to build second refinery of 100,000 bpd View(s): Tenders have been called for feasibility studies to build Sri Lankas second oil refinery with a capacity to refine 100,000 barrels per day, Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, Arjuna Ranatunga told the Sunday Times. The present oil refinery refines about 42,000 bpd. The Ministry intends to refurbish the refinery to operate at its full capacity of 50,000 bpd, while also building the second refinery, the Minister elaborated. Already, firms from Iran, Russia and China have expressed interest, Mr Ranatunga revealed. The project, however, is expected to cost up to US$ 2 billion. We dont have the funds to build a new refinery and hence, we are negotiating with the parties interested in conducting feasibility studies to build the refinery, he added. The firms have proposed they build the refinery and for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to purchase crude oil exclusively from them, while sharing profits from the refinery, Minister Ranatunga further said. If we start now we can finish building the refinery in three years, he said. The location of the new refinery is immaterial, he maintained, but added the Govt was insistent that the CPC have a majority stake in the refinery. Our condition is that majority control must be with the CPC. Several such proposals were also explored to build an oil refinery in a port while he was the Minister of Ports and Shipping, the Minister revealed. But those companies wanted to export oil to other markets and not to Sri Lanka, so we rejected them. He pointed out that the successful construction of such a refinery would enable the Govt to keep crude oil prices steady for some years, stating he intends to present the feasibility study selected after the tender process, to the President. We can then start on it very soon, he said. Hambantota port deal signed; minority stake for SLPA in both new companies View(s): The Concession Agreement for the controversial Rs. 193 billion Hambantota Port, the legally binding document for what is being promoted as a public-private partnership, was signed yesterday. The event at the Ports and Shipping Ministry was telecast live over the UNP-controlled state run Independent Television Network (ITN). Ministry Secretary L.P. Jayampathy and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Parakrama Dissanayake signed on behalf of the Government while Vice Chairman Bai Jingtao signed for China Merchants Port Holdings Company Ltd. The highlight of the Agreement is the setting up of two separate companies HIPG (Hambantota International Port Group (Pvt.) Ltd.), which will oversee commercial operations and HIPS (Hambantota International Port Services (Pvt.) Ltd) to oversee Common User Facilities (CUF), including security operations. In the port operator company HIPG, CMPort (the Chinese company) will have a majority stake (85%) and the SLPA will have a minority stake (15%). The CUF Company HIPS, the SLPA will have 42% and the HIPG 58% of the stake. Thus, the SLPA is a minority shareholder in both these companies. After last Tuesdays Cabinet meeting where Minister Samarasinghes memorandum was approved, a news release was issued on Wednesday. Both the Ministers memorandum and the news release create the understanding that the SLPA has the majority stakes in HIPS. It states the SLPA will have 50.7 percent of the shares and CMPort 49.3 percent. Corporate Analysts, however, pointed out, that the SLPAs 50.7 per cent is made up of 8.7 percent stake in HIPS shares is not direct, but is represented through HIPG in a convoluted share-structure. The Agreement, which is a legally binding document, states that initial equity share capital to be comprised of 42% to be held by the SLPA and 58% to be held by the HIPG operator. The document signed yesterday does not mention SLPAs 8.7 percent stake to be held separately in HIPS. Instead, it says the HIPG would hold 58% stake in HIPS. Analysts point out to the widely regarded commercial practice, in a corporate set up, that a majority shareholder decides the policies as well as controls the day-to-day decision making. The CMPort has a controlling stake in the HIPG, so all decisions of HIPG would be the decisions of the CMPort. The minority shareholding becomes irrelevant since they can be voted out. Among the ministers who attended yesterdays ceremony were Malik Samarawickrema, Sarath Amunugama, Mangala Samaraweera and Mahinda Samarasinghe. Chinas envoy Yi Xianliang was also present. Minister Samarasinghe claimed that further changes in the Agreement could be made even after yesterdays signing. He said the document would now go before the Cabinet for endorsement and would be tabled in Parliament thereafter. Earlier, President Maithripala Sirisena had said that the Concession Agreement would be signed only after Parliament debated the deal. According to the news release issued by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, the Hambantota Port which began commercial operations in November 2011 has an accumulated loss of Rs. 46.7 billion and that in from January this year it has handled only 10 ships if the car carriers which were forced to unload at the port instead of the Colombo Port are taken off. The land area that will be gazetted to be leased out to companies wanting to invest around the Hambantota Port will be 1,115 hectares (and not 1,574 hectares), adds the release. The release also states, The sole responsibility and authority in relation to National Security is with the Government of Sri Lanka). Intermittent daytime power cuts to continue View(s): By Sandun Jayawardana The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will continue to impose intermittent power cuts, an official said yesterday. The power situation was aggravated after yet anohter power plant was shut down on Friday due to technical issues. The 163 Mega Watt (MW) privately owned Sojitz Kelanitissa power plant broke down on Friday adding to the existing breakdowns. The CEB has been without one 300MW generator at the Lakvijaya coal power plant in Norochcholai for more than a week, while the prevailing drought has also placed severe limits on hydropower generation. Repairs to the 300MW Unit of the Lakvijaya plant were still ongoing and the CEB expects the plant to become operational again towards the end of next week. At the moment, it is extremely challenging for us to manage during daytime peak hours, CEB spokesman Sulakshana Jayawardena told the Sunday Times. As such, the people will have to face daytime power interruptions when high demand makes it necessary to balance the national grid. Mr Jayawardena, however, said the CEB would not announce a schedule for the power cuts as such interruptions would vary depending on which areas were experiencing the most demand. Hydropower generation was also at just 36 per cent. It was difficult to generate hydropower during the day as water had to be released for cultivation purposes, he said. But we can manage the nighttime peak at the moment as some water is released to us during the night for hydropower generation, the spokesman said. However, the unannounced power cuts were causing severe inconvenience to the people, with some of them lasting more than two hours and happening twice a day. The countrys nighttime peak electricity demand stands at 2,400MW and daytime peak demand between 2,000-2,100MW. The CEB is encouraging those using self-generation schemes to generate their own electricity while also appealing to the people to conserve power. Maldives seeks seat in UN Security Council, unseats its own MPs By Our Diplomatic Editor View(s): View(s): The Maldives has launched a campaign at the United Nations in New York for a two year non-permanent seat in the Security Council but its government deployed troops this week to seize its Parliament the Majlis preventing MPs from taking their seats. Maldivian President Abdulla Yameens military operation was to thwart a vote of no confidence against Majlis Speaker Abdullah Maseeh Mohamed by the increasingly vociferous opposition. This is the first time in its 51-year post-Independence history that Maldives is seeking a place in the 15 member Security Council, the most powerful UN body. Only 20 percent of the UN membership is made up of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In the past 25 years, only six such countries have served in the Security Council. The deployment of troops has been condemned by many countries. British High Commission officials who convened a meeting of the diplomatic community in Colombo this week failed in their efforts to have a joint statement issued expressing concern over the political developments in the archipelago. Thereafter, they condemned the move in the Maldives separately. Ousted President Mohamed Nasheed who was arrested by the present Government in Male and permitted to go to Britain for medical attention has remained there without returning to serve a jail term. Sri Lankas Foreign Ministry has been silent over recent events in the Maldives. There has been no statement articulating the Governments position. A ministry spokesperson told the Sunday Times it has no view on the closure of the Maldivian Parliament. Yet, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement yesterday, within 24 hours of North Korea firing an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile. The Government condemned the move. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake has called off a planned visit to the Maldives. His lawyers had asked for time from the Commission of Inquiry going into the Central Bank bond issue of 2015 and 2016, saying he was due to visit the Maldives. He is, however, expected to testify before the Commission on Wednesday. Ocean-going jumbos possibly disoriented View(s): Wildlife experts have not been able to adequately explain why a few elephants had been sighted in distress in the oceans closer to shore in the east and even in the deep seas. Some suspect they had been disoriented. Elephants are known to be able to negotiate lakes, reservoirs and rivers. Once again, this week, the navy helped to rescue two elephants seen in the waters off Trincomalee. They had been detected by sailors on a patrol boat about one kilometre from shore near Round Island at about 6:30 am onSunday, July 30. A team of divers and three more fast attack craft were called in to guide the jumbos back to land. The divers secured a rope around the elephants to help drag them to shore. The Department of Wildlife Conservation Trinco range office was also alerted to the incident. Around 11:40 am, the two elephants reached the shallow waters around Foul Point in Trincomalee. From there, the wildlife team took control and drove the elephants back to a nearby forest patch. Trincomalee wildlife range officer, K A Srimal, said they were two young elephants and appeared to be in good health. Two weeks ago, the navy helped to pull to shore another elephant which had gone swimming. On July 11, a lookout aboard a Dvora patrol craft saw an object about 8 nautical miles offshore from Kokkuthuduwai in Kokilai at about 9:00am, Lieutenant Commander MBC Perera later recalled. It turned out to be an elephant in distress. The rescue was complicated and dangerous and it took nearly 12 hours, ending only at late at night. He recalled heavy rains at the time and rough seas. Divers called to the scene took major risks trying to wrap a rope around the belly of the beast to help pull it to shore, slowly. Videos show that the creature appeared spent from struggling against strong currents and could not react aggressively to the human presence. A navy diver did however recalled being struck by the struggling elephants foot and being pushed 10 feet under water as he attempted to cast a rope around the animal. It was about 4:00pmwhen the sailors began to haul the animal, stopping on occasions to allow it to catch up. When they reached the shallows, it was7:30 pm. Wildlife officers came in to help once the creature walked on to shore. The elephant was chased back in into the forest around Pulmuddai. Wildlife ranger Mr Srimal said elephants had been seen in inland reservoirs such as Gal Oya, Udawalawe, and Maduru Oya. There are also historical accounts of jumbos swimming on to islands in Trincomalee from the mainland. Howard Martenstyn remembers seeing a swimming pachyderm back in the 1960s when one swam to Elephant Island from the Trinco dockyard area. Elephant researcher Dr Prithiviraj Fernando suspects that the elephant seen far from shore in the deep seas may have been disoriented and was dragged away by a strong ocean current. He also remembers that in 2010, an elephant was seen in the seas near Norway Island off Sampur. It has been a translocated animal and had a radio collar. Dr Fernando believes it ended up in the sea in an attempt to find its way back to home. The elephant, named Brigadier was found dead, later, having fallen into an abandoned agro-well. Petroleum unions hit out at President View(s): Petroleum sector trade unions yesterday accused President Maithripala Sirisena of reneging on a promise that the signing of the Concession Agreement on the Hambantota Port would take place after Tuesday. In a letter to the President, the Petroleum Joint Trade Union Alliance (PJTUA), which led this weeks petroleum strike to protest the deal, said the signing of the agreement before a meeting scheduled for August 1 between the President and trade unions breached the trust placed on the President by the unions. The letter, sent by the Alliances Convener D.J. Rajakaruna, said the trade unions ended their islandwide strike on July 26 after the President promised them another meeting on August 1 at noon along with the three subject Ministers to take a final decision on the issue. Your Excellency told us during the discussion that our proposal for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to take over petroleum facilities at the Hambantota Port can still be considered as the Hambantota Port Concession Agreement regarding the hand over of the port to the Chinese firm had been approved by Cabinet subject to amendments, the letter said. Given that the President had assured them a meeting on August 1, the subsequent statement made by the Prime Minister that the agreement would be signed on Saturday raised suspicions on whether the trust built between the President and the unions had been breached, the letter said. The trade union alliance said it had briefed the President regarding how petroleum facilities at the port would help to sell oil to vessels coming to the Hambantota port and this would be a major boon to the countrys economy in the future. As such, we noted that to hand over such a national asset was an act of treachery. The letter said the unions continued to believe that the agreement would contain provisions enabling the introduction of amendments into the agreement to meet their demands. We hope that the trust placed in Your Excellency by the countrys people and by us will not be broken and that this issue will be resolved during discussions on August 1. However, in the event that this trust is broken, we inform Your Excellency that we will bring together all forces opposed to this act and work together to defeat these efforts, the trade union alliance added. Roads end for major projects: RDA seeks Rs. 60b more By Damith Wickremasekara View(s): View(s): The Road Development Authority (RDA) has appealed to the Treasury for additional urgent funds, amounting to Rs 60 billion, for road projects and warned that otherwise construction activities of major projects could come to a halt. The funding has been requested for land acquisition, for proposed expressway projects, for elevated roads and for payments for work completed by contractors and sub contractors. RDA Chairman Nihal Suriyaarachchi told the Sunday Times the request had been made from Treasury Secretary R.H.S. Samaratunga as funds were urgently required. We will require the funds in the next few weeks to continue with the work. Some of the projects may come to a halt if the funds are not received, he said. However, Dr. Samaratunga told the Sunday Times that only Rs 120 billion had been allocated to the Ministry of Highways for the year and it was expected to manage its budget within the allocation. He said the Government would require an allocation of about Rs 40 billion for flood and landslide affected areas and funds were found by imposing a 10 percent cut on the allocation for ministries. He said that in addition, funds would be needed to give compensation to tens of thousands of people affected by the Uma Oya project and by the drought. It will not be possible to collect funds from ministries to provide for road projects. However, Parliament will have to decide if allocations could be made, he said. The RDA Chairman said that at present work related to180 kms of expressway projects was underway in addition to the Rajagiriya elevated road, for which the deadline had been brought forward to December this year from December next year. He said one of the proposals put forward was to allocate money from unutilised funds from various other projects of ministries. The Sunday Times learns that the Government is now paying compensation for land acquired for the Central Expressway project. Nostalgic journey into colourful railway past View(s): In time for the 150th anniversary of the day (August 1, 1867) when the first train steamed into Kandy, the National Trust of Sri Lanka has published Ceylon Railway Heritage. This magnificently produced book of 208 (A4 size) pages packed with rare photographs and full of fascinating, if arcane, facts, has been sponsored by the Browns Group. Its credentials as an authoritative volume are enhanced by the knowledge and reputation of its authors, K.A.D. Nandasena and Vinodh Wickremeratne. Wickremeratne is known for his enthusiasm for the railways of Sri Lanka, the study of which has been his passion and hobby for 50 years. He turned his interest in trains into founding the Model Railway Club in 1983 and setting up the Ceylon Railways Enthusiasts Circle in 2009. In 2012 he started the semi-annual magazine, Lanka Railway Digest. Nandasena, the books co-author, joined the Ceylon Government Railway (CGR) in 1968, retiring 42 years later as the Bridge Engineer. He brings to this book a hands-on experience of the technical aspects of the railways throughout Sri Lanka. The combined expertise of dedicated rail fan and astute rail man guarantee the authenticity of this book. But what, I wondered, about its readability? No need to worry! This is a book that can easily be enjoyed in a single sitting (perhaps on a train journey) or to dip into for sheer nostalgic pleasure. Its factual and serious but with occasional wry comments, such as the photo caption that reads: The present Rambukkana station unsympathetically painted in recent times. Moreover, the authors quietly debunk one of the most famous legends of the CGR: the building of the Nine Arches Bridge at Gotuwela between Ella and Demodara.The tale is that there was no steel available for anchoring the bridges support columns to the ground so the British engineers gave up in despair. Folklore claims that a villager, P.K. Appuhami, the contractor for the lines local labour force, took on the job. In a book I wrote about Sri Lanka Railways in 2014, I repeated the myth :Appuhami gathered all his labourers and villagers who began by manhandling large rocks and toppling them into the ravine until they filled up the bottom. He then followed the engineers designs, supervising the building of stone columns and arches on the rock bed. Nandasena and Wickremeratne expose that as fiction. They have uncovered the plans and an engineering paper published about the building of the bridge, which was completed in 1919, by Harold Cuthbert Marwood, the Executive Engineer, Railway Construction. They point out that he designed and constructed the bridge intentionally without steel, using a method that was 200 years old. The foundation of all nine arches of the viaduct rest on firm laterite (kabook) stones. The authors state that this magnificent engineering marvel designed by Marwood made with materials of limited strength and with uncommon materials compared with modern construction materials has stood for over 95 years and therefore needs to be declared a protected monument of Sri Lanka. I mention this to illustrate the thoroughness of research as well as the depth of information in this book; its no surprise that it took four years to complete. The foreword, by Professor Nimal De Silva, President of the National Trust, states that the National Trust of Sri Lanka was set up in 2005 with the intention of providing a forum for professionals and the general public to subscribe to Sri Lankas heritage values. He adds: The authors, with their lifetime association with the railways, have tried to showcase in one volume the saga covering different facets of Ceylons railway to reveal the glorious and colourful past of a bygone era, memories and physical elements of which are rapidly fading in the context of modernisation. In this, they have succeeded. Whatever ones views are about the British occupation of Ceylon, Sri Lanka benefits today from its inheritance of the railway network built by the British. With improved investment, upgrading and maintenance, the railways could play an even greater part in the future prosperity of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, it is thanks to enthusiasts such as the authors of this book and the National Trust that efforts continue to record and preserve this islands railway heritage before it rusts into oblivion. The book takes the reader on a trip not just through the history of rail travel before the railways came to Ceylon but also on a journey by train throughout Sri Lanka. The known facts are remembered, such as the main line ascends from almost sea level to the summit of 6,226 feet at Pattipola, the highest point reached by any 5ft 6in broad gauge railway anywhere in the world. Plus the information that the gradient of 1:44 from Nawalapitiya to Badulla is the steepest anywhere in the world on a broad gauge railway. But there are forgotten facts too such as the original (1903 to 1948) Uda Pussellawa Railway of 2ft 6in narrow gauge track at Kandapola station, was 90ft higher than the railways elevation at Pattipola. We learn also that the trip by train to Kandy 150 years ago took four and a half hours with a fare of six shillings and three pence for Third Class travel; and three times that for First Class. We are told that the present Colombo Fort station is not the original one, but the third, opened in 1917. (Any centenary celebration planned?) The station for Colombo Fort (to serve the coast line) was at the location of the present Secretariat Halt. It was a timber construction and operated from 1878 to 1883 before the second Fort station was erected behind Lake House and used until mid 1910. The writing style conveys technical matters in an uncomplicated manner so the general reader quickly feels involved. At times the narrative is startlingly graphic, as when the authors write (about the mainline to Kandy after tunnel 9A): In contrast to the scenic view on the opposite side of the carriages is an unending canopy of a semi-curved ledge hewn out of the living rock to permit the train to crawl along the precipitous rock surface extending vertically with a thousand feet of natural walling. This book has inspired me to try some rail journeys again, before they are modernised. The run from Kandy to Matale sounds intriguing as it is described as a living museum with columned stations and earlier-patterned semaphore signalsOn this line there are several halts serving old style hamlets as there are no other modes of access to these villages. Like many rail buffs I am fascinated by steam locomotives and the authors obligingly explain just how a steam train works. Their enthusiasm for diesel locomotives, however, is so infectious they have stirred my interest in historical and current diesel engines as well. The authors have undertaken a difficult task and done it well, presenting a true picture of Ceylons railway heritage. Chapters include Tea and the Railway, Engineering Feats, Films, Stamps and Literary Records on the Railway, Historical Railway Accidents and the revealing (and unexpected) Socio-Cultural Aspects Associated with the Railways. The engrossing text is illustrated with some amazing photographs both of old rail scenes and impressive diesel locos. Its a book for anyone whos ever been fascinated by trains and will surely trigger new respect and appreciation for this countrys railway heritage. Book Facts Ceylon Railway Heritage, by K.A.D. Nandasena and Vinodh Wickre-meratne. National Trust, Rs 4,000. Reviewed by Royston Ellis Through the eyes of a pioneering forensic architect By Smriti Daniel View(s): View(s): Today, Prof.EyalWeizman will deliver the 18th Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust Lecture at the BMICH. Its open to all, and you should go. From experience, I can tell you thatWeizmans work is both provocative and significant. We met when the Israeli professor was a speaker at the Falling Walls conference in Berlin. The conference is held every year on November 9, to mark the fall of the Berlin Wall but in 2016, on the morning of the main sessions, the crowd was also anxiously awaiting the results of the US elections. This was an audience made up for most part of scientists, technology entrepreneurs and policy makersvery few of whom were likely to cheer a Trump victory. As the news came in, the chairman of the Nobel Foundations board of directors, Carl-Henrik Heldin who was standing on the fringes of that crowd, expressed his frank dismay to a journalist from The Guardian: I see a movement towards right-wing populism and isolationism and anti-intellectualism. We move away from logical thinking and rationalism towards a very uncertain direction. Amidst the prevailing anxiety, Weizmann offered a tempered response. As someone who had immersed himself in the evidence of the carnage wrecked by Obamas drone programme, Weizman was of the opinion all governments have some things in common. There is too much emphasis being put on good leaders versus bad leaders, he told the Sunday Times, in an interview given on the side-lines of the conference. Experience has made Weizman something of a cynic on the subject of governments. The team at Forensic Architecturethe independent research agency Weizman founded in 2010often appear before international courts, political and legal forums, truth commissions and in human rights reports. Weizman has never worked in Sri Lanka but he remembers January 2009, when he saw two conflicts in full swing: the end of the Israeli invasion into Gaza and the beginning of the last stage of the war in the north of this island. I was following Gaza closely with dismay and concern for the Palestinian civilians under ruthless bombing there but was aware, through the international press, of the intensification of the war in Sri Lanka, says Weizman. He saw how each conflict was rooted in its own history and contingencies. They seemed to him to almost talk to each other. The conversation occurred in the language of bombs but also in the language of justification. From there emerged the Israeli and Sri Lankan options for counter insurgency. When the dust settled on the ruins of Gaza, it revealed widespread damageand the need to investigate why and how it had been wrought. With no roadmap to guide them, Weizman and his colleagues had to develop their own tools, their own language as it were. It was the first time that human rights organisations started a systematic reading of buildings for traces of what happened around them, he says. Weizman argues that forensic architecture is a contemporary form of archaeologyan archaeology of our present for a global era of urban warfare with the aim of holding actors to account for hurting civiliansan optics through which to see a world in conflict. Since those early years, their work has included investigations into torture and detention in the Cameroon, the loss of lives as authorities left boats packed with refugees adrift in the Mediterranean and the deaths linked to environmental violence in Indonesia and Guatemala. They have catalogued the aftermath of multiple cases of covert drone strikes in Yemen, Syria, Somalia and Palestine. Says Weizman now:We can see that any way states are in the business of killing and in the business of denying those killings. Based at Goldsmiths, University of London, Forensic Architectures teams vary greatly between assignments. Interdisciplinary units have included architects, coders, artists, scholars, journalists, sculptors, filmmakers, archaeologists, lawyers, and scientists. Weizman himself is a trained architect. Growing up in the city of Haifa in Israel, he says he saw early on the injustice being done to his Palestinian neighbours, and it sowed the seeds of what would become his career. I was trained as an architect through a very long and expensive education, he says. I would have loved to have been a practising architect and to build beautiful things, but sometimes certain political realities force you to use the tools of your trade in a very different way. In Gaza, the built environment is riddled with the evidence Weizman is looking for. For reports and documentaries, the Israeli professor looked out on surrounding urban landscapes to identify the elements of an architecture of occupation. He saw how Israeli homes in Gaza were like optical instruments, laid in rings on hilltops so as to better enable surveillance. Fences, blockades, highways, settlements and checkpoints were deployed to shrink and expand the terrain at will. Weizman also studied how public space and private space could be turned inside out when state forces broke through walls and invaded private homes, using their new vantage points to monitor narrow streets and launch attacks on opposing soldiers. In such encounters, civilians were stripped of the protection of their homes and left vulnerable. Forensic architecture, the discipline in which Weizman is a pioneer, works across a spectrum: there is the physical evidence such as the scorch marks of shrapnel or the rubble in the aftermath of a drone strike; there is photographic evidence collected through social media or satellite imagery and then there are witness testimonies that are collated through processes of memory reconstruction. Working with the team, witnesses have sometimes been able to recall details of even very traumatic moments through the use of 3-D architectural models and reconstructions. Inherent in all these approaches is a kind of uncertainty. Weizman must contend with fake images online, and shaky witnesses and yet present a case that can stand up to trial. Often the team works by finding ways to anchor their evidencefor instance, by pairing social media footage of bomb strikes in Gaza with the clouds of smokes appearing from these same strikes in satellite imagery, Forensic Architecture were able to construct a timeline and even identify bombs used in the attack. These findingswith their disquieting and sometimes heart-breaking implicationsonly fuel Weizmans determination to unearth what evidence he can, using whatever means are at hand. My understanding is of science and technology is that they have to come into being and mobilize from a political perspective, says Weizman. There is no point in my opinion, in being the objective, neutral scientist. We are working always on behalf of victims in trying to get accountability for them. Lecture today The 18th Neelan Tiruchelvam Memorial Lecture titled Forensic Architecture: Space and Violence in Palestine and Beyond will be delivered by Professor Eyal Weizman, Professor of Spatial and Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK today, Sunday, July 30, at 6 p.m. at the BMICH, Committee Room A (Jasmine). The lecture is open to all. Chinese property mogul from Macau convicted for corrupting the UN From Kapila Bandara in Hong Kong View(s): View(s): A Macau billionaire who is a high-profile political adviser in China and whose bribery case shed light on corruption at the United Nations was convicted this week for corrupting the global body with kickbacks to diplomats including former UN General Assembly president, John Ashe from Antigua and Barbuda. Ng Lap-seng, a Chinese real estate mogul from the Chinese city of Macau, the gambling haven, turned the UN into his private band of profiteers, US prosecutors said after his conviction for bribery and money laundering on Thursday in a Manhattan court. He will be sentenced later and was denied bail. Ng had cooked up elaborate schemes to bribe some of the most high profile UN figures. His bribes scheme included a setting up an NGO in the US, through which he funneled his own cash to UN diplomats to achieve his grand, personal ambitions. The multimillion-dollar corruption took place during the tenure of the then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Ban, a South Korean, held office from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2016 and on June 21, 2011, was re-elected for a second term. When the Macau tycoon Ng was escorted to court in December 2015 a few months after his arrest, he had the nerve to demand through his lawyers that the trial start immediately. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told court that Ngs businesses are beginning to suffer substantial setbacks. Its not fair. Were asking for an immediate trial, Reuters reported him as telling court at the time. Ng was not going anywhere in a hurry. He was denied bail and confined to an apartment. But in his haste, Ng seemed to have changed his business suit into a prison jumpsuit. Ng was convicted in the United States after a four-week trial on six counts of bribery of more than US$ 1.3 million (Rs 199.8 million) to UN diplomats. After his conviction in a Manhattan court, acting U.S. Attorney Joon H Kim said in a statement: In his unbridled pursuit of even greater personal fortune, billionaire Ng Lap-seng 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. Ngs journey from a Macau real estate mogul to convicted felon should serve as a cautionary tale to all tempted to follow his path. Assistant U.S. Attorney Janis Echenberg said Ng corrupted the United Nations The Associated Press reported her as saying on Thursday. Ng, who headed the Sun Kian Ip Group, conspired with and paid bribes to Francis Lorenzo, a former UN ambassador from the Dominican Republic, and John W Ashe, the late former permanent representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN and the 68th President of the UN General Assembly. With the assistance of Jeff C Yin, an accountant and co-conspirator who worked with Ng and others and previously pleaded guilty, Ng orchestrated a scheme to get UN blessing for a multibillion dollar Macau Conference Centre that he hoped to build in Macau using the Macau Real Estate Development Company. Ng wanted the centre to serve as a location for meetings, discussions, forums, and other events associated with the UN. In particular, he wanted it to serve as the permanent home of the annual Global South-South Development Expo, which is run by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, and is hosted in a different country or city every year, the US Department of Justice said. Ng agreed to and did bribe ambassador Ashe and ambassador Lorenzo in exchange for their agreement to use their official positions to advance Ngs interest in obtaining formal UN support for the Macau Conference Center. Ng made the payment to the envoys in a variety of forms. He appointed Lorenzo as the president of South-South News, a New York-based organisation funded by Ng which described itself as a media platform dedicated to advancing the implementation of the UNs Millennium Development Goals, the US Justice Department said. Ng handed out bribes to Lorenzo through South-South News, as well as, among other things, by transmitting payments from Macau to a company in the Dominican Republic affiliated with Lorenzos brother. Through South-South News, Ng also made payments to Ashe, including to Ashes wife, who was paid in her capacity as a consultant to South-South News, and to an account that Ashe had set up, purportedly to raise money for his role as president of UN General Assembly. Ng also gave bribes through cash and wire payments to Ashe and Lorenzo. The UN diplomats who took the bribes agreed to advance Macau tycoon Ngs objectives to submit an official document to the then Secretary-General Ban in support of the Macau Conference Centre. Ashe and Lorenzo submitted an official document to Ban in support of the Macau Conference Centre. The UN document claimed that there was a need to build the Macau Conference Centre to support the UNs global development goals. Ashe, aided by Lorenzo, submitted the UN document to the UN General Assembly in or about late February 2012, the US Justice Department said. More than a year later, at Ngs behest, the diplomats revised the UN document to refer specifically to Ngs company, the Macau Real Estate Development Company, as a partner in the Macau Conference Center project. The document requested that Ban circulate the document as a document of the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly, under a specific item of the official UN General Assembly agenda. Ban followed this request and made the document an official part of the UN General Assembly record. Ashe, who became UN General Assembly president in 2013, died last year. He was arrested but not charged. Lorenzo was charged and pleaded guilty to bribery, money laundering, tax fraud and illegal bank accounts. He then testified against the Macau tycoon Ng. Another Chinese woman, Yan Shiwei, aka Sheri Yan, the co-founder and former chief executive officer of the Global Sustainability Foundation, was jailed a year ago to 20 months in prison for paying more than US$800,000 in bribes to Ashe. She pleaded guilty in January 2016. Chinese woman Heidi Hong Piao, aka Heidi Park also pleaded guilty. Lankan-born Bala Gnanapragasam elected Vice President of the Methodist Conference for 2018/19 View(s): The Methodist Conference has elected the Revd Michaela Youngson to serve as President, and Bala Gnanapragasam to serve as Vice-President, starting their year of office when the Representative Session of the Methodist Conference meets in Nottingham next year. Sri Lankan-born Bala Gnanapragasam believes strongly in the mission and social justice. He serves on the board of Christian Aid and MHA (formerly known as Methodist Homes for the Aged). He is also a trustee of the London HIV/Aids Chaplaincy. He was the first Synod Secretary for the London District. Bala came to the UK in the 1960s and has previously served as an elected councillor for the London Borough of Lewisham. He has also served as the Chair of University Hospital Lewisham. Bala said: It is both humbling and an honour to be elected to this position. I look forward to serving our great Church. Michaela has been Chair of the London District since 2012. With a passion for social justice and for developing strong ecumenical relationships, Michaela is committed to working within the diverse and rich context of the Connexion. She is a regular contributor to the BBC Radio 2 Early Breakfast Shows Pause for Thought. The role of President of the Methodist Conference is reserved for presbyters (ministers) and Vice-President for lay people or deacons. Vatican award for Lankan book View(s): Gwen Herat has been honoured by the Vatican for a book she wrote, Pope Francis, Hope for Christian Unity. The award is one of three awards given annually to outstanding people who are recognised for artistic and literary works. She received a bronze medal, crafted and executed by the renowned artist, Alessia Di Giuseppe bearing the Vatican crest. It came as a pleasant surprise to Ms. Herat as she never imagined an award for a book she wrote towards fostering Christian unity of a divided church when she saw Pope Francis as the only person who can do it. The book, presented to Pope Francis by the Vatican Representative in Switzerland, was chosen as one among the ten outstanding books written on Pope Francis from around the world. The book features a brief history of the Vatican along with contributions by different churches that make up the worlds Christian population and has colour photographs taken at different stages of the Popes life. Whither Lankas strategy to become an ed. hub By Prof. Amal Kumarage and Prof. Nelson Perera View(s): View(s): The vision of the Ministry of Highways and Higher Education is for Sri Lanka to be an international hub of excellence for higher education by 2020. Sri Lanka which seeks to build a knowledge-based economy should pursue this vision with all its vigour. The spin offs in technological innovation and industry collaboration have knock-on effects on the economy as a complementary industry such as in Dubai and Qatar which in fact refer to them as knowledge or innovation hubs. Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Qatar as well as Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates have succeeded in creating education hubs over the last two decades. Many others aspirants such as Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Taiwan, South Korea, Bhutan and Bahrain are yet to succeed. The distinction between success and failure depends on how vision is aligned to government policy, regulation and the strategic plan. Education as a global industry There are globally over four million international students with UK, USA and Australia being the three leading destinations. All these countries have well-established universities, some dating back to the 19th century, attracting high performing students from around the world. Most such universities were state sponsored or were set up under charitable trusts as non-profit seeking institutions. In Asia, modern universities began replacing traditional academic institutions mostly in the early 20th century. As countries like Sri Lanka with extremely competitive education sectors and socioeconomic inequity issues started introducing quotas and restrictions for state university placements, parents with financial means began to consider sending their children to private or foreign universities. Many such students however have continued to work and live in those countries such as Australia, Canada and the UK enriching their talent base and contributing to education sector earnings exceeding five percent of the GDP. However this has also turned education from a public service to a profit-making business thus challenging the deep-rooted and sacred image of education in society. Potential for Sri Lanka Sri Lankas potential to become an international education hub arises from opportunities and attributes it possess, the most important of which are: a) Geographic location, market size and accessibility Singapore used its location between India and China to attract students from both countries. The hubs in the middle-east are strategically located between Asia, Europe and Africa while Hong Kong, Singapore, and the middle-eastern countries have shown that even a geographically and demographically small country can develop hubs provided they have the market. Similarly, Sri Lanka has a splendid opportunity to position itself within the South Asian market. b) Cultural compatibility The host country should offer some degree of commonality and compatibility with the source countries. For example, Malaysia attracts many students from the Middle-East, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Maldives while UAE, attracts students from surrounding countries. The traditional educational destinations such as USA, Canada, UK and Australia attracted students from other English speaking countries, while France did the same for French speaking countries. It is important for Sri Lanka to position itself to offer a multicultural compatibility if it intends to attract foreign students from South Asia or any other region. c) Reputation for scholarship and research Opportunity is enhanced when there are reputed and high ranked universities to provide the nucleus of the scholarship. In a small country, this is likely to come from improving local universities as opposed to attracting foreign universities. Most education hubs including Singapore, Hong Kong and China have used local universities in building this reputation in terms of world university rankings. Dubai and Qatar attained success without a lead local university, but invested in rebuilding universities pursuing internal and external accreditation. However in their case, there was a captive market of expatriates as a starting point. Sri Lanka in order to achieve its vision by 2020 has no option but to propel a few selected leading State universities to build this reputation such as the IITs have done in India. A strong research culture enhances the reputation of a hub, necessary to attract high quality academics and students from other countries. Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong invests 1-2% of the GDP on research. In Sri Lanka there is little motivation or compulsion for the private degree awarding institutions to engage in research. The current level of state and industry partnership in research in Sri Lanka is minimal, flagging this as a major disadvantage. d) Prospect of work and migration The ability to provide internships, post qualifying work experiences, work visas and potential immigration prospects is a key opportunity. This may be possible in countries which have a declining birth rate. While almost all the well-established education hubs have made it a well-used immigration gateway, of the newly established hubs, Singapore follows suit while Malaysia is also cautiously opening doors. Sri Lanka needs to debate and decide if it will allow such visas as it will increase the potential several-fold. Does Sri Lanka need an education hub? The decision for Sri Lanka to become an education hub should be made with a clear policy and set of objectives. Comparative study of other countries show that (a)developing the higher education sector to improve local talent, (b)developing the higher education sector to attract foreign earnings and (c)to attract talent to develop a knowledge rich economy have all been valid reasons. Countries that have successfully created education hubs have adopted a combination of strategies to achieve their objectives, chief among which is to develop the already established local universities. The case for developing local universities Most countries have State universities, with others having private institutions operating with or without government sponsorship. A fundamental strategic decision faced by any government desiring to develop an education hub is what it intends to do with the existing higher education institutes. State owned or sponsored universities in addition to funding constraints may also face other institutional problems such as student unrest and misalignment of programs to market conditions. Governments may also not possess the required political will or strength to systematically resolve such issues or be willing to make large public investments in education in the face of other important or urgent needs. Singapore took the first steps of developing the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Nanyang Technology University (NTU) by increasing state funding and attracting top academics which resulted in them becoming world class universities within a few decades. Hong Kong also followed the same path, competing with Singapore for academic achievement, and has now produced several top tier universities. Singapores universities are now actively collaborating with other leading universities across the world thus benchmarking their universities with those outside Asia, to ensure sustainability as a leading international education hub. Malaysia on the other hand looked towards the private sector to develop such institutions by attracting foreign institutions. Sri Lanka: Vision without policy? Sri Lanka does not actually have any private universities only degree awarding institutes. SAITM which is in the news is one such institute. But there are several others offering degrees mostly in the sciences and management. Thus if Sri Lanka is to pursue a vision of becoming an international education hub by 2020 (or even later), it needs to make a policy decision if it should like Singapore lay the foundation by improving the State universities or like Malaysia look chiefly to the private sector to provide the pull. The SAITM debate brings in to focus the lack of political consensus on this issue and the reluctance to make a firm decision. While this state of uncertainty in recognising private universities continues, so does the absence of a strategy to enable State universities to provide the lead in forming the education hub, a state of confusion that is unlikely to produce tangible results making Sri Lanka lose yet another global economic and social opportunity. Some essential policy initiatives Strong public endorsement The SAITM debate represents the diverse views in a nation on the merits of education as a public good or it being a private good. A policy or political initiative on creating an education hub should be accepted and actively supported by society at large and not merely by those who are positively or negatively affected. While it should primarily seek to provide greater access to local students especially for courses for which there is a demand such as medicine and engineering, finding overseas students for courses in faculties that have unfilled places may be a socially acceptable compromise position. Promoting post graduate courses is another intervention. Internationalise learning environments Many developing countries have regulations that curtail provision of private and fee levying higher education and admission of foreign students to state universities. Malaysia changed its legal framework in 1996 and Singapore also decided to strategically invite world-class and reputable universities from abroad to set up campuses. Hong Kong adopted a different approach where private institutions could easily enter or exit the market. However in both cases, these countries have allowed large foreign student populations in universities which in turn have improved the quality of education for local students. Achieve low program delivery costs The education provision should be made economically efficient and competitive with other education hubs. Malaysia, developing its education hub in the shadow of both Singapore and Hong Kong, by exploiting its relatively lower delivery costs to carve out a niche in the market. Sri Lankan universities have a low cost of delivery which is a key advantage yet to be exploited to develop a knowledge hub especially in attracting students from South Asia. Develop specialisation A hub may also gather reputation for specialisations. Some countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and Russia have developed specialisation in medicine. Malaysia plans to specialise in niche disciplines such as Islamic finance and halal supply chain catering mostly to the students from Islamic countries. It has been found that most Asian countries pursue developing science and technology programs and that less attention has been given to humanities and social sciences disciplines without which sustained development would be difficult. Sri Lanka has a strong reputation for analytical skills, aesthetic and cultural studies which can be developed into unique programs. Achieve quality student services and environment The US, Canada, Europe and Australia have well developed services for student application processing, visa applications and for finding accommodation. Attractive and safe living environments are contributory to a students choice of destination for foreign study. The quality of student accommodation facilities, transport, campus facilities including learning support systems also get included in the decision making process. Many countries are creating special purpose facilities such as the EduCity Iskandar in Malaysia, while Singapore is clustering universities and other educational institutes in an area called Nepal Hill, with the purpose of fulfilling these service and environmental needs. Create strong regulatory environment The US, Canada, Europe and Australia have well developed internal accreditation bodies for approval of degree awarding institutions and universities. Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar and UAE have independent quality assurance bodies to accredit degree offering institutions. These bodies evaluate the governance structures, key personnel, qualifications of teaching staff and quality of the programs and student facilities before granting licences to operate in those countries for a specified period. Therefore in Sri Lanka, it is necessary for the proposed legislation to create strong regulatory institution for accreditation of universities and institutions. Conclusion The vision of creating an education hub is far too important an opportunity for Sri Lanka to lose. It should target creating more opportunities for developing local talent while attracting high performing international students with affordable program and living costs. However managing the public perceptions of creating a successful hub will be challenging. In the first instance the benefits to society and the economy should be well articulated to get whole-hearted public endorsement. This should be followed by a strategic development process that identifies the most appropriate institutional building blocks which given the Sri Lankan context, is to select a few State Universities to offer niche programs having an international demand and/or programs for which local demand is waning. The mandate for creating private universities needs a firm social acceptance and legislative underpinning. Moreover, the path to a knowledge hub should extend well beyond an education hub and needs to be supported by a reliable quality assurance regime, increased research funding, support services and compatible visa schemes for international students and marketing in countries that are likely to patronise Sri Lanka considering proximity and cultural compatibility, which invariably leads to the already highly competitive markets in South Asia. (Amal Kumarage is a professor at the University of Moratuwa and Nelson Perera is a professor at the University of Wollongong, Australia) Last years Inspire Awards speaker former Inspire Woman of the Year winner Donde Plowman urged more than 500 attendees at the annual awards lunch to Start something. We did just that in 2015 with our inaugural Inspire Awards program, honoring some of the most important and influential women in our community serving in business, government, philanthropy, education, health care and more. Its a chance to recognize women making positive impacts on Lincoln, along with young women preparing for leadership roles. And we couldnt be more excited to do it again. The Journal Star couldnt do this without the help of our sponsors: Union Bank & Trust, Woods & Aitken LLP, University of Nebraska and NU Online, Liberty First, Husker Auto Group, Dillards and Stem Gallery. Thank you to our current sponsors and those to come. We couldnt do it without the help of our Inspire advisory board, either. Thanks to returning members Barbara Bartle, President, Lincoln Community Foundation; Pamela Bourne, Partner, Woods & Aitken, LLP; Ann Chang, Artistic Director, Lied Center for Performing Arts, Associate Professor of Practice (piano, entrepreneurship) Glenn Korff School of Music; Jenni Christiansen, Commercial Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Bank; Connie Duncan, Duncan Family Trust, Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education; L. Shanna Letcher, Advocate for African American Students, Lincoln Public Schools; Jackie Ostrowicki, Assistant Vice President for University Affairs and Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications, University of Nebraska; Lisa Smith, Investment Consultant, Smith Hayes; Ava Thomas, President and Publisher, Lincoln Journal Star; Natalia Wiita, Vice President of Sales, Lincoln Journal Star; Katie Zulkoski, Lawyer and Lobbyist, Zulkoski Weber LLC; and new 2017 Inspire board members Michelle St. Clair, Director, Branch Banking, First National Bank; and Kelli King, Director, William H. Thompson Scholars Learning Community, University of Nebraska. And we couldnt do it without your help. Were still accepting nominations for all award categories, and wed love to hear from you about the women you see making an impact on our community. This is the final week for nominations, so please log on to nominate the women who have inspired you. And finally, wed love to see your faces at this years awards lunch Sept. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cornhusker Marriott. Tickets and nomination forms are available online at journalstar.com/inspire/. Im thrilled to announce this years speaker is Marianne Worthington, founder of Work Warrior LLC, a company that trains managers and small-business owners in the necessities of team management, and co-founder of Revo, an organization that provides resources for social entrepreneurs and nonprofits solving local problems using smart business models. Marianne has presented on leadership topics to more than 10,000 people in nearly every state, and she's also a TEDx Speaker. Last years Woman of the Year was Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President Wendy Birdsall. Other winners were: * Beatty Brasch, executive director of the Center for People in Need: Excellence in Philanthropy. * Christie Hinrichs, president and CEO of Tabitha: Excellence in Business (Large). * Lynn Ayers, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center: Excellence in Business (Small to Medium). * Lyn Wineman, president and chief strategist of KidGlov: Excellence in Entrepreneurship. * Dr. Tracy Bender, occupational therapist, Lymphedema and Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist, Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center: Excellence in Health care. * Leirion Gaylor Baird, chairwoman, Lincoln City Council: Excellence in Government Service. * Pat Leach, library director, Lincoln City Libraries: Excellence in Education. * AshLea Allberry, 100s of Women Who Care: Founders Award. * Lauren Mosser, senior, Lincoln Southeast High School: Future Business Leader & Scholarship ($5,000). I look forward to seeing you at this years lunch when we honor a new group of inspiring women. Bay of Plenty artist Graham Mr G Hoete is usually known for transforming old barns and water tanks into beautiful pieces of art. But recently hes taken to painting livestock fibreglass imitations, that is. At last months Fieldays, Mr G painted three fibreglass cows, which now sit outside Matamatas Farmlands Real Estate, Waikato ASB, and Waikato FMG. It is part of a larger artistic campaign in which Mr G will travel New Zealand, painting locally-inspired murals on 15 Farmlands stores. Matamata Farmlands Ian Morgan won the pink and black cow, dubbed Moonique, in a Trade Me auction. Ian told The Waikato Times that after meeting the artist and watching the cows being painted, he really wanted to try and win the auction and own the remaining cow. "It was more about the artists and understanding who he is from talking to him at Fieldays, says Ian. "Looking at the cow and how he has painted it - you can connect his philosophy of art with that cow. "He said this is how he sees a cow in his artist world. "So I thought I would have a crack at it (the auction) and have our own Mr G cow. Its created a bit of banter between Morrinsville and Matamata Farmland stores." But Ian says this is not in any way trying to replicate the cows on the streets of Morrinsville. "This is just art," he says. "Cows are important to Matamata, just like Morrinsville, but it is not like trying to be like our neighbours. "Its the weirdest-looking coloured cow you could ever expect to see," he laughs. Ian says while bidding on the cow, he hadnt really considered what he would do with it. "I thought lets take it to the office, put it out on the sidewalk and see how people engage with it." He said on the first day tourists came out of Momento to see it and take photos of it. "For people who visit our community and havent seen cows, this is pretty exciting for them." - Stuff Te Wharekura o Mauao is marking five years at its Bethlehem campus, in which time the school has gone from strength to strength. Prior to 2012, the Maori medium school was run from a temporary facility provided by what was then known as the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (now Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology). Initially the school began with 30 Year 7-9 students, but now has a roll of 220. Its classed as a special character school which any student of any ethnicity may attend, so long as they embrace an immersive curriculum of te reo and tikanga Maori. Principal Koa Douglas says kura such as theirs are increasingly becoming the springboard for the revitalisation of te reo Maori. It connects students with their heritage, too. We see many parents sending their kids here because they want their children to be connected with the Maori world. Assistant principal Heywood Kuka says the schools students are achieving above the national average. Were disappointed if we dont reach close to a 100 per cent pass rate, he says. Our NCEA statistics show students in Maori medium schools are high achievers. Last year all Year 13 students left school with NCEA Level 3. The school roll continues to grow, with more than 60 new enrolments this year a 30 per cent increase on 2016. The choice of site on the corner of Bethlehem Rd and Westmorland Rise initially faced resistance from locals, principally those in the Mayfield subdivision. Some residents were concerned traffic in the area would increase, while others worried their house prices would fall. That still reverberates in our school community, says Koa. But this is us standing up to the naysayers and showing how well were doing. Having said that, our relationship with our neighbours is one of positivity and collaboration. Today, the median house price in Bethlehem is $744,750. In a new world of cyberattacks engineered by bad actors as well as mischief-makers, the Lincoln Electric System is a target. LES is part of the nation's interconnected electrical grid, and that critical national infrastructure is a rich target for nation-states, terrorists and international criminals. There's a lot more that LES Administrator and CEO Kevin Wailes can't tell us, but he can tell us that the utility has invested $7 million to $8 million to enhance security and that LES defends itself from an astounding number of potential breaches of computer security. "Probably 70 percent of the bad things that happen result from bad cyber hygiene," Wailes said. "Folks sloppy with passwords; some not logging out of their computers." LES is aggressively working to correct that piece of the security problem, but it's the outside actors who pose the looming threat. Do we know of attempts from other countries? "Yes," Wailes said. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy issued a warning that the nation's critical infrastructure is in "imminent danger" of a cyberattack that could have devastating consequences. "The current cybersecurity landscape is characterized by rapidly evolving threats and vulnerabilities, juxtaposed against the slower-moving deployment of defense measures," the department said. Such an attack could at least temporarily cripple the economy, endanger health and safety, and even undermine critical defense infrastructure, the DOE stated. "I have a playbook set up for different events," Wailes said during an early-morning interview on a hot July day that would send temperatures soaring above 100 degrees, providing a timely reminder that access to electrical power sometimes can be the difference between life and death. "The economy, health, quality of life depends on what we do," he said. "The hallmark of our industry is reliability." In its simplest and most basic terms, that means "keep the lights on," Wailes said. The threat to electric utilities has evolved dramatically and exponentially, he said. "It used to be squirrels; now it's cyber, physical, severe weather amplified," Wailes said. "Cyber and kinetic." A crippling cyberattack took down critical infrastructure in Ukraine last month. In May, coordinated WannaCry ransomware attacks in 150 countries held medical records in Britain's National Health Service hospitals hostage, endangering patients' lives. A threat is looming out there. "Industry and government are working together" now to confront that threat, Wailes said. "But everything is not working perfectly; it's an evolving process." Wailes is deeply engaged in that effort as vice chair of the national Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council, which develops strategic plans and actions to protect electric utility infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. "There's a lot of angst that the industry is not doing a sufficient job in protecting reliability," he said. But a strong relationship has evolved between the electricity industry and the Department of Homeland Security, Wailes said. And the Department of Defense has weighed in with "a strong presence," he said. "Government has lots of tools and information on threats (that) we don't have access to," Wailes said. "We need to work together. "We need to work on resiliency and recovery," he said. "We've formed a cyber mutual aid group to lend assistance. "If there's a massive cyberattack, the concern is we don't have the bench strength. So tons of efforts are going on now. "We've made lots of strides," he said. "There's lots to be done." LES now has "one of the highest reliability numbers in the country," Wailes said. "We try not to make ourselves a target." "Seven years ago, we didn't have a cybersecurity staff. We do now." The best protection is to "block access," and let the good stuff in, Wailes said. "But all you need is a computer to create havoc. "It's a new world." Binghamton has a new AHL team, and appropriately enough, a brand new logo to represent it. The Binghamton Devils have moved into that city, an affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. New Jersey was previously affiliated with Albany, which lost its AHL franchise. The Binghamton Devils unveiled their new logo and uniforms on Saturday. The uniforms, of course, closely resemble the New Jersey Devils' new Adidas threads. Binghamton was previously the farm team of Ottawa, and played as the Binghamton Senators. But Ottawa packed up its affiliate and moved it to Belleville, Ont., starting in the 2017-18 season. SYRACUSE, NY -- Little Free Libraries are moving into Central New York, 30 within 20 miles of the City of Syracuse since 2012. Little Free Libraries are free neighborhood book exchanges designed to inspire a love of reading, build community, and spark creativity. The libraries were started in 2009 by Todd Bol and Rick Brooks in Hudson, Wisconsin. As of November 2016 50,000 libraries have been registered in all 50 states and 70 countries. The first Little Free Library in Syracuse was installed in 2012 at 323 Gifford Street in an old payphone box. Although the library is not listed on the Little Free Library website, it is still there attached to the St. Joes Primary Care Center - West building. Owners can decide if they want their libraries listed on the Little Free Libraries website map. The City of Syracuse's first Little Free Library commissioned in 2012 at 323 Gifford Street, Syracuse, NY, Friday July 21, 2017. Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com Sarah Alamond of Liverpool recently installed a little library in front of her house on the Village of Liverpool's 6th street. Balking at the $40 registration fee for an official Little Free Library she is leaving hers off the grid. "I was hesitant at first because we have a great library, she explains, but this helps build the community for the many walkers in my neighborhood." As we were talking a child darted toward the library to explore its options. Sarah wants the library to build relationships with her close neighbors and their community not people finding her on the internet. "People will see it when passing by, it is for them." she says. Sarah is joined in her truly free library by a neighbor on 7th street who also is not officially registered with the international Little Free Library group. For more information on how to have your own official Little Free Library visit, littlefreelibrary.org SYRACUSE, NY -- Oh no! You just received a jury duty summons in the mail. Do not panic; you are not on trial. The United State Constitution guarantees you and your fellow Americans the right to a trial by jury, and this is your opportunity to fulfill that promise. For criminal court getting a summons does not mean you actually need to report to the Syracuse Criminal Court house on State Street. It directs you to call in after 5pm for five days to see if your juror number is needed. The jury summons makes a few things clear. First, your employer is legally obligated to give you time off to serve. Many employers will still pay you for the time you were scheduled to work. Also, you can postpone your term once with no questions asked. The clerk checking you in makes it clear they understand that serving may be a hardship, and they will work with you to make your service time a good fit. If jurors are not paid by their employer or are unemployed they are paid by the court system $40 a day for their service. If your number is needed and are summoned to serve in Onondaga County, consider the following details. The daily rate for jurors in the OnCenter garage is $4, which is a dollar discount. There is free WiFi, and you are welcomed to bring a computer or cell phone to pass the time in the holding room. A refrigerator, couches, and vending machines are in the lobby. Make sure you have cash, because only the drink machine takes cards. Work days are Monday-Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 with a mid-day break for lunch. When the case reaches the point for juror selection everyone relocates to the court room. In the court room cellphones are turned off headwear is removed; you have no choice but to listen to the process. The process is called voir dire, "to see to speak", and selecting jurors begins. Jurors are called up at random and questioned individually by the judge and attorneys with questions that may cause them to have bias or conflict in the case. A defense attorney posed this question during my visit, "Do you think this person has a chance of being guilty just because they are here?" Once 21 clear the initial questioning the prosecution and defense each have time to question the group as a whole. The attorneys carefully word questions based on questionnaires jurors fill out to see how they will respond to the case. They choose who they want to keep and the lottery system keeps going till the jury is full with twelve people and two alternates. Approximately 120 people are summoned per criminal case and only 14 are needed, so your odds are low for being called up for questioning in the first place. Once the selection process is finished, even if you are not selected, you have met your commitment and will not be called for 10 years. Supervising City Court Judge Hon. Stephen J. Dougherty estimates that serving as a juror is the second most important service to your country, only behind serving in the armed forces. What if you blow it off? Non-compliance can net you a $250 fine in accordance with Judiciary Law, JUD 527, and you will also be reassigned to another date. Disregarding the mailing is enough to get you fined. Once you respond and your five days pass, for criminal court, you are off the hook for ten years. Even if you never get called in to report. WHITENY POINT, N.Y. -- An alligator that was causing a stir in a Southern Tier village has been safely captured, according to the village's mayor. Whitney Point Mayor Ryan Reynolds posted about the roaming creature Sunday on his Facebook, confirming the sightings and saying the alligator may have been a released pet. Reports of an alligator sighting along the Tioughnioga River between Whitney Point and Lisle have been circulating over... Posted by Ryan Reynolds on Sunday, July 23, 2017 Degardo Newborn and Elizabeth Parrillo said they saw the alligator Saturday while kayaking along the Tioughnioga River. The four-foot long creature was basking motionless on a riverbank before it scurried toward the water. Other reports soon spread throughout the town of 900. After about a week, Reynolds shared a news report online and confirmed that the alligator had been safely captured by DEC workers Saturday. The creature was being taken to Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, Reynolds said. Workers found the animal behind the local fairgrounds, 12 News stated. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- The United States flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Sunday in a show of force against North Korea following the country's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test. The U.S. also said it conducted a successful test of a missile defense system located in Alaska. The B-1 bombers were escorted by South Korean fighter jets as they performed a low-pass over an air base near the South Korean capital of Seoul before returning to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces said in a statement. It said the mission was a response to North Korea's two ICBM tests this month. Analysts say flight data from the North's second test, conducted Friday night, showed that a broader part of the mainland United States, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of Pyongyang's weapons. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander. "Diplomacy remains the lead. However, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario." "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing," O'Shaughnessy said. The United States often sends powerful warplanes in times of heightened tensions with North Korea. B-1 bombers have been sent to South Korea for flyovers several times this year in response to the North's banned missile tests, and also following the death of a U.S. college student last month after he was released by North Korea in a coma. The Hwasong-14 ICBM, which the North first tested on July 4, is the highlight of several new weapons systems Pyongyang launched this year. They include an intermediate range missile that North Korea says is capable of hitting Alaska and Hawaii, and a solid-fuel midrange missile, which analysts say can be fired faster and more secretly than liquid-fuel missiles. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency said a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system located in Kodiak, Alaska, was successfully tested on Saturday night. It said that a medium-range ballistic missile was air-launched over the Pacific, and that the THAAD system detected, tracked and intercepted the target. The candles were like stars in a galaxy of protesters. Each flicker representing another activist in the mass of people that crowded the north steps of the Nebraska Capitol, seeping onto K Street where traffic had been diverted. The vigil followed an impassioned rally protesting President Trumps Jan. 27 executive order outlining an immigration ban on seven Muslim-majority nations. Since last year's presidential election, Lincoln and the nation as a whole has seen a trend of renewed activism in reaction to or in support of the Trump administration, while also touching on a wide range of human rights issues. This trend has drawn out newer and often unlikely activists: normally mild-mannered Nebraskans who have taken center stage at many of the protests, marches and rallies this year. Over recent weeks Journal Star reporters interviewed several march participants a scientist worried about climate change, a Muslim woman filled with anxiety, a Trump supporter wanting to make sure the voices behind the president are heard. And two sisters who made sure the tiny town of Loup City was among 670 cities nationwide to host a satellite Women's March in January. "Right now feels more like it did in the '60s," said Loup City resident and march organizer Charlene Kampfe. "Theres more passion about things on either side, and people are paying attention to whats going on." * * * Jane Kleeb, a grassroots organizer on issues spanning local to international interest, said the Women's March on the streets of Omaha in January was monumental for the diversity of age, gender and race among participants. "You're really beginning to see Nebraskans standing up on issues and now taking it to the streets," she said. "There is a sense of defiance, that I as a citizen can no longer sit on the couch and scream at the TV. I need to be out there." Nearly 12,000 people showed up for Omaha's Women's March, while in Lincoln about 4,000 came out for one of the citys biggest activist events of the year. Participants streamed down Centennial Mall, some waving signs and wearing pink hats, protesting Trumps divisive rhetoric about women. Simultaneously nearly half a million people swarmed the mall in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, a day after President Donald Trumps inauguration, to advocate for and celebrate women while addressing issues ranging from LGBT rights to health care. Newly minted Libertarian feels GOP strayed from small government values A day after the Fourth of July, Trevor Reilly sat at Granite City Food & Brewery craftin Julie Schmit-Albin, president of Nebraska Right to Life and the organizer behind Lincoln's annual anti-abortion march, feels the rise in activism has been overwhelmingly a response to last year's presidential election. There has been such an increase this year, she said. But Kleeb, chairwoman of the Nebraska Democratic Party, says you cant pin the new appeal of activism solely on Trump. Instead, she believes its rooted in a distrust of the entire political system. People no longer believe that our elected officials are working in our best interests, Kleeb said. Normal operations would have been writing a letter to a member of Congress or attending a meeting, and because those methods have not worked, people are going to the streets, standing with people who they might disagree with. Theres a lack of confidence, no question. Matt Litt, president of the Nebraska chapter of Americans for Prosperity, agrees with Kleeb. "It's from the election of Trump on a surface level," he said. "But I think more of it is that people feel like the government is not there to serve them." The conservative group, an advocate for limited government, tax reform and First Amendment rights, has responded by creating an activist training program in Lincoln and Omaha. * * * So far in 2017, there have been 21 permits requested for marches or rallies in Lincoln. A decade ago, there were only six requests in 2007, including rallies for animal protection and bringing troops home. Last year, there were 18 marches, rallies or protests with city permits. But these permits only account for a fraction of the actual number of public gatherings. While city officials prefer organizers request a parade permit for marches or rallies, the application process has some downsides. Deputy City Clerk Soulinnee Phan said many people are unaware they should apply for a permit or are uninformed on how or where to do so. Another obstacle, she said, is timing constraints. Permit applications must be submitted 10 days prior to an event, but many events this year were planned last minute in response to political news. There's often not enough time to process an application. Even if they dont get a permit, she said, they still have the right to assemble. The permits help the city coordinate with police and ensure things run smoothly. Phan said they act more as a communication tool between the people and the city. Schmit-Albin said Nebraska Right to Life files a parade permit each year, and because of the scale of the event 4,000 to 5,000 participants covering K Street on the north side of the state Capitol they are expected to pay to have an additional police presence. Woman starts 'Make Lincoln Kind Again' Facebook group Kelyn Nightengale's family used to be the type that gave money, but not time. Last year, the organization paid just over $3,400 for additional police officers, insurance, barricades and electric signage to notify drivers about closed roads. With years of experience organizing the Nebraska Walk for Life, Schmit-Albin worries that new activists are not taking the extra steps to expand on their movements. "They aren't organized to educate and advocate for their position, they are just in the streets trying to get attention," she said. In some cases, she questions the authenticity of the movements. While she says she's glad to see more people exercising their First Amendment rights, she believes some protesters may have ties to large donors. * * * Many of these rallies start at the national level and trickle down to local organizations and groups that create satellite protests of their own. At the Capitol, there was the January pro-refugee rally and the March for Science in April. Many protests took issue with Nebraskas elected officials, particularly Sens. Ben Sasse and Deb Fischer backing Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. Unlikely activists, including educators and high school students, congregated outside Fischers downtown Lincoln office in February to voice their disapproval. That same month, protesters swarmed the sidewalks outside the Grand Manse as Fischer attended a closed meeting with business leaders, urging the senator to hold town hall meetings during a congressional recess. Trump supporter wants his voice heard, counter to liberal rallies BELLEVUE For veteran Marty Jaramillo, it began when he was seated just a few feet away fro Just days later, more unlikely rally-goers, including doctors and patients, returned to Fischers office, concerned about congressional health insurance reforms. It's in Americans' DNA to rebel. This core value that we have as Americans is that we push back," Kleeb said. But not all activism took issue with Republicans. The aptly named Make America Great Again Appreciation March in Omaha drew support from pro-Trump activists in late March. A counter-protest turned violent, however, leading to eight arrests. * * * In 2011, Occupy Lincoln became perhaps the citys longest single activist movement. It was an outgrowth of Occupy Wall Street, global protests against perceived economic inequality. For over six months, tents dotted Centennial Mall and people camped outside the Capitol steps. Mary Ann Shiech, the movements organizer, said it was the last time shes seen any real activism in Lincoln. 'It's odd' to march for science, says UNL scientist Jim Van Etten has stood in the crowd during a trove of presidential speeches. Thats how I see activism today; its trendy, she said. Activism implies action and Im not seeing any action. I see people gathering at the Capitol holding a sign. Thats not going to change anything. Shiech feels that movements like Occupy constitute activism versus protesting because they show that people are willing to put their bodies on the line for their cause. She worries the activist protests today have become less about making a difference and more about looking like you care. She said she's seen true activism in other parts of the Midwest, like the Standing Rock protests in North Dakota about the pipeline, or even the Black Lives Matter protests that sprung from the shooting of an unarmed black man, Michael Brown, by police in 2014. Lincoln is a sleepy little town unaffected by the world, it seems, but were not, she said. * * * Kleeb said many of the anti-Trump protests holds similarities to the grassroots tea party movement that sprouted up after Obamas inauguration, despite their ideological differences. The tea party took issue with proposed Democratic policy and government spending through rallies and protests around the country. Certainly Republicans that got engaged in the tea party movement were obviously concerned about the direction of our party with Obama, Kleeb said. The grassroots strength and organizational power of the tea party is seemingly reflected in many of the activist groups that have coordinated many of this years rallies. Woman starts 'Make Lincoln Kind Again' Facebook group Kelyn Nightengale's family used to be the type that gave money, but not time. The anti-fascist group Antifa Nebraska, for example, organized protests outside a UNL fraternity, while advocacy groups like Kleeb's Bold Nebraska have been key players in organizing protests against the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines. Other issues have also gained traction with Lincoln protesters. In the last decade, three marches were organized to protest wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to bring troops home. Another three have spawned since 2012 to localize the Black Lives Matter movement. And this years Climate March isnt the first to happen in Lincoln. In 2014 protesters lined up to affirm that climate change is real. UNL political science professor John Hibbing said the recent surge in activism shares similarities with political involvement spurred around past elections. "If you go back to Barack Obama, there was a lot of response from activists ... the last three presidents have been very polarizing figures," Hibbing said. And with key issues like education and health care in the news, there's likely more to come. "If something like health care should go through or tax reforms are passed, if (Trump) nixes the Iran deal these are all things he can do that would stimulate even more protests," Hibbing said. Local elections are on the horizon as well, including races for governor and Fischer's Senate seat in 2018. But Hibbing said activism cuts to the chase, without needing to wait to cast a vote. "It's an outlet," he said. "We have elections and that's the main way we make political decisions ... we elected Trump and he's going to be here for four years or however long, does that mean you sit on your hands? Probably not. "You can voice your political views without having to wait for the next election." Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify the respective roles of Intersection and ZenFi in the formation of New Yorks smart city infrastructure. Everybody talks about smart cities, but few are doing anything about it. New York City is an exception. It's in the early stages of an ambitious project to blanket the city with ultrafast Wi-Fi via smart kiosks, which will replace obsolete public telephones. These kiosks are the work of a Google-backed startup called Intersection. The company has already installed around 1,000 kiosks, and aims to install more than 6,000 more, Intersection Chief Innovation Officer Colin O'Donnell said in an interview this week. Mike Elgan Intersection Chief Innovation Officer Colin ODonnell on stage at Cannes Lions on June 18, 2017. Each kiosk is around nine feet high and relatively flat. Each flat side houses a big-screen display that pays for the whole operation with advertising. The screens also show emergency and other public information. A smaller user terminal on the skinny edge facing away from the street allows one user at a time to access information and make calls. The screen is a locked-down Android tablet with a custom interface offering a few apps to access various services, including one for paying parking tickets and another for voter registration. [ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ] Below the screen on the left is a big, red button for a one-press 911 emergency call. Under that is an audio jack, where non-iPhone users can insert their headphones or earbuds for privacy. (The hardware supports standard audio jacks, but not Apple's newer lightning cable configuration.) Next to those options is a numeric keypad for dialing calls. And below all that are two USB ports for charging devices. Each kiosk provides free, high-speed Wi-Fi for anyone in range. By selecting the Wi-Fi network at one kiosk, and authenticating with an email address, each user will be automatically connected to every other LinkNYC kiosk they get within range of. Eventually, anyone will be able to walk around most of the city without losing the connection to these hotspots. Wide-angle cameras on each side of the kiosks point up and down the street and sidewalk, approximating a 360-degree view. The company claims it deletes stored videos after 7 days, unless there's a compelling reason to keep them, according to O'Donnell. While the built-in kiosk tablet doesn't appear to offer a high-performance user experience, the public Wi-Fi is blistering fast -- far faster than the average connection speeds offered by mobile carriers over cell networks. Some New York content creators producing massive amounts of content, such as HD videos, are now hauling their laptops down to the street for faster uploading. CityBridge Intersection has already installed 1,000 LinkNYC smart kiosks on New York sidewalks. It's planning more than 6,000 more. This is possible because LinkNYC kiosks are connected by fiber. It's paid for by the advertising and costs nothing to taxpayers. In fact, the city is expected to earn $500 million over the 10-year Intersection contract. London is the second Intersection city, where the project is called InLinkUK and the kiosks are called "InLinks." The London project is more modest, with a goal of around 1,000 kiosks. O'Donnell told me Intersection plans to deploy in 20 more cities after that. Intersection is tightly conjoined with Alphabet's Sidewalk Labs company, which works to accelerate and guide the creation of smart cities. They even share an office in Manhattan. Other partners in the LinkNYC project include Qualcomm and Civiq Smartscapes (BT is a partner for the London project). Smart cities: the immediate impact LinkNYC is already changing New York; two million people are now using the system -- twice as many as in January. The existence of smart-city implementations like Intersection's LinkNYC means that New Yorkers won't actually need mobile contracts anymore. Most who would otherwise pay for them will no doubt continue to do so for the convenience. But those who could not afford a phone contract in the past will have ubiquitous fast connectivity in the future. This strongly erodes the digital divide within smart cities. A 2015 study conducted by New York City found that more than a quarter of city households had no internet connectivity at home, and more than half a million people didn't own their own computer. At the same time, smart city kiosks widen the gap between urban and rural people, where the urban take a big leap forward and the rural stay behind with no solution in sight. Smart cities are built on citywide fiber networks, which can eventually (as with the case of ZenFi's network) connect 5G wireless antennas on every street corner and every floor of every office building back to the core network. This densification of the wireless networks is the true hero of the smart cities revolution, enabling not only smart-city kiosks, but capacity for high-speed wireless applications on smartphones and tablets, widespread IoT deployments, mobile augmented reality applications, self-driving cars and more. It's also amazing that New York is leading the smart city charge. Because if the concept can make it there, it can make it anywhere. Dark-fiber deployments in New York typically cost far more than in just about any other city because of heavy unionization and the scale of any disruption when streets have to be closed for fiber installation. New York's example in aggressively enabling thousands of high-speed kiosks also puts pressure on other U.S. cities to follow suit. The first step is not only to wire up entire cities with fast fiber, but to architect it in a way that enables flexible deployment, as ZenFi is doing. And this is the best part of the smart cities revolution. Smart cities: the long-term impact O'Donnell claims that smart city rollouts happen in three phases, which he says is about "building the city from the internet up." 1. Instrumentation 2. Intelligence 3. Responsiveness. New York is currently at the beginning of the instrumentation phase, where the immediate benefits are to underserved and under-connected members of the public. Over the next 15 years, the city will go through the other two phases, where sensor data will be processed by artificial intelligence (A.I.) to gain unprecedented insights about traffic, environment and human behavior and eventually use it to intelligently re-direct traffic and shape other city functions. The two most transformational technologies will be augmented reality (AR) and autonomous cars. AR won't be one specific set of technologies, but many variations that will range from low-bandwidth and even offline applications to ultra HD streaming AR. New York's LinkNYC kiosks mean everyone in the city will have network support for high-end streaming AR as they move around the city. Enterprises operating in the city can deploy top-of-the-line equipment and applications and rely on 5G connectivity on every block. And as autonomous cars gradually roll out, New York will be well positioned to be one of the first cities to legalize them, because they'll be safer thanks to 5G, sensors and data from all those kiosks. This will enable a revolution in delivery systems, among other things. (Note: The use of LinkNYC kiosks in the future for AR and self-driving cars is my own expectation; it's not based on current plans by Intersection.) Risks and rewards Smart kiosks do carry risks, however. One involves privacy. O'Donnell said privacy policies aren't set by Intersection, but are negotiated agreements between the company and the city. So if a city wants to use those cameras and sensors for surveillance, it can. But the biggest risk revolves around hacking and the theft of data, monitoring of cameras and -- a worst-case scenario -- eventual control of the "Responsiveness" phase technology, where mayhem is deliberately caused. Futurists and tech pundits often assume that if a beneficial set of technologies exists, it will be implemented and widely distributed. But this is obviously not true. Technology revolutions require drivers to realize them. In this case, New York City and Intersection are the drivers, showing the enormous benefits of ubiquitous high-speed wireless, as well as connected sensor stations all over a city. This will drive huge demand in other cities to replicate the technology, which will create demand for city-wide flexible dark-fiber installation, which will transform how enterprises operate. For enterprises, the advances change assumptions about what's possible for how offices, warehouses, field service, delivery and, eventually, next-generation technologies will work. The most important calculation is the question of where: Where should offices, warehouses, factories and other major locations be built? Answer: They'll gravitate to smart cities. Because the benefits to enterprises of ubiquitous and dense high-speed wireless, sensor-based city services and fiber everywhere will prove incalculable. The American Technology Council, which President Donald Trump established this spring by executive order, has four years to rebuild the federal governments information technology structure. A massive reboot of both hardware and software will be necessary to bring government computers up to modern standards. The effort will force many government agencies to shift years of floppy disk and other outdated storage technologies to current cloud storage systems, and to adopt big data and machine learning solutions. The ATC is comprised of cabinet members and top officials of related agencies. Both the executive order and the ATC it created terminate on Jan. 20, 2021. The ATC, which is headed by Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner, met last month to set an agenda for collaborating with industry leaders to forge a new technology plan. The ATCs goal is to promote the secure, efficient and economical use of information technology to achieve its mission. Toward that end, the federal government must transform and modernize its information technology operations and the systems it uses to deliver digital services, according to the executive order. Council members will coordinate advice to the president on technology policies and processes. The council is tasked with coordinating the vision, strategy and direction for the federal governments IT reboot. Two major impediments could hinder full achievement of the presidents IT goals, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT. First is the sheer complexity of the federal governments IT assets, systems and management, he told the E-Commerce Times. The second is the compartmentalized culture of many or most federal departments and agencies. Is an IT Reboot Needed? An IT reboot is not necessary, suggested King, who favors expanding what the Obama administration started instead. The previous administrations accomplishments include appointing the first U.S. chief technology officer, and bringing greater order and innovation to federal agencies IT efforts. Consideration of those ongoing efforts was curiously absent during the ATC meeting, said King. Rebooting, or starting all over again, rather than building on that solid, existing foundation, is likely to waste time and money, he warned. There is a clear need for the ATC initiatives, according to Brian Chappell, senior director at BeyondTrust, who cited a recent survey of federal IT managers. An overwhelming majority of federal IT managers (81 percent) said that the federal governments aging IT infrastructure had a significant impact on their agencies cybersecurity risk, Chappell told the E-Commerce Times. It is statistics like this that make initiatives like the American Technology Council essential in starting the drive toward not only modernizing the federal government and the services it provides, but also and more importantly improving the safety of U.S. citizens and government staff using those services. Deja Vu All Over Again Budget concerns are a major barrier to system modernization, said Tami Gallegos, federal manager at BeyondTrust. Eighty-one percent of survey participants mentioned budget as a major roadblock, she pointed out. Sixty-nine percent of the respondents expressed concern about losing information during the conversion, which would have a negative impact on their ability to achieve their missions. This is a very complex proposition that will require talent and expertise across several technology cycles to get the job done, Gallegos told the E-Commerce Times. Enterprise-focused IT vendors, including those involved with the ATC, should be able to offer valuable solutions to many of the federal governments IT infrastructure problems, said Pund-ITs King. However, it will take more than a few months to develop, design and deploy replacements for such massively complex systems. A notable shift in the political landscape due to the 2018 mid-terms and the 2020 election could result in a new Congress and/or a new president starting the process all over again, he said. Repeal and Replace Gov IT? Information technology dynamics have changed dramatically in the last few years, according to David King, director of solutions marketing at Commvault. The need to introduce new applications more quickly and in dramatically larger volumes has altered the interaction between IT operations and the organizations that they support. [*Editors Note July 25, 2017] Hybrid cloud, virtualization, big data analytics and machine learning have provided new options to deliver those applications and derive new value from the information they produce. If you are willing to consider doing things in a different manner, the results can be remarkable, King told the E-Commerce Times, so a reboot in how the federal government does infrastructure technology is a necessity. Modernizing the current IT infrastructure and shedding legacy architectures will require a much more data-centric philosophy, he noted. It will be necessary to eliminate cumbersome data silos and make it easier to access big data and machine learning systems. What Is Needed The American Technology Councils agenda is to lay important groundwork, according to Dux Raymond Sy, CTO of AvePoint public sector. However, the ATC may not go far enough to upgrade the governments IT infrastructure, which is a worrisome prospect, he said. Government IT should embrace artificial intelligence, use commercial technology, and prioritize coding in schools, he suggested. Moving from legacy technologies to the cloud is critical, and action will be required in three key areas to achieve a successful reboot of the U.S. IT infrastructure, Sy told the E-Commerce Times. Influencing decision makers to muster the political will to change how government works is the first step for the ATC, he said. What is slowing down government IT is the overlapping numbers of government agencies that are counterintuitive in modern technology, noted Sy. The irony is that new technology is designed for agility and more responsiveness. This is counter to how the government works. How the government works has to change. Reach for the Sky The second step for the ATC is to promote more government and private industry collaboration, noted Sy. The formation of the ATC is a good beginning toward creating a stronger IT partnership with other government agencies, but the government must be committed to executing the recommended changes. Artificial Intelligence could be a vital part of any IT innovation efforts, but for AI to work, it needs to reside in the cloud. The federal government is moving towards harvesting cloud technology, said Sy, which is a necessary step toward maximizing commercial technology. No single government agency is tasked with overseeing innovative thinking about technology, so having an agency such as the ATC is great, according to Sy. Unless there is authority attached to that agency, though, nothing will move beyond merely discussing ideas. Having government agencies move to the cloud is a good first step but then what? The government can not behave like a homeowner who moves into a big new modern house but then continues to use worn out furniture and house maintenance policies from their old, rundown structure, Sy cautioned. How long will it take? Its doubtful that it will take much time for the government to move into the cloud, he said. The bigger question is this: How does the government maximize the new IT infrastructure? Forward-Looking Education The third essential action the ATC must take is investing in technical education for the next generation, according to Sy. That includes improving computer education teaching goals in schools. We need to make coding skills a much larger priority than it is now, he urged. The council needs to consider how to maximize commercial technologies that already exist. Voices for Innovation is a strong advocate for more government spending on technological education. This is an area our government has to consider and address soon, said Sy. Sy cited two examples of governments with forward-looking IT policies: Singapore and Estonia. Singapore has two agencies responsible for government IT and technology innovations. These two agencies are in lockstep with all other Singapore government agencies, Sy said. Estonia is one of the most modern and forward-looking governments out there leveraging IT, he added. Initially, the intent was to modernize the Estonian governments IT. Then the plan was to follow through with better services and innovations. They have done that today, Sy pointed out. Out With the Old The days of upgrading technology hardware every five years are long gone. The government must focus on upgrading technology daily and that way of thinking about technology innovation should be introduced at a formative age, Sy suggested. How many government agencies are still using outdated hardware and software? The answer is mind-boggling. There are still government agencies using floppy disks to store data, he said. Too many government agencies and IT workers are stuck in the old IT mindset. We spend a boatload of money, and once we spend money on upgrades we must wait another five-to-10 years to consider something new, Sy lamented. That is what government IT is suffering from, he maintained.Two reasons explain why government IT has fallen into such a bad disarray: One is the bureaucracy, or its lack of political will. It is that mindset of if it aint broke, dont fix it.' The second reason is the government attitude toward cost and spending taxpayers money. How many times do we see government waiting to step up and make change only when bad things happen? Well, really bad things are happening today with malware, ransomware and really serious network breaches. The government has to step up, Sy said. Getting There Wheels are turning in some quarters to overcome governments big legacy obstacles in adopting AI/big data/machine learning systems, said Chris Nicholson, CEO of Skymind. The government is grappling with outdated technology and a cumbersome procurement process. They are reaching out through groups like DHS Silicon Valley office to do deals with startups that have never worked with government before and have unique technology to offer, Nicholson told the E-Commerce Times. Getting technology right will occur only if the government understands how new technologies can help agencies fulfill their missions, he said. The government is planning on using powerful open source technology on top of their legacy systems. A lot of government has invested in Java and the [Java Virtual Machine], and there are many, powerful tools for big data and AI for the JVM stack, he said. Small Steps to Success An IT reboot as a necessary and inevitable change, in Nicholsons view, even if it is difficult to accomplish. It will involve educating people, connecting people, and empowering them to make hard decisions about how to build new systems. In government, no one wants to fail or be seen to fail, but when you are building new systems, you are actually experimenting with the world, seeing what works and trying again, he said. To avoid overall failure, the reboot needs to involve projects that are small enough to prove themselves at a scale where failure matters less, suggested Nicholson. That involves taking small risks and betting on new tech in order to understand its potential. That is how you shape the future, he said. If failure is going to happen, it should happen small and early, so that you can get the big projects right. A lot of people on the ATC know this because they have built companies, made bets, failed, and corrected course until they succeeded. *ECT News Network editors note July 25, 2017: Our original published version of this story attributed David Kings comments to Craig McCullough, vice president of U.S. federal sales at Commvault. Per Commvaults Daniella Kohan, the quotes the company shared with us actually came from King. Niantic Labs has decided to push back some planned Pokemon GO events in Europe after the disastrous Pokemon GO Fest in Chicago last weekend. While the developer is understandably looking to prevent another failed Pokemon GO event, the decision to delay some events could turn out to be another lawsuit waiting to happen. What Happened At The 'Pokemon GO' Fest In Chicago? Thousands of Pokemon GO players flocked to Grant Park in Chicago last July 22 to participate in the first real-world event for the mobile game. However, technical issues turned the Pokemon GO Fest into a disaster. While the blame is being passed between Niantic Labs and some carriers for the Pokemon GO Fest disaster, the developer apologized by refunding the $20 tickets, giving away $100 worth of PokeCoins, and adding the Legendary Pokemon Lugia to the accounts of attendees. However, a group has filed a class action lawsuit against Niantic Labs, claiming that the apology is not enough as they wasted travel expenses to fly in to Chicago to attend the failed Pokemon GO event. Niantic Labs To Delay 'Pokemon GO' Events In Europe In a blog post, Niantic Labs revealed that it will postpone the Pokemon GO events in Europe that are scheduled for Aug. 5 in Copenhagen and Prague and for Aug. 12 in Stockholm and Amsterdam to an unspecified date in the fall. Meanwhile, the planned events in Yokohama, Japan for Aug. 14 and in Germany, France, and Spain on Sept. 16 will not be pushed back. According to Niantic Labs, the decision was made to "guarantee the best possible gameplay experience" for European Pokemon GO players, with the developer apologizing for any inconveniences that the change in schedule may cause. To make up for it, Niantic Labs promised that Pokemon rarely seen in Europe will soon appear to help Pokemon GO players take another step or two in completing their Pokedexes. Interestingly, the Pokemon GO event in Japan will still push through despite just a few days away from its European counterparts. Perhaps carriers are more reliable in the country compared to those in Europe? The delay of the Pokemon GO events in Europe, however, is likely a sudden blow against some players who have already paid for travel and lodging arrangements to attend one of these events from other regions. The announcement of Niantic Labs gives these players some time to make adjustments, but if the number of days is not enough, there could be another class action lawsuit heading the developer's way to reimburse expenses for destroyed travel plans. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Our weekly roundup of the news, notes and chatter about the prospects for the next Democratic presidential race: The 2020 Democratic presidential race now officially has its first candidate: Maryland Rep. John Delaney. The third-term congressman announced his plans to run for president in a Washington Post op-ed Friday afternoon. Delaney, 54, won't run for re-election and is bypassing a run for Maryland governor in 2018. Let's be honest here: More than anything, this reflects the reality that just about every elected Democrat thinks a couple big things: 1) They can beat Trump, and 2) The best-known Democratic prospects -- former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren -- all have good reasons they might not run, which could mean a truly wide-open race. After all, another Maryland Democrat, former Gov. Martin O'Malley, also looks likely to run. Why do even Delaney's allies admit he is an extreme longshot? Beyond his lack of a national profile, Delaney is well to the right of the Democratic primary electorate, including his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. He previously pushed minimum wage hikes, but for amounts short of the $15 an hour that progressives have sought (and Delaney now says he backs). He has proposed allowing businesses to repatriate money earned overseas without paying taxes in exchange for buying infrastructure bonds. "I don't really see it, but I think if he does this he will try to be the solutions candidate aimed at making Washington work again," said one Democratic strategist who has worked with Delaney. "He has a record of creating thousands of jobs as the CEO of two publicly traded companies that he built from scratch after being raised in a union household" in New Jersey, the strategist said. Delaney could also spend millions of his own dollars on a race. News and notes: Time to talk single-payer? Democrats won a huge health care victory in the wee Friday morning hours. So what's next? Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders plans to introduce his single-payer health insurance bill -- "Medicare for all," as he'll cast it -- in September, an aide told CNN. The big question is which Democratic 2020 prospects will support it. Already, Warren and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand have embraced single-payer. California Sen. Kamala Harris expressed support for "the concept" in May, when she said health care access should not be "a function of your income," and again in July -- but cautioned the details are key. The Democratic base will demand she and others weigh in on the issue and on Sanders' bill, and it's likely to be a central issue in the 2020 nominating contest. "Single-payer is the absolutely the price of admission for our 2020 nominee both morally and politically," one Democratic operative said. A more skeptical operative said the party's 2020 primary could be "a suicidal litmus test" on single-payer. Republicans tried to troll Democrats into voting for a single-payer bill that had no hope of passing Thursday. Democrats didn't take the bait. Warren's fingerprints on Democrats' agenda Warren was among the Democrats in Berryville, Virginia, to roll out a new agenda for the midterm this week. It was all economic populism, all the time, with a big anti-trust emphasis. Where'd that come from? Read this June 2016 Warren speech at a New America think tank event, and you'll see her fingerprints all over it. Speaking of anti-trust, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker told Recode the government needs to keep a much closer eye on Amazon and Google. "This consolidation that's happening all over the country is not a positive trend," he said, pointing to Amazon's bid to buy Whole Foods and Google's cable and telecom mergers. Trump's transgender ban Gillibrand was among the harshest Democratic critics of Trump's transgender military service ban, saying she was working on legislation to block it. She said on CNN she "can't think of anything less patriotic" and called the ban "outrageous." Gillibrand has said she's not running in 2020. But many Democrats don't believe her, and see her as a strong contender. Gillibrand's biggest weakness, which some operatives told me they see her actively working to address, is that she was a moderate "Blue Dog" in the House whose previous positions on guns and same-sex marriage could prove problematic with the progressives. Moulton a 2020 prospect? Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton is profiled by Politico's Michael Kruse as an "insider who's an outsider." Focused heavily on Kruse's military record -- he went to Iraq four times -- Kruse finds those who know him speaking of a White House run as more of a question of when than if. "I'm not running for president, man," Moulton said. Landrieu keeps his options open New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is tamping down speculation that he might run for president in 2020 -- sort of. At least in the present tense. "The answer to the question is I'm not running for president," Landrieu told David Axelrod on "The Axe Files," a podcast from the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN. "You'd never rule out running (for) anything, you never say never about anything, but I'm not running." An unusual approach to Trump New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is the rare Democrat who almost never says President Donald Trump's name -- a weird tactic for a big-state governor in a party fueled by resisting Trump. He blasted Trump's decision to ban transgender Americans from military service as a "Washington directive," The New York Times' Shane Goldmacher notes. "As a general rule, I haven't found nasty ad hominem attacks on a person whose cooperation is needed to help your state especially helpful," Cuomo told Goldmacher. Calls for an African-American on the ticket At the NAACP's convention in Baltimore, organization members said they wanted to see a black person on Democrats' 2020 ticket, per McClatchy's William Douglas and Katishi Maake. Among the people to watch: Harris, Booker, former Attorney General Eric Holder and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. The week ahead: Tuesday, August 1 -- Minnesota Sen. Al Franken will sit down with NBC's Seth Meyers for a talk about Franken's book at the Great Hall at Cooper Union in New York City. Wednesday, August 2 -- Polk County, Iowa, Democrats are teasing a 10 a.m. CT announcement about their steak fry. We're watching to see who the featured speaker will be at the Des Moines event that's seen as a must for future presidential contenders. Expecting they could still be in Washington voting on health care, senators all kept their schedules open for the next week. Before you go: Hillary Clinton's forthcoming book "What Happened" is still six weeks away -- but it shot to the top of Amazon's best sellers list with pre-orders when the title and covered were announced this week. ... Michelle Obama was in Denver this week, discussing how she overcame racist jabs. "The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut," she said. This story has been updated. CNN's Ashley Killough, Sophie Tatum, Miranda Green, Saba Hamedy and Betsy Klein contributed to this story. On November 11, the EU announced the renewal, until November 14, 2023, of the sanctions against officials linked to the Administration of Nicolas Maduro. | Read More Don Walton Political reporter/columnist Don Walton covers politics and the Legislature along with writing a weekly column. Follow Don Walton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A postscript to an earlier column. When President Bill Clinton sought Bob Kerrey's decisive Senate vote for the new president's budget and domestic policy agenda in 1993, he recruited about 25 people from Nebraska to come to a White House briefing hoping it would prompt them to persuade Kerrey to vote for his package. "President Clinton looked each guest in the eye as their issue came up, called them by name and gave them the ground-level details of why Bob Kerrey needed to vote for his budget package," John Hansen said in recalling that event. "The president's command of the details was beyond impressive," said Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union. Clinton's chief-of-staff and his budget director also briefed the Nebraska delegation, but it was the president who zeroed in on the details, he said. Among others who were there: Joe Batallion, Herb Schimek, Mike and Anne Boyle. In the end, Kerrey voted for the president's package, providing the final decisive Senate vote. * * * A similar effort by President Jimmy Carter to win Nebraska Sen. Ed Zorinsky's vote to ratify a pair of new Panama Canal treaties in 1978 didn't end quite as well. Carter hosted 150 Nebraskans under the crystal chandeliers in the East Room at the White House for a two-hour briefing that included remarks by Zbiginew Brzezinski, his national security adviser, and other administration officials after a personal greeting by Rosalynn Carter. Zorinsky was one of two specific Senate targets for Carter, who spent 35 minutes with his guests and answered eight questions. Zorinsky helped arrange the guest list of Nebraskans who would be invited to the White House briefing, and then voted no. * * * John DeCamp was a force. DeCamp, who served in the Legislature from 1971 to 1987, was a freewheeler, an operator, a deal-maker. He knew how to work the legislative chamber; he knew how to work the Rotunda; he knew how to deal over dinner and drinks at night. He made his own rules and then changed them and often operated in that electric space where there are no rules. Just results. DeCamp had the ability to adapt and maneuver and change course and move swiftly and function at the edges. And along the way he acquired and exercised power. He was a consequential, and controversial, state senator. * * * John McCain. What a life story. Courageous and resolute beyond measure or imagination. Stubborn and cantankerous at times. Now, in the twilight, he has a chance to write the last chapter. Or, if he is fortunate, perhaps a couple of chapters more. McCain could have been more of a bipartisan I know, I know, some people believe that's a dirty word force during the Obama years. That might have been good for everyone. Now, he has stepped forward on health care reform by stopping Mitch McConnell in his tracks. That may have been annoying to many Republicans, but he's still fundamentally on their side. His message, if I heard it correctly, is: Let's do this right and do it the right way. And do no harm. Sick people don't check into doctor's offices and hospitals and emergency rooms as Republicans or Democrats. There are no Republican or Democratic health care insurance policies. So, hey, why don't you guys try to come to some reasonable agreement over health care policy that's best for us and the country without all of the partisan and personal maneuvering for political advantage. It is doing harm. * * * And so the fallout from President Trump's abrupt withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement continues, perhaps especially impacting the agricultural sector and states like Nebraska. Beef and pork would have been the biggest beneficiaries of that treaty. In the wake of the U.S. departure from TPP, Japan signed a broad trade deal with the European Union. And now, Japan is ready to raise its tariff to 50 percent on frozen beef imports from the United States. Finishing up: * Deb Fischer, reacting to North Korea's latest intercontinental missile test: "Sitting by and allowing these tests to continue is not an option." * Ben Sasse, sending a message to President Trump on Twitter: "A word of humble advice to our president: if you're thinking of making a recess appointment to push out the atty general, forget about it." * Baseball trade deadline. A year ago it was nonexistent, but these days anxiety trickles into the life of Natasha Naseem. It's an anxiety surrounding her identity as a Muslim, an identity shared by many immigrants and refugees in Lincoln. The anxiety has driven Naseem, a 20-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln student and daughter of Pakistani immigrants, to a new wave of activism in support of Muslim rights following last year's presidential election and subsequent policies aimed at immigration. Like a July ruling from the Supreme Court that OK'd parts of Trump's travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries. "Before, I wouldn't have cared," Naseem said. "I wouldn't have tried to pick a fight with these established forces." But it's not only Muslim rights that Naseem is fighting for. As a summer fellow at Organizing for Action, a nonprofit group that advocates for the agenda of former president Barack Obama, Naseem has stood behind the Affordable Care Act and women's rights. She attended the Women's March in Lincoln on Jan. 21 and a campus rally decrying violence against women. She also showed support for Muslims and refugees at the protest against Trump's January executive order that briefly halted immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations. While she has lived in Lincoln for 16 years, Naseem said this year has been particularly straining for Muslims. "I'm a Muslim and a Nebraskan," she said. "My family has been contributing to this community for 15-plus years and to dismiss any of it ... based on my faith, that's something I don't understand." Naseem said she thinks the activist furor that swept Lincoln from January through March has slowed down. "But that doesn't mean we can," she said. She plans to continue her activism by meeting with other Muslims to create a unified voice for her community, while also reaching out to others. "We're a lot more vested than one thinks," she said. "This is our home, this is where I grew up. I love Nebraska." While things seemed easier for Naseem a year ago, she admits that things can change, with the help of activism. "We took a lot for granted before Trump," she said. "But the rhetoric has changed so drastically ... we're up against something we haven't seen before." "You become the unlikely activist because these are unlikely times." Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Its bad enough that Louisiana state policymakers allow the Louisiana nursing home industry to fleece the taxpayer. Worse will be if elected officials aid and abet the facilities in allowing callous treatment of clients. Louisiana nursing homes receive lots of taxpayer dollars over $900 million from Medicaid in fiscal year 2015. Their owners then donate a few of those millions each election cycle to keep it that way. Theyve used this leverage over elected officials to lock in annually increasing reimbursement rates and to resist reforms that could save the state up to $200 million a year while improving Medicaid care for their clients. The formula to determine nursing home rates also pays for empty beds, producing millions in bonus payments. Meanwhile, services for people with disabilities go without funding, higher education pinches pennies, and taxes go up. +10 Special report on nursing homes: Inside Louisiana system that values profits over patients The past 10 months have ticked away at a torturously slow pace for Kenny Johnson, who prayed every day hed get the call telling him it was time to leave the nursing home. Shamefully, policymakers such as Gov. John Bel Edwards and legislative majorities continue to let this gravy train roll. And if the politicians dont have the courage to stop it, at least maybe theyll act to prevent the industry from keeping families from discovering whether nursing home employees act unethically toward or injure loved ones. Recently, Ann Graff and Lucie Titus sued Heritage Manor of Slidell, owned by Medico LLC, to install a camera in Graffs room at the institution. Titus, Graffs daughter, stated her mother could not communicate reliably, and neither Graff nor Heritage Manor personnel could shed light on mysterious severe injuries that she had received while under the institutions care. In response, Titus petitioned management to let her install a camera in Graffs room to record potential harm Graff could experience, whether self-induced or otherwise. The request incorporated guidelines under law in the handful of states that legally permit placement of cameras in facilities. The family would pay for placing the camera and equipment needed to capture soundless footage of Graffs bed area, that her relatives could review. Her family also would place signage informing staff or visitors of the cameras presence; they had received consent from Graffs roommate for recording. +5 Special report: Labeled 'a good-ol' boy system,' politicians in no rush to reform unpopular nursing homes A team of government experts and industry stakeholders spent more than two years painstakingly crafting a plan that would have reduced Louisianas expensive and unpopular reliance on nursing homes to house the states most helpless residents. Yet Heritage Manor denied the request. The suit would enjoin the institution from stopping the action, arguing civil rights discrimination against Graff on the basis of her disability and violation of her rights as a Louisiana nursing home resident. Nationally, the industry has argued against these kinds of laws by invoking the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Acts privacy provisions, but family ownership of the equipment and recordings and the placement of signage moot that concern. More legitimately, unions join nursing homes in complaining that cameras demean employees and can cause families to misconstrue actions. The same argument has been made about police body cameras. However, those views mistakenly put too little faith in both employees and the justice system. Good-hearted employees who take pride in their work have nothing to fear from families reviewing their job performance, and prosecutors surely have the sound judgment to bring cases based on this kind of evidence only where any employee misconduct is unambiguous. By contrast, malicious and or lazy workers have everything to lose from cameras; the oversight could either deter them from bad behavior or guide them to leave this profession. +8 Special report: Lawmakers, politicians vote to enrich La. nursing homes, instead of saving money Year after year, Louisiana lawmakers gather in Baton Rouge and grouse about the unpalatable choices they face: Cut state services, raise taxes or do some of both. In reality, nursing homes fear that cameras will expose employee misbehavior that creates legal liabilities, increase state corrective actions, and affect the bottom line by hiking personnel costs through paying higher wages and dealing with staff turnover. The industry will fight any attempt to make camera installation a legal right. Regardless, at the next available opportunity Louisiana policymakers should change state law to allow cameras in rooms of nursing home clients. If they wont protect taxpayer resources, they at least need to allow families to protect vulnerable citizens. Jeff Sadow is an associate professor of political science at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, where he teaches Louisiana government. He is author of a blog about Louisiana politics at www.between-lines.com, where links to information in this column may be found. When the Legislature is in session, he writes about legislation at www.laleglog.com. Follow him on Twitter, @jsadowadvocate or write to him at jeffsadowtheadvocate@yahoo.com. His views do not necessarily express those of his employer. With approval ratings low, at least for the moment, and with oil prices having crashed in the last few years, it might not seem the best time for President Donald Trump to push for exploration of oil and gas deposits off the East Coast of the United States. It is nevertheless absolutely the right thing to do. The nation and the world, with America now exporting natural gas from Louisiana facilities will need energy for decades to come. While many advocates for the oil and gas industry believe there is great potential on the East Coast, it is not the near-term source of energy. Leave aside the long lead time necessary for development of pipelines, ports and other infrastructure for energy production, such as exists in Port Fourchon and other coastal areas of Louisiana. And leave aside the political issues, which can tie up development for years. Prices will limit the immediate impact of the exploration agenda proposed by Trump's Interior Department. In North Carolina, reported the Raleigh News & Observer, Gov. Roy Cooper's administration said it would oppose opening Atlantic Ocean waters to drilling. That decision by Cooper, a Democrat elected last year, reverses the decision of Pat McCrory, the former Republican governor. The issue is not purely partisan. Some GOP governors, as in South Carolina, oppose offshore drilling. Democrats like former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, of Louisiana, have urged new assessments of offshore potential on the East Coast. Cooper said offshore energy exploration poses risks of oil spills to local ecosystems, tourist economies and the commercial fishing industry, but added that North Carolina workers and ports would see few benefits from drilling in federal ocean waters miles offshore. While there are risks of development, as Cooper noted, the timetable for this project is a long one. For the moment, the nation has a glut of oil on the market; natural gas prices are very low. The costs of onshore "fracking" development are much less than the multi-billion-dollar price tags of big offshore projects. But the reality is that, as the U.S. Interior Department said, assessments of whether there is an offshore mineral bonanza are out of date. Dramatic improvements in technology make it vital that a more comprehensive assessment of energy potential be made off the Atlantic coast. In this case, the president is acting in a long-term national interest that probably will not come to fruition until he is gone from the Oval Office, even if he serves two full terms. Isn't that long-term thinking what we want presidents to do? Kelyn Nightengale's family used to be the type that gave money, but not time. Now, weve really pumped the brakes and looked at what matters more, she said. And what matters most, she realized, is the people around her. She created the Make Lincoln Kind Again group on Facebook as a way to commiserate with friends in the wake of the 2016 presidential election. She never expected the page to turn into a community effort with more than 1,500 members. Weve really stretched our arms out and are still working to actively do stuff locally and be impactful, she said. And thats been great for me to show my kids, too. We dont have a lot, but we can do a lot. The group has pooled money to pay overdue lunch fines at schools, cleaned up neighborhoods, collected household furniture for incoming immigrant and refugee families, held a diaper drive for the People's City Mission, sent supplies to Standing Rock and crafted cards for senior citizens. Nightengale, who works in medical billing, extends the kindness into her job. On bills over $100 she writes notes to let people know they can reach out if they need help figuring out how to make payments. She knows firsthand the struggle of mounting medical bills during illness. When her husband, Josh, was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, they struggled to pay bills on a reduced family income as he transitioned to disability pay. Doctors struggled to diagnose the non-tumorous myeloma, a rare form of cancer that flows through blood and causes organs to enlarge. Josh now relies on Medicaid because, although the cancer is mostly gone, it left him in constant pain and paralyzed below the knee. He's gone through a round of chemotherapy and even a stem cell transplant. He's healthy for now but Kelyn never knows what will come next. "The fear for me is real," she said. "We're still going to have significant health care expenses every year, but at least they're manageable for us. If he were ever to get sick again, we would be destroyed from both sides an emotional and financial standpoint." With the Senate debating health care coverage for Americans, Nightengale is worried about access. Her concerns have led her to action. The self-described tender heart has attended at least seven marches since the Women's March on Jan. 21. Shes brought her children, ages 7 and 10, to several of the marches, too. Her kids also helped compile a list of items to give to an incoming refugee family. Her daughter, a second-grader, said toys should be on the list for the family's son. Her daughter is excited to make a new friend, Nightengale said. Nightengale never imagined shed become an activist, she said, but she felt she couldn't just stand by as President Trump's divisive rhetoric harmed others. Even if it just means shes combating the hatred by collecting coloring books for a 7-year-old refugee, shes glad to be making a difference. "We're still just small potatoes," she said. "But at least it's something." European music streaming service SoundCloud is close to a deal to sell stakes in the company to a pair of private equity firms, according to people familiar with the matter, an investment that will help the beleaguered company keep operating for the foreseeable future. The two firms would be acquiring stakes via separate deals, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private transactions. The names of the interested parties or the sizes of the transactions couldn't immediately be obtained. SoundCloud is popular with musicians but has struggled to generate revenue. Credit:Andrew Harrer Combined, the two private equity firms would own a majority of SoundCloud, the people said. While the talks are at an advanced stage, they could still fall apart. A darling of the independent music scene, SoundCloud operates one of the most popular music services in the world, attracting 175 million users with rough cuts from famous artists and mixes from unknown DJs. Yet SoundCloud, founded in Stockholm and now based in Berlin, has failed to generate much money from those users or build a business that can sustain itself. It is 30 years since Paul Keating famously said that if you walked into any pet shop in Australia "the resident galah will be talking about microeconomic policy". There's a good chance those pet shop conversations have now turned to inequality. During the past week the Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Treasurer Scott Morrison, and even Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe have all weighed in on the topic. There are different perspectives on what's happened to income inequality recently. But the trend in wealth inequality is fairly clear. Governor Lowe says it has become "more pronounced" over the past five or six years. Can a school impose a uniform policy that does not take into account a student's religious or cultural beliefs and practices? This issue is being considered by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Sagardeep Singh Arora, on behalf of his five-year-old son Sidhak Singh Arora, is challenging Melton Christian College's decision not to enrol his son unless he agrees not to wear his patka, a Sikh head covering. Despite being a Christian school, Melton Christian College accepts children of all faiths "as long as they don't wear clothing that promotes other religions". Its stated reason for its stance is it doesn't "want children standing out as different". Protections for freedom of religion in Australia are notoriously weak. The Victorian Equal Opportunities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of a person's religion, but also grants a wide exemption for schools in relation to uniforms. section 42(1) states: "An educational authority may set and enforce reasonable standards of dress, appearance and behaviour for students." Voters in Treasurer Scott Morrison's own electorate overwhelmingly believe inequality is a worsening problem in Australia and the government must do more to address it. Polling of voters in Mr Morrison's southern Sydney seat of Cook has found nearly 85 per cent believe it is important for the government's policies to reduce inequality. The ReachTEL poll was conducted last Thursday, three days after Mr Morrison claimed inequality was reducing in Australia and accused Labor of prosecuting a dishonest "politics of envy" campaign on the issue. A $261 million plan to help the state's struggling primary school students improved their attitude to learning and lifted reading and numeracy levels, but had no "measurable impact" on their year 3 NAPLAN results, a new evaluation of the five-year program reveals. About 20 per cent of all NSW schools, including public, Catholic and independent, were involved in the program, which targeted communities with the lowest-achieving students in the state. The schools were chosen based on measures including their NAPLAN results and level of disadvantage. The NSW Literacy and Numeracy Action Plan was introduced to help the state's lowest-achieving young students. Credit:Quentin Jones The state government launched the NSW Literacy and Numeracy Action Plan in 2012, which included 41,392 kindergarten to year 2 (K-2) students in 448 schools. "The action plan aimed to increase the literacy and numeracy outcomes for students in the targeted schools, and to reduce the influence of socio-economic status as a key determinant of students' academic performance," an evaluation report into its effectiveness said. The state of Australia's airport security has been thrown into question following the dramatic arrest of an Islamist-inspired terrorist cell in Sydney whose members were allegedly plotting to blow up an aircraft. In a significant departure from the low-tech, lone actor attacks that Islamic State has inspired in Australia, the group of two middle-aged men and their two adult sons were allegedly working on an "elaborate" plot to build an improvised explosive device that could take down a plane. Bomb squad officers were among dozens of police who raided five properties across Sydney on Saturday evening, smashing their way through glass doors and brick walls and arresting four men. Fairfax Media understands a home-made bomb was allegedly found in a Surry Hills terrace, possibly to be planted on a commercial flight to the Middle East. Renay Bull aka Renay Paige is the girlfriend of Newcastle fraudster Lemuel Page. Credit:Instagram His lengthy history of leaving investors short-changed was exposed after a number of people coming forward to claim they too were gazumped by the 48-year-old. "We are all clever and intelligent people," as one former investor put it. "We understand business and investment yet we all got done the same way." Newcastle developer Lemuel Page with his girlfriend Renay Bull. Most of the people Fairfax Media spoke to last week explained how Page would drop references to his supposed association to the well-known Ibrahim family in the form of a veiled threat. Sam Ibrahim, the older brother of nightclub boss John Ibrahim, was a shareholder in Silver City Drilling, with Page, a trustee report shows. Ibrahim's wife Karen is listed as a current shareholder and former director of Page's company Elefteria Pty Ltd. Court documents and trustee reports showed Page claimed to be linked to another Sydney businessman who made the BRW Rich 200 List in 2001. This man lent slain businessman Michael McGurk up to $300,000 before the latter was shot dead outside his Cremorne home in 2009 Page clocked up an impressive debt of his own by the end of 2016 owing creditors, many former friends and business associates $17 million. As the bankruptcy proceedings came to a head last year, properties owned by one of Page's companies were swiftly transferred to a company his girlfriend controlled. A home at The Junction in Newcastle was sold by Elefteria Properties Pty Ltd for $770,000 to Pegasus Corporation Pty Ltd in March 2016. The director of Pegasus is listed as Renay Bull, a body-builder, podiatrist and Page's long-term partner. Last August, Elefteria Properties sold a property for $1.2 million to Yipeeo Pty Ltd, which also lists Ms Bull as a director. Page avoided sinking into bankruptcy in November, 2016 after telling a trustee he had no real estate interests and offered to pay $180,000. Mr Goldstein was one of the fortunate few who managed to get most of his money back from Page after placing caveats on his properties. After a working relationship blossomed between the pair over a couple of months, Mr Goldstein and Page took out options on purchases of properties in 2015. He alleged Page presented him with fraudulent option papers, which he suspected Page later stole back when he was left alone in Mr Goldstein's Sydney office. The pair also set up a motor dealer's licence, with Page's estranged wife Fiona. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Fiona. The deal was that the trio would purchase cars at a good price before on-selling them for a profit. "We never on-sold them, we purchased them with my money," Mr Goldstein explained. "He then went off to some not-so-honest broker who then allowed him to completely finance loans on the cars unbeknown to me." Like other investors, Mr Goldstein's wife Dorothy likened Page's treatment of her husband to "grooming". "The way he grooms people is he comes across the poor person that has been very hard done by," she said. "He tells everybody that he has all these properties but I'm buying them out and this is the opportunity to come in. He was very, very clever." Another investor from the Hunter region said he lent Page $150,000 in 2013 and never saw a cent of it again. The man said Page kept coming up with excuses about why he couldn't pay the money back, including delays in property settlement. "It was one excuse after another," he said. A Sydney woman told of how she met Page at Sydney's upmarket Establishment restaurant, where he would throw money around three times a week. The woman gave Page $70,000, most of which was a loan from her mother, to invest in an initial public offering for the Community Life Limited venture. It was development plan for a low-budget retirement village. "When we approached him about getting our money back he said 'I promise I'll get it for you,' " she explained. "We didn't have it in writing and thought there was zero chance we would get anything back." While her husband does the school/daycare drop offs, Stewart gets stuck into her day and works until "around 3pm when it is time to down tools and pick the kids up". James Morgan and his wife Kelly. Morgan is the founder of AXS2. "Most days I will log back on from 4pm until dinner time. Sometimes I work late but I do try to stay offline and spend time with my husband and the kids in the evening." Stewart says she didn't seek any seed funding as she built the business in a very lean way and reinvested in the operation. Her business reached a turnover of $1 million in just two years. Not just mums It's not just mothers, however, who take a stab at running a small business during school hours. I try and be as productive as I can because of my limited time. Kelly Walter James Morgan, who runs marketing consultancy firm AXS2, enjoys the balance of work and personal life. The Sydney-based father of two loves being able to do the school drop-off and pick-up, attend concerts and oversee homework. "The school day disappears very quickly for me and I have to ensure my clients are receiving great customer service." Morgan moved to Sydney from Britain in mid-2012 with wife Kelly and their kids, then aged four and two. With a background in corporate, Morgan wanted to continue his career and started applying for jobs. Jobs were not easy to come by or flexible hours were not on offer. "So I decided to apply my marketing experience as a consultant." He approached some local SMEs and, within nine months, "my business expenses were being covered by my business income". Morgan says the time between 9.15am and 3pm flies by. "I have been home-based in previous roles, so it was not a significant adjustment. I set meetings with clients four or five times a week, meeting at their premises or coffee shops." He started AXS2, which offers small and medium-sized businesses the chance to have an "as-needed" marketing department, without the cost of paying full-time employees, with just $1000. He says his wife was able to "earn enough to cover rent, groceries and expenses whilst I was setting up the business". This is the fifth year of operation and he has recruited marketing executive, Amanda Knapton, who also works school hours and runs her own wedding celebrant business too. Morgan's company turned over $60,000 in the 2015-16 financial year and $90,000 the following year. His target for 2017-18 is $130,000. He does get a bit of work in during non-school hours. "I tend to do preparation and planning for an hour each evening after the kids are in bed. This keeps me on track for maximum efficiency during the quiet hours in my house." Two days a week plus some late nights Kelly Walter has two kids, aged five and two. She runs her business Daily Orders manufacturing and selling custom planning whiteboards in Victoria. After a 13-year stint in the Australian Navy, and with a husband who often travelled away on work, Walter started Daily Orders. "I was on maternity leave in 2015 with my second child and I decided that because my husband was away all the time I needed something to do in the night times. I couldn't keep track of what he was doing, he was flying here and there all the time, so I decided to create this Daily Orders planning board." The name Daily Orders came from her time in the defence force a schedule of events called "Daily Orders" was released every day. It was "effectively a schedule to tell everyone what they needed to know, what was happening during the day". She first came up with the idea for a fashion brand of shoes that are good for you when she was trying to recommend shoes to patients that could fit foot orthotics. Frankie4 shoes are designed by a podiatrist. "I would get out brands that were literally designed for 80-year-old-plus women," she says. So Baird searched on Google for Australian shoe manufacturers and started sketching shoes to be made. "I knew what features I needed the shoes to have to make a shoe good for your feet but apart from that I was completely clueless," Baird says. It took three years before Baird had a product to sell using an initial investment of $150,000 in 2008. Caroline McCulloch says she is the typical customer of Frankie4 and so designs shoes she would like herself. She quickly found out that wasn't enough and Baird and her husband, Andrew, borrowed from family, sold their house, sold a car and maxed out their credit cards to put in over $500,000 over the first two years and opening the first Bared Shoes store in Armadale. "Starting a business is really, really, really hard," Baird says. "My original order had taken all of the capital that I had to put in. I had a huge order of shoes that didn't fit anyone very well and to be honest looking back they were pretty hideous. I had very little cash flow and wages and rent to pay. I cried almost every day for the first 12 months." 'Nobody is trying shoes on' One day a patient said, her bottom lip trembling, 'Would you wear them?' and I said 'To be honest, I wouldn't'." Caroline McCulloch Baird struggled on and kept on working to improve the fit and feel of her shoes. "When you go to manufacturers in China nobody else cares what the fit is like at all," she says. "Now I know why I can sell so many shoes because I actually care what they fit like. Nobody is trying shoes on half the time. Factories are dumbfounded that I want to keep sampling and tweak the fit so much." Baird's next major hurdle was when she walked in from hospital after giving birth to her second child and her store manager rang to give notice. "I was given this at a time that most mothers would be able to tell you that your emotions are fragile to say the least," she says. "I took the news as though I had been told that someone had died." Baird says it took a few hours before she could clear her head enough to figure out the positives, the main one being that she couldn't be back in the shop seven days a week with a new baby. "This really was a great turning point for my business," she says. "I needed to employ seriously good people who were 100 per cent invested in the business and that is what I have done ever since." It's a strategy that's worked, with Baird opening her second store this year in Melbourne's central business district and continuing to expand her range online, which makes up 40 per cent of Bared Shoes' sales. "I don't plan on wholesaling because we get to be the face of it and I have these people who believe in and love the product we are selling," Baird says. "Also [if we sold wholesale] we would have no margin. We pay a fortune for our shoes because for us quality is the most important thing. I want to improve the product every year and not cut any corners." 'It would be hypocritical' Like Baird, Caroline McCulloch, founder of Frankie4, saw a gap in the market for fashionable shoes that are comfortable to wear. McCulloch opened a chain of podiatry clinics with her husband alongside shoe stores but says she realised women were not happy wearing the shoe brands she stocked. "I would say, 'don't look down at your feet, just look straight ahead and keep walking'," she says. "It would be hypocritical as I was pushing products that worked but I wouldn't wear myself. One day a patient said, her bottom lip trembling, 'Would you wear them?' and I said 'To be honest, I wouldn't'." McCulloch started thinking about what parts of a shoe functionally worked well and also what things women liked the look of. She pulled together a prototype, flew to Sydney and showed a supplier and that was the genesis of Frankie4. McCulloch and her husband, Alan, invested about $250,000 to start up Frankie4, which was funded by their existing podiatry business AllPodiatry and The Shoe Co. "We sold it in our podiatry clinics to begin with to get feedback and that gave us a brilliant opportunity to see what women were saying about our shoes," she says. "I never tell them I'm the designer so I can get the direct feedback. People say my range each season gets better and better and I think it is because of that." McCulloch says initially Frankie4 was "sucking all the profit out of our podiatry clinics" but the business is now in the black with turnover of $5 million-plus a year and growth of 65 per cent. "Cash flow has been a big challenge for us but now that our online store is doing really well that helps push the funds back into the business," she says. "We have a fantastic supplier and I know if we weren't with them it would be harder. We do pay a premium for our shoes but it's worth it." Frankie4 employs a different sales strategy to Bared, choosing to wholesale to 90 stockists across Australia and New Zealand and next month McCulloch will show the range in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. The business employs 34 staff and McCulloch has just hired a full-time photographer. "We really want our brand to not only sell our product but also sell our story," McCulloch says. "It's just about constantly punching out images for stories on social media." 'Would I wear that shoe or not?' A grade 4 teacher who told students stories about incest and paid them for massages will be re-investigated by the teaching watchdog following a campaign by parents. Earlier this month, the Victorian Institute of Teaching controversially ruled that Caulfield Junior College teacher Chris Adams would keep his registration, despite being sacked by the Education Department for acting in a "disgraceful, improper" manner. The regulator has now said it will investigate the matter again after receiving fresh information, although it did not say what the information was. "The VIT takes its role in protecting children seriously and understands that the community must be reassured that our processes and decisions reflect the importance of this role," chairperson Lesley Lamb said. The search for missing kayaker Junichi Yoshimura has stretched into its fourth day as the keen fisherman's family prepares to arrive from Japan. The Japanese national, who arrived in Australia in November, has not been seen since Thursday morning, when he launched his kayak from an Altona boat ramp. An image of the missing man's 2 Monks kayak. On Sunday, Victoria Police spokesman Alistair Parsons said water police searched overnight and would continue on Monday as part of their regular patrols. Mr Yoshimura, 41, has been working as a baker at Torquay's Zeally Bay Sourdough. Business owner, Joel Farnan, said he still hoped for a positive outcome. A Japanese man missing in Port Phillip Bay has been described as a keen fisherman. As the search for Junichi Yoshimura stretched into its third day on Sunday, Joel Farnan, owner of Zeally Bay Sourdough in Torquay, said his employee was adventurous and generous. "He got his car and then shortly afterwards bought a kayak and often he'd go on these expeditions and come back with fish and share them around the bakery," he said. Mr Yoshimura hasn't been seen since Thursday morning, when he launched his kayak from an Altona boat ramp. Medellin, Colombia: It is a frequent theme in TV police procedurals: a young person, down on their luck and caught up with a drug gang, makes a deal with a prosecutor to turn in the kingpins and be whisked away to witness protection. But for Cassandra Sainsbury, there are many reasons why that is unlikely to happen in her own, real-life court drama. After a dramatic week, the 22-year-old South Australian is awaiting a fresh hearing, after she told the judge in her case that she had been threatened into carrying the cocaine she was captured with on April 12. The judge chose to set another hearing to decide whether the introduction of the threat into the hearing record invalidated the legal basis of the plea deal on the table a maximum of six years in prison rather than the harshest penalty of 30 years. run75441 | July 30, 2017 3:15 pm I picked up this version 4 BS lies of Trump and Scott Walkers Imaginary Foxconn Factory on Tom Bozzos facebook page where I stopped to see what he had to say as of late. While it is a great attention grabber, a link caught my eye in Wonkettes article leading to this America and the Foxconn Dream . This morning Ken Thomas has his very thorough analysis Foxconn Cashes in for $3 Billion-Plus: Analysis up. The first being the wonkier, the 2nd is a Bloomberg discussion, and Kens is an analysis on a topic he pursues, government subsidizing business. And this one ??? I am not sure yet. You look at the picture and you see Ryan smirking in the background, a smug looking Trump smug face, and Mr. Terry Gou in a slight bow looking directly at Trump. I have seen the look before. Typically, this look comes from an Asian associate when they have taken what they want at your expense. Trump has been beating the protectionist drum loudly these days when talking to our neighbors Mexico and Canada. He has threatened China and other countries as well. Mr. Terry Gou the CEO of Foxconn said he would only come to the US if the chosen location met Foxconns demands, which of course Walker with the aid of Paul Ryan did do. The facility is located in Paul Ryans backyard. And the threat of having tariffs placed on Foxconn products has dissipated. Foxconn will invest $10 billion in a factory some say will be 20 million square feet and create 3000 jobs of roughly 6600 square feet for each US worker. Sounds more like a warehouse to me even if they stuck 160 foreign made robotic manufacturing cells (Tesla did such) in it. More than likely, this will be an assembly operation with components and assemblies coming from Foxconn and Foxconn suppliers. The value-add will be out of country. So what does all of this get Wisconsin for shelling out $519 per Wisconsin constituent and the US also? According to Bloombergs Tim Culpan; Wisconsin is paying as much as $1 million per job, which will carry an average salary of $54,000. The states economic development corporation is selling the project to taxpayers with a claim that it will create 10,000 construction jobs for building the facility and another 6,000 indirect positions. It is expecting $3.3 million of investment per employee from the Taiwanese company. Foxconn does not have a history of doing what it says and agrees to do. In Pennsylvania, Foxconn pledged $30 million to build a plant and hire 500 workers. It never happened. A pledge of $1 billion to build a plant in Indonesia dissipated also. Foxconns division Hon Hai has not spent 10 billion in any single year on infrastructure nor has it spent as much if one combines the last five years. Walkers boondoggle may be mostly hype and a way to insure he is reelected in 2018. I wonder why Walker is not in the picture with Ryan and Trump? Maybe out building his used car business for when he is not reelected? Giving you more say in your super? Not likely with these changes The government is introducing a raft of changes to the regulation of superannuation in a bid to give consumers more power over their retirement funds. But, in fact, consumers are unlikely to use these new powers and the changes might not improve super fund performance. The headline change introduces annual general meetings (AGMs) for superannuation funds. Previously these werent commonplace, as they are with companies. The government proposes these meetings will help fund members hold superannuation fund trustees and executives to account. But many of us barely glance at our own superannuation account balances when the six-monthly statement appears in our inbox, so its reasonable to predict that, of the 15 million or so superannuation fund members in Australia, only a tiny fraction are likely to go to an annual meeting. And why would we? One reason shareholders attend listed company AGMs is so they can vote on appointments of directors and remuneration of managers. However, superannuation funds are trusts, not public companies, and members wont have the same rights even if they attend. These AGMs will instead offer members the chance to quiz the executives, auditor and actuary, but no votes on material decisions. So this is nothing new: superannuation fund members have virtually no influence over trustee appointments, executive remuneration or other decisions. Even the industry fund trustees, who are representatives of member organisations in super funds (such as trade unions), are not usually elected by fund members but are appointed by their sponsoring organisations. If members are consigned to tea and biscuits with the fund chairman, where is the consumer power in Financial Services Minister Kelly ODwyers reforms? It rests mainly with the regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). The key changes intend to give APRA more responsibility for protecting the interests of superannuation fund members. This is particularly in relation to MySuper the standardised default superannuation product. Because superannuation is mandatory for most employees, the system captures many people who dont have the will or the skill to make active choices about what fund manages their retirement savings. This includes decisions on where their savings will be invested, and what level of life insurance cover they take. Passive members dont shop around for efficient providers, to their own cost. Following the paternalistic reasoning of the Cooper Review, successive governments have shepherded passive superannuation fund members into MySuper options. MySuper products must have a single diversified investment strategy, are allowed to charge only a limited range of fees and must offer a standard default cover for life and total and permanent disability. MySuper funds also have to report their investment goals and performance on a dashboard that is supposed to help people make comparisons between similar products. Employers must choose a default fund for their employees from the list of MySuper products. Even so, MySuper product fees and investment performance vary widely. APRA quarterly superannuation statistics (2017) report that, in 2015, after MySuper was up and running, annual fees and costs on a A$50,000 account balance in fixed-strategy MySuper products ranged from $265 per year to $1085 per year (with a median of A$520 per year). The investment performance of MySuper products also varies considerably. In the same year, the mean annual investment return (gross of expenses) for single-strategy MySuper products was 8.45%, the bottom 10% receive less than a 5.5% return and the top 10% receive more than a 10.9%. While some variation in returns is due to intentional differences in the design of default investment products, some is related to differences in manager skill or efficiency. These latest reforms, if passed into law, will mean APRA can refuse or cancel a MySuper authority, at a much lower threshold than applies currently. If APRA has reason to think that a superannuation entity that offers a MySuper product may not meets its obligations, that is grounds to refuse or cancel an authority. Since the default superannuation sector is large, such a decision would be extremely costly to the fund in question. Under this legislation, trustees of MySuper funds will be obliged to write their own annual report card. Each year, trustees will have to assess the options, benefits and facilities offered to their members and the investment strategy (target risk and return). Trustees will also be required to report on the insurance strategy for members, including whether (unnecessary) insurance fees are depleting balances; and to evaluate whether the fund is large enough to do all these at a reasonable cost. In each case, trustees are required to show that they are promoting members financial interests. They will have to compare the performance of their MySuper product to that of other MySuper products. Even though the trustees score their own card, APRA will also examine these, under the threat that the MySuper authority could be cancelled. Its not clear how much discipline these rules can impose on trustees, but there are some obstacles to implementation and some possible unintended consequences. Most superannuation funds know very little about their members. Usually these funds only collect a members age, gender, some indication of income, and sometimes their postcode. To show that a financial service, investment or insurance product promotes (or fails to promote) the financial interest of a member will be very difficult on this little information. For example, two 25-year-old men in the same profession will have very different needs for life insurance if one is single and the other has a non-income-earning partner and a child. But they will look the same to the MySuper trustees. Also, having an annual peer comparison of investment performance by MySuper trustees will focus on short-term results rather than the long-horizon outcomes needed for a secure retirement. So the governments claim that these changes will give consumers more power and strengthen regulation of this large sector are stretching the truth. >> BACK TO THE NEWSLETTER: Click here to read other articles from this weeks newsletter Susan Thorp, Professor of Finance, University of Sydney 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 youve ever read anything Ive 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 dont like the people who separate out the legal from the illegal, because its 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 conservatives really dont 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. As I was saying, its a recipe for disaster and really spicy comments at the end of the column when I choose to write about immigration. But I couldnt 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. Youre on an entirely different, cruel wavelength. Go read the comics. 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 dont care about dignity. You just come. We need to fix our system so that the tragedies that occurred last week dont repeat themselves. Unfortunately, instead of fixing the problem, our legislators put their heads in the sand, and our executive branch 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 Elians Mama syndrome. You remember her, dont 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? Its 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 doesnt allow for a more humane process to vet them at the border; we do it when we dont hold our legislators accountable for closing their eyes to the war at the border or, worse, for providing facile slogans about walls. We cant 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 shouldnt 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 hes offended this week, instead of jockeying for moral superiority (Democrats) and pie-in-the-sky repeals of laws youll never erase (GOP), we should demand that our legislators do their job and fix the immigration system. Now, damn it. We cant afford more bodies in parking lots. Diageo launches Johnnie & Ginger in Australia Diageo has released Johnnie & Ginger, its latest product innovation for Johnnie Walker in Australia. The premix ready-to-drink (RTD), available in both bottle and can format, combines the depth of 35 malt and grain whiskies that make up Johnnie Walker Red Label, balanced with the flavour of ginger ale. Johnnie & Ginger is a premium alternative to traditional RTDs or beer. Jonathan Morgan, Diageo marketing manager says: With the warmer months just around the corner, Johnnie & Ginger is a great choice for Australians looking to make their weekend get-togethers with friends that little bit more special. Featuring the iconic Johnnie Walker Striding Man, the new packaging reflects the products premium cues and has been designed to have visual impact and recognition at shelf. The launch of Johnnie & Ginger will be supported by a wider marketing campaign featuring outdoor, PR, social and POS support. Johnnie Walker will also release a remastered Johnnie & Cola RTD range at the same time with a new look, improved cola and the same whisky. Johnnie & Ginger (ABV 4.6%) will be available to purchase from liquor retailers from mid-August. Bottles (345ml) will be sold in packs of four for an RRP of AU$19.99; cans (375ml) will be sold in packs of six for an RRP of AU$24.99. 30 July 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor A Texas A&M University clinical professor at the Mays Business School said state legislators have analyzed every possible pro and con in their search to rein in soaring property tax bills during the special legislative session, and he doesn't "see anything that's been left unsaid." "They've got some difficult problems on their hands in regards to tax policy, and I don't have a magic solution," said Charles Gilliland, also a research economist at Mays. The Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 1 by a vote of 19-12 just after midnight Wednesday, sending the legislation over to the House. The bill would lower the current rollback rate from 8 to 4 percent, create an automatic election provision if a given entity exceeds the new rollback rate and establish a statewide office for complaint resolution and oversight. If passed, residents would be able to vote on their property taxes if a taxing entity's revenue would increase by greater than 4 percent of the revenues they took in over the previous year. State Rep. John Raney said in a statement that "property tax reform should start at the local level," but he "look[s] forward to the debate that will be coming soon in the House," regarding SB 1's passage in the Senate. In his statement, Raney called property tax reform "obviously important, but we cannot have a serious conversation about tax reform without stating the importance of public school finance reform as well. Our economic future depends on a well-educated workforce, and if we do not sufficiently invest in our students, then we can expect our workforce and employers to leave us for other parts of the world." Gov. Greg Abbott published an editorial Wednesday in the Houston Chronicle about property tax reform, a top priority of his call for a special session. "We must do more to put a lid on property taxes," Abbott wrote in the op-ed, titled "Local property tax burden is crushing the Texas Dream." Locally, property tax rates were the same in Brazos County in 2016 as they were in 2012, though they rose half of a percent in 2013. The rates rose 9 percent in College Station between 2012 and 2016, 4.5 percent in College Station ISD, 4.6 percent in Bryan ISD and decreased 0.6 percent in Bryan. As The Eagle reported Tuesday, 2017 property values for all of Brazos County's taxing entities increased almost entirely across the board: property values in the county grew by nearly $2 billion from certified values from 2016, and valuations increased in the majority of the county's other taxing districts. The cities of Bryan and College Station saw valuation increases of 11 and 11.4 percent, respectively, while Bryan's school district saw a valuation increase of around 12,5 percent, compared to an 11.5 percent valuation increase in College Station's school district. Mark Price, chief appraiser for the Brazos Central Appraisal District, said though the tax rates had stayed "fairly straight" over the past several years, property values have gone up because of the surge in new construction for homes and businesses. Rapidly growing areas such as Bryan-College Station need to increase taxes for community needs like schools and infrastructure that arise with an influx of residents, Gilliland said. "In a growing area, there are demands for public services that sometimes result in increased taxes," he said. "If you're looking for tax relief, you have to find some way to either replace the revenue you're going to forgo, or you have to essentially cut your expenditures." But Gilliland said that legislation merely limiting tax rates would only go so far to provide taxpayer relief. "Limiting tax rates would serve to possibly stop the increases, but for substantial relief, there would have to be actual reduction in tax rates," he said. Rep. Kacal and Sen. Schwertner did not respond to requests for comment. An investigation is underway into how a handcuffed DWI suspect was able to commandeer a trooper's patrol unit, then lead law enforcement on a three-mile chase through Normangee. The Longview woman was recaptured within minutes of the Friday night incident after the trooper fired shots to disable the vehicle, though officials declined to release how many shots were fired or whether the bullets struck a tire to make it stop. No injuries were reported. Madison County Sheriff's Deputy Troy Poe said he was the first on the scene of the one-vehicle accident on Old San Antonio Road in Madison County, where he detained 31-year-old Bridget Cast at about 9:20 p.m. The DPS trooper arrived minutes later to investigate, since accidents outside the city limits typically are handled by the state officers. Cast was given a sobriety test and arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated, according to officials. She was placed in the front seat of the patrol car, and when the trooper stepped away, authorities say Cast made her move. "He was actually preparing to take her to get her blood drawn," Poe said, referring to the standard practice of taking a driver suspected of DWI to a hospital, where the procedure is done. Officials did not release all the details of the incident but said Cast slipped her arms forward from where they were cuffed behind her back, slid over from the passenger seat and took control of the trooper's car. She sped off along OSR toward Normangee, authorities said, and the trooper jumped into the passenger seat of Poe's Madison County sheriff's patrol car. Poe drove as the two pursued Cast, who led them on a chase for three miles down OSR and onto Main Street in Normangee. "There was other traffic in the area, some light traffic," Poe said. According to Poe, he and the trooper tried to call for assistance, but the car's radio wasn't working properly. The trooper then shot at the vehicle from the Madison County sheriff's car, stopping Cast on the rural end of Main Street in Normangee. Poe said a Madisonville police officer arrived and took the woman to the Madison County Jail. Sgt. Jimmy Morgan, spokesman for DPS's Bryan office, said he could not comment on whether the trooper will be placed on administrative leave. He said troopers are trained to make the best decisions possible for each situation. "When people are evading in vehicles, there are a lot of things you have to consider," Morgan said. "Where are they going? Who could get hurt?" According to Morgan, suspects are not placed in the back seat of a patrol vehicle when arrested by state troopers, but rather placed in the front passenger seat. Though it is not a regular occurrence, Friday night's incident is not the first time someone has taken control of a trooper's car. "It doesn't happen often, but it has happened in years past," Morgan said. The Department of Public Safety is reviewing the incident. Cast is charged with evading arrest in a vehicle and unauthorized use of a vehicle, both state jail felonies each punishable by up to two years in a state jail, and driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. She is being held at the Madison County Jail, but her bail amount was not available Saturday. One thing you can say about John McCain is there is no middle ground. Either you love him or loathe him, sometimes both in a matter of hours or days, as last week proved. On Tuesday, when he voted with the Senate majority to continue discussion on the latest version of the health care bill, we was cheered by fellow Republicans, but excoriated by Democrats. Then, some 60 hours later, the maverick Arizona senator cast one of the deciding votes to kill the even newer so-called "skinny" health care bill overturning Obamacare. Then, Democrats cheered and Republicans condemned. McCain must be getting whiplash. There is a word for John McCain: Hero. Of course, he is a hero for his courageous service to his fellow Americans during the Vietnam War. He almost was killed in a 1967 fire on the USS Forrestal, the aircraft carrier off which he flew. Then, only a few months later, McCain was shot down during a bombing run on Hanoi and captured by the North Vietnamese. His captors tortured him -- as they tortured all the Americans they captured. More than 50 years later, McCain continues to experience physical difficulties because of his captivity. Because his father and grandfather were four-star admirals, the North Vietnamese saw propaganda value in releasing McCain early. But McCain refused to be used and rejected the offer. He remained a prisoner of war until 1973. McCain was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 and, four years later, he was elected to the U.S. Senate where, to the dismay of some conservatives, he continues to serve. There, McCain has earned a reputation for often putting country above party, as he did early Friday morning in voting against the "skinny" bill. We wish more of our representatives in Congress would do the same thing, but, alas, that doesn't happen often. We must take note here of two courageous Republican senators who joined McCain in defeating the "skinny" bill" Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who rejected threats from the Trump administration if she voted against the measure. Three brave Republican senators defeated a bad, bad health care bill. The votes by Collins and Murkowski aren't surprising, as both women had rejected other attempts to overturn Obamacare. Had McCain voted in favor of the bill, it would have ended in a 50-50 tie, which would have been broken by Vice President Mike Pence voting in favor of the bill. McCain didn't vote in favor, denying the vice president the chance to be a conservative hero. Tuesday, when McCain, who is facing his own mortality, appeared on the Senate floor he was cheered and embraced by members of both parties -- as he should have been. He was only 11 days past surgery to remove an aggressive tumor from his brain and still has the scar about his left eye to prove it. He could have continued his recuperation at his Arizona home, but health care has been a passion for the senator. McCain has been consistent in his criticism of the Affordable Care Act and he wants to see it replaced with something better. Still stung by the way Democrats forced through the act in 2010 without a single Republican input or vote, McCain understands that health care shouldn't be a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It is an American issue, one that affects all of, regardless of party, economic status or medical condition. After casting his vote to continue discussion on Tuesday, McCain gave a passionate speech on the Senate floor, urging his colleagues to put aside party differences and work together to reform health care. What a novel concept in Congress these days! Unfortunately, neither side apparently got McCain's message. Republicans have been trying for seven years to end Obamacare, without success. In all that time, they have been unable to come up with a better, more affordable plan. Democrats have been no help in all that time, rejecting attempt after attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Americans are not comfortable with the idea of abolishing Obamacare and replacing it at some time in the future. If the GOP hasn't been able to do it in seven years, what makes anyone believe they will do so in, say two years, if Obamacare expires then? The Senate says health care is dead for now. Perhaps that will give both sides to sit down, talk to each other, and come up with a health care plan worthy of this great nation. Thank you, Sen. McCain, for your courage in facing down your Senate colleagues and voting in the best interest of all Americans. You are a hero. God bless you in your hardest fight in the months ahead. An adage states, Any fool can destroy and tear down, but it is wisdom and skill that builds, conserves and preserves. The proposed budget submitted in May by the president is very foolish, as it is based on increased spending to destroy while slashing spending that builds, conserves and preserves. The budget calls for an increase of $54 billion for the Pentagon for more weapons and war. The U.S. already spends more on war than the next seven nations combined, most of whom are considered our allies. The past 16 years, the Pentagon has spent $3 trillion on the destruction of Middle Eastern nations to combat terrorism. The result of this foolishness is that our bombs have reduced these nations to rubble while spawning more hatred and enemies. Former defense secretaries have stated there are no military solutions to the devastation that the U.S. has wreaked on the people of the Middle East. Another reason this increased spending should be rejected is that the Defense Department is the one federal department that has never been audited. There is waste and bloated spending with no accountability. Increased military spending, alongside tax cuts, is the largest contributing factor to our $20 trillion national debt. Nebraskas two senators are members of the Senate Armed Service Committee. Both seem to believe that the more that is spent on war will somehow make us respected and strong. It is an illusion that is destroying whatever moral leadership this nation is perceived to possess. As a combat veteran of a foolish war 50 years ago and a member of Nebraskans for Peace and Veterans for Peace, I urge citizens to contact our congressional delegation and reject this immoral budget. Ron Todd-Meyer, Lincoln This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK Materials dredged from Norwalk Harbor and other coastline communities in southwestern Connecticut could be put to work locally rather than hauled away at exorbitant costs to distant disposal sites. Stamford Partnership, a quasi-public organization focused on improving that city, hopes to launch a feasibility study to see how suitable, non-contaminated dredged soils could be reused in the communities whence they come. The organization is seeking funding through the Western Connecticut Council of Governments. NHMC members discussed the concept during their monthly meeting at City Hall last Wednesday evening. The NHMC supports pursuing a feasibility study of this type. As described to the NHMC, the Stamford Partnership is seeking funds for this feasibility study through the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, John Pinto, NHMC Dredging Committee chairman, said Friday. This is not a new idea but rather an extension of what the Army Corps/DEEPs mission was to prepare a Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) for Long Island Sound. Pinto said the NHMC participated in the development of the management plan, which identified nontraditional alternatives for the beneficial use of dredged materials. Those alternatives include using the materials for shore protection, marsh creation and enhancement, and beach and island nourishment. The feasibility study, Pinto continued, would focus on coastal municipalities in western Connecticut. If the grant proposal put forward by Stamford Partnership to WestCOG is successful, there should be no initial cost to Norwalk, he added. Very interesting idea Anthony Mobilia, NHMC chairman, said the concept is worth exploring but added that more information is needed. We expressed interest in it, but we have to learn more about it, Mobilia said Thursday. Wed like to see a feasibility study to see if its at all possible. Right now, its an idea and its a very interesting idea. Mobilia said the city must look for different and more creative ways to dispose of dredged materials. The proposed study comes in response to a request from WestCOG, a regional planning entity that represents 18 towns and cities from Greenwich to the Housatonic Valley. Were creating an economic development strategy for the region and we solicited project ideas from local nonprofits, the towns and other regional entities, said Elizabeth Esposito, associate planner at WestCOG. The Stamford Partnership submitted a project idea for alternative dredging. We havent brought it to our board or made any decisions about when it would be done or how it would be done. Off-site disposal costly Pinto described the last Norwalk Harbor dredging project as An Augean Task given the amount of time put into planning, securing funding and regulatory approvals and the shear magnitude of the work. In December 2013, Marine Contracting Co., LLC, working under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, wrapped up the third and final phase of the massive Norwalk Harbor dredging project. Sixteen years in planning, the nearly $14 million project removed 499,200 cubic yards of sediment from the harbor and restored its federal navigation channel to authorized depths. Contaminated sediment removed from beneath the Interstate 95 bridge added more than $200,000 to the cost of the project. The bulk of the overall dredged sediment 463,000 cubic yards was placed in the Central Long Island Sound disposal site off New Haven. For that reason, the alternative put forward in the Dredged Material Management Plan and being advanced by Stamford Partnership are worth exploring in Norwalk and beyond, according to Pinto. This type of project would clearly benefit these communities as New York State and even our own CT DEEP have made dredging of our harbors extremely difficult and costly especially when it requires disposal of dredged material within Long Island Sound, Pinto said. Rhode Island and Massachusetts, he continued, have successfully employed nontraditional uses of dredged material, particularly for beach erosion and wetland preservation, according to Pinto. Norwalk would particularly benefit to assure protection of its barrier Islands, in addition to restoration and creation of wetlands necessary for cleansing Sound waters, Pinto said. Pinto said the NHMC wants to participate in the formulation of an appropriate scope of work for the feasibility study and related pilot project, and also be part of any project management team established to oversee the work. A plan to reuse dredged materials locally isnt without precedent in Norwalk. The Norwalk Land Trust was awarded a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to restore five to eight acres of degraded intertidal salt marsh at Village Creek. The plan calls for taking material dredged from offshore near the Village Creek harbor and beach and using it to fill in the degraded area, which then would be planted with native salt-meadow plants. The NLT must match the grant by raising another $20,000 for the project. rkoch@hearstmediact.com Sometimes Washington provides real theater. Who could have imagined Sen. McCain, returning early from a hospital bed after learning he had brain cancer, to cast the deciding negative vote on the GOPs overthrow of Obamacare President Trumps campaign centerpiece? Especially given the the Presidents campaign disparagement of then Lt. McCains five-year POW imprisonment. At least we have one U.S. senator who embodies Duty, Honor, Country. AURORA A sweet, colorful taste of Italy can be found right here in Central Nebraska. JoJos Gelato and Grill opened three years ago as a traveling food truck. Now, the business has expanded and has a more permanent location. The food is still served out of the truck at the Aurora location on Highway 34, but the location offers outdoor seating and shelter. Owners Jim and Marni Jo Danhauer of Marquette opened the Aurora location on May 20 and still take the truck to area events. Jim built the pergola and the building himself, as he worked in construction. The location also has a drive-thru for customers. The shop employs 10 part-time workers. The Danhauers married in April 2013 and decided to open their business later that year and did so in early 2014. The couple went to Italy on their honeymoon, where they tried gelato for the first time, though Marni Jo had been to Italy in 1988. We made sure we tried it in every city, Jim said of gelato. They toured the country and later took a class on how to make gelato. It wasnt until Marni Jos daughter wanted a gelato home kit for Christmas they thought about opening their own shop. The kit actually turned out really good gelato. The couple went ahead with the business idea and did their first event in June 2014. We thought Why not try and bring that to Central Nebraska? said Marni Jo, from whom the business gets its name. Theres not really an ice cream shop niche here, she said of Aurora and why it was a good place for their business. The photo used on JoJos sign is Jims favorite picture he took while in Italy, which shows a gondola on the water in the city. When they started out, they made the gelato in their custom-built food truck, which took up a lot of room. Theyve since been able to have a commercial kitchen at home where they can make new gelato flavors and transport them to the trucks coolers. JoJos gelato is made with equipment and ingredients imported from Italy, which the Danhauers take pride in. They want their gelato to be as authentic as possible. The only ingredient not imported from Italy, Jim said, is the local Nebraska milk. Marni Jo said an Italian man visited the shop and was skeptical of the gelato at first, until he tried it. Thats the fun part of it the people, Jim said. He said its fun to see peoples experience of trying gelato for the first time. I like seeing the expressions of people who never tried it before, Jim said. The flavors rotate in the cooler that holds eight tubs, but popular gelato flavors are strawberry cheesecake, caramel crunch and salted caramel. Pistachio is Marni Jos favorite and caramel crunch is Jims favorite. They also have a birthday cake gelato to celebrate Nebraskas 150th and are in the process of creating a solar eclipse themed gelato. JoJos will be at the Nebraska State Fair all 11 days, which Jim and Marni Jo said theyre excited about. Though the gelato is popular, its not the only thing JoJos serves. Italian ice, sandwiches and paninis are also on the menu. Marni Jos favorite sandwich is their rosemary chicken sandwich that includes onion, arugula and ranch on it. Jim and Marni Jo said theyve had great response and support from the community and said theyre continuing to develop and expand the business. JoJos Gelato and Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. For more information on flavors, specials, hours and where the JoJos truck will be, visit the JoJos Gelato and Grill Facebook page or at www.jojosgelato.net. On the third weekend of August, Central Nebraska will welcome people from Europe, Australia and all across the U.S. who want a good look at the total solar eclipse Aug. 21. No one really knows how many visitors the area will have, because total solar eclipses dont happen every year, or even every century. According to sources Stuhr Museum is working with, the eclipse could bring anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 people to the Grand Island area, said museum Executive Director Joe Black. All of Grand Islands hotel rooms are booked, so it will not be a normal weekend. Therell be a lot of people in town that weekend looking for things to do, said Brad Mellema, executive director of the Grand Island Convention and Visitors Bureau. A lot of activities have been set up to accommodate them. One of the more interesting attractions will be Moonstock, described as three days of peace, love and beer. The outdoor gathering will take place Aug, 18-20 outside Kinkaider Brewing Co. in downtown Grand Island. The big attraction will be a Pink Floyd tribute band performing the night of Aug. 20, culminating with Dark Side of the Moon. Stuhr Museum activities Stuhr Museums Gem Over the Prairie event will probably attract the biggest eclipse crowd in Grand Island. The event will attract two kinds of crowds, Black said members of the scientific community and average people who just want to see the celestial phenomenon. Visitors will park in two areas north of the Stuhr building. Scientists with large telescopes will be able to stay in the northern portion of the field. The public will park on the south side of the field. The Sheriffs Posse will be on hand to help with parking. The main viewing area will be on the southern part of the grounds, near the church and the 1890 farm. Food vendors will be on hand. The gates will open at 8 a.m. Aug. 21. No overnight camping will be allowed. Professors will also be present to discuss the eclipse. In Railroad Town, people will talk about the eclipse from an 1890 perspective. Although the number of visitors is tough to predict, the Stuhr Museum is used to handling large crowds, Black said. An eclipse is best observed with other people, he said. Experts say the best viewing area offers as big a sightline as possible from horizon to horizon, and the museum fits that description. Nebraska musician Paul Siebert will perform as well. The Painting the Legacy of Nebraska exhibit has been held over an additional day because of the eclipse. The Todd Williams art show, on display in the Stuhr Building, is the official traveling exhibit of the Nebraska 150th Commission. Balloons will be launched into the sky as part of the NASA Nebraska High Altitude Ballooning Program. The co-leads of that project are Michael and Kendra Sibbernsen. He is the lecturer of astronomy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and she teaches physics and astronomy at Metro Community College in Omaha. Everything will be free that day at Stuhr Museum, except for food and items in the gift shop. Eclipse viewing glasses will be available while supplies last. The museum suggests a donation of $2 for the glasses. Walking events The Nebraska Wanderfreunde Trailblazers, based in Omaha, will come to Grand Island for five walks and a swim event Aug. 18-21. That group will bring at least 135 people to Grand Island. The Nebraska Wanderfreunde Trailblazers operate under the umbrella of the American Volkssport Association. Members of that group are coming from 17 states, said Jeanna Miller of Omaha, a member of the Trailblazers. The public is welcome to join the group on almost all of its activities that weekend. That includes a group walk through historic downtown Grand Island the evening of Aug. 18. A $3 fee will be charged. On Aug. 19, the group will walk at Crane Trust Nature Center and swim at the YMCA. The price of the Crane Trust walk is $3. The day will conclude with a Star Party at Sherman Ranch near Marquette. On Aug. 20, the group will take part in a morning walk at the Edgerton Explorit Center in Aurora and an evening walk along the Dark Island Trail near Central City. The fees are $3 for the Aurora walk and $4 for the Dark Island walk. On the day of the eclipse, the group will start at Hall County Park and wind up at Stuhr Museum. For that event, the fee is $5. For information, visit www.netrailblazers.club or call Miller at (402) 981-0463 or Sandy Spaulding at (712) 435-0815. Church viewing party First-Faith United Methodist Church, 4190 W. Capital Ave., will host a free eclipse viewing party open to the public. The party runs from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Aug. 21. You will be able to set up your chairs anywhere on the wide-open ball fields behind the church, says the churchs Facebook page. We will have concessions available so you can stop by on your lunch break. There is plenty of parking and the church will be open for access to restrooms, too. Eclipse viewing glasses will be available. Refreshments will be provided after the eclipse. People are invited to go inside the church to join in a discussion about the phenomenon they just witnessed. Other viewing sites in Grand Island will include Camp Augustine and Heartland Public Shooting Park. Some major employers in Grand Island plan to invite their employees outside to watch the eclipse, Mellema said. Literacy Council program The Literacy Council of Grand Island will host a total solar eclipse presentation at 7 p.m. Aug. 10. The speaker will be Mariana Lazarova, a physics and astronomy professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The Literacy Council is at 312 N. Elm St., Suite 101. Everyone is welcome. Eclipse viewing glasses will be provided. To RSVP, call the Literacy Council at (308) 385-5515. Mormon Island Look Up, Look Around: Citizen Science Encounter will take place Aug. 21 at Mormon Island State Recreation Area. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendees will help scientists better understand the behavior of animals during an eclipse by recording their observations in a diary. A park entry permit is required. Church service A community church service, organized by Trinity United Methodist United Church, will be held Aug. 20 in downtown Grand Island. Called Praise on the Plaza, the service will be presented at Railside Plaza. The event begins with a drum circle at 9 a.m. The worship service will begin at 9:30. Crane Trust The Crane Trust is inviting people to view the eclipse at the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center, just off Interstate 80 Exit 305 at 9325 S. Alda Road in Wood River. In addition to the parking lot, a hay field next to the center will be cleared for parking. People may also park on the nearby gravel road. At 10 a.m. Aug. 21, speaker Diana Nevins will discuss why the eclipse is occurring, what to expect and safe viewing techniques. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, good walking shoes, sunscreen, bug spray and water. Food will be available for purchase. Access to eight miles of Crane Trust walking trails will be free. The Crane Trust will be open Aug. 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours Aug. 21 will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other events Leading up to the eclipse: The Liederkranz will host its third annual Craft Brew and Sausage Fest from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 19. The cost is $30 in advance, and $35 on the day of festival. The annual Vintage and Classic Wheels car show will be Aug. 20 at Stolley Park. Prairie Pride Brewing Co. is also planning an eclipse event. Its 1897 at Stuhr Museums Railroad Town and Boys Scouts attending this weekends Overland Trails Council Merit Badge University are learning about some of the skills used during that time period that were part of everyday life on the plains of Nebraska. Nearly 500 Boy Scouts, Scout leaders, instructors and volunteers are in Grand Island this weekend for the 10th annual Merit Badge University. During the three days of activities and classes, Scouts have the opportunity to choose from more than 70 merit badge offerings that they need to advance in the ranks of Scouting. Many of those merit badges reflect modern life, such as truck transportation, nuclear science, robotics, automobile maintenance and more. But other merit badges focus on skills used by those who came before us, who didnt have the advantage of modern technology and science, such as the skills needed to be a tinsmith and a blacksmith. Tinsmithing and blacksmithing were offered to the Scouts as a merit badge opportunity at Stuhr Museums Railroad Town, which has on staff a blacksmith and a tinsmith. Loren Miller has been the Railroad Towns tinsmith for more than a decade. About a half-dozen Scouts gathered Saturday morning at Millers tinsmithing shop, where they not only got some hands-on experience making a tin cup, but also learned an important history lesson of a skill that eventually became automated as the Age of Machines redefined civilization during the Industrial Age. The Scouts gathered around Miller in his small workshop full of the tools of the tinsmiths trade as he briefed them on the history of tinsmithing. A lot of people dont have a lot of knowledge or arent familiar with what we are talking about when talking about tinsmithing, he said. Human beings discovered tin more than 5,000 years ago. It appeared in veins, like gold, and out of the natural curiosity that defines humans, Miller said, they began to experiment with this metal. The first time they found out was that they were able to mix tin with copper and with that you get bronze, which was pretty handy because for the next 3,000 or so years they were able to make tools, weapons and other things that they wanted to use it for, he said. Then, flash forward to the 1600s in Germany when human beings learned to take iron and make it into a flat sheet. With some experimentation, they would take the tin that came out of the ground, which melts at 444 degrees, then melt the tin and take their sheet iron and dip into their tank of molten tin, Miller said. When it came out, they had a new product of iron covered with tin. With that, they learned how to make hundreds and hundreds of things, such as utility things that they could cook with and vessels and containers to hold and store things. As the popularity of these tin-sheeted goods grew and demand began to increase, advances in mechanization began to define the tin industry and machines eventually replaced the village tinsmith in the age of mass production. Before mechanization dominated the tin industry in this country, Miller said, there were hammers and mallets and tin snips, but still those simple tools helped people advance their way of life. It became particularly popular as we started to move west because as they moved west they could take a lot of tin containers and articles and stuff with them and it would make their loads a lot lighter. As necessity is the mother of invention, when they began to use tin containers to store food and make it portable, demand for food in tin cans grew quickly. A tinsmith and his helper could only make about 40 tin cans per day, which Miller said wasnt enough as machines could make tin cans faster to meet the growing demand. That is when industry changed things, he said. The cottage industry tinsmith began to fade out because he couldnt compete with industry and factories and those sort of things. Next door to the tinsmithing shop at Railroad Town is the blacksmith shop, where another group of Scouts was getting hands-on instruction from Railroad Towns village blacksmith, Randy Dack. Dack was passing on his years of skills in the blacksmithing trade to the young Scouts with a show and tell presentation on the knowledge that has come from experience, whether how to properly stand next to an anvil when working with hot iron or when to be hard and soft with iron when shaping it with a hammer, or how to work with fire and how to be safe. Each Scout got to pound and shape hot metal as part of the merit badge experience. Remember, this iron will go from red hot and turn back black in color and look like its cold, but it will still be 800 degrees, Dack warned them. He said blacksmithing is all about manipulating metal, and it is a lot easier to do with heat. The blacksmith must respect his tools and the heat, Dack said, and get them working together as one. When asked why its important for young Scouts to learn about the art of blacksmithing, he said, One day the power is going to go out and if somebody doesnt preserve it, theyll find it has been lost and it will be gone forever. Blacksmithing is about respecting ones self, he said, knowing you can make raw steel into an object used by people to better their lives. Steel doesnt change, Dack said. The only thing steel wants to do is to resist what you want to do to it. Scout leader Lewis Alvarez of the Denver area was observing his Scouts as they were learning about the art of blacksmithing from Dack. This is a merit badge that is not particularly easy to get and the fact that they are able to come here and work with the hot metal and fire, it is an unusual merit badge they are able to get, Alvarez said. Merit badges Scouts can earn in old-timey arts such as tinsmithing, blacksmithing, leather work and woodwork, which were also being offered at the Merit Badge University, give the Scouts an appreciation of how things used to be before the Age of Machines. They learn to build stuff with their hands and not be attached to an electronic device all the time, Alvarez said. It really builds their self-confidence. Scouting is a great program to teach leadership. One of Alvarezs Scouts, Blake Horvat, who is 16 years old, is a journeyman blacksmith. He was helping to supervise the other Scouts who were there to earn their merit badge in blacksmithing. He is an Eagle Scout. Horvat said it was Dack who inspired him to become a blacksmith several years ago when he first came to Grand Island from Denver to attend the Merit Badge University. He taught me my first class and I got hooked on it, he said. I went back home and found a guy who was willing to teach me and I learned. Horvat said blacksmithing is an important trade for a young person to learn and preserve for future generations of Scouts. It is really an old-fashioned art, but it is the most important one, he said. It is hard work. Horvat said through Scouting, a Scout learns to be self-sufficient and self-reliant, which is a hallmark of the Scouting program. Blacksmithing and other hands-on trades are about connecting with the materials youre working with. It about learning to do something with your hands, he said. WASHINGTON As Donald Trump veers wackily from day to day, swearing before 30,000 Boy Scouts, publicly humiliating his attorney general and changing his mind on policy issues, he is raising alarm that the president of the United States might be mentally unstable. Caught unaware of a live microphone, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., confided to Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, I think he (Trump) is crazy. Responded Collins, Im worried. At least we can agree Trump is not an inspirational leader on civics. In a speech roundly decried as unhinged to the Boy Scouts Jamboree in West Virginia, he said what the hell, went on and on about the November election, diatribed against Hillary Clinton and his predecessor, and told the Scouts not to believe the news media. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the first senator to endorse Trumps presidency, is loyally carrying out Trumps agenda to force sanctuary cities to turn over undocumented immigrants and fill the jails with drug addicts. In return, Trump has mounted a daily fusillade of Twitter and media attacks on him. Trump wants him gone because Sessions legally had to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. Trump wants a new attorney general to fire special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who ran the FBI for 12 years and is investigating Russias interference in the 2016 election. Mueller is charged with finding out whether the Trump campaign worked with Russia to undermine Clinton, examining meetings between Trump family and campaign officials, including Sessions, and Russians loyal to Vladimir Putin, an official U.S. adversary. Then, on a day the Senate was voting tensely on the nations crucial health care insurance system, Trump suddenly tweeted that transgender Americans will no longer be welcome or tolerated in the armed services even though thousands of transgender people currently serve as soldiers, sailors, marines and merchant marines. The Defense Department, with no idea Trumps decree was coming, is perplexed how to halt a policy under implementation. Former President Barack Obama announced last year that transgender people could serve openly in the military after a study concluded there would be minimal impact on military readiness or health care costs. Trump had promised the LBGTQ community would have no better friend than he would be as president. Psychiatrists and psychologists are openly debating whether they should give opinions about Trumps mental health or use phrases such as narcissistic personality disorder, egotist, misogynist or pathological liar in reference to him. The American Psychoanalytic Association concluded that psychoanalysts should offer relevant psychoanalytic insights to aid the public in understanding a wide range of phenomena in politics, the arts, popular culture, history, economics, and other aspects of human affairs. But the APA urged extreme caution in making statements to the media about public figures, saying respect for individuals and the limits of psychoanalytic inference is essential. In other words, it remains unethical for psychiatrists and others to diagnose the sanity of a public figure without personal interaction but it is good for society in general if experts discuss their interpretations of unusual behaviors. Dr. Allen Frances, a professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University and a textbook author on mental illness, wrote to The New York Times, saying its unfair to the mentally ill to say Trump is sick. Trump causes severe distress rather than experiencing it and has been richly rewarded, rather than punished, for his grandiosity, self-absorption and lack of empathy. Rather than calling Trump psychiatric terms that dont apply, Trump should be called out for his ignorance, incompetence, impulsivity and pursuit of dictatorial powers. His psychological motivations are too obvious to be interesting, and analyzing them will not halt his headlong power grab. The antidote to a dystopic Trumpean dark age is political, not psychological, Frances concluded. Alas, the doctor makes sense. We will not be rid of the Trumpean menace to civility, gentility and rationality by blaming an illness such as narcissistic personality disorder that Trump does not have. Folks, we must face that we elected a boorish and dangerous threat to democracy, a man who thinks himself above the law. As president, he is an unmitigated disaster. But he is not mentally ill. The rollup to the Nebraska State Fair is in full swing as Grand Island prepares to welcome more than 350,000 people to town for the states biggest annual reunion. At this point in the summer, Grand Island has already hosted thousands of visitors who have come to attend cattle shows, 4-H events, Heartland Shooting Park events, the Hall County Fair, Hear Nebraska concerts and a host of other activities. Yet to come, the Nebraska150 Express will stop in Grand Island on Aug. 6 as part of the states sesquicentennial celebration. And, many thousands more will visit Grand Island to witness the once-in-a-lifetime celestial marvel of a total eclipse of the sun on Aug. 21. Following quickly on the heels of the State Fair are Husker Harvest Days, the debut of the Aksarben stock show and auction, and Harvest of Harmony. In all, more than 500,000 visitors will enjoy Grand Islands hospitality during the next two months. As in years past, more than 1,000 volunteers will mobilize to tend to hospitality duties associated with State Fair and other events. Another 500 to 700 volunteers are being recruited for the annual citywide cleanup effort being organized by the Grand Island Area Clean Community System and its partners Grow Grand Island, Nebraska State Fair, city of Grand Island, and Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce. The community beautification effort will take place Aug. 7-20, with the goal being to boost community pride by caring for and keeping streets, parks, lawns, businesses, churches, schools, parking lots and drainage basins litter free. Residents, family members, organizations, clubs and businesses are invited to participate. Cleanup volunteers can sign up at www.statefairvolunteer.org or call (308) 385-5095. Once volunteers log their profile information, they can select the time and location of their cleanup preferences. Each volunteer will receive a free t-shirt. Groups of any size are encouraged to participate to help Grand Island shine as the most welcoming community in the state. For more information contact Denise McGovern-Gallagher at (308) 385-5095 or email director@cleancommunity.org. RACINE COUNTY Even though David Namowicz, president of Warren Industries, mainly hires unskilled labor, he isnt worried about Foxconn and its promised entry-level pay of $13 to $15 an hour. Taiwanese electronics behemoth Foxconn has committed to building a $10 billion plant in southeastern Wisconsin and to eventually hire up to 13,000 people. Its reported average salary will be $53,875 plus benefits, and entry-level pay will be close to $15 an hour, according to state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine. Namowicz would only say that Warrens entry-level pay is less than $13. But for several reasons, he said, the prospect of Foxconn paying more is no issue for him. For one thing, The going rate in Kenosha is $13 at Amazon and others, he said. So were already facing that challenge. Namowicz continued, What matters is: Where are they going to be? A lot of people who dont work on a regular basis may not have a car. The odds are, a lot of them will not come from the city, he said. Warren, which does contract packaging and shipping, is already busing people in from Milwaukee, as does Amazon, Namowicz said. For two years, low-end labor has been a problem in Racine because of Kenosha (companies). Those with cars are going to Kenosha for the $13. Wisconsin doesnt have much labor to hire, Namowicz said. Everyones fighting for people. Namowicz said hes been trying to adapt by looking for clients that pay better so he can raise his starting wage and better compete for labor. With what weve been doing for the last one or two years, (Foxconn) didnt change our plans for the future. Upward wage pressure Barry Gerhart, a University of Wisconsin professor of management and human resources, said he thinks employers of low-skilled workers could have more trouble finding labor if Foxconn creates the promised thousands of new jobs. Theyll either have to reach a little deeper in the applicant pool, raise wages and benefits, or automate, Gerhart said. On the other hand, Gerhart pointed to the new income that would be flowing into the economy through thousands of Foxconn employees: approximately $700 million annually at the peak employment of 13,000 people. In addition, Foxconn would be expected to spawn another 22,000 indirect jobs from its supply chain. Some of the small businesses that cater to consumers would reap additional business from all that additional disposable income, he said. Hart Posen, an associate professor of management and human resources in the UW School of Business, said the distribution of lower- and higher-paying jobs within Foxconn is extremely vague. But he doesnt expect this plant to look like the companys other ones that have great numbers of hand-assemblers. This one will more likely be highly automated. But, If it looks like lots of reasonably low-cost people and a handful of high-cost people, then that will probably put wage pressure on other places that would hire that kind of worker, Posen said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, July 30, 2017 10:09 1931 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aad02c7 1 City Jagorawi,toll-road,accident Free A toll road official, Mulyadi, 49, was hit by a car while helping victims of a car accident on the Jagorawi toll road. He passed away on the scene. On Thursday night, Mulyadi tried to help victims after three minibuses were involved in an accident. State-owned toll road operator Jasa Marga spokesperson Dwimawan Heru said two of the minibuses were removed to the roadside. The other minibus was still in one of the road's lanes. When he wanted to secure the lane by installing a rubber cone and remove the remaining minibus, he was hit from the back by a car, Dwimawan said as quoted by tribunnews.com. Mulyadi died and his colleague, who was also on duty, suffered major injuries. One crane officer and the driver of the minibus also suffered major injuries. Mulyadi was taken to PMI hospital in Bogor, while the crane officer was taken to Ciawi Hospital. The other two were hospitalized at the Pertamedika Sentul Hospital in Bogor. The perpetrator who struck Mulyadi has been detained by the police. (wnd/wit) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, July 30, 2017 10:30 1931 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aad2070 1 National excavator,Jujuhan-Police,Bungo,Jambi,theft,heavy-equipment Free Personnel from the criminal investigation unit at the Jujuhan Police in Bungo, Jambi, apprehended five people on Friday for allegedly stealing assets belonging to mining company Artamulia Tata Pratama (ATP) Jujuhan. The arrest came from information provided by an ATP Jujuhan employee, who reported an alleged theft of used track-load rails (excavator wheels) from the company. The police arrest five suspects: RC, 35, YS, 24, HS, 36, AY, 23, and RW, 23. They allegedly committed their crime in the south workshop area of a coal mine owned by ATP in Tanjung Belit village, Jujuhan district, on Wednesday. The perpetrators stole and carried the used load rails with single cabin triton vehicles, said Jujuhan Police chief First Insp. David R. Yudhistira on Saturday. They later took the load rails out of the mining area and sold them to a metal scrap buyer. The incident inflicted Rp 20 million (US$1,500) in financial losses upon the company. During the arrest, the police confiscated Rp 1.6 million in cash allegedly left from the sale of the load rails. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Newsdesk (JP) Jakarta Sun, July 30, 2017 23:28 1931 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aad8209 2 Business salt-import,Australia Free The government has issued an import permit for state-owned salt producer PT Garam to import 75,000 tons of raw salt material from Australia. The salt will enter Indonesia through three ports on Aug. 10. "In 2016, we allocated 226,000 tons of salt imports, so we still have room. When the harvest returns to normal, we will stop importing," the Trade Ministry's foreign trade director general, Oke Nurwan, said in Jakarta on Friday. He further said that the government would decide the price of table salt in the retailer market next week. The ministry hopes that after the import is realized in August, the domestic supply of salt will gradually return to normal. The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministrys director general for territorial sea management, Brahmantya Satyamurti, said the amount of domestic salt production was currently far from the normal production of 166,000 tons a month. From May to July, salt farmers only managed to produce 6,200 tons, which is far from normal, he said. The Trade Ministry has ensured that salt distribution in the market will be tightly monitored by a food stability task force, which includes personnel from the police, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry. Salt imports are regulated under the Law No. 7/2016 on the protection and empowerment of fishermen, fishers and salt farmers. It stipulates that import permits issued to PT Garam by the Trade Ministry requires a recommendation letter from the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry. (dis/ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Newsdesk (JP) Jakarta Sun, July 30, 2017 23:39 1931 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aad91e5 2 Business Block71,salim-group,startup Free Block71, a Singapore-based global network of entrepreneurial hubs set up and managed by the National University of Singapore (NUS) enterprise, has finally landed in Jakarta after partnering with prominent conglomerate Salim Group. Block71 Jakarta, dubbed an ecosystem builder for start-ups, will help start-up companies gain access to investors, corporate partners, mentors and industry, while its office functions as a co-working space. NUS enterprise chief executive officer Lily Chan said the hub welcomed any start-up company to join the community. Several start-ups, such as Popbox, KliknKlin, Pinjam and Algoritma have joined the platform. Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said the existence of entrepreneurial hubs, such as Block71, was needed to boost the countrys digital sector. Salim Group executive director Axton Salim said the conglomerate groups knowledge about the Indonesian market would be useful for start-ups that join Block71. He added that Salim Group had invested in Popbox, a start-up that focuses on package delivery services. (rdi/ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, July 30, 2017 10:15 1931 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aad1109 1 Guide To Jakpost-guide-to,#JakpostGuideTo,travel,#travel,Kemang,#Kemang Free Many Jakartans have a love-hate relationship with Jl. Kemang Raya in South Jakarta. On the plus side, the road is filled with trendy restaurants, bars and shops, making it a popular destination among both local and expatriate residents; the flip side is the congested traffic and occasional floods that often frustrate visitors. Despite this, Jl. Kemang Raya is still an interesting area to explore, especially for first-time visitors to Jakarta. How to get there The long, narrow and winding main street descending from Jl. Antasari to the upscale Kemang neighborhood is not public transport-friendly. Instead, take private vehicles, taxis or ride-hailing and on-demand transportation services, such as GO-JEK, Uber or Grab, to get there. Motorcycles are the preferred mode, as they can negotiate around the queue of cars and buses that often crowd the road, and even take the narrowest side streets that cut through the residential area. For those keen to brave the area by public transportation, Metromini S77 and Kopaja S605A buses are available, departing from Blok M Terminal. Otherwise, it might be easiest to be dropped off on Jl. Antasari at the top of Jl. Kemang Raya and explore on foot. What to wear Jl. Kemang Raya is filled with trendy restaurants and bars, which makes smart casual the safest bet for a daytime outing. At night, it really depends on the event or venue club, pub, bar, literary cafe, steakhouse or fine dining restaurant? Those coming to Kemang for a laid-back family weekend can opt for T-shirt and jeans, or anything ranging from casual to informal wear that speaks "comfortable". No flip-flops or beach sandals though, please. These aren't considered proper footwear to be seen wearing out in public. Read also: Jakpost guide to Jl. Cipete Raya What to do Jl. Kemang Raya is not only for the hip and trendy, and is also considered a family-friendly place. Ganara Art Studio has creative classes for children from 1.5 years old, including art education and physical development. (JP/Christhalia Wiloto) Parents looking for recreational activities for their children can visit Ganara Art Studio. Located at Sekolah Kembang behind Aksara bookstore, the studio offers a range of creative classes for children aged 1.5 years and above, including early art sensory, fine motor fun, photography and cooking club. Adults can also join the studio's art classes, such as pottery and drawing, at the studio. Chipmunks Playland & Cafe and Tamani Kids Cafe Adventure Land are also popular with kids. Chipmunks is located in the Colony building and it welcomes children aged six months to 10 years. Tamani Kids is located in the Kemang Square building and is open to children of any age. Adults can also find a variety of things to do aside from eating or sipping Java. Movie buffs can visit Kinosaurus. Located behind Aksara bookstore, the micro-cinema screens many different film genres, including documentaries from Taiwan and Malaysia, French as well as local films. Kinosaurus is open every weekend with tickets priced Rp 35,000 (US$2.62) for students and Rp 50,000 for general audiences. Cutie Cats Cafe offers furry feline "therapy". (JP/Christhalia Wiloto) Meanwhile, cat lovers can go to Cutie Cats Cafe. For Rp 55,000 on weekdays and Rp 85,000 on weekends, guests can enjoy some quality time with the furry felines. What to buy Kemang is a go-to place for those looking for some unique local or imported goods. Opened in 2000, Aksara bookstore is one of the longest-standing shops on Jl. Kemang Raya. Here, visitors can find imported stationery, books as well as collector's items such as Star Wars memorabilia and The Wes Anderson Collection: The Grand Budapest Hotel. They also have a wide range of Blu-ray and DVDs. Recently opened Intruders offers branded street fashion for the young and young-at-heart. (JP/Christhalia Wiloto) Next to Aksara, fashion enthusiasts will find Intruders. Recently opened, the store offers branded street fashion, including Supreme, Balenciaga and AntiSocial Social Club. Tulisan collaborates with local textile artisans to produce unique apparel and decorative items featuring hand-drawn sketches and prints. (JP/Christhalia Wiloto) In the Colony building, fashion enthusiasts can get their hands on local high-end brands such as Tulisan and Ghea Fashion. Tulisan offers hand-drawn illustrations and sketches and prints mixes designed for those wanting a unique fashion piece. As for the latter, the shop offers a collection from one of the most prominent local fashion designers Ghea Panggabean. Across the street from the Colony is Kem Chick's supermarket. Founded by eccentric businessman Bob Sadino, the grocery store offers imported products as well as ready-to-eat gourmet meals. Off Jl. Kemang Raya is the letterpress printing shop, Distillery. The shop uses nearly extinct Heidelberg printing machines to create personalized business and wedding stationery. Read also: Jakpost guide to Pantai Indah Kapuk What to eat Frequent visitors to Kemang will be familiar with how new bars or eateries pop up every month and how only a few manage to stay open. Casa Benedict by Casa restaurant may be a fine pick-me-up for those who braved the traffic to get to Kemang. (JP/Christhalia Wiloto) Casa is one of the veteran eateries. Here, guests will find a plethora of dishes, varying from nasi goreng gila (fried rice served with various toppings) to Casa Benedict (Casa-style eggs Benedict), to sandwiches and pastas. Those looking for local flavors might try Lumpang Emas in Colony. Specializing in Indonesian food, the eaterys signature dishes include nasi campur umara (rice cooked with lime leaves and served with a variety of sides), nasi burung punai tangkap (rice with fried pigeon) and more. Off Kemang Raya, foodies will find the Akasya Express. Established by catering company Akasya, the eatery is known for its gyu tan don (Japanese rice bowl with beef tongue). In addition to local establishments, Kemang Raya is also home to the US chain Hooters, toned down for local consumption. At Hooters Jakarta, the attraction is American food with a local twist, such as burgers and chicken with rendang sauce. Those looking for a brew can drop by old-time favorites Murphys Irish Pub & Restaurant, Die Stube German Resto & Bar and English-style pub Eastern Promise, also known for its live bands. Younger crowds usually hit FJ on 7 at Colony or Parc 19 on Jl. Taman Kemang. Where to stay Those who want to beat the infamous Jakarta traffic by staying in Kemang can book a room at the grandkemang Hotel Jakarta or the Kemang Icon Hotel. The grandkemang is a four-star contemporary business hotel while Alila's Kemang Icon is a boutique hotel catering to urban chic, both suitable for foreign travelers. Each year, the grandkemang Hotel Jakarta hosts the Indonesian Contemporary Art & Design (ICAD) exhibition, which also makes it the right place to stay for art enthusiasts. Tips - Make a reservation at restaurants; they fill up fast. - Leave shopping for days and never on Friday and Saturday nights, when the area becomes jam-packed with "nights out" revelers. - The sidewalks are narrow and uneven, so be careful when walking. (kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, July 30, 2017 15:24 1931 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aad61cd 1 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Lake-Toba,traditional-dance Free A group of performers showcasing Tortor traditional dance and Gondang Batak welcomed the arrival of Spanish orchestra group Vinculos on July 27 in Lake Toba. Fifty members of the orchestra group are scheduled to stay in Lake Toba until August 2. During their stay, they will perform in several places located around the Tobasa regency. Apart from the performances, members of the orchestra will also get an opportunity to see the making Ulos, Batak traditional fabric, and Sangkakala trumpet performance performed by 10 people for 10 minutes. Read also: Ubud listed among 'world's top 15 cities' The welcoming event was then followed by Ulos-handover ceremony presented by Tobasa regent, Darwin Siagian, and culture and education ministrys cultural heritage and diplomacy director Nadjamuddin Ramly to Vinculos director Manuel Paz. Following the ceremony, Vinculos took the stage to perform for the guests. The ministry of culture and education initiated the event to encourage cultural, social and educational exchange between the two countries. This year, the ministry is targeting to promote Indonesian culture to 50 countries in the world through social media, cultural interaction and virtual communication. Vinculos will introduce the beauty of Lake Toba to the world through their photos on social media, said Nadjamuddin. Lake Toba was chosen because it is included in the tourism ministrys 10 priority destinations list. Read also: Six ways to enjoy music events in Jakarta Moreover, Darwin was enthusiastic with Vinculos visit to Lake Toba, he believed that the international orchestra group helps promote Lake Toba to the world. Our hope for the future is we can always host big events in Tobasa to introduce the culture and tourism in this area. Its an honor for the people of Tobasa and Lake Toba to be visited by Vinculos, since they are a special guest from the ministry of culture and education, Darwin said. Following their visit to Lake Toba, the Madrid-based group is slated to travel Pramuka Island on August 7 and Jakarta. (asw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, July 30, 2017 12:17 1931 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97aad5240 1 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Padang,west-sumatra,festival Free Padang plans to light up the night sky with its annual Torch and Telong-Telong (lanterns) Festival that will be held on August 6 at Panjang Chimpago Field, Padang Beach. This is an annual event that celebrates the 348th anniversary of Padang. We hope that this event can entertain the locals and tourists who come to Padang, said the head of Padang culture and tourism department Medi Iswandi. Read also: Six ways to identify an authentic Padang restaurant Telong Telong itself isnt a just an ordinary festival, theres a rather heroic story behind it. According to history, the lanterns helped the people of Padang in fighting against the Dutch army that colonized Indonesia at that time. Telong-telong was the source of light that fighters used to fight the Dutch in Muaro Padang on August 7, 1669. At that time, the people of Pauh and Kuranji fought against VOC [Dutch East India Company] and occupied their buildings, Medi told. That night, the Dutch didnt think they were going to get ambushed. They thought the locals were only holding a regular parade. All of the sudden the locals attacked and destroyed their places, added Medi. Read also: Colorful portrait of Padang's public transportation The day of the attack was then set as the birth date of Padang city. The Torch and Telong-Telong parade will be joined by 11 districts consisting of 104 administrative villages spread all across Padang. The entrance fee for the event is only priced at Rp 5,000 ($ 0.50). The parade will begin in front of Cimpago Lake in Purus and finish on the Sudirman street. After Maghrib (call for evening prayer), therell be a performance of Gandang Tassa as well as fireworks to close the event at 11:00 p.m. (asw) RACINE In partnership with the Southeast Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, Gateway Technical College is offering short-term training programs to equip Southeast Wisconsin residents with the skills and credentials to secure in-demand jobs as Computer Numerical Control Machine (CNC) Operators. Boot camp training is made possible through the support of Gateway Technical College and SC Johnson. The no-cost, 14-week boot camp provides hands-on training and takes place five days a week in the SC Johnson integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Center (iMET). Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion, college credits, job placement assistance and preparation for careers in manufacturing with wages ranging from an entry level rate of $12 per hour to an experienced rate of $20 per hour or more. Training programs are open to Racine, Kenosha and Walworth County residents who are at least 18 years of age. CNC Machine Operator Boot Camp applications are now available, and are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. Boot camp will be held from Monday, Aug. 28 to Friday, Dec. 1. For more information, contact Rich Salisbury, 262-697-4527, rich.salisbury@kenoshacounty.org; Todd Nienhaus, 262-638-6541, todd.nienhaus@racinecounty.com; or Jonathan Watts, 262-741-5272, jwatts@dwfs.us The Southeast Gateway Group of the Sierra Club will gather at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, for a 30-mile bike round-trip ride on the Rails-to-Trails Bugline Trail in Waukesha County. This will be an out and back excursion using the same trail both ways. Those who dont care to pedal the entire route can stop at one of the towns on the route and go back or wait for the rest of the group for the return trip. Once the Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls and Western Railway, the Bugline Trail is entirely paved with no motorized traffic. Participants will pass through the towns of Menomonee Falls, Lannon, Sussex and Lisbon, and travel around both old and working quarries that are a source of the Lannon limestone, used in many houses and other buildings in the Midwest. They will see a successful reclamation of a quarry into a park. Bicyclists should meet in the parking lot of the Merton Town Library. This is reached by going east onto Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive from Route 83 in Merton. It is a short ride on streets to the trailhead for the Bugline. For more information and to get a preview of the Sierra Club waiver, call or email Allan Sommer at 262-716-6955 or sommerallan4@gmail.com. Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: Home Page RACINE COUNTY With the announcement on Wednesday from tech giant Foxconn about building a facility in southeast Wisconsin, area educators are looking to see how they can train students for jobs at the company. The Racine Unified School District, along with the Burlington Area School District, Gateway Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, hope to fill the employment demand with qualified candidates. Foxconn, a Taiwan-based company, will build a liquid-crystal display factory in the area as part of a $10 billion capital investment. The location of where the facility will be located has not been announced. The company plans to employ up to 13,000 people at its facility. Dan Thielen, chief of secondary school transformation for Unified, said the Academies of Racine, an initiative to get high school students thinking about a career after they graduate, curriculum prepares students for jobs through internships, apprenticeships and other hands-on experiences through partnerships with businesses. Its being able to help with local manufactures to help outfit our schools with the latest and greatest equipment, Thielen said. The fact of the matter is were educating students for jobs that dont exist yet. With Foxconn coming to the area, Thielen said the district has an opportunity to make another connection as they have with other local businesses. Were here to support them and its good for the whole community, Thielen said. Its going to provide so many opportunities for this region. Dramatic impact Bryan Albrecht, president and CEO of Gateway Technical College, said with degrees in programs like mechatronics, Gateway students can be in a position to fill some jobs when the plant plans to be operational in 2020. Were taking a look at all the programs that we offer so that we fill the needs of the current workforce but also what the future workforce needs, Albrecht said. We think its going to have a dramatic impact. Other programs like hotel management and culinary arts might also see a boost if the area has an influx of people. All of those programs will be impacted by people coming to our community, Albrecht said. Were so pleased that southeastern Wisconsin is looked at as one of the premier places to work. This is one more example of the innovation that can happen as a result of providing a really solid educational program. Gary Wood, vice provost for the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, said the university already has the infrastructure to partner with businesses and accommodate what theyre looking for. Were good at making connections with local businesses and finding what they need, finding out what theyre about, what jobs are available, who theyre looking for, Wood said. At the moment, Wood said, its unclear what specific jobs will be available at the new facility but considering Foxconns place in the technology industry, UW-Parkside is prepared to train software developers and engineers. It is a tech company, Wood said. We have that (technology) alignment if thats what the need is. Impact on schools Burlington Area School District Assistant Superintendent Connie Zinnen said the district will continue educate students the best they can. I think our commitment remains the same if Foxconn is here or not, Zinnen said. We want to send students into the workforce for whatever job is out there. Zinnen said the possible growth of residents could have a benefit to fill some of the schools. Weve been a declining enrolling district in the last few years, Zinnen said. We have the potential for student growth it certainly could have an impact on the enrollment. We have the facilities to have students. Recently, BASD had three referendums voted down that would have improved and built some facilities. Zinnen said if more families started enrolling their children in the district as a result of Foxconn coming to the area the conversation could change regarding using taxpayer money to improve facilities. We would love to welcome new families to Burlington if Foxconn does bring people to the area, Zinnen said. With a likely influx of people to work at Foxconn and other companies that will spring up or expand, may welcome the need for more schools, said Racine Unified School District Chief Operating Officer Dave Hazen. But Hazen pointed out that if local governments assist Foxconn by creating a tax increment district to cover the infrastructure costs, as seems likely, it would be years before the additional taxes generated by the new construction would flow to taxing entities such as Unified and Racine County. How do we finance growth? Hazen said. There will be demand (for services) before we will have the tax dollars. I would like to think and I would like to be part of this local governments will put together a planning committee to plan for this. MOUNT PLEASANT People sometimes say that their work colleagues are like family, but at DeRose Dental they truly are. Three generations of DeRoses have been providing expert and gentle dental services to people in Racine County. In 1955, Drs. Michael and Dorothy DeRose opened a dental practice in downtown. Dr. Michael was a periodontist and Dr. Dorothy was a pediatric dentist. Dr. Dorothy was a trailblazer, as well. She was the first woman to graduate from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago, as well as the first female dentist in Wisconsin to earn a post-doctorate degree. The couples two daughters, Francesca and Nicolet, followed in their parents footsteps. Dr. Francesca DeRose took over her fathers side of the practice after he retired, and she now specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Dr. Nicolet DeRose specializes in pediatric dentistry and took over her mothers side of the practice after she retired. Next generation And now the family tradition is continuing with a new generation of dentists. Dr. Francesca DeRoses daughter, Maria DeRose Barnes, joined DeRose Dental this June after graduating from Marquette University School of Dentistry. Her sister, Dr. Rosa Barnes, recently completed a residency in pediatric dentistry in Florida and is now a pediatric specialist like her grandmother and aunt. Its fun working with her mom, said Dr. Maria Barnes. Its very exciting, and I think the transition is easier for me than for her. Shes always poking her head in the room to see how Im doing, Barnes said. The staff has been so helpful as well. When the family gets together, the presence of four dentists in the family means a lot of shoptalk is served along with the Thanksgiving turkey. Its all teeth all the time, Barnes said with a laugh. Dad has to remind us that not everyone wants to talk about teeth all the time. New office DeRose Dental recently moved into a spacious and state-of-the-art office at 5439 Durand Ave. near Regency Mall, and the practice is accepting new patients, Barnes said. Whats special about their practice, she noted, is their focus on putting their patients at ease and providing them with a positive experience. We emphasize gentleness a lot. Were very kind and respectful to our patients, Barnes said. We dont rush through things. The practice also has flexible hours to accommodate the working schedules of busy adults. The office is open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, and Barnes works occasional Saturday mornings as well. Community involvement At DeRose Dental, she and her mother also believe in the importance of being active in the community. Dr. Francesca is a past president of the Racine Dental Association, and Barnes has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club to encourage middle and high school students to pursue carers in health care. To learn more about DeRose Dental, visit their website at www.derosedentaloffices.com. Call 262-634-8662, ext. 2 to make an appointment. They are now accepting new patients. 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. Mason also accepted 17 donations from committees not affiliated with his campaign, 16 of which are based outside Racine, but all of which are based in Wisconsin. The outside committees donated $15,644.20 while the one local committee, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 430, donated $750. "The majority of our contributions (210/349) are from Racine, and we raised more from the Racine Community than all our opponents combined," Mason said. Mason added that strong ties outside Racine will be an important resource for the next mayor. Bhattacherjees book is a specimen of breathless modern history told by someone who thinks he is scooping the world. His heroes are obvious former US ambassador to India John Gunther Dean, Rajiv Gandhi, and former Indian ambassador Ranendra Sen to whom he invariably refers by his nickname, Ronen. Through his contacts with Dean and to a far less extent, Sen, Bhattacherjee unfolds his version of Gandhis initiatives to stabilise the postconflict Afghan situation after the Soviet withdrawal, which never in fact added up to much and eventually collapsed. The same narrative could be portrayed as another example of Gandhis naivete as a novice in international diplomacy. It is unwise to rewrite history on the basis of hero-worship. The records used to justify Bhattacherjees thesis are from the US and Deans personal collection and as usual not from Indian archives, whose unnecessary closure defy efforts to arrive at an authentic version of Indias position. The author posits Sen in the role of intelligence-cum-diplomatic vizier to Gandhi though it is unlikely that Sen himself subscribes to this view and astonishingly never cites any contact with MK Narayanan, who then occupied the key intelligence role, or MS Aiyyar, who was privy to Gandhis thinking on world affairs. The closeness of Sen, Narayanan and Aiyyar to Sonia Gandhi as a result of their work with her husband brought them later appointments under successive Congress governments but that is another story. The core argument is that Gandhi connected all sides (USSR, US, Pakistan, the Aghan leadership) creating the contours of a political consensus namely a non-aligned broad-based Afghan administration guaranteed by the major interested powers. Despite the flaunted friendship between Gandhi and Reagan and Bush, the US let Gandhi down on the bargain that they had made on Afghanistan and Pakistans nuclear status, which meant that the peace effort was doomed. The fall of Najibullah was another failure of Gandhis making. Rajiv Gandhis other diplomatic initiatives disarmament, environment, third world economic cooperation like his Afghan proposals came to nothing because they did not take into account that the world was changing to a US-dominated sphere. What the author regards as Gandhis talent for diplomacy was in reality negligible. India was in no position politically or economically to play in the big league and being consulted by the US did not imply dining at the high table. It is fanciful to think that the US and USSR needed a go-between or secret Indian channel between the White House and Kremlin, and such claims suggest that the authors informants sought to magnify their role. The quid pro quo of Indias help to resolve the Afghan issue was the US reducing its arms supply to Pakistan, which has been a naive Indian assumption of Indo-US amity ever since the 1950s. As could have been foreseen, US arms to Pakistan continued even as the Soviet pullout was imminent, making Indian assumptions ridiculous. The author sadly concludes the mujahideen were not willing to play by the rules and the Americans preferred the Pakistani leaders to Indias. Bhattacherjee gives too much importance to backstairs intrigues and off the record talks and indulges in gross exaggerations. He describes Sen and Dean often coordinating on issues of interest on a daily basis which is ridiculous to anyone who has worked at high levels in the government. He writes that Pakistan president Zias death/murder in an air crash could spark a nuclear war between India and Pakistan more than a decade before India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons. He is fond of the word paranoia, used thrice on the same page. He claims it was obvious to Rajiv and his team that the USSR was not going to last long, which would be news to everyone including the US and Gorbachev. The text is not free of absurdities; As an ex-intelligence officer, he knew that news is often the best tool for private investigation. The author writes that British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stopped over for an hour at Bombay airport in 1984 due to the murder of the UK top diplomat in that city, and the Maharashtra home secretary was surprised she did not mention the matter which he regarded as sinister. Senator Charles Percy was Gandhis secret lobbyist in Washington DC. At another place, it is said that Zia wanted to delay history. The editors at HarperCollins are generous with cli-ches, including the Great Game of the title and eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation. They also do not know the difference between defuse and diffuse. In sum, this is an unconvincing book and a waste of considerable research that should have been put to better use. Also about Pakistan/Afghanistan but of a very different nature is Nate Rabes racy, fast paced novel,The Shah of Chicago, about a shambolic effort to enter the illegal narcotics trade. The anti hero is an unattractive jive-talking American junkie of Pakistani origin who returns to his country of birth to get rich quickly. He is a criminal ex-convict murderer but a lover of ghazal and Bollywood. While his narcotics enterprise bombs, a totally improbable love life with a high-society Pakistani woman flowers. This whole text is so full of outlandish stereotypes that it strains credibility, as indeed does the strange name of the author. But it makes for easy reading as a spoof compared to Bhattacherjees distorted presentation of the Great Game. (The reviewer is India's former foreign secretary) In his book Curfewed Night (2009) Basharat Peer talks about how the bookstores of Delhi opened his eyes to the fact that countries with troubled histories like Palestine, Israel, Bosnia, Tibet and East Germany were being chronicled by their writers, whereas there was no one to write about Kashmir, a valley caught in the crossfire of Indo-Pak politics. Peer seeks to remedy the situation by writing Curfewed Night, a non-fictional record of his experience as a Kashmiri in the frightening times of the 1990s. As the text unfolds, with growing misgiving we realise that Kashmirs chief tormentor is the Indian Army the executor of every type of offence from intimidation to rape and torture. One story stands out; that of a Shameema, a Kashmiri mother who is informed by her sons friends that her sons, Shafi and Bilal, have been picked up by the Indian Army and taken to a militant site close by. The mother rushes to the site fighting every soldier on the way. Shafi is already dead by the time she reaches the site. He had been sent into the militants building carrying a mine. The mine exploded and the boy was blown to pieces. The mother rushes in time to see the army chief place a mine in the hands of Bilal, her other son. She whips the mine out of Bilals hands and lashes out at the army men daring them to send her in his place. In the altercation some of the militants escape the cordon. The army finally consents to let the mother and son go and she is able to return with one son. At one point the little Bilal cries out, since Shafi is dead, he should follow his brother into the house. He wishes to die too The repugnance of Kashmiris for the Indian Army stems from betrayal and terror. Between the pincer-pressure of Pakistani militant groups like Lashkare-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad on one side and the Indian army on the other, life in the valley grinds to a stand-still. In a rare bout of humour, Peer observes how the militants become the style icons for Kashmiri youth, "Kashmiri teenagers in the early nineties did not imitate Che Guevara and Malcolm X; militants walking the ramp of war determined the fashion trends. Militants wore Kamachi shoes and boys wanted Kamachi shoes. Militants replaced the stones in their rings with pistol bullets and boys replaced the stones in their rings with pistol bullets. To the Sufi tradition of wearing an amulet was added a Kalashnikov cartridge. Among other things it is hero-worship, a paucity of alternatives and travesty in the name of popular choice by elections rigged shamelessly by the Indian government that drive the boys and young men of Kashmir to cross over to the other side for arms-training and their return as JKLF militants. Whether it is education or employment Kashmiris no longer have access to the best. Peer recollects how his teachers and his fathers Hindu friends were forced to leave their ancestral homes and are presently dwelling at subsistence level in poor houses in Jammu. Only banking flourishes in the valley due to the cash that is constantly pumped into the place by India and Pakistan as seduction strategy. In his portrayal of Kashmiris, Peer gives priority to his middle-class background. The aura of tragedy is intensified by the increasing criminalisation of civil life. How the suspicion and constant spying of the Indian Army disrupt the life of the valley, scattering young men all over India and the world; how educated, wellintentioned young men find it difficult to rent accommodation in Delhi, is portrayed, in a true-to-life, reportorial style. Peers representation lacks trimmings, flourishes and overtly emotional outbursts. As a writer he has confidence in his material. The carnage is ghoulish enough to merit attention without embellishments. Peer identifies sectarian violence as having its roots in class rather than religion. However, Peers book is not solely about the chronicling of gradual and vicious stagnation of Kashmiri life. It is also an exciting repository of Kashmirs consolidated Hindu-Muslim history.Islam in Kashmir, says Peer, had borrowed elements from Hindu and Buddhist pasts; the Hindus in turn had been influenced by Muslim practices. A number of stories stand out. One is that of the 14thcentury Tibetan prince Rinchana who became the ruler of Kashmir. To consolidate his position, Rinchana, a Buddhist, decided to convert to Hinduism and consulted the Brahmin pandits of Kashmir. The pandits however fell into an argument concerning Rinchanas possible caste-mark after his conversion. In the meantime, Rinchana met a Persian Sufi, Bulbul Shah who, in reply to his questions simply said, There is no god but God and Mohammad is His messenger. Impressed by the mans simplicity, Rinchana converted to Islam. The other story is that of Zainulabideen, the liberal king, whose reign from 1420 to 1470 is considered to be the golden age of Kashmir. He is also referred to as Bud Shah or the Great King. Zainulabideens contribution is the colleges he built, the generous grants he provided, the craftsmen who came to Kashmir at his invitation to teach Kashmiris the secrets of papier-mache and carpet-weaving, the revival of theatre and music and the ending of the persecution of Hindus. Peer rues how most of the historical monuments like Pari Mahal (built by Dara Shikoh) have been converted to army base camps. From its rich multicultural legacy of a shared Hindu-Muslim past, Kashmir has declined to a pool of lies, fear, betrayal and sadism. Laments Peer, Two words had remained omnipresent in my journeys. Whether it was at a feast or a funeral, a visit to a destroyed shrine or a redeemed torture chamber, a story about a stranger or about my own life, a poem or a painting two words always make their presence felt: militants and soldiers. The other writer who has been preoccupied with Kashmir throughout his career is controversial novelist Salman Rushdie. Rushdie confesses, I have a particular interest in the Kashmir issue, because I am more than half Kashmiri myself, because I have loved the place all my life. And I have spent much of that life listening to successive Indian and Pakistani governments, all of them more or less venal and corrupt, mouthing the self-serving hypocrisies of power while ordinary Kashmiris suffered the consequences of their posturing. (Step Across this Line, 305). In three of his novels Midnight's Children (1981), Haroun and the Sea of Stories (1990) and Shalimar the Clown (2005); Rushdie draws attention to the mystique, magic and tragedy of Kashmir. In Midnight's Children Kashmir is associated with Dr Aadam Azizs childhood and youth. The figure that stands out in the Kashmir passages is Taj the boatman who regales the child Aziz with stories and later, having given up washing, begins to stink. The story-telling motif associated with Taj is repeated every time Rushdie uses Kashmir as a setting. Much of the action in Haroun surrounding Rashid the professional story-teller, who mysteriously loses his ability after a personal crisis, takes places in a shikara on Dull Lake in the valley of K. In his autobiography Joseph Anton (2012) Rushdie recalls how he was bullied by the Penguin people to change the name of the Valley of K to some other name since Kashmir was a contentious Islamic issue and Rushdie was already neck-deep in trouble over his The Satanic Verses (1988). With characteristic obstinacy, Rushdie stuck to his guns and finally got his book published by Granta. Rushdies chief argument in retaining the name Valley of K is his conviction that the connection between Kashmir and story-telling is timeless. Katha Sarit Sagar the giant classical compendium of tales is a composition of Kashmiri pandits of yore. Therefore, a narrative based on the plugging and unplugging of the common magical fount of stories can only be set in the Valley of K. Taj the boatman stands out in his capacity to regale the child Aadam with stories. But the adult Aadam witnesses a change in Taj, who loses his good spirits and grows unbearably dirty and smelly. The rapid deterioration of Kashmir from jannat (paradise) to dozakh (inferno) is perhaps hinted by Tajs alteration. The text that centralises Kashmir and concentrates on its political entanglements is Rushdies 2006 novel, Shalimar the Clown a text that begins by depicting Kashmir as prelapsarian paradise and ends on a bleak dystopian note. The multicultural concept of Kashmiriyat is highlighted by a plot centering on Pachigam a village inhabited by Hindu and Muslim bhands (theatre workers) and cooks, cuisine and theatre being major strengths of pre-military Kashmiri way of life. The love between the Hindu girl Boonyi and Muslim boy Shalimar, encouraged by their fathers Pandit Kaul, the classical scholar and head cook and Abdullah the director of the theatre company of the village, indicates an edenic amity and peace that animates Kashmiri lives till all is shattered by growing IndoPak animosity that culminates in violence and complete destruction of Kashmiriyat. Shalimar, the dancer-actortrapeze-artist, madly in love with his childhood sweetheart Boonyi, transforms into a deadly sniper-militant trained by Pakistani and Afghan militants. His sweetheart now becomes his sworn enemy. Shalimar the Clown is more of a fable than an allegory. The simple tale of love across religions is rendered vicious and intricate by the advent of the American ambassador Max Ophuls, a libidinous man who seduces and in turn is seduced by Boonyi who leaves with him. Boonyis departure pulls Rushdies narrative out of the pastoral precincts of Kashmir into the larger political and social arena of Americas treacherous involvement in Indo-Pak Kashmir-centred politics. Shalimar the Clown, while being a morose and pantomime-like take on Kashmirs social and political vitiation, is also a celebratory chronicle of what Kashmir was in her pre-lapsarian, edenic days, especially in its first half. In loving detail, Rushdie charts the mind-boggling multiplicity of her botanical wealth, the talents of her denizens in the realms of cookery (wazwaanor the banquet of thirty-six dishes minimum), theatrical histrionics (especially plays centering on Zainulabidins golden rule), and scholarship (Pandit Kauls untiring interpretation of classical texts). In his book of poems evocatively titled Country without a Post-office, Agha Shahid Ali mourns the passing away of the immense greatness and sweetness that was Kashmir, At a certain point I lost track of you. / They make a desolation and call it peace. / Who is the guardian tonight of the Gates of Paradise? / My memory is again in the way of your history / I am being rowed through Paradise on a river of Hell: Exquisite ghost, it is night. / If only somehow you could have been mine, what wouldnt have happened in this world? / Im everything you lost. You wont forgive me. / My memory keeps getting in the way of your history. (from Farewell) Shahid is right when he talks about personal memory getting in the way of political history. Basharat Peer, the Vodafone Crossword prize-winner for non-fiction, Salman Rushdie who lays huge premium on the novel as repository of lost history and Agha Shahid Ali, regarded as a great Kashmiri poet; all rely on personal memories in their representations of the Kashmir that has been perhaps destroyed forever. What history has obliterated for its selfish political ends, art has preserved with care and acuity. Today, in order to appreciate the truth of the famed lines, If there is paradise on earth, / It is this, it is this, it is this; it is to art, and not reality, that we turn; art that scrupulously and courageously recalls and recreates the annihilated charm and elegance that once upon a time was Kashmir. I started collecting stories and ideas about rings over the years Over these years, wherever I went, no matter what people asked me to talk about, I talked about rings, and I took furious notes not only in the Q & A but during the lecture itself, as the adrenaline generated new ideas even while I was telling the audience the old ones. As she acknowledges this at the beginning of her new book, Wendy Doniger offers a riveting cross-cultural history of jewellery and its role in seduction, romance and infidelity ideas that she has been researching on and accumulating for a long period of time. Basically the book is about the stories that other people have told, through recorded history and all over the world, about pieces of circular jewellery, particularly rings. Providing accessibly written retellings of countless stories from mythology, folklore and literature, the stories are different but linked through a common cluster of meanings. The rings in this book always have some connection with love and/or sexuality. Doniger begins her book by asking several questions and then tries to seek answers to those questions through different chapters and different constellation of stories. Why is sex and jewellery, particularly circular jewellery or finger rings, so often connected? Why do rings keep getting into stories about marriage and adultery, love and betrayal, loss and recovery, identity and masquerade? What is the mythology that makes rings symbols of true (or, as the case maybe, untrue) love? The first seven chapters are about rings throughout history; in particular, they are all recognition stories in which a ring is a vital clue. They deal with sexual rings (chapter one), rings found in fish and found (with children) in the ocean (chapter two), rings of forgetful husbands (chapters three, four, and five) and clever wives (chapters six and seven). Chapters one and two are broadly crosscultural (though largely Anglophone) and deal with a number of relatively short texts; the next three chapters concentrate on fewer stories discussed in greater depth, taken from individual cultures India (chapter three), medieval Europe (chapter four), and the Germanic world (chapter five). Chapters six and seven deal with a single theme the clever wife in cross-cultural distribution. Chapters eight and nine veer ever so slightly into stories about necklaces in particular cultures and particular historical periods a treacherous royal necklace in 18th century France (chapter eight) and true-and-false necklaces in 19th century English novels and 20th century American films (chapter nine). The final two chapters return to rings, to the invention of the mythology of diamond engagement rings in 20th century America (chapter 10) and a concluding consideration of the cash value of rings and the clash between reason and convention in myths about rings of recognition throughout the world (chapter 11). Some of the rings in the stories that we encounter throughout this book originally belong to men, and just about all the jewellery that women have, they get from men (sometimes they inherit it from their mothers, but not often). But both men and women tell the stories (though men are usually the attributed authors of the earlier texts). These stories drive Donigers arguments about six basic points, three about the content of the plots and three about the function of the narratives. Firstly, most of the stories take for granted what Doniger calls the slut assumption, that women get jewels only from men they sleep with (husbands or lovers). Secondly, women use jewellery to their advantage in the stories, often to win (or win back) their husbands, while men use (or try to use) rings to wriggle out of promises to women. Thirdly, mens concern for the paternity of their children, and womens for their childrens legitimacy, drive many of the myths of rings of recognition. As far as the function of the narratives are concerned, Doniger states that by overcoming reason, the myths allow us to believe what we want to believe about the power and endurance of sexual love and about our ability to rebalance the moral world. Also, the tension between hard evidence (reason) and the soft power of myth (rationality) experienced by an audience is mirrored by a similar tension in the story itself. Finally, different versions (or variants, or tellings) of much-retold stories supply us with a cumulative mass of different psychological details that together suggest deeper meanings of the myth. And comparing earlier and later variants allows us to see myths in the making, a process that we can then recognise in such contemporary examples as the invented tradition of diamond engagement rings. The book therefore does not move in a linear fashion but expands outwards, as if from a prism. Thus we get to read about ancient Sanskrit myths, Celtic lore, fairy tales, literature, modern song lyrics all of which depict detours of love, adultery and the foibles of jealous husbands and clever wives. One is surprised at the ease with which Doniger leaps easily from Sanskrit fables to Roman times, from medieval lore to the 18th century French court and modern Doris Day movies. She brings together Gentlemen Prefer Blondesand Seigfried, Shakuntala and Marie Antoniette, Solomon and Shakespeare and so many others with ease and lucidity. The ease with which Doniger traverses different ages and cultures is really mindboggling. Summarised in one sentence this book offers a thoroughly interdisciplinary cross-cultural history of jewellery.The jewellery in the stories that she has collected here preserves (and sometimes erases) true and false memories; making promises that come true and that lie. Thus The Ring of Truth, like all of Donigers other books is an astonishing and hugely satisfying work of scholarship rendered in compulsively readable prose. The Indian edition of this book has on its cover a painting by Raja Ravi Verma entitled A Lady Holding a Fruit and this picture definitely adds to the charm and the significance of the title. (The reviewer is professor of English, Visva-Bharati University) A Meghalaya Police constable, who was allegedly drunk, shot dead his senior in West Jaintia Hills district early on Sunday before fleeing with the weapon, a police official said. Constable Lusen Sangma, of the 3rd Meghalaya Police Battalion, fired at close range at Havildar Litsingh Inghi, who succumbed on way to the hospital, district police chief R. Muthu told IANS. The incident occurred in Sahbsein area at around 1 a.m. when Sangma, reportedly in an inebriated condition, stormed into the top floor room of Inghi, who was sitting along with two of his subordinates. "Constable Sangma fired six rounds from his self-loading rifle inside the room and one of the bullets hit Inghi's shoulder. Sangma came down to the ground floor and fired another 15 rounds before fleeing with the weapon," Muthu said. Asked the cause of the incident, he said that an investigation was on. "However, preliminary investigation hinted that the accused was in a drunken state of mind," he said. Police have launched a hunt for Sangma, Muthu said. The federal organization responsible for ensuring the safety of products in the marketplace likely will be led by an Auburn native. Former U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle was nominated by President Donald Trump this week to chair the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Her nomination was sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration. The Senate must confirm Buerkle's appointment to the post. Buerkle joined the commission in 2013 after she was nominated by then-President Barack Obama. Current Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recommended her for the role. "After having worked here for four years, I know the issues and I've developed a relationship with the stakeholders," Buerkle said in a phone interview Friday. "I think part of that was what led to the nomination and I've had tremendous support from my colleagues here on both sides of the aisle, which I'm also very grateful for that." In February shortly after Trump was sworn in as the 45th president Buerkle was named acting chair. But she's in an unusual situation because there are three Democrats on the five-member commission. (Buerkle is one of two Republican members.) That means Buerkle, despite being acting chair, is technically in the minority. The commission won't remain that way for long. One Democrat's term will expire in October, which will allow Trump to nominate a Republican. That will give Buerkle and her GOP colleagues the majority. Until then, Buerkle doesn't view the split as a problem because of the relationship she has built with her colleagues. "I had support for the (2018 fiscal year) budget," she said. "I had support for a number of things because we work together and we figure things out. And so that seems to work. "It's working OK right now and I really don't have any complaints. So much of what we do really is bipartisan. Safety should be bipartisan. It's not one party wants their kids to be safe and the other doesn't. It's pretty bipartisan. It's when you get into rule-making and you get into some of the ideologies that it gets a little less bipartisan. But that's not as often as you would think around here." One achievement Buerkle touted from her tenure as a commissioner is her willingness to travel across the country to meet with stakeholders. She's held meetings with consumer groups, hospitals, manufacturers and retailers. These meetings, she said, help her learn what issues affect a business or what consumers are concerned about. She recently visited Wisconsin to meet with portable generator manufacturers. The commission is in the process of developing a portable generator carbon monoxide rule. On Monday, she will travel to Connecticut to visit children's hospitals. She uses her trips to hospitals to highlight various initiatives, whether it's a pool safety campaign or educational materials about toy safety. Monday afternoon, she will meet with officials at the Lego headquarters in Connecticut. "The collaborative piece is really helpful because, as I say to all the stakeholders, we can accomplish our mission of safety much better and much more effectively if we partner with everyone, with all of the stakeholders, because they have a lot to offer," she said. "They're all experts in their field and they can help us." Buerkle was born and raised in Auburn. She was a registered nurse before graduating from Syracuse University law school. She worked for 12 years as an assistant New York state attorney general. In 2010, she ran for Congress. She defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei, by 648 votes. She served in Congress for one term. Maffei defeated her in 2012. While Buerkle no longer lives in central New York, she has maintained her ties to Cayuga County and the region. In August, she will return for one of the biggest weekends in the Auburn area. She will participate in the 40th annual Great Race on a team with one of her daughters. RACINE COUNTY The Racine Water Utility has the legal and practical abilities to provide water out to Interstate 94 for a potential Foxconn facility. The cost of doing so, however, is still unknown. High water impact fees have been a sore spot for local municipal leaders, who say costs have hurt their ability to attract development. So far, the utility has not been directly involved in talks related to Foxconn, which is considering building a massive campus near Interstate 94 in Racine County to manufacture liquid crystal display (LCD) screens. The discussions with the utility have mostly been big picture questions about whether it would have the capacity to treat a large amount of water, Utility General Manager Keith Haas said. I havent been at the table, you might say, Haas said. Were tangentially involved with answering questions, but I dont know a lot of the details. Details yet to be determined include how much it would cost to provide water out to areas the Racine Water Utility doesnt serve. One of the areas Foxconn is targeting for its facility, which will be at least 1,000 acres, is on Highway 11 near I-94. Water lines currently extend on Highway 11 only to the western part of Sturetvant, about 2,000 feet west of Highway H, Haas said. Water mains would likely have to be built to get more water west. The utility has not looked at what the costs might entail because it does not have enough information to do so, Haas said. Since the water demand would be equal to that of a decent-sized city in the state of Wisconsin, the water impact fees would be calculated on a slightly different methodology, Haas said. The current water demand is all over the map, so it would be difficult to comment on a fee at this time. To Haas point: Foxconn plans to eventually employ up to 13,000 workers. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. notes the campus will equal the population of cities including Glendale, Fort Atkinson, Stoughton, Waunakee, Hudson and Chippewa Falls. How to pay for water will likely be a part of discussions among local government leaders, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. My hope is that the City of Racine recognizes that this is a once-in-a-lifetime (opportunity) and theyll be reasonable with all that stuff, said Vos, R-Rochester. Access to Lake Michigan water is seen as a key part of Foxconns decision to locate in southeastern Wisconsin. The company has not yet selected an exact location for its facility and is also believed to be considering Kenosha County. DNR approval also needed Mount Pleasant would also have to get approval from the state Department of Natural Resources, as part of the community lies outside the Lake Michigan watershed, Haas said. Mount Pleasant is whats known as a straddling community, meaning it straddles the subcontinental divide and must follow rules set out in the 2008 Great Lakes Compact to obtain additional Lake Michigan water. The village would go through a similar process as New Berlin did in 2008, when it received DNR approval for a diversion to get lake water for its entire community. Its not as involved as the Waukesha application, but there are a lot of hoops to jump through, Haas said. Legally, the Racine Water Utility can draw 60 million gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan under the Great Lakes Compact, Haas said. Right now, the utility pumps only about 20 million gallons. So if a big water user were to come to the Racine area, we would have the permission to draw a large amount of water from Lake Michigan to feed that plant, Haas said. Transportation also a factor Another consideration for the city relating to Foxconn would be whether it would provide public transportation options for employees. Transit and Parking System Manager Mike Maierle said its too early to say anything definitive, but that it is something the city would consider. I really havent had any discussions with leadership or upper management about it, Maierle said. The transit system thinks that connecting workers with jobs in outlying areas is important and doing that requires financial cooperation of outlying communities and the employers. Maierle mentioned that the city already does some busing to employment areas beyond city limits, including the Renaissance and Grandview industrial parks in Sturtevant. Routes to both parks are tailored to accommodate travelers around typical shift change times. Weve discussed ways to improve that with communities out there, Maierle said. Jewish people they say, have much in common with Kashmiri Pandits ~ long noses, sharp eyes and often enough of intellect. However, what they really share is a history of oppression, where, faced with constant extinction, they manage to survive. But now in the changed times the two communities do not seem to have that much left in common. For one, Kashmiri Pandits have a very high literacy rate; the other far more crucial factor which sets the two apart is that while the Jews are rapidly expanding their country Israel, Kashmiri Pandits perceive that they are in the process of losing their land of birth ~ Kashmir. So, are they like refugees in their own country? The government has, reportedly, over the past several years provided jobs to around 1700 Kashmiri youths under the Prime Ministers Relief and Rehabilitation Programme to lure back hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits who had left the valley following last years unrest in the wake of killing of Hizbul commander Burhanwani. According to official figures, 62000 Kashmiri migrant families, mostly Pandits, are registered with the government ~ 40,000 in Jammu, 20,000 in Delhi and the remaining 2,000 in other parts of the country. In fact, their crisis began in December 1989 with the gunning down of P N Bhat, a freelance journalist, and an advocate in Anantnag town in broad daylight and, subsequently, of Director of the Srinagar station of Doordarshan and another Kashmiri Pandit youth. Till April 1990, however, at least 19,580 families of Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and non-Kashmiri Hindus had migrated to Hindu-majority Jammu city from the strife-torn, Muslim dominated Kashmir valley following threats to their life and property. It was not the first time the Pandits had fled valley. They did it first when the Afghan hordes came with Ahmed Shah Abdali, and Sikhs had to intervene and Dogras assumed power. They did so again ~ that is why they are found scattered all over the country in job, less in business, a trait of the Pandits ~ when Partition forced them out and Pakistan occupied parts of Kashmir. In retrospect, Kashmiri Pandits have been living as a besieged community since the beginning of Muslim rule in Kashmir in the middle of the 14th century. Sikandar, the fourth ruler of the dynasty founded by Shah Mir, a Khorasani adventurer who usurped the throne of Kashmir in 1339, confronted the people with the choice between conversion and death. A few Hindu families, mainly Brahmins, escaped and took refuge in the Hindu kingdom of Jammu across the Pir Panchal range of the Himalayas. They returned to Kashmir in the reign of Zain-ul-Abdin, who is still remembered as the Badshah or great king. The present day Kashmiri Pandits are supposed to be their progeny. Some of the Kashmiri Pandits who had picked up Arabic and Persian prospered under the Mughals. But things changed after Islamic fanaticism began to run riot under Aurangzeb. Pressure began to be put on Hindus to embrace Islam. Some of them related their tale of woe before GuruTegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru. The supreme sacrifice by Guru Tegh Bahadur and his three companions at Chandni Chowk in Delhi under Aurangzebs orders raised their morale and they preserved their religion against heavy odds. The Afghans took over Kashmir from the Mughals in 1752 and it remained a province of the Kingdom of Kabul for the next six decades. Under their rule many of the Kashmiri Hindus were forced to migrate to Delhi and Agra in search of a living. In fact, it was Muhammed Shah, a later Mughal ruler of Delhi, who decreed that they be called Kashmiri Pandits to distinguish them from local Brahmins. In 1819, Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered and annexed Kashmir and made it a separate province of his expanding Kingdom ruled from Lahore in 1846. Maharaja Gulab Singh added Kashmir to his kingdom of Jammu and made Srinagar the winter capital of the vast state extending from the Punjab plains to China and Tibet. Kashmiri Pandits did occupy a place of pride in Kashmir during the 100 years of Dogra rule, making the best use of facilities for higher education and improved communications with the rest of the country. With Maharaja Hari Singhs accession to India in October 1947 began a new chapter in the chequered history of Kashmir, Pandits had started cooperating with Sheikh Abdullah after 1939 when he converted his Muslim Conference into the National Conference. But Sheikh developed a distrust for the loyal Pandits soon after he came to power in the wake of the accession to India. They refused to stand by him in his endeavours to make Kashmir an independent state. So, from 1947 onwards, they have been marginalised, discriminated against, persecuted, humiliated, attacked and driven out in a systematic manner. The Kashmiri Pandits were bound to leave their hearths and homes in the valley to have uprooted themselves for a group fear of destruction or because of actual threats, or because they found it impossible to live in the suffocating environment of fundamentalism. Although not such an endangered species as the Parsis, it may be taken for granted that the exclusive identity of the Kashmiri Brahmin has maximum security only on his ancestral soil of which he has remained an organic part for centuries. His tradition, customs and way of life have not wholly survived migration. Lest our concern for the future of the indigenous Kashmiri Brahmin be taken as a sense of narrow loyalty or a futile exercise in shedding tears over what is perhaps inevitable, let us confess that our concern would be no less if the Ayengars of Tamil Nadu or the Bengalis of West Bengal were forced out to become refugees in the distant Himalayas to save their lives and livelihoods. True, the government has lately identified separate enclaves for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. But the question is ~ will not this action make the Pandits more vulnerable as and when the situation in the valley might deteriorate for any untoward reason? One must not think of human beings solely as ethnic specimens worthy of being preserved in territorial museums only as attractive historical relics. But neither should one become indifferent to the prospect of extinction simply because the threatened species is represented by a handful of people in the vast national ocean that is India. (The writer is former Associated Professor, Department of English, Gurudas College, Kolkata) A lucrative, high in demand business simmers out from the shadows every Eid. The applying of mehendi, or henna, becomes imperative and salons all across the country burn the midnight oil on the night before the festival, catering to hundreds of women who turn up en masse for their requisite hand-candy. A good amount of traffic crowds around popular salons and the strong smell of mehendi resiliently permeate the air. Other than the two Eids, mehendi is also applied to the hands is during weddings. But while its demand may fluctuate through the year, mehendi application is a tradition deeply entrenched in local culture.The bride puts it on under the vague belief that the darker the shade of her mehendi, the more happily married she will be. And on festivals, mehendi application is considered an important, often expensive, requirement. This does not mean, though, that mehendi is merely for the traditionalists. Internationally, henna can take on funky patterns; on Madonna, an Om symbol on the hand or dotted decoratively around her face, a Maori henna-inspired tattoo flaunted by Rihanna or a blue-haired Gwen Stefani with a paisley printed on her bare shoulder. The usual mehendi customer, however, isnt a big fan of the risque, having a penchant for routine winding trellises, multi-tiered florals and paisleys, trailing down the hand, stretching on to the wrists, decorating the back of the hand and then, the feet. The bona fide fanatic may also opt for a band to be etched on her upper arm, lower arm or around her ankle. This may result in the customer whiling her time away at the salon for hours but when it comes to mehendi, one has observed women showing admirable patience and an eagerness to sharply elbow any other who dares to usurp their turn with the exhausted (but fast getting rich) mehendi-waali. Mehendi wars on the night before Eid are a common, inevitable occurrence. Also interesting are the slight changes in design being introduced by mehendi aficionados a change in colour and some very distinctive patterns, for instance. Here are some of the trends that weve noticed: Regular mehendi gives off a deep burgundy shade and can be beautiful when applied with finesse. However, innovations can be made with a change in colour. Red mehendi gives off a bright red hue which can be eye-catching. Black mehendi is often available as an option although it is not recommended since it contains dyes that can often lead to severe allergies. White henna which is basically a paste that can be applied in the same way as genuine mehendi can be used to make a stark unique statement. And if the mehendi-wearer is feeling adventurous, there are UV-henna tattoos that glow in the dark. Again, like black and white mehendi, the UV-paint isnt actual henna but can be applied the same way as henna in conventional patterns or avant-garde swirls. Also, bling-lovers sometimes opt to have their mehendi tattoos coloured in with glitter. This is not usually in good taste, with the mehendi-wearer acquiring a Midas touch of sorts, rubbing off glitter on whatever she touches. African henna is purely for the bold-hearted, usually featuring geometric designs, thick borders and distinctive filigree patterns. Tribal patterns are common and the designs are usually filled in extensively, leaving a stark stain on the skin. Infusions of glitter are also common. Usually large, the African style often extends beyond hands, winding about the entire length of an arm or the lower leg. In complete contrast to its African counterpart, Turkish mehendi is delicate and extremely intricate. Peacocks, paisleys, criss-crossing grids and spirals dominate designs that are quite similar to regular local motifs. However, while mehendi in the subcontinent is often filled in in places, the Turkish style consists of thin, dense borders. Largely popularised by pop-star Rihanna, Maori designs are a funky alternate to the usual henna patterns. Inspired by the Maori tribes of New Zealand, the patterns are distinctive; sharp zig-zags, pointy stars, fish hooks, mantises and artisticallyshaped fish, among others. The designs usually have symbolic interpretations: water-inspired designs speak of the balance between the spiritual and material world, fish hooks symbolise good fortune and heartshaped leaves are said to have healing energy! Increasingly, one sees innovations in mehendi design via customisation. There are brides who shrug away the conventional mehendi motifs, opting for their love stories to be etched out on their hands, complete with skylines of places where they first met the groom, special mementos and important events. Enthusiasts are also seen steering their mehendi towards avant-garde territory a peace sign, calligraphy, city skylines, prayer bead patterns printed down the wrist like a bracelet or even prints that emulate lacy gloves! Its fun, exciting and gives mehendi, hitherto always entrenched in tradition, a cool, young vibe that it never had before. (Dawn/ ANN) As a young boy growing up in Bethlehem, I was often excited when our family had company. My dad, a Christian clergyman, loved to take us and the guests to Hebron. Dad would take us to the Cave of the Machpela, situated within the Ibrahimi Mosque, where Abraham and his family are buried and would tell the story of how Abraham obeyed Gods calling even when it came to the request to sacrifice his own son. He would also tell us that the son in the Biblical story was Isaac, son of Sarah, while in the Koran the story refers to Ishmael, son of Hagar. For us kids, the visit to Hebron, or alKhalil in Arabic (the Arabic name means companion, in reference to Abraham being Gods companion), was never complete without purchasing some of the amazing grape products. Not only did we often buy grapes when they were in season, but Dad, who had a sweet tooth, always bought some delicious treats: dibess(grape molasses), quttain (dried figs) and my personal favourite malban (dried sheets made of grape juice that stay tasty all year). We also loved the glassmaking factories where skilled Hebronites made amazing glass creations while we watched. For me, the holy site and its cultural connection to Hebron are enough reasons to justify its recent designation as a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. The barbed wire, metal detectors with heavily armed soldiers and rowdy settlers make a visit now totally unpleasant. Hebronites are also barred from many areas in parts of the old city, including Shuhada Street which the Israeli army bars Palestinians from using. A massacre in the mosque by a Jewish settler who killed 29 Palestinian worshipers in 1994 also justifies Unescos decision to label the old city of Hebron/alKhalil as an endangered site. The old town of Hebron/al-Khalil became a Unesco World Heritage site with a 12-to-3 vote with six abstentions despite Israeli pressures and the decision to have the votes cast in secret. The authors of the Unesco resolution, who did not consider the question of religion as part of the process, were careful to give the old town and the holy places in it their due course. The wording of the resolution is politically correct, giving historical background to the site and not ignoring its religious importance to Jews, Christians or Muslims. The resolution passed last week, garnering the necessary two-thirds majority votes. In reaction to the process, Israeli officials had blocked a Unesco delegation on June 26 from visiting Hebron, seeming to have lost any connection to the reality that they are an occupying power in Hebron. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked the resolution, calling it in a Facebook post delusional and saying, This time they decided that the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron is a Palestinian site, meaning that it is not Jewish. But the Los Angeles-based Jewish Telegraph corrected the Israeli prime minister. It correctly reported that the resolution did not mention the Cave of the Machpela, and does not designate the site as Palestinian. The angry and even vulgar reaction of the Israeli delegate (whose actions caused the Polish diplomat to call in security) is reminiscent of a country that is unable to accept that other religions and cultures exist in these holy lands. Naturally, the resolution brought to the Unesco World Heritage Committee was raised by Palestinian Ambassador to Unesco Elias Sanbar, but the resolution itself doesnt identify the site as being Palestinian. The governor of Hebron, Kamel Hamed, was humble in his reaction to the resolution passed in Krakow, Poland. With its cultural and human heritage, this decision shows that Hebron is important to the entire world and not just Palestinians, he said. For centuries, the people of Hebron/al-Khalil have kept and protected the Ibrahimi Mosque, where Abraham and his family, revered by all Abrahamic religions, are said to have been buried. Declaring that Hebron is part of the occupied territories, thereby giving Palestinians the responsibility of taking care of the holy sites in those areas, should not be controversial. Not every country in the world that has Jewish or Muslim or Christian sites must somehow turn those sites over to the sovereignty of a country that has some kind of connection to that religion. Today there are Jewish and Christian holy sites in Jordan, for example. Should Jordan relinquish these sites to Israel and the Vatican sovereignty, respectively? Of course not. Unesco states that what makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application: World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located. The ruling that Hebron/al-Khalil is officially an endangered World Heritage site should not be seen as being anti Semitic, anti-Israeli or pro-Palestinian. Instead, it should be seen as the governor of the city saw it: The heritage of the city is much bigger than Palestinians and Jews. As for me, I hope to continue to visit Hebron/al-Khalil to see the glass factories and to buy those amazing sheets of malban for my children and grandchildren to enjoy. (The writer is a Palestinian journalist and former Ferris professor of journalism at Princeton University By arrangement with The Washington Post) China may not have forgiven India for snubbing its mega trans-continent corridor initiative, but in what may rankle it more is that New Delhi and Tokyo, Beijing's arch rival, are pushing ahead with a development corridor between Asia and Africa. The announcement of the Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC), made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the African Development Bank (ADB) meet in Gandhinagar in May, came days after China hosted with great pomp the first One Belt One Road (OBOR) summit in Beijing. The venture is expected to get further impetus in September during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. India has been involved in Africa for many years, in trade as well as capacity-building activities. Japan, which has been working on infrastructure projects in Africa, can help with its advanced technology as well as funds for the AAGC. Japan is reportedly planning to commit $200 billion for the proposed growth corridor. So, is the AAGC meant as a counter to OBOR? "The two are completely separate. OBOR is different. Long before OBOR, India and Japan were individually working in Africa, and were talking to each other about Africa," Rajiv Bhatia, a former Indian ambassador, told IANS. "India and Japan feel that by intensifying cooperation with Africa, they can help each other and Africa. We are working on the AAGC in our own way and at our own pace," said the former High Commissioner to South Africa and Kenya. He said that China's engagement in Africa is extensive, while the India-Japan collaboration is beginning to take shape. The AAGC shows that India and Japan desire to take their cooperation beyond the bilateral sphere, he added. China's OBOR, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, is an estimated $5 trillion connectivity corridor spanning over 60 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. It is meant to be a revival of the ancient Silk Road trading route and is expected to comprise building of roads, bridges, gas pipelines, ports, railways and power plants, besides SEZs. India and Japan had begun a dialogue on Africa in 2010, a continent in which both have much stake. The main objective of the AAGC is to enhance growth and connectivity between Asia and Africa. According to the vision document, the corridor will focus on four areas: Development Cooperation Projects, Quality Infrastructure and Institutional Connectivity, Enhancing Skills, and People-to-People Partnership. Agriculture, health, technology, and disaster management are the main areas of development cooperation. It will focus on boosting skills and research and development capacities in Africa. According to a report by McKinsey, China is Africa's largest economic partner, with goods trade worth $188 billion in 2015 compared to $59 billion with India. Since the turn of the millennium, Africa-China trade has been growing at approximately 20 per cent per year, the report says, adding that there are around 10,000 Chinese firms in Africa, Three think-tanks India's Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Indonesia's Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and Japan's Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), prepared the vision document for AAGC. They have produced one report on the corridor and another report is due in a few months, said Bhatia. He said that at the corporate level, companies of India, Japan and from Africa are looking at specified sectors of the growth corridor in order to execute projects. "There is seriousness and earnestness" behind the initiative, he added. Bhatia, a former Director General of Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), also feels that giving too much importance to OBOR and China would help Beijing. Speaking on the comparison between OBOR and the AAGC, Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS, told IANS: "The OBOR, it seems, is visualised on the idea of economic corridors and infrastructure development with connectivity as the central focus, while the AAGC is a concept based on the theory of growth poles where several growth triangles and quadrangles are envisaged with different regional production hubs." The proposed AAGC seeks to encompass and integrate Africa, India and South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania. India's increased engagement with Africa comes in the backdrop of the third India-Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in October 2015 when all 54 African nations had sent their representatives. India has also made many high level visits to several African countries, as part of its outreach. India also held the AfDB annual meeting in Gandhinagar this May. A Russian Soyuz MS-05 carrying the three new crew members to join the Expedition 52 docked to the International Space Station (ISS) after a six-hour spaceflight, to continue important scientific research in the orbiting laboratory, NASA said in a statement. NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, Sergey Ryazanskiy of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, and Paolo Nespoli of European Space Agency (ESA) launched aboard the Soyuz MS-05 at 11.41 a.m. on Friday from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The three crewmates aboard the Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft orbited Earth four times, before docking at the space station. Their arrival restored the station's crew to six people, which includes Expedition 52 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Roscosmos and Flight Engineers Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer of NASA. The new Expedition 52 crew members will spend more than four months conducting approximately 250 science investigations in fields such as biology, Earth science, human research, physical sciences and technology development. The expedition team is expected to soon conduct new science investigations arriving on SpaceX's 12th NASA-contracted commercial resupply mission targetted to launch in August. The astronauts 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. In addition, their work will also include an invesitgation into the study developed by the Michael J. Fox Foundation of the pathology of Parkinson's disease to aid in the development of therapies for patients on Earth as well as the use of the microgravity environment in stem cell research Whitson, Fischer and Yurchikhin are scheduled to remain aboard the station until September, while Bresnik, Ryazanskiy and Nespoli are scheduled to return in December. Gangnam, K-pop, cosmetics and Korean dramas are some of the usual reasons to visit South Korea. My trip was for a different reason; it was because of my love of history and my strong interest in the DMZ, or the Korean Demilitarised Zone. It is a buffer zone formally set up on 27 July, 1953, when the Armistice Agreement was signed during the Korean War. South and North Korea drew a truce line across the Korean Peninsula, from the mouth of the Imjingang River in the east to the town of Goseong in the west. On either side of the truce line is a two kmwide stretch of land where military activity is forbidden. Former United States president Bill Clinton called it the scariest place on Earth. As the official site of the DMZ notes, The DMZ vividly captures the scars and wounds of the Korean War as well as the wishes and hopes for the future. My first visit to Seoul last September reinforced my belief that visiting the DMZ is a must-do. It is a place where we can feel the reality and pain of a separated nation. I booked a tour with the help of a friend, as it is impossible to go there on your own. Access is restricted to civilians and military escort is mandatory. If there is tension at the border or between the South and the North, the tour could be cancelled for security and safety reasons. I joined a bunch of backpackers from other countries and travelled with them for this experience. It was a halfday tour, which covers Imjingak Resort (Nuri Peace Park), the Freedom Bridge, Third Tunnel, DMZ Theatre, Dorasan Station and Dora Observatory. We would also pass by Tongilchon Unification Village. The tour started as early as 8am as there was a briefing to attend, as well as security checkpoints and passport verification to clear. First, we visited Imjingak Resort, which is located 50km northwest of Seoul. Imjingak was built in 1972, with the hope that someday unification would be possible. From the park, the Freedom Bridge is visible and gives one hope that maybe there will be reunification in the future. We next visited the Third Tunnel. We were given a locker to keep all our belongings and no cameras were allowed. The tunnel was discovered in October 1978. It was dug by the North Koreans to spy on their neighbours. It is 1,635km long, two metres high and two m wide. It penetrates 435 m past the South Korea military demarcation line and starts at Panmunjeon, North Korea. It was quite challenging to ascend and descend as the tunnel was steep. As I am tall, I had to walk hunched and my head banged the ceiling a few times in the tunnel. It was my unique way of saying Hi to North Korea! Luckily, I had a safety helmet on. It was certainly a unique experience and I was all sweaty, like I just had a full body workout, when I came out of the tunnel. Our next stop was the Dora Observatory. It is a place not to be missed as we could view a North Korean village, using binoculars. If you are lucky, you get to see villagers going about their activities. I took extra time to look around. Finally, at around 11am, we reached Dorasan Station. This was built so that people would be able to travel up and down the border. A sign at the station goes, Not the last station from the South, but the first station towards the North. We again viewed the Unification Village from the bus as we headed home. I left the border hoping for unification some day. My visit allowed me to learn more about a place that is scarcely familiar to people around the world. I now have the bragging rights to say, I've been to North Korea. Scores of would-be migrants being smuggled from Central America to the United States were rescued from an abandoned truck, officials in the Mexican state of Veracruz said. Authorities said 178 people were found in the tractor- trailer truck in the Mexican town of Tantima. Their rescue comes less than a week after the horrific suffocation deaths of 10 migrants who were trapped in an 18 wheel truck and discovered last Sunday in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio, Texas. Authorities said as many as 200 migrants may have been crammed into the trailer found in Texas, many of whom had to be hospitalized. Some survivors fled the parking lot in waiting cars, according to witness accounts. Officials said occupants of the truck on Saturday narrowly averted tragedy realized at some point that they had been abandoned by the traffickers, and that a few managed to escape the vehicle and enlist the aid of local inhabitants of the town who gave them food and water. The Central Americans were then transported by police to a migration center, where they were given medical assistance before authorities began the process of returning them to their countries of origin. A Mexican military source told AFP that most of the Central Americans were adults, although there were also a handful of minors found in the vehicle. Officials in the United States say fewer migrants are making the perilous overland journey to America from Central American and Mexico in recent months, in large part because of harsh, anti-immigrant rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who came to power in January. Migrants from Central America and Mexico will to make the dangerous trip risk being victimized by thieves, criminal gangs and unscrupulous traffickers who sometimes take their money and abandon them in desperate conditions on either side of the US border. China topped in pledging Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nepal during the 2016-17 fiscal that ended in mid-July, Nepal's Department of Industry (DoI) has said. China has been topping in investment commitments to Nepal in the last few years, Xinhua news agency cited the DoI data as showing. China pledged 8.35 billion Nepali rupees ($81 million) followed by India with 1.99 billion Nepali rupees, and South Korea pledging 1.88 billion Nepali rupees. Chinese investors pledged more than half of the total FDI commitments Nepal received during the year as the Himalayan country received a total FDI commitments of 15 billion Nepali rupees. Nepali industrialists said the increased investment in Nepal should not be taken as a surprise given that China has been investing heavily across the world. "Chinese investors are seeing a lot of investment opportunities in Nepal and they are coming here," Bhola Nath Pathak, project coordinator of Hongshi Shivam Cement, a Nepal-China joint venture industrial unit, told Xinhua. During the Nepal Investment Summit organised by the Nepal government here in March, Chinese investors pledged the highest amount compared to investors from other countries. The Chinese delegation committed FDI of $8.2 billion against total investment pledges of $13.52 billion from seven countries. Entrepreneurs, however, say the realisation of pledged FDI commitments has remained sluggish. "The investors still have to encounter many bureaucratic hurdles," said Pashupati Murarka, former President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). "The government should clear the bureaucratic hurdles quickly for those investors who have received the licence to develop the industry." Nepali government officials said they were making efforts to ease investors in Nepal. "We initiated the process of legal and institutional reforms and simplified procedures for registering industries," DoI Director General Shankar Aryal said. Nepal has introduced new Industrial Enterprises Act, Special Economic Zone Act and new Foreign Investment Policy lately offering more facilities to investors and easing the process of investing in Nepal. Chief Minister of Pakistan's Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, who is set to succeed his brother as the Pakistan Prime Minister, is looking to his son Hamza Shahbaz as his replacement in Punjab, the media reported on Sunday. Shahbaz Sharif is known to enjoy "a degree of comfort in dealing with his son", the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting insiders in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). According to the insiders, however, the final say on who gets to helm Punjab would rest with ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is looking to consolidate the party's control in Punjab, the Dawn said. The PML-N cannot afford to lose its grip on Punjab since the next general elections are barely a year away. "Shahbaz wants his son, who is already acting as the Deputy Chief Minister, to succeed him for the remaining term in Punjab," a PML-N legislator from Punjab told Dawn. "However, (it is up to) Nawaz Sharif to decide whether Hamza will be the right choice for the post or not." The PML-N leader added that Shahbaz Nawaz would continue to oversee matters in Punjab indirectly while his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, would continue to govern the Centre from his Raiwind residence, the report said. A Punjab minister may keep the Chief Minister's seat warm for Shahbaz Nawaz's son for 45 days. On Saturday, the deposed Prime Minister formally announced that Shahbaz Nawaz would be his successor and Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be Premier for 45 days till Shahbaz Nawaz contests a by-election to enter the National Assembly. Rumours of Hamza Shahbaz's political tiffs with Nawaz Sharif's family and children abound. He had not openly defended his uncle (Nawaz Sharif) in the Panama Papers case, choosing not to comment too much on the issue. But both families have often denied rumours of any political disagreement. The Dawn said the names of three others Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Information Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and Food Minister Bilal Yasin were also being considered for the post of Punjab Chief Minister. Two persons, including the gunman, were killed during a shootout at a nightclub in the German city of Constance on Sunday, police said. The gunman, identified as a 34-year-old Iraqi citizen, opened fire at the Grey club on Max-Stromeyer-Strasse road at about 4.30 a.m., killing one person, the BBC quoted the police as saying. The gunman was then shot by the police and died in a hospital. Three people, including a police officer, were seriously injured in the attack, according to authorities. Police and prosecutors said in a statement that special commando forces and a police helicopter was deployed as it was not yet known if the suspect had accomplices. The motive for the shooting was not immediately clear. Southeastern Wisconsin received momentous news this past week: Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn is coming to the area and investing up to $10 billion. The plant to be built could 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. This is game-changing. For far too long, Racine had the highest unemployment of any city in the state. Now it sits at No. 2, just barely behind Beloit. What that means is that we have people here who need jobs. Local educational institutions and officials are making it abundantly clear that training is already starting to ensure that those people will be ready to be hired for the jobs that come along with Foxconn. These jobs are reported to pay about $50,000 per year, plus benefits. That is enough to support families and help families get out of poverty. Along with jobs, Foxconn will bring more development, more houses and businesses, which will improve the tax base, helping governments afford more services and infrastructure improvements. This would also help increase enrollment for local school districts, which have had numbers go down over the years. To further sweeten the deal for southeastern Wisconsin, on Friday legislators announced that the Foxconn incentive package included plans for restarting construction on the Interstate 94 North-South project, which extends from the Illinois state line through Racine County to General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee. State legislators and Gov. Scott Walker had been struggling to reach agreement on getting this project done. It appears the Foxconn deal was the shot in the arm that project needed. Some have criticized the proposed $3 billion in incentives that the governor has announced. But Walker has assured those critics, saying the tax incentives will be tied to performance and if Foxconn doesnt fulfill its promises to invest and create jobs, then the company will not be eligible for tax credits. We expect him to follow through on that promise. Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat Nitish Kumar may have won the trust vote in the Bihar legislature, but he is now weaker than what he was during his earlier stint as the chief minister. At that time, he had become a larger than life figure because of his success in controlling lawlessness in the state and preparing the ground for development. As a result, he was even seen as a possible player on the national stage. But that aura is gone. The reason is his journey from the "communal" to the "secular" camp and back. Had he moved in only one direction, he would have appeared more straightforward than at present. But trips back and forth tend to undermine a politician's credibility. He is seen then as an opportunist on the lookout for the best chance. If he had wanted to retain his trustworthiness in the wake of the corruption charges against Lalu Prasad and his family, he should have called for fresh elections. That would have been a message to Lalu Prasad as well, for it would have shown himas well as other politiciansthat sleaze doesn't pay. As it is, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief is barred from contesting elections because of his conviction in the fodder scam. But switching sides within two years of securing a mandate has put Nitish Kumar in the lowly category of the Congress MLAs in Gujarat who have been lured away to the BJP by the indefatigable Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo. Nitish Kumar's latest manoeuvre may well turn out to be his third political mistake. The first was in 2013 when he hurriedly quit the BJP because he feared that Modi's rise will erode his Muslim support base. As long as Modi did not venture out of Gujarat, Nitish Kumar was happy in the BJP in the company of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani. But Modi's entry into the big league unnerved him. So he ran from the rock of a changing BJP to the hard place of his old friend of the days of the JP movement, Lalu Prasad. This was Nitish Kumar's second mistake, for he ignored the possibility that the hero/villain of the RJD's "jungle raj" in Bihar may ultimately be his nemesis. And so it has proved to be. But the way out for Nitish Kumar was not to retrace his steps, for he has gone back to the same person from whom he ran away four years ago. If the Bihar chief minister was afraid in 2013 that Modi would scare away the Muslims, he should harbour the same fear now when the rampaging gau rakshaks have become a frightening menace for the minorities. True, Modi of 2017 is not the Modi of 2002, when he was called a "modern day Nero" by the Supreme Court, because he has been speaking out against the cow vigilantes. Modi has also succeeded in putting an end to the ghar wapsi and love jehad campaigns. But how far the BJP has changed with its veneration for the holy cow and its belief in the therapeutic value of cow's urine is open to question. Nitish Kumar is teaming up, therefore, with a party whose pursuit of Hindutva and ultra-nationalism is far more aggressive at present than in the time of Vajpayee and Advani. Politically, too, the BJP believes that the future belongs to it mainly because of its spectacular success in UP. Now, Nitish Kumar's floor-crossing will convince the BJP that the Hindi heartland is firmly in its grip. It is unlikely, therefore, that it will allow Nitish Kumar to call the shots as before. Instead, the Modi dispensation may placate him with a special financial package for Bihar. What the latest events have shown is that Nitish Kumar's destiny is to be a provincial politician, remaining confined like his friend-cum-foe-cum-friend-cum-foe again, Lalu Prasad, in Bihar. Any hope that he may have had of playing a larger role, which was possible if he had stayed with the opposition, is unlikely to be fulfilled. Bihar itself may gain because of the centre's largesse and Nitish Kumar's administrative capabilities. But the future of his partythe JD(U)is uncertain because its Muslim and Yadav components may drift away. The fading out of the party will make Nitish Kumar even more beholden to the BJP. The RJD, on the other hand, is likely to grow and fill the empty opposition space in Bihar in the absence of the JD(U) and the Congress. Nitish Kumar's well-wishers will hope that with his amiable personality, he will exert a moderating influence on the BJP and be on Modi's side in reining in the hardliners and turning the focus resolutely on development. That is the only way he can redeem himself. (via IANS) With six Congress MLAs having quit in Gujarat, the BJP on Sunday said the grand old party is now a sinking ship as their cadres are losing faith in the party leadership. "People are now aware that the Congress party is now a sinking ship. And is not a trustworthy party anymore," Shahnawaz Hussain told ANI. Meanwhile, another saffron party leader Vijay Bahadur Pathak said the BJP was not responsible for this horse-trading of MLAs. "The BJP is not responsible for MLAs leaving their parties. It's because of their party's failure," he said. As many as 44 of the Congress party MLAs were taken to Bengaluru on Saturday to ensure they don't succumb to police and political pressure to join the BJP. Congress leader Abhishek 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." Union minister 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," 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Assam on Tuesday to review the flood situation in the state. This was conveyed by the prime minister's office to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, a statement issued by the Assam government said. The floods have claimed 79 lives in the northeastern state so far. The prime minister's visit comes amidst criticism by opposition parties and organisations in Assam that despite the severe floods, which have affected more than 25 lakh people in 29 districts, Modi was yet to visit the state. They also added that Modi, however, visited his home state of Gujarat, which too was affected by floods, a few days ago. During his visit to Assam, the prime minister would discuss all the aspects related to the floods with Sonowal and senior officials, the statement said. Matters related to flood management and the damages caused by the floods are also likely to feature in the discussions. The Centre has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh under the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured in the floods. A seven-member inter-ministerial central team was on a four-day visit to Assam from July 25 to carry out an on-the- spot assessment of the damages caused by the floods and was expected to submit its report soon with recommendations to the Centre for an early release of funds. Meanwhile, Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit has contributed a month's salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the flood-hit people, said a Raj Bhawan spokesman in Guwahati. Two waves of floods have affected over 25 lakh people in 29 districts of Assam this year, with the administration setting up 1,098 relief camps and distribution centres in the state. Though the current wave of floods has receded, six districts are still reeling under it and over 2,000 people have taken shelter in the relief camps. The Kerala unit of BJP has called for a statewide shutdown on Sunday in protest against the killing of a RSS activist allegedly by CPI(M) loyalists. The 34-year-old RSS worker, who was hacked on Saturday night in the state capital, breathed his last at a private hospital. The deceased has been identified as E. Rajesh, who was a karyavahak attached to the RSS unit at Sreekariyam near Thiruvananthapuram. State BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan, who visited the hospital, told reporters that this was a result of state-sponsored violence. "The CPI(M) led government has become a mute witness to the violence going on in the state capital district. Even our state party headquarters was attacked. But we exercised restraint. "But now, we are left with no other option but to call for a statewide shutdown...to protest the killing (of Rajesh). The state government has not even called for a peace talk to resolve issues," Rajasekheran said. According to the BJP, Rajesh was hacked by four suspected youth wing activists of the CPI(M), who came on two motorcycles. He suffered serious injuries in his face, hands and legs, and according to the BJP, his left hand was severed and thrown away. The killing comes a day after a group of CPI(M) workers led by local Councillor I.P. Binu smashed six vehicles parked in the state committee office of the BJP. After the attack at the BJP headquarters, the residence of the son of CPI(M) state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was stoned. For the past two weeks, an uneasy calm has been prevailing in the capital district, with the activists of the BJP and the CPI(M) attacking each other every now and then. Thiruvananthapuram district CPI(M) secretary Anavoor Nagappan in a statement issued on Saturday night said the CPI(M) had no role in this incident. "There were some local issues in the area and in this incident, the CPI(M) has no role," Nagappan's statement read. The high walls of the Bengalurus Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara seem to have too many dark secrets to guard. Stories of smuggled mobile phones, liquor and drugs, and extortion and sex racketing inside the jail have made headlines before. But, on July 12, Deputy Inspector-General (Prisons) D. Roopa Moudgil opened a can of worms with her explosive jail report alleging VIP treatment to high-profile convicts such as AIADMK (Amma) general secretary V.K. Sasikala, convicted in a disproportionate assets case, and Abdul Karim Telgi, kingpin of the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam. Soon ensued mudslinging among top police officers. And, the whistleblower was shunted out to the traffic department. Now, however, Roopa stands vindicated. After quizzing jail officials, Karnataka assemblys Public Accounts Committee confirmed that Sasikala was, indeed, given special treatment in the prison. The committee, chaired by BJP legislator and former home minister R. Ashok, has asked prison officials to submit a detailed action-taken report in 15 days. Sources say V.C. Prakash (a friend of former home minister and Karnataka Congress president G. Parameshwara) has also confessed to the Delhi Police that he helped arrange meetings between Sasikala and her party leaders, including her nephew and deputy T.T.V. Dhinakaran, inside the prison. Prakash, who was being interrogated in a bribery case, said he knew some jail officials. Mallikarjun [close aide of Dhinakaran] asked me to help organise meetings with Sasikala, he told the police. In 2003, DMK leader K. Anbazhagan had moved Supreme Court seeking transfer of Sasikalas case outside Tamil Nadu for a free and fair probe. The case was shifted to Karnataka. In February this year, she was convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment. Roopas report rocked Karnatakas Congress government, which is bracing for the 2018 Assembly polls. The four-page reportsubmitted to state police chief R.K. Dutta, Director General of Police (Prisons) H.N. Satyanarayana Rao, the home department and the Anti-corruption Bureaualleged preferential treatment to some convicts and highlighted issues such as rampant drug abuse by inmates. A clipping in which Sasikala is seen walking within the jail in plainclothes was leaked to the media. She also noted that there were murmurs that Rao had taken a bribe of Rs 1 crore, while another Rs 1 crore was split among jail officials to provide five-star facilities to Sasikala. The alleged facilities included a special kitchen and a mini conference room to meet visitors, besides a cordoned-off area consisting five cells, mattress, mosquito net, LED TV, canvas curtains, stove and pressure-cooker. On July 13, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered an inquiry by retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar. The opposition parties, however, demanded a judicial probe. Five days later, Roopa and Rao were transferred, citing that they violated All India Service Rules, and that their transfers would ensure a fair probe. Roopa was posted as commissioner of traffic and road safety; Rao was sent on forced leave as he retires in August. R. Anita, who replaced Roopa, was also transferred within a few days on charges of giving preferential treatment to Sasikala. Meanwhile, Rao vehemently denied the charges. He accused Roopa of trying to get even with him, as he had issued her two memos for not attending a CM meeting and because she was unhappy with the division of work in the department. Soon after submitting a 16-page letter to the government, Rao rushed to the jail, ahead of the pending inquiry. Roopa, too, visited the jail a few hours later. She submitted a second report, after a jail official who had been asked to give her the CCTV visuals and video recordings of her previous visits allegedly refused to do so, citing orders from the higher-ups. Anita is said to be the officer who refused to hand over the video evidences. Roopa alleged that crucial CCTV footages that could have proved her charges went mysteriously missing. She accused Rao of foulplay. The CCTVs installed at the barracks have been deliberately rendered dysfunctional, while CCTV cameras (7 & 8) in the visitor room are broken, she alleged. Select footages have been deleted from the DVR [digital video recorder] at the prisons headquarters, too. The video recording of statements given by the inmates during [my] visits on June 28 and July 10, and the prison diary entries, too, have vanished. High drama prevailed in the jail on July 15, after some inmates raised slogans against Roopa during her visit, while another group rallied in her support. That night, at least 32 inmates were allegedly beaten up on the orders of Jail Superintendent Krishna Kumar, and they were allegedly shifted to jails in Bellary, Belagavi and Mysuru. The high-profile probe was to begin the next day. Kumar, who was busy collecting signatures of 2,000 inmates in his favour, was transferred, after public outcry and protests by inmates. The NHRC also has taken up the case of alleged torture of the 32 inmates. The opposition parties led by BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa raised the luxegate issue with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and demonstrated against the Karnataka governments shooting the messenger syndrome. The issue came to a boil with a video clipping of Telgis cell with the comforts of homea cot, an LED television, a computer, and under-trials assigned to give him massagesgoing viral on social media. Another set of visuals showing five cells being cordoned off for Sasikalas use was also splashed in the media. A clipping in which she is seen walking within the jail in plainclothes was also leaked to the media. Notably, in June, Rao himself had said he would curtail the number of Sasikalas visitors, after reports of her meeting 28 visitors in 31 days surfaced. The visitorsincluding her husband Natarajan, nephews T.T.V. Dhinakaran, Vivek Jayaraman and K. Kartikeyan, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha M. Thambidurai, and many leaders from Tamil Naduwere allowed to meet her for long hours. According to rules, a convict is eligible to meet visitors only once in 15 days, and the meetings have to be monitored by a prison official. But in Sasikalas case, a private meeting room with five chairs, including a revolving one for her, was set up, alleged Roopa. Sasikalas nephew Jeyanandh Dhivakaran rubbishes the charges. My aunt [Sasikala] is being used as bait in the cold war between two IPS officers, he alleges. According to Roopas report, Telgi, a diabetic and AIDS patient, was confined to the wheelchair six months ago, and the court had allowed him to utilise the service of two convicts. She noted that Telgi moved around without the wheelchair, but continued to have undertrials give him massages in his cell. This, she pointed out, violated the court order and prison rules, which bar under-trials from mingling with convicts. However, the jail superintendent had taken no action, despite my reminders, alleged Roopa. My father-in-law [Telgi] is very sick and has been using wheelchair for many years, says Irfan Talikote, a businessman married to Telgis daughter Sana, who lives in Belgaum. If there are more than two people serving him in the jail, they are doing it voluntarily because of his friendly nature. The officer [Roopa] is doing this for publicity. The Prison Manual, however, prescribes basic minimum needs to the inmates and bans VIP privileges to any inmate. In October 2013, a Central Armed Reserve Constable Yenkanna Meti was arrested for smuggling in mobile phones for Telgi. Recently, after an extortion call was traced to the Parappana Agrahara prison, authorities admitted that 19 mobile phone jammers in the jail were defunct. Roopa also highlighted drug abuse in the jail. A urine test revealed that 18 of 25 randomly selected prisoners tested positive for cannabis, barbiturates, benzodiazepine and morphine. From the DGP to the jail warden, all are involved in flouting the prison manual, alleged Roopa. Roopa Moudgil | PTI Highlights from former DIG (Prisons) Roopa Moudgils reports Report 1 Bribe of Rs 2 crore paid for VIP treatment and a special kitchen for Sasikala Abdul Karim Telgi enjoys special treatment. Undertrials have been assigned as his masseurs Rampant smuggling of narcotics Convicts man the records room, where crucial documents are kept Why was her boss, H.N. Satyanarayana Rao, unhappy over her visit to the jail without permission? Inmates threaten doctors to issue certificates that can help them get treatment in hospitals Inmates work at the prisons pharmacy, raising concerns over misuse of sleeping pills Report 2 A locked room on the first floor, where the officers chambers are located, was maintained as a meeting room with curtains, a table and five chairs, including a revolving one for Sasikala. Ordinary prisoners meet visitors in an enclosure divided by a mesh, and under CCTV surveillance (Cameras 6 and 7) The department has to safeguard crucial footage and hold the officials responsible in case of loss of evidence. The evidence includes CCTV footage from Telgis cell (Camera 89) CCTV footage proves that a special kitchen was set up for Sasikala Undertrials (in barrack no. 3) have not been given legal aid for almost a year Video recordings of Roopa interacting with inmates are missing. First, she received a blank pen drive, and later a pen drive without the crucial footage Mobile phone jammers are defunct, despite an annual maintenance contract being in place As governor of Bihar, Ram Nath Kovind loved to quote former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep. It turned out to be a key theme of his first speech after taking over as the 14th president of India. Kovind spoke about India in the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and RSS ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya. We need to sculpt a robust, high-growth economy, an educated, ethical and shared community, and an egalitarian society, he said. This is the India of our dreams, an India that will provide equality of opportunities. Kovind is the first BJP member to move into the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the transition is likely to be a smooth one. The first appointments to Kovinds staff show that he would receive active support from the prime ministers office. Retired IAS officer Sanjay Kothari has been appointed as the presidents secretary; Gujarats resident commissioner Bharat Lal will be his joint secretary, and journalist Ashok Malik, the press secretary. Lal was Modis point man in Delhi during his days as the chief minister of Gujarat. After becoming prime minister, Modi gave Lal the responsibility to oversee his outreach activities in India and abroad. Malik is well-versed with the articulation required for the first president from the saffron family. However, little is known about Kovinds views on key issues. He was nominated by the BJP with an eye on his dalit identity and his clean image. Kovinds tenure is expected to be free of controversies as he is likely to make informed decisions based on constitutional propriety, just like Mukherjee. The outgoing president, however, had been forceful on certain issues, such as the debates regarding tolerance, pluralism and dissent. The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance, said Mukherjee. In his farewell speech, he spoke of former prime minister Indira Gandhi as his mentor. She had the courage to call a spade a spade, he said. Perhaps, that was what made Mukherjee a supporter of strong governments. He had seen dissent and policy paralysis during the United Progressive Alliance government in which no single party had a majority. Sources said Mukherjee was happy that the BJP government had a majority on its own, helping it tackle governance issues. When Modi became prime minister, he told Mukherjee that he never had a chance to step inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mukherjee then arranged a guided tour for the new prime minister. His warmth and assistance put Modi at ease. He [Pranab] was a guardian and a father figure.... He used to guide me, which was a help for a person like me, who had no experience of this kind of office, said Modi during a farewell function for Mukherjee. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley spoke about how the Modi government worked to resolve its differences with Mukherjee on legislative issues, especially over classifying certain bills as money bills and the promulgation of ordinances. As president, he was unquestionably the guardian of the Constitution. He realised that in a democracy there could only be one power centrethe elected government and the prime minister. He, therefore, actively associated with two different governments during his presidency with equal ease, said Jaitley. In the past, there had been instances of strained relations between presidents and prime ministers, like in the case of Morarji Desai and N. Sanjiva Reddy, Indira Gandhi and Reddy, and Rajiv Gandhi and Zail Singh. Modi never had a problem with Mukherjee. I was surprised while working with Pranabda. Despite being part of the government for so long, and that, too, in key positions, he never judged or compared my governments decisions with his past experiences, said Modi. Mukherjees emphasis as president was on enhancing academic standards in the country and making Rashtrapati Bhavan a cultural hub. As president, he was visitor of 126 institutions of higher education, including the Central universities and the IITs, and he started the practice of holding an annual conference of the heads of these institutions. During his tenure, Mukherjee rejected 30 mercy petitions from convicts on the death row, like Ajmal Kasab, Afzal Guru and Yakub Memon. He commuted death sentences in four cases. He has not left any appeal pending for Kovind. There were only a few occasions when Mukherjee got upset. Sources said it happened when relations between the judiciary and the executive turned sour. Mukherjees love for work, attention to detail and sharp memory are legendary. He made sure there was at least one public function every day at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Though he quit smoking several years ago, he continued to receive pipes as gifts from foreign dignitaries. After his farewell, he donated 500 pipes to the Rashtrapati Bhavan museum, which he helped set up. He loved his food, but kept the portions small. Bengali sweets and hilsa fish were his favourites. Mukherjee, who was earlier seen in bandhgalas and dhoti kurtas, switched to achkan and churidar after he became president, perhaps inspired by Rajendra Prasad, the first president. As he starts his post-presidency life at 10 Rajaji Marg in Delhi, the house once occupied by Kalam, Mukherjee will be busy writing about his presidential years. Only K.R. Narayanan had penned presidential memoirs before. Mukherjee is also likely to complete his political writings and set up an organisation in his name, which would be dedicated to education, economics and research. Kovind has moved into the Rashtrapati Bhavan with a message of hope, drawing on the strengths of the past and outlining the opportunities of the future. The India of the 21st century will be one that is in conformity with our ancient values as well as compliant with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he said. We must combine tradition and technology, the wisdom of an age-old Bharat and the science of a contemporary India. Walking away: Modi and Shah have gained the most from Nitishs decision to break ties with Lalu | Salil Bera In 2013, Nitish Kumar declared with what has come to be his trademark ambiguity Kal kya kisne dekha hai? (Who can predict anything about tomorrow?), when I asked him about rumours that he would walk out of his 17-year-old alliance with the BJP. In an irony that history will remind him of, central among his differences with the National Democratic Alliance was the rise and rise of Narendra Modi, who was then the chief minister of Gujarat. The stories of their personal friction are well documenteda dinner invitation in Patna for BJP leaders was cancelled, and flood relief money offered by Modi was curtly returned after advertisements featuring the two men together were released without Nitishs consent. In 2017, that moment was dramatically inverted, when Modi welcomed Nitishs decision to break his tenuous alliance with Lalu Prasad over the issue of corruption. The tweet came within an hour of Nitish submitting his resignation to the governor, pointing to a pact that had obviously been worked out over several weeks. Nitish took his allies and even his aides by complete surprise. Several leaders close to him believed that although the gatbandhan with Lalu would break, there could not be a return to the NDA. They said Nitish was well aware that Modi and Amit Shah would never forgive or forget their humiliation by Nitish. They were hopeful that Nitish would acquire a moral sheen by taking on Lalu and his son Tejaswi, the deputy chief minister, and then position himself for a plunge into national politics in 2019. There were even murmurs of forging a non-Congress coalition that Maharashtra strongman Sharad Pawar might be deployed to build with Nitish as its face. They were all wrong. Nitish showed that in Indias House of Cards, he has always held an unpredictable hand of aces. The biggest winners are Modi and Shah. The duo has extracted revenge for the defeat in the Bihar elections. It has also shown that when it comes to consolidating his political gains, Modi can be pragmatic and adaptable, instead of being ideological and adamant. By taking Nitish back despite grave personal differences, Modi has deftly smashed opposition dreams of a grand alliance against him in 2019. While Nitish has outmanoeuvred those who thought they could forecast his next move and ensured his place in the pantheon of politicians who must be taken seriously, this is a zero-sum-game for him in some ways. It appears to reinforce the political status quo instead of delivering a huge advantage to him. He has sought the high moral ground by snapping ties on a principled opposition to corruption. But he will be dubbed an opportunist by his former allies for constantly wavering on his ideological articulations. His qualified support for demonetisation, his support for the NDA presidential candidate, his backing for the United Progressive Alliances vice presidential candidateall these paradoxical positions were taken even as he was calling for opposition unity. His principal challenge now is to keep his party together; a significant number of legislators are either Muslim or Yadav and there may be some disquiet among them at abandoning Lalu and embracing the BJP. He also has to carry party veterans and old socialists like Sharad Yadav and others with his decision. And, with this move he has clearly given up on all national and prime ministerial ambitions. The only way he could have retained those was by staying as a challenger to Modi. An alternative route was to sack Tejaswi and challenge Lalu to walk out of the government. The route he has chosen (unless he changes his mind again before 2019) confines his political future to Bihar. That is exactly what Modi would want him to do. Lalu, who is accused of placing the love for his son over survival and sagacity, is an obvious loser. Unless he is able to bounce back in the next elections, what lies ahead for him and his family, which is accused of acquiring prime property worth crores of rupees for a few lakhs, is a maze of litigation and, perhaps, prison. The Congress must also take responsibility for this mess. Nitishs party repeatedly expressed its exasperation at the lack of a narrative in the opposition camp. Open swipes by Congress leaders at Nitish, too, did not help. But whether because of complacency or incompetence, and despite meetings between Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Nitish, the Gandhi family could not keep its allies house in order. The Congress is now staring at an inalienable truth: all this while it was fighting to take on the BJP, now it is struggling to even play the role of a primary opposition party. It is no longer the pivot around which other anti-BJP parties will organise. That, for the Congress, should be an existential wakeup call. Finally, for liberal politics in India, this is an important reality check. For years, liberals who opposed the BJP had anointed Nitish as their great hope to take on Modi. But the same chief minister who joined hands with friend-turned-foe-turned friend (and now foe again) Lalu in 2015, in the name of secularism, has today chosen to make corruption the central principle of his political organisation. Of course, at the time Nitish built his peace-pact with Lalu, the RJD leader was already convicted of corruption in a lower court. So, if you believe that Nitishs decision has anything to do with corruption now or secularism back then, you are being delusional. This is realpolitik and to the victor goes the spoils. It is time to recognise that secularism has been bent, compromised and abused as a political slogan by parties across the spectrum. It has been corroded by the ambition of individual leaders and I am not sure there is a party that can claim to be a genuine practitioner of secular politics. Pluralism is a principle liberals must continue to battle for, but secularism as a political constructand in the way it has been executedis simply not authentic enough. Much will happen between now and 2019, but for the foreseeable future, the Modi juggernaut rolls on, flattening all its challengers, along the path to political hegemony. Call to form 3 constituencies in Banke The recently formed Constituency Delimitation Commission has started its work in Banke district. Speaking at an interaction organised in Nepalgunj on Saturday, representatives of various political parties suggested that the commission make three electoral constituencies in the district. MBABANE An investigation has been instituted into the sale of Thonkwane Estates by Dups Holdings to the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF) for a fee of around E74 million. The two institutions have failed to comply with the Competition Act in that they did not report the transaction to the Swaziland Competition Commission (SCC). Dups is reported to have made a profit of around E46 million when it sold the property to the PSPF after having bought it two months earlier for E28 million from the executor of the estate. Thabisile Langa, the SCC Chief Executive Officer, informed the Times SUNDAY that the commission was currently engaged in a process of discussing the transaction with Dups and PSPF. We have engaged the parties and advised them to notify the transaction. The engagement with the parties is still ongoing and the matter has not been finalised yet, Langa said. The CEO stated that all parties involved were expected to comply with the law before implementation of a merger or acquisition transaction. She said the law also allowed the parties to make an application for condonation with the commission following prior implementation of an acquisition without notification. If, however, the parties after prior implementation do not notify and are insistent on not notifying even after engagement by the commission, the commission will investigate the matter and take the matter to the Board of Commissioners for enforcement of the law. In terms of Section 35 of the Act, failure to notify a merger or acquisition is an offence which attracts a fine not exceeding E250 000 or to imprisonment to a term not exceeding five years or both. Further, Regulation 28A of the Competition Commission (Amendment) Regulations Notice of 2016 empowers the commission to impose a fine of up to 10 per cent of a firms turnover for failure to comply with the Act, Langa said. Asked about the extent to which institutions do not report such transactions, the CEO said it would be difficult to quantify the non-compliance but we have to acknowledge that there is definitely an aspect of non-compliance and the Commission takes action on parties if they are found to have not complied with the Competition Act. In determining the administrative penalty to impose on those who do not comply with the Act, Langa said they considered factors such as co-operation of the parties; the parties knowledge and experience with merger notifications in various jurisdictions; legal advice obtained from a reputable law firm with extensive Swazi competition law experience; the parties conduct in relation to other jurisdictions in respect of the same transaction; and the need to deter would-be offenders of the Act. Chinese contractor resumes work at Dhalkebar A Chinese company hired to build a critical power substation at Dhalkebar, which will enable the country to increase electricity imports from India during the dry season, has resumed work after a week-long hiatus. Couple commits suicide by jumping off bridge A couple allegedly committed suicide by jumping off from Kushma-Jandi suspension bridge in the district headquarters Kushma. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Phil Konigsberg New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a law last Friday that will raise the statewide minimum age to purchase tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, from 19 to 21, effective Jan. 1, 2018. New York also had a golden opportunity to pass our own statewide Tobacco 21 law last month, after bills passed both the Assembly and Senate Health Committees. But T21 was then held up by the Assembly Rules and Senate Finance Committees, respectively. Several venues within the state of New York, including New York City, have passed local T21 bills, but the pressure by the tobacco industry once again showed up in Albany to prevent the statewide bill from reaching the full Assembly and Senate in the final week of the legislative session. A Phillip Morris document, dated Jan. 21, 1986, explains why the tobacco industry is desperate to prevent the increasing trend of states raising the minimum purchase age to 21. The document proclaims: Raising the legal minimum age for [a] cigarette purchaser to 21 could gut our key young adult market (17-20), where we sell about 25 billion cigarettes and enjoy a 70 percent market share. A published 2001 report indicates that 90 percent of persons buying cigarettes for minors are in the 17-to-20-year-old age group. If the minimum age is raised to 21, then, there will be a paradigm shift of how teens, especially 16-to-19-year olds, get their cigarettes. Clearly, those who are age 21 are in different social circles and are either in their junior year of college or have been employed for three years and generally dont associate with 16-to-19-year olds. They are also wise enough by then not to buy cigarettes for younger people. With the added impetus of our neighboring state soon implementing a T21 law, it is time that Albany finally gets this done during the next legislative session. Phil Konigsberg Queens Tobacco Control Coalition Bay Terrace By Gina Martinez Muslim community leaders gathered in Astoria for a legal conference featuring some of the countrys top civil rights lawyers. The Muslim Legal Fund of America hosted the Muslim Nonprofit Leadership Conference all-day Saturday at the IBN SINA Center at 46-01 20th Ave. Topics discussed ranged from the travel ban, immigrant rights and mosque operations. The conference was designed specifically to address legal and social issues facing the Muslim community in Queens and across America. Attorneys and other subject matter experts gave presentations on various topics related to running mosques and other Muslim nonprofit organizations. MLFA said that whether its the Muslim ban, immigration delays, watch lists, compliance-related nonprofit revocations or womens access to mosques, American Muslim community leaders face many legal and social challenges as their religious community comes under greater administrative scrutiny. Lawyers said understanding these challenges is the first step in safeguarding the organizations and the communities they serve. One presentation by Charles Swift, director and counsel at the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America, focused on dealing with informants in the community. Swift discussed the First Amendment and how to spot and protect yourself from an informant. Swift clarified that there are limits to free speech and that even an attempt to do something illegal can be considered a conspiracy. A conspiracy to agree to do something illegal, even just an attempt is against the law, he said. They can agree with you to do an illegal activity, which would be a conspiracy. To agree to do something illegal is itself illegal. So an informant wouldnt do anything violent, but they absolutely can help you break the law. He said informants cannot let somebody do something violent, but they can let someone agree to do it. He offered tips on how leaders can protect their community. He said there are very vulnerable members of every community who are easily manipulated and, in some cases, people can have an intellectual deficiency or are very needy and want friends. Swift said informants try to become their friends so they often prey on the neediest members of society. Its good to know how to talk to people, he said, Especially needier people who might be a victim of entrapment attempts. The First Amendment is on life support. What that means is that while you cannot be arrested for most kinds of speech, speech can serve as evidence of your predisposition to commit am crime. For instance, people need to know the First Amendment does not prevent speech from being used as evidence. Use common sense, train the vulnerable in your community to use common sense. If someone in the mosque is starting to use violent rhetoric or talk about some sort of criminal plans, its probably an informant. Other presenters included Khalil Meek, executive director of the MLFA; Shari Crittendon, attorney at the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America; and Sarrah Buageila, project manager at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. President Vladimir Putin said Russia will expel 755 U.S. diplomatic staff and could consider imposing additional measures against the United States as a response to new U.S. sanctions, although not for now. Moscow ordered the United States on Friday to cut hundreds of diplomatic staff and said it would seize two U.S. diplomatic properties after the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate approved new sanctions on Russia. Putin said in an interview with Vesti TV released on Sunday that 755 U.S. diplomatic and technical staff would have to leave Russia by Sept. 1. "Because more than 1,000 workers diplomats and support staff were working and are still working in Russia, 755 must stop their activity in the Russian Federation," he said. New U.S. sanctions were in part a response to conclusions by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and to further punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Moscow said on Friday that the United States had until Sept. 1 to reduce its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people, matching the number of Russian diplomats left in the United States after Washington expelled 35 Russians in December. On Friday an official at the U.S. Embassy, who did not wish to be identified, said the Embassy employed around 1,100 diplomatic and support staff in Russia, including Russian and U.S. citizens. Putin said that Russia could take more measures against the United States but not at the moment. "I am against it as of today," Putin said in the interview with Vesti TV. He repeated that the U.S. sanctions were a step to worsening relations between the two countries. "We were waiting for quite a long time that maybe something would change for the better, were holding out hope that the situation would change somehow. But it appears that even if it changes someday it will not change soon," Putin said. However, he said Moscow and Washington were achieving results on cooperation even "in this quite difficult situation". The creation of the Southern de-escalation zone in Syria showed a concrete result of the joint work between the two countries, Putin said. SOURCE: REUTERS 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 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany A week after fire ripped through Madison Place, a cadre of worried neighbors met in Bleecker Park. "I just pray they can save those facades," one woman said of the two row houses that had succumbed to the blaze; whose front stoops by then stood like charred theater sets atop the sloped street in Albany's Mansion Neighborhood. That prayer was answered. Twelve years later, the robin's egg blue front of 4 Madison Place is still nestled into the stretch of homes a block below the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, though with some new decor: A weathered tax lien adorns the front window, and what little remains of the home has been embellished by a huge, red X that alerts or sometimes attracts passersby to its vacancy. Like so many other parts of Albany including the stretch of houses near Madison Avenue and Lark Street recently destroyed the tightly-packed properties at Madison Place were especially susceptible to heavy fire damage, their wood porches and old facades allowing blazes to catch and spread rapidly. But for the owners of those properties and for preservationists hoping to maintain centuries of local history the blazes are often only the first battle in a long, costly and frustrating road to redevelopment. First, insurance claims are filed. Then comes the question of whether to develop at all. If the answer is yes, property owners must then navigate a hodgepodge of local and state preservation rules. The city Historic Resources Commission, for example, designates what materials can or should be salvaged, and helps determine if the proposed project is compatible with the surrounding area, scrutinizing everything from facades to windows. In many cases, the commission's Erin Glennon said, developers can qualify for various tax credits. Because the Center Square district is listed on local, state and federal registers, a sizable portion of the redevelopment of the recently destroyed buildings there could be shouldered by taxpayers. Those residential townhouses are a pretty straightforward project, though. Bigger projects, she said, are subject to even more stringent reviews from various state and local commissions. And then, of course, there's preservationist groups like Historic Albany, which are more than willing to mount legal challenges, if need be. But other proposals aren't submitted at all, leaving property to sit vacant for years, confounding planners and leaving holes in tax rolls. "It's hard to know exactly why some sit longer than others," said city Planning Director Chris Spencer. "It's insurance, but often it's economic as well." "If you look at places where there's a better return on investment, you tend to see those (properties) get redeveloped a bit quicker," he said. "It's no different than the situation where you see vacant buildings that sit vacant for a long time. There's a reason that those stay vacant." Indeed, a cursory comparison of fire-destroyed homes and the neighborhoods in which they reside would seem to reinforce an old real estate adage: It's all about location, location, location. Or it helps, at least. Take the former 19th-century building at 598 Madison Ave.: A decade after that nine-unit building was destroyed by fire, then a wrecking crew, a new, 5,000-square-foot building stands there that's doubled the property's 1995 value, according to Zillow. Its proximity to Washington Park and the city's university and hospital corridors no doubt made it attractive for redevelopment, as was noted in the immediate wake of the fire. "There's a tremendous emotional investment in Washington Park," Albany historian and former Assemblyman Jack McEneny said at the time. "It's like the first broken window in an empty house. It has enormous implications." But not all homes are so lucky: It's been five years since a suspected arson ripped through another stretch of the Mansion District, displacing 20 people and destroying four Park Avenue homes that had been continuously occupied since the Civil War. Today, one of those properties has been purchased for use as a side lot, but little progress has been made on the remaining three. Yet much like the homes along Madison Avenue, where the Executive Mansion and Empire State Plaza count as neighbors, those along Park would seem like prime real estate. So why the lasting vacancies? For one, Albany simply "isn't the easiest place to develop," said Sue Holland, of Historic Albany. "There hasn't been in the past a lot of handholding or help," she said, noting that some of the most effective tax credits for redevelopment weren't available until 2005. "There has to be something to compel people to build back into the city," she said. The other issue? Historic homes usually burn faster, bigger and more often. Just after an April 1860 fire destroyed 15 homes on Orange Street, city officials banned wooden homes, paving the way for the brick residences that now occupy the slightly newer parts of the city. But there was no moratorium on wooden porches, Mansion Neighborhood Association Chairwoman Holly Katz said, thus allowing patios to be packed into secluded courtyards across the city, where they now sit like kindling for small sparks that can then devastate blocks. And so, she said, when the city's oldest homes do go up in flames, they sustain a disproportionate amount of damage. That, coupled with various preservation rules, can complicate and drive up the costs of redevelopment. Just behind the turquoise facade that survives at 4 Madison Place, for example, is a charred, mostly barren property that, because the exterior has to be preserved, would require any construction to be routed through the front door. Next door, at 5 Madison Place, a rehab was supposed to begin in 2012. "Some of my friends think I'm crazy," Tim Kelly, the developer, said of his $80,000 purchase, in 2010. "As you can see, nobody else went near it for the last five or six years." That might have been for good reason: Despite support from neighborhood groups and preservationists, Kelly was never able to fully finance the costly rehab. Today, 4 and 5 Madison Place both sit with all the char and charm as they did in the weeks after that 2005 fire, much to the dismay and detriment of nearby homeowners, some of whom are still dealing with water runoff from 4 Madison Place. "It's been a long process (to start redeveloping)," Katz said of the homes. "It's not been a successful one. ... For now, it's dead in the water." In recent years, some properties have been refiltered through the Albany County Land Bank. Funded by settlements reached by the state Attorney General's office with Wall Street megabanks, the group buys and sells dilapidated structures for projects that align with neighborhood revitalization plans. Last year the Land Bank sold such a fire-damaged home at 274 Sheridan Ave. to a local construction company, which works with nonprofits to teach technical and construction skills. But, as Glennon also noted, the city hasn't always had those options, instead leaving neighborhood revitalization efforts in the hands of absentee property owners who took the insurance money and ran. Before the Land Bank existed, "the real estate market was not willing to absorb these properties," said Adam Zaranko, executive director. "As a result many have remained vacant for many years, which in turn negatively impacted the surrounding values, which discouraged future investment," he said. "You can see the downward spiral that starts to occur," he said. Spencer, meanwhile, said his department has spent more than two years modernizing some of the city's strictest zoning rules to allow for rebuilds. "The new zoning is flexible, and creates flexibility to match" new structures with the surrounding areas, he said. "It's really geared (so that) if we lose buildings, we can replace them with something in-kind or compatible." The homes near Madison Avenue and Lark Street could soon serve as a trial balloon for some of those new rules, shedding light on what helps or in many cases hinders redevelopment. Built before the 1900s, the wooden porches packed into the backs of those homes made saving them nearly impossible, fire officials said. Within about two hours, the blaze had engulfed five homes, destroying four and leaving a dozen people temporarily homeless. "These are very old buildings," city Fire Chief Warren Abriel said. "They were actually right up against each other." "There are good and bad things with old buildings," he said. Businesses and community groups have already lent support, and the properties' historic locations already make redevelopment prospects seem brighter. But a quick stroll eastward, to nearby Madison Place, would remind even the optimists that nothing is permanent; that no rehab is guaranteed. The day after the Madison Avenue fire, as residents sifted through the blackened remains of their homes, grabbing belongings and, in one case, finding a dog for whom they'd assumed the worst, a next-door neighbor lamented the loss of that stretch of buildings, which had meant so much to the neighborhood's history. "My whole neighborhood is about to change," said Dorinda Burton. In fact, it already had. The question now is how much and for how long? RDownen@timesunion.com 518-454-5018 @RobertDownenTU Doklam stand-off and Nepal Last month, India sent troops to block Chinas efforts to build a road on the Doklam plateau. Currently regarded as Chinese territory, the Doklam plateau has also been claimed by Bhutan. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate New York Weary Republicans in Washington may be ready to move on from health care, but conservatives across the United States are warning the GOP-led Congress not to abandon its pledge to repeal the Obama-era health law or risk a political nightmare in next year's elections. The Senate's failure this past week to pass repeal legislation has outraged the Republican base and triggered a new wave of fear. The stunning collapse has exposed a party so paralyzed by ideological division that it could not deliver on its top campaign pledge. After devoting months to the debate and seven years to promising to kill the Affordable Care Act, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., simply said: "It's time to move on." But that's simply not an option for a conservative base energized by its opposition to the health law. Local party leaders, activists and political operatives are predicting payback for Republicans lawmakers if they don't revive the fight. "This is an epic fail for Republicans," said Tim Phillips, president of Americans For Prosperity, the political arm of the conservative Koch Brothers' network. "Their failure to keep their promise will hurt them. It will." To the American Conservative Union, the three Republican senators who blocked the stripped-down repeal bill that failed in the wee hours Friday are "sellouts." A Trump-sanctioned super political action committee did not rule out running ads against uncooperative Republicans, which it did recently against Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev. There are limited options for directly punishing the renegade senators John McCain of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. None of the three is up for re-election next fall. McCain, whose dramatic "no" vote killed the bill, is serving his last term in office, has brain cancer and is hardly moved by electoral threats. Still, broad disillusionment among conservative voters could have an impact beyond just a few senators. Primary election challenges or a low turnout could mean trouble for all Republicans. Democrats need to flip 24 seats to take control of the House of Representatives, a shift that would dramatically re-shape the last two years of Trump's first term. "If you look at competitive districts, swing districts, or districts where Republicans could face primary challenges, this is something that will be a potent electoral issue," Republican pollster Chris Wilson said of his party's health care failure. "I don't think this is something voters are going to forget." One such challenger has emerged. Conservative activist Shak Hill, a former Air Force pilot, plans to run against second-term GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock in a competitive northern Virginia district. President Donald Trump on Saturday scolded Congress for looking "like fools" and urged Republican senators not to be "total quitters" as he insisted that his push to overhaul the nation's health care law remained viable, the day after it was rejected by the Senate. To reinforce his demand, the president threatened to cut lawmakers' own health insurance plans if Congress failed to revive the flagging seven-year effort to roll back the medical care program of former President Barack Obama. "Unless the Republican Senators are total quitters, Repeal & Replace is not dead! Demand another vote before voting on any other bill!" Trump wrote Saturday afternoon on Twitter. It was the latest in a series of tweets he posted throughout the day, beginning shortly after 7 a.m., revealing how unsettled the president remains in losing a Senate vote to overhaul health care. One person familiar with his thinking said Trump was particularly focused on the unexpected defection of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who temporarily shelved cancer treatment in his home state and flew back to Washington to reject the president's efforts with a dramatic thumbs-down vote. Trump is holding out hope that the Senate will return to health care in September and bypass parliamentary obstacles to approve it by a simple majority, according to the person familiar with the president's thinking, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Indeed, several of Trump's tweets Saturday criticized use of the Senate filibuster, including one that specifically targeted Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader. "Mitch M, go to 51 Votes NOW and WIN. IT'S TIME!" the president said earlier in the day. "Republicans in the Senate will NEVER win if they don't go to a 51 vote majority NOW. They look like fools and are just wasting time." Republicans have 52 seats in the Senate. The proposal this past week to repeal portions of the health care law, as long demanded by Trump, required a simple 51-vote majority to pass, but failed. It was not clear how he expected to win enough votes, or what might be different, with a new effort. By midafternoon, Trump escalated his attack on lawmakers by taking aim at their own health care plans. "If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!" he wrote on Twitter. The president has sought for months to end federal subsidies for insurance markets. And as recently as Friday, staunch conservatives have demanded the end of a special subsidy for House and Senate lawmakers, and their staffs, through a District of Columbia insurance exchange, instead of a system specifically for federal employees. When viewing the powerful new film "Dunkirk," portraying British military and civilian heroism in early World War II, it's useful to keep in mind a simultaneous shameful period in U.S. history: the pro-Axis, isolationist "America First" movement, led by pilot icon Charles Lindbergh and radio priest Charles Coughlin, and opposing any U.S. aid to the struggling Great Britain. In the years that followed World War II, one overarching conclusion for the United States and its Allies was to unequivocally support a free, united Europe that precluded both fascist and communist authoritarianism. NATO became the prime instrument for doing so. That's why Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent aggressions in Crimea, Ukraine and Syria are so concerning. Oprah Winfrey joined our faculty here at Skidmore College in celebrating the 2017 graduating class's commencement. Winfrey received an honorary doctorate from the college and was, as always, an inspiring speaker. She spoke beautifully of living life with gratitude and intention. But even as inspiring as Winfrey was, she wasn't the most compelling speaker that morning. That distinction would go to Abude Al-Assad, a member of the graduating class and co-chair of the senior gift drive. Al-Assad presented the college with a record-breaking class gift of just over $10,000. He spoke passionately about his upbringing in a refugee camp in Damascus, Syria and how he is the first member of his family to attend college. He urged his classmates to strive to do more, to help more, even in this imperfect world. And he shared that his family was unable to join him at his graduation because they were denied entry to our country due, according to Al-Assad, to their nationality. This was a breathtaking moment. He was graduating from college, had just raised more than $10,000 to help this college and yet our government would not allow his family to attend his graduation. Even in the face of such adversity, this young man, his voice shaking with pride, urged on his contemporaries to not be daunted by this imperfect world to rather embrace it, challenge it, push it to be better, through their own good works. It inspired me to do the same. In addition to lecturing at Skidmore, I serve as the executive and artistic director of Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education in Cambridge, Washington County. We strive to enrich people's lives and nurture our community through the power of the arts and education. We're a small organization, in a small village. But what we do, I believe, has huge reverberations in our world in our block, village, town, county, state, nation and world. We are living intentionally working to give our young people and students of all ages opportunities to realize the power of creativity, collaboration and community. We are giving our community a safe space to gather, share ideas and celebrate our similarities and differences. And we are working to positively affect the world around us by nurturing our sense of community and connectivity, in real time, face to face, with empathy. And yet we need to do more. To face what our country is currently doing to such people of honor, intelligence and passion is heartbreaking. To realize we may lose Al-Assad and his talents to another country, given our stupidity, is agonizing. After all, after such mistreatment, why would he stay? In my producing class at Skidmore we study people in various fields who in some way have reshaped the world through extraordinary visions including Steve Jobs, using Walter Isaacson's definitive biography as our text. Last semester I pointed out to students that Jobs' biological father was a Syrian Muslim immigrant, who came to the U.S. to pursue his graduate studies; and that, if a ban on Syrian Muslims had stopped Jobs' father from entering the U.S. (and meeting Jobs' biological mother), Steve Jobs would have never been born. No Jobs no Apple computers, no iPhone, none of the technological innovations and economic achievements in the U.S. that Jobs brought to life. So the obvious, aching question is: how many wonderful people are we losing right now, because of these travel bans? Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter. What we're doing and allowing to be done in our name is not only wrong, and heartbreaking, it's stupid. Let's get ourselves back on track, and think about our intentions and how we're affecting the world around us before we lose the next Steve Jobs or Abude Al-Assad. David Snider is a theater artist, arts administrator, and educator living in Cambridge. Female army found dead A female Nepal Army staff was found dead in Banepa, Kavrepalanchok district on Saturday. [July 30, 2017] Kurt Amend named Chief Executive of Raytheon Arabia RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, July 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) today announced Kurt Amend will serve as Chief Executive of the Raytheon Arabia business unit. In his new role, Amend will drive business strategy and execution of defense-related projects and technology development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Amend brings nearly three decades of senior-level, U.S. government and aerospace & defense industry experience to Raytheon Arabia, most recently serving as president of Raytheon International, Inc., Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. "With his broad business experience and deep relationships in Saudi Arabia, Kurt is uniquely positioned to lead Raytheon Arabia and the next chapter in Raytheon's strong 50-year partnership with the Kingdom," said Thomas A. Kennedy, Raytheon Chairman and CEO. "He will drive our efforts in support of the Kingdom's economic diversification and building a sustainable future, which will positively impact Saudi and U.S. economies, including job creation." Additionally, Raytheon has named Faisal al Bak, director, Raytheon International, Inc. as an officer of Raytheon Arabia. Other officer appointments will be announced at a later date. Raytheon Arabia Board Amend will also sit on Raytheon Arabia Board of Directors alongside fellow Raytheon executives including: John Harris , chief executive officer, Raytheon International, Inc. , chief executive officer, Raytheon International, Inc. Wes Kremer , president, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems , president, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems Dave Wajsgras , president, Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services , president, Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services Kimberly Ernzen , vice president, Land Warfare Systems, Raytheon Missiles Systems , vice president, Land Warfare Systems, Raytheon Missiles Systems Tom Laliberty , vice president, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. , vice president, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. Stephen Murphy , vice president, Contracts, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems Raytheon Arabia will be based in Riyadh and will focus on creating indigenous defense, aerospace and cybersecurity capabilities in Kingdom. The company is expected to include in-country program management, supply and sourcing capabilities, improved customer access and centralized accountability. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter. www.raytheon.com Media Contact Mike Doble +1.703.284.4345 [email protected] View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kurt-amend-named-chief-executive-of-raytheon-arabia-300496190.html SOURCE Raytheon Company 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. Govt seeks more time to address demands A talks team formed by the government to address Dr Govinda KCs demands failed to present their plans to endorse the Health Profession Education (HPE) Bill, making the meeting fruitless even on Saturday. Turner Twyman/KMBC SOURCE: Turner Twyman/KMBC Kansas City police are investigating after one person was shot in a car on the city's south side. Police officers were called at 4:44 p.m. to Hickman Mills and Barrymore Drive on a shooting. Authorities said the victim was in a car that ended up in a ditch just off I-49. Health insurance intricacies Upon endorsement of the National Health Insurance Policy in 2013, the Ministry of Health and Population formed the Social Health Security Development Committee in February 2015 as a legal framework to oversee Nepals health insurance programme and to ensure appropriate implementation of universal health care within three years. "I usually don't go to that other state in Kansas City. But occasionally the amazing food leads me to The Jacobson on southwest Blvd. If there is no other option in Kansas it is a good choice:) great food great service!!!" of this stunning photo and social media message to the followers of a KCK power broker. . .offers her endorsement of crossing the State Line for good times in one of her latest message:Given that she. . . This power broker hottie lady seems happy about her choice and content to enjoy the good life rather than battle it out in low-stakes local politics.Developing . . . The Italian-Canadian executive and his friends dine at the local tavernas and swim in a small gulf accessible only by boat Ferrari's CEO and chairman of FIAT Sergio Marchionne is visiting the islands of Sporades in Greece. Marchionne initially visited the island of Skopelos with his yacht and the company of well known Italian entrepreneurs. The yacht can accommodate up to 30 persons and is equipped with the most modern systems for security and luxury. The Italian-Canadian executive and his friends dine at the local tavernas and swim in a small gulf accessible only by boat. According to sources, Marchionne's yacht arrived in Skiathos on Saturday and will remain there for a couple of days. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Wisniowy License: CC-BY-SA Source: ANA-MPA The Euromoney Egypt Conference, being held in Cairo in September, will discuss the growing opportunities for investment and partnership in Egypt. The conference titled 'Stability and Cohesion Opportunities in Egypt' is the event's 22nd edition and will be held on September 18 and 19. We are delighted to be working with the Government of Egypt on an agenda that gives a comprehensive and compelling overview of Egypts finance and investment outlook, said Victoria Behn, director of Middle East and Africa at Euromoney Conferences. We are returning in September with a reinvigorated interest from our core audience of international investors and financiers to attend the conference. Once again, the Euromoney Egypt Conference will offer its audience of business leaders and decision makers the opportunity to exchange ideas and participate in informed, impartial and leading-edge discussions. With a tight focus on sectors and opportunities that are both vital for Egypt and attractive to international capital, the two-day event will feature panel discussions on: the investment outlook; capital markets development; privatisation; real estate; industrialisation and exports, financial inclusion and start-ups. High-level representatives from multilateral and bilateral institutions will discuss their plans in Egypt and how private capital can partner with them. For the first time since 2011 international capital feels comfortable in Egypt, said Behn. Challenges remain but the bold resolution of the currency crisis in 2016 has led not only to an upsurge of interest from equity investors but a triumphant return of the debt markets. Euromoney has confirmed the participation of domestic and international speakers who will help evaluate the risks and examine the most promising opportunities in Egypt. Confirmed keynote speakers are: Dr Sahar Nasr, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation, Egypt; Tarek Kabil, Minister of Trade and Industry, Egypt; James Harmon, chairman, Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund (EAEF); Mouayed Makhlouf, director, Middle East and North Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC); and Benedict Oramah, president, African ExportImport Bank (Afreximbank). More than 1,000 delegates from Egypt and abroad most of them directly involved in the finance, investment and business of Egypt will take part in the conference. - TradeArabia News Service His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain has called for regional and global solidarity and sustained coordination among countries of the world to counter terrorism, dry up its sources of funding and finally defeat it. He made the remarks as he received at the Al-Sakhir Palace the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Shaikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, marking the quartets joint meeting in Manama. They were accompanied by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, a BNA report said. A joint meeting of the foreign ministers of the quartet will be held in Manama on Sunday. HM the King welcomed the ministers and wished them success in their joint meeting, hailing strong fraternal relations and joint cooperation between the four countries as well as strenuous efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. He commended the quartets firm keenness on supporting the security and stability of the region, addressing its problems and protecting it from the policies of backing extremist groups and harbouring terrorists. These policies have caused dangerous humanitarian crises, with hundreds of thousands of our peoples displaced and left homeless, facing hardships in the diaspora, he said. He highlighted the tragic plight of the displaced people, stressing the need to help them return to their homes safely and ensure them security and stability. He paid tribute to martyrs from the four countries, who fell in the line of duty in the fight against the scourge of terrorism to defend our countries and peoples. Our countries will continue their strenuous efforts to protect the blessed march of the Gulf Cooperation Council from any policies which may harm member states, affect its peoples or derail its achievements, he said. HM the King stressed the crucial importance of defending the pan-Arab security and staving off any subversive attempts preying on the Arab region. He commended the foreign ministers strenuous efforts to maintain regional security and stability, saying that Bahrain stands united with sister countries and backs all joint stances and measures to confront challenges and threats. The strength and cohesion of Arab countries depend on their solidarity and unity in confronting all challenges., he said, describing pan-Arab joint action, at this defining period, as the vital pillar and the inevitable choice. This critical phase requires stronger cooperation and unity to protect our vital interests, thwart subversive designs which aim at sowing divisions and undermining the pan-Arab security." HM the King reviewed with the foreign ministers latest developments in the regional and international arenas. MORAVIA As southern Cayuga County towns are still reeling after flash floods earlier this month, two of the county's state lawmakers are urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to act. State Sen. Jim Seward and Assemblyman Gary Finch visited Moravia and surrounding towns Thursday to survey the flood damage and call on the governor to provide emergency relief. The flooding caused an estimated $3.74 million in damages to infrastructure. That figure doesn't include the impact to agriculture and homeowners. Seward, R-Milford, sent a letter to Cuomo Tuesday requesting assistance for local governments affecting by flooding. He asked for the help on behalf of Cayuga and three other counties Cortland, Chenango and Herkimer that have experienced flooding in recent weeks. "It's pretty evident that we need help here in terms of repair and recovery," he said. The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has been involved in the flood response, Seward said. Niel Rivenburgh, Cayuga County's deputy director of emergency services, confirmed the state's presence in the county. He said they have been "very engaged." But Seward and Finch, R-Springport, believes more can be done. With more floods occurring across the state, including the high water levels that have impacted communities along Lake Ontario, the lawmakers support legislation that would establish a supplemental fund to provide assistance after natural disasters. A separate bill would create the Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force to examine flood response procedures and the costs of flooding. For now, the focus is on how to address the flooding in southern Cayuga County. The initial response effort has focused on public infrastructure needs. But Finch and Seward acknowledged the damage to residential properties and potentially to farms. "It's overwhelming," Finch said. The legislators advised property owners to document damages and expenses associated with repairs. That will help ensure the state has a more accurate assessment of the financial impact. Documentation may help communities secure outside funding, including federal assistance. Swine flu death: Medical team from Capital begins inspection in Syangja A medical team from Kathmandu arrived in Waling on Saturday for field inspection after a man from Syangja, who was tested positive for the A (H1N1) viruspopularly known as swine fludied at the TU Teaching Hospital in the Capital last Monday. MPs reservations block endorsement of Health Profession Education Bill Strong reservations from lawmakers over several clauses of the Health Profession Education Bill have led to the legislation being stuck in the parliamentary Committee on Women, Children, Social Welfare and Elderly Citizens for more than seven months. New Delhi, July 30 Though discussions on shifting the financial year to January-December instead of April-March are still on within the government, the change will not happen next year, according to Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar. In order to start the next financial year from January 2018, the government needs to present the Union Budget some time in November, which does not seem to be possible as the process is time-consuming and has to be kicked-off well ahead, the minister said. These are points of discussion in the government. For now, consider March as the end of this fiscal year, Gangwar told IANS in an interview. After Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the current parliament session said the government is considering changing the financial year to January-December, speculation has been rife about the switchover in 2018. However, there was no official confirmation either way on this and the government continued its stance of discussions are on. Experts were of the opinion that the mammoth change was not likely to happen so soon after implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1, as the shift involves a lot of operational issues, including cutting short the year to three quarters, changes in governments balance sheet, new assessment year for income taxpayers and bringing forward of the Union Budget. The Narendra Modi government had already advanced the Union Budget by a month to February 1 from 2017 in order to complete all the legislative processes and approvals for annual spending before the start of the financial year from April 1. So far, Madhya Pradesh is the only state to adopt a January-December financial year. On May 2, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the state would be shifting to the new fiscal from 2018 and complete all its budgetary proceedings by the close of 2017. Chouhan has also issued instructions to clearly chalk out the state government programmes to be completed in quarterly, half-yearly and annual fashion. The April-March financial year was adopted in India in 1867 to align it with that of the British government. Prior to that, the Indian financial year used to begin from May 1 and end on April 30. Meanwhile, with the GST Council meeting scheduled for August 5, Gangwar said the various issues that have cropped up since the roll-out of the new indirect tax regime would be discussed. The minister said that the tax rates on textiles, hybrid cars and gold could also be discussed. We have decided that on August 5 whatever changes are necessary will be brought about. The problems being faced by people... Council will discuss on those lines and whether any change is needed, he said. Since the time GST has been implemented, people are putting forth representations on tax rates from all states. We will consider (them), he added. The minister, however, noted that the July 1 roll-out has been smoother than expected and the government was ready for more challenges. The glitches and problems experienced have been less than expected, Gangwar said. IANS Chandigarh: Earrings of a 66-year-old woman were snatched in Sector 56 on Sunday while she was returning home after purchasing vegetables. She suffered minor injuries in the incident. Police sources said the victim, identified as Mukhtyari Devi, a resident of Sector 56, had gone to purchase vegetables from the market in Phase-VI, Mohali. She was returning home when a pedestrian snatched her earrings near her house. A case has been registered at the Sector 39 police station. TNS Sampark: No cash above Rs 2K Chandigarh: No Sampark Centre will accept cash payment of more than Rs 2,000 in cash for depositing bills of electricity and water besides fees for various types of work of different departments from August 1. Sources said the order had been issued by the administration. An officer of the Sampark Centre said a sufficient number of the POS machines had been kept at all 42 centres where residents could make payments through debit or credit cards. More than 40 different types of fees are received at the centres. The administration took the decision to promote digital payment. TNS Shaibal Gupta Shaibal Gupta THE fall of the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar is a tragic affair. It symbolises all the ills that have afflicted the social justice movement in Bihar. The movement emerged from the womb of the powerful socialist movement. After the ideological epicentre of the socialist movement was devoured by the JP movement, the social justice movement did play an important role in plebian ethos. Unfortunately, the movement later degenerated when proactive pursuit of positive discrimination created a caste-based empire, with the most undemocratic satrap heading these outfits. When Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar joined hands for the 2015 Assembly election, in spite of their acrimonious relationship earlier, it seemed that social justice movement will not only get a new lease of life, but will also get reinvented. Lalu with his political capital and Nitish with his administrative acumen were expected to give a fresh lease of life to Bihars development strategy. But unfortunately, the strain in the Mahagathbandhan surfaced from the very first day when Lalus two sons, both greenhorn in politics, were appointed ministers, ignoring senior party functionaries of the RJD. While the younger son, Deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav functioned relatively better, the elder one turned out to be a disaster. In the two terms of the NDA earlier, Nitish had full freedom to function and had kept the ministers on tenterhook. This not only helped him streamline the ramshackle administration, but also resurrected the state. In the process, Nitish had, indeed, emerged as a huge brand in the business of governance. In his third stint as part of the Mahagathbandhan, however, the Chief Minister felt disadvantaged. There was always a reminder from the RJD minions that they were a bigger party than the JD(U). Further, Rabri Devi often suggested that being the single-largest party in the Mahagathbandhan, Tejashwi should take over the reigns of the government. Nitish, who takes any administrative and political agenda very seriously, felt this continuous snipping was getting increasingly intolerable. Whenever recalcitrant RJD workers created problems for Nitish, they were not reprimanded by their senior leadership. When Shahabuddin was released from Bhagalpur jail on bail, he conveyed in a demonstrative manner that the state machinery is at his command and the role of the CM was merely incidental. Shahabuddins utterances were supported by the RJD high command, with a deliberate strategy to insult Nitish. However, the Mahagathbandhan could have continued, in spite of its limitations, thanks to its comfortable majority. But once the spate of scandals involving Lalus family was made open, it was the last straw on the coalitions back. Assuming that Lalu had learnt a lesson from his conviction under the fodder scam, it was expected that his young sons will be leading a reinvented lifestyle. Under the mentorship of Nitish, they could be groomed into someone who will ultimately take over the reign of the state. But unfortunately, almost every immediate member of the Lalu family got embroiled into the crisis. Bihar is the poorest state in India, with very low public investment earlier, but the extent of leakages in the public spending here was one of the highest. This started in the immediate post-Independence years. Indeed, buccaneering accumulation and resultant consumption has become a way of life in the state for long. Later, during Lalus period, this pattern of accumulation got perfected. Leave alone any stigma against such practices, those who indulged in it were actually held with awe and admiration. Quite expectedly, these accumulations were used not only for conspicuous consumption, but also for tremendous political and criminal ramifications. Over the years, accumulation through corruption had gradually reached a cancerous proportion. With democratisation and empowerment of people, it is only recently that corruption is now viewed with revulsion and disdain. The powerful constituency which was created by corruption and which had forestalled all development in the state is now in retreat. Nitish essentially choreographed this strategy. As the decisive steps to check corruption in Bihar, details of assets of public functionaries were ordered to be put on the official website of the state government. The Local Area Development Fund for legislators, a great source of corruption, was abolished. Further, the bold initiative of enacting two formidable laws Prevention of Corruption Act and Right to Service Act has changed the rent-seeking tendency of public functionaries in a decisive manner. The first relates to the confiscation of such property by the state government, which are disproportionate to an individuals income from known sources. The second stipulates a time limit for providing service by the state functionaries to the citizens, so that rent-seeking can be prevented. Earlier, rent-seekers could accumulate with gay abandon and even the most blatant rent-earners got either inconsequential censure or, at best, a suspension order. Additionally, in the name of right to private property, their illegal properties were not touched. Both these laws are now acting as the sword of Damocles for the rent-seeking government functionaries. One may also note that the leakages of public spending in Bihar had a peculiar character, not to be seen elsewhere in the country. Here the fund for government programmes, earmarked for either economic or social sectors, would be siphoned off for private accumulation right at the input stage. Thereafter, such buccaneering private accumulation will not get invested within the state, as was the case in Indonesia; instead, the amount would often be transferred outside, as was the case in the Philippines. With their limited knowledge of the capital market domestic or international the looted resources of the state were generally invested in the real estate in metropolitan cities. In this backdrop, the battle against corruption could not have been pursued within the Mahagathbandhan. Its liquidation might be a setback to secularism, but secularism cannot be pursued at the altar of brazen corruption. The UPA-II failed in its effort to deflect the allegations of corruption. In the process, the Congress got wiped out and the BJP got massive majority. Simultaneously, the social base of secularism shrunk, because corruption was protected thoughtlessly. The writer is member-secretary, Asian Development Research Institute Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 30 The Special Cell has arrested a mother of five children, Mobai, from MP for arms trafficking. Mobai (45), a declared proclaimed offender in the Arms Act, was apprehended with 14 illegal semi-automatic sophisticated pistols of 7.65 mm and 14 spare magazines. The weapons are engraved with Made in England and Made in USA markings, said a police official. On July 26, information was received that one woman supplier of illegal arms would come to Shastri Park around 6 pm to deliver a huge cache of semi-automatic weapons, said the official. Accordingly, a trap was laid about 6.30 pm and the police saw a woman carrying a black and red colour bag waiting there for someone. After some time when no one turned up and as she was about to leave, she was overpowered and apprehended with the help of accompanying woman staff, added the official. During interrogation, Mobai said she had collected these weapons from a manufacturer in MP and the same were to be supplied to various contacts in Delhi-NCR. She also admitted that she had supplied weapons in Delhi-NCR to different persons on several occasions in the past 15 years, said the DCP (Special Cell, Delhi). Mukesh Tandon Tribune News Service Israna (Panipat), July 30 The All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) will hold a Bhaichara rally in Jhajjar on August 27, said Yashpal Malik, national president of the samiti. He appealed to people belonging to 36 communities to participate in the rally in a large number. Malik was addressing a rally held under the shed of the grain market at the Israna block in the district today. The state authorities had agreed upon six demands of the samiti at a meeting on March 19. Some of the six demands had been fulfilled and work on others was pending, he added. BJP MP Rajkumar Saini had tried to disturb communal harmony in the state by making derogatory remarks against the Jat community, he alleged. It was a conspiracy of BJP leaders to malign the image of Jats that has been exposed due to unity in the community, said Malik. We will hold a state-level Bhaichara rally in Jhajjar on August 27 to remind the state leadership of its commitments, he said. Besides, another rally would be organised in Hisar on September 13 to observe Sunil Shyorans Martyrs Day, he added. The Jat agitation had been postponed not concluded. Dharnas were still continuing at three places, he said. If our demands are not met, Jats would regroup again and enter Delhi, Malik warned. The state-level executive committee of the samiti had decided to hold rallies in 75 blocks of the state, he added. Office-bearers of the samiti Ashok Balhara, national general secretary; Nisha Chaudhary, general Secretary, Delhi; Pratap Dahiya and Suresh Machroli attended the rally today. Tribune News Service Shimla, July 30 The BJP executive set its agenda for the Assembly elections and decided to make corruption and women security the major issues, besides highlighting achievement of the Modi government and raising local issues at the constituency level. Briefing the press after the concluding session of the three-day BJP executive meeting, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal said the BJP was getting enormous support from the general public against the corrupt Congress government which had lost its credibility after the tardy investigation in the Kotkhai minors rape and murder case. The public was demanding a CBI probe into the gruesome murder of forest guard Hoshiyar Singh in Mandi, murder of eight-year-old girl in Kullu and even demanded that the case of 14-year-old girl in Parwanoo be handed over to the CBI, Dhumal said. The people of Himachal are intelligent enough to decide between a corrupt Congress government, which had failed on all fronts and development policies of the NDA and unmatched leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said adding that the BJP would win 60 or more seats in the 68 members Assembly. Exhorting the workers to work for at least 15 days as full timers, he gave the slogans dagdar sarkar ko hatana hai, Bedag sarkar ko lana hai and the CM on bail, officers in jail. Dhumal said the benefits of Central schemes were not reaching the people of the state. The revenue deficit grant has been doubled, the status of special category state had been restored but still the state government had raised loans to the tune of Rs 50,000 crores, he said and added that quality ration was not available in depots. Focus on Modi govts work: Nadda to partymen Shimla: Union Heath and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda on Sunday asked BJP workers to reach out to people and propagated achievements of the Modi government. Addressing the state executive here, he said the achievements of the Modi government and failure of the state government to encash in on the assistance given by the Centre and development project would be the election plank of the BJP in the Assembly polls. Listing the achievements of the government, Nadda said Modi had changed the entire work culture of the country and converted challenges into opportunities. He said the government took a series of steps to unearth black money as a result black money worth over Rs 1 lakh crore was detected. TNS Our Correspondent Chamba, July 30 The police have arrested a teacher on charge of raping a girl. A case in this regard was registered at Tissa police station in Churah subdivision of Chamba district. The incident reportedly took place 3-4 days ago. Earlier, an irate mob damaged certain shops, burnt a PWD rain shelter and two kiosks at Tissa. Deputy Commissioner, who was on the spot, said the situation was under control and peaceful. Protesters also gheraoed the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) at Tissa and shouted slogans against the local administration while seeking justice for the rape victim. In another FIR, three persons were arrested for reportedly manhandling the teaching staff during a meeting of the school management committee in connection with the alleged rape at Government Senior Secondary School on July 27. Earlier, residents gathered at the Government Senior Secondary School, Khushnagari, near Tissa, and gheraoed the school premises. They raised slogans against the school staff and the local administration and demanded the arrest of the accused. Naya Sahkti Dalit leaders quit party positions The coordinator of Dalit Shakita sister wing of Naya Shakti Nepal led by Baburam Bhattaraihas quit from the party position on Sunday. Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 30 Two local militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in a brief gunfight in south Kashmirs volatile Pulwama district today, triggering day-long clashes that left nearly a dozen injured. The gunfight erupted when security forces launched a search operation at Tahab village of Pulwama, some 38 km from Srinagar, after an input about the presence of militants in a residential area in the wee hours. As the search operation was being carried out, the hiding militants fired upon the security forces to break the cordon. The security forces retaliated, triggering a brief gunfight in which two local militants of Hizb were killed, Senior Superintendent of Police, Pulwama, Mohammad Aslam told The Tribune. An Army man was also injured in the gunfight and his condition is stable, he said. The two slain militants were identified as Shariq Ahmad of Gulzarpur Awantipora and Showkat Ahmed, alias Shabir, of Mihind, Anantnag. The SSP said the duo had joined militancy this year. The Army claimed the two slain militants were threatening government officials and politicians in the area. These terrorists were threatening government officials and politicians and based on this input, an operation was launched. They were given a chance to surrender, instead, they fired heavily, Brigadier Harbir Singh, Commander of 12 Sector, told reporters after the gunfight. Intense clashes erupted in the district after the gunfight ended as youths tried to march towards the encounter site. In the clashes, nearly a dozen protesters were injured. One of the injured received a bullet in chest. Internet services were also suspended in the district following the killing of the militants. A large number of people attended the funeral of the Shariq where a top militant commander of Hizb, Riyaz Naikoo, addressed the mourners. Naikoo, according to eyewitnesses, asked the people not to fall in Al-Qaida trap as it was aimed at defaming the Kashmir struggle. In his nearly four-minute speech, Naikoo did not mention name of his former associate Zakir Musa, who was recently named as the head of Al-Qaida affiliate in Kashmir. Naikoo also raised pro-Pakistan slogans before leaving the venue. Militant addresses people at funeral Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service Jammu, July 30 Tightening its noose on separatists, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) today picked another Hurriyat leader, Devinder Singh Behl, from his house in Bakshi Nagar, Jammu. One of the few non-Muslim separatist leaders, he was detained for over four hours. Behl is chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Social Peace Forum (JKSPF), a constituent of the Hurriyat Conference (Geelani group) and also a member of the Hurriyats legal cell. He has been attending the funerals of militants across the Valley, raising anti-India slogans. NIA Inspector General Alok Mittal said, We conducted searches at the residence and office of Devinder Singh Behl, chairman, JKSPF, during which the team seized four cellphones, a tablet, incriminating documents and financial papers. He said they were probing his role as a courier as he was suspected to be routing funds from Pakistan-based handlers. On July 24, the NIA, while on a hawala money trail, had arrested separatist leaders from Kashmir, including the son-in-law of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Altaf Fantosh, Nayeem Khan, Peer Saifullah, Aftab Hilali Shah (Shahid-ul Islam), Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Farooq Ahmed Dar (Bitta Karate) and Ayaz Akber. Eyewitnesses said the NIA team reached Behls house at 1.30 pm with a team of more than 20 officials headed by a DIG-rank official. Soon, people started gathering outside, raising slogans against Behl and the separatists. Sensing trouble, the NIA took the help of the police and CRPF commandos (Cobra unit), who safely escorted Behl to a vehicle. We have seen several Hurriyat leaders coming to his house. The government must take stern action against him and other separatists for fomenting trouble, said Varun Sahni, a former spy who spent years in a Pakistani jail and whose house is only a few metres away from that of Behls. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has released two politically charged songs targeting what he sees as the uncertainty and surrealism permeating politics in the age of Brexit and Donald Trump. One song, titled England Lost, represents Jagger's mocking take on Britain's split from the European Union. The second, Get a Grip, describes an "upside down" world full of "lunatics and clowns". Agency Mona Everything has been tried in Hollywood, there are stories yet to be told in our industry...opens up Akshay Oberoi, trained in theatre from the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore and in ballet, jazz and hip-hop from Broadway Dance Center, New York. He further honed his skills at Prithvi Theatre after moving back to India. Come August and you see Akshay playing lead in Gurgaon, a neo-noir thriller and the actor is glad that this film is getting a pan India release. Its not usual Bollywood fare and without any known faces, getting a release doesnt come easy but I am thrilled the way film is being received. Playing Nikki Singh, son of a real estate tycoon, this film takes on the male chauvinistic strand of our society and the events unfold leading life threat to Nikki and his adopted sister, Preet (played by Ragini Khana). Gurgaon is directorial debut of National Award Winning cinematographer, Shanker Raman. Akshay, who has done films like Pizza and Laal Rang and interestingly debuted with Rajshri Productions Isi Life Mein, shares his rationale to pick up hat ke cinema, See, I am an outsider in the industry (he is Vivek Oberois cousin by the way), in the sense that nobody is launching me or making films for me, nor do I have huge spends on media, I got to find my way to stand out and still reach out to the audience. And, doing films that are not run of the mill, his strategy to get noticed. 2017 will see three of his films Kaalakaandi and Bombairiya apart from Gurgaon. I deliberately choose projects that let me explore different aspects as an actor. Kaalakaandi has him play Saifs brother and pans story of one night; while Bombairiya is comedy of what happens when strangers come together in a crazy city like this. Theatre anymore? Post Pizza, I have been concentrating working on films, so, I have not been able to give time to theatre but the moment I feel my abilities are dipping, I am going back to my training ground! mona@tribenemail.com Jasmine Singh Dhananjay Mangalmukhi, a student of Centre for Human Rights and Duties at Panjab University will see his fight, his request and his basic right to have a separate washroom for transgender students see the light of the day, as PU goes through the last round of construction of this washroom, being constructed near AC Joshi Library. Dhananjay, the first transgender student at PU, wrote an application to the authorities, ten days after her admission in the campus in November 2016 to have separate washroom for transgenders. The University authorities accepted her application, and now the washroom is in the final stages of construction. Can you imagine what I had to go through for a basic amenity like a washroom? I couldnt use the boys toilets, once however, I did. I locked the washroom from inside fearing no one comes in. And when I came out, so many boys were waiting outside. So, the girls suggested that I could use their toilet. I didnt know where to go and, even now I am using girls washrooms, waiting to have a separate one for students like her, she takes us to the construction site showing us the washroom under construction. The University is said to have faced fund crunch, which is why the construction got delayed. As of now, Dhananjay is the only transgender student in PU, but she expects to be joined by three more students who are trying to get admission in Department of Hindi and Germany. Dhananjay feels there should be seats for them as well. Both the departments have limited seats for students and on top of that there are categories, I dont think they can manage like this, she adds sharing how she has also written to the PU authorities regarding separate hostel facility and concession in fee. Is desh main jitni dair roya na jaye, koi sunta nahi. The authorities and people around should realise that it is so hard for us to come out and study in an institution like this. Now, if we get separate facility like hostel and concession in fee it would be so motivating and helpful, Dhananjay sites example of IGNOU that has exempted their fee. What Dhananjay is asking for are her basic rights. I dont want to get down to hijrapanti to get my message across. She shares an incident while getting her Aadhaar made where she was mocked at by the one making the card. I was wearing pants and a shirt, they looked at me and said, You dont look like a transgender. I had to give a long lecture to them about my rights finally that person understood. Dhananjay takes everyday as it comes, she moves on despite the strange looks that she keeps getting, she faces every hurdle bravely, asking for only what is basic and my right, she smiles as she gets herself clicked. From the University Renuka Salwan, director, Public Relations calls it a great initiative by the Panjab University, PU will be making four transgender washrooms, while the one near the library will be operational in almost a month, while the other three are in the pipeline. Also, if the money is left after construction of four toilets, University plans to make even a fifth toilet. She feels more students like Dhananjay and also her friends, visiting the University can utilise this facility. Manas Dasgupta Ahmedabad, July 30 In the largest single drug haul to date, the Coast Guard has seized about 1,500-kg heroin, valued at over Rs 3,500 crore, from a foreign ship off Porbandar along the Gujarat coast. An official spokesman for the Ministry of Defence today said the ship Henry Panama was coming from Iran and was destined for the Alang ship-breaking yard in Bhavnagar district for dismantling. The Coast Guard had intelligence inputs that the ship on its last journey was carrying a huge amount of narcotics for delivery in India. The input was received on July 25, after which the Coast Guard mounted a vigil on foreign ships headed to the Gujarat coast. Coast Guard ship Samudra Pavak intercepted the foreign merchant vessel in the high seas and seized the drug. The bags containing heroin were concealed in a horizontal pipe on top of Henry Panama. Two other ships were checked before the seizure was made in the merchant vessel. The eight crew members, all Indians, allegedly had knowledge about the drugs and were arrested. The authorities were now trying to identify those behind procuring such a huge consignment of drugs from Iran. A joint investigation by the Coast Guard, Intelligence Bureau, Gujarat Police, Customs, Navy and other agencies has begun, the spokesperson said. Was bound for ship-breaking yard Syed Ali Ahmed Delhi has seen unusual waterlogging this monsoon season with the three municipal corporations and the Public Works Department (PWD) of the Delhi Government having failed to desilt the drains owing to the political differences between the BJP and the AAP. While the three MCDs are ruled by the BJP, the state government is headed by AAP. Instead of cleaning the drains, the agencies are busy slinging mud at each other. During a House meeting of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, the BJP blamed the AAP government for not getting the drains cleaned, the maintenance of which is with the PWD. At the special session of the Delhi Assembly in the last week of June, a report was tabled which pointed out the failure of the MCD and the PWD to get the drains cleaned well before the rainy season. Saurabh Bhardwaj (AAP), who is chairman of Committee on Petitions of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, said senior PWD officers, under the influence of the BJP-led Union Government, had disregarded instructions by ministers in the Delhi government in this regard. The report pointed out that wrong claims on de-silting were made before the Delhi High Court. The Committee on Petitions has asked the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government, to submit an action-taken report through the Speaker. Meanwhile, the common man continues to suffer with a young man losing his life owing to waterlogging in Delhis Mayur Vihar. The worst-hit areas, besides Mayur Vihar, are Vikas Marg, MB Road, the Jakhira flyover and railway underpass, Janakpuri, Okhla, Kalkaji, Minto Road, Karol Bagh, Mahipalpur and Azadpur. In Lutyens zone, NH-24 in East Delhi and Dhaula Kuan are the worst-affected. Smart sub-cities on anvil The Union Government, that had initially selected the New Delhi Municipal Council area to be developed as Smart City, has now decided to develop additional three Ssmart sub-cities in Rohini, Narela and Dwarka with the Wi-Fi facility, round-the clock electricity and houses built on green norms. Also, transit -oriented development norms will be followed. Options for building cycle tracks in the cities to ensure jam-free travel will be explored. The government will have 677 hectares of land in Rohini, 259 hectares land in Dwarka and 218 hectares land in Narela to be developed as Smart sub-cities. This move is part of the government decision to make Delhi a world-class city. The Union Urban Development Ministry has asked the DDA to expedite the process of building these cities, inviting bids by the second week of this month. Construction of houses will begin in 2018 and will be completed in 2021. Drivers licence in colleges Come September, the learners drivers licence will be issued to students on the college campus after a test. According to Delhi Transport Minister Satyendra Jain, this is being done as the demand for the licence is the highest among those in the 18-24 age group. Beijing, July 30 Chinese President Xi Jinping today said the Peoples Liberation Army is capable of vanquishing all invading enemies and praised its combat readiness as he reviewed a massive military parade to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the worlds largest armed force. Dressed in camouflage, Xi inspected 12,000 troops in various formations from an open-top military jeep at the parade held in Zhurihe Asias largest military training centre in the middle of a desert in Inner Mongolia. Over 100 fighter jets flew overhead and almost 600 types of weaponry were on display on the occasion. Xi said the PLA should strictly follow the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China and march to wherever the party points to. While there was no reference in his speech to over a month-long India-China military standoff at Doklam in the Sikkim section, his remarks came in the midst of a shrill official media campaign and assertions by the foreign and defence ministries here accusing Indian troops of trespassing into Chinese territory at Doklam. A spokesman said Zhurihe was selected to highlight PLAs combat readiness, but stressed war-zone trainings was long scheduled. PTI Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 30 An MP from Punjab has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi objecting to the recommendation made by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar, who retires on August 27, for appointment of Justice Dipak Misra as his successor. In his letter dated July 27, Harinder Singh Khalsa, who was elected on the Aam Aadmi Party ticket from Fatehgarh Sahib, claimed there were certain allegations of great seriousness against the proposed CJI? in the suicide note of former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul. Khalsa also alleged that an inquiry against two judges of the Orissa High Court could not proceed after some reference cropped up against the proposed CJI. Ordinarily, there could not have been any objection to the same, for, in the matter of appointment of the CJI, seniority is regarded as an inviolable principle. However, in these difficult times, even what ought to be the normal course of action tends to be objectionable, Khalsa wrote in his letter. Our nation is at crossroads. Corruption in judiciary is something which the common man can never imagine of. The institution of judiciary has its foundation in the confidence of the common man in it; its impartiality, independence and integrity of men and women of whom it constitutes," he wrote. Khalsa said the people expected the next CJI not just to be above suspicion, but also a judicial statesman. New Delhi, July 30 China may not have forgiven India for snubbing its mega trans-continent corridor initiative, but in what may rankle more is that New Delhi and Tokyo, Beijings arch rival, are pushing ahead with a development corridor between Asia and Africa. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The announcement of the Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC), made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the African Development Bank (AfDB) meet in Gandhinagar in May, came days after China hosted with great pomp the first One Belt, One Road (OBOR) summit in Beijing. The venture is expected to get further impetus in September during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. India has been involved in Africa for many years, in trade as well as capacity-building activities. Japan, which has been working on infrastructure projects in Africa, can help with its advanced technology as well as funds for the AAGC. Japan is reportedly planning to commit $200 billion for the proposed growth corridor. So, is the AAGC meant as a counter to OBOR? The two are completely separate. OBOR is different. Long before OBOR, India and Japan were individually working in Africa, and were talking to each other about Africa, Rajiv Bhatia, a former Indian ambassador, told IANS. India and Japan feel that by intensifying cooperation with Africa, they can help each other and Africa. We are working on the AAGC in our own way and at our own pace, said the former High Commissioner to South Africa and Kenya. He said that Chinas engagement in Africa is extensive, while the India-Japan collaboration is beginning to take shape. The AAGC shows that India and Japan desire to take their cooperation beyond the bilateral sphere, he added. Chinas OBOR, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, is an estimated $5 trillion connectivity corridor spanning over 60 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. It is meant to be a revival of the ancient Silk Road trading route and is expected to comprise building of roads, bridges, gas pipelines, ports, railways and power plants, besides SEZs. India and Japan had begun a dialogue on Africa in 2010, a continent in which both have much stake. The main objective of the AAGC is to enhance growth and connectivity between Asia and Africa. According to the vision document, the corridor will focus on four areas: Development Cooperation Projects, Quality Infrastructure and Institutional Connectivity, Enhancing Skills, and People-to-People Partnership. Agriculture, health, technology, and disaster management are the main areas of development cooperation. It will focus on boosting skills and research and development capacities in Africa. According to a report by McKinsey, China is Africas largest economic partner, with goods trade worth $188 billion in 2015 -- compared to $59 billion with India. Since the turn of the millennium, Africa-China trade has been growing at approximately 20 per cent per year, the report says, adding that there are around 10,000 Chinese firms in Africa, three think tanksIndias Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Indonesias Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and Japans Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), prepared the vision document for AAGC. They have produced one report on the corridor and another report is due in a few months, said Bhatia. He said that at the corporate level, companies of India, Japan and from Africa are looking at specified sectors of the growth corridor in order to execute projects. There is seriousness and earnestness behind the initiative, he added. Bhatia, a former Director General of Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), also feels that giving too much importance to OBOR and China would help Beijing. Speaking on the comparison between OBOR and the AAGC, Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS, told IANS: The OBOR, it seems, is visualised on the idea of economic corridors and infrastructure development with connectivity as the central focus, while the AAGC is a concept based on the theory of growth poles where several growth triangles and quadrangles are envisaged with different regional production hubs. The proposed AAGC seeks to encompass and integrate Africa, India and South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania. Indias increased engagement with Africa comes in the backdrop of the third India-Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in October 2015 when all 54 African nations had sent their representatives. India has also made many high level visits to several African countries, as part of its outreach. India also held the AfDB annual meeting in Gandhinagar this May. IANS Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years. Zhukovsky (Russia), July 30 Russia and India are holding negotiations for the supply of 48 Russian Mi-17 military transport helicopters with Moscow hoping to seal the deal by the year-end, a top Russian official has said. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Russian arms supplier Rosoboronexports CEO Alexander Mikheev said India has more than 300 helicopters belonging to the Mi-8 and Mi-17 family, which are deployed in troop and arms transport, fire support, convoy escort, patrol, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. He said India knows their specifications well. Mikheev said Russia and India are holding talks with a view to sign a contract for 48 (Mi-17 V5) helicopters and the techno-commercial negotiations are set to commence. We hope that we will reach an agreement before the end of this year, he told a select group of journalists here on the sidelines of Russias premier air show MAKS 2017. Last year, Russia had handed over to India the final batch of three Mi-17 V5 military transport helicopters under a previously signed contract with Rosoboronexport, a company of the Rostec State Corporation that entailed a total of 151 units of the Mi-17V-5 helicopter, produced by the Kazan Helicopter Plant. Designed to transport cargo inside the cabin and on an external sling, the Mi-17 V5 is considered to be one of the worlds most advanced military transport helicopters. Mi-17 V5, supplied to India, ranks among the most technically advanced helicopters of the Mi-8/17 type, incorporating the best engineering solutions of previous generations. In 2008, Rosoboronexport signed a contract for the delivery of 80 Mi-17 V5 to India, which was completed in 2011 -2013. In 2012-2013, three additional contracts were signed to supply a total of 71 Mi-17 V5 helicopters to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force. Talking about other projects that are under discussion between Russia and India, Mikheev said, We are discussing a programme for modernisation of SU-30 with our Indian partners. The aircraft park is quite large. During a period of 15 years, we have fulfilled all our obligations to the Indian party, the HAL Corporationsupplied quite a large aircraft park, over 200, under the license agreementand we are offering new developments of our design bureaus. Moreover, the Indian Air Force has some requirements for improvement of performance and operational characteristics, mainly with regard to avionics, electronic warfare systems, as well as updates of weapon systems by both Indian and Russian companies, he said. Mikheev said Russia was already considering the capabilities of the Indian industry within the framework of the Make in India programme and noted that under it a well- known project was the joint venture for Kamov 226T helicopters. Asked about the first Russia-India military-industrial conference in March where some questions concerning the problem with spare parts were raised, Mikheev said the industrial conference was jointly held by Russias Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Valentinovich Manturov and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley during which both sides reached an agreement on the issue. I think that its actually a big plus in our relations. We have agreed that the programme of after-sales services will be participated by Russian dedicated holding companies, in order to ensure the operation of previously supplied equipment throughout its lifecycle. Its 20, 30, 40 yearswhether it be a submarine, a helicopter, a tank, etc., Mikheev said. We have specified six companies that will carry out direct cooperation with both operators of Russian equipment and Indian companies that will be charged with operating this equipment and manufacturing its spare parts, he said. Mikheev named the six companies that will carry out direct cooperation asthe United Shipbuilding Corporation, the United Aircraft Corporation, Russian Helicopters, the United Engine Corporation, Almaz-Antey and Tactical Missile Corporation. Rosoboronexport is the only state-owned arms trade company in the Russian federation authorised to export the full range of military and dual purpose products, technologies and services. PTI Grenoble, July 29 Body parts that could belong to passengers killed in one or other of two Air India plane crashes years ago have been found on Mont Blanc in the French Alps. Daniel Roche, who is fascinated by air plane accidents and has spent years combing the Bossons Glacier looking for remains, made the discovery on Thursday. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) I had never found any significant human remains before, he said. This time, however, he had found a hand and the upper part of a leg. In January 1966, an Air India Boeing 707 from Bombay to New York crashed near Mont Blancs summit, killing all 117 people on board. Another Air India flight crashed on the mountain in 1950, killing 48 people. Roche said the remains he had found could be of a female passenger from the 1966 Boeing 707 flight, as he also discovered one of the planes four jet engines. These remains are probably not from the same person, said Stephane Bozon of the local gendarmerie. They are probably from passengers, but between the two aircrafts, its difficult to say. Just 10 days ago, two bodies were found lying near each other, preserved in a receding glacier in the Diablerets massif in the Swiss Alps. A DNA search identified the couple as Marcelin Dumoulin, a 40-year-old shoemaker at the time, and his wife Francine, a schoolteacher aged 37, who had disappeared in the Alps 75 years before. AFP Thiruvanathapuram, July 30 Five persons have been taken into custody in connection with the killing of an RSS worker here, even as the BJP called for a dawn-to-dusk statewide hartal on Sunday to protest the incident. A day after the incident, Home Minister Rajnath Singh voiced concern over attacks on political workers in Kerala and said political violence was unacceptable in a democracy. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans office here said Singh spoke to him this morning over phone. The Chief Minister informed him that the state government would take action against the accused, whoever they may be. Rajnath Singh expressed satisfaction on this stand, the CMO said in a Facebook post. A gang led by a history-sheeter had attacked the 34-year-old RSS karyavahak Rajesh and hacked him to death. His left arm was chopped off and there were several injuries all over his body. The police said the suspected main accused, a history-sheeter, was among those taken into custody from rural Kattakkada near here this morning. City Police Commissioner G Sparjan Kumar said interrogation of the accused was going on. Five persons are in police custody now. They were taken into custody from rural Kattakkada. A hunt is on for one more accused. Only a detailed questioning will reveal the exact number of accused involved in the crime, he said. State Police Chief Loknath Behera has appealed to the people to restrain from spreading rumours and provocative messages, statements, photos and videos. Any such action would attract legal action, he said, adding that WhatsApp groups and Facebook posts are under the scanner of police. As part of precautionary measures, adequate police force has been deployed in all sensitive spots across the city, the official said. The dawn-to-dusk state-wide hartal called by the BJP today in protest against the incident was near-total with state-run and private buses keeping away from roads and shops and business establishments remaining closed. Sporadic incidents of stone pelting on vehicles were reported in some parts of the state. People, who reached railway stations unaware of the hartal, had difficulty in getting vehicles to reach homes. The city police have extended prohibitory orders for three more days till August 2 and banned processions in the state Capital. The ruling CPI(M) and the BJP traded charges each other over the killing of the RSS functionary. While BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan alleged that the CPI(M) was behind the attack, the CPI(M) district leadership denied any role of the party in the attack. Opposition leader in the state Assembly Ramesh Chennithala and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president M M Hassan went on a fast in Kozhikode district to protest the politics of violence. Describing the murder as brutal, Kummanam said this is annihilation politics aimed at wiping off the RSS and BJP. The BJP would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Home Minister and National Human Rights Commission, he said. The incident comes close on the heels of the attack on the BJPs Kerala unit office and stone pelting at the house of CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnans son Bineesh Kodiyeri here. PTI New Delhi, July 30 Detection and reportage of suspicious transactions, fake currency notes and cross-border fund transfers in the country's economic channels doubled in the last fiscal year, leading to unearthing of over Rs 560 crore black money, a government report has said. The report of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the premier technical snoop wing under the Finance Ministry, said the financial year 2015-16 saw a "record increase" in the detection of such instances. All banks and financial intermediaries apprise the FIU of the detections as part of their obligation to comply with the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing measures. "The year 2015-16 ... saw a record increase in the number of reports received, processed and disseminated by the FIU," the recent report, accessed by PTI, said. The number of cash transaction reports (CTRs) doubled from 80 lakh in 2014-15 to over 1.6 crore in 2015-16 and that of suspicious transaction reports (STRs) rose from 58,646 to 1,05,973 during the period, it said. "A similar growth was registered in counterfeit currency reports (CCRs) -- over 16 per cent, NTRs -- nearly 25 per cent, while there was an 850 per cent growth in the number of cross border wire transfer reports (CBWTRs) during the period," the report said. The central agency, tasked with analysing suspicious transactions in Indian banking and other financial channels, also issued a "record number" of 21 sanctions against the violating entities (banks and others) under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The report attributed the increase in the number of detections and their reportage to the FUI's "proactive outreach" to stakeholders to ensure that they increasingly detect such instances. However, a senior finance ministry official said it was due to the "increasing penetration" of technology and awareness against suspect fund movements at a time when the fight against black money is actively being pursued in the country and the world. "An increased awareness and the fight against black money is leading all the stakeholders, including the government and reporting entities such as banks and others, to be pro-active in detecting suspicious activities in their channels," the official said, requesting anonymity. "A sustained momentum in law enforcement and strict compliance of established norms is required to keep these numbers growing, which is an indicator that the regime against black money, tax evasion and money laundering is strong in India," he said. The report said based on the STRs disseminated by the FIU, the CBDT detected unaccounted income of Rs 154.89 crore, the Enforcement Directorate nosed out proceeds of crime of Rs 107.47 crore and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) came across assets worth Rs 300 crore during 2015-16. The total value of money unearthed stands at Rs 562.36 crore. It said the black money detection figures in the last fiscal year are for "only 5 per cent of cases" flagged by the FIU to probe agencies. The FIU obtains reports from banks and other institutions and sends them for action to investigative and enforcement agencies that are mandated under the law to combat economic crimes. While over 3.53 lakh CCRs were received in 2014-15, their number rose by 16 per cent to over 4.10 lakh in 2015-16. Similarly, CBWT reports during 2015-16 increased to over 1.1 crore as against 34 lakh in the previous year. Cross-border wire transfer pertains to any transaction of more than Rs 5,00,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency where either the origin or destination of fund is in India. Likewise, CCR is defined as the usage of a forged or counterfeit currency note or bank note as genuine or where any forgery of a valuable security or a document has taken place during a cash transaction at a bank. An STR is a transaction that either indicates that it has been made in circumstances of unusual or unjustified complexity or appears to have no economic rationale or bona fide purpose. It is also applicable to the transactions that give rise to a reasonable ground of suspicion that it may involve financing of the activities relating to terrorism. An NPO Transaction Report (NTR) pertains to all transactions involving receipts by non-profit organisations of more than Rs 10 lakh or its equivalent in foreign currency. The FIU, established in 2004, provides financial intelligence to law enforcement agencies for safeguarding the economy from abuses of money laundering, terrorist financing and other offences. It disseminates this data to probe agencies to check economic crimes, ascertain the extent of fake Indian currency notes (FICN) in banking channels and undertake legal action under criminal laws to check money laundering and black money. PTI Amir Tantray Tribune News Service Jammu, July 30 The National Investigation Agency conducted raids at Jammu and Kashmir Social Peace Forum Chairman Devinder Singh Behls house on Sunday in connection with its investigations into funds for militancy in the state. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Behl, who is considered close to Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was also questioned. People gathered outside Behls house to raise anti-Hurriyat slogans. The development came less than a week after the NIA arrested seven separatist leaders, among them Altaf Ahmed Shah, known popularly as Altaf Fantoosh Geelanis son-in-law as part of its crackdown on subversive activities in the Valley. Menawhile, in a statement, the National Investigation Agency said it conducted searches today at residence and office of Devinder Singh Behl, Chairman, Jammu Kashmir Social Peace Forum (JKSPF), a constituent of APHC(G), Behl is a member of the Legal cell of the Hurriyat. He is a close associate of a top Hurriyat leader and regularly attends funerals (Janaja) of militants, the NIA said, adding it is investigating into his role as courier as he is suspected to be involved in routing funds to the separatist leaders from Pakistan-based handlers. During the searches, the NIA team has recovered four mobile phones, one tablet, other electronic devices, incriminating documents, financial papers and some other articles. The questioning by NIA teams was going on when the reports last came in. In a related development, NIA also issued summons to Naseem, the second son of Geelani, who heads separatist conglomerate Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, to appear before the agency on Wednesday. Geelanis elder son Nayeem has been summoned at the NIA headquarters tomorrow in connection with its probe in the terror funding case which names Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ul-Dawah, the front of another proscribed outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Hafiz Saeed, as an accused. Read: Under NIA lens, Geelani's son falls ill; in ICU The NIA has also named separatist organisations such as the Hurriyat Conference (factions led by Geelani and Mirwaiz Farooq), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and all-woman outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat in its FIR. A surgeon by profession, Nayeem had returned from Pakistan in 2010 after spending 11 years there. He is tipped as the natural successor to the Geelani-led Tehrek-e-Hurriyat, a separatist conglomerate comprising hardline groups. The NIA had registered a case on May 30 against the separatist and secessionist leaders, including members of the Hurriyat Conference, who have been acting in connivance with active militants of the HM, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, LeT, other outfits and gangs. The case was registered for raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including hawala, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and for causing disruption in the Kashmir Valley by way of pelting security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India. In pursuance of this case, the NIA had conducted widespread searches on the suspected persons in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Haryana and incriminating documents, electronic devices, cash and other valuables worth crore of rupees were unearthed. For the the first time since the rise of militancy in Kashmir in the early 1990s, a central probe agency had carried out raids in connection with the funding of separatists and carried out arrests. With agency inputs KV Prasad A former diplomat turned External Affairs Minister of India, when asked to comment on a development once, remarked that a good diplomat thinks twice before saying nothing. Diplomacy, the art of managing international relations, requires adroitness, negotiation, finesse, discretion, skill and tactfulness in accomplishment of the objective. Last week, Delhi witnessed some unusual movement when representatives of two countries Iraq and Palestine decided to state their countrys position on two separate issues: the former on the whereabouts of the 39 missing Indians and the latter on developments in Jerusalem causing friction back home between Israel and Palestine. Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafaaris visit came around the time when a huge controversy broke over the fate of the 39 Indians missing in Iraq since 2014 when Mosul fell to the Islamic militants ISIS. The Foreign Ministers statement that the Iraqi government cannot make a categorical statement either way brought some relief to the government, which appeared to have painted itself into a corner on the issue, earlier suggesting they could be in Badush jail, now in a state of rubble. Around mid-week, Palestinian Ambassador to India Adnan Abu Alhaijaa interacted with the media on developments and human rights violations in occupied areas of Palestine, suggesting India should play a positive role and help find a solution to the crisis in West Asia. India is a great country and it can play a leading role in resolving the crisis in our region, he said, exuding confidence that Israel will lend its ear and give due consideration to New Delhis counsel especially since India-Israel relations are on a high. The previous governments in India also had good relations with Israel but the current dispensation has very strong relations it can play a positive role. The recent standalone visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa without going to Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority president, is being characterised as a policy of de-hyphenation. Israelis and Palestinians were engaged in a bitter battle after the former erected metal detectors and added an extra layer of security at the Al-Aqsa mosque entrance two weeks ago. The area is known as Islams third holiest site and is close to the Western Wall, the holy site for Jews. The new measure came in the wake of gunning down of two police officials on July 14 at the entrance to the compound. There were reports of regular clashes between Israeli security personnel and Palestinian protesters with the faithful boycotting the entry to the site. Last Thursday, Israel dismantled the security gates, which saw the return of people. Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, July 30 Four Congress workers were injured in a clash between two party factions at Bhikhiwind, near here, last late evening. The supply contract of mid-day meal material (grain and cereal) to schools in the area is said to be the reason behind the clash. Party leader Rajinder Kumar Babbu Sharma holds the contract. A rival faction led by Surjit Singh Chakiwala, which wants the contract, had been levelling allegations of pilferage against Sharma. Last evening, the material was being supplied to the schools in a four-wheeler when Surjit Singh and his associates chased the vehicle and reiterated the charges. Sharmas supporters reached the spot, which led to a clash between both parties. Sub-Inspector Balwinder Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), Bhikhiwind police station, said both factions of the Congress were armed when the clash took place. Balwinder Singh, an associate of Surjit Singh, and three from the other faction Deepu, Gurmukh Singh Sandpur and Akash Sharma were injured in the clash, said the SHO. The SHO confirmed that both sides belonged to the Congress. He said the statements of the injured were being recorded and further action would be taken accordingly. Bone of contention Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 30 In a major success in the multi-crore Crown chit fund scam, the Ropar police today arrested a prominent accused Manoj Saini from Sriganganagar in Rajasthan. This comes days after he had attended a function in Thailand where the top accused in the scam Mohsin Jameel floated a new chit fund company. This function triggered a controversy with the Crown Chit Fund Investors Sangharsh Committee reporting to the Punjab Police and the Enforcement Directorate that the accused had started a new company Bitso-Lives with the old agents to again dupe gullible investors in the state. Earlier, the same accused had floated seven companies, one after another, and offered money-doubling schemes to thousands of investors. Showing losses, they shut one company and opened another on the argument that the fresh company would recover previous losses also. The accused caught the polices eye when his pictures from the Thailand function reached them. Saini was in the close group of Jameel, the CEO of the Crown Chit Fund Companies, and Managing Director Jagjit Singh. He was one of the six persons whom Jagjit Singh gave the power of attorney to run the companies in September 2015. Saini owns a fleet of six buses under the Shine Transport company. Inspector Daljit Singh, incharge of the Economic Offences Wing of the Ropar police, said the arrest was made as per a previous FIR registered in the scam. Saini is accused of hatching a conspiracy with the company directors to dupe the investors, he said. Police officials here said that Sainis property including his transport firm might be attached soon if he had attained those riches from ill-gotten money through the chit fund company. He has told Ropar police that he took a loan of Rs 1.5 crore to start the transport company. Jai Kumar, spokesperson of the Sangharsh Committee, said the duped investors have heaved a sigh of relief at his arrest. We have accused him of sending Rs 37 lakh to Mohsin Jameel in England through hawala channels, he said. The committee in its statement to the police said that MD Jagjit Singh had been given conditional bail by the High Court in September 2015 on the plea that he would return the money of all the investors. However, a week after his release, he gave Saini and five others the rights to run the company. Inspector Daljit Singh, incharge, Ropar EO wing, said that by having the power of attorney, Saini was liable to be prosecuted for not keeping the promises made to the investors. Was in touch with key accused Balwant Garg Tribune News Service (Jaito) Faridkot, July 30 A day after an industrialist was shot dead by gangsters, the Faridkot police arrested relatives and supporters of the gangsters from the Jaito area this evening. All those arrested have been accused of giving shelter to the gangsters. The arrested include four women, relatives of Gurbax Singh, kingpin of a gang operating in the area, and Harsimrandeep Singh, alias Sema, another member of the gang. The police have registered a case under Sections 212 and 214 of the IPC (harbouring offenders who are charged with many offences and are evading arrest) against those arrested, said Nanak Singh, SSP, Faridkot. The Jaito police booked Harsimrandeep Singh and an unidentified person under Sections 302 and 120-B of the IPC and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act for the murder of industrialist Ravinder Kochhar. The police identified the accused after a scrutiny of the footage of two CCTV cameras installed outside the rice mill where Kochhar was shot dead on Saturday evening. Facing many cases, Harsimrandeep was again booked in February for allegedly taking away a car and Rs 10,000 from the industrialist. Two of Harsimrans associates in the carjacking case had allegedly committed suicide in the Dabawali area last month after they were cornered by a joint team of the Punjab and Haryana police. It is believed that Kochhar was killed as he had stopped paying extortion money to the members of this gang. All accused are members of the Ranjit Singh-Gurbax Singh gang of Sewewala village of Jaito. Though the gang has been operating in this area for the past over five years, it was for the first time that the police have nailed all those who were supporting and sheltering them. Govt indifferent to rising crime: Badal Muktsar: Reacting to the trader's killing, former CM Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday alleged that there was no law and order in the state. "It seems the government does not exist. It has no interest in maintaining law and order or carry out development works," said Badal during his visit to some villages in the Lambi Assembly segment. On British MP Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi's demand for an independent inquiry into the role of the UK government in Operation Bluestar, Badal said: "We don't have any issue. It is but clear that in a number of inquiries held in the past the then PM Indira Gandhi and the Congress were held responsible.". TNS Cong busy in vendetta politics: Mann Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party state convener Bhagwant Mann on Sunday criticised the Congress government for the deteriorating law and order in the state. Mann alleged that rather than taking action, the government was busy framing AAP leaders in bogus cases. He said people were being killed in broad daylight in the state and criminals were posting videos on social media challenging the police to arrest them, but the government had remained a mute spectator. Mann said the denial of security to the Jaito trader even after repeated requests showed that the police were working under pressure. TNS Pregnant women in rural Gorkha face a tough time Despite being in labour for 24 hours, Sarita Gurung, 29, of Kerauja in Dharche Rural Municipality, Gorkha, could not give birth. Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 30 Sukhwinder Singh alias Mithu of Kaunke Khosa had weaved a life of love and happiness with Canada-born Indian girl Jaswinder Kaur Jassi in the late 1990s. But when they got married against the wishes of Jassis parents, the dream life could be lived for a few weeks only. Both were attacked by a group of contract killers allegedly hired by Jassis mother and an uncle. Jassi died. Mithu survived, but only to live a life full of sufferings. The incident took place in June 2000. Now, 17 years later, the tragic protagonist of the infamous honour killing case, which has been the subject of a movie, a book and a National Geographic documentary, has appeared before the recently constituted two-member Commission of Inquiry into false cases registered by the Punjab Police in the last 10 years. His list of sufferings is long and the commission is his only hope. The range of cases against him varies from rape, for which he spent three-and-a-half years in jail before his acquittal, to rioting, snatching and even drugs smuggling. He has been booked six times in different cases and has already been acquitted in four. The cops who arrested me were sympathetic, but they wanted me to forget all about Jassi and my fight for justice I have even declined several marriage proposals coming my way. I cant share my love for Jassi with anyone, Mithu told The Tribune. A number of friends and relatives of the accused approached him to withdraw his statement against Jassis mother Malkiat Kaur and uncle Surjit Singh Badesha. Both are facing extradition to India to face trial in the case. While they are yet to face trial, Mithu has already faced many. Every offer of a compromise I declined resulted in a new case against me, he has claimed before the commission. His application has been registered and notices have been sent to the police. From an initial offer of Rs 10 lakh to the latest Rs 1.5 crore besides the ownership of 14 acres of land or a well-settled life abroad, the supporters of the accused have promised it all to me. But I cant trade my love for all this. I just want Jassis mother and uncle to be punished for what they did to her and me, said Mithu. His voice trembling in between as his torrid life flashes before his eyes. In one such case, Mithu was booked for rape in 2004 and stayed in jail till his acquittal in 2008, when the rape victim stated that she was made to complain against him. I had thought my ordeal had ended with the acquittal, but I was wrong. I was elected a member of the village panchayat while I was in jail. Even as I faced more cases, the villagers kept electing me again and again as it was their answer to the police excesses. I am in my third term now. I have worked with both Congress and the Akali Dal. And I have suffered at the hands of both, he said. Sanjeev Singh Bariana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 30 The Vigilance Department has narrowed down its investigation to eight of the 42 canal and drainage projects of top most priority after the Irrigation Department did not respond to its queries. Of the 27 projects under the VB lens in Malwa, it will be investigating only seven. In Doaba and Majha, the bureau has trimmed the number of projects from 15 to just one. The revised list of projects also includes Kakkar Manj canal in Amritsar. The VB has sought information on administrative and technical approval for projects, tender notices, pre-bid meetings, comparative statements, work orders and bills. The projects were executed by contractors Gurinder Singh, Pushpinder Singh Sidhu and Khara contractors. A communication to the department last week pointed out that the bureau had not received any reply to its July 3 communication. The Vigilance said the probe was marked following complaints of corruption in several projects. Chief Director (Vigilance) BK Uppal has asked engineers to continue doing their job without fear. Sources in the bureau said, Protests are pressure tactics to stall the investigation. No innocent will be harmed. At the same time, seeing the technicality involved in the matter, the case might be shifted to the CBI. Engineers said they were being harassed for decisions, for which they were not responsible. The decision to not split work tenders so as to hasten the work was taken in a meeting presided over by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, they said. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the engineers associations of the Irrigation Department will continue its agitation till August 7. Subsequently, engineers will proceed on a mass casual leave. The bureau is randomly questioning the department staff, which are surprised that the vigilance wing of the department has not been included in the investigation. BP Singh Brar, president, JAC, said: The VBs tone in the communication shows that the exercise smacks of vendetta politics against the previous SAD-BJP government. Mogadishu: At least five persons were killed and 10 wounded in Somalias capital Mogadishu on Sunday when a car bomb detonated on a busy road, the security ministry said. There was no immediate claim of responsiblity but the bombing fits the pattern of Al-Qaida linked Shabaab Islamists, who have carried out numerous suicide bombings and raids in the capital targeting civilian, government and military targets. Security ministry spokesman Ahmed Mohamud said five civilians were killed and 10 others hurt in the blast. The car was parked along the congested Maka Al-Mukarama road and detonated remotely. AFP Seoul, July 30 The United States flew two supersonic B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force on Sunday after Pyongyang's recent tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), the US and South Korean Air Forces said. North Korea said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday that proved its ability to strike America's mainland, drawing a sharp warning from US President Donald Trump. The B-1B flight was in direct response to the missile test and the previous July 3 launch of the "Hwansong-14" rocket, the US statement said. The South Korean air force said the flight was conducted early on Sunday. The bombers took off from a US air base in Guam, and were joined by Japanese and South Korean fighter jets during the exercise, according to the statement. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," Pacific Air Forces commander General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy said in the statement. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing". The US has in the past used overflights of the supersonic B1-B "Lancer" bomber as a show of force in response to North Korean missile or nuclear tests. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the midnight test launch of the missile on Friday night and said it was a "stern warning" for the United States that it would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. North Korea's state television broadcast pictures of the launch, showing the missile lifting off in a fiery blast in darkness and Kim cheering with military aides. China, the North's main ally, said it opposed North Korea's missile launches, which it said violate United Nations Security Council resolutions designed to curb Pyongyang's banned nuclear and missile programmes. "At the same time, China hopes all parties act with caution, to prevent tensions from continuing to escalate," China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Trump very disappointed in China However, Trump said he was "very disappointed in China". In a message on Twitter, he said: "Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet..." "...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" he said in a subsequent tweet. The Hwasong-14, named after the Korean word for Mars, reached an altitude of 3,724.9 km (2,314.6 miles) and flew 998 km (620 miles)for 47 minutes and 12 seconds before landing in the waters off the Korean peninsula's east coast, KCNA said. Western experts said calculations based on that flight data and estimates from the US, Japanese and South Korean militaries showed the missile could have been capable of going as far into the United States as Denver and Chicago. David Wright of the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists wrote in a blog post that if it had flown on a standard trajectory, the missile would have had a range of 10,400 km (6,500 miles). North Korea said on Sunday it had been forced to develop long-range missiles and nuclear weapons because of hostile intent by "American imperialist beasts" looking for another chance to invade the country. "In case the US fails to come to its own senses and continues to resort to military adventure and 'tough sanctions', the DPRK will respond with its resolute act of justice as already declared," its foreign ministry said in a statement. DPRK is short for the North's formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It did not specify what action it would take. The missile test came a day after the US Senate approved a package of sanctions on North Korea, Russia and Iran. The foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan and the United States agreed to step up pressure on Pyongyang and to push for a stronger UN Security Council sanctions resolution. Reuters WASHINGTON In todays economy, speed is everything. Amazons plans to add 50,000 jobs at a dozen warehouses across the United States and Foxconns decision to build a $10 billion plant and hire up to 13,000 workers in Wisconsin arent just feel-good stories of job creation. They reflect the pressures companies now feel to be as close to their customers as possible a trend thats helping restore some American factories and jobs. Computer advances increasingly let manufacturers customize orders and ship goods faster. In the new world, making products in faraway low-wage countries like China can be a disadvantage: It can take too long weeks, months to ship finished products to the United States. This is about customer proximity, said Michael Mandel, chief economic strategist at the Progressive Policy Institute. You develop a sustainable and durable advantage against overseas competition. Mandel said the growing trend would have emerged regardless of who occupied the White House. Still, President Donald Trump took the opportunity to take some credit Wednesday for the Foxconn announcement, saying it definitely happened because of his election and his pursuit of tax and regulatory cuts. This is a great day for American workers and manufacturing, and for everyone who believes in the concept and the label, Made in the USA, Trump said.Amazon plans to make thousands of hiring offers in one day when it holds a job fair this week across the country. People offered jobs on the spot will pack or sort boxes and help ship them. Nearly 40,000 of the 50,000 jobs will be full time, and most will count toward Amazons previously announced goal of adding 100,000 full-time workers by mid-2018. In Oklahoma City, Amazon is seeking about 350 part-time workers. Interviews will be held 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Credit Union House of Oklahoma, 631 E. Hill St. The move reflects Amazons propulsive growth at a time when traditional retailers are closing stores and cutting jobs. For Taiwan-based Foxconn, building a factory in Wisconsin brings it closer to U.S. buyers of its liquid-crystal display panels, which are used in televisions, computer screens and automotive dashboards. Foxconn intends to hire 3,000 workers initially and eventually perhaps employ as many as 13,000. It could also receive up to $3 billion in state incentives over 15 years. The company is best-known for assembling Apple iPhones in China, but its Wisconsin factory wont be building iPhones. For years, the United States has lost factory jobs as manufacturing moved to low-wage countries, especially China. But America has been regaining some of its competitive edge. The Reshoring Initiative, a nonprofit set up to restore American factory jobs, says that last year, for the first time in decades, the number of manufacturing jobs created by U.S. companies that moved operations back to the United States and by foreign companies investing in America exceeded the jobs lost by U.S. companies moving abroad. Wages, rents and property prices have risen in China, thereby reducing the Chinese cost advantage. Machines increasingly do work once performed by people, which has reduced the importance of labor costs. And manufacturers more and more worry that supply chains that cross oceans can be disrupted by such unexpected shocks as earthquakes and other natural disasters, thereby delaying shipments to impatient buyers. Still, the United States will remain somewhat dependent on foreign factories for basic parts that go into finished products. Trump has asserted that new factories in the United States will reduce the trade deficit, which dampens economic growth. But foreign-owned companies in the United States can easily widen the trade gap, according to analysis by Robert Scott, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal think tank based in Washington. These plants are always magnets for imports, Scott said. Scott estimates that roughly 40 percent of Americas trade deficit in goods of $751.5 billion in 2014 came from the U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies. For Amazon, the more workers it employs and the more warehouses it operates, the faster it can deliver products directly to American households. As Amazon and other online retailers supplant physical stores as the primary source for American shoppers, fewer and fewer of the employees who stand between customers and their purchases are traditional cashiers and sales clerks. Rather, theyre the people sorting boxes and driving forklifts in vast warehouses. Over the past five years, jobs at U.S. department stores have fallen nearly 12 percent; jobs in warehouses are up 38 percent. Were in the middle of a really historic transformation of the job market right now, says Bernard Baumohl, chief economist at the Economic Outlook Group. You have to broaden your view of what retail is these days. Still, Gary Burtless, an economist at the Brookings Institution, says Amazon may struggle to hire all those new workers: The U.S. unemployment rate has already fallen to 4.4 percent, close to a 16-year low. Amazon is going to have to work a little harder than it would have three years ago to fill 50,000 slots, he says. Theres not a reserve army of unemployed to draw on anymore. Charley and Kenneth Pearson work as long as daylight allows, no matter the scorching Oklahoma sun, pounding rain or freezing cold. Its no easy way to make a living, but the Pearsons never knew anything else. But as other family farms around them disappeared, the Pearsons defiantly pressed on in the sand rock hills of southern Osage County. Its more than the farm, no matter the price of the ground they stand on. Its still country, Charley Pearson said. Every time I go to town and I drop over that hill by the church, you still drop back into the country, no matter what there is behind you. Like hundreds of other farms, the Pearsons roots go back 90 years to the original homestead. Today, they raise calves to be sent to grazing fields near Enid. Twice a year, calves are sold and loaded on a tractor trailer, itself a surprisingly intricate and logistical process to line up seller, cattle and buyer in April and October. The Pearsons gradually expanded to todays 2,300 acres as farms around them faded away. Soon, half-million dollar houses started popping up on sold farmland. Subdivisions started selling lots up the road for country living within commuting distance of downtown Tulsa. Change came fast in the past 10 years. Although the brothers drive late-model trucks and run a modern business from Charleys office, there are relics to the generations before them on every inch of the property. In the old barn, a massive collection of rusting license plates hangs in the corrugated metal building. Older houses and workshops still stand, including the barn the Pearson family broke apart and hauled to the ranch from Pawhuska to start the farm. Past the gate, Charley and Kenneth keep their great-grandfathers 1959 Chevrolet Apache farm truck where it was last parked, the three-speed column shifter still in the truck. The weather turned the trucks green paint to a rusting, fading patina color. If Charley and Kenneth have their way, the truck will be there as long as theyre alive. The brothers hold on to things, not only because they can save money if older equipment still works, but also its untold sentimental value. Not for the young The Pearsons Charley is 57 and Kenneth is 67 have farmed for a long time, and so has the average farmer in Oklahoma. According to the 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture farm census, the average Oklahoma farmer is 58.3 years old, the same as the national average. Its also up from 57.6 in 2007 and 56 in 2002. The youngest farmers in America dont have the farm as their primary income source, according to census data. Those farmers with a primary job off the farm are about 52 years old on average. Retirement farmers are the oldest category, with an average age of 69 for those operating a farm to supplant normal retirement. Several factors drive up the average age. Unlike most jobs, the Pearsons live on one paycheck a year. None of their income is guaranteed. Theres no timecards at the gate. Its hard work, and the Pearsons said younger generations would rather work 40 hours a week for a regular wage. Not only is the work difficult and wages dependent on countless variables, but its also getting more difficult for young people to start up new farms. For a young person to come out here and start out, its not impossible because it has been done, Kenneth Pearson said. But theyre so far in debt theyll never get out. Theyll never see the light of day. Tom Buchanan sees both sides of the situation. When hes not working as the Oklahoma Farm Bureaus president, hes working cattle and irrigated cotton at his ranch in Altus. Like most of America, more than 90 percent of Oklahomas farms are considered family farms. Corporate farms are growing, but Buchanan said most of those look and are operated nearly identical to comparable independent family farms. Of more than 80,000 farms in Oklahoma as of 2012, 91 percent were family-owned single proprietorships. Family-held corporations made up 2 percent in 2012, up from 1.2 percent in 2002. Partnerships make up 4.5 percent, down from 6.8 percent in 2007. With the changing dynamics of family farms, Buchanan said hes not sure young people will have the option to start their own farm in the near future. It is an extremely steep hill for a young producer to start out brand new without any kind of family ties, Buchanan said. I really view that as extraordinary for 10-15 years from now for a brand new, never farmed, no family tied in, to break into farming. Its going to be those people who can come back or grow in to an existing family farm. Thats the real outlook. The lean times Other factors make staying in farming more difficult, Buchanan noted. Land prices make startup costs painfully high, and most smaller farms operate on razor thin profit margins. A broken axle on the tractor, brush fire or hail storm can throw a whole years work in the red. The Pearsons have seen it firsthand. A single lightning strike can kill dozens of cattle. Predators can pick off one at a time. Droughts and wicked weather can wreak havoc. During the drought in 2011, most, if not all, of the nearby cattle farmers were forced to sell their herds or risk taking a catastrophic loss when drinking ponds dried up. In a pinch, farmers can ship hay in to feed cattle, but at a high cost. Charley Pearson said its almost impossible to haul in enough water for the cattle. Despite the inherent risk with farming on all scales, Buchanan said farms growing into larger albeit family-run businesses is good for the agricultural industry as a whole. The American consumer today enjoys the most abundant, most affordable and highest quality food supply America has ever seen, Buchanan said. Thats a result of the American farmer-rancher today. I believe they will continue to provide the most affordable, safest food supply this nations ever seen. Although the romanticized family farm as the Pearsons have run for nearly a century is slowly giving way to larger, family-run farming corporations, the job wont be easier. Farmers will continue to face both good and bad years. Cattle, wheat and other commodities will fluctuate as they have for decades. But the Pearsons wouldnt have it any other way. Ive had a lot of people ask me, Would you have ever done anything else? Charley Pearson said. And absolutely not. This is what I like to do. I enjoy doing this. I dont think I could ever work in a factory and do the same thing standing in the same spot every day in, day out. Its a livelihood, and I think youll see that in the younger generation. If they really appreciate it, theyll see it as something totally different that people just dont realize goes on in todays times. Instead of yelling over each other, avoiding one another or constantly being offended, its time to talk. Really talk. One-on-one. Family to family. In one of the more enlightening public discussions lately, Tulsa consultant Risha Grant and Bishop Carlton Pearson spoke last week about their personal experiences and observations about bias and prejudice mixed with introspection and hope. The jumping off point was Grants book, Thats BS: How Bias Synapse Disrupts Inclusive Culture. Pearson, who wrote the books foreward, called it academic and one of the most important pieces of literature in long time. I feel Tulsa is on the verge of a major shift in consciousness, Pearson said. The city is finally becoming the gathering place. The moderator of the event, hosted by Magic City Books, set the tone quickly and directly. Bias affects voting rights, it affects education policy. Bias affects our self-confidence, immigration laws, election outcomes. Bias affects everything, and it even results, as we know, in loss of life, said Alison Anthony, newly named chief operating officer of the Tulsa Area United Way after serving in leadership roles at Williams since 1999. We just cant go on in the same old way. Its really simple Much of the goals for diversity and inclusion in companies must start in the home with personal introspection. We have to deal with our own mess, our own BS, before we can even start to deal with issues in the workforce, Grant said. Grants approach is about making intentional changes based on honest instinctual reactions to others. The companies Ive worked with and communities Ive worked in, they see diversity and inclusion as this huge complex concept, Grant said. We are forgetting its really simple because its about humanity. Understanding bias is to recognize it and put a name to it. Some bias may be benign but can turn poisonous when morphing into a desire to harm, Pearson said. Its cultural; its deeply embedded in the psyche of the people, Pearson said. So my response to it, I learned, was not to make it defensive or offensive but to slowly try and understand why the people or person thinks, acts or responds a certain way. Both spoke of inequities. Some large and institutional, such as Grants grandmother not being allowed into local nursing schools so she worked as a maid instead. Then, there are subtleties, such as greeting cards with little to no images of ethnic people or Apple belatedly including a black thumbs-up emoji. For decades, toys such as dolls and figurines were only in the likeness of white people. Its these little things. You learn to adapt. If you havent had to walk that road, you dont understand it, Grant said. Politics were not a part of the overall conversation. But, Pearson said problems from bias and prejudice are hard to separate from it, saying the present situation politically feels like weve gone back 40 years. Im just so stunned that so many evangelical Christians so adamantly support Donald Trump, Pearson said. They are putting opinions over values. To me, the bottom line is racism. This man just slams the first black president so viciously, so violently, so unceasingly Im offended, and Ive never been that offended racially in my life. Its really worrying me, and I find it quite bothersome that this group Ive worked and walked with for so many years may not like me the way I thought they did. So theres a whole new mentality that Im having to confront and not myself be prejudiced. I admit to being prejudiced and having to deal with my own personal, private and very powerful prejudices, and Im dealing with it as deliberately and intentionally as I know how. Conversations needed Speaking frankly about their own biases, Grant and Pearson said change starts by inviting others who are different into your world. And, they say not to be overly sensitive when possible friends and allies slip up. We have to give each encounter, especially if youre interested in the person you are addressing or who is asking the question, a safe space, Pearson said. A safe place to display whatever unkind or ignorance that is there or prejudice without you jumping down their throat. Pearson described a time a friend invited a gay man to his home. The two spoke in detail about the difference in feelings they have toward women. Id been around gay people my whole life but had never had that conversation, Pearson said. I had the most engaging conversation, the most revealing conversation, and the prejudices and the biases began to diminish I learned a lot. So many assumptions are made about people without actually knowing them, such as immigrants or people with disabilities. Anthony mentioned a possible project of pairing opposite people and families for dinners in their homes. Pearson jumped in with a resounding yes. When you have a conversation with that person, you start to soften up. What we dont do is put forth the work and effort to relate to people who are different, Pearson said. Among the audience questions was about how media can help advance the concept of unity. Pearson said media focuses on breaking, straight-forward news. I dont think they see themselves as bridge builders or fixers or healers, Pearson said. They need to change their consciousness, because they have so much of our attention. The thought-provoking evening brought together a diverse crowd, but Grant pointed out how even the most progressive people gloss over the hard questions. We are so busy being politically correct that we never say what needs to be said. We cant talk to each other without offending, Grant said. Weve got to have conversations. Weve got to do it respectfully, but weve got to say what needs to be said. Tonight on Four Corners is a BBC report Weapons of Mass Surveillance from Nawal Al-Maghafi on the international cyber arms trade giving governments the tools to spy on their citizens. It used to be walls have ears, now its smartphones have ears. Activist The digital age has revolutionised the way we live our lives, giving us the tools to connect with people and share information in ways that would have previously been impossible. But this same technology has also given governments the ability to spy on their citizens on an astonishing scale. Every country willing to write a pay check to the right party can do this sort of surveillance but no one wants to admit it. Cyber security specialist Cyber surveillance technology enables governments to collect, catalogue and analyse the communications of millions of people. Youd be able to intercept any internet traffic. If you wanted to do a whole country, go ahead. Former cyber security employee This BBC investigation reveals a shadowy international trade in this cyber weaponry. These companies are commercial players, (they) are developing these highly sophisticated technologies that could have a deep impact on our national security, on peoples lives. European MP From international arms fairs to highly classified manufacturing facilities, the program tracks how major weapons makers have branched out from producing conventional arms to cyber espionage tools, landing lucrative deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Many of these deals are with countries run by repressive regimes. Its a trade-off. None of these countries have the same ethical, moral code as we do but we still do it. Every country therefore involves some form of compromise. Former Head of Cyber Security, UK Ministry of Defence In interviews with workers hired to carry out mass scale cyber espionage, the film shows how these tools are being used to shut down dissent. We focused on all the opposition. There were no exceptions. Former cyber security employee Those targeted by highly invasive cyber surveillance say their lives have been shattered. Being watched is a horrible feeling. You lose your freedom because you cannot move. Its a violation of your privacy. Its like having a stranger in your bedroom. Activist Monday 31st July at 8.30pm on ABC. Network bosses are unhappy with SBS and ABC moving further away from their Charter, with SBS under fire for its increased US content. Sevens Tim Worner, Nines Hugh Marks, TENs Paul Anderson and Foxtels Peter Tonagh have all weighed in recently on the public broadcasters seemingly moving in on their turf, with public funding in tow. They argue that covering the same terrain is not why the public broadcasters were set up. SBS has recently screened, or is about to unveil, Fargo, Roots, The Handmaids Tale, The Good Fight, Outlander, The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, while its multichannels have aired Uncle Buck, The Brothers, Scarface, 8 Mile, Purple Rain and Batman reruns. It is clear they are now chasing the same programs and audience as us. They are not playing the distinct and special role set out for them in legislation. In particular the steadily growing amount of UK and US content on SBS does not seem consistent with its multicultural objectives, Tim Worner told The Australian. Hugh Marks said Nine was increasingly finding itself going head to head with SBS for content, which is raising prices. The landscape has changed so a full review of the role of public broadcasters in that landscape is a necessity. And this must include an update of their charters to reflect a more detailed social contract, including obligations around local content. But SBS has had to become increasingly nimble in its revenue raising after cuts in funding together with a knock back for plans to increase primetime ads. SBS On Demand is becoming a quiet achiever for the network, much to the concern of commercial rivals. SBS has long-argued multiculturalism extends beyond ethnicity, to include other cultures: gay, senior, youth, disabled and more. It says the broadly appealing titles help underpin its locally-distinctive titles. In a statement it said, Many of the programs identified would not have been considered by Seven and Nine, and these claims are only being made after seeing SBSs recent success. SBS is bringing Australians more diverse content exploring cultures and celebrating diversity than it ever has before, including telling stories otherwise untold in the Australian media through its distinctive news and current affairs, our more than 70 in-language radio programs, and TV series such as The Family Law, Filthy, Rich and Homeless and upcoming drama Sunshine. Marshall Heald, SBS Director of Television and Online Content, recently told TV Tonight, content was also chosen for its thematics. A show like The Good Fight, when you pick it apart, is about an affluent, white lawyer working in a black law firm and having to engage in a whole ecosystem that she has no experience with. So theres a strong Charter alignment there, he said. As an acquisitions network, and one of the few networks in the world with our kind of purpose, its very difficult for us to consistently acquire content that 100% meets our needs. We could really only do that if we had more local commissions. One of Southern Nevadas most cherished charities will be moving into a new home for its headquarters. Shawn Danoski, CEO of Las Vegas-based DC Building Group, said construction has been completed on the new Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation facility and The Caring Place which helps thousands of Southern Nevada residents annually. The facility will be dubbed the Britney Spears Campus due to her generous fundraising efforts of over $1 million. The 15,578 square-foot building at 3711 E. Sunset Road broke ground on April 17 and opened its doors on July 17. The new structure combines more than 45 pediatric and adult services which were previously located at two separate locations. Almany Architecture served as the architect of record. DC Building Group teamed up with Penta Building Group and a number of other subcontractors to donate both the construction time and funds needed to accomplish this project. Serving as general contractor for the new facility, DC Building Group managed all the construction efforts for the foundations new offices. The project consisted of combining six existing tenant spaces into one functioning, flowing space that occupies the entire building, bringing NCCF and The Caring Place under one roof. This involved the demolition of most of the buildings interior, its roof, and some existing doors. A new roof was installed along with new interior walls and infill windows where doors had existed. Additionally, life safety systems were updated, and finishes were provided throughout the building. Some of the new interior features include: four massage therapy rooms Tranquility, Peace, Harmony, and Joy; an art therapy room; a craft room called Healing Arts; and a Pink Door room containing a special door adorned with hopeful quotes that serves as a motivational piece to others encountering a new journey in healing, as well as honor the founders Dr. Mary Ann Allison, MD, FACP, an Oncologist and Hematologist from Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada and her patient Connie Bernstein. The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation and The Caring Place play an important role in the community, said DC Building Group Project Manager Ryan Plutchak. Numerous community members are affected by cancer or life-threatening diseases of some sort, whether it be personally or with friends and relatives. This foundation provides a place for people to turn to when these tragedies strike and they need help. DC Building Group is honored to offer financial assistance, design/value engineering assistance, and the time to complete the project. We provided a package that cut costs, shortened the schedule, and maintained the original intent of the property. We are so thrilled and genuinely excited about moving into our new beautiful location. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Britney Spears for her compassion and dedication to our cause, giving us the means to do this through a recent capital campaign, said Jeff Gordon, NCCF president and CEO. The impact this will have on all the families we serve will be immeasurable as it will allow us to take care of even more community members in need of our many services. The famed Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino presents the 40th Tribute to The King of Rock n Roll, Elvis Presley, a month-long celebration with casino promotions, food specials and more (Pictured: Donny Edwards Tribute to Elvis). Held throughout the month of August, the celebration will include: Friday, August 11, 2017 through Friday, August 18, 2017 Eat like a King at Sids Cafe! Available Friday, August 11 through Friday, August 18, the King Specials include Grilled Peanut Butter, Bacon and Banana Sandwich served with thick-cut Fries or house-made Potato Chips for $14, Southern Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Corn On the Cob and homemade Buttermilk Biscuits for $20 and BBQ Beef Brisket with Baked Beans, thick-cut Fries and Cole Slaw for $20. Sids Cafe offers a creative approach to home style cooking, while boasting attentive service and large plates of freshly prepared food. Menu options include appetizers, salads, diverse entrees, delicious burgers and desserts. Sids Cafe operates Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Dress code is casual and Sids Cafe is a non-smoking restaurant. Friday, August 11, 2017 & Saturday, August 12, 2017 Enjoy two special performances of The King Lives! Donny Edwards Elite Tribute to Elvis on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12. Starring Donny Edwards, the only Elvis Tribute Artist to perform at the hallowed grounds of Graceland, and an incredible 10-piece band, The King Lives! Donny Edwards Elite Tribute to Elvis will take fans from the nostalgic songs of the 1950s and 1960s to The Kings transition into the famous jumpsuit of the 1970s. Held inside the famed International Showroom, tickets for The King Lives! Donny Edwards Elite Tribute to Elvis! start at $22 plus tax and applicable fees. Both shows begin at 7 p.m. and are open to all ages. Monday, August 14 Rock the Wheel! Spin to Win Held Monday, August 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., new Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Players club sign-ups and locals who receive a special direct mail coupon will be given the chance to win a prize, including a hand-painted silk scarf, similar to those worn by The King, from Opportunity Village. Held adjacent to the famed International Theater, qualified participants will receive one spin. Prizes are available while supplies last. Must be 21 years or older. Players Club membership is always free and as a Players Club member, you will earn Tier Points from your tracked slot and table play to determine how close you are to the next exciting level of benefits comprised of Classic, Premium, Elite and Ultra tiers. Join the most rewarding choice in Las Vegas players clubs to earn complimentary rooms, meals, free slot play, special events and more. Tuesday, August 15 2X Tuesday Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Players Club members can earn double slot points on Tuesday, August 15 from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Double points can be earned on reel/video reel machines and video poker machines. Not eligible for table game play. All game options, including Keno and reel games, played on Game king Machines will earn points at a Video Poker Ration. Wednesday, August 16 $5,000 Rock n Roll Slot Tourney Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Players Club members are invited to the $5,000 Rock n Roll Slot Tournament on Wednesday, August 16 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Held at the Slot Tournament Area, between the Casino Cage and Fresh Buffet, participants will have the opportunity to win one of 16 cash prizes, including a grand prize of $2,000 in slot play. Participants must be 21 years or older. Each qualified participant will play one session, with each session lasting two minutes. Prizes will be determined on how many points are earned at the conclusion of the two minutes. A total of $5,000 in cash play will be awarded, with the prize structure as follows: 1 st place $2,000 $2,000 2 nd place $1,000 $1,000 3 rd place $600 $600 4 th place $300 $300 5 th place $200 $200 6 th place 7 th place $150 each $150 each 8 th place 10 th place $100 each $100 each 11th place 16th place $50 each Thursday, August 17 Dress like the King! Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Players Club members are invited to dress like The King. Participants who dress like The King and post their photo on the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Facebook and Instagram accounts on Thursday, August 17 will receive one free entry into Fresh Buffet. AUBURN The intersection of Genesee Street and Loop Road can be a busy one, but on Friday evenings, many steer clear of it for another reason. That's when, for more than 20 years now, the members of Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Elbridge have stood on all four corners of the intersection. Toting signs with Bible passages, they try to strike up conversations with passersby. They hand them pamphlet comics asking, "Are you a good person?" And they preach in voices that boom above the weekend traffic. There's another thing the members of Blessed Hope do, though: They tell people they're going to hell. Speaking to The Citizen, several of those people said they were denounced by the church's members for being rude, politely disagreeing or just showing no interest in the message of Blessed Hope. Some described even more intense encounters, too. Though many resent the church's forceful presence at a prominent intersection Friday evenings, the city of Auburn said it follows the law and has been the subject of no complaints. But criticism of Blessed Hope isn't limited to the devil horns and heavy metal music that greet its street ministry: Local people of faith also question whether rankling people is the best way to reach them. 'A lost and dying world' The pastor of Blessed Hope is Eric Richards. In an interview during the church's presence on the corner July 14, Richards said he and other Blessed Hope members have been coming there since 1997. Many were part of another Baptist church in Elbridge, where Richards was an assistant pastor, but they left with him to form Blessed Hope at 1303 Route 5 three years ago, he said. Richards said he wanted to start a street ministry because "I wanted to keep Jesus Christ in front of a lost and dying world." "There's a lot of people who want to talk about the Lord and they don't. A lot of people don't know where to go," he said. "We can give them an opportunity if you want to talk." Though Richards didn't know the area well, he first took his ministry of two or three people to Genesee and Loop because "this is where I believe the Lord wanted me to start." Today, about 15 to 20 gather with him at 7:30 p.m. Fridays in Market Street Park to pray, then stand at the nearby intersection for about an hour and a half. Richards said it's voluntary. The pastor emphasized that Blessed Hope doesn't stand on the corner to pack its pews. He said the church is simply trying to spread the word of God as written in the King James Bible, and that Luke 14:23 "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." compels Blessed Hope to do so downtown. Richards measures his ministry's success by its obedience to that verse, he said. Though he couldn't recall anyone who's joined his church through the ministry, the pastor said he has meaningful conversations with a couple people every Friday. It's also possible Blessed Hope inspires people to go to other churches, which Richards said he encourages because it still brings them to Jesus. "'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,'" he said, quoting Acts 16:31. "Our message is believe in him, because the salvation of your soul depends on that." 'More like harassment' It's not just a message, though. Several people who've encountered the members of Blessed Hope Friday evenings in downtown Auburn said that what the church delivers is more like a demand. Jenna LaMontagne, 20, of Auburn, said Richards once asked her if she's going to heaven or hell and, in an argument that ensued, whether she's "a homosexual." "He said that's wrong and 'homosexuals are going to hell,'" said LaMontagne, who told the pastor the Bible contradicts itself "all the time" and even recited a passage back at him, she claimed. "They don't try to get your attention in a nice way," she continued. "They start off by saying, 'You're going to hell if you don't listen to me.' They're supposed to be accepting. But every encounter that I've had with them, they weren't polite at all." Toni Brown, 35, of Auburn, said she told members of the church she was a (Methodist) Christian, and therefore "already saved," when they approached her last summer. They nonetheless insisted on her stopping to hear their message, Brown continued. As she walked away from them, they told her "you're going to hell." "It seems a lot more like harassment. They're going to scare people away from the church," she said. "Kids aren't going to want to go to church after being screamed at that they're going to hell." Amber LaVine, who now lives in Florida, recalled walking by Blessed Hope members about three years ago with her daughter Miranda, then 7. When Miranda said the members should "shut up," Amber said, they told the child that she was going to hell, and a sinner. Amber said she has avoided downtown Auburn on Friday evenings ever since. Both LaVine and Brown also said they fear the church's street ministry will someday lead to people getting hurt. For Tony Pierce, it almost did. The owner of Sign Guys on Osborne Street, a few hundred feet away from the intersection of Loop and Genesee, Pierce said his customers complain about the Blessed Hope members "all the time." It was partly for that reason, Pierce said, that he counter-protested Blessed Hope, waving his own signs, June 23. He called it "performance art and rage all rolled into one." Pierce returned to the intersection with friend Joseph Goodwin July 7. There, both said, a man standing with the church members took pictures of the two and, when they left, followed them down Genesee, toward Swaby's. Pierce and Goodwin said they witnessed the man showing people on the street the photos he took and asking for the names and addresses of the two. Pierce also said the man told him he'd have his business shut down in three weeks. A third witness, who asked not to be identified, corroborated Pierce's account but said the man did not appear to be affiliated with the church. Richards said Blessed Hope members are instructed to stay on the corner, and that following people, even critics, is "not something we practice and certainly something that I don't do." Asked about his ministry telling passersby that they're going to hell, however, the pastor admitted as much. But he said it's "not vindictive." "Has that ever been said? I'm sure. People try to make it vindictive, but revelation or scripture is not vindictive," Richards said. "It's for people to see for themselves what could happen to them if they do not adhere to what Jesus Christ spoke." 'You just get Bible quotes' Auburn police were called to Swaby's when Pierce and Goodwin claimed someone followed them there from Blessed Hope's street ministry July 7. But Chief Shawn Butler said the department could find no record of its response, nor the report Pierce said he filed at the station the next morning. Both Butler and Auburn City Manager Jeff Dygert said they have received no complaints about Blessed Hope, and that the church follows the rules of public demonstration: It stays on the sidewalks and doesn't block them. As for harassment, Butler said, telling people they're going to hell doesn't amount to an arrestable offense, particularly without a complaint. "Religious freedom is a topic we as police don't want to really challenge," Butler said. "I wouldn't ask my officers to get in the way of anybody's right to protest or practice their religion." Blessed Hope also endures its own share of harassment, said member Michaela Tyrell, of Liverpool. Standing at the intersection since she was 7, Tyrell said people walking or driving by often direct vulgarity and middle fingers at the church members. But she has continued coming out for 15 years because "I care about people and I want them to know the truth," she said. Lauren Smith, who saw Pastor Richards preach at an event at the Jordan-Elbridge Community Center in April, stressed seeing beyond the church members' actions at Genesee and Loop. "Maybe they come across harsh, but when I met them in person they were not harsh," Smith said. "They were the opposite of what people were saying they experienced." Smith, of Owasco, said she also saw another member of the church, whom she knows only as Jeremiah, speak at an Auburn church. His message, she continued, was helpful to her. Still, even other people of faith find fault in the way Blessed Hope shares its own. The Rev. Frank Lioi, pastor of St. Marys Church and SS. Mary & Martha Parish in Auburn, said the church diverges from Catholicism and other denominations by believing the King James Bible is a "direct communication from God" with "total authority." "It's hard to talk to them. You just get Bible quotes," the reverend said. "They would see us as totally evil or un-Christian." Lioi also questioned whether Blessed Hope's confrontational style of street ministering in downtown Auburn is winning more critics than converts. "For most people, that puts them off rather than engages them," he said. "That's more an annoyance than an invitation." We do what we can, each of us in our own way. And we do it for each other, chipping at the devil, until hes done. Its tragic that this line still resonates months after it was written, but I definitely needed it coming from our punk mom in her final, heroic hours. My notes for this episode have so many expletives and excessive punctuation, I dont know if Ill ever recover! As I mentioned last week, the final season has felt sluggish, but Guillotines Decide shows us how powerfully that pace can unfold like a grisly, slow-motion car crash. As we watched, we were powerless to stop the horrors that crept up on our beloved Leda family. It makes sense that director Aaron Morton is primarily a cinematographer, as every lingering frame of this weeks episode overflows with a sense of foreboding, each scene almost daring us to guess to which character we ought to be saying our good-byes. To say nothing of this Blade Runner meets The Americans meets Mad Men magnificence: Photo: BBC America Yes, thats Siobhan and a recovering Rachel in a motel room, where Ferdinand who, unfortunately, was Siobhans other informant has sequestered his BDSM queen after rescuing her from Westmorlands lackeys. Lest we forget, Ferdy stomped a woman to death recently, but hes now provided the final piece necessary to bring down Neolution by delivering Rachel and her cornucopia of receipts safely to them. (Rachel calls him the only man who ever really loved [her], which is sad, not only because she evidently cant tell the difference between love and fetishization, but also because she calls him daddy a few too many times.) Alone with the prodigal clone, Siobhan finally reveals the whole picture: Although the Neolution board has lobbied governments worldwide to pass laws requiring people to submit DNA samples presumably to have access to a wider diversity of genetic material Dyad and its affiliates have constructed a commercial behemoth that will allow it to sell curated evolution to the one percent. Once this is deployed, Coadys Castor disease will be weaponized en masse to sterilize the rest of us, thus making Westmorlands (and Hitlers) dream and our dystopian nightmare a reality. Rachel knows this well, and before discovering she was the subject of a biosurveillance trial, she probably didnt have a single damn to give about its execution. Now, she realizes that this apocalyptic capitalist scheme will produce thousands of lives like the one she led at Dyad, lives that only exist to serve the sick whims of rich white guys, and she decides thats morally unacceptable. Mostly, though, she just wants hella revenge. The Neolution board, meantime, has been entirely too distracted by the fallout from her email uncovering P.T.s fraudulence to take much note of anything else. Its surviving members are practically begging to be extorted: When Van Lier explains the rests absence Suicides, he says, as casually as one might say, Traffic Ferdinand delightedly crows, Its Neolution Black Friday! Ferdinand understands Rachels megalomaniacal thirst for vengeance, of course, which is why he makes such a perfect pawn, one that could distract the board with his arrogant dance, waving around an empty thumb drive he thinks is a copy of Rachels backup evidence file for long enough to get the real documents uploaded and leaked to the government and press. (Including evidence of bribery, as well as key patents in six areas food, pharmaceuticals, cloning, gene editing, gene sequencing, and biosurveillance.) But its his inability to ever grasp the pain of her entire existence that finally pushes Rachel to betray him and his vision of presiding over a dynasty of obscene wealth, in favor of Siobhans vastly humbler offer: Give yourself a chance to be truly free. Meanwhile, Felix and Adele have returned from Switzerland, bless them, with a shit mountain of cheese (actually, bless them twice). Felix suddenly has an art opening possibly due to some quick thinking he did in Geneva with this gallerist he wanted to impress? and everyone decides to take the night off to support one of their favorite boys. Well, everyone except Siobhan and Delphine, who are busy doing the Rachel/Ferdinand deal behind Sarahs back (shed be furious, considering the whole murdered her sister bit). Donnie bartends and Hell Wizard dons his best THE FUTURE IS FEMALE crewneck sweatshirt to DJ and partake in some light rapping (help). On the way over with hors doeuvres, a suspicious Sarah confronts Adele, who lets the Ferdinand thing slip, but all seems to be fine once S arrives to explain that the maneuver was successful. Cosima and I both started sobbing when she and Delphine clicked send on those documents (The Guardian?! After all Vulture has done for you?!). Theyre officially, if not yet logistically, free of Neolutions exploitation. But first, Siobhan Sadler, one of the most casually badass characters to ever grace a television screen, must attend to some unfinished business. Though the hope was that the board kill Ferdinand after realizing he didnt have the evidence needed to extort them, Ferdy would never go down without first raging about being defeated out on a woman. He tries Rachel at the motel, but of course, its no fun when the girl youre strangling kind of wants to die anyway! Still furious, he heads to Siobhans, where, after preparing a tearful note and arming herself with a 9-mm, she abandons the party to meet him. Her plan is not perfect, but Siobhan Sadler always does the extra credit: After theyve both laid down their first set of weapons, Ferdinand reveals he found one of her hidden guns and shoots her in the heart but he overlooks the second weapon, hidden in a chair, until its in her hand and opening his jugular. At the very least, she gets to watch the life drain from him completely before clutching a photo of her chickens and letting go herself. Like I said: I was not okay, I am not okay, I will never be okay. But now Helena is in trouble. And Clone Club? We have to keep it together for the bebes. Scattered Notes Taking Iras turn in the tragic redemption round is Gracie, who has a change of heart and lies to Mark about finding Helena through her nun mom. However, Mark sees through her and tells Coady, who sends the inexplicably merciless Detective Engers to locate her phone, track them down, and kidnap Helena. But first, shes got to shoot Gracie, a teenage girl kneeling unarmed on the floor of a convent, execution-style, for her sins. Religion might be bad? Props are owed to James Frain, who has now played several violent misogynists chief among them Ferdinand and True Blood vampire rapist Franklin Mott yet somehow continues to delight me each time he returns. Maybe thats a personal problem, but Im inclined to chalk it up to some seriously magnetic screen presence. Considering hes slated to appear in Star Trek: Discovery as Sarek, its an especially great quality, because who wants to hate Spocks dad? Felixs art is just a bunch of Leda portraits? (I mean, I like them, but it seems like putting a family photo album in the MoMA.) Anyway, he winds up recruiting Alison, Cosima, and Sarah for a last-minute, smoke-and-mirrors performance and manages to impress the aforementioned gallerist. Kind of meta, but Felix sells his art, which is what matters. Felix deserves everything, including the coroner. Cosima and Scott are growing their stock of the Leda cure, which hopefully will give us a feel-good ending: the sestras, setting off together to inoculate the rest of the Ledas, wherever they may be. Detroit. Photo: Courtesy of Annapurna Pictures Broadly perhaps too broadly titled Detroit, Kathryn Bigelows grueling new film dramatizes an incident at the Algiers Motel on the third night of the 1967 Detroit riots. Forty-three people would die in those riots, among them a white cop which I highlight only because it was reportedly foremost in the minds of policemen and the National Guard as tanks rolled through the streets. For the would-be peacekeepers, the fear was sniper fire, and when they believed that they heard it coming from the Algiers, they descended en masse on a bunch of black people (and, crucially, two white teenage girls) enjoying the summer night. What followed was a prolonged session of physical and psychological torture that left three black men dead. Its fair to say that Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal have a fraught relationship with torture. In their last collaboration, Zero Dark Thirty, they portrayed enhanced interrogation (in the affectionate parlance of the Bush II administration) as ghastly but fruitful. When their account came under attack (it was never proved that torture elicited useful intelligence on Osama bin Ladens whereabouts), Bigelow responded by asserting, somewhat disingenuously given the context, Depiction is not endorsement. Now theyve chosen to make a film in which torture at the hands of an occupying force is not merely useless but also psychotic and fascistic, a theater of cruelty in which pity is the first casualty and justice the last. I dont mean to suggest that Detroit is self-serving, only that Bigelow and Boal have chosen to tell their story once again in a style that triggers our fight-or-flight instincts and with an eye for the mania of men under fire. The chief maniac is a white patrolman called Krauss (the victims names have not been changed, but some of the cops have pseudonyms), played by Will Poulter with arched, satanic eyebrows doing most of the heavy histrionic lifting. Early on, Krauss shoots a looter in the back as the man is scaling a chain-link fence. (The man bleeds out under a car, begging an old woman to phone his wife.) At the station, a detective informs Krauss hell be charged with murder and then unaccountably sends him back to the streets. Well, perhaps its not so unaccountable. When enlistment dwindled during the Iraq catastrophe, our military lowered the bar. In July 1967, Detroit needed uniforms on the street. It was burning. The film opens as if its going to profile an entire city on the verge of incineration. An animated sequence adapted from a series of paintings by Jacob Lawrence depicts the postWWI migration of southern blacks in search of auto-industry jobs and the ever-more crammed and dilapidated neighborhoods in which they were forced to live. The filmmakers dramatize the flash point for the 67 riot: a police raid on a black after-hours club (a blind pig, in Detroitspeak) in which Vietnam vets (among others) are having a nice, peaceable time. The movies panoramic vantage doesnt last beyond the first half-hour, though. We dont see how the riots came to an end or the overall scope of the damage. For Bigelow and Boal, all narrative roads lead to and from the Algiers. They reach the motel, narratively speaking, in the company of talented performers having a bad day. Larry Reed (Algee Smith) sings with the soul-music vocal group the Dramatics, known at the time for Inky Dinky Wang Dang Doo, and theyre about to hit the stage for a momentous show with Motown folks in attendance when a call comes to evacuate the theater. Their bus attacked by an angry crowd, the dejected Larry and his pal Fred Temple (Jacob Latimore) see a shimmering oasis the sign for the Algiers Motel, where people are partying like its 1966. The two men check in, have a drink, and flirt by the pool with two suburban white girls (Hannah Murray and Kaitlyn Dever). But, as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas sang in the theater theyd just fled, theres nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. As a prelude to the main event, Boal and Bigelow devise a coup de theatre that likely didnt happen but is so brilliant that who cares? Larry, Fred, and the girls wind up in the room of a man named Carl Cooper (Jason Mitchell, who was Eazy-E in Straight Outta Compton), who stages a bizarre little drama for the assembled. He assumes the role of a white cop hassling a black civilian, played by a friend, and ends up shooting the guy when the shit gets too real. Except Carls gun is a starter pistol. Its a prank. But something comes of it. The play awakens the raging imp in Carl, and he fires his fake gun out the window at the distant police and National Guard, whooping as they dive for cover. (We should teach these pigs a lesson!) Out of such playacting are tragedies born, and so the shit gets really real. And so we arrive at the dark heart of Detroit, the sequence in which five black men (among them a Vietnam vet played by Anthony Mackie) and two white women face a wall while cops pace in back of them, punching and pistol-whipping their captives, demanding to know the location of the gun and identity of the shooter. You might expect the interrogation to end after five or ten minutes, but it goes on for what seems like hours, the camera on top of the characters as they plead and weep, the blows excruciatingly amplified. Members of the small audience with which I saw the film began to cry out halfway through, and I had to suppress an urge to yell, Enough! at the cops onscreen but also the filmmakers. Its an open question whether employing fascistic technique in the service of an anti-fascist message creates a hatred of fascism or just whips us up to see the bad guys bleed. The three Detroit policemen dont merely taunt and beat the people facing the wall. They separate and pretend to execute two of them to make the others talk. Focusing on the white girls in their short dresses gives the torturers their second wind and adds another dimension to their wrath. Our hopes are kindled by the hovering presence of other cops and Guardsmen, some of whom are plainly repulsed. But no one intercedes, including a black security guard, Melvin Dismukes (John Boyega), who had attempted to ingratiate himself with the Guard and watches the event with quivering passivity. A State Police corporal tells his men he doesnt like what hes seeing and orders them to leave. In his 1968 book The Algiers Motel Incident, John Hersey calls the State Police departure the most inglorious chapter in the entire narrative. But theres so much competition. (For the record, the cops real names were Ronald August, Robert Paille, and David Senak, the inspiration for Poulters Krauss.) The question that Bigelow and Boal (like Hersey) leave hanging is why the people in that lineup didnt simply tell the cops, Yes, there were shots, but it was a starter pistol. Which brings us back to the question of torture and why, one theory goes, it doesnt usually work: People who are terrified shut down. To admit any knowledge might open them up to even more violent punishment. Bigelow and Boal dont bring much moral complexity to Detroit. They dont illuminate the psyches of the cops or suggest the fundamental feeling of weakness that drives people to violence. They dont shed much light on Dismukess inaction or subsequent thoughts about what he didnt do. What Bigelow does incomparably is put us in that room with those people at that moment. She induces a feeling of powerlessness thats beyond our capacity to imagine on our own, and she keeps it going through the courtroom scenes and closing credits and beyond, as we return to a world where the same scenario is playing in an endless loop. If nothing else, movies like Detroit are protection against forgetting, so that what happens in Detroit doesnt stay in Detroit. *This article appears in the July 24, 2017, issue of New York Magazine. The last chance to see the exhibit, From Plate to Print: An Introduction to Printmaking at Baylor Universitys Martin Museum of Art will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. 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. Crawford 150th The Crawford Sesquicentennial Committee will host a hamburger and hot dog cookout, with Blue Bell ice cream, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Crawford High Schools cafeteria. It will be a fundraiser for the Crawford Sesquicentennial Celebration this fall. A free-will offering and donations will be accepted. For more information, call 717-3458 or 486-2366. Woodcarving club meeting The Brazos Valley Woodcarving Club meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday at the Harrison Senior Center, 1718 N. 42nd St. in Waco. The club is free and open to anyone who wants to learn woodcarving. Instruction includes chip carving, relief carving and round carving. For more information, call 772-9317. Heat relief The Salvation Army Community Kitchen at 300 Webster Ave. will remain open from noon to 4:30 p.m. on days the temperature reaches more than 100 degrees. The center will provide a free bottle of water and some much needed air conditioning for anyone seeking a little salvation from the heat. For more information, call the Community Kitchen at 757-1641. Shoe drive Financial donations for Shoes for the Homeless are now being accepted by Mission Waco. A donation of $45 provides a pair of shoes for a person who registers and qualifies at the Meyer Center. Participants will have the opportunity to be taken to a local shoe store to pick out their own pair. The new shoes will be distributed at the beginning of the annual Walk for the Homeless at 8 a.m. Sept. 17 at 1226 Washington Ave. Donations are accepted at https://secure.paperlesstrans.com/MissionWaco or by check at Mission Waco, 1315 N. 15th St., Waco, 76707. Please designate shoes for homeless. Call 753-4900 for more information. Baylor Universitys endowment grew by about $80 million to $1.23 billion over the past year, according to newly released data. Chief Investment Officer Brian Webb said growing the endowment is a high priority for Baylor administrators and regents as higher education costs skyrocket nationwide. Considered a lifelong fund used largely for student scholarships, rather than as a bank account for temporary or immediate university needs, the endowment has periodically grown since the Great Recession caused a roughly 20 percent loss at most universities, including Baylor. (Growth) is critical for a university from an affordability standpoint, so students that need scholarships can come here, Webb said. But, also from a competition standpoint over the long run, it does generate a steady flow of income to the university. And when youre competing with other universities with large endowments, they have that steady flow coming, and youve got to be able to compete with them. Endowment return figures are not yet finalized, but Webb said he expects a return of more than $100 million. About 67 percent of returns from the endowment pay for student scholarships. The rest goes to academic programs and salaries for specific chairmanships and professorships. Baylor President Linda Livingstone intends to incorporate fundraising for endowed chairs and faculty initiatives into her academic strategies, officials said. With almost 14,500 undergraduates, Baylors endowment comes to about $85,000 per student. Webb said he wants to double that as Baylor works to compete with neighboring private schools Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University. TCU has almost 9,000 undergraduates and a $1.2 billion endowment more than $133,000 per student. SMU has about 6,500 undergraduates and a $1.5 billion endowment more than $230,000 per student. Baylor officials have longed for a $2 billion endowment for at least 15 years. Webb called the number a reasonable, but clearly aspirational goal with no set timeline to achieve. He said regents still discuss the number but realize it will not be met overnight. If you do the math, its going to take a little bit longer for us to get there, he said. But that is the target number we need to be as competitive as we should be with our peers. Setting a specific date, as we saw with the 2012 initiative of wanting to get to $2 billion by that point in time, is probably a dangerous thing to do, quite honestly. Mamie Voight, vice president of policy research for the Institute of Higher Education Policy, said by email that endowment funds should be leveraged for access and support to low-income students. After reviewing data, she estimated low-income students pay about $27,000 after grants and scholarships to attend Baylor for one year. This price amounts to just about the entire annual income for many low-income families an insurmountable barrier to enrollment and degree attainment for some, Voight said. A 2017-18 Baylor undergraduate education costs $43,790. Regents raised tuition 4 percent, the smallest increase in more than 20 years, to $45,542 for the 2018-19 academic year. These rates fall below TCU, SMU and Rice University, and 93 percent of Baylor students receive some form of financial assistance, according to the university. Well-resourced colleges employ sophisticated fundraising strategies designed to sustain and grow their endowments to meet specific goals, Voight said. Colleges can prioritize need-based aid in fundraising efforts and create the flexibility to provide more low-income students a real chance of accessing their universities. Baylors sexual assault scandal, accompanied by fierce backlash from influential donors, has not affected the endowment, because the financial market largely dictates the health of the fund, Webb said. Were very pleased with how our portfolio is positioned right now, because weve been able to enjoy the benefits of the market run weve been on for the last number of years, Webb said. We think weve got enough downside protection built in. If and when (a hit from financial markets) comes, well perform very well on a relative basis to our peers. Democratic McLennan County Commissioner Lester Gibson plans to retire when his term expires next year, after 28 years representing Precinct 2, and a Republican community-service advocate has filed the initial paperwork for a run at filling his shoes. Baylor graduate Gina Ford, of Axtell, has filed paperwork establishing a campaign finance manager, ahead of the start of official candidate filing in November. Gibson has repeatedly said he is in his last term as a county commissioner. Precinct 2 residents will have a fresh face in the seat for the first time in almost three decades. Gibson, first elected to the Precinct 2 seat in 1990, was most-recently re-elected in 2014, beating Republican Tony Abad. Gibson graduated from Baylor University in 1974 and served as a Waco City Council member from 1988 to 1990. County Elections Administrator Kathy Van Wolfe said the first day to file for the March 6 primary election is Nov. 11 and the deadline is Dec. 11. Filing the paperwork to appoint a campaign treasurer allows a potential candidate to start raising money and spending money. Danny Volcik is the only other person who has already filed a campaign treasurer report for the March primary. Volcik named himself as his own treasurer in a run for the Constable Precinct 3 seat, currently held by David Maler. Ford, 44, Animal Birth Control Clinic project manager, named Mike Lee her campaign treasurer in her first run for office. The move is a natural progression in her community service, Ford said. She said she has served off-and-on in private and nonprofit capacities in Central Texas for many years and would be honored to serve as commissioner. Living in Axtell, an unincorporated area, theres no shot at running for mayor or a council seat. Ford, who is married with three step-children, said she moved to the county from Oklahoma City to attend Baylor University in 1991 and has remained since. She graduated in 1995 with bachelors degree in political science. With Gibson retiring, this is an opportunity for the county to choose new leadership and perhaps benefit from a new perspective, she said. Ford said her experience as a former small business owner and her ties to the community through the various nonprofits she has served will help make her a good commissioner. While a Democrat has held the Precinct 3 seat for almost three decades, Ford said she doesnt believe Gibsons work or legacy would be undone if a Republican takes over Hes done a lot of wonderful things for this community, she said. I want to be able to incorporate his good work. I feel my community background and service is going to help bring added voters. Ford said shes interested in learning more about a recently discussed county proposal to unify the four precinct road and bridge departments into one unit. The Humane Society of Central Texas fired Ford from her post as interim director in September 2012 for what the organization deemed unprofessional conduct. Ford sent a strongly worded email terminating a volunteer, according to Tribune-Herald coverage at the time. Ford said she doesnt have any regrets about the way she handled the situation. She said she was a momma bear protecting her cubs at the time. I guess it goes to show Im not a meek individual, Ford said. I stand up for people when they need to be stood up too. Im not afraid to stand up for myself. Ford said she fired in a volunteer for making disparaging comments about the Humane Society and its policies, violating the volunteer handbook. In the email, Ford told the volunteer she had pissed me off for the last time, according to previous coverage. Ford said she still sees members of the Humane Society on a regular basis through her work at the Animal Birth Control Clinic, and everyone is on good terms. If people hold that against me, thats their option, she said. Law enforcement officials arrested a Dallas woman in Bruceville-Eddy on Saturday night after bringing her vehicle to a stop with help of a spike strip, according to a press release from Department of Public Safety Sgt. D.L. Wilson. The spikes helped end a chase that started at 10:14 p.m. in Hill County after a possible domestic assault, Wilson said. The woman, Katrina Romo Sherpa, 38, fled the scene along Interstate 35 and headed south in her pickup through McLennan County, he said. Spike strips were deployed but failed as she passed through the Waco area with DPS troopers and officials from several other agencies in pursuit, Wilson said. The truck hit speeds of more than 100 mph, according to the press release. The woman continued south into Bell County and onto U.S. Highway 190 in Killeen before turning around and heading back north in I-35, Wilson said. Spikes were used again in Bruceville-Eddy and brought the vehicle to a stop at 11:34 p.m., Wilson said. Sherpa was arrested on a felony evading charge and a driving while intoxicated charge and taken to the Hill County Jail, Wilson said. Although Oglesby resident John C. Barnes served only a brief time in the military, just the two years he did serve were packed with more than enough action to provide a lifetime of memories, some good and some not. At 91, he hasnt forgotten what war looks like from a front-row seat, courtesy of the U.S. Navy. Barnes was born in Blackwell in West Texas, the son of a Methodist minister. In 1932, his father was ordained in Waco, and the family moved for the first time when Barnes was six. His father would move about every four years, and Barnes would attend a new school with each move. Times were tough for everyone during the Great Depression. His father headed up a relief effort for the town of May. Almost everybody was in need back in those days, Barnes said. Money was scarce, and jobs were scarce. Barnes graduated from high school in Oglesby and volunteered for the U.S. Navy, instead of waiting to be drafted into the Army. He went to Farragut, Idaho, for boot camp, followed by radio school, where he became a radioman, sending coded messages from ship to ship and ship to shore. He was assigned to the USS Ozark, a landing ship vehicle (LSV2) that transported troops and amphibious Ducks (DUKWs), a type of converted truck that can run on water and land. Assigned to the 7th Fleet, Barnes went aboard the revamped and converted minelayer in Portland, Oregon, for its shakedown cruise to get the bugs out. The Ozark, or the Mighty O, as it was called, joined the 3rd Amphibious Force to serve in the Pacific theater. An overwhelming sight to see When Barnes first saw the ship, he was a little overwhelmed. Ive been on boats and fished all my life, but when I went aboard that monster and it isnt that big a ship I thought, man, what have I gotten myself into? he said. He was stationed in the radio shack close to the signalman and the quartermaster. They had a great view up above the deck, next to the bridge. He never knew what he was sending, as he would just type the information and give it to a team of code crackers. The Ozark sailed up the Columbia River, loaded ammunition and went to Hawaii, where they picked up troops. On Dec. 31, 1944, she departed for the Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines, where she offloaded her first troops. Then, she set sail in February 1945 for the invasion of the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. There were at least 400 or 500 fighting Marines on board, ready to invade. It was Feb. 19 when the coordinated attack began. As a radioman, Barnes had the additional job of manning communications on LCVP landing vehicles, riding with troops to the shore. While he didnt have to debark, he was in the thick of fire and witnessed some of the carnage up close. He took turns with other radiomen from other ships, so he only had to take a couple of trips to the shore. That was enough. Youre under constant fire until they secure the island, Barnes said. Wed dump one load off and turn around and get another. The ride to the beach with the men, many of them just 18, was pretty quiet, Barnes said. There wasnt much conversation going on. There was some joking and kidding on the ship, but all that stopped when they were headed to shore. Under attack for several hours Youre under air attack. Theyre strafing, theyre dropping bombs, and there are kamikazes. That was a continuous thing for several hours, he said. The worst part of the invasion for Barnes was when the Ozark temporarily became a hospital ship to help treat the overflow of Marines wounded in Iwo Jima. Hospital ships just couldnt keep up. They would bring the wounded straight from the beach. Cots were set up everywhere, he said. Doctors operated right out in the open, taking off limbs and patching up the wounded. Eighteen men were buried at sea in solemn ceremony. It was the most unpleasant thing I ever witnessed, he said. Its a very sentimental thing for me. You dont ever forget it. Its something that remains with you. Iwo Jima wasnt the end of Barnes military travels. There was plenty more to come, including the invasion of the Japanese island of Okinawa. Andrew E. Woltman, 88, of Lott, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2017, in Marlin. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Monday, July 31, at Adams Funeral Home, with the Rev. Scott Spence officiating. Interment will follow in Saint Paul UCC, with military honors provided by Fort Hood Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 30, at the funeral home. If nothing else, it has become clear that Donald Trump is adept at defining a media cycle. When the news last Wednesday was likely to be about the Senates health-care debate, he grabbed the spotlight back by announcing a bar on transgendered people in the military via Twitter, for example. Its not wrong, necessarily, for a president to try to define the news cycle others have tried mightily to do so and its one thing this president is particularly effective at. Probably thats a skill set we should expect from a president who comes from reality television where success is defined by the ability to do interesting things that keep the cameras attention. As media focus on the Trump-assigned topic of the day, though, it creates a swirl that too often obscures deeper currents. One of these is particularly important: The Republican Party is in danger of losing one of its principled values, which is an unyielding expectation of personal responsibility. As a lifelong Democrat, this focus on individual duty was something I always found appealing about the Republican Party and its best representatives. Sure, I saw hypocrisy in Republicans failure to hold corporations to the same standard of responsibility, but I also saw that value upheld many times. As a prosecutor, I expressed that value in court and still believe that, though we lose proportionality too often, we need to hold individuals to account for hurting others . I also see the need for most of us to be responsible for our own support; at a time when jobs are available for nearly anyone willing to show up every day and pass a drug test, getting a job should be the first resort for most people in creating their own destiny. So what is changing? Donald Trump threatens to provide too many excuses for those who struggle and suggests that the government can fix things. Unable to find the kind of job your father had? Not making enough money? The problem is immigration policy, we are told, or free trade. And who will fix that? The government, of course. There is no suggestion that the better outcome for an individual might come about by adapting to the new economy. In his inaugural address, Trump made clear that government was going to save the day: We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams. In other words, you will not get a better job because you went back to school or took a risk you will get a better job because the government will change policies to make things the way they used to be. The government will save you. And thus the coal miner will wait for the coal mine to re-open. The auto worker will wait for the high-paying job his dad had making Thunderbirds to magically re-appear. The government will take care of that, Trump says. But it probably wont, even if policies change. Coal is more expensive than natural gas these days, and people are accustomed to going to a Walmart full of cheap goods from Asia. What will make individual lives better in this entrenched new economy will more likely involve personal sacrifice, like moving to a new town or training for a different kind of job. The promise government can help people avoid those sacrifices is going to prove empty more often than not, whether Democrats or Republicans do the promising. Republicans will likely respond by saying that Democrats are no better at honestly promoting an ethic of personal responsibility, and they would be largely correct. But Democrats havent tried to differentiate themselves as the party of personal responsibility. Some might say Democrats provide jobs not by shifting policies but by bloating government with make-work jobs, but that doesnt seem true. Under President Obama federal employment grew by less than 1 percent per year and 44 percent of the new full-time hires were veterans. In the end, we need at least one party to return to this value. Our political discourse works best as a back-and-forth between two parties arguing from different but valid principles. For decades, one such principle has been an ethic of personal responsibility. Republicans advocacy for that value has deeply affected people on both sides, including me. To see them walk away from that value and promise that government can now make things better is disappointing but hopefully not permanent. America is great when there is a tension between personal responsibility and governmental action and it takes two parties to keep that rope taut enough to walk on. 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 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 Trump, who seems to encourage, even revel in, the chaos all around him. Trump has now named John F. Kelly, Homeland Security secretary, as chief of staff. The president called the retired Marine Corps general a star. But can he truly change the culture? Washington hasnt been working for some time. The breakdown began years ago. Republicans often complained about high-handed 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 last week. Till Sen. John McCain 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 worked, either. In desperation, the Republican leaders turned to a vehicle no serious member of Congress believed could work. Sen. Lindsey Graham correctly branded the skinny repeal for what it was: The skinny bill as policy is a disaster. The skinny bill as a replacement for Obamacare is a fraud. McCain had joined Graham in warning about the skinny bills deficiencies and when the time came, he acted on his words. 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. Whats next no one can say. There will be angry words about the maverick from Arizona 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 chambers 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. * * * At the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, things are just as bad. 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. 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. Scaramuccis broader threats show a lack of true understanding of how government works. Give credit to Lizza for his exposing of Scaramucci. Give credit also to his editors for setting aside normal restraint in journalism when it comes to vulgarities and obscenities. Scaramuccis 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 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 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? Likely. Trump has railed of leaks and Scaramucci has joined the fight, misunderstanding the difference between leaks of national security information and leaks about whos having dinner with whom. It was his anger over a Lizza tweet revealing Scaramucci had attended a dinner that included the president and Fox News Sean Hannity that set him off. * * * 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. 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 cant 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 Trumps ultimate target is special counsel Robert Mueller. Scaramucci has only fueled rivalries. And 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 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 the national security apparatus under H.R. McMaster is not running smoothly. 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. Its hard to know where to begin with President Trumps tweeted ban on transgender people serving in the U.S. military, which manages to offend on both moral and practical grounds, in both style and substance. But it might be instructive to look at Israel, whose transgender soldiers have helped to defend it from existential threat for almost two decades. Any militarys survival and by extension any nations depends on its ability to draw on the talents of the widest possible population. Denying the U.S. military this ability undermines U.S. national security. Trump is also mistaken about the disruption transgenders in the military would entail. Other countries that allow transgender soldiers including not just Israel but several other U.S. treaty allies have found little to no effect on unit cohesion, operational effectiveness or readiness. And any service member who cannot abide the thought of fighting next to an equally qualified person of a different gender or sexual orientation endangers military discipline. And the tremendous medical costs that Trump mentions? Transgender personnel account for well under 1 percent of all active-duty service members and only a small percentage of them will seek care that could affect their ability to deploy. Estimates put the additional medical cost at about $8 million about one-thousandth of 1 percent of the military budget. Defense Secretary James Mattis had already ordered a review of the issue of allowing openly transgender recruits to join the military. But he and other senior officers have made clear they saw no reason to roll back current policy, which allows transgender persons serving to do so openly. Trumps peremptory ban on transgender individuals serving in any capacity smacks of disrespect: for the militarys careful process, for the value of political deliberation, for the American ideal of equality. And, finally, it demeans the service of the transgender people currently serving in our military, who have volunteered to fight and die for their country and deserve the gratitude of all Americans. Colorful language is how new White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci described remarks of his that Ryan Lizza quoted in the New Yorker on Thursday. Degraded seems to me a better adjective. To speak that way in private is a flaw. To speak that way in the capacity of a public official a communications official at that is to further coarsen our culture. But obscene language wasnt the worst thing about this now infamous interview. It wasnt even one of the worst things about it. In no particular order: Scaramucci showed a bizarre obsession with trivial leaks. Part of the job description of the White House communications director is to oppose leaks that could cause trouble for the administration. But another part is to discriminate based on the seriousness of the leak with the most serious ones being those that threaten national security. In this case, the leak was that the president was having dinner with the first lady, Scaramucci, Sean Hannity and a former Fox News executive. Scaramucci even told Lizza it was the latters patriotic duty to tell him who shared this information. The information Scaramucci gave him, if its true, was far more significant: He told Lizza that White House chief of staff Reince Priebus was about to be canned. If Scaramucci didnt want to be quoted, or quoted by name, he was leaking that information. (He has suggested that Lizza somehow broke his trust.) Its true that leakiness on the scale this White House experiences is a serious problem for its functioning. Its also true that no White House can work well if it goes to war over small items of gossip. Scaramucci didnt make even a cursory attempt to make sure what he said was true. Scaramucci accused Priebus of having illegally leaked a story about his finances. But the reporter behind that story noted how the information was available to the public and not sourced to Priebus. A communications director should want to be credible with reporters. Accusing a colleague of a felony, and quickly having that accusation proven false, does not build ones reputation. He undermined his colleagues. One reason this White House is right to be concerned about all the leaks is that so many of them are part of a toxic culture of back-biting. The tone is set from the top: We have a president who wont fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions but will complain bitterly about him in tweets and interviews. For the record, I dont feel too sorry for Sessions. Plenty of evidence about Trumps character his impulsiveness, pettiness and lack of loyalty was available to Sessions when he chose to play a major role in helping make him president. There was also an opportunity cost to Scaramuccis remarks. Trump administration officials sometimes complain that all the good news about their work, from decent economic numbers to legislation to reform veterans health care, is getting lost. Those stories arent going to get more attention when the communications director chooses to dish about his co-workers rather than discuss accomplishments. Some of the problems this interview illustrated should worry all Americans. Its useful to all of us to have a White House that can attract talent. But its those Americans who are most sympathetic to Trump and his agenda who should have the deepest worries. U.S. Sen. John McCains return to Capitol Hill last week after learning that he suffers from brain cancer should inspire all red-blooded Americans to emulate his courage, duty and honor qualities rare in the halls of power in Washington. Yet his speech pressing fellow lawmakers including Republican brethren who control the Senate to scrap the crass partisanship that renders government increasingly dysfunctional and to instead build consensus among all political comers might as well have fallen on deaf ears. The next day Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican and majority whip, blamed Democrats for failure to pass a health-care bill to replace the admittedly flawed Affordable Care Act, even though he and fellow Republicans through much of the process excluded Democratic involvement and met behind closed doors. Granted, the vote to bring a bill to the floor and open the process to amendments from both sides is about as open and transparent as it gets. But Republicans have spent way too much time creating ill will for Democrats to be suddenly shamed into participation. Even a skinny repeal of the Affordable Care Act went down in flames Friday, the death blow delivered by the same senator who without success begged his colleagues to change their ways. His vote was fitting. For all the loud rhetoric about Democrats forcing Obamacare down Americans throats, even Democrats didnt ignore such critical protocols as committee hearings on major legislation. Clearly we have a president incapable of bringing warring parties to the table to press deals to everyones benefit. Hes too busy refighting the 2016 election and pressing vengeance on enemies real and imagined to lead and forge any consensus. And when Republican Congressman Bill Flores again blames the Senate for failure, keep in mind he and House leadership only narrowly passed their health-care legislation and without a shred of bipartisanship. After they delivered word to their president in a big, celebratory press event, the president undermined them by branding their reforms mean. Republicans in the Senate where gerrymandering cant bolster one partys numbers created bad feelings when they excluded some of their own party from their closed-door meetings, including all the Republican women senators. By weeks end, with Republicans desperately crafting over lunch a last-ditch health-care bill imperiling millions of Americans and a sixth of the economy, it was obvious they didnt have public welfare in mind. They were just trying to put one in the win column for their party. Lets trust each other, McCain told senators at one point. Lets return to regular order. 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. 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. Were getting nothing done. All weve really done this year is confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Did anyone on Capitol Hill learn from this debacle? We doubt it. Migrant farm workers are taking on one of Australia's richest families, the Smorgons, in what could be the first major strike in the farm sector for many decades. The workers and a union are seeking better pay and conditions at giant glasshouses north of Adelaide at a company majority owned by a Smorgon-family investment company. Ejaz Ali, who gave evidence in the Fair Work Commission asking to be allowed to go on strike over conditions at Perfection Fresh in Adelaide Credit:James Elsby Strikes are almost non-existent in the farm sector, which is overwhelmingly non-union. On Friday, three migrant workers appeared in the Fair Work Commission to argue that they were genuinely representing their co-workers and wanted to strike. One worker, Ejaz Ali, speaking through a Hazaragi interpreter, said he was representing up to 50 workers and that they were prepared to strike so they "could demand our rights". He said workers "had a lot of differences" with their employer, Perfection Fresh. Bill Shorten will slam the door shut on tax loopholes that let high income earners legally use trusts to slash their tax bills, in a move designed to raise $17.2 billion over 10 years. The new tax policy, foreshadowed by Fairfax Media a week ago, is the second-largest revenue raising measure announced by the federal opposition, after its ambitious plan to curb capital gains and negative gearing tax breaks, designed to raise $37 billion over 10 years. Mr Shorten will tell Labor's NSW conference on Sunday that, if he wins the next election, he will introduce an across-the-board minimum 30 per cent tax rate on discretionary trust distributions to people over the age of 18. The policy, Labor argues, will only affect 2 per cent of taxpayers and is a fairness measure that puts middle-income earners on level pegging with Australia's most wealthy. I love a good perve inside a celebrity's wardrobe, thanks to the glossy mags. There's always some magical Portobello Road Market find those that you, as a mere mortal, will never be able to nab, plus, quite often, a staggering number of jeans; it's not unheard of for some fashionistas to have more than 100 pairs. Over the rainbow ... Kesha wearing a pair of colourful, customised overalls at LAX. Credit:starzfly/Bauer-Griffin But since learning about the devastating effect denim production can have on the planet the toxic chemicals and water usage in the dyeing process, the impact of so-called "distressing" techniques, and so on I've had a massive rethink about how many pairs of jeans I "need". I probably own about seven pairs but could easily survive with three: a light, a dark and a black. Given Friday is Jeans for Genes Day, it is timely to share the stories of two people in the fashion industry who are slowing denim consumption by producing one-of-a-kind pieces using very different techniques. Most single parents are women. Credit:Fertnig She has difficult conversations with some of these clients, talking about how to reduce expenditure and whether the children can continue to be educated privately. "These conversations can bring people to tears; it's really quite sad and tough," Kent says. It's becoming more common for dads to be equal co-parents after separation or divorce. Back on her feet Debi Slinger, 56, from Melbourne divorced five years ago. She has three children aged 15, 17, 19. She had primary care of the children until recently, but now they're living mainly with their father because he lives in a more convenient location for them and she is working full time. At the time of her divorce, when her youngest child was 10, Debi did not have a paid job though she had worked in training organisations before she had children and holds academic qualifications in business. "It was a terrible time," she says. When she received her settlement, she thought "this is not going to be enough to retire on". However, after the initial set-back of her divorce she got back on her feet. She found her job as a client relationship manager by word of mouth, saying that she had to put herself out there. "You have to be bold and it's hard to sell yourself when you [feel] kicked in the guts, but I had kids to look after." With the help of a property strategist, Debi has secured her financial future with three investment properties. She used part of her money from the settlement to pay for the deposits. "Having a focus when you are single is really important so that you can stay on track," Debi says "Property is a safe vehicle for me and I have a plan to buy more for the benefit of my retirement; and perhaps I will sell a property to help my children get a foothold on the property market. "At the time of my divorce, I didn't think I would be in the position that I am in now and it hasn't always been easy." Solo by choice While most become single parents after breaking up with the other partner, some women are going into parenthood on their own. Elisabeth*, 41, from Sydney, was in relationships that broke down. "I got to my late 30s and didn't want to live with that massive regret [of not being a mother]," she says. The personal assistant has a healthy six-month-old girl after undergoing IVF. She says it is difficult financially, but it's a price she is happy to pay. "I'm just about to go back to work full time; much earlier than I would have liked and it's purely a financial decision, mostly because of the costs of child care," she says. "I knew from the beginning what I was getting into. I worked out that I could afford to take six months off; though it has drained my savings to practically nothing," she says. Elisabeth rents and has had to cut back on lifestyle expenses she doesn't go to restaurants and drinks instant coffee. "I haven't taken a holiday since 2010," she says. While some like Elisabeth are able to plan, others who become separated or divorced can find that they signed up for things with their partners, where the implications only become clear after the relationship ends. Eyes open Dianne Charman, a financial planner and founder of Jade Financial Group, says couples need to talk about about money and especially joint debts. This helps to avoid a "heart-stopping moment" when a partnership ends and there is disbelief that they had ever signed up for this or that, she says. There are many reasons people avoid talking about finances with partners, but Charman says it can leave them at a disadvantage during the relationship, let alone if it ends. "They may think that money discussions will lead to tension and that they are not ready for that discussion," Charman says. They may have other attitudes such as "we're in love and that will solve everything", she adds. Tidy up Laura Menschik, a financial planner and director of WLM Financial Services, who was a single parent herself, says it's important to "tidy up" the finances as soon as possible after a relationship breaks-down. "They may need even more insurance as a single parent," Menschik says. "I remember one of the things that worried me on becoming a single parent was who was going to look after me if I something happened to me like sickness or an accident." There will likely be joint debts, where the terms of the loans means each partner is liable for the whole debt if, for some reason, an ex-partner dodges their responsibilities to meet repayments. There could be joint bank accounts and although it might not be top of mind, there are superannuation and wills to sort out. While superannuation is held in separate names, it is legally considered a marital asset and balances can be transferred as part of any financial settlement in divorce. "You need to look at who is the beneficiary of your super fund," says Menschik says, referring to the person nominated to receive the death benefit. Most couples have each other as the beneficiary, and this is not automatically invalidated by divorce or separation, nor by changing your will. "Estate planning is another thing to look at, as divorce or separation does not negate a will," she says. "Look at the provisions for guardianship of the children should the other parent predecease you." *Not her real name Where to get help The Australian Government offers many different kinds of parenting payments through Centrelink. As the payments are income tested and sometimes assets tested, which payments you receive and how much is going to depend on individual circumstances. The main benefit for many single parents will be the parenting payment, which pays a maximum of $748.10 a fortnight, which incudes the pension supplement. This will be the main income support benefit for most single parents, but there are others payments such as the child care benefit and the family tax benefit, A and B, where eligibility rules and payment rates are too complex to list. Loading If a single parent re-partners, benefits will likely be affected. The Australian Federal Police have conducted a number of terrorist raids across Sydney over a suspected bomb plot to bring down a plane. The raids, conducted by the Sydney Joint Counter Terrorism team, took place in Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl on Saturday afternoon. The operations are part of an ongoing investigation. Fairfax Media understands the raids relate to a terrorist cell and a bomb plot to bring down an aircraft. The raids were not planned but instead were a rapid response to information about the plot received by police. Shadow Health Minister Bill Marmion has called on the state government to justify the construction of a new medihotel designed to ease the burden on Perth hospitals. Mr Marmion said the government could not go ahead with the medihotel construction if Minister for Health Roger Cook could not release the full business case into the viability and sustainability of the project. The medihotel will be built alongside Fiona Stanley Hospital. "Mr Cook has made some ludicrous claims about the savings that these facilities could achieve, based on what he says is the success of the Victorian model, however a report obtained by the Opposition found that in one example a medihotel increased costs," he said of . "We've been fortunate to get a copy of a report that the Victorian Department of Human Services has done on medihotels, and it is a little bit disturbing. Antonina Lebedeva, 73, tends to the grave of her relatives at the church of the Intercession in Baruta. Credit:New York Times The number of deaths exceeded the number of births in 2016 by a few thousand, and the prognosis for the years ahead is poor. From 2013 to 2015, extremely modest natural growth peaked in 2015 with just 32,038 more births than deaths. "The statistics and the propaganda are very different things," said Natalya Zubarevich, an expert in social and political geography at Moscow State University. Customers shop in the village of Baruta's lone store. Credit:New York Times On the world stage, Russia is flexing its newly restored military and political might in places like Syria and Ukraine, and is using cyber warfare to distort politics in the United States and Europe. But it often seems far less robust at home. In particular, its rural areas - long considered the wellspring of Russian culture and identity - are dying. An abandoned house in the village of Baruta. Credit:New York Times Valentin Kurbatov, a specialist in village prose, moved to the Pskov region in north-west Russia in 1964. At that time, the entire region was known for cultivating flax, from which linen is made. "Linen has this heavenly blue colour, and when I came here the skies were reflected in the linen fields," Kurbatov said over a long discussion that finally ended because he said it was too distressing. "Now the brush and swamps have returned. Even when you ride the train to Moscow, all you see is this black forest with nothing in it." Similar to a tyre with a slow leak, villages like Baruta, 600 kilometres north-west of Moscow in Pskov, began to deflate after the end of the Soviet Union. The Freedom Collective Farm, the glue that held the village together, disbanded. No longer bound by strict Soviet residency rules, the young fled to big cities with better prospects. The school closed, and the church stopped holding regular services. The only gathering point left for the 160 year-round residents is a small general store that stocks plenty of vodka and a little bit of everything else. "Just as fish seek deeper water, so people seek better places to live," said Fyodorov, showing the pithy rural wisdom that Russians hold dear. Russia's demographic problem dates back at least 100 years, to the upheaval of the 1917 revolution, followed by Stalin's purges in the 1930s. Both events curbed population growth, foreshadowing the devastating impact of World War II, when Russia lost some 20 million people. More recently, birthrates plunged in the years after the chaotic 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. These sorts of demographic catastrophes return to stunt population growth two decades after they happen, as the number of women reaching their childbearing years drops. Russia is entering one of those periods now, recording 83,300 fewer births in the first five months of 2017 than a year ago. In terms of population loss, Pskov, which borders Latvia and parts of Estonia, is among the worst-hit regions in Russia. The population peaked at around 1.8 million in the 1920s, said Andrei Manakov, a demographer at Pskov State University. It is down to 642,000, and projected to drop to about 513,000 by 2033. Researchers estimate that out of 8300 area villages in 1910, 2000 no longer have permanent residents. The region's defence industry factories closed in the 1990s, but residents anticipated the area would become a gateway to Europe as the newly independent Baltic states next door joined the European Union. The region failed to become a hub, however, and then came the 2014 crisis over Ukraine, which brought tense relations and interrupted trade. "The border has become very unfriendly," said Lev Shlosberg, an opposition politician in the local legislature. "Because of the politics, the region is turning into the boondocks." In Baruta, Dmitry Mikhailov, 40, is among the youngest full-time residents. Asked what life was like, he said "bread, but no butter", adding: "It is not completely awful, and there is not much good." A few well-maintained wooden houses dot the village, painted bright colours and surrounded by small orchards. These belong to dachniki, descendants of village inhabitants who moved to St Petersburg or Moscow and turned their family homes into summer homes, or dachas. They keep countless villages on life support. Some of Baruta's satellite hamlets are deserted, or almost. Trees grow up through the old roads, rendering them impassable. Even local taxi drivers have trouble navigating, and mobile phone signals fade. In the cemetery of Baruta's 18th-century church, headstones are heaped with mostly faded plastic flowers. Antonia Levedova, 73, worked surrounded by a cloud of mosquitoes, sweeping a winter's worth of accumulated debris off the graves of her husband, grandmother, aunt and sister. Of 50 houses in the neighbouring village of Seletskoe, where she was born, Levedova said, just three are inhabited all year, and a few more in the summer. It will soon disappear, she predicted. "The young left, and the old die," she said, shrugging with resignation. The Pskov region has four maternity hospitals, down from 26 a decade ago. "We understand that the Pskov region is melting away," Shlosberg said. The trend is similar across Russia. Under the most optimistic projections by demographers, the population by 2050 will stay the same, about 146 million, if immigration from Central Asia - which has also been dropping - balances out low birthrates. Less optimistic figures put the population around 130 million by 2050, and the most pessimistic say fewer than 100 million. "We understand that if the population is going to be small, Russia will not be able to play a role in world politics, in the economy," said Manakov at Pskov State. "That is why the authorities want the birthrate to increase." The government created various incentives to have more children, in particular a one-time payment of about $US7500 for a second child. It also established a medal, the Order of Parental Glory, for seven or more children, which Putin awards to parents at a nationally televised Kremlin ceremony. But such measures have not spurred sufficient change. Another demographer, Sergei Zakharov of Moscow's Higher School of Economics, said the military adventures and economic problems of the past two years undermined the confidence people need to reproduce, similar to what happened in the 1990s. "Life is unpredictable, so people have fewer children," Zakharov said. While birthrates are declining in much of the developed world, most Western states replenish their populations with immigration. But even many of the most liberal Russians balk at welcoming immigrants from beyond the former Soviet states. Kurbatov, the specialist in village writing, said he mourned the demise of rural Russia as the very death of the roots of the language and the unique Russian soul. Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that the US diplomatic missions in Moscow and elsewhere in the country will have to reduce their staffs by 755 people, signalling a dramatic escalation in the Russian response to American sanctions over the Kremlin's intervention in the 2016 presidential elections. The United States and Russia have expelled dozens of each other's diplomats before - but Sunday's statement, made by Putin in an interview with the Rossiya-1 television channel, indicated the single largest forced reduction in embassy staff, comparable only to the closing of the American diplomatic presence in the months following the Communist revolution in 1917. In the interview, Putin said that the number of American diplomatic and technical personnel will be capped at 455 - equivalent to the number of their Russian counterparts working in the United States. Currently, close to 1200 employees work at the United States' embassy and consulates in Russia, according to US and Russian data. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 29, 2017 | METROPOLIS, IL By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 29, 2017 | 07:46 PM | METROPOLIS, IL Employees of Harrahs Metropolis & Fat Edds recently awarded Friends of Fort Massac with a donation of $1,380.24, which was collected during the month of June. A portion of the funds came from Harrahs Metropolis employees who donated $5 each day they wore jeans to work. All employees have the opportunity to wear jeans to work up to 4 times and make a charitable contribution. Fat Edds in Metropolis has graciously joined in, donating 20% of receipts collected on the last Thursday of each month to designated charities. Friends of Fort Massac is a local non-profit organization that uses 100% of donations it receives for activities in the park. A few of the programs and activities include educational presentations with live animals such as Birds of Prey, Mammals, Reptiles and the upcoming Creepy Crawlers. They also provide for food & music performers at the Olde Tyme Christmas program, and food for volunteer workers at the Ohio River Sweep. Another local favorite is the annual Trunk-or-Treat, where they team up with local businesses, without whom the event would not happen. Lastly, they provide materials in the park such as various signs for equipment, buildings and displays. Organizations and assistance programs have been selected for the remainder of the year to receive donations from these programs at Fat Edd's and Harrah's. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 30, 2017 | BOWLING GREEN, KY By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 30, 2017 | 11:35 AM | BOWLING GREEN, KY A former Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy is facing federal charges for allegedly misappropriating surplus military hardware. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Bowling Green charged 34-year-old Larry Dale Martin this week with a single count of wire fraud for devising a scheme to sell and/or give away surplus military property, obtained from a Department of Defense program, including a camper and ATV. Authorities say Martin coordinated the Department of Defense 1033 Program, which authorized the DoD to transfer excess DoD property to law enforcement agencies for "bona fide law enforcement purposes that assist in their arrest and apprehension mission.", and was responsible for making and submitting MCSO's online DoD Program property requests. Between December 31, 2011, and 2014, Martin reportedly devised a scheme to order property and arrange for pick-up of property from the Program, which Martin allegedly sold or gave away, for his own personal benefit or the benefit of others, without the knowledge of the MCSO. Property included an industrial ice maker, a 2005 Trail-Lite Dual Axle Camper, and a Kawasaki Mule ATV. If convicted at trial, Martin could have been sentenced to no more than 20 years in prison, fined $250,000 and served a three year period of supervised release. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Weiser and is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kentucky Attorney General's Public Integrity Unit. Word has it that Nemanja Matic is now within the width of a gnats nobblies of completing his big transfer to Manchester United. Its being widely reported that United are close to signing the Serbian midfielder from Chelsea for a fee in the 40million region. Indeed, a leaked image of Matic wearing a United shirt is doing the rounds on social media, though whether or not its kosher is being hotly debated Put it this way: If it is a Photoshop job, then its a darned good Photoshop job. Schweinsteigers old squad number too. Telegraph scribe James Ducker is claiming that Matic completed his United medical on Sunday (hence the photo) and an official announcement is most likely due to follow on Monday at some point. A good signing for United in an area that they desperately need to strengthen, and as for Chelsea youve got to give it them, they really are formidable when it comes to recouping big money for players they clearly dont want anymore. Week Ahead, 07-30-17 Monday, July 31: A former Topeka Police Chief is now the Kansas U.S. Marshall. Hear how he has immersed himself into its history as we salute the badge, Monday on 13 NEWS at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1: Tuesday is the Primary Election for mayor of Topeka. The two candidates with the highest vote totals will move on to the general election, November 7, 2017. Wednesday, Aug 2: Kids, grades 3-5, can participate in a hands-on pre-eclipse event at the Topeka and Shawnee Co. Public Library. The fun starts at 7 p.m. in the Marvin Auditorium. Registration is required - sign up . Thursday, Aug 3: A recent study found today's teens are about as active as 60 year-olds. Why that's a big deal - and advice to get moving in this weeks 'To Your Health'. Friday, Aug. 4: The Topeka Performing Arts Center hosts the Grape Escape. Sample wines and food while enjoying a live performance by nationally known comedienne Caroline Rhea! The festival starts at 6 p.m. Get tickets . Saturday, Aug 5: National Night Out events will take place across Topeka and Shawnee County. Before your neighborhood gets together that evening, kick off the fun from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Plaza area in from on 515 SW Kansas Ave. for a free hotdog lunch, games and prizes. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency this summer jointly investigated reported human illnesses and several dog deaths from exposure to blue-green algae blooms in bodies of water. This is not a new issue or concept. Humans have been aware of blue-green algae because of both its detrimental and some beneficial effects. What are blue-green algae and their medical effects on us? First, blue-green algae are not algae at all. They are primitive bacteria of a cell type called prokaryote (pro-CARE-ee-ot). That means the cell doesnt have a truly formed nucleus for its genetic material. True bacteria and algae are eukaryotes (you-CARE-ee-ots), like us humans, which sport a real nucleus with a membrane around it inside an individual cell. As a group of multiple species, blue-green algae are cyanobacteria CB) because so many of them produce a visible blue color either under a microscope or on water when they multiply enough to be seen, one of the contributors to pond scum. They can produce other colors. Some species are the cause of ocean red tides along a seacoast. They are thought to be the first bacteria to use photosynthesis to produce their food and oxygen. They may have been responsible for the earths atmospheric oxygen. Because they are photosynthetic (not photogenic), they were originally lumped into the fresh water algae class. They are thought to be responsible for the development of plants. Plants including true algae possess a chlorophyll-containing portion, which produces the nutrition of food for them, called a chloroplast. Chloroplasts are actually cyanobacteria that became part of the plant cells eons ago. The number of species of cyanobacteria is mind-boggling. They live on and in all sorts of waters over the globe. In our fresh water lakes and streams they especially like more shallow, non-flowing niches. When the temperature gets over 75 degrees, theres a lot of rain, and the temperature rises rapidly in water with abundant phosphorus and nitrogen, they blossom or bloom. Many, but not all, species can produce compounds or cyanotoxins that can be harmful to mammaliansusually us and our best friends, dogs, and cattle as wellswimming in or consuming that water. The skin or dermatotoxin from cyanobacteria can cause allergy type reactions such as rashes, eye/ear/throat irritation, and asthma. Gastrointestinal toxins may produce headache, fever, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cyanobacteria liver or hepatotoxins may cause all the digestive symptoms, tissue damage, muscle weakness, paralysis, and respiratory failure with acute exposure, and just maybe liver cancer with chronic exposure. Cyanobacteria cell or cytotoxins can affect liver and other organs and lead to feeling bad (malaise), headache, no appetite, vomiting, chromosome loss, DNA breakage, and organ damage. An example of such a cytotoxin is cylindrospermopsin (you really needed to know that, right?). Cyanobacteria nerve or neurotoxins can cause seizures, paralysis, respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. Example here are anatoxin-a and saxitoxin (from playing saxophoneoh, no. Sorry). The latter is associated with red tide and paralytic shellfish poisoning. Cyanotoxins were first implicated in animal deaths in the late 1800s. Beach closings due to blooms have gone on since the 1950s in the Midwest. Blue-green algae blooms often look like pea soup or spilled green paint on the shore. Small ones in pockets of still water may not be very visible, but can still be problematic, especially for dogs playing in that area. The risk is proportionate to amount of exposure to the quantity of toxin. Not all blooms are toxic either, but it may be hard to tell the bad from the harmless. Sometimes the bloom emits an unpleasant bouquet. The Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency advice is, if in doubt, stay out. Fish can consume and retain some toxins as well. Eating those fish may not be a difficulty if you dont eat a lot. On the flip side of the medical discussion is the host of claims for the health benefits of eating blue-green algae, particularly a kind called Spirulina. One reference from the Journal of Medicinal Food, Feb. 2013, by authors from the University of Connecticut Department of Nutritional Sciences discusses the possible benefits of them for cardiovascular disease and some liver disease. (Curiously, all authors names are Asian.) They say the earliest human edible use recorded was 1,600 years ago in China. Human consumption was also traced back to Aztecs in the 14th century. Current U.S. sales have reached about $700 million annually. Yet another healthful (NOT healthy) food. Food we eat is dead. That aint healthy for the food. We hope all this cheerful information helps make your time at the lake (another name for heaven for Minnesotans) more enjoyable (?). Oh, lets not forget the tick borne diseases like Lyme, anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, etc., to further enhance your relaxing in the great out of doors, trying to catch fish, hiking through woods, or swimming in the lake. And, try not to get the blues from blue-green algae. Oh wait, how about mosquitoes, bad enough by themselves but also carrying encephalitis, Zika viruses and other germs? Have a great vacation ALMA Dan Kordiak and Jeff Shilts came here from Minneapolis 13 years ago to run an ice cream and coffee shop, something that was never really in the couples plans. But they didnt regret it. Those were the happiest six years of Jeffs life, Kordiak said. After six years, Shilts suffered a heart attack and died. At the funeral, Kordiak was surprised to see 160 Alma residents show up just to say goodbye to their six-year ice cream man. I was floored; I was absolutely floored, Kordiak said, tears welling in his eyes. Seven years later, Kordiak is continuing to help sponsor one of the the biggest celebrations in the accidental hometown that embraced him and Shilts: Alma Swiss Heritage Days. The annual festival was held Friday and Saturday in the small river town to celebrate the Swiss heritage of its founders. Music, food, outfits and small businesses along downtown Alma all were celebrated at the festival. Guests could pick up their own hiking trail passport and get stamped after visiting 10 of the 16 participating businesses down Main Street. The community is now now comprised of different heritages, Kordiak said, but back in the hills among the farmers plains, the strong Swiss family bloodlines and heritages can be found. Swiss flags were even common to see lined up along the streets, Kordiak said, until about 40 years ago. And the festival is a celebration of that strong connection forged with two little roads into a bluffside along the river in rural Wisconsin in the 1860s. Its something different; its something unique to Alma, said Kordiak, who was dressed in traditional Swiss garb. The uniqueness of Alma and its heritage is not lost on 2017 Swiss Miss, Sandra Ebert, who has lived in Alma her whole life and has a Swiss heritage. Ebert was crowned Friday evening after a community vote, much to her surprise. The new Swiss Miss day was filled with dancing, yodeling, accordion music and many other stops along Main Street. And theres no other way she would rather be celebrating. Its wonderful. So many people, Ebert said. Its a happy time. Swiss people come from all over. The influx of people is a way for the community to support its local businesses, Kordiak said. Kordiak is still a local business owner, owning the local bakery, The Empire Room and the Hotel De Ville, all of which were hosting their own specials and events this weekend. However, bringing in money is not the main factor in Kordiaks sponsorship of the festival. Its really to celebrate the town that brought him and his partner Shilts into their community fold. As a business owner, Kordiak said he has an interesting motto that explains this idea. Were not going to make any money, but were going to look good doing it, Kordiak said. And the Swiss look sure is Almas style. Veterans of the Korean War recognized the 64th anniversary of the armistice that brought about the ceasefire on Thursday. Often cited as the Forgotten War of the United States, the conflict still casts a long shadow over current international politics. Winona native Neil Hinkley was among the first to be deployed when war broke out in late June of 1950. We got right in the thick of it right from the start, Hinkley said. He was among the first three divisions to be deployed at the outbreak of war. Hinkleys unit, the 10th Infantry Division, was en route to Japan from Alaska, halfway across the Pacific when North Korea started that ruckus in late June of 1950. The North Korean blitz across the border was supported by the Soviet Union with weaponry and equipment, pushing back United Nations forces into the Busan (pronounced Pusan) Perimeter. Hinkley recalls the intense fighting with disgust. He described the frustration of taking a hill during the day only for the enemy to take it during the night. We did not have the equipment we shouldve had, Hinkley said. You dont go up against tanks and artillery with an M1 or a carbine, you need something bigger than that. During combat, Hinkley was hit by enemy shrapnel. His wounds got him away from the front and into an army hospital in Texas, where he would spend a year-and-a-half recovering. He received a Purple Heart for his service, and was honorably discharged at the rank of corporal. With the Korean War overshadowed by World War II beforehand, and the Vietnam War coming shortly after, many citizens ignored the impact it had. People were sick of war, and the conflict on the small Asian peninsula faded from public memory. Im not happy about that, because when you have thousands of people, or troops that are getting killed, what is that? Thats not a police action, thats war, Hinkley said. Combined efforts of the United States and its allies pushed the communist armies across the border until they came close to Chinas doorstep. This provoked counterattacks that pushed allied forces back again. The resulting armistice drew the line at the 38th parallel, maintaining the original border between North and South Korea. The two nations remain at war, and the ceasefire has been violated many times over decades of hostility. During that time, another soldier, Mel Bailey, served as a personal specialist for the US Armys Seventh Division on the demilitarized zone. His active duty career spanned from 1966 to 1968. Bailey was drafted into the war after he finished college, but the Army needed him for duties beyond firing a weapon. Though he was a good shot, the Sergeant Bailey began teaching English to South Korean soldiers attached to the division. His students were college graduates who already knew the basics, but needed practice. Their textbooks were childrens books like Dick and Jane. His unit was located north of Uijeongbu, extremely close to enemy occupied territory. We were told we are the first line of defense if North Korea comes over, Bailey said. In other words, were canon fodder to slow them before they get to Seoul and before people get organized. As a 76H30 personnel specialist, it was his job to assign the replacements according to their MOS, which meant matching a job to 200-300 people a day. Bailey enjoyed his time with the South Koreans. They worked collaboratively against the communist armies in the north, knowing that they needed each other to keep the DMZ secure. They knew how many of our guys had died and what it had cost there, and how their economy was building up, Bailey said. They were very, very helpful. Only the real idiots tried to mistreat the Koreans. The VFW held an event on Thursday to commemorate those that served in the war. I was in Washington, DC, last month as part of a National Organic Coalition fly-in. I took part in productive meetings with ag staffers for the Minnesota delegation Senators Klobuchar and Franken and Representatives Walz and Peterson. We presented data showing that the U.S. market for organic foods has grown by 80 percent over the last six years, while the amount of certified organic American cropland has only grown by around 12 percen during the same period. This situation has led to a massive increase in questionable imports, and points to several major failures of U.S. farm policy. As the Washington Post (5/12/17) has reported, cargo ships of conventional corn and soybeans from Turkey, Ukraine, Romania and elsewhere have been sold in the US as organic. This situation has undercut markets and prices for bona fide American organic farmers, and allowed fraudulent grain to be sold as organic to meet the growing demand for organic poultry and dairy products. The USDAs National Organic Program must have the resources and support it needs to enforce our organic regulations and protect American producers and consumers. Currently, 70 percent of organic soybeans and 40-50 percent of organic corn are imported. If any crops can be grown organically in the U.S., those crops are corn and soybeans. But American farmers are reluctant to go through the three-year transition process to enter the organic market, given market uncertainties and the lack of Farm Bill support during transition. The next Farm Bill must include a safety net to provide financial and technical support for conventional, beginning and underserved farmers to switch some or all of their acres to organic production, comparable to the support they receive by staying conventional. A level playing field is needed, so that transition to organic is a production choice, not an increased risk. Research shows that organic production systems protect water quality and quantity; enhance soil health; protect biological diversity, including pollinators; and produce foods without pesticide residues and dairy products with favorable fatty acid profiles. But much more research is needed to understand and improve organic systems. A bill has been introduced in Congress (HR 2436) to increase funds for the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) from the current level of $20 million/year to $50 million/year. Such an increase would be a wise investment, given growing market demand, and the fact that organic research findings are often used by non-organic producers to improve their management systems and bottom lines. A unique cost faced by organic farmers is the fee associated with annual organic certification. Two federal programs, the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program and the Agricultural Management Assistance Act (AMA), provide organic farmers with modest reimbursements for a portion of their annual organic certification fees. These programs, which began in Minnesota in 1998, should be renewed with adequate mandatory funding to meet projected demand. Organic and transitional producers face all of the normal production challenges extreme weather events; changing markets and prices; access to capital; and government red tape. On top of that, organic producers must take steps to protect their farms from pesticide drift and GMO contamination. Insurance mechanisms are needed, so that pesticide developers, applicators, and GMO patent-holders provide reimbursement, when their products cause harm to others. The next Farm Bill will present a unique opportunity to invest in organic systems, which are market-driven, health conscious, and based on farmer-led environmental protection plans. Each year as the summer storm season sweeps across Minnesota, we see the need for emergency assistance from state government. In the last two years alone, weve seen nearly 50 counties, communities, and several tribal nations receive emergency assistance from Governor Dayton. This year alone numerous counties including Winona, Freeborn, Kittson, and many others have and will receive aid. Its worth noting that the governor was only recently empowered with the ability to declare an emergency bringing immediate relief to those devastated by natural disasters. Until a few years ago, the Minnesota House and Senate had to return to Saint Paul in a costly special session to approve relief for each and every disaster. In a show of how government can and should operate, in 2014 I worked with Gov. Dayton to establish the Disaster Assistance Contingency Account. By creating the account and giving the governor the authority to act on his own, we ensured that when a disaster struck, our state would respond by quickly distributing funds without the need to call a special session, and it worked. For the last two years our state has responded to numerous disasters without wasting time and money on special sessions. This all started back in 2008, after the massive flooding of southeast Minnesota, my colleagues and I worked to develop a state disaster playbook to guide the 13 state agencies, governors office, legislature, cities, counties, school districts and townships impacted when a disaster occurs. In 2012, the nonpartisan Legislative Auditor released a report titled Helping Communities Recover from Natural Disasters, with recommendations on how to improve Chapter 12A by creating Chapter 12B to address disasters that are not covered by a Presidential Declaration, the laws are known as the state disaster playbook. In 2014 I crafted a bill to continue the improvements made to Minnesotas disaster response with Chapter 12A by creating Chapter 12B. Chapter 12B implemented several changes recommended by the legislative auditor that increased coordination by the 13 state agencies and others involved in responding to disasters, and created the Disaster Assistance Account to fund their efforts. Last summer, more than half a decade after we started this process, nearly 40 Minnesota counties and communities, and several Native American reservations became eligible for disaster assistance. For the first time, as a result of the improvements made to the disaster playbook, state and federal funds were distributed quickly and efficiently without the need for a special session. A dedicated account for disasters guarantees accurate accounting and avoids problems associated with hurriedly passing bills in a special session, such as overpaying or underpaying. This year weve already seen numerous counties and communities get immediate assistance from Gov. Dayton through state agencies and local government partnerships. The Disaster Assistance Contingency Fund is working for Minnesotans. You shouldnt have to wait or consider how and when aid gets to you after a natural disaster and we made sure thats a reality. When we work together for good and efficient government, we serve the people of Minnesota the way they expect and deserve. This is not the normal way to fire a Cabinet officer. President Trump is subjecting his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, to public torture for failing to protect him from the investigation of his campaigns apparent ties to Russia. Last week, Trump told the New York Times that Sessions recusal from the investigation a decision required by Justice Department rules was unfair to the president who appointed him. This week, Trump turned up the heat with a series of nasty tweets directed, amazingly, at a senior member of his own Cabinet. Why arent the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations? the president demanded on Monday. In case that wasnt obvious enough, he escalated early Tuesday morning: Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers! And when reporters asked the president if he wanted Sessions to quit, Trump evaded the question three times. Time will tell, he said. When most presidents want a Cabinet official to resign, they send their chief of staff or another trusted aide to whisper in his or her ear. If that doesnt do the trick, aides leak to reporters, inducing stories that the president thinks its time for a change. (I was a conduit for one such leak in 1993, when Bill Clinton wanted Les Aspin to quit as Defense secretary.) Or they simply call the offending Cabinet officer to the Oval Office and deliver the bad news person-to-person. Thats how Barack Obama fired Chuck Hagel from the Pentagon in 2014. Not Trump. He sends his Cabinet officers Twitter messages with the subtlety and finesse of a brick hurled through a plate-glass window. This isnt just a matter of style of a drain the swamp president disrupting Washingtons prissy traditions. There are substantive lessons here, too. The first and most obvious is that anyone who serves Trump should expect no loyalty from him, unless theyre family. Sessions was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump when the New York moguls candidacy still seemed like a nonsensical long shot. The Alabaman took a political risk by backing Trump; if another Republican had been elected president, Sessions would have been stranded in the political equivalent of Siberia. His reward, now, is public humiliation. (Republican senators: Think twice before risking your reputations to defend this man.) The second lesson is that, to Trump, effectiveness in government doesnt count for much compared to protecting the president from investigators. Sessions is responsible for a good share of what the administration has achieved in practical terms: its more aggressive prosecution of narcotics cases, its draconian crackdown on illegal immigration, its effort to defund so-called sanctuary cities. But to the president, those accomplishments pale before the fact that Sessions allowed his deputy to name Robert Mueller as a special counsel to investigate the Russia allegations, and that the Justice Department is allowing Mueller to forge ahead. The third lesson is that Trump thinks the Justice Department should act as his personal law firm. Thats not new, but its still chilling. As Jack Goldsmith, a former Justice Department official under George W. Bush, wrote in Lawfare on Tuesday, the president seems bent on destroying the authority of the Justice Department that he worries, perhaps for reasons only he knows, may destroy him. At no time in modern history (and perhaps ever) has a President been so openly at odds, and bent on discrediting, his senior law enforcement and intelligence officials. Trump wants his attorney general to order the FBI to reopen its investigation of Hillary Clinton not because he thinks shes guilty of a crime (the FBI answered that question last year), but because it will strengthen his argument that whatever his campaign did was no worse than something hers must have done too. (That, incidentally, is a 180-degree reversal of a position Trump took in November, when he said that prosecuting Clinton would be very, very divisive for the country. Its not something that I feel very strongly about, he said then.) Does Trump hope to harass Sessions into resigning so he can name a more pliable attorney general, one who would follow an order to fire Mueller? It sure looks that way. The president has made it clear that hes after the special counsels scalp. And the Washington Post reported Tuesday that some Trump associates have already argued that the quickest way there is to name a new attorney general. It all comes back to the Russia investigation. Trump rages at the media, Congress and now his own Justice Department for keeping it going. Hes already fired one acting attorney general, Sally Yates, and one FBI director, James B. Comey; now he appears ready to cashier one of his most loyal supporters and throw his Cabinet into chaos. Trump insists that the controversy is groundless. And its true that conclusive evidence of direct collusion has not yet come to light. But the president is acting relentlessly and recklessly like a man with something to hide. One person was killed and three others injured in a shooting at the Grey nightclub in the German city of Konstanz in the early hours of Sunday, the German police said in a statement. The gunman was shot dead by police in an exchange of fire that has also wounded a policeman. "Many guests had left the building panic stricken or were hiding when the shots were fired," the statement said The gunman was a 34-year-old Iraqi who has lived in Germany for a long time, Fritz Bezikofer from the Kostanz police told CNN. "According to our investigations this is not terror-related, unless the gunman radicalized himself within the last three days," Bezikofer said. At this moment we believe that he may have had alternative motifs." Bezikofer could not give any more details. Two fiber arts enthusiasts who have been friends since high school will open Unwound Artisan Yarn Shop on Tuesday at 413 Jay St. in downtown La Crosse. Kait Holton of La Crosse and Carolyn Zick own the new business, which will sell yarn, spinning fiber that can be spun into yarn, and knitting and crocheting tools. The shops focus is on local, regional and small-scale brands. Unwound also will sell fabric bags, wall art, soaps, jewelry and stationary. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The shops grand opening will be Saturday and include drawings for prizes. This fall, Unwound will begin offering classes in knitting and crocheting. Well have different levels of classes, from beginner to advanced, Holton said. The two owners will be among the instructors. Unwound also will host events such as knit nights and participate in others such as World Wide Knit in Public Day. Zick and Holton have had a Chain 344 podcast on knitting, crocheting and spinning on YouTube for more than two years, and hope to resume it soon. But theyve been busy preparing to open their new shop. Theyve been friends since Zick moved to Durand, Ill., during her high school freshman year. Holton was a high school sophomore there at the time. They were in the same Spanish class, and bonded during their school art clubs trip to Italy the following summer and during the fundraising for that trip. Zick and her husband, Caleb, moved to the La Crosse area from Durand in 2013 after he landed a local job. Holton and her husband, Alex, moved to the La Crosse area from Jacksonville, Ill., in 2015 for a job that Caleb had told him about. Holton, 26, and Zick, 25, both enjoy knitting, crocheting and spinning wool into yarn. Holton said she has been passionate about yarn since she learned to knit in high school. Zick has enjoyed crocheting since she was 6 and has been knitting since 2013. Its a great creative outlet, Holton said of crocheting and knitting. It lets you enjoy your brain. You can follow a pattern someone else has written, write your own pattern or just create something without following a pattern at all, Holton said. Im driven to be productive, Zick said. Its a hobby in which I can feel productive while also relaxing. There are a lot of studies on the mental health impact of any tactile (using the sense of touch) craft. Its very therapeutic. This is the perfect way for me to share my passion about knitting and crocheting, Holton said of opening the new shop. I want to help other people discover it so it can impact their live in the same way. I love the La Crosse area, Zick said. Ive never seen a community so engaged intellectually, with a very local focus and a rich textile history. I think the Scandinavian heritage of textile arts offers a unique opportunity for Unwound to succeed. Holton said La Crosse seemed like a good location for their new shop partly because Its so vibrant with stuff going on all the time. The art scene here is great. She said she and Zick have been helped by Downtown Mainstreet Inc., the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and the Wisconsin Womens Business Initiative Corp. We like to support small businesses, and there are a lot of good small businesses here, Holton said of her and Zicks decision to focus on local, regional and small-scale brands. Zick said she and Holton also want to sell unique yarns that big-box stores dont carry. Zick and Holton plan to invite fiber arts enthusiasts to relax with their project and cup of coffee or tea in their shops lounge. Everyone regardless of skill level is welcome to come spend time in the lounge, and visit with other lovers of the fiber arts, Holton said. As Esapekka Lappi maintained a firm grip on the lead of Neste Rally Finland on Sunday morning, attention turned to a thrilling three-car battle for second. Stage info: SS22/23 SS22: Lempaa 1, 6.80km Sundays opener heads to the eastern side of Lake Paijanne for a test that ran last year for the first time since 1999. The surface is hard and the road bends all the way, with great combinations of corners and crests. The second part is twistier, but it flows from start to finish. SS23: Oittila 1, 10.12km Oittila is fast, fast, fast with plenty of dips, small crests and hay bale chicanes to watch out for. The final section could be the narrowest of the rally and there are chances to take big cuts through the grass. There are no junctions in the first 3.7km, but five in the last 2.3km. The Finn emerged from the opening Lempaa and Oittila tests with a 42.2sec advantage in his Toyota Yaris, but behind him Teemu Suninen, Elfyn Evans and Juho Hanninen were engaged in a titanic scrap. Second fastest for Hanninen in Lempaa left the Finn tied with fellow countryman Suninen in second place. Evans was third quickest in his Ford Fiesta and the Welshman was 2.0sec behind in fourth. Evans was distracted when the wipers jammed across his windscreen but Suninen was more concerned. We struggled for grip all the time, we need to find something for the next stage, said the Fiesta pilot. He did exactly that to pip Evans by 0.5sec, with Hanninen a further 2.2sec behind in his Yaris. With two stages remaining, Suninen held a 2.5sec advantage over Evans, with Hanninen a further two-tenths back in fourth. The slippery Oittila caught out both Evans and Hanninen. I went wide on two junctions. It was exceptionally changeable grip and difficult to read the road, said Evans. Hanninen explained: I lost it quite soon after the start. I went wide on a left corner and hit a hay bale. And Suninens secret to his pace? I cant say because were in a tight fight, he said. Fifth-placed Craig Breen and Thierry Neuville, one place behind, overshot junctions in Oittila but Lappi remained as cool and calm as he has all weekend. Im just trying to enjoy it but its difficult when youre not pushing flat out. Its not so enjoyable, you need to drive flat out for all the aero and the functions on the car to work. I dont want to do anything stupid because you cant trust the grip. It will be fine. Jari-Matti Latvala was fastest in both stages, Toyota Gazoo Racing having diagnosed the problem that stopped his leading Yaris yesterday as a faulty ECU. Head to WRC+ to see the latest onboard and video reports from Neste Rally Finland. VIDEO More News Hands-on Exhibition at Wrexham Museum to Explore Ancient Wisdom This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jul 30th, 2017 A hands-on exhibition exploring the engineering and challenges of the ancient world is now on at the Wrexham Museum. The Ancient Wisdom exhibition, which launched at the museum last week, offers an insight into the technological achievements of the Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Sumerians and Babylonians. If youre interested in puzzles and challenges, science and engineering and experiments, then this is the exhibition for you! The exhibitions interactives include: Archimedes Screw, catapults; siege engines, aqueducts and arches, Roman signals, Egyptian locks and many more challenges. The exhibition is designed for families with children, but adults can just as easily enjoy the activities. Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: This will be a very engaging event for all those families looking to keep their children active during the summer holidays. The inventions and technologies of ancient civilisations are incredibly interesting and this will be a very hands-on event where children will have the chance to have a go at testing those technologies for themselves. Admission to the exhibition is free and will run until September 2. For more information, telephone 01978 297 460 or see the museums Facebook page. In decisions in which they had essentially had no choice, the Auburn Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals quickly approved plans for Verizon Wireless to build a new 100-foot tower in an east-side neighborhood. The Franklin Street tower approval was ordered by a federal judge, who ruled in late June that the city had violated federal laws that impose a strict timeline for reviewing cellphone tower applications. Auburn had refused to accept a Verizon application that was filed in March 2016, just as a city moratorium on such projects was enacted. The telecommunications company came back multiple times to argue that federal law still requires that an application be accepted and decided upon within 150 days, regardless of any local moratorium. The city disagreed and Verizon sued in August 2016. Nearly 10 months later, and more than a year after Verizon first applied, U.S. District Court Judge David N. Hurd ordered the city to give the proposal what amounted to instant approval. Auburn Planning Board approves Franklin Street cellphone tower after court mandate AUBURN The city of Auburn was ordered by a U.S. District Court judge to approve a site pla The reaction from the two city review boards was understandably one of disappointment and frustration. How could a judge order this without allowing the city proper time do a thorough review of the application and conduct public hearings to get input from local residents? One answer is that federal law is so stacked in favor of the telecommunications companies. Read Hurd's decision and it's clear that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the subsequent Federal Communications Commission's rules and interpretations give little to no power to municipalities to stop cellphone towers from being built where companies deem them to be needed. It's certainly worth city leaders' time to reach out to our federal representatives to ask that this problem be addressed, via regulatory and/or legislative action. But as long as the laws and regulations on the books remain in place, it's also important for city staff responsible for complying with them be better at handling these applications. Hurd's ruling makes it clear that the city botched this process, from the refusal to take the original application to the way it responded to Verizon's lawsuit. "Defendant failed to submit a copy of the relevant City Code as it existed in March 2016 or the revised City Code which was enacted in August 2016 and failed to express any issues which the Application may have raised. Instead, quiet shockingly, defendants asserted at oral argument that they did not even retain a copy of the plaintiff's Application when they returned it to plaintiff on March 4, 2016, instead relying upon their dubious legal argument that they could not file the Application due to the moratorium. Regardless, defendants again received plaintiffs application in February 2017 as part of this action and have failed to identify any deficiencies which would require further City consideration." Residents affected by this project should be upset they never even had a chance to have their voice heard. City officials need to acknowledge their own responsibility for allowing that to happen. The Citizen Editorial Board includes publisher Rob Forcey, managing editor Mike Dowd and executive editor Jeremy Boyer. LA CROSSE Dancers swirled Sunday to Greek music and savory smells of grilled lamb and chicken kabobs wafted across Copeland Avenue, teasing the taste buds. The dancers, music and food are integral to the annual St. Elias Festival, which is one of the seminal moments in the life of St. Elias Parish and a showcase of Mediterranean culture. Its a good place to bring families, said Sara Whitewater, who brought her family and a friend with three other children. We come for the food and the music, she said. While Sunday marked her third trip to the outdoor festival, Whitewater knows the place well. Five years ago, she lived next door to the church in one of the apartments that was torn down to make room for the festival grounds. The church people were great, she recalled. Ana Skemp of La Crosse also brought her family and shared similar thoughts. This is the first time weve ever been, the food is lovely and the music is great, she said. Its almost like when we were in Greece. The church brings Mediterranean dishes such as falafel and spanakopita to the food court. In the church kitchen, coordinator Terri Markos of La Crescent along with a handful of other volunteers labored to prepare enough food for 700 guests. Markos along with primary coordinators Jeff and Christine Stolz and Julee and Ben Agar began planning as soon as last years festival ended. Were a small fellowship, under 40 families, said Markos. We have to stay organized to pull this off. Things get pretty hectic at the last minute, she added. Markos, whose husbands grandfather was one of the founding members in 1909, also said that since the founders were mostly Syrian/Lebanese Christians, 10 percent of the events proceeds would go to help Syrian refugees. Meanwhile, outside, the Maritza Dance Band and the Winona Area International Dancers showcased traditional Greek and Russian folk dances. But the St. Elias Festival is more than spinning folk dancers and delectable Mediterranean cuisine. For the people of the Orthodox Church, its about celebrating their patron saint, Elias, otherwise known as the Elijah of the Old Testament and a model of the contemplative life. But theres also another reason for St. Elias Festival. As Father Dean Wilhelm, the parish priest points out, to let people know theres an Orthodox church in town. The only other area Orthodox churches are in Rochester and Madison. Wilhelm, who led lines of guests through the sanctuary all afternoon, estimates that the first feasts dedicated to Elias began around the fourth century. While giving tours of the facility, he discussed early church history and the ethnic make-up of the Orthodox church in La Crosse, as well as a rather unusual form of detente practiced by the founders. The area around here was an Arabic neighborhood, Wilhelm pointed out. If you read the newspapers from the early days, the Syrians were fighting with the locals; probably Germans, he said. To minimize friction, the early church fathers chose an architectural style distinct from most other Orthodox churches. Hoping to ease the tension, they patterned the existing structure after the protestant churches of the era. It was completed in 1917 at a cost of $125. Wilhelm said that the ethnic makeup of the church has changed over the years and todays congregation is made up of Russians, Romanians, Greeks, Bulgarians, a family from Egypt and a few Lutheran converts. Parishioners travel from as far as Galesville, Taylor and Arcadia, all in Wisconsin, to attend Sunday services. Police arrested on Friday a 46-years-old bus driver from Yeruham whose blood alcohol level was 20 times the legal limit. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A resident of Yeruham called the police's call center at around at around 10:20pm Friday night to report on a driver who was speeding and driving erratically. He hit a parked vehicle and a fence and then kept going despite pleas by passersby that he stopped. No one was hurt. The woman said the driver appeared drunk and unaware of his surroundings. Egged Transport A police patrol that was called to the scene located the driver, who was on his way to pick up factory workers in the area. He was taken for questioning, where the level of alcohol in his blood was found to be 1070 micrograms20 times the legal limit, which is up to 50 micrograms for commercial and bus drivers. The driver claimed he did not drink a lot and asserted the test was faulty. The CEO of Egged Transport, Eyal Yahiel, said in response, "We consider this a very grave incident. We'll await the results of the police investigation. The driver was summoned for a hearing and his work will be terminated pending the hearing. We're very strict about the issue of safety and following the law." The Military Court of Appeals will decide Sunday whether or not to accept two appeals filed in the case of Elor Azaria, who was convicted of shooting dead a neutralized Palestinian terrorist during his IDF service in Hebron. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Azaria, who will appear in court for the first time as a civilian after having been released from the IDF on July 20 , has appealed his manslaughter conviction His defense team raised questions regarding the testimonies of company commander Maj. Tom Na'aman and the soldier T.who both said they heard Azaria say that he shot the terrorist because "he deserved to die after stabbing my friend." In addition, Azaria's team claimed soldiers and police officers in similar cases in the past were not prosecuted. Azaria with his parents going to the synagogue to pray on Friday (Photo: Dana Kopel) Meanwhile the military prosecution has appealed Azaria's sentence of 18 months , which it says is too lenient. It demanded the court to instead adopt the minority opinion and add six months to Azaria's sentence, bringing it to a total of two years. If Azaria fails to win an acquittal, he would be given two days to get his affairs in order before having to arrive at Prison 6 near Haifa to begin serving his sentence. If he is acquitted, the house arrest he has been on for the past 10 days since his released from the IDF will be canceled and he will go free immediately. The military prosecution team (Photo: Yariv Katz) Inside sources estimated the Military Appeals Court would reject both appeals, even if it won't do so unanimously. During the appeal hearings, Military Appeals Court President Maj. Gen. Doron Piles, who heads the extended five judges panel, urged the two sides to go to mediation and reach a compromise, but the military prosecution rejected that option. No new testimonies were presented in the appeal hearings, and the judges did not allow the prosecution to raise all of the arguments presented in its appeal. Azaria's options If Azaria's conviction and punishment remain unchanged, he would still have the option of seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. Customarily, the Supreme Court does not interfere in rulings given in the Military Appeals Court, particularly in trials such as Azaria's in which the dispute is over the facts and not over the underlying principles. If Azaria wishes to appeal to the Supreme Court, he would have to provide new evidence, new testimonies or new and substantial claims. He could also ask to delay the beginning of his prison sentence until a decision is made on whether to allow him to appeal to the Supreme Courta request the prosecution is expected to oppose. Azaria with his parents at court (Photo: Yariv Katz) Even if Azaria does file a request to appeal to the Supreme Court, his request will not be discussed before September due to the upcoming hiatus in the judicial system. If Azaria accepts the military appeals court's decision and starts serving his sentence this week, he would be able in the coming weeks to ask IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and President Reuven Rivlin to either commute his sentence or pardon him. These requests will include opinions by senior IDF officials, such as Military Advocate General Brig. Gen. Sharon Afek and Manpower Directorate head Maj. Gen. Moti Almoz, who was the IDF's spokesman at the time of the incident. If while serving his sentence Azaria does not express regret or take responsibility for his actionsas he has done so farthis will be taken into account to his detriment. I suddenly realized, when seeing the pictures from the mourners tent, that I had met Dr. Bashar Hamarneh, the victim of the shooting at the security guards apartment in the Israeli Embassy compound in Amman. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter It was three or four years ago, in a Jerusalem restaurant, when the Jordanian gentleman, an orthopedist, told me enthusiastically he had visited Israel many times in the past. How do you manage to get an entry permit, I asked curiously, knowing its an exhausting process. I live with the Israelis in the same neighborhood, he replied with a smile, and I have been renting them apartments since the day the embassy opened. Were quite friendly, Dr. Bashar leaned over to whisper in my ear, offering to give me a guided tour of his hometown Madaba, south of Amman, where he was buried three days ago. The name of a mutual friend, Dr. Mustafa Hamarneh, an intellectual and Jordanian parliament member, was raised during the meeting. His American wife, Jenny, was the legendary editor-in-chief of the Jordan Times until her death two years ago. A respected, well-established family. I sent a letter of condolence on Saturday. It was hard to find words which would be both warm and convincing. Jordans King Abdullah with the father of the killed youth. The Israeli guards immunity issue is troubling both government ministers and the angry protestors Now it seems both sides have decided to take a break. The attorney generals office in Amman sent Jerusalem the findings of the Jordanian investigation , and Israel promised to speed up its own examination of the incident with security guard Ziv. Meanwhile, the Israeli diplomats are stuck in Jerusalem. Following heavy hints dropped by the Israeli media, the Hamarneh family was asked not to accept any financial compensation from Israel. Its more important for them, I understood Saturday, to receive an apology from Prime Minister Netanyahu . All he has to do is say two words: Im sorry. The testimony provided by the driver of the furniture truck, who disappeared last Sunday night, was revealed for the first time Saturday. If what his wife says matches the version the security guard gave the Jordanian interior ministry investigators, the affair is a lot more complicated than the little we were able to read and hear. This is the testimony that was published in Jordan on Saturday and distributed across the Arab world: The driver, Maher al-Juneidi, insistsaccording to his wife, Buteina Abu Rishthat there was a box of nails involved, not a screwdriver. According to his version, the youth, Mohammad Omar Jawawdeh, brought furniture to the bedroom in the security guards apartment, which was paid for by the landlord, Dr. Hamarneh. The furniture assembly began at 4 pm, and after two hours it turned out that there were some nails missing. The teen left the apartment, and when he returned from the truck with the toolbox, something raised the security guards suspicion. An argument erupted, the youth stabbed him, the security guard was injured, pulled out a gun and fired. Dr. Hamarneh fell down together with the teen. The driver fled to another room, locked the door and called for help. The security guard called for help too. When the Jordanian rescue forces arrived, they couldnt find the Israeli, who had escaped in the meantime to the embassy building. Im not sure thats a reliable testimony. After all, the driver works for the furniture factory owner, the father of the killed teen. Our investigators are also taking into account the fact that the teens family originally comes from a village near Hebron, and the timing of the incident, at the height of the Temple Mount crisis. The funeral procession came out of the large Palestinian refugee camp Wihdat, in the Amman suburbs. The driver, al-Juneidi, was detained for thorough questioning until the weekend, and then chose to hide in the home of relatives, far from the scene of the event. Jordans attorney general charged the security guard with two counts of murder and with carrying an unlicensed weapon. The first charge ignores the chain of events, and the second charge is strange. Israeli security guards make sure to register the type and number of weapon, as well as their personal details, with the authorities of the state they serve in. With this whole mess in Amman, lets hope the gun license was valid. From the Israeli side, its clear that the security guardwho holds a diplomatic passporthas diplomatic immunity. Amman, on the other hand, is insisting on making a distinction: Either his job is to defend Israels emissaries, or he is an unarmed diplomat who is entitled to restricted immunity only. The immunity issue is troubling both the government ministers in Jordan and the angry protestors: How was the security guard allowed to return to Israel after the interior minister had promised the youths parents that justice would be served and that the guard would be prosecuted in the kingdom? The foreign minister has already clarified: Were acting according to the international code and we expect the Israeli side to do the same. The shooting incident at the embassy compound could also have a negative effect on the return of Israeli diplomats to Cairo. In Ankara, the Israeli representatives rules of conduct have been toughened. When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wont stop people from attacking synagogues in his country, diplomats are preparing to curb any bad surprises. Security forces raided overnight Saturday the home of one of the terrorists in the cell that carried out an October 2015 attack near Itamar in which Na'ama and Eitam Henkin were murdered. The IDF said the forces impounded vehicles worth tens of thousands of shekels a sum equal to the terror money transferred to the family by Hamas as reward for carrying out the attack and for rebuilding the terrorists' homes, which were demolished. President Reuven Rivlin on Saturday made an appearance at a demonstration held outside the President's Residence in Jerusalem for the release of Abera Mengistu, who is held in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip for more than 1,000 days now. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "I was in contact with the Mengistu family from day one," Rivlin said after speaking to Abera's brother, Ilan. Rivlin meeting Abera's family (Photo: Free Avera Mengistu) The president added that he works day and night to bring Abera back home, and apologized for not mentioning him to US President Donald Trump when he asked him to act to bring back the soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, both of whom were killed in the fighting during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in the summer of 2014 and whose bodies were snatched by the terror organization. The semonstration (Photo: Free Avera Mengistu) A meeting between Rivlin and the Mengistu family is scheduled for Sunday. "For almost three years, my brother Abera has been screaming 'save me,' and unfortunately his voice has not been heard. We appeal to President Reuven Rivlin to make use of his status and ties and put an end to the suffering of Abera and my family," Ilan said. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Saturday called on Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev and Coalition Chairman MK David Bitan to apologize to the Shin Bet after their scathing attack of the agency over its handling of the Temple Mount crisis. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Regev referred to the organization as "delusional," while Bitan called Shin Bet officials "cowards." Lieberman expressed his support to the organization in an interview with Channel 2 New, saying Regev and Bitan's comments were "unfortunate words which should not have been said." Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Photo: Moti Kimchi) "In the past two weeks alone, the Shin Bet prevented 19 attacks," he said. "Many people taking part in terrorist activities were apprehended by the Shin Bet, thanks to the Shin Bet. I would also advise Miri Regev and David Bitan to simply take their words back and apologize." Lierberman added in a snide remark towards the two, saying, "People dealing with security matters have to understand that you can't simultaneously busy yourself with the primaries, public opinion and ratings. When you're dealing with security you have to let some things go and can't please everyone. The right decisions need to be made and you can't just chase popularity." Unsurprisingly, Regev returned in kind. On Saturday night she wrote on Facebook that she refuses to budge: "I stand by my position and unequivocal claim that removing the metal detectors and cameras was a wrong, regrettable and even delusional decision. The Shin Bet's recommendation and scare tactics against politicians undermined Israel's sovereignty and its deterrent force on the Mount," she wrote. Regev also mocked Lieberman's remarks: "Speaking of the minister of defense demanding apologies, I demand that he apologize to the citizens of the country for the fact that Ismail Haniyeh is still proselytizing, speaking and inciting in Gaza." Former Shin Bet heads came out against Regev and Bitan's comments, with Yaakov Peri asserting that "Politicians who are not familiar with the organization's conduct and the difficulties facing those who serve it must not go against it." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tasked the Shin Bet with investigating the shooting at the Israeli embassy in Amman, when a security guard shot dead two Jordanians, one of whom attacked him with a screwdriver. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan are personally supervising the investigation and monitoring its sensitive political aspects. PM Netanyahu meets with Israeli ambassador to Jordan and the security guard (Photo: Haim Zach/GPO) In diplomatic discussions over the weekend, Israel promised the Jordanians it will conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident, and that it will pass the investigation's findings to Amman. Anti-Israel protest in Jordan near the Israeli Embassy Last week, the Jordanians claimed it was a truck driver who stabbed the security guard, not the 17-year-old Mohammad Jawawdah who was shot dead along with the building's landlord. But by the end of the week, their version changed and is now mostly in line with the Israeli version. Netanyahu hugs the guard, and angers Jordanians (Photo: Haim Zach/GPO) The initial investigation found the security guard's actions were justified: Jawawdah, who was there to install furniture, had sneaked up behind the guard and stabbed him with a screwdriver. The guard, Ziv, pulled out his handgun and shot him in response. The Zakaria al-Jawawdeh In addition to the truck driver, who worked with Jawawdah, the Jordanian owner of the building was also present at the time of the shooting. He tackled the attacker and tried to stop him, but was unfortunately hit by shrapnel and fatally wounded. He was given first aid by members of the Israeli embassy, but succumbed to his wounds shortly thereafter. The attacker's funeral (Photo: Reuters) Senior Israeli security officials explained the guard could not have foreseen shrapnel would harm the landlord, adding that Israel intends to pay a generous compensation to the family of the landlord, who was trying to protect the Israeli guard. The same sources said the motive for the stabbing was nationalistic , with the stabber attacking over the crisis on the Temple Mount and not because of an argument over the delay in transporting the furnitureas the Jordanians initially claimed. The Jordanians' claim that the security guard's gun was not licensed was also rejected, after documents proved otherwise. King Abdullah consoles the father of the stabber Jordan, meanwhile, has conditioned the return of Israeli diplomats and emissaries to the Amman embassy in the guard being put on trial, as the Jordanian prosecutor accused him of murdering two Jordanian civilians. Israel, meanwhile, promised an investigation and noted the guard would be prosecuted only if the law dictates it. Some 20 protesters demonstrated Sunday outside the Kirya IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv ahead of ruling on the appeals in the Elor Azaria trial. Protesters were waving Israeli flags and calling for Azaria's acquittal. The Military Court of Appeals rejected Sunday both appeals in the Elor Azaria trial, upholding the manslaughter conviction and 18-month sentence given to the former soldier who shot dead a neutralized Palestinian terrorist during his IDF service in Hebron. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Azaria, who appeared in court for the first time as a civilian after having been released from the IDF on July 20, had appealed his manslaughter conviction. His defense team raised questions regarding the credibility of the testimonies of company commander Maj. Tom Na'aman and the soldier Cpl. T.who both testified they heard Azaria say that he shot the terrorist because "he deserved to die after stabbing my friend." In addition, Azaria's team claimed soldiers and police officers in similar cases in the past were not prosecuted. Azaria in court (Photo: AFP) Meanwhile the military prosecution appealed Azaria's sentence of 18 months, which it says is too lenient. It demanded the court to instead adopt the minority opinion and add six months to Azaria's sentence, bringing it to a total of two years. Military Appeals Court President Maj. Gen. Doron Piles rejected the defense team's argument of selective enforcement against Azaria over claims similar incidents in the past did not go to trial, saying "The defense failed in proving this claim. The three cases presented by the defense, including the case of Col. Israel Shomer, are not similar to our case." The court also rejected the claims the testimony of Cpl. T. was not credible, saying there was "no practical relevance to the appellant's claims that T.'s testimony was engineered by the IDF Criminal Investigation Division (CID)... T. confirmed his testimony to the CID in his testimony in court. We found no fault in the conclusion of the district court that found T.'s testimony to be credible. We do not accept Azaria's assertion that T. fabricated his testimony to match the positions of the IDF chief. There is no proof to the defense attorney's claim that words were put in T.'s mouth. He repeated his version over and over again of his own accord." Furthermore, Piles said the court found that none of the witnesses "had a motive to falsely accuse Azaria." Azaria and his family talking to Likud MK Oren Hazan (Photo: Tomer Applebaum) The Military Appeals Court did find the testimony of company commander Na'aman to be problematic, saying he "gave completely different versions (to the CID and to the court). His explanations raise questions, some of his remarks are meaningless and unclear." Despite that, the appeals court decided not to intervene in the dispute over the company commander's testimony. Instead, the court pointed to Azaria's version, which it found to be "not credible," as well as "suppressed and adaptive and could not be trusted." Azaria, Piles said, "refused to participate in a confrontation with the witnesses" and "tried to shape his version in accordance with the information he received." Azaria arriving at court (Photo: Yariv Katz) The appeals court reaffirmed the lower court's determination there was no justification for Azaria's shooting of the terrorist. "We didn't find the appellant's claim he was afraid (the terrorist had) an explosive to be convincing. After hearing the warnings of a possible explosive, Azaria waited two minutes before shooting," Piles said. "It is in the nature of one who fears for his life to warn others present at the scene, and he did not do so. He acted coolly and slowly. He set his sights, tarried, called out 'move, move' before shooting and even took off his helmet. This behavior is not in line with one who feels in danger. He was freely speaking to others at the scene, did not move away, and did not say anything of his concerns even after the terrorist's body was evacuated from the scene." The judges added that "The use of weapons without justification is forbidden, immoral and even harmful... a soldier must not settle the score with his enemies. We must not accept actions like that... Azaria's actions blatantly violated the rules of engagement. He took no responsibility for his actions and did not express doubt. Azaria's behavior is not the way of the State of Israel or the IDF." The court also determined the defense failed to prove its claims IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and then-defense minister Moshe Ya'alon's condemnations of the shooting immediately after the incident affected or influenced the judicial process. Piles rejected claims information from the investigation leaked and that the court was influenced by any outside sources. "It is no secret the affair has caused controversy in Israeli society: the IDF is the people's army and the best sons and daughters are sent to endanger their lives to ensure the security and prosperity of the country. The heart of Israeli society goes out to the soldiers. Azaria's situation evokes empathy, but the ruling is not given in the city square. The public debate must not distract the court from the legal way of law," he said. The Military Appeals Court rejected the prosecution's appeal of the sentence with a three-to-two majority. "The punishment set by the court was moderate," Piles determined. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday his handeling of the crisis at the Temple Mount and his decision to place metal detectors in the area and then remove them is based on "a broad view of the challenges and threats facing us." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "Some of (these challenges and threats) are not known to the public and due to their (sensitive) nature cannot be detailed," Netanyahu said. Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting, July 30, 2017 (Photo: Reuters) "I understand the public's feelings. I also understand the duty of leadership, of those who sit in this chair and carry the supreme responsibility for Israel's security, and that's how I act," he added. "I say to our enemies on all fronts: The IDF, the Shin Bet and the Israel Police are prepared to act with all their might against anyone who tries to harm our citizens, our soldiers and our policemen. "In recent days I have instructed to reinforce the security forces on the Temple Mount and in the Old City in order to prevent disturbances and to deter lawbreakers," Netanyahu noted. "I gave the police a budget of up to NIS 100 million to create security solutions that will increase security." Metal detectors removed from Temple Mount entrance (Photo: AP) The Prime Minister then addressed to the tense period after the new security measures were introduced, mostly to show his appreciation to the security forces who were tasked with maintaining the order in those difficult days. "These were two busy weeks for our security forces, who are on constant alert for further major challenges even now," he said. "On behalf of all the citizens of Israel, I would like to thank our commanders and soldiers, the policemen and Shin Bet agents who work day and night to protect us all. I greatly appreciate their work and their deep dedication to the security of Israel." In 1984, Avi Blasberger was one of the first engineers at the Elop company, now owned by Elbit Systems, transferred to working on a top secret project: developing the camera for Israel's forthcoming spy satellite, a capability only possessed by the US and the USSR at the time. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "Years later, a South Korean delegation visited us and asked who taught us to build satellites," recounts Blasberger, now the director of the Israel Space Agency. "I said we learned it from books, and they said that was impossible. Nevertheless, they ended up buying a camera for their observation satellite from us." In the early hours of this coming Wednesday, the Israel Space Agency will launch two satellites into space from the French launch center in Koro, New GuineaOptSat 3000, a spy satellite purchased by the Italian ministry of defense, and the Venus research satellite. This marks the first time two Israeli satellitesthat aren't microscopic nano-satellitesare launched simultaneously. The Venus research satellite (Photo: Yaron Druckman) NASA has launched dozens of research satellites. What can Venus do that we haven't already seen? "Venus will be used by precise agriculture and environmental studies researchers. It's equipped with a state-of-the-art camera developed by Elop, which is able to snap photos at 12 wavelengths. 110 sites were selected, which will be photographed by Venus once every two days, a repetition of relatively high frequency no other satellite possesses. Alongside its scientific mission, however, is also an engineering oneto test an electrical propulsion system developed by Rafael, which will someday allow observation satellites to circle more closely to Earth, thereby improving the sharpness of their imagessomething which has vast commercial potential. In the first two and a half years, the satellite will circle Earth at an altitude of 700 km, then dropping down to 410 km where the new propulsion system will be tested." The proverbial old lady lying in the hospital hallway would like to know how Israel can afford research satellites when it's short of funds in so many other places. "Research satellites move both industry and science forward. Investment in the field of space is returned 5 or 10 times over. It creates technologies that may then be sold for various commercial applications. Israel already has several start-ups related to outer space. Scientific research will also contribute to agriculture and improve the use of water, also paving the way for educational projects. This field, anywhere in the world, is reliant on governmental investment, and what Israel invests in this field is infinitesimal even compared to its population size and GDP. Our technological capabilities in space are some of the most advanced in the world. The French space agency, which has partnered with us on this project, is responsible for the satellite camera and has chosen an Israeli supplierwhich is quite out of the ordinarythanks to our capabilities and financial bid." After Venus, what's next? "We're working on a new flagship project with the Italian space agency, the Shalom satellite which is hyper-spectral, meaning it can take photos at more than 250 wavelengths and not just 12, like Venus, and embodies the future of observation satellites. The Italians already have the funds, while we're still in talks with the Ministry of Finance, the sum in question being 80 million euro per country. We're hoping to start the project by 2018 and launch four years after that. "In the meantime, the future of manufacturing communication satellites in Israel is in question, after losing Amos-6 when its launch missile exploded and the hardships faced by the Israel Aerospace Industries to compete with other bids when it comes to costs and timetables for manufacturing Amos-8. "After losing Amos-6, Minister of Science (Ofir) Akunis created a committee which decided the state should invest NIS 100 million annually in infrastructure for building communication satellites in order for it to be possible to produce parts for them, which today are being purchased abroad. Israel needs blue-and-white satellites operated by Israeli companies. We've since been in negotiations with the Ministry of Finance and now dealing with pretty low sums." The company that operates the Amos satellites is owned by Shaul Elovitch , who's facing an ongoing investigation into his dealing as majority shareholder of Bezeq. Can it still purchase satellites? "When the committee I mentioned was created, the Elovitch affair hadn't gone public yet. We continue operating without taking this aspect of it into account. The bottom line and very real need of the space industry still exist, one way or the other." Astronaut Ilan Ramon went into space in the Columbia shuttle and perished in 2003. Will we see another Israeli astronaut? "We certainly hope so, but there isn't a specific plan in place at the moment. The number of opportunities for launch has dramatically decreased since the American space shuttle program was scrapped. Today astronauts are only launched to the international space station, and only from countries that are partners to its operation. The director of NASA has already stated that the future mission to Mars will be open to other countries, and that Israel is one of the candidates. But that's not something that's going to happen anytime soon. "However, Israel may get to Mars even without a local astronaut. In 2019, the Orion spaceship built by Lockheed Martin for NASA will be launched. It's supposed to be used for prolonged space missions and, in the future, a mission to Mars. These missions increase the need for protecting the crew from radiation. A protective suit developed by the StemRad company operating out of Tel Aviv under Dr. Oren Milstein will be tested onboard the Orion. During the spaceship's first flight, which won't be manned, the suit will be test-worn by a state-of-the-art test dummy, assisted by the German space agency. StemRad has developed a suit that's more ergonomic than those currently on the market and that also better protects against radiation relative to its weight. It focuses exactly on the areas under the most risk." Our advantage in the Middle East is constantly eroding: Iran is already building and launching satellites. "Iran has proven it possesses launch capabilities. It's willing to invest large sums of money and is closing some of the gaps. However, by my estimate our technologies are still more advanced. Access to space is a significant aspect of the rivalry between countries, among other things due to the double uses technology has in civilian and military sectors. We can and should invest more." Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman took to Twitter on Sunday, asking Elor Azaria and his family not to file another appeal over his 18 month prison sentence Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "I ask the Azaria family not to file an additional appeal, but rather to appeal to the Chief of Staff for a pardon. I have no doubt that the Chief of Staff will take into account all the difficult circumstances and that he (Elor) was an outstanding soldier," Lieberman wrote. Elor Azaria with his parents in court Sunday (Photo: Reuters) In addition to Lieberman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also touched on the subject, saying, "My opinion has not changed on the granting of a pardon to Elor Azaria, as I expressed following the verdict. When the subject is brought up for practical discussion, I will forward my recommendation for amnesty to the relevant parties." Despite calls for a pardon, sources at the Office of the President said that thus far, no such request has been submitted to President Reuven Rivlin. The same sources also added that Rivlin will most likely allow Lt. Gen. Eisenkot to handle the request. Should Azaria request a pardon from Rivlin exclusively, Azaria will have to take into account that such a request entails an extended process of deliberation involving the IDF Military Advocate General, the head of the IDF's Manpower Directorate, the Chief of Staff and the Minister of Defense. Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman In addition to both Lieberman and Netanyahu, other government officials such as Bayit Yehudi Chairman and Minister of Education Naftali Bennett and Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev have expressed their support for pardoning Azaria. In a statement, Bennett said, "The verdict is difficult, but the court must be respected. Now, after a year and a half of trials, it is time to pardon Elior Azaria. For the sake of our fighters who are on the front lines and in order to prevent the loss of our power of deterrence, Elor must return home." Regev also issued a statement, saying, "Elor Azaria is an outstanding soldier and should have been home a long time ago now. Now it is under the IDF's authority and they should give him backup. Pardon him. And the sooner the better." Current IDF Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Karim signed a position paper 17 years ago stating that the mixing of sexes in the IDFincluding in a professional framework of mentor and apprenticeshould be "strictly and absolutely prohibited" and could possibly divide the IDF. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Karim joined some 20 rabbis identifying with Religious Zionism in the paper, which was exposed by rabbis belonging to the Liba Center, who are opposed to joint service in the IDF. IDF Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Karim The document's release comes just before the upcoming August conscription, where for the first time ever, female conscripts will be drafted into IDF armored unitsa prospect Liba Center rabbis are not prepared to accept. In the document, the signatories emphasized that the IDF should be "kosher" in regards to observing Shabbat, food and modest dress. The rabbis, which included the heads of yeshivas and pre-IDF preparatory academies, stated, "The mixing of boys and girls in the same company as soldiers, commanders, fitness instructors and the like, should be strictly and absolutely prohibited. Making matters more embarrassing for the IDF, Rabbi Karim and Rabbi Shlomo Inbar, both approached former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, and asked him to intervene immediately against the "severe blow to modesty in the IDF." The IDF Spokesperson's Unit issued a response to the document, saying, "The purpose of the Joint Service Ordinance is to ensure the designation of the IDF as the people's army. According to this ordinance, soldiers of all religions, sexes and communities serve based on the values of human dignity and the spirit of the IDF. "The document in question is many years old and on the eve of his election, Karim made his position on the service of women in the IDF clear. He has participated in the formulation of orders regarding the integration of women in the IDF in a respectful and egalitarian manner and without harming the feelings of those serving. "In regards to the Joint Service Ordinance, the order states that a soldier will not be a sent to a battalion against their will, so that all can serve in accordance with their beliefs." MOGADISHU -- The death toll from fighting on Sunday between al Shabaab fighters and Somalia government and African Union peacekeeping troop stands at 24, a senior regional official said. The fighting broke out when the al Shabaab fighters ambushed the troops early Sunday in the Bulamareer district of the Lower Shabelle region, about 140 kilometres (84 miles) southwest of Mogadishu. "We have carried 23 dead AMISOM soldiers and a dead Somali soldier from the scene where al Shabaab ambushed AMISOM today," Ali Nur, the deputy governor of Lower Shabelle region, told Reuters. Thousands of people rallied in Turkey's largest city on Sunday against security measures Israel has imposed at the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, shortly after Israel removed other measures that led to two weeks of violent Palestinian protests. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The rally in Istanbul, called "The Big Jerusalem Meeting" and organized by Turkey's Saadet Party, drew some five thousand people to the Yenikapi parade ground on the southern edge of Istanbul. "Down with USA and Israel" (Photo: AFP) Protesters were brought in by buses and ferries from across the city, waved Turkish and Palestinian flags, and held up posters in front of a giant stage where the chairman of the Saadet party and representatives from NGOs addressed the crowd. "The Al-Aqsa mosque is our honor," read a poster. "You should know that not only Gaza, but Tel Aviv also has their eyes on this parade ground. Netanyahu does as well, and he is scared", said Saadet Party Chairman Temel Karamollaoglu, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Reuters Turkey has opposed the security measures installed at the entry points of the mosque compound, with President Tayyip Erdogan warning Israel that it would suffer most from the dispute. Erdogan accused Israel of inflicting damage on Jerusalem's "Islamic character", in comments that Israel's foreign ministry called "absurd." The dispute over security at the mosque compoundwhere Israel installed metal detectors at entry points after two police officers were murdered in a terror attack this monthhas touched off the bloodiest clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in years. Photo: Reuters On Friday however, the main prayer session at the Al-Aqsa mosque ended relatively calmly after Israel removed the tougher security measures, though it barred entrance to men under age 50 . Israel captured east Jerusalem, including the Old City and the holy compound, in the 1967 Six Day War. It annexed the area in a move that has never been recognized internationally. Photo: AFP The Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine, sits in the heart of the Old City. It is also the holiest place in Judaismthe venue of two ancient temples, the last destroyed by the Romans. Jews pray under heavy security at the Western Wall at the foot of the elevated plaza. A new video has surfaced showing the moments in which an owner of a pizza parlor in central Petah Tikva used a wooden pizza tray to strike a terrorist who carried out a stabbing attack in the area before giving chase. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter In the attack, a 35-year-old bus driver, Abed al-Fatah Abu Halal from Ar'ara was moderately-to-severely wounded after being stabbed in the torso and neck by a 21-year-old Palestinian from Qalqilya. The victim was rushed to Rabin Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. Pounding a terrorist over the head with a pizza tray X The terrorist reportedly told police that he "did it for Al-Aqsa." He was previously incarcerated between 2015 - 2016 for a nationalistically motivated attack. After the terrorist ran off, Madar ran after him and, with the help of others, managed to subdue the attacker. Shlomi Madar (Photo: Raanan Ben Zur) I saw the terrorist running in my direction and he tried to come into the shop. He stabbed the counter a few times. I stopped him coming in by bashing the pizza tray on his head, Madar recalled after the attack. General practitioners working out of new medical facilities near Perths hospitals could be paying rent as high as those found in premium grade office blocks in the CBD, according to new analysis by Y Research, a WA property information and research company. Y Research examined medical property as an emerging class in Perths property market, and found strong growth in both demand and price for buildings that house medical facilities across the capital, especially if the buildings were close to hospitals. Western Australias ageing population, robust employment growth, and flow of private investment towards new care facilities is turning medical into a major asset class, according to Damian Stone, Y Researchs principal and chief problem solver. The health sector's strong performance is underpinned by the rental premium of medical centres compared to alternative options for medical tenants office, retail and former residential properties, Stone said. Current asking rents for new medical centres on hospital campuses are comparable to premium grade CBD office buildings, On average, asking rents for high quality medical centres are 88 per cent higher than office and retail properties advertised for medical use, and 50.7 per cent higher than former residential properties advertised for medical use, he added. Given the anticipated surge in demand for medical facilities as the population ages, and with strong investment from the government, private sector, and property industry, medical property has the potential to be the prescription for the ailments of Western Australias commercial property markets in the years ahead, according to Stone. The McGowan government has committed to building a number of medihotels in Perth, which would provide accommodation support for patients not ready to be discharged, but who no longer need a hospital bed. The tender to build the first medihotel facility was won by the Fini Group, who are due to start work in 2018 and finish around 2021. The project will include apartments, an aged care facility, and a medical clinic adjacent to Fiona Stanley Hospital and St John of God private hospital. There are more healthcare facilities on the way. Nationally significant investment is flowing into the healthcare sector, which is estimated to be worth over $120 billion, Stone said. Healthcare in an attractive sector for investors due to strong growth and low volatility compared to retail and office property. Nationally, health care property delivered an annual return over 20 per cent. As a result of competition for limited quality assets, yields are tightening to levels comparable to quality office and retail assets, Stone said. Related Stories: WA Excerpt From The 2017 July Market Report What if a customer has an issue or dispute with a business? Can a consumer do more than post Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who is set to succeed his brother as the Pakistan Prime Minister, is looking to his son Hamza Shabaz as his replacement in Punjab, the media reported on Sunday. Shahbaz Sharif is known to enjoy "a degree of comfort in dealing with his son", the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting insiders in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). According to the insiders, however, the final say on who gets to helm Punjab would rest with ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is looking to consolidate the party's control in Punjab, the Dawn said. The PML-N cannot afford to lose its grip on Punjab since the next general elections are barely a year away. "Shahbaz wants his son, who is already acting as the Deputy Chief Minister, to succeed him for the remaining term in Punjab," a PML-N legislator from Punjab told Dawn. "However, (it is up to) Nawaz Sharif to decide whether Hamza will be the right choice for the post or not." The PML-N leader added that Shahbaz Nawaz would continue to oversee matters in Punjab indirectly while his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, would continue to govern the Centre from his Raiwind residence, the report said. A Punjab minister may keep the Chief Minister's seat warm for Shahbaz Nawaz's son for 45 days. On Saturday, the deposed Prime Minister formally announced that Shahbaz Nawaz would be his successor and Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be Premier for 45 days till Shahbaz Nawaz contests a by-election to enter the National Assembly. Rumours of Hamza Shahbaz's political tiffs with Nawaz Sharif's family and children abound. He had not openly defended his uncle (Nawaz Sharif) in the Panama Papers case, choosing not to comment too much on the issue. But both families have often denied rumours of any political disagreement. The Dawn said the names of three others - Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Information Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and Food Minister Bilal Yasin - were also being considered for the post of Punjab Chief Minister. Pune: Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy has claimed that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was under pressure from RJD chief Lalu Prasad during the grand alliance rule in Bihar and described his step to walk out of the coalition as a "big step" towards clean politics. Rudy, the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, also expressed confidence that under the new JD(U)-BJP government, Bihar would be transformed. "Bihar's population is 11 crore and Nitish Kumar has forged the partnership with the BJP in the interest of these people and the state. This alliance should have taken place much earlier. With this decision, Bihar is heading towards big transformation," he said. "I feel Nitish Kumar was under huge pressure of Lalu Prasad Yadav during the alliance, but now he is relieved and I think this decision is a big step in the direction of clean politics," he added. Rudy was speaking to reporters here on the sidelines of the launch of a skill development programme initiated by CREDAI Pune Metro. When asked about the allegations levelled by Lalu Prasad that the new alliance was "fixed", the MP from Bihar slammed the RJD chief over his alleged involvement in various scams. "He was found guilty in fodder scam and cannot contest elections... Now things are coming out that when he was the railway minister, he sold hotels and created shell companies in the name of his family members and now looking at the trail of all these scams, the amount of scam may go up to Rs 10,000 crore," claimed the minister. During his speech, Rudy said the mindset of people in India had always been to make their children engineers or provide good education to them so that they could get better jobs. "Post-Independence, even at the government level, we have never focused on skill development. There are 18 lakh seats in engineering colleges across India, out of which eight lakh seats are empty. If we focus more on skill development, we can really become the leading country in providing the skilled workforce to the world," he said. Rudy further said that the Narendra Modi government was the first in India to have created a separate ministry for skill development. "On behalf of the government, I urge CREDAI to make skill development their mission since the construction industry is one of the largest employment generators and construction workers are the real assets to their business. "CREDAI can train them across India. It has the potential to turn this dream of skilled India into reality," he said. Stating that construction-related deaths was a serious problem, Rudy said something must be done about this. With just pen, paper and patience, Jenna Hestekin can create a stunning rendition of any photograph, capturing the essence of each subject with immaculate detail. I used to do graphite, and now I use stippling, Hestekin said of her pen and ink drawings. I really love the rhythm. You just tap your pen theres something kind of musical about it. It took eight years for Hestekin to perfect the skill, and on Saturday she shared her work for the first time at Art Fair on the Green. One of two dozen new artists at the 59th annual event, Hestekin and her booth featured not one but three genres of art, including intricate scratch board pieces requiring up to 100 hours of labor and deceptively heavy wire animals. As owner of The Cozy Red studio, Hestekin, of Independence, has been attending art shows for five years and was intrigued by the buzz around Art Fair on the Green, a scholarship fundraiser hosted by the American Association of University Women that draws thousands each year. Ninety exhibitors were featured this year, and Hestekin was impressed by her fellow artists. I couldnt pick a favorite booth, she said. Theres so much cool stuff. Hestekins wire creations caught the eye of many, both charming in their petite size and striking in their workmanship. Each character, from foxes to horses, starts with a strand of wire, wrapped over and over until a shape develops, and then enhanced with old jewelry to create legs, ears and detail. I was bored one day and made this crude little cow, Hestekin said. It went from there. Happy accidents have resulted in many successes for Patty Tiry of Tiry Originals as well. The bead weaving artist from Palmyra, Wis., who has exhibited three times at this fair, creates necklaces, bracelets and earrings from tiny glass beads, needle and thread, and finds going off pattern can result in fabulous jewelry. Her trademark statement pieces, composed of individual woven elements attached to a thick, hand stitched tubular herringbone chain, may take 20 hours, but luckily she finds the process soothing. I dont think of it as being tedious, shared Tiry, who has been beading for 14 years. It keeps me sane. Jon Lee of Blue Coon Pottery has been at his craft for two decades, throwing and firing bowls, mugs and canisters in his home studio. He brought dachshunds Cooper and Olive along for his fourth year at the fair. The Coon Valley ceramicist learned the art while teaching in Asia and explored the works of others during his travels with his wife. We browsed Japan, Australia, the Philippines ... looking at the collections, Lee said. I have a love for the history of pottery. Lee specializes in functional ware and displayed his series of Viking inspired pottery, bowls embellished with shells, images of trout incised in clay and newly featured fermenting pots. After four years at Art Fair on the Green, Lee is conscientious of expanding his repertoire and admires the evolution of the featured artists. Every year different artists are coming up with new things, Lee said. (We) try to come up with something different to be the person thats capturing the consumer in some way. Carol Robertson, president of AAUW, was delighted by the turnout at the event, with each admission boosting the funds for next years scholarships. In 2016, the organization awarded $25,000 in scholarships and 23 grants, and Robertson witnessed the magnitude of those contributions as the fair opened. This morning a woman stopped by (who) we had given a $500 scholarship in 1973, Robertson said. It doesnt sound like much today but it enabled her to go to UW-L. She started to cry and said, I cant tell you how much that meant to me. We love when we can have that impact. Art Fair on the Green continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the UW-L campus. Admission is $4, free for ages 12 and younger. New Delhi: The RJD on Sunday said it will move court "within a week" against Bihar governor's invitation to JD(U)-NDA coalition to form government in the state, and hit out at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for "robbery of the mandate". "We will knock at the court's door, and go to the people's court ('janata ki adalat') as well to tell the masses about the kind of politics being played by the two parties -- JD(U) and BJP," RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha said. The senior RJD leader also challenged Kumar to address a meeting in an area dominated by people from Dalit, Mahadalit and other backward castes, saying "He (Kumar) will face of the wrath of the people." "Every mandate has a character and in Bihar it was the Dalits, the minorities and some progressive sections of the upper caste (which had voted for the previous government). Now, with JD(U) breaking the Grand Alliance, the character of that mandate has been dropped," he said. "People of Bihar, including the youth, are feeling cheated about this robbery of the mandate they had given for an inclusive Bihar," Jha said on the on the sidelines of an event here. The governor's decision to invite Kumar to form the government with the BJP, he said, was a "blatant violation" of the Supreme Court judgement in the Bommai case. "According to the S R Bommai case judgement, it is mandatory to call the single largest party or electoral bloc first to explore the formation of a government," he said, adding, "we will move court soon, within a week's time". He said the party will go to 'janata ki adalat' (people's court) and tell them about the "conspiracy" hatched by the BJP. "If one looks at the political journey of Nitish Kumar, it is worse than a Machiavellian character. He spoke of 'Sangh-mukt' (RSS-free) India and now he made it a 'Sangh- yukt' (Sangh-driven) Bihar. Attacking Kumar, he said, his political journey also tells us about morality in politics. "We were wrong in believing every word spoken by Nitish, which was just rhetoric. For the last one year, he was playing according to the script of Nagpur, the RSS headquarters," he said. "But history has a different view than contemporary tv anchors. History looks at in a nuanced manner. And, in the eyes of history, Kumar shall appear as somebody who destroyed, deceived the mandate which was won for building an inclusive Bihar," Jha said. Nitish Kumar joined the very people and the philosophy, he pretended to be fighting, he said. Patna: Bihar Minister Khurshid, alias Firoz Ahmad, who was given a 'fatwa' for chanting 'Jai shri Ram', said he is sorry if he had hurt people's sentiments. I apologize to anyone who was hurt. I didn't abuse anyone. No one asked me what's in my heart, he said. Ahmad had said on Sunday that he would not hesitate to chant 'Jai shri Ram' if it is for harmony and development of the state. "If I have to say 'Jai shri Ram' for people of Bihar, development, harmony, I will never step back from saying it," the minister told ANI. After the comment, a cleric issued a 'Fatwa' against him, saying that it was un-Islamic. Ahmad, however, said the cleric reacted unnecessarily and done in a hurry. As far as the fatwa is concerned, no one talked to me first and decided everything on their own, he said. "God knows with what intention I raised slogans of 'Jai shri Ram'. My work will tell who I am... Respect Imarat Shariah, they should have asked my intentions (before issuing fatwa). Why should I be scared?" he added. Khurshid was once again made a minister in the JD(U)-BJP government yesterday and was given the Minority Welfare portfolio. Patna: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has spat more venom against his 'bete noire' Nitish Kumar and said the JD-U leader has betrayed the peoples mandate by joining hands with fascist forces. Yadav said that he has urged Sharad Yadav, who was reportedly upset over Kumar's decision to side with BJP, to lead the fight against communal forces. Nitish has tarnished the image of Ambedkar. I urge Sharad Yadav, whom we consider the true leader, to travel to every corner of the country and come to Bihar and join our fight against the BJP and Nitish Kumar, Yadav told ANI. On July 26, Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar ended ties with RJD and the Congress over graft charges against Lalu's son Tejashwi Yadav. I talked to Sharad Yadav over the phone. I appeal to him that come and go to every corner of the country, and take command of this fight, the RJ leader said on Saturday. The Hindustan Times reported that Yadav is not the only party leader unhappy with Kumars decision. Parliamentarians Ali Anwar and Veerendra Kumar have also reportedly voiced their displeasure over JD (U)s return to the NDA. Citing the RJD leader, the report further said that his party would launch a Desh bachao, BJP bhagao (save the nation, throw out BJP) movement. On Saturday, Kumar distributed portfolios to 27 ministers of his new cabinet. Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi administered the oath of office. Mumbai: As an actress, Anushka Sharma, who essays a Gujarati girl in 'Jab Harry Met Sejal', says she enjoys playing a character that has different beliefs from her own. She says essaying such a character gives her a creative high and adds to her perspective. Asked if the process of convincing oneself to believe in a character that one has to play on screen gives her creative growth, Anushka told IANS here: "Yes, it does. I enjoy when my philosophy is challenged by my onscreen character. Then I start analysing the mindset, the values and beliefs of the character... why is she like that. "I start looking at things from a different perspective. As an actress, if I manage to do that on screen convincingly, I feel good." The story of 'Jab Harry Met Sejal', which features superstar Shah Rukh Khan as Harry -- the male lead, revolves around how Sejal (Anushka) sets out on a journey with tourist guide Harry. Giving a little insight into her character Sejal, Anushka said: "She is very superficial, doesn`t have any depth as a person. There is no similarity with me. But her morals and values of self-respect are something that I can relate to. But otherwise, the character is quite impulsive by nature." The shooting of the film took place in different places like Prague, Amsterdam, Vienna, Lisbon and Budapest. Sharing her experience of shooting films abroad, Anushka said meeting fans there is one of the best things to experience. "I met some African fans, people from Italy and a girl from Spain who was so excited to see me and was talking about how she liked my films, dance and all... It is not individually about me, but knowing the fact that they watch Bollywood cinema and I am one of the members of Bollywood is a great feeling," said Anushka. 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' marks the third-time collaboration of the two actors who first appeared together in 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'. They also featured in 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'. "There is a certain respect and comfort we share... He is special. While on set, even though we are not talking to each other all the time, we know there is no communication gap. There is comfort in silence. Perhaps that comes from a mutual respect between two artists." And what has she taken away from working with Imtiaz Ali, who has directed the forthcoming film. "Our process of understanding and building a character is same -- knowing the back story of the character. That apart, yes, of course, it was wonderful to work with Imtiaz. His writing and narration are very nuanced and I like that," Anushka said. 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' is set to release on August 4. New Delhi: Since quite a while now, it was being said that Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar and superstar Salman Khan have joined forces to produce a movie based on Battle of Saragarhi that will be starring Akshay Kumar. However, later, some reports also claimed that the 'Bhaijaan' of B-Town is no longer a part of the flick. When asked about the same, PTI quoted Akki as saying, "The film is not shelved. It is happening. (And) that is not decided yet. It's still going on." The film was reportedly based on military commander Havildar Ishar Singh who led 21 Sikh soldiers through a deathly battle against thousands of Afghani invaders. Also, Akshay is all set for the release of his upcoming film 'Toilet - Ek Prem Katha'. The starrer is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. Madrid: Spanish hotels are turning to private detectives and the courts to repel a surge in fake food poisoning claims by British holidaymakers that has already cost them millions of euros. The number of food sickness claims soared to more than 10,000 during the 2016-17 tourist season, from around just 600 in 2015-16, said the head of Spain`s hotel confederation CEHAT, Ramon Estalella. It estimates that more than 90 percent of the claims -- usually made through small-claims management companies that promise payouts of several thousand pounds -- are bogus. For years Britons have been the biggest group of tourists to Spain by nationality. Estalella said they are responsible for virtually all of the fake illness claims. The problem has arisen because British consumer law does not require claimants to produce any medical evidence of illness, and claims can be filed up to three years after a stay at a hotel, he said. "If the law was the same in Germany, Spain or France, I am certain that people from there would do the same," Estalella told AFP. Hotels complain that British claims management companies openly tout for business in Spanish resorts, promising not to charge any fees if no eventual damages are paid out. An ambulance emblazoned with the words "Claims Clinic" was last year pictured driving around Tenerife on Spain`s Canary Islands, where more than one in three tourists is British. The total value of the fake claims made during the 2016/17 season amounted to more than 100 million euros ($115 million), Estalella said.In the past hotels tended to settle the claims because the cost of fighting them in a British court would be far higher overall. But they have adopted a harder line as the number of claims has soared. Hotel representatives met with officials from the British embassy in May and shortly after the Foreign Office in London updated its travel advice to warn that fraudulent claimants in Spain could face prosecution. Police arrested a British man on the holiday island of Mallorca in June, and placed another under investigation, on suspicion of targeting tourists outside hotels and encouraging them to make bogus claims. They opened their probe after receiving a dossier from a law firm hired by the Club Mac resort in Puerto Alcudia in northern Mallorca. The file included evidence compiled by private detectives. It featured photographs and other documents that could disprove food poisoning claims made by almost 1,000 British clients of the resort`s three hotels, said Carolina Ruiz, the lawyer at Monlex Abogados, who is handling the case. The bar receipts of one man who claimed his holiday was ruined because he fell sick from the food at the all-inclusive resort show he drank over 100 gin and tonics while on holiday there, she told AFP. "If he was sick it was not because of food poisoning at the hotel, it was for other reasons," Ruiz said ironically. Police said the investigation is continuing and they have not ruled out further arrests in what is the biggest criminal probe to date against fake illness claims brought about by a complaint from a hotel group, Ruiz said. Some Spanish hotels are turning the tables and launching lawsuits of their own against people who make fraudulent sickness claims. The Ponderosa Apart Hotel in Tenerife in May filed a lawsuit for defamation against a British man who allegedly faked becoming sick, as well as against the law firm that handled his case. "We have to stop them and if the way to do it is through the courts, we should do it. Otherwise they will finish us," the hotel`s director told reporters at the time. What the Spanish hotel sector wants most of all is a change in British law to make it harder to make fake food poisoning claims. "If there was a change in the law, this would end," Estalella said. Berlin: An Iraqi gunman died in a shootout with German police early on Sunday after killing one person in a nightclub in the southern city of Konstanz, police said, ruling out terrorism as a motive. "The motives of the man who acted alone are unclear," Konstanz police spokesman Fritz Bezikofer told broadcaster n-tv. "We are still investigating but the circumstances surrounding the events at the disco in the evening before the shooting are a bit clearer and this led us to rule out a terrorism background." The 34-year-old man opened fire in the club in the early hours of Sunday, killing one person and injuring three others. He died in hospital of injuries suffered in a gunfight with police outside the venue. One policeman was also injured. Police said the gunman had lived in Germany for a number of years and was not an asylum seeker. They added that a dispute among criminals may have led to the shooting in an industrial area of the city. Police special forces were deployed in the city after the shooting around 0230 GMT as it was not clear if the suspect had acted alone or had accomplices. On Friday, a failed asylum seeker killed one person and injured six others in the northern city of Hamburg. Officials said he was an Islamist known to security forces and he was psychologically unstable. Ahmedabad: Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pavak intercepted and apprehended a merchant vessel carrying approximately 1,500 kg of heroin valued at around Rs 3,500 crore off the coast of Gujarat, officials said on Sunday. "This is the largest single haul of narcotics seized till date," an official said. According to the Indian Coast Guard, based on intelligence inputs, the vessel was intercepted around 12 noon on July 29. The ship was brought to Porbandar in Gujarat on Sunday morning for further investigation. A joint investigation by the Coast Guard, Intelligence Bureau (IB), police, Customs, Navy and other agencies is currently underway, officials said. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Assam on August 1 to review the flood situation in the state. Prime Minister Modi would discuss all the aspects related to floods with the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and senior officials during his visit. The flood has so far claimed more than 70 lives in the state so far. The Centre has already announced an ex-gratia of Rs. two lakhs for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50, 0000 to those seriously injured in the floods. The floods in the region have badly affected over 30 lakh people in 29 districts of Assam this year. Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi undertook an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Gujarat and announced ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the next kin of those killed in Gujarat floods, and Rs. 50,000 to those injured. He said more than Rs. 500 crore would be provided by the Centre to the State Disaster Management to provide relief at this time of emergency. The Prime Minister assured that officers from the Government of India will provide all the assistance in short-term and long-term measures to the people in the region. "Even if we expect more rainfall, relief work will be further intensified. The ministries of Urban and Rural development of the Indian Government will also take the stock of the situation and will provided the necessary assistance to people," he said. He further said that the Center will provide all sort of the relief to people of Gujarat, whether it is agricultural relief, infrastructural relief or others. Guwahati: Amidst impressive live demonstrations of various tactics and skills of rescue and relief by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju inaugurated setting up of Rescue Relief Teams (RRTs) at Dighalpukhri in Assam`s Guwahati. Additional Director General (ADG), SSB S.S. Deswal emphasised that the border population has always found SSB beside them at the time of crisis or natural calamity and that is why it is popularly known as the "People`s Force". DG, SSB Archana Ramasundaram said that for the last 53 years SSB has been dedicatedly and relentlessly securing the nation."The Government of India has mandated SSB to guard 1751 kilometers of international border with Nepal and 699 kilometers of border with Bhutan. Apart from this, the SSB is also deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for internal security and in states of Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar for anti-Naxal operation," she said. "The SSB has proved itself to be a force with humanitarian face by working for humanity in adversity, be it in flood relief, cloudburst, landslides, during earthquakes, during droughts, cyclones, epidemics and accidents etc. The local populace always found SSB steadfastly with them during difficult times," she added. During the review meeting of SSB Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was appreciative of excellent services rendered by SSB in disaster relief and in the plan of raising RRTs in each sector. The DG said that they had only three RRTs and therefore to further raise one RRT in each sector a consultative meeting was convened with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Consequently, SSB finally decided to set up 18 RRTs in each sector of SSB. Every rescue and relief team comprises 35 trained personnel including five women who are well equipped with modern equipments to tackle any calamity in their respective areas of responsibility and to provide succour to the affected populace in the capacity of the first responder. The DG also told that the inauguration of 15 RRTs` at 15 sector HQ including for three sectors at Guwahati were simultaneously taking place at their respective locations. The DG further informed that in pursuant to national policy on Disaster management 2009, SSB is also going to set up a disaster management training school at Salonibari, Assam. The case has already been taken up with the Government and therefore she urged Rijiju to grant approval to the proposal at the earliest. Rijiju appreciated SSB for dedicatedly carrying out its duties on borders, in naxal infested areas and internal security but also in case of natural calamities and providing relief and rescue to the common masses as a First Responder. Rijiju further said he was happy to know that these RRTs will provide all possible help and facilities to all other stake holders and sister organisation including NDRF and SDRF to get over the calamities and will work together. While appreciating the setting up of RRTs by SSB, he emphasised that all other CAPFs should replicate the model of RRTs` of SSB in their respective forces as it will stream line the efforts of rescue and relief and make it more effective. He also assured SSB that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will soon give its nod to set-up Disaster Management Training School in Salonibari, Assam and will provide all necessary monetary help for procurement of modern equipments for RRTs. The function at Guwahati was witnessed at all SSB locations through live streaming on Facebook. WINONA -- Veterans of the Korean War recognized the 64th anniversary of the armistice that brought about the ceasefire on Thursday. Often cited as the Forgotten War, the conflict still casts a long shadow over current international politics. Winona native Neil Hinkley was among the first to be deployed when war broke out in late June 1950. We got right in the thick of it right from the start, Hinkley said. He was among the first three divisions to be deployed at the outbreak of war. Hinkleys unit, the 10th Infantry Division, was en route to Japan from Alaska, halfway across the Pacific, when North Korea started that ruckus in late June of 1950. The North Korean blitz across the border was supported by the Soviet Union with weaponry and equipment, pushing back United Nations forces into the Busan (pronounced Pusan) Perimeter. Hinkley recalls the intense fighting with disgust. He described the frustration of taking a hill during the day only for the enemy to take it during the night. We did not have the equipment we shouldve had, Hinkley said. You dont go up against tanks and artillery with an M1 or a carbine, you need something bigger than that. During combat, Hinkley was hit by enemy shrapnel. His wounds got him away from the front and into an army hospital in Texas, where he would spend a year and a half recovering. He received a Purple Heart medal for his service and was honorably discharged at the rank of corporal. With the Korean War overshadowed by World War II beforehand, and the Vietnam War coming shortly after, many failed to see the Korean War's impact. People were sick of war, and the conflict on the small Asian peninsula faded from public memory. Im not happy about that, because when you have thousands of people, or troops that are getting killed, what is that? Thats not a police action, thats war, Hinkley said. Combined efforts of the United States and its allies pushed the communist armies across the border until they came close to Chinas doorstep. This provoked counterattacks that pushed allied forces back again. The subsequent armistice drew the line at the 38th parallel, maintaining the original border between North and South Korea. The two nations remain at war, and the ceasefire has been violated many times over decades of hostility. During that time, another soldier, Mel Bailey, served as a personal specialist for the U.S. Armys 7th Division in the demilitarized zone. His active duty career spanned from 1966 to 1968. Bailey taught English to South Korean soldiers attached to the division. The sergeant's students were college graduates who already knew the basics but needed practice. Their textbooks were childrens books like the Dick and Jane series. His unit was located north of Uijeongbu, very close to enemy occupied territory. We were told we are the first line of defense if North Korea comes over, Bailey said. In other words, were cannon fodder to slow them before they get to Seoul and before people get organized. As a personnel specialist, it was his job to assign replacements, which meant matching a job to 200 to 300 people a day. Bailey enjoyed his time with the South Koreans. They worked collaboratively against the communist armies in the north, knowing that they needed each other to keep the DMZ secure. They knew how many of our guys had died and what it had cost there, and how their economy was building up, Bailey said. They were very, very helpful. New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned the killing of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker in Kerala who was murdered on Saturday night and blamed Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) for the attack. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that the ruling party (CPI-M) is definitely behind the death of the RSS worker. "They (CPI-M) celebrate after killing RSS people. They are mad people sitting in power and doing things like these." He further demanded that the Central government should dismiss this government. Speaking to ANI on the same matter, BJP member Sudesh Verma added that this is not the first incident of political violence in Kerala, where a RSS or BJP worker has been killed. "Hundreds of workers have been killed, we have been raising these issues but the so called- liberal and progressive forces in this country don`t condone this because it is happening against our members," Verma said. He also questioned the award wapsi brigade. "Every killing needs to be condemned and action needs to be taken. We expect that Kerala government should act on this," he added. However, CPI-M state secretary Kodiyery Balakrishnan has maintained that his party members were not responsible for the murder and castigated the BJP for creating law and order problems in the state. "The probe shows the attack against RSS worker is not a political killing. The main accused Manikandan is not a CPI-M member. His father is an INTUC worker. Those who are in custody are from various political outfits, one is from BMS also," Balakrishnan said in a press conference. A 34-year-old RSS leader was murdered in Kozhikode on Saturday night. The police has so far detained eight people in connection with this case.The BJP has blamed the CPI-M for carrying out the attack. New Delhi: An Indian Navy band will participate in the prestigious Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the UK next month, an event of military music performance undertaken by armed forces. The participation of the naval band is expected to strengthen ties between India and the United Kingdom (UK). The two countries have announced 2017 as the 'India-UK Year of Culture' to celebrate cultural ties and the 70th year of Indian independence. "The invitation to the Indian Navy band to participate and perform in this prestigious event scheduled from August 1 to 26 is indeed a matter of pride and befitting recognition of the professional prowess of the naval band," the Navy said. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is the largest tattoo performed in the world in the sprawling stretch of the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade in Scotland. The band has been practicing for the last few months to further hone their skills for the event. The band comprises one officer and 65 musician sailors, the Navy said. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo boasts of performances from over 50 bands, and nearly 8,500 visitors attending the daily performances. Nearly 2.5 lakh people are likely to attend the 26-day period this year. Besides India, bands from Australia, France, Germany and Japan are also expected to perform at the tattoo this year. New Delhi: With the JD(U) allying with the BJP, the NDA's numbers with the support of friendly regional parties are now very close to a majority in the Rajya Sabha, giving a boost to the government's legislative agenda. A counting of the strength of different parties besides independent and nominated members suggest that the Modi dispensation can expect the support of at least 121 members in the 245-member House. Shrewd political management by its floor managers can help it successfully stave off the challenge posed by the Congress-led opposition, which has often been successful in blocking its bills in the Upper House. The Nitish Kumar-led party has 10 members in the Upper House, a significant addition to the treasury benches which have so far remained in a minority. The JD(U)'s support boosts the NDA's number to 89 in the 245-member House. Some members of the party have spoken against Kumar's decision to join hands with the BJP but it is not clear if they will defy its stand in Parliament. With the BJP set for a win in the by-poll in Madhya Pradesh, where a vacancy was caused by Anil Madhav Dave's death, and pulling out all stops to snatch one seat from the Congress in Gujarat, its tally could go to 91 during the ongoing Parliament's session. Regional parties like the AIADMK, the BJD, the TRS, the YSRCP and the INLD, which together have 26 members, have often backed the government, which can also count on at least four of the eight nominated members for support. It all adds up to 121, very close to the majority mark of 123. It may get a big boost during the monsoon session if the BJP wins eight of the nine seats in Uttar Pradesh. It has now only one member among them. However, the NDA will face some reverses in Bihar which will see elections for six seats in March-April next year. The JD(U) and the BJP have currently four and two seats respectively. The RJD-Congress combine can win up to three seats. New Delhi: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has asked the Defence Ministry to trace and share with it all missing files related to the Bofors scandal, according to its two members. The six-member sub-committee on defence, headed by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, is looking into the long-pending non- compliance of certain aspects of the CAG report on the Bofors guns deal. The PAC strongly objected to the ministry's suggestion that certain paragraphs of the CAG report may be dropped as some files related to it are missing, according to the minutes of the parliamentary panel's meeting, a copy of which is with PTI. The meeting was held earlier this month. During the meeting, both PAC chairman Mahtab and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stressed on the need for top ministry officials to trace and share missing files and notings related to the deal. According to the minutes of the meeting, top defence ministry officials agreed that the ministry will share all the required details with the PAC. When contacted, two MPs who are members of the committee confirmed that the ministry has agreed to share the details with them. The Bofors scandal relating to alleged payment of kickbacks in procurement of howitzer artillery guns had triggered a massive political storm and led to the fall of the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1989. The CAG report on Bofors is the oldest "pending" report before the PAC, which examines audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India after these are tabled in Parliament. Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir CM and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that Pakistan fishes in the troubled waters of Jammu and Kashmir but they are not the creators of violent unrest in the Kashmir. Addressing an event, organised by the Bureau of Research, on Industry and Economic Fundamentals titled 'Understanding Kashmir,' here, the former Jammu and Kashmir CM Said,"I know it is popular to blame Pakistan for everything that is happening in Jammu and Kashmir, but it is not true. While we know that Pakistan fishes in troubled waters, we also know that they are not the creators of the sort of agitations that we have seen in 2008, 2010 and 2016. So, there us a fair amount of blame to be shared across the board." Blaming state and Modi government for the continuous unrest in the valley, Omar asserted,"How can we absolve ourselves of the responsibility? It's not just mainstream political players in Jammu and Kashmir that are responsible for what is happening. The Union of India is also responsible, whether it was the UPA Government or the NDA Government." "Who you want to blame, how much for, depends on which side of the line are you. The Centre would like to blame the states more. We sitting in the states hold the Centre responsible to higher degree. It depends on which side you are sitting on," the former CM added. Abdullah also cited an example of the cancellation of the parliamentary election in Anantnag following violent protests in the Kashmir Valley and said it was for the first time that the separatist Hurriyat Conference had been handed over an electoral victory. "This is the first election in Jammu and Kashmir which the Hurriyat Conference have won, because since 1996 whenever elections were called the Hurriyat Conference had a single point agenda that some how this election should not take place. This is the first time on the back of protests you cancelled an election and handed victory to them." He said the cancellation of the south Kashmir election proved the inability of the Indian government and the Election Commission to make their writ run in Jammu and Kashmir. He also lashed out at present chief minister Mehbooba Mufti saying it is not within the latter's power to decide if India and Pakistan are going to engage with each other. Aurangabad: A joint team of CRPF and police on Tuesday arrested three naxalites from Bihar's Aurangabad district. Acting on a tip off that naxalites are pasting posters in different areas to terrorise people to make their proposed August 3 Bihar bandh a success, a joint team of CRPF and local police raided Sahajpur and Kalidi villages of the district and arrested three naxalites who had come to paste posters, Superintendent of Police, Satya Prakash said. The arrested naxalites have been identified as Ramlagan Singh Bhokta, Kamlesh Singh Bhokta and Mahesh Bhuiya, SP said adding that police are conducting raids to nab their accomplices on the basis of information received from them. These naxalites have been indulging in various naxal activities, he said and added that Kamlesh Singh Bhokta had been in jail for his involvement in naxal activities but at present he was on bail. These naxalites were trying to influence and motivate local youths to join naxal outfit, SP said. Thiruvanathapuram: One person was taken into custody here on Sunday in connection with the murder of a RSS worker in the city late last night , police said. A search has also been intensified for the other accused, they said. A gang led by a history shooter had attacked the 34-year-old RSS 'karyavahak' and hacked him to death. His left arm was chopped off and there were several injuries all over his body. City police has extended prohibitory orders for three more days till August 2 and banned processions in the state capital. The dawn-to-dusk state-wide hartal called by BJP on July 30 in protest against the incident was almost total. People who reached railway stations unaware of the hartal had difficulty in getting vehicles to reach their homes. BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan alleged that the CPI(M) was behind the attack. Describing the murder as brutal, he said this is "annihilation politics" aimed at wiping off the RSS and BJP. The BJP would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the National Human Rights Commission, he said. However, the CPI(M) district leadership has denied any role of the party in the attack. The incident comes close on the heels of the attack of BJP's Kerala unit office and stone pelting at the house of CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's son Bineesh Kodiyeri here. New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday voiced concern over attacks on political workers in Kerala and said political violence was unacceptable in a democracy. He tweeted saying, "Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan today regarding the recent incidents of political violence in the state. I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy." Singh added, "I expect that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and that the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously." I have expressed my concern with the law and order situation in the state of Kerala. Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy. 2/3 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 30, 2017 His phone call to the Kerala CM came a day after an RSS worker was hacked to death by a gang led by a history-sheeter near Thiruvananthapuram. The HM said he expects that the political violence in Kerala is curbed and the perpetrators are brought to justice expeditiously. Police said 34-year-old Rajesh's left hand was chopped off in the attack which took place around 9 pm last night. An investigation has been launched and search is on for assailants, they said. BJP's Kerala unit president Kumanam Rajasekharan alleged the CPI-M was behind the attack, a charge denied by the district leadership of the Left party. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Referring to Madras High Court order, which made singing of 'Vande Mataram' mandatory in the Tamil Nadu schools, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that singing the national song was a "matter of choice" and those refusing to sing it could not be dubbed as anti- nationals. Talking to news agency PTI, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, said,"Singing Vande Mataram is absolutely an individual's choice. Those who want to sing can sing it, those who don't, may not. Not singing it does not make one anti-national." He added that however, if someone deliberately opposed the singing of the national song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, it was "in bad taste" and "not in the interest of the country". Earlier on Saturday, sparks flew in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as the ruling BJP MLAs slammed Samajwadi Party's Abu Asim Azmi, who opposed a demand for making the singing of 'Vande Mataram' mandatory in the schools and colleges of the state. Citing the Madras HC verdict, BJP MLA Raj Purohit said it should be followed by the schools and colleges in Maharashtra as well. Azmi said he would not sing 'Vande Mataram' even if he was "thrown out of the country", while AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan said he would not sing it "even if a revolver is put to my head". Speaking at Shirdi, state PWD Minister Chandrakant Patil today said no one should have a problem saying 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. Jammu/New Delhi: The NIA on Sunday conducted raids at two places belonging to a close aide of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in Jammu in connection with its probe in the terror funding case in the Kashmir Valley, officials said. In a related development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) also issued summon to Naseem, the second son of Geelani, who heads separatist conglomerate Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, to appear before the agency on Wednesday. His elder son Nayeem has been summoned at the NIA headquarters tomorrow. The NIA raided the office and residence of a lawyer this morning amid allegations about his close proximity with Geelani, said officials, who are familiar with the developments. His foreign trips have come under lens and he will be questioned soon, the officials said. This is the second raid in Jammu in connection with the case of terror funding. Earlier, the agency had raided a businessman. Earlier, the NIA had issued summons to Geelani's elder son Nayeem, asking him to appear before it for questioning tomorrow in connection with its probe in the terror funding case which names Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ul-Dawah, the front of another proscribed outfit Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT), Hafiz Saeed, as an accused. The NIA has also named separatist organisations such as the Hurriyat Conference (factions led by Geelani and Mirwaiz Farooq), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and all-woman outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat in its FIR. A surgeon by profession, Nayeem had returned from Pakistan in 2010 after spending 11 years there. He is tipped as the natural successor to the Geelani-led Tehrek-e-Hurriyat, a separatist conglomerate comprising hardline groups. Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh has already been arrested by the NIA and was being interrogated in the same case, they said. Besides him, Geelani's close aides Ayaz Akbar, who is also the spokesman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, and Peer Saifullah were arrested by the NIA from the Valley last week. Shahid-ul-Islam, spokesman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Nayeem Khan (of the Hurriyat's Geelani faction) and Farooq Ahmed Dar alias 'Bitta Karate' have also been arrested. All of them have been remanded to 10 days of NIA custody. The NIA had registered a case on May 30 against the separatist and secessionist leaders, including members of the Hurriyat Conference, who have been acting in connivance with active militants of the HM, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, LeT, other outfits and gangs. The case was registered for raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including hawala, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and for causing disruption in the Kashmir Valley by way of pelting security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India. In pursuance of this case, the NIA had conducted widespread searches on the suspected persons in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Haryana and incriminating documents, electronic devices, cash and other valuables worth crore of rupees were unearthed. For the the first time since the rise of militancy in Kashmir in the early 1990s, a central probe agency had carried out raids in connection with the funding of separatists and carried out arrests. New Delhi: It's that time of the year when all brothers will celebrate their oh-so-cool sisters with lots of smiles, love and gifts. This year, Raksha Bandhan falls on August 7, when sisters and brothers will get together to celebrate their bitter-sweet bond. While your sister is busy picking the best Rakhi for you, Tina Narang, design director of Intrika, has listed down some ideas so that you are equally prepared with a gift for her. "India is a land of festivals and Raksha Bandhan is one of the most special festivals as it celebrates sibling love. And with Raksha Bandhan, every brother is faced with the challenge of choosing the perfect gift for his sister. This Raksha Bandhan, let the testimony of your love reflect in your choice of gift," Tina told ANI. 1. Chantilly lace saree - Intricate lace designs have become a popular option with haute couture this season. Steeped in opulence and elegance, these varied intricate lace designs add to the collection's unique look. Treat your wardrobe to Intrika's finest pieces and make a style statement with our unique Chantilly lace sarees. 2. Dresses - They are a wardrobe essential as they spell sheer class. Channel your inner diva and choose from a variety of styles that will help enhance your look. Be it a short dress or a chic full length gown, we create alluring garments that are sure to complement your look and feel, no matter the occasion. 3. Indo western - This is the most advisable option for all those who like to keep it chic and functional. Being one of the latest styles trending, it not only is minimalistic, but stunning as well. Embellished with eclectic designs and vibrant hues, pairing these outfits with a silk crop top will elevate one's fusion look to a whole new level. 4. Scarves - Originally worn by royalty, scarves have come to be a part of everyday wear in recent times and play a big part in planning your seasonal outfits. This classic accessory has become every woman's wardrobe staple. Lace being a versatile fabric goes well with every ensemble and can instantly transcend your look into a radiant one. Unique lace scarves and pashmina shawls with lace applique are accented with intricate craftsmanship by our hand embroiders; make for exquisite gifts for every woman. Kabul: At least 11 militants were killed when the Afghan police repelled a Taliban attack in Pakika province, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday. According to a ministry statement, the insurgents were killed and 17 others injured when Taliban militants attacked police checkpoints in Sarobi district on Saturday evening, Xinhua news agency reported. No police official was injured in the operation, the statement said. The Taliban have yet to make any comment. Montreal: Canada has warned it was reviewing reports that Saudi Arabia is using Canadian armored vehicles in a crackdown in the Sunni-ruled kingdom's Shiite-majority east. "We are looking at these claims very seriously... And have immediately launched a review," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking in French, said in during a visit in central Canada. The Globe and Mail reported earlier that light armored vehicles sold by Canada to Saudi Arabia had been used against Shia civilians in a major operation that left several people in the town of Awamiya in Eastern Province. Experts told the newspaper that vehicles appearing in photos and videos of the Saudi operations were Gurkha RPVs produced by Terradyne Armored Vehicles near Toronto. Earlier, a spokesman indicated that Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland was "deeply concerned about this situation and has asked officials to review it immediately." "If it is found that Canadian exports have been used to commit serious violations of human rights, the minister will take action," added spokesman John Babcock. "The government is actively seeking more information about Saudi Arabia's current efforts to deal with its security challenges, the reports of civilian casualties, and the reports that Canadian-made vehicles have been used by Saudi Arabia in its current security operations," he said in a statement. "Canada will review all available information as it determines an appropriate course of action." Babcock said Ottawa had shared its concerns with Saudi Arabia, demanding that "its internal security operations be conducted in a manner consistent with international human rights law." The controversial $13 billion US contract to supply Riyadh with light armored vehicles was struck by the previous Conservative government. Trudeau's Liberal government has had to defend this contract against criticism that it may have violated Canada's export control rules that bar arms exports to countries with a poor human rights record and the prohibit using these weapons against civilians. Freeland's predecessor, Stephane Dion, had stated in April 2016 that the government would halt or revoke the export license for the military equipment if credible information showed it was being used inappropriately. "We have contracts in which people commit to respect Canadian laws, the terms of the contract and Canadian values, and we expect these contracts to be respected," Trudeau said. Islamabad: Pakistan`s parliament will meet on Tuesday to elect a new Prime Minister after the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif following an investigation into corruption allegations against his family. The ruling party named Sharif`s younger brother Shahbaz Sharif as his successor over the weekend, but he must first enter parliament by contesting the seat left vacant by Sharif. In the meantime the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which enjoys a majority in parliament, has nominated ex-oil minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim Prime Minister. The top court ousted Sharif Friday after an investigation into corruption allegations against him and his family, bringing his historic third term in power to an unceremonious end. "The nomination papers --- shall be delivered to the Secretary, National Assembly by 2.00 pm, on Monday," said a notification by the National Assembly Secretariat and seen by AFP. It said the assembly would meet at 3:00 pm Tuesday for the "election of the Prime Minister". The younger Sharif -- who is chief minister of the country`s most populous province of Punjab -- has so far been unscathed by the corruption allegations engulfing his brother`s family. However he only holds only a provincial seat and therefore must be elected to the national assembly before becoming Prime Minister. On Saturday the Election Commission said fresh elections would be held in Nawaz Sharif`s former constituency, in the family`s power base in Punjab, in a process that could take up to 45 days. Abbasi is set to be rubber-stamped as placeholder in the parliamentary vote. The opposition could also field a candidate but has little chance of securing enough votes in the 342-seat house. 5 TV shows and films on homosexuality and same-sex marriages - IN PICS Washington: US President Donald Trump on Saturday accused China of doing nothing on North Korea, after the belligerent hermit state launched an intercontinental ballistic missile test, and vowed change. "I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk," Trump said in two tweets. "We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" Konstanz (Germany): A gunman opened fire at a packed nightclub in southern Germany today, killing one and wounding four before being shot by police, authorities said, in an attack likely motivated by a personal feud. The 34-year-old man, identified as an Iraqi national, "was critically injured in a shootout with police officers as he left the disco, and later succumbed to his wounds in hospital," police said in a statement. "Investigations are ongoing into the background of the act, which was likely linked to a dispute in the attacker's personal life. There are no indications of a terror act," police added. The foreign gunman was not an asylum seeker and has been living in the Constance region, which borders Switzerland, for 15 years. Officers began receiving emergency calls from terrified clubbers at around 4:30 am (local time) as the man began shooting in the nightclub heaving with "several hundred" people, said police. One person was killed on the spot and three others seriously wounded in the club called "Grey", located in an industrial zone of the city, which draws Swiss revellers during the weekends. Shortly after the gunman left the building, he was shot by police. One officer was also injured in the exchange of fire. Frightened revellers had either fled the building or found a place to hide, police said, adding that the danger was now over. Helicopters were circling overhead and special forces were also deployed to secure the site. A witness told national news agency DPA that the attacker was shooting randomly at clubbers around him. "The club was jam-packed," added the unnamed man, who said he had seen the attacker and fled quickly with his friends. Another unnamed clubber was quoted by Suedkurier daily that he was in the washroom when someone came in and closed the toilet door saying there was shooting. "I didn't believe it and went out. But I heard shots and quickly ran back to the toilet and closed the door with another person. With us was a bouncer who was shot and he was bandaging the wound with a belt," said the witness. A bartender then opened the emergency exit door, allowing revellers to flee, he said, adding that he saw another person with a wound in the leg lying on the grass by the parking lot. "I just shouted at everyone to run and when we were in the parking lot, we heard shots again," he said. Police was unable to confirm the type of weapon used, but Bezikofer said it was "not just a pistol, the talk is of a long weapon or an automatic pistol". The shooting came just two days after Germany was shaken by a knife attack in the northern port city of Hamburg. A 26-year-old Palestinian had killed one and injured six in an assault at a supermarket. He was a known Islamist with psychological problems, and investigators say his motives remain unclear. 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. But it has also been hit by other assaults unrelated to the jihadist threat. Among the deadliest in recent years is a Munich shopping mall rampage last June by 18-year-old German-Iranian man which left 10 people dead including the gunman himself. District of Columbia: US strategic bombers flew over the Korean Peninsula in a pointed show of force in response to Pyongyang`s latest intercontinental ballistic missile, American officials said Saturday. US B-1B bombers along with fighter jets from the South Korean and Japanese air forces participated in the 10-hour bilateral mission, practicing intercept and formation drills. The maneuver followed Pyongyang`s second ICBM test this month late Friday, with Kim Jong-Un saying the move demonstrated the country`s ability to strike any target in the United States. "North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said General Terrence O`Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, in a statement. "If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing." The announcement coincided with another tweet storm from US President Donald Trump, who lambasted Beijing on the social media outlet for failing to rein in their North Korean allies. "I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk," Trump wrote. "We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!" Trump, who is at loggerheads with Beijing over how to handle Kim`s regime, has repeatedly urged China to bridle its recalcitrant neighbor, but Beijing insists dialogue is the only practical way forward. 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. Weapons experts said the altitude and flight time of Friday`s missile suggested it was significantly more powerful than the earlier July 4 test, with a theoretical range of around 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers) meaning it might be able to reach east coast US cities like New York, depending on the payload size. South Korea said the test prompted it to speed up deployment of a US missile defense system, despite consistent protests from China that the program would destabilize the region. GYUMRI, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Minister of Emergency Situations Davit Tonoyan and Adjutant General of the Kansas National Guard, USA, Major-General Lee Tafanelli attended the training at the square near Akhuryan fire-rescue squad on July 27, press service of the ministry told Armenpress. The officials were accompanied by Shirak governor Artur Khachatryan. The event was also attended by the UK Embassys Defense Attache Lt. Col David Ethel (residence in Tbilisi). Minister Tonoyan summarized the training results, stating: I highly appreciate the joint training. Our rescuers performed perfectly in accordance with international standards, and the experience they got from these trainings will transfer to their colleagues. We thank the representatives of the US and UK armed forces for the support and for transferring their experience to us. As for the update of technique of the fire-rescue brigads, we will try in a short period of time to fully equip them through state budget allocations and assistance of our international partners. I highly appreciate the results of both the training and the exercise. Each exercise is a great chance to improve our knowledge and skills. I am convinced that in real emergency situation the Armenian rescuers will quickly respond and will provide highly professional assistance, and our cooperation will be continuous, Major-General Lee Tafanelli told reporters. Shirak governor Artur Khachatryan also thanked the fire-rescuers for the dedicated service. UK Embassys Defense Attache Lt. Col David Ethel said he frequently visits Armenia and is confident that in case of emergency situation, professional rescuers will quickly provide assistance. YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan on July 27 visited the Development Foundation of Armenia (DFA) where he was introduced on the process of ongoing programs, press service of the government told Armenpress. DFA Executive Director Armen Avak Avakian presented to the PM the new program after the foundations structural reforms and said they managed to implement the program of the whole year within the first semester. Coming to the recorded figures, he said export agreements worth 3.3 billion AMD have been signed through the DFAs assistance. Four more international expos are expected to be held in autumn through the co-finance of the foundation. The talks on signing 20-25 agreements on exporting goods worth 800-850 million AMD are underway. The international business forums held in Abu Dhabi, Rome and Yerevan were ended by signing 15 concrete export and investment agreements: 10 million Euros will be invested in production of high technologies, 2 million USD in production of medical equipment, investments will be made also in energy and agriculture spheres, the export of ecologically clean food products from Armenia to the Arab states has launched, the necessary developments for export of medicines are underway. Heads of the international cooperation, grant programs, marketing, post-investment service and programs departments at the DFA presented to the PM the upcoming programs based on sectoral directions. PM Karapetyan attached importance to the initiative of launching ambitious programs by the foundation with clear indicators and concrete expected results. 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. The Democrat leadership has made constant, profound and incredible pronouncements that one's supportive vote for Republicans is tantamount to surrendering Democracy forever. Understanding their sincere thinking in their extreme position: How will you still vote on this election day? Democrat; because the continuance of this Democracy from the existential threat of extreme Republicans is paramount. Republican; the process of having a choice is the democratic method within what so called "Democracy" does exists. By Ian Simpson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two members of a teenage robotics team from Burundi who went missing after a competition in Washington last week have been located and are safe, the city's Metropolitan Police Department said on Tuesday. The teens, Don Ingabire, 16, and Audrey Mwamikazi, 17, were spotted last week crossing the border into Canada. The Metropolitan Police Department would not say on Tuesday where or when they were found, citing department procedures for missing persons. "The others are still missing, so the case is still under investigation," police spokeswoman Karimah Bilal said. Four boys and two girls from the African nation were last seen on July 18 after the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge concluded. Organizers have said the disappearance may have been "self-initiated" because the students' hotel keys were left in a chaperone's bag while their clothes were taken. Police have said they did not suspect foul play. The Burundian embassies in Ottawa and Washington said they were unaware on Tuesday that two of the students had been found. The other missing Burundians have been identified as Nice Munezero, 17; Kevin Sabumukiza, 17; Richard Irakoze, 18; and Aristide Irambona, 18. High school students from more than 150 countries took part in the FIRST Global competition. An all-girl squad from Afghanistan drew worldwide attention when President Donald Trump intervened after they were denied U.S. visas. Burundi has long been plagued by civil war and other violence. Fighting has killed at least 700 people and forced 400,000 from their homes since April 2015. (Additional reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Leslie Adler) SUNDAY, July 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- People are urged to prepare for disasters by having an emergency plan, and animal experts say that your plan needs to include your pets. Hurricanes, tornadoes or floods can be unpredictable, and although no one can control the weather, people can control how prepared they are for these threats. If an evacuation order is given, it is best if you are ready to leave right away, said Angela Clendenin. She is a public information officer for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences' Veterinary Emergency Team. "One of the best ways to prepare your pet for a potential disaster is to create a 'go kit' of necessary documents and supplies, which people can easily grab and transport with them in the event of an evacuation," Clendenin said. "When evacuation is delayed, roads can get jammed with traffic or become impassible with early flooding or debris," Clendenin said in a university news release. "For those who need assistance with evacuating animals, resources may become scarce or non-existent as the threat from the disaster gets closer," she added. "Evacuating early ensures that pets and their owners are able to get to safety before the disaster hits." When preparing your emergency kit, be sure to also do so for your pets and livestock. Your pet's emergency kit should include a few days' supply of food, water, medications and comfort items, Clendenin advised. "In the case that pet and livestock owners get separated, this kit should include photos of pets and descriptions of where livestock is located. Ensuring your pets and livestock are microchipped or visibly tagged or marked is also a way to identify animals and establish ownership," Clendenin explained. It's also important to protect your pets after the emergency situation has ended, she added. "After a disaster strikes, the area in and around homes can be quite dangerous for pets," Clendenin said. Dangers include downed power lines and fencing that has fallen or broken into pieces. More information Ready.gov has more about disasters and pets. A death row inmate scheduled to be executed next month failed in a bid to get a Jacksonville judge to delay his execution because of the state's new triple-drug lethal injection protocol. Duval County Circuit Court Judge Tatiana Salvador on Friday rejected a request from Mark James Asay to put a hold on an Aug. 24 execution date scheduled by Gov. Rick Scott. Asay's appeal included a challenge to a new lethal injection protocol --- which includes a drug never used before for executions in Florida, or in any other state --- adopted by the Florida Department of Corrections earlier this year. In its new protocol, Florida is substituting etomidate for midazolam as the critical first drug, used to sedate prisoners before injecting them with a paralytic and then a drug used to stop prisoners' hearts. In a 30-page order issued Friday, Salvador ruled that Asay failed to prove that the new three-drug protocol is unconstitutional. Etomidate, also known by the brand name "Amidate," is a short-acting anesthetic that renders patients unconscious. 20 % of people experience mild to moderate pain after being injected with the drug, but only for "tens of seconds" at the longest, the judge noted. "Defendant has only demonstrated a possibility of mild to moderate pain that would last, at most, tens of seconds," Salvador wrote. "Therefore, this Court finds the potential pain and anesthetic aspect of etomidate does not present risks that are 'sure or very likely' to cause serious illness or needless suffering or give rise to 'sufficiently imminent dangers.'" The execution of Asay, who has until 10 a.m. Monday to appeal the circuit court decision, is slated to be the 1st in Florida in more than 18 months; the state's death penalty has been in limbo due to a series of state and federal court rulings. Asay was 1 of 2 death row inmates whose executions were put on hold by the Florida Supreme Court in early 2016 after the U.S. Supreme Court, in a case known as Hurst v. Florida, struck down as unconstitutional the state's death penalty sentencing system. The federal court ruling, premised on a 2002 decision in a case known as Ring v. Arizona, found that Florida's system of allowing judges, instead of juries, to find the facts necessary to impose the death penalty was an unconstitutional violation of the Sixth Amendment right to trial by jury. Asay was convicted in 1988 of the murders of Robert Lee Booker and Robert McDowell in downtown Jacksonville. Asay allegedly shot Booker, who was black, after calling him a racial epithet. He then killed McDowell, who was dressed as a woman, after agreeing to pay him for oral sex. According to court documents, Asay later told a friend that McDowell had previously cheated him out of money in a drug deal. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! : The News Service of Florida, July 29, 2017 The office of Indonesia's ombudsman has unearthed evidence of rights violations in the execution of a Nigerian drug convict in 2016, an official said on Friday. Humphrey Jefferson was still seeking clemency from President Joko Widodo at the time of his execution, which meant he still had a chance of being pardoned, said Ninik Rahayu, an official of the ombudsman's office who is overseeing the case. Mr. Jefferson, sentenced to death in 2004, had also sought a second judicial review of his case by the Supreme Court, but his request was denied by the Central Jakarta court without proper explanation, Rahayu said, in what she called maladministration. If the court had taken on Mr. Jefferson's case, his execution would have had to be delayed until its final verdict. "When one is given the death penalty, all of the procedures must be done according to the laws," Rahayu told reporters at her office. "The rights of the person must be fully met before his sentence is carried out. You can't bring back the dead to life." Rahayu also said the Attorney General's office, responsible for conducting the execution, had not followed rules requiring it to give Mr. Jefferson and his family 72 hours' notice of the event. The execution was done according to law, said Muhammad Rum, a spokesman for the Attorney General's office. Telephone calls to the Central Jakarta court to seek comment were not answered. A Supreme Court spokesman, Judge Suhadi, who goes by one name like many Indonesians, did not comment on the specific case but said the court did not generally grant a 2nd review. Mr. Jefferson, 2 other Nigerians and an Indonesian were the only prisoners to face the firing squad on July 29 last year, from a group of 14 picked initially. The delay was due to a "comprehensive review", said Attorney General H. Muhammad Prasetyo. The executions were the 2nd round under Widodo, whose predecessor, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, imposed a moratorium on the death penalty. Many international bodies and foreign governments have urged Indonesia to pardon those on death row. They have also called on Indonesia to abolish capital punishment, but the calls have gone unheeded. Widodo has told law enforcement officers not to hesitate in shooting drug traffickers who resist arrest in the war on drugs. The ombudsman's office has given government bodies 60 days to respond to its findings. But its limited powers mean it can only take its recommendations to Widodo in cases of failure to respond. Mr. Jefferson's lawyer, Ricky Gunawan, said he planned to use the ombudsman's findings to file a civil lawsuit against the office of the attorney-general, seeking compensation for his client. "We call on the Attorney General's office to stop the preparation of any future death execution ... and treat the convicts with respect and have their rights fulfilled," Gunawan said. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! : Reuters/NAN, July 29, 2017 Nevada's brand new $850,000 death chamber Nevada has a problem on its hands after a Clark County judge ordered an inmate executed: the state has no apparent way to carry it out. District Court Judge Jennifer Togliatti signed an order Thursday ordering Scott Raymond Dozier's execution for the week of Oct. 16. Dozier, 46, has voluntarily given up opportunities to appeal his decade-old death sentence and has repeatedly requested to die. He was convicted in 2007 of robbing and killing a 22-year-old man at a Las Vegas hotel before dismembering the body. He was also convicted of another murder in Arizona. Although the state has about 80 people on death row, most die in prison, and a volunteer is rare. Nevada hasn't had an execution since 2006, and only carried out 12 executions since 1977. The state is required by law to use a lethal injection, but a drug needed to create the lethal injection cocktail has expired. Nevada found none of the 247 vendors it contacted last year were willing to replace it. Numerous major pharmaceutical companies have refused to supply drugs that they know will be used for execution. This spring, Nevada Department of Corrections Director James Dzurenda suggested the agency might procure drugs from other states that don't anticipate using them. On Thursday, the agency was unable to provide details on how they would proceed beyond a short statement. "The Department is seeking guidance from the Attorney General's Office and will follow all appropriate and legal protocol to ensure state law is followed," it said. Attorney General Adam Laxalt's office didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment. Nationwide, difficulties with the drug supply have prompted states to take drastic, controversial measures with the death penalty. Officials in Arkansas scheduled 8 executions in 11 days this spring in a race against the expiration dates of their lethal injection drugs, although only 4 were carried out. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! : The Nevada Independent, July 29, 2017 Miller Costello, left, and Brenda Emile, right. OGDEN In 2nd District Court Thursday, Weber County attorney Christopher Shaw told a judge that Miller Costello and Brenda Emile will require attorneys certified to handle death penalty cases. Ogden couple accused of killing 3-year-old may ask for leave to attend funeral Police responded to a 911 call on July 6 and found 3-year-old Angelina Costello dead. They observed that the girl appeared malnourished and had injuries consistent with prolonged abuse, according to the probable cause statement against her parents. Officers on scene immediately recognized the child victim had bruising, contusions, lacerations, burns, open sores and abrasions all over her face, hands, legs, head and neck, the probable cause statement says. Emile told officers she found the girl, who is the couples biological daughter, dead around 12:20 p.m. Thursday when she called police. Court documents say the 3-year-old appeared to be extremely malnourished, cold to the touch and stiff with an apparent onset of rigor mortis, the stage of death where the bodys limbs begin to stiffen. A Medical Examiners Office investigator removed the girls clothing and found a large burn on her chest along with small circular burns, bruises and cuts on her back, legs and feet, court documents say. Officials said some of the girls injuries appeared to be recent while others were in various stages of healing. Investigators searched the couples cellphones and found several pictures and videos, ranging from January 2016 to June 2017, showing the girls deteriorating health conditions. The videos allegedly show both Costello and Emile taunting the child victim with food by presenting it to her and then removing it from her and disciplining her, court documents say. Another video allegedly shows Costello using an infants feet to kick the girl in the face. Police and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services removed an older and a younger sibling from the home after Costello and Emile were taken into custody, according to Ogden Police. In an interview with investigators, Emile said she had covered the girl in makeup to conceal some injuries so they didnt look as bad, according to the probable cause statement. Costello told officials he knew the girls health was deteriorating and that she needed medical attention or she would die. He said various times when he returned home from work, he saw new injuries on the girl, who was in Emiles care during the day, but did not seek medical attention or inform police. Costello said Emile told him the child victim had been struck or otherwise injured by siblings in the house or had fallen down, the court document says. Emile also told investigators she knew of the girls injuries but didnt attempt to prevent her from falling down or stop the other children from striking her. According to the probable cause statement, she said she didnt get medical attention because she didnt want a police investigation or to have her children taken from her. The family has only lived in Ogden for only a short amount of time, a release from Ogden Police said. Court documents say the couple has self-proclaimed ties to a transient Romanian gypsy community. Costello told investigators he buys scrap metal at auctions across the country for a living and made $150,000 last month, and he and Emile also had large amounts of cash and cashiers checks in their possession. Costello, 25, and Emile, 22, are charged with aggravated murder in the death of their daughter. Aggravated murder is the only crime subject to the penalty of death under Utah law. Costello and Emile appeared separately in court Thursday, and District Court Judge Michael DiReda informed them that he had spoken by phone with the attorneys who had expected to be retained to represent them individually. Because the funds that could be used to retain the attorneys are still tied up in the investigation, neither Costello nor Emile are presently represented. Both Costello and Emile answered affirmatively when DiReda asked if they needed a public defender appointed in the interim. Weber County attorney Shaw advised the judge that a Rule 8 certified public defender would be necessary. Rule 8 applies when the death penalty is a potential punishment for an indigent defendant. It sets forth qualifications for the complicated and expensive ordeal of defending a client in a death penalty case, requiring that the state provide for at least two attorneys with at least five years experience, who can dedicate those resources to the representation of the defendant ... with undivided loyalty. Attorney Michael Bouwhuis is the coordinator of indigent defense services for Weber County. He said that he spoke with the county prosecutors Thursday, and they have not yet made a decision regarding the death penalty in Costellos and Emiles cases. The state is not required to declare its intention until after a preliminary hearing. We have to assume they are pursuing the death penalty, for the purposes of providing representation and protecting the rights of our clients, Bouwhuis said. A report on the status of the couples counsel is scheduled for Aug. 3. They are currently being held in the Weber County Jail without bond. Source: Standard-Examiner , Nadia Pflaum, July 29, 2017 | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! Baku, Azerbaijan, July 30 Trend: At night of July 30 and in the morning, the villages of Bala Jafarli, Gushchu Ayrim of the Gazakh district, the village of Kokhnegishlag of the Agstafa district and the village of Garalar of the Tovuz district were subjected to intensive shelling from the large-caliber weapons by the Armenian armed forces, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in a message July 30. Civilian facilities, sowing plots and proprietorship of the population have been damaged. Serviceman of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan Akberli Huseyn Zakir oglu was killed during suppressing enemy fire. The leadership of the Ministry of Defense expresses deep condolences to the families and relatives of the shehid (martyr). Currently, our troops fully control the operational situation along the entire length of the front line. The Ministry of Defense once again declares that our troops will take more severe retaliatory measures against this provocation of the enemy. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, July 30 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and his Iraqi counterpart Jabar al-Luaibi have joined a new round of oil talks in Tehran to discuss further cooperation between the two countries, IRIB news agency reported. According to the report, the sides are expected to discuss the two countries cooperation in the joint oil fields and also the ways for transporting Iraqi Kirkuks oil to Iranian refineries. The report added that the sides are planning to refine Kirkuks oil in Iran and then send back the refined products to Iraq. Under an initial agreement Kirkuks oil will be refined in two Iranian refineries of Tabriz and Kermanshah, the report suggested. Exporting Irans gas to Iraq through Shalamcheh route and also the issue of training Iraqi oil experts in Iran are also on the agenda. Iranian gas officials earlier announced that the volume of Irans gas exports to the neighboring country has already reached seven million cubic meters per day and Iraq has requested to increase the volume. Iran has launched exporting its gas to Iraqi capital, Baghdad, since June 21 through a pipeline. The two countries had earlier reached two agreements on exporting gas. The first agreement has envisaged gas export to Baghdad and the second one obliges Iran to export gas to Iraqi city of Basra through a pipeline crossing Shalamcheh City. Irans gas is expected to be used in power generation in Iraq. Baku, Azerbaijan, July 30 By Farhad Daneshvar Trend: The recent bipartisan package of US sanctions targeting Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang is very likely to exert a dramatic impact on Irans gas industry, a UK- based expert told Trend. "Once the new sanctions bill is approved, it will affect those parts of Irans oil and gas industry that involve Russian companies as well as domestic firms affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)," Mehrdad Emadi, a consultant at the UK-based Betamatrix International Consultancy, said in an exclusive interview with Trend. Elaborating on his forecast, Emadi said that the sanctions package includes all firms and entities linked to the IRGC and this is while a group of main contractors operating at Irans South Pars, the world's largest gas field, are affiliated with the elite force. In the meantime, the sanctions are capable of making an impact on Irans gas exports as the sanctions package put embargo on all Russian oil and gas companies including Lukoil, which are negotiating huge projects in Iran, he said. On the other hand the sanctions may restrict the European investment in Irans gas projects if the business entities linked to the RGs are partners, Emadi added." On July 3 France's Total signed a $5 billion deal with Tehran to develop phase 11 of South Pars, marking the first major Western energy investment in the Islamic Republic since the lifting of nuclear related sanctions against Tehran. "Therefore, the sanctions would directly and indirectly hit the engineering and investment sectors of the industry in Iran," he suggested. However, those companies which are not linked to the IRGC will be on the safe side, the expert concluded. The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to slap new sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea but the bill in order to become a law needs to be signed by President Donald Trump. Tehran, Iran, July 30 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Iran will stay committed to the nuclear deal, aka Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as long as it enables the country to meet its interests, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. Araqchi, who is Irans head at a joint committee with the six powers party to the JCPOA to oversee the implementation of the deal, made the remark in an interview with IRIB TV July 29. The recent legislature of the American Congress is a new law and speaks new things, but nothing new has happened. It is in fact the continuation of U.S. enmity, the diplomat said. 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. Araqchi went on to refute the idea that the JCPOA should have acted as a conciliatory factor between Iran and the US. He added that Iran will give some strong response to the US for its new legislature posing sanctions on Iran. The U.S. 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 U.S. government to block any company property under its jurisdiction and prevents U.S. citizens from doing business with the firms. Washington's ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said the Trump administration would continue to impose consequences on Iran until it complied fully with U.N. resolutions. Baku, Azerbaijan, July 30 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on Muslims to take the opportunity of the Hajj rituals to take a united stance against Israeli efforts to control the al-Aqsa Mosque. The Iranian leader described Hajj rituals as the best opportunity for Muslims to speak up about the al-Aqsa and Palestine issue, Iranian media reported. Where can the Islamic Ummah find a better venue than Hajj to comment on the al-Aqsa Mosque? he said addressing a group of Iranian organizers of Hajj on Sunday. He further accused the US of meddling in the issues of Muslim countries and creating terrorist groups in the region. A recent round of standoff between the Israeli authorities and Palestinian worshipers occurred after Muslim gunmen killed two Israeli police officers near the compound on 14 July. Baku, Azerbaijan, July 30 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has pledged support for the countrys armed forces including the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) amid the recent efforts in the US to impose new sanctions on Tehran. He said that everyone in Iran supports the armed forces and no one can hurt the countrys armed forces, Tasnim news agency reported. He made the remarks following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and the head of judiciary Sadeq Amoli Larijani on Sunday. He further called for unity among Iranians saying the period of electoral competition is over in the country. Rouhani was reelected as Irans president in a May election and the countrys Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is expected to endorse him as the president for a four-year term on August 3. He also said that the government is planning to take measures aimed at giving support for domestic and international investors. The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to slap new sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea but the bill in order to become a law needs to be signed by President Donald Trump. Tehran, Iran, July 30 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Iran has flown a first group of its pilgrims on Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia since Riyadh ruptured diplomatic ties with Tehran and withheld cooperation on arranging the pilgrimage for Iranians last year. The Iranian pilgrims departed from the southern port city of Bandar Abbas for the holy city of Medina early Sunday, IRIB news agency reported July 30. Riyadh cut its ties with Tehran in early 2016 after violent protests in front of its Iran-based diplomatic missions against the kingdoms earlier execution of leading Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Since then, Iranians have been unable to go on Hajj. A year earlier, a deadly human crush had occurred during Hajj rituals in Mina, near Mecca, killing thousands of pilgrims, including about four hundred Iranians. In January, however, Iran said it had been sent an invitation by Saudi Arabia announcing the latters willingness to host Iranian pilgrims. The Iranians going on the pilgrimage this year number 80,596. Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates recognize only Kuwait as a mediator in the diplomatic crisis with Qatar, Bahrains Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Khalifa said Sunday, Sputnik reported. Foreign ministers of the four Arab countries met in Manama to discuss the dispute with Qatar. "Apart from Emir of Kuwait Sabah Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, there is no other [mediator]. He has been acting in that capacity since the very beginning, everyone supports him, and we hope that his mission will succeed," the minister said at a press conference after meeting with his Saudi, Emirati and Egyptian counterparts in Bahrains capital of Manama. In June, the four countries cut off diplomatic relations with Doha, accusing it of supporting terrorism and meddling in their internal affairs. 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 Qatars relations with Iran, close Turkeys 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. Qatar refuted all accusations and refused to comply with the demands. Apart from Kuwait, several other countries offered their services as mediators in the Qatar crisis. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took a trip to the Gulf countries, looking for a way to settle the crisis, and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made a number of shuttle trips among the countries of the region with the same goal. The United States wants the UN Security Councils emergency meeting on the second North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile launch to be held on Monday, Sputnik reported citing local media. The United States expects the UN Security Council to discuss the international communitys response to the recent Pyongyangs missile test, the CBS News broadcaster reported on late Saturday citing its diplomatic sources. The information is not confirmed by US officials moreover, earlier in the day, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told CBS News that Washington had not called for the UN Security Councils meeting on the issue. On Friday, North Korea conducted the second test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in less than a month. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the test was successful with the missile having reached the altitude of 3,725 kilometers (2,314 miles) and traveled 998 kilometers for about 47 minutes before falling in the Sea of Japan. Following the missile launch US President Donald Trump condemned North Koreas test pointing out that the United States would take all necessary steps to defend its national security. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged all countries to support stronger UN sanctions against North Korea. The first ever military parade commemorating the Army Day kicked off on Sunday in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region with President Xi Jinping personally inspecting the troops, Sputnik reported citing local media. During the Parade, President Xi Jinping said that the country needed the strong army more than ever before, according to the media reports. The parade, which takes place at the Zhurihe military base, marks the 90th anniversary of founding the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which formally falls on August 1, the Xinhua news agency reported. President Xi standing in an open-roof jeep reviewed the troops. According to Xinhua, Xi has never inspected such a large-scale military parade. The PLA was founded on August 1, 1927, during the Nanchang uprising against then-ruling Kuomintang party. The later civil war resulted in founding the People's Republic of China in the mainland China on October 1, 1949. A 34-year-old man opened fire in a nightclub in the southern German city of Konstanz on Sunday, killing one person and seriously injuring three others, Reuters reported. The suspect was fatally wounded in a gunfight with police officers outside the music venue after they had rushed to the scene shortly after the incident around 0230 GMT. He died later in hospital. The motive for the shooting is unclear. One police officer was also injured in the exchange of fire. Police said in a statement that special commando forces have been deployed in the city as it was not clear if the suspected had acted alone or had accomplices. On Friday, a failed asylum seeker killed one person and injured six others in the northern city of Hamburg. Officials said he was an Islamist known to security forces and he had was psychologically unstable. Fighting between al Shabaab fighters and Somali government troops and African Union peacekeepers killed 24 people on Sunday, a regional official said, with the Islamist militants putting the death toll higher, Reuters reported. Al Shabaab ambushed a convoy carrying troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) early on Sunday in the Bulamareer district of the Lower Shabelle region, about 140 km (85 miles) southwest of Mogadishu, Colonel Hassan Mohamed told Reuters Ali Nur, the deputy governor of Lower Shabelle region, said: "We have carried 23 dead AMISOM soldiers and a dead Somali soldier from the scene where al Shabaab ambushed AMISOM today," Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaabs military operations spokesman, said: "We have in hand 39 dead bodies of AU soldiers including their commander." The casualty figure could not be independently verified. The numbers al Shabaab and officials give usually differ. Uganda's defence ministry said its soldiers were part of the AMISOM convoy and an unspecified number of its soldiers had been killed. Al Shabaab wants to force out the peacekeepers, oust the Western-backed government and impose its strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia. Please make yourself familiar with the Owasco Lake Emergency Preparedness advisory at www.cayugacounty.us/health. Read how the agri-business industry has known since June 2016 that Ohio Northern University scientists have determined that glyphosate (aka "Roundup") contributes to phosphorus runoff in Lake Erie, and by extension, likely also to the hazardous algae blooms in Owasco Lake, and the corruption of the potable water supply to 55 percent of the residents of Cayuga County: https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/articles/5793-scientists-glyphosate-contributes-to-phosphorus-runoff-in-lake-erie?v=preview. These 46,000 potable water customers in Cayuga County who pay more than $2 million per year for domestic water supply should demand reimbursement for all their expenses, including time at the New York state minimum wage, for loss of potable water service due to municipal and commercial cowardice to effectively address the ecological disaster occurring in the Owasco Lake Watershed. Twenty-five percent of the city of Auburn residents and 16 percent of Cayuga County residents have household mean incomes below the New York state poverty line. Similarly, 50 percent of the students at the Auburn Enlarged City School District live in homes where the household mean income is below the poverty line. No practice-run of the emergency water delivery has been required and overseen by the Cayuga County Health Department. Local residents do not know specifically who and from what water supply source their water will be derived during an Owasco Lake hazardous algae bloom cyanotoxin-related water supply disruption. Local and state elected representatives and agency staff have thus opened their taxpayer employers to paying for the defense of their public servants in civil court cases. Customers of domestic water customers should receive prompt payment, or reduction in this year's and next year's school taxes, including interest. Billions of U.S. and N.Y. taxpayer dollars have been squandered since passage of the 1972 Clean Water Act on make-work efforts to halt the ecological free-fall of freshwater potable water sources such as Owasco Lake. Now, 45 years later, Owasco Lake requires official management as a potentially unsafe source of domestic and emergency water. No other source of potable water supply in Cayuga County is capable of replacing Owasco Lake. It is likely Auburn and the town of Owasco will have to reimburse certified water-hauling businesses for the cost of providing water from the village of Skaneateles or from Onondaga County Water Authority supplies. Now, the Cayuga County government expects residents and tourists to make-do with one gallon/day for three days without clean Owasco Lake water. Charlie Greene Niles Turkish jets killed 12 PKK terrorists in separate counterterrorism operations in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq, Anadolu reported. According to a Turkish Armed Forces statement, the operations in northern Iraq were conducted in the Zap and Matina regions Saturday evening, killing three terrorists, who were preparing for an attack. Turkish jets destroyed three weapon pits and two caves used by terrorists in the region, the statement read. Turkish warplanes also conducted airstrikes in Beytussebap district of Turkey's southeastern Sirnak province on Saturday evening, according to the Turkish General Staff. The statement said the airstrikes killed nine PKK terrorists including a senior member. The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015. Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of around 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians. Getty Images. Chevron on Friday reported quarterly revenues that beat Wall Street's expectations and profits that rose from a year ago. Chevron on Friday reported quarterly profits and revenues that beat Wall Street's expectations as the company cut costs and as oil and gas prices and refining margins improved. Shares of Chevron were up more than 1 percent after the announcement. See the latest market reaction here (NYSE: CVX). The oil major earned $1.7 billion, or and adjusted 91 cents a share, excluding impairments and gains from asset sales. Analysts had expected Chevron to earn 87 cents a share on $32.09 billion in revenue. The integrated oil and gas company generated $34.48 billion in revenue in the quarter, up from $29.2 billion in the year-ago period. "Second quarter results improved substantially from a year ago and year-to-date net cash flow is positive," Chairman and CEO John Watson said in a statement. "We're delivering higher production with lower capital and operating expenditures." Chevron's cash flow generated by its operations a key metric in the oil and gas industry was $8.9 billion, more than double last year's $3.7 billion. The San Ramon, California-based oil giant pulled back spending from $12 billion in the year-ago period to $8.9 billion in the first half of 2017. Chevron reported a loss in its U.S. oil and gas exploration and production business, while earnings rose internationally. Both the American and foreign operations benefited from higher oil prices. Higher profit margins boosted Chevron's downstream business, which includes refining crude oil into fuels. Chevron announced a $1.08 dividend on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous quarter. The company reported earnings of 77 cents including the $430 million in impairments and other charges and a $160 million benefit from selling assets. More From CNBC susan collins healthcare When Republican Sen. Susan Collins landed in Bangor, Maine on Friday, a crowd at the airport greeted her with applause. She was arriving home after a dramatic week in the US Senate, during which she defied her party leadership and voted "no" on all three Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. On CNN's "State of the Union" with Jake Tapper on Sunday, Collins said she'd never received such a warm welcome in her 20 years serving in the Senate. "It really was so extraordinary, heartwarming, and affirming," Collins said. "I got off the plane, and there was a large group of outbound passengers, none of whom I happened to know, and spontaneously some of them started applauding, and then virtually all of them started to applaud. It was just amazing." "It was very encouraging and affirming, especially after arriving home after a very difficult time," Collins added. A tweeted photo of Collins at the airport went viral on Friday: This is true: Susan Collins on our plane to Bangor, gets applause as she passes through Bangor airport waiting area. pic.twitter.com/a1s2QTpldd BLCKDGRD (@BLCKDGRD) July 28, 2017 Collins said she voted against the bills because they withheld federal funding from Planned Parenthood, and because she didn't think the Republican plans would provide adequate coverage. "While I support many of the components of this plan, this approach will not provide the market stability and premium relief that is needed," she said in a statement on Thursday, encouraging a bipartisan approach. "The ACA is flawed and in portions of the country is near collapse," she added. "Rather than engaging in partisan exercises, Republicans and Democrats should work together to address these very serious problems." Story continues Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John McCain of Arizona were the other two Republicans who joined Collins in voting against the "skinny" repeal on Friday, sinking Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's plan to overhaul the US healthcare system. Watch a clip of Collins describing the scene at the airport: .@SenatorCollins on #CNNSOTU says that receiving spontaneous applause at Maine airport was "extraordinary" https://t.co/PhzY8j0fqB State of the Union (@CNNSotu) July 30, 2017 NOW WATCH: What its like living in North Korea according to a North Korean defector More From Business Insider Stock prices will go up, but theyll also come down. The stock market has been surging, with tech stocks leading the way. The rally has the potential to significantly tip the balance of an investors portfolio toward a few stocks. One common scenario: Many companies, in particular tech companies, compensate employees with significant amounts of stock. So if youve been an Amazon employee for a couple of years, you may suddenly find yourself with an extremely undiversified portfolio, tilted heavily toward your employer. Research from Merrill Lynch shows that people with highly concentrated positions can get hit by unrecoverable losses. And many stocks lose money. About 40% of the 13,000 stocks that were in the Russell 3000 between 1980 to 2014 experienced declines of more than 70% from their peaks. Recent history can be instructive here, Andrew Porter, director of behavioral finance for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, told Yahoo Finance. During the dot-com bubble, many entrepreneurs maintained a wealth creation mindset with their holdings, while other investorsincluding their family memberswere less attached to (or less confident in) the companies and took steps to diversify. How to diversify from a very concentrated position According to Porter, the way to deal with this concentration is by considering the individual purposes and goals of investing instead of focusing on speculating exactly how long or high a high-flier might fly. And while wealth creation is often concentrated in a few stocks, managing wealth is all about managing risk and not rolling the dice. To accomplish this, investors and savers are presented with a menu of options for dealing with these issues, and figuring out exactly how to rebalance a portfolio can be a challenge. This is not an exhaustive list, and for each option there may be tax implications and other tricky scenarios, so talking to a financial advisor is prudent if you have questions. You could sell a little over time To lock in gains and make sure a bad day for one company wont wipe out your entire net worth, investors can make a plan to deal with the risk. One option is for scheduled sales, which liquidate a position over time. Selling slowly over time is one way to avoid a sudden big tax bill, especially if the stock has shot up a lot. However, this strategy has a tradeoff. Selling slowly means getting rid of risk slowly. Story continues You could set up a 10b5-1 plan People with inside knowledge of a company may want to make a 10b5-1 plan, which allows a person to make a schedule of sales thereby insulating them from claims of acting on nonpublic information. Some people may have unique situations that make a 10b5-1 plan tricky. Founders or people on the ground floor may have so much stock that sales could move the market significantly, driving the value down. Often, company policy will dictate what is allowed for employees, so its important to check with your HR department to see what restrictions you have when it comes to ditching stocks. Dabble in derivatives Selling isnt the only option, of course. People with concentrated portfolios can use tax-advantaged options like a collar, which is when you buy a put option and sell a call option to limit potential losses while putting potential gains on a similar leash. A prepaid forward is another choice, which gives an investor the ability to get liquidity to help diversify by getting a payment now and deliver the shares later. Trading these types of derivative securities is more complicated than just buying or selling a stock, so you may not want to do this on your own. A financial advisor or a broker can help. Put in a trailing stop order Another simple way to stop potentially crippling losses would be to automatically sell stock if the value goes down a certain amount. Selling when a stock is plummeting isnt always sound advice for the long term, but it does get someone out of a potentially risky position. The easy way to do this is by setting up a trailing stop order that would automatically sell if the concentrated stocks price fell through a specified price floor. Putting in an order can be as easy as logging onto your investing platform and making a few clicks. If youre unsure, your financial service provider can help. Its good to not keep all your nest eggs in one basket. Regardless of the method, the market has often illustrated the importance of diversification time and time again. Confidence and belief in success can be a good thing, but it can blind people into thinking diversification is unattractive. Gravitating toward the familiar, extrapolation and other cognitive biases can also keep people from branching out. When things are going well, when a nest egg is growinglargely or solely because of one or a few stocksits not exactly intuitive or natural to curb that growth in order to lessen downside risk, said Porter. But thats exactly what prudent investors do, by locking in gains and rebalancing. Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance focusing on consumer issues, tech, and personal finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Got a tip? Send it to tips@yahoo-inc.com. Read More: The average person would pay $9 more for commercial-free cable SEAT Act: Congress set to finally push back against shrinking airline seats Heres how many people United still involuntarily bumps Sometimes fake holidays like National Ice Cream Day actually work A robot lawyer can fight your parking tickets and much more Consumer watchdog is making it easier for consumers to sue banks How ringless spam voicemails became a partisan issue How TripAdvisor hunted a robocaller that made 100 million calls to random people Jameka Evans filed a Title VII case claiming she was discriminated against for being a lesbian. Source: Lambda Legal This week, on the same day that President Donald Trump announced a ban on transgender military members, the administration weighed in on another issue involving the LGBT community. That issue is whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which forbids discrimination based on sex protects workers from bias based on their sexual orientation. In a friend of the court brief filed Wednesday in a discrimination case in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, the Department of Justice argued that Title VII does not in fact protect workers from being discriminated against (aka, fired) for being gay. This interpretation of the law contradicts the official stance of another federal agency the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which before Trump was elected, decided that Title VII does protect gay workers. The courts, for their part, are split on the issue. I think its extremely likely that it will go all the way to the Supreme Court, says Roberta Kaplan, the lawyer who successfully argued the case against the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act. Title VII and discrimination based on sex stereotyping Title VII is a federal law that bars employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Historically, the laws sex provision has often been used to protect female employers from being treated differently from their male counterparts. But since its original passage in 1964, the laws bar on sex discrimination has been used to protect workers from sex stereotyping and even discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Lyndon Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Source: Wikipedia In 1989, the Supreme Court paved the way for the sex stereotyping argument in a decision called Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins. In that case, a Price Waterhouse senior manager named Ann Hopkins claimed that she was denied partnership because she didnt conform to gender stereotypes. (One partner said she was macho. Meanwhile, another advised her to walk more femininely, talk more femininely, dress more femininely, wear make-up, have her hair styled, and wear jewelry.) Story continues Ultimately, the high court established that sex stereotyping constitutes sex discrimination. That ruling opened the door for some LGBT workers to file discrimination claims under Title VII particularly if those workers didnt fit stereotypes of masculinity or femininity. The argument is youre in part punishing this gay man for not acting manly enough, says Jeffrey Hirsch, a professor at UNC Law School who specializes in employment discrimination law. Facing discrimination for whom youre attracted to Still, even after the Price Waterhouse ruling, it was difficult for LGBT workers to fight back if they were fired for being gay. As recently as 1991, the Cracker Barrel chain of restaurants adopted an official policy of not hiring gay people and fired at least nine workers under the policy. At the time, only two states barred discrimination in hiring based on sexual orientation, The New York Times reported. (These days 22 states and Washington, DC bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.) The Cracker Barrel once had a policy of not hiring gay employees. Photo: Flickr/Mike Mozart Speaking of the Cracker Barrel firings back in 1991, William Rubenstein, then-director of the Lesbian and Gay Rights Project for the American Civil Liberties Union, said, Its outrageous and incredible, but its fair to say that as a general matter it would be very difficult to challenge these discharges other than in one of those places where there is a law specifically prohibiting it. That has changed in recent years, as courts have become more amenable to the notion that Title VII shields gay workers. Heres how Columbia Law School professor Suzanne Goldberg explained the legal argument supporting Title VIIs application to claims of bias based on sexual orientation: Its straightforward The law prohibits discrimination based on sex and when an employer discriminates against an employee because of the sex of that employees partner [or prospective partner] that is sex discrimination. The EEOC cites more than a dozen federal cases supporting the argument that Title VII covers sexual-orientation discrimination; many of those cases came after 2015, when the agency itself ruled that discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal under federal law. Still, other courts have ruled that, essentially, it is legal to fire or not hire an employee simply because theyre gay. The disagreement among the courts, combined with the split between two federal agencies the EEOC and the DOJ suggests the issue is screaming for some clarification from a fully staffed Supreme Court, as Hirsch, the UNC law professor stated. The next hot-button case in the Supreme Court? While legal experts Yahoo Finance spoke to agreed the issue will hit the Supreme Court, its not entirely clear whose case will actually go before the justices. The Second Circuit case the Trump administration weighed in on involved a skydiving instructor claiming he got fired after disclosing to a customer that he was gay. While that appeals court ruled against the skydiving instructor, the full court is reconsidering his case in September. Either side may end up petitioning that case to the Supreme Court. (While the instructor has since died, his case is being pursued by his estate.) If that case doesnt reach the Supreme Court, then the Supreme Court may end up considering the case of Jameka Evans, a lesbian who presented as masculine and claimed she was harassed, physically assaulted, and denied equal pay at her job as a security guard at Georgia Regional Hospital. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Georgia ruled that Congress never meant for Title VII to apply to sexual orientation. Because Congress has not made sexual orientation a protected class, the appropriate venue for pressing the argument is before Congress, not this Court, the court ruled. If, and arguably when, the Supreme Court takes up this issue, the decision will likely be a close one that will depend on two justices who have reliably swung in politically charged cases. Like any issue of this kind of importance and controversy, the one thing I can predict is that the Supreme Court vote is going to be very close, says Kaplan, the attorney who worked on the DOMA case. Its not going to be a huge majority one way or the other. As to which way it comes down, as in many cases that raise this type of issue, it is likely that the outcome will depend on the vote of Justice Kennedy and perhaps Chief Justice Roberts. At the end of the day, this case likely wont force large multinational and national corporations to change their policies because many already bar discrimination based on sexual orientation. Many, many national and global corporations prohibit sexual orientation discrimination against their LGBT employees, Goldberg said. In fact, the number of employers willing to stand up and argue that it is okay to fire someone because theyre gay is shrinking. Still, if the Supreme Court ends up taking this case on and ruling for the employees, it will make it a lot easier for LGBT workers to file federal discrimination lawsuits, regardless of their employers internal policies. Erin Fuchs is deputy managing editor of Yahoo Finance. Read more: A legal fight over New York City dogsitters highlights a bigger problem in America FTC likely to approve Whole Foods deal even if Amazon did deceive customers Why Mark Cuban is throwing his weight behind an arcane Supreme Court case Donald Trump President Donald Trump unleashed an hours-long tweetstorm on Saturday aimed at Senate Republicans following their shocking defeat in the effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act earlier this week. "Republican Senate must get rid of 60 vote NOW!" Trump tweeted Saturday morning. "It is killing the R Party, allows 8 Dems to control country. 200 Bills sit in Senate. A JOKE!" Trump was referring to a longstanding Senate rule, which requires 60 votes to overcome a filibuster in the upper chamber. Trump said the "very outdated" rule "must go" and added, "Budget reconciliation is killing R's in Senate. Mitch M, go to 51 Votes NOW and WIN. IT'S TIME!" This is not the first time Trump has urged the Senate's Republican leadership to get rid of the filibuster. Just on Friday, Trump called the 60-vote rule "senseless." He added: "Republicans in the Senate will NEVER win if they don't go to a 51 vote majority NOW. They look like fools and are just wasting time......" He continued, "8 Dems totally control the U.S. Senate. Many great Republican bills will never pass, like Kate's Law and complete Healthcare. Get smart!" "If the Senate Democrats ever got the chance, they would switch to a 51 majority vote in first minute," Trump said in another tweet. "They are laughing at R's. MAKE CHANGE!" But Trump didn't stop there later Saturday afternoon he called for a new healthcare bill to be approved, and appeared to threaten congressional members' health benefits and cost sharing reduction (CSR) payments meant to stabilize the individual insurance market. "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. "Unless the Republican Senators are total quitters, Repeal & Replace is not dead! Demand another vote before voting on any other bill!" Trump's tweets aimed at Senate Republicans came on the heels of a blistering defeat the president and the GOP were handed earlier this week, when members of their own party defected and came out against the so-called "skinny repeal" of Obamacare that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell put forward late Thursday night. Story continues Mitch McConnell In addition to all 48 members of the Senate Democratic caucus, three Republicans Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and John McCain also voted against the measure, effectively killing the GOP's efforts to overhaul the healthcare system. Trump also weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding his campaign's possible ties to Russia on Saturday morning. In reply to a Fox & Friends tweet saying that the firm behind the explosive Trump-Russia dossier also worked for Russia, Trump tweeted, "In other words, Russia was against Trump in the 2016 Election - and why not, I want strong military & low oil prices. Witch Hunt!" The claim against the firm, Fusion GPS, was made by Bill Browder, a former hedge fund manager who spearheaded the passage of the Magnitsky Act after his tax lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, died in a Russian prison in 2009. Browder alleged in a complaint filed with the Treasury Department last year that Fusion's work for the US law firm BakerHostetler violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act because it served Russian government interests. Michelle Mark contributed to this report. NOW WATCH: 'Do you even understand what you're asking?': Putin and Megyn Kelly have a heated exchange over Trump-Russia ties More From Business Insider SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced via Twitter on Thursday that the company will aim for a November launch for the Falcon Heavy, the huge rocket capable of taking crewed missions to Mars. As Musk recently emphasized, though, that launch will be just the beginning of flight testing, and there's a "good chance that the vehicle does not make it into orbit" on the first try. It's also worth noting, as The Verge has, that the Falcon Heavy has already had tentative launch targets that didn't come to fruition. In 2011, for instance, Musk said the Falcon Heavy would launch in "2013 or 2014." Get Data Sheet, Fortune's technology newsletter. Joining a tradition of Muskian optimism, the Heavy turned out to be a much bigger engineering challenge than anticipated. It has 27 engines, three times as many as SpaceX's Falcon 9, and all of those engines have to be carefully synchronized for a successful launch. But the firmer target date, and recent milestones including a test-fire of a booster on the ground, suggest things are on track this time around. The Heavy needs all those engines to deliver its 54-ton payloads, potentially including human crew and infrastructure for crewed bases, as far as Mars. Earlier this year, SpaceX pushed back its target date for the first Mars missions from 2018 to 2020. (Musk's colonization road map also includes an even bigger rocket, with 550 metric tons of orbital lift, but it's still in early development.) Most importantly for SpaceX's plans, the Falcon Heavy, like the Falcon 9, will have reusable components that land intact on Earth after launch. Re-use is projected to drastically reduce launch costs, but even after success with the Falcon 9, that trick could be several years coming for Falcon Heavy. See original article on Fortune.com More from Fortune.com Books are piled up in National Library in Greece It was recently thought that four subjects alone could spur innovation by bringing order and logic to creative thinking: Science, technology, engineering, and mathfields known to much of the modern world by their acronym STEM. But STEM is already passe. A new acronym has come to the fore, pioneered by advocates like the USs Rhode Island School of Design, which has developed lessons on it for primary-school and high-school educators. Its called STEAM, and though it might look and feel very much like its predecessor, the addition of the letter A is significant. It represents the Arts and tech firms are quickly realizing its importance. Why? As Tom Perrault, chief of staff at digital health company Rally Health, pointed out in an article for Harvard Business Review, knowing how to make a product is no longer enoughin part because machines will soon be able to automate many of the data-driven tasks associated with this. Where humans can contribute more is in understanding the needs and behavior of the other humans for whom they are making things. How a product is designed, its aesthetics, and how seamless an integration it makes into a persons life is what allows us to distinguish one product from another, and one industry competitor from another. Liberal arts-based subjects are key to this because they tend to teach students how to understand human nature, and are creative at heart. Steve Jobs knew this, and said so after Apples launch of the iPad in 2011: Its in Apples DNA that technology alone is not enough. Its technology married with the liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the results that makes our hearts sing. And now Jony Ive, Apples chief design officer, is doing a stint as chancellor of the UKs Royal College of Arts to help other students realize the importance of this. Its not just big tech companies that have taken to the idea. Michael Litt, co-founder of video platform startup Vidyard, said he is hiring more humanities graduates than those who are from STEM-based backgrounds, and is trying to fill in the gaps in his own engineering education by reading up on philosophy and psychology. Indeed, the arts are already more important to tech than you might think. Data compiled by LinkedIn in 2015 found that between 2010 and 2013, the growth of liberal-arts graduates entering the industry outpaced that of computer science and engineering majors by 10%. Story continues Policymakers in the US have also taken to the additional A: In March, lawmakers chairing the Congressional STEAM Caucus, created in 2013 by a bipartisan group of US legislators, criticized US president Donald Trump for proposing the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, arguing that [a]ctivating both sides of the brain prepares people to be innovative and creative, both critical to growing our 21st Century economies and creating good jobs. The penchant for mixing arts with science to foster innovative thinking is hardly new, of course. Students of history will remember the idea was popularized in renaissance Italy by the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci. Perhaps it just took a strong STEM trend to reawaken popular appreciation for the concept. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: (Adds crew arrival at space station) By Irene Klotz CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., July 28 (Reuters) - A new crew arrived at the International Space Station on Friday, giving NASA for the first time four astronauts to boost U.S. research projects aboard the orbiting laboratory. A Russian Soyuz capsule carrying three spaceflight veterans slipped into a docking port aboard the station at 5:54 p.m. EDT (2154 GMT) as the $100 billion research outpost sailed about 250 miles (400 km) over Germany, a NASA TV broadcast showed. Strapped inside the capsule, which blasted off aboard a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan six hours earlier, were Randy Bresnik, with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Sergey Ryazanskiy, with the Russian space agency Roscosmos; and Italy's Paolo Nespoli, with the European Space Agency. The men will join two NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut already aboard the station, a project of 15 nations. Their arrival means the U.S. space agency now has four crew members instead of three available for medical experiments, technology demonstrations and other research aboard the station, the U.S. space agency said. The extra astronaut will effectively double the amount of time for research, program manager Kirk Shireman said at a station conference last week. NASA does not oversee the Russian staff, which was reduced to two in April until a long-delayed research module joins the station next year. Previously, Russia flew three cosmonauts, with the remaining three positions filled by a combination of European, Japanese, Canadian and U.S. astronauts, who are trained and overseen by NASA. By the end of next year, NASA intends to begin flying astronauts aboard space taxis under development by SpaceX and Boeing. Both spaceships have room for a fourth seat, bumping the stations overall crew size to seven once Russia returns to full staffing. NASA is using the station to prepare for human missions to the moon and Mars and to stimulate commercial space transportation, pharmaceutical research, manufacturing and other businesses. Story continues The agency also conducts physics, astronomy and Earth science investigations aboard the outpost, which has been staffed by rotating crews of astronauts and cosmonauts since 2000. Bresnik, 49, last flew on the space shuttle in 2009 during a space station assembly mission. Ryazanskiy, 42, spent five-and-a-half months aboard the station in 2013-2014. Nespoli, 60, is making his third space flight, having previously served on both space shuttle and space station crews. The men are slated to return to Earth in December. (Reporting by Irene Klotz; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Tom Brown) The Broadway hit musical Hamilton ventured out of New York late last year. I saw it in Chicago July 11, the anniversary date of the famous 1804 duel with Aaron Burr. The show is exhilarating. It reinvigorated my respect for the lives of our founders, and provided insightful perspectives for understanding our American polity. The production has received widespread accolades, from former President Barack Obama to former Vice President Dick Cheney. Young Americans have been clamoring to experience this compelling rendition of American history. The Rockefeller Foundation helped finance 20.000 New York City 11th graders to experience Hamiltons emotionally uplifting, yet tragic story, from our founding generation. I have encountered only one criticism of Hamilton. Utahs U.S. Sen. Mike Lee complains the show distorts what should be our view of the founders. However, Lee makes the conservative fundamentalists typical error in confronting history: he wants to confirm his own limited government ideology, and preclude anyone elses interpretation. As our first secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton implemented a national economic program, which included the Bank of the United States. His Cabinet counterpart Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson opposed the program premised upon his anti-federalist (today we call it states rights) commitment. In the play, Jefferson acknowledges he could not defeat Hamiltons program. Here is where Sen. Lee and his fellow conservatives misperceive our historical legacy. The founders established a constitutional order with the capacity to adapt to Americans evolving demands upon the governing apparatus established in 1787. The founding generation provided wide interpretive latitude in the Constitution to determine the breadth and scope of government. We should not limit ourselves by trying to discern whether they would concur with us in our current endeavors they vehemently disagreed among themselves. The men who wrote our Constitution led the national and state governments for decades after its implementation. They immediately devolved into factional disputes, leading to the development of political party divisions we live with today. In addition, personal animus too often came between them. A bitter decades-long rivalry led to Burr killing Hamilton in their renowned duel. The publics negative reaction stunned Burr. Trying to restore his reputation consumed the rest of his life. The most basic contribution the founders provided generations of Americans is the principle that even those who govern us are not above the law. The expectation that such public virtue would guide political leaders has been our historical legacy in the succeeding centuries. President Donald Trump poses a serious threat to this foundation of our constitutional order. When campaigning for the Republican Partys nomination in January 2016, Trump outlandishly proclaimed he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue in New York, and not lose voters supporting his candidacy. President Trump continues to premise his words and behaviors upon his notion he can act above the law. However, his supporters will not determine whether he has abided by our laws. Our constitutional system of justice will make this determination. Hamilton portrays the man historians have labeled the father of the Constitution, James Madison, as a mousey underling of Jefferson. Such literary license does injustice to someone who, with Hamilton, wrote the Federalist Papers, our most significant American contribution to political theory, and the winning argument for ratifying the Constitution. At this moment, we should pay special attention to Madisons Federalist No. 10. In it, he acknowledges, Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may by intrigue, by corruptionbetray the interests of the people. Despite clogging up government operations, even convulsing society, Madison argued the Constitution would prevent such demagoguery from executing its violence against the American people. President Trump presents us with such a moment. The officeholders of this Republic are now obligated to ensure the continuance of our most basic governing principle: no person is above the law. north korea icbm The US believes North Korea fired a missile shortly before midnight Japan time, or 11 a.m. ET on Friday, a defense official confirmed to Business Insider and initial estimates indicate it could be the longest-range missile ever tested by the Hermit Kingdom. "I can confirm that we detected a launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea," Lt. Col. Christopher Logan told Business Insider. "We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected," Capt. Jeff Davis later said in a Pentagon release. Ankit Panda, a senior editor at the Asia-focused news website The Diplomat, cited a US source as saying that the missile flew for 47 minutes, reaching an altitude of 2,300 miles and traveling 620 miles. Such a long flight time and high crest suggest a tremendous range. While North Korea had already demonstrated an intercontinental range with the July 4 test of its Hwasong-14 ICBM, the missile launched Friday appeared capable of reaching New York or Washington, DC. Yet as with the previous launch, it is unclear whether North Korea has developed the technology to accurately deliver a nuclear warhead to the US mainland. The missile on Friday may have landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone, according to the Japanese public broadcaster NHK. As launching an ICBM at full range could easily be interpreted as an act of war, North Korea lofts its missiles on a steep angle. Therefore a missile that flies only a few hundred miles toward Japan can still demonstrate a range of many thousands of miles. North Korea missile test For weeks US intelligence monitoring North Korean military sites had predicted another missile test. Thursday marked the Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War, a North Korean holiday celebrating the end of the Korean War on July 27, 1953. North Korea has a pattern of launching missiles on historically significant dates, like its July 4 debut of an ICBM, but the weather Thursday was poor, possibly preventing a launch. Story continues Typically North Korea waits until the day after a launch to release photos or video from the event, which researchers analyze for insights into Pyongyang's shadowy missile program. NOW WATCH: A Navy SEAL explains what to do if you're attacked by a dog More From Business Insider GMATPill wrote: vivesomnium wrote: TrueLie wrote: A survey by the National Council of Churches showed that in 1986 there were 20,736 female ministers, almost 9 percent of the nations clergy, twice as much as 1977. (A) twice as much as 1977 (B) twice as many as 1977 (C) double what it was in 1977 (D) double the figure for 1977 (E) a number double that of 1977s The correct answer is D. However, I would like to know if "double" is a verb in this case? If double was in verb form- it would be an infinitive - sentence giving order/command to the reader to double- that will not make any sense here. If double was in verb form- it would be an infinitive - sentence giving order/command to the reader to double- that will not make any sense here. Try not to focus too much on the technicalities that really don't matter. Focus on answering the question in as little time as possible--and do it effectively. This is an apples vs oranges comparison. Note that in (A) and (B), "twice as much as 1977" or "twice as many as 1977" are comparing the actual year of 1977 to how many female ministers there were in 1986. This is a typical GMAT trap--just don't be fooled into thinking this is testing you on "as much as" versus "as many as." Hope that adds a little insight. Try not to focus too much on the technicalities that really don't matter. Focus on answering the question in as little time as possible--and do it effectively.This is an apples vs oranges comparison. Note that in (A) and (B), "twice as much as 1977" or "twice as many as 1977" are comparing the actual year of 1977 to how many female ministers there were in 1986. This is a typical GMAT trap--just don't be fooled into thinking this is testing you on "as much as" versus "as many as."Hope that adds a little insight. apple an orange comparison is only one factor for this problem. this factor can be learned in gmat book . knowing this factor is not enough for non native. we need to overhaul the total grammar knowledge for this question. This situation is simple to here but fatal to your seccess on sc and verbal. whyall of non native begin preparing gmat when their grammar is weak. the result is that they can learn some grammar point in gmat book but are still lacking the basic grammar, making them fail on gmat sc. this case dose not happen to the natives, who naturally master the basic grammar already and need a few months to master the grammar points characteristic of gmat. that is the reason why the natives need only a few months for gmat.for non natives, even after they get 100 on TOEFL, they need to overhaul the total grammar in parallel with studying gmat books.we are a community, all persons have to help each person. each person have to help all persons. I need your help in my finding of the British girl I met in Halong Bay, Vietnam one year ago. help, I have difficulty looking for her in Vietnam. Commonplace items sometimes play surprising roles in world development. For example, though most people today associate nutmeg with simple baked goods, this common spice once altered the course of political history. For centuries, the nutmeg tree grew only in the Banda Islands, a small chain in the southwest Pacific. Locals harvested the aromatic nuts of the tree and sold them to traders. Eventually these nuts, from which the spice is made, ended up as a luxury item in the European market, via Venetian spice merchants. Eager to establish a monopoly over this valuable spice, the Dutch attacked the Bandas, subjugating the native people in a mostly successful attempt to control the nutmeg trade. However, one island in the Banda chain remained in the hands of the British and was the object of much conflict between the Netherlands and England. After many battles, the British offered to cede control of the island in exchange for New Amsterdam, a Dutch outpost on the east coast of North America. At the time, the Dutch, inveterate traders, were more interested in the spice trade than in the mercantile value of New Amsterdam and so accepted the offer. In 1667, the Treaty of Breda gave the Dutch complete control of the Banda Islands, and thus of the nutmeg trade, and gave the British New Amsterdam, which they promptly renamed New York. Show Spoiler D 1. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the claim that New Amsterdam would have remained a Dutch possession if not for the conflict over nutmeg? A. Attempts to cultivate nutmeg trees outside of the Banda Islands had failed. B. Few people lived in New Amsterdam before it was ceded to the British. C. The British controlled trade in other valuable spices, such as cloves. D. New Amsterdam served as a trading center for furs exported to Europe. E. The Netherlands controlled no North American territories other than New Amsterdam. Show Spoiler A 2. The second paragraph performs which of the following functions in the passage? A. It offers specific information to complete the logic of the author's claims. B. It summarizes and evaluates the evidence given thus far. C. It presents the author's main point to explain a unique situation. D. It cites a particular case to demonstrate the importance of historical change. E. It discusses the necessary outcome of the author's assertions. Show Spoiler C 3. In the passage, the author is primarily interested in A. tracing the history of a major city B. discussing the role of spices in world development C. offering a specific example to support a general claim D. arguing for continued research into political history E. presenting an innovative view of a commonplace item A. Attempts to cultivate nutmeg trees outside of the Banda Islands had failed.B. Few people lived in New Amsterdam before it was ceded to the British.C. The British controlled trade in other valuable spices, such as cloves.D. New Amsterdam served as a trading center for furs exported to Europe.E. The Netherlands controlled no North American territories other than New Amsterdam.A. It offers specific information to complete the logic of the author's claims.B. It summarizes and evaluates the evidence given thus far.C. It presents the author's main point to explain a unique situation.D. It cites a particular case to demonstrate the importance of historical change.E. It discusses the necessary outcome of the author's assertions.A. tracing the history of a major cityB. discussing the role of spices in world developmentC. offering a specific example to support a general claimD. arguing for continued research into political historyE. presenting an innovative view of a commonplace item golfpro20050 wrote: Light is registered in the retina when photons hit molecules of the pigment rhodopsin and change the molecules shape. Even when they have not been struck by photons of light, rhodopsin molecules sometimes change shape because of normal molecular motion, thereby introducing error into the visual system. The amount of this molecular motion is directly proportional to the temperature of the retina. Which one of the following conclusions is most strongly supported by the information above? (A) The temperature of an animals retina depends on the amount of light the retina is absorbing. (B) The visual systems of animals whose body temperature matches that of their surroundings are more error-prone in hot surroundings than in cold ones. (C) As the temperature of the retina rises, rhodopsin molecules react more slowly to being struck by photons. (D) Rhodopsin molecules are more sensitive to photons in animals whose retinas have large surface areas than in animals whose retinas have small surface areas. (E) Molecules of rhodopsin are the only pigment molecules that occur naturally in the retina. Source :Lsat OFFICIAL EXPLANATION The correct answer choice is (B).Premise: Light is registered in the retina when photons hit rhodopsin molecules and the molecules change shape?Premise: Due to normal molecular motion, rhodopsin molecules sometimes change shape without having been hit by light. This change causes errors in the visual system.Premise: The amount of molecular motion is directly proportional to the temperature of the retina.Answer Choice A: The stimulus does not indicate that the temperature of the retina depends on the amount of light. It could easily be affected by other factors, such as body temperature. About 15% of test takers fell prey to this answer.Answer Choice B: This is the correct answer and just over 40% of test takers correctly choose this answer. To prove this answer, you must link together several pieces of information. First, the last sentence of the stimulus shows that the amount of rhodopsin molecular motion is directly proportional to the temperature of the retina, and the second sentence of the stimulus shows that this motion causes visual body temperature (remember, the retina is a body part) to the temperature of the surroundings and then rightly notes that hot surroundings would cause more visual errors than cold surroundings if body temperature matched those surroundings.Answer Choice C: This was the most popular incorrect answer, and just under a quarter of test takers fell for this answer. The answer is wrong because we do not know that temperature causes the rhodopsin to react more slowly. Higher retinal temperature causes the rhodopsin molecules to change shape, but no mention is made of reaction time. This answer falls under the "New information" category.Answer Choice D: Another New Information answer choice. Similar to answer choice (C), this answer fails the Fact Test because no information is given about the surface area of the retina. Answer choices (C) and (D) are great examples of how an answer can contain information unmentioned by the stimulus. These answers are somewhat attractive because there is nothing actively wrong about them and thus they could be true. To avoid them, always keep in mind that your goal is to find the answer that must occur based on the information in the stimulus.Answer Choice E: While the stimulus focuses on rhodopsin, no indication is given that rhodopsin is the only naturally occurring pigment molecule-there could be others._________________ Re: While some academicians believe that business ethics should be [ #permalink asdert wrote: While some academicians believe that business ethics should be integrated into every business course, others say that students will take ethics seriously only if it would be taught as a separately required course . (A) only if it would be taught as a separately required course (B) only if it is taught as a separate, required course (C) if it is taught only as a course required separately (D) if it was taught only as a separate and required course (E) if it would only be taught as a required course, separately Meaning is crucial to solving this problem: Concepts tested here: Meaning + Tenses A: in a separate manner both separate and required B: Correct. only if it is taught both separate and required C: only way it is taught in a separate manner only if it is taught both separate and required D: only way it is taught only if it is taught E: only way it is taught in a separate manner only if it is taught both separate and required Hence, B is the best answer choice. Dear Friends,Here is a detailed explanation to this question-Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that students will take ethics seriously only if it is taught as a course that is both separate and required. Habitual actions are best conveyed through the simple present tense. The simple future tense is used to refer to actions that will take place in the future. The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "separately required course"; the use of the adverb "separately" to modify the adjective "required" incorrectly implies that students will take ethics seriously only if it is taught as a course that is required; the intended meaning is that students will take ethics seriously only if it is taught as a course that is. Further, Option A incorrectly uses the simple future tense verb "would be taught" to refer to a hypothetical habitual action; please remember, habitual actions are best conveyed through the simple present tense, and the simple future tense is used to refer to actions that will take place in the future.The sentence formed by this answer choice uses the phrases "take ethics seriously only if" and "separate, required course"; the use of the adverb "only" to modify the verb phrase "take...seriously" and the use of the adjective "separate" to modify "course" correctly imply that students will take ethics seriouslyas a course that is. Further, Option B correctly uses the simple present tense verb "is taught" to refer to a hypothetical habitual action.This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "taught only as a course required separately"; the use of the adverb "only" to modify "taught" and the use of the adverb "separately" to modify the adjective "required" incorrectly imply that students will take ethics seriously if theis as a course that is required; the intended meaning is that students will take ethics seriouslyas a course that isThis answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "taught only"; the use of the adverb "only" to modify "taught" incorrectly implies that students will take ethics seriously if theis as a course that is required and separate; the intended meaning is that students will take ethics seriouslyas a course that is required and separate. Further, Option D incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb "was taught" to refer to a hypothetical habitual action; please remember, habitual actions are best conveyed through the simple present tense, and the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "only be taught as a required course, separately"; the use of the adverb "only" to modify "taught" and the use of the adverb "separately" to modify the adjective "required" incorrectly imply that students will take ethics seriously if theis as a course that is required; the intended meaning is that students will take ethics seriouslyas a course that is. Further, Option E incorrectly uses the simple future tense verb "would...be taught" to refer to a hypothetical habitual action; please remember, habitual actions are best conveyed through the simple present tense, and the simple future tense is used to refer to actions that will take place in the future.To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):All the best!Team_________________ In Nigeria, there was a time when parents would tell their female children not to choose technical drawing as a subject or not to study engineering talk less of website designing. To them it seemed like a job that is meant for men only. However, these days you see young ladies doing things like construction work, mechanical engineering and so on. Young Nigerians have joined the rest of the world in the belief that women can also do what men do. One of the women who have made this change possible is Ire Aderinokun a Nigerian Google developer expert who specializes in website designing. She is a self-taught user interface designer and front-end developer. She is one of the only three Google developer experts in Nigeria and the only woman. Aderinokun also owns a blog called the bitsofcode. Meet Nigerian genius Ire Aderinokun female Google developer expert Photo Source: YouTube The bitsofcode was created to break down coding techniques to new developers, on the blog she shares her thoughts on coding, experience about coding and tips on how to code. READ ALSO: Meet 21-year-old Nigerian slay queen who sells Irish potatoes (photos) At 13 years of age, Aderinokun built her first website as part of an online game obsession, even then she knew she loved designing websites but she was talked out of it by her parents and decided to further her career in other directions. Aderinokun could be described as a jack of all trades with her experience in education. She gained a bachelors degree in Experimental Psychology and a Masters in Law at the University of Bristol in the UK. In 2014, during her masters, she decided to go after her childhood dream of developing a website and joined Codecademy, an online platform for tutoring intending developers. After gaining her masters and completing her education at Codecademy, she did some freelance jobs building websites and started her blog bitsofcode in 2016. In 2015, Aderinokun became the Head of Technology at Big Cabal a media company in Lagos that creates content for Africans around the world. Ire Aderinokun first Nigerian female Google developer expert Photo Source: Linkedin/bitsofcode PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App She became one of Googles technology experts in Nigeria after she joined the experts program this year. According to her, she went through a series of interviews before she was selected as a part of the three Google developer experts in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Aderinokun is not only trying to acquire knowledge for herself but also trying to give back to the society, in June she announced that she would sponsor five Nigerian women who are willing to learn how to code. Ire Aderinokun announced that she would sponsor women who want to learn how to code Photo Source: Twitter Ireoluwa Aderinokun is the daughter of the late Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank, Olutayo Aderinokun. The other Nigerian Google developer experts are Femi Taiwo and Prosper Otemuyiwa. Good work Ire! 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 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 Nolan's 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 doesn't 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 Churchill's 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 Roosevelt's 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 Churchill's 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 Churchill's 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 Churchill's 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 Churchill's roar reality and force. But the roar was indispensable. For five hours a day, three days a week, more than 150 aging Bangladeshis exercise, eat, pray and talk together at the Jamaica Muslim Center in Queens, New York. A few kilometers away, at the Desi Senior Center, immigrants ages 60 and older exercise on a stage with guidance from a teacher. These seniors are taking part in programs that they cannot find - and in many cases cannot pay for - elsewhere in the city. Demographic changes in New York City New York City has seen major demographic changes since 2000. The Center for an Urban Future is a research group based in Manhattan. In a recent report, it said that immigrants make up 49.5 percent of the city's residents who are over the age of 65. In comparison, immigrants made up 38 percent of that same group in 2000. The report says there are now more people over the age of 65 in the city than there are children ages 10 and younger. Older immigrants face language and cultural barriers. They also are likely to face increased isolation and higher levels of poverty than natives. The Center for an Urban Future estimates that 22 percent of foreign-born seniors are in poverty. It says that this is true of about 15 percent of native seniors. Christian Gonzalez-Rivera is a lead researcher at the center. He said: Because the needs are now so much more diverse, along with the diversity of the population, we really need to rethink how it is that we serve seniors across the city in new ways. Jahan Ara Amin's story Jahan Ara Amin is from Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is among the many Bangladeshis at Desi Senior Center who have had problems since coming to the United States. She and her husband first arrived in 2016. She says she did not feel welcomed by extended family members at her daughters home in Texas. Dilafroz Nargis Ahmed, the Desi Centers director, explains this is common situation among Bangladeshi immigrants. Amin spoke through a translator. She became sad as she talked about her problems. She and her husband chose to settle in New York City because of the large number of Muslim-faith Bangladeshis. Amin and her husband have yet to find affordable permanent housing. Her lack of English makes it difficult to use public transportation. She says she worries how she will go outside the next day. When I am home, I feel tension and anxiety, she said. But when I come here [the Desi Center], I forget everything. Recent arrivals such as Amin are among the 31 percent of older immigrants who do not get Social Security and other federal help. At Desi Senior Center, she receives a warm meal. Otherwise, she is mostly on her own. Burden on local resources Anand Ahuja, is an Indian-American immigrant and a lawyer who works on family and immigration law. He says situations like Amins still create an unnecessary burden on local resources. Some but not all - of the money for such senior programs comes from public money. If your own country members cannot take care of you, that should not be a license for you to be dependent upon the state, Ahuja told VOA. If you have a problem of religion, if you have a problem with languageisnt it better for you then to go back to your home country? Earlier this year, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton proposed an immigration bill that includes a visa requirement for parents of citizens in need of caretaking. The parents would not be able to work or access public benefits in the U.S. They also must be guaranteed support and health insurance by their sponsoring children. Cotton plans to present the bill with some changes later this summer. Are older adults taken care of when they live with their children? Lakshman Kalasapudi is the deputy director of India Home, a nonprofit organization. She says many people mistakenly believe that South Asians who arrive as older adults are fully taken care of by their children. She said: Our people are more conservative, and more religious and family oriented, so they want to be with the family. But its very hard to be with the family nowadays because the children who brought them here, maybe [a] son or [a] daughter, maybe they are on [the] poverty line also. Kalasapudi says this can lead to a real breakdown in the family structure. She says it can have a deeply negative effect on the seniors mental health. Social isolation among immigrants is common she adds. That problem is India Homes primary concern. Subhash Bhasin, 78, and Prabha Bhasin, 74, emigrated from India nearly 40 years ago. They became American citizens. They receive Social Security and government-supported health care. But they too experienced loneliness and depression as they entered old age. We went back [to India] and we tried three years, but we could not settle so we came again, said Prabha. This time, they found a community through India Home. We say our prayerswe sing bhajans, says Prabha. We feel like we have an extended family now. I'm John Russell. And I'm Ashley Thompson. Ramon Taylor reported this story for VOANews. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story demographic adj. of or relating to the study of changes that occur in large groups of people over a period of time : of or relating to demography affordable adj. having a cost that is not too high burden n. someone or something that is very difficult to accept, do, or deal with dependent adj. needing someone or something else for support, help, etc. breakdown n. the failure of a relationship or of an effort to discuss something isolation n. the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others : the condition of being isolated benefit n. money that is paid by a company (such as an insurance company) or by a government when someone dies, becomes sick, stops working, etc. bhajan n. Hinduism a religious song of praise Jeff Sessions thought he was on the Trump team, but he was sadly mistaken. For President Donald Trump, the world breaks down into three categories theres family, who are part of the charmed Trump circle by blood or marriage; there are winners, who have earned Trumps regard by making lots of money (often at Goldman Sachs); and then theres everyone else, who are adornments to be cast aside as Trump finds convenient. Sessions is emphatically in the latter category. If the former Alabama senator wanted to be securely ensconced in Trump world, he should have had the foresight to marry Ivanka. Nothing else not endorsing early, not carrying water in trying circumstances in the campaign will ever make him anything more than some guy who happens to be attorney general of the United States. Trumps treatment of Sessions is unprecedented in the annals of American government. Cabinet officials have been hung out to dry before. They have been forced to resign or fired. Never before has a Cabinet secretary been publicly belittled in an ongoing campaign of humiliation by the president who appointed him. The drama hangs a lantern on Trumps flaws. Trump lacks gratitude, dismissing Sessions endorsement of him in the primaries as merely the senators reaction to the size of Trumps crowds. He obviously doesnt feel any respect for someone who, as an honorable person with a long career in public service, deserves it. He doesnt care about propriety, which would dictate dressing down Sessions in private, not flaying him in public. And, finally, he doesnt feel any obligation to Sessions, despite the fact that Sessions gave up a safe Senate seat to serve in his administration. For Trump, loyalty is unilateral, not reciprocal, and it has a very particular content. Its not loyalty to the agenda or to the party, but to Trump, specifically his personal interests and honor. Robert Muellers investigation, at the very least, creates an ongoing cloud over Trumps election victory. Insofar as the president believes that Sessions enabled this assault on his ego, the attorney general is persona non grata. He might as well have told the president that, yes, Barack Obama had a bigger inaugural crowd. As a result, Trump is demeaning his attorney general and using the same weapons he uses against any of his targets namely, anything at hand. Trump hits Sessions for not pursuing Hillary Clinton, when the president himself had called for letting the Clinton scandal go. He criticizes Sessions for not firing FBI official Andrew McCabe, even though the White House reportedly interviewed McCabe to replace James Comey permanently as FBI director. Sessions should consider himself lucky that Trump has not, as of yet, accused any of his family members of being involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Of course, Trump is free to fire Sessions whenever he likes. That he is not doing it and prefers to run him down, apparently in hopes that he will quit, speaks to an unwillingness to take responsibility. This is his government; he should either back his appointees or cashier them, not troll them on Twitter. The episode shows the challenge that Republicans face in Trump. It is not ideological. Substantively, Trump is governing as more or less a conventional Republican. The challenge is characterological. How to work with a president who is key to advancing much of the GOP agenda without endorsing his brazen disregard for institutional and personal norms? The Sessions imbroglio may blow over, as Trump moves on to the next thing. But it offers a window into how Trump could collapse his own administration by letting the pressure of criticism and investigation get the best of him, destroying any cohesiveness within his own government and party, and creating an ongoing sense of crisis that eventually spirals out of control. If this nightmare scenario becomes reality, the bizarre and small-minded campaign against Jeff Sessions will have been a sign of things to come. VOA Learning English presents Americas Presidents. Today we are talking about Grover Cleveland. When Americans remember him, it is mostly because he makes writing presidential timelines difficult. Cleveland was the nations 22nd president, and also its 24th. He remains the only U.S. president to date whose second term did not immediately follow the first. Cleveland is also notable because of his personal life, and because he held office during one of the countrys worst economic crises. Early life Stephen Grover Cleveland was born in the northeastern state of New Jersey and grew up mostly in New York. He was a middle child in a family of nine children. His father was a minister, and the family did not have much money. As a result, Cleveland had little formal education. He was one of the few presidents who did not go to college. But he was able to become a lawyer. He earned enough money and developed a good professional image. In time, he became a sheriff, a mayor, and the governor of the state of New York. In his early life, Cleveland did not marry and have children. Instead, he had many friends, with whom he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and eating and drinking in restaurants. But Cleveland did have a relationship with a widow named Maria Halpin. She became pregnant and said Cleveland was the babys father. Cleveland said he was not sure if he was. However, he gave the child some financial support, the name of one of his closest friends, and his own family name. The child was called Oscar Folsom Cleveland. Shortly after the boy was born, his mother was sent to an institution for the mentally unstable. Doctors quickly confirmed that her mental health was fine, but her son was taken from her and raised by another family. The story about Halpin and the child became an issue in the election of 1884. The Democratic Party had nominated Cleveland as their candidate for president. In general, voters liked his message of limiting federal spending, reducing the power of wealthy interests, and stopping political corruption. Some called him Grover the Good. But Clevelands opponents said his history with Maria Halpin showed that he was an immoral man. At anti-Cleveland rallies, Republicans chanted, Ma, ma, wheres my Pa? Pa is another word for father. But Cleveland did not comment much on the matter. His defenders said Clevelands honesty as a public official was more important than his bad judgment as a private citizen. Voters seemed to agree. Cleveland narrowly won the election. His supporters answered the Republicans chants of wheres my Pa? by saying, Gone to the White House, ha, ha, ha! First presidential term Grover Clevelands presidency was unusual because he did not want to use the office to propose laws. Instead, he mostly aimed to keep the federal government operating efficiently. He also wanted to limit lawmakers power to help special interest groups. As a result, Cleveland vetoed many bills in his first term. He set a record at that time for saying no to proposals from Congress. One of the few ideas that he supported was reducing tariffs. Many of his fellow Democrats liked that idea, too. But a number of Republicans did not. In the next election, their candidate, Benjamin Harrison, defeated Cleveland. Cleveland returned to being a lawyer in New York. In 1892, Cleveland was chosen to run against Benjamin Harrison again. The tariff issue returned: the Republicans protective tariffs had hurt some industries, and voters answered this time by voting Harrison out of office. Cleveland returned to the White House. But this time he was not alone. White House Wedding Two years into his first term as president, Cleveland married the daughter of his close friend, Oscar Folsom. The brides name was Frances Folsom. She was 21 years old at the time. The president was 49. Cleveland was not the first president to get married while in office. But he was the first one to be married in the White House. The event captivated the public. Whats more, Americans adored the new first lady. She was known for being social, charming, and beautiful. Historians conclude that she was the most popular first lady since Dolley Madison. She remains the youngest. Second presidential term When the Clevelands returned to the White House, the country was entering a severe economic recession. Some of the countrys biggest businesses were failing, including a railroad and many banks. As a result, investors withdrew their money from the stock market. The withdrawal caused many other businesses to fail. The series of events is known as the Panic of 1893. Soon, more and more Americans were out of work. Many could not afford houses or food. Some begged President Cleveland to intervene. But he declined. He did not think it was the role of the federal government to create jobs in order to reverse the depression. However, Cleveland did use the power of the federal government to intervene during a famous labor strike. In that event, workers in Chicago who helped keep the trains operating walked out of their jobs. They were protesting a major decrease in their pay that did not include a decrease in their living expenses. Since the owner of the company also controlled the price of housing and food, workers appealed to him to treat them more fairly. But the company owner refused even to meet with the workers. Soon, the workers boycott grew. Workers at other railyards stopped working. Farmers could not get their goods to market, and others could not get the supplies they needed. Even the mail stopped being delivered. So Cleveland sent federal troops to break the strike. In the short term, Clevelands actions worked. The trains moved again, and both the courts and most of the public agreed with the presidents decision. But in the long term, Clevelands handling of the panic, depression, and workers strike lost the support of many voters. At the next opportunity, they voted him out of the White House again. Clevelands Legacy Cleveland returned to New York, and later settled in a large house in Princeton, New Jersey. There, he wrote, made speeches, sat on corporate boards, became a trustee of Princeton University and enjoyed the respect of the people who lived in the town. He died at age 71 of problems with his stomach, heart, and kidneys. Several people said his final words were, I have tried so hard to do right. Then and now, many people agreed with that idea. Cleveland was generally an honest man who worked hard and tried to act independently as president. But he is not considered one of Americas best leaders. He did not have a clear idea about how to guide the country. Yet the opposing party, at least, may have considered Clevelands presidency a success. After Clevelands final election defeat, six of the next seven presidents were Republicans. Im Kelly Jean Kelly. Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. Listening Quiz See how well you understand the story by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video and choose the best answer. Quiz - America's Presidents: : Grover Cleveland Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story widow - n. a woman whose husband has died immoral - adj. not morally good or right : morally evil or wrong tariffs - n. a tax on goods coming into or leaving a country captivate - v. to attract and hold the attention of someone by being interesting or pretty trustee - n. a member of a group that manages the money of an organization Holding hands, people jumped in the water, and floated around in Bostons Charles River recently. That is something that would not have been possible years ago because the river was so polluted. In the 1960s, the music group The Standells even sang about the river in their popular song, Dirty Water. Well I love that Dirty Water, oh, Boston youre my home. The swimmers were getting their once-a-year chance to cool off from the summer heat in the Charles River. It is called City Splash. For a few days each year, the state of Massachusetts allows public swimming on Bostons part of the nearly 130-kilometer river. The event is in its fifth year. It is a chance for the nonprofit Charles River Conservancy to show its efforts to build a swim park. Their idea is to build floating docks where swimmers can jump safely into the river without touching the hazardous bottom. These docks would be in areas where the water quality would be tested repeatedly. Nearly 300 people signed up to swim. "It felt refreshing and wonderful,'' said Newton, Massachusetts resident Ira Hart as he got out of the river. "They used to talk about how it was toxic sludge and you'd glow if you came out of the Charles. Well I'm not glowing, at least not yet.'' Boston is one of the cities hoping to follow the model of Copenhagen, Denmark. That city opened the first of its three floating harbor baths in the early 2000s. On sunny days, people swim in the harbor baths surrounded by tall buildings and cars on the highways. At night, the area is filled with people enjoying music and food. Just recently Paris opened public swimming in a once-polluted canal. New York, London, Berlin and other cities are planning similar features for their waterways. In Boston, the Charles River Conservancy still needs to raise several million dollars. It also needs to get approvals from city, state and federal agencies. The groups spokeswoman, S.J. Port, said the biggest problem has already been taken care of: The Charles is now one of the cleanest city rivers in America. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this month that the river earned a B grade for water quality last year-- an A being the best grade. It means the Charles River met the requirement for swimming 55 percent of the time. Here are examples of other cities working to allow swimming again: Portland, Oregon In Portland, Oregon, the city and a local group invited residents to swim in the Willamette River this summer. They opened the first official public beach with lifeguards on the river earlier this month. They have also launched a public information campaign and scheduled events around the water. Among them was the Big Float river parade on July 15. People floated on the river in inner tubes and small boats. About 2,500 people participated in the party. London In London, a group of architects, designers and engineers have plans for a series of pools in the middle of the River Thames. It would be in an area where river water would be filtered, or cleaned, continuously. Chris Romer-Lee, a lead organizer of the Thames Baths project, said the group aims to submit plans to local authorities by early 2018. The group launched an online funding campaign last year that raised about $180,000 to work on their design. Now they are working to raise almost $20 million for the project itself. New York In New York, four local artists and architects launched the idea for +Pool, a floating pool in the shape of a plus sign in 2010. The water would also be cleaned or filtered. Since then, they say they have successfully tested a filtration system that removes bacteria without using chemicals.The groups deputy director said they have raised nearly $2 million to keep developing the project. They are exploring possible places on the East and Hudson rivers and are preparing to get city approvals. Melbourne, Australia In Melbourne, Australia, the Yarra Swim Co. presented its idea for a floating pool on the city's Yarra River at a show last year. Michael O'Neill is behind the effort. He said the company will reach out to community groups and government agencies in August. They want to know what people think the Yarra Pools project should offer. They also want to support other ideas for use of the river. Berlin In Berlin, the Flussbad project calls for cleaning up a canal off the German capital's Spree River for public bathing. Barbara Schindler is a spokeswoman for the effort. She said the idea has been around since the 1990s, but has made progress in recent years. She said the organization completed a water quality study in 2015. It has received $4.6 million in government funding to hopefully create the project. Im Anne Ball. And Im Jonathan Evans. Anne Ball adapted this story for Learning English from the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding with this short quiz. Quiz - Cities Aim to Make Once-Polluted Rivers Safe for Swimming Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story splash v. to cause water or another liquid to move in a noisy or messy way dock n. a structure built out into the water and used as a place to get on or off or tie up a boat. hazardous adj. involving risk or danger toxic adj. containing poisonous substances sludge n. thick, soft, wet mud glow v. to shine with low light and heat but usually without flame canal n. a long narrow place that is filled with water and was created by people so that boats could pass through it or to supply fields, crops, etc., with water lifeguard n. a person whose job is to protect swimmers from drowning inner tube n. a round tube that holds air inside a tire Drought and conflict have caused a new displacement crisis in the southern part of Somalia. Gerard Waite is chief of mission for the International Organization for Migration Somalia. He said about 800,000 people fled their homes over the past seven months. This is in addition to the 1.1 million people already displaced in the country. We have a displacement crisis on top of a drought crisis, Waite said. Poor camp conditions He also said that the newly displaced people have put heavy pressure on existing camps. These camps are, by and large, not very well managed. They are normally on private land in very cramped conditions. They do not have the basic services in these camps, Waite said. The displaced people are not living in healthy conditions, and are forced to drink unclean water. This has caused over 71,000 cases of cholera or severe diarrhea in 2017, resulting in nearly 1,100 deaths. Water shortages have meant that people are drinking higher-risk water, taking water which they know to be contaminated but they drink it anyway, Waite said. Difficult weather patterns Climate experts say the recent rainy season was well below average this year. It usually lasts from April to June. The next rainy season is not expected until October, but experts warn there will be heavy crop losses. In addition, climate estimates suggest that there is a 45 percent chance of an El Nino weather event late in 2017. That could cause a further reduction in rain. An El Nino is an irregular weather event usually resulting in warmer-than-average temperatures in some places around the world. Waite said about 6.7 million people in Somalia are either suffering or near suffering from a food crisis. Managing and preparing for drought According to Waite, the International Organization for Migration has learned from Somalias drought in 2011. In that period of extremely dry weather, 200,000 people are believed to have died. The need to deliver health systems to these places is extremely pressing, Waite said. However, he said they are also trying to work with the Somali government to create spaces that are better controlled and managed. Somalias finance minister, Abdirahman Duale Beyle, told VOA in May that the droughts in Somalia are cyclical. He also said Somalia has become too dependent on external aid. We have to change that kind of attitude, Beyle said. There are projects meant to prepare Somalia for droughts, however. The IOM, for example, is introducing drought-resistant potatoes. The U.N. Development Program is helping with several projects, including creating below-surface water tanks, wells, and community water storage ponds in Somaliland. Beyle said now is the time for Somalis themselves to take responsibility for solving the problem. We have the technology, the intelligence and the know-how to break the link between drought and famine, he said. Im Phil Dierking. Salem Solomon reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted her report for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. How do you think a country can prepare for drought? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story drought - n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain contaminated - adj. to be made dangerous, dirty, or impure by adding something harmful or undesirable to it cramped - adj. not having enough space inside cyclical - adj. happening again and again in the same order displace - v. to force (people or animals) to leave the area where they live manage - v. to take care of and make decisions about external - adj. coming from outside famine - n. a situation in which many people do not have enough food to eat The ANCs Mathews Phosa has described President Jacob Zuma as the worst president the country has had since the dawn of democracy. In an interview with the City Press, Phosa said South Africa has been given a wake-up call not to sink this low again. I am judging him in terms of Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, and Kgalema Motlanthe, said Phosa. Some of us have taken a stance that he must go. It is unequivocal that he must go, he said, referring to the upcoming vote of no confidence in Zuma. Phosa said the vote is a potentially dangerous one, with those who openly going against ANC wishes potential targets for removal from the party or attacks on their lives. Zuma has faced immense pressure from civil society, corporate South Africa, and opposition parties to step down, due to his poor running of the country and multiple allegations of corruption against him. His close ties to the Gupta family, which have been accused of state capture on numerous occasions, are also a concern to citizens and business. 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 Is Jordan country that has not supplied arms to Armenia?: 'The press usually has reliable information' European Commission approves nationalization of Russian Gazprom's German subsidiary Pashinyan: If the state interferes with the exchange rate unnecessarily, the economy will only suffer U.S. to work with strategic coalition of Southeast Asian countries Armenian PM: To reform army, it is necessary to make military service more attractive Putin and Raisi discuss topical issues of the bilateral agenda Blinken: Ukraine must decide on timing and content of any talks with Russia 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 Children who live in Aknashen like to run to the outskirts of the village. Driven by curiosity, they often climb the hill, where archaeological excavations of the ancient monument, dating to the Neolithic era, are being conducted. Explaining to them that the excavation area is a bad place for games can sometimes be very difficult, says Ruben Badalyan, the head of the expedition, the head of the earliest archeology department in the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography under the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (photos). According to him, studies of this unique settlement began in 1998; later the process has been suspended and resumed as early as 2004. Although the hill is small, says Badalyan, the height of the cultural layer, formed as a result of successive settlements, is more than 5 meters. There was revealed a huge amount of information during excavations, which certify that the territory of Ararat valley was occupied by a lake. It was formed after a volcanic eruption, as a result of which the watercourse of Araks River got covered with lava sediments. Later, the water level of the lake gradually lowered, and in the first half of the 6 th century BC, the first Neolithic settlement, known in the territory of Ararat valley, was founded on this territory. "Everything known prior to this period mainly relates to cave shelters and temporary stays. But, here we deal with a sedentary settlement, which made the first attempts of construction and ceramic production, " says Badalyan. As for who settled in this area in the early 6th century BC, it is too early to say, since there are no written sources that would allow to find out the language they spoke. However, it is already clear that it was a period, when continuous colonization began. "Thus, we deal with a beginning of a very long period, which ultimately led to the creation of our society," adds Badalyan. According to him, among the finds in the main place made primarily tools made of bone and obsidian, which had been extracted from the ridge of Gegham mountain. The excavated jewelries, such as barrettes, fragments of chains, and bone spoons, are worth of attention as well. "We can conclude that humans populated in that territory had a feeling of aesthetic beauty. They adorned themselves, their clothes, and tools. We even have an evidence that they used make-ups, says Badalyan. The most valuable finds, adds Badalyan, are perhaps those, that inhabitants of Aknashen contacted with people, who carried Middle Eastern cultures. "We have examples of painted pottery, which obviously came from Syria, Mesopotamia. There are findings of sea shells, which point to the contacts - even though transit contacts - with the population of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean coasts. In other words, we can say that in the 6th century BC there were developing cultural and economic ties, " he stressed. The settlement was abandoned in the middle of the 6th millennium BC. It is difficult to provide certain reasons, says Badalyan, but people could move due to social or political circumstances. Excavations in Aknashen will continue for about 10 years: to be exact, unless archaeologists get to the level at which the settlement was established. YEREVAN. - The Laboratory of Archaeological Studies of the Institute for Armenian Studies (IAS) at Yerevan State University (YSU) resembles more a warehouse than a scientific lab in the usual sense. The racks here are covered with cardboard boxes from where crocks are sticking out. And it is hard to imagine that the content of these boxes is about 3,000 years old and that some time later all this will appear under a glass in a certain museum. Now they are lying in enumerated boxes waiting in the wings. The technological capacities of the university lab are not great: several manual tools and calcining furnace, which allows to check several properties of ceramics. But to precisely determine the age of the artifacts one has to turn to foreign colleagues, says Hayk Avetisyan, Head of Chair at YSU Archaeology and Ethnography Department. Certain studies, specifically of vegetable and animal origin findings, are currently carried out in the bioarchaeological laboratory of the YSU Biology Department. But the specialists hope that it will soon be possible to carry out radiocarbon studies here as well, since Armenia is a country with untapped sources of such work. Hayk Avetisyan takes out the recently found artifacts from a box: ceramics, Scythian arrowhead and embellishments of Urartian Aramus fortress. The artifacts date from 8-6th centuries BC. Then he arranges before me an entire ceramic set - a finding from Oshakan cemetery. This is an early Iron Age sample dating from 11-9th centuries B.C., he says. To my question whether the arrowhead is imported if it is a Scythian sample, Avtisyan says this is not the case at all. Being made here on the ground, they were included in the arsenal of the warriors of the given region starting from time immemorial. But the archaeologists also find imported artifacts, specifically ceramics and embellishments, luxury items imported from Syria, Mesopotamia and Northern Caucasus. At the same time, items from local obsidian are found in Syria and Palestine. That is, the trade was very active then, he says. In the adjacent room two archaeologists argue, trying to determine by eye and by feel the age of a red ceramic sherd. In their words, the appearance is deceptive: this ceramic item can be very ancient but it can also belong to the antic period. In the back room Masters students are studying. They apply here from different universities from architectural to economic ones. The Head of Chair is happy to note that Bachelors degree for Archaeology specialization has opened this year, whereas only Masters degree was available before. According to the scientist, currently the Armenian archaeology greatly lacks human resources. However, this is indeed a very promising direction, he adds. The analysis of the volume of the work carried out in Armenia now shows that this work will last for 20 years if the volumes remain unchanged. Thus, the scientist thinks the salary of the young specialists will be at least stable if not large. And if they take part in joint international expeditions (currently 10-15 such expeditions work in Armenia annually), their salary wont be bad at all, he notes. Thus, dealing with archaeology is profitable, Avetisyan confirms. It is also profitable for the state, since there is a commercialization opportunity here too: artifacts are taken to museums and the museums begin to earn more due to tourism. The most vivid example is the most ancient shoe from Armenias Areni village, which is now displayed in the Museum of History of Armenia. That is, the archaeological and ethnographic work still has a wide scope of work to be carried out in the coming 20 years. And after the effective implementation of all this we can become more competitive in terms of revealing our identity in this fight of civilizations, he says. When NATO military exercises kick off in Georgia next week, they will include troops from the United States, Germany, Turkey, Ukraine, and Armenia. But they won't include Azerbaijan, an unexpected, last-minute dropout, editor at EurasiaNet.org, and author of The Bug Pit blog, analyst Joshua Kucera noted. According to him, Azerbaijan also didn't participate in another set of recently concluded NATO-affiliated drills in Romania. Azerbaijan also didn't take part in U.S./Ukraine-hosted naval exercises in the Black Sea, called Sea Breeze, in spite of earlier promises that they would. It's not clear why Azerbaijan dropped out of the exercises in Georgia and the Black Sea. There has been no official explanation, and neither the Ministry of Defense nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to The Bug Pit's request for comment, the analyst wrote. The exercises are all part of a huge series of NATO drills around the Black Sea this summer in which about 40,000 troops are participating. This, naturally, has aroused Russia's ire. "All these deployments, including the incessant series of exercises, create an absolutely new configuration of forces near our borders, which in a substantial way not only worsen the security situation but also present a danger, a threat to Russia," said Russia's ambassador to NATO, Alexander Grushkov. He stressed that Armenia usually sends small units to NATO exercises, and otherwise cooperate in limited ways with NATO. But what happened with Azerbaijan is rather curious, as Baku also cooperates with NATO; just last month Azerbaijani Defense Minister visited Brussels to discuss cooperation with the alliance. According to him, the story of these exercise dropouts has been more or less ignored by the major Azerbaijani press, but one website quoted military analyst Uzeir Jafarov as saying that Armenia's presence at Noble Partner would justify Azerbaijan staying away. It's worth noting, though, that Armenia wasn't in the Sea Breeze exercises which Azerbaijan also dropped out of, and both Armenia and Azerbaijan took part, without incident, in the NATO Saber Guardian exercises last year." YEREVAN. "Turkish prisons are not at all like what you see in the film Midnight Express.- Sevan Nisanyan In an interview to Armenian News-NEWS.am, well-known Istanbul Armenian writer, linguist, journalist, and columnist, Sevan Nisanyan, who escaped from Turkish prison after serving 3.5 years in prison, talks about his future plans, situation in Turkey and other issues. Mr. Nisanyan, how did you manage to escape from prison? I didnt actually escape from prison. I was transferred in April to an open institution, a kind of work camp, where we were allowed to take a week off every three months. I went home and did not return. Getting out of the country was more exciting, but I am afraid I cannot say too much about that yet. Why did you choose Greece? I applied for political asylum in Greece and received a temporary residence permit. The final decision on the asylum application will be made by the Greek authorities in March 2018. I have always admired Greece and felt at home here. I hope to live in an Aegean island which is very close to my home in Sirince. We can actually see the island from the hills of my village. Your family is in Turkey. Are not you afraid that they can be subjected to pressure? My three elder children are grown up and intelligent people. I dont think they will be in any kind of danger. How do you assess the situation in Turkey in general? Many people say that dictatorship is established and it is, first of all, a danger to national minorities. The political and judiciary situation in Turkey is bad enough, but I am happy to say it is not yet as bad as the old Soviet Union! Turkey is going through a period of madness. The political situation is frightful, the rule of law has collapsed. This of course affects everyone in the country, including, but not especially, the minorities. I know that the Armenian and especially the Jewish minorities are very worried, and very many of them have made plans to migrate to safer countries. What awaits Turkey in the case of this government ? May there be an explosion, taking into account tense relations both on the external and internal fronts? Turkey was always a very difficult country to govern; now the difficulties have multiplied beyond control. The country is fighting with virtually every other country in the world, but more importantly, it is at war with itself. The outcome of so much bad energy is difficult to predict. In any case it looks like it will not be a happy outcome. What is it really like inside Turkish prisons? What kind of manners prevail there? How did they treat you? Turkish prisons are certainly not what they used to be thirty years ago. They are not at all like what you see in the film Midnight Express. The buildings and infrastructure are quite modern, the personnel is reasonably well-trained and efficient, the regulations extremely detailed and mechanically applied. This makes the prisons psychologically more oppressive places than before. Total isolation and dehumanisation may sometimes be worse than physical brutality. In three and a half years I changed eight institutions. I was everywhere very correctly treated on account of both my age and my social position. I was the only Armenian the only non Turk and non-Muslim in fact everywhere I went. This never posed a problem. Most inmates thought this something exotic and interesting, and made a double effort to befriend and/or protect me. I believe the prison administrators were also under strict instructions to treat me correctly and to make sure there were no security issues. When will you visit Armenia? I would love to visit Armenia as soon as I am able to travel freely, which I hope will be in March 2018 or soon afterward. Many of my co-nationals in Armenia offered my their friendship and support while I was in jail. I have many friends in Yerevan whom I would like to thank in person. A 30-year-old Wisconsin Dells man was referred to the Monroe County District Attorney for intent to deliver methamphetamine. Police noticed a suspicious male identified as Kenneth D. Frodin walking near Firemens Park July 16. The report says Frodin appeared to notice the police car and took off running before police attempted to make contact. Police chased him along Council Creek before subduing him. He allegedly gave police a false name after being apprehended. He was held at Taser point until other officers arrived and was transported to the Monroe County Jail. A witness told police that Frodin tossed a small bag near a bridge. Police retrieved the bag, which reportedly contained methamphetamine. Frodin was referred for possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and obstructing an officer. He has a bond condition from Sauk County that prohibits him from committing crimes, which triggered multiple bail jumping referrals. In other Monroe County Police Department news: Theron James Haas, 40, Black River Falls, was referred to the district attorney for marijuana charges after a July 14 traffic stop. Shortly before midnight, police observed a Chevrolet Aveo traveling north on Superior Avenue. The license plate didnt correspond with any vehicle in the data base, and police initiated a traffic stop. Police detected a slight odor of intoxicants and identified a passenger as Haas, who is on probation with a provision that prohibits him from consuming alcohol. Haas submitted to a preliminary breath test, which registered a blood-alcohol of .063. Police conducted a search of Haas and allegedly found a rifle casing that appeared to be a modified smoking pipe. The report said the pipe later tested positive for marijuana. Haas was referred for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping. Two Illinois men were referred to the district attorney on marijuana charges after police were called to the Microtel Inn & Suites July 13. An employee told police that the odor of marijuana was coming from a room on the third floor. Police knocked on the room door several times before Zachary S. Powers, 25, Rockford, answered. The report says he initially denied drugs were in the room was smoking but later said he was rolling a joint while getting ready to attend a concert. As police were speaking with Powers, James Allan Bowers, 26, Belvidere, exited the bathroom. When police pressed Powers about the marijuana odor, Powers reportedly said he threw a joint out the window and that the marijuana belonged just to me. A search of Powers alleged foundly a container that smelled like marijuana. A search of the room allegedly found marijuana, wax and paraphernalia. Both were referred for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Scott John Sebestia, 25, Camp Douglas, was referred to the district attorney for theft for allegedly stealing a wallet. The victim said there was $80 cash in the wallet and that Sebestia had used a gift card from the wallet. Calvin Thomas Tappa, 39, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney on multiple charges after a July 16 incident. Police were dispatched to a Superior Avenue residence after a 911 hang-up. Dispatch said that during the call a female could be heard yelling, I didnt do anything. When police arrived, the woman walked outside and Tappa shut the door and locked it. The report says Tappa eventually came to the door, was very unsteady on his feet and fell to the ground when told to sit down. The woman told police she was scared of Tappa. When she called police, she said Tappa pushed her into the stove and grabbed her cell phone and broke it. Tappa was referred for criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and false imprisonment. He has a bond condition that prohibits him from committing crimes, which triggered a bail jumping referral. Anthony Clarence Liebe, 33, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for drug charges after a July 11 traffic stop. Police observed a parked vehicle shortly after 11 p.m. registered to an owner with a revoked driving status. The vehicle left the parking lot and headed north on Kilbourn Avenue. The vehicle came to a stop south of Holton Street, and two people exited the vehicle. The report says both the driver and passenger ignored police commands to stop. When police shined the passenger, later identified as Liebe, he reportedly darted east through a yard before police apprehended him. A search of Liebe allegedly found a methamphetamine pipe, three syringes, a spoon with white residue, two gem baggies and a cooking tin. Liebe was referred for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping. The driver was later identified as Kenneth D. Frodin, 30, Wisconsin Dells. He was referred for resisting an officer and bail jumping. Hunter Rave Schulz, 19, Sparta; James K. Schulz, 22, Tomah; and a 17-year-old juvenile were referred to the district attorney after a July 17 incident. Police were called to a McCaul Street residence, where Hunter Schulz reportedly began yelling as she was retrieving property and that a loud altercation between the three ensued. Logan Jon Tormoen, 27; and Teal Megan Herold, 28, both of Tomah, were referred to the district attorney after police arrested Tormoen on an outstanding warrant. Police observed Tormoen and Herold walking on East Clifton Street shortly before 7 p.m. July 17. The report says police removed a syringe from one of Tormoens pockets. Police also learned that Herold has outstanding warrants from La Crosse and Monroe counties. A search of Teals backpack allegedly found a box of syringes, a spoon, a digital scale, two tourniquets and two straws. Both were referred for bail jumping, and Herold was also referred for possession of drug paraphernalia. Jeremy John Cory, 35, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for bail jumping. He is accused of sending a pair of abusive and vulgar Facebook messages in violation of a no-contact order. Keagan Decorah Rivera, 24, Tomah, was referred for the district attorney for disorderly conduct/alcohol-related after a July 16 incident. Police received a report of two males lying in the middle of the 400 block of East Brownell Street. When police arrived, it appeared the two were fighting. Police identified Rivera as delivering closed-fist punches to the head of the other male. The report says Rivera was visibly intoxicated. He has a bond condition that prohibits him from consuming alcohol, which triggered a bail jumping referral. Joshua James Perrigo, 24, Norwalk, was referred to the district attorney for bail jumping. He is accused of violating a bond condition that prohibits him from possessing dangerous weapons. Sean Michael Lapp, 36, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for physical abuse of a child. Police were dispatched to Tomah Memorial Hospital July 9 for a report of possible child abuse. The report says a seven-year-old child was brought to the emergency room for a laceration to the head. Police determined the laceration was caused by a cell phone Lapp threw at the boys head. The reports says that Sarah K. Lapp, 31, Tomah, gave a false account of the incident. She was referred for obstructing an officer. Daniel Anthony Perez, 19, was referred to the district attorney for physical abuse to a child. The report says Perez got into an argument with a 15-year-old girl and threw her onto a bed, causing her strike her head against a hard plastic bottle. Tonya Marie Pittman, 33, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for bail jumping. She is accused of violating a bond condition that requires her to notify the county if she changes her address. Donnell Derrick Simmons, 45, Matteson, Illinois, was referred to the district attorney for multiple theft charges allegedly using stolen credit cards. An employee of Kwik Trip said a cigarette purchase of $407.38 was made at Kwik Trip May 6 with a credit card that had been stolen. She said numerous Kwik Trip stores across Wisconsin had been similarly victimized. Police July 22 identified a silver minivan on Interstate 90 driving east from Sparta. The report said the occupants had attempted to purchase cartons of cigarettes at a Kwik Trip in Sparta. Police conducted a traffic stop and arrested Simmons, who was referred for obstructing an officer, forgery and forgery of a financial card. John Todd Flom, 47, De Pere, was referred to the district attorney for disorderly conduct after a July 23 incident. Police were dispatched to the Super 8 Motel, where employees were trying to expel a guest, later identified as Flom, for threatening staff and another guest. When police confronted Flom, he reportedly lunged toward an officer but then complied with an order to sit down after the officer removed his Taser. He was then handcuffed and taken to the Monroe County Jail without incident. Travis Alan Cloud, 27; and Charlene Denis Hindsley, 42, Black River Falls, were referred to the district attorney for obstructing an officer during July 24 traffic stop. They are accused of giving police false information during the stop. 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 neighborhoods best offerings and celebrating those who make it so great. Milwaukee Downtown Employee Appreciation Week, by the way, runs July 31 - Aug. 4, 2017. The Dogg Haus 755 N. Water St. (414) 226-2664 thedogghaus.com Type of food: Hot dogs, brats, sausages, french fries and more. Prices: $1.69-$7.49. Vegetarian Friendly? Yes, there is a veggie hot dog on the menu. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. I love a good bratwurst, and pairing that with some french fries makes it even better. I pass The Dogg Haus every day on my way to the office and have always been intrigued to give the place a try. So I decided to take advantage of our $7 lunch challenge and see what I could find on the menu for $7 or less. I went in with the hope of getting a brat, but I was also prepared to settle for a hot dog in case price became a factor. Luckily, the brat fit my budget, costing $4.29. So with some cash to spare, I was able to purchase an order of small french fries for $1.69. All together, the total after tax was $6.34. I was very pleased, to say the least, not to mention it tasted great. The Dogg Haus is sure to remain on my list of affordable and tasty lunch destinations Downtown. 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. Milwaukee may not be known for its hot weather, but that doesn't mean that the Brew City can't bring the heat namely from the kitchen. That's why Senior Developer Nick "Power Palate" Barth and Pop Culture Editor Matt "Powder Puff Palate" Mueller are on a journey, burning their buds and torching their tongues across town to find the city's spiciest dishes. Grab your fork and a fire extinguisher this is Burning Through Brew City. The first stop on their capsaicin-rich quest? TCB ghost pepper wings Red Rock Saloon 1227 N. Water St. (414) 431-0467 redrockmilwaukee.com Red Rock Saloon is known for a number of things: blasting country music both live bands and radio hits out of its thirst-quenching Water Street nightlife hot spot, bucking patrons off of its feisty mechanical bull and busting even the strongest stomachs with its Unforgiven Challenge, a timed food gauntlet featuring two half-pound burgers topped with cheese, bacon, a deep-fried chicken breast, more cheese, more bacon, lettuce (see, a vegetable; it's healthy!), tomato and onion strings, all plus a basket of fries and only 23 minutes to clean your plate. What interested Nick and I, however, wasn't the big gut-busting burger at the challenge's center but the underrated final part of The Unforgiven food challenge: the TCB wings, which slathered in that most tantalizingly terrifying of culinary nightmares, the ghost pepper. Now, the ghost pepper (proper name: Bhut Jolokia) isn't the hottest pepper in town anymore; in 2017, the Carolina Reaper technically brings the most heat, while the ghost ranks at a mere seventh place. However, thanks to the fact that it was the first pepper to score over a million scovilles (the scientific measurement of spiciness) the ghost pepper is still a food legend and still capable of turning seasoned heat seekers into desperate, dignity-leaking messes of sweat, tears and sauce. In other words, sounds like a great starting point! While you could get the wings through The Unforgiven Challenge, you can also just order the TCB ("Taking Care of Business," for those in the know) ghost pepper wings on their own, with a platter of eight costing $10.99. If you're looking for a cheap Downtown lunch or dinner, however, Red Rock Saloon knocks the price down to .50 cents a wing all day on Mondays. But will these wings cost us our tongues? Let's chow down and find out. Heat Nick: Make no mistake: The wings are hot. The ghost peppers in the TCB sauce bring a sharp burn to anything it touches. Your mouth will burn. Your tongue will burn. Your lips will burn. Got a dab of sauce on your cheek? That's going to burn, too. It's a very bearable burn, though, and not terribly challenging. If you're a spicy food fan, you can do this. Matt: Forget any horror movie: The most terrifying moment of the year so far for me was when these fiery nuggets showed up at the table, and merely breathing in singed my nostrils. You could taste the heat even before picking up a single wing; how would I survive actually putting one of those taste bud atomic bombs in my mouth? As it turns out, pretty well! The TCB sauce most certainly still packs plenty of heat, but it's more of a slow, escalating burn than an instant forest fire in your mouth. You'll grow to feel plenty of sizzle on your tongue, mouth and lips, but you won't feel any pain or regret. I didn't even have to resort to the glass of water for help well into the meal. Flavor Nick: I expected an all heat blast-o-rama, but Red Rock's TCB sauce was surprisingly flavorful. A pleasant sweetness and healthy dose of garlic balance the ghost pepper heat and really rounded out the flavor. It reminds me of a much hotter version of Secret Aardvark (a breakfast favorite). It was so good, we not only scooped up what was left of the sauce with the celery to get another taste, but we ordered a second round of wings immediately after the first. Matt: I'll be honest: When I hear about a supposedly CRAZY spicy dish especially one that is included in a crazy food challenge I assume it's solely a stunt. I assume it's all flash and no flavor. But color me surprised: These weren't stunt wings; they were just actually delicious wings. The meat was tender and juicy, and the sauce itself wasn't just pure overwhelming napalm, as there was actually a lot of sweetness to the sauce, which helped balance out the heat. It's more taste than treachery. Longevity Nick: The burn comes on a bit slow; we were on our second or third wing and wondering what was up before it really started to kick in. Once going, the burn lingered pleasantly and the first round's burn was fading by the time the second order arrived. On the walk back to the office, the heat settled into a warm belly burn that lasted the rest of the afternoon. Matt: The feeling of spice radiating from my lips and tongue satisfyingly lasted all the way from the first bite of the wings to the start of the next order. A full session of spice though by the time we walked back to the office, all was normal. Overall Nick: This is the kind of unexpected food find we're after. Red Rock Saloon's TCB wings aren't the endurance test I expected. They're a well-balanced and super tasty start to this spicy food hunt. I'm definitely going back for thirds. Matt: I walked into this maiden meal expecting a scorched mouth and, worse yet, some subpar stunt wings that were more focused on devastating taste buds than giving them anything delicious to work with. I walked out of Red Rock Saloon with a satisfyingly sizzled palate and some new competition for my favorite wings in the city. Here's to the rest of this quest being this good. Milwaukee residents are calling for more proactive community-based violence prevention strategies in the wake of the July 22 killing of 6-year-old Justin Evans Jr. Evans, who was shot and killed outside his grandmothers home near 23rd and Nash streets, is the youngest victim of the summer so far. In 2017, there have been 66 homicides; 85 percent have been shootings and 82 percent of victims have been African-American. Only four days before Evans death, two young girls a 6-year-old and 9-year-old were shot during an exchange of gunfire near 39th and Burleigh that also injured two older men. The girls and both men survived. Angel Lewis, Evans aunt, described the boy as an enthusiastic and caring older brother who loved school and thought often about what he wanted to do later in life. "He had so much ahead of him," she said. A prayer vigil and peace march were held Sunday for Evans. Mayor Tom Barrett, Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton and Milwaukee Police Department Chief Ed Flynn attended the gathering, along with about 50 community members. But residents said the reaction was not enough. They drew comparisons between Evans death and the police shooting of Sylville Smith last August in Sherman Park, which led to two nights of unrest that brought national attention. Keith Martin, who attended the vigil, criticized the turnout for the event, as did Darrin Reasby, founder of Born2Dream. Lewis and Martin called for the shooter to turn himself in. And Reggie Moore, director of the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, asked that anyone with information come forward. But Reasby, Martin and Moore also said the central city black community must build relationships and provide positive examples for children in order to address violence at the root level. Ameka Jacobs, a resident of 23rd Street, said, "When does Black Lives Matter start?" EU plans to make Google pay for the news it displays are making the internet giant furious A major battle is brewing in Brussels over an EU reform plan that would force internet aggregators such as Google News to pay newspapers for displaying snippets of their articles online. Google is furious at the reform idea, but powerful publishers, including Axel Springer in Germany or Rupert Murdoch's Newscorp in the UK, affirm that a tax is the only hope to save a news industry starving for revenue. The fight, which will play out for the rest of the year, is the latest row straining ties between Google and the European Union, which slapped the Silicon Valley giant with a 2.4 billion euro ($2.8 billion) fine over unfair competition in June. The proliferation of free news on the internet has brought the newspaper industry to its knees, with many consumers unwilling to pay for online service, preferring zero-cost platforms such as Google News or Facebook. "Unauthorised internet use of media content" by aggregators and search engines "is threatening citizens' sustainable access to quality news content," said the European Alliance of News Agencies, of which AFP is a member. "It is therefore crucial that neighbouring rights be created for news agencies and other publishers, covering all activity" on the web, the agency said. Neighbouring rights is EU-speak for the obligation for online platforms such as Google or Facebook to pay for showing short quotes from copyrighted content, such as news articles. The so-called "snippet tax" proposal is only one of several components of a major EU draft law intended to update European copyright law in the digital age. The "snippet tax" is largely based on a tax introduced in Spain that critics say actually harmed publishers when Google decided to close down its news aggregator in response. A similar law in Germany saw publishers swiftly give Google open access to their content following a steep drop in online traffic. Biggest corporate fines by the EU 'Very sensitive topic' Based on these examples, the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), whose members include Google and Yahoo, called the idea "ill-founded, controversial and detrimental to all players." In a blog post published last year, Google said: "It would hurt anyone who writes, reads or shares the newsincluding the many European startups working with the news sector to build sustainable business models online." The two camps on the issue are now battling it out at the European Parliament and the EU council, the institution that gathers the national governments of the 28 member states. Diplomats said the snippet tax has divided member states, with no compromise in sight for this year. Approval will require a special EU majority that must account for 65 percent of the bloc's population and not solely a majority of member states. For now, France, Spain and Germany have declared their support for the tax while Ireland, UK and the Nordic countries are against. In the European Parliament, three committees have approved a version of the tax proposal, but the key Legal Affairs Committee has still to decide, with lobbyists working hard to influence its decision. French MEP Marc Joulaud said the committee is expected to approve the law on October 10 with an eventual vote on the overall copyright reforms at a plenary session in December or January. Then the hard work begins. EU member states, MEPs and the commission must negotiate a compromise of their separate texts. "This is a very sensitive topic in parliament but also for journalists, some for, some against," said Andrus Ansip, Commission vice-president in charge of the Digital Single Market. "I didnt promote this idea, but publishers are very keen for neighbouring rights," he added. 2017 AFP A local funeral home director has been charged with three counts of possession of child pornography. Steve Mitchell, 51, of Mauston, was charged on July 19. Mitchell owns the Thompson Funeral Home in the village of Wonewoc. According to a criminal complaint: The Juneau County Sheriffs Office began investigating Mitchell after receiving a Cyber Tip regarding a Chatstep account which allegedly contained an image of child pornography. After receiving an additional tip, detectives obtained a search warrant to investigate Thompson Funeral Home. In early May, the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation served a subpoena to CenturyLink, the funeral homes internet provider, to obtain the suspicious images. In June, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also received a tip from Chatstep that Mitchell was uploading pornographic images of children. On July 19, detectives from Juneau County, a digital forensics examiner from DCI and the Wonewoc Police Department, searched the funeral home for evidence. Several items were taken including a hard drive which allegedly contained a file with several photos of child pornography. Mitchell was contacted by detectives and agreed to meet with them in Mauston. Mitchell will have an initial appearance Aug. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Juneau County Justice Center. He signed a $25,000 signature bond July 25 and was released from custody. Four dissidents have been arrested in Vietnam on charges of trying to overthrow the state, authorities said Sunday as the country's communist leadership ramps up its crackdown on critics. Activists, rights lawyers and bloggers are routinely jailed in the one-party state but a new government in place since last year has vigorously pursued detractors. The four latest arrests were of dissidents who had previously served jail sentences for anti-state convictions. But the current charge they face is much more serious and can carry the death penalty. Prominent dissidents Pham Van Troi and Nguyen Bac Truyen, freelance writer Truong Minh Duc and Protestant pastor Nguyen Trung Ton were all arrested at their homes on Sunday, their wives told reporters. In an online statement the Ministry of Public Security said the four were arrested under Article 79 of the criminal code -- trying to "overthrow the people's administration". They are connected to lawyer Nguyen Van Dai and activist Le Thu Ha, who have already been detained on the same charge. "My husband fought against social injustice and China's invasion of the East Sea," Troi's wife Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang told AFP, using the Vietnamese name for the South China Sea. "He did not have any move to try to overthrow the state." Ton's wife Nguyen Thi Lanh said her husband was already recovering from a recent assault by plainclothes police when he was arrested. "Voicing support for the people cannot be called trying to overthrow the administration," she told AFP. Vietnam has competiting claims with China in the South China Sea but Hanoi is extremely sensitive to any criticism about how it handles the issue. John Sifton, from Human Rights Watch, said 2017 has been "a terrible year" for human rights in Vietnam. "More cases of government thugs beating up dissidents, longer and longer jail sentences, and now, more arrests," he said. "Vietnam's allies and donors, especially the EU and Japan, need to speak up," he added. Last month prominent blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, known as "Mother Mushroom", was jailed for 10 years for Facebook posts about politics and the environment. Anti-China activist Tran Thi Nga, 40, was imprisoned for nine years for anti-state activities after a one-day trial last week in the northern province of Ha Nam, to which media access was restricted. The United Nations human rights office on Friday criticised the intensifying crackdown on rights and the recent convictions. The UN accused Australia Monday of backtracking on a deal to relax its strong stance on asylum-seekers and resettle some refugees now held in overseas detention on home soil. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it had agreed last November to help relocate the boatpeople to the United States on the basis that Canberra would accept some of them who have links to Australia. "We agreed to do so on the clear understanding that vulnerable refugees with close family ties in Australia would ultimately be allowed to settle there," commissioner Filippo Grandi said in a statement. "UNHCR has recently been informed by Australia that it refuses to accept even these refugees." He added that they, along with the others in camps on the neighbouring nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea, had been told their only option was to stay where they were or be transferred to Cambodia or the United States. Australia sends anyone who tries to enter by boat without a visa to remote detention facilities on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.Even those subsequently found to be genuine refugees are barred from settling in Australia. The immigration department said Monday this had long been the case. "The position of the coalition government has been clear and consistent: those transferred to regional processing centres will never settle in Australia," said a spokesperson. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton reinforced this on Sunday. "No, people will not be coming to Australia. I have said that consistently, the prime minister has said it consistently, as did prime minister (Tony) Abbott at the time," he told Sky News. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull struck a pact with former US president Barack Obama to resettle some refugees in the camps in America. President Donald Trump has grudgingly agreed to honour what he has called a "dumb deal", although it remains unclear how many Washington will accept. More than 1,000 remain offshore and Canberra's stance means "some with serious medical conditions, or who have undergone traumatic experiences, including sexual violence, cannot receive the support of their close family members residing in Australia", the UN said. "To avoid prolonging their ordeal, UNHCR has no other choice but to endorse the relocation of all refugees on Papua New Guinea and Nauru to the United States, even those with close family members in Australia," Grandi added. Rights groups, who have long accused the government of failing to uphold its international obligations, called on Canberra to honour the deal it had allegedly struck with the UN. "The right thing to do, the humane thing to do, would be to immediately bring those trapped in Nauru and Manus Island to Australia to be reunited with their family members here, said Amnesty International refugee coordinator Graham Thom. Learn about both the history and present of Povazsky castle on video. Font size: A - | A + More information about travelling in Slovakia Please see our Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide The castle stands on rock at an altitude of 497 metres above sea level. The Celtic coin was found on the castle hill. In older literature the origin of the castle is stated as being 1128, however the first written mention about the castle is from 1316, that castrum Bestruche was in ownership of Matus Cak Trenciansky. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The ground plan has the shape of a wedge. What is now the compound was built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. The west part is protected by a tall wall with two towers. The north part is protected by a gate. On the east side were the palaces, rebuilt during the Renaissance. On the most eastern part used to be a chapel. In the 17th century a fortified bank was added. Read also: Read also: Castle in Povazska Bystrica reopened Read more Watch a video about Povazsky castle, which was prepared as a part of project Cultural Heritage to promote renewal and preservation of cultural and historical heritage in Slovakia, through the EEA and Norwegian Funds. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. Aetna Inc. operates as a health care benefits company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Health Care, Group Insurance, and Large Case Pensions. The Health Care segment offers medical, pharmacy benefit management service, dental, behavioral health, and vision plans on an insured and employer-funded basis. It also provides point-of-service, preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization, and indemnity benefit plans, as well as health savings accounts and consumer-directed health plans. In addition, this segment offers Medicare and Medicaid products and services, as well as other medical products, such as medical management and data analytics services, medical stop loss insurance, workers' compensation administrative services, and products that provide access to its provider networks in select geographies. The Group Insurance segment offers life insurance products, including group term life insurance, voluntary spouse and dependent term life insurance, group universal life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance products; and long-term care insurance products, which provide the benefits to cover the cost of care in private home settings, adult day care, assisted living, or nursing facilities. The Large Case Pensions segment manages various retirement products comprising pension and annuity products primarily for tax-qualified pension plans. The company provides its products and services to employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups, and expatriates. Aetna Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in Hartford, Connecticut. Hello, Tomah. It seems that I just wrote last months article yesterday. Its been an interesting summer to say the least. Before I get into the city and what we are up to, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge some very generous contributions to our city. To start off with, I want to thank the Tomah Lions chapter for their gifts to our city. One has been placed in Gillett Park, and if you have not noticed it, you should take a look. It stands in the southeast corner of the park and is quite unique. It is shaped as a lion with its mouth open, and you need to place your head in the mouth to get a drink. If I may, a story from my childhood. I grew up in Iowa and at a young age my mother got very ill. The best treatment then this was back in the early 1960s for cancer was at Madison University Hospitals. So my dad and I made quite a few trips between Anamosa and Madison to visit her on weekends. Back then you traveled the two-lane Hwy. 151, which wound through all the towns and villages along the way. Whenever we went dad would always bring sandwiches and stop in Mineral Point at the park. Now this was a big deal to a seven-year-old because at that park was this very cool fountain of a lion that you could stick your head in and get a drink. Now five decades later the circle comes complete, and I see that same statue stand in my city park. Thank you, Lions, from all of us in Tomah and a small boy from Iowa. Your generosity and commitment to our community continues to amaze all of us not only these gifts but the everyday selflessness and generosity your organization shows for our community. And lest we forget, I mentioned two gifts the Lions donated. The other is ... no ... I think we save that for a future article and can wait to see for our own eyes. I guarantee you it is very special and you will be an amazing complement to our re-emerging downtown corridor. I plan on coordinating with the Lions to have dedication ceremonies for both, so watch the paper and our web site for further on that. If you have been watching our parks, you will notice that some activity has been going on out at Butts Park. The North American Squirrel Association (nasa) has donated an open-air shelter that is designed to accommodate the elderly and physically challenged members of our community. The shelter was erected over a three-day period in mid-July, and as a bonus volunteers from the 175th Civil Engineering Squad from Middle River, Maryland, and Team Rubicon from Volk Field and Ft. McCoy, respectively, who were at training exercises, assisted in the construction. This shelter will provide tables, grills and outside seating and is expected to be phase one of a project that includes the future installation of a handicap-accessible pier and playground equipment. This is an extremely generous donation of time, labor and resources by nasa, and we are very grateful to them and all the military members who helped bring this to completion. I will be talking with director Protz on publicly recognizing this structure also. Our thanks as well to the 175th and Team Rubicon, who once again confirm the values and dedication of our military personnel to the citizens of Tomah and our great country. Now on to the city. As you all know mother nature was not kind to us as of late. We had some very severe storm events that took their toll. High winds, primarily on the west end of town, did extensive damage to trees and caused homeowners some damage as well. That, topped with an inordinate amount of rain, events that came back to back, put a strain on us all. We had crews at the dam on a 24-hour watch. At this point I want to commend director Arity and all our Public Works Department workers involved in this event. Not one person turned away when asked and all committed themselves to watching the situation both at the dam and around town to ensure we kept ahead of the ongoing situation. I know this paper ran an article already so I wont expound on that. What I do want to make clear is that over a two-day period we received six-plus inches of rain. Our systems, and those of any other city, are designed to take water at one inch an hour. That is the best they can do. Any more and we start to see back up of water. We do the best we can, and I appreciate all the citizens and the patience you showed during this time period. As my dad used to say, a pint cannot hold a quart; if it is holding a pint it is doing the best it can. Well, dad, you got it right on this one; it was a tough ordeal, but we came out the other side pretty good compared to other communities around our area. We did release water downstream but did so a responsible rate so as not to overwhelm those on the Lemonweir. Again my appreciation to the community as a whole. Tomah took one on the chin but never went down. Other than that we continue as usual. Projects such as Mill Haven and the hospital are progressing according to schedule. Some minor setbacks, but that is the case in all construction, and I am pleased to say at this point nothing that has impacted them seriously. The trail extension from Butts Park out to the west end of town has been bid and will be starting yet this summer with completion by the fall. I look forward to this. Our efforts to slow traffic on Highway ET have not been successful. Without sidewalks in that area, and practically no shoulder as well, we need to provide an alternate route for pedestrian and bicycle traffic before we see someone hurt. This will be an excellent addition to our already outstanding parks and trail system. With that I will sign off with my usual invitation to all of our citizens. I maintain an open-door policy and welcome all concerns that anyone has in the community. We will always try to address these issues as best we can. Until next month, Tomah, stay safe and enjoy the summer its moving fast and we know whats on the other end. Roger A. Gorius is city Administrator for the city of Tomah. The Sons of Norway Solvang Lodge 457 met June 27, at the Westby Community Center with President Sandy Iverson calling our meeting to order. A good crowd was on hand with 44 members in attendance. In SONS business: Faye Mc Clurg was nominated and has agreed to fill the vacant Trustee position; the Sons of Norway joined with the lodge from Spring Grove for a Pot Luck at Myrick Park in La Crosse; Cedric Veum presented Recruitment Awards to Janet Johnson and Reuben Ellefson; and the Pot O Gold was won by Marilyn Sharping. Blaine Hedberg, who is recognized worldwide for his 30 plus years of genealogy work and has been awarded the Medal of St. Olav by Norway, presented an outstanding program about his work in recording historical vital records from many of the churches and cemeteries in our area, going back to 1851. The group sang the Norwegian Table Prayer and lunch was served by Cedric and Margaret Veum. The following companies are subsidiares of Stanley Black & Decker: 2315708 Ontario Inc., 3-V Fastener Co. Inc., 3xLOGIC Dalian Technology Company Limited, 3xLogic Florida LLC, 3xLogic Inc., 3xLogic Indiana LLC, 8 Commerce Drive LLC, ADT France, ASIA FASTENING (US) INC., Advanced Turf Technologies LTD, AeroFit LLC, AeroScout (US) LLC, AeroScout Industrial, AeroScout LLC, AeroScout Ltd., Aeroscout (Singapore) Pte. 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DE C.V., BLACK & DECKER GLOBAL HOLDINGS S.a.r.l., BLACK & DECKER GROUP LLC, BLACK & DECKER HOLDINGS LLC, BLACK & DECKER INC, BLACK & DECKER INDIA INC., BLACK & DECKER INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS S.A.R.L., BLACK & DECKER INVESTMENT COMPANY LLC, BLACK & DECKER SHELBYVILLE LLC, BLACK & DECKER SSC CO. LTD., BLACK & DECKER TRANSASIA S.a.r.l., BLACK AND DECKER S.A. de C.V., Bagley Road LLC, Baltimore Financial Services Company Unlimited Company, Baltimore Insurance Designated Activity Company, Bandhart, Bandhart Overseas, Bed-Check, Belco Investments Company Unlimited Company, Besco Investment Group Co. Ltd., Besco Investment Holdings Ltd., Besco Pneumatic Corporation, Besco Pneumatic Corporation, Best Lock Corporation, Black & Decker, Black & Decker (Czech) s.r.o., Black & Decker (Ireland) Inc., Black & Decker (OVERSEAS) GmbH, Black & Decker (Thailand) Limited, Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Black & Decker Argentina S.A., Black & Decker Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Black & Decker Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Black & Decker Distribution Pty. Ltd, Black & Decker Europe, Black & Decker Far East Holdings B.V., Black & Decker Finance, Black & Decker Finance (Australia) Ltd., Black & Decker Finance SAS, Black & Decker Funding Corporation, Black & Decker Hardware Holdings B.V., Black & Decker Healthcare Management Inc., Black & Decker Holdings (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Black & Decker Holdings B.V., Black & Decker Inc., Black & Decker International, Black & Decker International Finance (UK) Limited, Black & Decker International Finance 1 Unlimited Company, Black & Decker International Finance 3 Designated Activity Company, Black & Decker International Finance Holdings (UK) Limited, Black & Decker International Holdings B.V. & CO. KG, Black & Decker Investments (Australia) Limited, Black & Decker Investments LLC, Black & Decker Limited BV, Black & Decker Luxembourg S.A.R.L., Black & Decker Mexfin LLC, Black & Decker No. 4 Pty. Ltd., Black & Decker Puerto Rico Inc., Black & Decker de Colombia S.A.S., Black & Decker de Panama LLC, Black & Decker del Ecuador S.A., Black & Decker del Peru S.A., Black & Decker do Brasil Ltda., Black and Decker de Costa Rica Limitada, Blick Plc, Bostitch-Holding L.L.C., Bristol Industries LLC, Bulldog Barrels LLC, C&C Enterprise Co. Ltd., CAM International Holdings Inc., CAMACC Systems Inc., CONNEXCENTER SA, CPE Acquisition Co., CRC-EVANS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC., CRC-EVANS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, CRC-EVANS WELDING SERVICES INC., CRC-Evans B.V., CRC-Evans Canada LTD., CRC-Evans International LLC, CRC-Evans Offshore Limited, CRC-Evans PIH Servios De Tubulao do Brasil Ltda, CRC-Evans Pipeline International Inc., CRC-Evans Pipeline International Sdn Bhd, CWS Industries (Mfg.) Corp., Chesapeake Falls Holdings Company Unlimited Company, Chesapeake Investments Company S.A.R.L., Chicago Steel Tape, Chiro Tools Holdings B.V., Christie Intruder Alarms Limited, Clarke Security Services Incorporated, Columbia Manufacturing Company Incorporated, Compass Corporation, Compass II Co. Ltd., Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing LLC, Constellation (Luxembourg) Holdings S.a r.l., Contact East, Craftman, Cub Cadet LLC, DADO Inc., DEVILBISS AIR POWER COMPANY, DIYZ LLC, DeWalt Industrial Tools S.p.A., Dewalt Industrial Power Tool Company LTD., Doncasters US Holdings Inc., Dubuis et Cie SAS, E.A. Patten Co. LLC, ELU B.V., ELU Power Tools LTD, EMHART TEKNOLOGIES LLC, Eastern Vault & Security, Emhart Guangzhou (Hong Kong) Limited, Emhart Harttung A/S, Emhart Harttung Inc., Emhart International Holdings Limited, Emhart International Limited, Emhart Teknologies (Thailand) LTD., Excel Industries, Excel Industries Inc., F. Robotics Acquisitions Ltd., Facom, Facom Belgie BV, Fastener Jamher Taiwan Inc., First National AlarmCap LP/Premiere Societe en Commandite Nationale Alarmcap, First National AlarmCap. Trust, Frisco Bay Industries, GDX Technologies, GMT China, GRUPO BLACK & DECKER MEXICO S. DE R.L. DE C.V., GUANGZHOU EMHART FASTENING SYSTEM CO. LTD., Gamrie Designated Activity Company, Garden Way LLC, Generale de Protection, HSM Electronic Protection Systems, Hangtech Limited, Hardware City Associates Limited Partnership, Hefei INTACA Science & Technology Development Co. Ltd., Herramientas Stanley S.A. de c.v., Horst Sprenger GmbH Recycling-tools, Hustler Turf Equipment Inc., I.D.L. Techni-Edge LLC, INFASTECH CAMCAR MALAYSIA SDN BHD, INFASTECH DECORAH LLC, ISR Solutions, IguanaFix, Infastech (China) Limited, Infastech (Korea) Limited, Infastech (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Infastech (Mauritius) Limited, Infastech (Shenzhen) Limited, Infastech (Singapore) Pte. Ltd, Infastech Company Limited, Infastech Fastening Systems (Wuxi) Limited, Infastech Holdings (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Infastech Intellectual Properties Pte. Ltd., Infastech Receivables Company Pte. Ltd., Infastech/Tri-Star Limited, InfoLogix, InfoLogix Systems Corporation, Infologix - DDMS Inc., Infologix Inc., Innerspace Products, Interfast B.V., Irwin Industrial Tool Ferramentas do Brasil Ltda., JAFFORD LLC, JRB Attachments LLC, JennCo1 Inc., Jewel Attachments LLC, Jiangsu Guoqiang Tools Co., Jiangus Guopiang Tools Co. Ltd., Jointech Corporation LTD., K.And.M. Holdco Products Ltd., Kodiak Mfg. Inc., Lista International Corporation, Lux Star International S.a r.l., M. HART DO BRASIL LTDA., M.P.N. HOLDINGS LIMITED, M.T.D. France SAS, MTD Asia Hong Kong Limited, MTD Austria Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H., MTD Consumer Group Inc., MTD Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, MTD Deutschland Verwaltungsgeschellschaft mbH, MTD Europe Holding GmbH, MTD Holdings, MTD Hungaria Kft., MTD International Operations Inc., MTD Investments Australia Pty Ltd., MTD LLC, MTD PRODUCTS ITALIA S.R.L., MTD Poland Sp. z.o.o., MTD Products AG, MTD Products Australia Party LTD, MTD Products Benelux B.V., MTD Products Company, MTD Products Czech Spol. s.r.o., MTD Products Denmark ApS, MTD Products Inc., MTD Products India Private India Limited, MTD Products Limited, MTD Products New Zealand Limited, MTD Products Nordic AB, MTD Products S.A. de C.V., MTD Products Singapore, MTD Schweiz AG, MTD Southwest Inc., Mac Tools Canada Inc., Maquinas y Herramientas Black & Decker de Chile S.A., Microalloying International Inc., Microtec Enterprises, Moeller Manufacturing & Supply LLC, Monarch Mirror Door Co., NEWFREY LLC, NFASTECH COMPANY LIMITED, NIscayah, NSW Fabristeel Netherlands B.V., National Manufacturing, Nelson Bolzenschwei-Technik GmbH & Co. KG, Nelson Bolzenschwei-Technik GmbH Verwaltungs GmbH, Nelson Fastener Systems, Nelson Fastener Systems de Mexico SA de CV, Nelson Saldatura Perni S.r.l., Nelson Soudage de Goujons SAS, Nelson Stud Welding (Tianjin) Company Ltd., Nelson Stud Welding Canada Inc., Nelson Stud Welding Inc., Nelson Stud Welding India Private Limited, Nelson Stud Welding International LLC, New FEP Co. LLC, Newell Brands - Tools Business, Nippon Pop Rivets & Fasteners LTD., Niscayah Asia Limited, Niscayah Group AB, Niscayah Holdings Limited, Niscayah Investments Limited, Niscayah Teknik AB, Novia SWK SAS, OSI Security Devices, Onglin International Limited, P I H Holdings Limited, P&B Re Holdings LLC, PIH Services Limited, PIH Services ME LLC, PIH Services ME Ltd., PIH Services ME W.L.L., PIH U.S. LLC, PIPELINE EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES SARL, PORTER-CABLE ARGENTINA LLC, PT Stanley Black & Decker, Pacom Group AB, Pacom Systems (North America) Inc., Pacom Systems Espana S.L., Pacom Systems Pty Limited, Paladin Brands Group Inc., Paladin Brands Holdings Inc., Paladin Brands International Holdings Inc., Panalok Limited, Pengo Corporation, Pillo Health, Pinnacle Electronic Systems, Pipeline Induction Heat Limited, Pipeline Induction Heat Limited, Powers Fasteners Australasia Pty Limited, Powers Fasteners Inc., Powers Fasteners Inc. (Panama), Powers Rawl Pty. Ltd., Powers Shanghai Trading Ltd., Precision Hardware, Prikos & Becker LLC, Pro One Finance SAS, QRP Inc, RCTENN LLC, RIGHTCO II LLC, Rawl Australasia Pty. Ltd., Rawlplug Unit Trust, Refal Industria e Comercio de Rebites e Rebitadeiras Ltda., Remington LLC, SBD Cayman LLC, SBD European Investment Unlimited Company, SBD European Security Holdings S.a r.l., SBD European Security International Unlimited Company, SBD European Security Investment Unlimited Company, SBD Holding AB, SBD Insurance Inc., SBD MDGP Partnership Holdings LLC, SBD MDGP Partnership Holdings S.a r.l., SBD Manufacturing Distribution & Global Purchasing Holdings L.P., SBD Niscayah S.a r.l., SBD Property Holdings LLC, SBD UK Canada Holdings Inc., SPIRALOCK GLOBAL VENTURES LIMITED, STANLEY BLACK & DECKER HUNGARY KORALTOLT FELELOSSEGU TARSASAG, STANLEY BLACK & DECKER IBERICA S.L., STANLEY BLACK & DECKER MOROCCO SARL, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS ONE HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS S1 HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER CYPRUS S2 HOLDINGS LTD, STANLEY ENGINEERED FASTENING EASTERN EUROPE SP.Z O.O., SWK (U.K.) Holding Limited, SWK (UK) Limited, SWK Utensilerie S.r.l., Scan Modul, Security Group, SecurityCo Solutions Inc., Shanghai Emhart Fastening System Co. Ltd., Sidchrome Tool, Sielox Security Systems, Societe Miniere et Commerciale SAS, Sonitrol, Sonitrol Distribution Canada Inc., Sonitrol Security Systems of Buffalo Inc., Southern Monitoring Services Limited, Specialty Bar Products Company, Spiegelberg Manufacturing Inc., Spiralock Corporation, Stanley Access Technologies LLC, Stanley Atlantic Inc., Stanley Black & Decker (Barbados) SRL, Stanley Black & Decker (Hellas) EPE, Stanley Black & Decker Asia Holdings LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Asian Holdings B.V., Stanley Black & Decker Australia Pty Ltd., Stanley Black & Decker Austria GmbH, Stanley Black & Decker Belgium BV, Stanley Black & Decker CCA S. de R.L., Stanley Black & Decker Canada Corporation, Stanley Black & Decker Cayman Holdings Inc., Stanley Black & Decker Cayman International Financing LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Centroamerica S. de R.L., Stanley Black & Decker Chile L.L.C., Stanley Black & Decker Colombia Services S.A.S., Stanley Black & Decker Czech Republic s.r.o., Stanley Black & Decker Deutschland GmbH, Stanley Black & Decker Distribution SAS, Stanley Black & Decker Finance 1 LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Finance 2 LLC, Stanley Black & Decker Finance Limited, Stanley Black & Decker Finance Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker Finland Oy, Stanley Black & Decker France SAS, Stanley Black & Decker France Services SAS, Stanley Black & Decker Hermosillo S. de R.L. de C.V., Stanley Black & Decker Holdings Australia Pty Ltd, Stanley Black & Decker Holdings S.a r.l., Stanley Black & Decker IP Holdings Limited, Stanley Black & Decker India Private Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International FZE, Stanley Black & Decker International Fiance 2 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 1 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 2 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 3 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 3 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 4 Limited, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 4 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance 5 Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker International Finance L.P., Stanley Black & Decker Ireland Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker Italia S.r.l., Stanley Black & Decker Latin American Holding BV, Stanley Black & Decker Latin American Investment Unlimited Company, Stanley Black & Decker Limited, Stanley Black & Decker Limited Liability Company, Stanley Black & Decker Logistics BV, Stanley Black & Decker MEA FZE, Stanley Black & Decker Manufacturing SAS, Stanley Black & Decker Middle East Trading FZE, Stanley Black & Decker NZ Limited, Stanley Black & Decker Netherlands B.V., Stanley Black & Decker Norway AS, Stanley Black & Decker Partnership Japan, Stanley Black & Decker Partnership Japan Holdings S.a r.l., Stanley Black & Decker Polska Sp. z o.o., Stanley Black & Decker Precision Manufacturing (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Stanley Black & Decker Romania SRL, Stanley Black & Decker Slovakia s.r.o., Stanley Black & Decker Sweden AB, Stanley Black & Decker Turkey Alet Uretim Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Stanley Black & Decker UK Group Limited, Stanley Black & Decker UK Limited, Stanley Black & Decker de Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V., Stanley Black and Decker Commercial Private India, Stanley Black and Decker Security Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V. (fka DEWALT INDUSTRIAL TOOLS S.A. DE C.V.), Stanley CLP3, Stanley Canada Holdings L.L.C., Stanley Chiro International Ltd, Stanley Convergent Security Solutions Inc., Stanley Engineered Fastening Benelux B.V., Stanley Engineered Fastening France SAS, Stanley Engineered Fastening India Private Limited, Stanley Engineered Fastening Industrial Deutschland GmbH, Stanley Engineered Fastening Italy S.r.l., Stanley Engineered Fastening Spain S.L.U., Stanley Europe BV, Stanley European Holdings B.V., Stanley European Holdings II B.V., Stanley Fastening Systems Investment (Taiwan) Co., Stanley Fastening Systems L.P., Stanley Fastening Systems Poland Sp. z o.o., Stanley Feinwerktechnik GmbH, Stanley Grundstuecksverwaltungs GmbH, Stanley Healthcare Solutions France Sarl, Stanley Housing Fund Inc., Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC, Stanley Infrastructure LLC Formerly f/k/a International Equipment Solutions ("IES"), Stanley Inspection L.L.C., Stanley Inspection US L.L.C., Stanley International Holdings Inc., Stanley Israel Investments B.V., Stanley Logistics L.L.C., Stanley Pipeline Inspection L.L.C., Stanley Safety Corporation LLC, Stanley Security AS, Stanley Security Alarmcentrale B.V., Stanley Security B.V., Stanley Security Belgium BV, Stanley Security Canada ULC (fka 3xLogic Holdings Inc.), Stanley Security Denmark ApS, Stanley Security Europe BV, Stanley Security Federal Systema LLC, Stanley Security Holding AS, Stanley Security Limited, Stanley Security Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Stanley Security Nederland B.V., Stanley Security Oy, Stanley Security Singapore Pte. Ltd., Stanley Security Solutions (NI) Limited, Stanley Security Solutions - Europe Limited, Stanley Security Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Stanley Security Solutions Inc., Stanley Security Solutions India Private Limited, Stanley Security Solutions Limited, Stanley Security Sverige AB, Stanley Technical Services Ltd., Stanley Tools SAS, Stanley U.K. Holdings Ltd., Stanley UK Acquisition Company Limited, Stanley UK Services Limited, Stanley Works (Europe) GmbH, Stanley Works (India) Private Limited, Stanley Works (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Stanley Works (Wendeng) Tools Co. Ltd., Stanley Works Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Stanley Works China Investments Limited, Stanley Works Holdings B.V., Stanley Works Limited, Stanley-Bostitch S.A. de c.v., Stanley-Bostitch Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Stichting Beheer Intellectuele Eigendomsrechten Blick Benelux B.V., SureHand Inc. f.k.a. SBD Aura Inc., Sweepster Attachments LLC, THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION, TOG Holdings Inc., TOG Manufacturing Company Inc., TSI Monitoring LLC, TSI Sales & Installation LLC, The EAP Acquisition Co. LLC, The Farmington River Power Company, The Ferry Cap & Set Screw Company, The Stanley Works (Langfang) Fastening Systems Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works (Zhongshan) Tool Co. Ltd., The Stanley Works Israel Ltd., The Stanley Works Limited, The Stanley Works Pty. Ltd., Tong Lung Metal Industry, Troy-Bilt LLC, Tucker Fasteners Limited, Tucker GmbH, Tucker S.R.O., Universal Inspection Systems Limited, Venus Enterprise Co. Ltd., Visiocom International Pte Ltd, Voss Industries Inc., Wintech Corporation Limited, XMARK Corporation, XMARK Corporation., Yong Ru Plastics Industry (Suzhou) Co. Ltd, and Zag USA Inc.. Read More Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., through its subsidiaries, engages in the pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage, and gathering of crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Crude Oil and NGL. The Crude Oil segment offers gathering and transporting crude oil through pipelines, gathering systems, trucks, and at times on barges or railcars. This segment provides terminalling, storage, and other facilities-related services, as well as merchant activities. As of December 31, 2021, this segment owned and leased 18,300 miles of active crude oil transportation pipelines and gathering systems, as well as an additional 110 miles of pipelines that supports crude oil storage and terminalling facilities; 74 million barrels of commercial crude oil storage capacity; 38 million barrels of active, above-ground tank capacity; four marine facilities; a condensate processing facility; seven crude oil rail terminals and 2,100 crude oil railcars; and 640 trucks and 1,275 trailers. The Natural Gas Liquids segment engages in the natural gas processing, NGL fractionation, storage, transportation, and terminalling activities. As of December 31, 2021, this segment owned and operated four natural gas processing plants; nine fractionation plants; 28 million barrels of NGL storage capacity; approximately 1,620 miles of active NGL transportation pipelines, as well as an additional 55 miles of pipeline that supports NGL storage facilities; 16 NGL rail terminals and approximately 3,900 NGL rail cars; and approximately 220 trailers. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. operates as a subsidiary of Plains GP Holdings, L.P. 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. RELX PLC provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers in North America, Europe, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Risk; Scientific, Technical & Medical; Legal; and Exhibitions. The Risk segment offers information-based analytics and decision tools that combine public and industry specific content with technology and algorithms to assist clients in evaluating and predicting risk. The Scientific, Technical & Medical segment provides information and analytics that help institutions and professionals to progress in science and advance healthcare. The Legal segment provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers in decision-making, as well as increases the productivity. The Exhibitions segment is involved in the events business that combines face-to-face with data and digital tools to help customers learn about markets, source products, and complete transactions. The company was formerly known as Reed Elsevier PLC and changed its name to RELX PLC in July 2015. The company was incorporated in 1903 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Zoetis Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products in the United States and internationally. It commercializes products primarily across species, including livestock, such as cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and sheep; and companion animals comprising dogs, cats, and horses. The company also offers vaccines, which are biological preparations to prevent diseases of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts or induce a specific immune response; anti-infectives that prevent, kill, or slow the growth of bacteria, fungi, or protozoa; and parasiticides that prevent or eliminate external and internal parasites, which include fleas, ticks, and worms. It also provides other pharmaceutical products that comprise pain and sedation, antiemetic, reproductive, and oncology products; dermatology products for itch associated with allergic conditions and atopic dermatitis; and medicated feed additives, which offer medicines to livestock. In addition, the company provides portable blood and urine analysis testing, including point-of-care diagnostic products, instruments and reagents, rapid immunoassay tests, reference laboratory kits and services, and blood glucose monitors; and other non-pharmaceutical products, including nutritionals and agribusiness services, as well as products and services in areas, such as biodevices, genetics tests, and precision animal health. It markets its products to veterinarians, livestock producers, and retail outlets, as well as third-party veterinary distributors through its sales representatives, and technical and veterinary operations specialists. The company was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. Daniel Goebel, the new dean of Northern Arizona Universitys W. A. Franke College of Business, will be just one of several new faces on campus on the first day of the fall semester. Craig Van Slyke, the previous dean of the college, stepped down about a year ago, but filled the position until NAU could find a new dean. Slyke will stay on as a business professor at NAU. Goebel hails from Illinois State University, where he served for the last five years as the universitys associate dean for Academic Programs and Maintenance of Accreditation and as a professor of marketing. He has worked for Illinois State since 2001 as a professor and administrator. Hes had research published in numerous journals and textbooks since 1998 and served on the editorial review board for the Journal of Business Research and the Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management. Goebel said he got into teaching college courses after working as an accountant for 10 years for three different companies, Union Texas petroleum, A.E. Staley Manufacturing and Frito-Lay. I got to thinking, 'what do I really want to do with my life,' he said. He spoke with one of his former college professors and his father-in-law, who was also a professor, about teaching at the university level. He returned to college part-time to get his master's degree in business administration, specializing in marketing, from Illinois State in the 1990s and went back to college full-time to earn his doctorate degree in 1998 from the University of South Florida. It turned out to be a great move for me, he said. I really enjoy interacting with faculty and students. It was not the life path he was expecting or was expected to take as one of the first members of his family to attend college, he said. Ive lived the impact that a degree can have on your life, Goebel said. That's one reason why he accepted NAUs offer of becoming dean. About 40 to 50 percent of the students at NAU are first-generation students, he said. First-generation students often have things a bit harder than students who have had parents graduate from college -- they dont know what to expect or whats expected of them, and have to learn that along the way. Watching them mature and succeed from freshmen to seniors is very rewarding, he said. Goebel said he also accepted the position because the Franke College of Business program, like the one he oversaw at Illinois State, places students first. We have smaller classes and quality faculty that interact closely with students, he said. The Franke College teaches students more than just the basics of business, such as accounting, marketing and management. It also has a professional development section that emphases life skills that students need to get into the business world, such as resume and report writing, communication skills, how to dress for an interview or the workplace, etc. Being able to communicate effectively is one of the best business skills you can have, Goebel said. If you cant communicate clearly to your managers or suppliers, you will not succeed and your business will not succeed. Students also need to have a deep knowledge of their particular business field, whether it is marketing, finance or management, he said. Students need to be able to interpret the trends in their fields in order to be successful. Goebel said another thing that attracted him to NAU was the quality of the faculty. NAUs professors are really good at identifying trends in the business world and adapting the colleges curriculum to match those trends, he said. He also liked that NAU has several advisory boards that link professors, alumni and students together to collect feedback and collaborate on ways of improving the university and the College of Business. Goebel said his first big project will be getting the College of Business ready for its next accreditation review by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business in 2019. The organization accreditation is one of the hardest to achieve and has been earned by less than 5 percent of the worlds business schools, he said. The organization looks at everything the college does: the quality of the teaching, research, innovation and student engagement. Business colleges are reviewed every five years. The following companies are subsidiares of Brinker International: BI INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LLC, BI MEXICO HOLDING CORPORATION, BIPC GLOBAL PAYROLL COMPANY LLC, BIPC INVESTMENTS LLC, BIPC MANAGEMENT LLC, BRINKER AIRPORTS LLC, BRINKER ALABAMA INC., BRINKER ARKANSAS INC., BRINKER ASIA INC., BRINKER BRAZIL LLC, BRINKER CANADIAN HOLDING CO. ULC, BRINKER CANADIAN RESTAURANT CO. ULC, BRINKER CB LP, BRINKER CB MANAGEMENT LLC, BRINKER FHC B.V., BRINKER FLORIDA INC., BRINKER FREEHOLD INC., BRINKER GEORGIA INC., BRINKER INTERNATIONAL PAYROLL COMPANY L.P., BRINKER LOUISIANA INC., BRINKER MICHIGAN INC., BRINKER MISSISSIPPI INC., BRINKER MISSOURI INC., BRINKER NEVADA INC., BRINKER NEW JERSEY INC., BRINKER NORTH CAROLINA INC., BRINKER OF BALTIMORE COUNTY INC., BRINKER OF CARROLL COUNTY INC., BRINKER OF CECIL COUNTY INC., BRINKER OKLAHOMA INC., BRINKER OPCO LLC, BRINKER PENN TRUST, BRINKER PROPCO FLORIDA INC., BRINKER PROPERTY CORPORATION, BRINKER PURCHASING INC., BRINKER RESTAURANT CORPORATION, BRINKER RHODE ISLAND INC., BRINKER SERVICES CORPORATION, BRINKER SOUTH CAROLINA INC., BRINKER TEXAS INC., BRINKER VIRGINIA INC., CHILIS BEVERAGE COMPANY INC., CHILIS INC. a Delaware corporation, CHILIS INC. a Tennessee corporation, CHILIS INTERNATIONAL BASES B.V., CHILIS OF BEL AIR INC., CHILIS OF KANSAS INC., CHILIS OF MARYLAND INC., CHILIS OF WEST VIRGINIA INC., Grady's Inc., MAGGIANO'S OF ANNAPOLIS INC., MAGGIANO'S OF HOWARD COUNTY INC., MAGGIANO'S OF KANSAS INC., MAGGIANOS BEVERAGE COMPANY, MAGGIANOS HOLDING CORPORATION, MAGGIANOS INC., MAGGIANOS OF TYSONS INC., MAGGIANOS PROPERTY CORPORATION, MAGGIANOS TEXAS INC., PEPPER DINING HOLDING CORP., PEPPER DINING Inc., and PEPPER DINING VERMONT INC.. Read More The Boeing Company is the worlds largest manufacturer of airplanes and commands more than 50% of the market in some channels and categories. The company and its family of subsidiaries design, develops, manufacture, sell, service, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and related services worldwide. The company operates through four segments including Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital providing products and services to end-users in 150 countries. Boeing got its start in 1910 when William E. Boeing developed a love for aircraft. Soon after he takes his first plane ride which leads him to build a hangar and begin construction of his first plane. The onset of WWI helped spur the companys growth but business was cut drastically in its wake. The start of WWII was another milestone for the company and one that led to its current position of dominance. The company was incorporated in 1916 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Boeing employs over 140,000 people in 65 countries making it one of the most diverse employers on the planet. The Commercial Airplanes segment is built around the iconic 7-series which includes the 737, 747, and 787. The segment provides commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo requirements, as well as fleet support services for regional, national, and international air carriers and logistics and freight companies. In terms of global volume, the company estimates about 90% of all air freight is carried aboard one of its jets. This segment also includes the Dreamliner family of planes. The Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane for many carriers as it opens up the potential for new one-stop destinations because of its capacity and range. The Defense, Space & Security segment develops and manufactures a range of systems including manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, missile defense systems, satellites, communications equipment, and intelligence systems for governments. Among the many iconic brands within this segment are the AH-64 Apache, Air Force One, B-52, C-17 Globemaster, Chinook, F/A-18, and the V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft used by the Marines. The Global Services segment offers a range of products and services that include supply chain and logistics management, engineering, maintenance, upgrades, conversions, spare parts, pilot and maintenance training, technical and maintenance documents, and data analytics to its commercial and defense customers. Boeing is also a leader in innovation, leveraging its many decades and avenues of experience to further aerospace and defense technology. Among the many innovations is the MQ-25 Stingray which will be the worlds first autonomous aircraft. The Stingray is only one of many areas of research that also include drones and undersea vehicles. Devon Energy Corporation is an independent oil and gas company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company was incorporated in 1971 by John Nichols and his son J. Larry Nichols and later went public in August 2000. The company has since grown to be included in the S&P 500 and is one of the first energy companies to introduce resolutions requiring the company to monitor its impact on global warming. One time a major player in the global oil market, Devon has since sold off its offshore holdings in an effort to focus on US production and its transition to a lower-carbon future. Devon Energy merged with WPX in early 2021 in an all-stock merger of equals. The new company is primarily engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the US midwest. The company operates more than 5,100 wells in Oklahomas Delaware Basis, Eagle Ford Group, and the two locations in the Rocky Mountains. As of late 2022, the company laid claim to 1.625 million barrels of reserves including 44% petroleum, 27% natural gas liquids, and 29% natural gas. Daily production was running in the range of 300,000 BPD in petroleum liquids, 125,000 BPD in natural gas liquids, and 920 million cubic feet of natural gas. Rick Muncrief, formally CEO of WPX, is now the head of Devon Energy. Mr. Muncrief comes to the table with more than 40 years of experience including 27 years with one of the US Big Three Oil Companies. WPX Energy (Williams Production and Exploration) brought properties in the Williston and Permian Basins to the combined company. Its proven reserves were roughly 527 million barrels of oil and equivalents. The company also owns and operates a midstream network of pipelines and storage facilities it uses to market and deliver its products. Devon Energy Corporation has pledged to reduce its GHG impact to net zero by 2050. This will be done by a variety of methods that include improving efficiency and leakage, a reduction in flaring, and the electrification of its operations. Near-term goals include a 50% reduction in GHG by 2030 including a 65% reduction in methane release and a 100% reduction in flaring. The company is also focused on reducing its environmental impact by relying on recycled water wherever possible and plans to reduce freshwater usage by 90% in the most active areas. Total greenhouse gas emissions have been in decline since 2018 and fell 17% between 2018 and 2020 alone. With Sundays controversial new constituent assembly elections looming, popular demonstrations across Venezuela have intensified, as clashes between protestors and police grow ever more bloody. Despite President Nicolas Maduros assurances that anyone caught protesting would face time behind bars, opposition leaders urged Venezuelans to take to the streets, a call that thousands have evidently heeded. Venezuela: Small groups defy protest ban CNNI https://t.co/XHFWuLdUrQhttps://t.co/zX1iIV8Zkx pic.twitter.com/Gtkp3EVbhi RGuedez (rguedez) July 28, 2017 Venezuela: Small groups defy protest ban CNNI https://t.co/XHFWuLdUrQhttps://t.co/zX1iIV8Zkx pic.twitter.com/Gtkp3EVbhi RGuedez (rguedez) July 28, 2017 The widespread anger is down to Maduros calling of an election for a new assembly that would have the power to rewrite the constitution and would rival the opposition led , something neighbouring Colombia which has been burdened in recent months by an influx of thousands of Venezuelans said it would not recognise. President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia said: The Constitutional Assembly promoted by the Venezuelan government is illegitimate and that is why Colombia will not recognise the results. Venezuelan opposition in final protest push ahead of Sunday vote https://t.co/bvgDUYoJbd pic.twitter.com/eOhbmliN8C Ramon Morell (@ramonmorell) July 29, 2017 The run up to the election has not been the peaceful campaign Maduro would have hoped for. It has instead been marred by violence and chaos. In a sign that the president still holds a firm grip on the country, armed and hooded intelligence officers arrested Mayor Alfredo Ramos, a local politician who the Supreme Court say had facilitated protests against Maduro. Across the country, members of University and Colleges Union (UCU) are preparing for fourteen days of strike action across four weeks. CATANIA, Sicily - Defend Europe, after repeatedly accusing the media of fake news coverage of their mishap-strewn mission, has used a string of falsehoods to divert attention from its latest setback. The groups plan to board their chartered ship, the C-Star, has fallen apart in the face of pressure from NGOs, activists and the Italian government. Instead members of the mission flew to Cyprus on Friday morning to meet the boat whilst telling media outlets, including HuffPost UK, that it was still headed to Catania. Defend Europe also tweeted a short video on the 27th implying the boat was leaving Cyprus and heading for Sicily. See you in Catania pic.twitter.com/7pJpTJIyKT Defend Europe (@DefendEuropeID) July 27, 2017 The ship is now believed to be headed to Tunisia. Despite the groups members, Clement Galant, Patrick Lenart, Martin Sellner, Lorenzo Fiato and Robert Timm, leaving for Cyprus on Friday morning, a Defend Europe spokesperson told HuffPost UK in a face-to-face interview on Saturday morning that the ship was still headed for Catania and would arrive in five days. In a video detailing the latest setback, Brittanny Pettibone, an American activist travelling with the group, said: The Defend Europe mission has finally, successfully launched. Obviously there have been a lot of problems, setbacks and complications and much of that has been confused because of the fake news reporting by the media. Defend Europe has repeatedly accused the media and NGOs of propagating fake news despite reporting events which have been confirmed by the group itself. MSM is spreading fake news about #defendeurope https://t.co/CILGMM4upH Defend Europe (@DefendEuropeID) July 20, 2017 There has been intense pressure from NGOs and activists to stop the C-Star docking in Catania and a symbolic blockade of the port was held on Saturday afternoon. Story continues Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. A flotilla organised by @Avaaz symbolically blockaded Catania port this morning in protest of #DefendEurope's imminent arrival pic.twitter.com/Q1VCCMI17k Chris York (@ChrisDYork) July 29, 2017 Lenart says in the latest video: The problem in Catania was not economical but political. We received political pressure from different political characters. [There were] left-wing activists in Catania making a sit-in for a number of days but that was the least of our problems. Then we were followed all the time by the police in Catania but the most important thing, the most dangerous thing in some ways, was the pressure by the Italian government. The Minister [of the Interior] said they were looking for us and would do anything they can to stop our mission. We also had other politicians questioning our mission so we decided Catania wasnt a safe port for us anymore. The group had initially intended to arrive in Catania on the 17th of July in order to meet the C-Star on the 20th at the latest Defend Europe are part of the young, media-savvy Identitarian movement which says it wants to preserve Europes identity and calls for an end to immigration and multiculturalism. Rather than saving the lives of desperate migrants setting sail from war-torn Libya, the group sees NGOs as enabling people-traffickers by acting as a taxi service. Through crowd-funding the group has raised 122,000 to charter the C-Star in order to document and observe of the doings of those NGOs. Thorsten Schmidt, a spokesperson for Defend Europe, told HuffPost UK: Of course by now there is no definite proof of direct collaboration between NGOs and people-traffickers and but this [mission] is deemed necessary because the business of human traffickers is based on the fact that they expect an NGO boat to be waiting for those migrants. This means when the human-traffickers are expecting the NGO boat to be there, even more migrants will come. While the group claims it will simply observe and, if necessary, come to the rescue of any vessel in distress including those carrying migrants, a number of individuals and groups have expressed concerns to HuffPost UK that they will endanger lives by trying to disrupt search and rescue missions. These fears are not unfounded - a similar mission by another Identitarian group in May actively tried to sail a boat into the path of the same NGO rescue ship that is currently docked in Catania. Lauren Southern, a Canadian Identitarian, says in video of the incident: If the politicians wont stop the boats, well stop the boats. The C-Stars mission has so far been plagued by mishaps and has been detained twice already, once in Suez and, just a few days ago, in Cyprus. In a further irony, the anti-people trafficking mission was itself accused of people-trafficking before being released. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. BEIRUT (Reuters) - Nearly 90,000 Iranians are expected to attend the haj in Medina this year, and were due to start arriving on Sunday, after Tehran boycotted the pilgrimage last year amid tensions with Saudi Arabia. Around 800 pilgrims were due to leave Iran on three flights to Medina on Sunday, the director of the haj at Irans Haj and Pilgrimage Organization, Nasrollah Farahmand told state media. Approximately 86,500 Iranians are expected to attend the haj in total this year and 800 coordinators have travelled to Saudi Arabia to help Iranians during the pilgrimage, he said. Iran boycotted the haj last year after hundreds of people, many of them Iranians, died in a crush at the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in 2015, and following a diplomatic rift between the two countries who are vying for power and influence in the region. In a speech to haj organizers on Sunday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iranians would never forget the catastrophic events of 2015 and called on Saudi Arabia to ensure the security of all pilgrims. "The serious and constant issue for the Islamic Republic is the preservation of the security, dignity, welfare and comfort of all pilgrims, particularly Iranian pilgrims," Khamenei said, according to his official site. "The security of the haj is the responsibility of the country where the two noble shrines exist." Riyadh severed diplomatic relations last year after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran following the execution of a Shi'ite cleric in Saudi Arabia in January 2016. In February this year Iran, which is predominantly Shi'ite Muslim, sent a delegation to Saudi Arabia, which is mostly Sunni, that initiated the process of Iranian pilgrims returning for the haj. However, tensions between the two countries remain at an all-time high. Last month Iranian officials pointed a finger at Saudi Arabia after Islamic State carried out attacks on the Iranian parliament in Tehran and the shrine of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, that left at least 18 dead. Saudi Arabia denied any involvement. Khamenei in his speech on Sunday also called on all pilgrims to show their reaction to the recent unrest at the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and "Americas wicked presence in the region" at the haj, according to his official website. He did not specify what kind of reaction he expected pilgrims to show. (Reporting By Babak Dehghanpisheh; Editing by Susan Fenton) By Angus MacSwan MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Thousands of children have been separated from their parents in the nine-month battle for Mosul and the preceding years of Islamic State rule in northern Iraq - some found wandering alone and afraid among the rubble, others joining the refugee exodus from the pulverized city. In some cases their parents have been killed. Families have been split up as they fled street fighting, air strikes or Islamic State repression. Many are traumatised from the horrors they have endured. Protecting the youngsters and reuniting them with their families is an urgent task for humanitarian organisations. "These children are extremely vulnerable," said Mariyampillai Mariyaselvam, a child protection specialist with UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund). "Most have gone through a very painful history." Nine-year-old Meriam had left her family one day last October to visit her grandmother in west Mosul, then under Islamic State rule. The government offensive to recapture the city began, so she stayed there. Her father Hassan told Reuters he had been a policeman but quit when the radical Islamists seized Mosul in 2014, fearing he would be targeted. He, his second wife, along with Meriam and her three half-siblings moved from dwelling to dwelling. "We were living in many different places, moving around. Meriam stayed with her grandmother but when the bridges were shut down, I could not cross the river to see her," he said, speaking in the abandoned, half-built house in east Mosul where the family is now squatting. They eventually fled to the Hassan Sham displaced persons camp but Meriam was trapped in the west. After government forces retook the neighbourhood in June, she and her grandmother made it to the Khazer camp. Her father asked UNICEF for help and they managed to track down his daughter. They were reunited in Hassan Sham later that month. "I was hearing bombing and killing every day. I did not believe they would find her," he said. Life is still hard for the family. They left the camp to return to the city with their few possessions, but the house owner wants to evict them. Hassan makes ends meet by finding day jobs. But at least they are together, he said, cuddling his daughter as he spoke. Meriam, a bright-eyed girl with a shy smile, said she would like to go to school. "I have never been to school. I would like to have books, a backpack, and to learn letters. That is my dream," she said. MOSUL SURGE UNICEF says children in shock had been found in debris or hidden in tunnels in Mosul. Some had lost their families while fleeing to safety but sometimes parents had been forced to abandon children or give them away. Many children were forced to fight or carry out violent acts, it said in a statement. They were also vulnerable to sexual exploitation. UNICEF's Mariyaselvam, speaking to Reuters in Erbil, said the number of children coming out of Mosul had increased in the past few months as the battle reached its climax. He explained the distinction between separated children, who are split from their legal guardians but are with friends or relatives, and unaccompanied children, who are alone and without care or guardians. It was difficult to give an accurate number but child protection agencies have recorded more than 3,000 separated and over 800 unaccompanied children, he said. The latter are the priority. The task of rescuing and identifying them begins in the field, with relief agency teams placed in strategic locations where people are fleeing. Registration points are set up. Mobile child protection teams also visit households. Then UNICEF and its local partners begin tracing the legal guardians or relatives. "Our primary focus is care and protection for them. We try to make sure that they are provided immediate care," he said. In camps, they are usually placed with people on a temporary basis. If parents or other relatives cannot be identified, a legal process begins to put them in care homes with government permission. If all efforts fail, there is a foster programme. From the start, the children need specialised services such as psychological counselling. Some need mental health care. But the Iraqi government lacks sufficient resources or infrastructure to handle the challenge, Mariyaselvam said. Mosul, which served as the capital of Islamic State's self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria for three years, provided a particular set of problems. UNICEF and the government followed cases to ensure children were safe from abuse and exploitation once they were back in the community. "The situation we are seeing is that some children are not being accepted by the community because of their affiliation," he said, referring to the children of Islamic State fighters and supporters. Some youngsters were roaming the city streets and some were being used as child labour, he said. Families who had lost their homes or fled could sometimes simply not cope. "It is going to require a lot of time and a lot of resources and specialised services for them to rebuild their lives, including sending them back to school," Mariyaselvam said. And with the war still going on as Islamic State retreats and a government offensive to recapture the IS-held town of Tal Afar expected soon, a new wave of lost children is anticipated. (Reporting by Angus MacSwan; Editing by Dale Hudson) By Samia Errazzouki RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned dozens of people arrested in recent protests in a northern region and blamed the failure of local officials to quickly implement development projects for stoking public anger. It was his first public address since the start of protests in October over injustice, corruption and underdevelopment following the death of Mouhcine Fikri, a fishmonger crushed in a garbage truck retrieving stock confiscated by police. Fikri's death triggered widespread anger and protests in the Rif region around Al-Hoceima, the town where he worked. These were the largest demonstrations since the 2011 Arab Spring inspired rallies that prompted the king to make constitutional reforms giving up some of his power. "If the King of Morocco is not convinced by the way political activity is conducted and if he does not trust a number of politicians, what are the citizens left with?" Mohammed VI said during a televised speech commemorating the 18th anniversary of his ascension to the throne. "To all those concerned I say: 'Enough is enough!' Fear God in what you are perpetrating against your homeland. Either carry out your duties fully or withdraw from public life." Morocco's government spokesperson did not respond to calls for comment on what actions may be taken, but one government official presented the speech as a "direct conversation with the people" over the slow progress in development projects. "The king has put his foot down, whoever doesn't do their work should leave their place for those who want to work," the official told Reuters. Just before the speech, the Ministry of Justice announced in a statement carried by MAP state news agency that 1,178 prisoners were being pardoned to mark the occasion. These included 58 members of the protest movement, dubbed Hirak al Chaabi in Arabic. Silya Ziani, 23, was the only leader of the movement who was pardoned. The other primary leaders remain imprisoned in Casablanca, including Nasser Zefzafi. "I am happy with my freedom, but I am waiting to hear the news of the freedom of all my comrades from the Hirak," Ziani told local reporters upon her release late Saturday night. For Taib Madmad, secretary general of the Moroccan Human Rights Association, the king's speech and royal pardon are not enough to quell unrest. "We can't speak about significant developments because the main demands of Hirak remain unaddressed, including the release and dismal of charges for all the members of Hirak," Madmad said. During the king's speech, Al Hoceima was mentioned only once, in a reference to praise the actions of security forces and their restraint. Earlier this month, clashes ensued after police used tear gas and truncheons to disperse protests in Al Hoceima, causing one protester to fall into a coma. The victim is currently being treated at a military hospital in Rabat. (Editing by Patrick Markey/Keith Weir) Putnam Carpenter eclipse Courtesy of Marketplace For two minutes on August 21, the moon will completely block the sun during a rare total solar eclipse. From Oregon to South Carolina, communities in the 70-mile beltline where the eclipse will be most visible, will be jammed with spectators. Astronomers predict that some of the best viewing will be in central Oregon, because of the clean, high desert air and typically clear skies. That has farming and ranching communities in the region gearing up for a mini celestial boom. Rancher Grant Putnam and his partner, Christina Carpenter, own a cattle operation and farm called Organic Earthly Delights in the town of Madras, Ore. Come August, their fields will be covered with tents, cars and solar eclipse watchers. The farmers are putting on a four-day festival where they hope to host up to 500 eclipse spectators. Were going to have meals, live music, were going to have a dance floor set up, a bouncy house, a water slide, said Carpenter. Madras is expected to swell from 6,200 people to more than 70,000 for the eclipse. Motels booked up two years ago, so farmers started selling campsites in their fields. This is a big investment for the owners of Organic Earthly Delights. They need to pay for port-a-potties, permits, trash cans and insurance. On top of food and music, theyre bringing in astronomers, beekeepers and equestrians to give talks on the farm. Theyll charge about $500 a head for four days of camping, meals, and activities. At first some residents of this little farm town were nervous about this huge influx of outsiders. And I keep saying we didnt advertise it, said Lysa Vattimo, Madras eclipse coordinator. (Thats right the eclipse is such a big deal here, the city hired her to be the eclipse coordinator.) Astronomers and scientists started talking about Madras three and four years ago, Vattimo said. Story continues With so many people talking about Madras, residents figured they might as well make the most of it. Theyre hoping some of those visitors will fall in love with their community, that maybe a few will even move there and start a business. This is opportunity, Vattimo said. She sees the eclipse as a way for her community to grow. Overall the city is spending about $100,000 on her salary and other preparations. Theres a lot of things that can go wrong when theres 70,000 people on the ground at one time, Vattimo said, pointing out that city officials worry about traffic jams, medical emergencies and wildfires. Across Oregon there are estimates of up to a million visitors flooding the state for the eclipse. Its definitely a once in a lifetime thing for us, said Angie Ludi, who just opened a clothing and gift boutique called The White Buffalo in downtown Madras. Shes stocked up on solar eclipse souvenirs like t-shirts, paperweights, and necklaces not to mention space-themed bath products. Theyre actually called bath bombs, Ludi said. And for the solar eclipse, Im actually going to be carrying the galaxy bomb, too, and it has a little alien in the middle. Ludi was initially nervous about opening an upscale boutique in a small farming community. But the prospect of thousands of eclipse tourists coming into her shop gave her more confidence. Starting a business now, I feel like it kind of gave me that extra push that I needed to go ahead and do it, Ludi said. Back at Organic Earthly Delights farm, Christina Carpenter and Grant Putnam moved their goat herd to a fresh pasture. The goats bleated happily as they tore into the tall grass. Carpenter is even incorporating the goats into the farms eclipse festival. Visitors will be able to watch how they react when the sun disappears. The animals will be here and kind of be a circus act, Carpenter said, laughing. I hate to say that, but in a healthy sort of way. Like many small agricultural businesses, sometimes this organic farm struggles to make ends meet. Putnam said theyre hoping the eclipse festival will generate enough profit to double their income this year. We want to expand into you know, pasture poultry and turkeys and chickens, Putnam said. Wed like to do some of those other things, so it would really allow us that opportunity. So far, theyve booked about 275 campers enough to break even. They know this is a rare economic opportunity. There wont be another total solar eclipse crossing Oregon until the year 2169. See Also: DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's foreign minister called what he said was Qatar's demand for an internationalization of the Muslim hajj pilgrimage a declaration of war against the kingdom, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said on Sunday, but Qatar said it never made such a call. "Qatar's demands to internationalize the holy sites is aggressive and a declaration of war against the kingdom," Adel al-Jubeir was quoted saying on Al Arabiya's website. "We reserve the right to respond to anyone who is working on the internationalization of the holy sites," he said. Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said no official from his country had made such a call. "We are tired of responding to false information and stories invented from nothing," Sheikh Mohammed told Al Jazeera TV. Qatar did accuse the Saudis of politicizing hajj and addressed the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion on Saturday, expressing concern about obstacles facing Qataris who want to attend hajj this year. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain previously issued a list of 13 demands for Qatar, which included curtailing its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, shutting down the Doha-based Al Jazeera channel, closing a Turkish military base and downgrading its relations with Gulf enemy Iran. On Sunday, foreign ministers of the four countries said they were ready for dialogue with Qatar if it showed willingness to tackle their demands. (Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi, Editing by Larry King and Peter Cooney) France 24 Videos In 2014, Nadia Murad was captured, alongside many other Yazidi women, by the so-called Islamic State (IS) group in the Iraqi town of Sinjar. She was held hostage, enslaved, tortured and raped, before escaping to Mosul and making her way to Germany. After sharing the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize with Congolese gynaecologist Denis Mukwege, she is now a leading global advocate for survivors of genocide and sexual violence. Nadia Murad spoke to FRANCE 24 from the Paris Peace Forum. Murad said that more needs to be done to prevent sexual violence in conflict."Progress has been made on recognising survivors' right to reparations (...) but I think it's time to put political weight and resources behind the words," Murad told FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris Trent."Not much has been done to prevent what happened to the Yazidi women and girls," Murad said. More than eight years later, "we still have 2,800 women and children who are missing in ISIS [another name for the IS group] captivity in Syria, Turkey and some parts of Iraq. No effort has been made by the international community or our own government or any international organisations to look for the missing Yazidi women and children and bring them back"."Sexual violence does not go away when war is over (...) Ukraine is sadly another example of a failure to follow through on commitments to preventing sexual violence in war," Murad continued."Women's rights were never a priority for the international community to prevent the use of sexual violence," Murad said.Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:Amnesty International demands urgent help for survivors of sexual violence in TigrayAllegations of mass rape by Russian troops in UkraineIraqs Yazidi community: Nadia Murads ongoing fight for justice Wikileaks has released a classified US State Department from 2009 that appears to prove Special Counsel Robert Mueller, head of the Trump/Russia probe, once supplied the Russians with nuclear material. Special Prosecutor Robert Muelller flew to Moscow and gave the FSB 10 grams of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) in 2009 https://t.co/mNdcTa7boQ pic.twitter.com/nPjFSKPHWQ WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 29, 2017 The claim, if true, would be a hugely damaging revelation that would throw the whole investigation into chaos and incri Only it isnt and Wikileaks knows it. The text and tweet released by Wikileaks more than suggests Mueller is guilty of a serious crime, passing on nuclear material to the USAs superpower rival. 6. (S/Rel Russia) Action request: Embassy Moscow is requested to alert at the highest appropriate level the Russian Federation that FBI Director Mueller plans to deliver the HEU sample once he arrives to Moscow on September 21. Post is requested to convey information in paragraph 5 with regard to chain of custody, and to request details on Russian Federations plan for picking up the material. Embassy is also requested to reconfirm the April 16 understanding from the FSB verbally that we will have no problem with the Russian Ministry of Aviation concerning Muellers September 21 flight clearance. But the section it omitted from the tweet changes the entire context of Muellers actions. Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs after briefing members of the U.S. Senate on his investigation into potential collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, June 21. (Photo: Joshua Roberts / Reuters) It reads: 2. (S/NF) Background: Over two years ago Russia requested a ten-gram sample of highly enriched uranium (HEU) seized in early 2006 in Georgia during a nuclear smuggling sting operation involving one Russian national and several Georgian accomplices. The seized HEU was transferred to U.S. custody and is being held at a secure DOE facility. In response to the Russian request, the Georgian Government authorised the United States to share a sample of the material with the Russians for forensic analysis. Story continues This text is included in the document linked to in the tweet but its clear many people did took it at face value. Need an investigator for the investigator. Meuller is a crook too. Just like @HillaryClinton and @BarackObama Cheryl (@Cheryl4Trump) July 29, 2017 Mueller should be investigating himself. Trump, FIRE this clown. Ted Andrews (@TMA62) July 29, 2017 Good grief. Get rid of this guy as head of special council He needs to be investigated regarding Russia. Conflict of interest! Fortified Fortresses (@laurafortified) July 29, 2017 Wikileaks used to be a force for good in the world, playing a major role in revealing the inner workings of Guantanamo Bay and exposing events like the killing of journalists by US forces in Iraq. But more recently the group and its founder, Julian Assange, have been accused of pandering to a pro-Russian agenda. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Assange jumps in with anti-Mueller propaganda. In yellow is the original tweet. In blue is what they deliberately left out. @20committee pic.twitter.com/7FeqjNKjyv Patrick S. Tomlinson (@stealthygeek) July 30, 2017 Hey, @JulianAssange, just get it over with and ask the Russians for asylum https://t.co/DCEjp81W80 Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) July 30, 2017 Assange has been eager to assist the Trumps in the ongoing probe into possible collusion between the Presidents associates and Russia during the 2016 US election. When Donald Trump Jr released an email showing he attended a meeting with the knowledge he was to receive damaging information on Hillary Clinton via the Russian government, Assange tweeted: Contacted Trump Jr this morning on why he should publish his emails (i.e with us). Two hours later, does it himself: https://t.co/FzCttGSyr6 Julian Assange (@JulianAssange) July 11, 2017 He added: I argued that his enemies have it so why not the public? His enemies will just milk isolated phrases for weeks or months ... with their own context, spin and according to their own strategic timetable. Better to be transparent and have the full context ... but would have been safer for us to publish it anonymously sourced. By publishing it himself it is easier to submit as evidence. Assange has been living in the Ecuadoran embassy in London since 2012 trying to avoid extradition by the Swedish authorities over a rape case which was dropped in May. He has long fought the charges, saying he feared it would ultimately mean extradition to the US for prosecution over what Wikileaks has published. Swedens decision to discontinue its case ends that threat. But appearing on the balcony of the embassy in May, Assange said a legal conflict with the United States and the UK continued and the road is far from over. He is still there. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Corning Incorporated engages in display technologies, optical communications, environmental technologies, specialty materials, and life sciences businesses worldwide. The company's Display Technologies segment offers glass substrates for liquid crystal displays and organic light-emitting diodes used in televisions, notebook computers, desktop monitors, tablets, and handheld devices. Its Optical Communications segment provides optical fibers and cables; and hardware and equipment products, including cable assemblies, fiber optic hardware and connectors, optical components and couplers, closures, network interface devices, and other accessories. This segment also offers its products to businesses, governments, and individuals. Its Specialty Materials segment manufactures products that provide material formulations for glass, glass ceramics, crystals, precision metrology instruments, software; as well as ultra-thin and ultra-flat glass wafers, substrates, tinted sunglasses, and radiation shielding products. This segment serves various industries, including mobile consumer electronics, semiconductor equipment optics and consumables; aerospace and defense optics; radiation shielding products, sunglasses, and telecommunications components. The company's Environmental Technologies segment offers ceramic substrates and filter products for emissions control in mobile, gasoline, and diesel applications. The company's Life Sciences segment offers laboratory products comprising consumables, such as plastic vessels, liquid handling plastics, specialty surfaces, cell culture media, and serum, as well as general labware and equipment under the Corning, Falcon, Pyrex, and Axygen brands. The company was formerly known as Corning Glass Works and changed its name to Corning Incorporated in April 1989. Corning Incorporated was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Corning, New York. Drivers will be under threat of slow-and-go traffic beginning Tuesday if they take a popular stretch of canyon road along the Rio Grande between the northern New Mexico villages of Rinconada and Pilar. Expect delays of between 15 to 30 minutes in the six-mile stretch of N.M. 68 a two-lane highway with views of the river and high cliffs that sees plenty of local and tourist traffic throughout the year due to construction of a natural gas pipeline in the right of way along the northbound lane. The $14 million project of the New Mexico Gas Company is expected to last until the end of November. Until then, drivers coming from either direction take turns waiting, then being led by pilot cars through a single lane 24 hours a day, seven days a week, said Tim Korte, spokesman for the gas utility. Construction will take place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Neil Nobles, owner of the roadside Sugars barbecue in Embudo south of Rinconada, said he learned about the project from a reporter a few weeks ago. Nobles, who was preparing some menu items last Friday, said hes worried that fans of his brisket and burgers from up north in Red River wont be coming down the highway for a bite. I think its going to have an impact, Nobles said. Meanwhile, New Wave Rafting vice president Steve Miller said hes concerned the first two weeks of the project will disrupt the land office business in end-of-summer rafters that he and other commercial raft companies depend on. New Wave employs eight people; other, larger companies employ more, he said. There are 15 commercial rafters who run this portion of the river. The construction area coincides in part with the Rio Grande Racecourse, a popular stretch of water that begins at Pilar with a take-out at the Taos/Rio Arriba county line north of Rinconada. Some rafting companies with permits to put in near Pilar often have customers arrive at the Rio Grande Gorge Visitors Center parking lot in Pilar. Others transport customers north up via N.M. 68 to Pilar, either all the way from Santa Fe to or from a parking lot at the county line near Rinconda, or the put-in and will have go through the construction zone. Getting sometimes distracted raft-trip ticket holders to the right spot, on time, is a challenge even without construction, Miller said. Adding 30-minute delays is going to play havoc with the choreography at the too-tight raft-trip launch site, he said. Rafting permit holders had asked the utility to put off construction until mid-August, when many out-of-state tourists have to returned to school, Miller said. However, the project is expected to take four months and utility officials are concerned that winter weather could delay completion, said the gas companys Korte. The paving has to be complete before the cold weather begins, he said. The Aug. 1 start date is necessary, he said. The rafting companies concerns are important utility representatives met with the commercial rafters before other public meetings began in April, Korte said. Were hoping to minimize the impact on their business, Korte said. Utility representatives made presentations to public bodies from Angel Fire to Espanola, he said, as well as to state agencies such as the Department of Tourism and State Police. The utility contacted tourism-focused business associations, and distributed 5,000 fliers for visitors kiosks at restaurants and other tourist sites. The company also contacted an association of commercial truckers and two motorcycle businesses. The new pipeline will replace one that is on the west side of the canyon and supplies natural gas to 16,000 customers in Taos, Questa and Red River. The current pipeline has been subject to unstable soils and three landslides. The utility began work on changing the pipelines location in 2014. Public comment via the Bureau of Land Management began in 2015 and an environmental assessment was completed in 2016. Final approval occurred in April, according to the utilitys online answers to frequently asked questions on the project. Three alternate routes for motorists are being suggested, but they arent detours, Korte said. The alternative routes, which include a portion of the scenic High Road to Taos, may see more traffic and, for businesses along the way, more customers. Traffic will continue through N.M. 68, just at a slower rate. The northbound lane between Mile Marker 24 and Mile Marker 30 will be closed a mile at a time for construction and the construction will move north to south, the gas company says. More information is available at @nmgasco on Twitter and Facebook. Political boss Clyde Tingley held court here. Glamorous actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor slept here. And, so the story goes, Old West law dog and frontier legend Wyatt Earp lay low here. Here is Downtown Albuquerque, the stretch that runs along Central Avenue from First Street west to Eighth Street. Its a section studded with storied buildings such as the old Hilton Hotel, now the Hotel Andaluz; the Sunshine Building; the KiMo Theatre; and Maisels Indian Trading Post. Its a belt of blocks sprinkled with memories of long-gone landmarks such as the Alvarado Hotel, the Grant Opera House and the Armijo House. Walk along this memory lane with people who know where to point, and you can touch the ghosts of the bankers, lawyers, physicians, merchants and impresarios, the movers and shakers, who started Albuquerque along the path to what it is today. Walking history Albuquerque was founded in 1706, but the Albuquerque you are going to hear about today started when the railroad arrived in 1880, Janet Saiers said. Saiers is vice president in charge of programs for the Albuquerque Historical Society. On this Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago, she was talking to a group of five people, including two from Denmark, who had gathered at the southwest corner of First Street and Central Avenue for the Historical Societys weekly guided Downtown Walking Tour. We are going to talk about architecture, Saiers said. Some of the buildings on Central are 100 years old, which is old for Albuquerque. It might not be old for Denmark. Initiated in 2014, the Historic Societys walking tour is led, on a rotating basis, by one of the 11 guides especially trained for the task. Guides carry binders containing photos of historic buildings and some use an amplification device to be better heard over the roar of motorcycles, cars and buses coursing the city streets. Sometimes 10 or more people show up for a tour, sometimes only one and, on occasion, no one at all. But Saiers said people from all over the state, all over the country and all over the world have taken the tour. Its a really nice way to get a quick brush up on history, said Rasmus Pedersen, 34, of Copenhagen, Denmark, who, with Tine Nielsen, 30, also of Copenhagen, took the walking tour July 15. You see things you dont notice if you just walk around on your own. You take a tour like this and you begin to notice things. New Town The tour route is made up of what was known as New Town 137 years ago when railroad tracks were put down a mile and a half east of Old Town, the original Spanish settlement. Streets were laid out east and west of the railroad tracks. Back then Central Avenue was called Railroad Avenue, a name it would retain until it was rechristened Central in 1904. The buildings that grew up along those streets in the early days were made out of adobe and wood. None of the buildings from those earliest times survive today, said Shannon Wagers, a semi-retired journalist who is a tour guide. Many of them burned down. Some buildings, such as the lavish Alvarado Hotel, a Fred Harvey-operated railroad facility opened in 1902, were torn down. The Alvarado, despite efforts to save it, was demolished in 1970. In 2002, the Alvarado Transportation Center, a scaled down replica of the Alvarado Hotel, opened on the hotels old site on the southeast corner of Central and First Street. The center serves ABQRide, Amtrack, Greyhound and the Rail Runner Express. My favorite place on the tour is the beginning at First and Central, Saiers said. I enjoy showing the photo of the 1902 Alvarado Hotel and then allowing people to note the architectural features bell tower, arches, curves that were mimicked in the construction of the transportation building. The Sunshine Building at 120 Central SW is another building special to Saiers, a 1966 Del Norte High School graduate. Opened in May 1924 as a 920-seat movie palace, the six-story Sunshine was among Albuquerques first skyscrapers. It continued to show movies until the 1980s. As a kid, it was a big deal to be dropped off at the Sunshine to go to the movies, Saiers said. Then, if my dad gave me money for a soda and popcorn, that was beyond belief. To the mind of a child, the inside of the theater was gigantic. I didnt know the difference between 500 seats and 5,000 seats. And the smell of popcorn in the lobby was heavenly. Saiers told her tour guests that the Sunshine is now an office building and that most of the offices are occupied. Seat of power In 1939, San Antonio, N.M., native and hotel magnate Conrad Hilton built the Albuquerque Hilton at 125 Second St. NW. Now called the Hotel Andaluz, the luxurious California Mission style hotel is among Wagers favorite tour attractions. I always like to take people into the hotel because its quiet there, she said. Its just a nice stop. Not to mention that it is exquisitely beautiful and filled with colorful stories. Hilton honeymooned here with Gabor, his second wife, whom he married in 1942. Tingley was the center of attention during frequent sessions in the hotel lobby between 1940 and 1953, the years he served as the powerful chairman of the Albuquerque City Commission . The chair Tingley is said to have used back then is preserved in the hotel. Exiting north from the hotel onto Copper Street, Wagers notes that Copper and Third streets marked the heart of Albuquerques red-light district from the 1890s up until the 1920s, a time when vice operated pretty much in the open. There were brothels here, she said pointing west along Copper. Some were upscale, in particular the Vine Cottage, which stood about where the entrance to that parking garage is. There were also a few opium dens around. Gunfighters and fires If your roots run deep enough in Albuquerque, it may be easier to see things that are not here anymore, things you didnt see even when they were here. Tour guide Abraham Santillanes grew up in Old Town and passed his childhood in the stores and theaters along Central Avenue. He pointed to the southwest corner of Central and Third Street. That was the site of Albuquerques first major hotel, the Armijo House, Santillanes tells the party he is guiding. It was started by a prominent New Mexico family. Built in 1880, the three-story hotel was thought to be the only first-class hotel in Albuquerque at the time. Some believe that Wyatt Earp, John H. Doc Holliday and several others involved in the infamous Oct. 26, 1881, gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Ariz., and/or its bloody aftermath may have stayed at the Armijo House in April 1882 while seeking refuge in Albuquerque from their enemies in Arizona. The Armijo House was destroyed by fire in February 1897. It was a fire many years later, in 1953, that proved to be the most significant for Downtown Albuquerque. That fire damaged the Sears Roebuck Building, which was built in 1937 and still stands at 501-505 Central NW. While repairing the damage, Sears opened a temporary store east of Downtown in the Central and San Mateo Boulevard area. That site proved so popular that it signaled the coming migration of businesses, starting in earnest in the 1960s, from Downtown to the Heights. The Sears fire was the beginning of the end for Downtown Albuquerque, Santillanes said. It had a good run from 1880 to about 1965. But by the 60s it was congested. Parking was impossible. Magnificent remnants Downtown may have dimmed down some since its glory days in the early 20th century when the electric lights embedded in the exterior of the Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light and Power Company, then located in the McCanna/Hubbell Building, 418-424 Central SW, blazed up that section of the street for blocks around. But magnificent remnants, such as Maisels Indian Trading Post, boasting marvelous Native American murals on its entrance way at 510 Central SW, and the wondrously ornate Pueblo Deco KiMo Theatre, opened in 1927, rescued by city purchase in 1977 and restored in subsequent years, are alive and well and doing business. And the memories of things lost and times past are stirred up most Saturday mornings during the Albuquerque Historical Societys walking tour. I always enjoy it, said Greg Naranjo, a New Mexico native and longtime Albuquerque resident, who walked his second tour earlier this month. I always learn so much, and you get different perspectives with different guides. DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR WHAT: Guided tour by the Albuquerque Historical Society WHEN: 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays, January-November WHERE: Starts at southwest corner of Central Avenue and First Street and proceeds west to Eighth Street. HOW MUCH: Free WHAT ELSE: Reservations required only for parties of five and more. Special tours may be arranged for days other than Saturday. Call 505-289-0586 for reservations or special tours. ADVICE: Wear comfortable shoes. The work of Paul Sarkisian crosses borders, composition, movements and materials. Paintings and prints by the Santa Fe-based artist will hang in the lobby and throughout the Albuquerque Museum as part of its summer artist-in-residence program beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1. Consisting of seven works and about five smaller pieces, the show has been organized like a mini-exhibition. Past artists-in-residence splashed paint across the museum walls (think pueblo-meets-sci fi conjurer Virgil Ortiz). Sarkisian simply has been at the cutting edge of contemporary painting since the 60s, curator Andrew Connors said. An abstract painter in the 1950s, Sarkisian turned to gargantuan, hyperrealistic imagery in the 1960s and 70s. Along the way, he explored surrealism, minimalism and maximalism. By the 1980s, he was bridging stylistic boundaries. Sarkisians 1980 Untitled (Painting No. 4), currently hanging in the museums Common Ground exhibition, reveals a menage of materials and trompe loeil techniques that fool visitors into thinking a meticulously painted object is a folded newspaper, complete with what appears to be a photograph of a roaring locomotive. The piece is tactile enough that security guards placed a barrier before it to prevent touching. Sarkisian framed the work in panels of glitter. Its the whole idea of illusion and perspective, Connors said. I just find it a great adventure into, what are we looking at? You dont have to know anything about art to understand his work. By the 1990s, Sarkisian had adopted a more minimalist approach, reducing carefully rendered objects into their most basic shapes. Untitled (right leaning red 51), 2005, is typical of his ability to bring vitality and life to hard-edged abstraction in puzzle form. The full image looks like the wing of a bird, or an organic spaceship. It is packed with motion and internal movement and because of its clean, hard edges and elegant proportions, it is easy to lose sight of the shapes origins as a scribble, or simple squiggle of overlapping loops, Connors said. (Untitled)(El Paso), 1971-72, appeared in a major SITE Santa Fe exhibition of Sarkisians work in 2005. Part homage to the French neoclassical painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, it appropriates one of Ingres virginal nudes, adding an upside-down sheep that conceals the face. The result is a fractured hybrid of figurative painting and surrealism. Hes constantly pushing peoples perceptions as to what art-making is about, Connors said. Now nearing 90, the Chicago-born Sarkisian first came to New Mexico from California for a residency at the Tamarind Institute. He later moved to Cerrillos, then to Santa Fe. He was always trying to experiment, Connors said. It means an artist like Sarkisian is hard to pigeonhole. If you go WHAT: Paul Sarkisian WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday Aug. 1 through June 30, 2018 WHERE: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road, SW HOW MUCH: $1-4 at albuquerquemuseum.org or 243-7255 Recently, Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado decided to endorse the Paris Global Accord and set his state on a path to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent. He recognizes his state can save and make money because of cheap natural gas and the declining costs of solar and wind power. Gov. Hickenloopers vision is a win-win for both fossil fuel and alternative energy proponents. New Mexico, with our abundance of wind and sunlight, has a tremendous opportunity to become a national model for increased solar and wind power, coupled with a decreased dependence on fossil fuels. An innovative and aggressive energy vision will generate a lasting positive legacy for Gov. Susana Martinez and help our state prosper economically and ecologically in the future. New Mexico has 300-350 days of sunshine annually and fair-to-good wind resources. It ranks in the top 10 solar-friendly states. Our Renewable Portfolio Standard approved in 2004 mandates that 20 percent of our electricity must come from renewable sources by 2020. Good for us. But the present trajectory is neither innovative nor robust enough to maximize the true potential of renewable energy in our state. Given the bounty of our solar and wind energy, and the clear job creation potential therein, an aggressive harnessing of these renewable resources is in order and imperative. The shift to more investment in renewable energy will not jeopardize our fossil fuel industry but complement it. Lowering the overall cost of energy in New Mexico will increase the efficiency of our fossil fuel industry and make these resources last longer. Today, Germany produces about 31 percent of its energy from alternative resources. In 2015 approximately 350,000 jobs in Germany were attributed to the renewable energy sector. Thats quite impressive, and Germanys wind and solar resources pale compared to New Mexicos. Over the next 15 years, New Mexico should engage with private-sector energy providers and land developers to rationally expand the delivery of solar and wind energy. The governor and state legislators should update our RPS and mandate at least 50 percent of the states total energy requirement be supplied by wind and solar power by 2035. This is an achievable goal. The governor can request federal assistance to seed and expand our renewal resource capabilities using a job-creation rationale under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This has to happen now because time may be running out. A revitalized energy vision should promote rapid expansion by private-sector stakeholders through tax incentives and guaranteed support for implementation. If the governor embraces this vision, it will benefit all citizens by creating jobs, providing inexpensive reusable power and creating incentives for companies and individuals to come to New Mexico to get in on our power boom. A bipartisan vision and action plan for renewable-energy expansion must be brokered. The governor should seize this opportunity. If she does, we will pay less for our energy, have more new, higher-paying jobs, more skilled workers will immigrate to our state, our economic trajectory will be brighter and all New Mexicans will benefit. New Mexico has a unique opportunity. The time is right to embrace alternative energy. Gov. Martinezs legacy awaits. Victor K. Barbiero is an adjunct professor in the Department of Global Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. WASHINGTON If President Trump ordered a senior government official to support the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller, how should that person respond? Adm. Mike Rogers, head of the National Security Agency, answered my question about that onstage at the Aspen Security Forum. He began with the usual caveat that he wouldnt answer a hypothetical but then offered a comment that brought spontaneous applause: I will not violate the oath I have taken in my 36 years as a commissioned officer. He said 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. 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 James 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 law professor and former assistant attorney general, explains 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. Since Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation, an order to fire Mueller, for now, would go to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who has strongly indicated 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. 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 will 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. Email: davidignatius@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group. Pink Cotton, a bay son of High Cotton racing for Teed Off Stable LLC, led at every call en route to a three-quarter length win in s $50,000 Duke City Sprint Stakes for 3-year-olds at Albuquerque Downs. Ridden by Elvin Gonzalez for trainer Bart Hone, Pink Cotton went 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.29 and returned a $4 win mutuel as the even-money favorite in the field of six. The colt earned $30,000 to push his bankroll to $66,750 from five starts. Pink Cotton was bred in Florida by Winchester Baye Acres Inc. The colt was returning to New Mexico off of a sixth-place finish in the 1-mile, $65,000 Prairie Mile Stakes at Prairie Meadows near Des Moines, Iowa. While out of the state, Pink Cotton scored a wire-to-wire victory in a 6-furlong, $32,000 first-level allowance race on . I think his last race goes to show us that hes a sprinter, said John Wilkins, a managing member of Teed Off Stable, of Pink Cottons sixth-place run in the Prairie Mile. I dont think two turns are in his future, so well keep him sprinting. We want to keep him in New Mexico and we want to keep him sprinting, he added. So hopefully youll see him one more time here (in Albuquerque), and then maybe well point him toward the Sunland Park meet during the winter. Pink Cotton has won three starts, including a 5-furlong, $22,000 maiden-special-weight race in his career debut at Sunland on . Evolve, a 22-1 longshot, ran second to complete a $2 exacta payoff of $73.60. Ranger Rod, Outrageous Green, Wine N Divine, and Bernin Sensation completed the order of finish. RUIDOSO DOWNS: Apollitical Approach won the $59,850 John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge Saturday when Legal Eagle, which finished first, was disqualified. Also, Nolans Theory won the $50,000 By By JJ at 11-1 odds, and 2-5 favorite Jess A Hilbily Bone won the Bobby Dan Crenshaw Memorial. Copyright 2017 Albuquerque Journal TRUJILLO, N.M At a June U.S. Senate committee hearing, Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich engaged in a testy exchange over a stalled deal that would provide public access to the federally designated Sabinoso Wilderness, 16,000 acres of spectacular canyon country in northeastern New Mexico landlocked by surrounding private property. Zinke wouldnt commit to accepting the particulars of a plan, first announced last year, for the non-profit Wilderness Land Trust to donate an adjacent former ranch to the federal government as an access point for hikers, horseback riders and hunters to enter the wilderness. Have you ever been there? Heinrich asked rhetorically. Well, on Saturday, Zinke was there. And after a horseback ride with Heinrich and Sen. Tom Udall, an elk-and-chicken fajita lunch overlooking the Sabinosos Canyon Largo and conversations with a couple dozen hunting and wilderness advocates, Zinke said he has very favorable impressions of the access plan, with fine points and final details to be worked out. The view is a little different from the Potomac, he told the Journal in an on-site interview, than it is, the view, from here. And being on horseback is the best way to see it, he said. There will be an announcement on the Sabinoso access issue soon, Zinke said. On another hot topic, Zinke said the public shouldnt expect major changes, if any, to two New Mexico national monuments he is reviewing under orders from President Donald Trump the Rio Grande del Norte in Taos County and the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks in Dona Ana County, which were established via proclamation by former President Barack Obama. Zinke, a former Navy SEAL and U.S. House member from Montana, has been in New Mexico to collect information and comment on the New Mexico monuments, holding meetings and other events in southern New Mexico Thursday and Friday. He dismissed the suggestion hes heard more from monument opponents than supporters. Like today? he asked, nodding toward the New Mexico Wildlife Federation leaders and public land advocates who cooked up the food and otherwise hosted the Sabinoso event. For the New Mexico monuments, it seems to be the majority of people are proponents of the monuments than opponents, he said. Thats different than in some areas where the grass-roots have a much more pronounced apprehension and objections to the monuments. He said, though, that Interior is reviewing specific issues, such as whether monument rules could affect flood control, fire suppression and even Border Patrol operations by, for instance, putting more red tape in front of road repairs after a flood. He also made a point of noting that fifth- and sixth-generation New Mexico ranchers with operations dating back to Spanish land grants some ranchers have opposed the monument designations are a very important part of the culture. Zinke said he wanted to emphasize there are no plans to sell off Bureau of Land Management or other public lands. He heard in Las Cruces over the past few days that a driving force for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks monument was to protect against future sale of BLM territory. I want to ensure everyone that there is no plan or intention ever to divest BLM, he said, with the exception of such previous transactions to give up acreage for schools or universities. Optimism on Sabinoso deal Sens. Heinrich and Udall, both Democrats, were optimistic about Sabinoso Wilderness access after their horseback tour with Republican Zinke. The three VIPs rode into Canyon Largo from a point reached over about nine miles of what are now unpaved, county and private roads from Trujillo, a village roughly 30 miles east of Las Vegas, N.M. Beforehand, the senators publicly thanked Zinke for making the trip to a remote part of New Mexico. You were persistent, Zinke said. I think there will be a good resolution, said Udall. I think it was really important for him to see how valuable this land is. Heinrich called the visit very constructive, and that he believed the access plan will be moving forward. Zinke had been concerned previously about accepting the donated ranch as wilderness itself and whether there should be other kinds of access beyond on foot or horseback. Zinke said Saturday that issues that still need to worked out in the access plan for the gorgeous and unique valley include how to provide access for firefighting equipment and infrastructure to serve visitors, such as parking area restrooms and directional signs, he said. Zinke and the senators encountered a group of turkeys on their ride. The wilderness is also considered prime habitat for other game, including mule deer and elk. BLM officials who were part of a group that hiked into the canyon, where huge tarantula wasps were a highlight amid the cliffs and riparian areas along an intermittent stream, said its mostly hunters who are clamoring for access to the wilderness via the 3,600 acre-ranch that has been purchased by the Wilderness Land Trust. I think it went well, said Wildlife Federation executive director Garrett VeneKlasen of Zinkes visit. I think this is going to happen. Im very excited about it, as will our 83,000 members be excited about it. It needs to happen and it needs to happen quickly. Zinke said public lands are not a partisan issue. No one is more passionate about public lands than I am, he said. You can be as passionate, but you cant be more passionate. SYDNEY An Islamic-inspired terrorist plot to bring down a plane has been foiled by counter-terrorism raids across Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters early Sunday. Four men were arrested during the raids by heavily armed anti-terrorism squads carried out on Saturday night on five properties in Sydney after police received information from partner agencies. Security had been increased at Australias major airports since Thursday, when police received information relating to a possible terror attack, Turnbull said. Travelers could expect delays and should arrive earlier at airports because of increased security checks on luggage, he said. Despite the raid, Turnbull said Australias terror threat level remained at probable. The threat of terrorism is very real, Turnbull said. Airport security was enhanced and intensified two days before Saturday nights raid, he said. Police acted after they became aware people in Sydney were planning to commit a terrorist attack using an improvised device, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said. The four men arrested have not yet been charged. Colvin declined to say whether they were known to police before the raids or whether they were members of Islamic State or any known terrorist group. The attack was to target the Australian aviation industry at a major airport, but airport security had not been compromised, Colvin said. Terrorists are becoming very ingenious about ways to defeat our security mechanisms, Colvin said. Australia has some of the best, if not the best airport security arrangements in the world and were confident those measures are effective, and would have been effective, in this circumstance, he said. Police were still searching the properties, Colvin said, and he declined to say whether they had found bomb-making materials. During the raids, a man with a bandage on his head and draped in a blanket was filmed by media being led away by authorities. One woman told local broadcaster ABC that her son and husband were arrested during the raid, but she said they had no links to terrorism. I love Australia, she said before she was escorted away by police. The occupants of a raided home were perfectly nice and normal people who said hello and seemed nice, a neighbor told the Australian Associated Press. This was the 13th alleged conspiracy thwarted since the terror threat level was raised to probable in 2014, Justice Minister Michael Keenan said. Since that time, a total of 70 people have faced charges as a result of 31 operations. The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors, Keenan said. Five people have been killed in Islamic-inspired terrorist attacks in Australia: two at the 2014 Lindt cafe siege in Sydney; one police civilian employee shot by a radicalized teen in 2015; a garage attendant stabbed by two radicalized teens in April; and a Chinese-Australian hostage shot in June. About 100 people have left Australia for Syria to fight alongside organizations such as Islamic State, Australias immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has said. More than 40 people have been jailed on terrorism charges in Australia, and a so-called supermax top security jail to hold convicted terrorists is being expanded to prevent other inmates being radicalized. Copyright 2017 Albuquerque Journal Ayudando Guardians Inc. opened its doors with two nurses and a medical records expert in 2004. It was formed, according to its website, due to the enormous need for guardians and conservators in the State of New Mexico. The nonprofit Albuquerque-based guardian and conservator firm now accused along with its principal owners of looting millions of dollars from client accounts grew over the years. And, the company increasingly became a family affair. Newly unsealed federal search warrant affidavits describe how Ayudando described in one federal document as permeated by criminal activity began hiring more and more relatives of its two principals, Susan Harris and Sharon Moore. Three family members, in addition to Harris and Moore, had their own Ayudando credit cards and over a four-year period racked up more than $1 million in personal purchases, court records allege. Two of the three family members serve on Ayudandos board of directors, drawing salaries of at least $56,000 a year, a 2015 IRS tax form shows. Each of the three relatives racked up tens of thousands of dollars in credit card charges from 2013 to March 2017, one affidavit states. The purchases do not appear to be related to Ayudando clients, said one affidavit stated. The credit charges appear to be personal expenses such as cruises, hotels, casinos, automobiles, furniture and other personal expenses. The affidavits identify the three relatives as: Harris husband, William Harris, Craig Young and Cody Harris. They have not been charged. Susan Harris and Moore were arrested after a 28-count federal criminal indictment was unsealed July 19. The company was also indicted. Several Ayudando employees who became confidential witnesses in the case told investigators that Ayudando appeared to be putting more and more family members on the payroll and the business owners and their families appear to be living lavish lifestyles with expensive vehicles and expensive vacations, one affidavit states. The organization was tightly run by the family insiders. Affidavits allege that some non-family employees had their access to client accounts cut off meaning they lost their ability to monitor transactions and balances. There was even a file room at the companys Central Avenue offices that non-family members were barred from entering, an affidavit alleges. Mission gone awry Ayudandos web site sets out a lofty mission statement. As a provider for the State of New Mexico,Veterans and private individuals, Ayudando employs an experienced team of licensed social workers and rehabilitation specialists. This diverse group is able to assist our clients with their everyday needs as well as providing assistance in managing their financial needs. Details emerging from the yearlong federal investigation describe a different kind of operation. Federal agents made detailed allegations in affidavits seeking search warrants to obtain company records and, more recently, sought permission to seize a 2018 K-Z RV Durango Gold 5th wheel RV purchased in late June of this year by Harris and her husband of 27 years, William Harris. They allegedly bought the RV using proceeds from an illegal scheme to embezzle funds from clients, some with special needs, according to an affidavit filed July 24. Harris, 70, and Moore, 62, have pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, mail fraud, conspiracy and aggravated identity theft that allegedly dates back to 2006. Both women were ordered released from federal custody under certain conditions and after posting property bonds Friday. Both have homes in the Tanoan Country Club area in Albuquerques Northeast Heights. An attorney for Moore didnt return a Journal phone call. Robert Gorence, who represented Susan Harris at her detention hearing, had no comment. Efforts to reach lawyers who have represented the firm in the past were unsuccessful last week. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Albuquerque declined to comment on whether the family members named in the affidavits or anyone else will be charged in the case. The arrests of the two women coincided with a federal restraining order against them and 11 others, barring their entry into Ayudando offices at 1400 Central SE without prior approval from the U.S. Marshals Service. Several of those are believed to be family members of Sharon Moore or Susan Harris. Based on the widespread indications of criminal activity, centered around Ayudandos core bank accounts and affecting all categories of its clients, it appears Ayudando is permeated by criminal activity, said one IRS agent in seeking a July 12 search of Ayudando offices. Efforts to restrict the search to certain client files would be futile and could result in substantial under-collection of evidence of criminal activity. Federal agents who executed the search removed more than 476 boxes of documents along with computer hard drives from the business. Accidental discoveries The affidavits chronicle how over the past year at least four employees, referred to as confidential witnesses, came forward with information about the alleged embezzlement. The affidavit refers to them as walk-ins. They told federal investigators how they discovered that Ayudando client funds were disappearing. At least twice, according to one affidavit, the employees found out by happenstance while company owners appeared to take steps to keep their activities hidden. For instance, the affidavits say: One employee accidentally wrote a check for client services from a clients Veterans Affairs money market account. The check bounced, and, when she called the bank, she was told the money market account had been closed due to insufficient funds. According to the bank, there had been about $100,000 in transfers from the clients VA money market account into other Ayudando bank accounts. Employees who work as representative payees managing monthly client pension or benefits checks from the VA or Social Security didnt normally have access to Ayudando petty cash account. But several months ago, an employee accidentally got access to that account and saw that there were lots of payments from the petty cash account to the Ayudando owners and their family members. There was also a $75,000 payment to an American Express card from the petty cash. At least two confidential witnesses reported that their prior access to VA clients savings or money market accounts had been taken away several years ago. That kept them from seeing the balances. They had access only to a clients checking accounts. One employee alleged that she had a client who died about four or five years ago and who was missing about $30,000 from his account. The confidential witness told investigators the deceased client had money that should have been returned to Social Security. After she asked defendant Moore if the funds had been returned, the employee lost access to that clients account, and doesnt know if the money was ever returned. One relative of Ayudando president Susan Harris who works as a guardian is alleged to have taken about $22,000 in client funds from two different clients and failed to provide receipts to show where the money went. Such client advances require that guardians submit receipts. When informed about the issue, Moore told the employee in charge of the accounts that she would take care of it. Stealing from veterans The indictment singles out the cases of 10 veterans the government contends were victims of the alleged embezzlement scheme. Information in the affidavits suggests there could be several dozen more clients whose accounts were illegally tapped. For instance, one employee told federal agents that one developmentally disabled client was missing about $30,000 from his account. Another employee discovered on Jan. 24 of this year that 25 clients were missing a total of about $70,000 from their accounts. Still another employee told investigators that she deals with mostly Social Security income clients who have limited income and financial resources. She stated that she has some clients who are children that are missing money. The indictment alleged that the defendants diverted more than $4 million from petty cash and client reimbursement accounts to pay off credit cards used to pay for luxury vacations, vehicles and more. The July 12 search warrant affidavit also stated, Additional large, unusual and questionable checks were written to pay for additional items that do not appear to be related to client accounts. Missing private cash Guardianship/Conservatorship services may be needed when someone is incompetent to manage his or her own financial affairs and/or personal care, and has no viable alternative method of delegating these duties to another, the company web site states. About 166 of Ayudandos clients in New Mexico receive such state-funded services, because they were deemed indigent or met other eligibility requirements. The company also had dozens of private pay accounts, according to court records. The affidavits allege that more than $1 million was missing from at least eight private pay client accounts. An employee, referred to as confidential witness #2, was responsible for managing Ayudandos client bank accounts, paying client bills, selling client assets such as real property and automobiles, and attending court as part of the conservatorship process. That employee alleged that Moore, the chief financial officer, allegedly took about $700,000 from one clients estate. The estate was supposed to be settled in February 2017 and the employee became concerned that it wouldnt be possible to close the estate if there was money missing. She said Moore recently returned about $220,000 to the estate, but the money came from four other client bank accounts. Another $500,000 was still missing, the employee reported to federal agents. State district judges in Albuquerque have identified 176 people, many of them indigent and all of them incapacitated in some way, who relied on Ayudando Guardians for help with everything from living arrangements to ensuring their funds, however meager, were safe. Those people fall under court oversight, because the courts, over the years, have appointed Ayudando Guardians as their guardians or conservators and judges relied on annual reports from the company to keep tabs on Ayudandos clients. A guardianship/conservatorship offers a higher degree of protection to the individual than other management mechanisms, explains Ayudando on its web site. Now that the company and its two principals are under federal indictment for looting client accounts and money laundering, two CPAs with the U.S. Marshals Service are winding down Ayudando business operations. The Albuquerque-based company has lost about half of its employees since the recent arrests of its two top managers. Chief District Judge Nan Nash and Chief Civil Division Judge Shannon Bacon in Bernalillo County said in an interview Friday that the courts are faced with having to quickly find lawyers who will file cases for replacement guardians and conservators, and to ensure no one slips through the cracks. Our intention is to move heaven and earth to make sure every single case is transferred in a timely manner and in accordance with the law, Bacon said Friday. Bacon has also asked the State Auditors Office to conduct an audit of 20 other companies, like Ayudando Guardians, that have contracts with the state Office of Guardianship to provide guardianship or conservatorship services for low-income or indigent and incapacitated New Mexicans. We are looking into the Office of Guardianships oversight and lines of accountability for guardianship companies, said a spokeswoman for State Auditor Tim Keller on Friday. The guardianship office provides publicly funded guardianship/conservatorship services, paying contractors about $325 a month for each client. In responding to Journal questions, officials with the Office of Guardianship last week said the agencys most recent audit of Ayudando was in September 2016. Ayudando has 166 clients through its guardianship office contract, and is required to carry liability insurance and post fidelity bonds each year. In Bernalillo County, about 110 clients who have court-appointed Ayudando guardians and conservators fall under the responsibility of the state guardianship office. That state agency is expected to find replacement companies, but faces budgetary issues and has only about 10 lawyers on contract, the judges told the Journal. Finding lawyers to refile cases for the remaining 66 private pay Ayudando clients is underway, and Bacon is also working to recruit guardians ad litem and other guardians to take over Ayudandos role. Outside the courts jurisdiction are those clients who gave Ayudando authority to act as their representative payee, managing their monthly income from Social Security, VA pensions or other sources and paying their bills. That group of Ayudando clients will need to find new payees, and if they are now incapacitated, that could send another wave of guardianship/conservatorship cases into the courts. Nash and Bacon said they learned that the U.S. Marshals Service, which has federal court authority to operate Ayudando for the time being, is expected to end its oversight by the end of August, so there is a looming deadline to transfer clients to other guardians. As for those Ayudando employees who remain at work, many appeared shocked and worried about their clients when Nash and Bacon visited Ayudandos office last Thursday for a meeting with U.S. Marshals. I cant tell you how moved we were about the dedication of the employees, Nash said. Even before the indictment was handed down, employees were paying for some clients incidentals out of their own pockets, she said. They were just as gobsmacked as the rest of us (about whats happened), Nash added. In promising that clients funds will be protected, Ayudandos web site notes, The guardian/conservator must file an inventory which lists all the property of the client and must file accountings with the court that reflect all transactions involving that persons assets. But Nash and Bacon said the annual financial reports filed by Ayudando in their courts provided no red flags. Neither judge recalled receiving complaints from Ayudando clients about missing money. Critics say the annual reports required of guardians and conservators fall short of providing judges with enough information. Moreover, a recent lawsuit alleges a $600,000 theft of client funds by another Albuquerque conservator, Desert State Life Management. The firm filed annual conservator reports, but accountings of the clients trust funds werent in the court file, according to a lawyer involved in the case. Justin Crabbe was 22 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device on Aug. 26, 2011, while serving in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan. The blast claimed both of his legs and many of his fingers. Upon hearing the news of his injuries, his parents, Cliff and Maureen Crabbe, and sister Jennifer traveled across the country from southern California to be by his side at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. I thought, What am I going to do? How am I going to afford this? said Maureen Crabbe, who was faced with the prospect of paying $100 a night for a hotel room for the three of them. Thanks to the Fisher House Foundation, the family was able to stay nearby throughout Justins months-long recovery. Plans for Albuquerques own 16-suite Fisher House, however, are at a standstill while involved parties try to negotiate building the facility in a designated historical district, said Sonja Brown, acting associate director of the New Mexico VA Health Care System. We had really hoped we could break ground last year, said Brown, who added the proposed site is the only one available for the house. That wasnt possible due to objections from the New Mexico Historical Preservation Division, which did not accept the foundations proposed plans for the $6 million project, which is to be located in the Albuquerque Veterans Administration Medical Center Historic District. Fisher Houses provide a free place to stay for the families of military members undergoing treatment at medical facilities. They feature large suites and shared living spaces intended to allow families the opportunity to interact. The Fisher House Foundation funds, builds and furnishes the homes before passing them into the care of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The 28-acre historical district in Albuquerque was first placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, recognized for the Pueblo Revival architectural style of the buildings located within it. The site selected for the Fisher House is on the southern end of the parade grounds on the west side of the campus. That will be the first thing you see when you drive up to the campus, said Jeff Pappas, state historical preservation officer. Most of the structures, which include the old main hospital building and officers and nurses quarters, were built by the VA in the 1930s to house and treat veterans with tuberculosis. Chief among the issues with the Fisher House design was its pitched roof, which Pappas said would not fit in with the architecture and flat roofs of the surrounding structures. New construction is possible within an existing historical district, but the buildings do have to conform to certain standards, Pappas said. That was one of the major characteristics we wanted changed. Pappas said if all the requested changes are made, hell be on board. But David Coker, president of the Fisher House Foundation, said changing the roof design would be cost prohibitive. Now, the VA is reviewing a memorandum of agreement between Pappas and itself that would allow for certain adverse effects, like the pitched roof, in exchange for other concessions. Hopefully, well come to an agreement, Coker said. He said the organization has dealt with similar situations in the past, including in Charleston, S.C., and Milwaukee. Were going to let the MOA process run its course, Coker said. No timeline for the projects completion has been set, but construction should take around a year to complete once begun. Friends of the New Mexico Fisher House has raised nearly $200,000 of a $3 million goal to contribute toward the project, though Coker said the foundation is capable of footing the entire bill. We have learned through the years to work with the local community to get a house, he said. Rita Navarette, an advocate for the project, said there is a substantial need for a Fisher House here, given the rural nature of the state and the fact that patients from around the southwest travel to Albuquerques VA hospital for care. Fisher Houses dont just provide four walls and a roof, though. A familys love is the greatest form of healing, Maureen Crabbe said. You couldnt ask for a better organization. She said the time spent with her family and with other families coping with a sick or injured loved one at the Fisher House was invaluable in the healing process for all four of the Crabbes. Today, Justin Crabbe is doing phenomenally, his mother said. Hes happily married and his second daughter, Birdie June, was born last Wednesday. His story will be featured in Vets for Pets, a book coming out this fall. He uses a wheelchair around the house and has prosthetics he wears in public. Hell tell you, hes not going to let this give him a bad day, she said. Two Albuquerque police officers who shot and wounded a burglary suspect in May made no recordings of the shooting because it unfolded too fast, a police spokeswoman said. Officers Israel Martinez and Patrick Casias shot and wounded Jacob Pacheco, 24, in May. Police were called to the area after a homeowner was alerted by his in-home security system, which recorded Pacheco rummaging through the mans home. When the officers found the man near the 200 block of Truman NE, he fled and officers watched Pacheco, who had a firearm, try to carjack a woman, according to a criminal complaint. Pacheco then tried to get into a marked police car to get away, and he later admitted that he pointed the firearm at Casias before Casias and Martinez fired their weapons, striking him in the arm, the complaint said. This week, police released 21 on-body camera recordings from officers that captured the aftermath of the shooting, and investigators doing some interviews with officials at a nearby school and with the woman Pacheco tried to carjack. Police also released the home security footage that shows Pacheco in someones home. Celina Espinoza, a police spokeswoman, didnt say if Casias and Martinez violated a policy by not turning on their cameras during the shooting. The officers involved only had video immediately following the incident, Espinoza said. They said it simply unfolded too quickly for them to have time to initiate their cameras during the shooting. Albuquerque police policy calls for officers to make recordings anytime they use force, make an arrest or stop someone and suspect they have committed a crime. But the policy also allows officers not to make recordings if there is a danger. If the immediate activation of the (on-body camera) is not feasible due to immediate risk to the safety of the department personnel or others, the department personnel will activate the (camera) at the first available opportunity when the immediate threat has dissipated and it is safe to do so, the policy states. Pacheco told investigators he broke into the house to get money to buy drugs, according to the complaint. He has since been indicted by a grand jury on aggravated burglary, aggravated assault on a police officer and other charges. He is scheduled to go to trial July 2018. Copyright 2017 Albuquerque Journal TRUJILLO, N.M. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Saturday that there was no threat in his calls to Alaskas two Republican U.S. senators last week after one of them broke ranks with the GOP on a health care vote. Thats ridiculous, Zinke told the Journal when asked if the calls were threatening. Quite frankly, its laughable. Zinke was in remote northeastern New Mexico on Saturday to see a proposed public access point for the federally designated Sabinoso Wilderness. His calls to Republican U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan sparked controversy and were portrayed as a warning of repercussions for the nations largest state after Murkowskis vote against proceeding on legislation to repeal Obamacare. A report by the Alaska Dispatch News said Zinke had complained that Murkowksi put Alaskas future with the Trump administration in jeopardy. Vice President Mike Pence broke a 50-50 tie to advance the repeal measure early last week. I call Lisa all the time, Zinke said in Saturdays interview outdoors near the Sabinoso. Im a Republican, Lisas a Republican. We talk about teamwork, where we can work together I talk to Lisa all the time. Lisa will say the same thing. The Obamacare repeal effort eventually died, in the early morning hours of Friday, when Arizonas Sen. John McCain joined GOP members Murkowski and Susan Collins of Maine in opposition enough, with Democratic votes, to doom the measure in the closely divided Senate. The Alaska Dispatch News reported Thursday that Alaskas Sullivan said that the call he got from Zinke heralded a troubling message. Sullivan told the newspaper: 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 (supported by the Alaska senators) are going to stop. Sullivan said the message was pretty clear. Murkowski also 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. On Saturday, Zinke said, The media maybe was bored for a day, and didnt have much to talk about. Lisa and I get along very well, he said of Murkowski. My wife and her husband, Verne, are friends. We fish, we ski together. We will continue to fish, well continue to ski together. And the president is talking to her, too. You know, I work for the president. The president has an expectation of working together as a team. But, I talk to Lisa all the time. The Associated Press contributed to this story. VAN, Texas Authorities in East Texas say a 3-year-old boy has been rescued by his grandfather after falling about 30 feet into a water well. Firefighters in Van, about 70 miles (112.65 kilometers) east of Dallas, were called to the property but the child already had been retrieved from the well by the time they arrived. No one was seriously hurt. Names of the two havent been released. Fire officials say when a cover over the well crumbled Saturday and the boy fell in, the childs grandfather fortunately was nearby, went into the well and was able to get him out. They also say while the grandfathers actions were heroic, they advised against such a solo effort because the prospect of two people possibly trapped would only complicate the work of rescuers. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. A suspect is expected to change his plea in the kidnapping, sexual assault and killing of an 11-year-old girl in a remote part of the largest American Indian reservation that prompted an effort to expand the Amber Alert system into tribal communities across the U.S. More than a year after the May 2016 death of Ashlynne Mike in Navajo Nation, Tom Begaye is scheduled to attend a change-of-plea hearing Tuesday in an Albuquerque federal court. Its not known if his lawyers and federal prosecutors have struck a deal. Begaye previously pleaded not guilty to murder, sexual abuse and other charges. Begaye is from the small town of Waterflow near the unincorporated agricultural community of Lower Fruitland, where Mike lived with her father and siblings, according to the FBI. The town is near the Navajo reservation. Begaye lured Mike and her brother into his van, authorities say. The girls brother told police the man took them deep into the desert and then walked off with the girl and a tire iron in hand before returning alone. Begaye told investigators he sexually assaulted the girl and hit her twice in the head with a crowbar, and that she was still moving when he left her in the desert, according to court documents. Her body was later found in the remote area. The younger brother was able to escape. Mikes father filed a lawsuit against the Navajo Nation for failing to have an emergency notification system that he says could have saved his daughters life. An Amber Alert wasnt issued in New Mexico until around 2 a.m. the morning after Mikes disappearance. An Amber Alert system for the 27,000-square-mile (69,930-square-kilometer) reservation was proposed years ago but never implemented, despite the tribe having been awarded $330,000 in federal funding as part of a U.S. Justice Department pilot project. Half the money was used to buy equipment such as megaphones and pop-up tents, but the rest went unspent. The Navajo Nation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona introduced legislation in April that would expand the notification system to tribal lands. McCain said more than 7,700 American Indian children are listed as missing in the U.S. Mikes family and other tribal members are expected to attend the change of plea hearing. ___ This story has been corrected to say that Waterflow, New Mexico, is a town near the Navajo reservation not in the reservation. ___ Follow Russell Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras Copyright 2017 Albuquerque Journal New Mexico has 21 different governing boards running its 31 public colleges and universities, a higher education model some critics argue is inefficient and maybe even ineffective. Now the state is actively exploring alternatives. The New Mexico Higher Education Department is leading a study to determine whether reorganization or consolidation would make more sense, and department Secretary Barbara Damron said she aims to deliver recommendations to the Legislature and governor by the end of this year. Her department has enlisted about 100 people to help, including university administrators, faculty and other campus personnel, lawmakers, representatives from K-12 education, business and other interested groups. Three committees are examining different topics: higher education governance models around the U.S.; the financial implications of reorganizing or keeping things the same in New Mexico; and what changes to state law, if any, a reorganization would require since many schools governance is dictated by the New Mexico Constitution. Damron warned against advocating for any specific changes until the research is complete, noting the complexities involved. There is no one answer to how higher education should be structured, she said. We have essentially 50 labs (in 50 states) going on. The project is an outgrowth of a statewide higher education master-planning process HED initiated last August that yielded an attainment goal that 66 percent of working-age New Mexicans will have some post-secondary credential by 2030 and ushered in some reforms. The effort recently narrowed to reorganization research due to what Damron called the appetite for such information. New Mexico devotes about 13 percent of its general fund to higher education. Critics for years have complained that New Mexicos decentralized higher education network has created unnecessary overlap and duplication, and calls for change have grown louder amid the states budget crisis. The states 31 public institutions have a combined 77 access points around the state. Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, warned during a recent higher education forum that the states higher education funding is spread too thin. The bottom line is weve cut that pie into so many pieces that its very difficult for us to do justice financially to all the institutions in the state of New Mexico, Smith said. During the 2017 Legislature, Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Las Cruces, and Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales, sponsored a joint memorial urging HED to study the costs and benefits of New Mexicos system compared to others around the country. McCamley said last week that New Mexico has a disjointed network of colleges and universities, making it harder to effect consistent change and limiting the ability to leverage New Mexicos higher education assets. He noted that the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology all sought a piece of the Sandia National Laboratories management contract when it went out for bid last year but did so as part of two different teams. Neither team won the contract. McCamley also said New Mexicos investment in higher education has not paid commensurate dividends on the workforce development front. Everybody knows something needs to get done; its just a question of what that turns out to be, McCamley said. But we have to treat this with a sense of urgency. We have to get better and do it sooner rather than later. Copyright 2017 Albuquerque Journal They have led lives eroded by addictions, violence and prison, but with all that behind them, the men working in the wood shop at Fathers Building Futures are reconstructing their own lives while building something reverential. The men, all of them fathers, have been trained to build kosher caskets used by members of the Jewish community although the simple wooden construction has grabbed the attention of others who are interested in them as a final resting receptacle. The Hebrew word kosher roughly translates to fit or clean. Consequently, a kosher casket is made completely of wood and held together by nontoxic and biodegradable glues, pegs and dowels. There is no plastic or metal, including hinges, screws or nails. In a traditional Jewish funeral, bodies are not embalmed and the bottom of the casket has openings or intentionally drilled holes so contact with the bare soil in a grave hastens decomposition, explained Albuquerque Rabbi Min Kantrowitz. Fathers Building Futures is a nonprofit economic development initiative for men who have been released from incarceration. By participating in one of four micro businesses auto detailing, truck driving, mobile power washing and custom woodworking they learn life skills, such as how to maintain a job, get along with supervisors and fellow workers and how to manage their money. If you take unemployment, poor housing, a lack of financial know-how and then combine addiction, you arrive back in prison, said program executive director Emet Maayan. Were responding to the states nearly 50 percent recidivism rate. Our solution is not necessarily to teach a trade, but to teach the soft skills that go along with that, and then use our network to help them find permanent jobs. By doing that, Maayan said, the men are able to overcome post-incarceration social barriers and deal with child support, pay their debts, grow out of poverty and become responsible citizens, parents and taxpayers. Leading the team that assembles the kosher caskets is Francisco Solis, who had been incarcerated for five years on federal drug charges. Initially a client at Fathers Building Futures, Solis, 31, is now a full-time employee. I dont get creeped out about making caskets. Preparing for death is part of life, Solis said. These caskets are simple and all natural and designed to return to the earth. You know, dust to dust. I appreciate that some people think were making something that has religious or spiritual meaning, and were sensitive to that. The men in the wood shop were already producing high quality tables, book shelves, ornamental cutting boards, Lazy Susan trays and other items when Maayan had the idea to introduce kosher caskets. The notion sprang from his experience as a volunteer with Chevra Kadisha, the Jewish Burial Society. When a member of the Jewish community dies, burial should take place within 24 hours. Society members are called to a funeral home to ritually wash the body, wrap it in a white shroud, recite psalms and place the deceased in a kosher casket. It gave me an insight into how funeral homes work and how they quietly partner with the Jewish community, Mayaan said. Mayaan also learned that most funeral homes purchase kosher caskets from two major national suppliers, both out of state. The folks at French Funerals and Cremations agreed to mentor the woodworkers at Fathers Building Futures and teach them how to become a local vendor. They also allowed them to examine a kosher casket to see how it was constructed. Maayan then called upon Rabbi Kantrowitz to meet with the men and explain what a kosher casket is and their religious significance to the Jewish community. But the men are also doing something spiritual for themselves. The Jewish concept of Tikkun, means to heal or repair, Kantrowitz said. These men have been incarcerated and many lived violent lives, so this is one way for them to rebalance, heal and repair from their past lives. Working with Albuquerque furniture maker and artist Hershel Weiss, the woodworkers came up with a design for the caskets, which measure 76 inches long, 24 inches wide, 15 inches deep and are fitted with hemp rope handles. They can produce one a day. The caskets are certified as kosher by the Rabbinical and Cantoral Association of Albuquerque, said Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld of Congregation Albert. There are times in our lives when were all the same and should be treated all the same, regardless of our status or position, he said. Death is one of those times, and one of the ways we express that is our caskets are all the same plain and simple and as inexpensive as possible, so regardless of finances you or your family can afford one. The caskets these guys are making fit all our requirements. Available through French Funerals and Cremations, the caskets sell for $990, less than Frenchs most popular caskets that range in price from $1,500 to $4,000, said John Dyck, managing director of Frenchs location on Wyoming NE. They can also be purchased directly from Fathers Building Futures for $1,195. Quite a few people who are not Jewish have selected a kosher casket because they appreciate the high quality and simple style and want something green, Dyck said, noting that the caskets have been certified green by the Green Burial Council. Weve also had families who wanted an Old West kind of funeral. We have driven to ranches in eastern and northern New Mexico where wed supply the kosher caskets for people being buried on their own land. It brings a lot of comfort to the families. The caskets are also in demand at La Puerta Natural Burial Ground, south of Belen, which is run by Donal Key and his wife Linda Canyon. Among restrictions for burial there, the deceased cannot be embalmed and caskets must be biodegradable and placed directly in the ground and not inside concrete sub-ground vaults. My wife and I both retired from careers in health care and we found over the years that people really are under-resourced at the end of life and its difficult for them or their families to come up with the $6,000 to $10,000 or more cost of a funeral. We wanted to find a better way to do it, and one that is more respectful and environmentally sound, he said. Toll on the environment Its not just bodies that are buried in traditional cemeteries around the country. Also placed in the earth each year are caskets containing 30 million board feet of hardwoods, 2,700 tons of copper and bronze, and 90,000 tons of steel; vaults containing 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete; and 5.3 million gallons of embalming fluid containing formaldehyde, phenol, methanol, and glycerin. Lawmakers in the state of New Mexico started discussing self-driving vehicle legislation in an unofficial capacity earlier this week, with domestic Transportation Secretary Tom Church revealing that Governor Susana Martinez is considering officially introducing the matter to the agenda of the upcoming parliamentary session thats set to start in January. New Mexico regulators are reportedly looking to draft a legal framework for regulating the emerging technology before its commercialized, with State Senator James White discussing the matter with his colleagues last Tuesday, according to recent reports. White is said to have argued in favor of enacting relevant legislation as soon as possible in an effort to be prepared for whats widely believed to be the next major technological revolution. The Republican politician reportedly said that the advancements in the autonomous driving industry are being made much faster than the government can keep up, adding that advocates of such solutions claim that self-driving cars can save and improve many lives. White didnt elaborate on his own views on driverless vehicles but simply stated that the industry cannot be left unchecked for much longer. While speaking to the Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommittee earlier this week, the Senator revealed that he took notice of self-driving solutions after riding in an autonomous car during a gathering organized by the Council of State Governments earlier this year. Just like the majority of U.S. states, New Mexico currently has no laws regulating autonomous vehicles in any manner. Its still unclear how quickly will the local government be able to proceed with drafting and enacting legislation meant to oversee this industry segment, especially as its plans may change depending on the federal legal framework for self-driving technologies thats currently in the process of being materialized, having recently been approved by a U.S. House panel. The broad proposal seeks to define requirements that automakers need to fulfill in order to receive permissions to test autonomous vehicles on public roads but is still at least months away from being written into law. While lawmakers are yet to come up with comprehensive legislation regulating the self-driving industry, Silicon Valley giants like Alphabet, Uber, and Tesla continue to race for the title of the first company that managed to commercialize this emerging technology. Samsung Australia is now accepting pre-registrations for the Galaxy Note 8, with the local branch of Samsung Electronics launching a dedicated page where all prospective buyers can sign up to be kept in the loop about the upcoming phablet by the company itself. The page features a teaser image that alludes to the upcoming Unpacked event that the South Korean original equipment manufacturer (OEM) announced earlier this month, stating that its latest high-end Android smartphone will be officially unveiled on August 23. The file name of the image in question also indicates that the Galaxy Note 8 will be marketed as the Galaxy Note8, with this stylized version of the phones moniker being a continuation of the product naming strategy that Samsung has been pursuing in recent years. The teaser image also hints at the phablets design, heavily implying that the Galaxy Note 8 will feature a nearly bezel-less look and a screen that wraps around the long edges of its case, in addition to having minimal top and bottom bezels. This is in line with numerous recent sightings of the device that leaked online on many occasions in the last several months, both in the form of renders and real-life images. Samsung Australias teaser also contains a previously seen tagline saying do bigger things, suggesting that the Galaxy Note 8 will be larger than the Galaxy S8 Plus that the company launched this spring. According to previous rumors, the device will ship with either a 6.3-inch or 6.4-inch Infinity Display panel and succeed the 18.5:9 aspect ratio of the Galaxy S8 lineup. The Galaxy Note 8 is expected to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and Samsungs in-house Exynos 8895 system-on-chip (SoC), depending on the market, in addition to sporting 6GB of RAM and 64GB of native storage expandable via a microSD card slot. Due to the need to accommodate the S Pen stylus, the Seoul-based tech giant was reportedly forced to equip the Galaxy Note 8 with a 3,300mAh battery whose capacity is slightly lower compared to the 3,500mAh unit powering the Galaxy S8 Plus, though it remains to be seen how long will the phablet be able to last on a single charge in everyday use. The Galaxy Note 8 is expected to be released in late September following its August reveal. Women still under-represented in judiciary says study Research by the Law Society in England & Wales shows that there is some way to go before women are properly represented in the judiciary. Data from the courts and tribunals show that just 28% of court judges and 45% of tribunal judges are female. Women make up just 22% of high court judges and deputy judges and only 24% in the court of appeal. Things do appear to be changing among the younger judiciary though with women making up 49% of all court judges and 62% of tribunal judges under 40. The percentage of non-barristers working as judges has decreased from 37 per cent to 34 per cent. Global firm helps develop first law school in Bhutan The Kingdom of Bhutan has opened its first law school thanks to a collaboration between the Kingdom and global law firm White & Case. Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law), chartered by the current King of Bhutan His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, will be led by his sister Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, a Harvard LLM graduate. "This day has been many years in the making," said White & Case Chairman Hugh Verrier. "We are honored to have worked together with the Royal Government of Bhutan. The Firm's involvement stems from our ongoing commitment to legal education around the world. This law school will play a crucial part in advancing Bhutan's inspiring transition to democracy." Website launches to match lawyers with anti-Trump causes A new online portal will match pro-bono lawyers with critical causes and has been inspired by opposition to President Trump. We the Action was launched on Friday and aims to help those affected by government policy including non-profits. It says that an unprecedented number of lawyers are stepping forward to help. After the election and as Trump was coming, there was this huge outpouring of lawyers who just wanted to know what they could do, Marc Elias, the D.C. Democratic elections lawyer who is serving as We the Actions board chairman told Politico.com. We ought to be able to match this great demand for legal services. Given the rules of idle conversation, Ill be asked this week: How was AirVenture? Or, if by pilots, the universal shorthand that identifies the worlds most important airshow by its venue: Oshkosh. (The locals invariably call it EAA, with the vowels drawn out in that nasal Scandinavian-influenced lilt of Wisconsin.) I have an answer. It was the best AirVenture. Ever. Thats bold talk for a pixel-addled, bleary-eyed cynic with a penchant for complaint, a refined sense of contrarianism and a bull^%$# meter thats been stuck on off-scale high for at least a decade. But I have my reasons and they wont be the same as yours. I am long past the misty romanticism of flight and, to be blunt, I dont care to be the leather-jacketed acolyte trying to entice the next generation into the world of airplanes. Here it is kids. Take it or leave it. This years AirVenture framed for me why I got into journalism in the first place. And that was mainly because I love a spectacle and for one shining week in July, AirVenture is a spectacle like no other. My reporters notebookand now a camera and a recorderhave served as a ticket into the world of surprisingly common unapologetic excess and, even better, the existence of less common uncompromised excellence. Thats the part of AirVenture I most admire: a crazy, unlikely thing done almost as well as its possible to do. Any judgment of AirVenture has to be extracted from the background noisethe informational kind and the psychic kind, if not the acoustic variety that more or less defines the thing. The food is expensive, but at least its terrible. This year, the crowds were stupefyingly large and for a guy who basically hates being around people, this requires the discipline of a monk. I make do. And EAA managed to cram so much into the programs that it had trouble, at least from our perspective, of promoting everything that was available. We never did get an advance view of what the Apollo astronaut program was about or who would be there. Even our colleague, KITPLANES editor Paul Dye, who is a genuine NASA rocket scientistengineer, reallywas in the dark. Same for the Lindbergh anniversary flight and a few other events that would have made good stories. But the core around which all this was built was the airshow and static displays in Boeing square. The days tend to run together, but I think it was Wednesday that Id set up a 360 camera in the square and skulked away to hide under the wing of an A10 so I wouldnt be in the footage. While I was standing under the wing looking east, pummeled by the screech of a power unit somewhere, there was an unending loop of aircraft streaking by. I swear I saw what looked like three Mig 17s trailing smoke go by in a perfect finger three sweep. Or were they F-86s? If such things exist in the wild and three pilots had the time and resources to actually practice, Oshkosh is the only place you could expect to see it. In the distance, a gaggle of bombers were flying in the opposite direction. Against perfectly painted clouds, it looked like one of those 1940s war photos printed on Velox. In masterful understatement, I heard a voice in the crowd say, This is %^&@ing awesome. And it sure enough was. Far beyond any other AirVenture show Ive seen. Completely oblivious to my camera in the square, two people walked right up to it and talked for a few minutes. I wonder what they said. Ill know when I review the clips. The bombers pushed everything over the top. A formation of B-25s? It was here. A B-29 two-ship? That, too. A B-1 and a B-52 nearly old enough to qualify for Social Security? All there and surrounded by people in funny hats and tasteless slogan t-shirts. Where the hell else are you going to get a selfie in front of a C-123 named Thunderpig? I think the presence of the Blue Angels also kicked up everything a notch; or maybe 10. You havent seen these acts much at AirVenture for the very good reason that these teams require massive logistics paid for by the hosts and at Oshkosh, many houses have to be evacuated during the show. Oshkosh Corp., a 24/7 major defense contractor, had to shut down entirely for 90 minutes. EAA Chairman Jack Pelton said the association doesnt like to wear out its welcome with these cooperative folks. The restored B-29, Doc, left an indelible impression on me for the care and skill lavished on its restoration. I didnt even have to imagine what it must have looked like right out of the factory at Wichita in 1945. It almost looks like that now. I got into the cockpit three times and never expected to find any chromoly tubing to mount a camera. But there it was, running vertically inboard of each pilot station. Ill publish that once I get caught up. For many who attend and participate in AirVenture, the passion for flight and airplanes is the animator. For me, its less that and more the richness of telling their stories and trying to explain why the CAF would raise and devote millions to restoring Thats All Brother, the C-47 that led the Normandy airborne operation in 1944. Keegan Chetwynd, the CAFs curator, let me into the airplane for 15 minutes of shooting and then showed his profoundly deep knowledge of World War II history during the interview that followed. Ill post that soon, too. At AirVenture, these stories flash by like an express train, more so this year than in any other that I can remember. It creates an event intensity thats exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. I collapse into bed every night, but Im up at 4 a.m. to start the cycle anew. I should probably take up crack instead. It would be less addictive. While AirVenture is considered a commercially important venue for showing new products and technology, we in the press tend to overstate how much this matters. Or how crowds in the booths somehow measure GAs rocky health. Buyers find out about things through the web, social media and smart marketing. Only a small fraction of people see it at Oshkosh and its an illusion that those who dont attend hang on every online news item. We know they dont. Still, anyone who is anyone waves the flag at AirVenture, just to show theyre players. Ive already written about the avionics trends and while these are significant and commercially important, theyre not game changers, to revert to the marketeers hackneyed all-purpose adjective. They push the ball another few yards forward but dont spike it through the uprights, if thats even possible in an industry as mature as ours. Dynons Skyview announcement may be the most significant of all the avionics developments. It seems to confirm that the trend for less expensive avionics is gaining ground and has legs. But throttle back your enthusiasm. Things like this wont change the face of aviation. They enhance its survival and for that, be grateful. I thought the most important avionics innovation was one that got the least attention: uAvionixs self-contained ADS-B Out product. More on that later. You can see the video here. Engine and airframe wise? Meh. I wasnt expecting much so I wasnt disappointed. For those who relish complaining about the high cost of airplanes, delve into Vulcanairs four-place trainer/cruiser. It costs $150,000 less than the Skyhawk it would purport to rival. Its faster than a Skyhawk and its refreshing to see a company make selling price a key goal. But Cessna retains the advantage of momentum and nameplate. Flight schools will pay for this because theyre less constrained by price and more worried about support and dispatch reliability. As soon as the airplane is available in the U.S., well take a look. And stand by for absolute eye-glazing detail on all these new autopilots, plus all the stories we simply couldnt get published during the week. AirVenture 2017 will, I think, be a hard act to follow. EAA deserves big props for pulling it all together without the scars of its birth showing, thus further assuring that Oshkosh will remain the center of the known aviation universe. AVwebs General Aviation Accident Bulletin is taken from the pages of our sister publication, Aviation Safety magazine and is published twice a month. All the reports listed here are preliminary and include only initial factual findings about crashes. You can learn more about the final probable cause in the NTSBs web site at www.ntsb.gov. Final reports appear about a year after the accident, although some take longer. Find out more about Aviation Safety at www.aviationsafetymagazine.com. April 10, 2017, Livermore, Calif. Beech A36TC Turbocharged Bonanza At about 1030 Pacific time, the airplane landed gear-up after the pilot experienced a flight control malfunction. The commercial pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained minor damage. Visual conditions prevailed. Approaching for a landing, the pitched up steeply after the pilot disconnected the autopilot. After some oscillations, the pilot reduced engine power, set the landing gear selector switch to down, and extended the flaps. He stated that he heard the landing gear extend, and confirmed that the three green landing gear lights had illuminated. Control forces were so great, however, that he needed to use both hands and his knee to keep the yoke forward. Given the need to maintain strong nose-down force on the yoke, he was unable to reach the autopilot circuit breaker and the elevator trim wheel would not move. He continued the approach, regulating pitch with engine power, and holding the yoke fully forward. At some point during the approach and ensuing struggle, he inadvertently knocked off his glasses and headset. Although the tower controller made multiple calls during the final approach warning the pilot that the landing gear was not extended, the pilot did not hear those calls. The airplane came to a stop on its belly. First responders noted the landing gear switch was in the down position, and the landing gear and auxiliary fuel pump circuit breakers were both tripped. Further examination revealed the pitch trim system indicated 18U (up), and the elevator tabs were in the tab down (airplane nose-up) position. With the dual-yoke control bar in the full-forward position, it obscured elevator pitch trim indicator and left-seat access to most of the circuit breakers, including the autopilot and trim breakers. April 11, 2017, Houston, Texas Cessna 172 Skyhawk The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that prior to takeoff, the windsock showed no significant wind. During takeoff on the waterway, the airplane initially accelerated as expected. He added that it became clear that the take-off run was not progressing as anticipated and decided to abort the takeoff. He brought the power to idle and applied back pressure to the control yoke. The airplane slid onto the grass embankment at the end of the runway and came to rest on the adjacent taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage. Weather observations showed that from about 20 minutes before the accident to 60 minutes after the accident, the wind varied in direction from 360 to 050, and its speed varied from four to 11 knots, with a peak wind of 360 at 30 knots. The pilot departed waterway 17W. April 12, 2017, Hartsville, Ind. Temco GC-1B Swift At about 1310 Eastern time, the airplane impacted trees and terrain shortly after takeoff. The solo commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. Maintenance had recently been completed on the accident airplane as a result of a ground loop event. After the accident pilot and a mechanic inspected the repairs and reviewed the airplane records, the accident pilot completed a brief engine run-up and then performed what appeared to be a normal takeoff roll. Shortly after rotation, at about 35 feet agl, the airplane entered a gradual left roll. The left roll continued until the airplane impacted trees in a near-inverted attitude adjacent to the runway. April 12, 2017, La Porte, Texas Cessna 152 The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1115 Central time when it nosed over following a forced landing. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the post-maintenance test flight. According to the pilot, there was a noticeable lag in the response of the engine during a low approach, and the engine lost power. Attempts to restore power were unsuccessful. With no runway remaining, the pilot turned the airplane to avoid a ditch; it ended up nosing over. Examination revealed water contamination in the engines fuel lines, fuel bowl and carburetor. No water contamination was noted in either fuel tank. According to the pilot, the preflight inspection did not show any evidence of water in the fuel, and there was no engine hesitation or sputtering during the run-up. April 12, 2017, Monongahela, Penn. Howard Aircraft DGA-15P At about 1430 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain during a go-around. The solo commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. According to witnesses, the airplane initially touched down left of the Runway 26 centerline, but then became airborne and its engine noise increased. The airplane then yawed and banked left, perpendicular to the runway, and the nose pitched up. The airplane then appeared to stall and roll inverted before impacting a ravine about 400 feet left of the runway. One witness had landed earlier in a Cessna 172, noting that a wind gust lifted its right wing and caused it to drift left. Red paint chips consistent with the airplanes wingtip were observed in ground scars about 200 feet left of the runway and about halfway down its length. Local weather included wind from 280 degrees at six knots, variable from 240 to 320. April 15, 2017, Williston, Fla. Cessna 170 The airplane impacted terrain at about 1523 Eastern time, shortly after departure. The commercial pilot and the three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. Security-camera video showed the airplane immediately after takeoff as it climbed to about 600 feet agl. The airplane leveled off just below the clouds, and then its nose pitched down. The airplane descended about 100 feet and leveled off again. Several seconds later, the airplane again pitched down and disappeared from view. The airplane came to rest 543 feet left of the runway, near the departure end. Evidence is consistent with a nose-first impact with the ground. Local weather at 1519 included 10 miles of visibility and wind from 080 degrees at eight knots, gusting to 17 knots. Apparently, no data on cloud presence, height or coverage were available. April 17, 2017, Loyalton, Calif. Socata TB20 Trinidad At about 1600 Pacific time, the airplane departed Truckee-Tahoe Airport (KTRK) in Truckee, Calif. Since that time, the private pilot and passenger have not been located, and the airplane is missing. Radar contact was lost about 16 nm north of Truckee, and the airplane is presumed to have crashed in remote mountainous terrain. Search and rescue efforts were suspended April 23. April 20, 2017, Goodyear, Ariz. Diamond Aircraft DA40 NG The airplane lost engine power at 0719 Mountain time during a takeoff. The solo student pilot was not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. Preflight actions included a check of the airplanes engine control unit (ECU), with no discrepancies noted. The takeoff was normal until about 400 feet agl when the pilot noticed a change in engine sound. The engine load indicator read 35 percent, and annunciator lights illuminated for ECU A FAIL and ECU B FAIL. The student pilot decided to go under power lines but struck the bottom wire. The airplane touched down, bounced and eventually struck a ditch. This article originally appeared in the July 2017 issue of Aviation Safety magazine. For more great content like this, subscribe to Aviation Safety! Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/07/2017 (1932 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A dozen Manitobans living outside Winnipeg have been granted a physician-assisted death, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority shared. A spokesperson with the authority declined to state which regional health authorities the patients resided in, saying it might disclose their jurisdictions given how small the number is, which may violate privacy. In addition to those dozen individuals, Bronwyn Penner Holigroski shared that eight non-Winnipeggers are considered active cases, which mean they have actively pursued an application for a medically assisted death. Altogether, 54 people have been granted their right to die, 42 of which were within the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Provincewide, there are 24 active cases, 39 patients with denied applications, 82 people who died through an unassisted manner and 54 inquiries made. Some individuals who died unassisted also had their application for an assisted death rejected, Penner Holigroski said. A total of 252 people made contact with the program. Two physicians must assess anyone seeking assisted death on two in person occasions. Both assessments must be in agreement. A patient must also make a written request to seek relief through death. It must be determined that death is reasonably foreseeable for medical help in dying to be granted. The person must be deemed mentally competent to provide consent. Medically assisted deaths became Canadian law in June 2016. ifroese@brandonsun.com Twitter: @ianfroese July 30, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today issued the following statement: On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Canada joins the international community to denounce the heinous crime of human trafficking. The International Labour Organization estimates that close to 21 million people in the world, mostly women and girls, have been the victims of traffickers who treat human beings as mere commodities to exploit for financial gain. In Canada, most victims are also women and girls. Vulnerable groups at risk include Indigenous women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth, migrants, runaways and at-risk youth. They are often lured away by false promises of a better life and end up thrust into a nightmare of sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude and abuse. The Government of Canada works with provinces and territories, Indigenous communities, law enforcement, community organizations and international partners to combat human trafficking and raise awareness. We contribute to a multitude of international efforts to stop the scourge of human trafficking and help survivors and we will further support such work through our feminist international assistance policy. Human trafficking is an abhorrent attack on human dignity and basic human rights. The Government of Canada is committed to bringing those who commit this crime to justice and to helping survivors go on to lead healthy and productive lives. Contacts Adam Austen Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Adam.Austen@international.gc.ca Media Relations Office Global Affairs Canada 343-203-7700 media@international.gc.ca Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaFP Like us on Facebook: Canadas foreign policy - Global Affairs Canada Media Relations Public Safety Canada 613-991-0657 Scott Bardsley Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness 613-998-5681 125 YEARS AGO From 1892: The two-acre parcel of land surrounding the Casa Grande Ruins has been set aside by President Harrison as a reserve for the protection of the ruins under the control of the Bureau of Ethnology administered by the Smithsonian Institution. R. Gibson, whose left leg was run over and badly injured on the 4th of July by one of Dave Handfields horses, is now able to hobble around with the aid of crutches. Thursday evening there was a fatal accident in Bellemont. James Sublette was driving a heavily loaded six-horse team when the lead horse -- which was frightened by a passing train -- swung the team and broke loose, pulling the driver off and down under the heels of the wheel horses. The wagon wheels passed over his neck, breaking it and causing instant death. The team belonged to William Hall and was conveying a load of goods from this place to the Halls Ranch north of Williams. The registration of voters is going slowly and the registration officers are taking their time about it. By now there should be at least two-thirds of voters registered and there are only one-third who have done so The Price Baking Powder Co., 184, 186 & 188 Michigan Ave. Chicago, Ill. has just published a new cookbook. All you have to do is send in a postcard asking for it and it will be sent to you FREE of charge. 100 YEARS AGO From 1917: Leon Bone, Special Investigator for the Justice Department, is satisfied that the enemy aero-planes that have been seen flying over Southern Utah are real and has asked the War Department to send aero-planes to investigate, since it is impossible for ground crews to determine where their headquarters are located. The contract for the new Post Office building on San Francisco has been let and excavation is expected to begin soon. It will be absolutely fireproof, being made of reinforced concrete. All fixtures will be steel. The building will front on San Francisco and be parallel to the switch track in the alley. It will be 54 feet across the front and 48 feet deep with a full basement having a 14-foot ceiling. Field work on the property for the new sewer system is complete and plans are being drawn up. The money from the sale of the sewer bonds is now on hand and drawing interest so the Council will act promptly in letting the contract so that incoming revenue may soonest be realized. A recent agreement between the Town Council and the Normal School provides for water from the Old Town Spring to be piped to the school to be used for irrigating the campus lawn and the 40 acres of land used by the Agriculture Department. 75 YEARS AGO From 1942: The Civil Service Commission wants graduating seniors and graduates that are now holding examinations. There is a particular need in the fields of Public Administration, Business Administration, Library Science, Economics, Statistics and Math through Calculus. It is reported that is takes 2,700 pounds of sugar to make enough alcohol to make enough gunpowder to fire one big Navy gun once. The Historic Landmark location group in a field trip has located the site of the old Hangman tree with the assistance of a number of older citizens. They also visited the official original Tall Pine Flag pole that gave Flagstaff its name. It is still standing just east of the Girl Scout Cabin at City Park. Forest Supervisor R. W. Hussy tells us that when called upon to subscribe the Forest Service employees have pledged to buy War Bonds with 14.5 percent of their wages. A special program at Babbitts Shoe Department has been put into effect to specialize in corrective shoes. As the election year heats up the Forest Service reminds campaigners that it is illegal to place any advertising signs in the National Forests. 50 YEARS AGO From 1967: The abandoned building located at the turn onto the Snow Bowl Road burned to the ground on Tuesday. The roof was already gone before the Fire Department arrived. All they could do was to act to protect the surrounding forest and protect the adjacent buildings. The new Ramada at Greenlaw Park is to provide 1,200 square feet of covered space, a storage space for equipment and other amenities. B-B guns shattered windows in widespread parts of the city including Melody Music Store in the Greenlaw Center, Rascos Department Store on South Beaver and at the South Beaver School. The damage was done by 2 boys on a motor bike who had kidnapped a young boy, then held him while they did the damage and then released him before they motored on out of town. Chief Elmo Maxwell. 25 YEARS AGO From 1992: Stone Forest Industries is closing down for at least a month due to a lack of timber. They are blaming the lack of supply on the frequent timber sale appeals by environmental groups. Faye Fisk, spokeswoman for the company, said that if they can get two buys in August they should be able to stay up and running through the winter. Doug Despain, spokesman for the Carpenters Union Local 2772, said the union is assisting workers in getting unemployment compensation but that it is a devastating blow to family budgets. The City has made another proposal to the 3M Company in its ongoing battle to get those billboards on the south side of Route 66 down so that the attractive landscaping project can proceed. This proposal is for a six-year phase-out with the removal of an additional 14 signs added along with an increase of payments to the city during this time. Smiths Specials: Whole Fryers 89 cts. pound. Cantaloupe - 5 lbs. $1. - Chiles 89 cts. lb.- 8 piece fried Chicken $3.99 - Smiths Biscuits 4 for 99 cts. On Tuesday afternoon 0.47 inches of rain fell, filling the construction ditches and causing flooding on Butler Avenue. Lightning struck power lines causing a brief power interruption and the street lights on Route 66 to quit for a period of time. The following companies are subsidiares of Laboratory Co. of America: 1957285 Ontario Inc. dba Quality Underwriting Services, 2089729 Ontario Inc., 2248848 Ontario Inc., 3065619 Nova Scotia Company, 3257959 Nova Scotia Company, 8165335 Canada Inc., 8348596 Canada Inc., 896988 Ontario Limited, 9279-3280 Quebec Inc., Accupath Diagnostic Laboratories Inc., Assets of Pathology Inc, Beacon LBS IPA Inc., Beacon Laboratory Benefit Solutions Inc., CannAmm GP Inc., CannAmm Limited Partnership, Center for Disease Detection International, Center for Disease Detection LLC, Centrex Clinical Laboratories Inc., Chiltern, Clearstone Central Laboratories (U.S.) Inc., Clearstone Holdings (International) Ltd., Clinical Outreach Laboratory Services, Clipper Holdings Inc., Colorado Coagulation Consultants Inc., Colorado Laboratory Services LLC, Correlagen Diagnostics Inc., Covance Inc., Curalab Inc., Cytometry Associates Inc., Czura Thornton (Hong Kong) Limited, DCL Acquisition Inc., DCL Medical Laboratories LLC, DCL Sub LLC, DIANON Systems Inc., DL Holdings Limited Partnership, Decision Diagnostics L.L.C. (aka DaVinici/Medicorp LLC), Diagnostic Services Inc., DynaLifeDX, Dynacare - Gamma Laboratory Partnership, Dynacare Company, Dynacare G.P. Inc., Dynacare Holdco LLC, Dynacare Laboratories Inc., Dynacare Laboratories Limited Partnership, Dynacare Northwest Inc., Dynacare Realty Inc., DynalifeDX Infrastructure Inc., Envigo's nonclinical contract research services business, Esoterix Genetic Counseling LLC, Esoterix Genetic Laboratories LLC, Esoterix Inc., Execmed Health Services Inc., FirstSource Laboratory Solutions Inc., GDML Medical Laboratories Inc, Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratories GP Inc., Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratory Limited Partnership, HHLA Lab-In-An-Envelope LLC, Health Testing Centers Inc., Health Trans Services Inc., Home Healthcare Laboratory of America LLC, IDX Pathology Inc., Impact Genetics Corporation, Impact Genetics Inc., Kaleida LabCorp LLC, Lab Delivery Service of New York City Inc., LabCorp BVBA, LabCorp Belgium Holdings Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (Canada) Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (China) Inc., LabCorp Colorado Inc., LabCorp Development Company, LabCorp Employer Services Inc., LabCorp Health System Diagnostics LLC, LabCorp Indiana Inc., LabCorp Japan G.K., LabCorp Limited, LabCorp Michigan Inc., LabCorp Nebraska Inc., LabCorp Neon Ltd., LabCorp Neon Switzerland S.a.r.l., LabCorp Specialty Testing Billing Service Inc., LabCorp Specialty Testing Group Inc., LabCorp Staffing Solutions Inc., LabCorp Tennessee LLC, LabCorp UK Holdings Ltd., LabWest Inc., Laboratoire Bio-Medic Inc., Laboratory Corporation of America, Lifecodes Corporation, LipoScience Inc., Litholink Corporation, MEDTOX Scientific Inc., MNG Laboratories, MedAxio Insurance Medical Services GP Inc., MedAxio Insurance Medical Services LP, Medical Neurogenitics LLC, Medtox Diagnostics Inc., Medtox Laboratories Inc., Monogram Biosciences Inc., Monogram Biosciences UK Limited, Myriad Autoimmunes Vectra Testing Business, NWT Inc., National Genetics Institute, New Brighton Business Center LLC, New Imaging Diagnostics LLC, New Molecular Diagnostics Ventures LLC, Orchid Cellmark ULC, Ovia Health, PA Labs Inc., Paclab LLC, Path Lab Incorporated, Pathology Associates Medical Lab LLC, Pee Dee Pathology Associates Inc., Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc., Persys Technology Inc., Pixel by LabCorp, Princeton Diagnostic Laboratories of America Inc., Protedyne Corporation, SW/DL LLC, Saint Josephs-PAML LLC, Sequenom Biosciences (India) Pvt. Ltd., Sequenom Inc, Sequenom Inc., Tandem Labs Inc., Toxikon Corporation, Tri-Cities Laboratory LLC, Viro-Med Laboratories Inc., Visiun, and Yakima Medical Arts Inc.. Read More Generations of inbreeding in fundamentalist Mormon sect blamed for explosion in disease that leaves children severely mentally and physically disabled Members of a fundamentalist Mormon sect living in a remote part of America are a million times more likely than the rest of the global population to suffer a rare genetic disease that negatively affects facial features and mental faculties. Dr Theodore Tarby was the first to notice it in members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, when he first diagnosed it in a 10-year-old boy in 1990. According to the BBC report, the boy's facial features were unusual with a prominent forehead, low-set ears, widely spaced eyes and a small jaw, and he was severely physically and mentally disabled. The doctor couldn't figure out what it was until a urine sample came back from a specialist lab diagnosing fumarase defifiency. There were only 13 known cases of it in the world at the time - one in 400 million. But it wasn't only him. It turned out his sister, who they thought had cerebal palsy, had the disease too. The number of sufferers in the FLDS community has grown dramatically and now the likelihood of being born with the condition in the sect is over a million times above the global average. Doctors believe it has flourished in the sect more than in other places because of its polygymous beliefs, with many of its members being related to each other. The gene is recessive, meaning it only gets passed down to the children if both parents happen to carry it. That becomes an issue in a polygymous community where people are marrying other people they are closely blood related to, as it increases the chances of both parents carrying the gene. The reclusive FLDS community settled in Hilldale and nearby Colorado City, Arizona, back in the 1930s after polygamy was banned by the state of Utah and medical experts trace the surgance of the disease back to its founders Joseph Jessop and John Barlow. The original carrier of the mutative fumarase gene is traced to Jessop and his first with Martha Yeates, with whom he had 14 children, but it's believed to have passed into Barlow's bloodline when he married one of Jessop and Yeates' daughters. The community of Hilldale/Colorado City is small, numbering only 7,700 people and the BBC reports that some men are even kicked out to prevent a shortage of wives for the polygamist husbands, shrinking the gene pool even further. Not surprisingly, the surnames Jessop and Barlow dominate the community as their descendents have intermarried over the years. It poses serious questions about the future of the sect but they refuse to take any action to prevent it spreading. Dr Talby said he advised that they place a ban on two people marrying if they both have the gene. If an already married couple has it, they should not have any more children and, controversially, abort any unborn fetus that tested positive. According to the BBC, the community has ignored his advice and do not believe in the opinion of medical experts that the condition is gene-based. Pastor says he allowed his 10-year-old son to identify as a transgender girl because he was so unhappy he tried to kill himself A New Jersey pastor and his wife who allowed their now 10-year-old son to start identifying as a girl at age 2, say they made the decision to let him live as he liked because he gravitated to "all things girly" as a child and was so unhappy with his life as a boy he tried to kill himself. With his son Ben, now living as a girl named Rebekah, Pastor Christopher Bruesehoff of Holy Counselor Lutheran Church in Vernon, New Jersey, told Barcroft TV that he is worried about his transgender child's life as Rebekah gets older in the world. "I've always worried about the reaction with Rebekah, both in the community and the church and the world. I'm very worried about how the world is going to treat her, because I see a lot of ugliness in the world on a regular basis," he said. Rebekah's mother, Jamie, who struggles with depression and anxiety, has been writing about her journey on her blog, I Am Totally *That* Mom. "Rebekah has always been gender non-conforming. As young as 2 or 3 she gravitated toward typically feminine things. She loved pink and sparkles, all things girly and that was fine with us," Jamie said. "As her gender non-comformity intensified we started to notice some distress around things like being grouped with boys at school or in activities. By the time she was 7 all of this kind of hit a crisis point. Her anxiety was crippling and her depression was becoming life-threatening and we were at a loss. We were faced with a 7-year-old kid who wanted to die. At one time she punched out the screen in her second story window and tried to jump out," the pastor's wife explained. Rebekah told Barcroft, "The hardest part of all this was when I didn't transition and I was not happy and it didn't feel right." Jamie said they found a gender specialist who helped Rebekah understand who she is. After conversations with the specialist, "Rebekah came to tell us this is definitely me. I'm a girl in my head in my heart." Rebekah added, "I felt like I was a girl because I liked the color pink and I liked girls' clothes and how they wore their hair and stuff." Once Ben started fully identifying as Rebekah, Jamie said her transgender daughter became happy. "When I see pictures of Ben I just think of it as part of my past and now I'm me," Rebekah said. The family is now getting ready to put Rebekah on puberty blockers but Jamie explained that the decision to completely transition will be left to Rebekah when she turns 18. "Rebekah really doesn't want to think about the medical side of it. She doesn't want to develop into a man. Medically transitioning involves a lot of different stuff and every transgender person chooses their own adventure. For Rebekah, the first step would be puberty blockers which will pause puberty and prevent her from going through male puberty and developing secondary male characteristics like facial hair, a deeper voice and an Adam's apple that are irreversible," Jamie said. "The next step would be cross hormones. Rebekah is a natal male and so she would take estrogen to develop and go through female puberty. As far as surgery she hasn't indicated a desire for that, but that is a decision she gets to make down the road anyway. That's not something she would do before she is 18," the pastor's wife added. Despite how the pastor and his wife feel about their son, however, last summer the American College of Pediatricians warned legislators and educators that teaching children to accept transgenderism is child abuse. "The American College of Pediatricians urges educators and legislators to reject all policies that condition children to accept as normal a life of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex. Facts not ideology determine reality," the organization noted in a statement listing an eight-point explanation of its stance. The national organization of pediatricians and other healthcare professionals dedicated to the health and well-being of children said while everyone is born with a biological sex, gender is an awareness and sense of oneself as male or female. It is a social and psychological concept. "No one is born with an awareness of themselves as male or female; this awareness develops over time and, like all developmental processes, may be derailed by a child's subjective perceptions, relationships, and adverse experiences from infancy forward. People who identify as 'feeling like the opposite sex' or 'somewhere in between' do not comprise a third sex. They remain biological men or biological women," the organization said. "When an otherwise healthy biological boy believes he is a girl, or an otherwise healthy biological girl believes she is a boy, an objective psychological problem exists that lies in the mind not the body, and it should be treated as such. These children suffer from gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria, formerly listed as gender identity disorder, is a recognized mental disorder in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. The psychodynamic and social learning theories of GD/GID have never been disproved," it further explained. This article was originally published in The Christian Post. Pregnant Christian mother and her 3 young sons are killed in horrific car crash on way to Vacation Bible School A devout pregnant Christian woman who was driving her three young sons to Vacation Bible School in Beecher, Illinois, was instantly killed with one of her boys in a two vehicle crash Monday. A day later, another of her sons doctors tried desperately to save died. Then on Thursday, after many prayers, her oldest son passed too. The Will County sheriff's office told the Chicago Tribune that at about 8:30 a.m., Lindsey Schmidt, 29, and her 21-month-old son Kaleb were killed when a 25-year-old man driving a 2002 Chevrolet S10 pickup crashed into her family's 2014 Subaru Outback. He reportedly ran through a stop sign at an intersection in unincorporated Washington Township and slammed into the Schmidt vehicle, according to ABC7, forcing it off the roadway into a field. The mom was reportedly just one block away from her home when the accident happened. "As many of you have heard through social media, this morning Lindsey (Riechers) Schmidt and her one year old son Kaleb were killed in a car accident on their way to Vacation Bible School at Trinity. Her 4 year old son Weston, and 6 year old son Owen are in critical care at a hospital in Chicago," Trinity Lutheran Church in Crete, where the family are parishioners, announced on its Facebook page Monday night. Lindsey, who graduated from Illinois Lutheran High School, was in charge of the church's "Time Out for Moms" ministry and served as a room parent at Illinois Lutheran Schools, the church said. "Please keep Lindsey's husband Eddie in your prayers, as well as their two boys who are fighting to hold on to life," they pleaded Monday. But things got worse. Schmidt's 4-year-old Weston died Tuesday. "It is with great sadness that we report the passing of 4 year old Weston Schmidt. Last evening, the Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Cook County Medical Examiner who advised that Weston was pronounced deceased at 5:55 p.m. at Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago. Weston's 6 year old brother remains in critical condition at Comer," a release from the Will County Sheriff's Office said. The community then gathered on Wednesday night at a prayer vigil, hoping that Owen Schmidt, 6, Lindsey's oldest son, would pull through. He had been placed in a medically induced coma after the accident. At 2:39 a.m. Thursday, however, Owen was pronounced dead at Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago. "I believe you all understand when I say I wish we weren't here," Pastor Frank Italiano told about 200 people who later gathered for a prayer vigil for the family at Trinity Lutheran Church Thursday evening, according to the Tribune. "God is our rock and our fortress; the one we go to in times of trouble," he said, noting the "why" was sometimes difficult to understand. Lindsey's brother was also killed in a car crash in Beecher 12 years ago, ABC7 said. "Where's the glory? Where do we see glory in this week?" he asked. "We don't. But you know what? Lindsey, Owen, Weston and Kaleb; they see glory right now ... that's where there is glory." Alexa French, 30, had only kind things to say about Lindsey and her family. "I can still see her amazing smile and hear her laughter in my head. There was a time in my life I was able to hang out with my friend and be around her infectious joyous nature. I am sure your brother Mark was waiting with open arms when you and your boys arrived at the Gates of Heaven," she wrote. "I am a Christian Woman, but still struggle as a human to understand why tragedy of this nature happens to good people. I know God has a plan that we do not comprehend, but that doesn't always make us feel better (just being honest). "But, sweet dear Lindsey I just want to say thank you for allowing me briefly into your life. I know our lives went in different directions, but like all my friends the love was always still there. Please watch over all of us for I know you are smiling down from heaven," she added. Trinity Church is currently collecting donations on behalf of the family to cover the costs associated with the accident. Visitation will be held on August 1 from 2-9 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Funeral services will be conducted the following day at 11:00 a.m., also at Trinity. Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery with the Rev. Frank Italiano officiating. Police say charges against the driver of the pickup truck are currently pending. This article was originally published in The Christian Post. White House spokesman Sean Spicer out as Trump seeks to fix image White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned on Friday, ending a short and turbulent tenure that made him a household name and the butt of late-night television comedy lampoons, amid further upheaval within President Donald Trump's inner circle. While not a surprise, Spicer's departure was abrupt and accompanied other changes in Trump's media and legal teams, as an investigation of possible ties between his campaign and Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election widened. After six months in power and still without a major legislative win, Trump shuffled some of his closest staff, parting ways with Spicer after naming Anthony Scaramucci as the new White House communications director. Spicer had been communications director as well as press secretary following the resignation of Mike Dubke as director early last month. A Republican close to the White House told Reuters that Trump settled on Scaramucci, 53, a political supporter and former Goldman Sachs banker, for the head media job on Thursday and met with him on Friday morning to formally offer it to him. A White House official briefed on what happened next said Spicer was told of Scaramucci's hiring and Trump urged Spicer to stay on. But Spicer, 45, said he did not want to stay on under the terms and conditions described to him and quit. A source close to the White House said: 'Basically Donald Trump likes Scaramucci on TV and saw the communications director job as a way to ... make him a top TV surrogate.' The source said Trump wanted Spicer to be press secretary and do much of the communications director's work as well, 'with Scaramucci holding the ceremonial title with no responsibility. And that was the real challenge.' At an early afternoon briefing, Scaramucci, in his debut before the White House press corps, named Sarah Sanders as the new press secretary. She had been Spicer's deputy. Known by insiders as 'Mooch,' the new communications director is a Harvard Law School-educated Long Islander who founded a hedge fund after leaving Goldman, and sold it to join the Trump administration. Spicer, a veteran Washington staffer, was parodied memorably by actress Melissa McCarthy on the 'Saturday Night Live' TV comedy show for his combative encounters with reporters. 'I am grateful for Sean's work on behalf of my administration and the American people,' Trump said in a statement. 'I wish him continued success as he moves on to pursue new opportunities. Just look at his great television ratings.' Spicer will stay on the job through August. From the start, Spicer invited controversy, attacking the media in his first appearance as press secretary for reporting what he called inaccurate crowd numbers at Trump's Jan 20 inauguration. 'This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe,' he said, an assertion that quickly drew scorn. In a Twitter post on Friday, Spicer wrote, 'It's been an honour & privilege to serve @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & this amazing country. I will continue my service through August.' Before Trump tapped him for the job of press secretary, Spicer was the Republican National Committee's spokesman. He had previously worked in the administration of former President George W Bush. During that time, he dressed up in an Easter Bunny costume for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Spicer and other Trump aides shook up White House dealings with the media, including cutting back daily televised news briefings and replacing them with audio briefings only. Scaramucci told reporters, 'I love the president. ... It's an honour to be here.' Asked how he was going to right the White House ship, Scaramucci said there was nothing to fix. 'The ship is going in the right direction. I like the team. Let me rephrase that: I love the team,' he said. Separately, Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating the possible Trump-Russia ties, has asked White House officials to preserve any records of a meeting last year between the president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and a Russian lawyer, a source with knowledge of the request said on Friday. The spokesman for Trump's outside legal team, Mark Corallo, resigned. His departure came amid media reports that the role of Marc Kasowitz, who had been leading the team, was being reduced. On Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions brushed off sharp criticism from Trump, saying he loved his job and planned to stay in it. Trump took a broad swipe at his administration's top law officers this week in a New York Times interview, saying he would not have appointed Sessions as attorney general if he had known he would recuse himself. White House unrest was not limited to communications and legal staff, said two officials familiar with the situation. Trump has ignored the recommendations of national security adviser HR McMaster and his senior director for Russia, Fiona Hill, on dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. They said McMaster is frustrated by continuing debate about sending more US forces to Afghanistan. One official said tension persists between McMaster and chief White House strategist Steve Bannon and chief speechwriter Stephen Miller. Multi-billionaire tech titan and star of CNBC's "Shark Tank" Mark Cuban says that most people are underestimating the potential of artificial intelligence to change the world we live and work in. He's especially intimidated by the pace at which new technology advances: "It scares the s--- out of me," says Cuban, speaking to Ozy Fest conference attendees in New York City. "However much change you saw over the last 10 years with the iPhone, over the last 20 years with the Internet, over the last 30 years with PC's, etc., that is nothing. Nothing!" Cuban says. "Things are getting faster, processing is getting faster, machines are starting to think," he continues. "And either you make them think for you or they will take your place and do the thinking for you." Mark Cuban at OZY FEST That could be problematic for many people. "If you are in a job where you have to think, you need to start paying attention, because I guarantee you, your employer is trying to figure out ways to use technology and use neural networks to do a lot of the thinking that employees currently are doing," says Cuban. "If you have spreadsheets in your job, ... now, the networks can do all that for you. And if they can go through 10 zillion iterations, they will come up with things we can't," he says. "So it's not so much robots Rosy the Robot is going to take your job so much as it is the types of thinking you will do, the types of consulting, the type of valuations. It's all going to change." To be more knowledgeable about advances in AI, Cuban has read and recommends "The Master Algorithm," by Pedro Domingos. He also listens to the podcast "This Week in Machine Learning and AI," he says. Cuban's comments are part of a fierce debate among Silicon Valley tech billionaires regarding the effect artificial intelligence will have on the world. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the potential is frightening. "I have exposure to the most cutting edge AI, and I think people should be really concerned by it," Musk said earlier in July. "AI is a fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization." Meanwhile, Facebook CEO and billionaire Mark Zuckerberg says AI will make our lives better and safer. Three Republican senators on Thursday appeared to get the assurances they needed to support the GOP's "skinny" Obamacare repeal, after earlier criticizing the proposal. In the latest twist in a bizarre legislative process, Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., slammed the proposal to roll back parts of Obamacare at a news conference. But they later told reporters that they would back the plan after House Speaker Paul Ryan told them a House and Senate conference committee would seek a better alternative. A fourth senator who attended the news conference, John McCain, R-Ariz., would not say where he stood after speaking to Ryan. Earlier, Graham said he could not support a "half-assed" plan that he called "politically" the "dumbest thing in history." But he added that he could back the bill if he is promised that lawmakers could strike a better Obamacare replacement deal in conference. Johnson said the plan was sold to senators as "a vehicle to get to conference." McCain added that he is "voting no unless I see that there is a path to a conference" and said he would also listen to GOP Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's opinions on the plan. Essentially, the senators said they would back the plan only with the assurance that the House will not pass the same bill. House Speaker Paul Ryan later said that his chamber is 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. After Ryan's initial statement, McCain responded by saying his assurances were not sufficient. Supporting the proposal carries risks for senators who do not want it to become law. The House could simply approve it and send it to President Donald Trump's desk to end the months-long struggle to at least partially repeal Obamacare, a key GOP promise for the last seven years. 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. 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 chamber tries to reach a plan that could also get approval in the House. Senate Republicans unveiled the "skinny" repeal bill late Thursday just hours before they planned to vote on it. It repeals Obamacare's individual mandate, rolls back the employer mandate, suspends the medical device tax, increases contribution limits for health savings accounts, cuts off Planned Parenthood funding for one year and expands a program that would allow states to waive some consumer protections. 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 the exact bill the Senate will field. Insurance companies need to collect payments from healthier people in order to offset the costs of sicker ones. Without an individual mandate requiring Americans to have insurance or pay a penalty, it is expected that some healthy people will drop their coverage. Graham did not mince words about the proposal. "The skinny bill, as policy, is a disaster," he said. It is still unclear if the Senate can reach a majority vote on the plan. As Republicans hold 52 seats, three "no" votes will block it. 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. A Slovakian vehicle company wants to solve the problem of failing infrastructure by taking to the skies. AeroMobil designs flying cars that utilize existing airplane runways, thus relieving some pressure from congested roads. The car is available for pre-order and the company claims it will be ready for delivery in 2020. It will come in at a price tag of $1.2 million to $1.6 million and will require users to have both a driver's and a pilot's license. The vehicle transforms from car to plane in three minutes. In testing, the car has reached a driving speed of 100 mph and a flying speed of 224 mph. President Donald Trump on Saturday expressed frustration with China over its inability to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions, suggesting his effort to strategically cultivate his Chinese counterpart was nearing its end amid Pyongyang's continued defiance. On Friday, North Korea fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile that experts say has the potential to reach the U.S. mainland. The test sparked condemnation from South Korea, America and Japan, but no consensus on how to check the hermetic Communist nation's ambitions. However, Trump lashed out at China for being unable to rein in North Korea, as both countries exchange billions per year in trade across the border that separates them. In a series of posts on Twitter, the president accused China of doing "nothing for us with North Korea, just talk." I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet... they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem! Amplifying the president's displeasure, Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations insisted there would be no emergency session of the U.N. Security Council. In a statement posted on Twitter Sunday, Haley said the time for continued multilateral discussions about the crisis was "over." In the wake of North Korea's IBCM launch, Haley declared "there was no point in having an emergency session if it produces nothing of consequence. North Korea is already subject to numerous Security Council resolutions that they violate with impunity," she said, which has not produced a change in the regime's behavior. "The time for talk is over," Haley stated, adding that an emergency meeting was "worse than nothing, because it sends the message to the North Korean dictator that the international community is unwilling to seriously challenge him. The danger the North Korean regime poses to international peace is now clear to all." The U.S's pressure on China represent a stark departure from Trump's constructive tone toward the country, as he sought cooperation on sensitive issues such as trade and foreign relations. The president has made overtures toward Chinese President Xi Jinping, in order to convince him to exert influence over Pyongyang. In April, a summit between the two leaders resulted in Trump and Xi agreeing to cooperate on a range of issues, with Trump declaring the bilateral meeting a "tremendous" success. Most notably, the president pointedly declined to label China a currency manipulator, despite having vowed to do so on the campaign trail last year. With no consensus among major world powers on how to halt the aggressions, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has grown increasingly brazen in his threats. On Friday, he claimed his country had the capacity to strike the entire continental U.S. North Korea has tested at least a dozen rockets in 2017 alone. As concerns grow over North Korea's military provocations, a range of experts are warning that for various reasons, the U.S. cannot count on China as a reliable partner in defusing the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. Early Sunday, the U.S. military said it had conducted a successful test THAAD weapon system test over the Pacific Ocean, a response to Pyongyang's latest missile test. That came on the heels of South Korea announcing a new precision ballistic missile it claimed is capable of destroying North Korea's nuclear facilities and tunnel strongholds. On Friday, The North Korean government test-fired a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. That prompted a furious Twitter tirade from President Donald Trump, who berated China on its inability, or unwillingness, to control its ally. For its part, China is concerned about the repercussions of North Korea's regime collapsing, including a civil war in an impoverished country with nuclear and chemical weapons. Beijing also is worried a fall of the regime could result in millions of refugees streaming across the border into China, observers say. "I've been told by senior Chinese officials: 'Look we don't like the status quo but it's certainly a lot better than the alternative,'" said Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest, a Washington, D.C.-based public policy think tank founded by former President Richard Nixon. Another reason the administration remains wary of negotiations is previous U.S. attempts at denuclearization have failed, even after substantial assistance to North Korea. In April, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pointed out the U.S. had provided the North with about $1.3 billion in aid since 1995. Those factors are playing out against a backdrop of a potential military conflict that grows more acute by the day. Experts now estimate the long-range missile can reach at least half of the continental United States. Yet Joel Wit, a senior fellow at the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, told CNBC that all was not yet lost. "I think the 'window of opportunity' is still open for dialogue," said Wit, a co-founder of Washington's 38 North think tank and a former State Department official. He added that it's time for the Trump administration to sit down and hold "a serious security dialogue" with Pyongyangand forget about taking the "dead-end" sanctions route. For example, Sendmybag.com might be likened to an Uber of baggage shipping, with door-to-door pick-up and drop-off and bag tracking. The Northern Ireland-based service first targeted students, who according to CEO Adam Ewart were being hit the hardest by excess baggage fees when the airlines introduced them. Six years after the company's 2011 launch, Sendmybag.com has expanded to other markets, such as vacationers and business travelers. Airline baggage fees keep increasing, with domestic carriers earning $3.5 billion last year from checked-bag fees. In response, some travelers are turning to online luggage-shipping services such as Luggage Free , Luggage Forward and Sendmybag.com in search of cheaper prices and other perks. In 2017, the service has already shipped around 200,000 bags and counting, Ewart said. And he can see the company hitting 1 million bags within the next few years. "It's a great early adopter market because when a student uses [the service] for college, whenever they travel for business or vacation in the future, they'll use it again," he said. The vast majority of customers who use Sendmybag.com use it again within six months, and 42 percent of orders placed this year so far have been by repeat customers, Ewart said. More from Out of Office: A look at airlines, then and now The worst airports for summertime travel delays Checking out, and into, the hotel room of the future In terms of cost, sending one bag through the site is likely more expensive than checking that bag with an airline. Shipping becomes the cheaper option when you have multiple bags you need to travel with. All prices depend on the travel distance and the number, weight and shape of the bags. Here is some cost data from Sendmybag.com for popular air routes: From California to New York in five to six business days: $79 if under 44 pounds, $90 if between 40 and 60 pounds. From New York to London in two to three days: $99 under 33 pounds, $169 between 33 and 66 pounds. From Washington, D.C. to Toronto in one to two days: $79 under 33 pounds, $115 between 33 and 66 pounds. The company has seen a big uptick in business users because "time-saving points are particularly important for them," according to Ewart. Business travelers can save time by blowing through baggage check, or customs for international flights, and not having to wait around for their luggage at the baggage carousels, which 43 percent of travelers said was the worst part of their trip, according to the company's survey of 2,000 independent travelers. Millennial-age American are prioritizing their furry best friends over nuptials or babies when it comes to house hunting. To that point, 33 percent of millennials between ages 18 and 36 said that they considered canine-related features, such as a large fenced yard and dog-friendly neighborhoods, as a huge factor in buying their first home, while 25 percent cited marriage and just 19 percent said the birth of a child, according to a SunTrust Mortgage survey. A desire for more living space (66 percent) and building equity (36 percent) were the only factors higher than considering their dog's needs when buying a home, according to the survey. The survey also found that 42 percent of millennials who had never bought a home said that their dog, or the desire to have one, would be a key factor in their decision to get on the property ladder. Some may find the survey results surprising, but Rachel Wingard, a millennial first-time home-buyer, says the results signify that millennials are thinking practically. "People were surprised at the dog statistic but it shows a level of responsibility that you're caring for a living thing," Wingard said. "It's hard to think about children when you don't have any, and owning a home doesn't necessarily make marriage more plausible." Police stand in front of the disco Club Grey in the southern German town of Konstanz, where a gunman opened fire, killing one and wounding four people before being shot by police, on July 30, 2017. A 34-year-old man opened fire in a nightclub in the southern German city of Konstanz on Sunday, killing one person and seriously injuring three others, police said. The suspect suffered life-threatening injuries in a gunfight with police officers outside the music venue after they had rushed to the scene shortly after the incident around 0230 GMT. The suspect has been taken to hospital. The motive for the shooting is unclear. One police officer was also injured in the exchange of fire with the suspect. Police said in a statement that special commando forces have been deployed in the city as it was not clear if the suspected had acted alone or had accomplices. On Friday, a failed asylum seeker killed one person and injured six others in the northern city of Hamburg. Officials said he was an Islamist known to security forces and he had was psychologically unstable. The Konstanz gunman who killed one person and injured three others in a nightclub in southern Germany on Sunday was an Iraqi citizen who had lived in the country for a long time and was not an asylum seeker, police said in a later statement, ruling out terrorism as a motive. Konstanz police spokesman Fritz Bezikofer told the n-tv broadcaster that after an initial investigation into the events surrounding the shooting at the nightclub in Konstanz on the border with Switzerland investigators ruled out terrorism. "The motives of the man who acted alone are unclear," he said. "We are still investigating but the circumstances surrounding the events at the disco in the evening before the shooting are a bit clearer and this led us to rule out a terrorism background." it's very common to shop for groceries at With a greater of selection of food markets, specialty stores and bulk discounters comes greater efficiency and cost savings for shoppers. However, sometimes the reverse is true. "It's a very competitive environment for groceries, which is great news for shoppers," said Tobie Stanger, a senior editor at Consumer Reports. "That competition drives down prices." But on the flip side, now it's not unusual to do your shopping at not only the grocery store but the farmers' market, warehouse club and big-box retailer, too all in a typical week. Each month, 68 percent of Americans shop at least five different types of food retailers, according to the Hartman Group, a consulting firm for the food industry. It's a very competitive environment for groceries, which is great news for shoppers Tobie Stanger a senior editor at Consumer Reports That has also taken a toll on the one-size-fits all supermarket. "Remember A&P? It was around for more than 150 years, but closed in 2015," Stanger said. Now the stores that fare the best are so-called premium stores such as Wegmans, specialty stores like Trader Joe's and discounters such as Idaho-based WinCo, the ratings magazine said. In fact, Wegmans has held the top spot among all food retailers since 2006, according to a Consumer Reports subscriber poll, thanks to its competitive prices, prepared foods, healthy options and customer service. But making one to Wegmans run for ready-to-cook meals, another to Trader Joe's for Two Buck Chuck and a third stop at Costco for paper towels, along with all of the impulse items along the way, can strain any household budget, not to mention the time wasted food shopping. "I think it would theoretically be superior to the existing social welfare system," Michael Tanner, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, told CNBC's "On The Money" in an interview. "It would be more efficient. It would be more humane and it would be a lot less paternalistic." The idea is whether a person is unemployed or wealthy, a $1,000 monthly government check could replace all current welfare programs, including Social Security. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg are among those who say universal basic income, or UBI, is a good idea. With inequality widening, the idea of an unconditional, periodic cash payment that the government makes to everyone has suddenly become a hot topic. The conversation about UBI has reached a crescendo as the workforce leans more heavily on technology. Nearly half of all U.S. jobs could be replaced by robots in the next decade or two, according to an Oxford University study. Last November, Tesla's Musk said there was "a pretty good chance we end up with a universal basic income, or something like that," as a rising number of workers lose jobs due to automation. UBI supporters say the cash from the government could fund basic needs, like food and housing, freeing people up to find new jobs in the digital economy. "A lot of people when they first hear this idea really like it," said Jason Furman, former chief economic advisor to President Obama. That is, until you read the fine print "And then when you look at the details it turns out it just doesn't work," Furman explained to CNBC. "It costs two to three trillion dollars. You would need to double the current income tax to make it work." Furman, a professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, added that "the premise underlying it is wrong too. There's going to be a lot of automation but there's also going to be a lot of jobs and our focus should be on making sure people can get those jobs not giving up. And universal basic income represents giving up in the face of that challenge." Yet Tanner took aim at the current social safety net. He argued the current "social welfare system spends nearly one trillion dollars a year fighting poverty, and it doesn't do a very good job of enabling people to rise and get out of poverty and to be in control of their lives." He added: "Looking for some new alternative for that is not a bad idea." The debate has been heightened by Europe's experiments in providing UBI to citizens, which have had mixed results. Those experiments have amplified calls to try a similar approach in the U.S. "Our current system is certainly imperfect, I don't want to be the defender of the status quo," said Furman. He cited research where current government anti-welfare programs "that invest in children" providing food stamps, Medicaid and housing vouchers are successful and "increase their mobility." Yet Furman added that "it's too simplistic to say, just write everyone a check, let's spend trillions of dollars doing that, rather than doing the hard work of trying to get the (government) programs right." Tanner countered that it's hard to determine which federal programs are effective and which aren't. "We have over a hundred different welfare programs all with different rules and regulations. They're overseen by dozens of different agencies. Simplifying, consolidating and moving to cash would make a great deal of difference I think." So might a UBI program work in America? "We don't have a lot of wide scale evidence yet there are a number of ongoing experiments in places like Finland, the Netherlands and Canada," Tanner acknowledged. Still, Furman doesn't see UBI or the "rise of the robots" as coming anytime soon. "Maybe 50 or 100 years from now we have enough robots to make everything and they can just hand the proceeds over to us," the academic said. "But I'm trying to think in the scale of the next 10, 20, 30 years, (robots) are not going to take our jobs on any time scale that I'm capable of envisioning." On the Money airs on CNBC Saturday at 5:30 am ET, or check listings for air times in local markets. For those new to message boards please try to follow a few simple rules when posting your question. Choose the correct forum for your message. Posting a VB.NET question in the C++ forum will end in tears. Be specific! Don't ask "can someone send me the code to create an application that does 'X'. Pinpoint exactly what it is you need help with. Keep the subject line brief, but descriptive. eg "File Serialization problem" Keep the question as brief as possible. 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